Perseus's Story - (2)
"Try to make an excuse with that renowned wisdom of yours from Olympus."
I watched Athena as I spoke. Her body gave a visible flinch. The goddess of wisdom quickly lowered her head and began to speak.
"I know that anything I say to you, Uncle, will sound like a desperate lie to escape judgment."
"So you're not even going to bother with excuses?"
"...In the future, when I punish humans, I will think over your words once more before acting."
It was unavoidable, given that the situation had nearly threatened the virginity she swore on the River Styx, but... tsk. It reminded me of when Artemis cursed Actaeon.
"If something like this happens again, come to me or Zeus first. I'll at least deliver a warning."
"Yes, thank you..."
"And I will remember that you sacrificed that poor priestess who was violated by Poseidon. See that it never happens again."
"I will keep it in mind, Uncle."
The look of relief on Athena's face, as if she were glad the matter had ended here, did not please me. Still, I had said all I intended to say about Medusa. She was not yet a soul of the underworld but a living person on the surface, and she had been one of Athena's own priestesses. There was a limit to how much I could interfere. Though I did intend to make things easier for her once she arrived in my realm...
"...Now tell me. Why should I lend you my Kynee?"
"As you know, Perseus is fated to slay the monster Medusa and become a hero."
"And?"
"But he is only a powerless human. Without one of your divine artifacts, Uncle, he can never hope to defeat a demigod like Medusa."
In truth, whether Perseus was destined to become a hero or not mattered less to me than the fact that I disliked the circumstances that had created the monster he was supposed to kill.
"Then let me ask the reverse. Why should I lend my Kynee to a powerless mortal?"
"...Would you consider meeting Perseus yourself and testing whether he is worthy of receiving it?"
Athena spoke with complete confidence. Test him myself? That was not the sort of answer she would give unless Perseus truly possessed the bearing of a hero. The goddess of wisdom's certainty piqued my curiosity. Just what kind of man was he?
"Very well. But while I go meet this human called Perseus, you will handle the underworld's affairs in my stead."
"...Understood."
Even when I had pressed her about Medusa moments ago, Athena had remained composed. Now, cold sweat beaded on her forehead.
The peaceful island of Seriphos. Perseus stood at a crossroads of death, trapped by King Polydectes' schemes against his mother. A low groan escaped his lips.
Who would have thought the king himself would be among those drawn to his mother Danae's beauty?
Damn it... Isn't Medusa that monster with snakes for hair? They say anyone who looks at her turns to stone and dies.
His rage toward King Polydectes swelled. What a worthless king, borrowing a monster's power to kill a woman's son simply because he desired her.
"Perseus. It is His Majesty's command. Bring back the head of Medusa."
"Refuse, and you will be executed for defying royal decree. What is your answer?"
The young man, Perseus, clenched his teeth and gathered his sword. With the king's order issued across Seriphos, he had no choice but to slay the monster somehow.
He had considered fleeing secretly with his mother, but the king's men watched their every move, and every ship on the island belonged to the king. He could not even use the quest as cover for escape. If Perseus ran alone, his mother Danae would surely be dragged to the palace.
No way out, then...
Armed and ready to set out for Medusa's lair, Perseus suddenly felt an unnatural gust of wind. When it died, a black-haired man with a gloomy, pale face stood before him.
The man's sunken eyes slowly studied him. Even an ordinary mortal like Perseus could feel the overwhelming presence, the supernatural aura, the subtle pressure. This was no man. A god.
Perseus dropped to one knee.
"...Are you a god, my lord?"
He bowed his head to the nameless deity. Could an Olympian have come to aid him? A sudden surge of faith he had never felt before rose in his chest, only to be dashed by the god's cold words.
"Are you the one called Perseus?"
"Yes! I am Perseus, great god!"
The young man's voice rang out boldly, but the god's reply was ice.
"I came to see which human would willingly become one of my people."
"I... I don't understand..."
"I am Pluto, god of the underworld. Are you the fool marching to his death against Medusa?"
