Chapter 462

"However, on the bright side: my presence has united the Uruk front, which is a testament to the abilities of an excellent Court Magus."

"That's probably what Merlin is thinking right now," Shirou said seriously.

"Pfft hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"

A loud laugh came from above, and Siduri couldn't help but cover her lips with the back of her hand.

Are you a tapeworm in my stomach?!

Merlin was speechless: Just how much did this Arthur from another world really know about his teacher?

Just then, several new cartloads of clay tablets containing records of government affairs and reports were delivered to the palace.

"My king, today is the time..."

Gilgamesh waved his hand impatiently, interrupting Siduri's advice. "It's getting late, I must continue my work."

Is there any logical connection between these two paragraphs? Shirou wondered.

Gilgamesh, "High Priest, the treatment of this fellow is entirely in your hands. Since he's the bastard you favored, you'll be responsible for him to the end, and you're not allowed to slack off."

"Yes, sir." Siduri lowered her head.

Merlin said, "Wait a moment, Your Majesty. I'll handle him..."

Gilgamesh, "Merlin, although you have just returned and haven't had time to rest, I have other tasks to assign you."

Regarding the whereabouts of the "Tablet of Destinies," I have a new idea. Go and try to retrieve it for me.

What is the "Tablet of Destinies"?

Shirou looked curious, and Siduri explained.

"That happened when the king was returning to Uruk from the Underworld."

After entering meditation, the king saw the future and recorded its contents on the clay tablet beside him.

Because the future observation was conducted during meditation, there was no memory of what came before or after.

"If it weren't read again, even the king wouldn't know what kind of destiny it was."

"So, this guy was writing in his diary while he was asleep, and then just casually tossed it aside on the street...?"

"Occasionally."

Gilgamesh snorted and adopted an attitude of self-righteousness, "Although destiny refers to what is bestowed by the gods, mine comes from the Clairvoyance."

Sometimes, one suddenly learns about a "future" that has nothing to do with oneself and unconsciously records it.

Although it means nothing to me, it would be a priceless treasure to others.

That said, the Magical Beast couldn't possibly know the value of that thing, and it's highly likely they'll just leave it unattended.

Merlin, the search for the "Tablet of Destinies" is now in your hands.

After that, Shirou and Merlin were expelled from the palace.

"Wait, kid... what's your name?"

Before leaving, Gilgamesh called him back.

"Shirou, Shirou Amamiya."

"I don't know you, I don't remember you, get lost."

Gilgamesh refocused his attention on the clay tablets inscribed with political documents.

Gilgamesh's palace also served as a divine tower, and was the tallest building in Uruk.

As Shirou descended the long staircase, he caught a glimpse of a corner of the entire city of the Age of Gods.

Although Merlin had told them that this era was in the midst of an extremely intense war, the bustling scene in the city-states didn't reflect that at all.

What surprised Shirou was not the prosperity and civilization of the Mythological Era itself, but the vitality of this city.

A vibrant city, or perhaps that's a more accurate description.

Is this Uruk under Gilgamesh's rule...? No wonder the soldiers worship him so much.

Moreover, the Gilgamesh of today is completely different from the arrogant golden archer he remembers.

Although it's a memory from almost ten years ago, I still feel he should have been an even more outrageous king...

"Shirou, from now on I will take care of your livelihood."

The green-robed woman accompanying him interrupted Shirou's thoughts, "I'm sorry for the late introduction, I am Siduri."

He was one of the king's advisors and also in charge of the sacrificial site.

"I am Shirou Amamiya. You can just call me Shirou. Nice to meet you, Miss Siduri."

"It is I, please give me your guidance."

"Then I'll leave Shirou in your care, Siduri. To be honest, the thought of spending several hours explaining the current situation in Uruk was quite troublesome. You've really been a great help!"

This gives me time to get some fresh air at the market! After all, Uruk's ale is absolutely divine!

"Lord Merlin, please do not forget the mission the King entrusted to you."

Siduri watched the Magecraft run off happily and sighed.

"Sigh... Although I think you should know very well that, as you can see, Merlin is completely useless."

So, during my time in Uruk, I'll be in charge of coordinating with you."

"But Miss Siduri, aren't you very busy? You also have to take charge of the sacrificial site, right? Are you alright?"

Siduri was taken aback by what she heard.

Shirou had only been in Uruk for less than an hour, yet he already understood Principle the city operated.

Although Uruk was a city ruled by Gilgamesh's autocracy, in terms of authority, it was a separation of powers between the monarchy, the sacrificial shrine, and the Miko's quarters.

After the outbreak of war, Gilgamesh expanded the authority of the sacrificial grounds in order to suppress the Miko, which caused Siduri's workload to increase exponentially.

