Ziusudra Has Arrived

Rovi had been staying indoors a lot lately.

He knew the scenery of the Uruk City-State remained the same, but many things had changed.

From that day on, as Gilgamesh, Rovi, and Enkidu reached their final conclusions in the small cabin and turned them into action, the content of their discussions also set the direction for Uruk's future 'policies.'

The people living in Uruk were the ones who noticed these changes the most.

Every time they started a new day of life and work, and stepped outside, they would find more guards on the city walls and fewer people on the streets.

The increase was self-explanatory.

The decrease was due to the merchants who had traveled from various countries.

In the following days, the merchants were successively invited by Siduri and hired by the young Uruk official. They were dispatched to various parts of the Mesopotamian Plain, spreading news as planned.

In any era, merchants were the most mobile group of people. Even in the most remote villages, as long as there was profit to be made, they would never be absent.

Therefore, soon, various rumors spread like a whirlwind. Some said the gods had grown tired of humanity and planned to recreate the world, just like the ancient Great Flood. Others said the gods intended to sacrifice all humans to empower their own return to the Mesopotamian Plain and rule the present world.

These messages, as if driven by an invisible hand, emerged endlessly. No matter how the priests of various gods explained, it was useless.

Under such circumstances, even though the gods' words were clear, stating that the punishment would not affect other city-states, with the collapse of faith, many nations could not avoid being shaken.

They began to unconsciously band together.

However, according to Rovi and Gilgamesh's plan, these nations should have formed an alliance with Uruk at its head.

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

And now, quite a few city-states had indeed submitted their alliance tablets to Uruk, requesting protection.

However, a portion of the city-states were aligning themselves with another powerful city-state nation—

"Is that so?" Rovi asked, his voice echoing in the courtyard.

"Yes," Siduri said, glancing at Gilgamesh.

Seeing that the King merely rested his hand on the armrest, propped his head, and fell into deep thought, with no intention of replying to Rovi, she could only answer Rovi's question: "It was the outsiders from the Akkadian City-State who took the lead in opposing Uruk..."

"Currently, seven out of the twelve city-states on this land have submitted alliance tablets to us, but the remaining five... have defected to the Arad City-State, formed by outsiders."

Rovi stroked his chin.

He had heard of the Akkadian City-State. It was a record he had stumbled upon while researching history after reading Nasuverse works and learning of Gilgamesh's existence before his transmigration.

It was a city-state founded by outsiders hundreds of years ago.

In the future, it would even replace the Uruk City-State after its decline and become the new overlord of this vast plain.

The later famous 'Code of Hammurabi' also originated from this city-state's civilization.

Of course, that prosperous future was for later.

At least for now, the Akkadian City-State did not possess the strength to rival Uruk.

As for the reason for its emergence at this moment...

"Is it to take a side in support of the Gods, and use this opportunity to tear off a piece of Uruk to nourish and strengthen their own forces?" Rovi considered this.

This was a highly probable scenario.

It was even possible that the Akkadian City-State had already received the promise and permission of the gods.

"What do you plan to do?" Rovi asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Everything in heaven and earth belongs to this King. Facing the scum who dare to covet what belongs to me, I shall naturally employ thunderous means to deter all dissent!" Gilgamesh's response was as expected.

"Unacceptable," Siduri, who usually appeared gentle, became unusually firm.

"Anyone who blocks our path, just kill them," Enkidu also offered her opinion with a smile. "That's what weapons are for."

This small courtyard had effectively become a secondary venue for important discussions outside the royal palace.

And the opinions of those present were largely in agreement.

Because at this moment, they represented the attitude of Uruk, the regional overlord, which would not tolerate any challenge.

"But the problem is, can Uruk spare the troops to suppress them right now?" Rovi pointed out the crucial issue.

The mythical beasts and demonic beasts appearing on the east and west sides required people to monitor and guard against any potential accidents. The city-states that had already submitted alliance tablets to Uruk also needed to be contacted and assisted.

