Northwest of Uruk, above the dense forest, golden and purple lights intertwined, creating bursts of gas explosions. Magic cannons powerful enough to penetrate city walls and priceless treasures flew through the sky with reckless abandon.
It really didn't cost any money.
After dozens of minutes, neither side seemed to gain the upper hand, or rather, neither was actually hurt.
Realizing that the battle wouldn't reach a conclusion if it continued this way, the two combatants halted in mid-air, facing each other.
"In the sky, Enkidu can't defeat me," Ophis said suddenly.
As long as Enkidu is connected to the earth, he is nearly invincible unless his core—a weak point—is exposed. However, once he loses the power from the earth and the replenishment of soil, Enkidu becomes vulnerable, and his movements are affected like any ordinary person.
Enkidu remained silent, his face expressionless.
Ophis wasn't surprised.
Enkidu didn't have the energy to respond. He had forced the remaining will of the true Enkidu into this entity to attack Ophis, while also struggling to avoid being assimilated.
After all, he was just a fake.
Seeing Enkidu in this state, Ophis sighed inwardly. Although she herself wasn't sure what she had hoped for...
It was as though playing with Enkidu in the past had alleviated some of the long-accumulated pressure without her realizing it.
But in the end, it was just a fake.
Five magic circles appeared behind Ophis.
Unlike the playful approach earlier, this time each of the five circles had the power to unleash a B-level or even A-level treasure.
Ophis narrowed her eyes.
She had enjoyed herself too much earlier. If she continued, she might actually awaken the "monster."
Let's make it quick and decisive.
"I didn't intend to kill you, but if you can't hold on..."
Ophis closed her eyes, remaining silent for a moment before speaking again.
"As expected, I hate seeing Enkidu unable to smile."
Enkidu was the only one who could reach her heart, so she had to isolate her.
To protect Uruk and humanity, all factors that could affect herself had to be eliminated.
All of this was done for Enkidu's wish.
Kill her for her wish.
The smile that had been on Ophis's face throughout the battle slowly faded, and when she opened her eyes again, there was no emotion in them.
Just as she was before meeting Enkidu.
A purple beam of light with a diameter of more than five meters shot towards the sky, dyeing most of the forest in purple.
After thirty seconds, everything finally stopped.
Ophis stared at the empty sky before her, silent.
On the ground, it might be hard to tell, but for Enkidu in the sky, a direct hit from such an attack meant certain death. And Enkidu's condition suggested that he had lost the energy to dodge.
Anyway…
"It's over."
Ophis announced quietly and was about to leave when she felt an extremely strong energy fluctuation.
A look of surprise flashed across her face.
When!?
"Hmph... I don't know what happened, but the sensation that had been affecting me suddenly disappeared."
Half-kneeling on the ground, Enkidu's emerald green eyes glowed with golden light, and a hideous smile spread across his face.
"You're right. Everything is over... Hear the roar of your mother! Feel the wave of destruction────"
Hundreds of chains erupted from the ground, rising into the sky with Enkidu. At their peak, they gathered in golden light, forming a spear-like shape that then... dove towards Ophis!
Facing the golden spear, Ophis's face showed solemnity for the first time.
Though gods might seem to play a minor role, their abilities are undeniable, and Enkidu was specifically forged to counter her.
For dragons, snakes, divinity, creatures that resemble girls, energy beings, kings, and entities like Ophis, this weapon was designed with her in mind.
Moreover, the original Enkidu had even breached the "non-interference" rule.
In other words, the Enkidu before her was a perfect "anti-Ophis treasure."
Such an attack could potentially kill her.
How to resist...
As the spear drew nearer, Ophis thought quickly.
If EA could work... but disrupting the space might awaken the 'monster,' a mistake she almost made earlier in her excitement.
It might not be too late to act now.
So… So…
It seemed there really was no other option.
Wait for death.
At that moment, the spear was almost upon her.
"────Mother, show the primordial sound!" (Nammu Duranki)
As Enkidu shouted, the ultimate move, renamed without permission, struck.
Just before being engulfed, Ophis suddenly smiled.
"Caught up."
In fact, after realizing Enkidu hadn't disappeared, Ophis had already reacted.
Although she didn't know the exact effect, she was prepared.
On the other side of the golden spear, hundreds of tiny golden beams fell like a meteor shower. If one looked closely, they would see various weapons hidden within the light.
Melammu Dingir────guards the supreme glory of Uruk.
The next moment, the golden light completely enveloped the two fighters.
"Oh, it looks like a fierce battle."
At the southern edge of the forest, countless magical beasts lay scattered across the land. Each appeared to have been torn apart or crushed by an immense force, leaving almost no intact corpses.
In the center, a black giant covered in blood stood quietly, flanked by a man and a woman.
"Is everything all right?"
Unlike Merlin's indifferent demeanor, a hint of worry was evident in Altira's eyes, though it was subtle.
"Ah, our mana supply is still good. Everything's fine, right? And there must be a reason why King Ophis didn't want you to intervene. Even she has limits on her mana output."
Altira nodded.
Indeed, getting involved in such a battle would require her to use all her strength.
If she had to supply such a massive amount of magic power to others while fighting, it would inevitably create weaknesses, wouldn't it?
But what Altira didn't know was that Ophis simply didn't want anyone interfering with their reunion, even if the opponent wasn't the real Enkidu.
"But why would she?"
After thinking for a moment, Altira asked a curious question.
Ophis was in charge of the overall strategy and usually wouldn't leave Uruk easily. She was well aware of this, even though she didn't concern herself with much.
"It was me. After meeting Enkidu, I ran off to find King Ophis."
With a casual smile, Merlin watched the golden meteor shower streaking across the sky, seemingly unfazed by how awkward his admission might sound.
"Some things just need to be resolved."