Perseus's Story (4)
"Very well. And the second..." Medusa's gaze shifts to my lips. "I will grant you the right to choose your own fate from this day forward."
"What do you mean by that...?"
"If you wish to remain in the Underworld without reincarnating, I will provide you with the utmost comfort. Should you desire reincarnation instead, you may select your new identity and everything that comes with it."
If she so desired, I was even willing to adjust the blessing of Lethe's waters. But that was not the end of it. The truly important matter was...
"Lastly... if you wish it, you may become a lesser god under the Underworld's dominion."
...!!!
Medusa's eyes widen. Yet it was hardly something to be so shocked about. She had always been a demigod, and her sisters were already gods. I judged this to be the most fitting recompense for her.
The Minos brothers beside her maintained calm expressions, having been informed and consulted in advance. Thanatos, who had brought the deceased, however, looked thoroughly bewildered.
"Why would you do this for me?"
Medusa stared at me with a bewildered face. Her eyes were filled with nothing but questions.
"Even if you are the god of mercy, to turn a monster slain by a hero into a god..."
"You are no monster. You are merely a victim of fate."
I cut her off and answered. "There are many reasons. Though it was due to fate, I was involved in your death as well. And as the god who rules the Underworld—the final destination of mortals..."
Rest for those who suffered misfortune in life. Punishment for those who committed excessive sins. That is the duty the King of the Underworld must uphold to maintain the world's cycle and balance. And...
"But the greatest reason is that I have never seen anyone suffer as greatly at the hands of the gods as you have."
"...?!"
Because of her beauty, she was violated by Poseidon, a calamity she could not resist. Losing her purity was already heartbreaking enough, yet she was abandoned by Athena, whom she had served, and turned into a monster. She tried to live quietly with her sisters on a small island without harming others, only to be used as a stepping stone for a hero's glory. In my personal judgment... even Phaethon, Oedipus, Cadmus, and countless other humans considered, none had suffered more at the hands of the gods than she had.
"The Underworld is a world separate from Olympus... Though I am not Zeus, I do have the authority to elevate one lesser god."
"Ah... You truly are the god of mercy."
I was not particularly fond of being called the god of mercy. How many gods must commit atrocities for simply returning what was received to be considered merciful...? But if such words came from her lips, I supposed it would not be so bad to be the god of mercy for a moment. If it brought her comfort and a sense of relief, then so be it.
Like finding a single ray of light in a dark cave... Hope and expectation shimmered in Medusa's eyes.
"If I become a god... will I be able to meet my sisters again someday?"
"Residing in the mortal world is impossible. But I will permit you to visit them from time to time."
Upon hearing my words, her head moved slightly.
"If I can meet my sisters again... Yes. Please make me a god."
Medusa nodded, and I waved my hand. Black divine power surged toward her. Swaaaah— A power beyond mortal comprehension forcibly expanded her divine rank. The demigod's soul was engulfed in black flames, and light burst forth as if blessing her rebirth as a new existence.
Hwaak—
I could feel the entire Underworld welcoming the birth of a new lesser god. Since Medusa had always carried the blood of the Titans and possessed the rank of a demigod, her ascension was not difficult. The black flames enveloping her mortal form faded, revealing her new appearance—one now counted among the many gods of the Underworld.
The clothes her body had worn as a mortal vanished, returning her to the moment of her birth. Her beautiful green hair and flawless, gentle figure drew gasps from the Minos brothers.
"From this day forth, you are Medusa, a lesser goddess of the Underworld."
Medusa clenched and unclenched her hands, examining her transformed body, before suddenly letting out a scream.
"Kyaaak!"
After desperately trying to cover her vital areas with her hands, she spoke with a face flushed crimson...
"I... I'm sorry, but could I have some clothes...?"
Ah.
* * *
After sending off the newly ascended Medusa, I leaned back on my throne when the goddess Styx approached. As always, her attire was quite daring today.
"Hades. Now that Medusa has become a lesser goddess, how shall we assign her duties?"
"Do you feel sympathy for what she has endured?"
"Sigh... Of course. Few gods would not feel pity after hearing her story."
Now that she was a goddess, she must fulfill her duty to maintain the world's balance. However, since I had made her a goddess as compensation for her suffering...
"Assign her only simple tasks. I did not elevate her to a goddess in order to make her work."
"Understood. I'll do that."
"And summon Mente for me briefly."
After Styx left, a weary-looking Mente soon approached. She was holding documents, as if she had just been working.
"Hades, sir... Why did you call for me?"
