94. Plans Can't Keep Up with Changes, Kingu's Arrival
Fujimaru Ritsuka has both good news and bad news.
The good news is that we are the stronger party.
The bad news is that the enemy party has been strengthened.
And it's a powerful strengthening.
A mobile biological workshop: Her enormous body is a furnace that creates all things, constantly spewing out Rahmu and black mud, and the battlefield is her production line.
Enough to provide the magic for interstellar travel: this means her endurance and bursts of power are beyond belief.
The vast original life species stored within her body: Her body stores the foundation of life, the tangible source of the concept of life itself.
The Ark of God, which would take humanity hundreds of years to achieve —a vessel that carries life, requiring hundreds of years of technological advancement for human civilization to reach —is a ready-made and perfect form of existence in her.
This is a perfect being, flawless both physically and mythically.
Furthermore, for her, there is no concept of death. As long as there is any living life on this planet, Tiamat will never die! This is based on the absoluteness of the rules governing the origin of life.
Da Vinci's voice was solemn like never before:
"The conclusion is that she possesses near-perfect defensive and regenerative abilities, terrifying magical reserves, and terrifying creation capabilities. At the level of mythological rules, she is endowed with the absolute attribute of immortality. She is a perfect being... without any weaknesses in the setting."
Dr. Romani added wearily, "In short, Mr. Kevin's all-consuming strike was indeed powerful enough to evaporate the ocean, reshape the terrain, and even temporarily erase her form, but… as long as the foundation of life remains on the planet, she can be reborn from the ocean. That earth-shattering strike, in a sense… only pressed the reset button for her, rather than deleted her."
Alright, kids, that's the end of the scary story.
So what's the solution?
The images of Chaldea were projected onto the dining table for analysis.
The Tarnished has been spamming someone in the chat group, and the response he gets is...
[I Don't Want to Be a Hero Anymore]: Ha ha ha ha
[I Don't Want to Be a Hero Anymore]: Come here!
[I Don't Want to Be a Hero Anymore]: Try to kill me if you can!
Although he doesn't know what's wrong with that guy, he guesses he's taken drugs and is high.
"What do we do now? With her shameless attitude of never dying as long as there's any living life alive, she could wear us all down here, right?" The Tarnished said, scratching the back of his head with a hint of helplessness.
"Didn't Xiling leave a message either?" The Tarnished looked at the crowd.
Kevin said helplessly, "He said: Try to hold her off until he sorts it out on his end."
The Tarnished stroked his chin and said, "Just hold her off... If it's just about holding her off, it's not difficult for you. After all, you can go head-to-head with her all by yourself and drag it out for a whole day."
Houraiji Kyuushou nodded seriously.
"Indeed, the other side could have arrived in two days at the earliest, but with Kevin's continuous high-intensity interception and interference, this time can be delayed to at least four days."
Lemuen then spoke up, "But do we really have to do it like this?"
Lemuen looked around at everyone.
"Are we just going to drag this out and wait for Xiling to come back and resolve everything?"
"What a joke!"
A thunderous shout rang out! The first person to slam his fist on the table and speak was not someone from the chat group, but Gilgamesh.
"Are we children? Are we supposed to stand still and wait for adults to come and resolve everything? Don't be ridiculous!"
Gilgamesh waved his hand and shouted, "The men on the front lines are already fighting desperately, only to return to the rear and find that the battle is still going on. That would be a laughing stock! I will never accept such a disgrace!"
Kevin chuckled at that.
"Indeed, if that guy came back after taking care of Goetia only to find out we haven't dealt with Tiamat yet, we'll be incredibly embarrassed."
"Besides, there's a group of us here, while Xiling is all alone! It should be us who handle things here and then rush over to help him!" Fujimaru Ritsuka said with her hands on her hips and a smile, but her tone was very serious.
Dan Heng said nothing, but took a step forward. The rest of the chat group did the same thing. A certain witch followed the chat group's steps with some helplessness.
From the very beginning, they never intended to obediently stay where they were and wait for some hero to return so that he could solve this problem.
Gilgamesh burst into hearty laughter:
"Hahahaha! That's more like it! Let that so-called Mother Goddess of Creation witness the will of all of us!"
"If this is a story, then Goetia will be the final enemy, and Tiamat is a boss that gets defeated in the story. With us in the story, there's no way we can't win, right?" Houraiji Kyuushou said, waving her fist.
Just then, Fujimaru Ritsuka raised her hand and said, "Everyone, I actually have an idea."
Gilgamesh, as if he had already guessed what she wanted to say, snapped his fingers and laughed, "Tell them, Fujimaru."
Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded.
All eyes instantly turned to Fujimaru Ritsuka. Without the slightest hesitation, Fujimaru Ritsuka even stepped forward, making herself the center of attention to ensure everyone could hear her clearly. She spoke in a clear and forceful tone:
"The core issue is that as long as there is living life in this world, Tiamat will never die. So what if we make her leave this world of living beings completely?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka didn't say what kind of world that was, but everyone basically knew what she wanted to say, since that incident had happened just yesterday.
The underworld.
