"My king, the famine has persisted for a long time. Please make a decision."
A rare look of distress appeared on Ophis's face as he rubbed his brow. Solving a famine wasn't something he could easily fix—he wasn't the Eastern dragon who could control the wind, rain, and sun.
"Understood. Please leave for now."
Once the priest departed, Enkidu approached. Her usual gentle smile was replaced by a serious expression.
"Nature is angry."
"I will use my magic to form a barrier, spread it around to block the storm, contain the heavy rain, evaporate the flood, and minimize all disasters," Ophis said expressionlessly as he surveyed the ongoing calamities. He turned to Enkidu.
"Will this work?"
"Will it?"
Enkidu smiled bitterly. Ophis could sense the source of the disaster, but Enkidu knew exactly who was causing it.
Looking toward the cedar forest where she was born, Enkidu's eyes reflected sadness.
"Why are you doing this? My friend…"
"Enkidu?"
Ophis's call brought Enkidu back to the present.
"Ah…"
"Enkidu, you've been distracted today."
Ophis thought for a moment, then looked at Enkidu.
"Enkidu, if it's too difficult…"
"That won't do, little Ophis."
Enkidu forced a gentle smile and shook her head.
"Little Ophis, remember you are the king, and you cannot abandon your responsibilities."
"If that's the case… if Enkidu wishes it…"
Enkidu smiled wistfully. She felt that while Ophis had changed, he was becoming too dependent on her.
...It wasn't the time to dwell on that.
"Let's go check it out first," Enkidu said, shaking off her concerns.
"Understood."
Ophis nodded in agreement.
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Accompanied by the sound of breaking branches, two figures, one tall and one short, moved swiftly through the towering tree trunks.
It had been about three days since they left Uruk. The journey was long; for an ordinary person, it would have taken months to cover such a distance. Though neither of them was impatient, walking at a slow pace would lead to unpredictable losses for Uruk, which had lost the protection of Ophis's power. So, at Enkidu's request, they traveled at full speed.
They had now arrived at the woods where Finbaba lived.
Enkidu, usually so cheerful, was serious and silent. Meanwhile, Ophis, true to form, did not initiate conversation.
Yet Ophis preferred Enkidu's smiles.
She vaguely remembered the myth where Gilgamesh and Enkidu defeated the monster Humbaba, symbolizing humanity's victory over nature.
No, humanity cannot truly conquer nature—not within a few thousand years. Instead, it was more like a preliminary victory over the gods who symbolize nature. This event marked humanity's first step toward independence from divine control.
However, whether it was conquering nature or overcoming the gods, Enkidu would not find joy in it. As the darling of nature and a creation of the gods, she was the "lock" connecting gods and humans. She had no logical reason to help humans or defeat nature or the gods.
If anything, it was only her love for Ophis that drove her.
Ironically, Ophis's situation was the opposite. As a dragon, she had no emotional reason to assist humans. Although she now found them interesting, it remained a mere fascination. Like those who dissect creatures out of a genuine interest in animals, Ophis's interest was also academic rather than emotional.
Even so, as the king of mankind, Ophis had to resolve this crisis.
Both had reasons to act and reasons not to act. Ultimately, Ophis's decision hinged on Enkidu's choice.
While Ophis pondered, Enkidu was deep in thought as well.
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Enkidu was quite familiar with the monster Humbaba. In her early days, before she gained full rationality, Humbaba was her constant companion, along with the divine beings sent by the gods. They roamed the wilderness together, shared meals, and slept side by side.
After gaining full rationality, Enkidu planted her favorite flowers where they used to spend time together and asked Humbaba to care for them when she left.
Enkidu had unilaterally considered Humbaba a friend. While her closest friend now was undoubtedly Ophis, Humbaba was her first true friend. This illustrates the ancient truth that gifts from heaven are better than those obtained through other means.
What puzzled Enkidu was why Humbaba would cause such a disaster. Though she loved nature more than humans, she cherished the earth's nature. Creating disasters in the sky to punish the earth's creatures seemed like a mutual destruction. It would affect not only humans but also plants and animals.
"Roar—"
Before she could resolve her thoughts, a roar like a flood echoed from afar. Along with it came powerful shockwaves and the sight of giant trees being blown over.