The King of the Underworld is Tired

Chapter 166: Something Strange About the Trojan War – Prelude

In the city-state of Troy, King Podarces was living a peaceful life.

One morning, he urgently summoned all his vassals as soon as he woke up.  

This included Troy’s princes Deiphobus and Hector, as well as Aeneas and other generals.  

Even Cassandra, the priestess dedicated to Apollo’s temple, was called to attend.  

When everyone was gathered in one place, King Podarces opened his mouth with a grave expression.  

“Last night, the god Morpheus appeared in my dream… and delivered an oracle from Pluto.”  

“An oracle…!”  

“Hmm!”  

While everyone else listened intently, for some reason, only Cassandra seemed to have a bright expression.  

“The oracle said that if we build a temple for Pluto in Troy, he will help us overcome the impending crisis. How should we interpret this?”  

“A temple for Pluto, you say?”  

“But don’t we serve Apollo? What if the Sun God becomes angry…!”  

“No, if we explain that Pluto himself delivered the oracle, he would not be displeased.”  

“But a temple for the god of the underworld… it feels ominous.”  

The vassals began voicing their opinions one after another. Though it was generally wise to follow a god’s oracle,  

How could the god of the underworld help Troy? Could they trust the king of the dead?  

Before the debate intensified, King Podarces looked to his daughter, Cassandra.  

Blessed by Apollo’s favor, she possessed the power of prophecy and was a reliable advisor and a pillar of support for the king.  

“Cassandra.”  

“Yes, Father.”  

“You have the Sun God’s favor and can foresee the future. Do you think we should follow Pluto’s oracle?”  

To this, Cassandra smiled brightly and spoke.  

“Of course. It is one of the few keys to overcoming the crisis that will befall us.” 

“Hmm…”  

“If we do not follow Pluto’s oracle, Troy will face destruction.”  

Famous for her prophetic abilities granted by Apollo’s favor.

It was curious that Cassandra, unlike most mortals caught in love with a god, maintained a good relationship with Apollo without falling into tragedy.  

Prophets, who can see the future, often reject the love of gods…

While pondering this, a man stepped forward in front of King Podarces.  

With a tall stature, fine physique, and outstanding looks, he was not only Troy’s supreme commander but also its greatest hero.  

“Father, may I offer my thoughts?”  

“Oh, Hector! Yes, share your opinion.”  

He was also one of Troy’s princes.  

* * *n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

When Troy’s supreme commander slowly began to speak, everyone focused on his words.  

“Before worrying about a crisis in Troy, I believe it is more important to first identify the god who issued the oracle.”

“Haven’t I already said? It was undoubtedly Pluto, ruler of the underworld…”  

“Then, who is this Pluto?”  

Only then did everyone grasp Hector’s intent.  

Pluto, the ruler of the underworld, was also known as the god of wealth and…  

“Mercy and fairness! Hmm, I see where you’re going with this.”  

“Exactly. Pluto is considered a benevolent god, with few negative rumors or records about him. Although the underworld is feared, Pluto’s deeds are mostly known through virtuous stories like those involving Medusa or King Perseus.”  

“Indeed, compared to other impulsive gods…”  

The other vassals also began to chime in.  

While Olympus was filled with many deities, there were few gods with such a spotless reputation.  

“I’ve heard the same. Mortals all eventually go to the underworld anyway, so he is said to be merciful to the living.”  

“There is no god more trustworthy than one who represents fairness and mercy, except for the goddess of justice herself…”  

“It seems unlikely he intends to harm Troy…”  

Thus, it was decided that a temple to Pluto would be built in Troy.

When the temple for the god of wealth, the underworld, fairness, and mercy was completed, the citizens of Troy had mixed reactions.  

“A temple for Pluto, huh? They’ve certainly made good use of mint…”

“But don’t we serve Apollo? What if the Sun God gets angry? How will we manage that?” 

“Well, he is also the god of wealth, so that’s nice, but still… hmm. I suppose the king knows best.”  

“I thought Princess Cassandra served as a priestess of Apollo’s temple. And now, a temple for Pluto?”  

While the temple was under construction, Prince Paris returned to Troy.  

