Chapter 143

The door opened with a heavy thud, and the white space on the other side of the door was lit up with numerous candles emitting blue flames. And at the end of the golden carpet laid out on the floor, was the figure of the Lord of the Underworld, sitting on his throne.

Besides Hades, who sat strongly in his throne, there were no other gods or nymphs in sight.

The only other ones in the throne room were Thanatos, Hypnos, and myself. Acknowledging me in my human form, Hades’ purple eyes narrowed in amusement.

For now, even though we are old friends finally meeting again, he doesn’t laugh from seeing my soul, which has grown quite shabby. I am grateful for that.

「I finally get to meet you in your second life. Dragon, my rainbow-eyed friend」

Hades’ voice was soft, and as far as I could tell, I don’t think he sounded angry or sulky.

But since we’ve known each other for a long time, the sibling gods behind me and I could feel the anger being dealt toward me, which was, in a way, indulgent.

Even from outside the door, I could perceive Hades’ sulkiness, but I wonder if I would’ve reacted the same way had I been in his position.

「I apologize for being so late and waiting until today to see you. Ruler of the Underworld, my old friend」

「Pfft, if I hadn’t sent Thanatos to get you, who knows when you would’ve come to visit me?」

You are exactly right. There was no room for objection in Hades’ words, and I couldn’t make a single sound.

Because of your nature as a god, you might as well have no mortal lifespan, and so I thought you could be patient. But if I tell him something like that, then he would probably only get more mad.

Rather than making him wait sixteen years after being reborn as a human, I suppose the worst part was that I was here after meeting with Mairahl and Aldeath. That was bad.

「I have no excuse. I came here too late. For that, all I can do is apologize」

That was all I said, and then I bowed my head. Seeing that, Hades let out a small sigh. It was a sigh that wordlessly said, “It can’t be helped.”

「Is human life that much fun? Considering the way you felt when you met your end as an Ancient Celestial Dragon, you must have been excited about your new life as a human, that much I can understand」

Excited, huh? I can’t deny that either. Hades is sulking, but I wonder if meeting face to face like this softened his mood a bit?

「I was going to enter a long slumber here in the Underworld, but before I knew it, I ended up like this. Compared to how I wished for death in my past life, now I want to live. As a living being, that’s probably healthier」

「Your current soul might be pitiful compared to the soul of your previous life, but your old soul also cannot be compared to the glow of hope that radiates from it now. That’s why, as your friend, I celebrate your current shine.

Now then, I don’t intend to keep on talking with you while only I am seated. Let us change location. Thanatos, Hypnos, you’ve done well. You may leave」

「Yes, Lord Hades, it’s great that Lord Dragon has finally come to visit」

Hypnos had an innocent smile befitting his cherubic appearance, and Thanatos, standing beside him, lightly chided him and then bowed her head politely to Hades.

As his retainer, or perhaps his steward, Thanatos’ bow was perfect.

「Brother, that’s enough. Well then, Lord Hades, Lord Dragon, we will now take our leave. Lord Dragon, please enjoy your stay and relax here in the Underworld」

Thanatos’ courtesy was flawless, even from her fingertips to the ends of her hair, there wasn’t a single mistake. Hades nodded back at her with a composed gesture. That must be how they usually are, as master and servant.

Thanatos briskly left the throne room, and Hypnos left while waving his hand at me.

Many gods have fallen due to Hypnos’ lack of awareness. Perhaps that is sinful, Hypnos.

「Thanatos is fine, but Hypnos acts as if I am not his master. Though I am partly to blame for never warning him」

Hades’ wry smile showed that he wasn’t as offended by Hynos’ behavior as his words let on. They have known each other for a long time, after all.

「As for me, I am relieved that the relationship between you all is still the same as ever. I was worried that maybe you wouldn’t be getting along anymore」

After Thanatos and Hypnos left the room, Hades stood from the throne and raised his right hand, and suddenly we were standing on a paved stone path in the middle of a field of flowers.

As the lord over all things in the Underworld, everything in Elysium is under his direct control and follows his will. Changing the location like this is probably easier than breathing for him.

Fumu, since we appeared on the road, Hades must feel like talking while walking to our destination.

「Sometimes I say things I don’t mean. But there is no doubt in my mind that I am happy we get to exchange conversation like this once again, Dragon」

Hades and I walked leisurely, bathed in the pure breeze of Elysium, which is free of the sins and impurities that arise in life, as well as the sins of the dead from their past lives.

