Story of Persephone - Part 3
As I hurriedly drove the chariot northward, I soon discovered the Gigantes slaughtering nymphs. Amid the screams and the dying cries of the nymphs, a lone golden-haired goddess was struggling to resist.
Crack!
"Kyaaaah!"
"Save us! Demeter, please!"
"I don't want to die...!"
The goddess, who had a golden mane and an aura suggesting she was less than 200 years old, was clearly inexperienced in battle. Her power was significant, indicating that she had strong parents, likely one of the Olympian gods, but her combat experience was lacking.
Thud, thud, thud
Even though I was still a distance away, the ghost horses galloped quickly, and I arrived soon. What I saw was the sadistic grin of a Gigante as he lifted the goddess by her neck.
"Seems like a young god... Curse your fate."
The strength I sensed from the creature indicated that he was almost on par with Apollo or Ares—an Olympian god. And there were three more just like him.
The Gigantes clawing at Mount Etna, trying to unearth Typhon's body, were of lower rank, about the level of minor gods. Their numbers appeared to be in the hundreds, perhaps thousands.
What a swarm of vermin.
Bang!
I summoned my bident and threw it forcefully. The Gigante's head exploded instantly, scattering blood across the ground.
I maneuvered the ghost horses to safely lift the exhausted goddess into the chariot, placing her behind me. After all, the safest place on the battlefield was on this very chariot of Hades.
"Are you alright?"
She didn't answer, but I didn't mind. Judging by the ichor—godly blood—flowing from her body, she had sustained significant injuries.
"Who the hell is this!"
"It doesn't matter if you're an Olympian! There's only one of you!"
"Do you think you can stop us alone...?"
A swarm of vermin noticed the death of their comrade and surged toward me.
Mount Etna isn't just any mountain. A god of significant power could easily obliterate it—especially with Typhon's body buried beneath it.
Yet, the seals had held, thanks to the immense size of Mount Etna, the divine power of Zeus, and the intricate seals placed by the gods.
As I surveyed the state of Mount Etna...
"Take this—"
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"What can you do alone!"
Boom!
Where was I? Ah, yes, assessing the state of Mount Etna. The Gigantes were certainly capable of digging up the mountain given enough time.
But since I was here disrupting their plans, their leaders would focus on trying to stop me, leaving the lower-ranking Gigantes to attempt to unearth Typhon's body.
"Eurytos! Let's attack together!"
"You create an opening, Thoas!"
Three Gigantes who were much stronger than the rest surrounded my chariot. Even if Dionysus and Ares were here, it wouldn't make much difference.
But since I had arrived, the situation was already under control. There's no rush now; I can kill them slowly.
I thrust my bident into the ground and used my divine power to create a pathway to the Underworld.
Crack
This might cause some damage to Demeter's domain, but she'll understand given the circumstances.
The Underworld is not merely an underground world. It is a completely separate realm from the mortal world. Digging deep enough won't get you there.
"Curse it! It's Hades, the god of the Underworld!"
"Aaah! Die!"
"Even if you're one of the Three Great Gods, you're still alone!"
"The dead won't save you now!"
But when I connect the two worlds with my power, that's a different story.
Waves of translucent souls crawled up from the earth, clinging to the Gigantes. They were an army that couldn't die, continuously resurrecting unless the entire Underworld was destroyed.
Even though the Gigantes had failed to execute their plan to seize Typhon's body without alerting Olympus, the three who faced me seemed to cling to some last hope.
"Take—this!"
A giant wooden club swung down at me. Oh, this one's got some strength. I drew the Stygian Blade from my waist, preparing to counter.
Boom!
Despite the Gigante putting all his strength into the attack, it was pointless. It wasn't Zeus or Poseidon wielding the weapon...
One of the Gigantes noticed the grin on my face and, in a rage, rushed at me. His abilities included gigantism, super strength, rapid regeneration, and the blessing of the earth.
"Damn it! Don't underestimate us, Hades!"
"Wait...! Eurytos! Don't rush in like that..."
Oops, I guess laughing on the battlefield isn't very polite. He must be really angry now, but...
