Episode 247: The First King Who Lost His Dearest Friend Twice!
『 Indeed, if Tiamat were allowed to take even half a step forward, they would be reduced to ashes in an instant.
The air was thick with tension, as if time itself had frozen in that very moment.
However, it was precisely because of these Chains of Heaven that Tiamat's advance was firmly blocked.
The golden radiance shimmered, an impassable barrier that shackled Tiamat's power, denying her the ability to advance even an inch.
"Hmph."
"Not bad at all…" Gilgamesh offered a faint, sardonic sneer, his tone laced with irony and defiance.
His gaze was like a burning torch, locked firmly upon the enemy before him.
Gilgamesh stared unblinkingly at Tiamat.
His eyes brimmed with unwavering resolve; it seemed no challenge could shake his iron will.
"Though it is but a momentary binding, it feels akin to an eternity," Gilgamesh whispered, as if time itself had been stretched infinitely in his perception.
"Kingu…" Fujimaru Ritsuka's voice trembled. Standing beside Mash, he watched, transfixed, as Kingu transformed into the very Chains of Heaven…
Their hearts were filled with reverence, yet they also felt an intangible, crushing weight.
"The Chains of Heaven have finally—finally—completely suppressed Tiamat's magical energy." Mash's words carried a sense of relief and awe, as if a raging storm had suddenly calmed.
As if lamenting the whims of fate, Gilgamesh slowly raised his head to gaze at the ink-black sky.
The stars beneath the shroud of night seemed to bear silent witness to this clash.
"Twice now, I have witnessed the departure of my dearest friend. The first time was amidst lamentation…" Recalling the past, Gilgamesh's voice grew heavy, every word imbued with profound emotion.
"However… this time is different!" His tone shifted, suddenly resonant and powerful, a different light gleaming in his eyes.
"This proud and heroic figure has already been permanently etched into this King's eyes!" Gilgamesh's words were like a solemn oath, resolute and absolute.
Witnessing this scene, Gilgamesh slowly lowered the stone tablet in his hand.
Though the movement was slow, it was exceptionally solemn, every detail underscoring his resolve.
The golden magical sigils vanished in that instant; the attacks from the Divine Seal of Authority ceased entirely.
The air regained its calm, as if the battle had reached a temporary reprieve. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Kiryu Sento (Kamen Rider): "Twice, facing the loss of his close friend…" ]
[ Kiryu Sento (Kamen Rider): "This really is a way that makes one feel like breaking down." ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "But he still looks as calm as he usually does." ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "Is it because he's already too sad?" ]
[ Tokiwa Sougo (Kamen Rider): "No, that's not it." ]
[ Tokiwa Sougo (Kamen Rider): "Because he is a King. At a time like this, he cannot show any other expression." ]
[ Tokiwa Sougo (Kamen Rider): "That is why the kind of King I want to become is exactly like that." ]
[ Tokiwa Sougo (Kamen Rider): "A King who will not abandon anyone—the strongest, most benevolent King!" ]
[ Woz (Kamen Rider): "My Demon King." ]
[ Geiz (Kamen Rider): "Demon King…" ]
[ Kadoya Tsukasa (Kamen Rider): "Interesting." ]
[ Eriri Spencer Sawamura (Saekano): "It sounds a bit chuunibyou, but it actually seems pretty good." ]
[ .....]
『 Enkidu, Kingu… Farewell…
In this epoch-defining battle, on this land known as Mesopotamia, they had already lost far too much.
Countless comrades-in-arms and souls who had fought shoulder-to-shoulder had fallen in this conflict.
Every time those heroic faces surfaced in memory, an indescribable grief and sense of powerlessness welled up within.
Life, or perhaps soul—in this moment, all served as mere shields, ceaselessly obstructing Tiamat's advance.
Whether it was the desperate resistance of the warriors or the heroic sacrifices of the Heroic Spirits, they were all attempting to buy time for this land with their own flesh and blood.
But every moment of resistance was agonizing, as if the next second would bring total collapse.
However…
Even so, before this entity known as the Mother of Genesis, these sacrifices of life and soul were but a drop in the ocean, failing to inflict any truly fatal wound.
These courageous acts served only to delay the inevitable by a mere fraction of time.
Without a true concept of death, how could such a terrifying existence ever be defeated?
Just as everyone was plunged into deep contemplation, a sense of helplessness emerged.
