[Declaring you would absolutely not become Ishtar's divine attendant, you observed the specifics of Mesopotamia while heading towards Uruk.]
[As you neared Uruk, Ishtar, realizing she couldn't make you her attendant, regretfully announced she had to leave, given her poor relationship with Gilgamesh.]
[Before leaving, she gave you a gem, telling you it was her communicator and to call her anytime you changed your mind.]
[Bidding farewell to Ishtar, feeling some fondness for the silly, treasure-loving goddess, you thought it would be nice if all the Mesopotamian gods were like Ereshkigal and Ishtar.]
[Entering the city of Uruk, as the Sun-Crowned King, you were a natural ruler. Your commanding presence quickly attracted the attention of someone in Uruk's royal palace.]
[It was Gilgamesh!]
"An unfamiliar face. Don't you know to bring a gift when intruding upon another's home?"
With a surge of immense mana, the citizens on the street scattered. Before Ryuya appeared a man clad in gold and white robes.
He was handsome, tall, and his every move carried the aura of a king. Just looking at him made it clear he was a powerful being, one capable of leading multitudes.
"A gift? Hmm... Does wisdom count?"
Looking at Gilgamesh, who stood as a perfect counterpart to the Sun-Crowned King, Ryuya was meeting a being of extremely similar stature for the first time.
On the path of kingship, the Sun-Crowned King was in no way inferior to the King of Heroes. The two were natural rivals and potentially natural closest friends.
"Wisdom? This king understands. You are insulting this king, is that it?"
Casually retrieving a treasure from behind him, Gilgamesh hurled a sword. Vast mana carrying the dignity of a Noble Phantasm shot directly towards Ryuya.
[Facing the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh, your response is? A. Fight him, let strength speak. B. Temporarily retreat, avoid direct confrontation. C. Use words to convince him you are not an enemy.]
["I choose A. Only battle can let this king understand my intentions thoroughly and satisfyingly."]
[Faced with the long-unseen choice prompt, you unhesitatingly selected the method most suitable for communication between kings: battle!]
[The battle began. Against Gilgamesh, having pushed the Sun-Crowned King's attributes to their limit, all your parameters were A++. Although this life lacked the bonuses from White/Red Dragon Bloodlines, Fairy talents, etc., you were still terrifyingly strong.]
[Simultaneously, having fought for over a decade within Rashomon, your combat experience far surpassed Gilgamesh's.]
[Facing such strength, Gilgamesh also exerted his full power.]
["A mere man, an unknown, unheard-of fellow, dares to obstruct this king?"]
[Was it because he encountered a powerful enemy? Or because it was the first time he faced the concept of potential defeat, causing his rage and roar?]
[Facing your presence, Gilgamesh launched all the treasures stored within his vault.]
[Swords, spears, halberds, clubs... and various rare gems and materials, all used to detonate mana.]
[Facing this spendthrift-like wastefulness, you thought if Gilgamesh gave even half these treasures to Ishtar, the Venus Goddess probably wouldn't treat him so poorly.]
[As time passed, both your stamina was draining rapidly, and your injuries were gradually increasing.]
["Hmph, you're not bad. You qualify as this king's opponent."]
[Undoubtedly, Gilgamesh was initially furious and felt humiliated facing you. But as time passed, thoroughly enjoying the fight, he could launch all his treasures… a joy of complete release.]
[By the end, you were evenly matched. All strength within you was utterly exhausted, and Gilgamesh had used up all his treasures.]
[Your original clothes were long tattered, only your pants remaining, giving a Saiyan-esque battle-damaged feel. Looking at Gilgamesh, who had changed into a set of golden armor, though it was covered in scratches and dirt, it remained largely intact, you said enviously, "Not bad. Your clothes don't even break."]
["Heh... Good eye. This king's armor is the finest protection in Uruk, capable of effectively blocking even divine attacks."]
["Become this king's subject, and granting you a set would be trivial."]
[Hearty laughter echoed across the wilderness outside Uruk. Gilgamesh seemed genuinely happy.]
["Me, become your subject? That won't do."]
[Hearing Gilgamesh's recruitment attempt, as the Sun-Crowned King with your own dignity, you naturally couldn't agree.]
["Becoming your subject isn't happening. How about you submit to me instead?"]
[Laughing loudly, you looked at Gilgamesh, sitting on the ground panting, utterly spent.]
["Hmm... No, let's forget it."]
[He seemed to genuinely consider it for a moment, but Gilgamesh, equally exhausted, refused you.]
["Well, although this king generally considers all men in the world to be trash, you seem somewhat different. Tell this king your name."]
[You told Gilgamesh your name. Both of you stood up simultaneously.]
[Knowing both sides had only one final strike left, you suddenly asked, "By the way, those treasures you used in the fight earlier... Aren't they a pity to lose?"]
[You'd always been curious if casually destroying genuine Noble Phantasms caused any, even the slightest, reluctance. Through the battle, you had gained some understanding of this world's Gilgamesh.]
["Reluctance? That depends on the opponent."]
["If the enemy is some unknown trash, it's not just reluctance, this king would feel it insults the treasures themselves. After all, killing insects is rather shameful."]
["But if the enemy is someone like you, then launching them all is fine. Those Noble Phantasms served their important purpose."]
[Looking at you, the king named Gilgamesh smiled with genuine pleasure.]
["I see. So I should feel somewhat proud?"]
[Sharing a smile, both you and Gilgamesh let out a long sigh.]
["Gilgamesh, this next strike is my last. Don't die."]
["Ryuya, this king will also exert his full power next. The same words to you… don't die."]
[The mutual respect between kings made you and Gilgamesh feel you had found a lifelong confidant. Though few words were exchanged, your sentiments had been conveyed through clashing blades.]
[Gilgamesh knew you came to Uruk with no ill intent. You could sense this king wasn't as cruel and tyrannical as legends suggested, and he had his own ideals.]
[Both unleashing your final power simultaneously… holding back would be an insult to kingship, despite mutual appreciation.]
[You could drink and feast together after the battle, but dying in this fight would warrant no complaints. Separating matters clearly… this was the magnanimity of kings.]
[Sun-Crowned - The Eternal Nation.]
[Enuma Elish - The Star of Creation that Split Heaven and Earth.]
[Unleashing your most powerful attacks simultaneously, the legend of the Sun-Crowned King and the King of Heroes had only just begun.]