[3rd POV]
The temples of the gods were mostly destroyed, leaving only a few of them.
Most of the treasures were used for city-building, strengthening the military, and promoting international trade between nations.
The gods, of course, could only fume in silence.
Kyouya even mocked Ishtar's father right in front of her.
"If you gods are done with your work, you can bite a Noble Phantasm. Gilgamesh has plenty. Otherwise, just obediently do your job properly."
It would be obvious to anyone with a bit of common sense to choose between working and biting a Noble Phantasm.
Soon, a surprising scene happened across Mesopotamia: gods were serving humans under the king's pressure.
Whether it was Uruk or Ur, the national power rapidly increased, but that didn't mean the crisis was over.
"The country is becoming more stable, and it seems your power is growing stronger too."
On top of a high mountain, Gilgamesh and Kyouya looked down at the thriving cities below.
Gilgamesh sensed that Kyouya's power seemed tied to the people.
The stronger the nation developed, and the more the people worshipped him, the more powerful he became.
"Are you going to make your move?"
"Hmph~ Although I don't want to admit it, if you continue down this path, you'll undoubtedly become a major threat to me. This world cannot have two kings."
"You're right."
Kyouya naturally understood the principle that the heavens could not have two suns, but once war broke out, could they still suppress the gods' retaliation?
The people would fall into the flames of war again, and those cries of despair would pierce into his mind.
He hated that feeling, and his unsheathing of the sword was not for the people but for himself.
The two of them joined forces only to fight a common enemy.
They may have mutual respect as enemies, but there was absolutely no absolute trust in each other's backs.
"I'll wait for you."
"I won't make you wait too long."
Gilgamesh left.
They both understood that after this battle, their strength would be greatly weakened, and the threat of the gods would become hard to stop.
However, what does that matter?
Mesopotamia is too small, too small to accommodate both of them under the same sky.
[You and Gilgamesh are both prepared for battle, but you do not wish to start the war. You don't want to hear the cries of the people.]
[You understand that gods are not so easily tamed. Even with you and Gilgamesh combined, it wouldn't be enough to completely eradicate them.]
[You need a perfect plan.]
...
In the temple of Anu, the old Anu gasped for breath.
After witnessing Kyouya's "use them until they break" approach, he felt the harshness of the world for the first time.
"To treat the gods this way... damn Gilgamesh, damn Shadow, you will surely face retribution."
Anu pondered how to fight back against these two.
That day, the two of them teamed up, and under the threat of the two moons and EA, he already sensed a great danger.
The surrender was merely a temporary solution because he understood that this era would not allow two kings.
Gilgamesh and Shadow were bound to have a battle.
"I must make them start fighting quickly, and the one who will tip the scales of this battle..."
Anu planned to create a being with strength as strong as Gilgamesh. However, this time, he would make sure not to make any mistakes.
He would absolutely control the life and death of this creation and ensure that the being would not be granted any divinity.
"That's right, that thing doesn't need divinity, it just needs to be a weapon, a weapon that can be used against Gilgamesh and Shadow."
Anu planned to create the strongest weapon from the most inferior clay.
It needed to have a special power for dealing with gods and be capable of transforming into different forms, allowing it to unleash its maximum power anywhere.
"Ishhtar, how did your sister respond to us?"
Ereshkigal was never really important among the gods of Mesopotamia, but now, due to Kyouya's presence, this goddess had once again drawn attention.
"She said the child has grown rebellious, and she can't control him."
After a long day of labor, Ishhtar had to visit the Underworld again, lying on the ground like a dead dog.
"Rebellious? I think it's her who's being rebellious."
Anu's original plan was to keep Kyouya in the underworld as a replacement for the Wedge of Heaven at any time. But now, he had become a traitor, working with Gilgamesh.
"Fine, I now demand that you give your full support to Shadow. With your support, he will be able to fully fight against Gilgamesh. As for Gilgamesh, I will arrange for help on my side."
Anu had already prepared the situation.
When the two fought at their peak, Ishtar and another of Anu's creations would directly betray them and deliver a fatal blow.
At that time, the Age of Gods would return.
"Hehe~ All the humiliation, I will return it a thousandfold, no, ten thousandfold."
In the dark temple, the god Anu was playing with a lump of clay, pouring his power into it and giving it life.
He wanted it to become a powerful being that could rival Gilgamesh and help Gilgamesh in fighting against Kyouya.
"Your power comes from the people, and I will let your people all die."
As war broke out, the gods waited for their chance to strike.
The humans who had once rebelled would no longer dare to fight back, regretting their arrogant actions.
The lump of clay gradually took a human form but lacked a distinct face.
Anu then made it mate with a divine prostitute for three days and nights, gradually understanding human ways and acquiring a human appearance.
"Enkidu, this is the name I give you."
"Enkidu?"
The green-haired "it" had a very androgynous appearance, looking completely innocent and unaware of the world, like a newborn child.
"Go to Uruk. There, challenge the strongest person, become his friend, and do everything you can to help him."
With that one command, Anu sent Enkidu away as it was all that needed to be done.
In Uruk, the only one capable of facing Enkidu in combat was Gilgamesh, and after receiving Enkidu's help, Gilgamesh's power would undoubtedly grow significantly.
As both sides' strength increased, war was bound to become inevitable.
Can Gilgamesh sense that something is wrong?
Yes, even without Clairvoyance, Gilgamesh's instincts would definitely allow him to sense the danger hidden in this situation.
However, he also knows the battle with Shadow can no longer be delayed.
The more it dragged on, the stronger he would become.
Gilgamesh had no choice but to step into it even if it was a trap.
...
"Uruk? Fight? Help?"
Under the starry sky, a green-haired boy with a gentle, neutral appearance walked across the wilderness, his gaze fixed on the bustling city ahead.
After Gilgamesh started to control his actions, Uruk seemed to have returned to its original prosperous state.
The opponent he must challenge is inside the city.
To be continued...
...
A/N: Enkidu is a golem and genderless, but I will pronounce IT as he/him.
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