Ch. 111: If, Why and Who?
I took out my phone, fingers hovering above the screen, preparing to call Hecate. She was the last person on my mind, the final thread that needed to be woven into the intricate tapestry of my plans. After failing to protect her in the past, this call wasn’t just an obligation— it was redemption. Or so I thought!
I needed to gain absolute strength, or at least close enough to ensure that no one I cared for would fall through the cracks again.
One thing about this modernized Olympus was that it already had a well-established society, complete with laws I could twist to my advantage. The beauty of these laws was that they were ancient yet adaptable, ready to be reshaped by anyone with the cunning and willpower. My primary goal was to prevent the calamity looming over Olympus, but a new goal had emerged— one more personal.
I needed to change the story, bend it, fracture it, and in doing so, alter my fate. And for that, I had to grow stronger. Far stronger than I was now.
A presence lingered in the room behind me, and I turned slowly, fixing my cold gaze on the black-clad butler who stood in the corner. “You’re still here?” My voice came out sharper than intended.
Walter, ever stoic, bowed his head slightly. “Pardon me, my lord, but in your absence, Lady Hecate visited yesterday. She left this letter for you, with strict instructions that only you should open it.”
I glanced at the white envelope he held out, frowning as I reached for it. “Who sends letters in this age? We have email, you know.”
Walter’s lips curled slightly in amusement. “Lady Hecate has never fully trusted the technological advancements of Olympus. She prefers more traditional methods. Even if it does seem a little too far fetched.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Funny, I could have sworn she used a phone in the future. Or was that my imagination?”
Walter remained silent, merely standing at attention. My fingers traced the edges of the letter absentmindedly, but something else gnawed at the edges of my mind. “Walter, may I ask you something?”
“Of course, my lord,” Walter replied, his expression unwavering, as if expecting nothing less than a test of loyalty. But this time, it was more than that.
“If someone tried to kill me or defy my orders, what would you do?” My eyes locked onto his, not looking for words but for something deeper— something buried beneath the surface.
Walter’s calm demeanor faltered for just a fraction of a second. I saw the faintest flicker of tension ripple across his face before his eyes flashed with an eerie, gale-like glow. His voice, however, remained even. “Then they would be punished, my lord. Without hesitation.”
Interesting. His reaction confirmed what I suspected. In the original timeline, Walter must have been killed off or made to disappear, likely by the forces tied to the coming calamity. I’d have to ensure that didn’t happen this time. Because I could tell he was a valuable asset.
For now, though, I had other matters to attend to.
“You are dismissed,” I said, waving him off. As I made my way toward the library, I felt the tension in the room dissolve as Walter silently departed.
Once inside the study, I locked the door behind me and allowed myself a moment of peace. The library loomed ahead like a cathedral of knowledge, shelves stacked upon shelves, some climbing so high they seemed to touch the heavens. This was my sanctuary— my heaven. The scent of old parchment and bound leather filled the air, drawing me deeper into its maze.
I took a seat at a distant table, my back to the towering shelves, and carefully unsealed the letter. It bore the familiar scent of incense—Hecate’s signature. I broke the seal with intent, my eyes scanned the contents, and I could not help but smirk.
Lord Hades,
I would like to know when you plan to return to work. Being cooped up won’t run your empire. Please come back soon. Also, remember to take your vitamins.
Yours truly,
Hecate.
“Vitamins?” I muttered to myself. This wasn’t the Hecate I knew— the one who valued her work above all else. Her tone was softer, almost… playful? A rare smile tugged at my lips. “She even bosses me around.”
I set the letter aside and reached for a nearby book, flipping through its worn pages. It was one of many volumes that detailed the politics of both Olympus and the Underworld. These books were like the behind-the-scenes scripts of a grand play, revealing secrets, alliances, and betrayals that most would never know. Hours passed as I lost myself in the intricate web of knowledge.
But just as I began to lose track of time, the air around me shimmered, a portal tearing open with a low hum. From it stepped Hermes, his presence filling the room with an infectious energy.
“There you are!” he exclaimed with a playful grin, his golden eyes gleaming. “I figured you’d lock yourself up here, brooding.”
I glanced up from my book, eyeing him warily. “What do you want, Hermes?”
He shrugged, feigning innocence. “Oh, you know, just checking in after the meeting. Everything okay?”
Something about his tone was off. My eyes narrowed. “Why do you ask?” I could sense a growing maturity in his words.
He grinned, bouncing on his heels like a child on the verge of mischief. “Are you kidding me? You wiped the floor with Zeus! That wing display? Incredible. It was so white, so shiny— like an angel! Who knew you had that in you?”
I sighed internally, disappointed. So much for him acting mature. “Hermes,” I said, my voice low and cutting through the air like a sharp blade, “if someone were to ask you to kill me, would you do it?”
Hermes’ grin vanished, replaced by a sudden tension in the air. His face turned pale, the color draining from his cheeks. “W-What?” he stammered, taking a step back. “Why would I—?”
I leaned forward, locking eyes with him. “I know, Hermes. I know you tried to kill me. I’m not asking if anymore. I want to know why, and who put you up to it.”
For a moment, the room was silent. The tension between us crackled like a live wire, the air thick with unspoken truths. I watched as Hermes’ playful facade crumbled, revealing something darker beneath the surface. This was just the beginning— a prelude to the real show.
And I had every intention of being ready for it.
If I revive a magic castle I will mass release 10 chapters
