Chapter 501

Let bygones be bygones regarding the rancher's report of loss; let us celebrate the return of the goddess Ishtar.

Gilgamesh snorted and raised an eyebrow, saying, "So that's how it is. That's what High Priestess Ishtar said, isn't it?"

"Well... since it's Siduri, I can't really complain..."

Ishtar hesitated, "After all, she's the most devout priest in Uruk, practically a model of virtue..."

Not only the arrogant Gilgamesh, but even the domineering goddess Ishtar couldn't hold her head high in front of Siduri.

"Alright, Ishtar, now spill everything you know."

"Hmph, I knew it would be like this. What do you want to ask?"

Mash asked the question on Gilgamesh's behalf, "Our question is very simple."

Why did the goddess attack Uruk? What are the real names of the other goddesses? And who summoned you?

Could you please answer these questions?

"Regarding this, Ishtar actually—"

Leaving aside Merlin's lack of understanding of human nature, Gilgamesh seemed oblivious to the fact that "Ishtar had no intention of destroying humanity."

It seems the King of Heroes has developed a stereotype about this goddess because of her many past misdeeds.

However, Shirou knew that Ishtar, after fusing with Rin Tohsaka, was a goddess who cared for humanity, and was about to explain this to everyone when—

Ishtar Shirou kicked him with his heel.

What are you doing?

Stop saying unnecessary things!

Ishtar gave a wink, then addressed the group.

"First and foremost, the reasons why our 'Three Goddess Alliance' attacked Uruk."

Needless to say, it's all for the purpose of dominating the land in the future.

However, there are still differences in details, such as my intention to rule over humanity and the Northern Goddess's intention to rule over the earth.

The other pillar is the Southern Goddess... well, what should I say about that one?

Because of cultural differences, I can't figure that guy out at all.

Regardless, we are competing according to our own rules.

Let's see who destroys Uruk first and obtains the Holy Grail hidden by King Gilgamesh.

The first goddess to obtain the Uruk Holy Grail will be able to claim this land for herself.

The other two pillars either leave or stay to become subordinate gods.

This is the purpose of our "Three Goddess Alliance"... Pretty simple, right?

"That's strange." Gilgamesh frowned.

Ishtar frowned and asked, "What's strange about it?"

Shirou observed her reaction, thinking to himself, "So that's how it is. Ishtar didn't know about Ereshkigal's existence."

Since Ishtar was unwilling to admit that she was not a true member of the "Three Goddess Alliance," Shirou would keep Ereshkigal's information from her to the end.

In short, we should first interrupt Gilgamesh's statement that "the Three Goddesses have four pillars".

"Ishtar... we hope you can tell us the true name of the Goddess of Demonic Beasts."

"Hey! Shirou, do you want to know?"

"Um."

Ishtar bit her lip, a very troubled expression on her face.

"This... I can't say."

Is it because of the rules?

"Hmm." Ishtar nodded.

There is a rule among the "Three Goddess Alliance" that forbids them from attacking each other.

They shall not infringe upon each other, nor hinder each other; to reveal the true names of the other two pillars is a violation of the precepts.

"Understood. Since Ishtar is unwilling to talk, let's not force her, shall we?"

Shirou asked Gilgamesh for his opinion, but the latter turned away somewhat displeased.

"Shirou, you're so thoughtful~~~ I like it?"

Ishtar clasped her hands together, gazing at Shirou with a lovestruck, infatuated look.

The final question is, who summoned the Three Goddesses?

"I was summoned by the Miko of Uruk, but the goddesses of the North and South are different from me; those two pillars are goddesses drawn here by the Holy Grail."

Ishtar tossed her thick black hair aside and said dismissively, "As for whether that guy called the King of Magecraft has any ulterior motives, that's not something I can know."

Merlin stroked his chin and muttered to himself, "Hmm, it's basically in line with our predictions."

"Alright, is the questioning over? If there's nothing else, I'll head back," Ishtar said.

"Miss Ishtar, where are you going?" Mash asked, puzzled.

"Of course I'm going back to the dorm (Eanna)! I can't stand being in a place like this for even a second."

Eanna is the temple of the goddess Ishtar, located in the very center of Uruk.

The temple, which had been sealed off, has now been reopened to the goddess as a reward for Ishtar's willingness to provide information.

"The help I can give you is limited to intelligence; don't expect me to fight alongside you."

