The Demon Beast Frontline formation has been ongoing for half a year.
In these six months, the Demon Beast attacks haven't stopped for a single day. All the soldiers and Servants stationed at the Northern Wall have to stay vigilant against Demon Beast assaults twenty-four hours a day. The only rest they get is a brief few minutes during shift changes.
But today—
"The snowfield outside the Northern Wall will take at least three days to melt naturally. With that level of cold, even Demon Beasts will freeze the moment they step onto it."
At night, in Uruk's Ziggurat.
Nobunaga, who had hurriedly returned from the Northern Wall, was reporting the battle situation to Gilgamesh.
"With that snowfield in place, we won't have to worry about Demon Beast attacks for at least three days."
"Hmm."
Gilgamesh nodded and looked at Naoki standing beside her: "You truly made a grand entrance… No, you've rendered a great service. Even if it's only three days, it's a rare chance for the Demon Beast Frontline to rest. You did well, Holy Sword Wielder."
"It's just a small help. I came here to do things like this." Naoki, visiting the Ziggurat for the second time today, said with a laugh. "If conditions allow, I could hold the Demon Beast Frontline on my own, but that might trap me in Uruk, unable to leave."
"Hmm… That would be excessive. Wasting your power on mere defense is too extravagant. I believe the best role for you is as a Firefighter."
"You mean I should rush to wherever there's a crisis?"
"With your sensory abilities, you can handle that, can't you?"
Naoki spread his hands: "Sure, of course. But in the current situation, I think a crisis will only arise when the Three Goddess Alliance actually launches an attack. At this stage, Demon Beasts can no longer pose a significant threat to Uruk, right?"
Five Servants gathered at the Northern Wall, the Authority Seal created by Gilgamesh, plus Morgan assisting in reinforcing Uruk's barriers. If the enemy only keeps sending Demon Beasts to attack the city, Uruk no longer has much to worry about.
"No, there's one more enemy you need to face." Gilgamesh shook his head. "Though it's only a rumor, many soldiers have seen it. If it joins the battle, only you and Nobunaga can confront it."
It?
"May I?" Naoki asked in return. "That person… you mean Enkidu, don't you? Is it really okay for Nobunaga and me to face them?"
Enkidu.
A divine weapon created by the gods in mythology, the Chains of Heaven meant to bring Gilgamesh, the Wedge of Heaven, back to the gods' side. They possess power equal to Gilgamesh.
After their first battle, Enkidu became Gilgamesh's close friend, together guarding Uruk, driving the Demon Beast Humbaba from the forest, and slaying the Bull of Heaven that ravaged the earth. In the end, their soul was shattered for rebelling against the gods.
That was something that had already happened.
But after the Demon Beasts began attacking Uruk, Enkidu, who was supposed to be dead, rose again and destroyed many cities in succession.
"If you're worried about this King's feelings, then I really need to split open your head and see if something's missing." Gilgamesh said angrily. "Whether it's truly Enkidu or not, it is now undoubtedly an enemy of Uruk, and that makes it an enemy of this King. You just need to use all your strength to crush it again."
Crush it again?
(What are you really thinking deep down?)
"Since you think that way, I'll do it. If I encounter Enkidu, I'll shatter them to pieces."
"That's better. Now, stand down. This King still has state affairs to attend to. Nobunaga, since the Northern Wall is temporarily secure, reduce the number of Servants on guard to three. Let two rest in rotation each day—even Servants can tire if mental fatigue keeps piling up."
"Understood!"
After responding, Nobunaga left the throne room with Naoki and headed outside the Ziggurat.
Looking up at the night sky, Naoki stretched his arms and legs slightly: "The sky's completely dark now… Fujimaru must be done too. It's almost time for dinner. Nobu, want to join us for dinner at my place?"
"Nobu?"
Nobunaga frowned: "You're calling me that?"
"Yeah. Your full name is way too long. This is shorter and easier to understand."
"That makes sense—No, no, no. A nickname like that might be fine in private, but not at official events, right? Are you the type to get chummy so easily?" Nobunaga held her forehead. "Have you forgotten that not long ago, we were practically enemies fighting for life and death? Besides, I don't particularly like you."
Fighting for life and death?
Naoki clapped his hands and laughed: "Oh, you mean our encounter in the Tokyo Singularity? Even if a fight had broken out, you'd definitely be the one to die. I can't die, after all—there's no way Nobu could kill me."
"Even though I know that's probably true, it still really pisses me off. I really want to shoot you right now."
"That'd probably hurt a lot, so I'll pass. My personal mystery level is pretty high—Anyway, want to join us for dinner? I think Rei's already prepared it. You can meet my friends while you're at it."
"Friends? That succubus's Chaldea?"
Naoki nodded: "Exactly. Since Gilgamesh plans to use me as a trump card for critical moments, they're the ones who'll have to fight alongside you in the daily battles against the Demon Beasts."
"The last Master of humanity?" Nobunaga pondered for a moment. "Hmm, fine. Let me go see what kind of person they are. They're a descendant from my country, after all. As their predecessor, I should give them a little warning!"
"Then invite Tomoe Gozen and the others too. I think Fujimaru would be thrilled to meet ancient Japanese heroes like you all."
"Eh? But they're still at the Northern Wall, aren't they? That's pretty far from here—"
Before Nobunaga could finish, a flash of white light passed before her, and she was shocked to find herself instantly transported from the Ziggurat back to the camp below the Northern Wall.
"Spatial Movement—I'm pretty good at this sort of thing."
Hearing Naoki's explanation, Nobunaga's jaw practically dropped.