Everything was tidied up. The Axe of Marduk was too large, so the leopard-men led the wyverns to transport it back to Uruk, while the others returned directly.
However, upon returning to Uruk, Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others found the entire city shrouded in a somber atmosphere, indicating that something significant had happened.
Back at the temple, Siduri delivered devastating news: Gilgamesh was dead, a victim of overwork, essentially worked to death.
Merlin was the first to disbelieve. How could that king possibly die from overwork? If he could die from such a thing, he would have perished countless times over.
“Calm down. Try to recall the strange illness that was spreading through Uruk. Humans die when their souls are gone. But this is the Age of Gods, and souls go to the Underworld after death. That’s right, if we go to the Underworld, we can find King Gilgamesh’s soul and bring it back, then he can be resurrected. The citizens of Uruk are the same.”
It was Lixing again, who once more clarified the core of the issue. However, one crucial detail was omitted: Ishtar and Ereshkigal.
“Yes, only the Mistress of the Underworld, Ereshkigal, could have done this. Her Garula spirits can take away the souls of those who have lost their strength. King Gilgamesh is likely in the same situation,” Quetzalcoatl agreed with Lixing’s words.
Upon hearing this name, Ishtar was the first to refuse to believe it. Mesopotamia could only have one Sumerian god; could there really be another?
“Let me explain! When Ishtar was summoned by the witch, Ereshkigal was also summoned simultaneously. The witch died from magical exhaustion. Ishtar usually acts, but sometimes Ereshkigal acts through this body. When they are combined, it's as if there's only one Sumerian god in Mesopotamia.”
Lixing immediately clarified everything for everyone. However, Fujimaru Ritsuka still had some doubts: why would Ereshkigal do such a thing?
“It’s a simple question. The alliance of the three goddesses: Gorgon, Quetzalcoatl, and Ereshkigal. Ishtar isn't one of them. Ishtar causing trouble is purely for her own amusement. Therefore, the last goddess we need to conquer is Eresh.”
“I see…” The Chaldea group suddenly understood. They had misunderstood all along, thinking the alliance of the three goddesses was Ishtar.
“Without further ado, let’s go to the Underworld now!” Lixing took Ishtar’s hand and walked out.
“Wait… that’s the Underworld, you know. A place where all divinity and Servants are powerless…” Ishtar clearly didn’t want to go and kept trying to dissuade Lixing.
“Don't worry, I’ll protect you. Just lead the way for us. I can’t sense the Underworld at the moment. Ritsuka, Mash, you two come with me. The others will wait in Uruk.”
“Alright, let’s go!”
Fujimaru Ritsuka clenched his fist, showing his determination, and followed with Mash.
…
Upon reaching the ground above the Underworld, Ishtar flew into the sky, gathered her magic at the prow of the Maanna, unleashed her divinity, and blasted a hole in the ground. Fujimaru Ritsuka, Mash, and Fou fell into the Underworld, followed closely by Lixing.
…
After arriving in the Underworld, Ishtar took the lead, explaining the rules of the Underworld to Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others. However, she inadvertently revealed that Ereshkigal had once stripped her of seven authorities.
Next, everyone arrived at the first gate of the Underworld. Ishtar activated it with a gem, and the gate directly addressed Fujimaru Ritsuka, asking him to judge the good and evil of souls.
At this moment, Lixing whispered into Fujimaru Ritsuka’s ear: “No matter what they ask, just choose Eresh. Or praise Eresh. Just say Ereshkigal is the most beautiful in the world.”
“Huh? Is this about souls? Will this work?” Fujimaru Ritsuka expressed doubt. This seemed too superficial, almost like flattery!
“The standards of beauty are varied, but absolute. Black can conquer white, and earth can conquer heaven. So, who is more beautiful: Ereshkigal or Ishtar?”
As expected, the gate of the Underworld posed such a question, which stunned Ishtar. The questions were never like this before.
At this point, there was no choice but to trust Lixing’s words. Fujimaru Ritsuka answered without hesitation: “Ereshkigal!”
“Correct answer!”
The gate of the Underworld immediately opened, allowing them to pass. Fujimaru Ritsuka was bewildered. This actually worked?
“Wait… why could you answer so decisively? Isn’t it obvious that I am the most beautiful? I am the Goddess of Venus, the Goddess of Beauty.” Ishtar was unconvinced, clearly finding the answer problematic.
“Let’s go. Don’t worry, I think you are both equally beautiful.” Lixing pulled Ishtar along as they walked in. However, as they passed through the first gate, Ishtar’s physique visibly shrunk, a sign of having lost one authority.
…
After passing through six gates, the group encountered Gilgamesh. Ishtar’s appearance had become so comical, so small that she was even smaller than Fou, that Gilgamesh couldn’t help but come out to mock her.
“Alright, alright, let’s go conquer the Underworld goddess!” Lixing didn’t want to waste any more time in the Underworld and urged everyone to move on.
Gilgamesh, being a spirit, naturally could not leave directly. To depart, he needed Ereshkigal’s permission, so they had to continue forward.
…
Upon reaching Ereshkigal’s palace, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash felt a chill. The temperature here reached -6 degrees Celsius, close to the human limit.
Lixing gently patted their shoulders, and they immediately felt no longer cold, but rather warm.
“Thank you, Lixing.”
“You’re welcome. Now, Eresh! Come out quickly! Your friend is here to see you!” Lixing loudly shouted towards the empty palace.
However, with Lixing’s shout, the two pillars of the palace began to glow, and a skeletal image materialized in the center.
“Fear! Pray! Despair, humans! I am the administrator of death, the Mistress of the Underworld, she who treads upon the spirit peaks! Ereshkigal!”
“Eresh, facing your friend, you appear in this form? Is this how you entertain your friends?” Lixing stepped forward and questioned loudly.
“I…” Eresh didn’t know what to say, but she felt too embarrassed to face them.
“If that’s the case, I will shatter this skeleton until you reveal yourself.”
“Lycoris bloom!”
Lixing clapped his hands, planting countless lycoris flowers throughout the Underworld. As the flowers bloomed, a red magic slowly began to dissolve the skeleton before them.
“Still not showing yourself? Don’t you want to see the flowers I’ve grown for you with your own eyes?”
…
“I… I…” Eresh’s figure appeared as the skeleton dissolved, but she was too embarrassed to face Lixing and Fujimaru Ritsuka, squatting on the ground, unwilling to look up.
“The rest is up to you, Ritsuka.” Lixing pushed Fujimaru Ritsuka forward, allowing the human Master to speak with Eresh.