The Infinite Dragon God Cannot Find Silence - Chapters 41-50
This time it was Altera's head that tilted slightly, but she was also an honest person, very directly answering 'Enkidu's' question.
"I... don't know any Marduk."
The unsatisfactory answer made 'Enkidu's' expression turn cold.
"Tch..."
The woman possessing Marduk's power was undoubtedly a threat to Mother, must kill her, but at such close distance seeing that king whose appearance was that of a young girl, the body's system popped up countless errors...
"Altera, you should leave first."
Taking advantage of the gap when 'Enkidu' was frozen for unknown reasons, Ophis turned her head and said.
Altera didn't speak, but looked at 'Enkidu' who still hadn't moved.
"Leave Enkidu to me, you go with Merlin."
Seeing Ophis insist on this, Altera also had no reason to continue staying, following Ophis's indication she looked over, the scene of the white-robed magician smiling and waving entered her eyes.
...Only then did Altera remember, Merlin seemed to be responsible for preventing the battle from being disturbed by others, so what was that sudden attack just now about?
However, pure as she was, she didn't think much about it, quickly finding Merlin and leaving this place.
This won't do continuing like this...
Watching Altera about to leave so brazenly, while barely restraining the unknown impulses that occasionally surged up from within her body, 'Enkidu' gritted her teeth, but ultimately still gave up pursuit.
No matter what, Ophis's influence on herself was too great, plus as Uruk's backbone, as long as she was dealt with here then Uruk would inevitably collapse directly, and that girl with Marduk's power could be dealt with when the time came.
So... target locked!
"Kill you..."
Green eyes stared directly at Ophis, Enkidu's body crouched down slightly.
The next second, became a shadow.
"Mere Enkidu, speaking such big words."
Eyes didn't even track the constantly running around... should say positioning trying to confuse herself Enkidu, casually raising her hand to block by her ear, and Enkidu's kick also arrived as if by appointment.
Bang!!!
Intense wind pressure crushed the earth, while Ophis remained unharmed.
"Enkidu cannot possibly defeat me, I am undefeated."
The attack having no effect, Enkidu wasn't surprised either, but directly stepped on the air jumping upward, simultaneously waving long sleeves, several blades shot out from thin air, violent magical power explosions instantly engulfed Ophis.
The completely unharmed Ophis burst out magical power blowing away the explosion's thick smoke, then saw a golden long spear shooting rapidly, from which could be felt quite high-level 'dragon-slaying' concept, and the spear's target... was Ophis's own head!
Divine Construct Enkidu, the weapon form most skilled at besides chains, was also spears!
"However, if it's Enkidu... then I can be slightly serious too."
Having no panic at all toward the shooting spear, a slight smile gently curved at the corner of Ophis's mouth, saying this to Enkidu.
The next moment, the spear fell.
If speaking of what functions this 'Enkidu' body possessed, that would be absolute strength.
If the Divine Construct Bull of Heaven truly burst out with full power, that would be enough to destroy all of Mesopotamia in one night without Ophis and others stopping it.
And Enkidu, as the same Divine Construct weapon, though not the type specializing in destruction, in terms of actual strength was above the divine bull.
Her full-power strike might not achieve the same mountain-splitting earth-cracking visual effects as the divine bull, but special effects and actual strength were always two different things.
Enkidu's thrust in spear form, its one-time piercing power could easily open a big hole straight through that Abih Mountain Range that Ishtar had played with from head to tail, given enough time could even turn the moon into a honeycomb, the threat level was imaginable.
And such an attack, naturally without half a moment's hesitation, directly penetrated Ophis.
"I am non-interferable... this was me before meeting Enkidu."
Without blocking, without dodging, Ophis just smiled somewhat nostalgically like this.
The Ouroboros itself had the concept of independent non-interference... operating it a bit, whether making the opponent's attacks unable to touch oneself or being able to hit but passing through... similar uses were all possible, only because it was isolation, so oneself similarly couldn't attack others either.
For Ophis, rather than blocking others out, it was more like ignoring others, so it manifested in the form of penetration.
The killing strike with 'Enkidu's' simulated anti-dragon concept left no trace on Ophis's body.
"Now, when I am still 'King', only toward you this Enkidu..."
Turning back to look at the figure that ignored inertia and suddenly stopped, then slowly transformed into human form in golden light, Ophis smiled gently.
"I will block it off."
"Non-interference huh... that is to say, the current you also cannot attack right? Then, does the dignified king intend to decide victory with me through staring contest?"
Returning to original human form, 'Enkidu' somewhat angrily mocked.
Originally her emotional fluctuations couldn't possibly have such great waves... but at this time she couldn't control her emotions all along.
Ophis gently shook her head.
Speaking of staring contests... actually they used to play often... or rather often did this.
Unfortunately, the past was the past, now was now.
"First, two hundred paths."
After isolating herself from the world, Ophis couldn't interfere with things outside herself... but if arrangements were already made before entering this state, that was another matter.
"What!?"
'Enkidu' was suddenly startled, two hundred magic circles appeared floating around her, purple magical power waves swallowed her down in the blink of an eye.
"I never had any intention of deciding victory with Enkidu."
A golden key appeared in Ophis's hand, shooting red circuit-like patterns toward the sky.
The next second, purple magical power scattered, 'Enkidu's' green hair fluttered, nearly a hundred weapons that even gods must avoid appeared behind her.
"Always Enkidu Enkidu, isn't it annoying..."
"Next, five hundred paths."
Chain explosions sounded again, purple light once more engulfed Enkidu.
"I'm not Enkidu... I'm not Enkidu... die die die!!!"
Golden light shot out from the magical explosion, directly taking Ophis's petite body.
Ophis made no movement, golden ripples shot out exactly the same number of completely same grade Noble Phantasms, colliding with the weapons 'Enkidu' created.
Again nearly a hundred explosions.
At this time, the red patterns had just converged into a sphere, a golden handle was about to emerge, when 'Enkidu' suddenly charged up from the other end of the explosion striking with a palm.
Hesitating for a moment, Ophis still didn't grasp the handle, letting it retract, then reached out to deflect 'Enkidu's' attack, kicking her up to the sky.
At this time several golden-glowing silver chains shot out from under Ophis's feet trying to surround her, Ophis could only leap toward the sky, avoiding the Chains of Heaven.
"Hah... your ability, does it indeed have flaws?"
At this time 'Enkidu's' reason seemed to have recovered somewhat, though possibly due to mental exhaustion, was still floating in the sky panting.
Regarding 'Enkidu's' statement, Ophis responded with silence.
Indeed, because Ophis's 'Infinite' concept itself was quite cheating, her other Ouroboros talents were somewhat suppressed, requiring a period of practice and familiarization to use.
