Chapter 964: Chapter 964: Incorporating Two Underworld Gods into the Structure of the Underworld
"That’s how the world’s foundational architecture works. How long do you think it will take to construct the world based on this structure?"
"The foundational logic framework should be complete in about three months."
Shiki Ryougi thought for a moment before offering a short-term completion estimate.
"The primary framework is built upon my Authority, so it won’t take long."
"Once the world’s foundational architecture is complete, Meteria and your task follows—incorporating ’Reincarnation’ and ’Future’ into the new world. That work shouldn’t take three months either, right?"
"Mm, those tasks won’t require three months. One month should suffice."
Bell shook his head slightly and revised the estimated timeline.
Refining the function of "Reincarnation" requires time. To establish its framework, we need the Underworld’s Underworld God and the god responsible for rebirth.
"These tasks aren’t something Mother can accomplish alone. Let’s find an existing Underworld God to assist in constructing the Underworld."
"That sounds reasonable."
Meteria pondered and agreed. Considering the "Reincarnation" project couldn’t be fully executed by one person alone, handling everything single-handedly would likely overwhelm her with countless minor and major tasks. It would be better to enlist several existing gods to assist with the Underworld and reincarnation duties.
"Who should we choose?"
Meteria, however, had no idea whom to choose, as none of the gods under her command were particularly reliable.
"From our side, Erebos would be suitable."
Regarding candidates for the Underworld God, Bell had two relatively dependable options at present.
"Several years ago, he dragged his aunt and Charles to embody the ’Greatest Evil’ and attack Orario, bringing a seed called ’Hope’ to the city. He leans more toward humanity, so we wouldn’t worry about him slacking off if we entrusted him with the Underworld."
"As for the other candidate, let’s go with Ereshkigal."
"She protected the souls of ordinary mortals at the Singularity. Among the gods, she’s one of the more serious and upright ones. Compared to her sister, her only real flaw is being prone to screw-ups. If we let her build the Underworld, we wouldn’t have to worry too much."
Erebus and Ereshkigal were both fairly normal gods. Both possessed sound minds and inherent principles, unlikely to reduce the Underworld to chaos.
...
"I didn’t expect him to hold me in such high regard."
Erebos sat in his inn room, sipping wine while watching the projection on the sky’s curtain.
"How did he even learn about my affairs?"
"Ah, the child of Zeus has grown considerably. After all, he’s ascended beyond our realm of gods. Given his abilities, it’s no surprise he knows about me."
"But to be entrusted with such a crucial task—the very construction of the Underworld... I really am trusted."
Is this a good thing? Hmm, it should be a good thing.
He was quite familiar with the affairs of the Underworld. Constructing one shouldn’t be too difficult, though it would need to be on a larger scale.
"The other one is Ereškigal. Is she the Underworld goddess of another world?"
"She’s just Ishtar’s sister from another world. I wonder if we can work together."
Ereškigal was someone Ishtar knew well—they’d descended from Tenkai together just days ago. How could he not recognize her?
But the idea of Ereškigal being the sister of Ishtar from another world was truly hard to fathom.
"Ah, well. We’ll see when the time comes. After all, she’s been entrusted with this important task. The sister of Ishtar from another world shouldn’t be that unreliable."
Meanwhile, a certain Underworld goddess watching the projection on the screen stared wide-eyed.
"...?"
"Huh? Wait!!!"
After a long, long moment of shock, Ereškigal, the Mistress of the Underworld, finally snapped out of her daze. Only now did she realize that the Underworld god had just been referring to her.
"I... I’m to participate in constructing the new Netherworld?"
Undoubtedly, this was an immense honor.
Building the Netherworld was no simple task, especially since it impacted the very "cycle of reincarnation." Moreover, based on what Ereškigal currently knew, the scale of this new world would be staggering—meaning the Netherworld’s construction would be of extraordinary magnitude.
This was a colossal undertaking.
Moreover, once involved in this project, her direct superiors would become three-digit deities—far surpassing Anu, the Creator.
Yet these were not Ereškigal’s primary concerns...
"Constructing the Underworld... I wonder if I can create other life forms in the Underworld?"
Since it concerns the construction of the Underworld, surely she should have that authority?
Ere began to feel a strange sense of anticipation.
Ever since becoming a god, she had remained in the pitch-black Underworld, devoid of any life except her own, managing the souls of the dead. Heaven knew how much she longed to see ordinary life there—especially her beloved flowers.
A flicker of excitement stirred within her.
Meanwhile, at the same singularity point, Ishtar in the Babylon Sacrificial Grounds stared wide-eyed at the curtain in the sky, her expression displeased.
"Ugh! Why does it have to be that Ereškigal!"
If any other god had constructed the Netherworld, Ishtar might not have objected so vehemently. But the problem was that the god who built it was none other than Ereškigal.
"If it’s that woman, won’t I be bound by her restrictions forever?"
"Lady Ishtar, you are already bound by the restrictions of the Mistress of the Netherworld."
"Mm..."
High Priestess Siduri’s words left Ishtar speechless.
Yet Ishtar had no room to argue. Ereškigal was practically her nemesis, consistently outmaneuvering her in matters of the Underworld. Whenever Ishtar encountered Ereškigal, nothing good ever came of it.
"Completing the world’s foundational architecture in three months, constructing the Underworld in roughly one month, and bestowing ’Reincarnation’ upon the world—that pace is remarkably swift."
Gilgamesh propped his chin, deep in thought.
"It seems we too must begin contemplating life in the new world without delay."
"King, is this truly a matter for us to ponder?"
"It’s unavoidable. He stated that manpower will be scarce during the world’s initial construction, so personnel from Singularity Points and Lostbelts will be deployed to the new world."
Gilgamesh saw it clearly—this world was likely destined for complete abandonment. If they were left behind afterward, it would mean utter forsaking.
