The Underworld
So... if we pierce the crust of the earth, we find the Underworld. In the Age of Gods, it is physically connected to our world.
"The idea of the Underworld and Heavens being metaphysical constructs only stabilized once the laws of physics became constant for humanity. In this era, the Heavens, the Earth, and the Abyss are all woven into a single tapestry. Look there, Ea. Look at those birdcages."
—Those...?
[Ooo... ooooh...]
—There are lights... flickering inside the cages.
(Those are the souls of the dead from the surface world. Those cages are Ereshkigal's Spear-Prisons. Once a soul is snared, it can never return to the sunlit world.)
"A soul that loses its flesh usually fades into nothingness. But for her own reasons, Ereshkigal does not permit that. she grants them a 'place'—a prison—and imposes a 'rest' that lasts tens of thousands of years. But the soul is a delicate thing. Without a body, they feel a cold that defies description. They freeze from the edges inward until they become living statues of ice. It is a pain so absolute that it is quite literally 'better to be dead.'"
—...So that is why you told me not to leave your vessel.
"Indeed. If you have no desire to become a block of living ice, do not stray from my protection."
—I understand. And... thank you.
"Hmph?"
—For always... protecting me. For allowing me to stay within this warm, supreme vessel of yours.
"...No thanks are necessary. It is only natural that a soul of your caliber receives the highest grade of hospitality."
—I am honored beyond words! Now, let us go! Fou, you too—
[Fou appeared, draped in the divine beast charm (Enkidu)]
—Fou?!
(I'm right here with you. I'll handle the maintenance of Fou-kun's physical form.)
—Enkidu-san! Thank goodness... I'll leave Fou in your hands. Let's move, Fou!
(To the bottom of the abyss, Ea! We go together!)
『It's too much! It's just too much! You've all treated me like a villain! This is blatant bullying!』
『There, there... Gilgamesh understands. Didn't he say it himself? The 'Evil Ishtar' and the 'Good Ereshkigal.'』
『Hah! W-Well... when you put it that way...!』
"She's so... simple," Rikka muttered.
The Greatest Goddess Show! A Thrilling Descent into the Abyss!
The Underworld was a realm of desolation and silence, devoid of anything resembling beauty or luxury. As the party landed, they stood before the First of the Seven Gates—the trials of the abyss.
(And on your left, ladies and gentlemen, we have the First Gate of the Underworld...)
Enkidu, still acting as Fou's accessory, announced the landmark like a cheerful tour guide.
—That is the gate that tests those who challenge the abyss... the gate the King, Enkidu-san, and Ishtar-sama all passed through.
"One cannot find a way forward without answering the question it poses. However, there is no 'model answer.' This is where the Master's pride as a living being will be tested. As for you, Ea... you are technically among the living, but for certain reasons, you must remain hidden."
—...
Standing here, I could feel it with my very soul. It was cold. Bitterly, piercingly cold. Even nestled within the King of Heroes, the chill was unlike anything I had ever experienced. If I were ejected from this body, I would freeze instantly. Truly, I am forever in his debt.
—Brrr... haaaah...
I shivered spiritually and blew on my hands inside the vessel, bracing myself. This was no time for complaints. The Wise King was waiting! I will see this through!
(Is it just me, or is the mental image of the Wise King going, 'I'm cold... I'm so cold, me... Ea, hurry up and get here,' absolutely hilarious?)
(Pfft—hahaha!)
I grabbed Fou by the scruff of the neck as he rolled around laughing. Don't fall off, Fou!
『O living one who has fallen into the abyss—answer me. What is the state of your soul?』
"A two-choice question is coming, Rikka," Ishtar warned. "The Gates of the Underworld are the scales of reason and justice, weighing the good and evil of a soul. Both have equal value here. There is no 'right' answer, only the value of the human who makes the choice."
"No matter which you choose, a trial awaits. Therefore—" Archer Gil smirked. "Choose the most amusing option, Master."
"Got it!" Rikka gave a thumbs-up.
The Gate spoke: 『I ask the sinner, Rikka. If the standards of beauty are absolute, if black surpasses white, and the earth surpasses the heavens... then...』
(Wait, if black surpasses white and earth surpasses heaven—that means!)
『Ishtar or Ereshkigal—which is the more beautiful?』
It was the ultimate "Which Goddess Show!"
"Wait a minute, that's not the question it asked last time!!" Ishtar screamed.
"Ereshkigal!!" Rikka shouted instantly.
"I WAS BETRAYED AT THE VERY FIRST GATE?! BEAUTY?! HELLO?! AM I NOT RIGHT HERE?!"
"FUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! You are a truly wise individual, Master!"
(Nice one!)
(Ah, it's not even a contest. Between a carrion flower of rot and a lovely, blood-red blossom blooming in the dark? It's obvious.)
"This is a profound question!" Rikka added. "Everyone would normally choose Ishtar for her looks. But I am an 'Evil of Humanity' who understands nuance! I value the brilliance that shines in the dark!"
"COULDN'T YOU JUST HAVE BEEN SINCERE?! AND YOU, GOLDIE, STOP LAUGHING! I'M GOING TO SHOOT YOU!"
『Tha... n... k... y... o... u... B... l... e... s... s... i... n... g... s... u... p... o... n... y... o... u...』
—Hostiles detected! Number... one?
[SKELETON!]
"A skeleton type. Punch it into dust, Mash!"
"Yes! Smashing through, Mash-style!"
『G-Gah...』
—Hostile eliminated! The gate is opening!
『Is it really that easy...?』 Olga Marie asked.
『Yeah. Not a shred of logic to be found!』
"A fierce battle indeed!" Archer Gil declared. "Now, let us savor our victory and move on!"
First Gate: CLEAR!
"Second stage, let's go!"
(Are we going to trigger any alarms?)
(It's fine, Fou-kun.)
"Hmph, child's play," the King muttered.
But as they passed through...
"Kyaa!"
The moment Ishtar crossed the threshold, a bolt of lightning struck her, and her body began to shimmer.
"Ow, that stung... I'm okay. Just a weird chill when I passed through."
"Is that all?" Archer Gil sneered. "Have a good look at yourself. Look at that pathetic, clumsy, shrunken frame."
"Mmm, eh...? ...WAIT! Something's wrong!"
Ishtar had shrunk. Her usual divine radiance had been shaved down by a seventh.
—And... doesn't she look a bit more... compact?
"I can feel only pity for you now... how much more pathetic do you intend to become? Are you trying to turn into skin and bones, Ishtar?"
(The ultimate diet?)
Before they could wonder what was happening—
『That's right. Have you finally realized your own foolishness, Ishtar?』
A massive Galula Spirit manifested in the sky above them.
—Is that... Ereshkigal?
"A temporary form, likely. I have never seen her true divine body."
(Hehe...)
The Heroic King stared back without a hint of intimidation.
"So you've shown yourself, Mapo-Goddess Ereshkigal. Thank you for the reception. I don't particularly care, but do explain: what is happening to this brat?"
『How dare a mere half-god King be so... eh? Mapo? ...Whatever. Ishtar has failed her descent into the Underworld. So long as that mythological fact remains, she cannot escape the curse. The crown of the wasteland, the measuring rod, the lapis necklace, the beads, the gold bracelets, the chest ornament, and finally, the lady's robes. You were stripped of these seven treasures by me once before.』
The spirit cleared its throat.
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