"Is this about everyone? The bows are over here, along with the other equipment. Gear up."
Kaderki looked at the dozen or so warriors Adekate had brought with him, frowning as he scratched his head.
The number was a little lower than he had expected.
But there was nothing to be done about it.
After all, the Demonic Beasts had yet to affect Uruk, and something like Bashmu truly was beyond what humans could handle. If not for the tyrant Gilgamesh's orders, Adekate would not even have been able to bring this many warriors.
Donning heavy leather armor, taking up longswords and spears, and slinging longbows over their backs, the group set out for the Cedar Forest in silence under Kaderki's lead.
"King, Kaderki has departed." Siduri calmly reported the news to Gilgamesh.
"Mm." Gilgamesh answered absentmindedly.
His attention was currently fixed on his stomach, his brows tightly furrowed.
He had removed the bandages that morning. The wound on his abdomen had mostly healed; at the very least, the surface wound had closed up.
But...
Why had it scarred?
Gilgamesh's body was perfect. It would not be an exaggeration to call him the greatest masterpiece of both gods and humans.
The divine blood within him would mend wounds of any severity without leaving the slightest trace.
Except this time.
Gilgamesh had Siduri summon Annanu.
"What is this?" Gilgamesh asked Annanu, pointing at his stomach.
"What do you mean, what is this?" Annanu had only been awake for a short while and stared at Gilgamesh in confusion.
"This scar! What is this? Why can't even my blood repair it?" Gilgamesh raised his voice.
"Oh, the scar I beat into you." A look of understanding appeared on Annanu's face.
Gilgamesh:
Noticing Gilgamesh's furious, murderous gaze, Annanu shook his head and finally became