Today is one of those days spent in the office with Menthe, wrestling with a problem. We need to resolve the issue of the overwhelming mint scent that Charon has been complaining about, emanating from the souls arriving from the mortal realm.
"Oh, Hades, you finally asked about it... My nose has been suffering..."
"I see. I apologize for not addressing it sooner. You should have mentioned it earlier..."
"Don't misunderstand me. It's not that your symbol has an unpleasant odor or that I dislike it… It's just, well..."
"...I'll consult with Menthe and resolve this for you quickly."
I recalled Athena mentioning the overabundance of mint being harvested near the Acheron River. So, after checking the entrance to the Underworld and consulting with Charon...
"I noticed the mint scent was quite strong. It's understandable that some might find it unpleasant."
"But Hades, if mint becomes widespread in food, wouldn't that increase its use at funerals?"
"Even so, humans wouldn't waste a plant that's also used as food just for funerals..."
Mint is a plant with exceptional growth and survival capabilities. Could this be because it was born from the power of Menthe, who was once a nymph? However, in my previous life, there were no nymphs...
As Menthe and I discussed this over the mint leaves on my desk, I suddenly had a craving for some refreshing mint tea.
"Hades?"
"Hold on a moment..."
I stood up briefly and retrieved the Cornucopia, the Horn of Plenty. I reached inside the broken horn, thinking of a yellow-tinged fruit: a lemon.
Plop.
"Wow... So this is the Cornucopia? It's my first time seeing it."
"It's not necessary for sustenance, but it's useful when I want a little something to cleanse my palate."
I peeled the lemon that had popped out of the Cornucopia, letting it float in the air alongside the mint leaves...
"Do you enjoy sweet things?"
"Of course! I love honey. The bees near Mount Etna have been blessed by Pan..."
When I turned the Cornucopia over and thought of honey, golden liquid slowly flowed out. I caught the right amount mid-air and mixed it well, pouring it into a golden goblet.
Soon, the honey-lemon-mint tea was complete.
"This is mint tea, personally made by you, Lord Hades...!"
The tea, a delicate yellow, shimmered in the golden goblet. I offered it to Menthe, whose eyes sparkled, and took a few sips myself.
Slurp
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The ripe lemon blended perfectly, offering a balanced tartness that complemented the refreshing mint aroma. The sweetness of the finest honey I could imagine rounded out the flavor.
"Wow... This is delicious. I think humans would really enjoy it."
"If there are any gods who aren't too busy right now, we should call them over to share this."
"I'll go. I saw Lady Styx resting in her room earlier..."
Menthe, having quickly finished her tea, left the office, licking her lips.
I waited for a bit, sipping the tea while she was gone. It might be a good idea to introduce more varieties of mint to the mortal world, encouraging them to use it in different dishes...
Oh, and I could issue an oracle, reminding my followers not to oppress those who dislike the scent of mint. Personal taste varies widely, so it might be best to allow my followers who dislike mint to keep their distance...
Clunk
"Hades. Menthe called me over."
"What's the plan this time? Are you handing out rewards for hard work?"
"Mint tea? Isn't that a plant humans use mostly for funerals?"
The door to the office opened, and in came Lady Styx, accompanied by Moros and Ker, who symbolized doom and fated death. I offered them seats and remade the honey-lemon-mint tea. The sweet and delicate aroma filled the office, teasing everyone's senses.
"This is the mint tea we plan to spread in the mortal world. Please try it."
"As you mentioned before, this is your solution to the overpowering mint scent from the souls?"
"Hmm... It reminds me a bit of Dionysus' wine."
"Honey, mint, lemon... Perhaps we could add other spices?"
"It's really tasty!"
As the golden tea was placed before the gods, I also brought out a dish from the Cornucopia that paired well with the tea: a roasted lamb dish.
The lamb, seasoned with herbs and spices, was perfectly cooked, its juices slowly seeping out as it was served to everyone.
"Mmm... Chewing... The meat pairs well with the mint."
"Humans make bread from grains blessed by Demeter. This mint tea would be perfect with a slice of that hard bread..."
"Do you think mint would also pair well with fish? It could be used as a spice."
As they enjoyed the mortal fare, I pulled more dishes from the Cornucopia. A roast stuffed with legumes and figs, a salad with tomatoes and cucumbers…
Soon, a feast was laid out before us.
"Mmm... It doesn't quite match ambrosia, but it's still good."
