As a Heroic Spirit manifested in the world, Quetzalcoatl naturally recognized these contraptions. However, this was over 2,500 years BC—there was no way such technology could exist here!
Quetzalcoatl landed immediately. After quickly counting the people present, she noticed something was amiss. The sheer number of individuals already exceeded the population of Ur, and there were far too many men.
Not only were the residents originally offered as "Tributes" present, but also the male soldiers who had been resurrected after their deaths and stationed in Eridu had been released.
It seems another Heroic Spirit has been summoned... Could it be Gilgamesh? Or perhaps the Counter Force?
Quetzalcoatl couldn't possibly associate this civil engineering prowess with any renowned Heroic Spirit. Moreover, these machines didn't appear to be directly generated by Noble Phantasms.
Regardless, daring to run wild in her territory was tantamount to declaring war. Taiga Fujimura's failure to intervene proved she had already been defeated by the invaders. This brought a ferocious smile to Quetzalcoatl's face: "In that case, let's settle this with our bodies!"
As Quetzalcoatl entered the construction site, Taiga Fujimura, being a servant from the same divine pantheon, immediately sensed her arrival. Quetzalcoatl, in turn, strode directly toward Taiga Fujimura.
"Long time no see... Quetzal..."
Taiga Fujimura hurriedly hid the half-eaten can of fish behind her back and forced a strained smile. In this era, such high-salt, high-fat delicacies were simply irresistible to her. If Quetzalcoatl saw her in this embarrassing state, she'd be in for a stern scolding.
"We just saw each other this morning, didn't we? I was wondering why you didn't help me haul those humans I 'killed' today."
Quetzalcoatl pointed to the red oil smeared on Taiga Fujimura's cheek, her expression shifting to that of a caring elder sister. "When I saw the state of things here, I thought you had already fallen in battle and mourned for you. So, tell me, what's with this domesticated housecat act?"
"I can explain!"
Taiga Fujimura retreated several steps until her back pressed against the wall. "I... I've already been defeated. Even Boss Tezcatlipoca couldn't protect me. I really had no choice!"
"Defeated? Is that so? Let me check for any injuries."
Quetzalcoatl grabbed Taiga Fujimura by the collar, her iron-grip hands clamping down like a vise. "Alrighty~, get ready to jump!"
Civil Engineering Hundred Faces, wearing a hard hat, only saw a figure in a mascot costume dive headfirst into the freshly poured foundation, burying half its body. After a brief struggle, the exposed lower half went limp, as if the person inside had died.
Hundred Faces stared at Taiga Fujimura feigning death. The latter's Spirit Origin was several times stronger than all of theirs combined, clearly indicating she was trying to escape.
"You were bought off by something like this? And you even tried to trick me by claiming you were defeated! You've completely disgraced the Aztec Gods!"
Quetzalcoatl, who had just given Taiga Fujimura a brutal suplex, clapped her hands and strode away.
"She really has lost."
The commotion drew Jiang You's attention. He approached with Fairy Tristan in tow, adding a word in Taiga Fujimura's defense.
Next, Quetzalcoatl's Authority would be needed to hunt humans. Jiang You knew he had to address her formally: "Lord Quetzalcoatl, Second Sun of the Aztecs, Feathered Serpent God, I have been awaiting your presence for some time."
"Ah, so you know of me. Good manners are always appreciated," Quetzalcoatl replied with a smile. As the Great God of the orderly good faction, she was surprisingly approachable. She sized up Jiang You: a weak servant, yet he knew her identity and faced her without fear. This intrigued her.
"Then, tell me, was it you who has been causing trouble in my domain? Or is it this little girl beside you, reeking of blood?"
Under Quetzalcoatl's scrutinizing gaze, even without any hint of murderous intent, Fairy Tristan instinctively took a step back.
"It was me," Jiang You admitted without a moment's hesitation.
"You? That's quite unexpected."
Quetzalcoatl tilted her head, tapping her finger lightly against her chin. Jiang You seemed the more docile of the two. "Since you know my identity, you must also understand that your actions amount to a challenge. I presume you've prepared yourself accordingly. Given your attitude, I'll allow you to explain your purpose."
Jiang You knew Quetzalcoatl was merely curious, but her insistence on maintaining her goddessly composure made her seem rather endearing. "For certain reasons, I need to eliminate a significant number of humans, but I don't wish to truly take their lives. That's why I require your power, just as you resurrected the soldiers you had slain."
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Quetzalcoatl narrowed her eyes. Jiang You's behavior reminded her of her own—she had outwardly slaughtered humans to maintain the alliance of the Three Goddesses, only to secretly revive them later. But who would make such a wager with a weak servant like Jiang You?
Unable to determine Jiang You's true allegiance, Quetzalcoatl adopted a ferocious expression. "I merely find the tributes stale! Only a grander sacrifice can satisfy my needs!"
"As the benevolent god of the Aztecs, you have repeatedly opposed human sacrifice. Is using such a pretext really appropriate?" Jiang You retorted.
Despite Quetzalcoatl's demands, the Aztecs continued to offer her sacrifices of blood. It was a mystery how she managed to maintain her composure.
"And please stop forcing that unnatural expression. The corner of your eye is already twitching."
"Ara, it's so annoying being seen through like this."
Exposed, Quetzalcoatl abandoned her pretense, replacing it with a warm smile.
"But I have no reason to help you. You've disrupted my plans and intend to establish a foothold in my territory. I won't let you off so easily!"
"Indeed, it's only natural that you wouldn't assist me with these absurd schemes based on a mere word."
Jiang You's reckless decision to antagonize two powerful factions simultaneously in the face of global annihilation was universally unacceptable. "Therefore, just like in your myths, let's settle this with a Duel!"
"Hmph, instead of fleeing, you actually want to initiate a Duel?"
Quetzalcoatl tossed aside her weapon and shield, lightening her load. She opened her arms wide toward Jiang You. "Sister is growing more fond of you by the minute. As a reward, I'll only use wrestling techniques against you. You're free to use any means necessary~"
Jiang You responded with an equally warm smile. "Then I'll be frank, and I hope you won't be offended. In addition to the aforementioned requests, I intend to bring about Tiamat's complete descent!"
Quetzalcoatl: "!"
A scorching kick, accompanied by a searing heatwave, struck in an instant.