"The history of mankind continues in that fashion. —Air." He sat down slowly beside her, looking out at Uruk. "What you fought for, what you protected, and what kind of person you were… neither I nor you can judge that yet. —That is for those who follow to know. Therefore: for now, you should simply walk the path you believe is right."
That was the true meaning of the King's judgment.
"Learn what is new, and let your heart dance for the unknown. That is your joy. —For it is your life, and yours alone."
And those were also the words of the Wise King wishing for the day she would 'one day face the world.'
"—Yes. Thank you, Wise King. The Great King, the oldest of humanity, whom I respect and love most of all."
Filled with a gentle, warm emotion, Air smiled—and offered her thanks to the Wise King.
"It is fine. Do not give it a thought. —I will admit, I once destroyed my own country as well."
"—Eh!?"
Looking at the stunned Air, the King laughed.
"Hahaha! A King is great, but he is equally foolish. This is the part of the Epic of Gilgamesh that follows… I became obsessed with the quest for immortality. I wandered and wandered, and when I returned to my country empty-handed, it was little more than a ruin. The people, fed up with their King's absence, had moved to other cities. Only Siduri remained. And even she—'I couldn't rest until I gave you a piece of my mind,' she said, full of resentment. Hahaha!"
"…So even the King is not infallible. I suppose human blood is indeed a cycle of failure and progress."
Even hearing this fact, Air's respect did not waver in the slightest. Rather, it only made her feel more proud that the King was a supreme ruler who shared the blood of both gods and men. (Though, she did feel a tiny bit of fear imagining Siduri's scolding face.)
"I realized this was bad and decided to rebuild Uruk. I was looking for a new purpose myself. Thus, I conceived the citadel city and restored Uruk to the form you see today."
The King looked up at the sky, thinking of how long, yet how short, it had all been. Like the lingering remains of a fleeting dream.
"But do not think I have repented. My nature remains unchanged for all eternity. A King does not live for his people. Rather, the people live for the King. —Then, for what does a King live? It goes without saying. He lives for the joys he deems worthy. If I must say it, I have governed this Uruk for the sake of that which pleases me. —It is the same reason I, in my foolishness, have watched over you. Your refinement and your journey—"
He spoke with a look of pure amusement.
"They were nothing less than my own joy and pleasure. A King lives for his own delight; a Princess lives for her own wishes. —To observe that way of being… that was my reward."
That was the true source of the Heroic King's good mood. In the end, the one who had enjoyed this journey—this journey where smiles never ceased—more than anyone else…
…was the Heroic King himself.
"It is the final week. The climax is here. Spend it so that you have no regrets. —At this point, I'll give you a score of 90. I look forward to the final battle."
"—Yes! King Gilgamesh. To your great deeds and achievements, I offer my boundless respect and gratitude—!"
The morning sun rose, and the glow of dawn enveloped the earth. The two of them continued to gaze at the brilliance of the sun rising from the horizon, shielding their eyes against the light—
…And thus, the final week began to pass.
(Montage of the final week)
"Dannoura, Eight-Ship Leap—!!"
"Ushiwakamaru got drunk and cut the bridge in half—!!"
"Another complaint?! Enough is enough!!"
~
"Let us live uprightly. Surely, your deeds will be rewarded."
"Hmph, 'Confession' is quite useful, isn't it?"
~
"Cleaning the murals is a job only a shinobi can do!"
"It's high! It's really high!"
"Lord Rikka, please be careful!"
~
"Hi! Let's have an exhibition match, Rikka! Giving everyone courage is important, too!"
"Alright!!"
~
"Lamassu—! Mask!!"
[So you've come, Lamassu Mask! I, Ajidah-Rikka, shall defeat you!]
"Go for it, Lamassu Mask—!"
"I wonder who Lamassu Mask actually is..."
~
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"