Just in case Enkidu couldn't endure it anymore and, cursing the risk of the curse, fired off a "Child of Man binding the gods" move, that would be truly awkward.
However, to Ishtar's slight surprise, Ophis suddenly turned her head to look at her.
"Ishtar, do you love humanity?"
Indeed, that was the conclusion Ophis came to.
This was also the reason Enkidu had become so mysteriously agitated upon seeing Ishtar. Otherwise, it would've been easy to tell—if the Bull of Heaven had truly unleashed its full power, changing the terrain around Uruk or even destroying all of Mesopotamia wouldn't have been difficult.
Ishtar… perhaps she really does love humanity?
Using the gods' final time, forcing Ophis to make a choice, and opening a path for humanity's future.
Only, the object of Ishtar's love is 'humanity' as a whole, not individual humans, so she wouldn't care about the deaths of a few.
In that respect, Enkidu was actually quite similar.
"Hah?"
Ishtar clearly couldn't keep up with Ophis's mysterious thought process that skipped all reasoning and went straight to the conclusion.
And then────
"W-What are you talking about!? That's totally absurd!"
Ishtar jumped three meters back, waving her hands repeatedly with a disgusted expression.
"I only wanted to see how long these foolish humans could survive without the gods' protection! Don't misunderstand me!"
After her usual prideful rant, she calmed down and sighed, looking toward Uruk.
"But still, humans who only obey the will of the gods are far too boring… Witnessing the steps of humanity walking alone—isn't that quite interesting? The end of the divine age means the affairs of humans will no longer be tied to the gods. For me, that makes it the best drama."
Glancing at Enkidu, who was now almost able to endure the curse and stand, Ishtar turned and waved her hand.
"From now on, the lead role is yours. The king who's lost the meaning of being a wedge—whether the next performance will be a grand epic or a clown's farce depends on how you play it. Don't disappoint me."
As she spoke, Ishtar's figure grew more and more faint, and by the time she finished speaking, she had already turned into golden light and disappeared.
…She was truly afraid—afraid that Enkidu might suddenly leap up and fire off an Enuma Elish. After all, she was a god, not a proper Archer. At such close range, fighting Enkidu would only mean getting thrashed.
Gods are a race that follows their hearts; naturally, Ishtar was no exception. And so, she left just like that.
"Oh right, next time call me Ishta~ I prefer that name, my cute little Ophis~~"
In the air, only this sentence remained, drifting faintly.
Watching Ishtar vanish just like that, the breath Enkidu had been holding in had nowhere to go. She could only sit back down, powerless.
"Enkidu."
Ophis completely ignored what Ishtar had just said and squatted down in front of Enkidu. Though her face remained expressionless, her eyes showed clear concern.
"Ah… as expected."
After Ishtar's departure, Enkidu's previous volatile expression vanished, replaced by a gentle smile, entirely unconcerned about the curse on her body.
"I must look rather miserable now, right? But this misery… is just like the gods' misery—facing humanity's betrayal and yet forced to resist with such pitiful and meaningless methods…"
Saying this, Enkidu shook her head.
"No, perhaps… they've already given up?"
Because they gave up, they simply cut off the 'lock' connecting them?
The gods are proud, but not stupid. Some tides of fate simply can't be reversed.
After countless struggles, Ophis's decision became the final straw, and the gods chose to give up.
Anyway, those among them who are powerful won't die—it's just a kind of house arrest. As for the weak ones… who cares?
Perhaps because of humanity's betrayal, the wrathful gods will soon descend with fury, and that will be a challenge Ophis must face next.
But that will merely be the final outburst. Regardless of the outcome, the gods will lose their qualification to interfere with this world.
The age of gods is already beginning to decline.
"Enkidu, let's go back first?"
At this moment, Ophis had no interest in godly matters, only concern for Enkidu, and was about to take her back to Uruk—but was stopped when Enkidu grabbed her hand in return.
Though Enkidu had almost no strength left, Ophis still stopped.
"No need. Let's just stay here."
Enkidu looked down at Uruk from the hill, as if feeling a bit sentimental.
