One Man Destroys a Nation? You Call That Protection!?

Rovi, having successfully "sent away" Ziusudra, stood in place and thought for a moment, not rushing to follow him immediately.

He wanted Ziusudra to go first.

To avoid each other.

To lessen the impact—of course, Rovi also had no intention of returning to his residence, to avoid being "bothered" by Enkidu.

So he found an inn in the city to stay.

He rested for a night.

The next day, as the sky was still dimly lit, he naturally woke up.

Since arriving here, Rovi had been unsure about his daily routine, all in order to ensure he could find the best way to die at the most opportune moment.

Over time, this had become a habit of self-discipline.

Although he didn't need much sleep anymore, due to this habit, Rovi still maintained the practice of falling asleep at the appropriate time.

When the time came, he naturally opened his eyes and got up.

After a simple wash and tidy-up, he went out.

The pre-dawn wind naturally carried a chill accumulated from the night, Rovi yawned, patted the linen robe he was wearing, and walked slowly forward on the empty, deserted street.

At this moment in Uruk, or rather, during ordinary times without festivals or celebrations, it was rare to see people at this hour.

The lights were dim, and the sky was hazy.

Rovi paused, turned to glance at the only brightly lit spot at the highest point, the royal palace where Gilgamesh resided, shook his head, and then strode away.

Carried by the blowing sand and wind, he headed towards his first destination, a small city-state attached to the Akkadian City-State Kingdom.

Of course, during this process, Rovi had also found the seal symbolizing the King of Uruk from Gilgamesh's King's Treasure.

He examined it carefully, then suppressed the urge to stamp something he saw, and put it away.

The King's Seal possessed special power.

Normally, if any major event required judgment, Gilgamesh would take out this seal and stamp it as permission.

Although Rovi often bickered with Gilgamesh, he didn't want to see strange rumors added to the legends that would be passed down in later generations.

For example, "Gilgamesh, in his busy schedule, personally stamped his approval for a sow to give birth," or even evolving into the bizarre "What to do if a sow is in heat? Seek Golden Flash in Mesopotamia."

Even though it was quite funny... Damn it, I'm getting more tempted...

Rovi took a deep breath and, suppressing the impulse, threw the seal back into the rippling Gate of Babylon.

Looking ahead again.

The yellow sand stretched endlessly, and the previously hazy sky had become extremely bright. Rovi had already left the Uruk City-State a considerable distance, heading north, and was getting closer to that small city-state.

However, before he got close, Rovi felt something strange.

All the way here... it seemed a bit too quiet?

His footsteps stopped, and he looked around. Sunlight spread across the fields, with yellow earth and sparse vegetation, but there was nothing else unusual.

Rovi pondered and decided to find someone to ask first.

Rovi wanted to be "killed,"

so he had to find the right pit to jump into, didn't he?

So he closed his eyes and expanded his senses, finding the trace of human presence in the nearest direction.

"Are you going ahead?" They were a few merchants pulling donkey carts laden with goods. Seeing Rovi, who had arrived covered in dust, asking about the road ahead, they didn't think much of it.

On this road, countless merchants like them passed by every day, and there were also countless lone travelers like Rovi, who could tell at a glance that they were from an extraordinary background.

As long as they didn't attack each other on sight, under the witness of the gods, there wouldn't be too much danger.

"Yes, I'm going to the city-state ahead..."

Rovi mentioned the name of another city-state.

It was a different place, similar but not the same, that he had mentioned yesterday when he sent Ziusudra away.

They were both on the same road.

"Then I'd still advise you not to go." The leading merchant wore a white headscarf, and his rugged face had a brown beard that twitched as he spoke. "Many people are fleeing from over there!"

"Flee—?" Rovi looked somewhat confused.

His heart, however, gave a jolt.

He had a bad feeling... could that guy have pulled some stunt on him...

"Yes, flee!" The merchant nodded, his face filled with fear. "Many, many people have died over there... It's said that the nobles in the inner city have all died, and ethereal blue flames have erupted everywhere... It's not a big deal that the nobles died; those nobles were used to being arrogant and domineering, and we were often insulted by them."

"However, it's said... someone saw the 'murderer'—a figure wearing demon-like armor and wielding a greatsword."

"They heard him say: The ruler of this city, his Destiny has ended."

"He shall honor the name of the Sage of Uruk, Rovi: Ring the death knell for this city!"

Grass (a plant)!

Rovi knew exactly what had happened.

He had sent Ziusudra to that small city-state to 'scout ahead' for him, and had specifically requested 'stealth'.

Is this your idea of stealth, old man...?

And he did it in his own name?

No!

Rovi felt he had to stop this.

If this trend continued, his reputation would spread throughout the nations. By then, forget about taking action against him, he'd probably arrive in some city… and the local rulers would be kneeling!

Taking his leave of the merchants, Rovi rushed without delay towards the city-state…

A moment later.

Still early morning.

The mist from the Euphrates River hung heavy in the air.

From a distance, Rovi could see a city-state built along the river, shimmering in the sunlight like rippling waves.

Besides the rising sun, there were also specks of ethereal blue light.

Dong, dong, dong— A magnificent bell tolled, like a roar from the ancient past.

Rovi quickened his pace.

He could sense that there were still survivors. As long as he could rescue that person from Ziusudra, he could forcefully explain that this matter had nothing to do with him, and that should minimize the damage to his 'reputation' as much as possible…

However, Rovi was still a step too late.

Inside the palace, sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the dust motes floating in the air. There was no blood, no visible wounds, yet the person lying on the ground was utterly still.

Rovi stopped at the doorway, looking at the tall figure holding a greatsword.

"Where there is life, there is death. Where there is death, there is life."

"As the tolling of fate's bell echoes the moment of ending, no one can stop it—"

Amidst ethereal blue flames, the figure clad in a cloak, wearing heavy armor, and a pale mask with a pair of horns extending from it raised his greatsword and brought it down upon the last remaining person.

"Hey, leave some… leave some people for me…" Rovi opened his mouth, but before his voice could reach the other party, the greatsword fell, severing the last person's thread of fate.

Ziusudra looked over.

Rovi: "..."

Annihilating a nation with one person… is this your way of protecting me?

Did you sneak in and kill all the witnesses!?

"Indeed."

Ziusudra stated righteously, "To be on guard everywhere is to be unguarded everywhere. Therefore, being unguarded is the best defense!"

"From this day forward, you shall strike fear into the northern nations."

"Who would dare make a move?"

Dare make a move?

Who the hell would dare make a move!?