Like the 'Non-interference' just now, Ophis actually had several seconds of error delay when using it. If Ophis were truly completely serious in battle, she might be able to compensate for this through high-speed precise calculations, but the current Ophis still had to keep part of her attention on Uruk.
After all, just secretly slipping out like now and inexplicably being dragged over by Merlin for a fight was already quite risky.
Ophis was somewhat self-mocking.
'Enkidu's' body seemed to be affected by some of her influences, but wasn't she the same?
Because she saw 'Enkidu', she got hot-headed and took it on like this.
However, since the fight had started, there must be a beginning and end.
"Again, one thousand paths."
Dense magic circles filled the sky, mercilessly unleashing artillery fire, with the target being 'Enkidu' at the center.
"This level of attack is meaningless no matter how many come!"
'Enkidu' spread both hands, first two golden lights penetrated the magic cannons stabbing toward Ophis, then several chains emerged from her hands, spinning around her body, blocking the magic cannons' attack routes.
Ophis let the two Noble Phantasms pass through her body, but saw 'Enkidu' following close behind also flying over, her palm transforming into a blade slashing toward herself.
In Ophis's surprised gaze, her body that should be non-interferable was just like this... cut into two sections by the opponent.
'Enkidu' seemed to have anticipated such a situation, her expression unchanged, but again swung the hand-blade down, wanting to turn Ophis into four pieces.
Frowning, Ophis took out a golden long sword from her treasury, blocking 'Enkidu's' this strike.
Looking at 'Enkidu's' completely expressionless face at this time, Ophis suddenly smiled.
"I see..."
That's right, if speaking of who in this world could break through her 'Non-interference', Enkidu was definitely one of them.
This was the same principle as weapons stained with dragon blood having special killing power against dragons.
However... the opponent's current state.
"Still saying you're not Enkidu? Though not a lie, but combined with the current situation, it really lacks persuasiveness."
The next second, sword and palm met, magical power exploded.
Northwest of Uruk, above the dense forest, golden and purple lights intersected from time to time, stirring up bursts of air explosions. Magic cannons with power sufficient to pierce city walls and Noble Phantasms of incalculable value flew everywhere like they cost nothing.
Well, they really cost nothing.
Dozens of minutes passed, neither side appeared more advantageous, or rather neither side had truly received damage.
Seeing that continuing like this there was no way to determine victory, the two very tacitly stopped, floating in mid-air facing each other.
"In the sky, Enkidu has no way to defeat me."
Suddenly, Ophis spoke.
As long as Enkidu connected to the earth, unless finding the core weakness, she was almost undefeatable, but once without the earth's power and soil replenishment, Enkidu would be like an ordinary person, affected in movement due to injuries.
'Enkidu' didn't respond, remaining expressionless.
Ophis wasn't surprised.
The current 'Enkidu' didn't have extra mental strength to respond.
Forcibly fusing with that body, the will that true Enkidu left behind, borrowing this to attack Ophis, yet also having to resist simultaneously to avoid being assimilated.
...In the end, just a fake?
Looking at such 'Enkidu', Ophis sighed in her heart.
Though she herself didn't know what exactly she was expecting...
However, just now it indeed felt like playing with Enkidu in the past, even the pressure that had been accumulating all along unknowingly dissipated quite a bit.
But in the end, just a fake.
Five magic circles lined up behind Ophis.
Unlike the previous play that had many in number but actually quite limited attack power (only for Enkidu).
This time's five, each had B-rank or even A-rank Noble Phantasm release power.
Ophis narrowed her eyes.
She got too carried away playing just now, if this continued she might really wake up the monster.
Quick battle, quick decision.
"Originally had no intention to kill you, but if you yourself can't hold on..."
Ophis closed her eyes and remained silent for a long while, then spoke again.
"As expected, Enkidu who won't smile, I very much dislike."
Enkidu was the only existence that could enter her heart, so she had to isolate her.
To protect Uruk, protect humanity, must eliminate all factors that would affect herself.
All of this was for Enkidu's wish.
For her wish, kill her.
The smile that had been on her face since the battle began slowly disappeared. When she opened her eyes again, there was no emotion left in Ophis's eyes.
Just like her before meeting Enkidu.
A purple light pillar over five meters in diameter gushed toward the sky's end, most of the forest was dyed purple by the scattered light.
A full thirty seconds later, everything stopped.
Looking at the sky that was already empty before her, Ophis fell slightly silent.
On the ground it was hard to say, but Enkidu in the sky, as long as she was hit head-on there was absolutely no possibility of survival, and just now 'Enkidu's' state seemed to have lost even the mental strength to dodge.
In any case...
"It's over."
Declaring softly, just about to leave, Ophis felt extremely strong energy fluctuations.
A flash of surprise crossed Ophis's face.
When did this happen!?
"Hmph... though I don't know what's going on, that feeling that had been affecting me all along suddenly disappeared."
Half-kneeling on the ground, 'Enkidu's' emerald eyes flickered with golden light, a fierce smile on her face.
"You said it right, everything is over... listen to Mother's fury! Feel that wave of destruction────"
Over a hundred chains burst from the ground, together with 'Enkidu' shooting toward the sky, reaching the highest point then converging together in golden light into spear-like shape, then... diving down!
And its target was Ophis!
Directly facing the golden spear, Ophis's face showed seriousness for the first time.
Though the gods felt like they had little screen time, their abilities were unquestionable, and Enkidu was precisely the weapon forged to deal with her.
Anti-dragon, anti-snake, anti-divine, anti-girl-appearing creatures, anti-energy body, anti-king, anti-kuudere, anti-life forms named Ophis.
In short, this weapon was completely born to target her.
Plus the original Enkidu had even broken through the 'Non-interference' point.
That is to say, the Enkidu before her was truly one hundred percent 'Anti-Ophis Noble Phantasm'.
Such an attack... truly had the means to kill her.
Methods of resistance...
Looking at the increasingly approaching spear, Ophis rapidly thought.
If it were EA it could do it... but disrupting space might very well awaken that 'monster', this was also the mistake she almost made when getting hot-headed just now.
Moreover, taking it out now might not be in time.
Then... then...
It seemed there really was no way.
Wait for death.
At this time, the spear had also approached.
"────Mother, display that initial cry!" (Nammu Duranki)
With 'Enkidu's' shout, the killing technique that had its name arbitrarily changed also fell.
Just one second before being swallowed, Ophis suddenly smiled slightly.
"Made it in time."
Actually after discovering 'Enkidu' hadn't disappeared yet, Ophis had made corresponding preparations.
Though she didn't know what the effect would be.
