Hero Simulator in Type-Moon, Chapter 18

"Uruk? Battle? Help?"

Under the starry sky, a gender-neutral Green-Haired Youth walked across the wilderness, gazing at the prosperous city.

Lately, ever since Gilgamesh began to restrain himself, Uruk seemed to have returned to its former flourishing state.

The opponent he sought to challenge was inside that city.

Chapter 31: The Resolve of Both Sides

[You have heard that Gilgamesh encountered a formidable opponent and, after fighting, became friends with him.]

[You understand that Gilgamesh's power is increasing rapidly, and recently Ishtar has been unusually obedient—she didn't even complain when using the Bull of Heaven, seeming more loyal to you.]

[With the Bull of Heaven's aid and your national strength rising, the longer you drag things out, the more advantageous it is for you. So...]

"Take the initiative?"

Ishtar had already intended to persuade Fujimaru Kyoya to strike first. After all, if the battle turned into a one-sided affair, they wouldn't be able to reap the benefits as spectators.

"The people's trust in me is nearly at its limit. Dragging things out further is already disadvantageous. I might as well strike now and catch Gilgamesh off guard. This time, I'll need to use the Bull of Heaven."

Fujimaru Kyoya's tone left no room for negotiation—it was more of a direct command.

"I understand. I will accompany you into battle."

Though deeply unwilling, Ishtar still had to bow and scrape before Fujimaru Kyoya, waiting only for their victory to exact revenge for everything.

"You may leave. When you're needed, someone will notify you."

With a casual dismissal, he sent Ishtar away. Ordering a goddess around like this didn't faze Fujimaru Kyoya in the slightest.

The lifespan of gods far exceeded that of humans. Even if Gilgamesh and he joined forces to suppress the gods, what would happen after they died?

Of course, Fujimaru Kyoya and Gilgamesh could attempt to seek immortality, but then they would become gods ruling over humanity.

Fujimaru Kyoya didn't like the story of the dragon-slayer becoming the dragon.

"Gilgamesh, do you understand what must be done next?"

Fujimaru Kyoya didn't possess Clairvoyance, yet standing on a high vantage point, he felt as though his gaze met Gilgamesh's from afar. The future of humanity rested on the two of them.

"Gil, what are you looking at?"

Enkidu watched as Gilgamesh stood atop the mountain peak, lost in thought, seemingly pondering something. Such an expression rarely appeared on the King of Heroes' face.

"This King is contemplating what 'death' truly is."

"Death?"

Enkidu didn't understand what "death" meant. As a divine construct, if the gods didn't choose to discard him, he could live forever.

"If this King possesses the power and wisdom of the gods, and were to gain their lifespan as well, then what would this King be?"

"Probably a god."

"Is that so?"

"Obviously."

After receiving Enkidu's affirmation, Gilgamesh abandoned the path to becoming a god. Though death was terrifying, his pride still refused to bow to it.

"Enkidu, leave."

Gilgamesh was actually driving away a combat asset like Enkidu right before the great battle.

"Why?"

"Because you didn't come to this King of your own free will, did you?"

Though Gilgamesh had calmed down considerably, his Clairvoyance still hadn't returned. Yet that didn't stop him from guessing Enkidu's identity and the purpose of his visit.

"My own will?"

"My friend, this King knows why you came here. This King knows the intentions of the one behind you. Yet this King still regards you as a friend, because you possess a pure heart. You are different from others."

Gilgamesh didn't consider just anyone worthy of being his friend. It wasn't merely a matter of strength—it required a noble soul.

Such a soul, he had only seen in Enkidu and... Fujimaru Kyoya.

"You may accompany this King into battle. But I hope this is a decision from your heart, not an order from someone else."

Gilgamesh patted Enkidu on the shoulder, then descended the mountain and returned to the city to muster his troops.

Everyone was waiting for this battle. Gilgamesh and Fujimaru Kyoya would decide who was the true master of this land, while the gods awaited the chance to pick off the wounded.

"Anu won't let this opportunity slip. This time is different from the last—he will definitely bring full force. This King's choice is crucial."

Gilgamesh had already given up on becoming a god. To sever humanity's ties with the divine, he alone was not enough—he still needed Fujimaru Kyoya's help.

"Fool, are you thinking the same thing as this King?"

The flames of war were ignited. It came suddenly, yet everyone was prepared for it.

No two suns could shine in the same sky. Mesopotamia was not large, and now the two kings would finally carve it up between them, beginning their struggle.

One was the suddenly risen Sacred King of the Bright Moon, who lived frugally, cared for his people, imposed no harsh taxes, and always led from the front in times of crisis.

The other was the repentant Gilgamesh—arrogant, cruel, and steeped in luxury—yet possessing a unique charisma that drew people irresistibly to his side.

If these two had lived in different eras, each would have been a blessing to the people of their time. But their mistake was being born in the same age, both as kings forced to fight to the death.

[Your sleep quality is extremely poor. The moment you close your eyes, you can feel the people's thirst for war. He wants to prove to everyone that their king is unmatched in the world. "Benevolent Dark Emperor" effect increased.]

[You inspect the soldiers' training. Even the injured insist on continuing, their gazes offering their lives for you. "Benevolent Dark Emperor" effect increased.]

[You stop an ordinary person and ask him a question.]

"Looking forward to war? We're not looking forward to war at all."

The man Fujimaru Kyoya had chosen shook his head unexpectedly. He knew well how terrifying war was—if he went to the battlefield, he might die. But...

"But war is already upon us. If we don't fight, we die. I don't want to die, and I believe that under the Sacred King's leadership, more people can live happy lives under your guidance."

He was just an ordinary person, yet his eyes were so sincere that Fujimaru Kyoya memorized his face clearly.

