Ch. 114: Outside The Mansion
The air outside my mansion was crisp, alive with a newfound vibrancy that breathed life into the underworld. I gripped my cane, its weight familiar in my hand, and strolled across the sprawling grounds. The garden stretched out before me, filled with ancient trees whose purple leaves shimmered in the soft light. This was not the Underworld I read about from my past life— it was different, richer. There was something in the atmosphere that felt strangely alive, as if the world itself had woken up along with me.
The sky, though it was supposed to be day, glowed with an otherworldly light. There was no sun here, no traditional source of daylight like on Olympus. Instead, the sky was a swirling canvas of purples, oranges, and greens, painted by clouds that seemed to float lazily across the horizon. I had read somewhere that the moon acted as the underworld’s sun, radiating a soft luminescence that transformed the sky into these magical hues. The clouds, as strange as they appeared, held a chemical composition that allowed them to shift in color depending on the weather— green when it was clear, orange when storms loomed, and red when night approached. It was a spectacular display of colors that could only exist in a place ruled by the dead.
“So this is the land of the dead everyone fears so much?” I muttered to myself, marveling at the breathtaking view. The more I looked, the more I realized how deceiving stories could be. The underworld wasn’t a barren wasteland of shadows and doom. It was… beautiful, in its own way. There was life here, more than I had ever expected.
Compared to the blinding brilliance of Olympus, the underworld had its own unique charm— a quiet, vibrant elegance. My mansion sat atop a gentle hill, allowing me to gaze upon the vast city below. It was not just a dreary place filled with wandering souls; it was a bustling metropolis of color and mystery. Strange, animated billboards flickered with advertisements for all sorts of oddities— businesses, entertainment, even culinary delights. But why would the dead need any of this? What was the purpose of commerce, of pleasure, in a world where life had already ended?
“By the gods, this is amazing,” I said again, my voice carried away by the light breeze. I had initially set out today with a clear goal— visit the Underworld Corporation, see Hecate, and clean out the trash. Maybe punish a few unruly subjects. But standing here, bathed in the soft colors of the sky, I wondered if perhaps, just for today, I could afford to be something other than a cold-hearted ruler.
I inhaled deeply, savoring the richness of the air. “Maybe I should explore a little,” I mused, allowing myself a rare moment of curiosity. The calamity threatening this realm could wait. There was still time. Besides, the more I understood about this world, the better I could protect it, right? There was something liberating about not knowing everything, about rediscovering the very realm I was supposed to govern.
At this stage, I did not see myself as some grand scholar or hero— I was neither. I was simply… Hades. The one chosen to rule this strange, magnificent world.
“BARF! BARF!”
I looked down, startled, and saw my three guard dogs— Cerius, Berry, and Russle— circling around me in excitement. “I never really liked dogs,” I muttered to myself, half amused. “I never really liked leaving my office either.” But as their eager tails wagged and their tongues lolled out in pure joy, I could not help but bend down and give each one a pat on the head. “Cerius, Berry, Russle—would you like to go on a walk with me?”
They barked wildly, practically vibrating with excitement.
“Heh, I guess a dog really is a man’s best friend,” I chuckled, standing back up. The idea of going for a walk with them, of doing something so mundane, felt oddly… refreshing. “Just let me grab a leash or something.”
Before I could move, Walter appeared beside me, as if summoned from thin air. He held three leather blue leashes, which he began fitting onto the dogs with his usual quiet efficiency. “Have a pleasant day, my lord,” he said after he was done and bowing slightly.
I blinked at him in surprise, then smiled. “Thank you, Walter.” His expression flickered with surprise, but then he returned the smile and said, “It is my pleasure, my lord.”
(Affection Level has increased by 10.)
(Total Affection: 325.)
I suppose he was not used to hearing Hades express gratitude. Well, that would change now. I was not the same person I used to be. Just as Hades was not the same god he used to be.
With the leashes in hand, I headed toward the massive iron gates of the mansion. This was a new chapter in my story, one where I could explore this world not as a god, but as a man discovering the beauty of his own domain. The gates whirred and clanked as they opened, revealing the sprawling city below. The dogs pulled me into a brisk jog, their energy infectious.
“Lively little troublemakers, aren’t you?” I muttered, unable to suppress a grin. “Let’s go see my empire.”
The city stretched out in front of me like a living painting, each corner brimming with mystery. Shops lined the streets, their neon signs flickering in strange languages I had yet to decipher. The residents— spirits, demons, and creatures of all shapes and sizes— milled about, some with purpose, others with an air of peaceful eternity. This was a place where the afterlife was not just an ending—it was a new beginning, filled with possibilities.
Suddenly, I noticed something out of place— a shadow, moving swiftly in the distance. It darted between buildings, too fast for me to catch a clear glimpse. My instincts flared, and I slowed my pace, tugging the dogs back to a walk. There was something off about that presence… something dangerous.
“Stay alert, boys,” I whispered to the dogs, who seemed to sense the shift in my mood. Their playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a low growl as their eyes scanned the horizon.
Whatever it was, it was still out there, watching.
And I had a feeling this walk was about to get a lot more interesting.
If I revive a magic castle I will mass release 10 chapters
