The King of the Underworld is Tired

Chapter 139: The Argo Expedition – Aftermath

The Argonauts returned to Iolcos and were greeted with loud cheers.

It was thanks to the glittering golden fleece on Jason’s shoulder as he disembarked from the ship.

“Is that the golden fleece? It’s really as golden as the rumors say!”

“They actually brought back that treasure that will bring prosperity to the land…”

“And who is that beautiful lady following behind?”

“So, does that mean Jason will become king now?”

Captivated by the sight of the splendid golden fleece and the imposing heroes, people continuously chanted Jason’s name.

Jason walked down the street with a proud shrug, followed by other heroes like Heracles, Medea, Meleager, and Atalanta.

The heroes had already concluded their story on the Argo.

They had decided to help their friend, Jason, secure the throne.

After all, if Pelias refused to hand over the throne despite them retrieving the golden fleece, it might tarnish or belittle the achievements of the other heroes.

But such concerns proved unnecessary.

“… Fine. Tch. I shall Step down.”

“…?”

“What are you looking at? Can’t you see I’m willing to step down?”

With a bitter expression, Pelias, his face twisted as though he had bitten into something sour, obediently handed the throne over to Jason.

Naturally, Jason was suspicious about this anti-climactic outcome. If Pelias had intended to step down, why hadn’t he done so before they went after the fleece?

“I thought it wouldn’t be easy to reclaim the throne considering Pelias’s greed for power.”

“Well, Jason, isn’t it because Heracles is standing behind you?”

“And the story of the Colchian princess following you has spread, too.”

“But wait, isn’t Pelias a son of Lord Poseidon? Maybe it was like the time we encountered the goddess Rhode, who reprimanded King Amycus during the expedition…”

“The power difference between heroes and mere soldiers is vast, so perhaps he feared you might start a revolt and decided to step down?”

Various speculations swirled, and eventually, the most convincing theory was that Pelias had no choice but to surrender due to the combined pressure of the heroes’ might, the wrath of Poseidon, and the justification of the golden fleece.

With the throne secured, Jason sought out his father, Aeson.

Aeson, after being stripped of the throne by Pelias, had been exiled to a cave…

“Father? I thought you were still in the cave.”

“Pelias released me. Suddenly, he was trembling as he said he’d only survive if he received a letter of forgiveness…”

“… What?”

“Judging by the dark circles under his eyes… it seemed as if he had encountered a god in a dream.”

Freed by whatever it was Pelias feared, Aeson was now living comfortably.

Though Jason was baffled, he decided to let it be and escorted his father back to the palace.

On the day of the official coronation as king of Iolcos, by Jason’s side was the beautiful Colchian princess, Medea.

* * *

High atop Olympus.

In the palace above the clouds, Zeus spoke to Hera.

“My dear.”

“… I know.”

“Please, let go of your resentment toward Heracles. I truly feel a deep regret, but it was unavoidable.”

All the gods were aware of the heroic feats Heracles had accomplished in Colchis.

No one had expected he would defeat the dragon imbued with divine power by Gaia and rise to divine status himself.

The sleepless dragon of Colchis was, originally, a divine beast bestowed by Ares.

But this mighty creature had been corrupted by Gaia, and it had even attained divine status.

While it did not possess immortality, it was empowered with earth’s energy to the point of rivaling a god.

Many were shocked and urged Zeus to make a decision, including Hera, who had previously despised Heracles.

Yet, despite it all, the king of the gods remained seated with a solemn expression.

“Father, if the hero of prophecy dies like this…”

“Silence, Ares.”

“But, Father, don’t you care if your son is in danger?”

“Do you think I don’t worry? But if he cannot overcome even this…”

And when the corrupted dragon fell and a new god was born…

Pleading voices rose repeatedly, asking Hera, the goddess of family, to calm her wrath, as her trials for Heracles had already been more than enough.

“Oh, Queen of the Gods, Lady Hera, please calm your anger. This mortal hero, Heracles, may one day save Olympus…”

“As the goddess of family, I understand your anger. However…”

“Has he not already completed nine labors? Let his killing of the dragon substitute as the final task…”

In particular, Hebe, the goddess of youth who had once tested Heracles’s endurance, was the most fervent in her support.

