Chapter 783 Merlin: Am I Not Human? Am I Really Not Human?!
In the end, under the intense gazes of the two goddesses Ereshkigal and Anna, no one managed to extract an answer from Sakatsuki.
What method could possibly stop the overwhelming tide of Lahmu?
Was it Sakatsuki's signature ability, Unlimited Blade Works?
Or perhaps deploying the three great magecrafts simultaneously, sweeping away the Lahmu like autumn wind scattering fallen leaves?
Or had they gotten too carried away, ending with cheerful laughter and a premature GG?
Whether curious, expectant, worried, or resentful... when the Wise King Gilgamesh announced the meeting's conclusion, no one lingered. They all left the palace promptly to seize what rest they could.
—The time Quetzalcoatl had bought with her life must not be wasted.
Conserving strength for the coming battle was only logical.
As candlelight flickered drowsily in the deep silence of night, even the usually bustling palace seemed to slumber in solitude.
Tap, tap, tap.
The king reclined lazily, his index finger lightly rapping the armrest of his throne. Beside him stood a beautiful figure in white with green hair, their outlines traced by the dancing candlelight. Even their shadows shimmered with faint emerald and golden hues.
Such harmony.
At one point, Enkidu lifted their eyes, keenly detecting a sliver of emotion their dear friend had let slip.
"You're feeling uneasy."
No question was needed—between them, no preamble was necessary. "That's only natural. After all, tomorrow is when our fate will be decided."
Gilgamesh's fingers paused briefly before resuming their rhythmic tapping as if nothing had happened. "Don't jest. Such emotions are beneath this king."
"Then, are you irritated by our Master's secrecy?"
"Naturally. To dare conceal things from this king is utterly infuriating."
"So," the green-haired beauty smiled, eyes gleaming, "you are uneasy after all."
Had there been no doubt about the future, had his heart been as unshakable as stone, why would Sakatsuki's secrecy provoke such agitation?
Only because this king understood Uruk's fragility, knew that overcoming this crisis required relying on Sakatsuki's power.
And that was precisely why it rankled him all the more.
"You..." The king cast a glance from the shadows, his eyes holding faint anger but mostly helpless fondness. "Always so perceptive about these things."
"I am a weapon, Gil," Enkidu replied serenely, accepting their friend's teasing with equanimity. Their gaze drifted toward another corner of the palace. "Just like my dear 'little brother.'"
"Hah." Gilgamesh flashed a dazzlingly arrogant grin in response.
If Enkidu's insight had merely unsettled 'him,' then Gilgamesh's expression shattered his last hesitation entirely.
From the wavering shadows emerged a youth with features resembling Enkidu's, save for his eerie violet pupils.
"What do you want?" he asked stiffly.
Exchanging a glance, Gilgamesh and Enkidu simultaneously curved their lips in amusement.
The guest arrives past midnight, idly tapping chess pieces by lamplight.
But what if the person we're waiting for arrives?
————
Chaldea Embassy in Uruk
After cleaning the house alone, Fujimaru Ritsuka climbed onto the rooftop and was immediately embraced by the moonlight.
"It's a full moon tonight," he murmured before lying down completely, letting his body relax as he admired the sky of the Age of Gods.
Except for one particularly glaring streak of light that still bothered him, the scenery was as beautiful as ever. So much so that Fujimaru began to feel as if tomorrow wasn't the life-or-death decisive battle, but just another ordinary day flowing by without pain or sorrow.
But that was impossible. Even if emotions might waver, reason would always push people forward.
"Repairing the Seventh Singularity is far more difficult than the previous six."
"But the rewards have been plentiful, haven't they?" In the control room, all the staff had gone to sleep, leaving only the night owl Dr. Roman sipping coffee and playing the role of late-night chat companion. "You've already obtained one Class Card, and another has evolved. These are bonds that belong solely to you, Fujimaru."
As if responding to the doctor's words, two cards emerged from the Third Magic Mystic Code, fluttering around Fujimaru like softly glowing butterflies.
"Yes, of course." Gazing at the dignified and noble Moon-Cell King and the gentle, shield-bearing maiden, Fujimaru couldn't help but smile. "I would never abandon these precious memories."
The master of the Chaldea Embassy slowly fell asleep on the rooftop. Meanwhile, in a tavern, a pale, almost effeminate hand reached out to pinch a candle wick, igniting a flame.
The white-haired sage, holding a wine jar in one hand, plopped onto a stool and began drinking straight from the jar. When he finally set it down with satisfaction, he let out a contented sigh.
Completely oblivious to the little cat-eared girl in the shadows glaring at him with utter disdain.
Stare——
Just as Anna was about to unleash her sharp tongue, the tavern door swung open again. A silver-haired young man bathed in moonlight strode in, his golden eyes shining brightly. He paused after just a few steps.
