A Hero Simulator in Type-Moon

I'm fucking here.

[Talent "Benevolent Dark Emperor" awakened: The arch-nemesis of peerless kings. It remains hidden when a king rules benevolently, but sets things right when a king is tyrannical. It has special effectiveness against enemies of the "King" faction. Your Divinity has increased.]

The final talent had awakened, yet Fujimaru Kyoya was not happy. Uruk's soldiers had merely been carrying out Gilgamesh's orders.

The suffering before him was nothing more than a king acting on impulse. To a king, one casually spoken sentence was enough to crush all living beings until they could not breathe.

"Will you come with me?"

Fujimaru Kyoya stood in a pool of blood, looking at the mountain of corpses and sea of gore beside him. They had all been soldiers loyal to Gilgamesh. They should never have died by Fujimaru Kyoya's hand.

"What happened here has already happened. You can wait for Gilgamesh's reckoning, or come with me and build a place where he cannot persecute you. Those willing to follow me, follow behind."

Fujimaru Kyoya flicked the blood from his Long Spear, and those with nowhere else to go silently followed his back.

In that instant, they seemed to feel something awakening before their eyes. Even those who had once met Gilgamesh suddenly felt as if the wise Gilgamesh of old stood before them.

Could someone stand shoulder to shoulder with the King of Heroes?

They cast that insane thought from their minds, but in their current situation, following this stranger might be the best choice.

[You loathe sobbing. You loathe wailing. You loathe partings of life and death. You loathe the tyranny of emperors...]

[You know what you do is not kindness, but selfishness. When you are the only one left beneath heaven and earth, you will shape this world into the ideal form you desire.]

[For no reason, you recalled a saying: "The old have someone to depend on, the young have room to grow; no one picks up what is lost on the road, and doors need not be shut at night. The widowed, orphaned, lonely, and helpless are all cared for."]

[Do you possess such ability?]

Who the fuck cared about all that?

Fujimaru Kyoya had indeed thought of an article he had once read, and that so-called world of universal harmony did appeal to him. But he also understood what he was facing now.

Someone who had killed Gilgamesh's men would naturally not be let off easily. For an ordinary person, the first thought at this point would probably be to flee.

But Fujimaru Kyoya's thinking was unusual. Since he had offended him, he might as well offend him completely.

Killing your soldiers meant death anyway. Taking your city meant death too. Then I'll gladly accept it.

It was a small city called Ur, deep within dense forest and surrounded by magical beasts. It had never been suitable for human habitation.

Yet after Fujimaru Kyoya's cleansing, the magical beasts could no longer threaten the city. Instead, they prowled its outskirts, becoming Ur's natural defensive barrier.

[You seized a city belonging to Gilgamesh. This act made your name rise to prominence throughout Mesopotamia.]

[You cleared out the magical beasts around Ur. You showed the people your strength and gave them greater confidence in their survival. The people began to worship your power. Benevolent Dark Emperor effect increased.]

[You taught the people how to farm. With the help of magecraft users, they soon acquired large amounts of food. With food in abundance, the people began to worship your wisdom. Benevolent Dark Emperor effect increased.]

[You destroyed Ishtar's temple and used its jewels for foreign trade and construction. The people's quality of life improved dramatically. The people began to worship your benevolence. Benevolent Dark Emperor effect increased.]

"My King, destroying a god's temple, is that really...?"

Though their standard of living had improved, and with Fujimaru Kyoya's protection even Gilgamesh's small-scale reprisals had all been resolved, smashing that goddess's temple was still...

"Compared to a god I do not know, the people before me are more important."

Fujimaru Kyoya's words naturally moved the people greatly. They had been the ones who fled with Fujimaru Kyoya in rebellion to begin with. Whether Ishtar killed them or Gilgamesh killed them, death was death.

Now that Fujimaru Kyoya was willing to offend a goddess for the people's sake, the people of Ur were naturally thrilled.

A king who stood with his people—the last one had been Gilgamesh during his wise reign.

"People are like that. They only believe what they choose to believe."

Unlike the people's excitement and elation, Fujimaru Kyoya did not feel much emotional fluctuation. That did not mean his earlier words had been an act; it was simply that the people had misunderstood them.

It was not that he did not know Ishtar. He simply had a real grudge against her.

