Made by God, Woven by Humans, and Returned to Soil I

"...Hey."

"...Hey."

"Are you going to go?"

"Are you going to disappear (be complete)? Are you going to die (be born)?"

"Then this is goodbye."

"The next time we meet, I won't be myself anymore."

"Wow...I'm envious."

"Because you're probably not going to change a single bit."

"Nobody can hurt you, and nobody can break you."

"You will always be you."

"Even if a god killed you, even if you loved someone else, or if you tried to break yourself, or if you turn back to soil..."

"This forest...this world...as long as humans and the land remain..."

Please wake up, Senpai!

I'm glad you're okay.

Fou? Fou!

？！

You seem to have awoken from REM sleep...and now, good morning.

I was worried for a moment that your mind might have drifted off somewhere else again.

If you are still sleepy, please have some coffee at the cafeteria.

We've recently started receiving supplies from the outside world, so there may have been some quality coffee in the shipment.

？！

Hahaha. Sorry to inform you, but I have a jack. That's four of a kind.

Oh, how wonderful! They all match! I have four queen cards!

A card that represents a sovereign...four kings. Does this mean that I have four of a kind?

...Wait just a moment? Are the two of you cheating? Honestly? So I was the only one who tampered with the cards?

Oh my, oh my!? Have I been left out?

Oh, how disappointing that I was unable to be one of the possessors of FOUR of something! That number represents death in many Asian cultures!

As you can all see, I have five jokers! I have won the battle but lost the war!

I see...so five of a kind is possible...

Of course not! Having FIVE jokers isn't even a viable way to cheat!

At best, Mephy's crime is absurd! Knowing as he did that his skulduggery would not pass ANYONE'S scrutiny, he STILL undertook it!

Heha! Your words of praise slay me! Would you like a little clock as a token of my appreciation?

Absolutely not! I will have no part in your scheme of blowing me up to dispose of evidence of your cheating!

You're right...it is strange to see these Servants together. Perhaps the Professor is scheming...

Now, now, young lady... Can you truly blame every strange thing that happens here on me?

I am not judging, of course. It is nice to be suspected of criminal activity. It is almost as if you trust me!

Kuhahaha! It's wonderful to see you in high spirits, Master!

Yes, please join in on the fun, Master! The more the merrier for a tea party!

Then shall we resume our poker game? Shall we wager our very souls? Yes, we shall!

I shall wager Faust's soul, so I suggest you match with the Spirit Origin of your most beloved Servant!

？！

What shall we do, Senpai? I can't see it going well if we stay here long...

Just based on past experience... I feel trouble on the way...

Oh, my apologies if you are concerned. I was actually the one who called them all over.

You, Enkidu?

You seem surprised.

Um, well...I'm sorry.

Setting Nursery aside, it's a bit of a surprise you'd call the other two here...

You would put me in the same category as Mephy? I believe I may cry...

Please do! Come now, cry your heart out! I am eager for the sidesplitting laughter that will merit!

Then laugh! Laugh until your sides rip open and your vitals spill out! Now, do hurry and explain yourself. We are getting nowhere as we are going now, Enkidu.

You're right. While Mephistopheles's whims are certainly amusing, I suppose this is not a particularly efficient way to operate...

I must admit...I have been interested in these people since the moment I was summoned here. I've been wanting to speak to them for some time.

There are, of course, others in whom I am interested, but these are the only ones who were available now.

Interested...?

Surprised?

You're right. I do not mind being alone.

But were I to simply remain alone until I expire, there would have been no point in my being reconstructed here in the first place.

It is. Everyone here in Chaldeathe Heroic Spirits, mages, and even the staffare all very...unique.

That is why I must study everyone here.

？！

In order to optimize my systems in a place like this, it is sometimes necessary to become actively involved with others.

Optimizing...your systems?

That's right. I have been shaped to work here as ideally as possible. That is why I was created.

？！

Ah!? Master! We've received an urgent message from the Command Room!

Hey, Fujimaru. Sorry for interrupting you right when you were about to go eat.

We've gotten some strange readings from an area in a Singularity we already corrected.

Hm? Is Enkidu with you, too?

Well, that's handy. Can you all come here?

Oh, hey. Is this the first time I've called Enkidu up here?

I don't mind.

That you've asked me here means we are dealing with THAT Singularity, correct?

Exactly. SensingWell, having the capacity to accurately assess a situation is a sign that you are indeed a well-functioning machine.

We picked up these strange readings in ancient Babylonia, east of Uruk.

You know Ishtar's temple atop Mt. Ebih? It's somewhere in the forest near that valley.

...

Enkidu?

Hm? What is it?

Uh, well...is everything all right? You just looked really grim there...

Oh, my apologies.

It's just that I heard a term that could cause a cascading system crash...a word that my systems prioritize for immediate deletion.

Of course it is. After all, the Enkidu of myth was...

Ah, well. No need to get into anything like that right now.

