Chapter 771: The Resolution of the Second-Generation Chains of Heaven
I don't understand.
There are too many things I can't comprehend.
For a newly born clay doll, everything he's encountered has been too harsh.
In the blink of an eye, he had to stand against the entire world—not just the old humans who refused to give up their resistance, but even the brothers he thought he could trust bared their fangs at him.
In the end, he even lost his "reason for existence."
"Lord Enkidu, please let us heal your wounds—"
"Stay back!"
The green-haired youth pushed with all his might, only managing to force the approaching priestess back a few steps. Staring at his arms that were crumbling like dust, he remained stunned for a long while before finally letting out a self-deprecating laugh.
"Abandoned by my creator... From the very beginning, I had no place to belong... After all, I'm just a counterfeit."
Used until his value was exhausted, then discarded without mercy. The idea of fighting as the Mother Goddess's child had been nothing but his own wishful thinking from the start.
Just a vessel containing a Holy Grail. Once the Grail was taken, all that remained was the choice of self-destruction.
"I don't understand... Why, Mother... Why can't I hear your voice... Why are all my brothers such monsters..."
Covering his face with his hands, Kingu let out an undignified sob. But under the horrified gazes of the priestesses, his arms began making faint cracking sounds—wrists, forearms, elbows, upper arms—one after another, they shattered apart, revealing the youth's widened, despairing purple eyes.
He stared blankly into the void, unaware even when a white-clad figure approached and sat beside him.
But when the familiar warmth he'd only felt at birth traveled through his body, the youth jolted awake from his stupor.
"Mother?!"
Ignoring his fragile, branch-like body, Kingu whipped his head around—only to see a girl in white clothes and skirt supporting his shoulder. Just that simple touch was enough to halt his crumbling form.
"You're not Mother..." Kingu's voice was low as he studied the girl's clear, star-like eyes. "Who are you?"
The girl pursed her lips slightly before speaking softly after a pause:
"Mother... doesn't want... child... to hurt."
"What do you mean?" Kingu frowned slightly as the girl exuding maternal aura continued:
"That's why... she actively... silenced her voice."
!!!
Kingu's eyes widened as if realizing something, his breath catching. The temple fell silent, leaving only the girl's melodious, slightly sorrowful voice echoing.
"Those Lahmu... are not our children."
"They are products of hatred... so they lack reason."
"You—just who are you?!" Kingu grew agitated, struggling against the priestesses' restraints to turn and properly look at the girl beside him. "How do you know so much? Aside from me, no one should understand Mother better!"
Hearing Kingu's accusation, the girl pouted slightly in grievance. Just as she was about to speak, a voice came from the doorway—calm yet amused.
"My, it seems I've arrived at just the right moment, my foolish little brother on death's doorstep."
A voice that sounded like it came from his own mouth froze Kingu in place. When his purple eyes shifted, murderous intent instantly filled the entire temple.
"Enki...du!"
Golden ripples tore through space, releasing elongated divine chains. Faced with the lethal intent surging toward him, the youth with verdant eyes merely blinked with a smile. Identical pale golden chains sliced through the air, colliding with a clear clang—only for the latter to pierce straight through the former and continue toward the immobilized Kingu. The chains coiled around his neck, their edges brushing "affectionately" against his cheek.
The cold touch made Kingu grit his teeth, stubbornly glaring at his "twin" brother by the door. The girl beside him let out a small gasp, reaching to remove the chains—only for the Chains of Heaven's properties to repel her. Clutching her burned palm tearfully, she looked toward the youth at the doorway:
"Enkidu... bad."
"Mother, I—" Enkidu smiled wryly. "My apologies."
"Enkidu!" Even restrained, Kingu refused to give up, struggling like a frenzied trapped beast as he desperately mustered strength to kill the youth who shared his face. Seeing this, the white-clad, green-eyed clay doll frowned at his nominal younger brother:
"Why fight me?"
