Chapter 89

Chapter 89 The Story of Tantalus – (1)

Zeus had declared that Hephaestus must finish serving his punishment in the Underworld before he could marry Aglaea. So, unfortunately, their wedding had to be postponed.

Looking dejected, Hephaestus returned to the Underworld, while I was busy delivering a warning to Aphrodite.

“As I’ve said before, every time you seduce a god, you cause another crack in Olympus’s unity…”

“Yes, yes, I understand. You’ve made your point. But it’s not like I wanted this forced marriage. Can’t I at least live as I wish now?” Aphrodite pouted.

Beside her, Eros fiddled with his bow.

The reason Eros was here instead of in the Underworld was that I’d allowed him to swap places with Hephaestus after deciding he had learned his lesson.

“I swear, I won’t shoot my arrows recklessly again…” Eros muttered.

“I can’t stop the god of love from spreading love, but no more shooting arrows aimlessly into the sky,” I replied sternly.

Hopefully, he’d limit his practice to designated targets from now on. One more reckless shot, though, and…

Eros, sensing my thoughts, hid behind his mother, peeking out fearfully.

Aphrodite, meanwhile, smiled at me, though it wasn’t her usual seductive smile—this one seemed… sincere.

“Thank you for convincing Zeus, Hades. Truly.”

“…I only pitied the goddess of love being unable to love freely,” I responded.

Her eyes seemed filled with genuine gratitude. I suppose the forced marriage with Hephaestus had truly weighed on her. After exchanging a few more words, I mentioned Hera’s crucial role in persuading Zeus and turned to leave Olympus.

“Hades, brother!” Zeus called out.

“Zeus, what is it?”

Just as I was preparing to return to the Underworld, Zeus stopped me. By the look on his face, it seemed like he was about to invite me to some banquet or event, perhaps even to attend Hephaestus’s postponed wedding.

“A mortal king has invited us gods to a great feast. Why don’t you join us?”

“If I attend, I’m sure it’ll sour the mood,” I said dryly.

“This king is my son, actually. He’s the king of Lydia and a devout worshipper of the gods. I’d like you to meet him.”

Ah, that explained his eagerness to invite me.

Zeus wanted to make sure his son, a king who worshipped the gods devoutly, would be treated well in the Underworld after death.

Being Zeus’s son, this king was technically my nephew. And Lydia’s royalty wasn’t known for dull gatherings, so attending might be worth my while.

“I can’t promise a special place for him in the afterlife, but I’ll join you.”

“Good. I’m sure you’ll take a liking to him,” Zeus said, suddenly growing serious. “That’s the official reason I’m inviting you. But there’s something else…”

So there was another motive behind this invitation?

* * *

There were seven of us heading to meet the king of Lydia and Zeus’s son: Zeus, myself, Hermes, Dionysus, Demeter, Poseidon, and Hera.

Apparently, Zeus had invited all twelve Olympian gods, but some were too busy to attend.

Athena was preoccupied with rebuilding her temple, which had been destroyed by the Chimera.

Hephaestus, of course, was still in the Underworld, while Aphrodite and Ares were too wrapped up in their love affair to bother coming.

Apollo and Artemis? Likely out hunting somewhere, as usual.

We traveled on clouds to a grand palace on Earth, where a man wearing a golden crown and luxurious garments awaited. This must be Tantalus, the king of Lydia and Zeus’s son.

“It is an indescribable honor to have such divine visitors!” Tantalus exclaimed.

“Tantalus, I trust tonight’s feast will be a spectacle for the gods?” Zeus asked.

“Of course, Father. The best dishes fit for Olympus await!”

Tantalus introduced himself to each god in turn, his manners precise and his praises excessive. It seemed Zeus had not exaggerated when describing his son’s respectful demeanor.

“Oh, great queen of the gods, I praise you, Hera. Thanks to you, my household enjoys endless harmony with Dione.”

“Hmm…” Hera’s response was no more than a displeased glance, which, for a son of Zeus, was mild.

“Lord of the seas, it is thanks to you that Lydia’s maritime trade prospers,” Tantalus continued, turning to Poseidon.

“Oho,” Poseidon grunted approvingly.

Finally, Tantalus turned his gaze to me. His posture was reverent, his eyes averted, not daring to meet mine directly.

“And… may I ask the name of this great deity?”

“I am Pluto.”

“…! It is an honor to stand before the lord of the dead, Pluto. Thanks to your blessings, Lydia’s people live in prosperity,” he said, layering his words with praise. He went on to mention the abundance of mint—a plant sacred to me—growing throughout Lydia, and how its presence was a sign of my favor.