It seemed she might have lost her heart to Heracles.

“I swear by the River Styx, I shall never engage in an affair without your consent again.”

“Wh… what?!”

“Ahem… Have I not always told you, my dear? Though my ways may have been unworthy in order to create heroes, you are always my priority.”

The sudden vow from the king of the gods made the queen’s eyes tremble.

Oh, how much she had wanted this oath!

“… Actually, even without this, I had been planning to acknowledge Heracles.”

"Still, there must be some lingering resentment. I just hope you’ll get along with my foolish son. Please remember the time when Heracles knelt before your temple… and, if anything, take it out on me instead."

“Hmph.”

…Very well. This is enough.

* * *

Meanwhile, Heracles, who had departed from Iolcos, was now heading toward the temple of Hera to receive his final labor.

He had already completed nine tasks. If he could accomplish this last one, surely even the goddess Hera would acknowledge him.

And so, Heracles arrived at the goddess's temple…

“Welcome, Heracles!”

“Priest?”

“Please, you don’t need to be so formal. I have received an oracle from the goddess Hera. This way, please…”

The priests greeted him warmly at the temple entrance.

It was a complete reversal from how they had treated him before he joined the Argonaut expedition.

Guided by the priests, Heracles proceeded to the innermost chamber of the temple.

Then, as if they had been given instructions, the priests quickly exited, leaving him alone.

And then…

Swoosh—

The Queen of the Gods.

The goddess of marriage and family.

The pinnacle of goddesses.

Her divine presence filled the vast temple. She was elegantly beautiful, with an aura that was both cold and refined, her attire exuding dignity.

Hera, wife of Zeus, had descended here in person.

Heracles recognized her immediately and bowed deeply.

Yet, unlike before, he did not kneel. For some reason, he felt it was no longer necessary.

But Hera did not reprimand him for not showing full deference before her.

She merely looked at him with a complicated gaze for a moment and then spoke calmly.

“Heracles, you have successfully completed the nine labors I assigned to you.”

“Thank you, Goddess Hera.”

“Your feat of slaying the dragon imbued with Gaia’s power during the quest for the Golden Fleece was truly impressive.”

Heracles bowed his head slightly as Hera, the Queen of the Gods, continued her explanation.

“The sleepless dragon you defeated was originally a divine beast given by Ares… but it was sent to kill you by our grandmother, the goddess Gaia.”

“……”

“Likewise, the Lamia from the land of Chrysaor who pursued you recently was the same. This is because you are the prophetic hero meant to aid us.”

“……”

“The Gigantes who have wreaked havoc throughout Greece—those, too, were created by Gaia, the primordial earth goddess. And the prophecy states that for us gods to defeat the Gigantes, we must rely on the aid of a mortal hero. That is why Zeus took you, an infant at the time, and fed you my milk.”

Hera’s tone was calm and measured.

Yet the contents of her words revealed secrets of the gods.

“… Initially, I couldn’t believe Zeus when he claimed you were the hero of prophecy. But now, I have no choice but to acknowledge it.”

“Thank you. All of this is thanks to the tasks bestowed upon me by the goddess.”

“To rise to divine status through your own strength… until now, only Dionysus has achieved such a feat.”

Until now, the only one to have ascended to godhood by gathering faith and completing his own feats was Dionysus, one of the twelve Olympians.

He had traveled the world spreading the knowledge of winemaking, gaining vast worship.

Aside from being the son of Zeus, it was that accomplishment that earned him a place among the twelve Olympians.

“The god of strength and struggle, Heracles.”

“Yes, Goddess Hera.”

“I shall give you my daughter, Hebe, the goddess of youth. Come join us on Olympus.”

It was a surprising offer, but Heracles showed no sign of shock.

Having attained the position of the god of strength, Heracles now felt confident he could match any god—save for

 the top three.

Even if the opponent were the Queen of the Gods herself, it would be no different.

He closed his eyes briefly and reflected on his journey.

His experiences in the Underworld. The first labor assigned to him. The Argo. His heroic companions and the dragon…

With a faint smile, he spoke his desire.

“Oh, Queen of the Gods.”

“…?”

“I wish to complete my remaining labors. Please grant me permission.”