"My king, the people are starving. Most young laborers have vanished. The public is restless. Are you truly not going to address this?"
Siduri knew she shouldn't say such things, but the people's pleading faces haunted her.
Even if she'd be punished, she had to speak.
She had a maid take Enkidu away, then stood alone before Gilgamesh.
"Hahaha… even you don't trust me now, Siduri?"
Gilgamesh laughed, but his crimson eyes dimmed with disappointment.
"I know you speak for the people. Since it's you asking, I'll handle it."
"My king…"
Siduri laughed softly, ashamed of herself.
She knew Gilgamesh already had things in motion; he just hadn't announced it yet.
She'd misunderstood him.
He still cared for his people—he hadn't forgotten his初心.
"I'll go look after Little Enkidu. Please take care of your health, my king."
She bowed and left.
The scene shifted.
"This is the king's grace! These foods store long-term and yield abundantly!"
"My king, we were wrong. We're not human!"
"Yesterday, my child returned. He said life under the king is good—never hungry. Serving the king is the greatest honor of his life!"
The crowd watched soldiers distribute food, listening as they learned how important it was.
Atop the temple steps, Gilgamesh stood above them.
"Rejoice! This is a gift from your king!"
He shouted with arrogant laughter.
"King Gilgamesh!!"
The people roared in delight.
"My king, you're truly perfect. I can't believe foods like… potatoes and wheat are this amazing. I've never seen them before!"
"And you began these experiments a year ago, right when you first took the throne. Such foresight…"
Siduri, standing behind him, was shocked and deeply moved.
The king had truly grown.
"We're not done. If we don't eliminate that divine beast, the people will never be safe. I'll go crush it and make Uruk sing my legend!"
His grin remained as arrogant as ever.
"Why… shouldn't they be angry? Why are they smiling so happily?"
Enkidu stared at the people below, baffled.
"This is King Gilgamesh. He will always keep his people in his heart."
Siduri was wholly on Gilgamesh's side now. The people's smiles proved his worth.
"Then… do I still need to bring him before the gods?"
Enkidu hit a mental dead end, like something inside him had broken.
"Little Enkidu, if your mission is to bring back 'a king who failed his people,' then why not stay as his supervisor? The moment he strays from his初心, then you take him back."
Siduri's words jolted him awake.
"I understand. I'll follow Gilgamesh."
Enkidu's once-dull eyes lit up.
"Hahaha! I've decided to go alone and slay that beast that's ruining the people!"
"And the clay and stone for our walls have limits. We need more timber—we'll go to the cedar forest. Any man or beast that stops my construction, I will erase!"
Gilgamesh suddenly boomed with laughter, drawing every gaze.
"Can such a strong divine beast really be killed?"
"Only the king could defeat it!"
The people who had just received his gifts praised him even more passionately.
The comments were praise too.
[The tsundere king is so gentle… I'm in love.]
[He pre-stocked food early… so thoughtful—wait, why are there potatoes and hybrid rice in this era? Are you messing with me?]
[Yeah I'm kind of speechless. The uploader is just making stuff up now.]
[Progress bar halfway warning. Whatever, it's a personal production—maybe the uploader just didn't want the people to suffer.]
[Little Enkidu's reaction is so cute. I'm off to buy his figure… is there a life-size one? I can.]
[Bro, kinks are free, but maybe see a doctor.]
Back in Uruk's palace.
A group of ministers watched with Gilgamesh.
But they noticed their king's expression darkening, like anger was brewing.
"Your Majesty, are you alright? Shall I have that video taken down? The creator doesn't understand history at all—this is nonsense."
One minister finally couldn't take it anymore.
He thought he was being wise—better than waiting for the king's wrath.
But Gilgamesh didn't answer. He simply watched the screen.
The longer he stayed silent, the more nervous they became.
The calm before the storm.
They were all wondering who the idiot was that had recommended this video to the king.
Then a girl carrying a platter of fruit entered.
Her face was veiled, but freckles were visible.
She resembled Siduri, but wasn't Siduri. Her name was Siduri-Bev.
When Gilgamesh learned her name, he'd immediately taken her as a close attendant.
"My king, these are fresh fruits. Would you like to try some?"
"Hahaha, Siduri. Put them there and come sit with me to watch."
Gilgamesh laughed, taking her hand.
The throne was big enough for two.
"This video… could it be your past, my king?" Bev's lips parted under the veil.