Chapter 60
"Try to explain with your wisdom, which is so renowned in Olympus."
As I say this while looking at Athena, I see her body flinch.
Then the goddess of wisdom immediately bows her head deeply and opens her mouth.
"I know that whatever I say to you, Uncle, will sound like a lie to avoid the situation."
"You're not going to make excuses?"
"...In the future, when punishing humans, I will reconsider your words once again."
Although it was unavoidable since it almost threatened her virginity sworn on the River Styx... tsk.
It reminds me of Artemis cursing Actaeon.
"Next time something like this happens, rather tell me or Zeus. We'll at least give a warning."
"Yes, thank you..."
"And I'll remember that you sacrificed a poor priestess who was raped by Poseidon. Make sure this never happens again."
"I'll keep that in mind, Uncle."
Athena's relieved expression, as if it's fortunate it ended here, doesn't sit well with me.
But for now, that's all I have to say about Medusa.
Medusa is not a deceased soul in the underworld, but a living being on earth, and she was also a priestess belonging to Athena.
I can't interfere too much. Although I intend to accommodate her if she comes to the underworld...
"...Now tell me. Why should I lend you my Kynee?"
"As you know, Perseus is destined to become a hero by killing Medusa, who has become a monster."
"And?"
"But he is a human without any power, and unless he receives a divine object from you, Uncle Hades, he can never defeat Medusa, who is a demigod."
Actually, regardless of Perseus being destined to become a hero,
I just don't like the circumstances that led to the birth of the monster this hero is supposed to kill.
"Then conversely, why should I lend the Kynee to a human without any power?"
"...How about you meet Perseus in person and test whether he is worthy of receiving the Kynee, Uncle?"
Athena spoke to me in a confident voice.
I should test him myself?
This is an answer that couldn't come out unless Perseus has considerably heroic qualities.
I'm curious since the goddess of wisdom is so confident.
I wonder what kind of human he is...
"Fine. But while I go to meet this human Perseus, you'll have to work in the underworld."
"...Understood."
Athena, who had maintained a composed appearance even when I questioned her about Medusa earlier, now had cold sweat running down her forehead.
***
The peaceful island of Seriphos.
Perseus, facing a life-threatening situation due to King Polydectes' scheme targeting his mother, was drooling.
Who would have thought that among those approaching his mother, Danae, attracted by her beauty, would be the king.
'Damn it... Isn't Medusa the monster with snakes instead of hair, and anyone who looks at her turns to stone and dies?'
The anger towards King Polydectes grew bigger and bigger in his heart.
What a trash king, trying to kill her son through a monster's hands just to possess a woman.
"Perseus. It's the king's order. Bring me Medusa's head."
"If you refuse, you'll be executed for disobeying the royal command. What will you do?"
The young man, Perseus, gritted his teeth and prepared his sword.
Once the order from the king ruling Seriphos has been given, he must somehow kill that monster.
He had thought about secretly fleeing with his mother, but...
The king's subordinates are watching this place, and all the ships are in the king's grasp.
He can't escape under the pretext of killing Medusa either.
If Perseus escapes alone, it's clear as day that his mother, Danae, will be taken by the king.
'Is there no other way...'
Perseus, having finished arming himself, was about to head towards where Medusa was.
But at that moment,
Whoosh-
Just as an unnatural gust of wind blew, a man with black hair and a gloomy expression was standing there.
The man's eyes slowly examining him with a sunken gaze.
A presence that even Perseus, an ordinary human, could feel,
Like magic, a miracle... this subtle pressure and power... it's a god!
Thud.
"...Are you perhaps a god?"
Perseus immediately knelt on one knee and bowed his head to the unknown god.
Could it be that an Olympian god has come to help me?
Just as his usually non-existent faith was about to surge suddenly,
the god spoke to him.
"Are you Perseus?"
"Yes! I am Perseus, oh god!"
He answered the question in a loud voice.
But the god's words were cold.
"I came to see which human would voluntarily become my subject."
"Pardon? What do you mean..."
"I am Pluto, the god of the underworld. Are you the human who's going to commit suicide by going to Medusa?"
Putting aside the fact that the man before him was one of the Big Three, Pluto...
Is he saying that I'm about to die? To Medusa?