That is the final destination of all souls, a forbidden place for the living, and the absolute opposite of life!
A world in theory... where no living life exists!
"How come I didn't think of this method!" The Tarnished exclaimed in shock, covering his mouth.
"Yes, yes! As long as we drag her into the underworld, her immortality rule might become ineffective in that world where there is no concept of life!" Houraiji Kyuushou looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka with a hint of admiration in her eyes.
"As expected of a senior! To think of such a method! I need to learn from it."
"Sister Fujimaru! You're amazing!" Luo Tianyi clapped her hands excitedly, her voice full of sincere admiration.
"Ah... well... it's not that amazing..." Fujimaru Ritsuka was a little embarrassed by the praise and habitually scratched the back of her head.
However, a calm yet worried voice poured down like ice water, interrupting everyone's excitement.
"Wait a moment, everyone," Ereshkigal stepped forward, her petite figure exuding an undeniable authority. Her usual demeanor was gone, her delicate face now serious.
"You all seem to be taking this for granted."
She pointed her finger toward the distant sea where the black tide was churning:
"Even if this theory is feasible—I'm assuming it is—then tell me, from where and by what method should we open an entrance to the underworld for the Mother Goddess of Creation?"
Her underworld isn't in Uruk, but near Kusa, which is still some distance from Tiamat.
Her words were like a bucket of cold water, making the newly ignited flame of hope flicker uncertainly.
Just then, Gilgamesh's voice rang out again:
"No need to go to such lengths, you ignorant goddess of the underworld."
"This land of Uruk beneath my feet is the best place to bury Tiamat completely! It is also the only passage!"
"Are you kidding me? All the people of Uruk are still in this city!" Ereshkigal questioned.
If a hole to the underworld were to be made here, where would those humans go?
"I wasn't joking."
"Then you're insane!"
The two suddenly started arguing, catching the others completely off guard.
Ereshkigal pointed at Gilgamesh and scolded, "What were you thinking when you said such a thing? Do you have the means to lead your people away? Or is there something else?"
"My decision is not open to questioning by a goddess of the underworld like yourself," Gilgamesh retorted sharply.
"Then you'd better come up with a solution! You don't mean to send your people to their deaths, too, do you?!"
"Don't think that just because you're my ally for now, I won't punish you!"
"Hmph, come and try it!"
As the argument escalated into a brawl, those nearby immediately stepped in.
"Calm down, calm down, don't bother with that Gilgamesh," Ishtar said, moving closer to Ereshkigal with a rare, uncharacteristic, smirking smile as she tried to smooth things over, pushing her aside.
"Your Majesty! Please calm down! The most urgent task now is to discuss countermeasures and prioritize the overall situation! Lord Ereshkigal is acting out of a sense of valuing life! Please, Your Majesty, calm down!"
Siduri also comforted Gilgamesh from the side.
After both sides had calmed down.
Fujimaru Ritsuka said with some helplessness, "There is indeed an entrance to the underworld beneath our feet, but the people of Uruk are still here. If we bring Tiamat here..."
She didn't continue, but everyone understood what she meant—if the Mother of Creation were led to Uruk, the entire city would be swallowed by the Black Tide, and countless lives would perish in an instant.
Gilgamesh frowned slightly, a complex emotion flashing in his golden eyes. He was about to speak when Lemuen stepped forward first, her tone firm yet gentle:
"I'm sorry, we have no intention of sacrificing anyone to achieve this victory."
Elaina tapped her palm lightly with her wand, a teasing smile playing on her lips:
"If Xiling knew we would do this, he'd probably be back right away."
The Tarnished smiled; he could already picture it.
Everyone smiled knowingly.
Lemuen stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over everyone present, and said earnestly, "You have your thoughts and methods, and so do we. Some sacrifices may be inevitable, but victory achieved through sacrifice is always the last and most unavoidable option for us."
Gilgamesh looked at these people who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. Their eyes showed no wavering, only unwavering conviction. A slight smile played on his lips, not a mockery. If he could, he wouldn't want the people of Uruk to become sacrifices.
"Then tell me your plan."
Just then, Luo Tianyi raised her hand:
"Um... is it possible to expand from the Underworld to the outside world?"
Ereshkigal paused for a moment, then shook his head: "This will take at least two months to complete; there's simply not enough time."
Luo Tianyi pointed to herself, "Perhaps I can give it a try?"
"You?" Ereshkigal wanted to say something, but looking into the girl's clear eyes, she finally sighed:
"...Then let's give it a try."
...
Looking at the fully automated engineering project of the entire underworld, Ereshkigal was so shocked that her jaw almost dropped.
She turned to look at Luo Tianyi, who had just said a few words: "Thank you all for your trouble."
As a result, the entire underworld mobilized to act on her behalf.
Just as Ereshkigal was pondering how the other party had managed to do it, Luo Tianyi's voice reached her ears.
"At this pace, is it possible to complete it within two days?"
Ereshkigal looked at the automated, engineered underworld, made a brief estimate, and finally nodded affirmatively, "Two days...that's definitely enough!"
