Objectively speaking, the flow of time doesn't change. Unless affected by some ability that can interfere with time, the pace of time should be constant.
However, sometimes, from a subjective perspective, the flow of time can feel fast or slow.
When focused on one thing, time passes quickly. But if indifferent to everything, not focusing on doing anything at all, time will pass very slowly.
And now, the situation in Uruk was the former.
To face the upcoming War of Extermination against Tiamat, all of Uruk worked hard to prepare everything, and during preparations, they also faced continuous attacks from swarms of Lahmu.
Although Kingu and Rei were at the front lines to intercept, not all Lahmu were stopped by the two. Some Lahmu still managed to escape them, leap over the ice mountain, and launch attacks on Uruk.
This wasn't because their defense was weak, but because the number of Lahmu was too overwhelming. After all, Tiamat herself was an ocean birthing life. Naoki's attack also didn't completely burn away the Sea of Life, only suppressing its expansion. The Sea of Life itself was fine at all.
Therefore, up to now, Lahmu continued to swarm out from Tiamat's main body, even undergoing self-evolution during the production process, growing wings on their backs to climb the ice mountain.
So, during this period, Uruk continuously prepared for war and fought against the Lahmu swarms' attacks.
And in the blink of an eye, when people realized it, the dawn of the third day had arrived.
As the sky emitted the white light of dawn, at Uruk's southern-facing city gate.
"Alright, we're heading out."
Ritsuka said to the several Servants standing at the gate to see them off.
This was the forty-eighth hour since Naoki left to hold back Tiamat. Uruk's preparations were nearly complete, and the remaining parts were enough to finish before Tiamat arrived at Uruk. Therefore, there was no need to let Naoki and the others continue delaying at the front lines.
[Escort Naoki and the others back to Uruk to rest]—this was the mission directly assigned by Gilgamesh to Ritsuka right now.
Merry smiled and said: "In terms of status, as his fiancée, I should be the most suitable to pick him up, but I have to stay in Uruk to deal with the Lahmu, so I can only ask you, little Ritsuka."
"Please protect him well, Ishtar, Quetzalcoatl."
"I know!"
Floating in the air, Ishtar nodded.
The three going with Ritsuka were Mash, Ishtar, and Quetzalcoatl.
Quetzalcoatl also smiled: "Don't worry, I swear on the name of the Goddess, I will definitely bring everyone back safely!"
"Mmm, then take care on the road~~~"
After saying that, Merry turned into flower petals and vanished before the four.
Ishtar clicked her tongue: "Tch, it turns out it was just an illusion. If I knew it was only an illusion, what was I afraid of... Not the person herself."
"Ahaha..."
Ishtar being afraid of Merry was something known to those close to both. Rumor had it they had a creditor-debtor relationship, causing Ishtar to basically be unable to hold her head high in front of Merry—if she did, her debt would immediately double.
Thanks to this, Gilgamesh often used it to mock Ishtar, [The great Goddess owes debt and refuses to pay, how shameful!]—and the like.
"Alright, let's go. I'll have to trouble you, Quetzalcoatl."
"Leave it to big sis!"
Quetzalcoatl whistled to the sky. Two giant Pterosaurs suddenly flew from the distance and landed before the four.
After mounting the Pterosaurs with Mash, Ritsuka looked toward the distant Persian Gulf.
(Wait a little longer, Department Head, we'll come pick you up!)
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Persian Gulf.
Here, there was no longer the beautiful bay scenery of before.
*⚡⚡⚡⚡*
What existed here was only a thunderstorm that seemed never-ending, and a continuously boiling and churning magma plain. Lightning, storms, fire... countless attacks continuously rained down on Tiamat kneeling in the middle of the lava sea.
This situation had been ongoing since two days ago.
Naoki's attack vaporized the spreading Sea of Life, stripping away Tiamat's path of movement. Meanwhile, Arcueid, to confine Tiamat here, released part of the power she used to suppress her bloodlust urges, using Imaginary Manifestation at full strength.
This thunderstorm was what she manifested, and it had lasted over thirty hours. Combined with the continuous suicide attacks she launched with a mutually destructive mentality, she finally succeeded in making Tiamat kneel again and again.
This was the full power of two Fairies.
With power that could even alter the world itself, plus support from the Planet itself, they succeeded in suppressing one of humanity's greatest enemies. The Beast that originally required seven Grand Servants combined to fight was now held back in movement by just two people, unable to take a single step for nearly fifty hours!
Flying in on Pterosaurs and arriving here, seeing Arcueid's figure still continuously attacking Tiamat below, and Naoki's figure already half-kneeling in the sea of fire, Ritsuka and the others were slightly stunned.
"Department Head... truly amazing to the point I can't find words..."
Their Department Head was indeed amazing, but Ritsuka never imagined he could be this incredible.
It was truly reassuring that such an amazing person was their comrade.
[Fujimaru, hurry. We've observed Natsukawa's power output starting to decline]
Roman's voice reminded Ritsuka.
[Currently, Natsukawa's output is only about seventy percent of the original. Even though he's a Fairy with infinite Mana, his body can't maintain maximum output forever]
"Then, let me bring him back."
Ishtar said, then flew Maanna toward Naoki.
However, just as she approached Naoki—
*SWISH!*
A sonic boom suddenly rang in Ishtar's ears. Then, a bright red figure suddenly dove from above, immediately launching a punch toward Ishtar!
*BAM!*
Though she managed to block with Maanna, the follow-up blow still made Ishtar feel like her body would shatter. She hurriedly clutched her stomach and flew back quite a distance.
After retreating, only then did Ishtar and Ritsuka's group realize who the bright red figure that attacked her was.
"Ah... Ah...."
Like a wounded beast that had lost its sanity, truly rampaging. Her eyes emitted blood-red light, her body swaying, floating between Ishtar and Naoki. Arcueid, with a extremely disheveled appearance, coldly stared at everyone.
"Ah..... Naoki..... protect..... Beast..... defeat....."
Arcueid continuously mumbled incoherently, while spreading both hands toward Ritsuka's group.
The next second—
"AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—!!"
The True Ancestor's roar triggered a terrifying storm and blows, along with the aerial thunderstorm, attacking toward Ritsuka's group!