Chapter: 192
Even after 300 years, the appearance of the Underworld hasn’t changed much.
I pass through the first gate guarded by Talos and make my way along the riverside where many children are gazing into the River.
After crossing the river and progressing along the path, I arrive at the depths of the Underworld, having witnessed countless souls being judged for their sins.
This is the courtroom of the Underworld, where souls are judged.
“You’re working quite hard.”
“Ah! Goddess of Life! I heard you’ve fallen asleep, but you’ve finally awakened!”
Here in the courtroom, it was only Yama who was judging the souls. And behind Yama, a girl who resembles me closely sits inside a black tablet, helping out.
Originally, one of the three would take breaks, but now, thanks to Hades’ assistance, two out of the three must be resting.
So, it’s no wonder that Yama is working alone.
“Yes. I intended to sleep for about 500 years, but somehow, I woke up.”
“Is that so? I think that’s a stroke of luck. Just 300 years of sleep has caused this much chaos; who knows what would have happened if you’d slept for another 200 years?”
I nodded slightly at Yama’s words. Just hearing about the things that happened is enough to make one wonder what a mess it is.
Not only Baal’s incident but also the affairs of the newly surfaced continent and those claiming to be the King of the Gods from various factions…
At this rate, my plan to let things go on their own while I took a break could go completely awry…
But then.
“How’s Hades doing?”
“Hades? All systems are green. The death evaluation system is running smoothly. No problems at all.”
“Overall, he’s been giving fair judgments. Initially, his rulings were a bit too strict, but after consulting with us, he’s managed to soften his judgments appropriately.”
Hmm. Since he’s learning from the verdicts, it makes sense that he’s developing over time.
Hades, who resembles me but lacks horns and has black hair, seems to be handling his duties quite well.
“However, there are occasional issues during the trial process. Very rarely…some reincarnate with memories from their previous life.”
“Memories from their previous life?”
“Yes. Souls should have their memories completely removed when they separate from their bodily forms, but it seems there were times when the separation wasn’t done thoroughly…. Very occasionally, cases of reincarnation with previous life memories or memories from the Underworld surface.”
“Hmm… How often does this occur if it’s only occasionally?”
“When statistically observed, about once every 100 years.”
I nodded at Hades’ response. With countless souls processed each day in the Underworld, a single case every 100 years would be within the margin of error.
“That won’t lead to any significant problems, but just to be safe, ensure to double-check more thoroughly.”
“Understood. I will add an extra verification step.”
Hmm. Hades listens well. Though he’s an aspect of my divine essence, unlike Baal’s aspects, it seems he hasn’t caused any issues.
By the way, where’s Baal? I heard he’s here in the Underworld.
“I heard Baal’s soul is here. Where is he?”
“Oh, you’ve come for his sake? Perfect timing. He’s locked himself in his room, refusing to come out until he’s reincarnated as a human, so it would be great if you could do something about that.”
“He’s locked himself in his room.”
I looked at the lodging used by the three gods of the Underworld. I could sense a familiar aura coming from a corner of the building… indeed, it’s Baal’s energy.
But Keres’ energy is absent… Hmm. Did she go out for something?
“What about Keres?”
“For personal reasons, she has briefly left to meet a dragon she knows. Fortunately, her days off have increased.”
“Well, if it’s for personal matters, it’s nothing I need to worry about.”
Despite being the Goddess of Death now, Keres had originally been a dragon. It’s plausible for her to meet other dragons.
Now, let’s meet Baal.
I stepped into the building, leaving Thantatos behind.
“Baal.”
「…….」
I quietly called out to Baal at the door of his room.
“I know you’re in there. Open the door. Let’s talk.”
「…….」
Baal remained silent, as if he couldn’t talk to me.
“If you don’t open the door, I will have no choice but to force it open. And when I do, you know perfectly well that I won’t hold back.”
After warning him in a low voice, the tightly shut door slowly opened.
And.
“Gaia….”
What came into view was a disheveled Baal, looking nothing like the boy he was before he fell asleep.
Though his boyish figure had matured to that of a young man, his hair was a mess, and he had an unkempt beard.
Where has the confident god that once stood proud as the King of the Gods gone? He now appeared as a dropout willing to give up his divinity.
“What on earth happened to you? Why are you trying to throw everything away?”
“I… failed. That’s all there is to it.”
His voice was small, as if he wanted to crawl into a mouse hole. To think he could change this much in just 300 years.
I’m a little disappointed.
“Yes. Quite disappointing.”
I could sense a shift from within the room upon my words.
“I’m disappointed to see you so beaten down by such a trivial failure that you can’t even get back on your feet again.”
I didn’t feel particularly let down by the failure itself but rather by the fact that he had given up on everything else because of it.
Even with failure, one must pick themselves up again.
“But I’m tired. I can’t do it anymore.”
Hmm. Is his spirit broken?
“You gods never stop piling work onto me. The more I do, the more it keeps stacking up. The aspects I divided ignore my orders and proclaim themselves as the King of the Gods. Suddenly, a continent rises from the depths of the ocean with immense power. I’m just exhausted. I don’t want to do anything anymore.”
Hmm… Could this be burnout syndrome?
Was it really that hard to be the King of the Gods?
“I heard Gaia had her fair share of duties before creating the aspects, so how did you manage so many tasks?”
“Well, I can only say I tried hard.”
Before creating aspects, I had no choice but to try my best.
I couldn’t hand off tasks to anyone else. I had to handle them myself.
It was tedious, but it couldn’t be helped.
If Baal went through that sort of process… it’s understandable he’d face burnout.
“So, you plan to give up your position as a god?”
“Yes. I’d rather be a human, living without any thoughts. So please, reincarnate me as a human. Otherwise, I won’t take a single step out of here.”
Hmm… It seems his condition is quite dire. It wouldn’t be hard to break down the door and drag Baal out, but forcing him to do so in such a fragile state won’t ensure he’ll be reliable.
In that case… hmm.
“Alright. If that’s what you wish, I’ll grant it as you desire.”
“Really…?”
“Yes. I don’t lie.”
I might withhold parts of the truth, but I never outright lie.
“However, it seems unprecedented for a god to reincarnate as a human… so let’s do it this way.”
I addressed Baal, who was listening intently inside the room.
“You seem utterly exhausted now, so if you’re confident after living a full human life that you can return to your divine responsibilities, I shall prepare for your return as a god.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Until then, I’ll leave your divine seat vacant, so enjoy your human life… think of it as a kind of excursion.”
I’m not sure how long that human life will last, but it won’t be for long.
While Baal’s soul lives as a human… I should work on thinning out the number of gods.
There’s already a surplus of gods that don’t listen well as it is. It seems Baal, once so full of energy, has now become so defeated.
For now, I’ll have to deal with all of Baal’s aspects that have gone rogue, and perhaps address those around them too. Some of the kids receiving their favors might express discontent, but it’s necessary.
I’ll sift through the pantheon, dismantle the divided factions, and simplify divine worship to a manageable number, unifying global faith for better management.
Thus, I shall leave the divine seat empty until then.
For the one who will return someday, the King of the Gods.
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