I Am Hades, Lord of the Underworld!

Hestia returned to the Underworld, proudly escorted by the 108 Demon Stars and her Underworld Armor floating behind her. She took her time, unhurriedly making her way back to the Palace of the Underworld in the extreme north and eventually into the depths of the Underworld. Why hurry? 

Hurrying was unnecessary. This was the era of the three God-Kings, not the era of the Titan King. In this era, Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, was unquestionably the foremost figure. Many speculated that if Poseidon and Zeus faced Hades together, they might still be cut down by him. Though a triangle is the most stable shape, Hades' power seemed to exceed the balance.

Given this, why should Hestia rush? There was no need for her to flee; she calmly, almost as if on a leisurely outing, returned to the Underworld. 

Hide? There was no need to hide! While the Underworld's power was partly concealed, much of it was openly displayed. Only by revealing your clenched fist will others be wary of it. Hiding everything away would only invite mockery, and that was the essential point.

Thus, Hestia boldly returned to the Underworld, leaving the gods bewildered. As for Aether's situation, everyone knew the facts. Aether was the God of Space, but he could not become the Master of the Star Realm, and without that, he couldn't ascend to God-King status. 

It seemed pointless, right? 

So why had the Underworld gone to such lengths, expending so much effort to retrieve the Cosmic Heart? What was their ultimate goal?

In the Heavens:

"Hmm..."

Zeus sat on his throne, and below him stood Prometheus, frowning in deep thought. 

To be honest, Zeus both trusted and distrusted Prometheus. He never doubted Prometheus's loyalty, but the actions Prometheus sometimes took required careful consideration.

Especially after the leak of information from Mnemosyne, Zeus had become deeply thoughtful about Prometheus, pondering what exactly was going on with him.

"Prometheus," Zeus spoke calmly, "What do you think of the Underworld's actions?"

"Lord Zeus!"

Prometheus hesitated briefly before speaking softly, "If my deduction is correct, the Underworld's God of Space, Aether, is likely about to ascend to God-King status."

"Hmm?!"

Zeus frowned slightly and asked, "Do you think Aether can become the Master of the Star Realm?"

"Lord Zeus," Prometheus shook his head and replied seriously, "The Star Realm will never allow a master. The four God-Kings of Heaven, Earth, Sea, and Underworld are fixed by the Mythical World, and it will never permit a God-King to emerge from the Star Realm—that would violate the world's fundamental laws."

"Then what do you believe?" Zeus looked at Prometheus, his expression indifferent.

Prometheus continued, "Lord Zeus, you are aware that Hades, using the World Tree as the core, forged the Underworld. After the Titan War, the seven-headed, ten-horned Great Red Dragon devoured 365 stars, including the sun and moon. This..."

"You're suggesting that..."

"The Underworld has already nurtured its own star realm."

"Aether, by merging the Cosmic Heart with the Underworld's star realm, can become the Master of the Underworld's star realm and ascend to God-King status."

Zeus was intelligent. Prometheus only had to hint, and Zeus immediately understood.

"That's what I believe," Prometheus nodded, continuing seriously, "I cannot deny that I don't fully understand the situation in the Underworld, but the Great Red Dragon's devouring, the seizing of the Cosmic Heart, and everything that has happened seem too coincidental."

"When too many coincidences occur, they are no longer coincidences."

Prometheus was extremely serious and sincere. He saw through many things and was aware that something was definitely wrong. But was it as he speculated?

The answer was simple. Prometheus knew that if he were Hades, he wouldn't hide Aether's ascension to God-King status.

Because there was no need to hide it! The Titan King's era was over, and now it was the age of the three God-Kings. In that case, what was the issue?

Actually, the matter was already self-evident.

"Lord Zeus," Prometheus spoke with great seriousness, "Though it may be presumptuous of me, Lord Zeus, I must say this."

"Speak."

Zeus waved his hand, remaining calm.

Prometheus knelt on one knee, his voice grave, "Lord Zeus, you are surely aware that the curse of Uranus has passed down from Cronus to you."

"I am aware," Zeus replied calmly.

He wasn't angry. Despite his volatile temper, he knew Prometheus wouldn't mock him just for this. That would be meaningless.

Prometheus continued, "Lady Metis's child is destined to be the fourth God-King, and this child will also be your best candidate for a subordinate God-King."

"I understand." Zeus's voice was steady. "Prometheus, you may leave."

"Yes!"

Prometheus didn't say more. He respectfully retreated, knowing that he had already spoken his limit. What Zeus thought after that was Zeus's business.

"Hmm..."

Zeus narrowed his eyes, deep in thought. "Destined to be the fourth God-King, so..."

"What do you think?"

"Zeus, what do you plan to do?"

"I accept your proposal."

"Good."

Zeus's eyes suddenly opened wide, and in the void, a shadowy figure gradually appeared. 

Zeus quietly observed this shadowy figure. The two seemed to be conversing about something, but it was a mystery to outsiders. Space, time, and concepts seemed to vanish in that moment.

Only when the shadow disappeared did Zeus hold up a strange artifact, whispering softly, "Metis's child is the Sun God? Then, let's test it this way."

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