Though dwelling high in the heavens, unable to descend in their true forms, the god-king Anu, through means prepared when first casting down the Bull of Heaven and Humbaba, could yet wield his staff to hasten their manifestation.
He could force their complete descent within a single day.
Yet in the very next instant, a voice rang out, interrupting the god-king's gesture:
"Great God-King Anu, there is a matter that must be reported!"
Anu turned toward the speaker. It was not one of the gods, but a divine messenger—once human priests, ascended after death for their service to the gods, now attendants in the heavens.
"A reply has come from the temple of Uruk in the mortal realm," the messenger reported, bowing deeply.
Anu fell silent for a moment, then slowly lowered his staff. "And their reply?"
Ever since Gilgamesh, Rovi, and Enkidu openly defied the gods together within the Monster Forest, the deities of heaven had sent down a divine oracle to the earthly priests:
They were to serve as the gods' agents among humanity.
When the moment was ripe, they would strike from within, breaking Uruk's defenses.
But until now, no clear answer had come.
This did not surprise the gods—for although priests were earthly servants of heaven, they remained fundamentally human, unlike those who ascended to heaven and became something entirely different.
Difference in status naturally meant differences in viewpoint.
Indeed, those priests had already agreed to Gilgamesh's request, offering false prayers to stall for time.
Yet still, just as with Gilgamesh, the gods clung to the hope that their earthly priests would ultimately take their side.
With the priests' cooperation, the gods could directly cast a powerful curse down upon Uruk—
A curse strong enough to kill one among Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and Rovi.
And thus, the gods could conserve more of their power.
Power that was desperately needed, for a far greater enemy awaited them—
"What is their answer?" After Anu, another god pressed impatiently. "If they agree, we can preserve our strength to face 'the Mother.'"
"But we can delay no longer—"
"The Sea of Imaginary Numbers grows ever more turbulent... The Mother we drove out, Tiamat, draws closer. Our time is running out."
The divine council's mood grew grim, and some showed a faint glimmer of fear.
In ancient myth, Tiamat, the primordial goddess embodying the chaotic salt sea, betrayed and exiled by the gods, would one day return, cradling vengeance against her children.
Faced with this threat, even the gods could not remain calm.
Indeed, this was precisely why they had harbored even a faint hope in Gilgamesh—
Perhaps it might spare them the loss of vital strength. Perhaps they might avoid total enmity with humanity.
They wished to preserve what resources they could, to confront Tiamat.
"The priests of Uruk offer their prayers."
The messenger's voice drifted across heaven's vault. As he was neither fully god nor human, his eyes could look directly upon the mortal world. Through him, the gods could clearly see the temple in Uruk and the gathered priests within.
"To the gods we revere, they raise their voices in prayer—"
In the vast, solemn hall, clad in linen robes, the priests raised their hands, voices aged yet firm, calling aloud:
"Great gods, hear us! The world was formed by your hands, humanity flourished beneath your care. You are embodiments of all things, manifestations of the void itself."
Their words began with the familiar hymn of praise. Yet this time, their fervor seemed deeper, almost intense.
Had they finally agreed?
The gods waited expectantly, watching in silence—
"But, great gods, hear also this: the world is now steady, and humanity will continue to grow. Just as parents cannot forever imprison their children within the home, we remain ever grateful for your blessings. Our past faith was never false."
"Yet humanity must walk its own path. You must not bind us. The world does not belong to you alone—it belongs to us as well."
"O gods—you have no right… to halt humanity's advance!"
Crack!
The armrest of a divine throne splintered apart.
They...had refused!?
Just as Rovi had openly defied Gilgamesh before the temple.
These priests had struggled. They had stood awkwardly within Uruk, unsure and hesitant.
But now, from the very temple itself, they had boldly declared their stance to heaven.
As humans—
As subjects of Uruk.
Never before had the gods' earthly priests so openly defied divine will.
Boom!
Thunder roared. Divine fury erupted all at once.
"I, Anu, king of the gods and lord of the heavens, hereby command the Bull of Heaven and Humbaba—"
"Hold nothing back! Destroy Uruk!"
Yet within the temple, the priests only laughed.
They laughed freely, laughed with tears streaming down their aged faces.
Indeed…
If even Rovi had dared defy a king...
Then what did these old men have left to fear?
The trials of ages—
At worst, it meant death!
…
"Hmph, Bwahahaha! Those old fellows—though aged, their spirit alone is worthy of this king's praise!"
As Rovi returned to Uruk's royal city alongside Gilgamesh and Enkidu, news of the priests' declaration reached them, eliciting Gilgamesh's bold laughter—unconcealed, hearty, and filled with admiration.
The sound echoed far.
Rovi paused for a moment, then found himself laughing as well.
Those old priests… had finally made their choice.
No—this was not merely their own decision.
It was Uruk itself, the entirety of humanity upon the plains, standing firm beneath the gods' pressure, declaring their own path forward.
On the journey back, Gilgamesh had already explained all that had been accomplished.
Although only three days had passed—
The young king had flawlessly unified the strength of every city-state upon the Mesopotamian plain.
He had gathered the people within Uruk's walls.
He had raised the great walls of Uruk, built to repel the endless tide of beasts.
He had called upon the young to willingly take up arms.
He had allowed the faithful to maintain their devotion—yet reminded them to never forget their own humanity.
For all people clearly understood—
The gods had once lifted clay and created humanity.
Humankind should remember and honor the grace once granted.
But such grace—
Must never become shackles that held them back.
"This king alone reigns supreme over heaven and earth! Such accomplishments—mere trifles!" Gilgamesh shamelessly boasted.
"Speaking of which… did your treasury perhaps grow stronger?" Rovi suddenly asked.
"Hmph! Bwahahaha! This king holds dominion over all treasures! Of course—every new treasure my friend touches naturally returns to my collection."
So that was it. Enkidu had gathered treasures for Gilgamesh, further strengthening the [Gate of Babylon].
Rovi quickly understood, glancing at Enkidu.
"Yes…" Enkidu gently nodded. "Those treasures were taken from Humbaba's hoard."
"I thought you might have use for them," the divine construct replied innocently, ignoring Gilgamesh completely.
Rovi nearly choked. "Then… among them, was there perhaps… a sword with a threefold spiraling blade?"
"A sword?" Gilgamesh and Enkidu blinked in confusion.
Enkidu briefly considered, then shook his head.
None? So even now, the strongest weapon Gilgamesh was destined to wield, the star-splitting sword [Ea], had yet to appear?
The three approached the palace. Before crossing the threshold, a clear voice called out from within:
"My King—Lord Rovi, Lord Enkidu!"
Siduri, draped in silk and wearing a delicate veil, descended gracefully from the dais beside the throne, quickly reaching the entrance to welcome them.
"Vizier Siduri," Rovi inclined his head politely.
Enkidu gently smiled and nodded in greeting.
The three stepped forward, climbed the stairs, and each assumed their place.
---
T/N:
Looks like this is the last day you'll be hearing from me—for now, at least.
Bonus chapters will be released tomorrow, so if you've been hoarding your patience, you won't have to for much longer.
If you want to support the translator, there's still Patreon: patreon.com/wisetl. It's optional support—early access is just a side benefit, not an obligation.
And don't forget the Powerstone deal: every 100 Powerstones = 1 bonus chapter (100ps = 1 chp, 200ps = 2 chp, 300ps = 3 chp, and so on). If you want more chapters after tomorrow… you know what to do.
If you'd rather talk than throw stones, the Discord is open: discord.gg/wisetl. Go scream, speculate, or bully the translator about cliffhangers there instead of in your heart.
say bye bye and thank you to maomao!!