As weapons, the Shields of Humanity could block many attacks from gods, but blocking an attack on the level of a chief god was still far too much to ask of them.
However, dismissing them over something of this degree alone would be rather laughable.
Nanshe was merely an obscure goddess of springs. Compared with the original creators of Kurgarru and Galatur—her father, Enki—the difference in strength was like heaven and earth. As for Annanu and Enkidu, they possessed only the techniques and lacked the authority; all they could do were a few simple modifications.
And that was the result.
If Nanshe had been stronger, perhaps Kurgarru and Galatur would have been stronger as well. But there were no ifs. This was already the best possible outcome.
"Shamhat, together with Adekate, Kurgarru, and Galatur, help this king guard his city-state."
Gilgamesh rose to his feet and spoke to Shamhat, who was still seated beside him with her head lowered in silence.
"Annanu, Enkidu, let us go find Siduri and Ruslan."
"And Goddess Nanshe, I must trouble you to guide us."
He gave Nanshe a slight nod.
Nanshe had only just climbed off the bruised and battered beauty Annanu when she saw Gilgamesh nod to her. With a complicated look in her eyes, she nodded back.
"I understand. I will take you to Eridu to meet my father."
That was what she said.
"Thank you."
"Let us go."
With that, Gilgamesh was the first to walk out of the temple.
Annanu wanted to follow Gilgamesh, but her steps still seemed hesitant. She exchanged a glance with Enkidu, and the two nodded lightly before turning around and walking to Shamhat's side.
In the end, Shamhat had made her choice. She had abandoned her god, abandoned her faith, and abandoned all the meaning