King of Underworld

Chapter 85 Goddess of Forgetfulness, Lethe – (2)

Today was the second day of the Olympia festival dedicated to Zeus.

Races, javelin throwing, and chariot races were taking place.

As with yesterday, I planned to sit with the Goddess Lethe and watch the games.

While walking up the stone steps, searching for a place to sit, I overheard some mortals talking nearby.

“Was the first event the race? Last time’s winner was…”

“But in the end, won’t someone with the blood of the gods win again?”

“Well, it’s hard for even heroes to win unless they have Olympian blood…”

“Hey! But we humans can still…”

At the Olympia festival dedicated to Zeus, both demigods and mortals could participate.

However, the gap between those with even a trace of divine blood and ordinary mortals was hard to close.

Just the fact of having godly blood gave one immense strength and stamina, and perhaps even special abilities.

Listening to the mortals passing by, the Goddess Lethe spoke.

“It seems the mortals feel a sense of deprivation…”

“It’s understandable. If they aren’t of divine lineage, there’s little they can do. They are different from birth…”

“Then isn’t it inevitable that a demigod descendant of the Olympian Twelve will win?”

“Well…”

Even among demigods, those of more direct divine lineage had stronger abilities.

But that didn’t mean the winner of such contests was always predetermined.

“The 16th contestant is a devout follower of the moon goddess, Artemis…!”

We found a suitable spot and sat down, listening to the announcer.

It seemed the footrace was about to begin as the contestants took their positions, and the audience quieted.

Boom.

Pat. Thud, thud, thud.

“Wheeeew—”

“Go, Moroclas!”

“Do you know how much drachma I’ve bet on this?!”

“Run faster!”

As soon as the drum sounded, the contestants sprinted forward.

The bare feet of young Greek men kicked off the ground with great force.

“While bloodline is undoubtedly important, there have been cases where individuals overcame it through effort.”

“I’ve heard that examples of bridging such an inherent gap are extremely rare…”

The world is naturally unfair.

The differences in lineage, talent, innate abilities, and social status are not easy for anyone to overcome.

“The winner is Daitos! The laurel wreath of victory will be placed on your head!”

“Woooaaaah!!!”

“A demigod… lost to a mortal?”

“I knew it! I could tell from the way he was always running outside the city!”

“So there is someone faster than a descendant of Hermes…”

But occasionally, there were mortals who overcame such differences.

The man who won the race by defeating many demigods must be one of them.

“Wow… That’s really impressive. He seems to have the qualities of a hero…”

“If that man comes to Thebes, I might consider nurturing him in the Underworld.”

A terracotta jar filled with olive oil was handed to the race’s victor, and a laurel wreath, made from olive tree branches, was placed on his forehead.

As the winner smiled brightly while holding up the terracotta jar, the Goddess Lethe spoke.

“A hero… Speaking of which, how did things go with the brother that Bellerophon accidentally killed?”

“It seems much of his resentment has faded. He’s expressed a desire to meet Bellerophon.”

After Bellerophon arrived in the Underworld, he accepted my suggestion for mediation.

He agreed to meet his brother and apologize if his brother wished for it.

When Bellerophon finally met his brother in the Underworld, he knelt down and offered his apologies.

Thankfully, the victim accepted his apology.

As I was reflecting on Bellerophon’s matter, a middle-aged man sitting next to us suddenly spoke to me.

“Excuse me… Just a moment! Are you two married by any chance?”

“Is he speaking to us?”

“Yes. You seem close, but if you’re married…”

He was eyeing the Goddess Lethe with suspicion.

In the Olympia festival, married women were prohibited from attending or watching the games, which were a men’s event.

However, maidens were permitted to watch, as it was considered important for them to understand the world of men.

I could have easily resolved the situation by explaining that we weren’t married.

But then… from the bashful expression on Lethe’s face came an unexpectedly bold statement.

“Yes, we are married…”

* * *

“W-what did you say?! Hey! Guards! There’s a married…”

The man, flustered by the Goddess Lethe’s confident declaration that she was a married woman, began to call for the guards.

However, soon he seemed to lose his memory briefly, his eyes turning vacant.

The Goddess Lethe glanced at me hesitantly.

It was likely because she had just told that man we were married…

“My Lady.”

“W-why? You’re… not going to marry me, Hades?”

I swallowed the words I was about to say.

I could have told her that we weren’t married, that we weren’t even in a relationship…

But… I wasn’t a fool. I knew what answer she wanted to hear.

Perhaps now I could give her the response she was waiting for?

“Well…”

“Huh? Say it louder…”

Cheers erupted from the crowd for the next round of contestants, and the murmur of mortals echoed around us.

The sound of thunder—Zeus’s approval as he watched the games from the heavens…

Yet, through all the noise, the only thing I heard was the goddess’s question.

