Chapter 91

Chapter 91 The Goddess of Mint and Thebes – (1)

“Hades! Shall we depart right away?”

Behind Mente, who was pleading with me, I could see the illusion of a dog’s tail wagging frantically.

It seemed she was still disappointed about the interrupted walk from the last time due to the Gigas’ attack.

“I didn’t pay enough attention to you. If you had told me earlier, I would have taken you out.”

“Well… I wanted to, but…”

The goddess of mint showed a troubled expression, appearing hesitant.

“You wanted to…?”

“A-Ah, no! If I cut in line, I’ll get cursed… I’ll be trampled…”

Suddenly, she clasped her hands and shivered.

What on earth was she talking about? A curse… being trampled? What was that about?

“Anyway, let’s go straight to Thebes, passing through the place where heroes train. I need a change of pace and I feel like going to the mortal world.”

“Yes! I’ll dress up prettily to your liking, Hades! Ah, and I…”

Mente, who was about to happily leave the audience chamber, suddenly stopped and spoke quietly.

Her back was turned, so I couldn’t see her face, but her ears were blushing more than ever.

“Hades, the… um… the golden-embroidered chiton you wore when we first met… I think it suits you best. Not because it’s my preference or anything, just…”

“If you liked it, then I’ll wear it.”

Was that outfit from before to Mente’s taste?

I chuckled at her bold words and changed my attire.

It’s a statement that might be redundant, but I was well aware of my appearance and popularity.

However, due to my high position as the king of the underworld, it was hard to find a deity who would treat me without formality.

Moreover, most mortals were so afraid of the name Hades that they would refer to me as Pluto.

That’s usually how it is… but the goddess of mint was different.

“Wow…! Hades, you look amazing right now! Hehe… I’ll be back soon!”

When she first met me, not as a minor goddess but as the water nymph Naiad…

She was a unique nymph, driven more by curiosity and excitement than fear.

Perhaps it was because of this disposition that she became my priestess and eventually rose to the position of a deity.

* * *

Mente and I soon spotted Chiron at the hero training ground imbued with Persephone’s power.

The centaur sage looked happier than ever, giving lectures to aspiring heroes.

“When shooting an arrow, keep your feet shoulder-width apart, and your back foot should be…”

Chiron nocked an arrow and aimed at the target.

The heroes, attentively watching, were seated widely around the clearing.

After Chiron’s explanation ended, they scattered to practice archery.

Judging by the clumsy way they drew their bows, it seemed he had gathered those who were not very proficient in archery.

Chiron noticed us at a distance, far enough that the heroes wouldn’t see us.

“When did you arrive, Hades? And Lady Mente, you’re here too.”

“Chiron, the heroes’ training seems to be going well.”

“Ah, of course. You’ve sent many heroes who have completed their tasks recently, haven’t you? Thanks to that…”

Chiron trailed off, turning his head.

In a clearing some distance away, heroes wielding weapons were aiming them at each other.

I spotted familiar faces—Bellerophon, and Perseus was there too…

Crash!

A man dodged an incoming sword effortlessly and tripped his opponent, sending him tumbling.

The fallen man complained bitterly to his rival.

“King Perseus! What is a great hero like you doing here?!”

“What do you mean by that? Training successors is also a hero’s duty, isn’t it?”

“But still, for someone like you, who was once a king, to be training…”

“…Huh? Even King Cadmus is here, so I’m nothing compared to him. Come on, hurry up and fight!”

The sight of famous heroes, who had accomplished their tasks and died, training aspiring heroes.

When Perseus had died and come to the underworld, Zeus had intended to turn him into a constellation alongside his wife, Andromeda.

However, when Perseus learned of Thebes’ hero training ground, he refused.

He expressed his desire to continue nurturing successors even in death, and thus his wish was granted.

Originally, he was supposed to go to Elysium, but he kneeled, claiming he was a sinner who killed his grandfather, thus unworthy of that place.

In many ways, he was a hero reminiscent of Cadmus.

“That’s why the heroes here receive such high-level training. It’s much better than when I was teaching alone.”

“I’m glad it’s been helpful. I’ll send any heroes who wish to join in the future.”

I briefly watched the pleased smile on Chiron’s face before turning my gaze to Mente.

She was admiring the scene of the heroes training.

“Wow… Hades, look over there. Is that the royal serpent Python…?”

“Mente, if we reveal ourselves to them, it’ll cause unnecessary commotion, so let’s pass quietly.”

I urged Mente to step outside the rift in space.

