"I didn't know Servants could suffer from insomnia."
Castorice gazed at Ana until she began to fidget, then approached her gently. "If something's troubling you, just say it. We're companions, aren't we?"
She spoke softly, watching the girl.
"Do you think... from the moment someone is summoned, their fate is already set in stone?"
Ana moved past Castorice, leaning against the rooftop railing. The evening breeze tugged strands of hair free from her hood, revealing her pale profile against the night.
"Perhaps."
Castorice shrugged, offering no real answer to Ana's question.
"What kind of reply is that?"
Ana clearly wasn't satisfied.
"Well, if we're talking about fixed destinies... in a way, yes. All humans experience birth, aging, sickness, and death."
"You know that's not what I meant."
Ana's cheeks puffed in frustration.
"True… But Ana, even if the ending is predetermined, every choice you make along the way shapes how you reach it."
"Will you spend your life shadowed by that final outcome? Or will you do everything within your power, then smile and say 'I gave it my all' when you arrive?"
"Obviously the second one."
Ana answered without hesitation.
After a moment's pause, she began recounting her story to Castorice—how she offended Athena and was cursed, how her maddened self devoured her two closest relatives, becoming an Avenger, and why she now found herself in this world.
Like Castorice, Ana had her own other half. But she knew exactly what that half represented: the composite divinity known as Gorgon, an Avenger who wreaked cruel vengeance upon humanity.
"I despise that version of myself. That's why I want to stop her. Not out of love for humanity or desire to protect them... I simply want to reject what I became."
Ana's voice remained calm.
"That's fine."
Castorice shook her head gently. "No matter what, I'll support you. When you have the chance to choose, don't leave room for regrets. But your existence remains a secret for now - don't strike unless you're certain it'll be decisive. If you need my help, just ask."
"Your help?"
Ana seemed to recall something, then shook her head vigorously. "Completely unnecessary! My power is sufficient!"
As she spoke, a faint blush colored her cheeks.
"I'm going to rest now! We're heading to the Northern Wall tomorrow!"
With that, Ana hurried back to her room.
--+--
Early the next morning, Castorice brought Merlin and Ana to the Northern Wall.
There they met Leonidas and Ushiwakamaru, who were stationed at the frontlines.
Despite being a battlefield, the outpost wasn't solely military as civilians might imagine. Many ordinary people worked here too - after all, if the frontlines collapsed, nowhere would be safe.
Leonidas proved an exceptional commander, maintaining perfect order at the fortress.
"Our objective is simple," Ushiwakamaru explained. "We're heading to a fortified city called Nippur in the north to rescue survivors. There have been signs of life there, but previously we couldn't evacuate civilians through the demonic beast siege."
"We've only managed to rescue people in small groups under cover of darkness. However, yesterday the beasts launched an organized assault, and our communications with Nippur were cut off."
"Lord Ushiwakamaru will distract the beasts outside the city," Leonidas added, "while you investigate what's happening inside." He specifically turned to Ushiwakamaru. "Whatever happens, do not enter the city. That's King Gilgamesh's command."
"Why? Once I eliminate the beasts outside, I could assist Castorice's group inside!"
Ushiwakamaru looked puzzled.
"I don't know the king's reasoning, I'm merely conveying his orders. Perhaps he has deeper intentions?"
"Understood..." Ushiwakamaru nodded.
Though she disagreed internally, as a warrior she would obey her king's command. What might happen afterward was another matter entirely.
After all, as that ancient saying from the distant eastern kingdom went: "The general abroad may disregard the sovereign's orders!"
Nippur stood close to the Northern Wall - its silhouette visible from the ramparts.
But with the relentless beast attacks, this nearest city to Uruk had remained unrescued. Only recently, with the assault weakening, could they spare resources for other cities.
This might partly be Castorice's doing - her previous demonstrations of power had surely given the enemy pause.
Casualty rates like hers couldn't be sustained, even with numerical superiority. After eliminating humanity, Gorgon still had other goddesses to deal with.
Ushiwakamaru fought with ferocious intensity, ordinary beasts falling within moments against her blade. Elite monsters like Ugallu rarely appeared in the wild, so the group reached Nippur's outskirts unhindered.
"I'll draw the beasts' attention here. Make it quick."
Standing outside the city gates, Ushiwakamaru sighed, telling Castorice she'd refrain from entering unless absolutely necessary.
Inside the city, the sight that greeted them was grim.
Silence and emptiness ruled the streets. Preliminary searches revealed no living souls.
Only horrific blood trails stretched across the ground, each originating from a house - evidence of occupants being violently dragged away while gravely wounded.
These crimson paths twisted and turned, converging at the city's central highest point.
Streams of blood flowed across the ground, forming a bizarre altar-like arrangement.
And at the center of this configuration stood Kingu, as if they'd been expecting Castorice's arrival all along.
--+--
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!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.