"…human…reason?"
After murmuring the words, Ophis snapped back to her senses and blinked in confusion.
Just moments ago, she had seen a series of rapid, fragmented images, and this phrase had flashed through her mind.
Though most of the images were unrecognizable and fleeting, one stood out clearly...
...the ruins of Uruk?
Ophis wouldn't make a mistake identifying a street scene similar to the one Enkidu had shown her.
Could Uruk be destroyed? Is this what Uruk has become, or is it a vision of the future?
Enkidu had been a little disheartened by recent events. What if she saw Uruk in ruins again?
Thinking this, Ophis stood up.
"What's wrong, Ophis?"
"…No, nothing."
Shaking her head, Ophis sat back down.
As soon as she thought about confirming Uruk's safety, she felt reassured that Uruk would be fine in the near future.
Clairvoyance, huh?
Ophis, who has studied magic, was familiar with this ability.
But it seemed a bit different...
"Hey, Ophis, what's that in your hand...?"
At this moment, Enkidu suddenly leaned in closer.
Though she didn't really want to interrupt Ophis...
The fire stick seemed too powerful to ignore... She had no choice but to ask when Ophis suddenly snapped out of her trance.
"Ea."
Ophis's reply was brief and to the point.
"Ea? Is that the name of this... stick?"
Ophis nodded.
"Is… is that so?"
"Well, it's probably a sword used to split the sky… that's the concept I have."
"Huh? That's pretty cool... Ophis got something good."
Enkidu smiled and patted Ophis's head, genuinely pleased for her.
"Um..."
Ophis nodded, still focused on the scene she had just seen.
At that moment, Enkidu suddenly stood up.
"?"
Seeing Ophis's puzzled look, Enkidu smiled.
"Ophis got such a great item; we have to celebrate... I'll go prepare some more food."
Before Ophis could respond, Enkidu jumped away.
"…"
Enkidu wouldn't kill animals just for food, so all she prepared were apples... What else could she use to celebrate?
However, Ophis didn't dwell on it and continued to think about the recent vision.
But her contemplation didn't last long.
"Ah, ho—"
Just as she was coming back to her senses from the sound, Ophis was knocked over by a figure.
"Wow, I felt this way from a distance, but up close, you're really cute!!!"
The woman buried Ophis in her ample front armor and began to rub against her without hesitation.
After being hit head-on, Ophis's expression remained unchanged. she simply kicked the woman off her.
"Oh my…"
"Who is it?"
Ignoring the woman's wails, Ophis looked at the figure before him.
Normally, she would probably ignore her, but after seeing Uruk in ruins, Ophis began to pay attention to her surroundings.
The woman appeared to be in her twenties, with long, flowing golden hair and captivating red eyes.
Her outfit was rather provocative: a silk sleeve on her left arm and right leg, with over-the-knee socks, making her attire even more revealing.
If not for the sacred aura of the crown she wore and the noble ornaments adorning her, Ophis might have mistaken her for someone less respectable.
Besides these, there was a divine presence radiating from her like the sun, and powerful energy emanating from her body.
"Hehe…"
Ignoring the wails she had made earlier, the woman lifted herself into a sitting position and placed her index finger on her lips. Every movement, though it might have seemed indecent in another, exuded a strong charm.
"Remember this, my name is Ishtar, one of the great gods!"
...
Ishtar raised her head and waited for a response but received none. Ophis had already moved to sit under a tree some distance away, staring blankly with a dazed look in her eyes.
Ishtar's eyebrows twitched in irritation.
She did have the ability to charm others, making them look foolish when they gazed upon her. However, though Ophis's eyes were dull, her gaze was not on her at all...
"Tsk, I knew you were slow to react to the outside world, but I didn't expect it to be to this extent…"
At this moment, some ripples appeared on Ishtar's body and flickered a few times.
"…It seems we won't be able to survive in the lower world for long like this…"
The world is gradually rejecting the existence of the gods...
This was also the reason why the gods, once extremely arrogant and untroubled, sent a wedge.
"Cut..."
Looking at Ophis, who seemed completely indifferent, Ishtar curled her lips.
The goddess had recently grown impatient with the inaction of this wedge and sent herself—one with a powerful ability to seduce—to influence the other party.
Of course, she had received many benefits for this task.
But... it was clear to Ishtar that this would be impossible to succeed. She realized this as soon as she saw Ophis and was kicked away by her.
Unlike Enkidu's inherent skill, 'Hero King Understanding EX,' Ishtar was somewhat able to understand Ophis's characteristics due to their similarities.
(The original story of Humbaba shows that Enkidu, despite having low emotional intelligence, can understand things others cannot.)
The dragon and the goddess are both egocentric.
Ishtar will relentlessly pursue someone if she is interested, regardless of the consequences.
If the other party isn't interested, they won't even acknowledge her.
Two extremes, both similar yet different.
Now that she failed to arouse Ophis's interest, it seems difficult to influence him...
Although Ishtar could have anticipated this outcome, she was still quite displeased...
Most importantly…
She didn't provoke Ophis's interest, but she was quite interested in him...
With a slight smile, Ishtar looked at Ophis with a determined glint in her eyes.
For a proud goddess, being ignored was a first. She had been rejected before, but never overlooked.
At least look me in the eye!
Even if it's with hatred.
Isn't it delightful to stain pure white paper?
As for her responsibilities this time? She had already forgotten them...