With the impending birth of the Queen of the Underworld, Hades sensed a wave of joy permeating the Underworld. Feelings? Love? For Hades, such emotions had nearly vanished; he was driven by a relentless pursuit to transcend fate's comfort and the barriers of the world, striving to become a higher-level deity—a primordial god, an absolute god, a supreme being. This was Hades's ultimate goal. Everything else was inconsequential.
Of course, for the Underworld, the Queen represented the final piece of a grand puzzle. Without her, the Underworld could not fully function or circulate. However, Hades did not intend to wait idly until then.
The real spectacle was just beginning. Before that, the Underworld needed to be set on the right path. This was paramount. Stepping forth, Hades vanished without a trace, appearing at the top of the World Tree. Its eleven dark purple leaves fluttered as if stirred by an unseen wind.
Around him, the Ouroboros was gradually consuming the four elements—water, fire, earth, and air. Once these elements were completely devoured, new ones would emerge. Until that time, this was merely the beginning.
There was no need for haste. Hades glanced around and raised his hand.
Countless souls began to disperse.
How many humans had perished in the Titan War? They were all remnants of the Golden Age—though they possessed remarkable potential, their souls now wandered through the Yellow Spring.
As Hades acted, souls were selected, wailing as they were enveloped by thick black fog, transforming into entities resembling grim reapers. Cloaked in black robes, their skeletal forms wielded enormous scythes.
Soul Reapers!
Hmm. Grim Reapers?
Regardless of their title, their duty was clear: in the new era that was about to unfold, they would harvest the souls of the deceased and guide them into the Underworld.
With a flick of his fingers, Hades selected a multitude of souls, each one morphing into figures akin to demons—servants of the Underworld.
The Soul Reapers harvested the souls of the dead, while the demons assisted in managing the Underworld.
As for their numbers? To be honest, Hades wasn't entirely sure.
Billions, without a doubt.
One should never underestimate the entire Underworld. With the growth of the World Tree, its size would only increase exponentially. Eventually, it would become a colossal realm, each prison within it capable of being called a world in itself. In the Titan War, it was estimated that at least trillions of humans had tragically perished.
Although some had been transformed into demons due to the conditions of Tartarus, with its opening, most had come under its purview. At this moment, the Wheel of Reincarnation had been fully established.
However, Hades did not intend for reincarnation to commence just yet. The reason was simple: outside the Underworld, Zeus was devising ways to destroy the world, to eliminate the Golden Age humans. Even in a godly conflict like the Titan War, not all beings from the Golden Age had been eradicated.
Next, not only Zeus but also Poseidon and Hades himself needed to consider how to eliminate these Golden Age humans.
Their existence posed a problem.
As time went on, the first-born life forms would gradually decline, becoming a mere hindrance. Since Zeus was researching this, let him take responsibility while Hades bided his time.
After all!
Humanity transitions from the Golden Age, where everyone is god-like, to the Heroic Age of the Silver Age, ultimately reaching the technological Bronze Age and beyond, leading to the cyclical nature of existence. This is the fate of humankind. Within this fate, countless heroes will rise, resisting the designs imposed by the gods and the world.
Divine power often chooses humans as hosts because, even in their flawed states, they exhibit exceptional charisma and remarkable will.
Of course, Hades had an appreciation for humans, but his preference did not lie with those of the Golden Age.
He favored the humans of the Silver Age. He had little regard for the Bronze Age either. Humans of the Bronze Age were largely ineffectual.
What Hades admired were the heroes of the Silver Age—countless individuals rising as true heroes.
This era would be marked by epic journeys, as each hero would strive to fulfill their destiny, even seeking to overturn it.
This is a grand and glorious epic, a narrative that the gods cherished most.
"You are to fulfill your duties."
"Manage the Underworld."
Hades waved his hand dismissively, and the Underworld fighters stepped forward. Each piece of Underworld attire was randomly assigned from the souls gathered, and in an instant, the army of Underworld fighters was reassembled.
They would oversee the entire Underworld, with the responsibilities of each fighter etched into their very souls. Henceforth, regardless of whether any fighter was born or perished, they would adhere to their designated duties.
"Obey!"
"Lord Hades!"
Every Underworld fighter bowed their heads in respect, kneeling on one knee to declare their loyalty to Hades.
With the return of Underworld fighters, Soul Reapers, demons, and others, the entire Underworld was now fully operational.
The colossal machinery of the Underworld began to function smoothly.
There was no doubt about it.
It would find its course, and with the extinction of the Golden Age humans and the emergence of the Silver Age, the Underworld would be completely on track.
After returning to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, Hades contemplated for a moment before raising his palm again, revealing the gate of the world.
After a brief pause, he stood up and took his loyal three-headed dog, Cerberus, across the gate.
Venturing into the other side of the gate, Hades realized that if he never chose to cross, he would remain stuck. Instead of pondering here, it was better to take that step and uncover everything he sought to see.