The King of the Underworld is Tired

Chapter 143: The Story of Orpheus – (2)

“Just once… Please, listen to my music.”

“What did you say?”

“I shall perform for you the most extraordinary music to touch your heart! Please, let Eurydice live!”

I, Hades, stared at the living man who had dared to set foot in the Underworld.

Did he think that performing up close would change my mind?

His skill was indeed remarkable, almost worthy of challenging Apollo himself, the god of music.

But he was asking me to revive someone who had already died.

And it wasn’t a death caused by the whim of a god; it was an unavoidable fate.

As unfortunate as it was, I could not grant this man’s wish.

I glanced at Persephone beside me. She stood frozen, unable to even pick up the object that had fallen to the floor.

Her hands clasped, she stared at Orpheus in a daze. Seeing tears welling up in her eyes, the music must have truly moved her.

But for me to be as easily swayed as the goddess of spring…

Ding ~♬♪

The moment I heard that sound up close, memories from long ago surfaced, and I was lost in nostalgia.

The lyre’s melody reminded me of the sorrows I had faced, evoking the grief of losing a loved one.

A heart-wrenching tune resonated from the center of my stronghold.

Once again, everyone in the Underworld halted in their tracks to listen.

Even the storm, the Sirens, and the rivers of the Underworld could not overpower his lyre. His music was truly astonishing.

Even I, for a moment, felt pity… and nearly allowed him to take his wife back.

~♪

Yet, what moved me was not the music itself, but the heart within him.

Tears streaming down his face, Orpheus poured his soul into every movement of his fingers. A human with no strength or patron to support him.

He performed the best music of his life, trying to move me, the ruler of the Underworld, and appeal to my sympathy.

An art that surpassed the limits of human capability.

As the music ended, Orpheus took heavy breaths.

Persephone’s eyes overflowed with tears, and even the souls of the dead in the Underworld sighed, pausing their tasks.

Had he affected the entire Underworld except for Tartarus?

“Even so, I cannot allow it.”

“…!”

“That feat was impressive, but that’s as far as it goes. It does not justify, serve, or provide a valid reason to break the laws of the Underworld.”

Thud.

At my words, the lyre fell from Orpheus’ hands.

The instrument, which had just resonated with heavenly melodies, lay forlorn and powerless.

His bowed head pained me, but… it could not be allowed.

As I was about to send him back to the mortal realm, Persephone looked at me.

“Lord Hades.”

“…?”

“Couldn’t you please bring this human’s wife back?”

I was about to refuse outright, but seeing the tears in her eyes, I remained silent.

Her voice, though slightly trembling, held a sincere and heartfelt plea.

* * *

I could feel the goddess of spring and seeds swaying my heart.

Especially since, before this human Orpheus had arrived, I had intended to propose to Persephone.

Just now, I had planned to propose to her… and I didn’t want to see her disappointed in me.

“Persephone…”

“If that is your decision as ruler of the Underworld, might your judgment as the god of mercy be slightly different?”

“The Underworld is my priority. This is a fundamental rule of the Underworld and essential to maintaining balance in the world.”

“Still… it’s such a desperate love that he came to the Underworld with nothing but a lyre…”

“No matter what you say, I cannot allow it…”

Thud!

Hearing my conversation with Persephone, Orpheus struck his head against the ground.

Red blood dripped from the hero’s head, seeping into the ground.

“Lord Pluto! If I cannot take my wife, then let me stay with her here in the Underworld!”

“Hah…”

Is this what it means to be madly in love? He’d rather die than live without his wife.

From what I’ve heard, he neither betrayed nor took another woman, so… I can overlook this minor rudeness.

He seems sincere, but perhaps I should test him a little.

Show me your resolve.

“If you cannot take your wife with you, do you not care if you die? Do you mock me?”

“…!”

“Did you think I would pity you and revive her simply because you are willing to face death?”

Persephone gaped, taken aback by my harsh tone as I finished speaking. Now, let’s see how he reacts.

Orpheus lay prostrate on the ground, seemingly motionless, but then his voice came out, barely a whisper.

“Not at all. I swear by the River Styx, I had no such intent.”

“……”

“I am a sinner who could not protect the one I loved… If you will not bring Eurydice back to life, then please take my life instead. I will endure any punishment.”

With these words, he fell silent.

“Hah…”

I let out a small sigh, rubbing my forehead.

Yes, this is precisely the problem.

As ruler of the Underworld, the most troublesome situations are these.

In life, it’s simple: punish wrongdoing, and reward virtue in the Underworld.

But if someone pleading to break the rules is a good person or a hero, or has a justifiable reason.

Judging rightly becomes all the harder.