Relying on the Gods' favor, that goddess would occasionally go to Ereshkigal's place to show off. In the end, Fujimaru Kyoya came up with a way to strip her naked and throw her onto the ground, giving her a thoroughly embarrassing humiliation.

Since they already had bad blood between them, he might as well carry that grudge to the grave.

[Your destruction of the temple has drawn Ishtar's attention. This goddess, who had been doted on since childhood, is furious beyond measure. You are about to face a goddess's wrath.]

The people's laughter soothed Fujimaru Kyoya's state of mind, allowing him to focus completely on dealing with that woman.

"Damn it, why are all Heaven's Wedges such arrogant bastards?"

Above the night sky, the Goddess of Venus raced forward atop the Bull of Heaven. The trip to the Underworld back then could still be blamed on Ereshkigal's meddling behind the scenes, but this time, that bastard was seeking death all on his own.

"He's just a Spare, yet he's as arrogant as Gilgamesh."

To Ishtar, Gilgamesh had barely been worth a second glance. Fujimaru Kyoya, as a replacement, was merely a little tagalong who followed behind Ereshkigal.

That girl Ereshkigal could not leave the Underworld, or her power would be greatly weakened. In that case, no one was coming to save you, brat.

"Shadow, I'm fucking here."

Golden starlight shot toward the small city of Ur. Upon its walls, a black-haired youth opened his eyes. Anyone who had seen that arrogant bearing once would never forget it.

"Ishtar."

"Shadow, you've gone too far."

"Too far? My people need a city that protects them, not a goddess they worship without knowing when she might come to protect them."

Fujimaru Kyoya understood that offerings to gods in this era were merely a form of paying "protection money."

Gods never cared whether humans lived or died. As long as humanity was not wiped out, they did not care. Yet humans had to offer everything to worship the gods.

Even if the gods only rarely bestowed their protection, if they wanted to make things difficult for humans, it was effortless.

"Today, you can disrespect the gods for the sake of survival. Tomorrow, for the sake of survival, will you raise the flag of rebellion against the gods?"

"You're welcome to try."

Fujimaru Kyoya slowly rose into the sky. In this Age of Gods, flight Magecraft was not uncommon, and he had no habit of keeping his head tilted back to speak to others.

"The people worship you, but how many times have you fulfilled your duties?"

If a god fulfilled her duties, Fujimaru Kyoya would not mind building her a temple and making offerings on schedule every year. But he understood that the goddess before him was absolutely not that kind of god.

A god like this deserved to have her statue smashed to pieces.

I May Not Be Human, But You're Truly a Dog

[You have drawn the battlefield into the high skies far from Ur. Ishtar's attacks are easily evaded and pose no trouble to you. The real problem is...]

"Boom~"

A clap of thunder rang out, and an unreasonable bolt of powerful lightning struck Fujimaru Kyoya. This was not Ishtar's attack, but that of Gugalanna, the Bull of Heaven.

That divine construct, with azure horns, golden fur, and lightning crackling with every breath, was proof of the Gods' favor toward Ishtar.

"Even Gilgamesh was helpless before the Bull of Heaven, much less a Spare like you. Get on your knees and lick my feet now, and I shall mercifully grant you a quick death."

Ishtar made no effort to conceal her arrogance and insolence. This Goddess had no ability to empathize with humans. Rather than reverence or love, people felt fear toward her, and fear would inevitably drive gods and humans apart. That was why Heaven's Wedge had become necessary.

[You sense an overbearing force devoid of any technique. A simple release of Mana alone makes you feel pressured.]

"Whew... what a monster."

Under the moonlight, Fujimaru Kyoya looked at the Bull of Heaven, which was like a small mountain. Even with the talent Infinite Martial Arts, his martial skill had no room to display itself before absolute strength that shattered technique with force.

But would he lose just like this?

No. Absolutely not.

[You sense the prayers of the people. The lightning in the sky has unsettled them. As a king, you must bear this responsibility.]

Power surged from within Fujimaru Kyoya. This was the ability of the Benevolent Dark Emperor—the more trust he received from the people, the stronger the king became.

The lives of an entire city's populace now rested upon Fujimaru Kyoya. He could feel the heavy burden of those lives.

I have to... protect them.

[Your desire to protect has merged with the prayers of the people. Noble Phantasm unlocked: "Sacred King of the Bright Moon."]

"You still dare to lose focus in battle? Shadow, go cry to that Ereshkigal woman in Hell."

