"...So, this is the sum of your data? It reads like the cringe-inducing scribblings of a child's 'secret notebook.' I see no weaknesses here—not a single one worth mentioning."
『...Yes. If I must name one... I cannot walk upon the earth. I cannot set foot upon the land unless I first encroach upon the sea and craft a foothold of my own.』
"Hmph. So the only options are to part the seas or drain the oceans dry? That might have been a simple feat in the Age of Gods, but for a Servant? —I shall have to bolster Marduk's output; I'll need Moses and Karna to lend their strength. And this... 'Cellular Compulsion Amino Geis.' Anything that falls into the mud is forcibly turned into a thrall—immortal so long as life exists... Truly, the Goddess of Creation is a marvel. Her existence is so absurd it's almost laughable."
『—But you must overcome this. I, too, pray that you grasp that future. That is why...』
"I am well aware. I was merely taken aback for a moment. Once the information is gathered, there is no problem I cannot solve. —Though, Marduk alone will not suffice. If we are to stand a chance, we must elevate it to the status of a true 'God'..."
『...』
"...What is it? Is there more you wish to convey? Speak. I shall resolve it as if it were the simplest thing in the world."
『—Yes. —Once I have manifested as a Beast... I will be capable of... 'Reaching the Heavens.'』
"————————————"
『...That is why, Gilgamesh, you must look beyond the moment the sea is sealed. You must consider what comes after.'』
"—————— (Speechless)"
『...Gilgamesh?』
"—Hahaha! Now that is more like it! A climax truly worthy of the doom that seeks to raze my Uruk!! Buhahahaha!!"
『—...』
Interlude: Preparations for the Decisive Battle
Arrogance? No—call it a King's composure.
"Now then, the assault on Uruk draws near. It is time to play our hand..."
Seated upon his throne, the Hero King Gilgamesh muttered to himself. Though it was a tranquil afternoon, his aura was taut with the tension and dignity unique to a sovereign. Bathed in that regal pressure, Air spoke up.
—"What if we focus on Marduk's activation and maintenance? That battleship will surely be our ultimate trump card."
"It is essential. That vessel is a relic of the Age of Gods, built to deliver results even in the most extreme environments. Not a single oversight can be permitted. Furthermore—it will be of great use in the Temple of Time."
—"Even in the Temple of Time?"
The King's words prompted a reflex question. The realization followed almost instantly.
—"You mean we should expect a massive engagement with the Demon God Pillars? That the enemy stronghold is protected by a mechanism requiring the total annihilation of all seventy-two pillars?"
"Precisely. Reaching the Temple of Time is not the end. It is merely the beginning. —I have my ways, but much depends on the Master. I must ensure we have a 'rock-solid countermeasure' prepared."
（I'm with the King on this one. Miracles are things that happen; they aren't things you rely on. —Besides, miracles don't happen to people who just sit around praying for them.）
Fou tapped away at a keyboard, echoing the King's sentiment. He was already busy calculating data on the Demon God Pillars.
—"Even if we cannot rely on miracles, preparation and vigilance will never betray us. I suggest we dedicate this final renovation entirely to Marduk."
Gilgamesh nodded at Air's counsel and stood from his throne. His form was alive with an unshakeable sense of self and sovereign might.
"Very well—then we move! Four days remain until the final campaign. I shall ensure our preparations to conquer the nursery of the Demon God Pillars are absolute! To turn arrogance into certainty—that, too, is the duty of a King! I shall teach them that there is not a one-in-ten-thousand chance of my defeat!"
（He's reliable, and he definitely has the means, but whenever those specific words come out of his mouth, I get hit with a wave of anxiety... It must be his track record in other timelines...）
The King's mobilization. The Princess who stood by him. And the Beast who laughed with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
A King's work is never done. The final maintenance of Marduk began.
The Gift of the World
"Enkidu. Take this. Use it as a catalyst or support."
The King walked to Enkidu's side and, as his first act of mobilization, tossed him a colorless, transparent Holy Grail. As Enkidu caught it, the object broke into particles, binding and fusing with his very being.
"—This is an extraordinary boost. The moment we connected, my performance spiked to a level incomparable to what I was just a moment ago."
True to his word, the magical energy and pressure radiating from him surged to a terrifying degree. The earth trembled, the air groaned, and a sharp chill pricked the skin of anyone nearby.
—"That is the 'World Grail.' It draws from the world itself. While it lacks the wish-granting power of a filled Grail, it provides a massive reservoir of mana and can be used to break a Servant's limits. Its power rivals—and perhaps exceeds—the legendary Grail sought by the Knights of the Round Table. Normally, its power only manifests after a Singularity is resolved, but..."
"If we do not conquer the Singularity, it will never be filled. If the world did not lose its mind, it would never see the light of day—a useless treasure. Yet, it is perfectly suited for a problem of this scale. I entrust one to you."
Enkidu smiled gracefully, unaffected by the surging power. He covered his mouth with a gentle gesture.
"So, you're both putting your expectations on me? Hehe, that makes me happy. —Leave it to me. I'll do my absolute best to function as a perfect weapon. —Air, I might end up stealing Gil's spotlight, so I'll apologize in advance, okay?"
Enkidu laughed mischievously, prompting Fou to bat at him with his paws.
（This guy is ambitious! What a personality. Punishment! Punishment!）
"Ow, ow... sorry, sorry! It was a joke. I'll follow orders properly. We have a Master, after all. —By the way, regarding her..."
"She is an Evil of Humanity. A delightful turn of events, isn't it? —Well, 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,' as that fellow Hammurabi decreed. She is the perfect choice to crush Goetia's ambitions."
Enkidu narrowed his eyes at the revelation.
"Ah... I thought so. She's a mysterious girl. I felt a turbulence like mud from her, yet also the same kindness that once taught me how to take form."
—"Master is a wonderful person! I recommend her with total confidence as the best Master in the world, someone truly worthy of your trust!"
Air spoke with conviction, wanting to erase any shred of doubt or prejudice. It was a personal wish to ensure Enkidu saw the Master for who she truly was.
—"I guarantee it! She is someone worthy of having you by her side, Enkidu!"
Stunned by Air's unyielding attitude, Enkidu blinked before his expression softened into a smile.
"—Pffft. Don't worry. If she's a Master who can keep Gil this well-behaved, I'm not worried at all. —Yes. I understand. I'll just add one more thing to my list of what to protect. ...If it's your word, it's worth believing."
—"Enkidu..."
"You're far too soft on Air. Did the two of you share some secret exchange while I wasn't looking?"
At the King's question, Enkidu simply gave a soft smile, twirling a lock of hair around his finger as he playfully stuck out his tongue.
"Back when neither of us had a fixed shape."
"?"
"—It's nothing. Thank you. I'll use this gift well. I want to run some tests on this upgraded body, and I'm sure you two still have work to do, right? Be careful."
With that, Enkidu vanished using 'Instantaneous Movement,' leaving only the chirping of birds and the three members of the Uruk team behind.
"His concerns have vanished. He will fight with peerless valor for Uruk. —Now, next. And another thing..."
—"?"
"Don't get too distracted by Enkidu. He is only gentle when he's in standby mode. Once he's fully 'activated'... well, he can be quite a handful."
（An unsheathed blade is a terrifying thing. Don't get cut, Air.）
—"Y-Yes, sir!"
"Hahaha! Then let us be off! It wouldn't do to get caught in the wake of his warm-up!"
...That every single enemy in the simulator was wiped out within the hour is a story for another time.
-------------------------------
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