Swooosh—

“Wha-What?! The heroes haven’t even… Gasp! L-Lord Hades…!”

The moment we crossed into the mortal realm, we were met by an older male priest who seemed flustered by our presence.

A high priest with strong faith… His name was surely…

“Was it Vesilides? Your dedication in offering prayers every day without fail is truly commendable, an example of a priest’s devotion.”

“To think you remember my name… I-It’s an honor! Sniff…”

Wait a minute. Please don’t suddenly fall to the floor and start crying…

I merely acknowledged his daily prayers offered morning and evening.

The stone floor here is cold; we should get moving.

“It’s uncomfortable to watch my priest prostrate on the cold stone floor. Stand up.”

“But… How could I…”

“It’s an order.”

Only then did the priest cautiously rise.

“Keep the fact that the goddess of mint and I have come to Thebes a secret.”

“Of course! I swear by the River Styx… Oh.”

“…That kind of oath isn’t necessary.”

The moment I heard the word ‘Styx,’ I momentarily sealed his ability to speak.

Why was he so quick to swear by the River Styx?

It wasn’t necessary… Is his faith too excessive?

If Mente and I stayed here any longer, he might pass out. We better move on…

We passed the priest, who exhibited an almost fanatical level of faith, and blended into Thebes in our concealed forms.

* * *

However, the moment we stepped out of the temple connected to the underworld…

“Are you serious? Do you really think Pluto’s official consort is Lady Styx?”

“Aren’t you the one lacking evidence? He was struck by Eros’ golden arrow and fell for Lady Persephone…”

“That golden arrow isn’t even acknowledged by the priests of Pluto’s temple. Stop making baseless claims.”

“How do you explain the statue of Lady Lethe placed right next to Pluto’s statue?”

I found countless people in Thebes arguing about my consort.

Some were debating seriously, while others presented their opinions with amused expressions.

But the real issue was the sheer number of them… The entire square in front of the temple was packed.

When I made eye contact with Mente, she too had a bewildered look in her eyes.

“Lady Mente was originally a nymph and then became a minor deity. Isn’t that a sign of Pluto’s favor?”

“That’s because she became associated with Pluto’s symbol, mint. It’s not about favor!”

Just then, Mente’s name came up in their discussion.

They were debating whether I made Mente a minor goddess because I favored her… or if it was just a mere reward.

Squeeze.

Along with that, I felt a small hand clasping my right hand.

The gentle touch of the goddess held onto me shyly, and I turned to look at her.

“Hades… I… I’m curious too.”

“Mente.”

“What… what do you think of me…?”

She asked this question the moment we set foot in the mortal world.

Despite her flushed face, she looked me in the eye.

She must have been curious about this for a long time. I could sense a slight anxiety in her eyes.

The truth is, it was Zeus who made Mente a minor goddess, not me.

But as for whether I favored her…

“…Hades?”

Her glossy, teal hair and clear eyes glistened in the light.

Even when she was a water nymph, she boasted beauty that rivaled other goddesses, and she became even more radiant after becoming a minor deity.

When I didn’t respond and simply gazed at her, Mente, seemingly uneasy, hastily opened her mouth.

“I… I don’t dare dream of being your official consort… but even being a concubine…”

“Mente.”

I slowly raised my hand and gently stroked her hair, causing her to stop talking.

If it were in the past, I might have tried to avoid this situation, but I had resolved not to do so anymore.

From the moment I first met Mente when she was a nymph… through the days she served as a priestess at my temple,

The times we worked together when she came to the underworld as a minor goddess out of her affection for me passed before my eyes.

Despite the countless petitions and work, the reason I never lost my smile in the underworld…

The goddess of mint, who never lost her liveliness, had quietly made her way deep into my heart.

“…You don’t need to plead so desperately. I don’t dislike you either.”

“Ah…”

Her eyes widened before she relaxed and leaned into me.

The fresh scent from the goddess’s body tickled the tip of my nose.

As I savored the soft feel of her teal hair,

I noticed something beyond Mente’s back.

“I love you, Meledipos.”

“I… I feel the same, Alceios.”

Two men, appearing to be in their 20s to 30s, were embracing each other.

Even other citizens around them reacted as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.

“Indeed. That’s true love.”

“Love between a man and a woman is just for breeding; it’s not pure.”

Surveying the area quickly, I saw…

Hundreds of men in uniform were displaying affection openly on one side of the street.

Who dared poison my Thebes with such madness?

“…Ha. Hades?”