Chapter 737: Ding~ Main Quest Updated
As the morning light once again painted the sky, the crisis in Uruk was resolved, and the investigation team sent to the jungle returned safely.
This should have been a cause for celebration, but naturally, no one could muster a smile.
To stop the black-robed figure who had arrived on the battlefield, the Servants summoned by King Gilgamesh—Lancer Leonidas II, Rider Ushiwakamaru, and Berserker Ibaraki—were all defeated, taken away, their fates unknown.
As for their expedition, it could hardly be called a complete success—
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," Fujimaru bowed his head the moment Gilgamesh appeared on his throne, honestly admitting his mistake. "I broke the Axe of Marduk."
Hearing this, the Wise King blinked in surprise. "The Axe of Marduk isn't something that can be broken so easily... What did you do?"
"I shrank the divine axe and struck the black-robed figure's head with all my might," Fujimaru reported. Then, inexplicably, he heard a soft pfft, as if someone had stifled a laugh.
"Your Majesty?" Fujimaru looked up in confusion, only to find Gilgamesh sitting solemnly on his throne, his expression dignified and serious.
"Nothing. Continue."
"Right." Fujimaru suppressed his doubts. "The result was that the Axe of Marduk shattered the moment it struck, while the black-robed figure's mask only cracked slightly."
After a pause, Fujimaru couldn't help but add, "Forgive my impertinence, Your Majesty... but could we have been mistaken about the intelligence? Does the Axe of Marduk truly possess the divine power we thought it did?"
If it couldn't even break the black-robed figure's mask, how could it possibly breach Tiamat's defenses?
"No, no, you did well, Fujimaru." Contrary to Fujimaru's self-reflection, Gilgamesh smiled in satisfaction. "At this point, there's no need for me to keep hiding the truth."
Hearing this, Fujimaru held his breath. The Wise King glanced subtly at Sakatsuki before turning back and declaring loudly, "The hero I spoke of—the one whose power we sought to unleash through the Axe of Marduk—was none other than that mysterious figure wearing the bone mask, the one who has caused Uruk so much trouble!"
"Wha—?!"
Gasps erupted predictably—not just from Fujimaru, but even Anna jerked her head up in disbelief.
It was no surprise. Since Fujimaru's arrival, the one who had inflicted the greatest losses upon Uruk was precisely this mysterious figure—cloaked in black, wearing a bone-white mask, like a grim reaper.
Storming the palace, threatening the investigation team, wreaking havoc on the battlefield, effortlessly taking away three Servants, leaving Uruk in dire straits...
And now, the Wise King was telling them that this harbinger of death was—or at least had once been—on their side?!
"Doesn't that just prove how outstanding his skills are?" Sakatsuki, dressed in white, leaned against a pillar and shrugged. "Besides, 'corruption brings power' isn't just a saying for nothing."
"W-Well, that may be true," Fujimaru swallowed hard, "but who exactly is he?"
The moment he asked this, silence fell over the throne room.
He looked to Merlin, who was whistling innocently, eyes fixed on the ceiling with a guilty expression. He turned to Sakatsuki, who merely smirked, half-lidded eyes gleaming with amusement. Finally, he looked to the Wise King—but even Gilgamesh lowered his gaze, deep in thought.
Fujimaru was lost.
"D-Don't tell me," he stammered, "you don't even know who he is?"
Under the boy's stunned gaze, Merlin and Gilgamesh nodded in unison, their expressions not the least bit apologetic—if anything, they seemed almost proud.
The last Master of Chaldea, the final hope of human history, felt his vision darken.
This Uruk is doomed!
"Fujimaru! Fujimaru, what's wrong?!" The doctor's frantic voice crackled through the communicator. "Someone help! Fujimaru looks like he's about to pass out!"
No one paid him any attention.
Gilgamesh wore a faint smile, seemingly amused by the farce unfolding before him—yet his eyes were unfocused, lost in thought.
Indeed... who is that man?
