After returning from Ur, Gilgamesh seemed to have reined in his playful impulses.
He'd slipped away to the seaside for a stroll, only to run into an ambush. A deity who looked exactly like Enkidu clashed with him in a fierce battle, though it ended in a stalemate for the time being.
While Gilgamesh was sneaking around, Castorice wasn't idle either. She reappeared on the northern battlefield, and just as expected, the enemy's assault followed right after she showed up.
Two Demon Beast Generals launched a joint attack, aiming to take her down. But with Merlin's help, Castorice managed to lay hands on one of them first.
Interestingly, this pair of generals was a man and a woman.
Castorice pulled off a deadly "embrace," swiftly eliminating the serpent woman. The other general was then pinned down with Ana's assistance.
The once overwhelmingly powerful enemy lost three top-tier combatants in a short span. After that, the demon beasts' offensive noticeably weakened.
Thanks to Castorice's aid, casualties on the front lines dropped dramatically.
However, the very next day, Castorice was summoned by Gilgamesh.
When Merlin brought Castorice and Ana to the throne room, Ushiwakamaru had just returned from the front.
She had intended to head back into the fray, but Gilgamesh insisted that exhausted troops were of little use and ordered her to rest.
After exchanging a nod with Ushiwakamaru and waiting for her to leave, Castorice stepped before Gilgamesh.
"What did you need me for, Your Majesty?"
A faint smile graced her lips as she gazed up at the seated king.
As she spoke, she glanced toward Siduri, who still wore a trace of displeasure.
Clearly, before Castorice and Ushiwakamaru arrived, Siduri had given the king quite the earful. But he was her king after all—a little private grumbling was one thing; in front of the others, Siduri knew to maintain his dignity.
"This king recalled a certain matter, so I called you here. Go and retrieve the Tablet of Destinies for me."
Gilgamesh propped his cheek on one hand, his eyes scanning the stone slabs before him as he addressed Castorice with an air of nonchalance.
His day of indulgence yesterday had left him buried in work. Siduri had handled some of it, but many decisions still required his personal attention. Even now, as he spoke with Castorice, he was multitasking.
If Jing Yuan were here, the two might have had much to discuss.
Of course, if Castorice had transformed into Jing Yuan this time, there would be no need for such concerns. With even a Pseudo-Emanator's power, a single strike could obliterate every enemy in this world.
"The Tablet of Destinies?"
Ana looked at him, puzzled.
"Indeed. It records the future this king foresaw during meditation long ago."
Gilgamesh nodded.
"But since you were the one who recorded it, you should still remember its contents, shouldn't you?"
Castorice looked at him, equally confused.
"Why should this king remember prophecies scribbled down half-asleep during clairvoyant visions? Do you recall every detail of your dreams? Or do you memorize how many slices of bread you eat each morning?"
Gilgamesh waved a dismissive hand.
Castorice thought it over and found his logic sound. She'd had countless dreams herself, but only a handful stayed with her. Most times, she only knew she'd dreamed something—the content itself was lost.
"So… have you remembered where you left the tablet?"
Merlin interjected.
"This king inscribed that tablet in the city of Kutha on my way back from the Netherworld to Uruk."
"Walking back from the Netherworld… it's incredible no matter how you think about it…"
Castorice couldn't help but marvel at how straightforward this world's structure was—the surface was the mortal realm, and if you dug straight down, you'd reach the Netherworld…
It felt almost too simplistic.
"Kutha now falls within the territory of the goddess Ishtar. That is precisely why His Majesty is sending you."
Siduri added from the side.
"Sooner or later, we'll have to confront that woman. But I've noticed she treats you fairly well. Best to avoid trouble where we can—it'll save us headaches. Hmm… come to think of it, perhaps she isn't entirely unreasonable…"
Gilgamesh seemed lost in thought for a moment.
He turned to Castorice and gestured. "Go. This is a royal command. Bring back the Tablet of Destinies."
After taking their leave, Castorice returned to her quarters.
Kutha was quite a distance from Uruk, but neither Castorice, Ana, nor Merlin were ordinary in speed. After discussing, the three decided to set out the next day.
"You know, Ana seems quite attached to you. Even back when we were planning against the Demon Beast Generals—if I had suggested it, she would've refused outright. But when you spoke up, Miss Castorice, she agreed without a second thought."
Merlin teased from the side.
"It's because it's you, Merlin. That's why I refuse. If anyone else asked, I'd agree."
Ana pouted, clearly annoyed.
"Discrimination! That's blatant discrimination!"
"Exactly. I am discriminating against you. One of these days, I'll finish off you, you annoying pest."
Ana shot Merlin a dark, meaningful look.
"Ana, you're joking, right? Ahaha…"
Merlin rubbed the back of his head with an awkward laugh.
"What do you think?"
"Ahem…"
Seeing Ana's dead-serious expression, Merlin forced another laugh and made a hasty exit.
Castorice then led Ana back to their lodgings.
Night fell, and the bright moonlight bathed Uruk in a soft glow. In the darkness, the city shimmered faintly, as if draped in a veil of silver.
Castorice shared the same residence as Ushiwakamaru, though the latter was rarely home at night, spending most days on the battlefield.
But today, under Gilgamesh's orders, Ushiwakamaru was resting at home.
That evening, after washing up, Castorice changed into a pure white gown and climbed to the rooftop. There, she let the night breeze wash over her, savoring a moment of peace.
Without realizing it, she'd already been in this world for over a month. If someone had told her this would happen before, she'd never have believed it. Crossing worlds—it's truly wondrous, isn't it?
Just then, light, crisp footsteps sounded from behind her.
"I didn't expect to find you here, Miss Castorice. Oh, and I haven't thanked you properly until now. If you hadn't been assisting on the front lines, our situation would've been much more dire."
"Ever since your arrival, even soldier casualties have dropped significantly. Many in the army admire you, you know."
Ushiwakamaru stood behind her, speaking warmly.
"I only did what was within my power. This ability to take life… when wielded wisely, can also be used to protect. I'm glad I could be of help to everyone."
Castorice gently placed a hand over her heart and smiled.
"Miss Castorice… you're truly kind."
Ushiwakamaru gazed at her, momentarily captivated.
"...Aren't you the same, Ushiwakamaru?"
Castorice tilted her head slightly, meeting the other girl's eyes.
Ushiwakamaru's spirited face showed a flicker of surprise, unsure why Castorice would say that.
Away from battle, Ushiwakamaru didn't resemble the famed historical warrior at all—she seemed just like any other youthful girl.
"I could tell from watching you on the battlefield. Even though you were summoned here, your desire to protect people is genuine. Otherwise, you wouldn't fight so tirelessly."
Hearing this, Ushiwakamaru felt a sudden surge of emotion.
In her previous life, she'd fought countless battles, but so few had truly understood her. She never expected Castorice, whom she'd known for only a few days, to see her so clearly.
For a moment, warmth and gratitude flowed through Ushiwakamaru's heart.
"It's getting late, Lady Ushiwakamaru. I'd love to talk longer, but we both have missions tomorrow. I wish you pleasant dreams."
"Yes! I look forward to our next meeting. And if we fight side by side on the battlefield again, I'll make sure to protect you well, Miss Castorice!"
Nodding firmly, Ushiwakamaru smiled brightly.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.