Just on the other side of the golden spear, hundreds of tiny golden light beams fell like a meteor shower, looking closely one could discover various weapons hidden beneath the light.
Melammu Dingir────the supreme glory protecting Uruk.
The next second, golden light completely swallowed the two combatants.
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"Oh, looks quite intense, the battle situation."
Just at the southern edge of the forest, countless magical beasts lay across the entire land, each one as if torn apart or crushed by some great force, almost no complete corpses.
And right in the center, a blood-covered black giant stood quietly, beside him were a man and woman.
"Is it alright?"
Unlike the carefree Merlin, though quite hard to detect, there was indeed a flash of worry in Altera's eyes.
"Oh my, isn't the magical power supply in our bodies still fine? It's okay, it's okay. Besides, there's a reason King Ophis doesn't want you to intervene, right? Her magical power output also has limits."
Altera nodded.
Indeed, to intervene in that level of conflict, she would also have to use full power.
While fighting with full power herself and still supplying such enormous magical power to others, no matter how you put it would create openings, right?
Only Altera didn't know that Ophis simply didn't want anyone to intervene in the reunion of the two, even if the other party wasn't genuine.
"However, why would she?"
Thinking about it, Altera still asked the somewhat curious question.
Ophis had to sit and coordinate overall, wouldn't easily leave Uruk, even she who didn't care about anything understood this clearly.
"It was me. After encountering Enkidu I ran away, then went to find King Ophis and brought her over."
With a casual smile, Merlin watched the golden meteor shower passing overhead, completely unconcerned about how embarrassing what he said was.
"After all, some things must be settled."
Lying on the wasteland that had expanded several times larger than before, Ophis just stared blankly at the sky.
At this time only her upper body remained, and the energy in her body constantly flowed toward the disappeared lower half, but though the recovery speed could be confirmed with the naked eye, compared to the past it was extremely slow.
The sound of rustling footsteps came, 'Enkidu' appeared in Ophis's field of vision.
At this time 'Enkidu's' appearance wasn't much better. The outer robe that originally remained spotlessly clean no matter how much fighting became tattered, stained with bloodstains, and the exposed skin had several places showing soil-like appearance, constantly repeating collapse and restoration.
Even so, she still stood.
Walking beside Ophis, 'Enkidu' couldn't help but laugh.
"I won."
"Is that so?"
Ophis smiled faintly again, noncommittal.
'Enkidu' raised her hand transformed into blade form high.
"This way, the old humanity's death struggles will also scatter and collapse. How about it, any last words? Letting you speak them is also fine."
At this time, 'Enkidu' didn't notice that her attitude toward Ophis had inexplicably softened somewhat.
"Enkidu..."
"I'm not Enkidu."
Before she finished speaking, 'Enkidu' coldly interrupted Ophis.
"I am the same as magical beasts, existence created by Mother, also the prototype of new humanity ruling this world as replacement, new humanity made by the primordial goddess────Tiamat, true name is────Kingu."
"Kingu?"
Ophis blinked.
"The first of the eleven children? Tiamat's second husband?"
Saying these legends about Kingu, Ophis's gaze toward 'Enkidu'... should say Kingu began to turn strange.
"Hmph, I'm not that weak failure, but a perfect existence made using the gods' greatest masterpiece Enkidu as model... perfectly designed as next-generation humanity."
Speaking of the original Kingu, the current Kingu's eyes flashed with undisguised disdain.
"Therefore I can guarantee you, humanity will not perish. After old humanity dies out, human order will unfold anew... so die peacefully. The joy of returning to nothingness is the final salvation granted to you!"
Kingu spoke at length, while Ophis's gaze became increasingly strange.
"How about it, curious things are also known now, right? Guarantees are also made, so you should be able to obediently go die, right?"
"My words aren't finished yet..."
Ophis finally couldn't help but sigh slightly.
"Oh, what words? As my generosity, I'll let you speak one last time."
"Mm... I confirmed some things."
"What!?"
In Kingu's surprised gaze, Ophis's body that had been recovering instead began dissipating at dozens of times the speed.
"First, you really aren't Enkidu."
Kingu finally reacted, the blade in her hand flashed, already stabbed into the ground.
However, it didn't hit the target.
Ophis had completely dissipated.
"Second, you're stupider than Enkidu, more foolish than Enkidu, and talk too much."
Purple light particles condensed into an upper body in the air above Kingu, Ophis chuckled.
"You!"
This time Kingu's reaction was quite swift, countless weapons immediately emerged from the ground beneath her feet pointing toward Ophis, about to fire, but suddenly countless magic circles appeared around, surrounding her densely.
"When did..."
Kingu's expression darkened, the enormous magical pressure made her temporarily not act rashly.
"Finally, from the moment you failed to kill me with one strike, your victory became hopeless."
With Ophis's finger snap, outside the originally appeared magic circles, a second layer, third layer appeared, layer after layer more and more magic circles kept appearing, until stopping at the fifth layer.
"This is the final gift, receive it well."
Though each shot's power wasn't high... just by quantity alone it was enough to give Kingu a hard time.
Unlike the situation just now when scattered in mid-air, now all the magic circles were pointing straight at the target, not giving Kingu any dodging space.
"Damn it!"
Kingu gritted her teeth, only having time to summon chains to surround herself, when Ophis's voice, again stripped of emotion, rang out once more.
"Two thousand paths... go."
As soon as the words fell, a huge mushroom cloud rose slowly in the forest.
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Looking at the mushroom cloud that hadn't dissipated yet, Merlin whistled.
"Quite spectacular. So how about it, resolved?"
In the forest beside the three Servants, Ophis walked out slowly.
At this time her body hadn't fully recovered, purple light particles flickering all over.
"That level cannot possibly destroy Enkidu."
Ophis shook her head lightly, then turned around.
"Let's return to Uruk."
The others had no reason to object, and no accidents occurred along the way. The group safely returned within the north wall.
"Everyone, are you alright? Are there any places needing treatment?"
Just entering the wall, Medea like a little angel appeared before everyone, asking with some concern.
"Mm, we're fine."
Ophis showed a faint smile, nodding to Medea.
"Hmm... King Ophis seems much more cheerful."
Watching the interaction between the two girls from behind, Merlin stroked his chin.
"King Ophis, you've returned?"
Following right after Medea, Jeanne and Arjuna who were guarding the rear also hurried over.
"Um... just now all the Dingir on the city walls fired automatically..."
"It's fine, I did it."
"Eh, is that so? Amazing, worthy of being king."
Jeanne seemed quite amazed.
At this time, a light arrow suddenly shot over, then was knocked away by Ophis's wave.
