Chapitre 29: Ch. 29 Enkidu, the Chains of Heaven
"What did you do to get these girls unconscious?" Was what my wife asked as I walked into my house with the three unconscious women.
"H-hey honey. How did you know I was here?" I nervously asked as she didn't exactly look happy.
"Don't underestimate a wife's instincts." Serafall proudly answered as she puffed her chest out and placed her fists on her hips before her eyes turned serious, "But I want my answer dear."
"Well you see, we found out that the Chains were in the Land of Shadows-" I began explaining but didn't get far.
"Land of Shadows! You went to that dangerous place! What did I say about being careful!?" Serafall angrily said as her demonic power began leaking out and freezing everything around us.
"Wait! I promise nothing dangerous happened! They just had a spar with the Queen of the Land of Shadows to help them breakthrough! They just used all their energy!" I rapidly explained since it just isn't worth it to have an angry wife.
"Really?" She suspiciously asked as she narrowed her eyes and look at the three women before focusing on the one in my arms, "Then who is she?"
"Ha ha. Well this is, um, Scáthach, the Queen of the land of Shadows. Also probably my Queen." I answered as I could feel some nervous sweat building up.
"That's Scáthach?! The god-slayer! How is she even here!?" A wide eyed Serafall asked in shock as she looked and the purple haired beauty. "And why is there a bloody hole in her suit almost making her breasts spill out?"
"How about i explain things inside? I want them to rest in their beds and for Da Vinci-chan to help me give Scáthach a check up to ensure nothing is wrong with her after her reincarnation." I asked my wife, to which she agreed as she is fundamentally a caring soul.
I wasn't out of the fire yet, but at least it would wait until I wasn't carrying three unconscious women.
Dragging Da Vinci out of her workshop was the hardest part, but manageable once she learnt that she would be going over a legendary figure such as Scáthach and obtaining some data on how a queen piece affects its receiver.
She would also be making sure to set up the data necessary for extraction just in case Scáthach doesn't enjoy my play on words.
"Ok, now explain." Serafall demanded as we reached my office. She was upset that her little sister figures came back home unconscious.
Going through our journey to obtain my goal left Serafall gaping as she took everything in.
"So not only are you going to try recruiting a god-slayer after killing her upon her request, you also made an old goddess submit to you, Mana-chan became Satan-class while unlocking a sub-species Balance Breaker and Musa-chan unlocked her Sacred Gear?" The stunned Satan summarized as she looked at her husband incredulously.
'Speaking of, I will need to go and pick up Ereshkigal.' I thought as I put that on my to do list.
"Basically. I made sure the two girls didn't get hurt but this was the best way for them to make a breakthrough and in the safest way I could think of and without messing with another pantheon." I confirmed as Serafall thought about the effect of bringing Scáthach herself back with me most likely.
"Fine. You did what was best for them, but be carefully with them ok? I care for those girls just like you do." Serafall said as she relented.
It was just in her nature to worry about those she considered family. And with her own peerage developing much slower and having to keep some distance away from the Sitri House, she's become very close to my girls as she spends most of her time away from work either with me or them.
"I know, but they need to grow through some obstacles to reach their full potentials." I gently said as I placed her on my lap and took out some little pastries.
"I just want to make sure they can be happy and healthy." Serafall grumbled as she nibbled on the pastries.
"And they know that. That's why they care about you too." I reassured as they did care and like her because she is like this.
Jeanne might be a bit Tsundere about it, but she sees Serafall as an older sister. Da Vinci sees her as a close and fun friend, as well as trustworthy. Mana has the both of us almost as parental figures since her teens, but settled on older siblings. And although Musashi views us as her Lord and Lady, she is still very willing to become friends with Sera.
"Any peerage candidates for yourself by the way? It has been quite a while since we've gotten our pieces after all." I asked her as I was curious.
