Watching the countless chains surge toward Uruk's soldiers, Jeanne clenched her teeth. The worst had come to pass.
An attack that vast—she couldn't protect everyone.
Then there was only one option left.
If she couldn't shield them all, she had to cut the source down immediately.
Her eyes sharpened. Jeanne raised her banner high and charged straight toward Enkidu.
But the moment she moved, several chains shifted direction, crossing her path like serpents of iron.
"Tch—!"
She barely halted in time. The opening for another charge was gone.
"Raise your shields! Block it!"
The commander's voice rang out as he gritted his teeth. Even he wasn't sure his order would make any difference. None of them had ever seen Enkidu fight in person, but they'd all heard the stories—that she had once stood beside their king as an equal, someone who could level cities alone.
Whoever this false Enkidu was, her power radiated just as fiercely.
The commander didn't dare hope the shields would hold.
The chains fell...
And shattered in midair, struck by countless azure arrows of light.
"Hm?"
The Enkidu lookalike tilted her head, then sneered as her chains dissolved and reshaped into a rain of weapons.
A second volley.
Another storm of radiant arrows intercepted them perfectly, breaking every weapon apart.
Finally, the imitation Enkidu's smile thinned. She began to summon a new strike—but then twisted aside, a glowing arrow brushing past her cheek.
"That's enough," a calm voice declared. "If you intend to fight, then face me instead."
Standing beside Jeanne was Arjuna, clad in white, bow raised and gleaming with divine light.
"Oh?"
A faintly amused smile curved the false Enkidu's lips.
"The great hero of India, is it? Tempting. But I don't have time to toy with you today…"
Her form rippled, melting into liquid earth that sank away beneath them.
"Let's continue this another day—if you survive until then."
As she vanished, another overwhelming wave of beasts surged toward the line.
Frowning, Arjuna nocked an arrow and loosed it. The shot erupted into a shower of blazing light, wiping out the monsters in an instant.
He turned back to Jeanne. "She's truly gone… Are you unharmed?"
"Yes. Thank you, Arjuna. But why are you here?" Jeanne asked, still catching her breath.
Though she, Arjuna, and Altera all guarded the same front, the distance between sectors meant each usually fought alone.
"You caused quite the commotion," Arjuna replied evenly. "Even Saber must have felt it. But since I arrived first, she chose to maintain her position."
"I see… In that case, thank you. Without your help, our army would've suffered heavy losses. I'll return to the city and report this to our Master immediately."
Arjuna nodded, loosing another arrow that exploded into radiant dust. "Good. Saber and I will hold the line in the meantime."
"Understood. I'll be as quick as possible."
...
On Uruk's city wall, Ophis withdrew her gaze from the battlefield and turned to the messenger who had first arrived.
"About the jungle in the south—send a small unit to begin cautious exploration. Start at the perimeter. Don't advance too far at once."
"Y-yes, my King!"
The messenger hurried away. Ophis was about to leave when—
"Wait, my King! This information isn't fully confirmed yet, but it's important!"
Siduri's anxious voice stopped her.
"What is it?"
"Scouts from the northern front have reported sightings of someone believed to be the enemy's commander. I strongly suggest verifying it again before—"
"Who?"
"…According to them, it… appears to be Lady Enkidu."
"Hmm. Understood."
Siduri blinked. "My King?"
"There's no need for reconfirmation. The scouts did well."
"Eh?"
Before she could react, Ophis was already turning away, heading toward the temple.
"Wait, my King! Do you mean—the enemy commander truly is Lady Enkidu?"
[Interesting. I thought even you might be shaken by that.]
"Inori, you already knew, didn't you?"
[Naturally. I saw it clearly from the beginning. Did you as well?]
"Then why didn't you tell me sooner?"
[If I had, you might've made rash decisions. Better to let you reach certainty step by step—to prepare yourself. Besides, a prophet who reveals everything loses their mystique. We need that air of 'I know something you don't,' don't you think? Keeps things exciting.]
"…"
Ophis was fairly sure that was the real reason.
She'd nearly forgotten how perverse Inori's sense of humor could be.
By the time Ophis reached the temple's inner hall, Siduri had finally shaken off her daze and hurried after her.
"Siduri, you overthink too much."
"No, my King! You're far too casual about this! If the enemy truly wears Lady Enkidu's form, Uruk's morale could crumble completely!"
Siduri was at her limit. Dealing with a king whose emotions never seemed to move was exhausting.
"Oh my, what's this? Sounds like a lively discussion."
Merlin strolled in cheerfully, Heracles looming behind him.
"Good morning, everyone~ The royal advisor Merlin is here~♪"
"Magus Merlin, please don't interrupt during critical discussions!"
Ophis glanced curiously at Siduri. Getting the usually composed priestess to raise her voice like that was… impressive.
Still, she noticed something else—Merlin's form was noticeably fainter, his presence weaker than before. At least it proved he hadn't been idling.
"Ah, so strict, as always. But Enkidu, hmm? Now that is intriguing."
"Master! I have urgent news!"
Jeanne burst into the hall, breathless from haste.
Ophis exhaled softly.
Trouble upon trouble. It never seemed to end.