"One-tenth."
"Three-tenths!"
"One-tenth."
"...Two and a half-tenths."
"One-tenth."
"...Two-tenths."
"One-tenth."
"...One and a half-tenths."
"Deal."
"Hmmmmmmmm… Somehow it feels like I've been tricked… Is it just my imagination?"
"I truly can't understand why you need so many useless things, Ishta."
Watching the goddess gnaw at her nails in frustration, Ophis sighed quietly.
"If you think they're useless, then just give them all to me!"
"Impossible. Any more, and the foundation of my treasury will suffer irreversible damage."
"Tch. For a treasury that's supposed to 'contain the wealth of all humanity once complete,' it's awfully fragile."
Ophis's mouth twitched slightly at Ishtar's grumbling.
Honestly, if her treasury were truly complete, she wouldn't mind handing over everything. After all, she had little personal use for such treasures.
Her treasury was said to represent all the wealth humanity would ever possess—from the present into the distant future—but she had never actually finished it.
In truth, humanity's greatest treasure was wisdom. Ophis's vault, in essence, was an "original repository of human wisdom." As long as that concept persisted, it would gradually replenish itself. But to preserve the concept, its contents could never drop below a certain threshold—otherwise every treasure within, even those of the highest rank, would become irreplaceable if destroyed.
Most importantly, Ophis's strongest attack—Ea—drew its power from those same treasures. If the treasury dwindled, Ea would weaken dramatically.
"Either way, once you've used those up, I'll provide unlimited resupply."
In the end, Ophis sighed again.
Ishtar's obsession with gems was more for adoration than necessity. Though, thanks to her current incarnation, she did rely on them in combat—but at the rate she burned through them…
Even by the time of King Arthur, she likely still wouldn't run out.
By then, Ophis's treasury would have replenished itself many times over.
"Oh! You promised, so don't even think of going back on your word!"
The goddess, who had been sulking seconds before, instantly brightened at Ophis's assurance—and in her excitement, crushed the gem she'd just received.
"My gem!!!"
"…"
Out of the corner of her eye, Ophis watched the scene unfold and let out yet another sigh.
Perhaps… even with minimal practical use, this goddess alone could probably drain the entire treasury dry someday.
Tossing her another gem, Ophis turned toward the temple's interior.
"I'll deliver what I promised, Ishta. The shrine and bedchamber dedicated to you in Uruk are already prepared—you may move in anytime. Bring the latest reports to the temple."
The last line was directed at a nearby soldier, who stood stiffly under Ishtar's glare. Relieved at the dismissal, he saluted and hurried off.
"Hey! You just came out, and now you're going back in already?" Ishtar complained.
Ophis cast her a sidelong glance.
"I was planning to patrol, but now there's not enough time."
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying it's my fault?"
"No… but if not for you, there would've been enough time."
"Now even I'm starting to feel guilty about it!!"
...
"Um, Miss Enkidu…? Are you sure this is the way to Uruk?"
On a narrow forest path, Ritsuka glanced around uneasily.
According to the Doctor's data, Uruk should have been south. Yet the green-haired girl leading them was heading steadily north.
Though she'd helped them escape the monsters earlier, Ritsuka couldn't ignore how suspicious her behavior seemed. Even if this girl called herself Enkidu—the ally Chaldea's records mentioned—something about her felt off.
After holding back for a while, Ritsuka finally asked the question.
"Don't worry, just follow me."
The girl who called herself Enkidu smiled gently, entirely unconcerned by the doubt in Ritsuka's voice.
"Master, something feels wrong," Lily whispered near Ritsuka's ear, her brow creasing slightly.
"Even Lily says so…" Ritsuka muttered, her expression tensing despite herself.
Lily's intuition—instincts engraved in her very being—had saved them countless times. Ritsuka would never dismiss it lightly.
"Even so…" Mash added softly, having overheard them. "We've already seen Miss Enkidu's power. If she truly meant us harm, we'd…"
She trailed off, but all three understood. They'd have no chance to resist.
"You all seem rather concerned."
The voice cut through their thoughts—'Enkidu' was looking back, amusement in her eyes.
"Eh?"
The three froze.
"Did she… hear us?"
"Well, I could guess from your expressions. But don't worry—if you're concerned about direction, this path leads to a dock where boats still remain. Follow the river downstream, and you'll reach Uruk quickly."
Her warm, easy smile almost dispelled their unease.
"Just a bit farther ahead, past this area—"
Before she could finish, another voice interrupted her.
"Oh-ho! Is that true? Excellent news—I didn't even know there was a dock nearby!"
Startled by the sudden voice, Lily nearly dropped her golden sword.
"This voice—"
"Senpai, someone's coming! That person… they seem familiar somehow…"
But no one noticed Lily's uncharacteristic reaction; all eyes were fixed on the white-robed man who had just stepped out from between the trees, a small hooded girl with cat ears following beside him.
"Hello, everyone! Sorry if we startled you. Now, young lady, there's no need to point that sword at me. As you can see, we're harmless—just a pair of lost wanderers. Honestly, if we hadn't found you, we might've ended up as monster snacks! Right, Ana? See, I told you following me was the right call!"
Ignoring the tense stares around him, the man spoke cheerfully. His spotless white clothes—utterly unsuited to this era—only made him look more suspicious.
Yet 'Enkidu' regarded him with that same serene smile.
"Is that so? Stranded travelers, then… We're heading to Uruk next. Would you care to join us?"
"Of course! Even if you hadn't invited me, I'd probably tag along anyway. Still, following strangers without knowing their names feels a bit improper, doesn't it? Could you tell me yours, Miss? Ah, but fair warning—we can't reveal ours too freely due to… circumstances. That goes for this little lady as well."
'Enkidu' continued smiling calmly, unaffected by the man's oddly evasive words.
"My name is Ritsuka," she replied cautiously. "This is Mash and Lily. And beside me—this is Enkidu—"
Ritsuka caught Lily's subtle nod and began the introductions.
But the instant she spoke the name Enkidu, the atmosphere shifted.
The girl's gentle expression vanished, replaced by icy focus. With a sharp stomp, countless spears erupted from the ground, shooting toward Ritsuka's group and the white-robed man beside them.
The man's half-lidded eyes snapped open. With a twist of his wrist, a staff appeared in his hand—spinning once before deflecting the incoming spears. Then, drawing a gleaming golden blade from his sleeve, he slashed through the follow-up barrage and swung straight at 'Enkidu'!
---
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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