Even for gods, who are said to be almighty, emotions, biases, and mistakes are part of our nature.

It’s only natural that I, too, am shaken by this hero’s plea.

“Lord Hades. I beg you.”

“…Persephone.”

To make a fair judgment, I should not allow such exceptions, but I showed a merciless side before Kore...

Ha. You are fortunate... just this once.

It’s not that I can’t bear the thought of Persephone being disappointed in me.

"Very well. Take her."

"...!"

The hero’s face lit up as he lifted his head.

"However, no one must know that you brought your wife back from the underworld. Such a precedent must never happen again. If even a whisper of today’s events spreads, you will suffer even in death."

"Th-thank you! Thank you, merciful Pluto! I’ll change my name and live in seclusion with my wife!"

"Remember that promise well... unless you wish to fall into Tartarus."

It was done.

* * *

Orpheus, after bowing his head over and over in gratitude, left the underworld with his wife’s soul.

I folded my arms and turned to look at Persephone, who had approached me.

"Lord Hades. Thank you..."

"It was not because you asked. His deed deserved a reward."

"Yes, yes. I understand! Hehe!"

She didn’t look like she believed me. No matter...

"Is anyone outside? Come in!"

"Yes, my lord! What do you need?"

The attendant, still affected by Orpheus’s music, had tears streaming down his face as he entered from outside the throne room.

"Send a message to Olympus. I wish to recommend a candidate for a minor deity of music."

"Understood!"

"Let them know that the recently departed mortal hero is the candidate. If there are no objections, inform them that his soul will be sent to Olympus upon his death. Also, tell Charon I wish to speak with him later."

Silence returned to the throne room.

As the music that had filled the underworld faded, a serene stillness remained.

Many mortals are willing to risk their lives or face danger for love.

But to come to the underworld to plead with me for his deceased wife... His daring and courage made it clear why he was a hero.

Though, why did he have to interrupt such an important moment?

I’ll consider the unfortunate timing of my proposal coinciding with his tragedy of losing his wife...

'But still, how annoying. Just wait until you’re dead...'

One shouldn’t let personal feelings interfere in such matters.

I’ll make him a god, and then use him at every event. He’ll be perfect as the wedding singer.

"Oh! Lord Hades, I almost forgot to tell you..."

"The gift you mentioned?"

"Yes… Here!"

She’d mentioned preparing a gift since Orpheus was scheduled to leave the underworld tomorrow.

When I opened the box she shyly handed over, it contained something completely unexpected.

I thought it might be flowers or some simple treasure...

"Tada! It’s a one-time wish coupon from Persephone!"

"...?"

"I’ll grant you anything you want! Feel free to use it anytime!"

I looked blankly at Persephone, who had one hand on her hip, emphasizing a certain part of herself.

This gift was truly beyond my expectations.

A youthful charm from a goddess barely 500 years old. Ha.

Inside the box lay a parchment with her beautiful handwriting on it.

Ως θεά της άνοιξης και των σπόρων, δεσμεύομαι να εκπληρώσω τις επιθυμίες οποιουδήποτε το έχει.

It seemed she’d poured some divine power into it while writing, as the golden letters glowed faintly.

The contents roughly stated that, as the goddess of spring and seeds, she would grant any wish.

I chuckled and handed the wish coupon back to her.

"Thank you, Persephone. I’ll use this wish right now."

"Right now...? Ahem! Yes, whatever you ask for!"

Leaving her puzzled expression behind, I pulled out a box I’d prepared in advance.

I opened it and held out the contents as I spoke.

"My wish is for you to accept this."

"Huh...?"

"I love you, Kore. Marry me."

"Ah. Ah... If... if it was this, then you didn’t need to use the wish coupon..."

What I held out to Kore was a golden apple.

Before Gaia’s relationship with us soured, when Zeus and Hera had just wed...

She gifted Hera a golden apple tree, and I had taken a golden apple from it.

On its surface was an inscription written with underworld power.

To the beautiful goddess of spring and seeds.

"Isn’t this... Lady Hera’s golden apple? Such a precious thing, you’re giving it to me...!"

"My other title is the god of wealth. I only have a fe

w, but there is nothing I cannot obtain."

As she took the golden apple that glimmered in her hands, I brushed a kiss over her forehead.

"So. Your answer?"

"Of course, I accept! This... now that I’ve accepted, you can’t ever take it back or anything..."

"I swear by the River Styx. There will be an eternal spring between us."

"Hnng!"

Persephone made a soft sound as she buried her face in my chest, and we stayed in each other’s arms like that.

Until the messenger arrived from outside to deliver Olympus’s response.

Winter shall never come.