It wasn't just that Rovi didn't die.
He could distinctly feel himself growing stronger.
Not that this newfound strength came from within—it was entirely external: specifically, the key Gilgamesh had given him, granting access to the treasury of Babylon.
Within that treasury was an endless arsenal of treasures collected by Gilgamesh.
Many were even capable of enhancing the user's abilities on their own.
For anyone else, this would be a blessing.
But for Rovi, it was the last thing he wanted—because it would only make his quest all the harder.
He glanced up toward the throne, at the radiant golden figure seated atop the steps.
Just as his gaze met Gilgamesh's blood-red eyes, the king grinned and declared, "Spare me the thanks. I have no desire to hear your filthy mongrel's barking again!"
"Of course, I am a generous king. Originally, after your clownish performance, I thought to grant you a single treasure as a reward." Gilgamesh clapped his hands.
"But now, after this even more amusing display, you've earned a greater reward—so I'll lend you the use of my vault. Be grateful!"
As always, his words were full of self-praise and casual contempt for others. Rovi knew there was no refusing him.
He just shook his head and muttered, "Idiot."
Still hoping to provoke him.
But for whatever reason, Gilgamesh didn't take offense. In fact, he looked all the more entertained—when it came to "like-minded" souls, he was surprisingly tolerant of any amount of insolence.
"..." Siduri, watching, felt a sudden urge to check whether the king had been swapped for someone else.
"Ahhh, you—you dare ignore me?!"
Finally, Ishtar, snapped out of her shock at her failed attack, returned to her senses.
The black-haired, fiercely beautiful goddess shot a glare at Gilgamesh on the throne, then fixed her red eyes on Rovi.
There was no way she hadn't realized it was Gilgamesh who'd intervened on Rovi's behalf, gifting him a powerful treasure.
But at this moment, she found herself uncaring about Gilgamesh.
Because Rovi's brazen insults had left her feeling a level of humiliation she'd never experienced before—not since Gilgamesh himself had rebuffed her.
But now, after her attack failed, she had cooled off somewhat.
Suddenly, she realized that if she simply killed Rovi, it would be an admission of defeat.
As if conceding that she, the goddess of beauty, really didn't understand beauty—and was, in fact, ugly.
Even in this possessed form.
And she was not willing to accept such a humiliation.
She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling beneath her clothing, then smiled at Rovi. "Rovi, is it? I'll remember you."
"No one's ever called me ugly to my face—or claimed I know nothing of beauty. You're the first."
In the vast, radiant throne room, sunlight streamed through the latticework dome, dust motes swirling in columns of light. The goddess flipped her hair, eyes lingering on the golden portals of the Vault of Babylon swirling around Rovi.
She smiled, her lips even redder than before.
"But next time, I'll show you what it means to witness a goddess's true beauty!"
"Just you wait… you bastard!"
Wait a second, weren't you here to find Gilgamesh?
Why is all your attention on me now?
Rovi had an ominous sense that he'd outsmarted himself.
It was all too clear: the humiliation he'd given her was even deeper than the simple rejection she'd gotten from Gilgamesh.
So Ishtar, naturally, had "transferred her affections"!
Rovi wanted to object.
But Ishtar wasn't giving him a chance—she vanished without another word.
A peal of laughter came from the throne: "Ha! I must admit, you really do have a talent for clownery!"
"That was the best entertainment I've had in ages!"
"That just means your sense of humor is about as low as a bug's," Rovi replied, eyes deadpan and utterly unfiltered.
Siduri blinked in surprise—she'd gotten used to their banter, but hadn't heard what happened in the temple, nor had she fully adjusted to Rovi's ways.
But what startled her even more was—
"Hmph. Even if I'm a bug, I shine like the blazing sun, dazzling all the sky with my brilliance!" Gilgamesh declared, totally unashamed.
You're actually owning it… Siduri barely resisted the urge to cover her face.
"Still a bug," Rovi muttered, stepping up onto the dais. "A stinking bug."
"If I'm a bug, then what are you? A ball of dung?"
"If I'm a dung ball, then you're the maggot inside it…"
"..."
Watching this bizarre back-and-forth, Siduri fell silent—then, all of a sudden, burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" Rovi and Gilgamesh stopped at once, both looking her way.
No way would Siduri answer honestly to the king.
She just thought, Gilgamesh and Rovi… they really do bicker like friends.
It was a scene she'd never seen before.
The lofty king—no longer alone.
"Hmph, you think he's ridiculous too, don't you?" Gilgamesh said with mock understanding.
"The ridiculous one is you, Goldie," Rovi shot back.
"Goldie?" The young king of Uruk frowned, not understanding.
"I mean your constant gold-plated, stuck-up attitude." Rovi snorted.
"Gold-plated, huh? An excellent title for a great king such as myself!" Gilgamesh brightened, catching the gist, if not the spirit.
But Rovi had lost interest in bickering.
He went to sit on the steps beside the throne.
So much had happened in one day—so many twists and turns—that he was genuinely exhausted.
Time to think of a new plan... After this string of "failures," Rovi was starting to wonder if he needed to rethink his approach.
As Rovi sat, neither Gilgamesh nor Siduri said a word about it.
Truth be told, Rovi's conduct—barring his temper—was the very model of a loyal retainer.
Especially his fearless stand against Ishtar; it had the air of a true champion, a paragon of loyalty.
With that on his record, any other faults could be forgiven…
Why is it that no matter how rude I am, Gilgamesh never gets angry?
Rovi wondered, lost in thought. Even exile to the border would be fine…
"Your Majesty," Siduri's voice interrupted his musings. "There's a matter that requires your attention."
Gilgamesh waved a hand.
"Speak."
His gaze returned to its usual cool sharpness.
Siduri inclined her head. "It's about the forest of magical beasts to the west…"
"There's trouble again?" Gilgamesh eyed her.
"Yes." The young vizier nodded. "The beasts' rampage is causing serious problems for our border settlements."
"My suggestion is to send a powerful warrior to seal off the forest's entrances for good, but…"
"But in all of Uruk, only I, the great king, have that strength, isn't that right?"
Gilgamesh sneered. "Tch. A bunch of mong—worthless fools!"
Siduri said nothing more, but her meaning was clear. She knew the king would not refuse.
---
T/N: hueheuhue i love gil