"Really, so you were here?"
Sitting on the heavenly boat Maanna, Ishtar crossed her arms haughtily.
"I specially went to Uruk to find you to play just now! To find you I turned (bombed) the entire pyramid temple upside down! Really, standing up a goddess or something, never heard of it."
"No... I shouldn't have made any appointment with Ishtar to meet... speaking of what Ishtar took from Uruk..."
"Hah? If I say there is then there is! Besides I didn't take anything, those were all proper compensation I collected, proper compensation!"
Waving her hand on Maanna, Ishtar suddenly narrowed her eyes looking at Ophis.
Being stared at by that burning gaze, Ophis tilted her head.
"Ishtar, something wrong?"
"No, I feel you've changed somewhat, as if you've let go of something."
Saying this, Ishtar suddenly smiled somewhat gently.
"This feels much better to this goddess than before."
"Is that so..."
Ophis's head tilted again.
"Though I don't particularly care about Ishtar's feelings..."
"Wait... I discovered it, though you don't talk much, you occasionally suddenly say quite hurtful things from before!?"
Watching several people getting along harmoniously, Altera silently turned around, quietly leaving.
"Altera."
However, Ophis suddenly called out to her.
"Today defeating the scorpion-men, I must thank Altera."
"No... this is work."
Destroying everything blocking the path - this was her job.
Altera nodded in response, about to leave again, but her hem was grabbed by Ophis.
"Even so, I must thank you. Celebrate today?"
Looking at Ophis's sparkling eyes, Altera somehow, as if possessed, nodded in agreement.
Anyway, after winning battles before, tribespeople would also drag her to celebrate...
"Mm, defeating the scorpion-men is also a milestone."
"Yes, at least we know the opponent isn't invincible."
Merlin also rarely said something that could be considered positive, and Jeanne also smiled in agreement.
Looking at everyone, Ophis's smile became even gentler.
Though even stronger enemies were still ahead...
But they could definitely win!
For humanity, for Uruk, and also for Enkidu.
And for herself.
They must win!
[Cannot leave it alone...]
[Cannot forgive...]
[That King's evil deeds...]
[That King's cruelty...]
[Looking at countless sorrows yet doing nothing, merely smiling, that demon.]
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───Like a slideshow, scenes flashed by rapidly.
───That was humanity's stagnation, humanity's tragedy, humanity's lament.
No matter what era...
No matter what country...
In the human world, there are many tragedies.
Those who kill their own children, those killed by their children.
Those who don't understand love, those who abandon love.
Those who resent betrayal, those who survive betrayal.
Those who don't know family, those who abandon family.
Those who lose wealth, those killed for wealth.
Those who don't understand love, those who mock love.
Those who pursue success, those who hate success.
Those who protect faith, those who detest faith.
Loving compatriots, despising others, learning wisdom, spreading ignorance, breeding hatred, agitating misunderstanding, preferring discrimination, persecution, pity, compassion.
What ugly and pitiful creatures.
But that's fine for ordinary people.
Humans aren't omnipotent, everyone can only swallow pain, while committing contradictions, while seeking survival.
However, if it's an omnipotent king, it's different. He has the power and means to solve these.
Having the clairvoyance to see through past and future, grasping all tragedies and sorrows of this world, having these, yet in the end doing nothing.
Only a smiling king. If he didn't know it would be one thing. But after knowing these, still only a king who continues smiling.
"Knowing yet feeling nothing! Don't you want to correct this tragedy!"
To my accusation, the king answered thus.
"Hmm... not really... I don't particularly think so?"
────────────────────────────────
───This man.
All of us thought this.
───Unforgivable!
────────────────────────────────
Recording our hatred here.
Leaving traces for those who continue in the future.
Let us construct a temple.
Let us overlay light rings.
To destroy that one, we need all resources.
To forget that one, we need all time.
───Seek the path to the final singularity.
There lies the Magic King's throne.
That space's name is Solomon.
The ending's apex, the altar of time's vortex, will become the hope reaching the beginning───
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"King... King..."
A gentle female voice seemed to come from a distant place.
"King!"
"Siduri?"
Ophis opened her eyes to see Siduri looking at her with concern.
"King, are you alright? If needed we can immediately arrange rest time. The King's body is Uruk's most important treasure, absolutely cannot be lost."
Seems I was absent-minded for quite a while...
Ophis gently shook her head.
"No matter, continue the report."
"Yes... if the King's body has any problems please bring them up immediately. This is the brothel's complaint report, and some issues about the east market, as well as disputes about item exchange problems..."
Ophis really wanted to raise issues.
Why did she, a king, manage things similar to a village chief?
Rubbing her brow, Ophis reached out to stop Siduri.
"Leave it for now, I'll handle it later. How is the battle situation at the north wall?"
"Thanks to Lady Jeanne's command and the brave fighting of the other two, the battle line is still holding, but recently some strange things have been discovered."
Siduri frowned, seeming quite puzzled.
"Mm?"
"As the King knows, the north wall's defense isn't without flaws. Flying and wall-climbing magical beasts often find opportunities to cross the wall. Of course the north wall has established countermeasures for this, but even so, occasionally magical beasts still succeed, causing attacks on ordinary citizens."
"This is unavoidable normal circumstances, what about it?"
Ophis half-closed her eyes, seeming to have already anticipated Siduri's next words.
"The magical beasts almost never kill the attacked on the spot, but will take them away alive from the north wall. Considering magical beast habits, even if a few have preferences for live food, it's impossible for all magical beasts to be the same, but as long as there's opportunity, magical beasts almost inevitably will..."
"Regarding this point."
The high priest's words were suddenly interrupted by Ophis before finishing.
"Siduri, it's better not to investigate further." "Y-Yes!" Facing Ophis's meaningful gaze directly, Siduri instinctively did not pursue the matter further, and bowed to Ophis. "Then, besides this there are no problems. If the King has no other matters, then High Priest Siduri will take leave first." "Mm." Letting Siduri leave, Ophis lightly sighed in the temple where there was no one else besides herself. "Oh, what's wrong? Sighing alone by yourself, this is not something you would do." Or rather, it should have been that there was no one else besides herself. A blonde girl wearing a black dress with a light red cloak draped over it walked into this temple hall that supposedly no one could trespass into as if no one was around. "Ereshkigal... why have you come?" Ophis seemed not too surprised by the goddess's appearance, but still opened her mouth to inquire. "Because you didn't come to the usual place today, so I came to find you instead." Ereshkigal covered her mouth and laughed lightly, quite naturally finding a random seat nearby and sitting down. "I do not have any obligation to arrive at any particular place at any particular time..." "I know, so I came over myself." "..." Ophis still decided not to discuss these issues with this goddess whose thinking she could never understand. "You still haven't answered me. Did something happen?" "No... nothing..." After thinking carefully, Ophis still responded thus. "It was just a somewhat sad dream." "Is that so?" Ereshkigal did not pursue further, only smiled it off. "If it's just a dream, then that's good." "Yes..." Ophis looked toward the starry sky outside through the temple's window. "If it's just a dream, then that's good." "Not talking about this, tell me about the recent war situation..."
