The Peace of the Hollow Shell
"—It's alright, Mother."
『...?』
"To have been created by you... to have been needed by you... that was my sole and absolute pride. It was the only reason I existed."
『...』
"—My wish has already been granted. This is our first real conversation, and... I never expected you to be so soft on your children. It caught me off guard."
『Kingu...』
"...It's a pathetic thing to admit, but I'm already reaching my limit. I'm shutting down; I can no longer meet your expectations. The only thing someone like me can do now..."
『...』
"...Is stay here and talk with you for a while. Mother."
Mount Ebih: The Cleaning Crew
"Lady Ishtar."
"Siduri?! What on earth are you doing here?!"
"When Lady Ishtar is in crisis, it is only natural that I hasten to her side. ...My, what a dreadful state you're in. Now, shall we begin the cleaning?"
"Thank you, you're a lifesaver! Seriously, can you believe that jerk Gilgamesh?! He actually—"
"...—— (Grin)"
The Day Uruk Trembled: The Audience of Kings
"Now then, wanderers from a distant land. The keepers of those club members. Once more—let me hear your names."
Seated upon his throne, the Wise King Gilgamesh looked down at the group, his eyes sharp and discerning. The Chaldeans exchanged glances.
"The King welcomes you deeply," Siduri said, stepping forward. "You are the heroes who have appeared to save our Uruk and all of Mesopotamia. Having heard the reports from the Buin Tribe, we have been waiting for your arrival with bated breath..."
"Siduri, there is no need to speak of my 'excitement.' It is a bit early for a Charisma Break."
"My apologies, Majesty," the High Priestess said, stepping back with a smile. It was clear that she, too, had been eagerly awaiting their arrival.
"BUHAHA!! I'll have to ask you later, Siduri—which King is more worth serving?" the Hero King teased.
"King Gilgamesh of Chaldea, please refrain from such jests. I would prefer to keep my head firmly on my shoulders, regardless of which version of you is asking." She brushed off the King's lighthearted threat with the ease of someone who held a truly trusted position.
—"A living Siduri-san... she's exactly as I remember. Always."
（She's the original, after all. —This time, I hope she stays in Uruk until the very end.）
Fou's somber thoughts reached Air's heart. She couldn't help but wonder what exactly Fou had seen in those other timelines.
"Agh! Stop ruining the pace, my foolish self!" the Wise King snapped. "You always try to turn everything into your own personal stage! Have some sense of the atmosphere!"
"Hmph. Do you really think I am capable of self-restraint? —Fine. As an apology, I shall allow them to witness my treasures! Master, step forward and introduce yourselves! I permit it!"
The Hero King laughed and gave the Master a resounding slap on the back.
"Right! I am Rikka Fujimaru! Master No. 48! I like communication and subculture in general! I hate prejudice! My motto is: 'If there's a will, I can even become friends with a God!'"
"Rikka Fujimaru... I see. So you are their trump card. ...—You are no ordinary human, are you?"
"I'm currently moonlighting as Azi Dahaka!"
"Azi Dahaka...? There is no such god in Mesopotamia..."
"A wicked dragon of a foreign faith," the Hero King interjected. "Do not underestimate her. She is, without a doubt, the strongest Master in human history—surpassing even the people of Uruk."
The Wise King raised an eyebrow, while Siduri gave a polite, startled cough.
—"Her true value is her soul—the way she connects hearts, whether they belong to gods or men, without hesitation!"
"—I see. I shall remember that, Rikka. Your chaos and your brilliance... use them well for the sake of Uruk."
"Thank you very much! Okay, next is Mash! Go, Mash-Mash!" Rikka nudged Mash forward.
"Yes! I humbly present my introduction!" Mash straightened her posture with deadly seriousness. "I am Mash Kyrielight! My Senior's officially contracted Servant! It is an honor to meet you!"
"This one's goal is to block my supreme strike, you know?" the Hero King added.
"BUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! What a bold claim!! Siduri, water! Quickly! My life is in danger—I might die of laughter!! Beneath that quiet face lies a true shark of ambition! HAHAHAHAHA!!"
The Wise King drank the water Siduri provided, taking a moment to regain his regal composure.
"T-Thank you! I, well..."
"It is fine. Stand tall, Mash. My wise self recognized your grand ambition and laughed at the sheer audacity. It is a rare thing to make a King laugh so genuinely."
"I-I am honored!"
Siduri smiled warmly at the exchange. "You possess a charm quite different from the fierce Lady Rikka... a serene quality. I look forward to working with you."
"And now, let me introduce the ones who support us from behind the scenes! First—Olga Marie!"
『Yes. —I am honored by the privilege of this audience. I am Olga Marie. The Director of Chaldeas and the lead operator for this mission.』 Olga Marie stared directly into the Wise King's eyes, stating her role with unwavering pride.