The show and light novel didn't talk much about the peerages of any of the Satans, barely introducing all of Sirzechs members before the Trihexa arc. While only one member of Serafall's canon peerage was ever mentioned and it was somehow the 'Magical Beast King of the Earth, Behemoth.'
"Well, I really want to ask Tama-chan but I also don't want to keep her away from Yasa-chan." Serafall answered as she looked a bit down over feeling conflicted, "But I have discovered an interesting place where elemental spirits live.
I was looking around those northern lands in Europe and felt them thanks to all that training we've been doing. I even made friends with their leaders and they told me about humans becoming a danger to them.
And that got me thinking about what I could do for them, because they were such nice people and spirits there. I thought that maybe, you could take them in?"
She looked up at me hopefully with her beautiful and pure blue eyes as she asked that last part, attacking me with cuteness.
"Sera, no matter what those fools try to say, you are my wife and these lands also belong to you. And I will always support you, so if you want to save these spirits and bring them down here I am even willing to reshape a home so they could live their best lives down here." I told her softly as I hugged her from behind.
"Honey!" She cried out out of love as she turned around and straddled me before passionately kissing me.
It then turned into an hours long session of love making as we indulged in each other, with myself using my [Time] to cram our session into about 30 min.
Our fun only ended when I felt Da Vinci approaching my office to likely report on the three unconscious women.
"Salve! It's the beautiful Da Vinci-chan here to report!" The excited inventor said as she burst into the office with a big smile before stopping for a second and her smile then turning into a fox's. "To think you two were into playing in the office, how bold."
"Wa-wa-wa Vinci-chan don't say it out loud!!" Serafall embarrassingly shouted as she ran forward to cover her mouth.
"Hahaha! There's nothing to be ashamed of Sera-chan! One must let themselves love unabashedly!" Da Vinci passionately replied as she dodged while laughing.
"Vinci!!!" Sera responded as she continued her chase.
Their fun only stopped when Sera became 'upset' out of her embarrassment and came to me to be consoled.
"There there. Da Vinci is family so some teasing is natural like any family member. But do try to keep in moderation and don't spread it around ok? I'm fine with friendly teasing but gossiping is different." I said to the two as I gave Sera head pats.
"Hai Maestro!" Da Vinci dutifully replied with a smile.
"Good. Now how are they all?" I asked her to get back on track.
"Those three are fine. Musashi-chan will wake up for dinner and Mana before then." She answered as she looked at the sheets in her hands. "I still don't know what Sacred Gear Musashi-chan awakened in that fight, but I'll do a bit of research to see if it has appeared before. Aside from overexerting herself and needing to be a bit lighter on her training for a day, she will be back to full capabilities soon.
The changes in Mana-chan are fascinating to say the least. Her energy levels went through the roof as she broke through to Satan-class, with some similarities to Sera-chan, but aligned with Lightning.
This will be great data for understanding the fundamental difference between Satan-class and those before it.
Beyond that, her obtaining her Sacred Gear's balance breaker helped strengthen her soul to a degree and her breakthrough helped her oni heritage internalize the blessing from Susano'o to evolve and keep up with her devil half.
Mana-chan is going to be a lot stronger when her energy fully recovers. But she will be very hungry after waking up.
And finally this Scáthach.
It is one thing to hear that the evil pieces can reincarnate the recently dead, but to see it in action at such a high level is something else. I might even be able to develop something to help keep souls tethered to bodies after death for much longer with this data.
But beyond the standard resurrection and reincarnation occurrences, it will take longer for her to awaken due to her strength prior to being reincarnated, meaning she will only wake up some time tomorrow.
I look forward to exchanging knowledge with such an experienced magic user once she does."
"I'll let Liora know about the hunger. Nothing else?" I replied as this was in vain with my own expectations.
"Nothing important or related to them." She responded with a shake of her head.
"Alright. Thanks for checking them out." I said as I stood up from my seat.
"No problem. I should listen to my patron's request from time to time after all." She playfully replied with a wink as she took her leave.
