To be honest, Siduri was somewhat moved.
Thinking it over carefully, Gilgamesh and Rovi had not actually known each other for very long, yet it felt as though they had been through so much.
No, more accurately, they truly had been through so much—and much of it was something the king had never experienced before.
So naturally, he was delighted.
Naturally, he acknowledged them as his friends, valued them, and cherished that friendship.
Some changes that he himself had not noticed were plainly visible to Siduri, who stood at his side. Little by little, they had also made this young and vigorous king more mature.
Siduri felt inexplicably gratified.
"Then continue conveying my wisdom, Siduri!"
Gilgamesh waved a hand from atop his throne, putting away the clay tablet. "Though he is merely a wild dog that knows only how to bark, he is still a friend acknowledged by me—what one capable of standing beside me has done is as glorious and great as I am. Naturally, I shall put it to practical use!"
"Yes, my king!" Siduri bowed, took out a clay tablet, and followed Gilgamesh's words as she continued handling Uruk's affairs, great and small.
"Add three thousand sentries each to the eastern and western regions. Establish one post every ten li, using bonfires as signals..."
"Order all residents around Uruk to enter the city-state. At the very least, they must live close to the city walls..."
"Issue a royal decree to every city-state:"
"Conduct a thorough census. Record every man, woman, elder, and child on clay tablets."
With his eyes slightly closed and his fingers tapping the armrest, Gilgamesh spoke at a rapid pace. Siduri's movements as she inscribed the words were equally practiced.
Still, it felt as though the king's thoughts were moving faster than usual today?
Perhaps it was because he had become increasingly mature during this time. Or perhaps... because the king was in a good mood now?
Siduri's veiled face inadvertently swept over the king before her.
Amid their questions and answers, in only a short while, the mountain of clay tablets that had originally piled up beside the young female aide had been completely used up.
Siduri picked up the final remaining tablet. When she glimpsed one of the matters recorded upon it, her expression tightened slightly. Clearly, she had discovered a serious problem. "My king, I believe you should handle this final matter with caution."
"It concerns the Bull of Heaven and the monster, Humbaba..."
Gilgamesh straightened slightly at those words.
Unlike the previous matters, those two "beasts," which represented the gods' punishment, had always been their foremost concern.
This was the crucial issue.
It represented how much time they had left to prepare, and how much work still needed to be completed.
"The divine beast, the Bull of Heaven, and the monster, Humbaba, have both begun to take shape—though there should still be some time before they truly manifest."
So there was still time to prepare... Gilgamesh's expression remained unchanged.
"But the problem now is not merely that." Holding the clay tablet, Siduri bowed slightly, her face solemn. "As they gradually manifest, the disasters they symbolize have also begun to spill forth."
"Now, drought has appeared in the east, near the Euphrates River. The heavens refuse to rain, and the sun beats down mercilessly. In only three days, the land has become barren and living things have withered away."
"Floods and earthquakes have appeared across the vast western plains, destroying countless villages and settlements."
The divine beast had brought down heaven's punishment.
The monster had brought the earth's wrath.
"The speed at which they are taking shape is increasing, but our preparations still require time to complete."
"So..."
"So we need to slow the rate at which they take shape. But only I possess that ability, is that it?"
Gilgamesh took over from Siduri. "Hmph... it seems those foolish gods have begun to lose their patience."
"Siduri, send out every one of my orders!"
He raised both hands from the throne's armrests, making as though to stand. "It seems the time has come for me to personally set out..."
He was going to the eastern and western regions.
He had been pinned here all day beneath endless affairs.
Gilgamesh had long been looking forward to breaking free from them and going out for some activity!
"My king." Siduri stopped him. "...After receiving the news, Lady Enkidu has already departed for the west, to Humbaba in the Cedar Forest."
Gilgamesh's motion to rise halted, and he sat back down. He looked at Siduri, his scarlet eyes twisting like serpents.
His face was expressionless.
"Lady Enkidu said—" A faint shimmer flowed through the young female aide's eyes, a sign that she was using magecraft to contact those below. "As a weapon created by the gods, before meeting Lord Rovi and gaining self-awareness, she lived in the deepest Cedar Forest of the divine realm alongside Humbaba, in the form of clay..."
"Lady Enkidu knows Humbaba well enough."
"Her power comes from the earth, and she can effectively seal Humbaba."
It was perfectly reasonable, impossible to refute.
Fortunately, the Bull of Heaven still remained.
"Hmph. Since she is also someone acknowledged by me, I shall not hold her accountable for the grave offense of stealing my prey in advance!"
"Then I shall go east—"
Gilgamesh was about to rise again.
But in the next instant, golden ripples appeared before him.
Siduri froze.
The young King of Uruk also paused, then instinctively raised his hand and caught a clay tablet that fell from within.
Just like the five tablets of alliance.
This clay tablet had also been delivered by Rovi through the Gate of Babylon.
Gilgamesh looked at the words inscribed upon it.
"Just happened to pass through the east."
"I'll handle the Bull of Heaven."
"Enjoy your overtime—"
"Golden Pikachū!"
Crack... The clay tablet that had just entered his hand shattered instantly.
"My king?" Siduri had not seen what was written upon it. Somewhat confused, she looked at Gilgamesh, who had returned to his seat.
The king's expression shifted unpredictably.
That mere trash, that wild dog that only knew how to bark, dared interfere with my movements?
Gilgamesh was certain—that bastard had done it on purpose!
He could even assert that when Rovi wrote that clay tablet, he had been wearing a delighted grin.
"Damn it..." No, that was that bastard's phrase... Forget it. Everything between heaven and earth belonged to me, and words were no exception.
Gilgamesh took a deep breath. "Siduri, continue."
"Yes, my king." Siduri was somewhat puzzled, but she still nodded in response and had her subordinates bring up more clay tablets.
Gilgamesh closed his eyes, then opened them.
He clenched the armrest.
Damn it, for the sake of dragging those heavenly bastards down sooner... I'll endure it!
"Hmph, hahaha... Golden Flash's expression must be quite amusing right now?" Rovi stood amid the wilderness, letting out a strange laugh with a delighted look on his face.
Just as Gilgamesh had guessed, Rovi had indeed done it on purpose.
Rovi knew that Gilgamesh, as a born king, did not actually enjoy being trapped in one place all day. He had surely long wanted to find an opportunity to slip away, but to complete everyone's plan, he had to force himself to remain patient and hold the center.
If he wanted to leave, he needed a sufficient reason—such as the Bull of Heaven and Humbaba causing trouble.
It was not a reason to persuade others.
It was a reason to persuade himself.
But here, Rovi could learn through the Key of Heaven he had given earlier that Little En had already gone to Humbaba's side.
So he had sent that clay tablet.
And at this moment, he had likewise arrived in the east of Uruk.
Before you continue