The Great War Is Imminent, Let's Set a Flag

For some time prior, Rovi had been away, not returning to Uruk.

However, his actions had already made him a symbol of Uruk's banner, second only to Gilgamesh himself.

The King, the Sage, and the Divine Construct Soldiers.

Although, on the surface, Uruk remained a nation ruled by one person, anyone walking through this land knew that the throne had three de facto seats.

Much like the separation of powers that would appear in later ages.

The King resided at the center, overseeing the grand scheme, managing the nation with his prestige. The Sage roamed outside, handling diplomacy, intimidating other nations with his wisdom and strength. The Divine Construct Soldiers, in charge of warfare, held the front lines with their formidable power during these seven days of wall construction.

And now, with the return of Rovi, the Sage, Uruk's three 'Kings' were reunited once more. The impact this had on the nation—or more accurately, on this vast settlement that had already unified all of humanity—was even more evident.

Morale, stability, order... everything could be felt more clearly than ever before.

That night.

The vast, starry sky illuminated Uruk, its scale far greater than before.

Near the Royal Palace, in a quiet courtyard, a sliver of moonlight descended, shining upon the three figures within.

"Hmph haha... you yapping wild dogs, don't be startled by the fine wine this King has collected!" The King, with his spiky blonde hair, let out a hearty laugh.

"Little En brought it, yet you shamelessly claim it," Rovi picked up the golden cup on the stone table before him and scoffed.

"All things under heaven and earth flow from this King's hands..."

"Does that include all the excrement on the ground? Did you produce that all by yourself?"

"..."

Damn, this guy doesn't play by the rules...

Little En, holding her cup with both hands, took a small sip. She looked at Rovi, tilted her head, and a smile appeared on her serene face.

"Hmph, this King is in a good mood today, so I won't bicker with you!" After a moment of silence, Gilgamesh downed the wine in his hand.

"Coincidentally, I don't want to argue with you either—how childish, how old are you?" Rovi shook his head.

Gilgamesh glared.

Didn't he start it most of the time?

Then, he also smiled.

"Speaking of which, it feels like the three of us haven't gathered like this in a while," Rovi swirled his cup, raising it towards the bright moon in the night sky.

"From now on... we'll all live!"

He said it inexplicably.

Gilgamesh paused, looking at the serious expression on the man before him. He, too, rarely showed a calm demeanor.

"Naturally—those scumbags can't harm this King who rules all creation!" He remained confident, and then raised his cup.

"Yes, we will live... wherever Rovi is, I will be there, I won't leave!" Little En licked her red lips, stained with wine. Her delicate, fair face was slightly flushed as she raised her cup.

The cups clinked, spilling a few drops.

Rovi smiled with satisfaction.

At this moment, everyone knew that their plan to confront the gods of heaven had reached its most crucial point.

Such an action before a great war...

For the one who proposed it, it was undoubtedly a harbinger of death!

"I'm a bit sleepy, hmm... Rovi, Gil, I'm going to sleep now..." After a moment, Enkidu swayed and slumped over.

"Hmph hahaha, you can't hold on any longer? You mud person, as this King's friend, your alcohol tolerance is still quite lacking..." Gilgamesh let out a loud laugh.

"Don't force yourself," Rovi glanced at him, expressionless. "Sleep if you want to sleep!"

"Scum, how dare you look down on this King... hic..." Gilgamesh glared, opened his mouth, and then swayed, falling drunk.

It had to be said, this wine Little En obtained from Humbaba was indeed delicious and potent. It was likely a fine brew of the gods.

Even with Gilgamesh's and Enkidu's physiques, they were both drunk.

As for Rovi himself, as the Key of Heaven, he could channel the alcohol within him elsewhere through the 'Gate,' so he only felt slightly tipsy.

But he wasn't drunk, and he didn't want to be.

Because he was waiting for someone—

Waiting to erect a larger 'flag' that heralded death.

"Hmph hmph hmph, are you all sleeping like pigs? To greet this great Goddess in such a state is truly rude!" A crisp voice came with the evening breeze. Rovi looked up and immediately saw a figure standing on the courtyard wall.

