Infiltrating the Enemy?

Could this also be part of Gilgamesh's plan? But why didn't she know anything about it or notice anything? Even if Gilgamesh's Clairvoyance was better than hers, it shouldn't have been so great that she couldn't detect it at all.

Kingu is one thing, since I'll definitely have to go find her eventually anyway, but Tiamat's appearance is just too outrageous.

If I had to use an analogy, it's like a hero in an isekai game who's just left the starting village and gathered some reliable companions. On their first night, they agree to rest and recuperate before venturing into the next challenge. But when they wake up, their companions find the hero has returned with the Demon King and the Four Heavenly Kings—the plot has completely gone haywire. There are so many things to complain about.

Faced with Merry's question, Rovey, who was equally caught off guard, could only shake his head and say, "I didn't see her either. She just popped out like that."

"However, it must be related to Goetia. It was Goetia who broke the seal, and Kingu flew over after sensing Tiamat's presence. Now that Tiamat has come out, we can't just sit idly by. So I'm going to take her back with me."

"Goetia ... indeed, he is the only one who has the ability to break Tiamat's seal at present."

After listening to Rovey's description, Merry nodded and expressed her understanding. She also breathed a sigh of relief when she heard that Kingu would not take action and that Tiamat was not the beast.

However, she still asked a few questions out of concern.

"Do you really want to take them to Uruk?"

"Yes, Tiamat's wish is to walk among human towns, and I've confirmed that she won't cause any destruction right now."

"This isn't about whether it causes destruction or not..."

Merry shook her head, then secretly glanced behind her at the two figures sitting in a carriage they'd somehow found. Especially when she saw Kingu —a face Gilgamesh would surely lash out at—she sighed inwardly and asked.

"In short, have you figured out how to surprise Gilgamesh or provide an explanation?"

"I think 'fright' is a more accurate description."

Merry: "You actually knew that?"

"Well..."

Of course, Rovey understood that Merry was referring to Kingu, but he couldn't do anything about the guy with the extremely natural-looking hair color.

According to the normal plot development, since the fight is over and the cool words have been said, shouldn't the next part of the plot be that Kingu slunk away to find the hearts of the people, while I return in triumph with Tiamat?

But why did this thing actually follow us, and why is it determined not to leave?

Rovey was equally frustrated, but he really couldn't get rid of Kingu, who was determined to say, "Where my mother is, I am," and "Didn't you say you wanted me to try to understand humans? Uruk is pretty good."

After all, you can't just kick her child out in front of Tiamat, can you?

What would I become then?

However, Merry was right. Gilgamesh could forgive Tiamat. From any perspective, even the King of Heroes had to bow before this Mother of Creation. But as for the face King Kingu was currently wearing, it seemed that the moment he entered Uruk, the Axe King of Uruk would unleash his God Slaying Thunderbolt.

But he doesn't have any good solutions right now; at best, he can only take it one step at a time.

After talking with Merry, Black Lancer Artoria was also somewhat annoyed, didn't say much. Instead, when Tiamat called for Rovey to get on the carriage so the whole family could be together, Black Gunner rode up to Rovey on a jet-black ghost horse that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. He then coldly told Rovey, "Get on." Without another word, he pulled Rowe onto his back and strode off, leaving the others watching his departing figure.

"Aaaa!"

Tiamat called out.

"Catch up with her? I understand, Mother. Leave this task to me."

Hearing his mother's command behind him, Kingu grabbed the reins at the front of the carriage and swung them hard.

"Roar--!!"

The two magical Demonic Beast she had specially found to ride roared at this moment and then quickly chased after them.

Seeing that they had all left, Anna patted the head of the Sand Sphinx. After receiving its permission, she nimbly jumped onto its back and chased after them.

Only Merry remained standing, shouting at the figures that had already started running ahead.

"Wait a minute! I haven't gotten on the bus yet!!"

——

Throughout the journey, Black Lancer Artoria rarely spoke, or rather, she was sulking. However, her way of expressing her anger was this silent mode, leaving Rovey to figure things out on his own.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, Rovey wasn't completely oblivious, so he could only try his best to make her happy.

After all, it should be clear what made her angry without even thinking about it.

Is it Tiamat?

