Haru blinked. "How did you know?"
"Haha, even without my omniscience, I can read people. You're not good at hiding things, not even close."
Gilgamesh laughed, her beauty striking despite the blood. "If you keep holding on, that girl pulling you won't last. You'd fall with me...you're fine with that?"
Haru shook his head. "I don't want to fall! But since I've grabbed you…"
"You think you're doing good?" She scoffed. "Most would praise you, but to me, you're a fool risking your life for nothing. Stupid."
Her eyes glinted. "If you expect my gratitude or reward, forget it."
"Reward… Money's useless to me." Haru clenched his jaw.
He remembered his past life, waiting for death. He hated that powerless feeling, wanting to change things but couldn't do anything. He'd been dumb enough to save her; he couldn't let her die now. Otherwise It'd be like before in his past life: no matter how hard he tried, it would all be in vain in the end!
"Listen!" he shouted. "I saved your life, you can't just die!"
Gilgamesh stared, then laughed. "Hahaha…..you are too arrogant, mongrel!"
Enkidu trembled and slipped from his grasp. She let go, falling toward the mud.
"But… I forgive your disrespect!
"Why would I need help from others? It's just the sins of the world; I'll carry them for you!"
Haru watched her sink, silent.
With Taiga's help, he climbed up, feeling heavy. "Was she someone you knew?" Taiga asked gently.
Haru shook his head. "Just an acquaintance. She is troublesome. We have no real bond."
"Then why…"
"I just feel useless… like always." His chest tightened. "I thought I'd changed, but today proved I haven't. My hopes, my thoughts, everything….all illusions."
"Honestly, I don't care if she lives or dies. If she died somewhere else, I wouldn't care. But she died in my hands… because I wasn't strong enough."
It hurt.
Taiga looked worried but stayed quiet.
...
The black mud spread fast, flooding the city, consuming all. The new district burned; screams, twisted flames, the stench of flesh like Hell on earth.
Yet near the civic center's ruins, a small spot remained clean. Maybe the pit blocked the mud, or Taiga's luck held it back. It flowed around, leaving them on an island.
"Ew… what's that gross mud? It won't reach us, right?" Taiga said.
Haru snapped back, thinking. "If this keeps up, it'll cover us too. We need to escape…"
Then, chaotic voices flooded his mind.
"Help, save me, my leg hurts, it's hot…"
"Can't breathe… It hurts. Someone please kill me!"
"Please, stop, save me!"
"My hand; where's my hand?!"
"Mom… where's Mom? Ahh!!"
"Don't pull me, let go!"
Haru clutched his ears, blood trickling from his nose, gasping. "Is this….a curse? No, its the victims' grudges… I didn't touch the mud so why am I hearing this?"
He barely stood up, pale. Taiga looked confused, unaffected.
"The treatment is different huh…" He laughed weakly, coughing. "This is bad. I'll die before the mud gets me…"
"Huh, what's that?"
Taiga pointed to a golden glow in the abyss.
Haru looked down and saw a graceful figure emerging. She was untainted from the mud, her skin flawless.
The gorgeous golden hair fluttered and the scarlet eyes opened, seeing through the dark.
"You think you can taint my will?" An arrogant and majestic voice boomed. "Don't underestimate me! Throughout heaven and the earth, I alone am the honored one!. Do you think mere curses can touch my soul!"
The sword that split creation appeared. Three cylinders spun, laws etched upon them, releasing a crushing pressure. A sliver of its power tore space like glass.
"Clear it all, Ea!"
She disdained to unleash its full might and merely just spoked its name. Still, the incomplete sword erased the mud around her. The wind reached up, shaking the ground.
Haru and Taiga felt it.
Already weak, Haru stumbled. But instead of falling, he landed in soft, sweet arms.
"Hm?" He opened his eyes to see Gilgamesh, smirking.
She held him in a princess carry. Again.
"Y-You…You… this is embarrassing!" Taiga pointed a finger at Gilgamesh with a red face.
Haru noticed Gilgamesh was bare, proudly showing her slim waist and curves.
"Nothing on me is shameful!" She grinned at Taiga. "What, kid? Even if my body charms you, it is still too embarrassing to make a fool of yourself."
She pressed his neck, and his vision faded as he slipped into sleep.
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Today, Aoi Tohsaka, head of the esteemed Tohsaka family, announced she'll sell shares to fund the new district's reconstruction. Mayor Himuro expressed deep gratitude for her noble act and aid. In the future city plan, two artificial lakes will bear her daughters' names."
