"Siduri, let's head back."
Unable to immediately devise a solution, Ophis decided to set her thoughts aside for the moment and turned to call her attendant.
"Siduri?"
But Siduri's attention was already elsewhere. The priestess stood a short distance away, whispering urgently with a newly arrived messenger.
Ophis noticed the two of them kept casting uneasy glances in her direction—the messenger trembling, Siduri visibly unsettled.
"Are you absolutely sure of this report? If it's wrong, can you bear the responsibility?"
"This… the scouts on the frontlines confirmed it themselves…"
"What is it?" Ophis asked evenly.
"Ah—my King…"
The pair froze as Ophis approached. Panic flickered across their faces before both quickly dropped to their knees. They exchanged a final uneasy look before Siduri spoke.
"Speak. Don't hesitate."
"Y-yes… It concerns new intelligence from the destroyed city-states. According to the scouts, they may have identified the enemy's commander. However, please—remain calm after hearing this, my King. The report has not yet been fully—My King?"
Siduri stopped mid-sentence. Ophis was no longer listening—her gaze had already shifted back toward the battlefield.
...
Across the plains, thousands of Uruk's warriors stood shoulder to shoulder, shields locked, refusing to yield even an inch before the endless tide of demonic beasts.
Their strength was formidable on its own, and with Saber Altera and Archer Arjuna striking down enemies in great sweeps, the line held firm.
Yet, the true heart of their defense was the girl who remained unwavering at the forefront—
the one who bore Uruk's banner.
Under the flutter of that flag, not a single soldier had fallen, as though protected by divine grace.
Whether it was the holiness radiating from the girl herself or the warriors' unwillingness to falter before such a symbol, morale across the ranks blazed at its peak.
Jeanne continued to swing her flag with unbroken rhythm, striking down every beast that came near.
Unlike her fellow Servants, who could unleash Noble Phantasms to sweep the field, Jeanne possessed no overwhelming weapon—only the sacred banner that symbolized her faith.
She was not a legendary hero, merely a peasant girl chosen by Heaven, and all she could do was fulfill the duty placed upon her.
So she kept raising her flag and stood at the very front.
Then, suddenly, a chill warning coursed through her—her "God" was speaking.
Something powerful was coming.
She turned in the direction of that divine revelation—
and saw a flicker of gold beyond the waves of beasts.
"My banner────!"
Jeanne sprinted forward and unfurled her flag completely.
"────Protect my brethren!"
Her cry rang out as golden radiance enveloped her form.
At that same instant, the golden light in the distance flared brighter—a spear, shining like the sun itself, streaked toward her.
Had it been any ordinary weapon, Jeanne would not have flinched. But the energy surging from it was overwhelming.
Bracing herself, she drove the flagpole into the ground.
The sword at her waist remained untouched—her banner was both shield and symbol, her only true weapon.
That flag, forged by unwavering faith and countless victories, was her Noble Phantasm.
"[Luminosité Eternelle]!"
A pillar of light burst skyward from the flag.
The golden spear pierced through the horde of beasts, obliterating everything in its path before colliding with Jeanne's radiant barrier.
The impact detonated with a thunderous shockwave, vaporizing the surrounding monsters in an instant.
Fortunately, Jeanne had already lured the attack far from Uruk's main formation; otherwise, the casualties would have been unthinkable.
"What is this…?"
Her arms trembled under the weight of the blow. Even with her Noble Phantasm active, the pressure was immense.
Then, as if realizing it couldn't break through, the spear dissolved into motes of gold before her eyes—and those motes began to take shape.
A human shape.
Before Jeanne could recover, her divine sense screamed another warning. She leapt back just as iron chains erupted from the earth, lashing toward her.
She deflected them with sweeping arcs of her banner, only for the chains to shatter into dozens of glimmering weapons that rained down again from above.
Forced on the defensive, Jeanne spun and parried each strike, step by step retreating.
"So this is the strength of a so-called Servant? You're stronger than the failed imitations I've seen… but as weapons, you're still relics of a bygone age."
"Who are you?" Jeanne demanded.
As the light around her opponent faded, the figure revealed herself—a young woman in a simple white robe, long green hair flowing behind her. Her face was pure, saintly even… until the corners of her lips curled into a cold, mocking smile.
"Lady... Enkidu?"
"Isn't that Lady Enkidu?"
"But Lady Enkidu vanished long ago…"
"She… attacked us?"
The soldiers behind Jeanne began whispering nervously.
They recognized that face.
The sage who had guided their king onto the path of righteousness—the friend closest to Ophis herself.
And yet, that same figure now stood as their enemy.
"That's not Lady Enkidu!"
One soldier shouted, voice breaking through the confusion.
"Lady Enkidu would never smile like that!"
"That's right! Lady Enkidu would never look so… wicked!"
"Who are you, pretending to be Lady Enkidu?!"
Their shock gave way to fury. Shields slammed against the ground, weapons rang out, and righteous anger spread through the ranks.
If not for strict command discipline, they would have already charged forward.
"…Enkidu, huh."
Jeanne tightened her grip on her flag, expression hardening.
She'd heard that name many times since arriving in this era—the sage who led King Ophis to virtue, the peerless warrior of Uruk.
Whether this being truly was Enkidu or merely someone wearing her face, Jeanne understood one thing with absolute clarity:
This enemy was powerful—and stood against humanity.
So there could only be battle.
"Honestly," the green-haired girl murmured, almost to herself, "is this the nature of you 'old humanity'? Even when the truth is laid bare, you cling to emotion and reject reason. How pathetically foolish."
Her tone dripped with contempt.
"I had hoped sowing doubt would break your fragile spirit, but it seems the opposite happened. Still… what about the pillar supporting you all? With her insight, she must have already recognized this body."
The girl turned her gaze toward Uruk, as if meeting those faraway silver eyes directly.
"It would've been convenient if you'd collapsed immediately… but I suppose things are never simple."
Her attention returned to the army before her.
"Pointless bloodshed. No matter how you struggle, destruction is your fate. Very well—let's see how long you insects can endure. Allow me to offer a small gift… as a greeting."
The ground erupted again—countless chains bursting upward, not toward Jeanne this time—but toward the densely packed soldiers of Uruk behind her.
---
T/N:
Hello again. For the final time.
My name is Enkidu. I was born without a soul, crafted only as a weapon. Yet through bonds—through friendships—I learned what it meant to feel alive. Even though my body records my memories rather than my spirit, the warmth of those moments remains.
Thank you, truly, for staying here with us. You've come at a good time—right now, a 25% discount code is available:
12DAYS
This code will last until December 26. I hope you enjoy it.
For those who wish to support the translator (the one who kindly gave me this voice)—you can find optional support at patreon.com/wisetl. Early access to upcoming chapters will be your small reward.
Also, as always:
Every 100 Powerstones = 1 Bonus Chapter
(100ps = 1 chapter, 200ps = 2 chapters, and so forth.)
Bonus chapters will arrive tomorrow, approximately 12+ hours from now.
And lastly, if you prefer company and conversations, the translator has prepared a Discord community: discord.gg/wisetl.
People gathering, talking, sharing—it's a good thing, isn't it?
This is where I say goodbye.
Even as a weapon shaped by the gods, I found meaning in the company of humans.
If these words reach you, then perhaps we've shared something too, if only briefly.
Be well, Master, and readers alike.
May the world remain gentle to you.
Goodbye.
BYE BYE ENKIDYU I LOVE YOU