"...Shall we invite the other gods?"
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"Uhm... Gulp. I saw Hypnos earlier…"
What started as a gathering to discuss mint tea had quickly turned into a meal. There's no helping it now; I'll have to discuss mint with Menthe later.
"In that case, let's turn this into a proper feast. Everyone's been working hard lately."
"Oh! That sounds great!"
"A day of rest would be welcome."
"The workload in the Underworld has decreased recently..."
"It's nice to have something other than ambrosia and nectar for a change."
I'll invite all the gods this time. Even the more idle administrators and the three judges, Minos and his brothers, should be invited.
"Messenger! Inform Lady Lethe, who's overseeing souls in their dwelling place, that I'm summoning her. And also, to the souls being guided along the Styx River by..."
The gods who had gathered in the office moved to the Underworld's banquet hall. Soon, the gods I had summoned through the messengers began to arrive, and I turned the Cornucopia over.
Roast fowl skewered with herbs, salad wrapped in bread and vegetables, drizzled with olive oil and cheese... Although not crafted by Dionysus himself, the matured wine I produced from the Cornucopia had a beautiful hue.
"Wow... The feasts of the Underworld are quite splendid."
"Hehe, Menthe. This might not rival Olympus, but it's certainly no less than the feasts in the underwater palaces."
"After all, food from Lord Hades' Cornucopia could never be lacking in flavor..."
A well-aged cheese dish mixed with tomatoes and peppers, a dish with meat and cabbage leaves rolled together, stuffed tomatoes and pumpkins...
As the array of dishes filled the banquet hall, the gods, anticipating the upcoming feast, sipped on wine to prepare their palates.
Creak
The doors to the banquet hall opened, and the Erinyes, the goddesses of vengeance, also known as the Furies, walked in. With their bronze wings and snake-headed hair, they entered with a slight awkwardness, glancing around.
"Ahem... Are we really welcome at this feast?"
"Hello! I'm Menthe, the new goddess of mint!"
"Ah, the new deity. You were the nymph who created mint?"
"Hello, Tisiphone. It's been a while. Have there been fewer adulterers in the mortal realm lately?"
"...Thanatos."
Fortunately, it seems everyone is getting along well. It feels satisfying to see my efforts finally bearing fruit.
I was right to occasionally bring gods to visit their dark caves on the outskirts of the Underworld. Even the fearsome appearance of the Erinyes can become less intimidating over time.
"...I am Medusa, now a minor goddess, greeting you, Lady Alecto (goddess of unceasing anger)."
"I was actually considering paying you a visit."
"Is that so..."
"If you had continued to harbor rage even in the Underworld, I would have held the gods responsible for your suffering."
"Even those two gods...?"
I was a bit surprised by the conversation between Medusa and Alecto. The Furies rarely confront powerful gods directly.
Even Hera, as the goddess of marriage, might punish a woman who was wronged, but she could never harm Zeus.
Alecto sighed and continued speaking to Medusa, who had lowered her head.
"Poseidon and Athena wronged you terribly. I know you must harbor deep resentment toward the gods..."
"Yes..."
"But I hope you'll come to realize that not all gods are like that."
As I noticed the two goddesses' gazes turning toward me, I looked away. Ahem... It's not that I'm a virtuous god; it's just that so many of the others have their own peculiarities.
Both Medusa, newly elevated to godhood, and Menthe seemed to be fitting in well. My efforts to educate the other gods are paying off.
I've always hoped to minimize discrimination based on status or birth, and it seems my efforts...
"When should we start?"
"Huh? Charon? How did you get here?"
"Hmph... Can't I come? I left a part of my power with my avatar to handle things. But I'll have to return soon."
"Morpheus, why did you send a dream before I was fully asleep?"
"I guess I also had a dream..."
"The people of Athens mistook it for an oracle. Be more careful next time."
"Oh... Hades, let's start soon. It looks like everyone's here..."
Lady Styx, who was already tipsy on nectar, called out to me. Isn't she drinking a bit too much, even if the work is tough?
All eyes turned to me, and I slowly looked around the room. Lady Lethe, Lady Styx, Medusa and Menthe looking a bit awkward, Thanatos still working hard...
And all the other gods and administrators of the Underworld... those who have always helped and supported me. I hope today's feast serves as a small token of my gratitude.
Ahem. Ahem.
I stood up, slowly raising a golden goblet filled with nectar as I began to speak. The other gods followed suit, raising their goblets of nectar.