Slash! Bang!
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"Argh!"
It's amusing how you all cling to the false hope of victory. You should be running for your lives, not trying to defeat me.
You thought I'd be easy prey without my Helm of Darkness, the Kynee?
In a full-scale war, I might lose. But this is just a skirmish, and the prophecy has yet to take effect.
As the wraiths finished off the remnants of the Gigantes, I sensed a god approaching rapidly. From the sky, I saw Hermes descending.
Holding the Caduceus, Hermes quickly surveyed the area before meeting my gaze. He seemed relieved as he approached.
"Uncle Hades! Was this an attack by the Gigantes?"
"Yes, I believe this was the blow that Prometheus warned us about."
"They must have been trying to steal Typhon's body. If you hadn't been here, it would have been disastrous."
As Hermes glanced at the peak of Mount Etna, he seemed shocked.
I did knock a bit of it off during the fight...
"Whoa...! Did you blow off the entire mountaintop?"
"...It was an accident."
"...Typhon's body almost got loose."
I tried to minimize the impact on the seal, but those Gigantes were strong enough that I couldn't help it.
"But I doubt Prometheus's prophecy ends here."
"I summoned the forces of the Underworld earlier. I suspect that was a reference to merging the mortal world with the Underworld for victory."
"Hmm... You could be right, but something still bothers me."
Hermes frowned, clearly troubled by something. Could it be that this wasn't the full extent of the attack?
"Go to the Underworld and report the situation at Mount Etna. Let them know that all the enemies have been defeated and that no further support is necessary."
"Are you going to inspect Typhon's seal?"
"I'll stay here and reinforce the seal. Tell Olympus not to worry and to prepare for any other potential threats."
There might be another attack from Gaia or hidden forces lying in wait. It's better if I personally reinforce the seal.
This is a critical location. I'll strengthen it with my divine power to make it more secure.
"And also, stop by Demeter and ask if she has any information about the Gigantes' base."
"Yes, I'll..."
"I'll ask her myself! She's my mother, after all!"
Interrupting my conversation with Hermes, the golden-haired goddess suddenly chimed in. She looked at me with sparkling eyes...
"You're Demeter's daughter?"
"Yes! And my father is Zeus!"
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Demeter and Zeus's daughter?
After Hermes left, I faced the golden-haired goddess. She smiled at me, as if inviting me to ask her anything.
"There's no need for you to ask Demeter yourself; Hermes can handle it."
"But, Hades, I think it would be better if I spoke to my mother..."
"Enough. If you're Zeus and Demeter's daughter, you can just call me Uncle."
"Yes, Uncle Hades!"
The golden-haired goddess beamed at me, her smile reminiscent of a warm spring day.
...Why is she so happy about that?
Well, I suppose I do have a certain status...
"So, what should I call you, niece?"
"Call me Kore! That's what everyone close to me calls me!"
A nickname? Why are you asking me to call you by a nickname?
We've only just met today.
"What's your real name?"
"Just call me Kore!"
"...I meant your actual name."
She pouted slightly but then smiled brightly again.
"My name is Persephone, Uncle Hades!"
"What... did you say?"
For a moment, it felt like I had been struck by a heavy blow. Memories I had forgotten along with the mint—a long-forgotten past life—flooded back.
Knowledge surged forth like a river overflowing its banks.
If my memories serve me correctly... wasn't Persephone supposed to be Hades' wife?
The story goes that Eros, the god of love, accidentally shot Hades with one of his love-inducing arrows during target practice, just as Hades laid eyes on Persephone. Overcome with love, Hades then abducted her to the Underworld...
"Uncle Hades? What are you thinking about? Is there anything I can help with..."
Could it be... Is Eros practicing his archery nearby?
Realizing this, I quickly scanned the area with my divine power...
Whoosh
I sensed an arrow approaching from a nearby distance. The hot, passionate emotion of love strikes suddenly and unexpectedly. Eros's arrows are fast and stealthy.
But if you're on guard, they're avoidable. I swiftly turned to dodge the arrow coming from behind.
Whoosh
Wait, if I dodge the arrow... in this direction...!
