Chapter 17: The Tropical Rainforest of Ur
The group followed Merlin down the stairs leading below the Ziggurat.
"It seems King Gilgamesh is in a very good mood today; he even went out of his way to show us the Holy Grail. However, I can't help but feel that the Holy Grail is a bit..." Gudako's voice trailed off.
"It seems you've noticed it too. That one is different from the Holy Grails recovered in the previous six Singularities. We can only wait for Dr. Roman's analysis, but there is likely no mistake," Merlin said.
"Then, is there another Holy Grail forming this Singularity?" Gudako asked, surprised.
"Hmm, I'm just not sure if that Holy Grail is in the hands of the 'Three Goddess Alliance' or someone else," Merlin said. "In any case, it won't be the one in King Gilgamesh's possession."
"Regardless... let's investigate the city of Ur first." Gudako looked at Shirou. "If we encounter danger, we'll have to rely on you, Orihara-senpai."
"If a goddess appears, leave it to me," Shirou nodded.
In short, following Gudako and Mash made it easier to encounter those goddesses, which was exactly why Shirou hadn't left yet.
"Then, let us depart." With the promise of a powerhouse like Shirou, Gudako immediately became full of confidence.
Just as they were approaching the city gate, Ushiwakamaru came running toward them, waving her hand.
"Orihara~!"
"Huh? It sounds like she's calling you, Orihara-senpai," Gudako said.
"Hey~! Orihara!" Ushiwakamaru, who had run over while panting, looked at the group. "We heard from Lady Siduri that you are about to set out on an expedition. How auspicious."
"Thank you, Ushiwakamaru," Gudako said.
"It is a pity that Mr. Leonidas is at the front lines, so we cannot inform him of this," Mash apologized.
Ushiwakamaru nodded. "I am also heading to the Demonic Front after this to reinforce Mr. Leonidas. I wish everyone good fortune in battle! If we are all still alive by then, we shall meet again." Saying this, Ushiwakamaru smiled at Shirou. "Let's drink together when that time comes~"
"Fine," Shirou nodded.
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The city of Ur lay within the dense forest, surrounded by tree after tree. Along the way to Ur, the group encountered various types of Demonic Beasts, but they were not very strong and were easily taken care of by Ana.
"These Demonic Beasts are called 'Mushkhushu,' one of the eleven beasts created by the primordial goddess Tiamat—the dragon of Babylon, and also something like the child of mystery..." Merlin spoke endlessly, looking as if he expected praise for his knowledge of the names and origins of these beasts.
But no one paid him any attention.
"Keep moving, you idiot Merlin!" Ana said coldly.
"..." Not receiving the praise he expected, Merlin's face immediately slumped.
After the trio crossed the mountain ridge, what met their eyes was a vast forest resembling a tropical jungle, and in the very center of that forest sat a massive city. The surrounding forest acted like a natural barrier, enclosing the city within.
Upon stepping into the massive dense forest, the group encountered their first obstacle. The place felt like a tropical jungle and was incredibly hot; no breeze could penetrate it, and the flying insects swarming everywhere were infuriating. From the dark, deep forest, the cries of various animals and insects could be heard from time to time. If ordinary people unfamiliar with the terrain were to traverse this place, they would likely be wiped out by the environment before long.
"Ah... so hot, and there are so many bugs. How do the people of Ur survive here..." Merlin complained as he walked, leaning on his staff.
"Merlin, shut up! You're making it even hotter by being so annoying!" Ana wiped the sweat from her face and scolded Merlin for his remarks.
"If you feel hot, then don't wear so much," Shirou retorted, looking at his thick, heavy robes. Wouldn't it be better to dress lightly like Ushiwakamaru?
Just then, both Mash and Ana noticed something.
"Wait... something is following us from behind..." Ana said.
"Hey! Who is following us!" Mash immediately called out.
"Hmph! To think you could discover my presence!" A distinctly feminine voice echoed throughout the dense forest.
Immediately after, a woman wearing a yellow leopard-print suit appeared.
"What on earth is that!" Gudako exclaimed.
"Could it be a UMA? Is it a UMA!?" Merlin followed up, shouting.
"Hmph! If I must say, I am the embodiment of the dense forest, the manifestation of great warriors—the Jaguar Warrior!" The woman appeared before them with a somersault. "If you are not afraid of being torn apart by my fangs, then come and get it!"
"Ah...?" Gudako and Mash looked at the woman who had appeared, dumbfounded by her outfit.
"In any case, she's a suspicious character. Let's just kill her!" Ana swung her scythe and rushed forward without hesitation.
The scythe blade flashed with a silver light, but the woman calling herself the Jaguar Warrior leaped with agility, easily dodging the strike.
"So fast!" Ana exclaimed.
"Very well, I roughly understand. Until we meet again, everyone." The woman's voice echoed throughout the dense forest, making it impossible for Ana to locate her position. "Also, I am not a tiger, I am a Jaguar Warrior! This will be on the test, so remember it~!"
The woman's voice faded into the distance with the final note of her sentence.
Gudako said, speechless: "What the... what a strange person!"
"Forget it, don't worry about that guy." Mash comforted Ana, who was puffing out her cheeks in frustration.
"Hmph!" Ana sheathed her scythe and walked in the lead.
The group continued toward the city of Ur. The buildings in Ur were mostly eroded by trees, much like climbing ivy; almost every house was covered by plants on its sides or roof.
But fortunately, although Ur had lost contact with Uruk, the citizens were still alive. Many women dressed in cool clothing were drawing water from a pool with wooden buckets.
Seeing that the citizens were still alive, Merlin immediately walked up to them.
"Hello, miss. We are from Uruk, dispatched by the King's order to investigate the situation in Ur." Merlin stepped forward and introduced them to a woman carrying a child on her back.
"Ah, crossing the forest from Uruk must have been very arduous." The woman put down the water bucket and began to converse with Merlin with a smile.
"Yes, it was. It was so hot, and there were so many bugs." Seeing that this woman understood the pain of crossing the forest, Merlin immediately began to vent his grievances.
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