The Tablet of Destinies

Fujimaru, Mash, and Merlin. I am entrusting you with something more important this time.

You're going out to search for something. Head to the city of Kutha, and retrieve the Tablet of Destinies.

Oh, this is an unexpected job. The Tablet of Destinies is in Kutha?

Correct. I remember seeing what lies in the future in Kutha when I was on my way back to Uruk from the underworld.

I meditated there, recorded the destiny upon a clay tablet, and left it there.

It's natural to lose one's memory before or after meditation. I won't even know what kind of destiny was written until I read it.

？！

Occasionally. Normally gods grant humans visions, but in my case, I can see destiny through my clairvoyance.

Sometimes, I learn of a "future" not related to me, and I record it subconsciously.

It's useless to me, but it's a priceless treasure to others.

Of course, the Demonic Beasts will not see value in that. It's highly likely that it's been left untouched.

Oh, gather information about Ishtar along the way. There are a few ranches on the way to Kutha.

I have damage reports coming from ranchers daily, all pointing the finger at Ishtar. Go find out more details.

Hmm? ...Well, I guess it is. Much as it pains me to say it, that thing is still a goddess.

Yes. Ishtar flies around northeast of Uruk and has complete control over its sky.

？！

Warrior of Chaldea. I will grant you a pass to exit through Uruk's north gate.

However, you don't have much time for this mission. Learn all you can and return in three days' time.

...Welcome back. You seem to be in a hurry. Is something the matter?

Yes! A new mission from King Gilgamesh, Ana!

This time, it will be a trip to Kutha to reclaim an item. The mission includes Master, Merlin, you, and me.

Two days of traveling, and one day to search on-site. The best part is, the pay is twenty Priestess Silver!

Twenty Priestess Silver... I'll get ready immediately. Please stand by.

She is quite enthusiastic. Senpai, we should gather our belongings as well!

Hmm... I'm jealous... Even we've never been to Kutha before.

I'd love to accompany you, but...

You shouldn't, Lord Ushiwakamaru. We must head to the Demonic Front tomorrow.

We are counting down to the mission to liberate Nippur. We cannot afford to go our separate ways.

Say no more, Benkei. I understand. I just wish I could at least go on a journey with Lord Fujimaru once, but...

Well, I'm sure we'll get another chance if we just wait patiently. Now it's our duty as samurai to see them off with a smile.

Kutha is under Ishtar's control, but it is right next to the territory of the Goddess of Demonic Beasts.

There will be many powerful Demonic Beasts there as well. Please be careful on your way.

Haha. All we do is stand atop a wall and shout out orders, but thank you for your kind words.

Yes. I will eagerly await the next opportunity. Here's hoping it'll be as relaxing as paddling down a gentle stream.

？！

Are you ready? Then, let's head for Kutha.

After the formation of the Three Goddess Alliance, Kutha disappeared without warning.

One day, we suddenly lost all communication from there. The expedition party that rushed there saw a quiet cityscape.

No blood, and the bodies showed no signs of combat. All citizens had met their end as if they died in their sleep.

That is...a perplexing incident. Was it some kind of poison?

I don't know. None of the corpses had any wounds on them. They didn't die from Ishtar's arrows nor from the Demonic Beasts.

Since then, Kutha is said to be a cursed land, and has become a wasteland that no man ever approaches.

Well, in any case, we won't know till we get there. I expect to encounter wandering Demonic Beasts along the way...

But those that have strayed from their pack are no threat to Fujimaru anymore.

Let's try to gain the ranchers' gratitude by quickly disposing of them as we move along!

What did the goddess Ishtar do, you ask? Just look at all the holes in the ranch! It's obvious!

It's indiscriminate! She zooms around wildly, striking at random!

And that smug laugh...

I can't take it... I've just had it... She always attacks right when we're busiest...

Whoosh, whoosh from the sky... Back in my dad's time, she supposedly promised bountiful harvests once every three years,

but this year, it's nothing but losses... It's a miracle that nobody has gotten hurt...

And that smug laugh... She just continues with it, on and on...

