Another failure.
Rovi didn't even need to think about it. Simply seeing the current situation before him was enough to make him realize this instantly.
The breath of the Netherworld had completely dissipated. His lost vitality had returned, fully restoring his youth, with no trace remaining of the frail, staggering old man he'd briefly become.
Clearly, the goddess of the Underworld had deliberately withdrawn her power.
If Eresh had realized his true intentions, it was only natural—given her inherent kindness—that she would recall her deadly aura.
But...what exactly was this situation now?
Rovi's gaze slowly traveled down from the frosty, moonlit street to the figure currently nestled in his embrace.
A dark-golden crown was tilted slightly backward, golden hair spilling out beneath, softly brushing against his chin. He couldn't see her face clearly from this angle, but he could distinctly feel the gentle warmth of her cheek pressed firmly against his chest.
Ereshkigal, goddess of the Netherworld—Eresh—was tightly embracing him.
He had an impulse to pat her head and ask, Girl, what exactly are you trying to do?
But he barely managed to hold back.
It'd ruin the moment completely.
Rovi wasn't an idiot. Though this sudden development was somewhat difficult to fully understand, he realized that his confusion stemmed only from lacking the same experiences as Eresh.
He could at least grasp why her feelings had shifted.
...Once again, I've seriously overdone my performance.
Rovi inwardly sighed, pressing his fingers to his forehead.
But there was no point agonizing over it. He would just have to keep trying.
At that very moment, as the gentle night breeze carried soft whispers through the alleyway, Rovi heard the faintest voice from within his arms.
"Thank you..." she murmured quietly, her head still lowered. "For letting me know there's someone who still remembers me…who still admires a useless goddess like myself."
The warmth radiating from her face against his chest betrayed her nervous embarrassment.
Rovi had never been a saint.
Though forming such a bond with the goddess wasn't his original purpose, he certainly wouldn't reject a beautiful relationship with her if it were possible.
Ties to a deity would serve not only as proof toward his eventual ascent to the Throne of Heroes—but also as evidence of his humanity. Toward a gentle, kindhearted goddess like Ereshkigal, he couldn't deny holding some genuine affection.
It was unexpected, yet perhaps not unwelcome.
"You really are useless," Rovi remarked lightly, causing Eresh—who was still shyly looking down—to startle and lift her head instinctively.
She found herself staring directly into a handsome young face, into eyes filled with gentle amusement.
"I mean, really—what kind of goddess is too scared to even respond to her admirer's feelings?" Rovi teased warmly.
"W-what? I was just afraid you couldn't handle it! That's right—exactly that!" Eresh opened her mouth hastily, clumsily defending herself.
But as she continued, her confidence—or rather, her justification—seemed to return bit by bit. "I'm the cruel goddess who represents death itself! How could a mere human dare confront me directly?"
Rovi thoughtfully stroked his chin. "Hmm, would the cruel goddess of death perhaps cry like a little girl?"
"Eh? Ehhh—?!" Eresh panicked instantly, stumbling back two steps and hurriedly rubbing her eyes.
There were no tears at all.
"You—you tricked me! How could you…!" Eresh flushed bright red in embarrassment.
The goddess of the Underworld didn't even have tears in the first place.
He completely fooled me—!
Had she been Ishtar, she'd already be yelling at him furiously by now.
Despite sharing the same face, their reactions were entirely different.
Rovi shrugged casually, spreading his hands. "I didn't lie, though. Look…aren't these tears right here?"
In his open palm, a small crystalline sparkle gently glowed, shimmering softly even in the darkness.
Eresh froze in astonishment.
At first glance, it truly looked like a tear.
But as she carefully took it from Rovi's palm, she finally realized—it was a tiny key sealed inside a crystal-clear fragment resembling ice.
A key capable of opening the doors to the mortal world—
"No matter what came before, from now on, you'll hold a tear of the mortal realm," Rovi explained calmly.
Eresh stared blankly, unsure how to respond.
Had he specially prepared this for her?
The goddess of the Netherworld gently clasped the crystal key tightly in her palm and nodded solemnly. Seeing her acceptance, Rovi relaxed inwardly. This was a key he'd deliberately crafted using his abilities as the Key of Heaven.
It could open doorways wherever its owner wished.
And more importantly—it worked both ways!
Eresh could use it to attempt leaving the Underworld. Similarly, whenever Eresh was in her domain, Rovi could also enter freely—
Another perfect avenue toward death had just opened for him. Truly, I'm a genius, Rovi silently congratulated himself.
"I gratefully accept your gift, Rovi." A gentle blush returned to the goddess's cheeks as she stroked the crystal's smooth surface, her delicate lips curling into a beautiful smile. "And I have something for you as well."
"In the name of a goddess, I grant you my blessing—that henceforth, death and the Netherworld shall never harm you again."
"A blessing I've never before bestowed upon anyone!"
Rovi: "..."
Then what's the point of me going to the Underworld at all?
He was about to refuse outright when Eresh suddenly approached him again.
The golden-haired girl gently raised herself onto her tiptoes, fragrant air brushing softly against his face, as her delicate, jade-like fingertip pressed gently against his lips.
And then, tender red lips followed suit, softly kissing her own finger against his mouth—
Rovi's eyes widened in surprise, her face now mere inches away, the goddess's pale cheeks flushed captivatingly.
A blessing that protected against death wasn't ordinary at all.
Rather, it was the goddess of the Underworld's most heartfelt vow—proof of her genuine affection toward the one she blessed.
Will you remember this moment? Eresh silently asked herself, eyes closed.
For her, this was an unprecedented joy since the moment of her existence.
But—no.
She wouldn't simply remember this moment.
Because of the key in her hand, because of him—she'd treasure every moment from now onward.
Her lips gently curled into a sweet smile.
The goddess of death smiled beautifully, like a flower that had never before blossomed in the Netherworld.
She completely fell for him already...
Deep within her host body, Ishtar quietly sighed.
Not that she couldn't understand—had Ishtar herself been imprisoned in darkness, utterly alone for countless years, and someone suddenly risked their life to stay with her, she certainly wouldn't have reacted any better than Eresh had.
But still, when she thought about it carefully…
Why do I suddenly feel so sour about it?! Ishtar's teeth ached.
Her very presence felt painfully out of place now.
She had somehow become a giant third wheel—
Unfortunately, Rovi couldn't hear Ishtar's lamentation. Nor could he possibly say to a goddess who currently had no physical form, "You came at just the right time."