It was Ishtar Rin, wearing a crimson coat that reached down past her thighs, revealing her fair calves.

With her hands in her pockets, she shook her long black hair and leaped down.

The Goddess glanced at the unconscious Gilgamesh and Enkidu, then at Rovi, the only one still calm. She snorted.

"Someone wants to see you—" Without needing to think, Rovi knew who it was.

As if in a momentary daze, the person before Rovi's eyes instantly changed.

Her black hair transformed into pure gold, Her red coat became a crimson cape.

Ereshkigal's fair legs remained the same, her full curves extending upwards and converging in a deep, mysterious place. As her hips swayed, her chest seemed even more prominent.

"Rovi." The newcomer opened her crimson eyes, her lips curving upwards in a smile.

Ishtar and Ereshkigal had switched in an instant.

Although Ishtar was somewhat reluctant, she knew a great battle was imminent.

With the outcome of life and death uncertain, it was still best for them to meet.

"I told you, I would come see you again!"

The Underworld Goddess waved her hand.

Rovi nodded and stood up, about to step forward... then he noticed Ereshkigal stumble abruptly, falling forward uncontrollably.

"Ehh—!?" The goddess let out a clear cry.

He glanced at the spot where the goddess had tripped.

A rolling wine cup.

And... the hand that had thrown the cup.

"Hmph, haha... A mere deity, trying to pass through the courtyard under my control? Never..." Gilgamesh's eyes were tightly shut as he let out a booming laugh.

Rovi: "..."

This guy is truly amazing, being so arrogant even in his dreams.

At this moment, all he could think was...

Well done.

Rovi spread his arms, and Ereshkigal, stumbling forward, naturally crashed into his embrace.

"Mmph?" The goddess groggily opened her eyes, her face instantly flushing a deep red.

To hold her securely, Rovi's hands were currently on the goddess's slender waist. The warmth through the black fabric made the goddess feel almost suffocated.

"Im... impudent..." Ereshkigal stammered, her voice filled with shyness.

"Who's impudent?"

"You're impudent!"

"Then I'll let go..."

"Ehh—!?"

He let go as he said he would. Ereshkigal, still in a tilted posture, instinctively lurched forward again. The small distance that had previously been maintained vanished completely. The goddess rested her head on Rovi's chest, his powerful heartbeat rendering her speechless.

"You're the one who told me to let go..." Rovi said with a happy smile.

Damn it— Ereshkigal fell silent.

However, after a moment of silence, the Underworld Goddess realized that not only had she not calmed down, but her heart was beating even faster.

This position, this embrace... it was too embarrassing...

"Ereshkigal." Fortunately, Rovi spoke first, breaking the silence. "You know what we need to do next, right?"

Ereshkigal blinked, then after a moment of silence, she replied, "Mhm."

Her response, like a mosquito's hum, reached Rovi's ears.

Rovi wanted to say something more, but he noticed a slight movement in his arms. The goddess lifted her delicate face, previously hidden by her golden hair.

"I came for this." She had already heard about it from Ishtar.

"No matter what... I will stand with you." Ereshkigal smiled.

Her slightly flushed cheeks looked incredibly determined. "I will help you."

"I hope that our future meetings will be under this sky, not in the Underworld."

The Underworld Goddess slowly raised her hand, her fingers interlocking with Rovi's.

"And I hope... we can keep meeting."

"You can rest assured too." Rovi nodded. "We will definitely win."

"I will definitely survive and meet you again."

A new vow was made.

Rovi had lied, but not entirely.

Because for him, death was never the true end.

The night was long, yet it passed in the blink of an eye.

Soon, Ereshkigal returned to the Underworld, and Ishtar was also gone.

Soon, The sky began to lighten. Rovi sat alone in the courtyard. Enkidu slept peacefully on the table, while Gilgamesh snored loudly on the ground, occasionally letting out boisterous laughter.

Rovi raised his eyes and looked toward the distant sky.

There—

Thunder roared and flashed, descending in an instant.

Previously, the decree filled with the anger of the sky god Anu finally took effect at this moment.

Gilgamesh opened his eyes.

Enkidu also sat up.

"It's finally here..." Rovi put down his wine cup and chuckled softly.