I know I should feel fortunate that I at least got a glance of the goddess Ishtar.

But I can't make a living just from gazing at beautiful things. Caring for sheep isn't cheap nowadays.

It's hard enough just trying to drive the Demonic Beasts back, but when we get attacked from the sky, what can we do?

The young ones we hired to exterminate the beasts fled... Oh, and that smug laugh... She sounds like she's having fun...

The goddess of fertility? Ha! In a few centuries, I'm pooooositive she'll be called the demon of Venus!

My ranch is full of holes. My sheep ran off. On top of that, she's so merciless she kills off all the beasts under her command!

To make matters worse, she lands and is all, "I'll take all the gems in your house!"

"I'll let you off with this," she says, and flies off with a smug laugh! Dammit!

...Those are all the testimonies from the ranchers.

Ishtar's indiscriminate attacks, obstructing ranch operations, and extorting the owners...

There's no doubt about it. Ishtar is one special, wicked devil...

The goddess of beauty who governs Venus is a greedy miser... It's true that Ishtar is a goddess that loves fortune, yes...

But she usually demands riches from the gods above her. There were no stories about her stealing money from humans...

Fou...?

...Yes. I agree with Fujimaru. Ishtar's actions all have something in common.

...So, we shouldn't flat-out call her a fiend. Of course, she is still a greedy devil.

？！

Oh, there's an interesting tidbit about that. Actually, that Ishtar isn't the normal Ishtar.

Right when the Demonic Beasts showed up in the north, a certain ritual was held by Uruk's Sacred Temple without the king's knowledge.

Simply put, they tried to summon Ishtar, the city's patron deity.

Uruk is under imperial rule, but it's governed under three powers: the king, the Ritual Sect, and the Sacred Temple.

Of these, the Sacred Temple favors the patron deity over King Gilgamesh.

They saw the signs of this era turning into a Singularity, and saw the instability of space-time as their chance.

As King Gilgamesh opened the treasury of Babylon, and built the fortress at the Northern Wall in Uruk,

the temple matron first summoned a soul compatible with a goddess's divinity, and tried to summon Ishtar using that soul.

It's what you call a Pseudo-Servant in Chaldea. I don't know if that ritual succeeded or not.

But it is true that the patron deity of Uruk, Ishtar, has manifested nonetheless.

Basically, the gods of Mesopotamia are blond. On the other hand, humans have black heads... black hair.

That Ishtar has black hair, meaning it is definitely a girl that served as her vessel.

That's...so beyond surprising, I feel very sorry for her...

According to the data observed here, that "Ishtar" is undoubtedly the goddess herself.

That girl must have been a human who was really compatible with her.

The two egos have completely fused together, and created a goddess that is completely new, yet still the same.

Yeah, but thanks to that, Fujimaru is still alive.

If Ishtar was the Ishtar of myth, Fujimaru would have been killed back in Babylon.

...You may be right. I may not get along with goddesses, but that Ishtar is ever so slightly human.

Oh, it's so rare to hear your real feelings, Ana. How are things different if a goddess is like a human?

Oh...

...It's nothing. I hate both. I hate Merlin more, though.

By the way, Demonic Beasts are approaching from up ahead. Let's offer Merlin as a sacrifice so they let us pass.

Sorry, I misspoke! I'll apologize and do some physical labor for once!

Now, let's gallantly drive them away, Fujimaru! Once we go over this hill, Kutha will be right up ahead!

So this is Kutha... A city that went completely silent overnight...

What devastation... Did the Demonic Beasts invade the city after the residents died?

...No, that doesn't seem to be the case.

You are the only life I'm detecting in that city. The Demonic Beasts aren't trying to get in.

I don't know why, but the Demonic Beasts seem to be afraid to enter the city.

Humph... My special "I'll survive no matter what" instincts are also telling me there are no threats here.

Instead, there's merely this eerie silence. It's as if death itself has cleansed the city.

...Both King Gilgamesh and I missed this. The incident here in Kutha is fundamentally different from other cities.