Hmm, there is indeed a high possibility.

After all, this was her choice, and if she were to blame herself for it, Rovey wouldn't have any complaints.

However, even though Black Lancer Artoria indeed somewhat angry, it wasn't the kind of anger that's written on the surface, nor was it anger because he went to save her. After all, after hearing about Tiamat, even she couldn't help but feel moved.

What angered Black Lancer Artoria was that he had been left hanging all night last night. His carefully made resolution had been ignored. Obviously, this would not be good for anyone.

However, after running with Rovey for so long, that initial unpleasantness had long since disappeared.

Moreover, even if there are any issues regarding the division, they should be considered only after all the divisions have been completed.

After a few Tokiomi, a dark storm subsided outside Uruk.

Since Black Lancer Artoria's mount had already become a god along with her, it was naturally the two of them who returned to Uruk first.

Looking at the familiar city outline ahead, Black Lancer Artoria deliberately slowed down her mount, and waited for the others to return before taking her into the city to report the battle situation to Gilgamesh.

As they approached the city gate, Kingu, who completely disregarded Uruk, prepared to swagger in. He was stopped by Rovey, who said, "If you go in like this, Uruk will probably be in complete chaos within ten minutes."

Kingu asked with some doubt, "Isn't that just right? When Mother arrives, those humans will be terrified. Isn't it only natural for them to kowtow?"

Clearly, this guy's mischievous streak hadn't died down. Although he outwardly agreed, he obviously still wanted to cause trouble for humanity. In the end, it was only after Rovey emphasized the seriousness of the matter to Tiamat, who didn't know much about it, that Tiamat made the decision herself, and the situation was finally resolved satisfactorily.

First, there's the issue of her name, which absolutely needs to be changed. However, Kingu refused to let Tiamat change her alias. After all, her mother's name was a symbol of Sumerian civilization, something supreme, and changing it would be disrespectful. Although Tiamat herself didn't care, the name issue wasn't too big, as long as she wasn't directly called Tiamat, anything else was fine.

Then there was the issue of clothing. Because he had spent so much time with Tiamat before, they had become so used to each other that Rovey hadn't suspected anything about Tiamat's attire until he was about to enter the city and saw the other people's clothing, at which point he realized something was wrong.

Although Tiamat appears to be wearing clothes, after multiple encounters with her, Rovey can confidently say that the coverings on her private parts are not clothes but scales or keratin, meaning that Tiamat was actually never wearing any clothes.

If she were allowed to walk in like that, a "[Image suspected of violating regulations]" message would undoubtedly pop up while she was walking in Uruk, which would be very bad. So, Rovey decisively used Projection Magecraft to dress Tiamat in a rather modern-style dress. When Tiamat put it on, the effect was so good that even Rovey couldn't help but admire it. If this were a reality show where a giant light bulb turns on and off, Rovey would probably have exploded with excitement on the spot. Of course, if he continued to stare, he might have his eyes gouged out by Black Lancer Artoria.

In short, after resolving the issues of exposure and name, Rovey suggested that Kingu also disguise himself, ideally using Enkidu's shapeshifting ability. Unfortunately, Kingu refused to transform into those repulsive old humans, and thus unceremoniously rejected Rovey's suggestion. However, considering that going in with that face would indeed inconvenience his mother, Kingu instead sculpted a fox mask out of clay and wore it, along with his Presence Concealment, thus serving as a disguise.

Looking at her long green hair, her signature white robe, and her slender figure, Rovey and Merry both felt that her disguise was practically nonexistent.

However, since even beings who have always hated humans are willing to cooperate in this way, there's nothing they can say. They can only tell Kingu not to cause trouble in the city and to spend more time with Tiamat.

This time, Kingu, unusually, did not refuse.

She took out the fox mask she had just sculpted from clay and put it on her face. Then she looked up at the magnificent human city in front of her and felt a mix of emotions. At the same time, she realized that something seemed to be beating in her chest.

"This is really troublesome..."

In a sense, this body does not belong to him at this moment, but Kingu does not want to respond to the memories that this body once retained.

He was Tiamat's mother's child, nothing more, and everything else was irrelevant to him.

Is this what my mother likes, what my mother wants to see...?

"Aaaa".

