That night, Rozen slept straight until morning, without even having dinner.
It seemed Mash had come to call him, but because he was so familiar with Mash's presence, his subconscious felt no need for vigilance, and Rozen simply slept like the dead, not waking up.
It wasn't until the next day that Rozen woke up early in the morning, stepped out of his room, and went straight downstairs.
At this time, everyone else was still asleep.
The sun was already up, yet the group hadn't woken—something unlike their usual habits. But given how much had happened these past two days, not only Rozen but everyone needed proper rest, so it was understandable.
Listening to the sound of their peaceful breathing in sleep, Rozen yawned as he descended the stairs, silently musing to himself.
"Later, I'll explain to everyone that for the next few days, they shouldn't disturb me. I need to properly restore the state of my Magic Circuits."
That was Rozen's plan.
He believed that, knowing his condition, everyone would support him unconditionally and let him readjust himself as quickly as possible.
"I'll also need to negotiate with Gilgamesh and have him keep a close watch on the north, to avoid any mishaps within the next five days."
As Rozen reached the ground floor hall, he muttered this unconsciously.
Unexpectedly, a voice responded to him.
"I already had Nobunaga ride through the night back to the northern wall to hold the demonic beast front. In the short term, there shouldn't be any of the so-called mishaps you speak of."
Hearing this voice from the first floor, Rozen froze.
Turning his head toward the embassy entrance, Rozen saw a figure standing there with an aura of absolute supremacy, as if it were only natural.
"Seems you had a good rest last night, Chaldean."
Gilgamesh stood with arms crossed, his expression brimming with arrogance.
And Rozen was utterly dumbfounded.
He couldn't help it.
"Why are you here?"
Rozen was filled with surprise.
Gilgamesh, however, wore a look of indifference.
"It's nothing more than a change of pace. Is that really so shocking?"
Saying this, Gilgamesh walked casually into the embassy and sat down at the communal table.
Rozen quickly recovered and came downstairs.
"Rather than shocked, I'd say I'm surprised."
Rozen sat down opposite Gilgamesh, pouring him a cup of barley ale like a host, and said: "After all, from the first time I saw you until now, you've always been seated upon your throne. For you to appear in an ordinary residence like this—anyone would be surprised."
At the very least, Rozen never imagined Gilgamesh would suddenly show up at the embassy, and alone at that.
Gilgamesh himself seemed unaware of the strangeness.
"The throne is merely a place to handle state affairs, not somewhere I must always remain. I go wherever I wish. Under heaven, all lands are mine; Uruk belongs entirely to me. Is there anywhere I cannot go?"
Such an arrogant declaration.
But coming from the oldest hero in human history and one of its greatest kings, he did indeed have the qualifications to say so.
Of course, Rozen didn't believe the Wise King had come here merely for a change of mood.
The reason was simple.
"I've never seen you idle. Especially at a time like this, you should be even busier, with countless affairs to attend to."
Rozen looked at Gilgamesh with a half-smile. "For you to personally come here—rather than for relaxation, I'd wager you have something else in mind?"
And moreover, something you don't want others to know.
"…"
Gilgamesh did not reply. He merely took a sip of barley ale, then frowned.
"The flavor is too strong. It seems time to teach the citizens better brewing methods."
Muttering this, Gilgamesh met Rozen's gaze.
Then—
"Ereshkigal must have told you something, hasn't she?"
Gilgamesh suddenly said such words.
Rozen raised a brow.
"I see." Rozen nodded knowingly. "So, sending us to the Underworld wasn't merely about handling Ereshkigal's matter. You had another purpose."
And what purpose was that?
To learn the condition of his dearest friend.
It was said that after Enkidu's death, Hero King Gilgamesh personally buried his body in the Underworld.
Because a divine weapon could not be left upon the surface—it would bring terrible calamity—Gilgamesh chose to inter Enkidu in the Underworld, granting him eternal rest.
Ereshkigal allowed it, accepting Enkidu's body and giving him peace within her realm.
So…
"After discovering Kingu's existence, you must have been desperate to know what had become of Enkidu's remains buried in the Underworld."
Rozen voiced Gilgamesh's true thoughts.
Gilgamesh did not deny it, merely giving a derisive chuckle before saying:
"In any case, Ereshkigal would surely know something, and she would have told you to relay her words to me, correct?"
Gilgamesh had predicted even this.
"Though I can already guess the result, I came to confirm it myself."
At that, Gilgamesh's expression grew solemn.
"What of Enkidu's body?"
He no longer hid anything, asking directly.
Rozen did not hedge either and replied plainly.
"Enkidu's body is missing."
This was the message Ereshkigal had entrusted Rozen to deliver.
Gilgamesh was not surprised. Instead, he lowered his gaze.
"So it truly is gone?"
He murmured softly.
Clearly, Gilgamesh had already foreseen this outcome.
"What do you think of that one called Kingu?"
Gilgamesh then asked Rozen.
"Kingu, hm?" Rozen pondered for a moment. "First of all, I cannot be sure Enkidu truly died."
At those words, Gilgamesh immediately gave a firm answer.
"Enkidu did indeed die." Gilgamesh said without hesitation. "The gods terminated his activation, and he perished before my very eyes. Though his body remained, his soul vanished completely. He cannot possibly still be alive. I saw it myself."
Gilgamesh did not doubt Enkidu's death.
No matter how much he might wish otherwise, he had to accept this truth.
In that case—
"Then Kingu cannot possibly be Enkidu." Rozen said. "But considering the power and abilities Kingu has shown, in every respect he is identical to Enkidu."
What did this mean?
That Kingu was by no means an ordinary impostor.
Taking into account the disappearance of Enkidu's body, and the Beast Goddess's ability to bear offspring, Rozen boldly speculated:
"The Beast Goddess must have taken Enkidu's body as material and directly created Kingu."
That was Rozen's conjecture.