"That's good!" Luo Tianyi patted her chest, her face beaming with joy.
Although she had used up a lot of mental energy, she could hold on!
When everyone learned that Luo Tianyi would be able to complete the expansion of the Underworld in just two days, a look of relief finally appeared on their faces.
However, at this very moment—
"Report—!!!"
A soldier stumbled in, pale-faced and his voice trembling: "Your Majesty! King... Kingu is here!"
The air suddenly froze.
Gilgamesh's eyes sharpened instantly.
"...Has he finally arrived?"
...
Kingu hovered high in the sky, his hair fluttering slightly in the wind, his eyes looking down at the barrier outside the city of Uruk, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
"I see... No wonder there were so few human casualties; they're all hiding here?" His voice was soft, yet it carried a chilling coldness.
He slowly raised his hand, magic energy gathering in his palm, aiming at the city below; however, before he could make a move, a blazing beam of light suddenly shot out from the city!
Kingu instantly dodged to the right, the beam of light grazing his clothes before exploding into a blinding burst of fire in the distant sky.
Kingu steadied himself, his gaze turning cold as he looked toward the direction from which the attack had come.
But when his gaze fell on the person at the very front, a strange feeling suddenly stirred deep within him.
{Gilgamesh....}
He frowned slightly, quickly suppressing the inexplicable emotion, and a playful smile reappeared on his shrewd face:
"Yo~ we meet again, everyone, how have you been?"
"What are you doing here, Kingu?" Gilgamesh said calmly from the highest point of the city wall.
Kingu spread his hands, his smile both bright and cold:
"Of course—"
"—I will bring you destruction!"
Before he finished speaking, his figure suddenly split into two—one, two, ten, a hundred… In the blink of an eye, countless golden figures appeared in the sky! They were all different in posture, but all wore the same smile, looking down at the people of Uruk.
"Wh…what?!"
Dr. Romani's voice came through the communicator, filled with disbelief and shock.
"Judging from the Spirit Origin reactions, these are all Kingu himself! Not illusions, not clones, but the real 'Kingu'!"
"Hey, this is ridiculous!" Ishtar swallowed hard, her mouth full of saliva! What... what kind of horror story is this?!
"Ah!"
Kingu's true form tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling on Kevin, and his smile deepened:
"Speaking of which, I have to thank you."
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have returned to my mother's embrace so quickly."
"And now I have come to..."
Kingu slowly raised his hand and gently waved it.
"—Destroy this place."
In an instant, all the metal objects moved simultaneously!
"Whoosh—!"
Countless chains of heaven burst forth from the void, coiling around Uruk like giant pythons. The chains intertwined into a massive net that blotted out the sky, instantly enveloping the entire city! The soldiers on the city walls turned pale, some even collapsing to the ground, staring at the sky in despair.
"Hey, hey, I can't withstand this!"
The Tarnished shouted anxiously. With an attack of this magnitude, let alone one city, even ten cities would be wiped out!
Just as the chains were about to crush the city wall—
"Hear my command!" Gilgamesh's voice boomed like thunder in everyone's ears.
"All cannons unlocked! Raise your bows and arrows, I grant permission! Let the might of Uruk be displayed in its defense! Our resolve permeates the earth!"
There were no grand speeches, no blustering threats, but this brief declaration of counterattack rekindled the flames in the eyes of the soldiers who were on the verge of collapse.
"Ohhh!!"
A deafening battle cry erupted from all parts of the city wall. The soldiers who had been slumped up stood up, and one cannon after another extended from the city wall, aimed at the sky, the muzzles gleaming with a dangerous light.
"Fire!!!"
The next second, the world was engulfed in light.
"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM—!!"
Tens of thousands of magical projectiles traced dazzling trajectories, exploding into countless flowers of light on the giant chain net. The shockwave from the explosions caused the entire Earth to tremble.
The defenses provided by the Tarnished were operating at full speed.
"Keep firing! Don't stop!"
Gilgamesh's roar pierced through the explosions.
"Let these impostors witness the will of all of us!"
Looking at the barrage of artillery fire, Kevin said softly, "Did you see it?"
"I can see it clearly." Lemuen's pupils pierced through countless chains, reaching straight to a figure.
A black sword imbued with the concept of death appeared in Kevin's hands.
Lemuen pointed in one direction.
At this moment, Kevin's vision synchronized with Lemuen's!
He saw it!
Kingu looked at Kevin, who had broken through countless chains to stand before him, with a broad smile.
"I should be the one telling you that."
"Kingu!"
"I have brought upon you your destruction!"
"Heh, if you can do it, then just give it a try, human!"
"Something terrible has happened, Ritsuka!" Hearing Romani's anxious voice from the castle wall, Fujimaru Ritsuka hurriedly asked, "What happened, Doctor!"
"Tiamat, she's moving, and very fast! She's expected to arrive in Uruk in no more than half a day! Maybe even sooner!"
Above the sea, countless chains entangle Tiamat, and at the end of those chains lies Kingu, born from countless pools of black mud!
At this moment, they were like kites, pulling Tiamat along as they headed towards Uruk!
It was already close to dusk...