Thud
"Huh?"Story of Persephone - Part 4
"Uh-oh?"
Persephone finally seemed to notice the golden arrow lodged in her chest. She pulled it out, and as soon as her hand touched it, the arrow dissolved into the air, having fulfilled its purpose.
"This... this is Eros's golden arrow?"
Eros, the god of love, is often depicted as a child with a bow and arrows. He carries both golden arrows, which induce uncontrollable love, and lead arrows, which incite intense hatred.
The golden arrows cause the one struck to fall madly in love with the first person they see, while the lead arrows provoke an irrational hatred for the first person seen.
Due to the stealthy and swift nature of love itself, Persephone, exhausted and worn out from the prolonged battle, had been unable to dodge the arrow...
"So, it really was a golden arrow?"
Sigh...
Now that Persephone had been struck by Eros's golden arrow and had laid eyes on me, it meant that I was now the object of her love.
...What a mess.
I glanced in the direction from which Eros's arrow had come, feeling a sense of resignation as Persephone spoke.
"But I feel perfectly fine! Maybe he missed? Hehe."
"...Even Zeus wouldn't be unaffected by being hit with one of those arrows."
As she smiled at me, seemingly unaware, I knew that her heart must be overwhelmed by this newfound emotion, even if she didn't fully realize it yet. Pretending not to notice wasn't an option—I had seen the arrow hit her. How in the world was I supposed to handle this?
Her father is Zeus, king of the gods, and her mother is Demeter, the goddess of the earth... If I mishandle this, it could lead to a real disaster.
"But... I really do feel fine. So, are you planning to return to the Underworld now?"
"I'll need to clean up this area first before I head back."
The aftermath of the battle with the Gigantes had left the area in ruins.
It looked as though Zeus's lightning bolts or Poseidon's trident had torn through the land—everywhere I looked, the ground was upturned, and countless cracks ran deep through the earth.
Mount Etna's peak, which housed Typhon's seal, had been obliterated by the force of my attacks, and the once-beautiful plains, forests, and streams were now a desolate wreck.
Most of the nymphs had either fled or been killed; none were in sight.
As I surveyed the devastation, my niece extended her hand. A warm, gentle divine power radiated from her.
"Uncle Hades! Let me help too. I'm the goddess of spring and seeds, so I can do things like this."
Whooosh
A green wave of energy emanated from Persephone's hand, softly caressing the earth. Grass sprouted by the fallen trees, and the barren plains began to regain their colors.
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Of course. As the god of the Underworld, I am not the best at restoring the land. A goddess of spring like her would be far better suited for this task. It would have been even easier if Pan or Demeter were here...
"How did I do? I've only really used this power when playing with the nymphs, but it works well for this too..."
"...You did well."
My niece beamed at me, looking for praise—how adorable she was. Among all the beautiful goddesses of Olympus, she would undoubtedly stand out with her stunning beauty.
Her golden eyes and hair, inherited from her father Zeus, her perfectly balanced figure... Any god with a roving eye would be overjoyed to have a goddess like her fall in love with them.
"What are you thinking about, Uncle? Tell me too!"
But she's my niece...
"Phew... All done. I've finished cleaning up everything."
While I scoured the area for any remaining traces of the Gigantes and tracked their movements, Persephone had managed to restore much of the damaged land.
"Good job."
"Hehe... So now you're heading back to the Underworld, right? Can I come too?"
I froze at her words, uttered with a smile as bright as a blooming flower. This is the real problem...
Those struck by Eros's golden arrow are consumed by an absolute love. Not even Zeus, Poseidon, or I can resist the power of such an emotion.
Among the souls that have come to the Underworld, there have been many who were struck by Eros's arrows, so I am well aware of their potency.
If the love is mutual, it can lead to a happy ending, but if one party rejects the other or if the difference in status is too great...
They might take up arms and slay those who stand in the way of their love, or they might fall into despair and take their own life, or they could go mad, cursing the gods for their unrequited feelings.
The phrase "blinded by love" is quite literal in this context.
If I were to outright reject my niece, what would happen...?