Setting aside the fact that one of the three great gods stood before him... was he truly doomed to die?
"Medusa is a demigod with the power to turn anyone who gazes upon her into stone. She is a monster beyond your ability to face."
"..."
"Your death is inevitable. Your name is already recorded in the underworld's ledger. I grew curious about the sort of man who would walk toward such a fate, so I came to see you myself."
Damn it all! Perseus's body trembled. He was fated to die at Medusa's hands?
"However, there is one path that could let you live."
"There is... a way?"
"The king desires your mother and seeks to remove you. If you were to approve the marriage between your mother and the king, you would not need to die by Medusa's hand."
"...What?"
"Your mother would become queen, and you would receive suitable rewards. Is that not an excellent solution?"
The god Pluto's cold logic was correct. Polydectes only wanted him dead because Perseus had fiercely opposed the marriage. If he withdrew his objection, his life could be spared. His mother hated the king, but if he persuaded her somehow... he wouldn't have to throw his life away.
Yet he could not abandon his mother to a forced marriage, nor was escape from the island possible. And if he followed the king's command to slay Medusa, he would die. The lord of the underworld himself had declared it.
Damn... Damn it...! This can't be how it ends for me, Perseus...
Perseus bit down hard on his own lip.
I watched the young man tremble with his face pressed to the ground. Despair at having no escape and fury toward the king warred within him, a storm of raw emotion.
After a long moment, Perseus's shaking stopped. He slowly raised his head. Blood trickled from his torn lip.
"That cannot be, Lord Hades!"
His eyes burned with fierce determination. I had seen that fire before. Yes...
"I will cut off Medusa's head and survive! I will make Polydectes pay for this!"
It was the same blazing courage Cadmus, founder of Thebes, had shown me. Perhaps I would test him just a little further.
"Thanatos's ledger already bears your name. You will soon come to the underworld and stand before me again."
"To meet the great lord of the underworld again would be an honor, yet..."
A death sentence confirmed by the god of the dead himself. An unavoidable monster awaited. And still...
"I will cut off the monster's head, survive, and make that king pay the price!"
"Medusa is no ordinary monster. Strictly speaking, she is a demigod."
"Even if death is my fate, I cannot give up! I will succeed no matter what!"
Perseus drew a deep breath. Even when I had spoken of his fate, he refused to despair. He hadn't seen through my words, yet he simply accepted the trial with resolve. This young man who could walk forward with courage even when facing certain death... was truly a hero.
"...You remind me of Cadmus."
"Pardon?"
I looked at his puzzled face and pointed a finger toward him. A human who would challenge fate. Quite impressive.
"Advance with conviction in yourself. The blessing of I, Hades, shall be with you."
"...!"
Though his tale would end in tragedy, in this moment I would support him.
I returned to the underworld in an instant and approached Athena, who was diligently managing the souls. The goddess of war and wisdom looked up, her armor clanking as she walked over.
"How did it go, Uncle?"
"He was indeed worthy of your confidence. It was like seeing Cadmus when he tricked Typhon."
Athena's face brightened.
"Then that means..."
"Yes. I will lend him my Kynee. Take it."
"Thank you, Uncle!"
I placed the old, black, transparent helmet into her hands. With this, I had helped bring about Medusa's death as well... Hm.
"Then I shall deliver the other equipment to Perseus now."
"Other equipment?"
"Yes. I intend to give him my shield Aegis, Hermes' winged sandals, Lady Hera's magic pouch, and Ares' sword."
So the plan was to approach invisibly with my Kynee, locate Medusa using the reflection on the Aegis, close the distance quickly with the winged sandals, and finish the deed with Ares's blade. With Hera's kibisis, he would be able to store Medusa's head safely.
"I take my leave then, Uncle."
As I watched Athena's retreating figure leave the underworld, a strange bitterness settled over me. Predetermined fate was something even Zeus could not change. But was this truly the best outcome? I wasn't sure. Still, I needed to prepare suitable compensation for the fated victim who would soon arrive in my realm.