The God of Underworld - Chapter 186

186: Chapter 30 186: Chapter 30 Underworld.

Captial City of Nox.

Dead Drunk, a bar belonging to an underworld lesser god of bars and alcohol.

The bar was specially rowdy tonight.

The scent of strong underworld wine filled the air, and laughter echoed off the obsidian walls.

Divine spirits, heroic spirits, and a few lesser gods crowded around low tables, their cups overflowing.

“Did you hear?” a divine spirit with goat horns said, slamming his drink down.

“The King was seen walking in the fields with Lady Hecate yesterday.

Looked almost like a date!” “Almost?” a heroic spirit snorted.

“She looked like she was about to hex anyone who got close.

That’s not a date, that’s a threat.” Everyone laughed.

“I still say Lady Aphrodite is the best match,” a lesser god of rivers chimed in, grinning.

“She’s love itself!

Imagine the King smiling more often.

The whole Underworld would feel lighter.” “Or burn down,” someone muttered, earning another round of laughter.

“Nah,” said a muscular heroic spirit, lifting his cup.

“Lady Hera is the only real choice.

Goddess of Marriage symbolised for giving life, and Queen of the Underworld and the dead.

Life and death.

Perfectly balanced.” “Balance?!” the goat-horned spirit nearly spit out his drink.

“You probably just want Lady Hecate to feel uncomfortable because you got punished for being late!” That caused a roar of laughter so loud the bartender had to tell them to calm down.

“Listen, listen!” a younger divine spirit shouted over the noise.

“Why choose one?

Take them all!

Aphrodite, Hera, Hecate-make a proper royal harem!” Half the room cheered at that.

“Do you want to have a civil war?” the river god said between laughs.

“Because that’s how you get a civil war.” Someone in the back suddenly shouted, “What about Lady Demeter?” The entire bar went quiet for a second.

Then everyone broke into loud arguments.

“She’s pretty good too!

She can also represent life and be the opposite of death!

Perfectly balanced!

As all things should be!” “Lady Demeter?

Really?

She’d just plant wheat all over the palace!” “Better than Lady Persephone!

Can you imagine?

We’d have spring in the Underworld!” “That actually sounds nice!” “Shut up, you just want flowers for your girlfriend!” The bartender sighed, pouring another drink for himself.

“You lot are all loud, but none of you have guts to say this to the King.” “Obviously not!” one of the heroic spirits said proudly.

“We’re here to drink and gossip, not die.” The whole bar erupted into laughter again, cups clinking and more wine being poured.

The bar only got louder as the night went on.

“Alright!” the goat-horned divine spirit bellowed, standing on his chair and nearly falling over.

“Let’s settle this once and for all.

We’re starting a betting pool!” That got everyone’s attention.

“What are the stakes?” someone asked.

“Simple,” the goat spirit said, grinning wide.

“Winner gets bragging rights for a century, free drinks for a month, and the losers must scrub Cerberus’ kennels for a week.” A collective groan echoed through the room.

“No way, that beast has three stomachs!” “Which is exactly why it’s a proper punishment!” Soon, names started getting shouted.

“I put my bet on Lady Hecate!” a heroic spirit called out.

“She’s been working closely with the King, she’s got the advantage!” “You fool, it’s obviously Lady Aphrodite!” the river god countered.

“She literally personifies attraction.

You can’t fight nature!” “Lady Hera!

My money’s on Lady Hera!” someone yelled from the back.

“Once she decides, that’s it.

Game over.” Another voice chimed in, “I bet on Lady Nyx coming back and winning him over!” The entire bar went silent for two beats.

“…Bro,” the bartender finally said, “if Lady Nyx shows up and finds out about this betting pool, we’re all dead.

Don’t even joke about that.” Laughter exploded again.

Someone got bold and shouted, “I bet on none of them!

The King stays single forever!” The crowd booed so loud the bartender had to bang his ladle on the counter.

“Alright, alright!” he said.

“Write your bets down.

No cheating.

No divine visions allowed.

This has to be fair.” “You hear that, Oracle of Bones?” a heroic spirit teased.

A cloaked seer raised her cup.

“Fine, I won’t peek into the future.

But when I win, I want you all to call me Lady Matchmaker for a year.” Everyone groaned but agreed.

By the end of the night, the betting sheet was full, the stakes were ridiculous (one guy promised to polish every skull in the Hall of Judgment if he lost), and the entire bar swore to keep it secret.

