Chapter 480

Even for them, I will...

I will stay.

"Ah?"

Ereshkigal thought there was something wrong with his ears.

Her eyes widened as Shirou spoke with an expression of utter disdain, as if it were perfectly natural.

"Do you think I didn't notice, Ereshkigal?"

What binds you to this underground place is neither a vow to the gods, nor the physical barrier between heaven and earth.

Rather, it is the Underworld itself.

You can't just abandon this world, you can't just ignore the souls of the dead, can you?

Ereshkigal's crimson eyes trembled violently.

Are you planning to... stay here?

"Um."

Shirou said, word by word, "In that case, I will take your place."

I will stay behind in your place to protect the Underworld you loved most.

While I might not be able to do the job as well as you, I'll definitely be able to keep things running smoothly.

"Shirou, I..."

The goddess finally understood everything.

Although he considered being trapped in the Underworld a tragedy, he still decided to sacrifice himself so that Ereshkigal could experience the beauty of the earth.

Shirou laughed and said, "You don't need to worry about me. In order to stay in the Underworld for a long time, I have already built my own little house."

"Waaah..."

Ereshkigal closed his eyes in bliss.

Although I intend to hold back.

I had clearly decided to hold back.

Even Ereshkigal, hidden in the shadows, could not hold back and finally shed tears.

They are tears of happiness.

"Thank you, Shirou."

"Hmm? It's nothing... Goddess?"

Ereshkigal opened his arms and embraced the boy.

If I could, I would so wish that I were not using Gallu Spirit's body, but embracing him as a more beautiful young girl.

But Ereshkigal knew very well that Shirou wouldn't care about such things at all.

He was not afraid because of his ugly appearance; instead, he saw himself as a girl who had been trapped in the Underworld for tens of thousands of years.

"Really... really... thank you... Shirou... ooh!!"

Emotions accumulated over tens of thousands of years burst forth in this instant.

The goddess wept uncontrollably.

The boy, held in someone's arms, was at a loss and could only awkwardly try to comfort him.

The goddess quietly savored this blissful moment.

She even thought: if she hadn't personally experienced tens of thousands of years of solitude, she would never have felt such unparalleled happiness as she does now.

Never having seen the real sun actually has these benefits... hehe~

"Okay~~~"

The goddess released the boy's body and patted her own cheek.

Finally—it's time to say goodbye.

"Goddess?"

Shirou noticed a change in the aura of the Spirit Queen Gallu Spirit.

The colossal skeleton coldly declared, "My name is Ereshkigal, the mistress of the Underworld — Ereshkigal."

"Ah... um, I know?"

Although he really wanted to complain, "That way of speaking really doesn't suit you," Shirou held back.

"Do not address me as 'Goddess,' except to you—you are permitted to call me by my given name."

Ereshkigal looked down at the red-haired boy with a gaze that could pierce through rock.

"They actually dare to ask me to abandon the Underworld? A mere human, how dare they say such a thing?"

As the Queen of the Underworld, who imprisons souls and unleashes lightning, how could I possibly abandon my own kingdom?

This is just a punishment for you. If I hear you utter such nonsense again, I will not let you off easily.

As he said this, Ereshkigal raised the skeletal arm.

She will punish the human boy who offended the goddess of the Underworld.

"..."

Shirou swallowed hard, only to hear Ereshkigal proclaim.

Your punishment is—exile to the earth.

"Well..."

"Hmph! My mind is made up. It's too late to beg for mercy now!"

You shall lie here on earth and reflect upon your disrespect for the goddess until the day you die... and regret it for the rest of your life, until your death!

"Wait... Ereshkigal!"

Shirou's feet left the ground and he floated uncontrollably into the air.

In this Underworld, Ereshkigal is the absolute law, and no one can defy her decisions.

"Ereshkigal, I haven't...!"

Shirou's body rose rapidly.

Ereshkigal watched the boy recede further and further away from him, a slightly bitter smile appearing on his face.

That's good.

That's right, that's good.

Shirou, you should go back to the ground.

You shouldn't be trapped in this world any longer, and you shouldn't sacrifice yourself for me.

Don't worry about me, and don't grieve for me, Shirou.

I have received the most important thing from you.

That is a treasure that nothing can replace for me.

Thank you.

Thank you so much...

My beloved taxi driver gave me happiness, even if it was only for a brief two and a half months...

"Wait! Ereshkigal!"

Shirou shouted in the air.

"I was sent to the Underworld by Gilgamesh! He sent me to investigate Enkidu's remains!"

Before you deport me... at least let me see Enkidu's grave!

"Huh?!?!"

The exile ceremony, which had already established a romantic atmosphere, had to be abruptly halted halfway through.

Ereshkigal led Shirou to the place where Enkidu's body was kept.

That was a cemetery specially designated by Ereshkigal to preserve the divine weapons that had ceased to function.

Shirou opened the coffin, only to find it completely empty.

--As expected, Enkidu's body disappeared.

In other words, the imposter Enkidu I encountered before...

Shirou's expression turned serious.

"Is it ready now?"

A girl's voice came from behind me.

Shirou nodded subconsciously and closed the coffin again. "Yes, that's enough."

Enkidu's remains have been identified.

This time, it's a true farewell.

"Thank you so much, Ereshkigal."

There's no need to thank me, nor is it necessary.

"No, I should definitely thank you..."

Shirou turned around as he spoke.

Instead of the terrifying Gallu Spirit Queen, a beautiful girl appeared before him, her beauty enough to illuminate the darkness of the underground.

"Since this is the last time, I'll let you witness... my true form as an Ereshkigal."

The beautiful young woman smiled happily and confidently.

"How about that? Are you surprised?"

Hmph, scared, aren't you? Looks like you were scared, weren't you!

This is my true form! Gallu Spirit's appearance is obviously just a facade!

Be amazed and honored by my appearance, a sight even the Sumer gods have never had the honor of witnessing, Shirou!

Shirou stared wide-eyed at the beautiful girl before him, utterly astonished.

Her blonde hair was flowing and smooth, and her lips were full and moist.

On that exquisitely crafted face were a pair of eyes as beautiful as Ruby.

The black robe draped over the girl's slender body, highlighting her fair skin and graceful curves; her long, shapely legs were particularly eye-catching.

Without a doubt, she is an impeccably beautiful girl.

However, Shirou felt neither moved nor honored.

After all, anyone would be speechless if they saw a female classmate from the next class in the distant Mythological Era.

Tohsaka, you've finally gone mad!

When did you dye your hair blonde? Was it for cosplay?

Shirou almost blurted it out.

Ereshkigal's true identity, no matter how you look at it, is none other than Rin Tohsaka.

No, upon closer inspection, one can discover that this girl's temperament is somewhat different from Tohsaka's.

Moreover, he looks older.

Wow... Shirou's staring at me so intently, hehe...?