Chapter 62 - Immortality

"You took that better than I expected you to."

Hades asked Joren when the latter seemed to be unaffected.

"I was surprised but if Goddess Megaera is older than time itself, then this should be a light punishment for her."

"Indeed, if you were someone important then I would've given her more severe punishment."

Hades left it as that as he moved along.

"Shut it or you'll follow Megaera." meanwhile, Persephone said to Allecto who was still mad about it, thinking that Megaera got it off easy.

'Shouldn't it be shameful for a Goddess like her to be treated like a prisoner?'

Joren has thought that Gods prioritize their image more than anything but is he wrong? But there was nothing he could do about it for now.

After some time, Hades sat on the couching seat in front of the chariot and behind the six ghouls attached to the carriage by a rope. They are supposed to be horses.

Joren didn't question it, thinking it was normal, making Hades feel a little awkward so he explained it on his own.

"I'm going incognito. If I use my real horses, my identity will be revealed."

Currently, he was wearing the cloak that covered his face and body. If Joren and Hades were to switch seats, others wouldn't notice it.

"Is this really fine?"

Looking through a spyglass, Persephone asked Allecto. The two were on the top of the palace, sneaking a peek.

"Queen, why don't we follow them? We wouldn't be able to see the UnderWorldLand from here."

Allecto asked to which Persephone hesitated before nodding.

"Alright, get us some cloaks as well."

The maids automatically gave them what they want and in a blink of an eye, they were ready to set out.

"Hades seemed to favor that little creature too much."

Persephone muttered, curious at what the Lord of the UnderWorld was thinking.

"But that undead isn't as simple as he seemed. Maybe Lord found something we cannot see?"

Allecto suggested but for Persephone, that doesn't seem to be enough. For a lesser undead to be granted the privilege of being Hades' guest was unthinkable. If these were to be spread, they will become a laughingstock as Hades represents the whole UnderWorld, it was even named after him.

"The more this is dragged on, the more risk we're having." Persephone continued to worry, "It's better if he fail the results quickly."

"You're the only one who could entertain the Lord, Queen, there's nothing to worry about." Allecto just waved her hand, not thinking of the situation much as she opened her phone, swiping left and right.

"That's true…"

Allecto heard Persephone's reply and noticed something.

"Queen, you seemed to be excited."

"Excited? You mean nervous, right?"

"No, no, you seem to be having fun."

But Persephone just scoffed at her, thinking that she was just teasing her. After a lot of time together, Persephone was not just their mother-figure, she's also their queen and their friend. Not to mention their niece. They have that strong of a bond.

Meanwhile, underneath the dungeon, Nebarius was smashing his three heads towards the floor.

"Shut it, it's the Lord's orders."

"I know, Lady but still…" the middle head looked at the other two heads and they nodded back.

Megaera was lying down on a clean bed behind an iron door. There's still the restricting chain around her neck as a sign of being grounded.

"One decade is a blink of an eye for me if I want to sleep that long. Being locked and not being able to eat and drink is not really a punishment."

"Yes, I know, Lady Megaera but I ask for the way I treated you."

Nebarius, general of Hades' militia. Since the UnderWorld is at peace, he was currently positioned as Hades' right hand. He was notorious and an immortal warlord, having the power to command all those who had died since the very beginning of time.

Even if all ten billion humans on Earth right now were to be trained and ready for battle, they wouldn't amount to the hundred billion people that have died since the start of time. That's not mentioning the beasts and demons on another league under Nebarius' command.

Yet, here he is cowering in fear even though he had to do what he had to do.

How is this fearsome Immortal Warlord at this state? It's because he's in front of Megaera, one of the three Enriyes. Although the Enriyes, or most commonly called the Furies, were separate entities on their own, they are treated on the same level as the Gods and Goddesses in the world.

A mere lower immortal like Nerbarius wouldn't be able to survive if Megaera was truly angered.

Back then, he was almost killed when Allecto went through the same punishment. Hades had to make a move, locking her up for several decades for the additional crimes she committed.

"I think the Lord is losing touch of his position, don't you think?"

Megaera then asked, letting Nebarius forget his worries.

"Losing touch of his position, Lady?" he didn't understand.

"Back then, before the Peace Era began, times were chaotic when we're still active on establishing vengeance and justice… heh, good times." Megaera began to reminisce, "But after we learned of the existence of higher beings and other so-called Underworlds, a treaty was passed."

Nebarius nodded. He was there when one of the higher beings, the one people call nowadays Cthulu, Great Old One, said to have existed even before chaos created the five primordial beings. Cthulu is a cosmic god and humans, with their strange innovations, have managed to call out to it.

"Since then, everything has become so boring…" Megaera continued, coming back to her question, "The Lord must've been so bored sitting in his throne all the time."

"Yes, Lady, as the Lord of the Underworld, Lord Hades oversees this world at all times." Nebarius spoke with the deepest respect.

However, Megaera just sighed.

"That's the problem. Unlike us who can loiter around, he just sits on his throne."

"B-but Lady, Lord Hades said he likes his job..."

"That's obviously a lie, crow." Megaera rolled her eyes, "Do you like your job?"

"My job?" Nebarius didn't know why Megaera redirected the question to him but he immediately responded, "Yes, there was not a day that I was joyfully serving the Lord, the Queen, and the Furies, Lady!"

"That's why you rarely get tired of it. But think of the Lord's position."

"...!" Nerbarius was about to make an argument but stop. Not only because Megaera is the one he will argue with but also because she makes a point.

"Joren's arrival must've gotten the Lord pretty excited." Megaera smirked, 'That guy will be usin Joren for his own entertainment. As for his words of marriage… it's not an oath.'

"I see, Lady, my shortsightedness failed me to see such circumstance, thank you for enlightening me." all three of Nebarius' heads bowed down.

Meanwhile, in the carriage which the ghouls was pulling, Joren have begun a conversation that neither Persephone and Allecto could hear.

"Can I call you Lord Hades?"

"Of course, that's what everyone been calling me." Hades nodded.

Joren came out of the carriage and climbed sideward and was able to sit beside Hades. Hades didn't say anything so Joren made himself comfortable.

"Having to ride a carriage and not always running is so relaxing."

"..."

Hades was still not silent. Joren was not a master of socializing but knew that starting a conversation is crucial.

'However, my attempt earlier didn't even make him curious enough to ask back. Should I question him? I still don't get his character.'

Joren was aware that one wrong move and he might die with a flick of Hades' finger.

After coming out of the palace's area, they were traveling on a paved road amidst the endless sand.

"That's the Field of Elysium, right, Lord Hades?"

Joren asked even though he already knew.

"Yes"

Hades replied, making Joren sigh in relief.

"I've seen the UnderWorldLand and I was shocked to find that it was fun, contrary to my believe when I was still in the living realm."

"Who caused you to become an undead? Monsters shouldn't be cursing humans any longer. It's considered a crime."

Hades asked, making Joren think if he should tell or not. He's walking down on a thin thread of line. Yet, at the same time, Joren was getting use to lying and covering things up at this point that he naturally came up with an answer not to make Hades wait any longer.

"Instead of dying, a vampire bit me to save my life, you see."

"Then, why are you down here?" Hades raised an eyebrow towards Joren but the latter couldn't see this change which is hidden behind the curtain of shadow underneath the hood.

"We went here for a trip."

"Who?"

"... a friend of mine.." Joren continued to speak, answering Hades' next question, "I intentionally got down from the ferry."