Chapter 16: Pity is a Vice
Early the next morning, Siduri came to their room. "You are all up very early. Then, let us arrange your first job for today."
The first task was bricklaying. The group followed a team of workers and labored until they finally stopped around noon. "The next job is sheep shearing," Siduri informed the resting group. Following that came wheat harvesting, fruit picking, and ramming earth... the relentless work continued for dozens of days.
Then, they were finally granted a day off.
"There is no work today. Please, enjoy the sights of Uruk to your heart's content." Saying this, Merlin looked at Shirou. "By the way, Orihara, since you have such a good opportunity, why don't you invite them out on a date?"
Merlin's words made both Gudako and Mash blush.
"Hey... what are you saying all of a sudden!"
"That kind of thing... no way!"
Just then, Ana walked over. "Since you two are free today, how about helping me with a request?" As she spoke, Ana pulled silver coins from her pocket. "These are some coins I've saved up over the past few days. Using these as payment, would you be willing to accompany me on a trip?"
Finally having someone to break the tension, Gudako and Mash looked at Ana and said in unison, "Of course!"
"But there's no need for the payment. We were just looking for worthwhile work to do anyway," Mash added with a gentle smile.
Seeing her response, Ana didn't waste any time. "Then, please follow me. I will lead you to the destination. Since there will be combat, I appreciate your cooperation."
Hearing the word "combat," Gudako and Mash paused. "Eh... combat?"
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Deep beneath Uruk, in the dark and profound tunnels, Mash and Ana were battling against spirits.
"Haaa!!" Mash swung her shield, smashing the spirit in front of her to pieces. Shirou followed behind them, occasionally firing a sword to strike down spirits that were closing in on the girls. It took about half an hour to finally clear out the spirits.
"Thank you very much," Ana said.
Gudako looked around, then sighed with emotion. "I never imagined there would be such a large void beneath Uruk."
"Those spirits from earlier were also surprising. Miss Ana, do you know what they are?" Mash retracted her Noble Phantasm and turned her gaze to Ana.
Ana stood up and walked toward the top of the stairs. "They are beings somewhat similar to reapers. A fatal illness is spreading through Uruk."
"An illness?" Gudako murmured.
"Yes. Those with weakened physical strength fall into an eternal slumber. Those spirits are likely connected to this situation," Ana explained.
"Does that mean as long as we defeat those spirits, we can reduce the number of people dying from exhaustion?" Gudako asked uncertainly.
"Yes. In the Age of Gods, the death of the flesh and the death of the spirit are different."
"Does that mean even if the physical body remains intact, if the soul is taken away by the reaper, the person dies?" Mash realized.
"Yes. However, there is one detail: the state where the soul is taken away is not 'death,' but 'sleep'." Ana continued, "As long as the body is preserved intact, then as long as the soul is reclaimed, they can wake up from that sleep."
"Then, Ana, how did you discover these spirits?" Gudako asked.
"This..." Arriving back at the bustling city, Ana pointed in a direction. "Over there. Because above that flower shop, many of them are gathered..."
Hearing this, Mash smiled. "Ana is very kind."
"I am not... I was just..." Ana muttered with her head bowed. But upon discovering that all three pairs of eyes were focused on her, her cheeks flushed red, and she hurriedly turned her head away, pulling her hood down a little further.
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After staying in Uruk for nearly a month, the three of them had become very familiar with the city.
"Finally finished...!" Walking on the road back, Gudako stretched her slender waist and sighed.
"Indeed. Now that this job is also done, what kind of work will Miss Siduri arrange for us next...?" Mash said with anticipation.
"Are you two addicted to working part-time or something?" Shirou said, speechless.
Just then, Gudako, who was walking in the lead, suddenly said "Eh?" Looking in the direction of her gaze, they saw an old man in black robes sitting quietly in the dim alley.
"It looks like he is hungry," Mash noted.
Gudako immediately stepped forward. "Um, I might be meddling, but please, take this." She took a flatbread from the bag she was carrying.
The old man looked at her, and his deep, resonant voice rang out. "Pointless pity is a vice, and pointless shame is also a vice. However, this old man still wishes to thank you for your intentions." The elder reached out to take the bread. "Since that is the case, let this old man give you a return gift."
"You don't have to be so polite," Gudako said hastily.
"Listen carefully." The old man spoke of his own accord: "Uruk will encounter three storms hereafter."
"Three storms?" Gudako asked, confused.
"Do not show understanding toward those who harbor hatred. Do not show agreement toward those who harbor joy. Furthermore, do not show admiration toward those who harbor agony." The old man continued, "Remember: discussing humanity with the gods is an act of foolishness."
After saying this, a gust of wind kicked up, and amidst the swirling sand and dust, Gudako and Mash were forced to close their eyes. When they opened them again, the old man had vanished.
"Those words... what did they mean?" Gudako looked at Shirou in confusion. Without realizing it, they had developed the habit of asking Shirou whenever they encountered something they didn't understand, or when they faced a problem they couldn't solve. They were truly treating him like Doraemon.
"Literal meaning." Shirou shrugged. "And he was right about that last part."
"What?" Gudako blinked, puzzled.
Shirou answered her question calmly: "Discussing humanity with gods is meaningless."
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The next day, Gilgamesh summoned them. After a month-long gap, the group arrived once again at the top of the Ziggurat.
"Did you call for us, King Gilgamesh?" Gudako asked.
"I have summoned you because there is work to be done. I imagine you are about tired of those trivial, cumbersome tasks," Gilgamesh held the Holy Grail in his hand, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Then...!" Gudako's eyes lit up.
"Yes, that's right. Next is your first official task: head to the city of Ur immediately and investigate the situation occurring there." The Wise King looked at the three of them with a smile. "If your performance this time satisfies me..."
The rest of the sentence went unspoken.
"Go!" the Wise King shouted.
"Yes!" Gudako and Mash replied immediately.
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