In the past, unless Gilgamesh personally intervened, Uruk seemed truly helpless against the Akkadian Kingdom.

"But as I said before, the King cannot act rashly—even if his words are harsh, he is still the symbol of the kingdom and the ultimate deterrent. More importantly... acting without any pretext would make all other city-states feel insecure, which is detrimental to our plan," Rovi glanced at Gilgamesh, suppressing his eagerness.

In fact, he had simply found an excuse that Gilgamesh couldn't refute.

"So, I'll do it!"

"First, I'll go and probe the background of those city-states that have sided with Akkad, see what those guys are planning... then, we'll make a decision!"

That's right, with this kind of opportunity to risk his life, how could he be left out of the plan?

The city-states of this era did not have the custom of not killing envoys in wartime...

It was worth a try.

"I shall go forth and, with the King's Order, confront the border nations and deter the disloyal!"

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

"Little En, you should stay in the royal city!" Rovi didn't let Little En finish speaking. "This place, this is the real core. I'll be at ease if you stay here—take this. We can use this to sense each other's presence in the future."

Although Enkidu was a little reluctant to be separated from Rovi, she still nodded and took the 'key' Rovi handed over.

This 'key' could connect them and allow Rovi to know her status at any time—he could know even if there was only a slight abnormality.

"Here's one for you too." Rovi tossed one to Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh caught it casually, not refusing, but instead saying something that seemed difficult to understand and unpleasant, as usual: "...A stray dog that just returned from scavenging in the gutters not long ago, still wants to wander out?"

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

"Compared to me, you're the one who's more likely to die from overwork with that foul mouth of yours, so you should worry about yourself first!"

"Don't think I don't know that ever since the plan was confirmed, you've been staying in the royal palace all day, annotating these matters sleeplessly."

Should I say it's because of him that the elderly Gilgamesh, who personally handled everything, has appeared early?

The young king of Uruk did indeed show great interest in the plan to defy the Gods.

Rovi extended his hand: "Hand it over!"

"Huh?" Looking at the hand extended in front of him, Gilgamesh was stunned, not quite reacting.

"The seal symbolizing the envoy of Uruk!"

He was going to be an envoy to an enemy nation.

Without the seal, how could he prove his identity?

"The King's Seal—that thing is in the treasury, go find it yourself!" Gilgamesh said disdainfully. "Also, as this King's envoy, I will reluctantly allow you to act under the prestige of this King who encompasses the four seas!"

"Then I'm truly grateful to you... who knows how many people you've offended with that sharp tongue of yours. I just hope you don't get beaten to death the moment you step outside!"

Waving his hand, Rovi stood up. "Then I'll go prepare—we'll depart immediately."

Lest complications arise and those city-states rethink their decision and pledge allegiance to Uruk.

"Hmph, then this King will also take his leave." Gilgamesh stood up. "And you, mud person of divine creation, you are also considered a friend recognized by this King!"

"This King also permits you to walk in this world governed by this King under my protection!"

Enkidu tilted her head, looking at the golden ripples that appeared on her palm in confusion.

The Treasury of Babylon—just like with Rovi, Gilgamesh had also granted Enkidu a portion of its usage rights.

Although Enkidu didn't understand, she still had to thank him.

"Yes, thank you, Gil."

"Gil? Hmph, whatever you call me, it's up to you!"

Gilgamesh strode away.

Rovi also left after some preparations.

Inside the room, only Enkidu remained.

And... Ishtar.

"Ahhh, can you let me go before you leave!?"

Inside the room, Ishtar, still bound and imprisoned, cried out even more shrilly.

But Rovi, who had already left, couldn't hear her.

Because the moment he stepped out, he was stopped.

Stopped by an old man in tattered clothes, like a beggar, and by the self-proclaimed identity he uttered...

"Ziusudra?"