The system of the Underworld was clearly designed to suppress divinity.
In that sense, Servants were simply collateral damage.
Because of that, among everyone present, the living person who possessed god-level combat power-Shirou Emiya-naturally became the core force of the coming battlefield.
"Incredible..."
After listening to the discussion, Mash's first reaction wasn't fear toward the Underworld.
It was admiration.
"Even knowing how dangerous the Underworld is, Ms. Ishtar still dares to challenge it. That really is courageous."
Those words made Ishtar freeze.
"...Mash, are you sure you're not mocking me?"
"Facing someone this pure," Ishtar muttered, rubbing her forehead, "I can't even get angry if I wanted to."
She let out a helpless sigh.
"I'm going down to the Underworld because my past self was far too arrogant."
"The me in myth was adored by countless people. Everything went my way."
"I didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth."
"So I sneered at the horrors of the Underworld and challenged it with seven Authorities."
Her expression darkened slightly.
"After conquering Mount Ebih, I thought there was nothing I couldn't do."
"But the result..."
"I was utterly defeated."
"Beaten black and blue. Completely crushed."
As she recalled that past, Ishtar's eyes were filled with unmistakable self-mockery.
"Actually, I kind of want to go take a look too."
With her hands on her hips, Quetzalcoatl-radiating big-sister energy-smiled brightly.
"At the very least, I should bring Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash back safely."
She didn't mention Shirou Emiya at all.
Because she understood clearly.
If not for the suppression of divinity, Shirou Emiya's strength wouldn't necessarily be inferior to hers.
And once inside the Underworld...
She might not even compare.
"I'll say this clearly."
Ishtar's voice sharpened.
"There's no room for half-baked ideas in this operation."
"Either we defeat Ereshkigal and everyone returns safely."
"Or we fail and everyone is imprisoned."
"Those are the only two outcomes."
She turned her gaze toward Merlin.
"That's why you're staying behind."
"If anything happens, it'll be your turn to step in."
"You must negotiate with Ereshkigal and ensure Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others can return to the surface."
"...Very well."
Merlin smiled faintly.
"I accept."
"You really have changed, Ishtar."
"To challenge a battle you believe you might lose..."
"Does a goddess continue to grow after leaving her father's side?"
"Indeed."
Shirou Emiya stepped forward calmly.
"The current Ishtar is nothing like the one in mythology."
"Say whatever you want."
Ishtar waved them off, then scanned everyone present.
"If that's settled, then prepare to depart."
"...You say that," Fujimaru Ritsuka asked hesitantly, "but how exactly do we get to the Underworld?"
"How?"
Ishtar grinned.
"Like this."
She shot into the sky.
Massive magical energy gathered around Maanna.
"Maanna bow-cannon ports."
"Loading Tidal Cluster Shells."
"Output at one-third Lapis Lazuli isosceles."
"Crush it."
"Lid of the Underworld."
"Grant the light of heaven to the empty lands."
She paused.
"Which means-I'm blowing up the ground."
The earth shattered.
A massive opening was carved straight into the depths below.
Without hesitation, Shirou Emiya reached out, grabbing Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash by the waist.
Then he flew down with them.
"I'll leave the surface to you, Merlin."
"Don't worry."
Merlin replied calmly.
"I'll bring King Gilgamesh back."
-
"Perfect."
Shirou Emiya landed smoothly, releasing the two of them.
"A safe landing."
"Hey, hey!"
Ishtar descended from above, clearly irritated.
"You're way too reckless!"
"It's better not to use that kind of magic in the Underworld."
"What if Ereshkigal sealed you mid-flight or during a transfer?"
"You'd fall to your death!"
"Relax."
Shirou Emiya sounded unconcerned.
"Eresh and I are old acquaintances."
"I don't think she'd let me die that easily."
"And even if I did fall..."
"This height wouldn't kill me."
His confidence wasn't arrogance.
It was experience.
Unlike the young goddess who relied entirely on divinity, Shirou Emiya's physical body alone could support such actions.
Back in Orario, he had once jumped from the fifty-second floor to the fifty-eighth.
Compared to that, this was nothing.
"...Eresh?"
Ishtar immediately caught the word.
"Who's Eresh?"
Shirou Emiya clearly had no intention of explaining.
He looked around at the eerie surroundings instead.
"As expected of the Age of Gods."
"The Underworld and the surface are actually connected."
"Hey, I asked you a question!"
A bad feeling began to rise in Ishtar's chest.
That "Eresh"...
It couldn't possibly be a nickname, could it?
No.
No way.
How could he possibly know that gloomy woman?
Through me?
Her thoughts raced.
Ereshkigal could use her body.
Did they meet while I was asleep?
Doubts piled up one after another.
But before she could continue, Roman's voice suddenly came through.
"Good, we're connected."
"When you said you were heading to the Underworld, I was worried whether I'd still be able to observe you."
"Looks like it was an unnecessary concern."
"After all, that place is directly beneath Kutha."
"One can only say this truly is the Age of Gods."
"The present world and the Underworld are actually linked."
"...So it's not another dimensional realm?"
Mash asked nervously, glancing around.
"Of course not."
Roman replied immediately.
"In the Age of Gods, the heavens, the earth, and the Underworld were all part of the same tapestry."
"The Underworld and the celestial realm only became metaphysical concepts after humanity took center stage."
"That's right."
Ishtar nodded while glancing sideways at Shirou Emiya.
"In the Age of Gods, up is the Celestial Realm."
"Down is the Underworld."
"It's simple."
"But you still need to find the entrance."
"Otherwise, I would've arrived long before you returned."
Shirou Emiya walked to the edge of the stone path.
Below, countless souls were trapped inside cages formed from spears.
He looked at them calmly.
"Let's move."
"No point wasting time here."
"If we fail..."
"We'll probably end up trapped in cages like these."
"So this operation..."
"Absolutely cannot fail."
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