"What are you going to do now?" Sera asked from my side.
"I will go pick up Ereskigal and get her settled, then take a look at my goal." I answered as I made the sealed Chains appear in my palm for a moment.
"Can't wait to meet her." She said with a quick peck on my cheek before also taking her leave. "And I look forward to continuing later."
So with a blush, my lovely wife escaped with her sultry words as I chuckled.
"I really love that girl." I said with a smile as I opened a portal back to Kur.
I arrived at the palace doors like last time and knocked even though I did have significant influence over this realm of the dead and knew where Ereshkigal was, I still thought it was impolite to just barge in when it wasn't for getting a fun reaction or messing with people.
I felt her actually appear right behind the door and fix herself up before opening the door with an expectant look on her face.
"You're back!" She happily said with a bright smile before stopping herself, "*cough cough* I mean welcome back. I hope everything went well."
I wasn't going to call her out on her behavior, but I did smile knowingly which made her blush.
But now that I took a good look at her, Ereshkigal was much more put together than before I stabilized her realm.
Her wavy golden hair was now shining as it was back into pristine condition and she had twin tails tied with black ribbons on the side of her head as the rest of her hair flowed down her back and her black crown adorned her head. Her previously used clothing was now replaced with a regal purple version with golden accents, with her cape matching it and having some fur lining the top and bottom. The black legging she had to her knee on the right also gained some gold and her shoes were replaced by a new pair.
Overall, she looked a lot better than before.
"Are you blinded by my true radiance?" Ereshkigal smugly asked as she noticed me checking out her changes.
"I am glad what I did could help you so soon Eresh. You do look beautiful." I gently told her just because I knew the reaction it would get.
"I-I-I K-knew y-you would understand m-my b-b-beauty!" She replied as a blushing and stuttering mess before quietly saying, "And thank you."
"That I do. Now are you ready? I'll bring you to my home first, then we can talk about what's going to happen in a few days. It'll let you explore and have some fun while I deal with a few things first." I explained to her.
"Of course! I just hope these lands of yours are up to this goddess' standards." She replied as she got her princess attitude back up.
"My people will very much enjoy the challenge. I'll just make an announcement and pass you an identification so you will be able to enjoy everything on me and you'll be set." I amusedly told her as I watched her try to hide her excitement.
"I accept your offering." She replied with a cheeky smile before she got a bit shy, "But is there anything I should know? It is a different civilization and I don't want to do something bad."
"Just respect others and they will respect you in return. If you have a problem or question there will be easily identifiable guards and most shopkeepers are friendly enough to answer questions. Try not to leave the city for now. And please tell me if anyone makes you upset enough to want to smite them." I answered off the top of my head.
"I never smote anyone beside that bitch Ishtar." Ereskigal replied with a bit of a pout.
"Sorry. It's just that the majority of gods don't have the best reputation. Especially when they deal with 'mortals'." I said to her apologetically.
"*Sigh* I know. That's part of why I always tried to just fulfill my duty and help the people I was supposed the watch over as best I could. Unlike Ishtar and those selfish bastards who just played with humans." Ereskigal responded with some resignation.
"Well now anything you do will be reflecting on you as a person, so I look forward to seeing this beautiful and magnanimous goddess astound my people." I grandly said to her as I over exaggerated for fun.
"That's right! I will show them all what a true goddess should be like." She immediately followed up as her spirit returned. "Let's go show them all."
With that I opened up a portal back home and began to introduce Ereshkigal to Sera and my people, meaning awake peerage members and important subordinates.
Right after that I gave Ereshkigal a bank ring linked to an Azaroth spending account, the ring being essentially a magical version of a debit card as it identifies a user and scanning it at shops serves as a payment method, Sera immediately dragged her out to give her the tour of the place as she immediately overwhelmed the inexperienced goddess.
She might try to act like a powerful and confident goddess, but I know having been essentially alone and doing her best at fulfilling her duties for so long made her very inexperienced when it actually comes with interacting with people and enjoying life. So Serafall going with her is the perfect crutch for her to break out of her shell.
