Between rock and hard place

Being confronted by a bandit group? No problem, they could be dealt with. Even if those bandits might be a little more skilled than average goons, they were still a human at the end of day; they still possessed human limitations.

Ieyasu was confident in his and Sayo's skill to deal with those bad fellows who wanted to rob them; like the group of bandits who attacked them in few nights ago.

However, it was a different case if the opponent was a demonic being, his sword couldn't reach such being at all!

You haven't taught us how to fight a demon, Grandpa village head!!

Ieyasu looked toward the night sky as a teardrop fell from corner of his eyes. It was as though he could see the figure of old village head smiling toward him, speaking with his usual laugh,

[Hoho~ it's fine, my child. If you can't beat them, it's not a shame to run away. Ohohoho~~]

The problem is, I can't run away from them. They're holding us hostage, Grandpa!!

Sayo was still preparing their dinner when she suddenly felt Ieyasu's gaze. She felt perplexed when he looked at her with a hint of pity...

Beside her, lady Ereshkigal seemed interested to Sayo's cooking.

From where he stood, Ieyasu could see that their hunted prey from noon earlier were being prepared into a seemingly delicious dinner with simple condiments by Sayo.

The rabbit meat was made into fine meat skewers along with several other vegetables they took along their way.

The slight grease on roasted meat looked appealing as it's dripping down slowly, and light sweet scent of honey permeating through the air. Those meat skewers looked like as if they were waving gently, inviting Ieyasu to relish on their delight.

The more he looked at them, Ieyasu could feel something was rising within him – his hunger.

At that moment, someone just had to wake him up from his dreamy feeling…

"Yo. You're drooling on the face, boy. If you still have that much energy, let's go for another round, alright?" Ryan laughed a little as he tapped Ieyasu's shoulder.

Within these few days of travelling together, Ryan had been tuning up Ieyasu and Sayo in sparring match between their trip. It was kinda boring if all he did was merely walking around, after all.

"Ah? N-no, sir, please let me have a break..." Ieyasu really looked like he was going to cry after hearing Ryan's invitation for another beating.

Yup. To Ieyasu, that wasn't a training, those sparring matchs were more likely a beating. Though, he did wonder how he could still survive those beatings until now...

"Hm?"

At this moment, Ryan followed Ieyasu's gaze, and turned to look at where Ereshkigal was.

Perhaps it might be because she was always living in the underworld, now that she had finally got out, she seemed interested to see for herself what the outside world had to offer. The glimmer in her eyes at this moment was quite beautiful, if Ryan might say so.

At that moment, when Ieyasu glanced at the scary demonic man, he only saw the sight of a young man smiling gently at his companion.

"…just what are you, really?" Ieyasu murmured softly in almost inaudible voice when he looked at the sight.

Ryan smiled lightly as he grinned at Ieyasu, "Me? I am a human. At least, that's what I think about myself."

A shudder ran through Ieyasu's spine when he heard it.

Seeing that Ieyasu seemed afraid, Ryan spoke lightly, "Don't worry, I'm not some kind of bloodthirsty demon."

"Yes, sir…"

Another teardrop silently fell from a corner of his eyes as Ieyasu replied with a forced smile.

"Now, let's grab our dinner. Your friend is already calling for us."

Soon, they already sat in front of the campfire pit as they had their dinner.

Ereshkigal had a trace of burnt smoke on her face, she was pouting slightly as she poked Ryan on the cheek.

Ishtar already ate several meat skewers when she later burped a little. Her face turned red in embarrassment as she glared at Ryan and Ereshkigal who laughed lightly at her.

Ryan took another meat skewer as he turned to Ieyasu and Sayo, "What are you going to do when you arrive at Capital?"

Ieyasu and Sayo looked at each other. Their face had a heavy countenance as they replied firmly, "Finding job. We want to help our village."

"Huh, so soon? Why?"

Ieyasu soon told Ryan about the situation on their village wherein they were struggling hard to pay the increasingly raised tax.

