"Orpheus, what kind of god is Mr. Charon?"
Walking across the land of the Underworld, Thaumas suddenly asked Orpheus.
"I'm not too sure either. But Mr. Charon seems pretty kind."
"Kind? Maybe. I can feel that too—Mr. Charon is a good man who says one thing and means another.
He looks greedy, but he's actually doing his best to help these souls who want to enter the Underworld. It's only reasonable for him to charge a little fee." Thaumas gave an objective assessment.
Orpheus nodded, and then they stopped.
"Hm? Strange. Cerberus? Did that guy slack off and skip work?" Thaumas stopped before Hell Gate, staring suspiciously at the tightly shut gate.
Many souls of the dead nearby were also unable to move forward because Hell Gate was closed.
Normally, Cerberus did not care whether souls could enter. It only stopped people from leaving.
The last time Cerberus had urged Thaumas to leave and not enter, it had only been because the honey cakes were too tempting, and it could not bear to deal with him.
But Thaumas immediately said to Orpheus again,
"That shouldn't be right. Cerberus isn't that kind of dog. Orpheus, do you know what's going on?"
Naturally, Orpheus shook his head. He had been overwhelmed by grief these past few days, weeping constantly and busy mourning. How could he have had the spare time to care about this?
Then, Thaumas seemed to think of something and smiled slyly.
He took out the honey cakes he had prepared in his bag, handed one to Orpheus, and said,
"Orpheus, you must be tired after walking so long. Have some honey cake. They were originally all meant for Cerberus.
But since it isn't here, and we can't eat food from the Underworld anyway, we might as well eat these!" As Thaumas spoke, he had already placed the honey cake in Orpheus's hand.
"Wait!"
"If you dare eat it, I'll bite you to death!"
"Don't touch it! Put it down now, raise both hands, hold your head, and squat!"
Cerberus came charging out from nowhere, roaring furiously.
Orpheus did not eat the honey cake in his hand. Instead, he looked in surprise at Cerberus, which had suddenly appeared. He did not understand why this Hellhound had deliberately been avoiding them.
"Oh? What's this? You're not hiding anymore?" Thaumas asked with a smile.
"What are you talking about?"
"I don't understand. Can you speak dog?"
"I was busy working just now! I didn't have time for you!"
Cerberus was trying to deceive itself and muddle through.
"Working? What a joke! Isn't your job to guard Hell Gate? More importantly, why is Hell Gate closed?" Thaumas demanded.
"This..."
"So annoying. You two heads think about it. My head is itchy right now."
"Boss, we really were working. We absolutely didn't mean anything else. We don't just do this one job—we sometimes earn a little extra on the side."
That was Cerberus's explanation.
But it was still a stupid dog. Faced with someone like Thaumas, trying to come up with a lie that could fool him was simply too difficult for them.
"Is that so? Even if you don't say it, I know. It was the King of the Underworld's order, wasn't it? Admit it, Cerberus! You're not cut out for this! You can't hide anything!" Thaumas mercilessly tore apart the three-headed dog's clumsy lie.
"I told you we couldn't fool him! You two just wouldn't believe me!" the left head said indignantly.
"So annoying. Why not fight? I already want to start biting." The right head bared its fangs.
"What bullshit are you saying, Righty? Can't your dog nose smell the scent of night? If you want to die, go ahead—I still want to live! Sooner or later, I'm splitting off from you." The middle head snapped in frustration.
Watching Cerberus start arguing, even Orpheus could not help feeling sorry for it. It was clearly a mythical creature, yet it was like this.
"Enough. What's the point of arguing? Stalling for time is useless. Open the gate now, or I'll beat you up and make you open it afterward. Cerberus, do you really think I'm afraid of you?" Thaumas said coldly.
"Hmph!"
"Roar—!"
"Then come on! I've disliked Night for a long time! We'll collect some interest from her follower!"
Cerberus's three heads united and roared together. It seemed a fight was unavoidable today.
Thaumas retreated behind Orpheus, maintaining a rather ambiguous distance. He took out his reforged Longbow and nocked an unpoisoned arrow.
The poison of the Hydra was difficult even for gods to endure. Even Teacher Chiron had been tortured into a miserable state by it. There was no need to go that far.
Still, an archer had to mind his positioning. The front line should be left to the swordsman.
"Orpheus, grab your weapon! Get it!"
Before Thaumas could even finish speaking, Orpheus had already drawn his sword and faced the Hellhound.
Cerberus bent its hind legs slightly and stretched its front legs forward, taking the stance of a downward pounce. A faint, vicious light glowed in the eyes of its three heads.