And now that the goddess was temporarily handled, it was time to unleash the Chains of Heaven.
I knew that Enkidu was a being intimately connected to the earth and nature, thus I decided that bringing it to one of the pure Touki training realms I had made.
Taking out the sealed form and key, I let the two met and blinding lights flowed out as the key slowly entered the orb of divinity sealing the Chains.
*Crack crack shatter*
With a burst of light, the spear tipped chain was free and shone as it unleashed dozens of chains around itself before they gathered around it in a twirling cocoon. Soon loosening to reveal the reported main form.
This form was that of a beautiful sixteen-year-old androgynous person with long, beautiful hair that shimmers with a light-green color and steely grey eyes. It was wearing a loose plain white tunic covering the majority of its body, leaving only hands and feet visible.
This was undoubtedly worthy of a being modeled after the so-called divine prostitute it had mimicked, as it can be called beautiful and elegant despite their gender being unidentifiable thanks to its tunic concealing its physique. But the firm and taut limbs with rough hands and feet like those of men, and their body which seems like a coiled spring ready to rocket forth which could be observed, balanced the womanly skin and face to reach the androgynous look it had.
It was rather confusing for me since it is the first time I am dealing with someone or something who might not even know what gender it is, if it even understands genders.
Enkidu looked around in confusion but in a relaxed manner as it seemed to feel the nature around itself, until it paid attention to me.
"who are you?" It asked in a voice which could belong to either man or woman, not helping my efforts in trying to assign it a gender.
"My name is Lith Azaroth, a devil lord who released you from your seal. A pleasure to
meet you Enkidu, the Chains of Heaven." I politely responded with a slight bow.
"Enkidu… is that… my name?" It asked in confusion as my eyes widened in a small amount of horror as i immediately guessed what the gods might have done. "Do you know who i am? Why i feel… pain… in my chest?"
The look of confusion and lost as it gripped its tunic above where the heart should be shook me as i stamped out the anger i felt towards those long dead fools.
'Not only did they take away a Gilgamesh's only friend after they tried to control him, ordered his death for rejecting a pampered whore, then ordered it again once he survived the first time, they had the gall to erase the memories of Enkidu who sacrificed itself for its only friend's life.' I thought as my desire to go to Olympus and lightly rip out Ishtar's remnants from Aphrodite and destroy them rose.
"I don't know everything, since you have been sealed for nearly 4000 years, but I can tell you what I know about you and the pain you feel." I answered as I felt pity for the being before me as I shifted the ground to create seats for us.
Enkidu seemed intrigued by this and mimicked me as I felt it connect to the earth around us.
It then sat down in front of me on the seat it made and focused entirely on me.
I then began to tell Enkidu everything I could learn about it and its past.
The purpose it had from birth, the growth he was said to have, information of Gilgamesh himself as I could tell some things clicked in Enkidu's mind when I talked about it, its fight and friendship with the king, Ishtar's actions, their fight against the Divine Bull and its subsequent sacrifice and imprisonment.
During the story and information I had shared, I could tell the gods weren't able to properly seal Enkidu's memories away. Most likely due to its own power and anti-divinity properties, while it had also grown beyond their initial designs thanks to Gilgamesh.
In the end, Enkidu shed tears as it looked at the sky I had created, unleashing sadness for its friend's lost.
"Why have you freed me?" It then calmly asked without looking at me and as if its tears weren't still wet on its face.
"Honestly, I desired for a partner in combat. One which could grow with me as we took on the strongest of foes and protected what truly mattered. One who could be at my side and possibly advise me along my path as I aim to go beyond all others." I grandly answered it as I looked not at the sky, but the future I saw for myself.
"Why do you believe I would fight with you and not kill you? You are a devil after all and I have killed many of your kind when I fought alongside…Gil." Enkidu asked as he had some difficulty saying his name.