“Imagine if the King finds out,” one divine spirit whispered.

“He won’t,” the bartender said with a grin.

“Unless one of you idiots gets drunk and tells him.” Everyone looked at the goat spirit.

“What?!” he said.

“I can keep a secret!” They all laughed, clinked their cups, and the night went on.

* * * In the quiet of the throne room, Hades sat on his black marble chair, reading over some reports.

Thanatos stood before him, having finished his reports.

But he did not leave, he stared at Hades, as if wanting to say something, but couldn’t bring himself to do it.

“…is there something more you wished to say, Thanatos?” Hades said without looking up.

Thanatos hesitated.

“My lord… there’s something you should know.” Hades glanced up, raising a brow.

“Go on.” “There is… a betting pool.” Hades blinked.

“A what?” Thanatos’ expression didn’t change.

“In the capital.

Among divine spirits, heroic spirits, and some minor gods.

They are betting on who you will choose to court… Aphrodite, Hera, Hecate, Demeter, Persephone, some even betted on Styx, Lethe, Minthe, and Lady Nyx.” For a long moment, there was silence.

Then Hades slowly put down the scroll and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“…Of course they did.

I think we need to increase our work hours, those people have a lot of free time, apparently.” Thanatos shivered.

More work hours?

They’re overworked enough as it is!

“They have written ledgers.

Wagers include free drinks, forced labor, and… polishing every skull in the Hall of Judgment,” Thanatos added, his voice completely flat.

Hades actually chuckled at that.

“At least they’re creative.” Thanatos tilted his head.

“Shall I shut it down?” Hades shook his head, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

“No.

Let them have their fun.

But keep an eye on it.

I want to know who bet on who.” Thanatos paused, then asked, “May I ask why, my lord?” “Because,” Hades said, leaning back in his throne, “if I do choose one of them, I want to personally watch half of Nox scrub Cerberus’ kennels.” Thanatos’ lips twitched, almost like he was holding back a laugh.

“Understood.” He turned to leave, but Hades called out, “Wait.” Thanatos looked back.

“Who did you bet on?” Thanatos was silent for a long moment, then answered simply, “Uh, it’s Hecate, my lord.” After all, they have known each other for a long time.

And he believes she is a much better queen if ever the king decides to take a spouse.

Hades actually laughed this time, low and amused.

“Interesting choice.” Thanatos said nothing more and vanished, leaving Hades smirking to himself in the empty hall.

“Hecate, huh…” he murmured, before going back to his scrolls.

“…No, seriously, I really should increase the work hours.” * * * In the Underworld, gossip traveled faster than Styx’s current.

By the next day, Hecate was in her office when her assistant, still trying not to laugh, reported that there was now a full-blown betting pool in the Capital.

Hecate froze.

“…Excuse me?” “Yes, my lady,” the assistant said, struggling to stay professional.

“They are betting on who will be Lord Hades’… partner.

The highest bets are on you, Lady Hera, and Lady Aphrodite.” Hecate’s face turned red in a mix of anger and embarrassment.

“Who started this nonsense?” The assistant shrugged.

“The bar god, I think.

The owner of Dead Drunk.” Hecate buried her face in her hands.

“…I will burn that bar to the ground.” * Meanwhile, in Hera’s temple, Hera sat on her throne sipping wine when a nymph nervously delivered the news.

Hera blinked, then slowly smirked.

“Oh?

A betting pool?

About me and Hades?” “Yes, my lady,” the nymph squeaked.

Hera laughed softly.

“Good.

I hope they bet everything on me.

They’ll all win.” ” Elsewhere, Aphrodite was lounging in her bath when a female divine spirit burst in, laughing so hard she nearly fell over.

“Lady Aphrodite!

Lady Aphrodite!

You’re in a betting pool!” Aphrodite raised an eyebrow.

“Darling, there are hundreds of betting pools about me.

Be specific.” “This one’s about whether you’ll end up with Hades!” Aphrodite’s grin spread wide.

“Oh, that’s adorable.

Well, they better double their bets on me.

I never lose.” Within hours, word spread to everyone.

The bar in Nox was packed again, spirits and minor gods cheering, shouting new bets, and arguing loudly.

Some shouted Hecate’s name, others cheered for Hera, and Aphrodite had her own group singing praises.

Someone even shouted “Lady Gaia!” which caused an awkward silence before the whole bar erupted in laughter.

By nightfall, the betting pool had tripled in size.