After saying this, she felt as if her heart was about to jump out of her chest.
Did this count as tacit consent?
Consent for him to address her in a more intimate way?
Ahhhhh, Ereshkigal, summon your dignity as the Goddess of the Underworld!
She looked up at Doros and found him looking right at her, so Ereshkigal decisively lowered her head again.
Watching her so shy she was about to evaporate on the spot, Doros’s mischievous side flared up again.
He cleared his throat, and then, in a very formal and solemn tone, bowed slightly: “Then, I understand.
From now on, my loyal assistant, Miss Iga.”
“Eh?” Ereshkigal suddenly looked up, her face full of disbelief.
She thought…
she thought Doros would…
would call her Ereshkigal, or Eresh, or something like that…
and that was it?
An indescribable sense of loss and grievance welled up in her heart, making her nose ache.
“You…
you idiot!
Big idiot!” She stomped her feet angrily and turned to run.
“Wait.” Doros grabbed her wrist.
Her wrist was very slender, carrying a trace of the chill unique to deities, but it wasn’t dead and silent like the Underworld; instead, it felt like jade covered in morning dew.
“What else is it!” Ereshkigal turned back, pouting, her eyes red.
Doros didn’t speak; he just smiled, pulled her hand to his lips, and gently placed a kiss upon it.
A soft kiss, carrying a touch of piety and a hint of tenderness.
Time seemed to stand still at this moment.
All she could feel was the warm sensation on the back of her hand, and the tingling electric current spreading from that touch all the way to her heart.
“I was joking.” Doros released her hand and looked at her dazed expression, the smile at the corners of his mouth deepening.
“My Goddess, Ereshkigal.”
His voice was very light and soft, like a feather gently brushing against the tip of her heart.
“You…” Ereshkigal opened her mouth, but not a single word came out.
The blush on her face could no longer be described with words; she looked like a boiled shrimp.
She felt like she was about to faint.
This man…
how could he…
how could he do this!
In Mesopotamia, this kind of oath ceremony was very common, but due to Ereshkigal’s unique nature, this was her first time.
Watching her in this near-overloaded state, Doros knew he couldn’t continue, or This Goddess might actually be so embarrassed she would return straight to the Underworld.
He reined in his smile, his expression becoming serious.
“Eresh-…
Iga, thank you.
Thank you for your constant companionship and help.
Without you, Kusha wouldn’t be where it is today, and neither would I.”
“From now on, no matter what happens, I will face it with you.”
His words were plain, but they carried an unquestionable firmness.
Ereshkigal looked at him, looking at her own reflection in his azure eyes. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
That sincerity and firmness allowed her panicked heart to slowly calm down.
She knew that from this moment on, the relationship between them was completely different.
No longer deity and priest, no longer superior and subordinate.
But…
companions who could stand side by side.
“Mm.” She nodded heavily; although her face was still red, her eyes had become bright and firm.
“I…
I understand, Doros.”
This was the first time she had called his name with such a clear and solemn tone.
The barrier of status was broken, and the hazy layer of paper between them dissipated.
A brand-new, tighter connection was quietly established between them.
Doros looked at the young girl before him, who was both the Goddess of the Underworld and his capable assistant, and a sense of unprecedented confidence surged in his heart.
With such a great deity by his side as a backup, what was there to fear?
“Since our identities have been laid out, there are some things I would like to confirm with you.” Doros’s expression became serious again.
“Mm, go ahead and ask.” Ereshkigal also quickly got into character, recovering some of her divine majesty, although her flushed cheeks still made her look a bit like she was just putting on a brave face.
“Regarding the gods, although Ishtar was dealt with this time, they certainly won’t just let it go.
We must prepare for the worst.” Doros said in a deep voice.
“I want to know, if…
I mean if, the gods truly descend with divine punishment, with your current power in the mortal world, to what extent can you handle it?”
This was the most critical question.
Upon hearing this, Ereshkigal fell silent.
Maybe it’s not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
“And If you’re enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!”