In the video, Ishtar rode Maanna and arrived above the city of Uruk.
"Gilgamesh, get your ass out here and see this goddess, or I'll wipe Uruk off the map!"
Her voice—half delighted, half tsundere—echoed again and again through Uruk.
Hearing her shout, Siduri steeled herself and walked out of the palace to greet her.
"Lady Ishtar, the king is already waiting for you inside the palace. Please follow me."
"Hmph, fine. You're all about to die anyway, so I'll make the trip."
Ishtar had been angry, but the thought that Gilgamesh was soon going to be hers eased her mood. She snorted and followed Siduri in.
The moment she entered the great hall, Gilgamesh's arrogant laughter rang out.
"Hahahaha! Worthless goddess, you've sure got a big mouth. You want my life? Take a look at yourself first—do you even know your own weight?"
"I won't waste words. My father—the god who rules all gods—is furious that you killed the Bull of Heaven. So he has decreed that one of you must die."
Still haughty, Ishtar raised a slender finger and swung it back and forth between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. In the end, she pointed at Enkidu.
"Father says: Enkidu will be executed. Gilgamesh will come with me. Uruk will be restored to its rightful ruler."
As her words fell, Enkidu fell silent. His eyes dimmed, as if he were thinking through something he didn't want to face.
Siduri covered her mouth behind her veil, clearly stunned by this outcome.
"Hahahaha, good! Worthless goddess, take us to see your father. We'll confront him face to face. I want to see what reason that bastard thinks he has to judge me!"
Gilgamesh roared with laughter and rose from his throne.
Ishtar froze, then strode up to him, glaring.
"Do you even hear yourself? That's the King of the Gods! You want to confront him directly? If you do that, even I won't be able to save you!"
"Hmph. King of the Gods? So what? I'm the king of mankind. Am I supposed to be afraid?"
He fired back without hesitation.
"Y-you…!"
Ishtar stared at the unwavering king and couldn't force out a single complete sentence.
After a moment, she left a final line and turned to leave.
"Then go die. I'm not going with you!"
She summoned Maanna, preparing to depart.
"Wait."
Gilgamesh's voice stopped her.
She halted and looked back, smugness blooming on her face.
"What, you regret it? Then beg this goddess. I might graciously plead for you before Father."
"I'm not here to beg you. Don't get cocky."
Gilgamesh walked out, his tone as overbearing as ever.
"You—are you playing with me?!"
Ishtar bristled like an enraged kitten. She snorted hard.
"Tch. All decked out in gold… Fine, I'll call you 'Goldie' then. You infuriating bastard!"
"I want you to take me to the Divine Realm so I can meet this so-called God-King."
The declaration struck Ishtar dumb.
"You… what did you just say? I didn't mishear that, did I?"
"I won't repeat myself. You just need to take me there."
His domineering manner left her no room to refuse.
"Damn it… you really want to go throw your life away?"
"What 'throw my life away'? Don't talk nonsense, worthless goddess. I'm going to have a proper talk with your father."
His brow furrowed in displeasure.
"You… fine! If you want to die, I'll take you!"
Ishtar enlarged Maanna so it could fit three people.
"Hey, Goldie! Stand behind me and hold onto my shoulders. If you fall, don't blame me!"
She stood at the helm, annoyed by their awkward positioning.
"Hurry up. I don't even want to sit on this thing."
"If you don't want to ride, then don't!"
Ishtar was so angry her lungs felt like they were about to explode, but she couldn't kick them out. She swallowed it down and piloted the vessel.
Back in reality, Illya stared at the screen, eyes glittering with admiration.
"So this is the Hero King… not afraid of death, willing to go this far for his friend…"
Northwood shifted a little to make room for Sakura on the sofa.
"Maybe. If anyone had a friend they truly trusted… they might do the same."
He had once been just as hot-blooded, willing to risk everything for a soulmate. That kind of bond made you fearless.