Beside him was a woman of unparalleled beauty, drawing everyone’s attention.  

When King Podarces saw the woman Paris had brought, he questioned his son.  

“Paris, explain yourself. Is this woman who I think she is?”  

“Yes, Father. You see… this is a blessing from the goddess Aphrodite. The golden apple…”

Paris stammered as he recounted what had happened to him.  

In short, he had seduced and brought back Helen, the wife of Sparta’s King Menelaus.  

When King Podarces heard this, he was, of course, furious.  

“What! Helen, the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta?”  

“…Th-that’s correct.”  

“This is exactly the moment foretold by the prophecy! I should never have let you leave Troy!”  

There had been a prophecy about Prince Paris when he was born.  

It was foretold that he would bring great danger to Troy.  

Upon hearing the prophecy, King Podarces and his wife Hecuba had agonized for a long time but ultimately chose to ignore it.  

After all, they couldn’t bring themselves to kill their child just because it was said he would bring a crisis to their kingdom.  

“Because of you, our Troy will now be engulfed in the flames of war!”  

“Yes… yes, Father…”  

“Get out of my sight! Take that woman and remain confined!”  

As Paris was practically thrown out of the royal chamber, King Podarces held his head in his hands.  

Could this be the crisis foretold in Pluto’s oracle?  

The way Paris took Helen, the most beautiful woman in the mortal world, was simple.

He went to King Menelaus of Sparta, revealed his identity, and received a warm welcome. Then, while Menelaus attended his grandfather’s funeral, Paris seduced Helen and ran away with her. 

“Paris!!! How dare you break the custom of hospitality and run off with my wife? I’ll burn Troy to the ground!” 

Naturally, King Menelaus was enraged and informed his brother Agamemnon, who ruled Mycenae.  

Even Sparta’s might was insufficient to take Troy alone.  

“Let’s destroy Troy and kill Paris for violating the laws of hospitality and destroy Troy.”  

“I will notify everyone who once courted Helen.”  

“If a united army from across Greece marches on Troy, it won't take long to cut off Paris’ head.”

They joined forces, resolute in their decision to bring about Troy's destruction, and all of this...

"...Of course, it would come to this."

Even Hades in the underworld knew what was happening.  

* * *

Helen was the most beautiful woman in Greece, and her suitors were all kings or princes of various nations.

Given such circumstances, the fate of Paris, who had taken Helen, was all too predictable. The Greek allied forces were already forming. 

Of course, the suitors wouldn’t truly wage war over just one woman. 

Greece was the land of heroes, and many of those who had courted Helen were of royal lineage or rulers themselves. 

Having grown up hearing tales of heroic deeds from their parents, many dreamt of making their names known by accomplishing great feats and earning eternal renown.

There would be plenty who sought fame through war, those who coveted the riches they could plunder from a fallen Troy.

Aside from Menelaus himself, reclaiming Helene is little more than a convenient pretext for most of them.

A war was destined to happen sooner or later, even without divine intervention.

However…

"You! Because of you, our Troy is about to be engulfed in the flames of war!"

"Yes… yes, father…”

"I can’t stand to look at you! Take that woman and go into confinement at once!"

Seriously, this man, who used a divine blessing from Aphrodite to seduce another man’s wife, was truly aggravating.  

War was one thing, but shouldn't Helen be returned immediately to her rightful husband?

However, rewards or punishments bestowed by a god could not be rescinded or interfered with by another god. That was the unspoken rule and law among the Olympians.

So…

"Morpheus. Appear in King Podarces' dream again and deliver my message."

"What shall I say this time?"

"Tell him that the goddess of justice resides in the Underworld. Since Troy serves Apollo, he should understand my intent."

If humans voluntarily reject a god’s reward, then the problem solves itself.  

Though I couldn’t directly intervene to return Helen to her husband, now that my temple has been built in Troy… there are countless ways to circumvent fate or prophecy. 

Of course, if this gets out, I might incur Aphrodite's resentment and and get an earful from Zeus.

"What do you mean...? Are you implying—"

"Or just give the impression that the Underworld aligns with justice."

But first, I must deal with that affair.

Now that my temple has been established in Troy, this level of intervention shouldn’t offend Apollo.