CHAPTER 106: CHAPTER 106: DO YOU STILL WANT ME TO HELP RAISE YOUR CHILD?

In Greek mythology, destiny and necessity are deeply interwoven.

Eros had been attempting to challenge them all along.

He succeeded, though not overwhelmingly. At best, he managed to wrestle it into a draw.

But because of this defiance, he earned the backlash of the goddess of inevitability, Ananke, which caused numerous disruptions in his plans.

It wasn’t that Eros’ strategies were flawed, it had to be Ananke’s doing!

He was even swallowed by Typhon into the depths of Tartarus.

Yet when he met with Nyx, she told Eros something unexpected, he had two destined paths.

One supported him.

The other obstructed him.

Nyx didn’t reveal what the supporting path was.

But the one opposing him? She was very clear about it.

Every time Eros tried to do something that conflicted with destiny, that opposing force would stop him and correct the course.

That’s why Hades was so obsessed with Persephone. To Eros, it had to be the influence of destiny.

After multiple failed attempts at persuasion, Eros decided to drop a bomb.

"What if your current thoughts are entirely the result of destiny’s influence, and not your own true will?"

No one enjoys being a puppet. People long for freedom, no matter what.

Eros looked straight into Hades’ eyes, signaling that he was telling the truth.

And Hades, having encountered many prophecies, didn’t believe he was lying.

"In this, you’re just like Zeus, trying to explain the unknowable nature of destiny with eloquent words."

She did believe him, though. She believed that the goddess Ananke truly existed, even if she had never met her.

"But do you know what Zeus said afterward?" Hades changed the topic, suddenly mentioning Zeus. Eros perked up with curiosity.

"Hm?"

Hades mimicked Zeus’s tone and repeated her words from back then:

’There is no need to worry, no need to be lost, nor lose sleep over it day after day.’

’What determines our destiny is our nature, not something external.’

Perhaps because she had said it publicly among the gods, it didn’t carry the casual tone of a private conversation.

But Eros understood the meaning clearly.

After quoting Zeus, Hades looked at him again.

"Zeus said the goddess Ananke doesn’t interfere directly or manipulate anything."

"She simply sets the stage and the timing. The real choices are still ours to make."

"In other words, it’s not that power or wisdom can’t alter our fate, it’s just that our own personalities prevent us from doing what we dislike."

"For example, take Zeus’ first wife, Metis. She saw her own destined path. If she had truly refused, Zeus would never have devoured her."

Yet, in the end, it still happened. Athena was born regardless.

Hades didn’t need to say more, Eros already understood what she meant.

Because of her love for Zeus, Metis had willingly sacrificed herself.

She could’ve chosen otherwise. She knew it was destiny, and still chose to follow it.

It was like placing Amphitrite in front of Eros and telling him that if he slept with her, Triton would be born according to fate.

Would that stop him?

Of course not!

Eros wouldn’t care about something like that. He’d go right ahead. Even if it caused massive consequences, he’d just consider postponing it, never skipping it entirely.

The idea that he’d refrain entirely just because of a consequence? Impossible.

That’s just who Eros was. Whether or not he slept with someone depended on interest, not fate.

And Hades and the others were no different.

"I don’t know why it had to be Persephone, perhaps it really is a coincidence of destiny."

"All I know is that the desire to do this doesn’t come from outside, it comes from my own heart."

Hades stood up, smiling with faint satisfaction as if picturing Demeter going mad.

"And that alone is enough."

Eros felt something was off but had to admit, Hades, or rather, Zeus, had a point.

Beings with wisdom often end up doing the most foolish things.

For the sake of pleasure, they would ignore risk and insist on charging ahead.

Even if they knew it was wrong or dangerous, they would still act because of some emotional reason.

Besides, fate isn’t always a bad thing.

It’s mostly those spies from foreign lands that slander it.

If fate had decreed Eros should sleep with every beautiful goddess, he’d be the first to worship Ananke.

What’s wrong with following destiny? Huh? What’s wrong? Say it!

Still, there was one part Eros did find wrong.

Didn’t the goddess Ananke already target him? What happened to "non-interference" and "guidance through nature"?!