They didn't know what caused the tax to be raised each year, but regardless their village still had to pay it if they wanted to live peacefully. After all, they were living under jurisdiction of the Empire.

According to what they heard, the other villages which were unable to pay the tax would meet ill fate not too long after. Some said those villages were attacked by Danger Beasts after the Empire retracted their protection on those villages.

"Is that so? But, you know, finding a good and job isn't easy. A job who pays a lot for easy task usually is a trap, we are paid for our worth. Extra pay means something are expected more from us.

"Do be careful later, people usually speak in half lie and truth. Don't easily trust others, including me, kids. Heh~"

Ieyasu and Sayo smiled a little when Ryan spoke the latter part with a grin.

"Thank you for the reminder. We'd be careful," Ieyasu nodded firmly. He could feel Ryan's sincere advice despite him saying not to trust himself.

"You just sounded like Grandpa village head, sir Ryan," Sayo smiled a little.

After her contact with Ryan and his companion during these few days travelling together, Sayo has changed her perception of them.

Although they might look scary at times, but they weren't really bad people like she thought at first.

"Oh well, good luck for both of you. Don't get your hope high too much, or you'd be equally disappointed if things didn't happen like your expectations," Ryan smiled strangely as he spoke.

He chewed on the meat skewers lightly as his other hand poked Ereshkigal on the waist for revenge against her poking his cheek earlier.

"..."

Even if Ieyasu and Sayo knew it wouldn't be easy, they still had to do it in the end. It was because the fate of their village depended on them after all…

It was just... they were also worried for their other companion who got separated from them during the bandit's assault in the previous nights.

"Tatsumi... I hope he could reach the Capital safely," Sayo murmured, slightly worried.

"Don't worry, that kid has good skills. We'll definitely meet him again in the Capital, Sayo."

As they enjoyed their dinner and talked about a lot of things, time passed swiftly. The evening sky turned dark, moonlight seeped through the gaps between clouds, and dim-lit stars prized the night. It was already at middle of the night when Ieyasu and Sayo finally slept on their tent together.

In fact, they initially brought their own tent and slept separately before. However, since Sayo's tent was used by Ryan's group of three, Sayo temporarily slept within Ieyasu's tent.

Well, their reaction was quite amusing when they first tried to sleep together inside the same tent...

But really, nothing much happened between them. What are you expecting, huh? Perverts.

The breeze flowed softly, the insects chirping from time to time, calling to each other as though asking how long this night would last.

There was only a small ember left in the campfire, flickering weakly as though it would be snuffed out at moment's notice.

In this tranquil night, Ryan sat on front of his tent as he gazed at the dark sky.

Ereshkigal leaned on his back as she looked down at the ground, her gaze encompassing the earth.

Ishtar was lying with naught care beside Ereshkigal, her gaze facing the night sky, she was playing with holy chakram created through her Sacred Heaven Arcane Art.

"...I am sorry," Ryan spoke softly, breaking their silence.

Hearing this, Ishtar immediately stopped playing with her chakram as it turned into light particles and returned inside her.

She had indifferent look on her face as she muttered, "I thought you'd be keeping mum about it until forever…"

Behind him, Ereshkigal trembled slightly. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but only a quiet sigh escaped her thin lips.

After a while, Ereshkigal spoke softly, "Why now? Things are fine like before too…"

Ryan shook his head. He looked at the stars, his gaze was calm and unwavering, saying softly to Ereshkigal, "I have been waiting."

His first meeting with these two goddesses could be said as rather rough. Even he wouldn't be surprised if they cursed him, lashed out at him, and hated his guts.

Yet, even after sometimes passed, they still acted like it was no big deal. When he teased them, they even went along with his whims. At such time, he felt something seemed to sting him.

It would be better for him if they actually lashed out at him or straight up beating him for what he did to them. However, they didn't.

Moreover, the fact that the other ladies purposely let Ryan and these two goddesses alone these few days might mean that they wanted him to take the initiative...

