As the magic array dimmed, Gilgamesh leaned back on his throne, pressing his fingers to his brow.
"King, there's a matter that requires your decision."
"During the time the Shepherd Priest was acting as regent, he approved a directive that left no official record, yet it involved an enormous investment of manpower and resources."
"Right now, all the able-bodied youths gathered from Ur and Eridu have already been deployed to an undisclosed location for this mission."
"Just now, General Tim, the one leading the operation, arrived and said it's still not enough. He's requesting another batch of supplies."
Siduri stepped forward with a troubled expression, clay tablet in hand. Seeing the King of Heroes silent for some time, she hesitantly spoke.
"Perhaps we should reconsider—"
"How much does he need?"
Snapping out of his thoughts, Gilgamesh raised his hand to halt her and asked directly.
"According to the records on the tablet, at a conservative estimate, it would require one-third of the Sacrificial Grounds' supplies and a quarter of the rare materials stored in the Babylonian Treasury."
The Head Priestess looked visibly uncomfortable, slightly regretful that they had pushed the Shepherd Priest onto the throne during the emergency.
"Take half from the Sacrificial Grounds. And from the Babylonian Treasury—give him triple the requested amount!"
"Also, mobilize 2,000 young men and 70 Magus to escort the shipment. Tell them not to return. From now on, they'll follow Tim's command."
"Huh? That's..."
The sheer extravagance of such a decision left Siduri momentarily speechless.
"I liked what he told Merlin."
"'Don't use those you distrust. Don't doubt those you use.'"
"Samael isn't an idiot. Whatever he's doing, he has his reasons."
"If we've chosen to trust him, then why not go all in with our support?"
Gilgamesh rested his chin on one hand, his tone easygoing and confident.
"But with the heavy rain, we've already lost part of our supplies, and the reinforcements from other regions aren't enough to keep up."
"If we continue distributing at this rate, Uruk's reserves won't even last three months."
"Your Majesty, isn't this a bit too reckless?"
Siduri, in charge of logistics, felt her blood pressure rise just thinking about the half-empty warehouses.
"Enough. That's an order. Carry it out."
With a commanding wave, Gilgamesh finalized the decision. Siduri could only accept the command and act accordingly.
Just as the Head Priestess was about to exit the Divine Tower, the King of Heroes seemed to recall something. Propping his chin again, he called out.
"Siduri, how's the preparation of the Fangs of Napishtim coming along?"
She stopped, turned slightly, and nodded with solemn affirmation.
"King, everything has been arranged exactly as you instructed."
"Good. Then go. And one more thing..."
"You're off night watch duty tonight. Get some proper rest."
The gloom in Gilgamesh's eyes faded slightly. He spoke in a low tone, then added,
"That's also an order."
Siduri nodded helplessly, took a few documents with her, and shut the Divine Tower's door behind her.
At that moment, the cold wind and rain swept into the royal court through the open railings. Gilgamesh rose and began to pace, eyes fixed on the curtain of rain engulfing Uruk, his expression dark.
Three months? That's enough...
Because here... we might not even last that long.
Then, with a thoughtful gaze, the sovereign looked out toward the northern wall—where the emptied ground had been drained and leveled. A faint smirk played on his lips, pride flashing in his eyes.
Kid, I've given you the best conditions.
Now let's see whose preparations come out on top.
...
Meanwhile, in the Underworld's flower-filled valley, Samael sat on a rock, deep in thought.
He didn't know how much time had passed before a soft hand gently tapped his shoulder.
"Thinking about tomorrow's assault?"
The Master leaned beside him and asked gently.
"Yeah. The plan can't keep up with how fast things are changing. It's getting tricky."
Samael nodded with a sigh, shadows gathering between his brows.
"The Three Goddesses can't attack each other directly, but I'll find a way to cover your advance outside the Blood Fort."
Seeing the furrow etched into his forehead like the character for "river," Ere resisted the urge to smooth it out with her hand and instead spoke in a soft, comforting voice.
"Sorry to make you worry, Ere."
Samael came back to himself and smiled.
He wasn't just thinking about the Goddess of Demonic Beasts. What troubled him more was how to protect Ana as best he could—without the Axe of Marduk.
But there was no need to burden his Master with those concerns.
At that moment, Ereshkigal, uncharacteristically gentle, softly shook her head.
"I don't dislike people who work hard…"
With that, her delicate hands gently cupped Samael's cheeks, tilting his head to the side.
"All right, stop thinking so much."
"Even the smartest minds need rest sometimes. It helps take the edge off."
"Who knows? Maybe after some sleep, a solution will come to you…"
Samael shifted to lie down, his head and neck resting atop his Master's knees.
"There, there... good boy…"
Her gentle voice soothed him like feathers brushing against his ears, bringing a pleasant warmth and a ticklish calm. Ereshkigal, satisfied, finally reached the furrow between Samael's brows and lightly smoothed it out with her fingers.
Adjusting the angle of his head with her thighs, she cradled him comfortably, and Samael couldn't help but give in.
The pressure he'd bottled up these past few days washed over him in a wave of drowsiness. As sleep crept in, the ancient serpent's eyes slowly closed without him even realizing.
But even in that half-conscious state, the worries buried deep inside him began to slip out in faint, indistinct murmurs.
Mother Goddess… some things are just too hard. I can't find the best answer.
No matter which path I take, some kind of sacrifice has to be made…
But I can't bring myself to make that choice.
If you were here, maybe things would be different?
Sorry… I let you down…
As night deepened and flickers of light shimmered around them, Samael unknowingly poured out the weight in his heart.
Buzz...
A soft resonance echoed deep within his soul—like an unseen reply, a quiet comfort—from the low vibration of that silken thread.
Aaaaa...
The next morning, it felt like a wake-up call from the Sea of Imaginary Numbers. Samael jolted awake.
Startled, Ereshkigal looked at the hand that had landed on her skin in his sleep. A hint of mock irritation flickered in her eyes.
"Hey... your hand…"
But just as the goddess of the underworld raised her face and gave a playful huff, ready to scold him for getting carried away, her gaze met Samael's—and froze.
"Your eyes!"
Samael instinctively picked up a shard of crystal to use as a mirror. In the reflection, his pupils opened and closed, revealing crimson cross-shaped stars that glimmered with an otherworldly depth.
At that moment, a burst of light exploded in his mind. Stunned, he stood still as the information poured in—then his eyes lit up with joy.
Authority Separation!
Now he didn't have to sacrifice Ana. He didn't need Marduk's axe. He had another way to face Gorgon!
Thank you, Mother Goddess!
Tiamom, you're the best!