"Even though that's the case, souls arrive every day without rest! Just making gun cages for the newcomers takes a whole day…
Ugh… This is too much… Because of this, I haven't even started building my own palace… Sigh…"
The girl sits alone on the summit of the underworld.
No one listens to her troubled words.
Looking down from the summit, all that can be seen is barren land, as desolate and cold as it was thousands of years ago.
The only change is the addition of many gun cages.
Many souls reside inside.
This is the only thing that can comfort the mistress of the underworld, making her feel that everything she has done has not been in vain.
"What mistress feared even by the gods… A cold-blooded great goddess… Forget it, it's useless to complain alone on the summit of the underworld.
After all, this world has only just begun, and the number of humans on the surface will only continue to increase."
The girl takes a deep breath.
The way she clenches her fist is like cheering herself on, and the gloom on her face seems to be swept away.
"Fortunately, books are the only things that can be accessed even in the underworld. Now I can only study hard, there's no time to rest at all. Crops that can be cultivated even without sunlight and water.
Animals that can grow even without eating grass.
Soon, the girl becomes radiant again.
She looks full of energy.
Before long, she returns to her original spirited appearance, with the nobility and elegance of the mistress of the underworld coexisting in one body.
"This is the final destination for all living beings, the last world that souls can see. This important land has been entrusted to me, a mere thousand years, n-n… not hard at all!"
The girl says in a slightly wavering tone.
If there were other people on this summit, they would surely see through the weakness behind this disguise at a glance.
However, her strength is also genuine.
The word "pretending" cannot be used on her.
"Hmph, just watch me.
Even if another thousand years pass, no, even if another ten thousand years pass, I won't give up. Although this place is not as beautiful as the surface—
No, precisely because it doesn't have a sky as dazzling, I will build it into a beautiful country that is more stable and equal than any other."
The girl's smile carries determination and confidence.
She regards the difficulties she had been troubled by as problems, and wants to solve them with a matter-of-course attitude.
She looks to the future with a positive and optimistic attitude.
Believing that she can solve them.
The one thing gods do not lack is time.
"I am the goddess of the earth who is desired and awakened for this purpose. The order of the underworld is the meaning of my existence. So—
I don't expect to fly in the sky, nor do I expect to leave the underground.
I cannot tolerate the ugly behavior of those like Ishtar, who use their power only for themselves and for humans.
I will only use my authority for the underworld."
The girl binds herself with rules.
And, (she) feels that this is the meaning of being a god, and should never be as willful as other gods.
"Precisely because (I am) bound by this oath.
In the underworld, even gods cannot defy me… Yes, so, this is good. Not to grant wishes for myself—this is my oath, and also the root of my power.
Ugh… To be honest, isn't this a bit too harsh?"
The girl once again showed a troubled expression.
Even though the oath was indeed made, it's impossible not to worry about such an oath.
"I also regret whether I was too severe. It would have been better to set a more lenient oath. When I violate the oath, I will lose all my power, and perhaps… become a Garula."
The girl muttered to herself with a worried look.
For thousands of years, she has been alone in the underworld, and there are indeed few people to communicate with.
Moreover, as the mistress of the underworld.
This sorrow is not something that can be shared with outsiders.
"No, that's just groundless worry. Because, there's no way I, Ereshkigal, would ever violate the oath. I am a goddess who strives for the underworld, for the souls to be safely kept.
Although, doing this is a bit strange…
In short, from now on, I will not use power for my personal gain!
Not to mention, bestowing blessings on others without paying a price! I'll make you all taste the resentment of leaving me alone in the underworld!"
The girl affirmed her future self.
She put her hands on her hips, raised her head high, and was very confident.
Believing that there would be no future of violating the oath.
"Who would help those humans and gods on the surface! If that really happens, I'd rather be blown to pieces completely—!"
The girl's attitude was very arrogant.
But, there seemed to be a hint of resentment and bitterness in her voice, giving a sour feeling.
Afterward, the girl continued to work diligently day after day.
Constantly dedicating her efforts to the underworld.
This land carries many memories related to her, containing far more than just coldness and death.
[You saw a part of the land's memory]
[Experientially, it's like spending thousands of years, or like watching a film in a few seconds]
[Like having a confusing dream]
[In this dream, you saw the girl working day after day, the most beautiful flower in this underworld]
[Your consciousness is drawn from the ley line]
[Of course, you also found a way to leave the underworld, knowing which path to take to return to the underworld]
[However, seeing this valuable information]
[You also have other thoughts]
"Among the many gods who are as willful as children, her proactive dedication is too rare, and it's even rarer to persist for tens of thousands of years…
Most importantly, she has truly guarded the underworld for tens of thousands of years, which is undoubtedly a great achievement.
The underworld has also become orderly, clean, and quiet because of her."
Moran, as a king and hero, only has praise.
This goddess seems to be complaining about the gods and humans, but her essence is the same type as Tiamat.
She is also fulfilling her duty.
Behind that harshness is gentleness.
As one of the Sumerian gods, her style is out of sync with other gods.
You should know that the gods are beings without self-control.
And she did the opposite.
The idea of a god binding themselves with an oath is something other gods wouldn't even dare to think about. As a result, she took the initiative to do so.
Her seriousness and sense of responsibility.
Are second to none among the gods.