"Heh. Are you a kid? Were you expecting us to lash out and curse you out loud?" Ishtar sneered as she sat up. She looked at Ryan as though he was a fool.

"I guess, that'd be understandable reaction, no?"

To get a share of their Divine Core, Ryan had roughed them up at first until they were nearly unconscious before forcing them to make contract with him.

He fought against Ereshkigal until the Underworld was entirely shaken up by their battle. Meanwhile, although he didn't directly crush Ishtar, Ryan still used the opportunity when she was severely weakened by Ereshkigal to complete his plan.

"...really, you're too selfish, Ryan," Ereshkigal shook her head gently as she had a faint smile on her face. She didn't forget to pinch his waist out of nowhere.

"While it didn't hurt, but I've accepted your sentiment, Ereshkigal." Ryan coughed dryly.

–as a result, his waist got another round of hard squeezing as Ereshkigal smiled viciously.

"No, you are not sorry at all. To underestimate a goddess' temperament... how preposterous.

"Lucky for you to speak up now, or else I shall have your soul imprisoned in my soul cage forever, sooner or later. Hmph."

"Now that hurts, Ereshkigal..."

"Serves you right! Perverted scoundrel!"

Ryan: "..."

He won't deny it. They were right after all.

At another side, Ishtar was also fuming, "Arrgh! Even if Mother approved you, I still wouldn't forgive you that easily! You still owe me a mountain of gems, Ryan!"

Her face blushed red like ripe tomato, her anger went through the roof as she remembered the mountain of gems King Gilgamesh promised her...

'As expected of a goddess. Even if they are angry, Ishtar and Ereshkigal are still beautiful,' Ryan thought quietly as he raised his hand in surrender.

"That's right. You shouldn't bottle up your feelings, Ishtar, Ereshkigal. Come, beat me up...! Vent you anger on me!"

Ishtar and Ereshkigal suddenly backed away from Ryan at once when they heard his words. The way they looked at him was like an incomprehensible nonsense just came up all of sudden...

Ishtar: "Are you secretly a masochist?"

Ereshkigal and Ishtar looked at Ryan in weird gaze.

Me, a masochist? Are you kidding me?!

"How rude. Don't lump me with those M out there, if anything, my alignment should be an S!

"In fact, rather than me, aren't you an M, Ishtar?" Ryan sneered.

Despite how strong and spiritedly Ishtar behaved as her outward appearance, Ryan has realized that she has some M qualities inside her heart.

"ARGHHH! I'll kill you!"

"Heh. Bring it on, just try if you can!"

Ryan smiled mockingly as brilliant light spread from under his feet, engulfing him, Ishtar and Ereshkigal inside its domain. With this measure, anything happened inside the domain wouldn't be seen nor heard by those outside, bar any unexpected occurrence.

"Eh???"

It's Ereshkigal who seemed at loss after seeing her sister suddenly charging at Ryan with great fanfare.

A sacred lance and a holy chakram appeared on their hand as Ryan and Ishtar were seemingly going all out to fight.

Considering their stubborn trait, Ereshkigal expected a great battle would unfold between them as they appeared like they wouldn't give in an inch to the other party. No matter what.

Though–

When Ishtar arrived in front of him, Ryan suddenly put off the sacred lance. He gave up on resisting and opened his arms wide, as if welcoming Ishtar to his embrace.

Ishtar also dissipated her chakram of light, unexpectedly. She only used her fist to give Ryan several good punches.

As Ishtar tried to beat him up, her eyes met with Ryan's. At such moment, both of them were silent.

"…if you want to be the bad guy, you should really bring your act together, bastard."

Ishtar muttered as she pinned Ryan down the ground. Her fist pounded on his chest, though it barely had any force, just like a cotton trying to hit an iron.

'Really. Why's this vessel always attracted to such people…?'

Both of them were equally broken, in a sense.

One possessed an empty dream; a vain wish.

The other one had a large void in his heart; seemingly whole, yet actually incomplete.

