Chapter 52 - Into Hades' Palace

"My Lord, it seemed that we have a visitor."

In the throne room of the UnderWorld, there sat a tall man with two twisted, in cinder, horns pointing upwards. There was a huge frown plastered on his face, revealing two sharp fangs.

"A visitor?"

His voice was husky and deep. In front of him, kneeling down in respect was a humanoid three-headed crow in a military general outfit.

"Yes, My Lord." with a thin voice, the humanoid three-headed crow replied.

"Hm, how many years has it been?"

The 'Lord' restlessly tapped his foot onto the floor.

"It's been three millennia, My Lord, if I'm correct."

"Three millennia… this… who is the visitor?"

"My Lord, the visitor is wearing a familiar Unrecognizable Cloak. It seemed to be the cloak that you bought for Miss Megaera, however, she had been home since days ago and have never left her room with the rest of her sisters… as usual."

It was strange for a frowning man to frown even further but it occurred.

"However, it must be just my misjudgment, My Lord. Miss Megaera is not the type of person who would give her belongings to others."

The 'Lord' sighed at this.

"Yes, I think I spoiled her rotten. But, enough about that. See who and what's the intention of the visitor before letting them enter, Nebarius."

The three-headed crow, Nebarius, was flustered when its 'Lord' admitted that he spoiled the Furies. However, he couldn't say that wasn't the intention of his words since he was given an order.

"Right away, My Lord."

When Nebarius flew out, the 'Lord' who is obviously Hades, the Lord of the Underworld muttered to himself-

"Whoever this is, it's going to be interesting…"

In front of the dark palace that stood an astounding half a kilometer high, Joren was getting dizzy.

"Hm, I wonder if there's a doorbell to this place?"

While he was searching, something landed from the sky, almost making Joren jump from where he stood.

"Greetings, guest! My name's Nebarius, General of the Hades Militia, also, a direct servant of the Lord during non-warring times, may I know your name and see your face before you can step into the gates?"

The middle of the crow's three heads talked and politely asked. It seemed that the other two will stay quiet for a while.

'Another three-headed being… is this guy strong too? I only heard of the Cerberus dog and even he was just an old man now.'

Joren thought to himself while taking off his hood and introducing himself.

"My name is Joren Vierei and I want to talk to one of the Furies, Allecto."

"Hm?" all three heads frowned and glared at Joren after hearing those words, "Excuse me, did I hear it wrong? Did you just say that you want to meet Miss Allecto?"

"Yes, that's true."

"For what reason?"

"It's a private matter. But, if it's only possible."

As of now, Joren has no plan whatsoever. He was not the type to plan in the first place. His method was to always get straight to the point and figure out things on the way.

Well, it's not like he has any choice either way. He could, however, go around the UnderWorldLand, making connections, building intelligence, and something like that.

But… he would rather just fight Cerberus fist to paws than do that!

'My time is limited anyway…'

He was still thinking of Scarlett. Even at this moment, he doesn't know where exactly she is.

"It is possible, guest. However, before talking to any of the Furies, you'll have to talk with Hades himself first."

"... sure, that's fine." Joren nodded with a smile but inwardly, he's panicking.

'Wait, what!? Isn't this escalating a little too fast?'

However, he didn't reveal it from his face. Meanwhile, Nebarius had his guard up. The gates then opened and he led Joren up into the palace.

"That man seemed dangerous."

The left head said to the other heads.

"Joren Vierei, this is the first time I've heard of him." the right head replied.

"No matter how dangerous that man is, he is no match against Lord Hades."

Towards the middle head's words, the left heard responded-

"But that no matter who is he, just the fact that he would visit the palace alone tells a lot about his strength."

"That's right. After all, I don't think anyone is stupid or brave enough to enter the Lord's domain without any confidence in their strength."

The crow heads were talking to each other while Joren was thinking something else.

'I wonder what Hades looks like. I can't believe the moment I stepped into the UnderWorld, I will meet a God right away then a Goddess then another God. Are Gods actually that common?'

The first God that Joren was talking about was Thanatos, the God of Death. Meanwhile, he was getting excited to meet up with Allecto.

'Oh no! I have to focus!' Joren wanted to slap himself, however, he had to maintain his composure on the surface.

He was amazed by the insides of the palace. Everything was luxurious and grandiose with a theme of dark and fire. There were cinders everywhere yet it wasn't that hot. Inside of the palace have large open spaces that would wonder if they're inside of a structure or actually inside with painted skies?

'Also, what should I tell Megaera? I just hope that we won't meet. I'll be getting my soul out of here. It's mine to begin with.'

That was Joren's plan which can't really be called a plan. He wanted to politely get his soul back to him without saying that he would be escaping with it. After he had some distance, or at the very least, getting off their sight, he would try to escape.

However, if he actually angered Megaera then he just has to force his soul into his body and escape.

How could he force to put his soul into his body? Well, Joren thought it all comes down to willpower.

If somebody else were to hear this ridiculous plan, they would mock him for it. They knew that he would be a dead man by then.

While he was thinking, they had already reached the throne room to which Joren saw, at the end of the hall, was a demonic tall man, sitting on his throne that is made out of skulls.

Joren squinted his eyes and thought to himself.

'Are those skulls real? But wouldn't they break over time if you always sit on them?'

"My Lord, his name is Joren Vierei and he's here, requesting a personal talk to Miss Allecto."

Nebarius kneeled down to which Joren didn't notice. He was focused on the skulls.

The left head turned and saw this and had its eyes widened. However, it couldn't talk much in the presence of Hades.

"Alright, you may leave for now, Nebarius."

"Understood, My Lord."

Hades waved his hand and that's when Joren finally noticed that Nebarius kneeled down when he stood up.

'Ah, I should've followed him. Isn't that disrespectful?'

Joren wanted to kneel down to show his respect but Hades then talked after Nebarius left.

"Joren Vierei, what is it that you want to talk about with Allecto?"

"..."

Joren frowned as he found some trouble.

'Should I call him My Lord too? Also, he looked pretty pissed off. Does he already know why I'm here? Or, maybe, because I was disrespectful earlier for not kneeling down?'

"Did you not hear my words?"

"Sorry, Hades…-!" Joren slipped up but there was no change in reaction to the lord in front of him so he continued, "Do you know that my soul was taken by Allecto?"

'Ah, I finally asked it. But is my tone rude? It shouldn't be, right? I think I have a pretty amiable voice.' Joren thought to himself.

Meanwhile, Hades was confused.

'Joren Vierei, he's just a lesser undead and hopes to reunite with his half-soul that's within Allecto's hands.' he already saw right through Joren when he noticed that this 'mysterious' man was just a lesser undead, 'He's talking very casual with me…'

Outside, Nebarius couldn't hear what they were talking about but he was sure.

"That man was pretty disrespectful, surely, the lord must've been pissed off. Any moment and he would be calling us to clean up the corpse."

The middle head said which the other two nodded.

"It's been so long since another body was placed in Tartarus."

"I wonder what that man was thinking? Barging into the palace. If the lord is not bored, then that man wouldn't have been ignored from the start."

Just as they were talking to each other. Hades called out to them.

"Nebarius…!"

"Here it is…" the right head muttered as they entered back to the throne room to hear Hades' order.

"Wake the Furies up then tell the head chefs to cook food and prepare wine for our guest tonight."

The three crows' beaks all dropped at the same time.