"That was an incredible battle!"
"Fantastic performance, I'm sweating!"
Gilgamesh stepped down from the battle platform, extended his hand to Eris, and she also jumped down. This battle was more than enough to stir the hearts of those old nobles who hadn't touched a sword in years, which was certainly disappointing.
"Haha, Eris!" Sauros roared with excitement as he watched his granddaughter's demonstration of swordplay. That battle made his drunken body feel cold; those attacks were definitely superior to those of the average knights. Without a doubt, his granddaughter had been well instructed in sword handling.
"Of course, I am amazing!" Eris puffed her chest with pride as she received congratulations from her grandfather and parents. She felt happy; she had never received so many honest and heartfelt congratulations before.
The banquet continued peacefully after the combat had ended. Since no one else wanted to step onto the battle platform, it was evident that there would be no more fights tonight.
Gilgamesh remained seated at his table, and some brave guests dared to approach. However, there were fewer people around him now. As many had already resolved their doubts and gained more than just information, it was normal for them to discuss something more interesting among themselves.
Since Eris and Gilgamesh had finished their fight, tranquility had returned to the place because everyone seemed to have understood something very important.
And because everyone was here witnessing the behavior of Prince Gilgamesh, they knew that this boy's desires were aimed squarely at the Asura Kingdom's throne. By marrying the Greyrat girl, he would split the Notos family in two, and Prince Grabell's faction would weaken so much that in the noble struggle, his chances of surviving would be slim.
The real spectacle of politics and assumptions had begun.
However, Gilgamesh sat at his table, drinking wine and eating meat.
His aspirations beyond this were minuscule. After he resolved the last issues here, he would leave this place and travel to another continent. After all, he had heard rumors that the other regions were now under the control of the fledglings, and Uruk Towers were functioning.
As long as his power was spread throughout the kingdom, there would be no one who could escape the great purge that was about to hit this realm.
Gilgamesh was curious to see the reactions of those neighboring realms, but long before passing judgment on that, he wanted to see how those kingdoms behaved when the missing people appeared in their realms and whether they would support the unfortunate humans who had been teleported.
Moreover, if he had the opportunity, he would want to expand the Asura Kingdom and provide more development opportunities for other humans. In fact, that was one of his desires, albeit overshadowed by more pressing matters.
...
As the hours passed, everyone returned to their camps, and the party came to an end. At least for Gilgamesh and Eris, it was over; only the lovers of alcohol remained at a few tables, recounting their great achievements and worst tragedies.
Typical of men who drink too much...
After bidding farewell to Eris, Gilgamesh walked to his room, and when he looked outside the window, he saw Rudeus sitting in silence.
"This will be even more interesting," muttered Gilgamesh as he disappeared from the spot.
When Gilgamesh appeared near Rudeus, the latter seemed to sense him and smiled weakly upon seeing him. They weren't friends, but Rudeus felt that he didn't want to be on bad terms with someone like Gilgamesh.
"You don't like parties, do you?" Rudeus asked as he gazed at the stars.
"That's correct. There are more people than necessary, and most of them are a nuisance. Have you felt uncomfortable about the words I said to you when we first met?" Gilgamesh took step by step to get closer to Rudeus.
"Not really, but I believe you capable of doing anything if someone crosses you," Rudeus said with no fear in his voice.
"That's curious coming from someone like you. You have an incredible opportunity, yet you seem empty, like a lifeless shell. I'm good at reading people, and because Eris holds you in high regard, I'll give you some advice from someone who has seen much more than you ever will in your life."
Gilgamesh sighed and continued, "For every normal human being, death is something they cannot control. Life always leads them slowly into a deep sleep. When you realize that you're about to close your eyes, facing that immense darkness, everyone realizes that all those circumstances that once seemed like a challenge are trivial compared to the fact that they are dying and can do nothing to prevent it."
Gilgamesh's words undoubtedly spoke of the common sense that every human faces in life, opportunities to risk it all to learn, grow, share, and love.
"When you realize that you shouldn't try to please everyone, that's when you start living. But for many, it's already too late. Though you might not believe it, I'm good with others; I simply express gratitude when I believe it's necessary. I'm kind to those who are pure-hearted humans, but I'm a demon to those who still don't understand the meaning of life after many years."
"You, on the other hand, Rudeus, when you try to please everyone, at some point, you'll stop pleasing yourself, which means you're disrespecting yourself. But unfortunately for you, you've never truly felt alive since you can remember. And that leads others not to respect you."
Gilgamesh felt no pity for Rudeus; he simply did something his friend Enkidu would have done in his situation. But if in the future, Rudeus becomes his enemy, like any other, he won't be given a second chance.
"I am happy," Rudeus said in a voice as weak as a mosquito's.
"No, you're not," Gilgamesh said with a look of contempt. "If what you've achieved had been done by someone else, would you value it more than you value yourself? Remember, another person's life may seem sweeter and more worthwhile than yours, but you must value what you have accomplished. When you learn to live in the present and see yourself as a man, maybe then we'll be closer."
"Gilgamesh, are you like me?" Rudeus's vague question came from the depths of his thoughts, shaking him to his core.
"No, you will never be like me... However, you have the potential to become someone much better than before. Our lives exist on completely different levels. If you ever come to understand these words and overcome your inner darkness, maybe I'll tell you more." Gilgamesh disappeared, leaving behind a quiet ending.
If Rudeus were to become an Apostle of the Human God, he would undoubtedly die by Gilgamesh's hands. Those words he directed at him were a sign that he felt obligated to try to give him the push he needed.
It all lies in the hands of that adult who is learning to be a child, someone who has the opportunity to see the light.