"Rather than that palace with nothing but splendor, I'd rather spend my last moments gazing a little longer at this beautiful world."
Ophis paused, then ultimately sat beside Enkidu.
"Hey, Ophis."
After a long silence, Enkidu spoke again.
"Actually, I… feel a bit unwilling."
Ophis didn't answer immediately, so Enkidu continued.
"I love it so much… I've always loved this world."
She lay down decisively, stretching a hand toward the sky.
"This world is truly beautiful… everything on the land I was born on, the distant and unreachable sky, the mysterious and unpredictable ocean… they're all so beautiful… and those animals, those people… so I really do feel a little… unwilling…"
"Enkidu, do you regret it?"
"Regret…"
Enkidu lowered her hand and shook her head.
"No, I don't regret it. From the beginning, I chose this path."
"Because you are the lock?"
Suddenly, Ophis asked.
"Mm… Ophis saw through it, huh."
Enkidu smiled, but it was slightly bitter.
"That's right, I'm the lock. My duty is to reconnect the wedge to the heavens and earth, to bind gods and humans together… But now, that duty can no longer be fulfilled. My actions, the current me… have denied the very mission embedded within this 'machine' called Enkidu since its creation."
She was meant to be the bridge between gods and humans… but Enkidu herself chose to sever that bond.
Because she loved the world, loved humanity, she chose what was best for their future.
To cut the bridge between gods and men.
But she was one of those bridges—perhaps the strongest one.
And so, in the end, Enkidu chose to sever herself along with it.
Her death was not only the gods' grief and abandonment—it was Enkidu's own decision.
"That's how it is. Though I do feel a little unwilling not to have seen a wider world… overall, I can accept this ending."
The bitterness in her smile disappeared, replaced with the warmth Ophis usually faced.
"After all, I've already received more than I ever imagined."
Enkidu was a weapon. A weapon's job is to fight. Her life should've been nothing but battle────
"Just meeting you, Ophis, has made this life of mine feel lucky enough…"
Just as Ophis felt a familiar warmth and calmness in Enkidu's smile—without any reason—Enkidu too felt happiness during the time spent with Ophis.
Enkidu's heart was holy and pure. Ophis's heart was so simple it lacked all impurities.
In a way, these two 'people' were highly compatible, weren't they?
Only…
If what Enkidu said was true…
If that really was the case…
Then… why?
"Why… is Enkidu crying?"
Enkidu's smile remained holy and gentle as always, but tears continued to stream from her eyes…
"Mm… yeah… that's probably because…"
Wiping the tears from her face, Enkidu turned to look at Ophis.
"Because… there's something I can't let go of even more than this world."
Facing her gaze, Ophis only tilted her head slightly.
Most likely, Enkidu meant her.
Only…
"I don't understand. This existence of mine will not truly die. In the past, now, and the future—I am an eternal being. Enkidu doesn't need to worry for me."
"Yeah… eternity…"
Enkidu closed her eyes.
"Eternity… after I die, who will ever understand someone as illusory as you? Ophis… your eternity will be one where only you exist… when I think of that, I can't help but weep."
Ophis is illusory—because she isolated herself from the world.
She is untouchable—because she always pursued an even more unreachable goal from within the isolated world.
Such an Ophis—who could ever walk beside her?
...Enkidu doesn't understand. I am Ouroboros. I am a life form that will not be interfered with, and I will not interfere."
Ouroboros is a self-contained cycle, and it is normal for it to isolate itself from the outside world.
only...
"I already knew that..."
Enkidu shook her head.
"Although I don't know what Ophis actually is, I knew from the very first glance that Ophis is something that cannot be interfered with, something that cannot be touched… even though I didn't even have a reason for that."
Saying this, Enkidu turned over and stretched her hand toward Ophis's cheek.
"Even so, I still touched you… In your most immature, most fragile moment, I took advantage of the opportunity and managed to touch such an 'untouchable' existence. At that time, I didn't know why either, but I came to understand your heart, just a little…"
Her cursed body was weak and powerless. The outstretched right hand could not continue halfway and helplessly began to fall.
But midway, it was caught by Ophis.
