The God of Death, Surshana, had suddenly vanished without a trace. EeDechi asked around among the Six Scriptures and learned that he had gone to the capital.
Considering that Surshana was currently also opposed to Ainz, EeDechi intended to bring him over to her side. Without delay, she headed for the capital.
However, just a few days earlier, EeDechi had spoken with Surshana at length. He had shown no willingness to fight, his attitude deeply pessimistic. He only wanted to remain within the Homeland Guardian Array, idling away his days and waiting for death. This left EeDechi with a real headache.
...
EeDechi stood in the empty temple and asked the Divine Commandant of the Clearwater Scripture, Daniel Christian, "Where is Surshana?"
Daniel had been obediently following behind EeDechi this entire time, continuing to serve as her guide. He quickly replied:
"The supreme God of Death has gone to our underground sanctuary to inspect the most valuable treasure. He has not come out for several days."
"The most valuable treasure?" EeDechi thought to herself. She and Daniel immediately headed toward the underground sanctuary.
When they reached the entrance, EeDechi suddenly recalled that she had been here before. Back then, she, Barrett, and Franco had snuck in together in search of treasure.
She remembered it clearly now—the most important thing Surshana valued was a painting, a lifelike portrait of a peerless beauty.
And that woman's appearance bore a striking resemblance to Antilene...
A squad of fully armored guards stepped forward and blocked their way.
"The God of Death has issued a divine oracle: no one is permitted to enter!"
"Step aside! This is our honored Divine Envoy!" Daniel shouted coldly.
The armored guards panicked for a moment. Leaving aside EeDechi's status as a "Divine Envoy," Daniel himself was the Divine Commandant of the Clearwater Scripture and held a high position.
But the command of the God of Death was absolute. After a brief hesitation, the guards still chose to block the entrance.
"All of you, move aside. I need to have a word with your god." EeDechi said sharply, stepping forward and striking out with a single palm.
A violent surge of force erupted like a storm. The entire squad of heavily armored guards was sent flying in all directions, collapsing to the ground and groaning in pain.
EeDechi stepped over them and walked into the underground sanctuary.
Passing through a long, dim corridor, she descended deeper step by step. Suddenly, the path opened into a vast space.
"Who is it?" Surshana's impatient voice echoed. "Didn't I say no one was allowed in?"
"It's me." EeDechi lifted her head and walked in without hesitation.
Surshana stood at the center of the sanctuary, surrounded by a pile of dry white bones.
"So it is you," he sighed. Even he felt helpless when dealing with EeDechi.
EeDechi swept her gaze across the room and saw the portrait in his hands. The woman in the painting had skin as pale as snow and a gentle, tender smile. Her white hair flowed like drifting snow, carrying an almost unreal beauty.
Surshana held the portrait tightly against his chest, as though it were his most precious possession.
"The woman in the painting is beautiful. Who is she?" EeDechi asked, though she already had an answer in her heart.
Surshana's voice softened for a rare moment. "Her name is Heloise Shelley. She was the one I loved most in this world, and the one who loved me most."
"Can you tell me her story?" EeDechi asked quietly.
Still holding the portrait, Surshana slowly sat down among the bones. "Someone like you probably wouldn't understand love. But since you want to hear it, I'll tell you."
Then, Surshana began to recount his past in a slow, measured voice. He had only recently awakened and had long been weighed down by solitude. Having someone to speak to was rare, so he spoke without reservation. EeDechi listened in silence, occasionally nodding.
More than six hundred years ago, the God of Death and his five companions—the Six Great Gods—had joined forces to establish the Slane Theocracy in order to protect humanity during an age of chaos.
To expand its territory, they waged wars across the land and came into fierce conflict with the neighboring Elf Country.
The Elf Country sent its most beautiful female assassin, Heloise Shelley, in an attempt to use her beauty to infiltrate and eliminate the Six Great Gods. The plan was quickly seen through.
Within the Slane Theocracy's army, there were few who would be swayed by desire. Although Heloise Shelley's beauty could topple kingdoms, the decision was still made to execute her.
On the day of her execution, Surshana felt pity for such a beautiful young woman and ordered her release. He brought her to serve at his side.
All of his companions strongly opposed this decision.
Heloise Shelley herself was unyielding. She declared that as long as she still breathed, she would continue attempting to assassinate the Six Great Gods—including Surshana.
Yet Surshana found himself drawn to her even more because of this. He told her, "I am the God of Death who cannot be killed. If it makes you happy, then come and try to assassinate me whenever you wish."
From that moment on, Heloise remained by his side. She served as his attendant while simultaneously attempting, in every possible way, to kill him.
Many strange and perilous events unfolded between them. Yet when they looked back, every memory was filled with a quiet warmth.
Over time, Heloise Shelley found herself gradually drawn to Surshana. Without even realizing it, she had fallen in love with him.
Her love for Surshana was pure and intense, unlike those who merely coveted his power or status.
One of Surshana's companions possessed a magical item capable of discerning true feelings. They secretly examined Heloise and confirmed that her love was genuine.
She truly loved Surshana—the undead skeleton.
The other women, though they claimed love, were in truth drawn only to his power, status, and wealth.
The war between the Elf Country and the Slane Theocracy eventually subsided. A peace treaty was signed, but in humiliation and anger, the Elf Country convicted Heloise Shelley of treason and banished her forever.
Time passed. One by one, the other five gods passed away, leaving Surshana alone in the world.
Fortunately, elves possessed long lifespans. Heloise remained by his side, easing the pain of his loneliness.
But peace never lasted.
The Eight Greed Kings descended upon the world. They waged war across the land, carving the earth with steel and burning order into existence with fire. Walking over corpses and rivers of blood, they built a vast empire.
Eventually, their blades turned toward the Slane Theocracy. Their imperial banners rose along its borders.
They sought Surshana's death—the greatest obstacle to their rule.
To achieve this, they devised a cruel scheme, inciting a vassal force to attack the Elf Country and plunge it into chaos.
Worried for her family, Heloise ignored Surshana's warnings and secretly left the Slane Theocracy, slipping into the forests of the Elf Country.
The Eight Greed Kings acted personally and captured her. To avoid humiliation, Heloise took her own life.
Afterward, to break Surshana's will completely, they used a unique form of undead magic to ensure she could never be revived.
Surshana lost her forever.
He knew full well that the Eight Greed Kings had targeted him relentlessly because he was the only Level 100 combatant—a threat they could not tolerate.
Their empire could not allow a ninth Level 100 existence.
Surshana chose to fight alone. With his companions gone and his love lost, he had nothing left to anchor him to the world. He met his end in a blazing battle.
Even his enemies admired his courage, yet they also feared the possibility of his return. Surshana had once made it clear that he possessed the means to revive himself.
If they acted recklessly against the Slane Theocracy, the God of Death would return.
And now, he had indeed been awakened from eternal slumber. Once again, he existed alone in the world, while even the Eight Greed Kings had vanished without a trace.
His final hope had been that death would return him to his original world. But after testing it himself, that hope was utterly shattered.
...
"I admit I am selfish. I hate meaningless grand narratives. Everyone I cared about, and everyone I hated, has disappeared. Tell me—what meaning is there left in my existence?"
Surshana asked quietly, seated among the bones, endless desolation filling his dark eye sockets.
EeDechi nodded slightly and said, word by word:
"I will tell you one fact. Antilene and Heloise Shelley look exactly the same."