"Are you worrying about me, King of Uruk?"
"…Enkidu."
Only then did Ophis realize Enkidu was kneeling quietly behind her, one knee to the ground.
Had she really been so lost in thought…?
Or perhaps it was because she no longer felt the need to guard herself around this person.
"What is it?"
Though startled at first, Ophis quickly regained her composure.
"What you fear… is my death, isn't it?"
The air went still.
Ophis hadn't expected Enkidu to say that. Of course, she rarely anticipated anyone's words—but this time, genuine surprise flickered across her expression.
How… did she know?
Enkidu smiled faintly, her voice calm but certain.
"I understand the nature of gods better than you do. If I fail to stop your defiance, I'll have no purpose left—just another tool the gods can discard."
Ophis closed her eyes.
"In other words, Enkidu… you wish me to obey the gods?"
"No, that's not it."
Enkidu's voice rang steady and clear. Even without turning around, Ophis could picture the unshakable resolve on her face.
"My King, I want you to make the best decision for the people of Uruk—without letting me influence you."
She gazed intently at Ophis, her eyes unwavering.
"For Uruk and its people, which path leads to a better future: relying on the gods, or breaking free from them?"
For Ophis, the answer was obvious.
Humanity's potential was limitless. Only by casting off the gods' chains could they walk a broader path.
If Ophis could see that, then Enkidu surely understood it too.
"Impossible. That's putting the cart before the horse."
Ophis shook her head. She'd only taken responsibility for Uruk because of Enkidu—how could she now abandon Enkidu for Uruk? The logic didn't add up.
"Ophis!"
Enkidu's voice sharpened, filled with emotion.
"You are the King of Uruk!"
Drawing a deep breath, she continued firmly:
"A king must think of all their people—not just one individual above the rest."
"I don't care about being king… as long as Enkidu—"
Ophis rarely spoke so much at once, but Enkidu cut her off immediately.
"But you are the king! The Hero King!"
"Even so, I cannot sacrifice you, Enkidu."
"To lead the people along the best path—that is a king's duty."
Faced with Enkidu's unyielding resolve, Ophis felt a rare flicker of frustration.
And yet, as always, she couldn't ignore or run from her words.
"I'm not human. I have no reason to look after humans…"
"But you are king."
"Their lives or deaths mean nothing to me…"
"But you are king."
"Even if you add them all together, they're not worth a single hair on your head…"
"But you are king."
"Being king was never something I chose willingly…"
"But you are king."
"Then I won't be the king anymore!"
Her voice only rose slightly—but for someone as detached as Ophis, it was a full-blown outburst.
She was angry.
Turning aside, she glared at Enkidu, who remained kneeling calmly, eyes closed, utterly unmoved by Ophis's rare show of emotion.
When she finally opened her eyes, her answer didn't change.
"But you are king."
Their gazes met—Enkidu's serene and unwavering, Ophis's burning with quiet frustration.
"A king isn't just a title," Enkidu said softly. "It's a responsibility. Whether you choose to be a virtuous king, a tyrant, a lonely king, or something else entirely, your people remain your duty. You may take from them as you wish—but you must also lead them."
"But a king must protect themselves first before protecting others, right?"
"Perhaps that's true."
Enkidu smiled gently.
"But I haven't reached the point of influencing your decision. After all, I'm merely a tool."
"The value of something isn't for it to decide on its own."
"No, that much I do understand."
Enkidu's expression softened further, though her eyes never left Ophis.
"What truly worries you isn't my death, is it?"
Her tone was calm now—gentle, patient, and understanding. Yet Ophis couldn't bear her gaze and turned aside.
—Enkidu was right. It wasn't her death that Ophis feared.
What frightened her was the thought of Enkidu leaving her.
In the end, it was nothing more than Ophis's own selfishness.
If she could set aside that selfishness, she might even bless Enkidu's death without hesitation.
"Honestly, hearing you say that makes me very happy… It means I already hold an important place in your heart, doesn't it?"
Enkidu had seen straight through her, yet still smiled with warmth—without the slightest trace of blame.
"But… Ophis, you won't always be able to stay by my side, will you?"
Enkidu had always known this. Ophis would leave one day—she was someone who belonged to a place far beyond this world, her gaze always fixed on the unreachable distance.
From the moment Enkidu realized that truth, she'd never dared to wish for Ophis to remain forever. She desired only one thing, no matter the cost.
"…"
Ophis didn't answer.
This world wasn't her own, and her journey toward silence was endless.
No matter how much she cherished Enkidu, the parting would come eventually. Whether sooner or later made no real difference.
With a faint sigh, Ophis stilled her emotions and returned to her usual calm.
"If that's your wish, Enkidu."
Enkidu's words had awakened her from a brief, peaceful dream. In the end, she would still have to leave—but before that, she could at least grant Enkidu's wish.
To become a king.
To act as a king.
"My wish…"
Enkidu whispered softly, almost to herself, and shook her head with a bittersweet smile.
She'd only ever had one true wish from the beginning—
And it wasn't something as small as Ophis becoming a king.
Standing atop the hill, Ophis gazed down at Uruk's distant sprawl. After a long silence, she opened her eyes again, determination shining in their depths.
"Enkidu. Will you support me?"
Sensing the authority now firm in Ophis's voice, Enkidu's expression softened into quiet pride. She bowed low, her voice steady and solemn.
"This body is the king's weapon. Whether at the edge of the world or at its very end—as long as this vessel endures, it shall fight eternally for the king."
Her words were gentle, yet they carried the weight of an oath.
"This is my eternal vow to you."
Ophis nodded gravely and stretched her hand toward Uruk.
"I am King. To build the civilization and the future of this planet—that is a king's duty."
"For that, gods are no longer needed as chains or burdens."
Her voice grew firm, quiet yet commanding.
"In that case… let it sound from here—"
"The horn of rebellion against the gods."