"One percent."
"30%!"
"One percent."
"…25%."
"One percent."
"…20%."
"One percent."
"...…(gritting teeth) One and a half percent."
"Make a deal."
"Hmmmm... I always feel like I'm being deceived. Is this some sort of illusion?"
"I really don't understand why Ishtar needs so many seemingly useless things..."
Ophis sighed as she observed Ishtar's internal struggle, biting her nails in frustration.
"Since you think it's useless, why not just give it all to me!?"
"Impossible. Having more would permanently damage the essence of the treasure house."
"Tsk, this is a treasure trove said to be worth all of humanity's wealth, but it's truly useless."
Seeing Ishtar's predicament, the corners of Ophis's mouth twitched.
In reality, if Ophis could, she'd gladly give all the treasures to Ishtar—they were things she had no use for.
The treasure, once completed, was said to be equivalent to all the wealth humanity would accumulate until the end of time... but it was never completed!
In fact, humanity's most valuable asset is wisdom, and Ophis's treasury could be considered the 'source of human wisdom.' As long as this concept persists, even if incomplete, the treasury would gradually finish itself. However, if the treasures fell below a certain level, nearly all items, including the highest-level ones, would be lost if broken.
The most critical point was that Ophis's strongest attack method, EA, relied on the items in her treasury. Reducing the treasury would significantly weaken EA's power.
"Anyway, once you run out, you'll be given unlimited supplies."
Finally, Ophis sighed.
Ishtar wanted the gems... mostly for show rather than for practical use. Although Ishtar seemed to need the gems for combat due to her possession, given the current consumption rate...
It might not be fully used until King Arthur's time.
By then, Ophis's treasure would have been replenished.
"Oh! You said it, so don't regret it!"
Ishtar, who had been somewhat despondent, brightened up at Ophis's promise. Excited, she crushed the gem she had just received in her hand.
"My gem!!!"
"…"
Seeing this, Ophis sighed again.
Maybe... even if the demand was small, if anyone could use them up quickly, it would be this goddess.
Throwing another gem to Ishtar, Ophis turned and walked into the temple.
"What was promised to Ishtar will be delivered. The temple and the bedroom (Ianna) dedicated to Ishtar in Uruk have been prepared and can be moved into at any time... Have someone bring all the recent reports to the temple."
Ophis directed the soldier who was observing the goddess and waiting for her fate. The soldier nodded in relief and left quickly.
"Hey... you just came out, why are you going back again?"
Ophis glanced at Ishtar.
"I wanted to take a look around, but I ran out of time."
"Is that my fault now?"
"No... it's just that if there were no Ishtar, there would be time."
"Now that you mention it, it does feel like my fault!"
───────────────────────────────
"Miss Enkidu... Is this really the way to Uruk?"
On a forest path, Ritsuka looked around, puzzled.
According to the doctor, Uruk should be to the south, but this green-haired girl in front of them kept leading them north.
Even though she helped them escape the monster encirclement, Ritsuka was growing increasingly suspicious of her seemingly erratic actions.
Even if she claimed to be Enkidu, one of Chaldea's designated potential allies.
After waiting long enough, Ritsuka decided to ask.
"It's okay, just follow me."
The girl who identified herself as Enkidu smiled gently, showing no irritation at Ritsuka's doubts.
"Master, I have a bad feeling about this."
Lily whispered in Ritsuka's ear, her brow furrowed in concern.
"Even Lily..."
Roman's expression grew serious but he quickly masked it.
Ignoring the unease of his companions, Ritsuka pondered over the girl's intuition, which had saved them countless times in the past.
"But even so..."
Mash also overheard the conversation.
"We've just witnessed Miss Enkidu's strength... If she wanted to attack us, there'd be little we could do..."
They all understood the gravity of the situation.
"You all seem quite worried."
At that moment, Enkidu's voice interrupted their thoughts.
"Well?"
The trio turned to face her.
"Did you overhear us?"
"Well... I could guess from your expressions. Don't worry, if you're concerned about the direction, there's a dock with boats down this path. If you follow the river, you'll soon reach Uruk."
As the group looked somewhat embarrassed, Enkidu offered a reassuring smile.
"Just a little further, and we'll get through here..."
Before Enkidu could finish, a new voice cut in.
"Oh, really? I heard some good news. I didn't realize there was a dock right here!"
Lily's hand, which had been raised defensively, trembled as she nearly dropped her sword.
"This voice…"
"Senior, someone is approaching! That person is... seems to be somewhere..."
No one noticed Lily's reaction. Everyone's attention was drawn to a man in a white robe who emerged from the woods, accompanied by a little girl in a black robe with cat ears.
"Hello everyone, sorry to surprise you. Hey, little girl, put down your sword. We're not suspicious people. We're simply lost forest wanderers. If I hadn't found you, we might have ended up as monster food. Right, Anna? I said it would be fine to follow me, didn't I?"
The man in the white robe ignored everyone's curious stares and began introducing himself. The group eyed the 'victim'—neatly dressed yet in outdated and rather suspicious attire—with increasing skepticism.
Meanwhile, Enkidu continued to smile with narrowed eyes.
"Really? Victims... We're heading to Uruk next. If you don't mind, why not travel with us?"
"Of course, I would have joined you even if you hadn't invited me. But I must ask, could you tell me your name, young lady? Ah, I should mention that, for some reason, I can't give my own name. The same goes for the girl beside me."
Enkidu's expression hardened slightly, but she maintained her calm smile.
"I'm Ritsuka... These are Mash and Lily, and the one next to them is Enkidu..."
Ritsuka began to introduce themselves, noticing Lily nodding slightly.
However, as soon as the name 'Enkidu' was mentioned, a drastic change occurred.
Enkidu's expression grew icy. She stomped her foot on the ground, and countless spears erupted from the earth, targeting Ritsuka, his companions, and Merlin!
The man in the white robe, his eyes now fully open, swiftly brandished a staff that had appeared in his hand. He deflected the spears with ease, then drew a long sword glowing with golden light from his sleeve. He cut through the remaining attacks and prepared to strike back at Enkidu!