『It's simple... pest control.』
[ H E R O I C L O V E M A N I F E S T ]
With his true form revealed, Fou's power intensified.
[[!?]]
The physical composition of the Lahmu began to dissolve fatally. Their hardy bodies became soft and brittle, like sugar candy. Every defense was stripped away, leaving them barely able to maintain their life functions.
Cellular Slaughter. He destroyed their primate base-sequences, severed their cellular bonds, cut through their nervous systems, and tore their muscle fibers. It was the absolute right of slaughter—to sever all biological activity and prepare a target for death. Before this beast, even resistance was forbidden.
[[[——,･･･——･･･]]]
Like a dish served on a plate, like a criminal awaiting a verdict, like a fish on a cutting board—they could only wait for the end.
『Try to smile. You might see something interesting.』
"Yes. Let's begin. I don't particularly hate fighting. —Let me hear your beautiful voices, children."
Fou and Enkidu smiled gently.
And for the first time, the Lahmu understood. They understood the [Terror] of being hunted, of being killed.
And they understood what a "smile" truly was.
A smile was...
[——b0,e]
...something more terrifying than words could ever describe!
And then, a further "Evil" descended.
"We've reached the surface! Marduk will now dry up the ocean and seal her movements! Push all engines and the Grail to their absolute limit!"
『Roger!』
『I hope we don't get caught in it!』
"Fear not, for us it shall be a blessing! —You're going, aren't you, Master?"
Rikka stood by the open hatch and gave a thumbs-up. She nodded with a grin.
"I'm going to go buy us some time!"
"Master!"
"Yeah?"
"...Please be careful!"
"...I will!"
『Return the moment she takes flight! I won't allow any recklessness! Do you hear me!』
Savoring the concern of those who cared for her, Rikka leapt from a height of one hundred meters!
[Let's go, Angra Mainyu!]
[You got it! Heheh. I'm technically the "Evil of Dialogue," so I don't know how far I can go... but let's see about buying some time!]
[Everything... for the future of humanity—!!]
Summoning Angra Mainyu, Rikka's existence transformed within a sphere of mud. Six horns, crimson eyes, and a terrifying mouth with bared fangs. A humanoid dragon. Three pairs of wings unfolded, and her arms were clad in gauntlets shaped like dragon heads.
[————...!!]
A long tail struck the earth. An evil dragon that protected hope by scattering majesty and despair through the air was now manifest!
[Aaaaaa,Aaaaa･･･——!?]
Goddess Tiamat was visibly confused. What was this...? Neither human nor child. What was this hideous thing...?
[——————⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛!!!!!]
Rikka answered that question with a thunderous roar.
She was an "Evil of Humanity" that could have been. A great disaster that sought to love humans without ever knowing them. Her name: Beast IF: Azi Dahaka. One of the "Possible" Evils of Humanity. The Beast who held the principle of the [Unknown]!
[ H U M A N I T Y ' S E V I L H E R E A N D N O W ! ! ]
[Aaaaaa————!!]
[⬛⬛⬛⬛————!!]
They roared and intimidated one another, Beast II and Azi Dahaka locking into a titanic grapple. Here—the battle of the Evils, the judgment of man, began!
Fou, Enkidu, Master...!
"I understand your concern, but focus on the task at hand! Look! Witness the divine authority of Marduk!"
『GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!』
With Marduk's roar, the brilliance and power of the sun erupted. Searing heat and massive energy struck the sea, and in an instant, the water evaporated, scattered, and vanished.
『————...FUurrrr——』
After three minutes of Marduk's radiance, the entire Persian Gulf adjacent to Mesopotamia had been boiled away into nothingness. Marduk exhaled a heavy, heated breath from the energy discharge.
Evaporation confirmed! Marduk's efficiency dropped to 40%!
"We're heading for the Underworld immediately! Leave the stalling to them—"
The King's words cut off as he witnessed it.
"Is that... could it be...?"
It was approaching. A massive wall of cumulonimbus clouds was heading straight for them. Thunder loud enough to shatter a Servant's core, a storm fierce enough to blow them away. It was somewhat small, but it was unmistakably...
"Is that Gugalanna?! I thought that useless goddess had lost her authority over it and severed her ties...?!"
"Hah! Hahaha! Hahahaha!! You have such a poor imagination, Goldie!"
Standing beside the storm was the Goddess of Venus...
"I am the Goddess Ishtar, and I don't stay down for long! It occurred to me: 'If you don't have a Gugalanna, just make one!' I slapped a Venus texture onto Mount Ebih, attached some biological parts to Maanna, drew a magic circle, and dumped my entire life savings into the Ishtar-Money-is-Power System! And thus, I created: Gugalanna Minimum! Ohoho! You should be praising me! I'm perfect at fixing my own mistakes!"
『BUMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!』
"Now go, Gugalanna! Help Rikka! Trample them until they fly into the sky!"
[Aaaaaa!!]
[——!]
Gugalanna roared with the storm and charged at Tiamat!
(Speechless)
"Did you foresee this, Air?"
(Shakes head violently)
"Hmph, well, no matter! You were actually useful for once, Ishtar! We'll leave this to you! Marduk! Transform!"
『Guuuuuu･･･——』
[Aaaaaa･･･——!!]
The gods exchanged looks and moved to play their respective parts—
-------------------------------
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