King of Underworld

Chapter 188: Side Story – Rebellion in the Underworld (2)

Deciding to rebel against Zeus, the king of the gods, was one thing, but the challenges ahead were immense.

First of all, Zeus was incredibly strong.

If Poseidon and I joined forces, we might have a chance to defeat him.

But no one could defeat Zeus alone.

The vast number of soldiers in the underworld was useless in battles between the three great gods, so I needed another method.

Perhaps I could negotiate with Gaia to gain her assistance?

…No, she would surely demand that I release the Titans imprisoned in Tartarus.

Even if I were willing to negotiate, I would have to concede to freeing most of the Titans except for Cronus.

It’s not just one or two Titans; if all the Titans were released, I wouldn’t be able to control them with my power alone.

Nor could I rely on Poseidon, who constantly covets Zeus’s throne.

To become the king of the gods and reform Olympus, I would have to subdue all three great gods besides myself.

Even if I dethroned Zeus, conflict over the divine authority of the heavens with Poseidon would lead to decades of war, further harming mortals.

Perhaps using him and betraying him later might be an option… but he wouldn’t fall for that easily.

The gods of the underworld would mostly follow me if I rebelled.

Fortunately, I’ve already established complete control over this domain, much like Poseidon controls the sea.

At least here, my authority takes precedence over the king of the gods.

The only uncertain factor in the underworld is the Hecatoncheires, who guard the entrance to Tartarus.

Having been imprisoned in Tartarus by Uranus and later freed by Zeus, how would they react if they learned of my rebellion?

Though they’ve been isolated at the entrance to Tartarus and know little of the world, they are still divine beings.

If they sensed the impending war or if someone from Zeus’s faction informed them while I and most gods were fighting in Olympus…

Even if I succeeded in my rebellion, their overwhelming strength could cause significant problems.

I needed to either persuade them beforehand or find a way to restrain them.

Perhaps I should carefully craft a way to convince them.

For now, I must ensure that the internal affairs of the underworld are in perfect order.

“Who’s outside?”

“Yes! What do you need, Hades-nim?”

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

“Even Charon?”

“Yes. If you tell him I have urgent news to deliver, he will understand.”

The messenger disappeared, and I closed my eyes, piecing together the plan.

Rebelling against Zeus wouldn’t be easy, but I was determined to succeed for the sake of the world.

—

Before long, the gods of the underworld gathered in the audience chamber.

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

With so many gods assembled in one place, a solemn aura filled the chamber.

“My dear gods, thank you for coming.”

“Hades, I’m swamped guiding the dead to the underworld. Why call me here? Especially with all these natural disasters occurring recently in the mortal realm…”

“Exactly. Even now, the River Acheron must be overflowing with souls.”

Thanatos and Charon grumbled, as they were the busiest gods in the underworld.

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

With a wave of my hand, I signaled the attendants.

They handed out the materials I had prepared to the gods.

“Please take a look at these documents.”

“What is this? [Status of Souls Entering the Underworld]? [List of Olympian Misdeeds]?”

“Hm… It’s true that the number of souls entering the underworld has been increasing, but I hadn’t realized it was so closely linked to Olympus.”

“[Trend of Souls Retaining Memories Despite Crossing the River Lethe]… Ah.”

“I see what you’re trying to say. The Olympian gods are increasing our workload.”

The materials I had prepared outlined the atrocities committed by the Olympian gods.

They focused on how much the underworld’s workload had increased due to their actions.

I made sure to highlight how even minor conflicts on Olympus created significant burdens for the underworld.

Some gods expressed anger, others sighed in frustration.

As I sensed the atmosphere turning against Olympus, I drove the point home.

“And are you aware of the natural disasters in the mortal world that have caused the recent surge in deaths?”

“Yes, there’s been a sharp increase in the dead. I suspected Olympus might be involved…”

“Hephaestus and Ares fought over Aphrodite, and Zeus’s infidelity was exposed, rendering his mediation ineffective. As a result, the gods’ quarrel led to countless mortal deaths.”

As soon as I finished speaking, an indignant roar erupted.

It was Thanatos, the true worker of the underworld, or rather, its most overworked servant.

