King of Underworld

Chapter 169

The Peculiar Trojan War – Part 3

“Are you mocking me, Hector?”

King Menelaus of Sparta was convinced this was a Trojan trap. Why would the commander of Troy, who had remained unseen during their invasions of allied states, now step forward to return Helen?

And with that wretched scoundrel Paris in tow? Before being a husband betrayed, Menelaus was a king of Sparta. It was only natural that he suspected trickery or deception.

Menelaus glared at Paris and Hector, his eyes blazing with fury.

“Did you think showing me my stolen wife and that trash would make me lose my reason and charge at you? Or is this some scheme foretold by Apollo, the god you serve? What exactly are you plotting?”

“It is no scheme,” Hector replied calmly. “The Pluto we now serve values justice above all else.”

“What did you say?”

“As proof, we will return the woman my foolish brother took.”

At Hector’s gesture, soldiers nudged Helen forward. With her head bowed low, she slowly walked toward Menelaus.

Step. Step.

The expression on Menelaus’s face as he watched her approach was complex, a storm of emotions: anger, bitterness, regret, and sorrow. In the end, he said nothing until Helen stood by his side.

“Do you think this will make me withdraw my forces and return home?”

“Of course not,” Hector replied, his tone even. “We have also prepared a considerable amount of compensation as reparation. As for Paris... he may be my brother and a prince of Troy, but I have reprimanded him quite severely.”

“...What?”

Unarmed servants emerged from the Trojan ranks, carrying chests filled with gold and silver treasures. A golden spectacle glittered before Menelaus’s eyes, alongside Helen by his side. From atop his horse, Hector remained steadfast, while Paris sat beside him, his face swollen and bruised beyond recognition.

Paris had clearly endured a severe beating; even his lips were swollen. For Menelaus, the sight of his battered rival only intensified his anger.

“All this because of that wretched Paris,” Menelaus muttered. “We crossed the sea and came all the way here because of him.”@@@@

“We are not asking you to withdraw your forces entirely,” Hector responded.

After a brief exchange, Menelaus shot one final glare at Paris before returning to the Greek camp. Helen, along with the servants carrying reparations, followed him.

Naturally, the Greek soldiers greeted their return with bewildered expressions.

Faced with the overwhelming forces of the Greek alliance, Troy’s resources were stretched thin. While Hector was the greatest warrior of Troy, he doubted whether he alone could turn the tide.

As he stared at the map, deep in thought, a woman entered his chambers—his sister Cassandra, favored by Apollo.

“Brother.”

“Yes, Cassandra? What is it?”

“A prophecy from Apollo.”

As soon as she spoke, a radiant light burst from her body. The overwhelming presence of Phoebus Apollo descended upon her, filling the room with warmth and divine authority.

“Hector, blood of the one I cherish, Cassandra.”

“My lord Apollo!”

“Take courage. Remember, you are the commander and greatest hero of Troy.”

The sun god’s divine energy enveloped Hector, filling him with strength. As Apollo’s presence began to fade, his final words echoed like a divine decree:

“Fear not. I and many others from Olympus will protect Troy.”

Gods, protect Troy.

On the Plains Beyond Troy

The armies of Troy and Greece faced each other, ready for battle. Standing apart from the fray, Nestor and Polydueces watched from a distance.

“They’re young. Full of energy. Back in my day, we faced monsters...”

“Haha! Let the young ones have their moment. We’ll stay out of it.”

“I agree, Nestor. Helen’s been returned, and this isn’t a fight against monsters.”

Both sides seemed satisfied with the absence of the elder heroes, each believing it increased their own chances for glory.

Among the armies, legendary figures roused their troops: Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons and daughter of Ares; Aeneas, son of Aphrodite; Diomedes, second only to Achilles in strength; and Ajax, the towering warrior.

Clink. Clang.

“Raise your shields and spears! The enemy before us is an offering to the gods of Olympus!”

“Drive them back and reclaim our peace, brave warriors of Troy!”

As soldiers rallied, Agamemnon and Hector locked eyes across the battlefield.

The gods themselves moved swiftly in the heavens.

“Apollo, don’t you hold a grudge against Troy? What is it about Cassandra that makes her so special?” Poseidon taunted.

“Uncle, I’m sorry, but I cannot stand down this time,” Apollo replied.

“What? Are you putting your faith in Hades, who sides with Troy?”

“Athena! Is this how you repay me for the toil I endured after the great flood?”

“Hmph. Perhaps that’s why you always lose to me.”

Even among the gods, tensions flared. As a warm breeze swept over the battlefield, created by Zephyrus, the two armies’ commanders gave their orders.

“Advance! All forces, attack!”

“For honor and glory! Charge forward!”

Thus began the Trojan War.