Holding Ophis's hand, the smile on Enkidu's pale face became even more brilliant.
"Even if you say the Ouroboros doesn't interfere, that's probably not because you don't want to… but rather because you don't know how, right? Ophis, although said to be untouchable… no—perhaps it is precisely because of that, that you, who don't know how to take the initiative to touch others, would be even lonelier, wouldn't you?"
"Even if Enkidu says so…"
Ophis shook her head.
Even if it was as Enkidu said, she didn't need to touch others.
There was no meaning to it.
She had endured such loneliness in the original timeline—there was no reason she couldn't now.
There was no need to do unnecessary and useless things.
"…Hey, Ophis…"
At this moment, Enkidu suddenly spoke again.
"Can you promise me one thing?"
"What is it?"
"Love in my place—love everything that I loved."
Words completely unrelated to the previous topic. Even Ophis was momentarily stunned.
For a time, the atmosphere seemed to fall into silence.
Ophis gently closed her eyes.
At that moment, she suddenly understood.
So this… was Enkidu's intention all along…
Then…
After a long silence, Ophis opened her eyes again and looked straight at Enkidu.
Then, under Enkidu's astonished gaze, a smile suddenly bloomed on Ophis's face.
The answer, it seems, was already fated from the very beginning…
Even Ophis, too, was completely taken aback by her own words.
Ophis gently closed her eyes.
The atmosphere seemed to fall into stillness for a moment.
Only after a long while did she open them again and look at Enkidu.
And then, so suddenly that even Enkidu didn't expect it—Ophis smiled.
This was the first time Enkidu had seen Ophis smile.
In fact, this was also the first smile since the day Ophis was born.
At first glance, Ophis's smile gave off a rather calm and cute impression...
But looking longer, one would notice a faint sense of distance.
"Independent and untouchable"—just as Ophis herself said, unlike Enkidu's holy and gentle demeanor, Ophis's smile gave off a sense of detachment.
Yet strangely, this distant smile was something Enkidu could understand.
That kind of smile wasn't something Ophis intended—it was just influenced by her life and instincts until now, wasn't it? In truth… perhaps it was meant to express closeness? Or maybe, it was a smile imitating Enkidu's?
Enkidu couldn't say for certain, but it was probably one of those two.
Such an Ophis, instead made one feel even more adorable.
"Enkidu… so sly."
And so she said.
Ophis was untouchable, independent of the world. She had drawn a boundary between her own world and the true world.
But Enkidu asked her to love what she loved—that is, this world and humanity.
In doing so, without a doubt, the boundary Ophis had drawn for herself was broken.
To love the world, one must come into contact with the world.
To love nature, one must maintain the balance of nature when needed.
To love humanity, one must observe closely—even personally protect the species when necessary.
Originally, this love belonged to Enkidu, not Ophis. But now, it was a chain Enkidu wanted to wrap around Ophis.
Ophis understood this.
Even so…
"I… accept."
Ophis still smiled.
"Because Enkidu is a friend."
Saying this, Ophis pressed the hand of Enkidu, which she held, against her own face.
"The one… loved by me… my dearest friend."
Enkidu was momentarily stunned.
She thought she understood Ophis quite well, but she never imagined she'd show such initiative.
But the next second, Enkidu smiled.
A smile more holy, more beautiful than ever before.
"That… is truly wonderful."
She was a weapon—just a weapon.
As long as she was a weapon, there would come a day when she would be replaced.
But Ophis gave her a value beyond being a weapon.
This made Enkidu's resolve even stronger.
To become Ophis's chain.
From the moment she met Ophis, she also saw the loneliness hidden deep in Ophis's heart.
But at the same time, she also clearly understood: as a different kind of construct with a different mission, she did not have the qualification or ability to stay by Ophis's side forever.
She couldn't always accompany Ophis, but she couldn't bear for Ophis to endure loneliness. So, she decided to turn her own death into a chain that connected Ophis to the normal world.
In that case, perhaps Ophis could find some companions, even if only to a limited degree, along this eternal journey?
Even if they couldn't accompany her forever, at least… she wouldn't always be alone.
That's what Enkidu thought.
