Chapter 30: The Underworld · Kur

In Sumerian mythology, beneath the earth lies a dark and terrifying, cold and silent great cavern.

That is the underworld of Kur, where the souls of all the deceased are destined to go.

It is said that no matter how powerful the hero, or even the gods, in this place, they will be suppressed and at the mercy of Ereshkigal, the female ruler of this place.

Adam, being alive, clearly felt the repelling pressure coming from all directions.

But according to the definition he gave and was accepted by Gaia, the underworld, physically connected to the world of the living, can be considered as within the planet.

This point is emphasized because the original setting of Type-Moon clearly states that the world of the dead in Celtic mythology, “The Land of Shadows,” is located on the outside of the planet.

As for whether all are like this or it’s just that place that is special, there is no particularly clear statement at the moment.

At least in the world where Adam resides, by prior anchoring, the “Mesopotamian pantheon’s underworld” can be considered still within Gaia’s domain.

Therefore, Adam, who is still alive and thus can avoid Ereshkigal’s authority to some extent, can maintain his power at the level of a chief deity, as long as the support is not cut off.

Although his injuries might affect him, maintaining combat readiness for a short period is still no problem.

“Impudent one. You dare to easily step into a realm where only the dead are allowed. Return now, in consideration of you being an agent of the planet, I can choose not to pursue this matter.”

Walking along a narrow, winding stone path flanked by bottomless abysses, Adam encountered a stone door, from which a dark and hollow female voice emanated. She is the ruler of Kur, Ereshkigal, the goddess who dedicated herself to this desolate realm as a necessary sacrifice.

There are claims that she and Ishtar are sisters, and others say they are the same entity.

Regardless of which is true, she is doomed not to roam freely and whimsically across the colorful earth like the goddess of Venus.

Perhaps because of this, Ereshkigal, with her pure divinity, keeps accumulating jealousy, sadness, pain, and even resentment in her heart.

“Indeed, barging into someone else’s home is not something to be encouraged. But I have reasons for doing so. I want to take away a soul killed by Ishtar’s divine punishment.”

“…Your offense has reached a level that makes me laugh. Even if it could humiliate that foolish woman, it still doesn’t constitute a reason for me to satisfy your request. Precisely because I detest her reckless behavior and the disasters she causes every year, I will not make decisions lightly.”

“Because as the queen of the underworld, you must ensure that humans fear the place they will go to after death, projecting the terror of losing ‘life’ onto you, right?”

In Sumerian legend, the dead rigidly repeat their living days like shadows and can only consume dust as food.

It is worth mentioning that they do not believe that one’s actions in life determine their treatment in Kur; what affects their status is the manner of their burial. Those who receive lavish burials may be treated specially, while those hastily buried may linger like lost souls, troubling the living.

Moreover, Ereshkigal’s subordinates, mostly demons and monsters, reside here.

But so far, Adam has not encountered any obstruction, not even the supposed gatekeeper Nergal.

This means, he was probably let in by Ereshkigal herself.

“For you, Edenites might be difficult to understand. Because from the beginning, I’ve told them the ‘truth.’ I’ve only ever said that souls enter the inner sea of the star, without promising them reincarnation or paradise after death.”

Nowadays, the concept of life and death formed by Edenites is special, and this opportunity is used to describe it.

To some extent, they are a rare, if not unique, group that acknowledged the nothingness after death from the very beginning.

Yes, souls do go to the inner sea of the star.

But no one believes that what awaits is a paradise.

Perhaps a not insignificant number of Edenites initially thought this way, but with the study of the great art and experience of paradise, along with Adam’s attitude, Edenites eventually accepted reality and faced life on this basis.

They consider death a frightening thing, yet do not fall into a nihilistic denial of everything.

Positive Edenites believe life is meaningful, as an embodiment of their worldview of “making a pact with the planet and advancing together,” they choose not to regard themselves as above nature but as equals, in a mutually beneficial existence.

Lady Gaia nurtured them, allowing them to use all things that can be perceived.

“Heaven (the planet) produces all things to nourish man, and man has a way to repay heaven.”

Joining the cycle, rather than “selfishly” pursuing to always be on the receiving end.

They have learned to let go, or to “let nature take its course.”

When life passes, its body becomes nutrients to feed back the earth that once supported its existence, its soul goes to the inner sea of the star and merges with it.

Then, the planet will give birth to new life, thus achieving true eternity in this cycle.

Ereshkigal is afraid.

Because the concepts and enlightenment shown by Edenites have made her question her own convictions.

Regardless of what the myth says, at least in the Type-Moon world, Ereshkigal willingly plays the role of “evil” as a kind goddess.

Contrary to Adam’s advancing will, she worries about the too cruel truth—she thinks humans destined to face annihilation are pitiable, she believes it’s a heavy burden for them. Even merely living can bring pain.

So she had an idea.

The foundation of gods is “mystery,” that is, incomprehensibility and clarity.

As long as she, this goddess, stands before the truth, preventing humans from truly knowing the miserable facts, she can somewhat make them happier and more at ease.

Attributing all misfortune to the cruelty of gods can make it easier for them to live on, because they know all irrational suffering has a source called god.

The terrifying underworld is considered the greatest fear, where souls go to Kur, living a life of imprisonment like criminals.

That’s good.

That’s good enough.

Not pursuing more, not attempting to recognize the truth, as long as in this age of gods, while she still reigns as the ruler of the underworld, playing the role of the greatest villain, to keep humanity away from unbearable sorrow.

She has always considered this correct, until Edenites began to move on the earth again.

The queen of the underworld cannot understand, or rather, does not wish to understand yet seeks an answer.

This precisely proves the innate, to seek the truth (explanation) instinct of intelligent life, even if it’s a god, if they possess the same level of intellect, they will do so.

“Let’s talk, Ereshkigal. Like mortals debating with neighbors and friends, let’s come to a conclusion through exchange.”

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