Chapter 514

Phrases like "Who is more beautiful, Ereshkigal or Ishtar?" or "Who is more worthy of entrusting one's life to Ereshkigal or Ishtar?"

No matter how you look at it, it's turned into a talent show for the two goddesses. Mash considerately didn't say this out loud.

When questioned, Shirou naturally gave the answer "correct (Ereshkigal)" and easily passed the level.

Because the answer was related to the strength of the enemy that would appear, Ishtar was powerless to do anything, even if she was unwilling. She could only watch helplessly as Shirou reported the name of another goddess.

The ordeal didn't stop there; she was also subjected to electric shocks every time she passed through a door, resulting in her body shrinking.

Even using all remaining magic and Divine Aura for defense would be meaningless.

In this dark and cold afterlife, no one can defy the mistress of the Underworld.

"Waaah, it's finally down to the size of a palm... I'm so embarrassed I can't even cry anymore..."

Ishtar looked dejected. "Among all the Sumer gods, no...

Mesopotamia mythology to have suffered such a tragic fate...!

"If we defeat Ereshkigal, things will return to normal, right?" Ritsuka comforted her.

"I wish it were true."

I'm afraid that, given her personality, she'd risk her life to keep things this way...

If that happens, the whole world will be dragged down with it...

Ishtar sat on Shirou's shoulders, hugging her knees, completely entering a negative and pessimistic mode.

"Hmph, you've become such a miserable state and you still don't know how to repent? Why don't you take this opportunity to learn to be a little more virtuous?"

"Yes... In short, let's correct our wasteful habits first... and also be kinder to everyone..."

This incident made me understand the perspective of the vulnerable a little, and also made me realize how wonderful it is to be protected...

"Huh? Who's talking to me?"

Following the direction of the light, everyone saw the entity that was still Gilgamesh in the pitch-black depths of the earth.

"King Gilgamesh!?" Ritsuka and Mash were both surprised and delighted.

"Hahahaha! Thank you all for coming to greet me!!"

Gilgamesh stood atop the seventh stone gate, arms crossed, looking down at the crowd below.

"What's wrong, Shirou? Are you going to greet me with such a sour face?"

Haha, are you secretly hoping for a scenario where I'm rescued like a princess?

Fools! How could I, the King, have fallen so low as to need your rescue? The mere Underworld is but one of my many domains!

Perhaps due to his detachment from the physical body (old age), King Gilgamesh became incredibly frivolous.

On a spiritual level, it reverted to the Archer mode that Shirou missed.

"Although I died by accident, before Gallu Spirit arrived, I hid in the shadows, held my breath, and entered meditation (Mystic Eyes of Death Perception ex).

After perfectly escaping right under their noses... Wait! Shirou! What are you doing all of a sudden?! Why did you shoot at me without saying a word?!

Gilgamesh was knocked off the stone pillar by the Projection sword.

Shirou smiled and said, "Sorry, I forgot to turn off auto-aiming... My sword mistook you for an enemy (evil spirit)."

The King of Heroes was furious. "You brat... you definitely did this on purpose! If my soul is also damaged, I will truly be dead this time!"

That's why I'm sorry.

"Is this something that can be solved by being embarrassed?"

Even in death, King Gilgamesh was full of spirit...

The girls watched Shirou and the King of Heroes bickering and whispered among themselves.

No wonder they both came back alive from the Underworld; they must have a really good relationship...

"Well then... gentlemen, let's end this small talk here. It's about time we got going."

"That's true. You've already passed through the seven gates of the Underworld, haven't you? Just look at Ishtar's condition and you'll understand."

Gilgamesh, "The Queen of the Underworld's palace is in the open space ahead."

"Speaking of which, what was Ereshkigal's palace like?"

On the way to the final destination, Mash asked curiously.

She and Ritsuka once accepted Shirou's invitation to visit Ishtar's palace.

It was a building that was in no way inferior to King Gilgamesh's Tower, and its interior was breathtakingly luxurious.

Ereshkigal is a goddess who is two sides of the same coin as Ishtar, and also the Queen who rules the Underworld. Her palace must have been incredibly luxurious, right?

Well...

Gilgamesh paused, a somewhat subtle expression on his face. "Then you'll probably be disappointed, Mash."

This is Underworld, a world devoid of any life or beauty.

Unlike the pampered princesses over there, Ereshkigal was nothing but a desolate wasteland with nothing to its name.

It wasn't any different from the scenery we'd seen along the way.

"I see..."

Ereshkigal is a pillar of the "Three Goddess Alliance" and an opponent that must be defeated no matter what.