Her small fingers fidgeted as if gathering the courage to ask that one question.

Her red lips trembled slightly, and her eyes shook.

“Hades…?”

Yes, like the Goddess Styx…

I stopped the words I was about to say and moved closer to her seat.

Though she flinched as our faces neared, she didn’t avert her gaze.

I used an illusion to conceal us from the eyes of onlookers.

Even most Olympian gods wouldn’t be able to see through it.

I had done this once before.

Skillfully, I reached out and gently cupped the back of her head, pulling her toward me.

I hoped this action would convey my answer to her.

Smooch.

This was the second time.

* * *

The time of day had passed, and Helios had driven his chariot of the sun across the sky.

Darkness had settled over the city of Olympia.

As we strolled slowly through the calm night streets, the Goddess Lethe linked her arm with mine.

Clip, clop.

Perhaps it was because of the brief kiss earlier, but I couldn’t help but remain conscious of the soft sensation against my arm.

“Hehe…”

She didn’t just link arms; she rested her head against me, this beautiful goddess.

I didn’t mind this warm, tingling feeling in my chest.

After walking around for a while and taking in the surroundings,

My transcendent senses picked up on something.

“Ugh… A sword… blood all over my body…”

From inside a brick house came the sound of groaning.

An elderly man inside was suffering from a terrible nightmare, perhaps a former soldier who had fought in a war.

With his eyes closed, covered in cold sweat, it seemed he still hadn’t escaped the battlefield.

Normally, such things were the domain of Morpheus, the god of dreams,

But the goddess beside me was just as suited to ease this man’s suffering.

Realizing this, the Goddess Lethe stopped and looked at me.

“…I’ll be right back.”

I nodded as we made eye contact, and she vanished.

Soon, her power of forgetfulness enveloped the house, leaving behind only soft, peaceful breathing.

The man who had suffered the horrors of war would slowly begin to forget those dreadful memories.

When the Goddess Lethe returned, there was a slight smile on her lips.

To think that the goddess who had once been saddened by her unwelcome powers had changed so much…

“You brought him a little peace.”

“Hmm… I don’t like seeing mortals suffer, trapped by memories of the past.”

Such is the nature of forgetfulness.

People often shy away from it when it comes to precious or important memories, but they long for her blessing when it comes to painful and traumatic memories.

It’s much like the Underworld.

As mortals grow older and approach death, they are more likely to become worshipers of mine.

On the other hand, the young, who are far from death, often call upon Ares, Apollo, or Zeus.

“I’ve had a good time coming out with you after so long…”

We had seen enough of the Olympia festival, dedicated to Zeus.

I couldn’t leave the Underworld unattended for too long, so it was time to return to the subterranean realm.

I raised my hand, pointing to a high hill in the distance.

“Shall we go up there one last time before we leave?”

So, the Goddess Lethe and I climbed the hill.

The sound of crickets surrounded us, and beautiful fireflies danced about.

Chirrrp.

From the highest point of the hill, I looked down at the vast city and sanctuary of Olympia, glowing in the night.

And… the goddess with silver hair fluttering in the fierce wind spoke up.

Though her gaze was fixed on the city below, it felt as if she was speaking directly to me.

“Hades.”

“Yes, my Lady?”

“One day… all the mortals living in that city will fully accept my blessing, won’t they?”

Even gods with unshakable minds are not immune to the blessing of forgetfulness.

Distant memories gradually fade, and sometimes they are forgotten entirely.

Mortals forget even more easily.

They may forget parts of yesterday’s memories, let alone those from long ago.

“As the Goddess of Forgetfulness, I must bless everyone little by little.”

“Neither Zeus nor I were exceptions. Even you, Lady Lethe.”

Just as the Goddess of Love falls in love, the Goddess Lethe falls into the depths of forgetfulness.

She gave me a faint smile and finally looked directly at me.

“But… I don’t want today’s memories to disappear.”

“…I feel the same.”

“Will you help me ensure I don’t forget today?”

With her words, a yearning flickered in her eyes before disappearing beneath her eyelids.

I slowly closed the distance between us as she looked up at me.

Turning my head slightly to the side, I gently wrapped my arms around her soft body, and our lips met once again.

“With pleasure.”

I parted my lips slightly, letting my tongue brush against hers.

A small gap formed, connecting the two of us as one.

My first thought was how sweet and warm it was.

Simultaneously, I was struck by the desire to prolong this softness.

Our innermost parts intertwined, but it wasn’t uncomfortable at all.

Rather, I wanted to… connect with her more.

My hands fumbled for a place to rest as I regained my senses and pulled away.

A long, silvery thread formed between us and then vanished.

The sweet taste of peach lingered in my mouth.

“Haaah…”

Even if forgetfulness were to overtake me with the passage of time,

I would never forget this moment.