"Is that so... magical beasts that steal away the living..." Ereshkigal's tone was somewhat dejected, her gaze also dimmed slightly. Ophis sighed in her heart. It had been going on for several months now - why did she have to tell the other party everything truthfully... Although her eloquence had improved, when she talked too much her character setting would collapse... However, having someone to confide in wasn't a bad thing either. But before that, there were still some other problems. "Ereshkigal." "...Why does calling my own name sound so awkward? Just call me Ereshkigal." "...Then Ereshkigal, regarding the many residents of Uruk who have been dying from unknown causes recently..." As soon as Ophis spoke, Ereshkigal's expression became somewhat unnatural. "Ah... no... there are various reasons on this side..." Finally, under Ophis's gaze, Ereshkigal sighed in surrender, her expression becoming serious. "No matter what, I still need to make you understand. Although now you and I can converse harmoniously like this, my goals and beliefs have never changed from before until now. So I said from the beginning, right? If you want to stop me, come with the determination to destroy everything about me. Until now, because of my personal interest, I've continuously sought you out for conversation like today. Until such interest disappears in the future, this point will not change at all. So, if you want to kill me, anytime is fine." "Is that so?" Ophis seemed unsurprised, only smiling blandly. "I have remembered." "Ah, sorry to disturb, may I ask if King Ophis is home?" Just at this time, a discordant voice suddenly interjected. "Tch..." Seeing Merlin who suddenly intruded into the surveillance image from outside, Ereshkigal clicked her tongue. "Let's end it here for today. Dawn is almost breaking." Leaving these words, Ereshkigal melted into the shadows and disappeared. "Merlin, what is it?" "Mm, I saw some interesting things. Requesting to go out - is that alright?" "...Is that so. I understand." Without asking more, Ophis allowed Merlin to leave, then looked toward the sky again. The stagnant gears are about to start turning...
If following the original world line, after Hero King Gilgamesh went out searching for the elixir of immortality, the original Babylon would have no one to manage it, causing his country to become desolate by the time he returned, and his people to have scattered long ago. Thus, Gilgamesh completely abandoned old Babylon and established a new city-state in the southeast, starting his rule from zero - this was not difficult given his leadership abilities. If this historical line entered the singularity, Gilgamesh would later demolish Babylon to use as materials for building the northern wall. After switching to Ophis here, because Ophis had no necessity to pursue immortality - meaning there was no reason for long-term absence in the deduction - due to fate's need to stabilize history to a certain degree, Ophis's previous king had already relocated the capital for other reasons. That is to say, the current location of Ophis's Uruk was the same as Gilgamesh's new Uruk, with old Babylon similarly existing to the northwest. The difference was that due to longer abandonment, old Babylon had been occupied by another group of people. During Ophis's previous multiple conquests, after relocating the population... Babylon was similarly demolished to serve as materials for building the northern wall. No matter what, it couldn't escape the fate of being demolished. In this abandoned capital that should have been completely desolate, having lost its past prosperity with no one visiting, several uninvited guests suddenly descended. This descent was not metaphorical, but truly dropping down from the sky. Bright silver radiance flashed, then heavily crashed into the ground. "Cough cough..." In the dust stirred up by the impact, three small figures could be vaguely seen. "Senpai... Master, are you alright?" Among the three, a somewhat soft voice came out. "Ah, I'm fine, thanks to Mash." "Mm, as expected of Miss Mash." After that, two other voices also responded in succession. The dust settled, revealing the forms of three people. A blonde girl with emerald green eyes wearing a white dress covered with armor, and a girl with short pink hair covering one eye, wearing black sleeveless armor and holding a shield. Both girls had near-perfect appearances, while between them was another girl wearing white clothes with a red side ponytail, somewhat inferior in appearance but radiating considerable vitality. At the feet of the three, a white small beast resembling a squirrel could be seen circling around them. "Phew, that's good. I was worried about what might happen just then. Are you all alright?" At this time, quite abrupt male voice came out, flashing several times from the middle girl's wristband, and a video screen appeared before them, showing a man in doctor's attire looking quite worried - obviously the voice just now came from him. "Yes... although we experienced sudden free fall from 200 meters above, thanks to Master's quick thinking we were saved... but Doctor, can you explain what exactly happened? Although there have been various accidents until now, being placed in mid-air like this has never happened before. What exactly occurred?" The shield-bearing girl called Mash frowned and inquired of the man in the screen. "This... the spirit particle transfer process seems to have been interfered with. The original setting was to transfer to the largest city of this era, and that succeeded, but at the moment of establishment, you were forcibly expelled from that location." "...Could it be the Magic King's interference?" At this time, the blonde girl beside them interjected. "Hmm... could it be that this isn't that city? It seems quite large too." At this time, the red-haired girl called Master touched her own cheek and also gave her opinion. "Sigh... is that also a city? I can indeed sense quite a few life reactions..." "It's a barrier~" Just then, a woman resembling the Mona Lisa suddenly intruded into the image. "The results are out, Roman. You were bounced out just now because of Uruk's barrier." "That means the Uruk that built such a barrier has indeed fallen into crisis?" The man seemingly called Roman also became grave. "No good... as expected of the Age of Gods... the mana density there is ridiculously thick... our processing speed can't keep up. Much information will have to be explored by yourselves. We can only help with analysis. So, can you confirm the light band in the sky?" "Ah... yes, the light band is indeed there! As for nearby, it seems to be all ruins." Mash quickly observed the surrounding situation and reported to Roman. "Is that so... then supplies can't be expected from our side. Uruk's location is also quite far from there..." At this time, the blonde girl suddenly stepped forward, a golden ornate two-handed sword appearing in her hand. "Master, please step back a few steps." "What?" Everyone seemed quite trusting of the blonde girl's words. Although they didn't understand the situation, Mash had already raised her cross-shaped large shield in front of the red-haired girl. "They appeared - hostile reactions!" Slightly delayed, Dr. Roman's warning also came through. "Be extremely careful! Due to special factors of this era, we can only transfer three of you at once. Immediate retransfer, even for short-term combat, is already impossible. Combat strength is quite tight - you must contact people who can cooperate in this era as quickly as possible!" "Don't worry! Didn't we get through like this in the very beginning?" To Roman's somewhat nervous statement, the red-haired girl appeared full of confidence. "Lily and Mash are my most excellent sword and shield!" This confidence was not directed at herself, but at the bonds the three had always shared! "Master..." The other two seemed quite moved. "Master, enemies are approaching. Please give instructions!" From the other side of the ruins, dozens of magical beasts with appearances like lions or hyenas, with manes like flames, were roaring at high speed and charging toward the three. "Good... as usual, defeat them, Lily! Mash, cover Lily's actions!" "Yes!" "Mash Kyrielight, deploying!" Two responding voices rose with the red-haired girl's command. Although the magical beasts' strength already exceeded most enemies they had faced before, they believed that as long as they had their Master's guidance, they would be led to victory! Brilliant light flashed on the sword of the blonde girl called Lily, and just as she was about to charge at the magical beasts, an unexpected change suddenly occurred.
