Ziusudra Has Arrived

Rovi had rarely gone out during this time.

But he knew that while the scenery of Uruk City-State remained the same, many things had changed.

From the day Gilgamesh, Rovi, and Enkidu reached their final conclusion in the little house and turned it into concrete action, the matters they had discussed had also set the direction for Uruk's coming "policies."

The people of Uruk who lived here were the ones most able to notice these changes.

Every time they began a new day of life and work and stepped outside, they found more guards on the city walls and fewer people in the streets.

There was no need to elaborate on the increase.

The ones who had decreased were the merchants who had traveled here from various nations.

Over these days, Siduri had invited the merchants one after another and hired them as Uruk's young aide. They scattered to every corner of the Mesopotamian Plain, spreading news in all directions according to the plan.

No matter the era, merchants were always among the most mobile groups. Even in the remotest villages and settlements, so long as there was profit to be made, their presence was never lacking.

Thus, all kinds of rumors swiftly spread like a whirlwind. Some said the gods had grown tired of humanity and intended to imitate the world-destroying Great Flood of ancient times, remaking mankind. Others said the gods intended to sacrifice all humanity, turning them into the power for their return to the Mesopotamian Plain and their rule over the present world.

These rumors seemed to be driven by an invisible hand, emerging one after another. No matter how the priests of the various gods explained things, it was utterly useless.

Under such circumstances, even though the gods had clearly declared that the punishment they sent down would not affect other city-states, with their credibility in ruins, many nations could not help but waver.

They began to instinctively band together.

But according to the original plan Rovi and Gilgamesh had made, these nations should have formed an alliance under Uruk's leadership.

After all, Uruk was unquestionably the strongest nation on this vast plain.

And now, quite a few city-states had indeed submitted alliance tablets to Uruk and requested its protection.

Yet some city-states had instead moved closer to another powerful city-state nation—

"Is that so?" Rovi asked, his voice ringing through the courtyard.

"Yes." Siduri glanced at Gilgamesh.

Seeing that the king merely rested an arm on the armrest and propped up his head, lost in thought with no intention of answering Rovi, she could only answer his question herself. "Outsiders from the Akkadian City-State have taken the lead in opposing Uruk..."

"Of the twelve city-states on this land, seven have submitted alliance tablets to us. But the remaining five... have pledged themselves to the Arad City-State formed by those outsiders."

Rovi stroked his chin.

He had heard of the Akkadian City-State before—before his transmigration, after watching Nasuverse works and learning of Gilgamesh's existence, he had looked through historical records and happened upon a passage about it.

It was a city-state founded by outsiders several centuries ago.

In the future, after the Uruk City-State declined, it would even take Uruk's place and become the new hegemon of this vast plain.

The renowned Code of Hammurabi of later generations had likewise emerged from the civilization of this city-state.

Of course, that period of glory was still in the future.

At least for now, the Akkadian City-State did not possess the strength to stand on equal footing with Uruk.

And the reason it had emerged at the Present Moment...

"Are they taking the gods' side, hoping to seize this chance to tear off a piece of Uruk's flesh and nourish their own power?" Rovi thought of that possibility.

It was highly likely.

The Akkadian City-State might even have already received the gods' promise and approval.

"How do you intend to deal with it?" Rovi raised a brow and asked.

"Everything under heaven and upon earth belongs to me. Against vermin who dare covet what is mine, I shall naturally employ thunderous measures and intimidate all disloyal subjects!" Gilgamesh replied as though it were only natural.

"It cannot be tolerated." Siduri, who usually appeared gentle, was uncharacteristically firm.

"Those who dare block our path need only be killed." Enkidu also offered her opinion with a smile. "That is what weapons are for."

This little courtyard had become a second council chamber outside the palace.

And everyone present was essentially in agreement.

Because at this moment, they represented Uruk's stance as a regional hegemon that would never tolerate a challenge.

"But the problem is, can Uruk spare troops for a punitive campaign right now?" Rovi pointed out the crucial issue.

