Steady progress!
Incremental advancement!
This approach is the most critical for the Underworld at this stage.
After all, the Underworld has long passed the phase where bloody gambles were necessary to build its foundation. Now, all it needs is stability, and that is more than enough.
It's not that the Underworld has lost its courage to strive; rather, the returns from striving have diminished. For the Underworld, the most important thing is to grow steadily.
This is the key.
Hades understands this.
Persephone understands this.
Hestia understands this.
And similarly, the other God-Kings understand it too. The Underworld no longer needs to endure major upheavals or turmoil. As long as it seizes the opportunities that arise and participates, it will be enough.
That's the core principle.
Because when you possess the foundation the Underworld has now, desperate risks and reckless ventures are no longer necessary.
This is not a joke; it's a simple truth.
The Underworld's preparations are robust and complete. With such readiness, why would it need to take excessive risks?
The Underworld can afford to approach every opportunity methodically, step by step.
In truth, even if the Underworld does not aim for the absolute top, merely staying in the leading echelon is sufficient. Its current state eliminates the need for haste, allowing for measured, steady advancement.
This is the key to everything.
Otherwise, if it were to take unnecessary risks, could the losses truly be balanced by the gains?
Five parts loss for five parts gain.
Such a trade is meaningless.
For the Underworld, a stable three-part gain is a significant and reliable improvement. There's no reason to risk anything beyond that.
This is the essential point.
Because of this, Hades remains unhurried, and the gods of the Underworld steadily enhance themselves, never acting rashly.
Urgency, after all, is pointless. The benefits it might bring are negligible for the Underworld, which requires time for stable growth rather than haphazard, reckless efforts.
Thus, Hades's focus is on moving forward step by step, with steady progress.
This is the most critical and essential strategy.
Steady advancement!
This has always been the key principle, the foundation upon which success is built. For other God-Kings, however, achieving such stability is impossible.
Why?
Their initial foundations are insufficient. Lacking a solid base, they have no choice but to continue gambling, taking risks to keep moving forward.
This is an unfortunate reality.
When the foundation isn't strong enough, it simply isn't strong enough. No amount of effort will change that.
Under such circumstances, their only option is to fight desperately.
In the Celestial Hell, Aether sat deep in thought.
"Whew~~~"
After a long while, Aether exhaled deeply.
Though he was a God-King, sweat dripped down his face uncontrollably, revealing his exhaustion.
Clearly, even for Aether, what he had just endured had been incredibly taxing.
"Aether, are you alright?"
Hemera approached, her voice gentle with concern.
"I'm fine!"
Aether shook his head, his voice tinged with both weakness and excitement. "It worked! Or rather, the first step has succeeded. This proves that our plan is feasible—that we truly have a chance to succeed. This is wonderful!"
For someone as composed and refined as Aether, this moment of excitement was almost out of character.
But for Aether, it was a monumental achievement.
He understood that if their plan succeeded, the Underworld would reap tremendous rewards. Not only that, but he himself and the other Underworld gods would gain immensely.
Moreover, as the plan's originator and executor, Aether might even leverage its success to break through to the level of an Ancient God.
Of course, that was a matter for the future. For now, the most important thing was proving the validity of the plan.
Starting from 1 has never been the hardest part. With effort and determination, reaching 100 is achievable.
The true difficulty lies in starting from 0.
For Aether, this was precisely the challenge.
When he initially proposed his plan, he wasn't certain it could succeed. No one could say for sure. But now, seeing the first signs of success, how could he not feel elated?
"Hahaha~~~"
Aether's joyous laughter echoed as he finally allowed himself to revel in the moment.
"Honestly!"
Hemera shook her head with a helpless smile. She understood her brother's tireless efforts, his relentless drive to prove himself.
Aether's determination stemmed from a need to demonstrate his worth—not as someone who merely followed behind his younger siblings but as a capable elder brother who could protect them.
In the Underworld, no single god stood out as the most trusted.
Hades had always assigned roles based on suitability rather than favoritism, ensuring that each god served where they were most effective.
Even so, the twin gods Hypnos and Thanatos naturally held a special position. As some of Hades's earliest followers, their abilities and loyalty were unparalleled.
For Aether, this created a challenging dynamic. Though he wasn't envious, he felt an innate drive to prove his own value.
He wanted to show that he wasn't a burden but a worthy protector for his siblings.
This relentless pursuit had driven him to ceaseless effort, working tirelessly to achieve growth and make a meaningful contribution.
Now, as the Underworld entered a period of steady development, Aether turned his focus to new pursuits.
His years of research were finally paying off.
The first step had succeeded.
Though it was merely the beginning, this alone was enough to fill Aether with hope.
For him, this first breakthrough validated everything. It proved his ideas were right, and from here on, everything would be easier.
This was the most significant moment.
As Hemera watched her brother, she couldn't help but smile.
"Aether, calm down," Hemera said gently. "Everyone sees how hard you've worked. You don't need to be so excited. Rest for now—there's still much to do."
"Yes, you're right," Aether said, nodding firmly as he composed himself. "Calmness is key. If I get carried away, it could lead to mistakes, and that's unacceptable."
With effort, Aether regained his composure, his excitement giving way to determination.
"Still..."
He smiled at Hemera, his eyes gleaming with emotion. "We've done it. The first step is complete. This is truly incredible!"
For Aether, this was more than just a personal victory. It was proof that his ideas had merit—that his efforts had borne fruit.
And in that moment, a simple word from Hemera touched him deeply:
"Big brother..."
Those two words meant the world to Aether. They symbolized acceptance, acknowledgment, and the validation of his role as an elder sibling.
For Aether, everything he had done—all his tireless efforts—had been for this.
To protect his siblings, to prove his worth, and to show that he was deserving of the title big brother.
In this, he had succeeded. And that was enough.
------------------
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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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