It even almost feels like the king left the Tablet of Destinies here for a reason, but...

No, before we get too deep into theorizing, let's go on a treasure hunt.

Mash, go east. I'll go north. Ana, go west. And Fujimaru can look south.

Well, no, I... I am Senpai's Servant, so I can't exactly leave Fujimaru's side.

It's fine. Fortunately, the Demonic Beasts won't come in. Fujimaru has Roman's navigation as well.

Oh, and Cath Palug is around. He may not look it, but he gets things done in a pinch.

Fou, fooou!

But...

Hmm... I'm against that idea as well, but it certainly is more efficient to split up.

I'm not picking up any enemies on my end, and Mash and Ana won't be that far away.

Besides, there will be a time when Fujimaru needs to investigate alone.

...And for thatas with all thingsfirsthand experience is needed. I don't see the harm in splitting up.

？！

...All right. If Master says so, then it's okay.

It's decided, then. Let's start the investigation.

The Tablet of Destinies is the same type of clay tablet as King Gilgamesh's Dingir.

It emits a minute amount of magical energy, so you should feel it if it's nearby.

Let's split up and look around for about an hour. We'll all meet back here after, no matter what we find!

？！

Hmm, desolation as far as the eye can see... Merlin said a minute amount of magical energy,

but with the mana density around us so high to begin with, it'll be practically impossible to find...

Fooou...

？！

Yeah, they say investigation is all legwork.

Chaldea's observation waves are centered around you, Fujimaru.

So basically the signals near you are the most detailed

？！

Fou... Foooou!?

Fou, fooou!

...

？！

The living... It's the living. What are the living doing in the underworld... Why...

Have you come to laugh... to seize... Have you come to flee... or to discard...

Unforgivable...all are unforgivable... Warm breath, warm flesh... They're unnecessary...

Die...die, die, die, die, die die die die diediediediediediediediediediediediediediedie!

？！

Foooou!

...Wait. O gallû spirits, this one yet lives.

Taking this soul will incur your master's wrath. Seal up the seven gates, and resume your guard of the soul cages.

？！

Blame not the spirits. Your intrusion was most brazen, young one.

The land of the dead is shut to those who yet draw breath. Each step you take invites the gallû spirits' ire.

...But fortune favors fools, and I owed you this debt.

A callow neophyte you may be, but steadfast, too. Devotion, mayhaps, demonstrates worth. So have you shown yours.

？！

Beneath Kutha spreads the underworld itself. You chanced to fall into the land of the dead while you still draw breath.

But now your sojourn must end. I shall seal the gate.

Return, young one, to the living world, and speak these words to the mage: "All is well in the underworld."

Fooou... fooou...

？！

I have returned. I couldn't find anything useful on my end...

...? Senpai, that thing you're sitting on, could it be

Oh, both of you are back already. Oh boy, that went nowhere. What a waste of... Huh?

...I scoured the western area, but I didn't see anything like a clay tablet... Hmm?

Fou?

？！

Master, that thing you're using as a seat is, by all appearances, the Tablet of Destinies!

Fo...foooooou!?

No doubt about it. That's the Tablet of Destinies. Great! Well, that was easy!

But where was it? I didn't think it would be in the southern area.

？！

Underground, hmm? I don't see a hole... And an old man named Ziusu-dra, you say?

Romani, what about your records? Weren't you monitoring Fujimaru?

No, I have no record of the past few minutes...

It's as if... Fujimaru's life had ceased...

I can't possibly have heard you right; you said that old man called himself Ziusu-dra?

？！

...Fujimaru.

Ziusu-dra is, in Sumerian legend, the one man who survived the flood that killed mankind.

He is akin to Noah in the Old Testament, and Utnapishtim in the Epic of Gilgamesh.

The one who saw the end of the world and became the Guardian of the Abyss.

You could say he's the one who warns of the end of the world, or the one present at the death of all things.

I don't think it was actually Ziusu-dra, but since Ishtar and Enkidu are around, there is a possibility.

The fact that Ziusu-dra has appeared...

