Once Samael and Enkidu finally managed to pull the two quarrelers apart, the project to rebuild the Underworld officially began.
Since Ereshkigal and Ishtar now possessed nearly the full scope of the Mother Goddess Tiamat's powers of creation and death—together with the authorities of heaven and earth—the task of reshaping the land, raising and lowering terrain, and sealing off separate domains progressed smoothly.
Following Samael's suggestion, the Underworld was divided into three distinct sections: upper, middle, and lower.
The upper layer, close to the surface, retained its original role—judging and receiving the dead. Owing to the seven gates of the Underworld, this part was divided into seven regions.
The middle layer was formed from the abyss that had once imprisoned Apsu, encircled by the Underworld River, and now served to bind vengeful and sinful spirits. It held nine levels in total.
As for the fertile land brimming with vitality, destined to bloom with flowers, Ereshkigal sealed it deep in the lowest layer, reinforcing it heavily with her divine authority.
"Right! Since the new home is complete, we should give it a new name too. Everything should feel fresh!"
Fresh off her recent praise, Ishtar's confidence was soaring, and she couldn't resist offering more ideas.
After surviving three storms and the disaster of seven days, she and her sister Ereshkigal had grown much closer. The gloomy goddess of the Underworld had softened, and their bond had deepened considerably.
"Since it was Samael-sama's design, why not hear his thoughts?"
Head Priestess Siduri noticed the ancient serpent's pensive expression and smiled, prompting the others to agree.
"How about calling the three layers Purgatory, Hell, and Heaven?"
Samael hesitated for a moment, then lifted his head, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.
"Testing hearts, judging souls… the abyss of the earth, the prison of sin..."
Gilgamesh stroked his chin, frowning slightly as he considered it.
"As for the last one—Heaven? That doesn't really match the nature of the third domain."
For once, Ishtar eagerly nodded in agreement with her longtime rival, the King of Heroes.
"Exactly, exactly! Change it, change it!"
Realizing his attempt at recreating Dante's Divine Comedy hadn't gone through, Samael scratched his head and muttered helplessly.
"If Heaven doesn't work… then Eden? Or Paradise Lost?"
"Wait! That's it! Paradise Lost! I really like that!"
Ishtar clapped Samael on the shoulder, grinning in delight.
"A lost land, a paradise in this world! It sounds perfect!"
Shamhat's eyes softened as she nodded in agreement, a trace of longing in her expression.
"Yes… just hearing it makes me want to stay there every day, watching flowers grow and fruit ripen, living in peace."
Ereshkigal clasped Shamhat's hand, her smile gentle and full of joy.
"Of course! The place is vast, filled with so many plants—I could never care for them all alone."
"If you're willing to live there and tend to them, I couldn't be happier!"
Nearby, Gilgamesh's interest was piqued as well. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully before replying.
"Perfect. My friend and I will also reserve a place there."
"Yes," Enkidu added softly, brushing back a lock of his green hair. "I'll follow Gil's decision. Besides, having the chance to remain by Mother's side... it's something worth looking forward to."
The Hero King and his dearest companion exchanged a warm glance with the sacred prostitute.
Meanwhile, Siduri, left standing awkwardly to the side, blanched slightly, her voice coming out dry.
"But Your Majesty… if you leave, what of Uruk?"
Gilgamesh responded casually, then lifted his hand to point across at someone else.
"The mission of the king has ended. A nation ruled too long by a single lord will only grow stagnant and decay. It's time to bring in fresh blood."
"Besides, isn't that guy still here?"
Caught in the crossfire, Samael looked embarrassed, waving his hands quickly.
"I already submitted my resignation to Siduri long ago..."
But when his eyes caught a glimpse of a furious figure looming behind him, claws at the ready, the ancient serpent straightened, his expression turning solemn and his tone serious.
"More importantly... I want to use this time to stay with Ereshkigal and Ishtar. They've carried too much, endured too much loneliness..."
Stay… with me?
Ishtar froze instantly. She straightened her posture at once, withdrawing her outstretched claws, adopting the pose of a refined lady.
Heat rushed to her pretty face, her hands fumbling at the hem of her dress with nowhere else to go, her eyes darting restlessly in every direction.
Head Priestess Siduri hesitated, then awkwardly opened her mouth, her gaze full of expectation.
"Then, Your Majesty..."
"You fool! Must I really say it out loud?"
Gilgamesh rolled his eyes, gave a light snort, and looked thoroughly displeased.
"I've sat on this throne for over five hundred years. I'm sick of it!"
"Even kings deserve rest! Even kings need their own private space!"
"The gods can no longer meddle with Mesopotamia's destiny. It's time you all learned to walk on your own!"
"In short, find someone else. As far as you're concerned, I'm already dead."
Hearing both the Wise King and the Shepherd Priest toss aside their responsibilities, Head Priestess Siduri felt her chest tighten with bitterness and exhaustion.
"Then here's what we'll do. Go back and hold a referendum, consult the people, or conduct secret evaluations—whatever method works. First, choose a new king."
"In the early stages, Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and Teacher Shamhat will guide him through the basics of governance. Once everything is on track, they can step away."
In the end, it was Samael who proposed this compromise, sparing Siduri further distress.
Of course, a certain slippery serpent naturally exempted himself from the responsibility of training or evaluating the new king.
But since this was their nation and their people, the old iron triangle of Gilgamesh, Shamhat, and Enkidu could only nod their agreement.
Once the matter was settled, Siduri's expression darkened, and she let out a sulky huff.
"When things are running smoothly, I'll resign as well and come here to rest."
"Welcome, welcome! Everyone is welcome!"
Delighted at the thought of more life and company in the Underworld, Ereshkigal immediately promised to reserve Siduri a place in the Lost Paradise.
Watching the cluster of old comrades, all muttering about retirement, the ancient serpent's lips curved upward as an idea struck him.
"Why don't we open the Lost Paradise to all who have earned merit and to those without sin—whether in life or in death?"
"It will be a perfect realm. A realm without regret."
Ereshkigal's eyes brightened, and she nodded in full agreement.
Now, she finally had a proper way to honor the souls who had bravely sacrificed themselves during the Battle of Uruk.
"So lively? Count me in! Count me in!"
Not to be outdone, Ishtar clamored to join the line for choosing a place of her own.
"This goddess has decided—I'll be the administrator of the Lost Paradise!"
"Hmph! With my authority over life, I can ensure the stability and functioning of this domain. That way, death and life will stay in balance!"
Since ruling the surface was no longer an option, presiding over the Lost Paradise didn't seem like a bad alternative.
And since everything had to be new, the goddess propped her chin on her hand, pacing thoughtfully as she mulled over a fitting new title. At last, she settled on one.
"Morning Star, Queen of the Universe!"
"Morning Star? You mean because you're the goddess of Venus, right?"
Samael's expression turned strange as he asked quietly. Venus, after all, was often called the Morning Star, shining brightly at dawn.
"Of course. Why?"
Ishtar tilted her head, puzzled, but nodded without hesitation.
"Nothing. Just that the title really does suit you..."
The ancient serpent smiled faintly, speaking with calm approval.
But the moment he turned away, his eyes flashed, and the corner of his mouth twitched hard.
Venus. Bright Star. Morning Star.
Seven Purgatories... Nine Hells... Lost Paradise...
It couldn't possibly be such a coincidence. Could it?
...
(50 Chapters Ahead)
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