"Isn't it obvious?! To prove I'm the strongest! That way I can—" Kingu suddenly stopped, murmuring unconsciously, "That way I can..."
"Become the one and only child by Mother's side." The golden-haired King of Uruk pushed open the door, his smile mocking. "But what of it? Tiamat has already abandoned you."
"Gil—ga—mesh—!!!"
Even more than with Enkidu, Kingu snarled this name through clenched teeth. He struggled desperately to lunge forward and punch that infuriatingly smug face—but the Chains of Heaven betrayed him, binding him to the sickbed immobile.
"Damn it, what gives you the right to act so high and mighty?!" Kingu roared, trying to push himself up—only for a dull tearing sound to give Enkidu pause. The green-haired youth quickly stepped forward and lifted the sheets.
Dust swirled up in the gust, revealing Kingu's legs already severed at the thighs, his waist rapidly reverting to clay.
"Ah!" The girl cried out in alarm. Before Kingu could crumble further, she scrambled onto the bed and embraced his remaining torso, closing her eyes.
A milky starlight illuminated the room.
In that overwhelmingly comforting sensation, Kingu gradually calmed. Looking down at the girl clinging to his chest—and his limbs that had stopped crumbling, even beginning to slowly regenerate—his pupils contracted, lips trembling violently.
"You... saved me? But... why? Aren't I your enemy?"
"Kingu..." The girl opened her eyes, starry pupils bright and gentle. "You said... no one understands... Mommy better than you."
She smiled. "Mommy... was very happy... to hear that."
"Mother?!" Kingu finally realized the possibility, disbelief flooding his features, his voice shaking. "You... could it be..."
A finger gently pressed against his lips, silencing him.
"You said... you love Mommy. Mommy... is happy." Little Tiamat raised her delicate face, speaking earnestly. "But your personality... makes Mommy... unhappy."
!!!
Even as a battle weapon unfazed by the world's destruction, hearing these barely reproachful words filled Kingu with immense guilt and unease. He blurted out almost instinctively:
"I'm sorry, Mother..."
"It's okay." A fragrant breeze brushed his face as Little Tiamat opened her arms, gently embracing purple-eyed Kingu. "You too... are my child."
Just those words effortlessly shattered Kingu's defenses. Resting his head on Little Tiamat's shoulder, he let out a long-suppressed roar and sob, as if releasing all his pent-up anguish.
Tears dampened the girl's white dress, her expression growing even gentler as she patted Kingu's back. "There, there... no more crying..."
Leaning close, she whispered: "If you have nowhere to turn... will you fight... for Mommy?"
"Yes, yes!" Kingu nodded fervently, his newly grown hands clutching Little Tiamat's dress tightly, unwilling to let go.
Like a lost child finally returning to his mother's side.
"How enviable." Enkidu watched the harmonious scene, eyes glimmering. "I'd love to be held by Mother like that too."
"Here." Gilgamesh beside him spread his arms generously, showcasing his abs and pecs. "This king's embrace is no worse than Mother's. Besides, you can take whatever you want."
"Gilgamesh." Little Tiamat—who had turned at some point—frowned cutely. "No stealing... Mommy's... children."
"Pfft." Enkidu immediately stifled a laugh while Gilgamesh awkwardly withdrew his arms. Under Mother's authority, he dared not retort, only coughing pretentiously before swiftly changing topics.
"That cook was right. With Mother present, persuading Kingu becomes child's play."
"Of course—it's Mother. What child could refuse her love?" Enkidu smiled. "By the way, Gil, shouldn't we give 'that thing' to my little brother now?"
"Already calling him brother?" Gilgamesh side-eyed his friend but didn't refuse, reaching into the Gate of Babylon to withdraw a golden-glowing cup. Thick magical energy radiated out, quickly drawing Little Tiamat and Kingu's attention.