"You may feel that you love me because of Eros's arrow, but it's a false emotion. I can't take you to the Underworld..."
"What... what do you mean...? Sob... sob... Waaaaah!!!"
"No matter how much you cry, I can't take you to the Underworld..."
"Then... then I'll die! If I die, I can go to the Underworld!"
Yes, she would likely attempt suicide immediately. And if the goddess of spring and seeds, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, were to try to take her own life at the entrance to the Underworld...
"Your Majesty! It's a disaster! It was snowing yesterday, but today the sun is blazing..."
"Spring has vanished! Surely the gods are angry with us!"
"Seeds are no longer sprouting... Something must have happened to the gods of Olympus!"
The whole world would be thrown into chaos because the goddess of spring and seeds had abandoned her duties. Naturally, her mother, Demeter, would...
"What?! My daughter attempted suicide because she wants to go to the Underworld... What? She was struck by a golden arrow and fell in love with Hades, but he rejected her?"
"The land has completely dried up!"
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"The oracle at Delphi says that the goddess Demeter is furious..."
"Nothing grows from the earth anymore. Zeus, help us..."
Demeter would undoubtedly take drastic action. She's not a benign goddess like Hestia—she's more like Artemis. When her emotions run wild, the earth will wither, and the number of souls entering the Underworld will increase.
But it wouldn't end there. Her father is none other than Zeus, king of the gods.
"So, Uncle Hades rejected Persephone, and that's why she tried to go to the Underworld and kill herself?"
"Yes, Father. That's what I heard from Demeter..."
"And Demeter abandoned her duties because of this?"
"Yes..."
"...Even if he's my elder brother, Hades has gone too far. I'll need to have a talk with him."
The Underworld would be inundated with complaints, and the spirits of those who starved to death would flood in. Both mortals and immortals alike would condemn the Underworld.
All of these catastrophes, which have only played out in my mind thus far, could very well come to pass if I don't take my beautiful niece, who is smiling foolishly in front of me, to the Underworld.
"Uncle Hades? So, can I come with you? Hehe... I've always been curious about what the Underworld looks like."
Even though she's smiling now, gazing at me like she's the happiest she's ever been... If I handle this poorly, chaos will descend upon the world.
"If you keep staring at me like that, I'll get embarrassed. Hehe..."
Oh, Zeus, help me.
I'd rather fight my father, Cronus, one more time than deal with this.
There's no other choice.
I'll take her to the Underworld for now and figure out how to handle this situation later.
"...Alright. I suppose I can show you around. Come with me."
"Yay! Thank you, Uncle!"
Persephone threw her arms around me in an embrace. Should I accept this? If I don't, she might start crying, thinking I dislike her...
Hug
The sensation of her soft figure and the fresh scent of spring tickled my nose...
"Hehehe..."
I feel like I'm about to lose my mind.
Is this really happening? Am I really about to take my niece, struck by Eros's arrow, to the Underworld?
"Now, stop clinging to me and get in the chariot..."
"Aww... Your chest is so broad... Can't we just stay like this?"
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"...It would be uncomfortable, so sit next to me."
"Okay!"
I took the beaming Persephone into the chariot and headed toward the entrance of the Underworld.
"Wow! These horses are so cute!"
Snort
Please don't pet the ghost horses while they're running... They get startled when a goddess with an aura completely opposite to theirs suddenly starts stroking them from behind...
Somehow, we made it to the Underworld. Despite the dark, eerie surroundings, Persephone showed no fear, instead marveling at everything with curiosity.
"Oh, look! There's a cute dog here too!"
"That's Cerberus, the child of Typhon. I brought him here to serve as the guardian beast of the Underworld."
Grrr?! Grrr?
As Persephone enthusiastically petted him, the three-headed dog Cerberus, who had never experienced such affection, was taken aback. Cerberus, the fearsome guardian of the Underworld, quickly submitted, showing his belly in a sign of complete surrender.
Pant, pant!
"Uncle Hades! Look, he's so soft and fluffy! Hehe!"
Hey, don't let his appearance fool you—he's a pretty formidable monster. He could probably tear apart a Gigante or two.