"Wait... this reaction!" With the doctor's exclamation, countless fine golden light beams fell like raindrops. Energy fluctuations of massive scale disproportionate to their appearance swept across, and with just one wave of attack, all the magical beasts were completely eliminated. "This is!" The group looked back toward the direction the light beams appeared from. "Mm... so it's you, the so-called foreigners that everyone keeps muttering about?" A goddess with black twin-tails was juggling several gems whose light had somewhat dimmed, looking at them with a smile.
"Who are you?" Lily burst forward and moved to the rear, directly facing the girl throwing gems, with a grave expression. Although it was partly because she was too focused on dealing with the enemies in front, the fact that she, who possessed intuition, failed to notice this person's presence before they acted was indeed true. Mash also quickly turned around, blocking between the red-haired girl and the goddess with her shield. Even though the other party had just helped them defeat the attacking magical beasts, this didn't mean the other party was 100% trustworthy - vigilance was still necessary. "Don't recognize me... I'll forgive you this once considering you're those foreigners, but next time remember to watch your tone, little girl. Know that in Mesopotamia, no human dares to speak to me like this." Ishtar slightly narrowed her eyes, her pair of seductive red eyes staring directly at the three, giving them immense pressure. However, their stance still didn't relax. "Although we're very sorry, before clarifying your identity, we cannot lower our guard against a strong person like you." After all, Ishtar's appearance was far too forceful. If it were something like losing control of a sky boat and falling from the sky... with such an entrance, the group probably wouldn't have much wariness toward her. Most importantly, she directly revealed their origins. Although this wasn't without precedent, it also represented that the other party was connected to the task they needed to complete. While Mash and Lily were confronting Ishtar, the red-haired girl was also communicating with the previous man to obtain information. "Doctor..." "Be extremely careful. Although the other party's hostility isn't high, there's also no much friendly aura, and her spiritual foundation is..." At this time, Ishtar interestedly spoke again. "Oh, is that so... but before asking others' identities, shouldn't you introduce yourselves first?" The red-haired girl swallowed, then became determined and walked forward a few steps. "Hello, we are members from an organization called Chaldea, here to repair human order in this era... although you might not understand much, please believe we are not suspicious people." "Hah? Are you doubting this goddess's unparalleled wisdom? Anyway, foreign guests means something like that, right? Although I knew some of it originally, it's indeed hard to believe... but your disrespect to me can be slightly understood because of this - after all, you're barbarians who don't respect gods." "Feels like we don't need this kind of understanding..." All three Chaldea girls seemed somewhat speechless, but seeing the other party truly had no intention to harm them, they somewhat lowered their guard. "Then, can we finally have a proper conversation?" Roman in the image spoke up. "I am Romani Archaman, acting director of Chaldea, and this red-haired girl is a magus who can contract with Heroic Spirits, serving as Master Fujimaru Ritsuka. The other two are her Servants... So what about you? With that reaction, undoubtedly..." "No, I won't give my name to humans of this level. To become a hero, you need at least the strength to convince a goddess." Ishtar somewhat boredly interrupted Roman's words, her emotional shifts so rapid that the three girls couldn't help but be amazed. How did she go from seeming interested to this bored appearance in just a second? "Haha, as expected of a deity?" Roman smiled bitterly, showing no surprise, but quickly became grave again. "Ritsuka, there are magical beast reactions similar to before appearing again... this time even more than before." "Hah? At this time? How troublesome." Roman didn't deliberately hide it, so Ishtar naturally heard his warning too. "Can't be helped, but I'm still somewhat curious about something..." Standing up and lightly leaping, Ishtar landed on a sky boat that had appeared beside her at some point. "Hey, you who claim to come save human order, perform well and let me see what qualifications you have to make such boastful claims? Know that even that strange little guy doesn't have this ability." "Mm! Lily, Mash, get ready!" Ritsuka quickly got motivated and began commanding her two Servants. "Yes!" x2 At this time, a magical beast with the same appearance as before jumped out from behind the ruins. Seeing this, Lily concentrated magic power at her feet and shot forward, wielding the golden sword and charging first. The golden sword blazed with light, tracing an elegant arc and directly severing the beast's head. It seemed easy, but was actually a sneak attack while the magical beast hadn't fully entered combat stance, and in Lily's intuition, that magical beast was quite weak among them. As expected, another magical beast quickly leaped above Lily and swung its claws down, while several other magical beasts flanked from the side. Whether blocking or dodging, in this situation either would expose weaknesses. However, Lily didn't panic, only retreating slightly. Almost simultaneously, Mash appeared in front of Lily with her giant shield, blocking the magical beast's strike and then launching it skyward. The next second, the golden sword blazed to its peak, and with Lily's thrust, a golden beam instantly pierced through the magical beast that couldn't dodge in mid-air. At the same time, magical beasts trying to sneak attack were also blocked by Mash's shield, unable to approach. But several smarter magical beasts had already circled behind Mash and Lily, surrounding them. Then, one magical beast each from front and back simultaneously pounced at them. Lily and Mash quickly exchanged glances, then Mash spun to Lily's rear and blocked the rear beast's attack, while Lily slashed the beast that was caught off guard by the sudden disappearance of its target. Perfect coordination - even Ishtar watched with admiration. After all, "cooperation" had never existed in her dictionary. This time the remaining magical beasts didn't hesitate, leaving only a few to maintain the encirclement while the rest all rushed forward together. Lily and Mash's expressions began to grow grave. The two were quite coordinated, but the opponents' teamwork wasn't bad either. Now being surrounded, although it wouldn't necessarily require a bitter battle, they'd need to get serious to win. Just then, almost identical to the previous scene, countless golden light beams swept away all the magical beasts.