"A fine gaze. You look like one who understands the weight of leadership and responsibility. —Hero King, you've picked up quite a find, haven't you?"
The two Gilgameshes shared a look of mutual approval.
"One of the highest-quality treasures in my possession," the Hero King boasted. "If Rikka is the peak of Masters, Olga Marie is the peak of Magi. ...Her devotion is truly admirable. I've often wondered if she was Siduri's reincarnation."
『————』
『DIRECTOR—?!』
Overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the praise, Olga Marie promptly fainted.
"...A bit too faint-hearted, perhaps. Well, I shall expect better from her in the future."
『T-Then it's my turn. I'm Romani Archaman. I'm... well, I'm acting as Solomon.』
"————... Do you understand the implications of what you just said?"
『I do. I have nothing to hide. This form is the proof of my resolve.』
"...Very well. If your companions accept it, I shall say no more."
『And I am Romani's better half, Sibanyan!❤️ I'm currently blocking the Demon Gods from peeking into Chaldea!❤️ Nice to meet you!❤️』
"A woman who lacks patience," the Hero King added. "A tactician who jumped the gun to settle down with Roman. She holds Chaldea's ledger in her hands."
"A woman of talent whose name would be carved into history through trade and public interest, then. —It seems your rear support is top-class as well."
『And I am the universal genius! Leonardo da Vinci! Please call me Da Vinci-chan! I am one of Olga Marie's mentors! I raised that girl myself!』
"A beautiful soul. ...You truly have gathered a colorful group. But then, you are the ones tasked with saving the Human Order. Anything less would be insufficient."
Having finished the introductions, the Wise King considered for a moment before delivering his judgment.
"Very well. Warriors from the far reaches of time! I recognize your strength as indispensable to saving my era. —Here, in the name of the King, I designate you as my representatives and my allies!"
Instantly, a thunderous salute of ritual spears rang out through the Ziggurat. The decision was met with a roar of joy that shook the city—a celebration of the Kings' alliance and Chaldea's arrival.
"THE HERO KING AND THE WISE KING HAVE JOINED HANDS—!!"
"OUR DESTRUCTION HAS BEEN OVERTURNED!!"
"THE HEROES OF THE BUIN TRIBE HAVE DESCENDED! OUR STRUGGLE WASN'T IN VAIN!!"
"LONG LIVE URUK! LONG LIVE CHALDEA!!"
The Chaldean party was overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the welcome.
"They're cheering for us! They're actually cheering for us!"
"Yes! The hard work of the club members has finally led to this...!"
『They're already in the murals... In the future, there's a theory that Sumerians were aliens. I guess modern science never stood a chance of figuring this out.』
The cheers only grew louder, the joy of the people manifesting as a physical wave of energy that swept through the Ziggurat.
"BUHAHAHAHA!! Look at these spirited fools! Good! I allow it! Celebrate this historic moment—the survival of the Fifth Dynasty of Uruk! HAHAHAHA!!" the Hero King egged them on.
"Agh! You impatient lot! I understand your excitement, but be silent! We are in the middle of a meeting! I can't hear a thing! SILENCE! SILENCE, I SAY!" the Wise King tried to restore order with reason.
"Which one do we listen to?! They're both the King!"
"Just shout and stay quiet at the same time—let's just do what we always do!"
"Alright! The Demonic Beasts are gone, we've got room to breathe! Start preparing for the festival—!!"
Laughing, the citizens returned to their daily lives, their hearts lighter than they had been in months.
—"Everyone is so cheerful and wonderful...!"
（It's not just their bodies that are robust. I'm starting to think they really are aliens.）
"Honestly... your combat strength, your training, and the fact that I personally arranged this... I have no complaints about lending you my hand. —You've done a magnificent job, arriving with six months to spare before the incineration of the Human Order. Haha... are you trying to set a speed-run record?"
"We are just as swift here in Mesopotamia. Behold—the hegemony of this Singularity is already within our grasp." The Hero King snapped his fingers, revealing the Holy Grail—the ultimate proof of the confidence Goetia had sent to break history.
—"We summoned Marduk, repelled the Goddesses and the one calling himself Kingu, and secured this Grail, Wise King."
『Your efficiency is absurd! To solve seventy percent of the problem within seconds of arriving! —But then, they were the ones who attacked, and you merely countered. It seems their planning was shallow. ...Well done.』
"Ah... so our battle... it was actually... for something..." Siduri whispered, tears streaming down her face. To see the heroes arrive—the physical manifestation of the prayers and struggles of the people of Uruk—was more than she could bear.
"There is no need for tears! ...It is true that the Demonic Beasts were swept away, the Composite Divinity was broken, and the Grail is in our hands. —However, while seventy percent is solved, the remaining thirty percent is still a threat. You understand this, yes?"
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