The God of Underworld - Chapter 198
198: Chapter 42 198: Chapter 42 The streets of Herion were bustling, vendors calling out their wares, priests chanting near shrines, and children running between stalls with laughter that echoed off the stone walls.
Keres walked alongside the princess, her eyes scanning the lively scene like a hawk, while Nekyria skipped happily, turning her head left and right in pure wonder.
“Princess,” Keres said with deadly seriousness, “look carefully.
This city is full of humans who have things you can take.
Do you see anything you like?” Nekyria placed a finger against her lips, her eyes darting about until they stopped on a small vendor tucked between two larger stalls.
An old woman stood behind the counter, smiling gently as she arranged neatly baked pastries, golden cakes stacked high with honey glistening under the sunlight.
Nekyria’s eyes sparkled instantly, and she pointed.
“That one!
I want some of those cakes!” Keres smirked.
Perfect.
This was a harmless, small target.
And threatening a little old lady?
You couldn’t be more evil than that!
As expected of her king’s daughter!
She has great potential!
“Good choice, Princess.
Now, listen carefully.
You will walk up to that mortal and demand the cakes.
You will threaten her, instill fear in her heart, and then take what you want.
Do you understand?” Nekyria’s face grew determined, her tiny hands balled into fists as she nodded with all her might.
“Yes!
I’ll do it!” “Good.
I’ll be watching from the sidelines.
Don’t forget the lines you memorized.” Keres stepped back, folding her arms, blending into the shadow of a nearby alley so she could observe without being noticed.
Nekyria walked forward, her long black hair swaying with every step, her aura so bright and innocent that several passing merchants smiled at her as if she were an angel rather than the princess of underworld.
She stopped in front of the stall, looking up at the kindly old woman.
“Hello, little one,” the woman said warmly, brushing flour from her apron.
“Would you like some cake?
You can pick whichever you want.” Nekyria clasped her hands in front of her, bowing slightly as if she were on an errand.
“Yes, please!
Could I have one, ma’am?” Keres nearly fainted in the shadows.
What is this?
An errand?
A grocery run?
You’re supposed to rob her, not bow like a temple acolyte!
She slapped her own forehead, muttering under her breath.
The old woman chuckled, clearly charmed.
“Of course, dear.
Here, try this one.
It’s fresh out of the oven.” Nekyria’s eyes widened.
She reached out, then froze.
A flicker of realization crossed her face, and she gasped softly as though she remembered something important.
From her hiding spot, Keres’ eyes gleamed.
‘Finally.
She remembered that she has to use threats!
I hope she really remembered the lines.’ Nekyria straightened, her cheeks flushing pink.
She lifted a finger, pointing at the vendor with as much seriousness as she could muster.
“I… I am a… scary goddess of death… m-mortal, hand over your best cake… or… o-or I will curse your soul… f-for eternity!” Her voice cracked halfway through, her words stumbling out like a child reciting a poem in class.
She fidgeted with her cloak nervously, her eyes downcast, her face burning with embarrassment.
Keres clutched her head so hard her claws nearly drew blood.
What in the name of Tartarus was that?!
Was that a threat or a love confession?!
You sound like you’re about to ask her to be your bride, not rob her of cake!
The old woman blinked, then laughed so heartily that several other vendors turned their heads.
She reached over and pinched Nekyria’s cheek.
“Oh, you’re adorable.
Such a cute little actress.
Here, you can have two cakes.
On the house.” Nekyria gasped, her eyes sparkling.
“R-really?
Thank you so much!” She accepted the cakes with both hands, bowing politely.
From the shadows, Keres slammed her head into the wall.
Why… why is this happening?
She’s supposed to be terrifying, not adorable!
Am I cursed to spend eternity babysitting kindness incarnate?!
The old woman laughed, a raspy yet warm sound, “You should enjoy it, little one.
This will be the last time I will open my store.x Nekyria blinked, tilting her head.
“Why, grandmother?
Why your last day?” The old woman pointed at her legs, her wrinkled hands trembling slightly.
“These legs of mine are no good anymore.
I can barely stand, much less walk.” She smiled softly, “Besides, my children already live well with stable jobs, so I don’t need to keep this shop to survive.
It is enough.” Nekyria’s eyes widened.
She stepped forward quickly and wrapped her little arms around the old woman’s frail legs, hugging tightly.
The old woman stiffened, startled, before softening and gently patting Nekyria’s silvery hair.
“You really are such a sweet child.
What a strange little ‘goddess of death’ you are.” Just then, Nekyria’s small hand pressed against the woman’s thigh, glowing a gentle green.
A cool wave seeped through, chasing away the ache buried deep in her joints.
The old woman gasped.
‘What… what is this?” Nekyria looked up with a bright smile.
“Does it still hurt, grandma?” The woman blinked, bending and moving her legs cautiously.
She stood straight, then even tried taking a step.
A wide smile broke across her face.
“No… no pain.
Not at all.
Child, what did you do?” “I healed you,” Nekyria said, grinning, her eyes sparkling.
“So now you must stay healthy.
I will come to rob you every day, so please take good care of yourself, okay?” The old woman froze, then burst into laughter, her shoulders shaking.
She bent down and cupped Nekyria’s cheeks in her calloused palms.
“What kind of little goddess of death threatens people like that?
Fine, fine.
I will wait here every day for you, my little robber.” She patted Nekyria’s head again.
“Then it’s a promise!” Nekyria said, giggling, holding up her pinky finger.
The old woman chuckled and hooked her own finger with hers.
From the shadows, Keres was on all fours, trembling, clutching her head.
“What… what am I witnessing?
That was supposed to be extortion!
A curse!
Not a pinky promise!” She slammed her forehead against the ground, teeth grinding.
“She was supposed to strike fear, not… heal arthritis!” Meanwhile, Nekyria happily skipped back to Keres, carrying a small bag of cakes.
“Look, sister Keres, I robbed her successfully!
She said she’ll wait for me every day!” Keres’ lips twitched violently.
“That… that wasn’t robbery… that was charity with sprinkles!” Nekyria tilted her head innocently.
“But I said the lines you gave me.
She gave me cake.
That means it worked, right?” Keres almost coughed up blood.
“No… no it did not work.
It failed in the most spectacular way possible!” “Eh?
But I took what I wanted without pay, and the cake tastes good,” Nekyria said, holding one up with a smile.
“Do you want a bite, sister Keres?” Keres stared at her, dead-eyed, before slumping flat on the ground.
“King Hades… forgive me… your daughter is going to be the death of me.”