'Is she cursed or something?' Ishtar exhaled a quiet sigh as she stared deeply at Ryan's eyes. Cold glint flashed inside Ishtar's eyes as she spoke, "Don't lie, or I'll be really angry."

"Mn, ok."

"Back then, why did you do it?"

'It' definitely referred to the time when he duped Ishtar and Ereshkigal to form a contract with him.

Ryan thought a bit before he replied, "To get both of your Divine Core."

Ereshkigal leaned down, looking at Ryan with a smile yet not smile, "Is that all?"

"To recover my EP?"

"Really?" Ereshkigal laughed lightly. Her face clearly showed that she didn't believe his bullshit.

Ishtar sneered when she saw that Ryan seemed slightly hesitating even at this point, "This guy just won't cry before he sees the coffin, Sis."

A chakram of light appeared on Ishtar's hand, and she pointed it toward that particular place between Ryan's legs. At same time, Ereshkigal casted a field of gravity to weigh him down.

"Wait, wait, wait! Ladies, don't do anything reckless! If that part is cut, you would also suffer, you know!"

Cold sweats instantly appeared on his forehead as Ryan had an inkling to what Ishtar about to do. His face looked like he had a case of severe consternation at the moment.

"What are you worried about? If it's cut, you can still regenerate it, right? This is no big deal. The other sisters would also understand why we do it. Heh~" Ereshkigal smiled languidly.

Motherfucker! Even if I can regenerate it, the pain still hurts!

*cough* *cough*

"Do I really have to say it?"

Well, to be honest, it would be a lie if he said that he didn't have another motive when he did it.

At this moment, lying would do him no good. It was fine if this was a casual or joking matter, but this was a matter which would affect their lives together from this point onward.

He knew that he was on the wrong from the beginning. However, if he did tell them the truth, it felt like he was on the losing side though?

Pzzt!

"Holy shit! You almost made me a eunuch, Ishtar!!"

"If you don't want it to be chopped up for real, you better tell us the truth, Ryan!" Ishtar threatened him once more as her chakram of light cut the ground near lil' Ryan…

Ryan looked at lil' Ryan with worried gaze as he kept quiet. Between his pride and lil' Ryan, it really wasn't an easy choice for him to decide.

–or so he thought.

"Well, don't laugh okay," a rare awkward expression appeared on his face.

He ain't no simp, but this matter's related to his lasting happiness. As such, Ryan decided to surrender, accepting his 'defeat'.

"Hm~ hm~ go on, please," Ereshkigal smiled lightly. She didn't promise him not to laugh, however.

"...isn't it obvious? I mean, I like both of you. I want you two to stay with me, to keep by my side."

Ishtar was the beloved goddess of heaven. She was often pampered and granted most of her wishes by other gods in Mesopotamia pantheon back then.

"You are a selfish goddess, Ishtar. Even then, your heart is undoubtedly pure and kind."

She was pure in the view of gods. As such, even if she was kind by nature, her acts still often caused headaches to the mortals...

Even so,

"You are mischievous, joyful, but you are also prone to clumsiness at some times. Despite all of that, I envy you, Ishtar. At same time, I also adore you."

Ishtar: "Y-yo-you...!"

Her face and ears turned bright red, and Ishtar shot Ryan an awkward, embarrassed glare.

"Ishtar. I won't deny that your vessel may also influence my perception of you. However, if you yourself aren't compatible with her, do you think she'd be able to host a Divine Spirit like you? To me, either you or her, you are all the same."

She wanted to say something to retort, but only soft muttering came out of her lips, "If you said it like that... calm down Rin-me, calm down Ishtar-me...!"

Ryan then turned to Ereshkigal,

"Ereshkigal."

"Wh-what?" Ereshkigal flinched slightly while a streak of blush colored her beautiful visage.

Ryan stared quietly at Ereshkigal as his expression gradually softened.

Ever since her birth, Ereshkigal had always stayed in Underworld for all her life. She oversaw the death of countless beings and regulated the dead souls in the Underworld.