Our readings are strange...a pattern we've never seen before, and we can't pinpoint the exact location.

That's why I want to ask Enkidu, who possesses Presence Detection and is familiar with the area, to guide you. Would that be all right?

Thank you. I am not sure how much help I will be, but please use my skills as you see fit.

Remember, Senpai? That wasn't actually Enkidu back then.

... Actually, that may not be necessarily true.

Eh?

？！

Now that it's been decided, let's head out. If something has gone awry, we must fix it quickly.

Right. Are you ready, Fujimaru?

？！

Rayshift successful. At least this time you ended up on solid ground, Senpai! Any problems, Enkidu?

No, we're all right.

...This breeze brings back memories. The color of the sky hasn't changed either.

Yes. I see that wistful gaze on Master's face as he gazes skyward... Perhaps Master was expecting yet another free fall?

!? M-Mephistopheles!?

Hm. Falling from the sky, hm?

This is exactly the sort of place a shady man like myself can shine!

In any story where someone falls from the sky, the most important detail would be WHO does the rescuing. Master, you must choose carefully.

Heh...hehehe...!

Rest assured, Ms. Mash! As you can see, Master has arrived unscathed!

If there is a problem at all...it would be that WE have accompanied Master! Heeheehee!

Professor and Nursery...why are you there!?

Well, I've been examining the Rayshift system rather thoroughly, so it was no trouble sneaking the three of us along for the ride, as it were.

That is its own set of problems, but Mash is asking why you three are here at all.

Simple, really. I was curious why Enkidu had wished to speak to us all. Of course, I am also quite curious about Enkidu as well.

There is much that cannot be learned merely from a few games of poker. Oh, I can figure anything out, as I am a genius!

But if we are to grant Enkidu's wish, I decided an adventure together would be an amusing way to do so.

Senpai, please be careful not to fall for what he says! The Professor can be very reckless as long as he gets his point across.

Ah, but my little scheme is successful the moment it confuses! The secret to a graceful equation or formula is in how much of your inspiration you can work in.

？！

Well this will certainly be a lively journey. In my time, it was customary to travel in pairs, so this is new to me.

I hear that Babylonia is the place where the first stories were told!

I can't wait to meet all the people who were characters in so many stories from this nation!

Oh my, oh my! Everyone seems to be in such high spirits!

You know they say no journey is long with good company...as long as that company screams in agony! And so I will accompany you on your journey to the afterlife as best I am able!

Oh my. It seems there is quite the mixture of good and bad in this party!

At any rate, let us head out in search of this strange rift!

I can detect something within the forest, but combing through every inch of it would be...irritating.

Enkidu, do you sense anything with your Presence Detection skill?

...What a strange sensation. It's like the entire forestNo, this is...

...!

It appears we have been detected. Perhaps...my presence lured them to us.

What are you talking about? We're not detecting any...

No, wait... I am detecting something. Enkidu's detection ability is really something.

But this isNo, impossible!

H-how? Why are THEY there...?

I have a bad feeling about this. It seems we are being approached by something that should not be here...

At your four o'clock! Be careful, Senpai!

？！

That's not possible! The Laḫmu should've all disappeared along with the Chaos Tide the moment we defeated Tiamat!

Oh? Something that should be dead appears right before us!? How peculiar! Well how is that different from us, since we just popped out of nowhere!?

Are THESE beings someone's hero? Are WE the rift in this Singularity that must be corrected!?

nz:qc@！　:t@;q@！　:t@;qzaq@！

aihをslb/！　c4r;f@hxlをb0p.！ 0qdqaf　t3xyf　te-4x;.！

We're seeing a rapidly increasing number of Laḫmu in the forest! They're trying to surround Enkidu!

？！

I see...so they're the ones.

I'm sorry. I can at least pretend to understand your irritation and ideals.

But I cannot allow you to endanger the work that has been done. I hope you will understand.

b\p！　vgx:！　hoezhp！ 3khxl！　:t@;qhxl！　u2@lhq@:！

...I see.

Your reasons for wanting to kill me are legitimate, but you must know that I will respond with all due force.

The Laḫmu are on the move! Senpai, please be careful!

Not detecting any other Laḫmu in your area. It looks like those that had been headed your way are retreating back into the forest.

My, oh, my. The sight of those things leaves quite the impression on one's memory. I would not be surprised if a normal person went insane upon seeing them!

They were a little different than Jabberwocks... I wonder what story those monsters came from...?

Oh? And here I thought those creatures bore quite the resemblance to Enkidu here...or are you saying that I am in dire need of glasses?

...

Hmmm, looks like those creatures weren't the cause of the rift.

I had an eye on the readings during the battle, and it looks like the rift is what's creating them.

I hate to even say it, but it's possible that there's something like a remnant of Tiamat in the forest...

What!? Does that mean Tiamat might come back again?

I don't think that's very likely. After all, gradual as it may be, the reading is dissipating.

Even if we left it alone, there's a chance that whatever the issue is might be corrected in the Restoration of Humanity.

