Siduri, led by several Garuda spirits, entered the Great Temple of the Netherworld.
Aile, as the hostess, came forward to greet her. The face that always had a gloomy color was now full of smiles.
Friendly yet... twisted?
Siduri’s heart suddenly skipped a beat, and she stopped in her tracks, showing a puzzled expression:
"What’s wrong with you today? Are you feeling unwell?"
"Ahem, nothing, I just thought of something happy just now."
Aile, failing at an attempt to get close, coughed slightly, helplessly withdrawing her somewhat unnatural smile.
Then, she changed the topic and asked in return:
"By the way, Siduri, why have you come here?"
Siduri was slightly taken aback, and an astonished expression appeared on her face:
"Did you forget? It’s according to our agreement. I’m bringing you this year’s freshly brewed malt wine and taking my friend back."
Saying this, she took out two jars of malt wine from the Magic Circle Diagram and handed them to this Queen of the Underworld.
However, Aile did not accept this gift. Instead, she put on a stern face:
"Agreement? What agreement?"
Siduri was stunned and couldn’t help but remind her:
"Didn’t we agree that you would help rescue my friend Dumuzi from your sister Ishtar, and once it was done, I would treat you to this year’s freshly brewed malt wine and owe you a favor?"
"Did we? How come I don’t remember?"
Aile blinked her eyes, showing a puzzled expression.
Seeing the Queen of the Netherworld react this way, Siduri couldn’t help but doubt her own memory.
After repeatedly searching her mind, she furrowed her brows and said:
"I remember it was right here in this temple, you promised to help."
Siduri opened her mouth but had no words.
Such a secretive matter couldn’t possibly have outsiders present.
But at this moment, she finally understood the real intent of the Queen of the Underworld before her, and her face darkened:
"So, you’re not planning to return my friend to me?"
"I don’t even know who your friend is. What’s it got to do with me?"
Aile continued to feign ignorance, pretending as if it was none of her business.
However, her clumsy acting made Siduri burst out in laughter despite her anger:
"Shepherd God Dumuzi, the match I introduced to the Goddess Ishtar, was abducted by you from Abi Mountain and brought to the Netherworld! He’s in your bedchamber, those Garuda spirits already told me on the way, do you still want to deny it?"
Aile glared at the few talkative Garuda spirits and simply dropped the act, honestly admitting:
"He is indeed here with me, but he was invited as a guest of the Netherworld, not because of your deal."
"Then can you let me take him away?"
Holding on to a final sliver of hope, Siduri pleaded earnestly,
"He is a living being and should return to the mortal world. If you have any demands, feel free to ask."
"I’m afraid not. He’s already drunk the water of the Netherworld and eaten its food. He must stay here permanently now."
Aile shook her head, refusing with an air of authority.
Seeing the situation, the usually good-tempered Siduri was angered for the first time.
Thousands of years of friendship, what have I ever done to wrong either of you?
One is enough, but how come both of you are after someone I care about?
Do you think I’m easy to bully?
Though she felt indignant, as a goddess with the authority of wisdom, Siduri understood that the facts were now set in stone.
Even if she vented her anger right here, it would do no good and certainly wouldn’t help her take her friend out of the Netherworld.
Siduri suppressed her emotions, slightly bowed, and her face showed her usual gentleness:
"If that’s the case, then I won’t bother you anymore, Lady Aile."
"Ahem, if you’re ever free, you can always visit the Netherworld. I welcome guests."
Aile felt a bit guilty, trying hard to mend the cracks in their close friendship.
To be fair, she indeed handled this matter a bit dishonorably.
But what could she do? Her Netherworld needed that person.
So, she could only make this friend feel wronged.
Siduri seemed to acknowledge this established fact, nodding with a smile:
The voice was as gentle and peaceful as always, but between the words was a hint of deeper meaning.
Then, under Aile’s watchful eye, the Lady of Beer formally bade farewell and turned to leave the Netherworld.
When the unique golden sunlight of the mortal world shone on her again, Siduri’s expression immediately turned cold, and her tightly clenched silver teeth made a grinding sound.
All of them want to snatch them from me, huh?
I don’t like to compete.
But that doesn’t mean I won’t compete!
Siduri snorted at the closed earth fissure behind her, then turned to look ahead at Abi Mountain, where the continuous rumbling sound came from, her gaze deep and shimmering.
Ever since the family’s treasure from Abi Mountain disappeared, the Heavenly Goddess had been driving the Heavenly Ship Manaana across the mortal world, almost turning every corner upside down, but ultimately finding nothing.
Now, she was not eating or drinking, becoming more and more depressed.
As a "good friend," how could Siduri bear to let her endure this yearning and longing?
So, it’s up to me to act...
Siduri sighed softly, lifted the hem of her dress, and headed straight for the storm and magic power surge-ridden peak of Abi Mountain.
In the Netherworld, it was another day of peace and quiet.
Aile, as usual, wove a hundred spears with her divine power, improving the living environment for a hundred kind-hearted souls.
With her daily tasks completed, she couldn’t wait to open the magic array, take out the lamp inside, and walk into the deepest layer of the Netherworld.