Boom────
The calm of Uruk's early morning was shattered by a sudden, loud explosion.
Despite the noise, the people of Uruk, including the soldiers, seemed accustomed to it. They continued with their routines, muttering phrases like "here we go again" as they went about their work.
At this moment, the central part of the royal palace, the heart of Uruk's power, lay in ruins.
Boom---
Another beam of light descended from the sky, blasting the rubble that covered the center into pieces.
Once the debris was cleared away, Ophis, who had been buried underneath, slowly regained her senses and looked up at the sky.
"How does it feel? Do you sense the burning love here?"
Ishtar was sitting sideways on a spaceship that resembled two bows and arrows tied together. Given the power of the light cannon, it was more accurate to call it a divine bow with riding capabilities.
"What's the matter?"
Ophis, surprised by Ishtar's sudden appearance, was taken aback by her beauty.
"You actually answered?"
Ishtar had been firing her cannon at the palace every morning for over three months without receiving any response—except for the occasional return fire from magic cannons.
Day after day, even the guards, once diligent in their responses, had grown indifferent. Yet, Ophis, who had never acknowledged her, actually responded today?
"Is that your limit?"
"Huh?"
Ophis looked at Ishtar with a somewhat gloomy smile.
"Ishtar... today should be the last day, right?"
"Oh? You knew that? I had a hunch. You seem to have a high level of perception."
Ishtar's expression remained mostly unchanged as she waved her hand dismissively.
"I don't know what that old woman Gaia is up to. She's rushing the sealing of the gods, which is really annoying. Although my power is very strong, it's still not quite on par with that Mother Goddess."
Ophis stayed silent. Since she wasn't familiar with Gaia, she had no insights to offer.
"So, what do you need?"
Ophis leaped lightly from the hole Ishtar had made to the top of the palace.
"Ah, yes."
Ishtar followed, jumping off her sky boat, Maanna, the Ark of the Sky, to stand with Ophis as they surveyed Uruk.
To be honest, Uruk wasn't very impressive at the moment. Construction projects were underway everywhere. Ophis planned a complete renovation of Uruk, expanding its outer perimeter and updating the interior with supplies looted from other cities.
The interior was being modernized with a new urban layout, while the exterior was built as a fortress.
Both had superior eyesight compared to ordinary people and could even see the troops being prepared and trained outside the city.
The size of this army surpassed even the largest in Mesopotamia at that time.
Everything was in preparation for a possible war.
"You've done a pretty good job, haven't you? Though it doesn't look impressive now, it'll probably become quite prosperous in the future. If it gets caught up in a war, it might become a very beautiful sight."
With her goddess's wisdom, Ishtar could see that Ophis was preparing for war. Though she didn't know who the enemy was, her role as the goddess of war compelled her to promote her ideas.
Naturally, Ophis ignored Ishtar's ulterior motives. After Enkidu's disappearance, while she didn't completely isolate herself from the world, she remained indifferent to matters she deemed unnecessary.
"I need your help with something."
"Oh? I didn't expect you to ask for help."
Ishtar covered her mouth in surprise, though her expression revealed she was already calculating how to benefit from this request.
Then she noticed the red stick Ophis held.
"Tell me, since I'm in a good mood today, I might be willing to help a little."
"Can you make the land south of Uruk as fertile as possible year after year?"
"...Ha?"
Ishtar looked at Ophis with confusion and frowned.
"I'm sure you're aware that excessive comfort can corrupt your people. I don't mind, but..."
"No problem."
Seeing Ophis's determination, Ishtar shrugged and said nothing more.
"Okay, I'm curious about your reasoning. The world's rejection is quite high now. If you use all your strength, you might only achieve a good harvest for three years, followed by a year of famine. Is that acceptable?"
"That's enough."
Ophis nodded. Her goal was to ensure enough food supplies for the war. As for the aftermath of the war... perhaps even food won't be needed then.
Seeing Ophis's resolve, Ishtar sighed in resignation.
"I can help this time, but remember, you owe me."
"Thank you."
Ophis's clear gaze made Ishtar look away, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"Is this the only time you look me in the eye? That's so unlovable."
As Ishtar returned to her sky boat, she glanced back at Ophis.
In the end, she still couldn't spark Ophis's interest...
"Remember, you owe me this time, and I'll collect on it in the future!"
Though her initial possessiveness had turned into mere obsession, Ishtar remained determined.
Gods may be fickle, but they are also persistent.
Meeting Ishtar's gaze, Ophis nodded. It was only natural to be asked for compensation after receiving help.
With that, Ishtar flew toward the farmland south of Uruk. Her form gradually dissolved into points of light, scattering over the earth.
"Also, remember to call me Ishtar next time!"
Her final words echoed between heaven and earth.
Watching Ishtar disappear, Ophis descended from the palace and landed at the main entrance, where the priestess was already waiting.
Recently, the priestess had become more proficient in her role as secretary.
"Leave the northern farmland abandoned and relocate everything to the south, including the herders. Then, redistribute the land in the south and ignore any objections."
With the army conscripted on a large scale, there would be no shortage of farmland, though farmers might be scarce.
"Your will."
The priestess had given up trying to understand the king's motives.
Nodding, Ophis turned around and noticed the palace, now in ruins in several places.
"Tear this place down and rebuild it into a disaster relief center. I will move to the Great Temple later."
"Your... Huh? Wait a moment, please!"
Ignoring the priestess's astonishment, Ophis disappeared, leaving her alone, bewildered.
"Disaster relief center... disaster?"