"Then, let the feast of the Underworld begin! It may be modest compared to Olympus, but I hope everyone enjoys themselves today!"
Ahem... Formal speech feels strange to me. Zeus might be used to ruling with such authority in Olympus, but the Underworld is much more egalitarian...
After I finished speaking, Thanatos, one of the oldest among us, raised his voice.
"Glory to the Underworld...!"
"Glory to the Underworld!"
And so began a feast that felt as though it might never end…The Underworld Feast - Part 2
"Glory to the Underworld!"
Everyone raised their golden goblets high, echoing Thanatos' words as they drank the nectar. I also downed the divine drink in my goblet.
Gulp, gulp—swallow—
"Ah… so this is the taste of nectar… It's incredibly delicious…!"
"Hahaha! Menthe, now that you're a goddess, you'll get used to it soon."
"Heh. This reminds me of the first time I ever tasted nectar and ambrosia, ages ago."
"Hypnos, don't tease the young goddess."
"So this is nectar…"
"Try some ambrosia too, Medusa."
No drink could compare to the heavenly taste of nectar, not even the mint tea or Dionysus' wine. Nectar's flavor isn't fixed; it surpasses all other beverages in taste and offers divine satisfaction to the gods. There's a reason why mortals who consume nectar and ambrosia don't age while they partake.
However… drinking too much can lead to this.
"Hades… It's been a while since we shared a drink… Heehee…"
"You've had quite a bit, Lady Styx…"
Yes, like Lady Styx here, stumbling toward me with her goblet, cheeks flushed with a seductive smile on her lips. She's clearly had more than enough nectar.
"Hadeees… Hehehe."
Of course, a little divine power could sober her up quickly, so gods often treat nectar like mortals treat wine… but it seems she's intentionally overindulging.
"Oh my!"
Thud.
Ah. So this was her goal… She tripped very awkwardly and fell into my arms, sending me a pleading look, and I instinctively caught her.
As I tried to help her up, releasing her arm and waist…
"Ooh…"
She closed her eyes and pursed her lips, seemingly waiting for something… awkward.
"Eek! Get off, Styx! Not again!"
"Wha—! Really, Lethe?! Are you serious?"
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Lady Lethe suddenly appeared, pulling the goddess of oaths upright, snapping her out of her intoxicated state. Lady Styx quickly regained her composure and began to argue with Lethe.
"Menthe? There's nectar dripping from your mouth."
"...Huh? Oh…"
"Tsk, tsk… This is what happens when you don't get married early…"
"Zeus and Poseidon have countless concubines, yet Hades here is quite the popular one."
Ahem… Well, that… sigh…
I decided to move away and approach Medusa and the three Erinyes sisters. Despite their intimidating appearance, with bronze wings, bleeding eyes, and snake-headed hair, they had finally agreed to attend the feast after many refusals. As the host, I needed to approach them first to show my support and care for them as minor gods and administrators of the Underworld.
As the ruler of the Underworld, I must demonstrate that those I favor and protect will not be mistreated by others.
"Medusa, are you enjoying the feast?"
"Yes. Thank you for your consideration."
"Hmph! The womanizer god is at it again."
Alecto, the goddess of unceasing anger, gave me a sharp look before turning away. But why are the snakes in her hair pointing this way…?
Hiss. Hiss.
"Ugh… What's gotten into you now?"
"Hades, I've told you many times to stop doing that…"
"Ugh…"
Alecto scolded her snake hair while blushing, while Tisiphone sighed, and Megaera nodded, her mouth full of ambrosia.
"Hmm… I'll be sure to invite you to future feasts as well. Will you attend?"
"Hmph!"
"Well, it's not bad…"
For some reason, this situation felt familiar, as if I had experienced something similar before… What was it?
At least we had some conversation. Hopefully, this will help ensure that they aren't shunned at future feasts.
Next, I approached Charon, the ferryman of the Acheron River, who was sitting in a corner, sipping wine. For some reason, he was drinking only wine, leaving the nectar untouched.
"Charon."
"Ah, Hades. Join me for a glass of this wine."
"You're not drinking the nectar?"
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"Sometimes, a good wine is all you need. Wasn't this made by Dionysus?"
Charon, who wasn't eating any ambrosia or the food from the Cornucopia, suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke to me.
"Recently, the souls arriving in the Underworld have shown a surprising amount of calm."
