The arrival of the Queen of the Underworld has brought about completely transformative changes. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the entire underworld has experienced earth-shaking developments, thriving and growing in ways that were previously unimaginable.
"Hades!"
Persephone glanced at Hades, who sat on the throne without any emotional fluctuation. She felt a sense of helplessness toward her husband, sighing quietly. It seemed he cared little about the changes occurring around him, as if he preferred to remain detached.
As soon as Persephone arrived in the Underworld, she began to take charge of everything. This was no small feat, yet her husband appeared content to lounge like a lazy fish, which left her feeling exasperated.
"Persephone, what's wrong?" Hades asked calmly.
"Well!" she sighed again. "It's nothing, really. I'll take care of everything."
Hades closed his eyes, returning to his meditative practice. The Underworld was not only improving but was also boosting Hades's own power. As more gods merged into his ultimate authority, his strength grew rapidly, becoming more potent by the day.
Persephone smiled and shook her head. "What can I do? After all, he is my husband, so I suppose I must pamper him," she mused, though she couldn't help but complain. "You leave the situation in hell to Sister Yan Mo while I manage the Underworld. Hades, you're really taking it easy!"
With that, Persephone decided to focus on her responsibilities, leaving the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss to tackle various tasks. While the Underworld was on the right track, it was expanding rapidly, and naturally, challenges arose that required her attention.
In the palace of the Eighth Hell, Persephone handled numerous duties. These tasks were not overly burdensome, but in the entire Underworld, aside from Hades, only she and Yan Mo were qualified to manage them. Hades had always been too indifferent to these matters, and Yan Mo was preoccupied with the ongoing battle between heaven and earth. Now, with Persephone stepping in, the responsibilities naturally fell to her.
"What a troublesome husband"
Despite her words, a warm smile lingered on Persephone's lips. Her husband adored her, and in the Underworld, her authority matched his. Such a bond was rare among gods—something that made Persephone's heart swell with affection.
"My Lady Empress!"
Aether stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
"Um!" Persephone acknowledged him, holding her scepter. "What is it?"
Aether rose and said, "My Lady, there is news from Eris. Hera intends to imprison your mother goddess, hoping to force you back to Olympus and into captivity. However, this matter appears to have come to a halt for now."
"No need!" Persephone replied, waving her hand with calm assurance. "I am the queen of the Underworld. How could I abandon my realm over such trivial matters? I know Zeus can't go that far. Besides, if I'm not mistaken, Olympus will likely collapse soon. When that happens, the Mother Goddess will naturally come to the Underworld."
Persephone held absolute confidence. The current situation in Olympus was known to all; it was like being roasted over a fire. Would they manage to endure? Perhaps, but the likelihood of survival was slim. Athena and Bell were staring each other down, each preparing their own 'gifts' from Gaia.
Zeus, can you really survive this? No one knew. If he tried to maintain control amidst all this chaos, it was almost impossible. Now, Hestia, Demeter, and Hera had become his supporters, but it was clear that if Zeus fell, their loyalty to Bell would wane. Demeter would likely join the Underworld without hesitation, especially since her daughter was there.
"Yes," Aether replied, understanding the implications. "It seems Zeus is no longer a threat."
"If that's the case..." Aether pondered, contemplating whether to deal with Bell directly.
Persephone shook her head. "Aether, you're wise; you should know Hades's thoughts on this."
"Master Hades' thoughts..." Aether hesitated, considering the matter. "I see now, my Lady, thank you for your insight!"
"Go."
"Yes!"
As Aether stepped back, Persephone continued her work. While the tasks were numerous, they were manageable, and the entire Underworld operated at an astonishing speed.
For Hades, whether it was Poseidon, Cronus, or the newly emerged Bell and Athena, they represented not just balance but a game—a game played among gods and their kings.
For Hades, external expansion held little meaning and offered scant benefits. His primary focus lay in refining the Underworld, nurturing his divine kingdom. This was paramount for him—growing stronger step by step, surpassing others. Although he remained a god king, he had already eclipsed other god kings.
In light of this, Hades found no urgency in dealing with these matters. Instead, it was merely a game to pass the time.