Hmm... Unless it was merely someone taking on a role similar to Ziusu-dra's. That's not a name you claim for show or on a whim, though...

But still, "All is well in the underworld," huh?

...That means the Queen of Kur has also materialized... Which means the three goddesses I saw through clairvoyance are...

...! Everyone, be careful! An incredibly powerful Spirit Origin is headed your way!

This is the third time I've seen this pattern... No doubt about it! It's Ishtar!

I found you, wretched humans! Apparently you grilled the ranchers all about me!

I don't know what you're up to, but cut it out!

Snooping around about what a goddess does on a day off? That's so insensitive!

Queen Ishtar is firing warning shots... minus the "warning" part! Master, please take cover behind those buildings!

Oh, look here, it's the goddess who saves up all the gems she filches off people!

This isn't good. It looks like we're her target this time!

After all, we received plenty of riches from King Gilgamesh! Our purses are full to bursting with royal swag!

No! I'm saying THAT crap is ruining my reputation! I've never assaulted humans for money or anything!

What I ask for is due compensation! First of all, saving humans for free would just doom them all over again!

Save...for free? The whimsical Ishtar, saving humans...?

？！

That won't do... I've messed up and said too much.

ANYWAY! You all need divine punishment. Atone for the sins of making me look silly not once, but TWICE.

Specifically, that thing you have that looks like a treasure... It looks interesting, so I'll be taking it. Gimme.

After that, let's see... Yes, if your purses are so fat, I'll help you slim them down!

Brace yourselves. Your luck ends right now. What's yours is going to be mine!

It's useless. Where do you think you are? We're upstream on the Tigris River with a view of Mt. Ebih!

If you can't fly, don't think for a second you're going to be able to catch me!

This is bad! We can't beat Ishtar!

If we somehow get the upper hand, she'll just fly away in her boat!

That's right. That's not fair, Ishtar! You should come down and fight fair and square!

Dummy! I'm not giving up my advantage! Now playtime is over, and it's time for me to get serious

Ser...i...ous...

？！

...Here I go! Even if I can't fly, if I have a roof this high up...

...I've got you!

Huh? Where did you come from!?

She crashed! That... That looked painful...

Ouchies...

...She fell right on her head... Senpai, I think she's... Yeah, she's out cold!

...Umm, Master? What should we do with her...?

Let's kill her while we can. She's just going to be annoying once she wakes up.

？！

...Owww! My head! ...What's going on? Where am I? Am I tied up?

What is the meaning of this!? I want an explanation! Just what is going on here!?

Awake? Of course I'm awake. It's nighttime! Anyway, who are you!?

Yes, good morning. I like proper greetings. ...So who are you?

？！

Fou, fou.

Hey, that's the Beast of Disaster? Why is that thing here!?

Wait. Am I going to get eaten? Am I going to be a sacrifice!?

Please calm down, Ishtar. We mean you no harm.

We want to ask you something.

Also, please note that your legs and hands have been restrained for our protection.

!?

Tying me up? Unthinkable! Do you have any idea who I am!? Aren't you afraid of what might happen to you later!?

R-really? Well, you don't look like you're lying... I see... I guess I'm a pretty cruel goddess...

That's right. I'm scary, aren't I? Well, that's fine. I'm used to it. I'm the most hated person in all of Mesopotamia...

？！

But do you really think rope can hold me? If I wanted to, I could kill you all.

Now now, we're quite prepared on our end.

This rope was specially woven with your beloved lapis lazuli, and the hides of Demonic Beasts.

Even the great Ishtar would need a moment to get out of it. And that's plenty of time for my young friend here to end you.

...Yes. My scythe can kill immortals. I am not going to kill you... But I will hurt you very, very badly if you move.

...I see. It seems you've actually captured me.

So what about it? Is there something you want to ask before killing me?

...Who knows if that's true? Well, I have a pretty good idea. It's about the Three Goddess Alliance, right?

Yeah, I knew it. Very well. What do you want to know?

？！

Our questions are simple.

Why do the goddesses attack Uruk? What are the True Names of the other goddesses?