Moreover, he saw through the weariness that the king was hiding at their first meeting...

Siduri thought to herself: Although it is disrespectful, this young man probably possesses insight that rivals that of the king.

"I apologize for making you laugh, but since it is the king's command, as his servant, I can only carry it out wholeheartedly."

"Even if I'm just a suspicious stranger brought here by Merlin?"

Siduri shook her head. "Even from my personal perspective, I believe that Shirou is not a suspicious outsider, but rather someone with promising potential."

"Why?"

"Since the outbreak of the war... the king hasn't laughed like that in a long time."

Siduri said with a smile.

Shirou followed Siduri to her residence.

There, he received an explanation of the current situation.

The Mesopotamia he now inhabits is a civilization composed of numerous city-states, and Uruk, ruled by King Gilgamesh, is the most prosperous city among them.

Several months ago, a group calling itself the "Three Goddess Alliance" declared war on humanity.

At the same time, a large number of Magical Beast of unknown origin appeared and launched invasions on many cities.

Those Magical Beast were not creatures living in this era, nor were they earlier Phantasmal Beast; they possessed a completely different ecosystem...

According to King Gilgamesh, they were "beings that were eliminated by the tides of time."

The Magical Beast harbor only murderous intent and hatred towards humans; they act not for food but to annihilate them.

Today, most of Mesopotamia has fallen, with only the area around City of Uruk remaining intact.

Northern Mesopotamia has been completely transformed into a kingdom of Magical Beast, while the south has undergone a mysterious transformation into a dense, uncharted forest.

After their homes were attacked by Magical Beast, the only refuge available to the surviving humans is City of Uruk. This is the current situation.

"... The Three Goddess Alliance."

Shirou muttered to himself, "A goddess—like Artoria from The Lion King?"

Siduri continued, "The 'Three Goddess Alliance' is, as its name suggests, an alliance formed by three pillar goddesses."

Their background is still unclear, but their purpose is quite clear.

"What is the purpose?"

"Exterminate humanity, leave no one alive, completely annihilate them."

Siduri bit her lip and said, "To eradicate humanity, the future of history, here," according to the King, that seems to be their goal.

"I think I understand what's going on."

Shirou nodded, understanding. "I was wondering what kind of Magical Beast Gilgamesh couldn't handle. Turns out it's the goddess's wrath. No wonder."

"The sudden emergence of the 'Three Goddess Alliance' led to devastating blows to many countries."

The Magical Beast, especially in the north, launched a fierce attack, becoming the greatest force annihilating humanity.

In response to this situation, the king dismantled the destroyed city of Babylon and hastily built a massive fortress known as the Uruk Northern Wall.

That's the Babylonia Demonic Beast Front. It's thanks to that defensive barrier that we can sit here and talk so safely."

Shirou then asked, "Is there any detail about the 'Three Goddess Alliance'?"

Siduri hesitated and said, "Only one of the three pillars knows the true name."

The Goddess of Demonic Beasts is located in the north, the Goddess of the Jungle is located in the south, and finally, the Goddess of Heaven has no fixed abode.

Although the greatest threat is the Goddess of Demonic Beasts in the north, the Goddess of Heaven also has... some problems.

In a different sense than the Goddess of Demonic Beasts, she is arguably the most troublesome goddess in Uruk.

We're still at our wits' end trying to figure out how to deal with her problem.

"The Goddess of Heaven Mesopotamia... could it be Ishtar?" Shirou countered.

"Do you know Lady Ishtar?" Siduri asked in surprise.

"Um."

Even if Shirou's world history is terrible, he's still heard of the legendary goddess Ishtar...

Greece civilization is considered a secondary civilization following Mesopotamia and Egypt civilizations, and within this civilization's transmission, the goddess Ishtar can be considered the most important and influential deity.

Semiramis, the Assyrian Empress who fought in the Holy Grail War, is also known as the incarnation of the goddess Ishtar.

Based on this alone, one can imagine what a goddess she must have been, possessing both wickedness and beauty.

"Lady Ishtar is the city god of Uruk."

Even a king cannot hastily declare war on her, and more importantly...

Seemingly harboring some unspeakable secret, Siduri's expression became very subtle.

"So that's how it is. Even Gilgamesh couldn't do anything about this woman."

Shirou thought for a moment and said, "Since Uruk can't do anything about her, I, a stranger, will step in."

"Huh?"

"I will defeat the goddess Ishtar."

Having made this announcement, the red-haired boy stood up.

The high priest looked at him in astonishment. "Shirou, where are you going?"

Shirou looked around the room and asked a question.

"Hey, Miss Siduri... where's the kitchen in this dormitory?"