Chapter 66 - A God's Problems

Returning to the palace, Joren found a strange atmosphere. The maids and servants have their heads lower than usual while Nebarius was slightly panicking.

"Greetings, Lord." the middle head said while the two others still have their heads cast down.

Hades didn't reply and just passed by the three-headed raven. Nebarius didn't heed this any mind at all.

The palace had welcomed Persephone in low spirits. As the servants who gave her the cloaks, they knew exactly what she was up to. It was a rare sight for them to see the Queen act this way. But this is due to the Lord acting weird in the first place.

How many years has it been since Hades was angered?

Normally, it was Persephone who would complain and shout at him. The servants would see this as her seeking her husband's attention she would calm down the moment Hades gives her his time.

Not once did Hades was offended by Persephone's actions. But this time, it was different.

Joren, who was new to the environment, only realized that something was wrong later so he called out.

"Lord, is there something wrong?"

Nebarius and all other servants immediately flinched while Hades stopped his steps.

"You fool…!"

"Don't step into this, mortal…!"

Nebarius' heads began reprimanding Joren who scratched his head in response.

"Everyone," Hades' voice echoed in the throne room, "Leave us here and don't let anyone in." he put pressure in the word 'anyone'

Hearing these orders, all servants moved in an orderly manner. They could do this even with their eyes closed.

Nebarius was the only one who is out of place as his three pairs of eyes glared at Joren before walking out.

'I hope your death will calm the Lord down.' he thought.

Once they were out, Hades walked to his throne and sat.

"Persephone sneaked out to tail us. Do you have any idea about this?"

"No idea, Lord." Joren walked closer as he shrugged his shoulders. He has some idea since he met Allecto but he didn't want to directly enter the situation.

"I think, after a long time, that woman's love for me is diminishing." Hades gravely sighed as his body morphed into his original form, fitting him into the large throne. In that form, he rests his elbows onto the throne and supported his forehead as if he's depressed.

"Why do you think so?"

Joren found nowhere to sit so he just sat on the stairs. He placed his elbow on his raised knee, giving him a comfortable position. Seeing this, Hades feels like talking without knowing the reason why.

Maybe, it's because this lesser undead looks like he will really listen.

"Lately, she's always been angry and shouting at me. I try to keep her company as much as possible but this time, she did what I hate the most." Hades squinted his eyes, letting out a terrifying surge of aura.

'Oh no, he's talking about relationships.' Joren, who has no friends and lovers lacks the experience of being in a relationship. When he got his first lover, Scarlett, she just suddenly disappeared.

At that point, he felt like the world was just fucking with him.

"I think I've been spoiling her lately. I shouldn't be the only one who should be making the effort, right?"

Joren just nodded since he didn't know what to say exactly.

"Should I just let her go? Although my love for her has yet to fade, if that's not the same for her, I don't think we can keep this relationship any further."

"Have you asked her how she feels?" Joren finally asked, grasping the situation.

"Why would I?" Hades frowned.

"Of course, why wouldn't you?"

"Why wouldn't I… hah…" Hades scoffed before answering, "By asking, I'm basically telling her that I'm not confident in myself."

"And, that's a problem…?" Joren genuinely can't figure out what the problem was.

"Of course, it's a problem. As a man, you shouldn't show your weak side." Hades strongly said, "Women like men who are prideful and full of confidence."

"..." Joren failed to respond in Hades' irony.

"What's with the silence? You don't agree?" Hades raised an eyebrow.

"You're always showing your weak side to her, though?"

"When!?" Hades almost stood up from his seat.

"You said that you try to accompany her as much as possible when she's grumpy. Giving in to her demands, isn't that already showing weakness?"

Joren asked, shocking Hades.

It's like a new perspective has opened to him.

'But aren't I just being sweet then?' Hades didn't say it out loud since it feels shameful to admit that he considers himself as trying to be sweet towards Persephone.

Sometimes, unless pointed out, a person himself will never notice his own actions even if it's ironic or hypocritic.

Hades didn't need to say it out loud since Joren could already tell from the Lord of the Underworld's expression alone.

Soon, he stood up.

"I'm tired of talking to you. I'm going back." Hades then hurriedly went to his and Persephone's room.

'He couldn't even admit it.' Joren thought that the God of the Dead is kind of funny. From this simple interaction, Joren realized something.

'So, Gods are emotional like humans too, huh.'

This is a critical realization.

By knowing that, Joren could understand the gods more. The reason why Hades has a fog of mystery around him is due to him hiding his emotions from Joren.

The smartest person becomes dumb when he or she becomes emotional. Introspection is a difficult thing to do, especially for gods who think too highly of themselves. Hades, who stands at the peak in the underworld, has never been criticized. He would think everything he does is correct, never having the chance to correct his actions.

'So, human psychology can be applied to these gods, huh…'

Joren smirked at this newfound knowledge. After processing what he just have learned, he stood up and stretched his body.

"Alright, time to gain everyone's approval!"

He marched towards the door and was about to open it but after one push, he found-

'... either I'm weak or this door is as heavy as a mountain!'

Joren couldn't even budge the door so he knocked on it.

"Excuse me, is there anyone there who can help me open the door?"

After his shout, the door opened and Nebarius looked at him with a surprised expression.

"How are you still alive..?"

The middle head muttered.

"Sir Nebarius, Sir. Can I help in the kitchen?" Joren suddenly asked, dumbfounding the Supreme General of the Dead, "Is that possible?"

Nebarius didn't know if it's possible since no guests have asked to help around in the palace.

'What is this man's intentions? But, seriously, what happened inside? Why is he still alive and well?'

"Why?" Nebarius replied in a sophisticated manner.

"I have nothing to do." Joren said. Nebarius looked at the other servants and found that none uttered a complaint. It was a request from the Lord's guest. It was strange but not unreasonable.

There's no stopping him from saying no.

"Do what you want."

Nebarius said and walked away. But in reality, he just hid and stalked Joren. As the highest-ranking general, if he wants to, no one can spot him.

'What is that crow doing there?'

Joren asked himself but ignored it. Maybe stalking is a part of the people in this palace.

The head maid then walked towards Joren and said.

"Hello, I'm the head maid here and you can call me Kidrith. Please, follow me."

Seeing this maid, Joren couldn't help but think, 'Although they are nowhere near the three Furies and Persephone, these women could be considered to be models back on Earth.'

"Thank you" he replied after wanting to slap and reprimand his junior.

'I really have to release this at some point.'

Joren felt in danger being surrounded by beautiful women. He even thought that it was strange that a servant there is either a pretty lady or an old man. But soon, he figured that maybe because the one who rules the place is a male. If it's a female, the opposite would probably be true.

Although he might not know a lot of mythologies, Joren have been a studious man when he was still a student, though, he should've been still one if he didn't meet that fish.

Midway to the kitchen, Joren was talkative, asking a lot of questions. Eventually, Kidrith, the head maid began speaking even though she was not asked.

"He's got social skills… I'll give him that." the left head of Nebarius spoke to which the other two nodded.

Arriving at their destination, Joren looked around and found that this place was basically outdated compared to Earth's technology.

Remembering what Hades' said, importations here are rather rare. Without the underworld's own progress, they will be stuck in the middle ages in terms of technology.

"I don't know how any of these works."

"Don't worry, you can watch us work as dinner's approaching."

Joren's plan was not to help but get to know the ins and outs of the palace. During which, he might encounter any of the family members. Rather than knocking on their doors, asking for approval, a 'coincidence' will be a more natural approach.

He just doesn't like forcing people unless necessary.. Working around the palace will not only get him to know the 'rumors' around here but also, get more chance of encountering any of the family members.