"Hahaha! Even this king can't help feeling exhilarated!"
Gilgamesh's booming laughter echoed throughout Uruk's grand royal hall. Seated majestically on his throne, his scarlet eyes brimmed with amusement as he looked down upon the two figures occupying newly arranged seats before him.
Naturally, after chasing away the gods' "eye" from the Monster Forest, Gilgamesh had used a transport artifact from his [Gate of Babylon] to swiftly return Rovi and Enkidu to the palace.
Realizing it had all been a misunderstanding, he certainly wouldn't pursue further action against Enkidu.
He had stormed off furiously, but returned in high spirits.
"In recognition of your splendid performance, this king graciously forgives your insolent concealment of your whereabouts, your blatant disrespect, and your attempt to harm this king—all grave crimes! I even generously grant you both the honor of seats placed before my throne!"
"Rejoice and offer gratitude for this king's boundless magnanimity!"
It had only been seven days, but this guy still hadn't learned to speak normally.
Rovi, seated before the throne, shook his head and was immediately met with a pair of puzzled emerald-green eyes.
"Don't mind him. That's just how he is," Rovi explained gently.
"Mm," little Enkidu nodded obediently. "If Rovi says so, it must be true."
"..."
Over the past seven days, Rovi had taught Enkidu everything he knew.
Unfortunately, the unintended consequence was that the child had grown overwhelmingly dependent on him.
It had been fine when he wasn't around.
But now, with him here, En obediently hung onto his every word.
Did I somehow… accidentally spoil a legendary hero?
Rovi rubbed his temples, deciding to say no more.
Aside from Gilgamesh himself, not much had changed in the palace after a few days away. The hall remained vast and imposing, golden pillars holding aloft a dome that seemed to touch the heavens. Sunlight spilled across the polished floors, rippling gently. Atop ninety-nine towering steps, the throne still faced the grand entrance from afar.
The only new addition, perhaps, were the seats prepared beside the throne for himself and Enkidu.
Yet, he felt something was missing…
"Speaking of which, where's Vizier Siduri?"
That was it—he finally realized who was absent.
Siduri, Gilgamesh's diligent advisor, usually spent more time in this hall than even the king himself.
Yet now, she was nowhere to be found.
"Siduri? Hmph. That woman foolishly thought she could deceive my eyes, unaware that this king's brilliance sees through all—especially her fragile condition! As punishment for attempting to hide her weakness from me, I've forbidden her from entering the palace for three days!" Gilgamesh waved dismissively.
In other words, Siduri had overworked herself to exhaustion.
And Gilgamesh had forcibly ordered her to rest.
"If you're worried about someone, just say it normally," Rovi sighed, spreading his hands. "I've told you before—men acting tsundere are disgusting."
"It seems your mongrel habit of barking hasn't changed one bit!" Gilgamesh sneered.
"Moron." Rovi rolled his eyes.
Gilgamesh snapped furiously, "You insolent cur—idiot!"
"Dumbass."
"Disrespectful wretch…"
"Imbecile."
"…"
"See? You can't even insult someone properly, let alone hold a normal conversation." Rovi finally chuckled, rising from his seat. "If you care about someone, just be straightforward. Siduri isn't like you."
"Hmph, does this king need your lecturing?" Gilgamesh folded his arms defiantly, turning his head away.
Why is he acting like a spoiled child?
Rovi smiled helplessly. "I'm exhausted after these past few days, so I'll head back and rest now."
He had barely taken a step when little Enkidu instantly sprang from his seat, bounding over to catch up.
"Wait for me, Rovi!"
Great, another kid tagging along.
Watching the two descend the steps and leave the throne room, Gilgamesh fell silent for a moment, closing his eyes briefly in thought.
Is Siduri truly that different from me?
Rovi didn't need to spell it out.
Siduri had been entrusted to him by his father. She'd stayed faithfully by his side throughout the ten years since he'd ascended to the throne.
Gilgamesh had long since grown used to her presence.
But just now—
When he'd arrived at the hall ahead of Rovi and Enkidu and noticed the exhaustion Siduri could no longer hide, he'd suddenly realized something crucial.
No matter how competent, Siduri was still mortal.
Different from them.
"Change my way of speaking? Hahaha—what nonsense. That fool underestimates me, and he underestimates her too!" Gilgamesh laughed heartily. "If I changed, I wouldn't be myself anymore—and Siduri herself would probably be disappointed!"
"I hope you truly can stand alongside this king when that day arrives—"
"Rovi."
The king's silhouette slowly vanished from the throne.
He had entered his treasury.
The great hall gradually fell silent.
...
Rovi had left the palace.
As Gilgamesh's nominal advisor, he naturally couldn't live in the temple anymore, instead taking up residence in a quiet courtyard not far from the palace.
Enkidu currently had nowhere else to go.
It seemed impossible to arrange for him to stay anywhere else, anyway.
After taking Enkidu there, however, Rovi decided to head back out again.
"Rovi, where are we going?"
"Rovi, are these the houses and palaces you mentioned?"
"Rovi, something smells delicious—it seems much better than what you cook…"
I know my cooking sucks—no need to rub it in…
Rovi felt a mild headache creeping in.
He truly felt like he was babysitting now.
He glanced at the lively streets of Uruk, bustling with activity even in the late afternoon. Compared to later eras, Uruk's commerce was highly developed, and with the backdrop of the Age of Gods, the scene possessed a bustling atmosphere impossible for future historians to fully imagine.
Rovi took a skewer of grilled meat from a street vendor and handed it to Enkidu. Seeing the curiosity in the youth's delicate features, he couldn't help smiling.
"Eat up," he urged gently. "Then we'll go back and rest."
He suspected the coming days wouldn't be peaceful.
Taking a bite himself, Rovi savored the tender meat and its flavorful juices. No matter what, food was always one of life's pleasures.
This was exactly why he'd stepped out.
After days of tastelessness in the forest, he'd begun to fear he'd lost his sense of taste.
"It's delicious," little Enkidu said, looking up with a bright smile, traces of meat juice still glistening on his rosy lips. "But I still prefer your cooking, Rovi."
"It has your scent."
The divine construct's eyes held nothing but sincerity.
"..." Rovi swallowed his mouthful, intending to respond, but suddenly paused, sensing something strange.
A lingering divine presence hung faintly in the city air.
It resonated with him, clearly extending an invitation.
"Go back to the courtyard first—I have something I need to take care of. I'll return quickly."
"Alright." En obediently nodded, always following Rovi's words to the letter.
With Enkidu's strength, Rovi had no cause for concern.
Turning swiftly, Rovi headed away.
He already had a good guess as to who was calling him.
That goddess… what is Ishtar up to this time?