It was called a dog, but it resembled a savage wolf more.
The kind of greedy, brutal wolf with vicious eyes, a broom-like tail, and a habit of chasing flesh-eating beasts everywhere!
Cerberus bared its fangs but did not bite first. That was the respect it showed to honey cakes.
In the dim Underworld, sunlight-like brilliance flickered. This was the Authority of "Fire," a gift from Hephaestus.
Thaumas stood sideways, his left shoulder aimed at the eye-headed dog, his left hand holding the bow. His feet were shoulder-width apart, his weight evenly distributed between them, and his body leaned slightly forward.
Nocking the arrow, hooking the string, pre-drawing, drawing the bow, aiming—all in one smooth motion!
Divine Fire burned upon the arrowhead. It could break through Cerberus's defense.
"Orpheus! Move!" Thaumas gave the command.
As Thaumas continued exerting force through his right shoulder, the three fingers of his right hand holding the string swiftly opened, and the arrow shot forth with a howl!
Orpheus stomped the ground and leaped toward Cerberus.
Cold light glinted along the sword blade, as though countless streaks of golden radiance were dancing upon it, enough to make one's heart tremble.
Cerberus first used its incredible speed to evade Thaumas's arrow, then charged toward Orpheus.
It had to be said, he truly was a hero! And although he was a demigod, both his parents were genuine gods—not like ordinary demigods.
As the son of Apollo, god of the sun, and Calliope, one of the nine Muses, he possessed extraordinary artistic talent, but that did not mean he was not skilled in battle!
The body of a god's child was far stronger than that of a human!
You could doubt a hero's character, but never question a hero's fighting ability.
Orpheus used his sword to block Cerberus's claws, then shoved hard, forcing Cerberus back repeatedly. He seized the opportunity to leap onto its back and tightly restrain all three of its necks.
Cerberus roared and struggled, trying to throw off this irritating bug.
Unfortunately, Orpheus was someone who could trade blows with Heracles.
And in myth, Heracles could beat this three-headed dog senseless.
Then Orpheus shouted,
"Thaumas! Hurry up! Aren't you ready yet?"
The Bracelet shone. Divine power surged, Authority raged,
Vast magical power gathered toward Thaumas, and even the True Ether in the air stirred restlessly.
"Honored God of Fire Hephaestus, grant me Divine Fire that burns away the darkness!
Great Goddess of Wisdom Athena, guide this arrow's path with your wisdom!
Noble Queen of Heaven Hera, use your divine power to shatter its invincible defense!
Mysterious goddess Nyx, let the night grant me the strength to fire this arrow!"
Thaumas prayed devoutly. Three immense divine powers gathered upon the arrow, while night enveloped Thaumas and strengthened his body. The night would support him as he fired this arrow!
A yellow light also flickered on the Bracelet. Apollo's divine power was stirring, and this time Thaumas did not refuse it.
Originally, he had not wanted to use Apollo's divine power. But since Apollo was willing to help him, then so be it!
"Then Lord Apollo, please lend me your aid as well!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the sun miraculously illuminated the Underworld!
The light belonging to the god of the sun harmonized the different violent divine powers.
His gaze was firm. His pure blue eyes had been dyed black by the power of night as Thaumas stared fixedly at his target!
Using this arrow on Cerberus was admittedly like using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken, but unfortunately, it was merely collateral.
Now, he would not give any enemy blocking his path a chance!
"Take this!
This is the Arrow Piercing Hell!"
And then,
A dazzling flash streaked through the air.
Afterward,
One ear on Cerberus's right head was pierced through, blood spraying out.
Thaumas had not struck its head.
But that was not because Thaumas lacked accuracy. It was because he did not want to hurt Cerberus or Orpheus on its back!
This was merely a small lesson for that arrogant right head.
Besides, Thaumas's target had never been it. A mere dog was not worthy of him using such power.
At this moment,
"Boom—!"
The tightly shut Hell Gate behind Cerberus,
Hell Gate, said to never decay and never be damaged,
Collapsed!
The powerful shockwave kicked up clouds of dust. Most of the black poplars and fruitless palm trees around it swayed relentlessly under the tremendous force.
The ghosts who had long retreated to avoid danger were frightened into wailing and fleeing in all directions.
From this day onward,
The structure of the Underworld had changed!
The souls of the dead no longer needed to pass through Hell Gate, because Hell Gate no longer existed!
Thaumas had said it himself: this arrow would pierce Hell!
This was a brilliant arrow.
