Once you've gained something, you must never lose it.
If even that belief doesn't exist, then nothing could be more shameful.
Without even such conviction, Hades might as well quit and call it a day, retiring to a more peaceful, carefree existence.
However!
With Enma's birth, the entire Underworld had erupted into an unprecedented celebration.
The deities of the Underworld were numerous.
Of course, not every god could visit the Elysium Fields to see the newborn princess, but some gods could.
For instance:
Erebus, Nyx, Māra, and Kiara Sessyoin—the three primordial gods of the Underworld—had rushed back from afar, unable to contain their excitement at meeting their new princess.
"Hmm~~~"
Erebus smiled gently and said, "So she's been born. How wonderful! The princess of the Underworld."
Nyx, standing beside him, was also beaming, her gaze softening as she watched little Enma toddling on the ground. The princess's adorable movements made Nyx's smile even brighter.
Erebus and Nyx, a devoted pair of primordial gods, cherished their own family deeply.
As for Hades?
To speak plainly!
Erebus and Nyx had always regarded Hades as though he were their own son.
This wasn't just a passing thought.
Although they would never openly express it...
From the very beginning, their decision to fully back Hades—placing all their trust and faith in him—showed just how much they cared for him.
The kind of trust they showed wasn't just ordinary; it was the type of trust that one could bet everything on.
With such a foundation, Erebus and Nyx's bond with Hades was unquestionable.
And so!
Now, looking at the well-behaved and adorable little Enma, the two felt their hearts melt.
While they didn't have grandchildren of their own, the newly born princess felt as close as one could get to a beloved granddaughter in their eyes.
"Hmm~~~"
Nyx stepped forward and gently picked up little Enma, her smile growing even warmer.
"Nyx…"
Little Enma, in her sweet and innocent voice, called out her name. The little princess showed no sign of fear or hesitation, her obedient and lovable demeanor making Nyx's smile grow even deeper.
Nearby, Māra and Kiara Sessyoin—goddesses born from humanity's darkest impulses—approached quickly, their excitement evident.
At this moment...
Even these two deities, manifestations of human malice, were filled with joy as they looked at little Enma.
She was simply too adorable!
This was the princess of the Underworld!
For a time...
The three goddesses doted on little Enma, showering her with attention. The little princess, in turn, remained perfectly at ease, interacting happily with the goddesses. Hestia, Eris, and Pandora also joined in the fun.
The atmosphere was lively and filled with laughter, a moment of pure happiness.
This celebratory mood spread throughout the entire Underworld, filling every corner.
The princess!
The princess!
For the deities of the Underworld, who deeply revered their king, this newborn princess was a symbol of immeasurable significance.
Of course, the normal operations of the Underworld continued smoothly, without any disruptions.
In fact...
With the princess's birth, the gods were more motivated than ever, devoting themselves to their tasks with greater diligence.
Hmm~~~
In truth, the entire Underworld seemed more vibrant and prosperous with the arrival of little Enma.
Hades himself didn't have much to say about this phenomenon.
However...
All in all...
It seemed that the Greek Pantheon's Underworld was, in some ways, akin to a sanctuary of "misfits."
Every member of the Underworld, from Hades himself to the humblest of deities, shared one unique trait: they valued emotions deeply.
Be it familial love, friendship, or romantic love...
These feelings, which the Greek Pantheon typically disregarded, were cherished deeply in the Underworld. Even the seventy-two demon gods held similar bonds.
Among the seventy-two demon gods, there was a certain camaraderie that developed over time—a brotherhood of sorts.
The longer they spent in the Underworld, the stronger their bonds grew.
In a way...
It seemed the Underworld possessed a peculiar magic all its own.
But of course!
There was nothing inherently wrong with this.
To the Greek Pantheon at large, the Underworld might appear peculiar, even aberrant.
Yet, was this truly a bad thing?
Certainly not!
If one sought to stand at the pinnacle of existence, one could never afford to lack completeness.
The Underworld's gods, whether consciously or unconsciously, had already filled in the gaps, becoming whole in a way that few others had.
Erebus stood beside Hades, speaking softly: "Hades, without us realizing it, the Underworld has grown into something truly remarkable."
Erebus's tone carried a deep sense of nostalgia and emotion.
Everything seemed to have happened in the blink of an eye.
It felt as though it was only yesterday that it all began.
Yet in reality, so much time had passed, and so much had changed.
