"General, look, this is the village where our tribe resides."
Guided by Kal'tsit and her warriors, Gilgamesh, Ur-Namu, Siduri, and Enkidu-Sa, along with a hand-picked guard of the Immortal Battalion, traversed the dense forest to reach the heart of the Demi-human territory.
The rest of the Auric Reclamation had been stationed to hold the recently captured city. Gilgamesh intended to renovate and fortify this long-neglected outpost; though its current defenses were lacking, in his eyes, it was ten times more secure than any temporary camp.
In his grand design, this city would serve as the primary base for the army in the Babylonian Southwest—the starting point of his journey to build a true revolutionary stronghold.
"This place is remarkably defensible," Enkidu-Sa marveled, nodding as he took in the treacherous terrain at the village entrance. "A mere handful of men could hold this pass against a million."
The other rebel soldiers followed his gaze, looking up in awe at the sheer, layered cliffs surrounding them.
"Hmph. Do you think we hide in these 'vile waters and evil mountains' for fun?" Kal'tsit retorted coldly. "Do you think we wouldn't prefer to live on the fertile, accessible plains of the Alluvium? But your Empire attacks us again and again, dragging our daughters away into slavery."
Her icy tone made it clear that Enkidu-Sa's wonder only served to remind her of a dark and painful past. Gilgamesh fell silent for a moment. He understood her; he felt her pain as if it were his own.
"I understand you," Gilgamesh said softly, breaking the silence to soothe her anger. "I, too, am among those oppressed and harmed by the High Lords. A corrupt government oppresses all races without distinction. If we do not shatter this wretched world, we will all continue to struggle in agony."
"To be honest, you're the first group of Alluvium-dwellers to treat us like human beings," Kal'tsit replied, her expression still cold but her voice somber. "You haven't spat the word 'Beastmen' at us like those damned officials do. So, I'm willing to take a chance on you. We're persecuted by the Court regardless, so we might as well stir up some trouble alongside you!"
"Speaking of which," Gilgamesh said, his mind turning to a strategic detail, "how do you refer to yourselves? We certainly cannot continue using a derogatory term like 'Beastmen,' especially now that we are comrades-in-arms."
As a leader, Gilgamesh was meticulous. He realized that to overcome the Demi-humans' deep-seated resentment, he had to win their trust through more than just deeds. Language was the key; only by using an equal and respectful term could the hostility of the tribes begin to thaw.
Kal'tsit's expression shifted slightly at the question. "You're right. 'Beastmen' is indeed a slur bestowed upon us by the Empire. I am glad you noticed that, human."
"Indeed," Gilgamesh nodded. "Since we are now allies, we are comrades who must trust one another with our lives. If we continue to use the discriminatory labels the corrupt Court 'gifted' you, how would we be any different from them?"
Kal'tsit looked at him, her gaze lingering. "How interesting... it seems you truly do desire a sincere partnership, rather than mere exploitation."
"In a sense," Gilgamesh smiled faintly, "I do wish to utilize your strengths. I am not here on a mission of charity; I need your manpower and your support. But I know I am here to ask for help, not to lord over you. I must build a proper relationship with your people, and changing how we address you is where it begins."
Behind him, Siduri, Enkidu-Sa, and Ur-Namu listened with profound respect.
"I never imagined the King possessed such a broad mind," Enkidu-Sa whispered. "To humble himself so completely just to earn the trust of the tribes... I truly did not choose the wrong leader. With this temperament and his peerless military skill, he is merely a dragon trapped in shallow waters!"
"That is my father," Siduri agreed, nodding with pride. "He truly believes in a world of Unity, where all people are equal."
"Now that you mention it," Kal'tsit admitted with a trace of uncertainty, "our various tribes don't actually have a collective name for ourselves..." She had almost slipped and called herself "Beastmen," but caught the error just in time.
"How do you address each other internally?" Gilgamesh asked. "I see many different groups among you."
"True. We have the Wolf-kin, the Rabbit-kin, the Cat-kin, the Fox-kin, and many others, divided by our bestial traits," Kal'tsit explained. "Each tribe has its own talents. For instance, Cat-kin girls are often considered more endearing, while the Fox-kin are said to be more 'alluring' to human men. Consequently, the Empire targets those two tribes most often for the slave trade."
"I see. In that case... I have a proposal," Gilgamesh said, his voice steady and encouraging.
"What is it?"
"From this day forward, you shall be known collectively as the Faunus. It is a term that describes your traits without the malice of the old name. While it may not be a perfect name, it is a neutral term that is a thousand times better than the slurs of the Court. Once I have won the realm, I will decree that all people address you as such."
Kal'tsit stood stunned for a moment. Finally, she spoke softly. "Then... thank you, human."
"No thanks are necessary; it is part of our pact," Gilgamesh replied. He offered a respectful nod. "By the way, my name is Gilgamesh. You may call me by that name."