(Fou-kun, what do they call this in Master's country?)
(A sitting duck.)
(The Goddess of Sitting Ducks... pfft, hehe.)
『That law still stands. Since you have no physical treasures to surrender, you must pay with your own essence. Every time you pass a gate, you will shrink. One-seventh of your divinity will be taken.』
"Pass the second gate, and you're a minor deity. Pass the fourth, and you're a spirit lower than a Galula."
—And finally...
"How twisted! You've really become quite the piece of work, Ereshkigal!" Ishtar barked.
『...I am showing you mercy. Normally, the moment you brought a living being here, I would have dropped you both to the bottom of the pit. But the law of the Underworld says that if one accepts the trials of the seven gates, I must judge the answers. Rikka. If you have come to defeat me, then prove your worth. If you pass all seven gates safely, then...』
With those words, the Galula Spirit vanished.
"So she says. No matter. Let us see the next judgment."
"No hesitation?! I knew you'd say that! Fine! I already told you I'm useless in the Underworld, didn't I? The situation hasn't changed!"
"In the Underworld... mmm. Let's go with that."
(You could argue she's not very useful outside the Underworld either, right, Ea?)
—E-Enkidu-san, even you are joining in on the roasts?! Ugh... I feel like scolding you for such expert-level banter!
"Life is a road, and regret is but a weed growing by the wayside."
"? What are you on about now, goldie?"
"I'm saying humans are fragile creatures. —Look, the Second Gate."
I resolved to keep a sharp eye on Ishtar to make sure she didn't vanish entirely.
"Do not assume your own 'Luck' is inexhaustible, Ea. We are leaving as soon as possible."
—Luck?
"The fortune consumed for survival—that is 'Fate Power.' Every existence constantly drains its reservoir of luck just to 'not encounter danger.' When it is gone, the god of death takes notice. One is swept up in accidents and harm. —But that luck does not function here. There is no point in 'living' in the land of the dead. You are a soul, Ea. If you step outside even for a moment, your life force will be shaved away at an accelerated rate. Do not touch even a wisp of this air if you wish for a proper life."
Ea could only nod at the King's grim warning.
[The Second Gate]
『Answer me... answer me...』
The gate posed another "profound" question.
『Wealth may flow, but it requires one true master. The riches of the earth should be entrusted to a single guardian. Therefore—』
A question designed to lead the living astray (lol).
『Which goddess is more fit to guard wealth: Ereshkigal or Ishtar?』
"Yes! Another lucky question! It's a no-brainer, Rikka! Tell 'em!" Ishtar cheered.
"Got it! —Ereshkigal!"
"Mmm."
(Yep.)
(Indeed.)
—Ereshkigal, the one who manages the souls of the dead! A perfect answer, Master!
『I agree!♥ A master of the Underworld is a master of budgeting!♥』 Quetzalcoatl added.
"R-Right! That's it! A strategic choice to let Ereshkigal handle the finances and run the budget into the ground! We'll expose her incompetence and show everyone how much better I am! That's the plan, right?!"
"Hah." (Archer Gil)
(Hahaha (Murderous intent)) (Enkidu)
(Hah?) (Fou)
—Given your history of blowing money, entrusting wealth to you is a bit...
『C... o... r... r... e... c... t... I... s... h... a... l... l... h... a... n... d... l... e... i... t...』
—Enemy type! Manifesting!
[GALULA!]
"Mash! Mash-style Buster!"
"Understood! Mash-style repulsion!"
『Nuwaaaa—』
"A fierce battle... Now, the next gate. Speed is of the essence! Fuhahahaha!!"
Second Gate: CLEAR!
As Ishtar passed the gate, she shrank even further.
"Even with my magic at full power, I can't block it..."
"Don't push yourself, just leave it to us!"
"We'll protect you, don't worry!"
"Thanks. I'm... counting on you."
"I see you've learned a bit of humility. Your physique is fine now—perfectly puny."
"YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO HAVE THE LAST WORD!"
—The Third Gate is in sight. Let's stay focused!
The Third Gate
"So you've finally arrived, you little brat—oh? Wait, have you actually become a 'little' brat? Fuhahahaha! What is that?! How hilarious! To think you'd bring such a bizarre good-luck charm with you, Rikka!"
"!"
—That voice...!!
"Hmph. I knew he wasn't the type to stay captured... but he's surprisingly lively."
『Fuhahahaha!! I've been waiting! And I believed in you, Ea! I knew without a doubt that you would never abandon me!』
—WISE KING!! You're safe!!
『Haha, save the sentiment for later. If we embrace now, the Underworld might collapse from the sheer weight of our combined majesty!』
(Oh... thank goodness...)
"King Gilgamesh?! Why are you here?! Weren't you Ereshkigal's prisoner?!"
"The Underworld is my garden as well. I know my way around."
"I've been here plenty of times! I may have let my guard down and died, but before the Galula spirits could catch me, I hid in the shadows, held my breath, and meditated! Presence Concealment EX! I eluded their eyes and waited for you here. That is all!"
—He's safe! The Wise King is right here!
『Fuhaha! You're a bit early with that relief, my dear! But I forgive you! A reunion must be romantic and dramatic, after all!』
"It's good to see you in high spirits, my wiser self. I've kept up appearances for you. Now, think of a way to reclaim your honor."
『Of course! Curse that Ereshkigal!』
—E-Ereshkigal-san is actually innocent, this is all a misunderstanding...!
"Now, listen! As your King, I command you! Pass the gates of the Underworld for my sake, and teach that petty, stingy Ereshkigal a lesson!"
"Understood! Two Kings! We can't lose!" Rikka cheered.
"Leave it to us," Archer Gil said. "I'll show her the difference in class between a King and this tiny brat. By the way, why have you shrunk so much? Have you finally realized your own stupidity and shriveled up in shame?"
"IT'S A CURSE! ERESHKIGAL'S CURSE!! Ugh, I knew I shouldn't have come to help you!"
"Hahaha, listen to her. Is this a dream? Am I experiencing a second shock-induced death and hallucinating?"
"This humiliation is very real. She is the 'Clown Heroine' of our Enjoyment Club, so we treasure her."
『SHE'S THE HEROINE?! Fuhahahaha! Stop with the power-words! I'll die of laughter!』
"Why don't you just fall into the abyss? You're a good swimmer, aren't you? Good enough to lose the herb of immortality to a snake while you were busy bathing."
"Ngh! You dare strike at my trauma! There is no doubt—this is the true Ishtar! But... this doesn't add up. If this isn't a dream, what is this adorable little thing?"
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