"…The Matou family suffered a sudden tragedy when their mansion was destroyed in a gas explosion. Key members faced heavy losses, leaving Kariya Matou, once overlooked, as the only adult male heir. Mr. Matou named his nephew, Shinji, the rightful heir, vowing to transfer assets to him over the next decade."
"In the recent fire, the Fujimura Group's Tiger Corporation, led by Raiga Fujimura and his granddaughter Taiga, aided firefighters and police, reducing casualties. Reports say the police chief is discussing post-disaster security with Mr. Fujimura."
"Local priest Kirei Kotomine rescued people during the fire, using his medical skills to save many children. With church approval, he'll expand it into an orphanage for those left parentless. Aoi Tohsaka pledged support."
"Below are the names of police and firefighters who died saving others. Let's honor these heroes with silence…"
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Haru switched off the TV, his mouth twitching, then sighed. 'Damn, so many changes… Hope Alaya doesn't come for me.'
"Haru, come here. I need to ask something." His dad, Ichiro, looked pained.
"What… is that magical building?"
Ichiro struggled, settling on "magical." It was a palace, gleaming top to bottom, fit for a king. Gold accents, timeless gardens, masterful statues, bold yet refined designs; all screamed nobility.
Ichiro's hand shook as he lit a cigarette. "I was only gone a few days; why's there a palace across the street? Where are the neighbors?"
Haru kept a straight face. "Except Rias's family, they all moved. They took ten times their property's value in gold. They seemed happy."
"Wait… Rias's house is gone too. We're the only ones left!"
The palace wasn't just across; it surrounded them, leaving one exit path.
Haru pointed at the palace outside"That's Rias's house."
Thud
Ichiro's cigarette fell.
Haru patted his shoulder. "Dad… be strong, like Mom."
"Where's your mom?"
"Visiting across the street."
"And… lunch?"
"Mom said to you to figure it out."
"What? She left us? Wait, 'you' figure it out?" As a seasoned cop, he caught the slip.
Haru looked away. "I'm going too."
"Haru!" Ichiro grabbed him. "You'd leave me alone? I….I can't cook!"
"Neither can I!" Haru groaned. "There are no instant noodles at home either. What now?"
…..
In the end, both headed to the palace.
Skipping Ichiro's grumbling and Meiko's retorts, Haru followed a maid to a room. Her uniform caught his eye; custom-made, with lace edges, gold threads, knee-high socks, and cat ears, thanks to Rias's influence.
'Am I in some harem anime?' he wondered.
As soon as he entered the room, Haru was sure; he was indeed in a harem anime. A golden-haired beauty in loose robes lounged on an oversized bed, tended by pretty maids. Across the room, Rias, in her school uniform, played a video game, too focused to notice him.
"Yo, kid. You're here," Gilgamesh said, smirking as a maid fed her a grape. "Weren't you avoiding me? What's up today?"
Haru stayed calm. 'Now I know why Uruk fell…'
Of course he didn't say it loudly.
"I'm not avoiding you… It's just stressful. Your Majesty, can you let me be? Build your palaces, but don't keep my mom."
"She stays by choice. She even said, 'Do what you want with Haru. Do you need his embarrassing stories?' I've got permission."
"No way," Haru muttered, covering his face. "Mom's not that greedy!"
"Haru!" Rias spotted him. "You came!"
Haru nodded. "How's your dad?"
"He's fine, now out of the hospital," Rias said, tilting her head. "Why do you look so pale?"
Haru glanced at Gilgamesh, realizing she'd healed him. With immortality elixirs in her treasury, it was no surprise.
Snapping back, he said, "You're okay with this? Don't you feel odd moving here?"
Rias blinked. "What's wrong with this palace? Isn't it pretty?"
Haru suddenly realized he had subconsciously ignored Rias's age. Afterall not every seven year old is like him.
…..
After playing with Rias or more like being played, he faced Gilgamesh seriously. "What do you want, Hero-King?"
She narrowed her red eyes. "Don't look so grim. I won't harm you or the girl's family."
She toyed with her hair. "I had a thought. I figured this era was dull… but I found something interesting. So I'll wait."
"That man, the Conqueror said Okeanos is real. I scoffed at that time, but now… maybe I'll find answers here. What he chased, and why I can't let it go."
She pointed at Haru. "You'll be my aide. With your mortal eyes, you might see what I miss."
....
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