Priest's Counsel

Although in the Heavenly Realm and unable to manifest in the Human World in their true forms, the God King Anu could still use the methods left behind before sending the Bull of Heaven and Humbaba to the lower world, using the scepter in his hand to accelerate their manifestation.

Let them fully manifest within a single day!

But in the next second, a voice suddenly rang out, interrupting the God King's actions: "Great God King Anu, there is something that must be reported to you!"

Anu looked towards the speaking entity. It was not a god, but a messenger of the gods, formed by priests who had served the gods well in the Human World and ascended to the heavens after death.

"It's a reply from the Priest Temple in the Uruk City-State in the Human World—" the Divine Messenger said, bowing respectfully to the God King.

Anu was silent for a moment and lowered the scepter in his hand: "What was their reply?"

Long ago, when Gilgamesh, Rovi, and Enkidu joined forces and openly defied the gods in that Monster Forest, the gods in the Heavenly Realm had issued a divine decree to the priests in the Human World—

They were to act as the gods' "inside agents" in the Human World.

And then prepare to break through Uruk's defenses from within.

However, no clear answer had been received yet.

This did not surprise the gods—while the priests in the Human World were servants of the gods, they were still human, unlike the Divine Attendants who had ascended to the Heavenly Realm and transformed into different beings.

Their positions were different, naturally leading to different perspectives. If it weren't for this, the priests wouldn't have agreed to Gilgamesh's request to feign prayer to the heavens to delay time.

But, just as with their attitude towards Gilgamesh, the gods still hoped the priests would stand on their side.

With their assistance, the gods could directly rain down curses from the heavens.

A powerful curse that would kill one of Gilgamesh, Enkidu, or Rovi!

This way, they could also conserve more strength.

To deal with the potentially greater enemy that might arrive next—

"What was their reply?" After God King Anu, another god inquired, "If they agree, then the strength we've been saving to deal with 'Mother' can be further increased."

"But no matter what, we can't delay any longer—"

"The fluctuations in the Sea of Imaginary Numbers have become increasingly apparent... Our banished Mother, Tiamat, is getting closer, we don't have much time."

As the gods discussed, their faces were grave, even showing a hint of fear.

In ancient myths, the Primordial God, Tiamat, who had been betrayed and banished by the gods, returned embodying the Chaos Sea, filled with resentment towards the gods. Naturally, they could not remain calm.

In fact, this was the reason they had always held a sliver of hope for Gilgamesh in their hearts.

As much as possible, they did not want to turn against him, nor did they want to expend too much strength.

They hoped to preserve their means to fight against Tiamat.

"The priests in the Human World are praying to the gods."

The voice of the Divine Attendant from the Heavenly Realm echoed through the vast heavens. Because he was neither god nor human, his eyes could directly perceive the Heavenly Realm looking down upon the Human World. The gods, through what he saw, also gazed upon reality, upon Uruk, and the many figures of priests in the temple.

"Praying to us, the gods we revere—" a deep, ancient voice echoed. In the spacious and magnificent Pantheon, priests clad in linen robes raised their hands and shouted:

"Great gods, what we wish to say is: The world was formed under your guidance, and humanity grew under your protection. You are the embodiment of all creation, the manifestation of the void."

Praise as usual, but it seemed to carry a bit more piety than before?

Were they going to agree?

The gods watched in silence, with a hint of anticipation—

"However, great gods, what we also wish to say is: The world is already stable, and humanity will grow. Just as parents cannot keep their children locked at home forever, we are grateful for the gods' benevolence, and our past faith was never false."

"But humanity ultimately needs to forge its own path. You should not restrict us. Perhaps you believe otherwise, but the world does not belong to you alone; it belongs to us as well."

"Gods, you have no right... to stop humanity from moving forward!"

Crack— The armrest of the divine throne shattered.

They... refused!?

Just as Rovi had refuted Gilgamesh face-to-face in the temple before.

They had struggled.

And they had been in an awkward position within Uruk.

But at this moment, the priests in the temple finally presented their thoughts to the gods in the high heavens.

As humans—

As subjects of Uruk.

This was unprecedented: the gods' will was being directly refuted by their priests in the Human World.

Rumble!

Thunder instantly crackled, and the gods' wrath surged simultaneously.

"In the name of Anu, King of the Gods and God of the Heavenly Realm, I command the Bull of Heaven and Humbaba in the Human World—"

"I want you to destroy Uruk at all costs!"

Facing the gods' fury, the priests in the temple smiled.

They laughed heartily, tears streaming down their faces.

Yes...

Rovi had dared to openly refute the King back then.

What was there to fear from this group of old guys?

The greatest hardship in all eternity, Is nothing more than death!

"Hahahaha... those old guys, though they're old, their spirit alone is worthy of this King's admiration!" Upon meeting Rovi, the three returned to the Royal City City-State and overheard the priests' 'advice' to the gods.

What followed was Gilgamesh's undisguised laughter and praise.

The sound echoed.

Rovi couldn't help but pause, then he too chuckled.

Those old men had made their choice...

No, perhaps it wasn't just them.

This was the entire Uruk, all the humans on the vast plains, who, under the oppression of the gods, had made a judgment about their own stance.

On the way back, Gilgamesh had already explained to Rovi what they had done.

Though it was only for a short three days.

This young King of Uruk had still perfectly unified the strength of all the city-states and nations on the Mesopotamian plains.

He had moved everyone to the vicinity of the Royal City.

And in the distance, he had constructed the magnificent Great Wall of Uruk to defend against the overwhelming tide of Demonic Beasts.

He had instructed the young to willingly take up arms.

He told those who believed in the gods to maintain their faith, but not to forget their identity as humans.

Because everyone knew—

The gods had once lifted Kitsuchi to give birth to the Human World.

Humans should remember the blessings the gods had bestowed.

But these blessings, Should not become an obstacle in our path.

"This King is the sole ruler of heaven and earth, so achieving this is merely child's play!" Gilgamesh boasted.

"Speaking of which... has your treasury gotten stronger?" Rovi suddenly asked.

"Hahahaha... This King possesses all things in the world. Is it not natural that all treasures pass through my friend's hands and return to this King's collection?"

In other words... Enkidu had brought more treasures to Gilgamesh, allowing Gilgamesh to perfect the composition of the King's Treasure.

Rovi understood instantly and looked towards Enkidu.

"Mhm..." Enkidu nodded. "Those treasures in the treasury, I took them from Humbaba's collection."

"I thought you could use them." The Divine Construct said directly, without any guilt, bypassing Gilgamesh.

Rovi choked, then asked, "Is there a 'sword' with a three-stage spiral?"

"A sword?" Gilgamesh and Enkidu were both stunned.

Enkidu thought for a moment and shook her head.

There wasn't one? In Rovi's memory, Gilgamesh's strongest Noble Phantasm, the 'Enuma Elish' with the power to cleave heaven and earth... was it still nowhere to be found?

The three walked towards the Royal Palace Hall. Before they even crossed the threshold, a clear voice emanated from within, "King, Lord Rovi, Lord Enkidu!"

Inside the Royal Palace, Siduri, her face veiled, descended from above, from beside the throne. She walked down the steps and approached them with light steps.

"Advisor Siduri," Rovi replied politely.

Enkidu also smiled and nodded.

The three crossed the threshold, ascended the steps, and each took their place.