"Are you done talking?"
With a cold and commanding voice, the king of Uruk sounded indifferent, yet within that echoing tone, the crimson divine circuits across his body glowed even brighter.
This was a grave crime—one that insulted the king directly. He was ready to give the harshest punishment to the rebel!
But while most people would tremble, Meilin actually wanted this to continue.
He was even afraid the punishment might be too light, and he might not die at all.
So of course—he needed to add even more fuel to the fire.
"Done? Of course not!"
"Gilgamesh, do you think that just because you're a heaven-appointed king, you can act without consequence? Do you think you can use your half-divine power to crush the weak?"
"No, you cannot."
"No one can!"
"Uruk is a city built by humankind—our home, built from nothing with our own hands, with our sweat and blood."
"This is our home. Our nation."
"Our king will be chosen by the people."
"You—"
"Are unworthy!"
Crack, crack, crack—
The clay tablet still clutched in Gilgamesh's hand split apart. The fractures spread like wild lightning before it completely burst into countless fragments, falling across the floor of the temple.
Meilin felt a bit disappointed he wouldn't have any physical proof left of his "performance."
But it was fine.
As the first human in history to die criticizing a corrupt government, Meilin believed he deserved to be recorded forever.
So… what next?
"Even if I stand alone, even if you kill me, I believe that after my death, people will not stop."
"In the future, someone will rise to rebel against your brutality."
These would be Meilin's final words—words meant to be sung by future generations.
Let him die gloriously!
His final declaration echoed with thundering force.
Enough.
Meilin closed his eyes, ready for death, certain his fate was sealed.
After all, no king would tolerate such an insult.
Least of all Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh stood frozen, his expression mixed—not only fury, but also a strange hint of contemplation.
Yes, he was furious.
As a proud king, this was the first time in history someone had pointed at his face and insulted him publicly—though such insults could not truly shake Gilgamesh's heart, they still offended him deeply.
Especially being called "trash."
But—
"The king will be chosen by the people."
Those words—spoken in Meilin's so-called rage—pierced Gilgamesh at his core.
He harbored deep hatred for the gods.
He was born with divine blood, chosen by the gods to rule the humans—a "heavenly wedge" linking the divine and the mortal.
Young Gilgamesh might not have understood this.
But as he grew, resentment toward the gods' expectation to control him grew as well.
He didn't want to be bound.
He didn't want his life to be a puppet show.
And so he became a tyrant.
All his acts sprang from hatred of the gods.
And because of that, he agreed with Meilin's words.
A king of the mortal realm…
Should be chosen by the people.
Not by the gods.
This person…
Perhaps, like him, despised the so-called almighty gods.
He spoke from a human's point of view.
The king looked at Meilin, who stood there with eyes shut, awaiting death.
The temple was silent, everyone kneeling, but Gilgamesh's sharp eyes noticed what others couldn't—due to the young priest's words, many had already begun to stir.
The priests, especially the old one, clearly wanted to rush forward and save Meilin.
Even if it cost their lives.
"Interesting…"
Gilgamesh suddenly laughed.
Meilin, who had been preparing to die, cracked an eye open in confusion.
Death was taking way too long.
Then he saw Gilgamesh grinning, with serpent-like pupils gleaming in admiration.
Meilin: ???
"Your barking is annoying—like a dog chewing dirt—but…"
"I do acknowledge the loyalty you displayed, even willing to die."
The words were rude as always, but the approval inside was clear.
The priests sighed in relief.
Meilin alone was utterly confused.
What's happening?
Who am I?
Where is this?
Weren't you supposed to kill me?!
How is this the reaction of a tyrant?!
It completely shattered his public image!
But no matter how confused Meilin was, or how loudly he screamed internally, it was useless.
"I acknowledge your loyalty and forgive your offense against the great and noble King."
Gilgamesh waved his hand triumphantly.
"Come! Cry gratefully and thank your king for his mercy!"
He strode forward like the ruler of the world.
Oh no.
Meilin panicked, stumbling back.
Who would have thought Gilgamesh would be this reckless?!
"Don't come any closer!"
For the first time ever, Meilin felt genuine fear.
Even in front of gods, he'd never felt this way!
Gilgamesh advanced.
"This is a blessing for you, to be acknowledged by this king."
There was only one thing Meilin could do—
"I'M A MAN!"
.................
Caw caw caw…
A flock of ravens flew overhead.
Silence.
Everyone turned to the old priest, Basu.
Even Gilgamesh paused, stunned.
Basu sighed.
"Well… due to circumstances, I forged Meilin's record as a woman."
"In reality, he's a man."
"A man!"
"But ahh… love transcends gender, moonlight bless this union~"
That was their reaction.
Absolutely ridiculous, right?
"Heh. This king does not care."
Gilgamesh continued walking.
Meilin's eyes widened in horror as he kept backing away.
"I still like women! I'm normal!"
And—
Hop!
Gilgamesh lifted Meilin with both arms—one behind the back, the other under the knees.
A princess carry.
"Aaahhh put me down!!"
Meilin struggled, punching and kicking, but since all his strength was in magic, not physical power…
It only made him look adorably weak.
(Author: Hahahaha, this is too funny.)
Gilgamesh turned and walked toward the temple gates, still holding Meilin effortlessly.
"Hahahaha! Then be this king's closest companion! Live with me in the palace of Uruk! I am elevating your status—be grateful and weep! Hahahaha!"
His iconic laughter echoed.
But before he could step outside the temple—
To be continued ~
Finally, the protagonist no longer needs to hide his identity…
But sadly, the goddess's blessing and curse still haunt him~