[3rd POV]
[You were not killed by Gilgamesh. After learning about his plan, you were surprised.]
"Heh~ This ridiculous expression of yours is the first time I've seen it."
The battle was over, and Gilgamesh revealed his plan, clearly surprising Kyouya.
It was the first time he had shown such an expression since they met.
"You instinctively seek to rule for longer."
"That's right, but then what?"
Gilgamesh laughed freely.
"I can live on, even continue to live forever with the Potion of Youth I found before, but wouldn't that make me another god?"
He had already asked Enkidu this question and had his answer long ago.
"I will grow old, and I will die. When I grow old, perhaps I won't have the same decision-making ability as I do now, and humans will need to take responsibility for themselves."
The two of the "Wedge of Heaven" broke their purpose simultaneously and planned to return the power to control fate to humans.
Even if there are future tyrants or foolish kings, that will be the choice of humanity itself, not something forced upon them by the gods.
"Even if it costs your life?"
"Yes, even if it costs my life."
Gilgamesh hid his arrogance and looked seriously at him.
"Afterward, this king will 'kill' you, establish great achievements, and at the peak of this great plan, I will need you to destroy everything."
Killing the invincible Gilgamesh—such an achievement would be enough to shock future generations for hundreds of years.
More importantly, Gilgamesh had found the Potion of Youth.
"Because of this arm, I can feel what you carry with you every moment. If it were you, maybe gaining immortality would be a good thing."
This constant connection with the people drives Kyouya to become a sharp blade, always hanging over the heads of future tyrants.
"Not interested. You said before that the choice should be left to humanity, right?"
Kyouya took the Potion of Youth and tossed it into the river.
Whoever is lucky enough can pick it up.
[You've given up the future of immortality, the dream that countless emperors longed for. You threw it away because you understand that you're just an ordinary person who can't stand the cries of pain, and so you picked up your sword.]
[If it's not possible, you don't want to be an emperor nor become a god. You just want to live a happy, carefree life.]
[You acknowledge Gilgamesh, and he has also acknowledged you.]
"Then what should we do next?"
"What else is there to say? Of course, it's to 'kill' you."
After that day, Gilgamesh appeared before everyone with the "body" of the Holy King of the Moonlight, declaring his victory.
[You hide among the crowd, watching the various expressions of the people. You realize that it doesn't matter who becomes the king, what matters to the people is simply living a peaceful life."
[You are the same. You are just an ordinary person.]
[Time passes, fear and prosperity spread throughout Uruk, and the people walk like those on a tightrope, with heaven and hell on either side, but they cannot tell the difference.]
[The festival has begun.]
The altar, built by Gilgamesh with the labor and resources of the people, has finally been completed.
During this time, Gilgamesh has been preparing a successor for the kingdom while also deciding to face death.
[At the most crucial moment of the festival, you made your appearance. You could feel the gazes around you—surprise, fear, excitement… a mixture of emotions rushed towards you, but your eyes were fixed only on Gilgamesh.]
[The battle began... The clash between you and Gilgamesh was so intense that no one dared approach or try to see what's happening.]
"Little brother, how does it feel now? This is the final act that I planned. Are you satisfied with this?"
Gilgamesh laughed wildly, his laughter more reckless and free than ever before.
Their battle, if it could be called that, was more like playful teasing between brothers.
"Gilgamesh, it turns out I still hate you the most."
Yes, Kyouya hated him. Even though they could trust each other in life-and-death moments, they still couldn't stand each other.
"But for someone as arrogant and powerful as you are, how can I not respect that?"
This is the cruelest of strategies, sacrificing Gilgamesh's life in exchange for a century of peace for the future.
Is it worth it?
"Yes, it's worth it. This is my promise, a better future. I will surely make it happen, and this is about sending a message to the future kings."
A king's promise is heavier than a thousand mountains.
"Damn it, are you gonna make a move or keep stalling?"
"Then I'll kill you."
Kyouya constructed a sword with his hands together and used all his strength to chop off Gilgamesh's head in one blow.
It was over.
He held Gilgamesh's head in his hand, and even in death, the proud man still smiled even when he chose his own death.
[You announced Gilgamesh's death to everyone, sending a warning to all future kings. If they rule with tyranny, even someone as powerful as Gilgamesh will fall, let alone others.]
[You felt the love of the people. They saw a hero willing to fight for them.]
[You felt the fear of the kings. They saw the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.]
[And you... you only felt emptiness.]
[No matter what happened, you ended up acknowledging Gilgamesh, and killing him with your own hands was a huge blow to you.]
[You walk through Mesopotamia, hearing the commands of the kings. Under your threat, no one dares to rule with cruelty.]
[Time passed, and some people didn't believe in the warnings. The next day, you took off their heads.]
[The fear again spread, and the world remembers your name. 'The Benevolent Hidden Emperor' effect grows stronger."
[You've grown old.]
In an abandoned village, an old man with one arm is roasting the demon boar he just hunted.
Behind him, a child stared at the meat over the fire, and his stomach growled in hunger.
"Master, you're so powerful, but why have I never heard your name before?"
The child looked at the slain phantasmal species, surprised at how easily humanity defeated them.
"My name?"
The old man murmured himself, then turned his gaze to the child.
"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is, do you want to be like me?"
"Yes."
The child's eyes sparkled with determination.
In his eyes, his master was the strongest, wisest, and kindest person in the world.
He wanted to become someone like his master.
"Even if this is a difficult path to walk."
"Yes."
"Then... you shall carry on the legacy."
[You have died, but the Holy King of the Moonlight still lives, living in the boy's sweet dreams, the nightmares of kings, and the hopes of the people.]
To be continued...
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