"The Three Goddess Alliance, you say..."
After Enkidu asked Siduri about Uruk's current situation, she had recounted everything truthfully.
But as she finished her explanation, Enkidu's brow furrowed.
He had never imagined Uruk would fall into such dire straits after his death.
A goddess alliance bent on conquering Uruk, demonic beasts on the rampage...
'Has the situation truly become this severe?'
"Did Gil say anything?" Enkidu asked, his gaze fixed on Siduri.
Siduri remained respectful, as if delivering an official report.
"The King said that people from another world would come to aid Uruk. Beyond that, His Majesty has revealed no further information," she replied.
Enkidu's expression remained calm.
He pondered for a moment before letting out a weary sigh. "Gil must have a plan. It's pointless for me to worry here."
Enkidu's faint smile returned.
His words carried an unshakable confidence in Gilgamesh.
"How could that be? If the King knew you were worried about him, he would surely be happy," Siduri said with a faint smile.
"Really? I think Gil would just give me a look of disgust," Enkidu replied with a laugh.
The light of memory flickered in his eyes as the image of that untamable, arrogant figure once again surfaced in his mind.
He could already picture how Gilgamesh would react upon hearing his concerns.
'Stop nagging! This king has already made preparations!'
He would undoubtedly roar at him with irritation!
The thought brought an involuntary smile to Enkidu's lips.
"Enkidu-sama." Seeing his expression, Siduri spoke up, her voice a mix of anticipation and hesitation.
"What is it?" Enkidu asked, turning back to her, slightly puzzled.
"Enkidu-sama... would you like to return with me to see the King...?"
Siduri's words made Enkidu's expression stiffen slightly.
The atmosphere fell silent.
"Gil doesn't need me anymore. He has already become a king who understands compassion and benevolence. I imagine he wouldn't want to see me again."
Enkidu's words carried a strange, underlying meaning.
Though his tone held a faint sadness, it was overshadowed by a sense of calm acceptance and detachment.
"How could that be...?"
Siduri found it hard to believe.
She wanted to press further, but when she saw Enkidu gently shake his head, the words died on her lips.
Enkidu chuckled softly. 'The bond between me and Gilgamesh... it's not something that can be easily explained...'
"Perhaps if you go back and ask Gil, his answer will also be that he doesn't want to see me again," Enkidu said calmly.
Siduri, quick-witted as she was, clearly saw the flicker of nostalgia and longing in Enkidu's eyes.
Yet the words that came from his mouth were a refusal.
She fell silent.
"It's getting late. Are you sure it's alright for you to be out like this, Siduri?" Enkidu asked, his voice laced with concern.
Siduri had mentioned earlier that her visit to the restaurant was coincidental.
No one knew she had come here.
As the King's closest advisor, her sudden disappearance was undoubtedly a grave matter.
Now, reminded by Enkidu, Siduri's expression tightened with anxiety and worry.
She couldn't bear to imagine what the King might do if he couldn't find her. The sheer joy of seeing Enkidu had momentarily made her forget everything else.
"My apologies, Enkidu-sama. I must return at once. I'm worried about the King..."
"Go on, then. Gil would be lost without you by his side." Enkidu smiled and waved, cutting short Siduri's flustered farewell.
Siduri let out a soft sigh of relief.
She turned to Yuto and the others, gave a slight bow, and headed for the restaurant's entrance.
Just as she was about to step outside, she paused.
Hesitantly, she turned back to Enkidu.
"Enkidu-sama... I believe the King wishes to see you."
With those words, she left the small restaurant. Enkidu, still seated, froze for a moment before a gentle smile graced his lips.
He longed to see him too.
'What kind of man has the King grown into...?'
...
Siduri returned to Uruk.
She glanced at the surrounding stone pillars and bonfires, her mind drifting back to the scene in the small restaurant just moments ago.
A pang of alarm shot through her.
"Lady Siduri! Lady Siduri!"
She heard someone outside shouting her name.
Taking a deep breath, she straightened her clothes and stepped out. It wasn't just one person searching for her; even the soldiers were scouring the area.
When she appeared, the people outside broke into relieved smiles.
"Lady Siduri! We finally found you!" a handmaiden cried, her voice thick with tears.
"Is the King angry?"
Siduri's question made the handmaiden flinch slightly.
"Yes... The King is in a terrible mood because he couldn't find you. No one dares go near him right now."
Siduri let out a small sigh of relief.
'Thank goodness. He's just throwing a tantrum. It hasn't escalated into anything serious yet.'
"Alright, I understand. All of you, return to your posts. I will go to the King." Siduri ordered them back to their posts.
As the King's trusted advisor, she held such authority.
Then, she hurried toward the temple.
Though it was called a temple, it had long since become Gilgamesh's palace.
By the time she reached the entrance, she was out of breath.
She pressed herself against the stone wall to compose herself—a necessary courtesy, for she could not let the King see her in such a state.
"Siduri, come in directly."
A haughty voice echoed from within the palace.
The mere sound of it conveyed an air of nobility and reverence, yet it was laced with a hint of anger.
Siduri rushed into the palace.
She stood before the King, trembling, afraid to lift her head. Before her stood a young man dressed in light, revealing attire.
His face bore an innate nobility and arrogance, and his crimson eyes now regarded her with a flicker of confusion.
Gilgamesh felt a knot of worry and tension tighten in his chest.
Siduri's disappearance during that time... had not appeared in the future he had foreseen.
...
Enkidu seemed somewhat dispirited after his conversation with Siduri.
Shortly after she left, he departed as well.
He moved like a gust of free wind. Though he came and went with a serene and elegant smile, there was an inexplicable sadness that clung to him, easily felt by those around him.
Yuto found it rather novel to have hosted two customers who didn't eat anything.
"Enkidu... he's a truly mysterious person," Rimuru remarked with a sigh after a moment of silence.
While Enkidu had been present, both Rimuru and Ainz had remained mostly quiet.
The natural tranquility that emanated from him had a calming effect, lulling them into a peaceful silence.
"I must say, I'm a bit surprised," Ainz commented, drawing Rimuru's gaze.
"Why do you say that?" Rimuru asked, looking at his friend with confusion.
"As I recall, the legendary Enkidu was said to be quite violent. I never expected him to be so gentle."
"By the way, Ainz, you really know a lot," Rimuru remarked, a mix of envy and admiration in his voice as he listened to Ainz.
The last time the King of Conqueror visited, it was Ainz who had explained who he was.
Now, Ainz had described the legendary image of Enkidu.
As his best friend, Rimuru felt both envious and a little disheartened.
'Why didn't I pay more attention to history in school back then?' he wondered.
"Not really. It's just that the game I used to play incorporated parts of historical legends, so that's how I know," Ainz admitted frankly, revealing that his knowledge came from a game.
This made Rimuru feel a bit better!
"A game, huh... Well then, let's spend the rest of our time playing games!"
Hearing the word "game," Rimuru set their next task, casting aside his earlier regret about not studying harder.
Ainz readily agreed.
Watching their interaction, Yuto let out a soft sigh.
He recalled the first time the two had met.
Back then, they would discuss things like how to develop their respective otherworlds. But now... they barely talked about such matters anymore.
Yuto stared at the handheld consoles clutched in Ainz and Rimuru's hands, a sudden wave of guilt washing over him.
He suspected he was corrupting them by buying them these things.
All night long, Ainz and Rimuru had done nothing but read light novels, manga, and play games.
'This... This... They're completely ruined!'