Chapter 482
This time, we must--
"Um?"
As Ereshkigal walked on the cold rock surface, he suddenly caught a whiff of an unfamiliar fragrance.
Is that... the direction of my palace?
The goddess frowned.
By the way, speaking of which... it's been a long time since I've been back to the palace.
On one hand, they were busy weaving gun emplacements to deal with the surge in deaths caused by the war.
On the other hand, it's because Ereshkigal has already given that place to Shirou, so he's a little embarrassed to take the initiative to see him...
Since Shirou has already gone back, let's go check it out.
Previously, the Gallu Spirit were only tasked with monitoring the area; the goddess herself hadn't yet seen what Shirou's house looked like.
She walked towards the palace, filled with curiosity.
"How could this be...?"
When the newly renovated palace appeared before Ereshkigal, she held her breath.
"My Goddess, where am I?"
Haven't you heard the story of that foolish Goddess of Heaven?
After passing through seven gates, one arrives at the palace of the goddess Ereshkigal.
"This is the palace of the Underworld... Uh, actually... this is just an ordinary wilderness."
If this is considered a palace, then it's far too...
What are you expecting? This is the so-called Underworld; there is nothing magnificent here.
To actually attempt to plant flower seeds in such a world, I really want to know what's going on in your head.
Ereshkigal covered his mouth.
What unfolded before her was a garden covered in blooming Azaka.
The once barren and desolate land is now filled with colorful Azaka.
White, gold, and colorful flowers, illuminated by slivers of light dripping from the dark sky, create a beautiful scene resembling a sea of flowers.
"..."
This was the first time Ereshkigal had seen real Azaka not through a book.
She had tried to grow flowers in the Underworld many times in the past, but all her attempts ended in failure.
In this cold, sunless, and dead world, fragile Azaka should not have been able to survive.
Although the Gallu Spirit were ordered to monitor Shirou's every move, they did not report this matter to the goddess.
It's likely because, in the eyes of the Gallu Spirit, the boy was undertaking a "meaningless project," and there was no need to report it.
However, Shirou spent two and a half months successfully covering Ereshkigal's palace with Azaka.
Ereshkigal suddenly remembered Shirou's story about "the pilgrimage to the Fae Kingdom."
Shirou has a companion who is a witch who grew up in Land of Rain and is skilled in Magecraft and herbalism.
It's likely that Shirou learned his botanical knowledge from her, and that's where it came in handy at this moment.
What has finally emerged after two and a half months of hard work is this true miracle.
"Speaking of which..."
This garden, blooming in the Underworld, is the very promise the goddess had once forgotten between the two of them.
The offerings the boy would make to Ereshkigal upon his visit to the Underworld.
Standing amidst the flowers, the girl looked up at the sky below and smiled happily.
--
Volume 7: Chapter 312 Who told you to hold my funeral!?
After being forcibly sent back to the surface by the goddess Ereshkigal, they traveled for another day.
When Shirou returned to Uruk after a long absence, it was just evening.
"Um?"
When they arrived at the magnificent gates of Uruk, Shirou frowned.
He saw neither the guards who should have been stationed at the city gates nor the refugees queuing to register to enter the city.
Shirou could feel a strong sense of eeriness even before he entered the city.
This should have been the busiest time of day for this fortified city, yet for some reason, the entire city of Uruk was shrouded in an eerie silence.
The once noisy construction noise is no longer heard.
Although there was no smell of blood, a sense of foreboding welled up in the boy's heart.
Shirou quickly entered the city.
There were no pedestrians on the road.
The exchange and the street vendors are all closed... What happened?
Could it be the same as the City of Kussa, which was wiped out overnight...?
After walking for five minutes, Shirou finally spotted a few scattered people.
Curious, he stopped a passing merchant and, after inquiring briefly, learned that an incredibly grand funeral was being held at the Uruk Tower.
"Huh? Although King Gilgamesh does look unwell, giving the impression that he might suddenly die from overwork at any moment... but he shouldn't die so soon, right?"