In fact, she knew very well—
The existence called Enkidu was selfish.
Arbitrarily deciding others were her friends.
Arbitrarily imposing her goodwill onto these so-called "friends."
Such a person—perhaps could be called utterly selfish?
But this is what it meant to be the Chains of Heaven, called Enkidu.
She knew her sins, yet still unwaveringly fulfilled her conviction.
Ophis saw through Enkidu's intentions.
But she chose to be bound willingly.
To things unrelated to her, Ophis could completely isolate and ignore.
But to those who had entered her world, Ophis could give her all.
So, she accepted Enkidu's chains and connected her heart to the outside world.
Reaching her left hand into her own chest, Enkidu took out one of her ribs.
"That flower crown… was destroyed during the battle, right? Then use this instead—let it protect you in my place, and also… bind you."
Looking at the rib, Ophis nodded, and without hesitation, reached out to take it.
The moment Ophis received it, the rib turned into a golden chain, winding around her.
"Please don't forget… this constant, unwavering love of Enkidu's… the Chains of Heaven named Enkidu."
The chain she had placed—perhaps one day, someone else would break it.
But when that time came, Enkidu wouldn't be angry, wouldn't grieve—instead, she would feel joy from the bottom of her heart.
Because that would mean Ophis had found someone truly worth loving, and who loved her in return.
Love strong enough to sever her chains.
But the love she gave Ophis, the love that belonged to Enkidu—would surely always remain entwined around Ophis, never to vanish.
You know this, don't you? You'll always cherish it, won't you?
The one called Enkidu… what she loved the most, what she could sacrifice everything for—
Was never this world, you know…
Ah… seems I've reached my limit.
My body begins returning to its original form—the dirt and stones found scattered across the wasteland.
But before that, there's one more thing I must do.
Standing up—what used to be so easy now took all her strength.
"…Hey, Ophis."
"…Yes?"
Using the last of her strength, she moved closer, and placed a light kiss on the other's forehead.
A brief touch, and then it was gone.
Meeting Ophis's eyes, Enkidu once more gave her that same gentle smile.
"Ophis… you really like my smile, don't you? But perhaps you don't realize… your smile is beautiful too… from now on… smile more often, okay?"
Ophis's smile was very faint. In terms of beauty, it couldn't compare to Enkidu's. But in Enkidu's eyes, it was more beautiful than anything else.
"…Okay, I promise you."
Naturally, there was only one possible reply from Ophis.
"…Then that's… truly wonderful…"
Please, always continue to love, to protect—
That one I loved the most… the most precious little Ophis…
The breeze blew past. Left alone, Ophis stood up and looked toward the sky.
To Ophis, death was merely a new beginning. Enkidu would ascend into an even more perfect existence. She should not mourn—but instead bless her with a smile.
…But… does it still feel a little empty?
Emotions really are a strange thing…
"Dragon's tears… are salty as expected?"
There was no longer any trace of figures atop Heaven's Hill, which bore the memories of the two. Only this whisper, destined never to be heard by any living being, still gently floated in the breeze…
Standing at the very top of the palace, Ophis silently gazed down at Uruk beneath her feet, lost in thought.
Enkidu's death was her own choice, but also the great current of fate.
If she truly gave her all, could she have helped Enkidu break free from that fate?
She didn't know. Perhaps the chance was even lower. But there was, undeniably, the possibility of success. Even so, Ophis never truly tried.
Enkidu's life would ascend to a higher plane. Enkidu's own choice. The gods were too powerful. Countless, countless excuses became Ophis's reasons.
But, no matter how many reasons, no matter how many justifications, the fact remained that she watched her friend fall into decline without taking action.
[To not struggle, to not resist, merely to passively accept such an ending—have you truly never felt regret?]
sister 's golden finger had already awakened… Ophis felt it when bidding farewell to Enkidu. It was just that sister 's golden finger hadn't spoken then.
Until now, she finally asked such a question.
"This is enough."
In the end, Ophis answered as such.
[You are… a little pitiful.]
Using "this is better for the other person" as an excuse, she refused to go against a fate named tragedy.