Ishtar noticed Fujimaru Kyoya's distraction and immediately drew her great bow. Golden starlight gathered upon it, while the Bull of Heaven responded to its master's movements. The lightning gathering between its horns actually liquefied into a tangible substance and shot toward Fujimaru Kyoya.

"Boom~"

It hit.

Ishtar felt that she had landed her attack, but a powerful sense of unease suddenly washed over her. Clearly, she was the one with the upper hand.

[Noble Phantasm "Sacred King of the Bright Moon" unlocked: The will of the people, the king honored by all living beings; with the heart of the bright moon, illuminate the night. The more beloved by the people, the stronger it becomes.]

"The moon? There are two."

The night grew brighter. There were now two moons where only one had hung high in the sky before, and beneath that moonlight, a figure slowly emerged.

Moonlight, clear as water, fell upon his head and became a crown. It fell upon his body and became armor. It fell upon his shoulders and became a cloak.

The king shrouded in moonlight lowered his head and looked down at the defiant Goddess. His strength had increased once more.

In the state of the Sacred King of the Bright Moon, Fujimaru Kyoya's strength soared, surged, exploded... He merely reached out and made a grasping motion, then threw his hand downward. The other bright moon came crashing down toward Ishtar and the Bull of Heaven.

"W-What kind of joke is this? Gugalanna, push it back for me!"

How could Ishtar not know how terrifyingly powerful that attack was? But if a god retreated before a human, how would she ever show her face around here again?

Besides, if victory was to be decided by strength alone, then her Bull of Heaven would never lose.

Ishtar continued drawing her great bow. She would use absolute power to crush this Spare who did not know the immensity of heaven and earth.

She would make him understand the iron law that gods could not be offended, and then... the back of her head exploded.

"Bang~"

With a loud crash, Ishtar was left utterly dazed. Then she heard a voice by her ear...

"I'm going to sneak attack you now."

Fuck, couldn't you have said that sooner?

Fujimaru Kyoya had already used the spectacular Moonfall as cover to sneak behind Ishtar. The battered Long Spear in his hand, with only half of it remaining, was perfect for use as a club.

But... why did this feel a little familiar?

Fujimaru Kyoya looked at the bloodstains on the stick, then at the dazed Ishtar. Such a minor wound naturally could not end a Goddess's life.

The Bull of Heaven was a fierce opponent that even Gilgamesh had been unable to handle. Asking the current Fujimaru Kyoya to deal with it was truly asking too much.

But while the Bull of Heaven was difficult to deal with, Ishtar was much easier.

"Hmm~"

How could the Bull of Heaven endure its mistress suffering? Lightning instantly gathered across its body. It was determined to teach the little bug on its back a lesson.

"Gugalanna, you wouldn't want your mistress to let others see her body again, would you?"

Fujimaru Kyoya grabbed Ishtar's clothes. After all, she was the most beloved Goddess; he had no intention of killing her. But this Goddess cared deeply about saving face—he knew that all too well.

Back when Ishtar had gone to the Underworld to cause trouble, she had been stripped completely naked and sent running back bare-assed. After that, she hid herself away, too ashamed to face anyone.

If she got stripped naked again, she might just be so humiliated and enraged that she killed herself.

The dazzling Thunderbolt immediately subsided. The Bull of Heaven's eyes bulged like bronze bells. It might not have been human, but it could tell that the guy in front of it was truly a bastard.

Why could someone like that earn the people's love?

Could it be that the Gods were even worse than dogs?

Fujimaru Kyoya once again demonstrated the depths of his shamelessness, leaving the once-unmatched Bull of Heaven utterly helpless. For Ishtar's safety, it could only swallow its humiliation.

"Descend slowly. If the City of Ur ends up covered in a layer of dust, I'll peel a layer of skin off Ishtar. Interpret that layer however you like."

The Bull of Heaven had never suffered such unbearable humiliation. It had reached the point where it could endure no more... yet it still had to endure.

As the Bull of Heaven descended, the people of the City of Ur had initially feared that Fujimaru Kyoya had lost. But after it came down, it showed no desire to attack at all. A bold thought arose in everyone's minds.

Could it be... they had won?

"Everyone, after a harmonious discussion between Goddess Ishtar and myself, the Goddess has come to understand our difficulties and has agreed to donate the treasures in her temple to us free of charge."