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Chapter 94 - Chapter 94: Bloom in the Underworld · False

Everything proceeded exactly as expected. The following gates of the Underworld each posed variations of the same question.

Naturally, the task was for Samael—holder of both divine seals—to judge between the two goddesses.

Ishtar, who initially tried to champion herself, gave up without a fight after being repeatedly struck by divine lightning until she was charred and smoking. Eyes brimming with tears, she nodded submissively to the priest tasked with answering.

And so, amid the relentless bias woven into each question and the answerer's tactful compliance, all six gates leading to the temple of the Underworld opened one after another.

Ishtar, singled out for "special attention" by the six gates, had her divinity stripped away layer by layer. Her body shrank rapidly until she was no more than a palm-sized sprite.

The ancient serpent cast a glance at the rows of Spear Cages lining the path, and at the ghosts within the barrier whispering and mingling freely. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Ereshkigal had taken his advice to heart—choosing to give these wandering souls greater freedom.

Even if that liberty meant hastening the end of their lifespans, it gave them something they hadn't felt in a long time: the sensation of truly living again.

Just as everyone was lost in thought, a devilish laugh echoed from the shadows of a dark rock wall. Instinctively, they all turned toward the sound.

As expected, the voice arrived before the man himself. King Gilgamesh stepped out of the darkness, a pleased grin on his face.

He started by trading barbs with his old nemesis Ishtar, each exposing the other's past humiliations with sharp jabs, before finally offering rare praise for the group's efforts.

"So you managed all this behind my back—and almost pulled it off. I'll admit it, well done, Ereshkigal."

Recalling the humiliating memories of his own death and the harrowing experience of dodging Gallû Spirits in the Underworld, Gilgamesh's mouth twitched despite himself.

"Pfft... Ha! Died of weakness? Got your house raided? That's rich! You golden show-off—look at you now!"

"And you still call yourself a wise king? If Uruk had been under my rule, none of this would've happened!"

"Even Samael, who just took up the role of shepherd priest, is already doing a better job than you!"

"You should just abdicate already. Stop embarrassing yourself."

Still clinging to Samael's shoulder, Ishtar couldn't help but pile on with a mocking smirk.

"Oh? But didn't a certain goddess once storm into the Underworld to challenge Ereshkigal?"

"If I recall, she ended up stripped of her divine authority, dragged before the temple, and skewered by a volley of spears."

"Guess someone's still just a barking mutt after all. Honestly, you're even more amusing like this."

"Samael, take care of your little pet. Wouldn't want her getting crushed underfoot."

A few well-timed coughs from Merlin and the ancient serpent finally broke the bickering. Both long-time rivals fell silent with a cold snort, setting their squabble aside for the moment.

"Come on, let's go meet the goddess who nearly dragged all of Uruk into the Underworld."

"Without her say-so, the souls from Kutha and the dead of Uruk won't be returning to the surface."

Samael murmured thoughtfully and stepped forward, casually inputting the voice password "Ereshkigal" at the seventh gate.

A shepherd priest? She chose him? Now that's interesting...

At the back of the group, Gilgamesh rubbed his chin, watching with a subtle expression as the man carrying Ishtar passed through the gate.

...

As they delved deeper into the vast, dark expanse, an oppressive pressure rolled in like a thundercloud. The overwhelming divine authority filled the air with a chilling dread, weighing heavily on every living being.

Suddenly, a towering red skeletal figure began to form, crowned and draped in sheer gauze. It rose from the death mist, its presence forged from the composite power of the [17 Plagues], and issued a cold, echoing rebuke.

"How dare you bring such a harlot here, defiling my hall so brazenly! Unforgivable! Absolutely unforgivable!"

"Tremble! Beg for mercy!"

"You who dare trespass into the land of the dead while still among the living—are you prepared to face my wrath?"

Wheels of light crashed down, sharp spikes burst from the ground, and a black tide of death mist laced with seventeen curses surged forward.

"Merlin!"

Samael shouted and leapt straight toward the massive, terrifying skull.

The white-haired Incubus remembered the strange request Samael had whispered to him earlier. Gripping his staff tightly with both hands, he chanted a spell and struck the ground with the tip.

In an instant, a dreamlike sea of flowers spread out from beneath Merlin's feet, transforming the deadly fog and spikes into soft, overlapping blossoms.

Flowers? Is my Underworld... really blooming?

Hidden within the giant skull, Ereshkigal stared in stunned silence. She instinctively reached out a skeletal hand to catch the drifting pale petals and muttered to herself.

"No... this can't be. Why are my powers not working? I'm the strongest here—this is my domain!"

Snapping back to her senses, the goddess of the Underworld gripped her radiant spear-wheel tightly, her expression full of disbelief.

"Merlin's illusions work best when they're drawn from what the heart desires."

"It worked so well because your heart is already full of flowers, Ere..."

The figure walking through the flower field murmured gently. When he looked up, he gave a faint smile toward the giant skull where the goddess hid.

In that moment, the familiar voice shattered the dam on Ereshkigal's memories.

Images from her past rose vividly in her mind, outlining the long, slender form she once knew. She stared at the approaching human figure in disbelief, then shook her head over and over, mouthing the words:

"No... Impossible. You can't be... it!"

"I told you I owed you a sea of flowers. Remember?"

The words from Samael's lips carried a quiet power, causing the massive, curse-ridden skeleton to stagger backward.

Only one being could have made that promise—none other than the serpent who had accompanied her for nearly half a year.

Reeling from the revelation, Ereshkigal clenched her teeth. Recalling the scenes she'd glimpsed through Ishtar's body, a flush of rage surged up. With a furious cry, she slammed the radiant spear-wheel down.

"You're alive?! Then why did you lie to me? Why did you run from me?!"

"Does my existence frighten you that much? Am I nothing but something to flee from?!"

"Liar!"

Buzz!

But the spear-wheel struck slightly off-target, slicing open several dangling pouches and scattering particles of all sizes and shapes across the floor.

"What... is this?"

A strained, trembling voice echoed from the skull. The hand gripping the spear began to shake.

"Flower seeds..."

Samael sighed softly with a trace of regret. He crouched down, carefully gathering the spilled contents.

"I collected these from all over Mesopotamia just for you. I don't know if the improved soil here will let them bloom... but I had to try."

At that moment, the colossal skeleton dissolved into red and black dust, revealing the goddess in her true form—golden-haired, clad in a red and black Sumerian dress—standing stunned in place.

"You... left the Underworld... to gather flower seeds for me?"

"Of course. I promised you a sea of flowers, didn't I? I intend to keep that promise."

Samael tucked a pomegranate seed into his pocket, looked up, and answered firmly, his tone resolute.

Then the ancient serpent glanced at the fading illusionary flowers, a helpless look crossing his face.

"Merlin's an Incubus. His illusions don't last. I told you I'd give you real flowers—so this doesn't count."

"Then... why didn't you tell me you were leaving? I thought..."

The goddess looked down at the snake skin wrapped around her arm, gently biting her lip.

"It's too dangerous outside. Even if I'd told you, you wouldn't have let me go."

"Now, could you move your foot? There's another seed under it..."

"Oh..."

At that casual comment, the goddess of death and terror quietly stepped aside.

Then, flustered and unsure of what to do, Ereshkigal crouched down and began searching for the scattered flower seeds.

"I'll help you pick them up..."

"Careful not to mix the different types. Otherwise we'll have to sort them all over again."

"Okay!"

The rest of the group stared, dumbfounded, as the two of them squatted on the ground, happily whispering and gathering seeds.

Wait—what were we even here for again?

Something feels very off...

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