This was the inertia and sorrow of the Ouroboros—isolating itself from the world.
And in this, Ophis was even more severe.
sister 's golden finger knew—Ophis isolated herself from the world. Thus, she was unwilling to interfere with it, unwilling to defy fate… to the point that, in the end, Ophis was entirely shackled by so-called fate.
Even now, Ophis had never truly believed that she could one day defeat "Great Red" and retrieve her silence.
Because in the original fate, she had not achieved it.
Even so, she gave it her all—because this was the only thing she could hold on to in her heart.
If not even this was worth doing, then she didn't know what else was.
That was why, the first time Enkidu saw Ophis, he felt she was trying to reach a goal she herself didn't believe could be attained.
Originally, sister 's golden finger had planned to change Ophis's mindset by defeating the Red Dragon God Emperor.
But… though she didn't want to admit it…
[Though I hate to admit it… that guy did accomplish what I always wanted to do.]
There was no need to go through the trouble of defeating the Red Dragon God Emperor. As long as a connection with the outside world could be formed… even Ophis might one day change.
Even now, Ophis had a real goal—something different from her vague, illusory persistence.
Even if it was given by others, if given time, it could sprout and grow like a seed.
"I don't understand… The Ouroboros is supposed to be a 'perfect' existence—complete in itself, needing neither to be interfered with nor to interfere with others. Why do both sister 's golden finger and Enkidu want to change?"
[Ha… sure, that's a racial trait, but not every Ouroboros has autism, right? Racial traits are just an expression of external abilities, not a way of life… What one truly desires deep within, that's different for each individual.]
"…Then what do I truly desire?"
[…That's a question you should ask yourself. I don't have mind-reading abilities—and even if I did, something buried that deep in your heart wouldn't be so easy to read.]
"I see…"
[As for why I want to change you… isn't that something I promised from the start? To help you become stronger… that's the simple purpose. But if you don't even understand what you truly want, in the end you'll just become a puppet with power, or worse—be ruled by that power. The strength I acknowledge is not something so meaningless.]
"…Thank you."
[Mm. Though realizing one's heart is of great help to the future, let's put off the philosophy class on self-discovery for now. You've got a more important goal to deal with, right?]
"Indeed."
Ophis looked down at Uruk, a smile on her face.
Since Enkidu left, her smile had never disappeared.
Because it was Enkidu's final request.
"Uruk…"
It was Enkidu's most beloved city, so Ophis loved it as well.
At the same time, she was its king.
[You should know, right? You're not suited to be a king. Rather than a king, your perspective toward all things is more akin to that of a god. What you should be doing is what a god does.]
At this moment, sister 's golden finger suddenly spoke.
Ophis was not human. She could not place herself in human shoes or make decisions from a human standpoint. So, rather than being a king of men, Ophis was better suited to act from the perspective above humanity—that of a god—to protect them.
It wasn't that gods were nobler than kings. It was simply… a more appropriate choice.
Rather than calling this pride in comparing oneself to a god, it was better seen as Ophis's inborn flaw—
—a deficiency above humanity.
What sister 's golden finger referred to as "god" didn't mean a divine being, but an existence that was higher than humans yet devoid of all humanity.
Not to guide people as a human king, but to guard them as a non-human god.
To maintain balance in the world, to lead humanity at the right moments toward what was correct, to give them the right future—and when necessary, to eliminate a portion of them to preserve that correctness.
Ophis did not understand humanity, so she could only use a grand, macro perspective to judge right and wrong. This was how she loved humanity, how she loved the world.
"Perhaps that's true."
To sister golden fingerr's words, Ophis gave this acknowledgment.
But—
"But at least as long as Uruk still exists, I want to rule over it as its king."
[Oh? Why? Is it because of Enkidu's request?]
Ophis nodded first, then shook her head.
"Enkidu told me—not to run from responsibility."
Saying so, Ophis reached her hand toward Uruk below.
"I've inherited the fate of a king. So, ruling Uruk as a king is my responsibility."
[…Is that so? Didn't expect such resolve… Originally, since you've made your decision, I shouldn't have much to say… But there's still one bad news I must tell you. It's also the reason I awakened this time.]
