Chapter 26: The King's Artillery
"King Leonidas!"
The soldiers cheered instantly at the arrival of their general.
"Do not let your guard down, the second wave is coming!" Leonidas I ordered immediately.
"Yes!" the soldiers shouted in unison.
Their morale surged instantly, and every soldier charged toward the Demonic Beasts, completely unafraid of death.
"Phalanx, form up!" Leonidas I commanded.
As one, the group of soldiers functioned like a single machine, following his orders and raising their shields before them. The charging beasts slammed headlong into this defensive wall. Seizing the opportunity, Leonidas I grabbed another spear and slew the beast that had just struck their line.
"We Spartan warriors shall never fail in our formation of defense!" Leonidas I shouted, pulling his spear from the beast's head.
The soldiers cheered wildly.
"More beasts are charging this way!" a soldier reported.
Hearing this, Leonidas I commanded immediately, "Use the 'Dingir'!"
At the sound of his command, the soldiers stationed on the city walls operated the artillery. The magic-powered cannons instantly fired beams of light, blasting the incoming horde of beasts into fragments.
"Amazing!" Gudako exclaimed in admiration.
Having settled the situation, Leonidas I walked over toward Shirou. "Offensives of this magnitude are a daily occurrence here."
"What is that?" Gudako asked curiously, pointing her finger at the artillery battery on the city wall.
"Oh, that is a large-scale battery that launches King Gilgamesh's treasures, utilizing the released magical energy to blast enemies away," Leonidas I answered immediately.
"Treasures?" Gudako asked, confused.
"The King once said: 'Squandering is the essence of civilization,' and that this battle must be won through humanity's own power to overcome the gods to have any meaning," Leonidas I explained.
Merlin, hearing this, expressed deep agreement. "I see. 'Dingir' expresses that one can only become a god if recognized by humanity. That is truly the King's style."
"So this is how we use human hands to oppose the gods..." Gudako stared blankly at the cannon.
Standing beside Shirou, Ishtar spoke up at this moment: "To think that this is enough to contend with a god—isn't that a bit too naive?"
Leonidas I shifted his gaze upon hearing Ishtar's voice, then recoiled half a step in surprise. "It's... the Goddess Ishtar!?"
Merlin patted Leonidas I on the shoulder and explained, "Do not be so nervous. This goddess has already been defeated by Senior Orihara; she is a prisoner of war now."
"Who are you calling a prisoner of war!" Ishtar shouted angrily, her hair practically standing on end.
"Alright, since the battle has ended, let's go have dinner first," Shirou said.
"Yes, now that you mention it, I am a bit hungry," Merlin said, rubbing his stomach.
"Then, everyone, follow me," Leonidas I nodded and walked ahead to lead the way.
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Beneath the cold moonlight, the North Star shined. Enkidu, with his long green hair and beautiful, neutral features, opened his purple eyes and realized he was lying on the earth. He stared up at the quiet night sky, slightly lost in thought.
Suddenly, his heart began to ache as if it were being torn apart, forcing him into a look of agony. He hadn't sustained any actual physical damage, and he knew his body was in perfect condition—there were no issues whatsoever. However, memories of Enkidu kept flashing through his mind—memories filled with kindness and goodness. They seemed to be forcibly altering his inner self, causing Enkidu unbearable torment.
"Damn it... every single time, that man ruins my plans...!"
As the face of the red-haired boy flashed through his mind, a look of hatred surfaced on Enkidu's face. The weakness of his body still reflected his previous incompetence; remembering that man's movements and presence made Enkidu's hands and feet feel cold.
What incredible power. Could his "Mother" truly defeat such an existence? Could his "Mother" truly achieve victory?
"No, there is no need for doubt at a time like this! Mother will definitely succeed; she is invincible! She will absolutely not lose to that man!" Enkidu shook his head, casting those stray thoughts from his mind.
Trancelike, a fragment of his memories as Enkidu flickered again. Memories of his contact with the Wise King Gil and his interactions with the citizens of Uruk—these precious memories were like an entrenched disease, impossible to shake off, flashing incessantly in his mind.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it!!! Stop bothering me! I am not Enkidu...!" Enkidu pounded the ground, venting his emotions. He could not accept this version of himself, nor could he accept those kind memories. He desired to be cold, ruthless, and indifferent to everything.
After staying in this state of stagnation for several hours, the memories that caused Enkidu such pain were finally suppressed deep within his mind.
Opening his eyes once more, Enkidu looked toward the direction of Uruk. "Just you wait... I will make you all regret this! The scales of victory will surely tilt in my favor—in favor of my Mother!"
With his mind made up, Enkidu dragged his exhausted body into the sky. He no longer had the time to participate in the attacks of the Demonic Beasts. What he needed now was to hasten his pace and allow his Mother—the true Mother, Tiamat—to awaken!
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After dinner, Shirou walked to the lakeside. Under the moonlight, the water's surface shimmered. Shirou lay on the grass, looking up at the galaxy of stars in this world, organizing the information he knew regarding this Singularity.
Suddenly, Shirou heard the sound of light, nimble footsteps approaching. Even without needing to look, Shirou could sense the unique aura of that goddess.
"Good evening."
Although her wrists were still bound by chains, she had no complaints at this moment. It wasn't like her at all. The goddess, her voice incomparably soft, spoke up suddenly: "May I sit beside you?"
Ishtar would absolutely never say such things.
Understanding this, Shirou turned his gaze toward her in surprise. The face was indeed Rin's, but her black hair, which she wore as Ishtar, had now transformed into flowing golden locks, reflecting the moonlight.
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