"Oh, everyone's here."
"Ha! What 'everyone'? Just me drinking all alone..." Merlin slurred with a laugh, but when he heard a cold snort behind him, he jolted awake, most of his drunkenness vanishing instantly.
For some reason, his fear of Anna was almost on par with his fear of Artoria.
"O-oh, what a coincidence! You're here too, ahahaha..."
Anna lifted her beautiful eyes to glare at the pretentious old scoundrel but held back her usual sarcastic remarks. Instead, she turned to Sakatsuki, hesitating as if wanting to say something.
Sakatsuki pretended not to notice, humming a tune as if returning from an outing. He handed something to Merlin.
"Ohhh!" The drunkard's eyes widened when he saw what Sakatsuki was holding. "That color! That aroma! No mistake about it—this is the priestess's special craft ale! This is royal reserve quality!"
"The world's ending—who cares about royal reserves now? The King of Heroes is treating tonight. Drinks are free, and the granaries are open for all." Sakatsuki summoned three cups with a wave of his hand, then snapped his fingers. Golden, wheat-hued ale filled each cup to the brim.
He raised his wine glass, gesturing towards Merlin and Anna as she approached: "In the hymns of Ninkasi, the Sumerians praised beer like this: 'The deliciousness of beer is as fierce as the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.' So, Anna, care to try some?"
Anna remained silent, simply picking up the glass and taking a small sip. She stuck out her tongue slightly, muttering 'not as good as cake,' before tilting her head back and downing the entire glass in one go.
The two grown men beside her exchanged bewildered glances, seeing sheer disbelief in each other's eyes.
Who would have thought that Anna, who had always avoided alcohol, would drink so boldly today?
They hadn't even clinked glasses yet!
Could it be... she was under some kind of stress?!
"Hey, Sakatsuki." Uruk's ale was far less restrained than modern drinks, and the beer stein held at least half a liter. Two large blushes adorned Anna's cheeks, giving her a surprisingly charming look. "Were you telling the truth?"
Sakatsuki blinked. "About what?"
"That if I kissed you, you'd tell us what magic is." Anna frowned slightly. "You wouldn't go back on your word, would you?"
"Of course not, but Anna, I was just joking—mmph!"
Before Sakatsuki could finish, the girl in the cat-eared hood stepped closer, skillfully stepping onto his thigh and planting a kiss on his cheek.
Merlin, watching from the side, was utterly stunned. Damn, you kids play rough! Right in front of me?!
Why don't any Uruk girls come for me? Waaah, big bro here is totally available too...
"Anna." Before he could even process the clumsy kiss, Sakatsuki grabbed Anna's shoulders and lifted her up like a squirming caterpillar, raising an eyebrow. "Are you drunk?"
"Mm." Anna nodded with startling honesty, though her flickering gaze subtly avoided Sakatsuki's scrutinizing eyes. When his probing yielded no answers, he sighed and set her down, whispering something in her ear.
Merlin shamelessly leaned in, catching only fragments like "giant" and "long ago." Then, he saw Anna smile.
It was as if she had finally found peace, letting the alcohol's warmth wash over her completely.
The purple-haired girl slumped onto the table.
"Goodnight, Sakatsuki. And Merlin."
Just like that, she was asleep.
"This kid... she may not say it, but she's always carried Uruk in her heart." Merlin sighed, his eyes filled with tenderness as he looked at Anna.
What goddess would ever care so deeply for humans? Even after suffering persecution from both gods and men in her past life, meeting a monstrously tragic end, she chose to stand with humanity again upon her rebirth.
And now, for tomorrow's battle plan, she'd even thrown herself into the fray.
"An adorably clumsy little goddess." Sakatsuki rubbed the lingering warmth on his cheek, smiling as he draped his black robe over Anna. Then, his expression shifted slightly.
In the candlelight, another graceful figure appeared behind him.
The young man slowly raised his hands in surrender. "Let me explain—this afternoon, I was really just joking. I didn't expect Anna to take it seriously..."
Before he could finish, someone embraced him from behind—so gently.
Light as a cloud, warm as the wind.
When Sakatsuki looked up, he saw her profile.
So breathtakingly beautiful.
"Just this once," the beautiful goddess said, though it was unclear which matter she was referring to.
But whatever it was, it no longer mattered.
Sakatsuki closed his eyes, letting his body go slack as he allowed himself to sink into the fragrant, tender embrace, surrendering to drowsiness and peace.
The tavern fell silent once more, leaving only Merlin sitting there in utter bewilderment, watching the affectionate display between the shameless couple. Suddenly, the drink in his hand no longer tasted so sweet.
Seriously, is it trendy nowadays to keep slaughtering the same dog over and over?
Am I not human? Am I really not human?!