"Sacred King, no matter the outcome, please win. Lead more people toward a better life."

"I understand."

Fujimaru Kyoya rose and left, his expression blank as if nothing weighed on his mind. Yet those words lingered in his thoughts, impossible to shake.

He had come to this earth with no mission and no worries. As for the fate of "Heaven's Wedge" bestowed upon him by the Gods, he dismissed it with contempt.

But contempt did not mean he would deliberately act against it.

Whether by heaven's will, destiny, or chance, Fujimaru Kyoya would only do what he wanted to do.

If he wished to rule, he would rule. If he wished to fight, he would fight. If he wished to love someone, he would love them.

As long as the people could live in peace, as long as I am content, then I, the Benevolent Dark Emperor...

I, the Sacred King of the Bright Moon...

I, Shadow...

I, Lloyd...

I, Fujimaru Kyoya...

I...

I...

I...

I...

No matter who the enemy is, I will damn well fight them.

Chapter 32: Fated Broken Elbow

"Don't those two know we're plotting something in the shadows? And yet they still fight this fiercely?"

Ishtar watched the distant battle in confusion. By the seaside, Fujimaru Kyoya and Gilgamesh clashed, sending waves crashing thousands of feet high. Though only two men, their fight was more terrifying than the thousands of troops on the main battlefield.

And that wasn't even counting Enkidu restraining the Bull of Heaven—a spectacle nearly as grand as the two of them.

"Because that's how the situation is. This is the helplessness of the wise—they see the trap but are swept along by it. Against such men, one must use open schemes."

Annu was naturally pleased with the current scene. So-called circumstances do not shift with individual will.

"Don't think that just because they allied against us last time, it means anything. In the end, all they did was force us to surrender. Do you know why, Ishtar?"

"Because of our lifespans?"

Though Ishtar was worthless, her brain had been physically "knocked awake" a few times by Fujimaru Kyoya, and she was indeed a bit sharper now.

The combined might of two Heaven's Wedges, the power of Enuma Elish, and the Sacred King of the Bright Moon who commanded the hearts of all—even Annu was no match for them.

The Gods' defeat was only a matter of time. But Gilgamesh and Fujimaru Kyoya hadn't wiped them out completely because they simply couldn't.

The Gods could hide, could wait. Once the two kings died of old age, the Gods would return to this earth.

"There is indeed an elixir of immortality in this world. But would Gilgamesh share it with his arch-nemesis? Can this land tolerate two kings ruling together? Impossible. Human greed and suspicion doom them to enmity. The Bull of Heaven and Enkidu are merely catalysts."

Power—that was the deadliest poison.

Wisdom is dulled by it, strength driven mad by it, life debased by it... For the sake of this power, two mighty men knowingly walked into a trap and still fought. That was the most terrifying "poison" in this world.

As the chief god of Mesopotamia, Annu had held absolute power before these two were born. But now...

"It doesn't matter. They'll die soon. Power will return to my hands."

Annu muttered to himself. Beside him, Ishtar couldn't help but sigh. From her perspective—one without much desire for power—wasn't Annu just as deeply poisoned by it?

If they could endure and wait, Gilgamesh and Fujimaru Kyoya would eventually turn on each other over immortality without any provocation.

That would have been the moment of greatest certainty. Rushing to escalate the war by bolstering both sides' strength was merely Annu's impatience to reclaim his authority.

But none of it mattered anymore. She had no interest in power herself—only luxury and the adoration of the masses.

After this battle, everything would return. Everything belonging to the Gods would return.

[You can sense someone watching, but this time there is no pretense between you and Gilgamesh. You are both trying with all your might to kill each other.]

Fujimaru Kyoya could feel it. This Gilgamesh was clearly different from before. Though his attacks still relied on Gate of Babylon's barrage, he himself was more eager for close combat.

Their physiques were nearly equal. Fujimaru Kyoya's advantages in Divinity and technique were offset by the firepower of the Gate of Babylon.

You've thought more than once about whether the choice you made was right. If the other party wasn't someone you could trust, then the gamble you'd staked an entire phase of your life on would be lost, clean and decisive.

Yes, Fujimaru Kyoya had placed his bet on Gilgamesh.

He was betting on whether Gilgamesh could understand his meaning. He was betting on just how far Gilgamesh's pride would reach.

You understand that everything is ready, and the moment has come to reveal the answer.

"Yeah, let the answer be revealed. Let me see just what caliber you, Gilgamesh, truly possess."

He couldn't afford to hesitate any longer. Fujimaru Kyoya made up his mind. To ensure humanity would not be oppressed by the gods in the future, he would give everything. Now was the time for the answer to be unveiled.

The clear sky began to darken. Dark clouds blotted out the sun, and a bright moon replaced it, hanging high in the sky. Fujimaru Kyoya soared into the heavens, and the crown and armor woven from moonlight once again appeared upon him.

"Sacred King of the Bright Moon? Then let this king shoot down that bright moon."

On any normal day, Gilgamesh would likely have dismissed anyone who called themselves a king before him as a "fake." But this time, he didn't say that.

Because he could feel it—that armor, that cape, that crown—they weren't purely constructed from Mana. They were built from the trust of the people.

Faced with a power forged from the hearts of countless multitudes, even someone as arrogant as Gilgamesh was unwilling to utter an insult.

The Gate of Babylon withdrew its radiance, yet everyone knew this was merely the calm before the storm.

Gilgamesh channeled all the Mana of the Gate of Babylon into a single Noble Phantasm—the key to deciding the battle in one strike.

From within a golden sphere of light, he drew a sword. Gilgamesh's strongest Noble Phantasm—Enuma Elish.