Chapter 502
This is his current task.
Remain in the dormitory (Eanna) to manage and supervise the rampaging goddess Ishtar.
Shirou is undoubtedly an indispensable and important fighting force for Uruk.
However, simply arranging for him to take a leave of absence could stabilize one of the pillars of the "Three Goddess Alliance" and reduce the number of victims around Uruk by 80%, which is a worthwhile deal no matter how you look at it.
Incidentally, the citizens were devastated upon learning the truth behind the recent peace.
"Shirou... actually sacrificed his beauty for the peace of Uruk..."
"I saw them shopping at the market yesterday like a newlywed couple. Shirou must be going through a lot of inner turmoil..."
"Shirou... is he being ravaged by Lady Ishtar every single night...? Waaah, so pitiful..."
Shirou Amamiya's dedication surpasses that of any other holy prostitute in the history of the Mesopotamia pantheon.
If the war ends successfully, the citizens of Uruk will probably erect a statue of him in their honor.
While Ritsuka and the others were earnestly discussing the battle plan for tomorrow morning, Shirou had just finished buying ingredients for dinner and was preparing to return to the Temple of Eanna.
Seeing a few citizens gathered in the corner, he walked over out of curiosity.
"... Where did that old man come from? He's not from around here, is he?"
"Ugh, begging... and with only one leg like that... he's not some wounded soldier..."
It appears there is an old man begging on the street.
"Don't meddle in other people's business. The people in charge of care will handle it. The Miko also has a budget for this kind of situation."
"That's true... but that person has been sitting there motionless for a long time... probably for two whole days without eating anything."
"..."
Shirou took the bread he had just bought from the paper bag, placed it in front of the old man, and then turned and left the crowd.
Hurry back, or Ishtar will start making a fuss if she waits too long.
Before Shirou had gone far, he heard a voice behind him.
"Wait."
Shirou stopped and said without turning his head.
"Isn't one piece of bread enough? Sorry, I'm also short on cash."
A deep, aged voice came from behind, as if it were rising from the bottom of an abyss.
"Now that you've recognized me, why are you remaining silent?"
Shirou glanced sideways and replied to the old man in the black robe holding the bread, "The person you're waiting for isn't me, is it, sir?"
I can usually tell that, I'm not that clueless about romance.
"... Hmm."
Even for an old man who had lived through many years and whose wisdom had reached the depths of the abyss, this answer was beyond his expectations.
"Just as you said, what I am waiting for is Magecraft from a foreign land."
But casual conversation with the king of a foreign land is also perfectly acceptable.
"Hmm? What do you want to talk about?"
Shirou turned around curiously.
The old man in black robes before them was very tall, yet his aura was extremely weak.
Although the citizens of Uruk mistook him for a beggar, only Shirou noticed something amiss.
No matter how well he tried to hide it, he could still sense something unusual from the old man's faint aura.
My name is Ziusudra.
He said slowly, "An old man like me, whose life hangs by a thread, even if I wanted to, I no longer have the strength to do anything for Uruk."
But you are different; you are a young man with power.
The old man paused for a moment before speaking.
Let's go to the Northern Wall--
A storm is coming, and your strength is needed there right now.
After saying this, the old man disappeared as if he had never been there at all.
"Ha, you really know how to order people around, old man... I'll definitely complain about this later."
Shirou sighed and stepped forward—
He pulled out the ancient, black greatsword that the old man had left behind, stuck in the ground.
--
Volume 7: 323 It's not that I want to drive a big vehicle, I mainly want to challenge my limits.
"Shirou, welcome back~!"
Ishtar leaped down the temple steps and went out to greet her returning companion.
"What should we eat tonight? This is a rare opportunity, I'll cook for myself once in a while."
She put her hands behind her back, turned her face slightly to the side, and a faint blush rose on her cheeks.
She was less a newlywed wife and more a young girl falling in love for the first time.
"No, please don't misunderstand, I didn't do it for you..."
"Ishtar, let's go."
Shirou put the groceries he had bought aside and took the other person's hand.
"Huh? Let's go? Where to? Wait... wait a minute! Have you finally decided to elope with me!?"
The goddess excitedly took out the Sky Ark Maanna.
The operation has officially begun.
The Heroic Spirit who had gathered at the Northern Wall had all arrived at their respective deployment locations.
It was 9 a. m., and most Magical Beast would feel unbearably hungry at this time.
They will launch an attack as soon as prey appears in their field of vision.
At this point, the guerrilla force commanded by Ushiwakamaru and Benkei will take the initiative to attack, becoming bait to lure away the Magical Beast.
