"What you hold in your hands is a Noble Phantasm that will grant you incredible power beyond most people in this world. As you will be my right hand, you must possess power befitting of this world."
"Um... who are you?" Simon gazed at the weapon that had never before touched this earth and felt truly blessed.
Simon, who was still taken aback by this incredibly powerful weapon, stammered, "It still amazes me, even after having seen much of what you can achieve. I take pride in dedicating my life to your purpose in this world."
Although it was a replica, the weapon Gilgamesh had given to Simon was a valuable cursed sword with the effect of canceling the effects of spells for a short period of three seconds and replicating magic every six seconds, culminating in a unique attack that could split a mountain in two.
This weapon also possessed the authority of the Gate of Babylon. Once the user died, it would return to its original place. Furthermore, to protect itself, it was enchanted so that if there were any thoughts of betrayal, the weapon would automatically kill the user.
Gilgamesh, upon hearing these words from Simon, smiled. Then, he looked into the distance where the knights were training with their new swords and said, "I am just an extraordinary man. Do not call me God or anything related, for I am not. Both you and I are just men in this world."
"Are you sure about giving me this weapon?" Simon asked, still unsure if Gilgamesh was some kind of reincarnated hero.
"If you keep insisting, I'll take that weapon back to my treasury... It's a gift, for your past and future services in my name. With this, you won't be bound to me; maybe I'll go live on a mountain in another twenty years. You can live your life, find a woman, and have some children. We only need to deal with a very troublesome being, perhaps in the future."
Those words left Simon with a palpable sense of unease, knowing that Gilgamesh was something akin to a god, but he no longer dwelled on it. He saw Gilgamesh as someone capable of achieving anything. Being considered his right hand, he felt a growing pride in his body and was glad he had made the right choice.
"Mom, Dad, your son will become someone extraordinary beyond this realm. Someone who will stand by the brightest man in this world, and I will bring glory to our family name." Simon clutched the necklace around his neck and went to train with the guards.
...
Inside Gilgamesh's mansion.
"How long will you keep hiding?" Gilgamesh's voice resonated in the spacious place, empty of people, and from the depths of the darkness emerged a petite figure – the woman who had attempted to assassinate him.
"It seems you've made a decision. However, if you wish to stay by my side, we'll make an oath of protection and service." Gilgamesh snapped his fingers, and two golden daggers emerged from his ripples. He then walked toward the assassin and said, "From now on, you shall be called Ana. You will work for me, and in return, I will take care of every girl you bring to my mansion."
"Of course, we won't go around kidnapping people... What I mean is, I'll create an orphanage. There, they will have food, protection, and receive education, all thanks to my great generosity." Gilgamesh's words seemed devoid of emotion, as if what he was doing was a matter of honor for others.
What he wanted to establish now was a field of protection. He aimed to gain the favor of the needy, caring for the people whom the nobles had forgotten to protect. Although this city was one of the largest and wealthiest in the world, it had its impoverished sides like any kingdom ruled by simians.
But no one did anything because in this realm, slaves were the most precious asset, and on that point, Gilgamesh did not disagree. Every living being has a purpose in life, and now, the future slaves would find a purpose on their path to do things for him.
From Gilgamesh's perspective, this was a win-win situation, so this time, he was not doing it all for his own benefit.
"Believe it or not, I am changing, so I want to be different from the other filthy nobles in this realm who have tortured and hurt you. It seems there's still some love left in your heart, so you will follow me from now on."
Gilgamesh watched Ana hold the daggers and show no expression on her face. After all, she had a broken soul. But after a few seconds, she said, "I... I will follow... I just want food and not to kill anyone other than nobles."
"It's a deal!" Gilgamesh looked Ana up and down and pointed out, "By the way, wear more clothing on your body; they'll think I'm a damn pervert. Winter is approaching, and you'll be cold if you continue like this."
"Oh, okay." Ana nodded as she looked at the golden daggers in her hands.
After walking a few minutes, Gilgamesh frowned and turned to Ana. "I said follow me, but not in a literal sense. You can do whatever you want in the mansion. Read books, learn some etiquette from the maids, or delve into history... as long as what you want can be provided, there won't be any issue."
Ana watched as Gilgamesh walked away, her still-confused eyes scanning the grand hall of the mansion, and she said, "I can't read..."
...
In the individual rooms of the knights, located in a separate building from the main one, Alastor lay in a clean bed, every part of his body twitching.
"Stay with me, my dear grandson..."
"Don't worry, your grandfather will become a Sword God in your name..."
Gilgamesh had seen that Alastor had lived a life full of challenges and losses, but his determination to keep improving despite his old age defined him. From his youth, he had never had a burning desire for the sword and only wished to live off farming.
Such a humble lifestyle had taken him through life's ups and downs.
His story began in a small village, where he grew up amidst the tranquility of the countryside and the warmth of his family. He married a beautiful wife, and together they built a life full of love and happiness. But tragedy struck when his wife fell from a cliff, leaving a void in his heart that he could never completely fill.
Despite his pain, Alastor found the strength to carry on for his son, who was his reason for living. Raising his son alone was a challenge, but he did it for the sake of his wife's memory and the love he held. His son grew up and got married, and Alastor finally experienced the joy of becoming a grandfather when his grandson was born.
However, fate had cruel plans. A fateful robbery took the life of his son and daughter-in-law, leaving Alastor with the responsibility of raising his grandson, who became the last spark of light in his life. Alastor cared for him diligently, instilling in him values of strength, honor, and perseverance. From an early age, the grandson expressed his desire to become the world's greatest swordsman, a dream that Alastor supported with all his heart.
Years passed, and the grandson grew, training under his grandfather's guidance. The two shared endless hours of practice, forging a strong and unique bond. Alastor saw in his grandson the potential for a bright and promising future and believed in him with unwavering fervor.
However, life is sometimes unfair. Illness took Alastor's grandson, robbing him of the dream he so dearly wished to fulfill. On his deathbed, the young man said that even if he couldn't fulfill his own dream, Alastor would do it for him. That child only sought for his grandfather to keep on living, as if he weren't with him, his grandfather would die shortly after he did.
Those words became a sacred oath, and Alastor pledged to honor his grandson's memory by becoming the Sword God he couldn't be himself.
With unwavering determination, Alastor began his rigorous training. Despite his advanced age, his sturdy body and unbreakable willpower led him through unimaginable challenges. Every strike, every sword movement, was an expression of his dedication to his grandson and his firm desire to fulfill his promise.
As time passed, Alastor showed everyone that age was not an insurmountable limitation. His skill with the sword grew every day, but he was, after all, an old man who was losing strength with each passing day.
When he visited the place where a ten-year-old boy was fighting against a Sword King, his sword told him that this child could make him a Sword God.
And his sword had not been wrong!