Persephone had seen something similar in Demeter’s fields. The workers used a method of pumping underground water into the air by stepping on pedals and such.

Perhaps Asclepius used a similar method?

“That would require machinery at that level.”

However, Asclepius shook his head after hearing Persephone’s explanation.

“…Machinery?”

Persephone voiced her question.

“But didn’t you make a fountain? That’s also a machine, isn’t it?”

“The fountain I made is an invention that utilizes the difference in air pressure. It doesn’t draw underground water into the air.”

Asclepius picked up a nearby branch and crouched down on the ground. The hard branch quickly drew the shape of a fountain.

“Here at the very bottom, the bowl part of the fountain, should I say… Anyway, the concave part where the water spurting from the fountain is collected again, can you see it?”

“Yes.”

“My fountain needs to have water added to it periodically. It’s not suitable for cultivation that requires regular water adjustment.”

Persephone let out a sigh as if disappointed.

She thought maybe they used a method to draw underground water to the surface, but unfortunately, that seemed impossible.

‘Then let’s move past this method.’

What remained was whether to build underground waterways or aboveground waterways…

First, it would be impossible to build waterways underground.

In desert regions, they use underground waterways called qanats, but if such waterways were built, Hades might suspect her of aiming for the throne of the underworld.

That would require a large-scale project that the king would have to intervene in.

“Then how about building waterways above ground-”

Just as Persephone, having concluded to build aboveground waterways, turned towards Asclepius.

“Huh…?”

Asclepius was already far away from Persephone.

Looking closely, he was in the midst of continuously writing something on the ground.

The ground was full of letters, most of which were symbols she couldn’t read. She tried to decipher what came after the word ‘irrigation’, but eventually gave up and cupped her hands around her mouth.

“Asclepius!”

“…Ah.”

The god of medicine, who had just raised his head, approached Persephone.

Intelligence had already settled in his previously dazed irises.

“What is all this?”

The moment Persephone asked.

“Can’t you see?”

“Pardon?”

“It’s the design for the aboveground waterways.”

Asclepius answered simply.

Persephone lowered her eyes to the ground again.

Looking closely, the design was not only extremely intricate but also filled with various mathematical formulas.

All evidence that he had calculated.

Realizing she had brought in a genius, Persephone broke into a broad smile.

A few days later, at the entrance of the Elysian Forest.

“Wow…”

Persephone exclaimed in admiration as she received the design drawn up on papyrus from Asclepius.

“I walked around the forest and found suitable tributaries to connect to the fields, and marked the optimized waterway routes. You can proceed as it is.”

“What should I do after digging according to this?”

“If there are stones, you should lay them down, or bake clay and fit it to the bottom. After that, just remove the temporary dam.”

She had been wondering where the water source was, but it seems it was in the forest.

Comparing it with the map Hades had given her, it seemed to be a paradise called Elysium. Since paradise is where heroes mainly go, she understood why she hadn’t been able to find the right watercourse.

“How did you make all this so quickly? Did you perhaps receive a blessing from Apollo…”

“You mean, didn’t I receive a blessing from Hephaestus or Athena?”

Asclepius raised one corner of his mouth crookedly.

“No way. It’s just because of my background.”

“What do you mean by background?”

“My temple was inside a valley.”

Asclepius continued speaking while looking at the design.

“So I’m very familiar with making such waterways. The first things I built with our priests were waterways and baths.”

“Why were waterways the first priority, of all things?”

“Because clean water is the most important factor in hygiene.”

Even the plows and shovels Persephone had were all made of steel, not wood or stone.

Considering that humans on the surface had not yet emerged from the Bronze Age civilization, the technology of the gods easily surpassed a thousand to two thousand years of time.

Even if it was a matter of human life, nothing would have been impossible for Asclepius, the god of medicine.

“You were amazing.”

“Of course, it wasn’t something I could do alone. I was able to accomplish it because I worked together with the priests.”

Asclepius’s gaze flew to Sisyphus. He pointed at the prisoner.

“You should also have the workers here build it according to the design.”

Sisyphus had come along with Persephone, curious about how the waterways were designed. He had pretended to be ignorant and stupid about the well, but it seems he couldn’t resist his curiosity.