Shirou stroked his chin and began to analyze.
I feel like that guy still has at least another ten years to live. Could there be some hidden story behind this?
Wait, could it be an assassination attempt by the "Three Goddess Alliance"?
What are you talking about?
The merchant rolled his eyes dismissively and said, "This is the funeral of Shirou Amamiya, the hero who protected Uruk."
Shirou: "?"
I'm still alive and well! Don't hold a funeral for me without my consent!
The main hall of Uruk Tower is now packed with people who have come to mourn Shirou Amamiya.
Among the crowd exuding an atmosphere of profound sorrow, one could see not only the King of Uruk and the High Priest, but also many ordinary people living in the city.
People spontaneously came to the tower to pay their final respects to the hero they had only spent three months with.
Without exception, they were all people who had received help or favors from Shirou in some way.
Some people were saved from the goddess's attack.
Some people have dealt with the Magical Beast near the farm.
Some people received instruction in blacksmithing techniques.
Some people were instructed on the essence of swordsmanship.
Some people's restaurants have turned a profit.
Some people have repaired their houses and furniture.
Some people have successfully become grandparents.
Some people have found their pet dogs.
Although it was only a short three months, Shirou's impact on the city was so enormous that the citizens felt saved because of the boy's presence.
Although the funeral was supposed to be absolutely silent, the crowd still managed to let out sparse sobs due to their overwhelming grief.
The cries expressed the City of Uruk's longing for the red-haired boy.
In a corner of the main hall of the Divine Tower stood another group of people.
They were Shirou Amamiya's colleagues during his lifetime, and together they protected the Servant of this country.
Today, these heroes who traveled across time and space to reach Uruk all wore expressions of sorrow and solemnity.
"..."
Merlin gazed silently into the void, letting out a soft sigh.
The frivolous Magecraft, who was warned on his first day in Uruk to stay away from the Miko, was completely devoid of his usual cheerful demeanor today.
This isn't the first time Merlin has experienced this feeling.
In that distant past--
It seems like I felt the same way when I said my final goodbyes to Arthur and Artoria.
Nightmares do not possess human emotions.
But if we must define it using human emotions, it's probably what we call "loneliness" and "guilt."
If I hadn't used Artoria as bait to lure Shirou to this era, none of this would have happened...
Because of his interference, Shirou Amamiya's fate was changed.
Sigh, I really have no face to see Artoria anymore...
While it can't be called "guilt," but...
The Magecraft thought bitterly: I really wish someone could punish me.
"..."
Tomoe Gozen's eyes completely lost their sparkle.
She was probably the most devastated of all.
Tomoe Gozen is still able to stand here entirely thanks to Shirou.
Shirou stopped her from perishing together with the Magical Beast commander.
It was Shirou encouraged her, who felt inferior because of her demon bloodline.
The moment the boy saved her life, the female warrior had already made her decision—
From now on, I will risk everything to protect him.
Tomoe Gozen was determined to regard Shirou as her new Lord, but...
As the last person to speak with Shirou before his death, she believes she bears an undeniable responsibility for the boy's demise.
At that time, Tomoe Gozen had already noticed Shirou's abnormality, but failed to fulfill her duty as a protector.
If...
If I had insisted on staying with them, would that incident have been avoided?
Tomoe Gozen had a very open-minded view of life and death.
She knew full well that Servant were merely temporary guests in this era, yet even so—
The warrior's teeth sank deep into her red lips. "This time, have I failed to protect my lord again...?"
"..."
Ushiwakamaru and Musashibō Benkei also attended Shirou's funeral.
Even though two and a half months have passed, they still find it hard to believe that Shirou has passed away.
Ushiwakamaru and Musashibō Benkei were the first two people to meet Shirou.
The time we spent fighting and living together is still unforgettable.
Since Shirou disappeared in City of Kussa, Ushiwakamaru and Benkei have experienced the unbearable changes more deeply than anyone else.