The King of the Underworld is Tired

Chapter 140: The Final Task – When You Lack Brains, Your Head Suffers

"I wish to complete my remaining labor. Please grant me permission."

"...What did you say?"

Heracles's words were not ones of gratitude or acceptance of glory but rather a request to complete his tenth and final labor.

Who would enjoy trials, especially the arduous tasks set by Hera, involving killing powerful monsters or accomplishing difficult feats?

Even though he loved glory, wealth, and fame, he still asked to finish his remaining task.

"The only reason I was able to ascend to godhood is because of the tasks you assigned to me, Goddess Hera. They hold great meaning for me, so I wish to see them through."

"...To delay ascending to Olympus and choose hardship instead—you truly are an enigma."

Hera scrutinized Heracles's composed face, soon coming to an understanding.

Yes, it was precisely this kind of man who had risen to a level that rivaled the Twelve Olympians on his own.

Once again, Hera thought of how Zeus had secretly fed him her milk, and how Hades had had him bathe in the River Styx.

But… what kind of labor should she assign?

Defeating a powerful monster?

—For Heracles, who was already stronger than any god except for the top three, what monster would suffice? Currently, the only beings stronger than him were the Gigantes, who couldn’t leave the plains of Pallas.

Then, perhaps something intricate or requiring wit?

—Using one's wits to overcome a problem is for those who lack strength.

Perhaps she should just send him to fetch the Golden Apples, as originally planned?

—But she had since forgotten her grudge, and was even considering marrying her daughter to him.

So, what labor could she give that would be dignified and challenging, even for a god?

After pondering for a moment, Hera recalled the recent incident where Apollo had been dragged into the Underworld.

"If this is truly what you desire, then I shall give you a final labor."

"Thank you."

"Your tenth labor is to work for a month in the busiest part of the Underworld."

"Work… you mean work? Is that truly a labor?"

Heracles looked up at her, surprised.

"Yes."

"Oh, you mean to go and make connections with those in the Underworld. But I truly did wish for a labor—"

"Do not underestimate it."

"Pardon?"

Hera spoke to Heracles with a smile more self-assured than ever.

Though she had let go of her grudge, it was a mischievous, almost wicked smile suggesting she could still have a bit of fun with him.

"Ares, Athena, Aphrodite, Apollo, Eros, Hephaestus…"

"Those are Olympian gods. But why mention them…?"

"These are the gods who could not endure this labor."

"...?"

Heracles was at a loss for understanding.

Ultimately, with a puzzled look on his face, he left Hera’s temple and made his way to the Underworld.

* * *

"...And that's how it happened. So I've brought him along, Uncle!"

I looked at Hermes and Heracles, who had arrived in the Underworld.

Hermes, having finished his explanation, was grinning as if this was some grand joke, while Heracles wore a calm expression.

"Well, it has been a while, Heracles. I've watched your feats from here in the Underworld."

"Yes! Just as you suggested, I’ve come back as a god!"

"Splendid. Your name shall forever be recounted among mortals."

A mortal who was born a human but ascended to godhood—a hero of legendary renown, Heracles.

I looked at him with a proud expression.

His strength now placed him among the top ranks of the Twelve Olympians. Other than Zeus, Poseidon, and me, no god would dare challenge him.

He wasn’t born a god… instead, he was a mortal hero who ascended through his labors, so there would be no contradictions with the prophecy.

"So, Hera sent you to the Underworld, is that it…"

"Yes. I reached out to Lord Hermes here at his temple, and he agreed to assist me."

"No big deal. Being favored by Dad, and clearly so powerful—it only makes sense I’d want to get along! Hahaha!"

But the busiest place in the Underworld… that must mean handling paperwork like the lower-ranking gods…

What if sending Heracles just complicates things further, or he can't work well with the other gods?

As I pondered, stroking my chin, Heracles spoke in a confident voice.

"Do not worry, Uncle! I will accomplish whatever task awaits!"

"Worry…? Hmm. It is worry, but…"

Even the versatile Apollo was struggling with it; if I put Heracles into the work…

"My labors are not yet finished. I shall perform my duty diligently, whatever it may be!"

"In that case… do you know how to do paperwork?"

"Paper… work?"

Judging by that bewildered look, he must have been imagining something like battling monsters or subduing wicked gods…

Unfortunately for him, the busiest tasks in the Underworld involve the work of lower-ranking gods.

Of course, there are exceptions like Charon or Thanatos…

"Gods don’t always just leisurely oversee humans. Of course, as the god of strength, things might be different for you. Perhaps Hera’s intention was to provide you with a range of experiences."

"...? Understood."

With his head bowed, Heracles followed the messenger I had called and withdrew.

Hermes’s facial muscles twitched as he watched the newly appointed god depart. He was barely managing to hold back his laughter...

As soon as Heracles left the audience hall, Hermes burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.

"...Pfft. Hahaha! U-Uncle, why didn’t you tell him that the Underworld is the number one place to avoid working… Haha…”

"Is that so? It must be difficult for Heracles, then?"

"Difficult? It’ll be the toughest of his ten labors! Even Apollo...”

This scoundrel… So he knows how hard Underworld work is, yet he never volunteers to help?

Seeing Hermes laughing like that was starting to get under my skin.

“Then, it would be good to have another god help Heracles.”

“…Haha. Pardon?”

“Good. For the first week, while Heracles adjusts, you can work here alongside him.”

“U-U-Uncle? But I’m a messenger and need to travel the world—”

“I’ll ask Zeus to give you some time off. Don’t worry; just relax and rest in the Underworld.”

Since you’ve been running around the world, your legs have taken the burden. Now it’s time for your head to bear it.

* * *

A few days after Heracles started working in the Underworld...

I enjoyed the tranquility as I took a sip of nectar.

The nurturing of the great hero Heracles was complete, and now I could finally finish everything.

The time was near to kill off the Gigantes and change the mind of the Earth Mother.

I had even secured cooperation from Lady Nyx, the Goddess of Night, to prepare for any unexpected events…

I could now allow myself a little peace.

Hera had accepted Heracles and was planning to marry him to her daughter, Hebe. I’d send him to Olympus after a month.

He more than deserved to marry the Goddess of Youth, whom everyone admired.

Marriage… Marriage, yes. It seemed I could no longer postpone it either.

Now that all pressing matters were settled, it was time to focus inward.

I couldn’t leave the position of the Underworld’s queen vacant forever…

Lately, I had begun to feel it—I, too, yearned for a partner by my side.

I had been blessed with the love of many goddesses, so it wouldn’t be right to accept only one.

Having an official wife would be unfair to the other goddesses.

I had already decided who I would approach first, and how I would propose.

Swish.

I opened a drawer and took out a dark, intricate ring.

It looked rough at a glance, but its surface was engraved with beautiful, intricate patterns.

This ring… was made by Hephaestus from the Styx sword that the Goddess Styx had gifted me.

It held deep meaning for me.

I gathered a few more items and then headed straight to the River Styx.

It looked just as it had when I first descended into the Underworld after drawing lots and choosing this realm so many years ago.

Since today was Thanatos’s day off, no souls were crossing the River Styx.

As I approached the river, the water took shape and transformed into the form of a goddess, just as it had back then.

I had a feeling she would be here. She often rested by her river.

“Hmm? Hades? What’s with that serious face… Did Thanatos run off again? Or did Charon’s boat break again…?”

“I have something to say.”

With a sleepy, slightly disheveled look, the goddess spoke, as if she had been napping in the river.

But this time, it wasn’t a routine matter. I had come with the intent to propose.

Getting here had been smooth, but now, as I prepared to speak, the words stuck.

Was it really this difficult to say a single sentence?

“…Hades?”

As I stood there, staring silently at her face, the goddess’s curious voice broke the silence.

Her long black hair flowed d

own her back. Her attractive figure and soft lips…

I reconfirmed my feelings, then, with hands that felt stiff and clumsy, held out the ring…

Looking into her dark eyes, I moved my lips.

"I swear by the River Styx."

"What is it this time…"

"I love you. Will you marry me, Goddess Styx?"

 "Yes. Yes? Wha…?!"

Splash!

Her face flushed all the way to her ears, and the goddess, clearly flustered, suddenly fell back into the water.