"I have some work to do, so wait here in this room for a while. If you need anything, ask the attendants."
"Okay! ...Oh wow, can you do this too?"
Grrr?! Pant, pant!
I needed to consult with the other gods about the Gigantes, so I decided to leave her in the care of the attendants and come back later. While I was on the surface, I also had to catch up on the trials and the current affairs of the Underworld...
"Hades! Just in time. There's an issue that requires your direct approval..."
"Morpheus. Is it another problem with the souls?"
"Ah, if you could look over here..."
"This matter will require consultation with the other gods..."
I discussed some matters with Morpheus, signing off on some documents. He hurried off, saying he had to deliver dreams to mortals.
Finally, I headed back to the room where Persephone was waiting.
Crunch. Munch.
I found my niece happily munching on some pomegranate seeds in a small bowl.
Who put pomegranates in this room? Was this space originally a rest area for other gods? Wait... according to the laws of the Underworld, anyone who eats food here...
"Hehe... Uncle Hades! You should try these too! They're so fresh, even in the Underworld!"
As I stared at my niece, who had pomegranate juice staining her lips, I brought a hand to my forehead.
...Oh, for the love of Zeus.The Story of Persephone - Chapter 5
"...Persephone, do you understand the significance of consuming food from the Underworld?" "What? Is it forbidden? I'm so sorry..."
Persephone's expression shifted rapidly to one of dismay.
The Underworld operates under different rules than the world of the living, and these rules are well-documented on enchanted parchment:
Laws of the Underworld:
Article 1, Clause 1: The dead may never return to life.
Article 1, Clause 2: All souls must undergo judgment to resolve their earthly deeds. . . .
Article 5, Clause 3: Anyone who consumes food from the Underworld, even once, is bound to live here.
Persephone's case falls under this last clause—Clause 3. This doesn't mean she is entirely forbidden from returning to the living world, but it does mean she must now consider the Underworld her permanent residence.
This law applies even to the gods, which is why deities sent on temporary missions to the Underworld never touch the food. Neither Athena, Ares, nor Aphrodite ever ate anything while they were here.
"Indeed... Anyone who consumes food in the Underworld must live here." "Oh? Really? Does that mean I'll be living with you now, Uncle?"
Struck by Eros' golden arrow, Persephone's reaction was not one of distress but rather mild acceptance. But what would Demeter or Zeus think of this?
Wait a moment... Could it be that even though she's a young goddess, having lived for just over 300 years, she deliberately ate the food knowing the consequences? The position of the Lady of the Underworld is one of power and prestige, and if Persephone, struck by Eros' arrow, truly desires it...
"...For now, follow me. Do not leave my sight." "Yes, Uncle!"
It seems best that I keep her close.
So, I took her along as I went about my duties.
"For losing your chastity and being cast out by Artemis' followers, meeting your death as a result..." "...May the God of Mercy bless you... Thank you, Lord Plouton."
As I listened to the grievances of the souls and strained to deliver fair judgments, Persephone stood by, her face full of questions.
After concluding a backlog of trials, she approached me.
"Uncle Hades, why are you so lenient with mortals?" "Lenient?" "Yes. You seem to show mercy even to those who insult or defy the gods."
Her eyes, filled with genuine curiosity rather than sarcasm or criticism, reflected the innocence of a young goddess raised under the care of the highest deities, never knowing want or hardship.
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Young gods and goddesses often possess immense power but, being born into privilege and reverence, sometimes appear capricious or harsh toward mortals.
Persephone, born to Demeter and Zeus, likely shares her parents' temperament. After all, both can be severe with mortals.
"...It would be best if you let go of such thoughts." "What? But why?" "The Underworld is where mortals come to find their final rest. If I were harsh with them, what would become of their souls?" "But aren't we gods meant to be revered by mortals? If I were to withhold the power of spring, they would—"
Young gods, despite their naiveté, wield immense power and can appear merciless to mortals, who suffer greatly under the whims of deities.
Persephone, cherished and powerful from birth, might have naturally inherited such an outlook. Her parents, Demeter and Zeus, have not been strangers to harshness themselves.