"Why is that? For mortals, the Underworld is…"
"Yes, a symbol of inevitable death and fear. But as more mortals have started to believe in you, many are now finding comfort in the idea of life after death."
Through the temples in Thebes and Argos, my influence in the mortal world is steadily growing. I thought my worship was still somewhat niche, but if even Charon has noticed, it seems I have more followers than I expected.
"Those who lived righteous lives are showing a surprising amount of composure upon their arrival."
"That's very good news."
"Your followers believe they will receive a fair judgment after death. As this belief spreads in the mortal world…"
Medusa's story has gradually spread, starting from Thebes, creating rumors that even a human turned monster can receive my mercy.
Even now, if I listen closely to the mortal world…
"Are you sure it's okay to go without clearing your name?"
"Don't worry too much… Lord Pluto is a fair deity…"
"Ugh… Those scum will surely be judged in the Underworld!"
"Can you repeat your claim of innocence before Lord Pluto?"
"Of course! I'll swear it in the temple!"
"...Since you're so confident, I'll investigate further."
Still, not many people refer to me as Hades. Even though I'm often seen as a god of mercy and wealth rather than the god of the Underworld… this is just something I'll have to accept.
For mortals, death is as terrifying as Zeus' thunderbolts, and that fear is closely tied to the Underworld… Hmm. As proof, most of those praying at Thanatos' statue in Thebes are elderly.
Recently, even King Perseus heard the rumors about Medusa. He personally visited my temple in Argos to pray for guidance.
"Lord of the Underworld… Is it true that Medusa, whom I beheaded, was once a human?"
Perseus' face showed a mix of disbelief, guilt, and confusion. I possessed the body of a priest and answered him…
"Yes, she was transformed into that monstrous form by a cruel twist of fate."
"...! How could this be…"
"She is now a minor goddess of the Underworld and wishes to speak with you. Will you accept?"
"...!! Please, allow it!"
Medusa, now a goddess, had been nearby and requested the encounter. Even when she met Perseus, the one who beheaded her, she showed no animosity.
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"So you're the one who beheaded me, Perseus."
"Are you… Medusa? I don't know what to say…"
"It's fine. You were merely swept up in fate, just as I was. I don't hold it against you."
"But…"
Perseus was clearly uncomfortable, yet sincerely apologetic. As a hero, his character was admirable.
As their conversation grew longer, I quietly left the scene.
Not long after, a small shrine was built next to my temple in Argos… dedicated to Medusa, the minor goddess of the Underworld.
'There are even rumors that King Perseus himself occasionally visits Medusa's shrine to pray…'
As I reflected on Medusa and Perseus' story, I was startled by a loud noise. Thanatos, the god of death with black wings, rushed into the banquet hall in a panic.
He had left the feast earlier—had he gone to check on something urgent?
I should grant Thanatos a vacation one of these days…
"Keres, Moros, Charon, we have a situation! War has broken out in the mortal realm!"
"What?! Again?"
"Damn it! Let's go, Moros."
"Humans have started another war?"
Charon, who had been gulping down wine, tossed aside his goblet and quickly rose. The other death gods, Moros and Keres, also left the feast.
"War in the mortal realm…? How many souls will arrive this time…"
"Lord Hades, I'm sorry, but I must leave as well."
More than half of the minor gods and administrators present, having heard the news, quickly departed. The Minos brothers also quietly slipped away toward the judgment hall.
"How is it that every time we try to take a break, there's a flood, a hero's rampage, or a war…"
"There's no helping it. Hades… Let's get back to work."
Lady Lethe brushed past me, leaving a comment as she went. Her beautiful eyes, usually sharp, were drooping with exhaustion, leaving me at a loss for words.
"Lord Hades?! Is this what feasts in the Underworld are usually like?"
"...?"
Medusa and Menthe froze, watching the gods and administrators leave the banquet hall in a coordinated manner, as if resigned to the situation. Yes… this is the Underworld. You can never truly relax here.
Menthe, meeting my gaze, awkwardly swallowed the ambrosia she had been eating and spoke.
"Lord Hades, should I also… start working?"
"Menthe, let's continue developing the mint dishes we were working on earlier. We can also discuss how to spread them to the mortal world…"
Since things have turned out this way, we might as well finish what we started and then take a break. Unfortunately, the feast ends here.
As I prepared to return to the office with the disheartened Menthe, I overheard Medusa's comment.
"The Underworld is… quite a unique place."
I couldn't agree more.