Chapter 980: Chapter 980: The Underworld Goddess’s Maiden Heart
"Agreed."
Erebus naturally welcomed the series of conditions Bell proposed. In the past, he had never cared much for so-called authority, because gods had little need for such things. But in the new world, authority would likely correspond directly to Authority itself. In that case, Erebus had no objection to holding a bit more power in his hands.
More importantly, the work Bell was asking him to do genuinely aligned with his own inclinations. Helping the children of the Genkai handle reincarnation, establishing clear rewards and punishments—wasn’t that ultimately for the benefit of the children of the Genkai? With that in mind, there was no reason to refuse.
"Then take this."
Bell casually tossed a twenty-sided crystal toward Erebus.
Erebus caught it and examined it. Good grief—this was Authority.
"This is to let you begin laying the foundations of the Underworld ahead of time. It’s a basic Underworld Authority, including guidance and reward-and-punishment functions. It should help you adapt to the work of an Underworld god more quickly."
"In the new world, Authority can only be constructed from myths refined through ’Human History.’ Since you’ll be building the Underworld there, I shaped suitable Authority for you in advance to avoid delays in certain tasks."
"Of course, if you want to grasp more Authority, that will depend on your own research and effort. What I’m giving you is only a convenient foundation."
Bell’s tone was relaxed and casual, as if Authority were nothing more than an everyday item.
Erebus, however, did not see it that way. As a god, he understood exactly what Authority represented: the embodiment of world rules. In the new world, acquiring Authority would still require passing through ’Human History,’ which meant it would become even harder for gods to obtain.
Every god would have to compete for territory and faith, then use ’Human History’ to shape their own mythology and manifest Authority from it. That was bound to be a long and arduous process.
Yet Bell had just tossed something like this out so easily. Erebus truly had no idea how he’d managed it.
"Thanks."
Erebus said nothing more and directly put away the twenty-sided crystal.
Bell nodded slightly, then shifted his gaze to Ereshkigal, who had been standing off to the side, visibly uneasy.
"Next is you, Ereshkigal. You heard what I said to God Erebus earlier. I don’t think I need to repeat myself."
"..."
Ereshkigal had listened from beginning to end. She didn’t need him to explain again, and she also knew this was a rare and valuable opportunity for her.
At the same time, she knew what the Underworld was like—and what kind of Underworld she secretly hoped for.
"I... I don’t have any objections."
"Just..."
The initial response made perfect sense to Ishtar, who was standing nearby. She had expected as much. Ereshkigal might be a little strange at times, but Ishtar genuinely believed she was more than capable of handling the construction of the Underworld.
But that sudden "just" made Ishtar jump slightly.
"You have a problem? Then say it."
Bell was a bit surprised, but he was willing to hear what the Underworld goddess had to say.
"It’s not that I have a problem... it’s just... there’s something I want..."
As she spoke, Ereshkigal fidgeted with her fingers, her voice gradually dropping. She wasn’t sure if her request was asking too much, but with such a rare chance in front of her, she couldn’t help bringing it up.
"Something you want? Like what?"
"Flowers..."
"...???"
Bell froze for a moment, then looked at Ereshkigal with a strange expression. He rubbed his forehead, suddenly remembering her fondness for flowers—especially her wish for life to exist within the Underworld.
Not skeletons or undead, but something that could ease the loneliness in her heart.
He had almost forgotten that the Underworld goddess standing before him had a genuinely girlish heart. This wasn’t something she gained later from any fusion. It was something she had possessed from the very beginning, unlike her sister.
"That’s fine. So, do you want flowers that bloom even in death, or ordinary flowers with real vitality?"
Ereshkigal instantly grew animated, her earlier shyness disappearing as the words in her heart spilled out.
"If possible, I want flowers with vitality."
What she longed for wasn’t beauty born from death, but flowers filled with life.
It really could only be said that this Underworld goddess had the heart of a maiden.
"That’s fine."
Bell didn’t mind at all. It was just a small request. All it would take was a slight adjustment to the rules of the Underworld.
"It will require modifying some of the Underworld’s regulations, but internal rules can be adjusted as needed. I don’t mind the Underworld goddess cultivating various kinds of flowers. However, there’s one condition."
"If you make a mistake in your duties, you won’t be allowed to grow flowers in the Underworld. As for how long that restriction lasts, it will depend on the severity of the mistake."
"Can you accept that?"
"Yes!"
Ereshkigal agreed without the slightest hesitation, excitement written all over her face. Growing flowers in the Underworld was her greatest dream. Seeing beautiful blooms appear in that lifeless realm was something she had always held onto.
"If that’s the case, I’ll handle the final stage of the Underworld’s construction."
This was the part Bell found troublesome. His current condition was far from ideal, and he needed time to recover. Fully completing the Underworld would still take some time.
After a brief silence, Bell made his decision.
"Within one month, you’ll complete most of the Underworld’s construction. I’ll take care of the final part."
"Ereshkigal, God Erebus. Can you manage that?"
Erebus thought it over. One month should be enough to complete the foundational construction of the Underworld. Full operation might take longer, but the basics could definitely be finished.
Under Ereshkigal’s intense gaze, he nodded slightly.
"No problem. The foundations can be completed within a month."
"Then one month it is."
