Chapter 749: A Proposal is War!
The sky stretched high with scattered clouds, the morning light falling like rain. Even with the king absent from his watch over this capital, all affairs continued to operate as usual.
This was the city of humanity from the Age of Gods, yet unlike Greece, it did not bow beneath the divine radiance. Whether it was the women carrying jars or the children laughing as they darted through the streets, their eyes held a vitality unfamiliar to her.
Like Galatea… no, even more spirited than that girl.
Gorgon walked silently down the street, her long purple hair swaying past her hips, leaving behind an almost imperceptible fragrance.
Blurred memories gradually sharpened. In her recollection, humans—whether smiling or terrified, whether under the sun or amidst raging flames—had souls reflected in their pupils that bore an unfillable void.
Like the maw of an abyss, gaping toward themselves and others alike.
But here, that fissure that even she found unsettling had vanished. Inexplicably, she felt no barrier between herself and humanity, as if with just a word, she could effortlessly blend in, sharing laughter and sorrow with the citizens of Uruk.
…How could that be?
Both revered, what difference was there between the King of Men and the gods?
Would the King of Men not reject the monsters despised by the gods?
Gilgamesh… Though they had never formally met, the goddess's intuition told Gorgon that this man was no easy negotiator.
By the time they met face to face, her disguise would surely be seen through.
Would she face interrogation—or a hunt?
Lost in these thoughts, Gorgon gradually slowed her steps. She raised her eyes, amethyst pupils reflecting a light that mingled beauty and mockery.
"Or has it already begun?"
Unnoticed, fully armed soldiers had begun converging from all directions, silently encircling her.
As the clatter of armor grew into a chorus, the people keenly sensed the shift in atmosphere and scattered in all directions. The once-bustling street was abruptly carved into an isolated space, where grown men gripped their weapons, sternly trapping the woman in their midst. The scene froze like a battlefield.
Uruk, long transformed into a city of war, could never overlook the presence of one called "Gorgon." Even if she made no display, bore no malice, her very existence was conspicuous enough.
In a realm of civilization bridled by reason, a vividly scaled serpent stood out far too starkly.
And this serpent made no effort to hide—instead, she smirked coldly, surveying the puny humans with a hint of provocation.
"If you've got the nerve, come at me."
Whispers broke out among the soldiers. Many wore troubled expressions, clearly unprepared for such audacity from a surrounded foe. Gorgon even noticed a young recruit sweating nervously, his anxious gaze darting to a grizzled veteran beside him—like a deer locked in a predator's sights.
Unable to stand united before an enemy, too afraid to charge ahead.
So… pathetic.
Was this the sorry state of the humans who had defeated the demonic beasts?
Gauguin lowered his eyes, unsure whether he felt satisfaction or disappointment. Finally, after some barely perceptible nudging, a soldier who appeared mature and steady was 'pushed' forward. He shot an annoyed glance at his gloating subordinates before turning back to Gauguin, clearing his throat slightly.
His Adam's apple bobbed, but he stepped forward nonetheless, the tightly gripped weapon in his hand glinting coldly under the sunlight, mirroring the icy glint in the Gorgon's eyes.
Unnoticed by anyone, her fingertips had already gathered a malevolent magical glow.
————
A beautiful girl with a swaying lavender triple braid walked through the streets with her head bowed in thought. The carefully woven floral wreath atop her head drew everyone's gaze.
Like a fairy who had strayed into this place, she made people instinctively want to smooth the delicate frown between her brows.
"She could see me..." the girl repeated to herself, utterly perplexed.
It shouldn't be possible.
That venomous woman, blinded by rage—how could she see her?
After committing such vile acts, reduced to such a pitiable state that even she couldn't bear to look at herself...
Suddenly, she heard an old woman's shrill voice erupt from the other end of the street.
"Everyone, something incredible! There's an absolutely extraordinary woman in the western district!"
The commotion quickly drew the crowd's attention. Unlike the kindly florist, this old woman, though well into her seventies, was shouting and gesturing like an excitable child, vividly describing her discovery:
"She's an incredibly beautiful girl! Her purple hair flows like water, and this old lady has never seen such beautiful yet sorrowful eyes. And that figure—tsk tsk tsk..."
"Oh, and after hearing the news, our brave young men have already rushed back from the battlefield!"
Laughter rippled through the crowd. Some recognized this sprightly 'neighborhood watch' of the western district and were about to speak when a small, purple-haired girl pushed through the crowd, her face tense as she addressed the old woman:
"Granny, is what you're saying true?"
"My, another pretty little lass," the old woman blinked. "Of course! Everyone knows Granny Wang of West Street has the most reliable news... If you're curious, you can still make it there in time, but remember to keep your distance—"
She paused, then proudly announced with a grin, "After all, that place has already become the most intense 'battlefield'!"
In a flash, the purple-haired girl pulled up her hood and vanished. Seizing the moment, the crowd teased, "Granny Wang, you're as meddlesome as ever. Even with grandchildren running around, you still can't stay put at home."
"Ah, this old lady is always thinking of our king," Granny Wang chuckled. "That woman is truly extraordinary—shining like a gem in the western district. Even if I were blind, I couldn't miss her!"
"Tsk tsk, hearing you describe her like that makes me eager to see for myself. I wonder which lucky lad will win her favor..." someone in the crowd snickered, only to be promptly called out:
"Uncle Li, you'd better drop it. Everyone knows you came home late from drinking at the brothel yesterday and got punished by your wife—kneeling on durians while howling in pain all night..."
"Y-you, what nonsense are you spouting? Don't slander me!" Uncle Li's face flushed red as he argued, "Kneeling on durians doesn't count as punishment... kneeling on durians! It's a matter of marital affection, can that be called punishment?"
What followed was a string of incomprehensible mutterings—something about "S&M" and "a man's true nature"—prompting everyone to burst into laughter, filling the street with an air of mirth.
But little Anna couldn't hear any of it. Driven by some inexplicable impulse, she sprinted forward, her eyes brimming with unshakable urgency.
That idiot, that troublesome idiot... Couldn't she just behave for once?
If she ended up killing the soldiers, how could Anna ever show her face in Uruk again?
Fujimaru, that fool, that absolute fool! How could he be so careless, letting her run wild without even knowing her true nature...
Don't let anything happen, please don't let anything happen!
The kilometers flew by in a blur. By the time Anna arrived at the scene, it was already too late—the soldiers had long since surrounded the purple-haired woman. And at the center of it all, a ruggedly handsome older man knelt on one knee, gazing up at the tall, voluptuous figure with deep affection.
"Marry me, my beauty. From the moment I laid eyes on you, my heart has been yours alone. If you say yes, I'd gladly throw myself into the demonic beast horde right now and fight until my last breath, without a single regret..."
...Huh?!
Anna skidded to a halt, nearly tripping over her own feet. Even someone as naturally aloof as her couldn't help but think, What the hell are you saying?!
This wasn't a tense standoff—it was... a marriage proposal?
By the time she processed the situation, both goddesses—one tall, one petite—had widened their eyes, their delicate lips parting in unison as they let out identical exclamations of disbelief.
"HUH—?!!"