Gilgamesh slowly lowered the stone tablet in his hand, as if abandoning all resistance, and slowly turned around.
This sudden movement left everyone present bewildered, especially when they saw the expression on his face—one that seemed to accept fate yet held a deeper meaning.
Bereft of Gilgamesh's control, the three hundred and sixty Divine Seals of Authority, once magnificent and devastating, fell into complete silence, stripped of their original aura of intimidation.
The entire defensive system collapsed in an instant, and the atmosphere on the battlefield grew exceptionally heavy.
Just as all the observers were filled with confusion, a faint smile slowly graced Gilgamesh's features.
This expression left Fujimaru Ritsuka, who had fought alongside him all this time, momentarily stunned.
"I must thank you, Fujimaru Ritsuka!" Though the words were simple, coming from the proud King of Heroes, they were profoundly special and laden with respect.
One must realize that few in all of history have ever received such praise from the King of Heroes.
Yet now, Fujimaru Ritsuka had proven with his strength that he was worthy of such commendation; he was truly deserving.
"Even if we were to mobilize every ounce of power in this era, I fear this is all we could achieve."
Facing the unchangeable situation, Gilgamesh's words revealed a hint of helplessness.
"As an outsider, a being not belonging to this age, a superfluous intruder."
"However… it is precisely because of your arrival—an unexpected variable—that we have the chance to launch a counterattack at the final moment! Never to yield, even in the face of such absolute despair."
The Chains of Heaven deployed by Kingu were gradually being assimilated and absorbed by Tiamat; the chains that had once bound her tightly were turning to ash, bit by bit.
Tiamat was breaking free, little by little.
"The time has come. I leave the outcome of this final battle to the two of you to decide." Gilgamesh's voice was filled with trust.
At this moment, whether it was hope for the future or the obstacles they had to face, both Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash Kyrielight displayed a resolve a hundred times harder than steel.
"Yes!" No matter what fate awaited them, as the sole Master of Chaldea and one of the final guardians of humanity, Fujimaru Ritsuka never wavered for a single moment.
Now, having received formal recognition from Gilgamesh, their convictions and sense of mission only deepened as they prepared to meet the impending clash of destiny.
"Hmph…" Watching the young pair with eyes shining with determination, a faint, comforted smile touched the King of Heroes' lips once more.
Perhaps he had already heard the answer he had most longed for from within his heart.
And so, the baton for the final battle of Uruk was successfully passed to the new generation of warriors.
Fully aware of the current trajectory and the end of his own fate, Gilgamesh knew it was time to step back.
Though he had long foreseen the tragic fate awaiting him, he displayed not a shred of despondency. Instead, he appeared more at ease, as if he had finally unburdened himself of a heavy weight he had carried for far too long.
In that same instant, Tiamat finally broke free from the last of the Chains of Heaven, and endless, inescapable mud-like darkness surged around her body.
All these changes signaled that time was running out for Fujimaru Ritsuka; he had to make a decision quickly. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "So fast…" ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "No, that makes sense. After all, the opponent is such a powerful deity." ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "So, their time is running out too." ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "Once those restraints are gone, there's no way back." ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "Exactly." ]
[ Keqing (Genshin Impact): "Good luck." ]
[ Mash Kyrielight (Type-Moon): "I believe that Senpai can definitely do it." ]
[ .....]
『 "Fujimaru Ritsuka!"
"The phase shift between the depths of Uruk and the Underworld is complete!"
At this moment, sweat beaded on Ereshkigal's forehead, yet the excited smile on her face remained undimmed.
Though sweat rolled down her cheeks, the joy remained clear in her expression.
"Next, all that remains is to carve a hole in the ground of Uruk, and it will be finished."
Saying this, Ereshkigal wore a proud smile.
She swung the lance in her hand repeatedly, as if declaring her victory to the world.
The tip of the blade shimmered with silver light under the sun, every swing appearing exceptionally powerful.
Standing atop the walls of Uruk, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash, hearing these confident words, felt their spirits lift.
"Master!"
"Yeah!"
The moment Mash confirmed Fujimaru Ritsuka was ready, the counter-offensive against Tiamat officially began.
The two exchanged a tacit glance, quickly adjusting their combat stances, prepared to meet the grueling battle ahead.
Seeing the Tiamat before them, who was powerful enough to induce despair, Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn't help but furrow his brow.
But he quickly clenched his hand into a fist and thrust it toward the giant dragon.