If he is Sakatsuki, then who is the one standing before me now?
But if he isn't Sakatsuki... how did he inherit that iconic black cloak and the Bell Mask?
That mask... it carries the essence of that old man's very being...
"Ahem." Suddenly snapping out of his reverie, Gilgamesh cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Enough. Whatever happened in the past, there's no need to dwell on it now. Uruk and the Three Goddess Alliance have been locked in this stalemate for too long—I doubt either side has much patience left."
Tapping the armrest of his throne, the Wise King made his deduction: "The next battle will force both sides to stake everything."
"Therefore, I see no reason to hold back any longer—Fujimaru!"
"Here!" Fujimaru sprang back to life like a carp leaping out of water, a bright exclamation mark practically materializing above his head.
"This time, your mission is to retrieve something." The king commanded, "Head to the city of Kutha and recover the Tablet of Destinies."
"The Tablet of Destinies?" Another new artifact—one that sounded incredibly powerful. Fujimaru thought for a moment before recalling something. "Wait, didn't Merlin say he was searching for this before?"
"Indeed. I have finally remembered its location—it lies in Kutha, recorded by my Clairvoyance, within the domain guarded by the Goddess of the Underworld." The Wise King's voice was grave. "This will be a perilous task, for you must go alone."
"Wha—?!" Before Merlin or Anna could protest, the doctor's voice cut in first.
"Absolutely not!"
In the command room, the doctor objected with unprecedented intensity. "Fujimaru is a Master! How can he possibly act alone without a Servant? It's far too dangerous!"
"And what would you have me do?" Gilgamesh retorted coldly. "You saw it yourself—three more of my summoned Servants have been lost. Counting Amakusa and Fuuma Kotarou, who disappeared earlier, only two generals remain to fight!"
"Report—!" A messenger rushed in, delivering yet another blow. "General Benkei has withdrawn from the northern front in distress and is wandering alone into the territory of the demonic beasts!"
"See, Chaldea!" The Wise King slammed his hand on the throne, drawing attention back. "You don't honestly believe that just Tomoe Gozen alone can hold the Demon Beast Front, do you? To replenish our forces, Merlin and Anna must remain in Uruk!"
"Even so, I cannot possibly agree to send Fujimaru into such danger alone! This is the Age of Gods! Kutha is a place of death worship!" The doctor stood his ground with unusual firmness. "I would rather Fujimaru do nothing than take such a risk!"
"Tch, you stubborn fool—" The king's expression darkened.
"Likewise, you heartless tyrant!" The doctor shot back without hesitation.
Stop it, you two! Don't fight over me! You won't kill each other like this...
If Sakatsuki were here, he'd probably be munching on snacks while watching the show, maybe even feigning concern with a few half-hearted shouts.
But the one caught in the middle was Fujimaru Ritsuka—a Master of noble character, standing atop the moral high ground so vast no telescope could see its peak.
"Wait, please—Doctor, Your Majesty." Before the argument could escalate further, the young man stepped forward, interrupting them. "I appreciate the doctor's concern, and I understand the king's worries."
He raised a hand, pointing curiously at the young man standing idly to the side. "But in terms of combat strength, wouldn't Sakatsuki be the better choice?"
The current strongest fighter in Uruk—Sakatsuki in white.
A master of both group battles and one-on-one combat, skilled in magecraft and martial arts, capable of offense, defense, healing, and support—an undisputed all-rounder.
With him guarding the front, no matter how fierce the demonic beast hordes, the battle line would surely remain unbroken.
"Oh right, there's still Mr. Sakatsuki..." The doctor's eyes lit up, but the Wise King shook his head, rejecting Fujimaru's suggestion.
"Do you think I hadn't considered that? But no."
Bathed in the morning sunlight streaming into the palace, the king rose from his throne and approached Fujimaru, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Because I, too, must leave Uruk." Under the stunned gazes of everyone present, the king made his announcement.
"And I will undoubtedly meet that man."