His flattery was well-crafted, neither too excessive nor lacking, and he bowed once more before guiding us deeper into the palace.

“Please, follow me. The finest dishes are being prepared for the gods. I hope they meet your satisfaction!”

“Let’s head inside,” Zeus said.

Led by Tantalus and his attendants, we entered a grand hall. Servants ushered us to a spacious room, ensuring everything was perfect before they left us alone.

I recalled the conversation I had with Zeus earlier.

“The boy’s been respectful and devout toward the gods. Once, I even brought him to Olympus to taste ambrosia and nectar… but then, the fool tried to steal some for himself,” Zeus had told me.

“…Tantalus?”

“Yes. I suspect this feast may be his way of atoning for that. Perhaps he’s hoping I’ll forgive him. I invited you because…”

The reason was obvious.

“Because he’s your son, you want me to be lenient in the afterlife? He tried to steal ambrosia and nectar, Zeus. You’re usually strict about this.”

“Yes, but he’s served the gods faithfully, and his wife is a daughter of Atlas. I’ll decide his fate after tonight. If he confesses and begs for forgiveness, I’ll show him mercy. If not…”

Atlas, the mighty Titan who had resisted us until the end of the Titanomachy. He was now condemned to eternally hold up the sky.

Zeus was reluctant to punish Tantalus harshly, fearing it might provoke Atlas. After all, Atlas was still immensely powerful, and punishing his son-in-law could stir up a dangerous rebellion.

While Gaea’s threat still loomed, the last thing we needed was Atlas abandoning his punishment and joining forces with her.

A minor theft of ambrosia and nectar didn’t seem reason enough to provoke such risks. Besides, Tantalus was also Zeus’s son. But if Tantalus committed a far greater offense—insulting the three great gods, for instance—then Zeus might have no choice.

We didn’t have to wait long before Tantalus returned, ordering his servants to bring out a large dish filled with stew.

He bowed deeply as he presented it to us.

“Forgive the delay, divine ones. This stew contains the finest meats for your pleasure,” he said.

The aroma was indeed tempting, a blend of spices and herbs perfectly mixed. However…

“You expect us to eat this?” I asked, my voice cold.

“……”

I could tell immediately—this stew was made from human flesh.

* * *

None of the gods at the table missed the truth. Even a minor deity would have sensed something wrong with the meal, let alone the Olympians present here.

Serving a dish of human meat to the gods? Only a madman would do such a thing.

I glanced at Dionysus. His face was expressionless, but his eyes were wide, the telltale sign that his madness was about to explode.

It wasn’t the result of Dionysus’s influence. This madness was entirely Tantalus’s.

The other gods remained silent, fury simmering beneath the surface as they stared at the stew. Zeus had closed his eyes the moment he laid eyes on it, struggling to contain his wrath.

No one touched the food, and we all sent icy glares toward Tantalus, who had the audacity to speak again.

“Great gods, why do you hesitate to partake…”

“You fool, Tantalus! Have you truly gone mad?!”

Crack—BOOM!

Zeus’s roar split the sky, and his thunderbolt obliterated the palace in an instant.

Rumble, rumble… CRASH.

The grand palace was reduced to rubble, and humans were buried beneath the debris, their screams and groans filling the air. Spirits began to rise, the souls of those who had perished in the chaos.

“Ugh… what happened… gods…?”

“My king…?!”

Amidst the confusion, Zeus paid no heed to the mortals. He lifted the stew into the air, gathering the pieces of human flesh into one place before handing them to Demeter.

Perhaps Zeus intended to revive the human Tantalus had butchered.

A poor soul, murdered by his own father and nearly served as food to the gods… I would erase the memory of this event from his soul in the Underworld.

Zeus, having regained control of his anger, waved his hand.

Tantalus, bloodied and broken, was dragged through the air, clutching his throat as if an invisible force was choking him.

“Kuh… kuh!”

“Explain yourself, Tantalus. You dared to serve human flesh to the gods? Who is this human, and why have you committed such a heinous act?”

“Ku…”

“Answer me!”

Zeus demanded, his eyes crackling with lightning, his presence suffocating.

Under the overwhelming pressure of the king of the gods, Tantalus had no choice but to confess.

“This… this is my son. I… I wanted to test the gods… to see if they were truly wise…”

He had murdered his own son and served him to the gods… to test their wisdom?