Death Knocks on Hell’s Door Chapter 45 Part 2

Chapter 45.2 Divorce

The light in Hephaestus’ eyes dimmed.

He knew that Venus would seek lovers outside of their marriage. He had tried his best not to care, treating it as though he had simply gone for a picnic. No matter what, he was still Venus’ husband in name, and they had a sweet son together.

But bringing someone home? Was it more thrilling to do it in their bedroom, in their marital bed?

Hephaestus treasured the moments he spent with Venus. Every item in their bedroom had been carefully arranged by him. This was their home, and he would not allow anyone to desecrate it. This was his bottom line.

Apollo’s words felt like a dagger stabbing straight into his heart.

And then there was Cupid…… Venus knew who Cupid’s father was, yet he had never told him.

Perhaps to Venus, it just didn’t matter.

He had once given Venus a ring, with a rose carved into it to symbolize his love. But he also gave him a necklace with a pomegranate pendant, implying that love required responsibility.

Venus had never understood.

But he had believed that he had a warm, loving home of his own.

Could it all have been a lie?

Hephaestus refused to believe it. He canceled his plans for the day and, not knowing what emotions he was grappling with, crafted an invisible golden web, laying it across their marital bed.

If only Venus were to lie on this bed, the golden web would remain still. But if two gods, in their adult forms, lay upon it, the web would immediately ensnare them.

He wanted to personally carry out this final test.

By dusk, Venus returned with Cupid. Seeing Hephaestus, he was surprised and asked, “Aren’t you leaving yet?”

Hephaestus was supposed to leave that day, but this was not a secret. As the God of Fire, he had regular trips to gather materials for forging.

This was an entirely normal question, but to Hephaestus, it felt like a slap in the face. His heart ached, as though it were being torn apart.

……Should he leave quickly, so he could meet with Ares in peace?

“Venus,” Hephaestus asked, clinging to the last shred of hope, “Before you were discovered to be pregnant…… did you have relations with Ares?”

Venus was completely honest. “Once. What of it?”

That one time affair with Ares was so long ago yet Venus still had a deep impression of it.

He didn’t even try to hide it.

Hephaestus lowered his eyes, self-mockery settling in. “Nothing. I’ll be leaving now.”

He had no courage left to ask Cupid if he was truly Ares’ child. The answer he would receive could only be one of self-inflicted humiliation.

He had never been favored by the Goddess of Luck. No matter how much effort he put in, working day and night, it never seemed to compare to others who found success with a single try.

He was truly an unlucky god.

That night, Venus slept alone in their bed while Cupid rested in the adjoining children’s room.

The room was dim, lit only by the faint light from outside. Venus saw a figure standing by the bedside. He couldn’t help but ask, “Hephaestus, is that you?”

The figure by the bed moved closer, and before he could react, it pounced on the bed, aiming to kiss him, the movement rough and forceful.

Venus frowned. Hephaestus would never be this reckless.

No, the scent was wrong. It was repulsive.

“You’re Ares!” Venus exclaimed in shock.

Ares hesitated for a moment, then smirked. “Hephaestus isn’t here, so how could the God of Pleasure’s bed remain empty? I’m just here to fill the gap.”

“……Get out!”

Ares ignored him, still intent on his advances. But before he could proceed, a golden net suddenly appeared, wrapping around him and binding him in place, rendering him immobile.

The room’s lights blazed to life, as bright as daylight, illuminating both Ares and Venus, trapped in the golden net on the bed.

Hephaestus stood silently in the doorway, his expression unreadable.

He had been standing just outside the palace, his heart sinking the moment he saw Ares sneaking into the temple.

Apollo never lied. Each verification had only proved that everything he said was true.

Hephaestus suddenly felt an overwhelming weariness.

Loving the God of Love and Pleasure was exhausting.

He didn’t even know what purpose his actions had today. Venus would never change, and he couldn’t force it.

Perhaps letting go was the best choice after all.

Cupid was awakened by the commotion and stood at the door, unsure of what to make of the scene before him. What was going on? Why was the God of War in the bedroom, and why was he tangled up with his father, while his father god stood there watching?

Apollo and Eos had already gathered with the other gods to watch the spectacle, and even Zeus had been alerted.

The effect of the lead arrow had worn off before the golden arrow that struck Zeus. After Hera woke up, not only did she not take out her anger on Cupid, but she also had him occasionally shoot Zeus with a golden arrow, keeping him in love with Hera endlessly, to the point where he was practically obsessed with her.