Behind the fox mask Kingu stood there, lost in thought. Tiamat, who had changed her clothes, reached out and took both Kingu and Rovey's hands, then walked happily into the city like a family. However, it seemed her family now had an unexpected addition: Black Lancer Artoria Daina, who was now holding Rovey's other hand.

Tiamat seems to really like Black Lancer Artoria and always tries to find an opportunity to hug her, but Black Lancer Artoria somewhat resistant, so she always keeps a considerable distance.

However, the one who is most panicked right now is Rovey, even more so than them.

He went out to find Ishtar to buy the Holy Grail, but ended up bringing back something even more important.

If Kingu's identity is exposed, the entire Uruk will be thrown into turmoil.

As for what would happen later, Rovey imagined himself patting Gilgamesh on the shoulder with a hearty smile, and then saying with a smile, "Yo! King Gilgamesh, I've brought back the final boss and the one who took over your best friend's body, Kingu, for you this time!"

No matter how you imagine it, the next scene will definitely be Gilgamesh spewing profanities.

However, since things have come to this point, he can only take it one step at a time for now.

What is meant to be will be; what is meant to be will be.

At least for Tiamat, this was indeed a precious opportunity to personally experience the warmth of the world.

'Hopefully King Gilgamesh's plan will go smoothly and that everything will be over soon.'

Looking at Tiamat was still standing in front of the Uruk city walls, curious about everything in her field of vision, Rovey sighed inwardly.

Chapter 246 Infiltrating the Enemy's Inside?

"King Gilgamesh, I think you need to take a break after working for so long."

"Huh? I was about to run away and join them, but you predicted it and dragged me back to work overtime. And now you're letting me rest? High Priestess Siduri, did you run into Ereshkigal today?"

Gilgamesh, having finished dealing with all the official duties that had gradually piled up over the past few days, looked at Siduri with some surprise. His scarlet eyes were filled with disbelief. He even squinted and used his Clairvoyance to take a closer look, because this situation was too abnormal. It was so abnormal that he suspected that Siduri had been secretly replaced.

Of course, this was just a joke during his leisure time. Whether Siduri is still Siduri is something he can tell without even looking. For Gilgamesh, Siduri is a family member who is just as important Enkidu.

Even in death, he could not forget Siduri, yet her fate was—

"..."

As if he had thought of something unpleasant, Gilgamesh, who had been in the mood to joke on the throne, immediately fell silent. He looked seriously at Siduri in front of him, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke up, "Siduri, have you considered going back to rest, or resigning?"

"Stop fooling around, Your Majesty. I will stand firm at my post and never run away until Uruk has truly weathered the disaster."

Upon hearing Gilgamesh's question, Siduri smiled, taking it entirely as an inappropriate joke, and then gave her reply.

"And I think you should be able to distinguish between 'relaxing' and 'running around and causing trouble like you did during your rebellious teenage years. King Gilgamesh, do you remember when you ran off to other city-states and caused trouble, so much so that your father scolded you and even hung you from a tree...'"

"Alright, let's not talk about the past. It's all just some embarrassing things I did when I was young and ignorant."

Inside the vast temple, King of Heroes Gilgamesh and High Priestess Siduri were conversing before their seats. Surprisingly, there were no people queuing up to report on their work around them. The usually bustling palace now seemed rather deserted, but this gave them some precious time to reminisce about the past.

After Kingu completely withdrew from affairs, the attacks from the external Demonic Beast completely collapsed, and there hadn't been a decent battle on the front lines for two days. The affairs within the city had decreased by more than half compared to before, and things became much more relaxed.

Gilgamesh leaned back in his chair, chatting with Siduri while casually glancing at the clay tablets he had already dealt with that day, giving them a second look.

Although he always complains about having too much work, even Wang needs to rest and will even find opportunities to go out and relax, when he actually has free time, he feels inexplicably empty.

"So you've finally come to terms with the past?"

Siduri smiled and asked, "I thought you would say you don't remember, or deny it outright."

"Hmph, what else can we do but face it? Life's changes are always the most unexpected, and everyone has their moments of youthful folly. Although that period wasn't exactly a pleasant memory for me, it was thanks to that time that I met the most important person in my life. So I won't deny any part of my past. In short, I've now sealed the treasury, and I'll give 40% to Ishtar as if it were just feeding the dogs."