"...You truly speak like the goddess who governs one of the seasons." "But I'm just the goddess of spring and seeds, Uncle." "I don't mean it that way. I only wish to say that your small actions could manifest as natural disasters to mortals."
I continued, gazing into Persephone's questioning eyes. I wanted her to grasp some of the wisdom I had gained from my long tenure in the Underworld.
"We gods are not infallible beings. Even Zeus or Athena can make mistakes." "My father and the goddess of wisdom too?" "There is no such thing as a perfect god. So refrain from wielding your powers on whims or without thought." "Uncle Hades, one of the three Great Gods... Have you ever regretted something?" "...Too many times to count."
How could one live through countless millennia without making mistakes? No matter how merciful or just one may try to be...
"I've made errors in judgment, been overwhelmed by emotions... And regretted it deeply." "Oh..." "When you let your anger consume you, it may seem trivial that mortals perish as a result, but remember..." "..." "To them, it is an unavoidable catastrophe. And those unjustly dead are the ones who come to the Underworld."
As Persephone pondered my words, her once unchecked divine power began to settle. Could she be awakening to the gravity of her role, the responsibility she bears over her domain?
"We cannot always be perfect, but as gods, we must strive to make the best decisions we can."
"...My mother never spoke to me like this before..."
Persephone muttered softly, her eyes downcast.
For the first time, I felt that she had grown, however slightly.
The vibrant energy of spring, which radiated from her, seemed to stabilize. As a result, spring would be a bit more balanced, and the seeds sown in the earth would grow stronger.
"For now, I will assign you a temporary residence. And I will inform your mother..."
"Hades, we have a problem! In the Underworld right now..."
Goddess Styx burst into the room, urgently calling out for me. Had the Gigantes attacked again?
"In the Underworld... the soul of the deceased Chiron has arrived!"
Chiron.
The wise centaur with a human upper body and a horse's lower body.
Master of countless skills and knowledge, his greatest talent lay in education. He was the one who nurtured many heroes of the mortal realm.
If Chiron had died, it would be nearly impossible to raise the prophesied hero capable of defeating the Gigantes.
"I'll go meet him at once. But isn't he an immortal being..." "Well, it seems... the Gigantes tortured him, and he chose to forfeit his immortality!" "This is..."
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Only a few hundred Gigantes had attacked Mount Etna to seize Typhon, yet they managed to split their forces and kill Chiron...
Could Gaia be targeting the heroes, as she did with Oedipus when he fell from grace?
Could she have discovered the prophecy known only to the gods?
No... If she were certain, she would have declared open war by now.
Perhaps she suspects that a hero is linked to the Gigantes, but she's unsure...
It's fortunate she cannot foresee all possible futures. Not even Prometheus could do that...
With Persephone and Goddess Styx, I hurried to meet Chiron.
Yes, my niece, it's safer if you stay close.
Before long, we saw Chiron's ethereal, translucent form.
He had truly died and come to the Underworld.
"Chiron." "Lord Hades. It's been a long time. Though I regret the circumstances of our meeting."
Chiron bowed his head, his face etched with sorrow.
"I heard the Gigantes tortured you. Rest now, in peace." "...I feel as though I fled to death rather than fulfilling my duty to raise heroes." "Who could withstand the torture of monsters equal in power to gods?" "Thank you, my lord. They... they also attacked the students I was teaching..."
Thanks to Chiron's widespread reputation, the place where he resided was always teeming with those who aspired to become heroes.
But when the Gigantes suddenly invaded, many people were massacred.
Chiron and his students resisted, but none could stand against monsters that rival even lesser gods. According to him, many students were killed or forced to flee.
"After coming to the Underworld, I learned that thankfully, the gods Dionysus and Ares descended to drive the Gigantes away."
"Hmm... While you were still in the mortal realm, Corinth and Athens were also attacked." "It seems they appeared in many other places as well." "Although the Olympian gods descended and killed the Gigantes, the damage was significant..." "They seemed more intent on destroying temples and severing the link between mortals and the gods than killing ordinary humans. They targeted heroes and demigods as soon as they saw them."