With my assistance, victory is assured; there's no need to elaborate. However...

Be prepared, this is going to be a tough battle.

This was the first time the girls had heard Gilgamesh speak in such a serious tone, and they couldn't help but feel nervous, swallowing hard.

Then, after walking for several minutes, they finally arrived at their destination, the temple.

"Why...?"

What unfolded before them was a landscape completely different from the Underworld as it had been known before.

It was a garden covered with blooming Azaka.

What should have been a desolate and barren land is now filled with vibrant, colorful plants.

White, gold, and colorful flowers, illuminated by slivers of light dripping from the dark sky, formed a shimmering ocean.

Mash: "Wasn't it supposed to be a barren wasteland with nothing in it?"

Gilgamesh: "Don't ask me! How would I know what happened!"

Ritsuka: "It's clearly one of your gardens!?"

Not only Ritsuka and Mash, but even Gilgamesh and Ishtar were stunned.

The two men who had visited the palace before were stunned by what they saw and were speechless.

The Underworld, devoid of sunlight and filled with death, should be impossible for any plants to grow, but those Azaka are definitely not a false illusion, but real and beautiful life.

"What... what's going on... uh, who is that?"

At this moment, everyone noticed a young girl standing among the swaying flowers.

The girl, who had been facing away from them, turned around and revealed her true face.

Flowing golden hair and bright red eyes.

Her well-proportioned features were both delicate and beautiful, radiating composure and confidence.

"... Well?"

Ishtar was stunned. How could this girl look exactly like her?

Could it be...?

A bad feeling rose in the heart of the Goddess of Heaven as the blonde girl ran towards them.

"!?!?"

Mash was somewhat at a loss: Should she engage the enemy? Or...?

"Shirou!"

The blonde girl, Ereshkigal, threw herself into Shirou's arms as if no one else was around.

"You've finally come to see me!!"

Volume 7: Chapter 330 - Conquering Ereshkigal

"Shirou! You've finally come to see me!!"

The blonde, red-eyed girl, Ereshkigal, rested her face against Shirou's chest with a satisfied expression, completely oblivious to the strange looks around them.

On the other side, Ishtar, though reduced to the size of a palm, still maintained her volume.

"Who... who are you?! Let go of Shirou!"

Ereshkigal glanced at the little Venus goddess making a racket in mid-air. "Oh? I was wondering why I heard such a noisy flapping of wings. Isn't that the poor goddess?"

With a body even more fragile than my fingertips, you really know how to yell...

Wait a minute, I'll come and strangle you once I'm done with my touching reunion with Shirou.

"W-What did you say!?"

Ritsuka and Mash exchanged bewildered glances, Gilgamesh also showed a rather surprised expression.

"Um, you wouldn't happen to be...?" Mash asked timidly.

The blonde girl temporarily stepped away from Shirou's embrace. "Mash, you do have some discernment, don't you?"

"Oh... really? Thank you."

The blonde girl proudly placed her hand on her shapely chest. "Is this what you meant by 'couldn't be'—"

Feel fear, succumb to despair, humans.

I am the administrator of death, the mistress of the Underworld, the one who tramples the sacred peaks—

Ereshkigal, one of the pillars of the "Three Goddess Alliance."

"What?" "Really?" "You must be kidding me!?"

The gasps of astonishment rose and fell, making Ereshkigal puff out his chest with pride.

She truly deserves to be called the most intelligent goddess in the Sumer world (myself)! This meticulously planned debut was absolutely perfect.

Ishtar, you just called me ugly, didn't you?

You don't even know my true face as a goddess? How dare you be so arrogant! Is this what you call my other half?

"Gurgle...!"

Ishtar's unpleasant expression greatly pleased Ereshkigal.

She looked up at the boy who had been waiting for her for a long time.

"Long time no see, Ereshkigal."

"Hmm! Long time no see, Shirou!"

The girl smiled happily.

"I always felt something was off about Shirou- san's return from the Underworld, but I never imagined the truth would be like this... (trembling)"

"Ah, even the goddess Ereshkigal has fallen for Shirou- san... Is this the legendary 'Godslayer EX (Goddess Special Attack)'?"

The girls whispered to each other, in a volume only they could hear.

"Hey, Ereshkigal... put your intimacy with your lover aside for now..."

"Love, lover, and all that? Shirou and I don't have that kind of relationship!"

Gilgamesh asked, "What are your intentions in taking my life?"

"It can't be as simple as just wanting to lure Shirou to see you, can it?"

"Ah, you are right, King Gilgamesh."