"Mente, thanks to your efforts, mint has spread quite extensively in the mortal world. You've done well."
"Neheee?! Does that mean..."
She glanced at the documents in her hands, then spoke to me with a bright expression. Though she did not need to lean in so close—her voice carried well enough.
"Does that mean I no longer have to spread mint in the mortal world?! Please tell me that's the case!"
"Ah... Yes. Since it has become widely known as my symbol, you may stop..."
"Waaah! F-Finally...!"
Oh dear. She had just been given new work... Still, it had been a while since Mente looked so happy, so I let it be. A brief moment of liberation was harmless enough.
"Hehe... But why did you call me? Don't tell me this is a reward and you're taking me to the mortal world for a private tour..."
"...That's not it. I called you to discuss how to make mint into food that can be eaten."
"Do you mean I have to spread that method in the mortal world as well?"
When I nodded, Mente—who had seemed to regain her nymph-like vigor just moments ago—visibly deflated. Her face showed unmistakable disappointment. She was the very picture of the goddess of despair.
"Charon is struggling because the scent of mint wafting from the souls is too strong."
"I see..."
"So if we turn mint into food and have humans consume it, the amount of mint used in funerals will decrease..."
As I explained while looking at the parchment, the drooping Mente looked pitiful. Still, this was relatively light work... When she had been a nymph, she had done nothing and rested comfortably, so there was no helping it.
"If you complete this task well, I will take you along when I go on patrol near Mount Etna."
"....!!! Really? Not with Styx or Lady Lethe, but just with me?"
Had I said something wrong? Looking at those sparkling eyes... something felt off.
"The two goddesses went last time, so perhaps..."
"You just said you'd go with only me, right?! Ehehehe..."
Mente was... cute, but there was something strange about her. For some reason, she reminded me of Aphrodite.
"Understood. For now, start with mint tea and mint leaf dishes for the humans..."
"Ehehe... Yes... Hehe..."
I forcibly averted my gaze from Mente, whose eyes grew increasingly sticky. Ahem. Ahem. Stop looking at me like that.
* * *
Since Perseus had slain Medusa, it was time for the Kynee I had lent him to return to me. As expected, Hermes, the messenger god of Olympus, came to the Underworld.
"Uncle Hades, Hermes has returned once more!"
"The Kynee?"
"Ah, here it is. Perseus certainly has good manners."
Manners? Had he shown some gesture of gratitude for borrowing the weapon? I accepted the Kynee he offered and placed it beside my throne.
"While returning the borrowed weapon, he also offered Medusa's head to Sister Athena."
"Hmm. Bring that to the Underworld."
"What?"
Hermes looked at me strangely before speaking. "Ah... If you ask for it, Sister Athena will give it to you. But may I ask what you intend to use it for..."
"Medusa is now a goddess of the Underworld. Since her mortal body was left in the mortal world, it must be retrieved."
"A goddess?!"
The messenger god froze in place, his mouth agape as he stammered at me. "Ah... Uncle...? You turned the monster Perseus slew as his great feat into a goddess..."
"She is no monster. She is a pitiful woman who was violated by Poseidon and made the target of Athena's wrath."
"But Father and Sister Athena will likely protest..."
"What of it? Just bring me Medusa's head. And tell them that if they do not return it, I will come for it myself."
"Y-Yes..."
Hermes bowed at the waist with a troubled expression and returned to Olympus. Afterward, the head Medusa had possessed in the mortal world was returned to its original owner. The monstrous head with countless snake-like locks of hair, its eyes closed. When I handed it to Medusa, she accepted it with a somewhat reluctant expression and bowed her head.
"...In any case, that is how I retrieved your head."
"Mmm... Thank you. Truly..."
"Your head... Well. It is the body you had as a mortal, so dispose of it as you see fit."
After saying this, I turned to leave when I felt a hand tug at my collar.
"Hmm?"
When I looked back, she hesitated for a moment before meeting my gaze directly.
"The grace of turning a monster who met death into a goddess—if you permit it, I will spread word of it widely among the humans of the mortal world."
"...You may do as you wish with something so minor. However, I too..."
I bore responsibility for her death. Without the Kynee I had lent, Perseus would have died instead of Medusa.
"But unlike the other gods, you offered an apology."
"......"
"Even more, you made me a goddess so I could live a new life... I wish to spread word of that grace."
Had she been abandoned by the goddess she served and chosen to believe in me instead? It felt less like faith born of grace and more like a crutch to cover the wounds in her heart.
"...Understood."
Even so, I could not bring myself to refuse.