Now, whenever Zeus saw Hera, hearts would float around his eyes, though he still handled matters normally otherwise.

“What’s going on?” Zeus asked in a low voice.

The situation in the room was clear to anyone who looked. It was nothing more than the God of War and the God of Beauty caught by the God of Fire in bed. Was this unusual in Olympus? Not at all.

Ares was fully dressed, clearly not having had time to do anything. He had barely climbed onto the bed when the golden net trapped him. Venus was in his sleepwear, his golden hair falling over his shoulders, his arms and legs exposed. The gods sighed in disappointment. The scene wasn’t quite as exciting as they had hoped. They wouldn’t be able to fully indulge their curiosity.

Venus was utterly confused. He had been peacefully sleeping when, out of nowhere, Ares climbed into his bed. Then, just as suddenly, they were both trapped in a net, surrounded by gods. And now, they were being watched by a group of gods?

“Father,” Hephaestus said hoarsely, “I want to divorce Venus.”

He still loved Venus, but he no longer wanted to endure the painful burden of loving him.

Being bound in this marriage with Venus meant he would always be trapped by this relationship, unable to break free.

Zeus frowned. “Why? Just because he slept with Ares? Hephaestus, this really isn’t a big deal. You have such a beautiful wife, what’s there to be dissatisfied about?”

Family scandals shouldn’t be aired in public, and Hephaestus causing this scene only made Zeus feel embarrassed by his son.

“I’m not dissatisfied,” Hephaestus said, glancing briefly at Venus before averting his eyes. “It’s just that I’m not worthy of him.”

Zeus was displeased. “This marriage was a gift from me. How could you just ask for it to be undone? Release them at once.”

He had intended to use his divine power to break the golden net when he first arrived, but then he realized that even he couldn’t move anything forged by the God of Fire. Hephaestus’ talent in this area was so impressive that it even made Zeus feel a little envious.

Hephaestus remained firm. “Only if you promise to grant us a divorce.”

Apollo was shocked. He had expected Hephaestus to be upset, but he hadn’t imagined the reaction would be so extreme. Divorce from the God of Beauty? Which god wouldn’t want to keep him? They all fought to marry Venus.

Hermes let out a soft hiss. “If I could spend one night with Venus, I would willingly be trapped in the net. If I could marry Venus, I would sell everything I own to do so. Hephaestus is really willing?”

Dionysus looked at Hephaestus with sympathy. “This is the result of falling in love with the God of Pleasure. From never daring to hope, to being filled with hope, then falling into despair, and finally reaching the point where you want to give up.You wouldn’t understand.”

Zeus refused to retract his decision. How could he allow his son to successfully threaten him in front of the gods? That would be a blow to his authority.

“Enough!”

A deep, melodious voice echoed through the room, and all the gods couldn’t help but glance toward the door.

A strikingly handsome god, with an air of coldness and grace, entered. His presence was like the night sky itself, adorned with stars and moonlight. As he walked, the gods instinctively made way for him. He reached the bedside, lowered his noble, sapphire eyes, and with a delicate touch of his fingers, he easily freed Venus from the golden net.

Venus was lifted into his arms. He instinctively grasped the chest of the blue-haired god, feeling momentarily dazed.

Why did this feel so familiar?

Wasn’t he once cradled in the arms of a blue-haired god when he was first born?

“……King of the Sea, Poseidon?!” A god recognized him and exclaimed in surprise. “What is he doing here in Olympus?”

Zeus felt embarrassed. The golden net he couldn’t break had been effortlessly undone by Poseidon. When had his brother’s power grown so formidable?

“My younger brother, it seems you don’t take your elder brother’s words seriously at all. Venus was betrothed to me by birth, and I’ve already sent gifts for his hand when he came of age. In terms of precedence, I came first. In terms of seniority, the marriage I arranged is far more binding than the one Zeus granted.”

Poseidon turned to face the gods. Although he was looking directly at them, his gaze carried an air of superiority and pressure, as if he were looking down on them all.

He glanced casually at Hephaestus. “Your marriage was invalid from the start. What’s the need for a divorce?”

Author’s Note:【Reference Material】

Apollo discovered the love affair between Ares and Venus and told Hephaestus. The God of Fire forged a golden net, capturing the lovers who were having fun on the bed on the spot. The gods of Olympus gathered to watch, and in the end, Poseidon persuaded Hephaestus to let them go.

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