Millions of treasures transformed into a rain of light, relentlessly crashing down on Tiamat. Each impact triggered a series of catastrophic explosions, while the Dingir artillery from all directions continued to barrage the Mother Goddess of Creation, forcing her to retreat step by step.
As for the two unfortunate Demon Pillars, they had already been reduced to ashes.
"I've been meaning to ask for a while... Is your magic power infinite?"
The Doctor asked helplessly.
Ophis didn't answer, instead collapsing onto the temple, gasping for breath.
"Little Ophis... are you okay?"
Ritsuka approached, worried.
Ophis shook her head and then gently pushed Ritsuka away. A red beam of light shot through the spot where she had just been.
Frowning, Ophis waved her right hand, and a massive sword, a hundred meters long, emerged from golden ripples, smashing down towards the Mother Goddess of Creation.
Even Tiamat was forced back a few steps by the sheer force of the Mountain-Slashing Sword... But Ophis couldn't afford to let it collapse, as it could easily destroy the entire city of Uruk.
However, after opening so many portals at once, while her body was on the verge of collapse and dragging the fight on for a full hour, Ophis had reached her limit.
But it was enough.
A white shadow gently landed beside Ophis, and their eyes met instantly.
"Sorry, I'm late. Leave the rest to me."
Conveying this message with his eyes, Kingu leapt forward without hesitation.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaa—─"
Sensing something, Tiamat roared, unleashing explosive magic that bombarded the temple, causing violent tremors. Ritsuka and the others were all thrown back, losing consciousness. Only Ophis, her body glowing with light and becoming increasingly ethereal, remained in place.
This time, it wasn't her ability to become intangible, but rather the imminent disappearance of the Dragon Goddess herself.
Another figure stood unaffected.
Kingu soared through the sky, his gaze sharp as he looked down at the Mother Goddess below.
"An hour? That's quite the challenge. Even at my peak, I couldn't manage that. But not disappointing one's master is a basic quality of a weapon, and..."
Touching his fevered heart, Kingu smiled gently.
"I can't let you continue this destruction, Mother."
"Kingu, the name of the Heavenly Chains will be revealed here. Awaken the breath of the
stars. Son of man, bind the gods tightly—Enuma Elish!"
───────────────────────────────
The Heavenly Chains bound Tiamat for a full hour.
It wasn't a mere slowdown or a pause—she was literally restrained for an hour.
In other words, if Ophis had the strength left, she could have killed the defenseless Tiamat hundreds of times within that hour... but of course, it wouldn't have been enough to end her.
This feat far exceeded the power Kingu should have possessed.
But there were limits.
"Kingu..."
Whether it was an illusion or not, Tiamat seemed to utter words understandable to ordinary people for the first time.
Then, the Heavenly Chains shattered.Kingu fell.
Ophis watched silently.
"...The phase transfer is complete. Now we just need to open the path to the Underworld."
At this moment, Ereshkigal's voice came through the Dark Mirror.
"Ishtar, I leave it to you," Ophis said calmly.
"King."
Siduri, who had awakened first, slowly approached from behind but hesitated to speak.
"Hey, is this really okay?"
However, Ishtar was much more direct in conveying the message.
"Isn't this a perfect ending? A heroic performance that will never be forgotten."
Ophis smiled slightly and shook her head.
"Since all existence must end, there's no need to mourn. The end represents a new beginning, and the glory she left behind is dazzling."
As she said this, Ophis looked at Siduri, and at Ritsuka and the others who were just waking up.
"The world is correctable. The existence that perished in the Singularity will not be resurrected after the Singularity disappears. At this point, it's clear that the fifth dynasty of Uruk's kingship will not continue. However, the sixth dynasty will carry on the Mesopotamian civilization. Even if the Mesopotamian civilization falls, the age of humanity will not end—instead, it will become more glorious, right?"
Looking at the approaching Tiamat, Ophis spoke slowly.
"Ophis..."
Facing Ritsuka, Ophis smiled softly.
"Yes, I must thank you too, Master of Chaldea. Thanks to you, many things have become much easier. For example, now, the task of defeating Tiamat must rely on you."
"Huh?"
Ritsuka was slightly stunned, then scratched his head, embarrassed.
"No, honestly, I feel like I haven't been much help in this Singularity, but... since Ophis says so, leave Tiamat to me!"
At the end, Ritsuka's expression returned to that familiar determination.
Ophis nodded.
"Is that so... Then I leave the victory to you, a stranger like me."
"Huh?"
Ignoring Ritsuka's confusion, Ophis looked up at the sky.
"Finally, let's bring an end to the Fifth Dynasty once and for all... Ishtar."
"I understand. I'll do as you requested and open a huge hole beneath your feet without holding back! This is the first time in a long time that this goddess has used her full strength. You better be ready! Mountains Shake, Stars Align—Ang Alta Kigalse!"
"King!"
Siduri stepped forward anxiously, but Ophis held her back.
"Siduri, you will be responsible for witnessing the end of Uruk for me."
"King!"
Ignoring Siduri's cries and using her last bit of strength to send her away, Ophis turned to face the Goddess of Creation, who was now only a step away.
"Beast II is right before us! King Ophis, please move aside."
"No, that won't be necessary."
Ophis looked up.
The scorching golden light shone directly above the temple.
[Even if he is the King of Heroes, he is still a hero after all... As expected, heroes never have a happy ending.]
In Ophis's mind, the rarely awakened Qi sighed.
The next moment, the light of Venus descended heavily.
"So, I donated blood to Ishtar?"
Suddenly, Ophis tilted her head, but before she could ponder this trivial question, the artillery fire engulfed her and Tiamat, piercing through the boundary between the human world and the Underworld.