Catching the swift slash of a scythe mid-swing, Kingu expressionlessly gripped the black-robed girl by the throat and lifted her clean off the ground.
"How troublesome… When exactly did this start?"
With a lazy squeeze, the sound of bones snapping rang out—and the world around them fractured like glass, crumbling away piece by piece.
When the illusion fell, only Kingu remained in the empty wasteland.
She didn't look surprised, only mildly annoyed. Pressing a hand to her forehead, she sighed.
"So that's how it was… That flash of light—wasn't meant to blind me, but to divert my focus. Hmph. Given who devised it, I suppose this outcome was inevitable. The only thing that fool's ever been good at is running away."
Despite having stayed alert after the scorpion incident, she'd been fooled again by illusion magic.
"As expected of the world's greatest trickster… My second attempt ends in failure too. It seems the only one capable of truly breaking through her defenses is—"
She turned toward Uruk, her lips curling into a cold, predatory smile.
"I'll leave it at this for now. There are more important matters than chasing garbage across the desert. If humanity is to be erased, it must be done properly. She could do it in a day if she wished, but that would lack refinement. Even killing needs purpose and artistry—that's the duty of a new, superior humanity born with intellect."
Then, for just an instant, a phrase Ophis had once thrown at her flickered through Kingu's mind.
You're even dumber than Enkidu.
Her brow twitched, the smile deepening into a shadowed smirk.
"Besides… if I really got serious, that one on the other side would too. The plan to eliminate her while she's still bound has already failed—and now it's clear that approach is impossible. Which means, the only one capable of matching her at full power would be—"
...
"Here we are! This is King Ophis's workplace~"
Before the towering pyramid temple, the group from Chaldea stood alongside Merlin and Ana.
"It's incredible…"
The sight left Ritsuka breathless. The temple was magnificent beyond words—its every stone glowing with the splendor of Uruk's golden age.
She had seen the halls of Camelot and the Sun King's pyramid, yet each time, the grandeur struck her anew.
"But… King Ophis, huh…"
Merlin had mentioned the name several times on the journey.
"Yes," Mash said, her tone careful. "Though this timeline diverges from the one Chaldea knows, at least King Ophis is someone we've encountered before. And judging by how Uruk looks now, this king isn't a tyrant."
Indeed, on their way here, they'd seen the smiles of Uruk's people—genuine, peaceful smiles, untouched by fear.
"Right… She didn't seem like a tyrant before either," Ritsuka murmured. "But communication might be… difficult."
"Don't worry, Master!" Lily declared with knightly resolve. "No matter what happens, I'll protect you—even if it costs my life!"
"You really don't have to do that," Ritsuka sighed softly, then firmed her expression.
"Ohh! That's the spirit! The savior of humanity recovers her courage so quickly! But between us, King Ophis is a softhearted fool~ If you run up and hug her, she'll have no idea how to react!"
"Teacher, if you stayed quiet, people might actually think you're wise," Lily said sweetly.
"Fou!"
Mash gave the little creature and its supposed caretaker a pitying glance.
"It seems… Mister Merlin isn't very popular."
As they chatted, the group pushed open the massive temple doors and stepped inside. Thanks to Merlin's presence—or perhaps because of it—no guards tried to stop them.
"Even though he clearly holds some kind of rank, everyone treats him like bad luck…" Mash whispered.
"You see her now, right? That's King Ophis!" Merlin said brightly, pointing ahead without a shred of subtlety.
"Hm… She does look a bit different from before," Ritsuka observed.
"Yes," Mash agreed. "Her expression seems heavier. Her eyes look tired, and though she smiles faintly, her presence feels… darker."
Indeed, standing beneath the vast light of the temple, Ophis radiated quiet authority—yet something in her aura had grown shadowed.
"She really could pass for a final boss right now," Lily said softly.
"Maybe she's just overworked," Mash suggested.
"Not what I expected," Ana murmured. "I thought she'd look more… showy."
"What are you all doing just standing there?" Merlin asked, exasperated. "If you wait quietly, King Ophis will ignore you until everyone else leaves."
"Huh—?"
Before Ritsuka could react, Merlin grabbed her wrist and strode boldly forward, waving cheerfully at Ophis and completely ignoring the messengers mid-report.
"Yo! King Ophis, we're back!"
"We'll proceed as discussed," Ophis said to her aide, handing over the clay tablet she'd been reading. Then her gaze shifted from Merlin—and fixed sharply on Ritsuka.
She said nothing. Just stared.
The air went still.
"Welcome back safely, Lord Merlin. Was your mission successful?" Siduri finally broke the silence with a polite bow.
"Oh yes, perfectly so!" Merlin replied breezily. "A few minor hiccups, but nothing beyond the powers of a genius like me!"
"You carry Enkidu's scent," Ophis said flatly, her gaze never leaving him. "Did you flee from her again?"
"As perceptive as ever, King Ophis~" Merlin replied, laughing despite the obvious jab.
Siduri stepped forward quickly, sensing another awkward pause. "More importantly, who are these people? Their clothing marks them as outsiders."
"That's enough, Siduri. Step back."
Ophis raised her staff and walked forward a few steps.
"My king—?" Siduri started, but before she could finish, dozens of golden beams erupted from the staff, streaking straight toward Chaldea's two Servants.
---
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