Elysium is not a world of the living, nor a world of the dead. The Underworld is a utopia that is distinctly different from both life and death. That is this place, Elysium.

「Should I express my gratitude that your feelings of friendship haven’t changed?」

In my response to my attempt at a joke, Hades shook his head slightly in refusal. For Hades, besides Enma and Mugen, I am one of the few people he is friendly with.

「Stop, stop, your sentiment alone is enough. But let me tell you one thing. Thanatos is a bit vain when it comes to you.

Sometimes, it even feels like Hypnos is the older one. And ever since news of your reincarnation was confirmed, I was able to see her act like that again for the first time in a long time. I wanted you to come here quickly, for Thanatos’ sake too」

As far as I knew, what Hades just said was something that was hard for me to agree with. I thought that Thanatos and Hypnos both have personalities and relationships suiting their appearances, but it looks like there was more to them than it appears.

「Hypnos is like that, but Thanatos misses you more than she lets on.

A lot of time has passed since her birth, but she is quite spoiled by you in a way, so she tends to want to show you her cool side. Did you never notice until now?」

「If I’d noticed, I would’ve teased her a bit more by calling her “Thanatos-chan”」

Fumu, whether she really hates it when I call her “Thanatos-chan,” or if she actually likes it, only Thanatos herself knows.

Should I try calling her that a couple more times to gauge her reaction?

「You sure are a mix of dull and sharp, aren’t you? If no one were watching her, it wouldn’t be strange for Thanatos to jump for joy from reuniting with you」

「If she admires me that much, then I am happy. You’re included of course, but I should have reported to you all as soon as I reincarnated, I realize that now」

「That feeling is called regret, my friend. But it’s a relief, it’s not something that you can’t recover from」

「Really, I can’t deny that I regret my actions. However, I can’t pretend it didn’t happen, so I should try to be more considerate to Thanatos」

「Fu, if you do that, then Thanatos will love you even more, and won’t even give a glance to any other men」

「So I do have an influence on that after all… There are some who might find that funny, but isn’t this quite serious?」

「Well, it’s not to the point that it’s affecting the maintenance of order in the Underworld. Thanatos’ existence itself is proof that death truly exists in this world which was created from the chaos of the Original Dragon.

No matter who Thanatos adores, or even if she never marries anyone in her life, it doesn’t change the concept of death itself.

Besides, Thanatos’ feelings for you are closer to affection rather than romantic love.

She loves you like a relative who cared for her since she was young. In that way, Hypnos is  a bit more mature than her」

「Fumu. Hypnos still looks as small as ever though」

「He’s quite sensitive about how he can’t grow taller, you know」

Hades and I continued to walk while exchanging a rambling conversation like that.

There wasn’t any sign of other living beings around, and as a slight breeze made the flowers sway, it seemed like the flower fields would go on forever without us reaching our destination. But when Hades was eventually satisfied, I saw a new field open up.

There were chairs and a table set for two, and although Thanatos and Hypnos were supposed to have left, they were there, and Thanatos held a golden flagon in her hand. Were they going to act as our servers?

Hades seemed to be surprised by their presence here, and he asked them why they were here.

「Thanatos, Hypnos, I do not recall calling you two here」

In response to her master’s inquiry, Thanatos gave an admiringly courteous bow, while Hypnos nonchalantly waved his right hand.

Hypnos is childish enough to do something like this, but he is known as the god who rules over the dreams of all living beings on earth.

Even Selina and Christina, who are used to gods having unexpected sides to them, would be surprised by Hypnos’ true nature.

「It would affect the Underworld’s honor if we were to not offer Lord Dragon any refreshments, so although it may be presumptuous of me, I have taken it upon myself to make preparations」

「And I’m here to help with that!」

Depending on who was listening, their responses might make it seem like they were making a fool of Hades, but he simply muttered quietly to himself and forgave them.

Fumu, to think he would show such magnanimity, I am unworthy of his friendship.

It was rare for two Greater Gods like them to act as servers like this, but the relationship between master and servant in the Underworld is truly something profound and nuanced.

「Very well. Dran, how would you like to have a taste of what the Underworld has to offer?」

NEXT CHAPTER

01d 17:24:30

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