"Indeed."
Hades nodded, his voice calm. Watching the cheerful goddesses gathered around little Enma, his tone carried a rare touch of emotion: "Unknowingly, we've come so far. Everything has transformed."
"Hades, do you think this is a good thing?"
"Erebus, do you think this is a bad thing?"
Erebus posed a question, and Hades responded with another.
In the end...
The two exchanged a glance, and neither said more.
There was no need to say anything further.
Some truths didn't require words.
Time would naturally reveal everything.
Hades understood this, and so did Erebus.
As time passed...
One by one, the gods of the Underworld took their leave.
Hestia, Eris, and Pandora also departed.
Meanwhile...
Erebus, Nyx, Māra, and Kiara Sessyoin returned to their duties. They had work to attend to, many responsibilities left unfinished after they rushed back to witness the birth of the princess.
Now...
Their workload awaited them. This was no trivial matter.
After all, the Underworld had been working tirelessly to reconnect with its linked micro-worlds in the Chaos Sea.
Furthermore, if any other micro-worlds were encountered along the way, they would all be brought into the fold.
To Hades, the more micro-worlds, the better.
The Elysium Fields.
Only a select few remained behind.
Hades sat quietly, watching as little Enma played joyfully under the watchful eyes of the maids.
For the first time in a long while, a small smile graced Hades's lips.
"Husband."
Persephone stood beside him, her voice soft. "You've truly changed, more than I could have imagined."
Hades responded calmly, "Change is natural. I simply hadn't expected to see myself like this."
A wife.
A daughter.
These were things that once felt irrelevant to him.
Or rather...
Hades had never paid much attention to them. Even when Persephone became his wife, he hadn't cared much.
After all...
For Hades, emotions were once something he deemed unnecessary.
But over time, Persephone's unwavering support—her constant presence by his side, her lack of ulterior motives—gradually transformed his perspective.
Piece by piece, her dedication reshaped his view.
Naturally...
Hades's reserved nature kept these feelings hidden, but Persephone could sense them.
And now, with the birth of little Enma...
Hades realized many things.
He finally understood that what he once lacked had now been restored.
Whether it was love or other aspects of life...
These things mattered deeply.
Hades, who once seemed indifferent to such matters, now felt whole.
With the arrival of his daughter, he experienced a profound shift—a transformation that began deep within his soul.
For the first time, Hades felt like a complete being.
The Lord of the Underworld—Hades.
On this day, he became not just a god but a complete individual, a true lifeform.
As Hades regained his completeness, he also began to notice an invisible yet undeniable power converging upon him.
This power...
Hades understood its nature.
It was the essence of what the name "Hades" represented.
The concept of "Hades."
The concept of the "Lord of the Underworld."
These forces, scattered across the Chaos Sea, were gradually being drawn to him.
It was a slow process, one that might take eons—billions or even trillions of years.
But if Hades endured, he would eventually reach a point of stability, ascending to the level of an Absolute God.
Yes!
Hades would steadily ascend to become an Absolute God, embodying the singular and unique essence of "Hades" within the Chaos Sea.
All iterations of "Hades," all fragments of the "Lord of the Underworld" concept, would merge into him.
In
the meantime...
Hades had no intention of idly waiting. He would continue to grow, step by step, as was his nature.
"Father."
"Mother."
A soft, innocent voice called out.
Little Enma, wobbling slightly, ran back towards them.
She looked nothing like a goddess at that moment—just a toddler taking her first steps.
This, too, was Hades's deliberate choice.
Hades didn't want his daughter to bear the weight of divine expectations from the moment of her birth.
Instead...
He wished for her to grow naturally, like any ordinary child.
To Hades, nothing was more important than letting Enma experience the joys of a carefree childhood, allowing her to grow at her own pace.
"Enma."
Hades extended his arms, lifting her gently into his embrace.
"Hee hee hee~~~"
Little Enma giggled with delight.
Nestled in her father's arms, she reached out to grasp Persephone's hand.
Soon, exhaustion took over, and her eyes slowly closed.
As sleep claimed her, for the first time ever, the eternally bright Elysium Fields welcomed the quiet arrival of night.
Resting peacefully in her father's arms, little Enma's serene smile remained, even in her dreams.
Hades gently stroked her soft, dark hair, while Persephone stepped closer, gazing fondly at her husband and daughter.
At that moment...
Both Hades and Persephone smiled.
------------------
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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