"What is it?"
[The future… in the not-too-distant future, Uruk will be destroyed.]
After a moment of silence and seeing Ophis not react, Ki continued speaking.
[It is a certainty of fate. No chance to avoid, no loophole to exploit—it's a cataclysm that cannot be stopped even by exhausting all of this era's power.]
[So, what will you choose? What actions will you take? O King of Uruk?]
Boom────
Along with the thunderous crash of collapse, the makeshift stone wall crumbled under the impact of the magic cannon.
Hundreds of soldiers clad in armor that was clearly out of place for this era poured in, swiftly suppressing the remaining resistance.
"You… how could you… Are you not afraid of divine punishment?"
Kicking aside the city lord trembling pitifully on the ground, Ophis looked around her surroundings.
"All buildings are to be dismantled, and the people relocated to Uruk for temporary settlement."
"Yes!"
"My King, such great mobilization…"
The young priestess—who had already been promoted from priest to apprentice high priestess—spoke somewhat anxiously from the side.
Ever since Lord Enkidu had disappeared, the King's behavior had started becoming strange.
A strange smile often lingered on her face, and she had, contrary to usual, begun expanding Uruk, arming the army, and launching major invasions into nearby cities—then relocating the people into Uruk, using the abandoned cities partly as materials to expand Uruk, and storing the other part away.
"What about what I said last time?"
Ignoring the girl's question, Ophis asked directly.
"Yes! All of Uruk's most skilled artisans have been gathered and are awaiting Your Majesty's instructions. Additionally, all suitable young men have been recruited into the new army for training!"
Out of respect for the King, the priestess instinctively answered the question.
Come to think of it… Even though she's supposed to be a priestess, why does it feel like she's acting more like a secretary?
And besides, Uruk's army is already strong enough—under that premise, they're still expanding it? Isn't that just exhausting the people and wasting resources?
"Once it's done, you'll lead them back to Uruk."
But Ophis had no intention of explaining anything. After leaving these words behind, she turned and left directly.
…So now she's also acting as a general?
The priestess girl, who had been forced into multiple roles because someone was too lazy to create new characters, was on the verge of tears.
And to top it off, she still didn't even have a name yet…
[How should I put this… Even though you yourself believe it won't succeed, you still give everything because of a promise to a friend. I don't know whether to laugh or to admire you.]
"I… love humanity, love the world."
Ophis looked coldly at the sky.
"So—I will protect them."
[Is that so? Then, do your best. Now—you should be able to see a few things, right?]
Ophis nodded.
What once were occasional flashes in her mind were now becoming more and more frequent—almost constant.
Those were—images of ruined cities and monstrous beasts surging like tides.
"Why?"
To see the future… What kind of power was this?
[Just as you're thinking, this is not clairvoyance… As for the details… I must ask you to set this question aside for now. I will explain it to you one day.]
Ophis silently accepted that answer. Now was not the time to dig into such things.
Though those scenes only showed fragments, Ophis knew—there was definitely more.
No matter how many magical beasts there were, none would be a match for her alone. The enemy must surely possess combat power that could restrain her.
For that reason, she had to prepare Uruk so it could defend against the beast tide—even in her absence.
Sturdy walls, flawless logistics, elite soldiers… not one of these could be missing.
Fortunately, the time given to her was still relatively sufficient.
Building walls, stockpiling supplies, training troops—everything had to begin moving step by step.
[You must be aware, the true enemy behind the scenes is a god… But I can only clearly see three—counting one Mediator, that makes four. And one more is shrouded in deep mist… their rank is too high.]
"Four… who are they?"
[…You'll know when the time comes.]
Ophis wasn't concerned about Golden finger's cryptic reply. After all, she was used to her being all mysterious anyway.
Just that...
"Can't you say it first?"
This time, Ophis (奥菲斯) still, against her usual behavior, asked one more question.
After all, you have to at least know who the enemy is before deciding how to fight, right?
However, golden finger sister still did not respond directly.
[Anyway, compared to the last one, the threat level of these four people is not high, so just ignore them.]
