Chapter 746: Kingu's Breakdown
Amidst the wreckage, three figures stood like statues.
Silent, yet their emotions surged like tidal waves.
Gilgamesh silently observed the two green-haired youths who seemed carved from the same mold—their white robes fluttering, golden chains hovering—his gaze inscrutable.
Enkidu, having shed his disguise, simply watched the golden-haired King of Heroes, his eyes holding nothing but warmth and amusement.
As for Kingu... his emotions were the most complex.
The one he initially believed to be Sakatsuki in disguise had now transformed into his own likeness, complete with the signature Chains of Heaven.
So who was the impostor? Sakatsuki? Himself? Or the one standing before him?
And—
"I... actually..." Clutching his chest, Kingu muttered in disbelief.
What was this inexplicable stirring in his heart?
Why had he stopped his attack?
"It seems my worries were unnecessary." Enkidu smiled gently at his "successor unit." "We are the same."
"No, that's wrong! I'm not you!" Kingu instinctively retorted, his chains lashing out violently, mirroring his agitation as they carved dangerous arcs through the air.
"How are we different? Since you're using my body, neither your instincts nor your memories would have changed."
Faced with Kingu's emotional turmoil, Enkidu remained as composed as ever, even as the truth stabbed into Kingu's heart like a sharp blade.
"Shut up!"
The Chains of Heaven abruptly straightened, their sharpened tips thrusting toward Enkidu—only to be intercepted by an identical swarm of golden chains. Yet a few slipped through the blockade, charging ruthlessly at their counterpart.
Clang!
A majestic battle-axe materialized before Enkidu, deflecting the attack.
"Oh..." Enkidu's eyes widened slightly as the man beside him chuckled.
"How unbecoming. Where is that polished efficiency of yours, oh calm and collected weapon?"
Gil... A long-lost sense of security tugged at Enkidu's lips.
"Well, I have you here, don't I?"
"Hmph... Fool."
Not far away, Kingu stared dumbfounded at their "flirtatious banter."
Hey, you two, that's enough!
His expression darkened. "It seems I truly lost my composure... Regardless, your stance as enemies of Mother remains unchanged."
"My, what an expression." The green-haired beauty feigned surprise. "Are you jealous? I never knew I had such a function."
"With such abundant magical energy, it's only natural for a homunculus to gravitate toward becoming a complete human." Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow. "In other words, Kingu, you should be more inclined toward humanity—so what exactly twisted you into this?"
I should be more inclined toward humanity? Ridiculous!
The green-haired youth opened his mouth to refute Gilgamesh's absurdity—but when his white-robed, green-haired counterpart met his gaze with a gentle smile, Kingu involuntarily took a step back.
The two brightest heroes of Mesopotamian myth, the Chains of Heaven and the Wedge of Heaven, born by the will of gods yet becoming the shield that protected humanity...
Yes. He, too, was "Enkidu."
Why did he side with the goddess and seek vengeance against humanity?
Where in his soul had the change occurred?
No, he mustn't dwell on such thoughts any longer!
"I am not wrong. It was you who abandoned Mother, inviting her hatred and vengeance… Hah, hahaha…" His green hair scattered as the shadows of the starry sky veiled Kingu's eyes. "Foolish King of Uruk, and you, Enkidu—you are nothing but discarded failures. I, Kingu, am the strongest creation on this Earth!"
Instead of launching another reckless attack, Kingu soared into the sky, transforming into a streak of white light as he fled.
His deliberately icy voice lingered in the night air, refusing to fade.
"Do not think that taking the Beast Goddess away means you've won. The Three Goddess Alliance still has two members left! The tide of demonic beasts will never cease—yes, just like Mother's wrath!"
"I will kill you all and overthrow Uruk!"
With Kingu gone, Gilgamesh stared at the straight contrail left in the sky before sighing after a long pause.
"Honestly, I thought I could persuade him to surrender. He's as stubborn as a certain someone… But we took the Beast Goddess away? What's going on? Since when did this happen?"
"There are many things you don't know, Gil."
Having shed his disguise, Enkidu cheerfully repeated the nickname for his dearest friend. "But before that, care to explain?"
"Explain?" Gilgamesh blinked. "What is there for me to explain?"
"You stood between me and another Chains of Heaven, after all." The green-haired youth narrowed his eyes, his voice gentle. "I never thought there would be someone else besides me who wouldn't wish to harm you."
"To realize I'm not unique… I can't help but feel a little disappointed."
Oh no.
Gilgamesh blinked again, finally realizing the situation.
He had been so focused on stopping those two troublemakers that he'd nearly forgotten how dangerous his own best friend could be in this regard.
One wrong move, and he might end up riddled with holes by the Chains of Heaven.
"I—no, I mean—"
"Wait a moment, Gil." Enkidu raised a hand to stop the King of Heroes' excuses. As a white-gold light shimmered around him, he reverted to his original form—a young man with white hair and golden eyes, his lips curling into a sly smile.
"Alright, you may continue now."
…I have nothing to say!
The golden king's lips twitched as he glared fiercely at the figure before him—'Sakatsuki.'
Damn it, seeing that face made it impossible to voice the words he'd prepared!
If not for having exhausted all his mana on Uruk, he'd have loved to fight this guy right now!
Come to think of it, what exactly is the relationship between Enkidu and Sakatsuki? Could it be that after that great battle, the one who's been appearing before me all this time was actually Enkidu?
And if I say something outrageous now… would that damned chef hear it?
Who stole from me? And who did I steal from?
Gilgamesh was utterly lost.
"A-Anyway, let's return to Uruk first. We've completed our investigation and seen what we needed to see. I'm sure Siduri will be delighted to have you back!"
"Don't think you can change the subject, Gil."
"Urk…"
———
The wind rose across the vast sky, carrying starlight and dust toward the distant horizon.
On the celestial hill where the heroes' first meeting and final parting were recorded, a figure clad in white knelt on the ground, hands clutching his head tightly.
"Ugh... I'm stronger. Stronger than that king and that inferior copy."
The boy's pained whisper carried through the air, his eyes still glowing with remnants of crimson warning.
"But... why did I retreat?"
Flower fields, morning dew, forests, mountain mists.
And that bare-chested figure smiling gently, the silhouette of two walking side by side.
Memories refused to maintain order, constantly replaying scenes from the past.
He didn't understand. What exactly was this malfunction in his heart?
"That one deserves death... but we must talk... No, there's absolutely no room for discussion."
"Just kill... kill him."
"Kill him?"
The sound of sonic booms approached from afar as the furious Baal Lahmus descended from the sky, one kicking the white-robed boy in the abdomen. The impact embedded him into the mountainside before he fell limply like pale paper.
"You let Gilgamesh escape! That fragile mongrel!"
"What were you thinking! Running away! Kingu!"
The Baal Lahmus had every reason to be angry. Had Gilgamesh died then, Uruk would have easily fallen without its magical energy supply.
But Kingu didn't respond to them. He completely ignored his 'brothers', merely kneeling on the ground and muttering to himself.
"Must kill, must kill, must kill... For Mother, must kill!"
The stubbornness and struggle contained in those words sent chills down even the most malicious Baal Lahmus' spines.
Finally, the boy raised his head in despair, meeting the gaze of the cold stars.
"Yes..."
Because I... am not Enkidu at all.