Royal Palace Thief

Night fell at the embassy.

One Sumerian specialty after another was brought to the table. Several jugs of King's Wine were generously tossed onto the table by Gilgamesh, their amber liquid poured into cups.

"Cheers!"

Amid the collective cheers, every face was lit with heartfelt smiles, and every name was remembered by the others.

Of course, the old man still drank water in place of wine, offering his sentiments as usual.

And after a thousand years, as those long separated met again, what delighted everyone most was undoubtedly that Mother Goddess Tiamat had absorbed enough divinity, cast off her identity as the Beast of Exile, and returned to the earth in her complete form.

Samael leaned against Mother Goddess Tiamat's side, his fingers quietly climbing her arm and clasping her slender pale hand, conveying the longing that had accumulated over a thousand years.

A warm atmosphere spread through the room.

Everyone raised their cups in celebration of the Mother Goddess, their eyes brimming with joy and relief.

Once, the Mother Goddess had bid farewell to the world for their sake. Now, they had finally welcomed her back and made up for their past regrets.

Children would one day leave the cradle and grow up, but a mother's embrace would forever be her child's safe harbor.

After several rounds of wine and dishes, with the rare chance to steal a day of leisure, everyone's taut nerves relaxed somewhat. They gathered in twos and threes, chatting casually about whatever interested them.

However, after sampling every dish on the table, Samael felt that something was missing.

Suddenly, the ancient serpent slapped his forehead and came up with the answer.

Beef. It had been so long since he had eaten any. Without that last hodgepodge stew and the nationwide celebration, it just didn't feel