Chapter 487
On one hand, they express their love for humanity, yet on the other hand, they revel in the wars where humans kill each other. Isn't that contradictory?
"That's definitely a double standard..."
"Yes. But if you consider this a logical fallacy, then it all makes sense."
Because it possesses too many attributes and functions, it lacks unity. In other words, it has a problem with its brain.
Roman agreed, "That's an interesting explanation. God has too many functions, so there's redundancy..."
Chatting casually, they entered a cedar forest led by Kingu.
The temperature inside the forest was several degrees lower than outside, and the humid air carried the smell of decaying leaves and earth.
"We'll be in safety soon; it looks like we can arrive before sunset."
"Heh, Gilgamesh should be very happy. He's been waiting for you guys for half a year."
"... This should be... a cedar forest."
Before arriving in Uruk, Mash had done her homework.
It is not limited to the history of the Mesopotamia pantheon, but also includes the geography and culture of ancient Sumer.
"The cedar forest is, in legend, a sacred place guarded by the Magical Beast Humbaba..."
However, it seems to have been interpreted as the Zagros Mountains, located east of Uruk, across the Tigris River...
Roman chimed in, "Yes. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the cedar forest is a sacred place, and some even call it the Snow White Cedar Forest."
But this place... feels somewhat dark and heavy, as if I'm inside the belly of a monster.
The gloomy forest, so dense that sunlight couldn't penetrate, was hard to reconcile with the sacred place described in historical records, which made everyone feel somewhat uneasy.
"... going in the opposite direction from Uruk."
Ritsuka Fujimaru secretly tugged at her junior's hand. "We're trying to get as far away from Uruk as possible."
"Yes," the shield girl nodded.
"What should we do, senior...? Should we point out to Mr. Enkidu that we are moving far from our destination?"
Ritsuka Fujimaru was also somewhat at a loss for what to do.
However, at that moment...
"You're using the same scam again? Don't you ever get tired of it?"
A voice suddenly rang out in the air above the cedar forest.
The boy's voice carried a hint of cold mockery, slicing through the gloom of the forest like a sharp sword.
"!?"
Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash looked around in surprise.
As for Enkidu, his expression changed drastically; his former gentleness and composure vanished.
His lips tightened downwards, and his eyes instantly turned cold and sharp, as if he had become a different person.
"Hey, little shield bearer... protect your Master."
"... What?"
Mash, who was called out by name, was taken aback.
Just as she was about to ask a question in return, she suddenly felt a huge and surging magical power.
That was a slashing wind powerful enough to cut through the sacred forest and the ancient earth.
The spiral arrow, forged in the shape of a sword, transformed into a shooting star that pierced through the cedar forest, hurtling towards the coordinates where the girls and Enkidu were located.
"!"
There was no time to think.
Mash pulled a large, purplish-black shield from the void, inserting its base into the ground while channeling magical energy into it.
Magical energy drifted around the girl like snowflakes, Mash shouted.
"Senior! Hide behind me!"
However, almost at the same time the girl shouted those words, Ritsuka Fujimaru had already wrapped her arms around her waist.
Having experienced seven Singularity, including "f", the bond and understanding between the two is now unparalleled.
So when Mash took out the Round Table, she knew what was going to happen next.
"Boom!!"
The deafening explosion caused countless cedar trees to snap and collapse in the shockwave, sending smoke and debris soaring into the sky.
The moment the arrow fell, a shockwave that tore everything apart swept through the entire forest, engulfing Enkidu as well.
"..."
In that dazzling flash, Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash caught a glimpse of a red-haired boy.
Volume 7: Chapter 315 Harem Members from the Future!?
"!"
Amidst the shattering earth and rocks and billowing dust, the girls hid behind Round Table, struggling to stay upright.
It is merely an arrow, yet it possesses such immense power that it has reached the category of "Anti-Army Noble Phantasm".
Mash, gripping the Round Table tightly, closed her eyes due to the wind pressure.
I could hear nothing, see nothing, only feel the earth-shaking vibrations of the atmosphere and the heat that scorched my skin.