So that's it... right, right.

With a beautiful smile, the goddess Venus naturally put her arm around the red-haired boy's arm.

"Shirou, you don't have to live in that old dormitory anymore. You can move into a new room with someone else (Eanna), right?"

"Varied...!!"

Ritsuka Fujimaru and Ana looked towards Gilgamesh.

"How... how could this be... Your Majesty! Is such a thing permissible?"

Ritsuka Fujimaru bit her handkerchief as she watched Ishtar take Shirou away.

At this moment, Merlin spoke up, "By the way, what should we do with the 'Tablet of Destinies'? Deciphering that thing must be an important topic, right?"

Gilgamesh, "Let Fujimaru interpret it."

"Me? I don't understand."

"No need to read. Just place your hands on the board and chant like this."

There was once a city, there was once a city.

At the juncture of heaven and earth, lies an empty wilderness.

The girl who placed her hand on the mud slab had a dejected scene in her mind.

In the pale temple, a man lamented the ugliness of humanity.

"We can't just sit idly by, we can't just sit idly by."

"We cannot allow that king's evil deeds to continue, we cannot allow that king's cruelty to continue..."

"..."

Generation...

Senior...

"Senior! Are you alright? You look terrible!"

Ritsuka Fujimaru, supported by Mash, pressed her dizzy head.

Gilgamesh looked at the girl quietly. "... Judging from your expression, it's probably not a definite answer."

That clay tablet is a record of what I unconsciously "saw" after returning from the abyss.

The Incineration of Humanity obtained clues--

Sooner or later, you'll understand what that glimpse you just saw meant.

Until then, just keep this matter to yourself.

After all, one day, even if you don't want to, you will encounter it.

Gilgamesh changed the subject. "Alright, now I'll give you a new mission."

Two days later, Ritsuka and Mash accepted King Gilgamesh's request to leave Uruk and head to the front lines.

Upon hearing the news, the girls' leader Siduri, wept with joy, murmuring, "The King has finally genuinely acknowledged you all."

It is said that before Ritsuka and Mash arrived in Uruk, she was Shirou's superior.

However, Shirou was so capable that Siduri couldn't help him at all.

That's why she was so happy after Ritsuka and Mash gradually achieved results.

It's not geniuses, but ordinary but hardworking children who bring us more joy and fulfillment.

After a day and a night of travel, the group finally arrived at the Demonic Beast Front they had only ever seen from afar before.

"Wow, that's amazing! Look, senior! This is just as lively as Uruk!"

It's a fortified city, but besides the soldiers, there are many other people working there!

Mash looked around excitedly.

Merlin laughed and said, "Of course! This level of defense has been maintained for half a year!"

To survive, the only option is to build a city on the spot.

This time, the mission was no longer a small-scale operation like in the past; it directly concerned the life and death of hundreds of people.

City of Nippur is a city located on the Uruk Northern Wall, left behind on the other side of the Babylonia Demonic Beast Front.

For months, the area has been surrounded by Magical Beast, but by holding the city to the death, it has held out until now.

Now, Nippur's reserves are almost depleted, and it is no longer possible to hold out any longer.

Ritsuka and her companions' purpose in this mission was to cover the remaining City of Nippur as they sought refuge in the Northern Wall.

The participants included Ritsuka, Mash, Merlin, Ana, and the four Heroic Spirit summoned by Gilgamesh, making it arguably the largest operation to date.

On the walls of the Demonic Beast Front, the group gathered in a circle to discuss tomorrow's rescue operation.

"People have already starved to death in Nippur; relief efforts are urgently needed."

Leonidas explained, "Therefore, we intend to employ a feint attack."

The troops commanded by Ushiwakamaru and Benkei headed from the east towards City of Nippur.

The Magical Beast will surely attack you.

Taking this opportunity, Fujimaru and Mash...

His Excellency Merlin and His Excellency Ana then entered the City of Nippur from the west.

We hope you will open the city gates, rescue the surviving citizens, and guide them to the Northern Wall.

No one objected to Leonidas I's arrangements.

In fact, he was the only Heroic Spirit among all those present with experience in legion warfare.

The operation was scheduled for tomorrow morning. After confirming the details, everyone went back to their rooms and rested early.

Shirou did not participate in the rescue operation in Nippur and was left alone in Uruk.

The reason is quite simple: he now spends almost every day with the goddess Ishtar.