“What?! So, the reason I haven’t been able to sleep recently is because of those brats’ love quarrel?!”

Charon and the other gods responded with equal disbelief.

The idea that Olympus’s petty squabbles were causing such chaos in the underworld was absurd.

“Do they ever think about how this affects the underworld?”

“What exactly is Zeus doing?”

“Ha. Hahaha. I travel to the mortal world every day to deliver sleep, and yet those fools above don’t seem to notice our struggles.”

“…Sigh. I was the first to support Olympus during the Titanomachy, and now this? Was this news brought by Hermes?”

The gods’ words resonated, and Styx’s solemn remark struck a deep chord in my heart.

Unlike back then, have the gods changed significantly? No, the war was one of survival to begin with.

“So, I plan to dethrone Zeus and become the king of the gods.”

“What?!”

The gods looked at me with slightly surprised eyes, and I began the prepared speech.

Of course, I paid close attention to their reactions.

“How long must we, the underworld, continue to be at Olympus’s mercy? Zeus and the other immortals of Olympus need to bear the weight of their divine responsibilities more seriously. Reckless actions, such as indulging in lust and harming mortals, deserve rightful condemnation.”

They nodded in agreement, showing no signs of displeasure or opposition to my words.

“I will wage war against Olympus, dethrone Zeus, and take control of their atrocities by becoming the king of the gods. I ask for your support.”

“Indeed. You’d be far better than Zeus.”

“I agree. That wretched Zeus doesn’t even respect us elders since becoming king of the gods…”

“…I’m on your side.”

“Oh my, just look at her! Hoho… Well, Lethe, do as you see fit. I respect your choice.”

Thanatos, Charon, Lethe, and her mother, the goddess Eris, voiced their support.

One by one, the other gods followed suit, indicating their agreement and willingness to join in overthrowing Zeus.

“Thank you all. We may need to march on Olympus soon, so please make your preparations. However, maintain your usual routines to avoid suspicion.”

Good. The next step is clear.

If a direct confrontation cannot defeat Zeus, I must rely on strategy and variables.

To craft and execute a successful plan, bold—no, radical—actions will be necessary.

—

### Mount Caucasus.

The place where a criminal, guilty of defying the king of the gods by bringing fire to humanity, resides.

Prometheus, a Titan bound to the rock face and subjected to the horrific torment of having his liver eaten daily, let out a low groan.

“Urgh…!”

*Snap!*

The chains forged by Hephaestus that bound him shattered far too easily.

The attack was so swift and precise that not even a Titan’s senses could detect it.

Prometheus’s sharp mind began working quickly.

There was only one item capable of cloaking itself from even a Titan’s perception: **Kynee**, the sacred helmet symbolizing the king of the underworld.

And the power to instantly break the chains of Hephaestus, the Olympian god of blacksmithing.

If so… Ha! Zeus, the time has come for you to pay for your sins!

Even your brother, whom you should never have turned into an enemy, has taken up arms against you. Your downfall is near!

“Hohoho. I will join your cause.”

Prometheus, having swiftly calculated the situation, stretched his body and spoke.

A low voice echoed from the void, where nothing was visible.

“…Did you foresee this with your prophecy?”

“No? But there’s only one reason someone would wield Kynee, emerge on the surface, and free me from these chains.”

*Whoosh—*

A brief silence followed, broken by the screech of Zeus’s sacred eagle descending from the sky to feast on Prometheus’s liver.

The beast, fierce and befitting the name of a sacred creature, dove swiftly.

Ah, how much suffering had I endured at the claws of this wretched beast!

But now, free of Hephaestus’s chains and with his strength restored, Prometheus stood as a mighty Titan once more.

Neither the Olympian Twelve nor a mere sacred beast posed any threat to him.

*Grab.*

*Flap, flap.*

With hateful eyes, Prometheus glared at the eagle struggling in his grasp.

Then, opening his mouth wide, he began to eat the creature alive.

*Crunch! Tear!*

With blood and feathers smeared around his mouth, Prometheus, his eyes slightly bloodshot, gazed up at the sky.

With a face brimming with madness and exhilaration, the Titan of prophecy spoke with conviction.

“Is it not so? Are you not finally rebelling against Zeus, Hades? O King of the Underworld.”