Fragments, propelled by the fierce wind, bounced wildly around the girls, making a heavy sound as they swirled.
"... Ugh!"
Mash gritted her teeth and held on.
The explosion actually only lasted for a split second.
Fortunately, they received prior warnings and took appropriate action, which allowed them to survive the destruction.
"Waaah."
Ritsuka Fujimaru opened her eyes and saw a shocking sight.
The attack instantly turned the surrounding area into a sea of fire, and the ground at the center of the explosion was blown away, leaving a large and deep crater.
Then, in the center of that pit, were countless coiled chains.
The chains shattered like glass, revealing the green-haired humanoid figure protected within.
"Mr. Enkidu!" Mash shouted.
As expected of Mesopotamia's strongest hero, Enkidu appeared completely unharmed even after enduring such an attack.
Mash was about to run over when Ritsuka Fujimaru grabbed her wrist.
"Senior?"
Ritsuka Fujimaru shook her head. "Enkidu's appearance..."
Enkidu, standing at the center of the explosion, kept his head down and remained silent.
Something's not right.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but something just feels off.
"Wait a minute, what's going on?"
At that moment, Dr. Roman's voice rang out.
"A magical reaction similar to that of the Demon God Pillar was observed in the Heroic Spirit Enkidu?"
This is... Ritsuka! Mash! Be careful!
Although its origins are unknown, the creature before you is an enemy of humanity, a being like Solomon!
"F- Fou...!"
The message from behind took the girls by surprise.
"Is it you again... ruining my plans once more...?"
Enkidu gritted his teeth, his face contorted in anger, and glared at the distant cedar tree trunk.
There stood a red-haired boy holding a jet-black longbow, Enkidu stared at him with eyes full of resentment.
"That person... is the one who attacked us just now! He's being glared at by Mr. Enkidu... What's going on?"
Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash were confused by the sudden change in the situation.
But in their hearts, a vague idea was forming—that the boy seemed more trustworthy Enkidu.
It was really too much to involve myself and Mash in the attack! I'm definitely going to complain to him later--
"I overheard your conversation. You said that was Enkidu?"
"Waaaaaah!"
Ritsuka and Mash were startled by the sound coming from beside them and jumped up with screams.
Merlin appeared behind the two girls, accompanied by a cluster of flowers blown by the wind.
"You... you are...!"
Ritsuka and Mash stared at Merlin's face, while he continued talking to himself.
"You just said he was Enkidu? That's very strange."
King Gilgamesh, who is currently commanding the front lines in Uruk, is the King who returned after searching for the herb of immortality.
In other words --"
Ritsuka, Mash, and Dr. Roman in the command room all widened their eyes simultaneously.
They quickly realized the contradiction— Enkidu could not possibly exist as a "local".
Enkidu curled the corners of his mouth, revealing a contemptuous smile.
"Hmph, you're saved, aren't you, fellow Chaldea members."
Mash gripped her large shield tightly. "Mr. Enkidu! Who exactly are you?"
Was it all a trap that led us here...?
"I already told those guys over there, I am Enkidu himself."
They possess the same capabilities, speak the same words, and then—regard you humans as enemies.
"!"
Enkidu's magical power continued to expand, reaching an astonishing level.
"Perfect, all the eyesores are here. Let me put an end to your resistance in one fell swoop."
Even though his opponents outnumbered him, Enkidu remained unperturbed.
As the earth erupted with magical energy compressed to the naked eye, spears, swords, and other bladed weapons, along with chains, surged forth from the ground in large numbers, sweeping out in all directions like a tidal wave.
"Mash! Prepare for battle!"
"Yes, senior! I'm going!"
The girls tensed up and assumed a fighting stance.
The situation is overwhelmingly unfavorable.
Honestly, they have no chance of defeating Enkidu in their current form.
However, at that moment—
The overwhelming torrent of weapons vanished along with the green figures.
They returned to the entrance to the cedar forest they had passed just half an hour earlier.
"... Huh?"