"Um... thank you?" Although somewhat puzzled by Ishtar's sudden intervention, Ritsuka still thanked her first. "Hmph... magical beasts of this level, even without my true body I can handle them casually. But don't misunderstand - this is just because of a certain deal. Even if you survive this time, whether you can live through the next is another matter." "Deal?" Ritsuka didn't care about the other party saying they might not survive. After all, many people had said this to them before, and they were still alive. "Rather than that, you... um... have you seen something I dropped?" "Hah?" Ritsuka was puzzled by Ishtar's sudden question. "Right, that... something that looks very impressive..." "Um... could it be that something was lost?" When Ritsuka asked this, Ishtar immediately flared up. "What? How could I make such a mistake... it's because... right! Someone asked me to help find something they lost!" "No... you still haven't said clearly who lost it..." "That doesn't matter! 'Have you seen it' or 'haven't seen it' - just choose one of these two and tell me!" Ishtar's patience seemed completely worn out, radiating displeasure all over. "This..." "ROAAAAR!!!" Ritsuka wiped cold sweat and was about to answer with a bitter smile when she was interrupted by a sudden sound. "Sorry... because of the previous issue I wasn't paying attention. Magical beasts appeared again... wait, what's this? The numbers are several times more than before!? Could this city have become a magical beast nest?" Roman looked at the operation screen in panic. "Mm... I just mentioned it. Seems the 'next time' came faster than expected. Although not getting an answer is somewhat regrettable..." While Ishtar was talking to herself, Roman was also rapidly calculating surrounding data. "...Damn, all escape routes are sealed, and magical beast numbers are still increasing... only from the air! Ritsuka, try negotiating with that person beside you... if it's her..." "Wait wait wait... don't decide things on your own. Intervening twice is already this goddess's maximum tolerance, let alone taking these people away. That would let these people touch this goddess's divine body. You might not know since you just arrived, but touching my body is an absolute death sentence in this world!" Before Roman finished speaking, Ishtar interrupted him, simultaneously scanning Ritsuka and her two Servants with scrutinizing eyes. "Master... you're called Ritsuka, right? If you can't handle even this level, then repairing human order is a pipe dream. Just go back to that place called Chaldea... If you can't even return, then you're useless enough to just find somewhere to die. Listen well - only heroes can gain a goddess's recognition. I won't help weak ones with no hope of victory!" With a cold snort, Ishtar operated her sky boat, streaking across the sky before disappearing on the horizon. "Ah... as expected it won't work. I was hoping for maybe a one-in-ten-thousand chance..." "Doctor, who exactly was that person?" Just as Ritsuka was about to ask, Roman quickly interrupted. "I'll explain later. Magical beasts are approaching at high speed... analysis complete. Break through eastward - the eastern encirclement is weakest with the highest success rate!" "Good, target the eastern wall ruins. Mash and Lily, let's go! I'll heal any wounds you get!" "Yes!" "Mash Kyrielight, deploying!"
"My King! This child is mine! Please make a decision for me!" "King, don't listen to her nonsense! This child was really born by me!" Looking at two women who suddenly knelt before her with a child the moment she stepped out of the temple, crying dramatically, Ophis's face twitched slightly. This seems like a case Solomon should handle, right? ...Ophis suddenly realized that Solomon handled things at about the same level as her. Thinking this way made her feel much more balanced looking at the stone tablet in her hand with reports about family property disputes and two lost sheep. "Cut it in half..." Rubbing her forehead, Ophis sighed and said. Actually, whether it was Solomon or herself, seeing through which side had blood relations wasn't difficult... But actually, neither side did... Just then, Ophis's expression slightly froze, and with a turn of her hand, a staff appeared in her grasp. The staff's appearance was quite plain... just the most standard type with a black stick topped by a golden orb. At this time, one woman had already given up and was willing to give up the child, while the other was still clamoring that cutting in half was fine. ...With that intelligence, you're fighting others for a child? In palace intrigue dramas, you'd die first. "Siduri, take them down. You should be able to judge the result yourself." "Yes." Siduri bowed slightly, had soldiers take the two away, and followed herself. The clever one should know what to do... although neither was the real parent, giving to the caring one was better than the uncaring one.
Ophis didn't even look at the result there, throwing the staff toward the sky. A beam of light shot out, splitting into two in the high sky, then four, then eight... finally countless light beams filled the entire sky. "AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!" Very fortunately, a certain stupid goddess piloting her sky boat flew directly into the attack range... or rather, the light beams were originally aimed at her. Although the goddess demonstrated superb evasion skills... that should have been the sky boat's automatic evasion system, there were still limits. The sky boat was still hit several times and crashed down smoking. Ophis lightly stepped aside, and her original position was struck by the massive falling object. However, with the temple - even just the outer floor - such purely physical impact wouldn't cause much damage. "...So it's Ishtar. I thought it was a magical beast attack." "You definitely did that on purpose!" Physical attacks couldn't easily break through the temple's magical defenses, but Ishtar had divine power defense covering her whole body, so she smoothly buried her head in the temple floor, taking several seconds to pull it out before angrily shouting at Ophis. Ophis lightly tilted her head to avoid her spit, then spoke calmly. "How was it?" "Pretty good, I suppose. That girl serving as Master, although not particularly strong or talented, has the most brilliant soul of any hero... though I can't see through your soul." "Mm..." Hearing Ishtar's words, Ophis nodded, then threw a blue gem to Ishtar. After catching the gem, joy flashed across Ishtar's face, but she was still a goddess after all and wouldn't be moved by a mere gem (Ishtar's inner monologue). She quickly restrained herself and glared at Ophis. "Hey, just this little bit?" "This is just a down payment. If you help again later, I'll give you however much you want." "Is that so? In that case... wait, wasn't it originally agreed to be just this once? How did it suddenly become like I'm employed long-term?" "Isn't that so?" Ophis tilted her head. "It's not!" Ishtar's exasperated voice responded.
