["Me? You jest, Ryuya-sama. My future has already been entirely dedicated to Uruk."]
Siduri did not directly respond to your statement. The gentle priestess seemed unwilling to elaborate further on the topic.
[After returning to the palace, you saw Gilgamesh lounging as usual. Contrary to expectations, the usually indolent and disinterested Golden King appeared to be in high spirits. He even initiated conversation with you and asked for your opinion on his sister.]
[Honestly sharing your thoughts on Cecilia with Gilgamesh, you stated that you found his sister beautiful, excellent, and gracious. However, you currently had no intentions regarding romance, as your wife was waiting for you in the Underworld.]
["Wife? Ryuya, you already have a wife?"]
[Having been in Uruk for several years, they had never heard you speak of a wife. Gilgamesh's mood visibly dipped upon learning this. Even Siduri was greatly surprised; they had both assumed you were single.]
["Of course I have a wife. Now... it should be fine to tell you. The reason I came to Uruk..."]
[Your long companionship with Gilgamesh and Siduri had fostered deep trust. Feeling it was time for a heartfelt confession, you told them you were from the Sea of Imaginary Numbers. Your wife was none other than Tiamat, who had been sealed away for ages.]
[Now, having forsaken her return, Tiamat no longer held a grudge against the gods nor sought the extinction of humanity. She simply loved you purely, wanting only to be your wife and be by your side.]
["God Tiamat? You are God Tiamat's husband?"]
[As expected, upon hearing that Tiamat was your wife, Gilgamesh and Siduri were astounded. They could scarcely believe it was true.]
[Yet, based on their trust in you, they chose to believe.]
["Unthinkable, truly unthinkable. That creation goddess Tiamat was actually exiled by the gods... Hmph... This king knew those lofty beings wouldn't do anything righteous."]
["So, Ryuya, you came to Uruk for God Tiamat's sake?"]
[Gilgamesh's crimson eyes, fixed on you, held complex emotions. Taking a deep breath, he asked if you viewed Uruk merely as a tool for revenge against the gods.]
["Gil, I have never regarded the people of Uruk as my tools. In my eyes, they are my people as well. And you and Siduri are my dearest friends."]
[As a king, bearing the weight of the world was a given. You never intended to use Uruk as a tool. Initially, you considered cooperation with Uruk. But after arriving and spending so much time with Gilgamesh and Siduri, witnessing Uruk's beauty, you had truly come to see it as your home.]
[Stating that Uruk was your home, your answer seemed to be what Gilgamesh had anticipated.]
[Patting your shoulder, the most ancient King of Heroes and Siduri declared that you would strive together, forging the future with your own hands.]
Late at night, returning to her quarters from the palace, Gilgamesh discussed Ryuya's revelations with Siduri, especially concerning Tiamat. She appeared very excited.
"Siduri, to think God Tiamat is Ryuya's wife! That fellow brings this king more and more surprises."
"And those gods indeed deceived everyone about the events of the Diamond Age. They were the true culprits who exiled the Mother Goddess."
Suddenly gaining God Tiamat as a powerful ally, Gilgamesh grew increasingly excited, as if already witnessing the moment Uruk's destiny would change.
"My King, having God Tiamat on our side is certainly cause for joy. But have you considered... your rival is God Tiamat. Do you intend to give up on Ryuya-sama?"
Although also shocked by the revelation of Tiamat's connection to Ryuya, Siduri was more concerned about her King's personal feelings.
Leaving aside whether the King could accept sharing a man with another woman, the mere name 'Tiamat' carried a threat level beyond comparison.
Sighing ruefully, Siduri thought her King was being rather foolish.
"Ah? My rival is God Tiamat? That..." Finally grasping Siduri's meaning, Gilgamesh froze completely.
Blinking, a rare hint of uncertainty crept into her voice… not the retreat of a king, but the self-doubt of a woman.
"God Tiamat... God Tiamat... She is the primordial being who created the world. As for this king... can I measure up?"
If it were merely a contest of kingship, the arrogant Gilgamesh was confident she would not be inferior to anyone, even the creation goddess. This was the conviction of the most ancient King of Heroes, her very essence.
But when it came to being a wife, a woman, the areas where she had zero experience, Gilgamesh was truly at a loss.
Confronted with the prospect of facing the magnificent Mother Goddess as a rival, Gilgamesh turned to Siduri, her tone laced with uncertainty. "Siduri, then what do you suggest I do?"
In her agitation, she even forgot her royal pronoun 'this king', looking at Siduri in confusion.
"My King, before I answer, I must ask you a question. Are you truly unable to give up on Ryuya-sama? Have you truly fallen in love with him, determined to throw caution to the wind even with God Tiamat in the picture?"
Taking a deep breath, before assisting Gilgamesh, Siduri felt it necessary to ascertain her true feelings.
If Gilgamesh herself hadn't realized the depth of her own love, what meaning would all their efforts hold?
"I..." Blinking, seemingly struck by the question, Gilgamesh fell silent.
After a long pause, Gilgamesh dispelled the magic concealing her form, reverting to her true female body, and sat directly on the ground.
Gazing up at the starry sky, her voice finally broke the silence:
"Siduri, you grew up with me. You've seen how people in the past treated the female me."
"Yes, my King. It's just a pity I was too young then to be of much help."
"No, you did excellently. Without your companionship, I might have self-destructed by now."
Even a god cannot endure endless solitude. Deep within, she held her own steadfast principles. If the bottom line for Gilgamesh in other parallel worlds was the cherished friend Enkidu, then for this world's Gilgamesh, it was the angel named Siduri.
Taking a deep breath, Gilgamesh suddenly laughed aloud and lay flat on the ground, letting her hair be soiled by the earth as moonlight bathed her.
Her gaze scattered across the night sky, she finally spoke her true feelings.