King of Underworld-Chapter 188

The gods of the Underworld would undoubtedly follow me if I rebelled. This realm was as firmly under my control as Poseidon’s seas were his.

At least here, my authority surpassed even that of the King of the Gods.

The only uncertain element in the Underworld was the Hecatoncheires guarding the entrance to Tartarus.

Though they had been cast into Tartarus by Uranus, it was Zeus who had freed them.

If they learned of my rebellion, how would they react?

Despite their isolation at the entrance to Tartarus, they were still gods.

If they sensed the signs of war or if a god loyal to Zeus reached out to them while most of us were fighting on Olympus, the situation could spiral out of control.

Even if my rebellion succeeded, the Hecatoncheires’ immense strength posed a dangerous variable.

I would need to either persuade or bind them in advance. I had to prepare a strategy that ensured their cooperation.

For now, I would first secure the Underworld completely.

“Is anyone there?”

“Yes, Lord Hades! What is your command?”

“Summon Thanatos, Charon, Eris, Lethe, and any other gods of notable rank.”

“Even Charon?”

“Yes. Tell them I have an important message to deliver.”

As the messenger departed, I closed my eyes and reviewed my plans.

Rebelling against Zeus would not be easy, but for the sake of the world, I would see it through.

*****

Before long, the gods of the Underworld gathered in the throne room.

Thanatos, Hypnos, Morpheus, Moros, Keres, Eris, Lethe, Styx, Charon, and the three Erinyes sisters all assembled.

The faint but imposing aura of divine authority filled the chamber.

“Beloved gods, I trust you’ve all gathered.”

“Hades, I’m already overworked guiding souls to the Underworld. Why did you summon me? Ever since the disasters struck the mortal world...”

“Exactly. The Acheron River is overflowing with souls right now.”

Thanatos and Charon voiced their frustrations. They were among the busiest gods in the Underworld.

But once they heard what I had to say, their reactions would change.

I gestured to the attendants, who began distributing the prepared documents to each god.

“Take a look at these documents.”

“What is this? [Records of Incoming Souls to the Underworld]? [List of the Olympian Gods’ Atrocities]?”

“Hmm... It’s true that the number of souls entering the Underworld has been steadily increasing. But what does this have to do with Olympus?”

“[Rising Numbers of Souls Retaining Memories Despite Crossing the River of Forgetfulness]... Ah.”

“I see where this is going. The Olympian gods have been overburdening us.”

The documents detailed the Olympian gods’ misdeeds, focusing on how their actions had increased the workload of the Underworld.

It highlighted how every minor quarrel on Olympus sent ripples of disaster into the mortal world, causing suffering and death that the Underworld had to clean up.

Some gods muttered complaints, others sighed heavily.

The atmosphere of resentment toward Olympus was growing.

Then, I struck the final blow.

“And are you aware of the recent disasters that have filled the Underworld with souls?”

“There’s no doubt the number of dead has multiplied. I suspected Olympus had something to do with it...”

“Hephaestus and Ares fought over Aphrodite, and Zeus’s latest affair was exposed, undermining his authority. Their quarrels have led to countless mortal deaths.”

As soon as I finished, Thanatos erupted in anger, his voice echoing through the hall.

“What?! All this over those brats’ love affair?! That’s why I haven’t slept in days?!”

Charon and the others expressed equal outrage.

To learn that their increased workload stemmed from the Olympians’ petty feuds was infuriating.

“Do they not spare a single thought for the Underworld?”

“What is Zeus even doing?”

“Ha! Every day I deliver dreams to the mortal world, yet the gods above seem utterly oblivious to what’s happening below.”

“Sigh... I sided with Olympus during the Titanomachy, but I never imagined it would come to this. Did Hermes tell you all this?”

Various gods voiced their frustrations. Styx’s quiet words struck a chord.

Had the gods changed so much since the war against the Titans? No, perhaps they had always been this way.

“That’s why I’ve decided to overthrow Zeus and become King of the Gods.”

“...What?!”

Surprised gazes turned toward me.

I had already prepared my speech, watching their reactions carefully.

“Why must we, the gods of the Underworld, continue to be at Olympus’s mercy? The Olympians need to be reminded of the responsibilities of their divine roles. Reckless actions, like indulging in lust and harming mortals, must be punished.”

Heads began to nod.

No one voiced objections or showed signs of unease.

“I will go to war with Olympus, dethrone Zeus, and assume the throne to put an end to their tyranny. Lend me your strength.”

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“Well... You’d certainly be better than Zeus.”

“I’m in. Zeus has no respect for us older gods.”

“I support you.”

“My, my. Lethe, do as you see fit. I’ll respect your choice.”

Thanatos, Charon, Lethe, and even Eris spoke in support.

One by one, the other gods added their voices. It was clear they stood with me.

“Thank you all. We may need to march on Olympus soon, so be prepared. Until then, act as usual to avoid suspicion.”

Good. The next steps were clear.

If I couldn’t overpower Zeus through brute force, I would exploit variables through strategy.

To create the right conditions for victory, I would need plans and prophecies.

And to obtain those... bold, drastic measures were necessary.

*****

Mount Caucasus.

The place where the Titan who defied the King of the Gods and brought fire to mankind was bound.

Prometheus, punished to suffer the agony of having his liver devoured daily, let out a low groan.

“Urgh...!”

Clang! Crack!

The chains forged by Hephaestus, which bound him to the rocky cliff, shattered far too easily.

It happened with a single strike, so swift and precise that even the Titan’s senses failed to detect it.

Prometheus’s mind, blessed with prophecy, began racing.

Only one artifact could grant such invisibility — the Kynee, the divine helm symbolizing the King of the Underworld.

And only one being possessed the strength to break the chains crafted by the Olympian god of smithing in a single blow.

Then... Ha! Zeus! Your time has come!

Even your brother, whom you should never have turned into an enemy, has now raised his spear against you. Your doom is near!

“Keuk, keuk, keuk. Count me in.”

Having swiftly assessed the situation, Prometheus stretched his limbs and spoke.

A low voice answered him, coming from the empty air as if no one was there.

“...Did you foresee this with your prophecy?”

“No? But if someone came to the surface wearing the Kynee and went so far as to break my chains, there’s only one reason for it.”

Whoosh—

A brief silence fell before Zeus’s sacred beast, the eagle, swooped down from the sky to devour Prometheus’s liver.

Fitting of a divine creature, its predatory dive was fierce... Ah, how much torment had he endured from that cursed beast?

But Prometheus, freed from Hephaestus’s chains and restored to power, was no ordinary god.

He was a mighty Titan. Neither the Twelve Olympians nor some mere divine beast could intimidate him.

Snap!

Flap! Thrash!

The Titan of Prophecy, his eyes burning with hatred, caught the writhing eagle in his grip.

Then, without hesitation, he opened his mouth and began eating the sacred beast alive.

Rip— Crunch. Tear!

His mouth smeared with the blood and feathers of the divine creature, Prometheus raised his slightly bloodshot eyes to the heavens.

With a face filled with madness and elation, the Titan of Prophecy voiced his thoughts.

“So, you’ve finally chosen to rebel against Zeus, haven’t you, Hades? King of the Underworld.”