Jiang You glanced in King Hassan's direction and saw that he had already left. Although King Hassan's movements were always unpredictable, Jiang You couldn't shake the feeling that the Old Man of the Mountain was paying him a little too much attention. Given the game's lore, Jiang You really wanted to ask him about it. But since the other party clearly didn't want to talk, Jiang You had to let it go for now.
"The outcome is a bit different from what I expected, but at least it's a good one."
As Quetzalcoatl said this, Jiang You felt her gaze on him was strange, as if she were examining some rare curiosity.
"Is there something on my face?"
Aside from the cards, the only physical change Jiang You gained from this story arc was C-Rank Divinity. It was a mediocre rank with almost no bonuses, just high enough to take the full brunt of anti-divine counters. But he'd had this effect for a while now; Quetzalcoatl shouldn't be reacting to it only now.
"Just taking a closer look at the servant who accomplished the great deed of saving the world."
Quetzalcoatl dodged Jiang You's question, deciding to feign ignorance from now on. "Don't forget your promise to your Big Sister, okay? I'm counting on you for that wrestling tournament~"
"You're really planning to participate?"
Jiang You didn't quite understand Quetzalcoatl's enthusiasm for this, but he had no intention of refusing.
"Alright, I'll send you to North America when the time comes."
"North America, huh..."
Quetzalcoatl unconsciously contorted her face into one of her signature exaggerated expressions. "That's not bad either. It's been a while since I've properly stretched my muscles... Don't make that face! I know my limits. I'll properly restrain my power, but as for my technique... I won't be holding back on that, you know!"
Jiang You realized he'd forgotten to consider the historical baggage of that land. He could only hope those people would pray for their own salvation.
Jiang You grabbed Tiamat under her arms, lifted her, and placed her on the back of his mount.
Due to the conditions of the final duel, Tiamat's Spirit Origin scale had been restricted. However, this wasn't without its benefits—her intellect had been preserved.
After briefly explaining his abilities to her, Jiang You extended an invitation: "Tiamat, join us from now on. Let's travel through different eras and see what humanity has accomplished on this land. We may be your weakest children, but we will surely make you proud."
Tiamat looked at Jiang You. This man could truly represent all of humanity. His acceptance of her meant she wouldn't be rejected by humankind, which even stabilized her Spirit Origin somewhat. This brought her a measure of happiness.
"But... I tried to revert all of humanity to the primordial state before. Are you sure it's okay? Won't I be hated?"
Regardless of her original intentions, Tiamat was well aware of the consequences of her actions. Otherwise, she wouldn't have given the Heroic Spirits a chance to defeat her.
"Of course it's okay," Jiang You affirmed. "No child would hate their own mother. Besides, you're on our side now, aren't you?"
Throughout the entire conflict, the Lahmu had failed to inflict any significant damage. Instead, they were cornered on the coast by a group of Heroic Spirits and utterly annihilated.
As a result, the remaining survivors held no real grudge against Tiamat. The animosity toward Gorgon, on the other hand, was far greater. After witnessing Jiang You defeat Tiamat, Gorgon didn't bother greeting the other Servants. She simply returned to the annex where her sisters resided and resolved not to appear before anyone here again until the Singularity was repaired and her Spirit Origin was sent back.
"Then I'll be counting on you to show me around."
Since Jiang You had won, Tiamat no longer dwelled on her previous intentions. What mother would willingly end her own children's future?
On the way back, Jiang You encountered Goldie chatting with Kingu. No wonder I didn't see him after the Lahmu vanished, he thought. Given his personality, there's no way he would have missed the commotion with Tiamat otherwise.
Kingu, however, was lying prone on the ground while talking to Goldie, clearly indicating a battle had broken out between them earlier.
"Hahahahaha! As expected, This King emerged victorious! How could a useless imitation like you ever compare to my Best Friend? You're too green—you can't even control your own body properly. You might as well be melted down and reforged!"
Jiang You glanced at Kingu's chest. The wound over his heart had been filled in—Goldie had clearly used Uruk's Great Grail to serve as Kingu's new magical power core. Despite his harsh words, Goldie evidently held some complex feelings for Kingu.
"A male tsundere is a bit cringe, don't you think, Gudako?" Jiang You whispered to her, though he made no effort to lower his voice.
"Haha... haha..." Gudako, unable to express her true opinion, just laughed awkwardly to deflect.
"Ahem! Mongrel..."
Noticing Gudako's gaze also held a hint of something... else, Goldie coughed to hide his embarrassment.
"Since you're here, I assume the Mother of Creation has been dealt with! Hmph, even without you, This King could have handled something of this level! I'll grant you a sliver of praise... Wait, why is there another Servant? Honestly, little girl, that coiled hairstyle doesn't suit you at all."
Due to the severe Spirit Origin Seal, Tiamat's magical power signature was ambiguous, preventing Goldie from identifying her. Instead, he began critiquing her hairstyle.
"Oh, this is the Mother of Creation, Tiamat."
Jiang You answered for Tiamat.
"This is Tiamat?"
Goldie was stunned. He immediately opened his King's Treasury, preparing to attack. But he quickly realized the blank-faced girl showed no hostility whatsoever. He began circling Tiamat, then burst into laughter. "Hahahahaha! This is the Mother of Creation? More like the Daughter of Creation! Even Siduri is more motherly than her!"
"What an annoying child."
Tiamat's expression soured. "May I teach him a little lesson?"
"Be my guest."
Even in this state, where Tiamat could only unleash a tenth of her full power, she was far beyond anything Goldie could handle. Now possessing a great deal of intellect, she might even be more formidable than when she was driven solely by instinct.
The next moment, Jiang You watched as Goldie was blasted away by Tiamat's barrage.
-
Meanwhile, beneath the city of Ur...
Ereshkigal gripped her weapon, on high alert. The opponent in the battle above was none other than Tiamat. As soon as Medea sent a distress signal, she would need to coordinate with the other Servants to drag Tiamat into the Underworld.
"Ereshkigal, don't be nervous. You can do this!"