The divine beasts and magical beasts appearing in the east and west needed people watching them, guarding against accidents that could occur at any moment. Those city-states that had already submitted alliance tablets to Uruk likewise needed personnel sent to coordinate and assist in their defense.

In the past, unless Gilgamesh personally acted, Uruk truly seemed to have no way of dealing with the Akkadian Kingdom.

"But the same rule applies: the king cannot move lightly. Even if his mouth is foul, he is still the symbol of the kingdom and its ultimate deterrent. More importantly... acting without proper cause would make the other city-states fear for themselves, which would harm our plan." Rovi shot Gilgamesh a glance, suppressing his eagerness to act.

Really, he had merely found an excuse Gilgamesh could not refute.

"So I'll handle it!"

"I'll first sound out those city-states that have joined Akkad and see what those people are really planning... then we'll make a decision!"

That was right. This had been part of the plan all along. How could something with a chance of getting him killed possibly leave him out?

This era's city-states had no custom of sparing envoys during war between two nations...

It was worth a try.

"I shall bear the king's order to the nations beyond our borders and strike fear into the disloyal!"

"Then I'll also—" Enkidu immediately raised her hand.

"Little En, you should stay in the royal city!" Rovi did not let her finish. "This place will become the true core from now on. I'll be at ease with you staying behind—take this. We can use it to sense each other's presence from now on."

Though Enkidu was somewhat unwilling to part from Rovi, she still nodded and accepted the "key" he handed her.

This "key" could let them contact one another, and it could also allow Rovi to know her condition at any time—even the slightest abnormality would reach him in an instant.

"I'll give you one too." Rovi tossed one to Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh casually caught it. Rather than refuse, he spoke his usual seemingly incomprehensible and unpleasant words. "...A stray dog that only recently returned from scavenging in the gutter still wants to wander off again?"

He actually wanted Rovi to rest for a few more days.

"Compared to me, you foul-mouthed bastard are more likely to die from overwork, so worry about yourself first!"

"Don't think I don't know. Ever since we finalized the plan, you've been holed up in the palace all day, staying up through the night to review these matters."

Had the Gilgamesh of his later years, who personally handled every affair, appeared ahead of time because of him?

The young King of Uruk had indeed displayed tremendous interest in the plan to oppose the gods.

Rovi held out his hand. "Hand it over."

"Hm?" Gilgamesh froze for a moment as he looked at the hand extended before him, not quite understanding.

"The seal that symbolizes an envoy of Uruk!"

He was going to visit an enemy nation as an envoy.

Without a seal, how could he prove his identity?

"The King's Seal? It's in the treasury. Go dig it out yourself!" Gilgamesh said disdainfully. "And since you are my envoy, I shall reluctantly permit you to act under my fame, which encompasses the four seas!"

"Why, thank you so much... Who knows how many people that filthy mouth of yours has offended out there? Just hope I don't get beaten to death the moment I leave the city!"

Waving a hand, Rovi rose to his feet. "I'll make preparations first—then leave immediately."

That way, those city-states would not have time to reconsider and decide to submit to Uruk instead.

"Hmph. Then I shall leave first as well." Gilgamesh stood up. "And you, mud doll shaped by the gods, you can barely be considered a friend recognized by me!"

"I likewise permit you to walk beneath my protection in this world under my rule!"

Enkidu tilted her head, staring in confusion at the golden ripple that had appeared in her palm.

The Treasury of Babylon—just as he had done for Rovi, Gilgamesh had granted Enkidu the right to use it as well.

Though Enkidu did not understand, she still had to thank him.

"Mm, thank you, Gil."

"Gil, is it? Hmph, call me whatever you wish!"

Gilgamesh strode away.

After making preparations, Rovi also left.

Only Enkidu remained inside.

And... Ishtar.

"Ahhh! Can't you let me go before you leave!?"

Inside the house, Ishtar's cries grew even more miserable as she remained suspended and imprisoned.

But Rovi, who had gone outside, could no longer hear her.

Because the moment he stepped out, he was stopped.

Stopped by an old man in ragged clothes, looking like a vagrant—and even more so by the name he gave himself...

"Ziusudra?"