It's not a problem that King Yoshitsune's martial arts skills are unparalleled even among the monster army, but the problem is that monsters are different from living beings. They have no feelings and do not know what fear is, so they have no idea of retreating.
Therefore, the battle will continue until the last one is killed, and it will take a long time—decoy tactics are the only option.
Meanwhile, while the Magical Beast are lured away, Ritsuka, Mash, and Tomoe Gozen will follow the guide into City of Nippur, leading the remaining two hundred or so citizens to the Northern Wall for refuge.
No matter how capable Ushiwakamaru and the others are, there will definitely be a few Magical Beast that smell their scent. Protecting the citizens is also Ritsuka and the others' job.
Although the Demonic Beast Front has maintained communication with City of Nippur, they have not received a reply in the past few days.
Therefore, in the worst-case scenario, the City of Nippur would have been wiped out by this time...
"If you feel danger... no, that's not right."
If it is determined that it is too late, then retreat immediately.
Leonidas I looked serious, his gaze lingering on Ritsuka and Mash for a moment.
"I sense that you will be entrusted with an even greater mission in the future."
Therefore, protecting one's own life must be the top priority, and that's all I wanted to say.
Mash bowed deeply and solemnly. "Thank you for your teaching and guidance so far, Professor Leonidas."
"Don't make such unlucky predictions," Ritsuka thought to herself.
The group left the Northern Wall and headed to City of Nippur in the Magical Beast territory.
The worst-case scenario did indeed occur.
The number of Magical Beast around City of Nippur far exceeded expectations, surpassing the number observed by scouts.
Many Magical Beast even lurk in the shadows of the city walls.
Merlin immediately considered the possibility that his group might have fallen into an enemy trap.
Given their importance to Human History, we should abandon the rescue without hesitation and allow Ritsuka and Mash to safely retreat to the Demonic Beast Front.
However, Merlin himself didn't care.
However, Ritsuka and Mash are both kind-hearted girls, and it's impossible for them to stand by and watch the civilians in City of Nippur die.
This situation has occurred many times in Britain (during Artoria's time).
The Flower Magus sighed...
"There's no other way, let's go full speed ahead!"
Merlin cast an illusion spell, and the group entered the City of Nippur under the cover of Uruk soldiers.
On the other side, Ushiwakamaru and Musashibō Benkei were surrounded by nearly a thousand Magical Beast.
Even more terrifying is the emergence of a completely new enemy unit among these Magical Beast — Ugallu, which is considered the highest-level Magical Beast among the "Eleven Children of Tiamat".
Lower-level Magical Beast can be fought off through the coordinated efforts of soldiers, but monsters of Ugallu's level are beyond human capability.
The soldiers' weapons couldn't penetrate the defenses—with that in mind, Ushiwakamaru made a cruel decision.
"Don't engage the enemy alone! Form square formations and strengthen your defenses!"
You are no match for them! But retreat is not allowed! Survive as long as possible and become my human shield!
In that case, I can use your lives as a price to cut off their heads without leaving a single one alive!
The soldiers gritted their teeth, and although a hint of fear flashed in their eyes, they faithfully carried out their orders.
They dropped their weapons and switched to full-force defense, holding shields in both hands, while the samurai girl used the soldiers as stepping stones.
A flash of pale green, and the heads of the Magical Beast were continuously sliced off into the air.
"Tsk... We've completely fallen for their trap! Judging by this, City of Nippur is probably just an empty shell now!"
Ushiwakamaru noticed that Magical Beast were continuously arriving from the cedar forest.
This could not have been predation; it must have been an order from the enemy commander.
"We must kill all the Magical Beast as soon as possible and get to Fujimaru!"
"Ushiwakamaru, are you planning to go to City of Nippur?"
Upon hearing his master's words, Musashibō Benkei recalled Gilgamesh's words—
The wise king had instructed Ushiwakamaru not to approach the City of Nippur under any circumstances.
Perhaps that king saw some kind of omen.
Hesitation appeared on the monk's face.
The person who Ritsuka and her friends with a grand welcome in City of Nippur was a handsome, androgynous man with long green hair.
"This must be the third time we've met, you Chaldea trash."
The young man who called himself Enkidu revealed a cold, murderous smirk.
A few days earlier in the Persia Gulf, Ritsuka, Mash, and Gilgamesh had met Enkidu.
Enkidu had once again fled, so he was filled with resentment and determined to settle his score with Chaldea that day.
"I've been wondering about this for a long time. There's blood here, but no body. What did you do?"
Merlin frowned and asked, "I don't believe the citizens were killed by your barrage of gunfire."