"So many…"
Along the way, Ushiwakamaru saw countless blue points of light. After emerging from that sea of flowers, these scattered blue starlights seemed especially dazzling in the empty, barren underworld.
As she drew closer, Ushiwakamaru realized these flames were imprisoned in cages, just like street lamps.
"These are the souls of the dead," Ishtar explained from the side. "Ereshkigal keeps the souls of the deceased trapped here, to toy with them for centuries. But there are so many more now… Seems she's caught a lot of new ones since what happened up above."
"Still… it's a bit strange. With so many deaths in Uruk these past few days, you'd think there would be far more cages here…"
As she spoke, Ishtar couldn't help but fall into thought.
"That's amazing, you even know about these things?" Ushiwakamaru raised an eyebrow, looking at Ishtar with newfound respect.
"I am a goddess, after all. Isn't it normal for me to know this?" Ishtar's cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment as she turned her head away, speaking nonchalantly.
What had happened back then with Ereshkigal… she really, really didn't want anyone else to know about it.
After all… it was just too humiliating.
Getting thoroughly taught a lesson like that…
But, prompted by Ushiwakamaru's words, Ishtar ended up confessing how she had once barged into the underworld and was soundly disciplined by Ereshkigal.
Even though they were both goddesses, she hadn't been able to put up the slightest fight against the other.
Her seven divine authorities were stripped away, she was dragged naked before Ereshkigal, and her body was pierced by spears.
Though such injuries weren't fatal to a god, Ishtar had been left with a slight shadow over her heart regarding the underworld.
That was also the reason she had shown such reluctance earlier when the topic of coming to the underworld was brought up.
Soon, the group arrived at the Gates of the Netherworld.
Last time Castorice came to the underworld, she had also passed through these gates.
But for some reason, perhaps due to the incredibly potent death energy she carried, the gates had failed to recognize her true nature and opened easily, letting her pass without issue.
This time, however, it clearly wouldn't be so simple. After all, she had brought many others with her, and their presence was undoubtedly exposed.
Even if Castorice could deceive the gates, the others still wouldn't be able to enter.
"The Gates of the Netherworld interrogate the good and evil of a soul," Ishtar explained from the side.
"They are impartial and rational gates. There are seven in total. It was these gates that stripped me of my authorities before."
"Then let this one question Castorice."
"Why is it calling her out by name?!" Ishtar was taken aback upon hearing the gate's voice, a look of bewilderment on her face. Something felt off about this gate.
"Though the standards of beauty are myriad, they remain absolute. Black may triumph over white, earth may triumph over heaven. So then, between Ereshkigal and Ishtar—"
Hearing the gate's voice, everyone braced themselves. After all, Ishtar had just said this gate was fair and rational. That surely meant the question would be difficult.
And then…
"—Which one is more beautiful?"
"Wait, that's different from last time, isn't it?!"
But then, Ishtar declared confidently, "Isn't this obvious? One is the goddess of plants and decay, the other is the goddess of the sky and bounty. Any normal person would know how to choose, right?"
Ishtar crossed her arms, a look of utter pride on her face.
"I choose Ereshkigal."
The moment Ishtar's words fell, Castorice answered without the slightest hesitation.
"W-wait! Where am I lacking compared to her?! Explain yourself clearly!"
Her proud boasts instantly betrayed by Castorice's stab in the back, Ishtar turned to glare at her, her face a picture of indignation, as if saying, 'If you don't give me a proper explanation, I'm going to make a scene.'
"I'll explain after we get back… It's too complicated to get into now," Castorice sighed softly.
"An absolutely correct choice. Correct answer~"
Even though it was just a gate, everyone could hear a distinct tone of satisfaction in its voice.
Then, the stone gate swung gently open, revealing the path ahead.
After that, Castorice and the others passed through four more gates.
The questions were as follows:
Between Ereshkigal and Ishtar, who is more worthy of entrusting your wealth to?
Between Gilgamesh and Ishtar, who is more worthy of your trust and fighting alongside?
Between Ereshkigal and Ishtar, who is more deserving of receiving human gratitude?
Ereshkigal—who is more worthy of entrusting your life to?
Without exception, the correct answers to these questions were all the opposite of Ishtar. By this point, even if Ishtar were truly foolish, she could tell Ereshkigal was targeting her.
But for the sake of the bigger picture, she endured it.
Of course, the bigger reason was that she had little choice.
After passing through several gates, Ishtar's authorities had been stripped away layer by layer under the curses, reducing her to what resembled a 1:7 scale figurine—aside from being able to move, she possessed no combat ability whatsoever.
Hah, how cute~
If only Castorice could touch her, she'd really want to hold her in her hands and admire her closely.
Moreover, none of them had come in vain. After passing the sixth gate, Castorice and the others finally found Gilgamesh, who had been hiding here all along.
Although Ereshkigal had continuously sent Gallu spirits to hunt him, he had managed to evade capture using his own abilities.
"Bwahahahaha—!"
Upon seeing Ishtar's state, Gilgamesh couldn't hold back anymore, letting out roaring laughter that echoed through the dark and silent underworld.
"Dammit, if I'd known, I wouldn't have come to save you! You jerk!"
Being laughed at by Gilgamesh pissed Ishtar off, but hearing her retort only made Gilgamesh laugh even harder.
"Could this be an illusion conjured by this king after his death? You, of all people, actually came here to save me?"
"You two, please save the bickering for when we return to the surface. That is not our most pressing matter right now."
Although they had found Gilgamesh, he was, after all, already dead. Without the permission of the ruler of the underworld, Gilgamesh could not leave.
This meant the group had no choice but to defeat Ereshkigal.
Of course, 'defeat' could also mean 'persuade.'
After the group passed through the final gate, they arrived at Ereshkigal's palace.
Compared to before, this place hadn't changed in the slightest—just as desolate, just as empty. No one would ever guess this was Ereshkigal's palace.
The next moment, a howling, icy wind began to whistle through the hall. Castorice and the others felt the temperature around them plummet rapidly.
"Tremble, pray, and fall into despair, humans. I am Ereshkigal, the mistress of the netherworld, she who embraces the spirit mountain."
A terrifying form, composed of white bones and flesh, manifested before the group.
Then, she turned her gaze to Castorice. "Do you remember what I said last time? That when you appeared before me again, it would be the moment I take your life."
In an instant, Ushiwakamaru grew wary. She quickly stepped in front of Castorice, shielding her.
"If you wish to harm Castorice, you'll have to step over my body first!"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.