"So before I help that guy achieve his goal and before Uruk meets its end, there won't be much spare time for me to continue doing what I used to do [standing naked on a lamppost and laughing at everyone else]. The game of the King of Heroes is over, and now only the King of Uruk exists here."

At this point, Gilgamesh covered his face, looking somewhat troubled, and muttered to himself, "Speaking of which, I was perfectly normal when I was a child, so why did I grow up to look so ugly?"

"This may be what you mean by change. In any case, it is very gratifying to see that you have come to understand so much."

A look of relief appeared on Siduri's face. "Your life has truly been legendary."

The young Gilgamesh incredibly obedient and gentle, possessing an innate divine quality that earned him widespread love and the reputation as the greatest and wisest king of the future. However, during his youth, one day, Gilgamesh suddenly decided to grow his hair into a slicked-back style, thus entering an inexplicable and immature phase. The people of Uruk, Gilgamesh greatly from this transformation, couldn't bear the change from young Gilgamesh to the immature Gilgamesh, believing he was possessed by something, which explained his hairstyle. They even prayed to Siduri, the goddess, to change Gilgamesh back to his original Gilgamesh.

Of course, Gilgamesh was not possessed; he was himself from beginning to end. He just went through what he called a rebellious phase, which was actually just a period of adolescent delusions.

During that period, Gilgamesh was reckless and fearless, until he met Enkidu and began to restrain himself, changing from not working for a month to working one week a month.

Later, the departure of Enkidu, King Gilgamesh, made this King of Heroes, who seemed to be able to trample everything underfoot and was extremely arrogant, feel fear and pain for the first time in the face of death and loss. He even gave up on himself for a long time.

When the elixir of immortality, which he had painstakingly sought with the goal of conquering death, was lost, Gilgamesh was bathing in the river, finally transformed from a tyrant into Wise King Gilgamesh capable of governing Uruk, entering the third stage of his life.

Others cannot comment on what King Gilgamesh's transformation involved, or what changes occurred within his own heart. However, his ability and charisma enabled him to revive Uruk, which was on the verge of collapse and near destruction, and to make it even more prosperous, thus earning him the title of "Wise King Gilgamesh."

Although Gilgamesh remembers the beating Siduri gave him, even though the title is insignificant, he still vividly recalls it.

Because of his reckless behavior during his teenage years and his reckless search for the Elixir of Immortality, Uruk nearly perished. Its people fled to other city-states, and everything was held together by Siduri. If it weren't for her, Uruk would likely have been gone by the third year. When he returned, all he found was a pained Siduri and a kick from her. He clearly remembered that he had almost been kicked to meet Ereshkigal by Siduri.

Gilgamesh, who had been beaten by Siduri for a day and a night, remained silent. He was no longer the King of Heroes; he was like a child who had made a mistake, with his head bowed. A large part of what he was doing now was because of Siduri, a friend who had gone beyond the scope of a subject. She was also the only priest in Uruk, besides Enkidu, who could keep him in check.

Growing up is not a pleasant journey, especially since he keeps seeing different Holy Grail War and his own version of himself with two arms.

No, besides the two-armed version, there was also a version of himself from his birth, which made him feel even more uneasy. If he could, Gilgamesh really wanted to respond to the other classes that time and get rid of this completely off-track version of himself.

After much thought, I realize that my childhood self was the best, carefree and without worries...

Unfortunately, no matter how much I miss him, I can't go back.

"On another note, the workload lately has actually been much less than usual, you could even say it has plummeted. Although I don't want to admit it, because of that guy's messing around, there have indeed been far fewer problems coming from the front lines than before. Apart from his relationship with Tiamat and the fact that he brought Goetia here, which is giving me a headache, he's actually quite capable."

As they talked, Gilgamesh brought up Rovey again.

"But Your Majesty, aren't you also very happy? After all, it's been a long time since we've seen you playing around like that."

"Hmph, but let's keep things separate. Siduri, although that guy doesn't get along with me, I trust his abilities and character very much. It's not unacceptable for him to be the suppressor for Tiamat. However—you're right, since the Demonic Beast are on holiday these days, I should go out for a walk."