And who summoned you? Could you tell us, please?

Hmm... What's your name?

Mash Kyrielight.

I see. Mash. What about that human over there?

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Fujimaru, then.

Very well. Since you were foolish enough to tell me your names, I will answer what I can.

To address your first question. The reason why we, the Three Goddess Alliance, attack Uruk. This goes without saying, but we wish to control the world.

Well, technically, I want to rule humans, and the goddess of the north wants to rule the world... There's a slight difference.

And the goddess of the south... Hmm... I'm not sure about her. She's from a different culture, so I don't know what's up with her.

In any event, we're in competition with each other...

To see who can destroy Uruk first and obtain the Holy Grail in King Gilgamesh's keeping.

The first goddess to obtain it will control the land.

The other two will either leave, or remain to serve as subservient deities.

That is the goal of the Three Goddess Alliance. Simple, right?

？！

I cannot tell you that. The Three Goddess Alliance has a pact that prohibits us from attacking each other.

This pact is sacred, and cannot be violated. Exposing the True Names of the other two goddesses would be tantamount to an attack.

You and Fujimaru wouldn't expose the secrets of your good friends, would you?

A goddess gossiping about someone behind their back would be disgracing herself, you know.

I will not divulge the True Names of the other two goddesses, even under threat of death. Understood?

Master!?

Good answer. I love noble humans.

...That's true. I actually agree with you...

？！

And to answer your question about who summoned us...

I was summoned by the Sacred Temple in Uruk. But the goddesses of the north and south are different.

Those two were drawn here by the Holy Grail.

I'm not sure whether that was the Mage King's plan or not.

I see. That's about what we thought.

So Ishtar was less aggressive than the other two goddesses because of the way she was summoned.

We're enemies, but you have treated me with respect. Thank you for that.

...Isn't it obvious? I have a problem with you humans.

I'm going to bring down Uruk in my own way. If the other goddesses want to kill you, then I'll kill you first.

？！

Was that everything you wanted to know? Then, may I ask a question?

Fujimaru, you're a Chaldea mage, correct?

Chronologically, you're humanity's last Master, correct?

？！

That's some big talk, and it's rare to hear. That's good. I like you even more now.

Fou... Fou? Fo, fo, fo, fo, fo, fooooou!?

Fou, we're in the middle of an important discussion. Please calm down. If you need food, you'll get some later

...Later...

Doctor, this is bad! Skeletons are appearing all over the city!

R-really!? I'm not picking up anything over here!

All I see is a large amount of magical energy! There've been no irregularities

Oh! That's it! No wonder I didn't notice!

In the A.D. era, a magical energy reaction this large would be abnormal, but we're in the Age of Gods!

Some moving corpses won't cause any noticeable difference in our measurements! Something like that wouldn't even be considered unusual!

That seems to be the case. This is strange, though! The swarm is larger than the entire population of Kutha!

...We should retreat. Fortunately, we've recovered the clay tablet we were after.

Yes, pull back from Kutha as fast as possible! You're going to get eaten up by skeletons at this rate!

？！

...

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Master, hurry! Ana and I will focus our attacks to break through!

...Wait. Why did you release me?

Guh... That's...impossible. Even if I wanted to talk, I couldn't.

？！

...Please hurry! More are coming by the second!

Hmm... We have a problem here. Earlier, I said the number of enemies exceeded the population of Kutha. Let me rephrase that.

This has nothing to do with the population of Kutha. To be precise, these skeletons are all the people who died on this land in the past.

I mean, look over there. Even their ancestors are all here.

It's no use! They've blocked our path! They're weak individually, yes, but there are just too many of them!

...I'm sorry. If only I were older... I could blast them away with my Noble Phantasm...

That was...!

Now you know not to go near Kutha. If you're ever captured in the underworld, you'll find out just how hard it is to come back.

Ishtar provided covering fire for us! ...Now she's flying off to the northeast!

That was really more like air support than covering fire. Not sure what came over her, but I think we're safe now.

Now's our chance to pass through the southern gate. We've got the tablet already, so let's get outta here!