Just as Persephone was about to express her gratitude.

“Hey, God of Medicine!”

Sisyphus, who had been glancing at the design, suddenly called out to Asclepius.

“What!”

“It seems this waterway construction is not something I can handle alone!”

Asclepius openly clicked his tongue.

“This young fool is talking nonsense…”

“…No, why are you suddenly cursing-”

“So you want me to join in and work? You disrespectful brat who can’t even respect the elderly!”

Sisyphus was momentarily taken aback by the sudden profanity he heard.

“No, are you the only one with a brain? I just calculated how much time it would take to complete this waterway!”

“And!”

“The conclusion is that it’s impossible even for the two of us!”

Asclepius openly frowned at Sisyphus’s vehement protest.

He looked at the design carefully again and stroked his beard.

“You, do you have any more workers you can use?”

Asclepius asked Persephone.

“If not, it might be good to hire even spirits to do the work.”

His voice lowered as if worried.

However, Persephone, who had been reading the design, shook her head.

“Hmm, no? I think it’ll be fine.”

Then she raised her gaze to the sky above.

There was…

“I know someone.”

A shadow flapping black wings.

“Thanatos!”

Persephone waved her hand towards the death god flying in the sky.

Asclepius inhaled sharply as he heard the name of ‘death’, which was his antithesis.

“You, why are you suddenly scarily calling the god of death-”

His gaze also followed Persephone’s to the sky.

“No…!”

Asclepius’s face clouded over as he witnessed the black figure descending from the sky.

Flustered, he stamped his feet. His wrinkled hand gripped Persephone’s shoulder.

“Are you crazy? Did you finally go mad after being trapped in the underworld?”

“I’m not crazy.”

“Phoebus Apollo, please bless this young god to drive out the madness!”

“I said I’m not crazy.”

“…Please also give the blessing to objectively see oneself!”

Just as Persephone was about to forget her manners and attack the old man.

【What are you trying to make me do again.】

Thanatos touched the ground.

Asclepius was now on the verge of fainting with foam at his mouth.

Ignoring the god of medicine, Persephone held up the design in front of Thanatos’s eyes.

“First, can you block this water source with shadows? So that water doesn’t enter even if the ground nearby is dug up?”

【…What are you planning to do.】

Persephone gazed at the god of death with bright eyes.

Slight wrinkles appeared at the corners of Thanatos’s eyes.

【You said ‘first’, so I assume there’s more. I’ll hear the whole plan before making a judgment.】

“Hmm…”

Persephone pointed at the map.

“Next is from here.”

Where her fingertip pointed was from the edge of her field.

“To here.”

It was to the water source.

“Please cut all of it into a long rectangle about this wide.”

【No…】

Thanatos blanched at Persephone’s request.

【What on earth are you trying to do? Do you think I’m easy enough to readily agree to such an unreasonable request?】

“You seemed like that kind of person.”

【Get your eyesight checked.】

Just as Thanatos was about to turn his back.

Persephone pointed to a clay pot sitting in a corner of the field.

“Today it’s meat soup.”

Thanatos’s steps halted. He turned back and spoke in a low voice.

【…I see a new face. Won’t everyone’s share be reduced?】

“It’s a broth dish, so there’s plenty.”

【You didn’t just add a lot of water, did you?】

“I simmered it well with the meat you brought. The broth is rich.”

【…I don’t eat cold broth-】

“We have a brazier. We’ll heat it up.”

【…】

Thanatos’s feet turned slightly to the side. He snatched the design from Persephone’s hand like lightning and frowned.

How long had it been since he checked the design?

【I…】

Thanatos, who had taken out his scythe, muttered ominously.

【Lots of herbs, double portion.】

The ground was dug in the shape of the waterway. In the blink of an eye.

Thanatos dug the path for the waterway at once, and also laid suitable stones on the bottom and sides. The whole process was carried out under divine power, so there were no trial and error.

Thus, the waterway was created, and a new slave- no, talent was also gained. There was no reason not to be happy.

Persephone distributed meat soup and puffy wheat bread to everyone, including Thanatos. It was a gesture of appreciation for their hard work.

Just as they were about to enjoy a pleasant lunch time.

An unexpected event occurred.