"I simply hoped to be able to show you I was worthy of being your friend like he was I guess." I answered a bit self-derisively at the naive thought, but that's all I really had.
'If Enkidu didn't accept I would feel bad but begin my search anew. Possibly just going Azazel's route and creating my own Sacred Gear.' I thought as ideas flowed in my head.
"No one can replace Gil." It resolutely stated in response.
"I don't wish to replace him. In fact I actually do not like him based on his recorded character, but i had hoped for you to accept me." I simply answered truthfully, which seemed to slightly surprise the Chains as its eyebrow shifted.
"And what would you do should I say no?" It asked as tension rose across its body as a test.
"Nothing." I answered.
"Nothing?" It questioned with some in light surprise as it turned its head my way.
"You are a being with its own ideals and desires, and while I am greedy, I will respect your choice and begin my back up plan." I sincerely clarified as I looked over to it and looked directly into its steely Grey eyes.
"Does this respect include taking me out of this realm?" It asked serenely.
"If you wish. Although this place is the most natural anywhere. I should add animals and insects to make it truly 'natural'." I answered as I made a small mental note.
'It might even help the Touki grow more real as well.' I thought as my mind wondered slightly.
Enkidu turned its eyes back to the sky in quiet contemplation, with myself joining it as we simply sat there.
"I shall judge your worth. You say you are a lord, so I shall see what kind of ruler you are. Only afterward will I decide if I should join you." Enkidu finally said as it now looked directly at me.
"Understood. I hope for positive results." I happily replied as this was a good start for me. "Will you need anything?"
"No. Simply leave me near your home and I shall take care of myself." It calmly answered with a slight shake.
"Alright. I will let my people know about you however so they do not attempt to attack you. Some can be a bit overprotective or overzealous with their work sometimes." I told it with a wry smile, to which it simply nodded in understanding.
I then teleported the both of us outside of my capital city so Enkidu could chose to either observe it now or go elsewhere.
"This is?" Enkidu asked aloud as its eyes widened slightly, most likely from the culture shock of seeing what is basically an advanced magical science city and comparing it to ancient Babylonia.
"This is my capital city. The place where everything I built started. The castle in the middle houses me." I explained to it, "And this is a personal token which will permit you to experience everything you desire under my name. Should someone ask you to pay for something, simply show them this and place it on the crystal they present. It will also allow you to enter any city in my lands and even my castle, while it will also always return to you until you give it back to me or I summon it back."
Enkidu accepted the token with a slightly dazed look and nodded at my explanation.
"I hope I pass your evaluation Enkidu." I say to the Chains of Heaven with a smile and wave as I take my leave.
Enkidu watched me leave as it grasped the token and flew away in the direction of a forested area.
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EXTRA AUTHOR NOTES:
I didn't feel like having Enkidu immediately accepting Lith would fit, so i decided to do this.
Also, I thought erasing/sealing Enkidu's memories would have been a good way to keep it controlled after it grew beyond just being a weapon. It would stop any attempt at escaping since it wouldn't have a desire to. Then its memories would then click into place as its seal was already released and Lith stimulated them.
Still not sure if I'm going to give Enkidu a gender, but leaning a bit more on the male one of I do assign one since Lith needs a more constant bro, even if he's friends with Sirzechs and Ajuka.
It's also really hard to get the character of something like Enkidu right, so I decided to generally make it cautious and patient, while also being guarded against Lith for now due to not knowing much about him except him being a powerful devil lord.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Alexander_the_grey
Alexander_the_grey Hoped this was still fun to read without having interesting(hopefully) battle scenes.
I think showing Sera as a bit of a helicopter parent/sister/wife/lady is in character as she worries greatly for those she cares about. But she also understands the need for risks and battles when seeking growth and strength.
Enkidu will take some time and I think I might try a bit in his POV.
Overall, a chill chapter with Enkidu being firmly introduced and a bit of aftermath from Lith’s trip.
Enjoy.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone