King of Underworld

Chapter 83 Bellerophon’s Story – (6)

Following the proposal of Hades, King of the Underworld, Bellerophon was to experience the duties of a minor god.

Having slain Typhon’s offspring in the mortal world and boldly aiming for a god’s position before the King of the Underworld…

“Hah… Hah… Hey! Bring me some arrows quickly! Why does Lord Hades keep such sluggish humans…”

“I’m… sorry!”

I thought I was about to lose my mind.

Eros, the winged god, was shooting arrows at the criminals at a speed invisible to the eye.

The god of love furrowed his brow as he shot arrows relentlessly…

The quivers filled with arrows were quickly emptied.

And Bellerophon, tasked with carrying those quivers, was scolded by Eros.

“If the criminals are resting because of you, the overseers will report it to Lord Hades!”

Whack!

“I’m sor… Ugh!”

Eros, filled with irritation, struck Bellerophon’s head with his bow.

Yet, Bellerophon couldn’t dare to talk back to him.

Not only because the god who struck him continued to shoot without even glancing his way…

“But still, that human has adjusted quite well considering how short a time he’s been here.”

“He said he wanted to experience the duties of a minor god. I’ll make sure to give a good report to Lord Hades.”

“Hmm. How much less work would we have if that guy stayed here for good?”

A little distance away, some minor gods were either manipulating or overseeing something and were giving him favorable evaluations.

The fact that this wasn’t some trial or cruel prank from the gods shook Bellerophon’s sanity.

He was being berated by a higher-ranking god and tormented with constant work all day long…

But this wasn’t an unusual occurrence; this was how minor gods worked regularly?

Weren’t gods supposed to live leisurely, occasionally helping humans?

Swoosh – Thud.

“Kraaaah!”

“Pl… Please…”

The Underworld was far more severe than anywhere else, and though the gods here faced the added burden of torturing criminals,

Bellerophon, having entered the Underworld for the first time, hadn’t noticed it.

How much time had passed like this…?

“Hey, human. It’s my turn now.”

“A-a shift change?”

A minor god with small horns on his forehead and a red body approached and spoke to him.

Bellerophon, with a grateful nod, collapsed onto the ground.

Even though the dead don’t tire, mental fatigue is unavoidable.

Especially when sharp bursts of annoyance from Eros kept echoing in his ears.

“You really worked hard. I’ll make sure to speak well of you to Lord Hades.”

“Huh…? About what…”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to experience the work of a minor god to become one yourself? You’d make a pretty solid god.”

Bellerophon, staring blankly at the minor god who nodded approvingly at him, thought in a daze.

No… Even if the gods didn’t only live for leisure, there must be some enjoyment.

“By the way, it’s said gods eat nectar and ambrosia. Can I take a look at it too…?”

“Oh, now that you mention it, since Lord Hades told you to experience the work of a minor god, you should try the food as well. Follow me.”

“I can really taste the food of the gods…!”

Excitement returned to Bellerophon’s face.

The fact that he could taste the gods’ food, after all, Hades truly was a benevolent ruler of the Underworld!

* * *

The minor god led Bellerophon to a far-off place.

A massive building resembling a castle built by humans in the mortal realm—where could this place be?

“Um… My lord, what is this place?”

“This is the 1253rd warehouse of the Underworld. It’s also the third-largest of the warehouses that store nectar and ambrosia.”

Bellerophon was too busy looking around in awe.

A castle covered in black bricks and some mysterious black stone, with the dead moving about busily, carrying things.

Passing through the strict inspections of the soul guards, he was greeted with mountains of nectar and ambrosia…

Yet, despite the sheer quantity, everything was meticulously organized.

‘The other name of the Underworld’s ruler is the god of wealth. To think there are thousands of warehouses of this scale…’

While he was lost in thought, the minor god handed something to him.

“Here, this is ambrosia and nectar. Consider it an honor, human.”

“Wow! Thank you!”

Chomp chomp…

The ambrosia and nectar, which he tasted for the first time, were truly heavenly.

Indeed, it was food worthy of the gods, an utterly sublime experience.

No food from the mortal realm could compare, and it even surpassed the pleasure of being with a woman…

“Well, if you’ve eaten and drunk, get up now.”

“…?”

“What are you staring at? A minor god’s duties include managing nectar and ambrosia.”

Bellerophon began working again.

“Nectar and ambrosia only grant immortality while being consumed; mortals aren’t even allowed to touch or see them normally.”

“Ah… I am so grateful to Lord Pluto.”

“Even though you’ve tasted and drunk them, if you ever develop strange desires…”

The minor god’s face twisted into a grotesque expression. Even if they were in charge of the menial tasks of the Underworld, a god is still a god.

A ghastly aura swirled around Bellerophon, and dreadful hallucinations engulfed him.

The only reason he didn’t faint on the spot was because he was a hero who had not backed down before the Chimera.

As Bellerophon’s face grew pale, the minor god shrugged, as if nothing had happened.

“Well, you seem like a diligent enough human, so there’s no need to worry about that, right?”

“O-of course!”

From then on, Bellerophon pulled ambrosia from countless crates, carrying and stacking them as directed.

Next, he carefully managed the bottles of nectar to ensure they didn’t break, sorting them as instructed…

He counted the food inside the warehouse and recorded it on parchment.

Of course, all this was possible because the minor god next to him skillfully helped.

But wasn’t such trivial work something for warehouse keepers, scribes, or laborers?

Why did gods have to do this sort of thing?

After being engrossed in work for a long time, he finally got to rest.

And he asked the question he had been wondering about. Why did gods have to do the work of servants?

“You did well. As expected of a hero, you’re pretty strong.”

“But why do gods have to do this kind of work?”

“How could we leave such an important task to mortals? Maybe for regular treasure or gold, but managing the food of the gods?”

The minor god responded to Bellerophon’s question with one of his own.

“But surely the great gods wouldn’t constantly do such menial tasks…”

“Do you think the dead can do this work for long? Only immortal gods can endure such tasks.”

Gods are not only physically eternal, but mentally as well.

If an ordinary mortal were to live for thousands of years, they’d likely go mad.

But gods, with their immortality and divine power, can maintain their sanity.

The ancient gods, who must have lived for thousands, tens of thousands of years, don’t always show a dignified image.

Sometimes they’re more innocent than children, sometimes more old-fashioned than the oldest elders…

At times, they act more on emotion than reason, more on desire than duty.

But that’s just their divine power working to maintain their mental constancy.

The proof of divinity isn’t just their immense power or their eternally youthful and immortal bodies… it might be their unwavering minds.

“Still, don’t be too afraid. Doing some work as a god won’t ruin your body or mind.”

‘This… is a little?’

Bellerophon began seriously reconsidering his desire to become a god.

* * *

About 30 days had passed since Bellerophon left the audience chamber.

Honestly, I had completely forgotten about him, but a messenger came to deliver news about Bellerophon.

“Lord Hades, the hero who slew the Chimera wishes to see you again.”

“Bring him in.”

The man who staggered toward me had hollow eyes and a dazed face.

The dead don’t get tired like the living, but… that appearance…

The hero collapsed before the throne and spoke in a weak voice.

“I’ve realized that the position of a god is far too much for me. O Lord of the Underworld…”

“So, you want to give up?”

“Yes… Please assign me to some other task…”

Waving my hand, I pulled out one of the many parchments piled to one side.

A report detailing the surveillance of him naturally floated over.

“Everyone speaks highly of you. They say, ‘He’s an excellent candidate to become a minor god…’”

“What?! How could I…?!”

“With evaluations like this… even Zeus would consider you a capable mortal.”

The parchment was filled with nothing but praise.

He’s diligent, not like a typical mortal, and persistent, possibly because he’s a hero. We should keep sending him…

“B-but! The work that the gods do is…!”

“You thought it wouldn’t be much?”

“No! It’s just that…”

Though Bellerophon, now pale, tried to explain himself… wasn’t he just saying there was too much work?

Well, it’s true that I intended for him to experience the work of a god.

There are many mortals who think like

Bellerophon.

I nodded moderately, watching him.

“…I see. Well then…”

“I just want to help the Underworld without becoming a god! Please give me another task!”

“…Don’t you want to claim your reward for slaying the Chimera?”

“No! Please just forgive my rudeness!”

The hero, trembling and pressing his head to the ground.

Ah… He must think he offended me with blasphemous words.

Even if I tried to show him that I didn’t care, he wouldn’t feel reassured.

Greek gods are rather unpredictable by nature.

“I’ll forgive your rudeness. Then… how about sharing your experience with the heroes who come after you?”

“I’ll do whatever you command!”

“You can stop whenever you want, and there’s no need to feel burdened. The heroes from Thebes…”

Chiron did mention he needed a training instructor.

A hero who killed the Chimera would be more than qualified.

But I do feel bad for making a hero who deserves rest continue working…

Perhaps I should arrange a reconciliation with the brother he accidentally killed?