"Oh, so Miss Jeanne saw that Enkidu, right?"
After hearing Jeanne d'Arc's account of the brief confrontation, Merlin clapped his hands with evident interest.
"Yes, according to the soldiers behind me, it can be confirmed that the enemy looked like the 'Enkidu' we know."
"So, Miss Jeanne! Do you think that is the real Enkidu?"
"Well, I've never seen the original Enkidu-sama, so I can't be sure."
Siduri, who had suddenly approached Jeanne d'Arc, stepped back slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I almost lost my cool there."
Siduri realized his excitement had gotten the best of him and retreated a few steps, standing behind Ophis.
"Hmm... This is indeed a major issue. If the opponent is the real Enkidu, then our King Ophis might switch sides in an instant, right?"
Siduri opened his mouth to argue with Merlin but then thought...
Damn, this possibility is quite high!
That's why she hated Merlin's nonchalant attitude!
"My King, you..."
"Don't worry."
In response to Siduri's nervous inquiry, Ophis waved her hand casually and moved to the main seat, sitting down.
"Enkidu has the ability to merge with the earth and move..."
Boom!
Before she could finish, a blue beam of light crashed through the ceiling, heading straight for everyone.
"Whispering sound..."
Ophis gritted her teeth, her face darkening, her eyes narrowing with intense anger and murderous intent. But this only lasted a moment before she returned to her usual, indifferent smile, as if she didn't care at all, and casually deflected the light beam with a wave of her hand.
Almost no one present noticed the fleeting strange expression on Ophis's face... except for Merlin, with his keen eyes.
"Hey, I'm here to join the fun again!"
Looking through the hole, it was no surprise to see Ishtar sitting on a boat of heaven waving cheerfully.
"Oh~ Is this the legendary goddess Ishtar? She is as beautiful as the rumors say."
Before Ophis could respond, Merlin leaped out and spoke first.
"Huh? Who is this frivolous person who looks like they deserve a good beating?"
"Such harsh words, Goddess of Love. Generally speaking, saying something like that to someone you just met would hurt their feelings deeply, right?"
Ishtar's disgusted expression grew even more pronounced.
"For someone like you, it would be better for your heart to be riddled with holes and then just destroy yourself rather than polluting this goddess's eyes."
"Ishtar."
At this moment, Ophis sighed heavily and spoke.
"What?"
Hearing Ophis's voice, Ishtar turned her gaze.
Then she saw dozens of streams of light flying toward her.
"Wait, this isn't fair... Hey, hey, I told you to wait!"
Ishtar's face darkened, and she quickly dodged.
Every weapon had a special attack function against gods. How could she play under such unfair conditions?
"Ishtar, they're the enemy."
"That's true, but you can't use such unfair methods! I was just helping you—no, I was helping Uruk clear out some wyverns that wanted to attack you!"
Ophis paused upon hearing Ishtar's last statement.
"Haha, what do you think? Surprised? Uruk was originally mine, and I alone have the right to destroy it. Those two snakes came in uninvited and broke the rules... Well, even though we have a treaty not to attack each other, those flying reptiles blocked my way. When I tried to bombard Uruk, they blocked my path. So removing them wasn't a mistake, right?"
Ophis fell silent.
She felt she should observe a moment of silence for Ishtar's teammates.
If she had to admit it, she too could be classified as a 'flying reptile.'
However, Ophis also realized her oversight. Although she had glimpsed the future, she had been so focused on the major events that she overlooked this minor aerial attack.
Though she could quickly repel the enemy even if they truly attacked, some minor losses were inevitable.
It seems that aerial surveillance and defense networks need to be established first.
But given the situation, she really owed Ishtar a small favor.
Including the original harvest blessing, she now had two favors, one significant and one minor.
Should she beat the other person into a nearly fatal state, capture him, and then release him as a favor?
But catching someone flying around would be difficult... so forget it.
Treaty? The other side had revealed a lot of information without them realizing it.
In other words, the three gods are unable to attack each other but are not true allies. Even the treaty has its limits.
It seems that even if the chances are slim, the method she considered might be feasible...
At this rate, as long as Ishtar makes a few more appearances, she should gather all the information about this alliance of gods.
After all, it would be better to let her go and collect information.
Most importantly...
Ishtar still has some affection for humans, as seen from her recent actions.
At least more monsters died from her bombardment than humans.
"I understand. I'll let you go this time."
"Oh, thank you... Wait, you sound like you've figured me out!"
"After all, what exactly is Ishtar doing here this time?"
"Does it even need to be said?"
Hearing this question, Ishtar puffed out her chest with pride.
"Although I was just passing by and clearing roadblocks, I also helped you repel the monsters perfectly. Shouldn't I be rewarded or something like that?"
"…"
Ophis really didn't believe that Uruk's buildings could be preserved perfectly after Ishtar's so-called perfect repulsion.
Besides, when did this person's standards drop so low that they came to mortals to ask for payment?
"Report: Dozens of wyverns seemed to be about to attack Uruk but were shot down by an unidentified flying object in the sky. However, the attack by the unidentified flying object also caused considerable damage to several houses."
"Who are you calling a UFO? Be careful or I'll make all the males in your offspring fall in love with only men and the females fall in love with only women!?"
"This... is the goddess Ishtar? King, please allow me to leave first. I don't want to become extinct."
...This soldier is so cowardly. If they're about to perish, where will their descendants come from?
But Ophis knew that even though they appeared cowardly now, if a real fight came, most of the soldiers would be willing to fight at the front, even if they were only cannon fodder.
She waved her hand helplessly, allowing the soldiers to leave, and then Ophis threw a gem to Ishtar.
"Oh, I'm very satisfied with this tribute. Remember to pay more tribute in the future. That's all. I'll come to visit you next time~"
"…"
In fact, she thought Ishtar would consider her a beggar.
Because, in reality, that's exactly how she saw it.
I wonder if the real goddess will view this period as a dark chapter upon her return...
And so, Ishtar left, laughing heartily.
This laughter held no significance for Ophis.
"Hiduri, contact the Priests' Court. Set up a barrier around Uruk. No gaps can be left in the ground or in the sky."
As if the recent events hadn't happened, Ophis continued issuing orders.
The defense of the earth... is to guard against that 'Enkidu.'
"Wait, King, which one is that..."
Siduri wanted to ask more questions but was stopped by Merlin with his staff.
"Well, King Ophis, there are some things that need to be clarified. After all, I am also very curious... Miss Jeanne, with your rank, should you be able to determine whether that 'Enkidu' is a Servant?"
Merlin spoke lightly, but his question hit the mark.
"Ah, yes. That one... shouldn't be a Servant."
Jeanne considered it for a moment and then showed a determined expression.
"Whether it's the ruler's remaining authority, the hints from Revelation, or the information provided by Enkidu herself, they all suggest that Enkidu is not a Servant... But she should not be human either. In comparison, the one now..."
Jeanne d'Arc glanced at Ophis, as if concerned about something.
"Weapon."
However, Ophis interrupted directly, stating calmly.
"It's just a weapon, nothing more."
Ophis didn't finish her sentence.
Enkidu was, and is, a weapon.
A weapon that is utterly unqualified as a weapon.
—Whether in the past... or in the present.