Nanshe stomped off in a huff, leaving a bump on Annanu's head.
The bump vanished almost instantly. Annanu rubbed his head and merely chuckled, not minding it at all.
"I can tell you don't want her staying by your side."
Enkidu hugged one of his legs.
He could sense that Annanu's life force had diminished by the tiniest amount—so little that it was insignificant.
"Having you by my side is enough, Enkidu. Perhaps Gilgamesh can be added as well."
Enkidu looked at Annanu in silence for two seconds, then nodded.
Early the next morning, Annanu eagerly headed to the military camp.
As he walked, Ruslan briefed him on the situation.
"During the year you were gone, the army neither lost nor gained any personnel. However, all assigned missions were carried out."
Ruslan spoke seriously, carrying a clay tablet in his hand.
"What Demonic Beasts did you kill?"
Annanu asked curiously.
"We killed several kinds. We nearly killed a Bashmu once, but it escaped."
"Under the generals' command, we didn't pursue it. After all, our purpose is only to protect Uruk's safety."
Annanu nodded in satisfaction.
"Mm-hmm, that's good. That was the purpose of establishing this so-called 'professional army' in the first place. Did anything else happen?"
"Yes." Ruslan nodded, looking somewhat hesitant.
"Hm? What is it?" Annanu asked in confusion.
"A band of bandits that had been harassing Uruk was also killed by us." Ruslan ultimately chose to report truthfully.
"That's good." Annanu nodded with a smile, then remarked, "Still, bandits actually dared to set their sights on Uruk? They were that bold?"
This land did not consist solely of cities. Quite a number of people lived beyond the protection of city walls, unwilling to believe in the gods, continuing to live relatively barbaric and primitive lives.
Every winter, these