To Ziusudra, the hermit of the Netherworld who had survived the ancient cataclysmic flood and gained immortality, meeting Rovi—the one untouched by fate—was an exceedingly important matter.
Not because Rovi had opened the fissure in Kur, allowing Ziusudra to step forth once more.
Rather, because Ziusudra knew that a catastrophe comparable to the devastating flood of old would soon sweep across these lands once again.
And Rovi was pivotal in all this.
He had every reason to seek Rovi out.
After witnessing the destruction firsthand, Ziusudra had no desire to see the desolation and collapse of civilization repeat itself.
...
Time quietly slipped by.
For Rovi, the following days were surprisingly calm.
In that room, Gilgamesh, now truly serious, had already set plans in motion to stall the punishment of the gods.
He had instructed the temple priests to pray to heaven, stating he was considering the gods' demands.
No matter how arrogant, Gilgamesh remained the [Wedge of Heaven] personally raised by the gods; unless absolutely necessary, they were unwilling to lose such a useful chess piece.
Thus, they held onto hope.
And with characteristic arrogance—believing themselves immune to Rovi's schemes—they naturally relaxed their pace, patiently awaiting Gilgamesh's "response."
There were no unexpected twists during this period, only tranquility.
A rare calm settled around Rovi.
Though his ultimate goal had nothing to do with peace, occasionally relaxing was necessary.
Besides, Rovi thought it prudent to use this respite to explore the deeper potential of his [Key of Heaven], lest he suffer another mishap...
Indeed, in these days, he had genuinely mastered some of the [Key]'s power.
He could even somewhat manipulate the blessings upon himself.
He couldn't completely switch them off, but at least he could weaken their effects.
Turning absolute "immortality" into conditional immortality.
During this time, he also returned briefly to the Pantheon to visit the old priests. At the brink of Uruk's impending break with the gods, the priests found themselves in an undeniably awkward position.
Rovi saw their hesitation clearly.
Though they'd agreed to Gilgamesh's orders, buying time from the gods, they hadn't fully decided whether to abandon their lifelong faith and break from the divine.
This was not a simple matter.
Rovi refrained from offering advice. He always respected their decisions.
No matter friend or foe later, at least they had once taken good care of him.
But this was just a minor footnote.
The rest was smooth sailing.
The only remaining trouble was perhaps a certain goddess who kept showing up to "bother" him…
In the courtyard near the palace of Uruk, warm sunlight bathed the freshly risen earth, illuminating greenery against weathered walls.
Rovi picked up the clay bowl from the table, took a sip of beer, and glanced up to see the person opposite him eyeing his bowl greedily.
Under the sunlight, her slender arms appeared translucent and fair, her lithe body concealed beneath a crimson coat.
Twin-tails of raven-black hair framed her delicate face, and crimson eyes stared intently at his drink.
Ishtar-Rin had been doing this every single day recently.
She appeared at his residence first thing every morning, and stared at him intently...
Unfortunately, it was Ishtar who kept showing up.
Eresh, however, was nowhere to be seen these days.
"Ahem, Rovi, what would you like to eat today?" Enkidu gracefully stepped closer, emerald hair fluttering gently, her charming face contemplative. "They say, the closer a being is to divinity, the more delicious its flavor becomes…perhaps…"
She glanced pointedly at Ishtar.
Ishtar jolted instantly, hastily withdrawing her hungry gaze.
Enkidu smiled sweetly and remained silent.
This exchange had become their daily routine—Ishtar, as a goddess possessing a mortal vessel, naturally feared Enkidu.
After all, the [Chains of Heaven] existed precisely to restrain "Heaven" itself.
"Heaven," meaning the gods.
Ishtar was helpless against her, and certainly didn't wish to anger Enkidu—although thanks to the odd quirks of her human vessel, that proved difficult.
For instance…
"So delicious—!" Ishtar started devouring the meal Enkidu had prepared, making satisfied noises as she ate. Afterward, she sighed contentedly. "This divine clay-doll even cooks so well!"
Rovi's cooking had proven disastrously mediocre lately, barely edible at best. Thus, Enkidu had assumed responsibility for preparing meals.
As a divinely crafted being, such tasks were child's play for her.
Yet even so, the goddess of Venus lamented aloud:
"Hmph… Having such a capable divine clay-doll taking care of you, yet still coveting the Netherworld goddess… You're truly greedy! By the way, is this clay-doll a man or a woman? A doll shouldn't have gender, right? So how do you even—er…"
The Venusian goddess' voice trailed off into an embarrassed whisper.
Because a shadow had quietly fallen behind her—Enkidu stood smiling gently, charming yet terrifyingly serene…
—It's over.
Ishtar froze.
"Ahhh—let me down!!" Moments later, panicked screams filled the room as the wooden ceiling beams creaked dangerously.
Rovi glanced at the goddess suspended helplessly by the [Chains of Heaven], massaging his forehead wearily.
When it comes to courting death, this goddess far surpasses me…
Rovi sank into thought.
"What's on your mind, Rovi?" Enkidu's clear voice whispered gently, snapping him back to reality. Her lovely face hovered close, emerald eyes gleaming brightly, soft lips reflecting faint glimmers of sunlight. "Should I let her down?"
"Hmm…" Rovi glanced briefly at the struggling Ishtar.
Ishtar immediately turned pleading eyes toward him.
Please let me down—
Understanding the goddess's silent plea, Rovi was just about to answer when—
Bang.
Smiling sweetly, Enkidu calmly closed the door, entirely blocking out Ishtar's figure and desperate pleas.
Clearly, Enkidu never intended to wait for Rovi's reply.
Ishtar: "…"
Rovi: "…"
"Bwahahaha! Such lively noises!" At that exact moment, a loud, distinctive voice echoed from outside. "Is this some welcoming ceremony you prepared, knowing this king would arrive?"
Under Enkidu's gentle smile, Rovi calmly took another sip of beer, pointedly ignoring Ishtar's muffled protests.
Watching Gilgamesh stride in confidently, with Siduri quietly following behind, he remarked, "Golden Pika coming is one thing, but even the eternally busy Siduri-san is here… Looks like there's something serious to discuss?"
"Merely a few insignificant mongrels who dare challenge this king's authority!" Gilgamesh carelessly sat across from Rovi, arms crossed arrogantly. "This king shall swiftly teach those mongrels that between Heaven and Earth, there is only one person qualified to bark at the one who rules all!"
"Just hearing that makes my skin crawl," Rovi rolled his eyes exaggeratedly.
But inwardly, he already knew exactly what Gilgamesh was talking about