King of Underworld-Chapter 189

Despite his brother’s persuasion, he had sided with us Olympians during the Titanomachy, proving to be a formidable ally.

Though slow-witted and easily deceived, he possessed strength great enough to stand against his brother Atlas.

He likely regretted marrying Pandora and harbored no love for Zeus.

“You plan to recruit Epimetheus as well?”

“Of course, but more importantly, news of my release will surely reach Zeus. We must deceive him into thinking my brother freed me.”

“So we’ll bring Epimetheus here quickly and have him destroy the remnants of Mount Caucasus?”

“Exactly. Tell me, does Zeus know of your rebellion yet?”

I nodded, and Prometheus continued without hesitation.

The Titan’s urgency was clear as he laid out his plan.

“Then we have no time to waste. I’ll go to Atlas, who bears the weight of the heavens, and bring him to the Underworld. I’ll meet you there later with my brother.”

“Atlas? But his daughter, Maia, is one of Zeus’s wives. Will he really help us?”

“Ha. Maia never had a choice in the matter. Atlas’s grudge against Zeus runs deep. Trust me.”

If I could rally Atlas, Prometheus, Epimetheus, and my own forces, we stood a real chance against Zeus.

But Olympus would surely notice if we raised any suspicions, and there was still the wildcard—Poseidon.

For now, I would trust Prometheus’s plan. Atlas likely bore no fondness for me, but it wasn’t I who condemned him. That was Zeus.

I wouldn’t be foolish enough to ignore the counsel of a proven prophet.

“Oh, and if Epimetheus refuses...”

*****

According to Prometheus, Epimetheus had occasionally visited him, even after his imprisonment.

Prometheus had also used his foresight to track his brother’s movements as he wandered the world.

“If you go where I direct, you’ll find him. Walk down from this wretched mountain, and after a few days at a mortal’s pace...”

Wearing the Kynee and moving swiftly, I soon arrived at the location he mentioned.

It was an unremarkable human village—nothing that should interest a Titan.

Step. Step.

“Come! Buy barley and wheat! Blessed by the goddess Demeter herself—quality crops!”

“But why are the prices so high? It’s double what it was last time...”

“We can’t help it. The rains have been relentless, and earthquakes keep ruining the harvest. Surely the gods won’t stand idly by.”

These mortals prayed for Olympus’s grace, oblivious to the truth—that the gods themselves were the cause of their suffering.

And all because of an affair involving Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.

“Fresh hides of cattle and pigs for sale!”

“Hey, do you know why the weather’s been so strange lately?”

“I’m heading to Hermes’s temple later to pray. Why don’t you join me?”

I scanned the humans carefully.

Prometheus had assured me I would find his brother here.

Yet Epimetheus remained hidden—perhaps concealing his divine presence and blending in as a traveler.

I couldn’t blame him. Olympus’s dominance had made enemies of the Titans.

His own brother was being devoured alive as punishment, so I could only imagine the bitterness he felt.

Wait... over there.

“Things aren’t going well lately, are they?”

“You don’t say? The skies pour rain, yet the earth stays dry. The gods must be punishing us.”

“Who knows what Olympus is thinking.”

“Shh! Watch your mouth, or you’ll be struck by lightning!”

I found him.

A towering man, speaking to a merchant about the state of the world.

This had to be Epimetheus—the Titan who thought too late.

He clearly didn’t want to draw attention to himself, but Prometheus had said time was of the essence.

I needed to convince him before Zeus caught wind of my rebellion or Prometheus’s release.

Wearing the Kynee, I approached silently.

Epimetheus might have been slow to think, but even he would understand once I spoke.

Tock, tock.

— “I never expected to find a great Titan in a place like this, Epimetheus.”

“...!”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

“N-Nothing.”

Epimetheus froze mid-conversation, his expression hardening.

Abruptly, he broke off from the merchant and began walking toward the outskirts of the village.

Good. He understood my message.

*****

Outside the village, Epimetheus abruptly halted his steps and whipped his head around.

The Titan spoke toward the empty air, his face tense with anxiety.

“Hades. Why have you come looking for me? I’ve never done anything to offend you!”

“Epimetheus. Your brother sent me.”

“What?! My brother—why would he...?”

Watching Epimetheus’s face contort in shock, I removed the Kynee.

“I freed your brother, Prometheus, from the mountain as part of my plan to rebel against Zeus and take the throne of the gods.”

“That’s absurd. Do you take me for a fool?! Why would you, not Poseidon, rebel?!”

“Because the Olympian gods have gone too far.”

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I explained what I had witnessed as the Lord of the Underworld.

The gods’ endless misdeeds, their refusal to change despite my warnings, and how the disasters in the mortal world were the result of their quarrels over an affair.

As I spoke, Epimetheus’s expression darkened further and further.

“...Do you understand now? That’s why we need your strength to completely destroy Mount Caucasus and mislead Zeus.”

“Urgh. But I can’t fight!”

“Even after everything I’ve told you? Are you saying you won’t follow your brother, who can see the future?”

“Yes!”

Why was he refusing?

Given his own grievances against the Olympians, I expected him to be more willing than anyone.

“I regret not listening to my brother before. But even he doesn’t always make perfect decisions. That’s why he only now escaped his chains.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“If I join your side and we lose to Olympus, I could end up chained to a mountain like my brother!”

So that was it.

He doubted my strength.

He wasn’t convinced that I could defeat Zeus.

Unlike the Titanomachy, which had been a war between two equal factions, this rebellion was an uphill battle. His hesitation made sense.

Should I follow Prometheus’s advice and persuade him with logic?

No. This was war, and exceptions had to be made. Without securing his strength, the rebellion would fail.

I had to trust the prophet’s counsel.

“If you help me—”

“Hmph. Save your breath. I’m not taking any more risks—”

“I will revive your deceased family and grant them immortality.”

“W-what—?!”

Epimetheus’s composure shattered in an instant.

This was my ultimate bargaining chip—breaking the law of the dead and defying the natural order.

“I swear as the Lord of the Underworld. Your wife, Pandora, your daughter, Pyrrha, and your son-in-law, Deucalion—I will grant them immortality. They will feast on ambrosia and nectar, and once I become King of the Gods, I will raise them to divine status.”

The Titan’s turmoil was almost palpable as he bit his lip, deep in thought.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

“...Swear it upon the River Styx, and I’ll help you.”

“Of course. I vow upon the River Styx to fulfill every condition I just promised.”

A short sigh escaped him before he released the power he had been suppressing.

The air trembled with his might—a force worthy of the Titan who had once held back Atlas.

“Then after destroying Mount Caucasus, what’s next? Do we march straight to Olympus?”

“Come to the Underworld without drawing attention. I trust you know the way.”

“Fine. I’ll be there, Hades.”

I had succeeded in recruiting Epimetheus.

Now, the next step...

I had to return to the Underworld and confront the three Hecatoncheires guarding the entrance to Tartarus.

I would either persuade them—or bind them.

...Before Zeus began to suspect me.