She kept performing her role dutifully throughout her life.

It was because she understood; that only her who could lessen the pain of those dead souls.

Only her who would remember their existence even after the others forgot them, and it was only her who would accompany them after their death.

Time was a merciless blade.

No matter who they were when they were alive, time would gradually erase traces of their existence after their death.

At the end of her life, Ereshkigal withered silently along with the dusk of Age of Gods as she kept overseeing the Underworld in her care.

Even until the end, she had yet to step outside the Underworld, and was only able to gaze at the upper ground and the vast skies from the great below...

"Your dutiful heart to watch over the Underworld for untold years;

"Your compassion as you affirmed those dead souls a place to rest from their journey;

"Your heart is undoubtedly beautiful, Ereshkigal. That's the reason why I like you, and also why I want you to accompany me in my life."

–I won't let you be alone anymore. I want you to see the beautiful skies, the wonders in the world, and the myriad walks in life... I want you to be my goddess of underworld.

Ryan kept those words inside him. He didn't have the courage to say it yet. For him, it was a silent promise to himself, and also to Ereshkigal.

Ereshkigal: "..."

In response to his confession, Ereshkigal was quiet.

Although, despite her silence, her face turned beet red. There were seemingly smokes coming through her temple, as if she just came out of a hot spring.

The night breeze flowed gently as the three people stared at each other. The moonlight shone on Ishtar and Ereshkigal as a rare trace of blush faintly appeared on their face amidst the darkness of night

"...death..."

"Hm?"

"...even until death, I will keep holding you responsible, Ryan," Ereshkigal muttered softly.

Her body soon glowed in gentle black light as she disappeared, leaving Ryan and Ishtar alone.

"Ah, sis...? Why are you– traitor!"

Ishtar was still a little absentminded when she had just realized it that her sister already escaped the scene.

When Ishtar wanted to follow Ereshkigal's footstep, escaping into the Altar World, Ryan quickly caught her hand.

"Where are you going, my dear goddess?"

"Wh-what are you doing?" Ishtar instinctively realized that she was in dire situation at the moment. Her voice slightly trembling.

"Well, we have a man and woman alone in the night. So pray tell, what are we supposed to do, my dear goddess?" Ryan smiled lightly as he pulled Ishtar closer to him.

Exposing his feelings toward them caused him to feel slightly embarrassed, and so Ryan wanted them to face his 'revenge' now.

It was a pity that Ereshkigal escaped first, thus temporarily avoiding his 'revenge'. Since there was only Ishtar left, he would just focus his 'revenge' to her. Ehem.

"Umm, playing poker?" Ishtar replied with awkward laugh while her heart throbbed quite fast.

Ryan's previous confession and his current aggression made Ishtar felt a mixed feelings in her heart. Currently, a part of her felt embarrassed and wanted to hide herself, while another part of her felt a certain expectation toward what's going to happen soon.

However, contrary to what Ishtar thought,

"Heh. You're right," Ryan released his hold as he smiled.

Ryan actually stopped his own advance. How rare!

"Huh...?" Ishtar felt slightly perplexed.

But, she also didn't want to waste her chance. As such, she quickly escaped into the Altar World.

Before she escaped, Ishtar still managed to threaten Ryan with fierce tone, albeit with a blushing face,

"Hmph. I won't forgive you that easily, you still owe me lot of gems, Ryan!"

Then, when she finally arrived at the Altar World,

"Oh, you're finally here, Ishtar. Good job delaying Ryan for a while there. We'll give him a good surprise when he comes here later~"

Ishtar found herself staring dumbfounded at the sight unfolded upon her eyes...

"The heck's happening here?"

"Ehem. This may look confusing, but stay with me. First of all, let's have you create your residence at your own Divine Pillar, Ishtar."

Raikou smiled gently as she then pulled Ishtar to a certain Divine Pillar standing magnificently between the heaven and earth of Ryan's Altar World.

When she passed the other Divine Pillars, Ishtar was unable to hide her shock.

'Is this even possible?!'