Faced with such a nonchalant answer, Ophis simply no longer dug deeper.
[The only one you should pay attention to is that blurry guy. You must know, although I am now within your body and have been weakened in various ways, for someone to escape my observation with my ability────that must at least be an existence higher than a God-King.]
Ophis remained silent, but inwardly pondered.
Higher than a God-King... in other words, very possibly at the so-called "Creator God" level?
…That would really be, quite troublesome indeed.
[Lastly, let me tell you one more thing.]
"?"
[I can no longer foresee anything further. Although I've already observed the general situation completely, from now on it's impossible to get deeper information or real-time updates.]
"Your power, exhausted?"
[…To say exhausted isn't quite right. It's more like it has drained away or... forget it, it's fine if you put it that way.]
"I understand. Golden finger sister, take a good rest first."
During their conversation, Ophis had already returned to the city of Uruk.
Uruk now had an area double that of before, but the additional parts were all hastily constructed simple houses. Many people looked at Ophis with fearful eyes.
At that time, she hoped to protect as many humans as possible────with this thought in mind, Ophis gathered the people together.
The loss and casualties from the migration, the pain and resistance of the people—faced with the approaching catastrophe, Ophis completely ignored all of it.
However...
"This is the limit."
[Yes. Including the number that will migrate from the city just conquered, the population size measured in city-state units can no longer be received... After all, if Uruk is to be the center to resist the catastrophe, then there will still be many displaced people coming to seek refuge... Resources must be reserved for them.]
Then, let it be so.
At the very least, Ophis had already taken care of several nearby areas as much as possible.
[First stabilize the hearts of the new residents. Don't let them have the opportunity to cause trouble at the most chaotic time.]
Ophis nodded.
Though she herself could roughly respond through knowledge, the detailed arrangements were basically all supplemented by golden finger sister .
[Although I don't really understand this kind of thing either... I'm definitely much better than you.]
Anyway, what the other said was true. Naturally, Ophis often followed her suggestions.
Just like how in the past, she would listen to Enkidu's advice.
Though the Ouroboros possessed an isolated and self-contained nature, it also had the ability to absorb the strengths or traits of the people or things it came into contact with to complete itself.
Rather, this was originally one of the methods through which the Ouroboros became stronger.
So actually, it could be said that as long as it was alive, the Ouroboros was constantly becoming stronger.
And in dealing with people and matters, Ophis was gradually affected by this related characteristic of the ability, and began to take in words that were worth learning.
(Priestess girl: ... )
Just as Ophis was about to return to the palace, a wave of energy rippled, and in the next second, Ophis was swallowed by a blue light cannon.
The explosion that suddenly occurred in the city naturally caused panic among the populace. Accompanied by the sound of clanging armor, several guards quickly arrived at the scene.
"My King! What happened?!"
"Leave."
Ophis's calm voice came from the center of the explosion. The guards looked at each other but obediently followed the order.
"Oh? What is this ability? Looks quite pretty, huh?"
Still dressed so revealingly, Ishtar casually sat on the rooftop of a nearby house, watching Ophis below.
It was obvious—the culprit who had just fired the light cannon at Ophis was this person.
At this moment, Ophis's entire body was surrounded by countless purple light particles. On the surface of her body were several streaks of burning purple flames.
Ishtar touched her chin, then suddenly laughed.
"So that's how it is... I've seen this kind of situation before... Some people I used to have dealings with looked similar when they were injured... Your body is purely formed from condensed energy, isn't it?"
As she said this, the light particles on Ophis's body had fully contracted and she returned to her completely unharmed appearance. At the sight of this, Ishtar narrowed her eyes.
"Ah, it seems there's still something different... When their magic structure was destroyed, they would lose life like ordinary people... But you, it seems you instantly replenished the collapsed parts?"
While analyzing, the light of interest in Ishtar's eyes—already present—grew even stronger.
"I didn't feel any magic or other material disturbances in the atmosphere just now... which means, the energy used for replenishment came entirely from within yourself? But although that blast just now may not have had high damage, I did at least use divine power, okay? Yet you, who healed a wound caused by a god, don't show even the slightest sign of weakness...?"
