Chapter 36: Ereshkigal Joins
Gilgamesh's answer surprised Mash.
"She desires nothing?"
"Correct. When the Underworld was created, she was offered to it as its cornerstone. Because one god had to be sent to serve in the Underworld, this responsibility was foisted upon Ereshkigal. The newborn Ereshkigal was thrust into the Underworld, becoming the god who has managed the dead for millennia," Gilgamesh replied.
"That's too sorrowful," Gudako sighed.
"It's not just sorrow at being unable to leave; it's the inability to experience a new world or encounter new meetings. That is truly the saddest part," Mash added.
Gilgamesh continued. "In exchange, Ereshkigal is invincible within the Underworld. Heroic Spirits and gods alike lose their power here."
Following this, Ishtar spoke up. "But if the opponent is a living person, it's a different story. For starters, they aren't bound by the Underworld's law of 'those who enter must die.' In other words, even Mash is enough to handle her."
Gilgamesh, arms crossed, added, "Judging by her divinity and authority, she counts as a mid-tier opponent. The odds of winning are high."
"Alright, that's enough idle chatter," Ishtar said, looking ahead. "This is Ereshkigal's palace."
"Hiss... it's so cold..." Gudako felt the eerie chill permeating the air.
Just then, the communicator on the girl's wrist emitted Roman's anxious voice. "The atmospheric pressure has reached 500hPa! The temperature drop caused by adiabatic cooling... the perceived temperature is probably only -6 degrees. You're approaching the limit of biological activity! You all need to get out of there, fast!"
But it was already too late. A massive, scarlet, humanoid skeleton manifested.
"Fear, pray, and fall into despair, humans! I am the administrator of death, the Mistress of the Underworld, the one who treads upon the Spirit Peak—Ereshkigal!"
"A land without light, a sky without brightness, soil without flowers—there is nothing here."
The giant scarlet skeleton raised its arms, condensing a long red spear.
"I cannot hear, understand, or comprehend what the souls of those humans are saying, yet I must create! I will create a kingdom of death that will lose to no other world!"
"Is that why you want to dominate humanity?" Shirou asked.
"This is my choice!" Ereshkigal answered.
"No, Ereshkigal."
Golden brilliance began to radiate from Shirou's body, illuminating the dark space like a god. "You are a goddess, yet you love humanity—creatures destined for death. You do not degrade death into a disgusting fear; instead, you revere it, attempting to protect the residual souls after they pass."
"You joined the 'Three Goddess Alliance' to bring as many souls as possible to this kingdom of death to protect them, even if it meant not being understood by anyone, even if you were isolated among the tens of thousands of souls in this realm."
"Essentially, you love humanity. Forced into the Underworld, unable to leave, and destined to remain here in eternal solitude... you are very lonely, aren't you?"
"..." Ereshkigal fell into silence.
"If I could free you from this destiny written in myth, the current situation would be resolved, wouldn't it?" Shirou said.
"No... that's impossible. Even you couldn't do such a thing..." Ereshkigal's voice carried a hint of a sob; it was a response born of despair.
"How do you know unless you try?"
So saying, Shirou raised his right hand. A massive golden sword manifested above his palm, bursting with magnificent golden radiance.
"Let us liberate this cage today, Ereshkigal! This sword—severs destiny!"
Declaring this aloud, Shirou brought the sword down. That single strike not only split the Underworld in two, but also severed Ereshkigal's destiny. Since the Underworld was already within Shirou's control, he manifested the golden sword imbued with the authority of 'Hades,' the King of the Underworld.
Simultaneously, the giant scarlet skeleton vanished. Standing on the ground in its place was a blonde woman—undoubtedly Ereshkigal.
"Are you... Ereshkigal?" Mash asked.
"..." Ereshkigal did not answer Mash, but instead fixed her gaze on Shirou.
"How about it? Will you join me now?" Shirou smiled and walked toward her.
Swallowing subconsciously, Ereshkigal felt a flutter of panic in her heart and retreated a few steps nervously. But Shirou had no intention of stopping. He continued to approach, and upon reaching the blushing goddess, he reached out his hand.
"Your destiny and your contract with the Alliance have both been severed. From here on, you need not be bound by anything. Come with me."
"..." A mist of tears covered Ereshkigal's eyes. Trembling, she reached her hand out toward Shirou and answered in a voice as soft as a mosquito's hum, "Okay..."
Ishtar's body also returned from its shrunken state.
"Ereshkigal has now withdrawn from the 'Three Goddess Alliance'.
But... I have already caused so many people..." Ereshkigal lowered her eyes in self-reproach.
At this moment, Gilgamesh spoke up.
"If you are referring to those who died of exhaustion, their remains have been perfectly preserved. Kutha has 900 people, and Uruk has 300 victims—only 1,200 in total. Such a number can easily be accommodated just by opening the basement of the God Tower."
"Then..." Ereshkigal murmured, dazed.
"As long as you liberate the souls from that spear-prison, they will all instantly revive, won't they?" Shirou added.
Hearing this, Ereshkigal's eyes welled up, and tears streamed down her cheeks—tears of joy.
"Now that Ereshkigal has also joined Uruk's camp, there is only one goddess left in the 'Three Goddess Alliance': Gorgon."
With Ereshkigal joining Shirou's team, there were now three goddesses in the group. Gilgamesh's soul returned to the human world first, and Shirou and the others followed suit using teleportation magic.
Seeing them return, Merlin, Ana, and Quetzalcoatl immediately came to greet them.
"Eh? Ana, your hood?" Gudako saw the girl reveal her tranquil and lovely face after pulling down her hood, and was quite surprised.
"Ah... this..." Ana's cheeks reddened. She intertwined her fingers, looking bashful.
At the same time, Quetzalcoatl immediately gave Shirou a warm embrace.
"Welcome back~!"
"Hey! What are you doing? Let go!"
Seeing this scene, Ereshkigal's eyes widened. Furious, she puffed out her cheeks and hurriedly rushed over to pull Quetzalcoatl away.
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