"Ten percent." "Thirty percent!" "Ten percent." "...Twenty-five percent." "Ten percent." "...Twenty percent." "Ten percent." "...(grinding teeth) Fifteen percent." "Deal." "Humhumhum... I have this feeling of being toyed with - is it an illusion?" "Truly incomprehensible. What does Ishtar want so many useless things for..." Seeing Ishtar seeming to bite her nails in distress, Ophis sighed helplessly. "If you think they're useless then give them all to me!?" "Impossible. Any more would cause permanent defects to the treasury's origin." "Tch, clearly it's a treasury that 'once completed equals the value of all wealth possessed by humanity,' yet it's really useless." Seeing Ishtar like this, Ophis's mouth twitched. Honestly, if she could really do that, she'd have no problem giving all the treasures to Ishtar, since they were things she couldn't use anyway. Her treasury was said to equal all wealth humanity possessed from now to the future once completed... but she never went to complete it! Actually, if we talk about humanity's most valuable thing, that would be wisdom, and Ophis's treasury could be called the 'Original of Human Wisdom.' As long as this concept continued to exist, even without completion, the treasury could automatically complete itself at a considerably slow pace. To maintain this concept, the things in the treasury couldn't fall below a certain level, otherwise including the highest-grade Noble Phantasms, almost all items would be gone once broken. Most importantly, Ophis's strongest attack method EA relied on support from items in the treasury. Once reduced, EA's power would also decrease considerably. "Anyway, once you use them up, I'll supply you unlimitedly." Finally, Ophis sighed. Ishtar wanted gems... basically to look at rather than use. Although due to pseudo-incarnation she seemed to need gems for battle, at that consumption rate... She might not use them all up from now until King Arthur's era. By then, Ophis's treasury would long since be reproduced. "Oh! You said it - don't go back on your word!" Ishtar, who had been somewhat dejected, immediately perked up upon hearing Ophis's promise. In her excitement, she crushed the gem she had just received. "My gem!" "..." Catching this scene from the corner of her eye, Ophis sighed again. Perhaps... even if personal demand was low, if it was this goddess, she might really use them all up in an extremely short time due to various reasons. Throwing another gem to Ishtar, Ophis headed toward the temple interior. "What was promised to Ishtar will be delivered. The temple originally dedicated to Ishtar in Uruk and the bedroom (Ianna) have been prepared and can be moved into anytime... Have someone bring the recent reports into the temple." The last sentence was directed at a nearby soldier who was trembling as he awaited orders while watching the goddess. The soldier left with relief. "Hey... you just came out, why are you going back in?" Ophis glanced at Ishtar. "I originally wanted to patrol, but there's not enough time." "What kind of look is that? Is it my fault!?" "No... because if Ishtar wasn't here, there would be time." "Saying it like that makes even me feel it's my fault!?"
"Miss Enkidu...? Is this really the way to Uruk?" On a forest path, Ritsuka looked around somewhat puzzled. According to the doctor's information... Uruk should be to the south, but this... green-haired girl kept leading them northward. Although the other party had helped them escape the magical beast encirclement, Ritsuka had quite strong doubts about the other party's consistently strange actions. Even though the other party claimed to be Enkidu, one of the possible collaborators originally scheduled by Chaldea. Having endured for a long time, Ritsuka finally asked the girl in front. "No problem. Just follow me." The girl calling herself Enkidu showed no displeasure at Ritsuka's doubt, only speaking unhurriedly with a gentle smile. "Master, I feel something's strange." Frowning, Lily whispered in Ritsuka's ear. "Even Lily..." Ritsuka's expression grew slightly grave, but she quickly concealed it. She wouldn't ignore the other party's words - the girl's intuition seemingly carved into her bloodline and hair had saved their lives countless times before. "But even so..." Mash also heard the two's conversation. "We've seen Miss Enkidu's strength just now... if she really wanted to harm us, then we also..." Would have almost no chance to fight back... even without saying this sentence, the other two understood clearly. "You all seem quite worried." At this time, 'Enkidu's' voice suddenly interrupted. "Eh?" All three were startled. "Did you... hear?" "Well... I could roughly guess from your expressions. Don't worry - if you're concerned about the direction, going forward in this direction there's a dock that still has boats. Following the river down, you can quickly reach Uruk." While the three looked somewhat embarrassed, Enkidu explained with a smile. "Work a bit harder - once we pass through here we can..." However, before finishing the sentence, a voice suddenly interrupted 'Enkidu.' "Oh oh, really? That's really good news to hear. I didn't even know there was a dock ahead here!" Hearing this voice, Lily's hand that had quickly raised her sword due to someone suddenly appearing trembled, almost dropping the golden sword. "This voice..." "Senpai, someone's approaching! That person is... seems like somewhere..." Lily's abnormality went unnoticed by anyone, as everyone focused on the white-robed man who emerged from the forest. Beside him was a small black-robed girl wearing cat-eared hat. "Hello everyone, sorry for startling you. Oh my, that young lady please put down your sword and let's talk properly. We're not suspicious people. As you can see, we're disaster victims lost in the forest. Oh my, if we hadn't suddenly discovered you all, we might have become magical beast food~ Right, Anna? I told you following me wouldn't be wrong, didn't I?" The white-robed person ignored everyone's stares and began self-introductions, then everyone looked even more strangely at this 'disaster victim' who was completely clean, wearing clothing inappropriate for the era and quite suspicious. However, 'Enkidu' still smiled gently with narrowed eyes. "Is that so? Disaster victims... We're heading toward Uruk next. If you don't mind, how about traveling together?" "Of course, even if you didn't invite me I'd cling stubbornly~ But it's unsettling to follow someone whose name I don't know... Could you tell me the young lady's name? Ah, advance notice - for certain reasons we can't casually give our names, and this little girl beside me is the same." To the white-robed person's increasingly suspicious words, 'Enkidu' only smiled calmly with narrowed eyes. "I'm Ritsuka... this is Mash and Lily, and beside us, this is Enkidu..." Seeing Lily nod slightly from the corner of her eye, Ritsuka began introductions. However, just as she finished saying 'Enkidu's' name, change occurred. 'Enkidu's' expression suddenly became ice-cold, stomping the ground as countless spears burst from the earth, directly targeting Ritsuka's three and nearby Merlin! The white-robed person's constantly half-closed eyes also opened, swinging the staff that had appeared in his hand at some point, easily deflecting the spears before spinning and drawing a golden-glowing long sword from his sleeve, cutting through the follow-up attacks and slashing toward 'Enkidu'!
The golden sword that the white-robed person suddenly drew gleamed with dazzling light, while also emanating a sacred aura.
Calling it a holy sword would be no problem at all.
However, the seemingly unstoppable holy sword was blocked halfway.
By 'Enkidu's' seemingly slender and delicate palm.
"Hmm hmm, this is really something, I see now, if you hadn't attacked me, I would have really started doubting my own memory."
The white-robed person wore a frivolous smile, heavily swinging the staff in his other hand while rapidly dancing the golden sword, attacking toward Kingu.
"What on earth is happening!?"
Relying on her intuition that was a step ahead and long-term experience, both Lily and Mash reacted the instant they were attacked, pulling Itsuka away to create distance and standing guard in front of her.
"Mm... After all, it was just an impromptu performance, originally not a lie that could be concealed for long... No, perhaps it would be more appropriate to call it teasing? Really... In just a little while, we'll be able to see an interesting scene."