True to his word, once he secured the promise of surrender, Gilgamesh personally led a handpicked force across the northern wastes. They marched day and night, arriving at the gates of the border capital with staggering speed.
Gilgamesh could not be entirely certain if the surrender was genuine or merely a ruse to entrap him. More importantly, he feared that news of the defection might leak to the Imperial Palace, prompting them to send a "Final Purge" army to suppress the Satrap. To prevent such complications, he had to take control of this bastion as quickly as possible.
Thus, after three days and nights of an unrelenting forced march, Gilgamesh arrived before the walls of Kisura at a speed that caught even the "Wind of the Border" by surprise.
"To arrive at my gates from the southern ferry in just three days, and with his ranks still perfectly dressed..."
Standing atop the sun-bleached battlements and gazing at the army deployed below, Lugal-Kisura sighed softly. "It is clear Gilgamesh truly masters the art of command—to force a march across the salt-flats for three days without his host collapsing into chaos!"
"Enough," he whispered to himself. "This is a Lord worth the risk of surrender."
"My Lord, I scouted their camp earlier," Etan-Hadad reported, stepping forward with a look of awe. "Their formations are as disciplined as those recorded in the ancient tablets; every man knows his station. I have never seen such a rigorous host, not even among the Palace Guards."
Lugal-Kisura remained silent for a moment, his hand resting on the pommel of his bronze sword. Finally, he spoke with a heavy but resolute voice. "Order them to open the Bronze Gates. Welcome the King of Uruk."
Gilgamesh sat astride his massive warhorse, with Siduri, Ur-Namu, and other commanders following closely behind. Behind them stood hundreds of the Immortal Battalion and several thousand veteran soldiers—the elite core brought to secure the city.
"Father, do you think he might be setting a trap for us?" Siduri asked, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the archers on the walls.
"Siduri, that is why I led you on this forced march," Gilgamesh replied coolly. "It wasn't just to save time. It was to demonstrate my strength. I wanted him to see that I can maintain perfect organizational integrity even under extreme pressure. A man like him knows exactly what this level of discipline signifies."
"I see. You have used the march itself as a psychological siege," Siduri replied with a hint of admiration.
As they spoke, the massive gates of Kisura slowly creaked open. Etan-Hadad and several riders emerged from the shadows of the portal.
"King of the Four Quarters," Etan-Hadad called out, striking his breastplate in a salute. "The Satrap has stood down all defenses. Please, lead your legions into the city."
"Very well. You are men of sense who put the lives of the people first. I offer you my respects," Gilgamesh replied, returning the salute.
"Now, hear my orders! All units, march! Taking of civilian property is forbidden! Harassment of the poor is forbidden! Summary execution is forbidden! Any violator shall face the King's Justice!"
Once he was certain the city was secured, Gilgamesh spurred his horse forward. Aside from the low, rhythmic thrum of the war-drums and the heavy cadence of boots, there was no other sound.
"Hahaha! To see you is better than a thousand rumors. You must be the legendary Lugal-Kisura!"
Inside the city's central administrative palace, Gilgamesh personally received the Satrap. As a surrendering general, Lugal-Kisura knelt on one knee and refused to rise. Gilgamesh reached out with a firm hand to pull him up.
Hearing Gilgamesh's praise for his former enemy, Ur-Namu—standing among the other generals—felt a flush of embarrassment, but it was replaced by a touch of pride. Being defeated by a world-renowned master, yet managing to extract his troops, was a testament to his own survival skills.
"I performed my duty to the Palace until the end," Lugal-Kisura sighed heavily. "If not for the greed of the Chamberlain, I would never have turned my back. I did this for the lives of those under my protection."
"Hahaha! You are a man of honor. That makes me admire you even more!" Gilgamesh laughed heartily.
"However," Lugal-Kisura said, his gaze turning sharp, "since I have chosen to follow your light, from this day forward, my chariots and my mind serve only you, My Lord."
"Then, I shall return this to you." Gilgamesh produced a bundle of clay tablets from his cloak and handed them to the general.
"These... are my Tactical Tablets! I gave these to Master Hamilcar!" Lugal-Kisura exclaimed in shock.
"Heh, these were given to me by Enkidu-Sa. His master entrusted them to him, hoping they would assist a true Sovereign in ending this age of blood."
"How moving... I never imagined my own theories would find their way back to me through the hands of a King," Lugal-Kisura said, his loyalty now truly cemented. "Perhaps this is indeed the will of the gods!"
"Excellent! Then I shall rely on you, General!"