The action was filled with defiance, unleashing a sense of unparalleled power gathering within.
"Ishtar! Drive Tiamat into the Underworld!"
He raised his head and shouted with all his might. The sound pierced the heavens, echoing across the entire battlefield. This was not merely an order, but a war cry to bolster morale.
"I've been waiting forever for this!"
"OK! Fujimaru Ritsuka!"
"As you command, I will crush the ground beneath her without mercy!"
It was clear from the expression on Ishtar's face that she could no longer contain her excitement.
With a casual wave, a unique arrow perfectly fused from pure gold and bright silver appeared in her hand, radiating a dazzling brilliance.
"GATE OPEN!!"
With that roar, a massive rift suddenly appeared in the air. As the power intensified, the gap widened…
Within the rift was revealed the vast, boundless cosmos, countless stars appearing so close one could almost touch them, making one feel infinitely small yet simultaneously awestruck by the magnificence.
Along with the rift came a violent torrent of air, destroying everything in its path with unstoppable force; the incredible pressure shrouded every soul witnessing the sight.
It was an absolute offensive capable of bringing ruin…
Then, an immensely massive golden star descended slowly from high above, as if approaching the ground to consume all.
Facing such oppressive majesty, a triumphant smile appeared on Ishtar's face, the ruby-like color of her eyes replaced by brilliant golden light.
Ishtar tossed the arrow high into the air, as if piercing the firmament.
The glowing arrow instantly pierced through the space rift, soaring freely through the vast sea of stars like a meteor.
It traversed clusters of brilliant stars, finally charging headlong toward the massive golden star, drawn by its immense gravity, and eventually being melted by it.
In that moment, a terrifying surge of energy erupted, a force that seemed to warp space itself.
Under the influence of this energy, Ishtar's hair was lifted by invisible currents, scattering in the air like a vivid painting, appearing exceptionally dazzling.
Ishtar's expression, at this moment, once again displayed an incredibly firm and confident smile, an assurance that seemed to emanate a unique radiance from her very being.
That smile seemed to contain an unknown power, allowing everyone around to feel her unstoppable momentum.
The golden star, constantly shifting colors and shining with blinding brilliance, suddenly underwent a strange change before everyone's eyes—it rapidly shrank into a golden sphere of light, only the size of a basketball, yet still radiating a gentle glow.
As this series of miraculous changes occurred, the small golden orb finally settled steadily into Ishtar's gentle palm.
At this moment, the divine arrow that had flown into the golden star and been absorbed reappeared, and as if guided, rushed straight toward the small yet infinitely potent golden sphere.
The two fused perfectly at the moment of contact, forming an even more powerful force.
This fusion not only amplified the already considerable energy levels but also added more unpredictability and impact to the impending attack.
At this very moment, a longbow entirely condensed from pure magical energy, radiating a deep purple hue, appeared in Ishtar's hand, the arrow pointed directly at the enemy, Tiamat.
The Goddess of Venus had clearly prepared to unleash her most powerful and final move.
From her face, one could discern a resolve and determination never seen before.
This strike… would be her strongest and most important attack, perhaps the key to ending the war.
Yet at this moment, beyond giving her all, there was no turning back…
She had to try, no matter what! Too many innocents, including those brave goddesses and invincible Heroic Spirits, had already lost their precious lives and souls in the struggle against Tiamat.
Therefore, for the Goddess of Venus, this was the moment to demonstrate her power and protect the world!
As the guardian of Venus, she would not allow any more sacrifices!
At this decisive moment, Ishtar finally recalled her true mission and responsibility.
"From the great Heavens, Towards the Great Earth!" the voice echoed in the depths of her heart.
"The Future will take care of itself."
After uttering these profound words, Ishtar seemed to become even more composed.
Suddenly, the tranquil blue sky shifted, and the entire world seemed to begin to change due to the awakening of this extraordinary power.
The giant purple bow radiated a charming yet eerie aura, illuminating the heavens and earth, bringing light and hope back to this battlefield that had once been plunged into darkness.
At the same time, Ishtar gently lifted her slender, fair arm, her fingers slowly curling into the posture of drawing a bow, pointing at the existence threatening the peace of the entire world.
With the perfect alignment of bow and arrow, the weapon symbolized by the name "Maanna" fully unleashed its power.
All preparations were complete, everything was ready, waiting only for this final gamble! 』
『 .....』