It was proof of how much he had grown since descending the mountain!
From an unknown nobody to the great hero who pierced Hell!
Step by step, he had planned everything. First Jason, then Queen of Heaven Hera. Thaumas had never expected to gain the power of so many gods, but he had earned all of it through his own efforts!
If even one thing had gone wrong, today's feat would have been impossible.
Finally, if Apollo's divine power had not balanced that force, then even with Night's protection, even with a body tempered by Heavenly Fire, he would have been torn apart by that power, wouldn't he?
Although that god was always trying to mess with him, this time he truly had Lord Apollo to thank. Otherwise, this arrow really would have become Stella.
He had yet to bring a Miracle to Orpheus. He had yet to bring a Miracle to Jason. That guy had not even reclaimed his throne yet.
He still had a mission to complete. He could not fall here!
"Thank you, Lord Apollo! And thank you, four goddesses."
Thaumas gently stroked the Bracelet, closed his eyes, and sincerely thanked the gods who had helped him.
The gods seemed to hear his gratitude. Five dazzling lights flashed across the Bracelet, eagerly responding to this hero!
Thaumas had a feeling that this arrow would become a powerful Noble Phantasm.
Because the feat of piercing Hell Gate had never been accomplished by anyone before. This was a legend that belonged to him alone!
This arrow brought a sliver of light to the eternally dark Underworld and drew the attention of many Underworld gods.
In this dark world, such dazzling brilliance was difficult to ignore.
From then on, the name Thaumas would resound throughout the Underworld. The ruins of Hell Gate were the finest proof!
Every soul arriving in Hell had to pass through this place. This day was destined to leave its mark upon Human History.
The destruction of Hell Gate
Was not merely the destruction of a gate. It represented humanity challenging death—and succeeding!
It freed souls from Hell Gate's restraint, allowing them to pass directly through.
Thaumas did not know whether that was good or bad. After all, he had never heard that Hell Gate served any great purpose.
But since he had chosen to bring a Miracle to Orpheus, then a mere gate could not stop him! If it would not open, then he would simply smash it apart!
Even if the gate was repaired someday, it could never conceal the fact that it had been pierced by a human.
"Ah?" The left head was speechless.
"Ah—!" The right head was in unbearable pain!
"We're dead." The middle head looked ashen.
Cerberus wore three different expressions. No matter how hard their none-too-bright heads thought about it, they could not understand how Thaumas had dared to do this!
Being a guard dog without wages was one thing. It could usually earn a little extra on the side, but now its workplace had been blown apart.
The right head tearfully swallowed its own bloody ear, hoping it would grow back after being eaten. What else could one call it but a stupid dog?
Thaumas felt a little sorry for it too. It was just a guard, yet it had been beaten like this and might not even have anywhere to seek justice.
Thaumas made a decision. One day in the future, he would properly compensate this stupid dog.
(I owe you an extra chapter. I'll make it up later.)
After all, it had merely been doing its job seriously. It was not wrong, and neither was Thaumas. Their positions were simply different.
"Thaumas, you're doomed!"
"I hate you! Sob... Why didn't you shoot those two instead?"
"Thaumas, you're really in trouble this time. Hell Gate symbolizes death. It is the face of the Underworld, the front door of the many Underworld gods! The King of the Underworld will definitely tear you apart!"
Ignoring Cerberus's words, Thaumas stared fixedly ahead.
Because,
Hades
Had arrived!
(I looked up a lot of information here and checked the Lostbelt too, but I really could not find Hades's gender or official art. I'm saying this mainly because I'm worried the Nasuverse might write him as a woman later. Since I couldn't find anything, I'll respect the original myths. If there's still a conflict, then go with mine.)
P.S.:
Today's sixth update is here! Since these two chapters were posted together, it's actually only five updates, but the word count is more than enough.
Unless something unexpected happens before the premium launch, there won't be any extra updates. I'll keep it at eight thousand words, then update ten thousand words a day after launch. Any more than that, and this author really can't manage it.
My dad worked so hard to get me into my current circle. I won't give up my job. I don't even have any pocket money now. I used to just ask for it whenever I wanted, but now I really have to start supporting myself.
If I have time on weekends and holidays, I'll consider adding extra updates.
Oh, right, Smart Recommendations has finally started pulling its weight lately. My efforts haven't been in vain. Sadly, a small fry like me isn't qualified to get a trial recommendation.
So I'll be diligent. All of you, contribute some follow-up reads for me, hey! You're all earned through my painstaking efforts at typing!
Wishing everyone a happy life! Have fun!
Before you continue