Ishtar's Invitation

"Hahaha, this truly makes even this King excited!"

Such boisterous laughter echoed through Uruk Royal City and its Royal Palace. Within the spacious and magnificent hall, Gilgamesh, seated high upon the throne, looked at the two individuals now occupying newly set positions before him, his crimson eyes brimming with amusement.

Naturally, after driving away the 'eyes' of the gods from the Monster Forest, Gilgamesh had used a mobile tool from the Treasury of Babylon to bring Rovi and Enkidu back here.

Knowing it was a misunderstanding, he naturally wouldn't do anything to Enkidu anymore.

He had been so aggressive before, And felt so exhilarated upon their arrival.

"Given that you've put on such a spectacular performance for this King, I shall temporarily overlook your crime of concealing your whereabouts, your offense against this King, and your grave transgression of drawing weapons against this King—and I even grant you the privilege of sitting before this King's throne!"

"Rejoice, and bow down in praise of this King's magnanimity!"

It's been seven days since they last met, and this guy still talks like he's not human.

Rovi, sitting before the throne, shook his head and met a pair of confused emerald green eyes.

"Don't mind him, he's always like this," Rovi replied.

"Mm," little Enkidu nodded. "Whatever Rovi says is right."

"..."

He had to admit, over these past seven days, Rovi had taught Enkidu everything he knew.

But in a way, it had also made the child's dependence on him immeasurable.

When he wasn't around, it was one thing.

But when he was, little Enkidu would definitely obey his every word.

He felt like he had raised a perfectly good hero the wrong way...

Rovi rubbed his forehead, saying no more.

Having been away for several days, not only Gilgamesh, but the Royal Palace itself hadn't changed much. It remained spacious and grand, with pillars supporting the massive dome like Heavenly Pillars holding up the sky. The golden floor shimmered with a faint light under the sunlight from outside, and the throne on the ninety-ninth step faced the main entrance from afar.

The only difference... was probably the newly set positions on either side of the throne, for himself and Enkidu?

But he felt like something was missing...

"Speaking of which, where is Advisor Siduri?"

Rovi suddenly realized what was missing.

As Gilgamesh's advisor, Siduri usually stayed here, even longer than Gilgamesh himself.

But now, she wasn't present.

"Siduri? Hmph, that woman thought she could hide things from this King's eyes, but she didn't know this King's wise gaze had already seen through her weak nature—as punishment for deceiving this King, I've forbidden her from entering the Royal Palace for three days!" Gilgamesh waved his hand.

In other words, Siduri had collapsed from exhaustion due to her continuous work.

Gilgamesh had ordered her to rest.

"So, if you care about someone, just say it properly," Rovi spread his hands. "I've told you, men being tsundere is disgusting."

"It seems that after a few days, your habit of barking like a wild dog hasn't changed!" Gilgamesh sneered.

"Idiot," Rovi rolled his eyes.

Gilgamesh was furious, "You... foolish wretch!"

"Brain-dead."

"Insolent one..."

"Moron."

"..."

"See? You can't even speak properly, let alone curse. You can't even compete with me when it comes to insults," Rovi finally smiled. He stood up and said, "If you care about someone, you should speak nicely—Siduri is not like you."

"Hmph, does this King need your nagging?" Gilgamesh crossed his arms and turned his face away.

Why is he acting like a child?

Rovi chuckled, "I've been tired for several days. I'm going to rest."

As soon as he took a step, little Enkidu immediately jumped up from her seat and hopped along after him:

"Rovi, wait for me."

Alright, he had another child by his side.

Watching Rovi and Enkidu descend the stairs and walk out the door, Gilgamesh, seated on the throne, fell silent for a moment and closed his eyes slightly.

Siduri is not like me?

In fact, Rovi didn't need to say much.

That young advisor was left to him by his father. For over ten years since Gilgamesh ascended the throne, she had accompanied him.

Gilgamesh had long grown accustomed to Siduri.

Until just now—

He was the first to arrive at the great hall before Rovi and the others, and it was only when he saw the unconcealable exhaustion in Siduri's eyes that he suddenly realized.

No matter how capable she was, Siduri was still mortal.

Unlike them.

"Changing my way of speaking... Hahaha, that guy, he's underestimating me, and underestimating her too much!"

Gilgamesh laughed, "If I changed, then I wouldn't be me anymore—that Siduri, she would be disappointed!"

"I hope you can truly stand shoulder to shoulder with me... and welcome that day!"

"Rovi."

The King's shadow gradually dissipated on the throne.

He entered his treasury.

In the vast hall, voices gradually faded.

Meanwhile.

Rovi left the Royal Palace.

At this very moment, as Gilgamesh's nominal advisor, Rovi could no longer live in the temple.

Instead, he was in a quiet courtyard not far from the Royal Palace.

Enkidu had no place to stay for the time being.

It seemed impossible to arrange for her elsewhere.

However, after Rovi took Enkidu to one place, he went out again.

"Rovi, where are we going?"

"Rovi, are these the houses and palaces you were talking about?"

"Rovi, it smells so good, much better than what you make..."

I know I can't cook, don't say it anymore...

Rovi was slightly troubled.

He really felt like he was taking care of a child.

He looked ahead. It was already afternoon, and the streets of the Royal City were still a bit noisy, with people coming and going, appearing quite lively.

Uruk's commerce was relatively developed in this era.

Coupled with the factors of the Age of Gods, the scene presented was a clamor that later generations could not verify.

Rovi took the grilled meat from the stall owner and handed it to Enkidu beside him. Seeing the look of curiosity on her delicate face, he couldn't help but smile.

"Eat!" he said. "Then go back and rest for a bit."

The days ahead would likely not be peaceful.

Rovi took a bite of the grilled meat himself, savoring the aroma that filled his mouth and the perfectly chewy texture. No matter what, eating was one of life's pleasures.

He had come out precisely for this.

After a few days in the forest, his mouth had been so bland that he almost thought he had lost his sense of taste.

"This is delicious," little Enkidu raised her eyes, her rosy lips still bearing a few traces of meat. "But I still prefer what Rovi makes."

"It has Rovi's scent."

The Divine Construct Golem's eyes were filled with seriousness.

"..." Rovi swallowed the grilled meat in his mouth. Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly paused, as if sensing something.

It was the divine aura lingering in the air of the Royal City.

The presence that was pulling him was issuing an invitation.

"You go back to that courtyard first. I need to take care of something, and I'll be back soon."

"Okay." Enkidu always obeyed Rovi's words absolutely.

With her strength, there was nothing to worry about.

Rovi strode away.

He already had a rough idea of who had arrived.

"That Goddess... Ishtar, what does she want this time?"