[Oh? Though she looks like a silly little girl, she's unexpectedly observant? Should I say, worthy of being divine era wisdom? In that case, she might really discover something… Hope that side keeps the promise…]
"Hey hey, tell big sister—what exactly are you?"
Leaping down to the ground, face full of curiosity as she leaned toward Ophis, Ishtar suddenly frowned.
No... even she, a god, couldn't tell what this person was?
Then why had the gods chosen her as the wedge back then?
Forget it, nothing to do with her.
But just after a moment of thought, Ishtar immediately tossed the question aside, not even realizing anything strange about that.
"Ishtar, what are you here for?"
Casually brushing Ishtar aside, who was standing in front, Ophis walked toward the palace while asking.
Now, at least, she would no longer completely ignore the outside world.
Well, actually, she still totally ignored Ishtar's question.
"Huh? I'm still Uruk's guardian deity, you know? Came to check if my property's okay. As for you, I was just passing by and saying hello."
"..."
So greetings between gods are with artillery?
Ophis quietly recorded this information.
"…Wait, you still haven't answered my question?"
Only now did Ishtar react and unhappily chased after Ophis's steps.
But at this moment, she saw Ophis with a faint smile on her face.
"King of Uruk… at this moment, that's all."
In fact, Ophis was entirely unqualified to be king.
She didn't know what the people were thinking, nor what they truly wanted. She only did what she believed was right based on the knowledge she possessed.
Originally, such things could still be learned slowly.
Unfortunately, she didn't have much time left, nor the leeway to supplement her knowledge.
Even so, Ophis still hoped to maintain this identity at least until the fall of Uruk.
This was her responsibility—and her promise.
"Oh, I see~?"
Ishtar's smile was full of meaning, impossible to decipher.
"Seeing how determined you seem, it wouldn't be too bad to temporarily lend you my Uruk."
Ophis paused in her steps, then shook her head.
"Dregs of an old age."
"Pfft…"
Ishtar stumbled, glaring angrily at Ophis.
"What do you mean by that? Breaking character suddenly? Wanna fight?"
"Enkidu said that."
"Che, that guy."
Ishtar clicked her tongue.
"Don't get cocky. If not for a great calamity nine thousand years ago that badly damaged the gods, and the fact that gods can't develop as fast as humans, the divine era could've lasted a few thousand more years."
"Great calamity?"
"You don't know? The records and such should still exist now, right?"
Ishtar looked surprised, but to Ophis, this was only natural.
After all, it was unrelated information.
Even if she now 'loved' the world, Ophis wouldn't care about its past—constructing the future was her responsibility.
Seeing her shake her head, Ishtar quickly recovered from her surprise and slapped her forehead.
"Ah… makes sense. For someone like you... if you did go digging up that info, that's what would've surprised me. But since you don't know, forget it. That guy was probably dealt with already, by the Holy Sword…"
Ishtar waved her hand, wrapping up a topic she actually didn't want to touch on.
Holy Sword…
Ophis tilted her head.
In her treasury, there were certainly many Holy Sword-type weapons... but none that seemed powerful enough to handle a disaster so severe even gods found it troublesome.
If there was such a sword… facing the coming catastrophe might be a little easier?
Ophis looked at one of her palms. In her palm, a red glow faintly flickered, and the space around it trembled slightly.
At this pace… it likely won't be finished in time.
At her side, Ishtar narrowed her eyes, not missing this movement of Ophis's.
This must be…
The Concept Light of World Severance...
Neither human nor god… yet possessed such a unique ability?
Not a divine conceptual body, nor a human physical one... but a pure energy-based lifeform who could grasp the light of creation that split the world?
How interesting this was...
Ishtar licked her lips.
The more interesting something is... the more she wants to obtain it.
Boom────
The peaceful morning that Uruk should have had was shattered by this sudden loud bang.
Yet the people of Uruk, including the soldiers, acted as if it was nothing new—still doing whatever tasks were at hand, at most muttering things like "there it goes again."
At this moment, the central part of the palace—the symbol of all royal authority in Uruk—had completely turned into ruins.