After Chiron spoke, Thanatos and other gods provided further explanations.
The Gigantes had indeed attacked mortal cities like Corinth and Athens.
"Many heroes died during this event." "Athena descended in haste, but her temple was partially destroyed." "How does Olympus view this incident...?"
I motioned for the gods to hold their opinions for a moment.
"The Rainbow Goddess will likely descend to summon me to the Olympian palace. Until then, we will maintain our usual vigilance." "Shouldn't we prepare for what's to come?" "Demeter is with us." "Ah... The Earth Goddess must have located the Gigantes' base using the Omphalos stone!"
Though the Gigantes had succeeded in killing Chiron, they had also revealed their base to us.
Surely Demeter has already informed Zeus, and countless gods are now watching the Gigantes' base closely.
The Gigantes can no longer strike without drawing the gods' attention.
Their only options now are open war or Gaia's cunning schemes.
Persephone had remained silent, watching with bright eyes throughout the entire discussion. She wasn't interfering with the work—had my earlier words resonated with her?
Goddess Lethe tilted her head curiously as she looked at Persephone.
"Hades, who is this goddess? She doesn't seem to be a minor deity..." "Oh, I'm Persephone!"
I should clarify this situation before any misunderstandings arise. Otherwise, leaving her presence unsaid could lead to unnecessary rumors.
"I met her near Mount Etna. She is the daughter of Demeter and Zeus. Also, she was struck by Eros' golden arrow and ate food from the Underworld."
"What?!" "Eros' golden arrow... Does Demeter know about this?" "I intend to go to Olympus soon to explain everything."
The expressions of the many gods present changed.
There was nothing I could do now. The Gigantes had attacked more than just Mount Etna, and I had to take her along.
"I wasn't affected by the golden arrow at all!" "Yes, yes." "It's true! Uncle Hades, you saved me, so you have to take responsibility!" "...What?"
"Hades... Why do you keep attracting goddesses whenever you leave the Underworld?" "Before there are any more additions..."
The gathered gods quickly turned to look at Goddess Styx and Goddess Lethe. They also noticed Menthe, who had just entered the room and was now standing frozen.
Persephone suddenly began to tear up, causing everyone to tense up.
"Lord Hades, you held me so gently back then! You have to take responsibility!"
"W-what did you say?" "Wait, am I hearing things wrong because of my age? Do I need to see Apollo...?" "Who touched what?" "Hades...! What have you done?"
Why are they all looking at me like this?
This is all a misunderstanding...
Persephone, even if you're maturing as a goddess, your lively spring-like personality remains unchanged...!
"My dear niece... I merely pulled you onto the chariot while you were being strangled by the Gigantes, and now you say this..." "T-that's basically the same thing! I want to marry you, Lord Hades!"
"Hades... You didn't touch her beyond placing her on the chariot, right?" "The Gigantes aren't the issue right now! Hurry up and explain everything..." "Lord Hades... I'm fine with being a concubine, but if there are too many..."
The Underworld has always been a place where strange things happen, but recently, it seems worse than usual. Is this some curse from Gaia?
"Lord Hades, the Rainbow Goddess Iris has arrived. I believe she's here on behalf of Olympus regarding the Gigantes..."
"...! Let her in at once."
She must be here to invite me to the meeting at the Olympian palace.
We need to discuss the Gigantes and what to tell Demeter.
As the Underworld buzzed with activity, the Rainbow Goddess Iris arrived.
"I have come to see the Lord of the Underworld..."
Iris paused as she entered, surveying the scene before her, her eyes widening in shock.
Seeing her reaction, Moros, the god of inevitable doom, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, spoke nonchalantly.
"Oh, Iris, don't be alarmed. This is just another day in the Underworld." "Moros... What on earth is happening here?" "Nothing much. Just that the daughter of Demeter and Zeus got struck by Eros' golden arrow, ate food from the Underworld, and is now caught in a quarrel with three goddesses who all have feelings for Hades."
"W-what? Whose daughter?"
The Rainbow Goddess's face turned pale, and the seven-colored halo that always radiated from her back dimmed.