"At the time, I was caught in a spatio-temporal storm. I truly believed I was finished, my body destroyed. But who would have thought, the end result was arriving here half a year early and merging with this body that had just died from overwork? My soul merged with it too. So now, I am as you see me."
Gilgamesh explained his situation to everyone.
Fujimaru Ritsuka's mouth hung open.
"You mean—! You are—! You're Gil?!"
Mash stammered, asking.
"Yes, it's truly me, no doubt about it. What do you think? Isn't the adult version of me even more dashing?"
Gilgamesh ran a hand through his hair, utterly self-absorbed.
Fujimaru Ritsuka turned to look at Merlin.
"Being this narcissistic, it's definitely Gil, no question. But Merlin, did you know about this?"
Upon hearing this, Merlin immediately put on an obvious expression.
"Of course! Otherwise, why do you think I would have responded to the summons? It's certainly because there's an acquaintance here!"
Merlin said triumphantly! He had been holding onto this reason all night, and now it was finally his turn to gloat.
"You—!!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka clenched its fist. It really wanted to punch Merlin right now! Seriously, just one punch would do!
"Alright, we can save the playful matters for later. It seems some guests have arrived. From the looks of it, I probably won't need to personally welcome them."
Gilgamesh rested his hand on his face, calmly looking up at the ceiling.
Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others also followed the king's gaze to the ceiling, and then...
*"BOOM!!"*
The ceiling exploded!
A large hole appeared! A lot of debris scattered, accompanied by a whistling sound!
"Ahahaha~ The great goddess has arrived!"
*"Swoosh!"*
Ishtar flew in, clutching the Sky Ark Maanna, and immediately spotted Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others.
"Huh? It's you guys?"
Ishtar had actually met Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others outside the city walls before, having had a brief encounter.
"Hi."
Fujimaru Ritsuka greeted stiffly, a bit unsure of what was happening.
"Goddess Ishtar, have you come to my presence to humiliate yourself?"
Gilgamesh spoke calmly and majestically, showing no panic in the face of a goddess.
At the same time.
Siduri and the guards immediately returned after hearing the commotion, but they too were stunned when they saw Ishtar.
"Goddess!"
"Goddess? Ishtar!?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka was dumbfounded. It never expected that the mysterious woman it had met before was actually one of the pillars of the Three Goddess Alliance! Ishtar! (Mist)
"That's right, that's right, that's right! Surprised, aren't you?! I am the Goddess Ishtar! Hurry and kneel and worship me, become my most loyal follower!"
Ishtar had a smug look on her face, seemingly forgetting why she had come.
"Um... hehe, that's really not necessary."
Fujimaru Ritsuka had long realized that this girl in front of them was a bit unreliable. It had felt that way during their last encounter, and that feeling was even stronger now.
"Hey, hey, hey~ Are you planning to refuse my invitation?"
Ishtar immediately became displeased. The masses who wanted to be her followers could line up from Uruk all the way to the Northern Wall Front, but she hadn't expected Fujimaru Ritsuka to refuse!
Just as Fujimaru Ritsuka was feeling a bit awkward...
"Do not continue to be rude, Ishtar. State your purpose, then get out of my sight. Otherwise—"
Gilgamesh's tone was unfriendly. A halo expanded behind him, and various staves extended from within it.
"Otherwise, what will you do? Humph! You want me to leave, but I won't! If you're so capable, make me leave! Nyah nyah nyah!"
Ishtar completely forgot what she was there for, pulling at her face to make a mocking gesture. Gilgamesh's eye twitched, and a large axe instantly appeared in his hand! He was about to launch an attack!
"Wait, wait! Hold on!"
Merlin stepped forward, raising his hand to stop the two who were about to fight.
Gilgamesh frowned and said,
"Merlin, even if you are my Court Mage now, if you cannot give me a valid reason, then you will face the consequences."
Clearly, Gilgamesh was already very angry.
Ishtar still wore a fearless expression, but Merlin chuckled wryly and spoke.
"Your Majesty, and Lady Goddess, I think it's not good, not good at all, that you are both so irritable when the world is so wonderful."
Merlin sighed, shaking its head.
"Why don't we sit down, have some tea, and talk things over peacefully?"
As it spoke, Merlin even winked at Ishtar, but—
"Eww!!! How disgusting!"
Ishtar shuddered, rubbing her arms together as if she were cold. Merlin instantly turned to stone, clearly devastated.
"Hahahahaha! Excellent! When it comes to making this king burst out laughing, Merlin, you've never disappointed me. Since you've already made a fool of yourself, Ishtar, are you willing to sit down and talk properly?"
Gilgamesh laughed heartily.
But Ishtar merely snorted.
"Hmph! No way! I have other things to do, and I'm too lazy to waste time here with you. Goodbye.
Oh, and you guys."
Ishtar looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others, smiling as she spoke.
"Remember, if you change your minds and want to become a believer of this goddess, just silently chant this goddess's name three times, and then shout 'Goddess Ishtar is the most beautiful!' three times! I'll bless and protect you! Remember that! Farewell!"
Ishtar winked at Fujimaru Ritsuka, then flew back the way she came, not bothering with the main entrance and instead returning through the hole she had just crashed through.
"What a brain-dead goddess. Don't think running away will solve anything, Siduri!"
Gilgamesh's eyes held a playful glint.
Siduri quickly stepped forward.
"Your Majesty! What are your orders?"
"Spread the word about what happened today! Tell everyone! Goddess Ishtar is an idiot! She's a bandit, a demon! Everyone should stay away from her, or they'll have their souls sucked away by the demon and dragged into the Underworld!"
Gilgamesh calmly slandered Ishtar. Judging by his familiar demeanor, this wasn't the first time he'd done something like this.
"This is..."
Siduri looked a bit helpless. This wasn't the first time she'd done something like this either; how to put it—she was quite experienced.
"Alright, interrupted by this idiotic goddess, this king no longer has the mood to reminisce. You've all traveled far and worked hard. Siduri, take them to rest. Give them VIP treatment."
Gilgamesh waved his hand, and all the staves behind him retracted. The axe in his hand was placed within easy reach.
"Understood."
Siduri naturally executed Gilgamesh's command perfectly, leading everyone away amidst their "reluctant goodbyes."
The hall was empty. Gilgamesh seemed to want to sleep, his eyelids feeling heavy.
Thanks to ~Sadox~ for the 10,000 reward! Thank you!
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