Wasn’t she just removing him outright as a source of disturbance?

Eros wanted to curse her out loud but held it in.

"So, Eros, my friend," Hades said, "You don’t need to convince me anymore."

"I understand the pros and cons clearly. I just insist on doing this."

Her face was full of stubbornness.

"...Fine. I’ve got nothing else to say."

Eros threw up his hands in surrender.

So this is what "can’t be reasoned with" looks like. Zeus must’ve gotten it wrong, Hades only listens when she’s forced.

Looking at her now, the only way to get her to give up would be to beat her senseless.

Nothing else would work.

"Well, thanks for understanding, Eros."

Hades smiled softly, but the resolve in her eyes never faded.

"Besides, you said it yourself, Persephone’s fate is to become Queen of the Underworld. She’ll likely fulfill that role well."

Gazing out the window at Persephone, who was engrossed in tending to the flowers of the Underworld, Hades felt her guilt ease a bit.

Persephone seemed even more adaptable to this place than she was, showing no sadness at the bleak and monotone surroundings.

In fact, the girl was energized by it, wanting to cultivate even more beautiful blooms in the Underworld.

Perhaps it was a difference in personality. Hades bore her responsibilities, but never with Persephone’s enthusiasm.

Creating a garden of blooming life in the land of death, could she really do that?

Maybe... just maybe, she could.

But that peaceful thought lasted only a few seconds before Hades suddenly turned back.

"Wait! Eros, since you can see the future and destiny, will Persephone and I... have a child?"

Eros’ expression froze.

How the hell was he supposed to answer that?

It was quite possible they’d have a child, but whether or not it was his was another matter entirely.

If he spoiled the fact that Hades’ future child might not even be hers, and was actually Zeus’, wouldn’t she become even more twisted?

And come to think of it, Eros started sweating.

If he slept with Amphitrite and Persephone, both of whom were supposed to give birth in the future... then whose children would they really be?

Damn... could they end up being his?

No wonder Ananke was trying to eliminate him, this would throw the entire mythos into chaos.

The whole of Greece would become one giant "Whose Kid Is It Anyway?" game show.

Poseidon and Hades would both be raising someone else’s child.

Especially when Eros thought about the other human princesses, like Semele or Europa, he really started to panic.

Sweating bullets? Nah. This sort of thing was par for the course in Greece.

Zeus went after his own great-granddaughter, what Eros did was nothing in comparison.

Damn that petty Ananke. So sensitive over a small matter.

After cursing Ananke in his heart, Eros awkwardly responded.

"Well... even if you knew, it wouldn’t matter, right?"

"Just be yourself. Isn’t that enough?"

He patted Hades on the shoulder, speaking like a wise old sage.

"Don’t worry too much about whose child it is. Just take care of them like they’re your own."

Hades was bewildered at first, taking a while to figure out what he meant before sighing.

"Don’t you think that’s a bit much? Do you want me to give your child the title of Prince of the Underworld?"

Help raise the child, claim it as her own, and even give it royal status?

Even Hades, who didn’t mind taking the blame, found that a bit too much.

Just the thought made her headache worse.

"...Cough, never mind. It’s not like it’s set in stone."

Hades nodded, still stunned by the revelation.

She’d only been thinking about getting back at her sisters by snatching Persephone, she hadn’t thought this far ahead.

Now, the idea was giving her a massive headache.

Well, maybe she’d just tell Eros to be careful and not knock Persephone up.

The Underworld, symbol of death, wasn’t meant to create life... probably.

Looking out the window at Persephone, Hades found herself, for the first time, considering sending her back.

If she sent Persephone home now, the one who’d suffer would be Eros, Demeter would hunt him down.

Hmm? That didn’t sound too bad.

Demeter chasing Eros with a sword, Zeus stepping in to protect him, what a lovely scenario.

Eros suddenly felt a chill and glanced at Hades, who was smiling at him.

"...Why are you smiling like that?"

"Oh, nothing. Just thought of something amusing."

Hades buried the thought deep inside.

Once Demeter accepted Persephone as Queen of the Underworld, she could reveal the truth...

Now that would be fun.

Hades had been living too peacefully lately.

Time to stir the pot again.

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