Chapter 13
The master Ophion had observed all this time had shown absolutely no interest in women.
To be honest, he seemed afraid of them. Whenever nymphs so much as approached him, he would startle and flee as if he had just seen a cockroach.
Some nymphs felt hurt, muttering that Lord Hades must hate them.
…In truth, he was simply terrified of women and terribly awkward around them. But with so few knowing the real reason, misunderstandings only piled up.
Ophion recalled the conversations he’d overheard among the nymphs who secretly slipped him snacks because they found him cute.
“Don’t you think His Majesty might be… impotent?”
“Hey, there’s no way!”
“Then how can a hot-blooded male god not keep even one lover by his side?”
Listening in, Ophion had snorted inwardly.
Impotent? His Majesty? Ophion was absolutely certain that couldn’t be true.
He hadn’t seen proof with his own eyes, but still—definitely not!
“No, no, what if he’s not impotent but into men? He’s always surrounded by men!”
That theory sounded far more plausible.
…Was His Majesty truly inclined that way?
Ophion chewed on his snack, agonizing over it. But a man couldn’t become queen anyway… then again, what did that matter?
He decided he would understand and support his master’s preferences, whatever they were.
At least I’ll cheer for you!
…That vow had been made just one day ago.
“Hm? What’s wrong, Ophion? Ah—don’t tell me…”
Hades, unaware of anything, scolded the sulking baby snake sternly.
“No more snacks.”
“…?”
“I know you’ve been going to the nymphs to get extra treats. No more snacks.”
Hades worried that Ophion might become an obese snake at this rate. Though he was already plump enough to qualify, Hades stubbornly ignored that fact through thick rose-colored glasses.
“The mission won’t be particularly difficult. So there’s no need to worry.”
“……”
“Approaching Leuke directly would be too obvious, so it would be better to linger around her instead.”
“W-wait a moment.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Leuke… did you say?”
Ophion blinked, finally regaining his senses, and asked.
“Yes. Leuke. Isn’t the name adorable?”
Good heavens. Ophion leapt straight up.
Leuke—that was the goddess he’d met when he went to Olympus. The very goddess he had been rude to. That much was certain. Hades seemed to have momentarily forgotten Ophion’s offense, lost in thoughts of his date with Leuke, but judging by his reaction, this would clearly not end with just one meeting.
Once Hades made up his mind, he never let go.
Just how persistent was he? Persistent enough to chase down Hypnos—who kept running away because he hated working—and force him to sign a slave—no, an employment contract.
In the end, Hypnos resorted to his last option and ran to his mother, Nyx…
“Find your own way to survive, my son. I did not raise you to be so weak.”
“I’m going to die of overwork at this rate!”
“Don’t worry. You’re a god, so even if you want to die, you won’t be able to.”
“Mother!”
Anyone watching would think I’m trying to kill you.”
“Eek!”
“Please take good care of him, Lord Hades. As long as you make this useless boy act like a proper being, you may work him however you wish.”
“…Mother?”
“He may look like this, but he’s quite sturdy. He won’t break from ordinary harassment.”
“I will do my utmost to meet Lady Nyx’s expectations.”
“Thank you ever so much. If you ever need the advice of this old recluse, feel free to visit. Ah—but you should not come.”
“……”
“More importantly, you’re getting along with your wife, yes? Make sure you never divorce her. I don’t want you returned to me again. No refunds, no repairs.”
“……”
“What are you standing around for, Hypnos? Hurry along.”
“Yes, Your Majesty…”
And so Hypnos became Hades’s loyal retainer, tears streaming down his face.
In any case, whether she wished it or not, Leuke would inevitably become Queen of the Underworld. This time as well, Hades would not give up.
What if she hates me?
Ophion still hadn’t apologized to Leuke. It wasn’t that he had deliberately avoided her—after returning from Olympus, he’d collapsed from exhaustion, and by the time he woke up, he realized too late that he didn’t know where she lived.
I’ll apologize the moment I see her.
But what if she didn’t forgive him…?
Then he would be abandoned—by the queen, and by his master.
Hic…
In the end, Ophion spent the entire night burying his head in his pillow, sniffling, and barely slept at all.
—
In the warm morning sunlight, I was fussing over some baby snakes.
“There, there. Good job! Eat slowly, you little ones.”
Oh my, these cuties! How could they be this adorable?
I’d found them not long ago, starving after apparently losing their mother in an accident. As an animal lover, I couldn’t just walk away, so I often brought them food like this.
I’d even named them—One, Two, and Three.
“Tasty! Taaasty!”
“Oh, oh. Is that so?”
One of my small talents was the ability to communicate with animals. Not only that—sea gods could all transform into animals as well.
The reason Zeus could turn into bulls, swans, and all manner of creatures to chase women was because Metis had taught him the art of transformation.
“Leuke pretty! Pretty!”
“Oh my, you sweet things.”
The baby snakes chattered as they looked at me. I rested my chin in my hands, watching them fondly.
How could anyone call creatures this lovely disgusting? Even my siblings trembled, saying snakes were scary and gross.
Compared to a world crawling with monsters like sphinxes and minotaurs, snakes were downright cute.
Still, there was one snake I had come to hate.
Ophion—the golden serpent who clung to Hades and ran his mouth. Remembering how he’d made cold sweat pour down my back, there was no way I could find him endearing.
“Just wait till I get my hands on you. I’ll pickle you in snake wine.”
Hissss. One, Two, and Three bared their tiny fangs, going on guard.
“Hey, why all of a sudden? It’s okay, it’s okay. Don’t be scared. I’ll go take a look.”
Leaving the frightened baby snakes behind, I headed toward the source of the sound. A thicket rustled ahead of me.
“Found y—huh?”
“Kyaa!”
“Why are you here?”
An unexpected figure appeared, and I cocked an eyebrow.
A baby snake with gleaming golden scales looked up at me timidly.
“A-are you Lady Leuke…?”
“Yes. I’m Leuke.”
I planted my hands on my hips and glared at Ophion.
What business did one of Hades’s subordinates have on the surface? Had Hades come up again? I glanced around just in case, but fortunately, there was no one else in sight.
He didn’t come wearing the Kuneē—the Helm of Invisibility—did he?
As if sensing my thoughts, Ophion muttered meekly.
“His Majesty didn’t come with me.”
Whew. Thank goodness.
Letting out a sigh of relief, I plopped down onto the ground.
Then it was time to get to the point.
“So, why are you here?”
“Well, that is…”
“Did you come to pick a fight with me again?”
“No!”
I snapped irritably. He wasn’t even on my side—he was a snake who’d argued I should be punished. I had no obligation to speak kindly to him.
The snake hesitated, circling the ground awkwardly. A vein throbbed on my forehead.
“If you have something to say, say it and leave. You’re scaring One, Two, and Three.”
“One, Two… what?”
“Anyway. Why are you here?”
