[Because there was a ceremony for the gods and a certain plan to execute, you hurried into the bath to clean yourself while preparing mentally.]
[30 minutes have passed in the simulator's clock.]
Meilin, now finished bathing, was changing clothes in his room in front of a mirror.
"Today's my first meeting with the spotlight characters from Fate… I HAVE to look perfect and provoke Gilgamesh!"
"The angrier he gets, the better!"
While thinking that, Meilin's gaze unconsciously drifted to the bronze mirror sitting on the table.
Inside the bronze mirror was a fairy-like being that looked as if she had stepped out of a painting—
emerald-feather brows, snow-white skin, a waist like silk ribbon, pearl-like teeth, and long black hair cascading from shoulder to waist.
A beauty whose smile alone could topple kingdoms and cities.
But the person in the mirror… didn't even need to smile.
Just existing there was enough to silence the world.
In this divine age full of handsome men and beautiful women, the person in the mirror possessed an indescribable charm, like a masterpiece crafted directly by the hands of the gods.
Could any creature in this divine era be as elegant and pure as the person in the mirror?
Unlikely.
Even the proud snow lotus couldn't compare.
Was it too exaggerated to call someone the most beautiful in the world?
No.
They had the qualifications for it.
If this had been Meilin in his previous life, he wouldn't have regretted seeing this "fairy" every day.
But now?
He felt nothing at all.
He even wanted to laugh.
Not for any deep reason—
—but because that fairy-like creature from the painting… was himself.
Of course, that wasn't the main issue.
The real issue was:
He, Meilin,
IS A MAN.
And below, cough cough,
everything was still there.
Let's ignore that. Onward with the story.
---
[You depart toward the center of Uruk, where the great temples of the gods stand.]
While walking, you couldn't help thinking about something.
The temple complex of Uruk was extremely elaborate.
Unlike the world Meilin originally came from, this era was a true mythic realm where gods actually existed.
Because of that, people here didn't simply worship nature primitively—
they expressed loyalty, fear, and dependence toward the gods.
Thus, every king of Uruk expanded and renovated the temple based on the foundation left by the previous generation.
In the minds of the people of this age, humans were fundamentally under the authority and protection of the gods.
Even Gilgamesh, despite looking down on the gods, couldn't change that.
Otherwise, this holy festival wouldn't exist.
The annual collective offering to the gods could be described as magnificently grand.
Of course, Meilin didn't care about any of that right now.
After bathing and dressing neatly, he left his room with the stone tablet, walked through corridors and stairways for a while, and finally crossed the temple complex to reach the ceremonial hall.
If you asked Meilin what he thought, he would say just one word:
"Stupid."
Because these gods, in his view, hindered human progress—
fruitless fear, blind devotion, irrational reliance.
All of it held humanity back.
There was nothing wrong with worshiping gods…
But don't forget your brain.
Knowledge must keep advancing.
Meilin let out a sigh.
If humans wished to progress and become the protagonists of the world,
they had to say goodbye to the gods.
But… what could he even do?
"Bro, I can't even walk around without being scared a pervert will kidnap me and stuff me into a sack…"
---
The Pantheon.
The main hall where the gods were worshiped.
Made of massive natural stone blocks, its towering pillars rose like supports carved from the earth by the god Ea at the beginning of creation.
Statues of the gods surrounded the hall on all four sides, with Anu, king of the gods and embodiment of the sky, occupying the central position.
The moment you entered, you were greeted by uncomfortable stares.
The temple priests were already present, each sitting solemnly before their respective deity's statue.
This seating arrangement had been tradition for years.
The elderly priest standing before the statue of the King of Gods—
the High Priest—was the one who normally hosted the festival.
Of course, this year, it wasn't him.
It was Meilin.
"Look, Priest Meilin… My gods, I've never seen someone that beautiful."
One priest whispered to another as they both stared at Meilin.
There truly was a slender, mysterious figure standing before them.
Her long black hair swayed softly in the breeze as she gazed calmly at the statue of Anu.
Just by standing there, she made the world seem beautiful.
One more glance, and all distractions in the heart evaporated.
Compared to her, all messy thoughts seemed childish and foolish.
Meilin felt their stares and mentally screamed:
This is torture.
But this was not the time for casual chatter, so no one spoke further.
"THE KING IS HERE!" someone shouted from outside.
Silence immediately fell.
The High Priest slowly stepped aside, giving Meilin the place usually reserved for the statue of the King of Gods.
Sunlight filtered through the patterned dome above, golden rays shimmering like morning jewels.
Meilin straightened his posture.
He wore ceremonial linen robes—robes that utterly failed to hide his otherworldly beauty.
Holding the stone tablet, he faced the opening doors with a serious expression, slightly nervous.
To most people, this was natural.
Even if he'd performed sacrifices before, leading a ceremony this large was a first.
He'd be lying if he said he wasn't nervous.
But the truth was—
Meilin's nerves weren't about the ceremony at all.
His mind was busy thinking:
How do I make that golden-haired king MAXIMALLY angry?
Then—
krack
The doors opened.
Servants entered first, rolling out soft wool carpets, presenting treasures, and placing exotic flowers at the feet of the gods.
Meilin: "…So dramatic?"
And then, the main character appeared—
Gilgamesh.
"Hmph. So THIS is what you call a divine festival? Such excessive luxury… wasted on a bunch of sky-peeking trash. Truly disgusting how my wealth is squandered!"
That arrogant voice, so familiar to the people of Uruk, echoed within the temple.
Bruh, even the ENTRANCE is this cocky?
Meilin couldn't help complaining internally.
No matter the occasion, nothing could stop this king from being unbearably arrogant…
Basu glanced at Meilin beside him.
He had to admit…
When comparing who disrespected the gods more,
Meilin's actions were indeed quite outrageous.
But compared to Gilgamesh…
Why did Meilin suddenly look so heart-warming?
The old man suddenly understood why he loved Meilin so much.
(Yeah, because he's your grandkid!)
Meilin, unaware of his grandfather's thoughts, only stared at the golden flash approaching.
Just as he'd seen before—
Gilgamesh had short golden hair and a sharp, commanding face.
His red eyes gleamed like a serpent's.
He wore a skirt-like garment on his lower body, like all men of the time, while his upper body was bare—
muscles like carved stone, marked with red lines glowing like divine light.
His brutality was infamous among the people of Uruk.
And yet…
They also had to admit—
Gilgamesh truly possessed the bearing of a king.
---
To be continued ~