"Medusa is a demigod with the power to turn those who look at her into stone, a monster you cannot face."
"..."
"Your death is inevitable. Your name has already been added to the underworld's register, and I became curious about what kind of human is heading towards Medusa, so I came to meet you."
Damn it! Am I destined to die by Medusa's hand?
Perseus's body trembled slightly. To think he has to walk into his own death...
"However, there is just one way for you to live."
"Is there... a way for me to survive?"
"It's clear that the king wants to kill you because he desires your mother, so if you agree to your mother's marriage to the king, you won't have to die by Medusa's hand."
"...?!"
"Your mother will become queen, and you'll receive a not-so-disappointing reward. Isn't that a good solution?"
What God Pluto says in a cold tone is correct.
The reason King Polydectes is trying to kill him through Medusa's hand is that he fiercely opposes the marriage between his mother and the king.
If he changes his mind, he can save his life.
Although his mother dislikes the king, if he somehow persuades her...
He doesn't have to throw his life away unnecessarily.
However, he couldn't abandon his mother who would have to marry the king forcibly,
and it was impossible to flee the island with his mother.
But if he goes to kill Medusa as per the king's order, he himself will die.
A fate confirmed by none other than Pluto, the god ruling the underworld.
'Damn... Damn it! Don't be ridiculous, I, Perseus, here...'
Perseus bit his lip hard.
***
I looked at Perseus, who was trembling with his head buried in the ground.
A young human with all sorts of emotions swirling based on the despair of having no way out and anger towards the king.
After shaking his head down for a while, Perseus's body suddenly stopped.
And he slowly raised his head.
His roughly torn, bleeding lips were the first thing I noticed.
"I cannot do that, Lord Hades!"
His eyes directed at me were burning fiercely.
Where have I seen such blazing eyes before? Surely...
"I will definitely behead Medusa and save my own life!"
That's right. It's similar to the bravery shown to me by Cadmus, the founder and great hero of Thebes.
Should I... test him a little more?
"Your name is already written in Thanatos's register. You will soon come to the underworld and meet me again."
"While it would certainly be an honor to see the great lord of the underworld again..."
A death sentence confirmed by the god of the underworld.
If he's destined to die upon meeting the invincible monster Medusa...
"I will somehow behead the monster, survive, and make King Polydectes pay the price!"
"Medusa is no ordinary monster. If we must classify her, she would be a demigod."
"Even if death is my fate, I cannot give up like this! I will accomplish it no matter what!"
Perseus said, taking a deep breath.
Even when I pretended it was his fate, he didn't despair.
He didn't even notice that my words were false, he just calmly accepted the trial.
Perseus, who walks bravely towards a confirmed future of death... he was indeed a hero.
"...You remind me of Cadmus."
"Pardon?"
Looking at Perseus's puzzled face, I pointed my finger.
A human challenging fate... quite impressive.
"Move forward with confidence in yourself. My blessing, Hades's blessing, will be with you."
"...?!"
Although it will end in tragedy, I'll support you at this moment.
***
I instantly returned to the underworld and headed towards the busy Athena.
The goddess of war and wisdom, who was commanding souls, saw me and walked over, her armor clanking.
"How was it, Uncle?"
"Indeed, he was a human worthy of your confidence. It was like seeing Cadmus, who deceived Typhon."
Athena's expression brightened.
"Does that mean..."
"Yes, I'll lend you my Kynee. Take it."
"Thank you, Uncle!"
I handed the black, worn invisible helmet, Kynee, to Athena.
With this, I've also lent a hand in killing Medusa... hmm.
"Then I'll be going to deliver the weapons to Perseus."
"Weapons?"
"Yes, I plan to give him my shield Aegis, Hermes' winged sandals, Hera's magic pouch, and Ares' sword."
So the plan is to approach secretly wearing my Kynee, then use Aegis's surface to locate Medusa,
approach quickly with the winged sandals, and finish with Ares' sword.
And with Hera's magic pouch, Kibisis, he can safely store Medusa's head...
"Then I'll be going now, Uncle."
Watching Athena's back as she turned to leave the underworld, I felt a sudden bitterness.
Even Zeus can't change a predetermined fate,
but was this the best solution? I'm not sure, but...
I should prepare appropriate compensation for the victim of fate who will soon come to the underworld.