"That's... the Holy Grail?" Kingu instinctively showed longing before quickly looking away. Noticing this, Gilgamesh smirked oddly before casually tossing the Grail—which struck Kingu's chest and merged inside.
"What—huh? Hey!"
"Oh? Using the Grail as a heart. It seems Uruk's cup has some use after all." Gilgamesh feigned surprise, but rather than gratitude, Kingu looked insulted, springing up to point accusingly:
"Why?! Why do this?! Even if I'll fight for Mother, it has nothing to do with you!" Little Tiamat tugged worriedly at Kingu, but he remained firm. "I'm not your Enkidu! Not his brother either—just a doll made by Tiamat with a different heart!"
"Correct. You are not Enkidu, merely another using his body." Gilgamesh met Kingu's fury calmly. "Yet even so, you remain under this king's protection—no, the object of his affection."
"Wha—" Gilgamesh's words left Kingu wide-eyed in incomprehension. Seeing this, the King of Uruk sighed deeply before raising his voice:
"Must I spell it out for you, you utter fool?! Even with different hearts and souls! Your body remains this earth's sole Chains of Heaven! It's only natural this king would care!"
After sharing a glance with the smiling green-haired beauty, Gilgamesh turned back to roar at Kingu: "After all, you're like the successor model to this king's most trusted weapon! What's wrong with showing some favoritism?!"
"..." Kingu was left utterly speechless, standing dumbfounded while Enkidu chuckled softly, teasing his friend.
"Just a weapon, really, Gil?"
"This king has many names for you." Gilgamesh turned away slightly. "Pick whichever you prefer."
"Oh?" The white-clad clay doll clasped his hands behind his back, playful as a maiden yet innocent as a youth. "Then I might get very greedy."
"Hmph." The king smirked. "As you wish."
"..." As the two "flirted," Kingu could only stare blankly, feeling like a thousand-watt lightbulb. Little Tiamat covered her face—but her sparkling eyes peeked through her fingers.
"Enkidu, Gilgamesh... so shameless."
"Ah, how careless. Even this king got distracted." Gilgamesh smacked his forehead before turning to Kingu. "Well then, second-generation clay doll—care to join us?"
"Hmph." Hearing the invitation, Kingu snorted instinctively, baring his teeth. "I'm not Enkidu. I'll only fight for Mother."
"That's enough." Gilgamesh nodded in satisfaction, unbothered by Kingu's tsundere act. "Let's introduce you to Siduri later. This king looks forward to her reaction."
"Speaking of Siduri, is she alright?" Enkidu also showed concern for the wise woman. "After all, Gil, you saw her future—"
"The future can be changed." Gilgamesh showed no panic—for the simple reason that the presence accompanying Siduri had departed with her. "Besides, there's someone who'd never give up Siduri's handmade butter cake."
"My." Enkidu immediately knew who his friend meant. "Even after nearly coming to blows with Master earlier."
"Sh-shut it!" Gilgamesh rarely showed embarrassment. "Damn it, whose side are you on...?"
Unconsciously, the two had forgotten their surroundings again. Kingu watched them, feeling an inexplicable emotion flow through him as he clutched his chest.
"Go with them...?" Little Tiamat asked understandingly, but Kingu shook his head.
"No need." The purple-eyed youth smiled softly at her. "I've already let go. These feelings don't belong to me—they're Enkidu's, my brother's wishes."
His hand moved from his chest to his heart—where the new Holy Grail continuously output magic, rapidly healing his wounds and restoring vitality.
But what had been silently filled wasn't just his life.
"I have something far more precious now, Mother."
Kingu bent down, gently kissing the girl's hand with serene joy. "I am your child, Mother. I will share your anger and smile at your happiness—this is the life I've chosen."
Not pledging loyalty to the Beast that would overthrow human civilization—but to a true mother, to the loving girl too gentle to harm humans, offering his everything.
Such happiness.
This was the path chosen by the second-generation Chains of Heaven—the life named "Kingu."