However...

Were I some manner of living residue of a Demon God Pillar, or harbored enough malice, I would gladly offer myself up to be reused. Not a bad deal for debris.

Well, pretty much.

Knew you'd say that. Don't worry. We'll back you up.

Hah! If we had any in storage, we'd have used them already. Honestly, maybe you could actually go out and collect some to supply Chaldea, hmm?

？！

...

(If I can't even pinpoint its exact location, that must mean... Yes, that's right...)

(The time to integrate the system may have come... I never imagined that I might be upgraded after becoming a Heroic Spirit...)

Is everything all right, Enkidu?

Yes...I was just reminiscing about my journeys in the past.

My only wish is that this journey with you would be as pleasant and enjoyable as it was when I traveled with...him, Master.

Or perhaps...that one day you will become a hero just like him...

Ah, the air here brings back memories. The wind, the soil...they haven't changed.

And the density of the magical energy here... Were it not for Chaldea's aid, any human from Master's time would not survive this.

I'm compelled to walk to the ends of the earth, but that is not the mission at hand for me at this moment.

True... It'd be a bit of a pain for us if you just wandered off to the edge of the Singularity now.

Who's to say your presence wouldn't give the world a conniption and create a whole new Singularity?

Haha, you think too highly of me.

A doll like myself cannot make the world do anything. Changing the stars is beyond even the gods.

The world yields only to the command of the true king born beneath the stars.

However roundabout your means of doing so may be, spare us the boasts about your friend. Our current goal is to find whoever is controlling the Laḫmu.

Well, as even your Presence Detection doesn't seem to be effective here, we may indeed need to comb through the forest inch by inch.

But wouldn't you say it's elderly abuse to make a man my age walk through a forest the size of a small country?

Hahaha, hehehe! The solution is simple, old, aged man! We should burn the forest down so we can have a clear view from where we stand!

You may call me old, but do refrain from adding "aged" as well. You make my Spirit Origin sound like some manner of peculiar delicacy.

Burning down an entire forest is barbaric! Let's ask Bunyan to help us pioneer the land peacefully!

Ah, wonderful idea. Paul Bunyan is a Servant I would very much like to meet someday.

Her Spirit Origin composition is somewhat irregular, and I have been meaning to learn about her before she disappears like a dream.

U-um... Setting what Bunyan is like aside, cutting down a whole forest might just make things worse...

Besides, wouldn't you be against deforestation or a large-scale fire, Enkidu?

Yes, of course. I love nature, and I do believe it to be very important.

But to me, the development of a city, mining in the deep ocean, and all other such things that humans tend to do are also part of nature.

Of course, I would suggest caution should the development itself run sufficiently out of control as to threaten humanity's survival.

Senpai, drastically changing the environment like that will likely affect the Singularity as well.

You're right. Let's put a pin in that for now. It can be a last resort. I don't see people of this time period liking us much if we destroy their resources.

？！

Anyway, carpet-bombing the area would be a touch...artless. I would prefer to formulate a different approach.

Oh my, oh my!? Perhaps the old, aged man would like to use his coffin to skate over the land or fly through the air to scout the forest end to end?

As I have REPEATEDLY said, that skyward leap is not a typical thing for me! Think of the energy such a move demands! Honestly!

...Wait a minute. Thinking of typical approaches, would Enkidu's abilities not be useful here?

You are right to point out that leaping and sprinting great distances are indeed capabilities I possess.

Normally, I would have the forest itself cooperate with me...but it appears that this land and my powers do not seem to be compatible to each other.

Compatible?

To be specific, it is almost as if there is a curse that has been placed upon me, though I doubt it's related to the irregularity we're observing.

In any case, so long as we can get rid of the source of the curse, I should be able to operate at full power.

？！

Ah, speak of the devil.

A familiar Spirit Origin appears to be heading in your direction. I'm sure Enkidu has already detected it.

...Yes...true.

Eh? But this Spirit Origin reading is...

Master. I suggest you take three steps back.

Well...according to my calculations, you should move within ten seconds. I also have a visual now.

The reverse may be a possibility, but there is no reason for me to hate you, Master. Don't worry.

But that is exactly why you need to step away from me.

？！

It's raining light! It looks like the sun is crying!

Hee ha! I'm ready to jump ahead of the expedition team to capture this moment on camera, Master!

？！

...

...Hmph. He is not taking this seriously at all.

Amazing... Enkidu managed to deflect all of that inbound artillery!

While I know Master was nearby, is this really all the power you will bring to bear in an attempt to kill me?

Or perhaps, without the other gods behind you, you are just this pathetically weak?

Why the sudden cold, harsh voice, Enkidu?

Of course not. I'd never go all-out just to smash a clay doll into a worthless pile of refuse!

That aside, I see that your magical energy is stable, thanks to Fujimaru. You should be grateful to that child.

Y-you are...

Honestly...what's the big idea in bringing that thing, Fujimaru?

Things were stabilizing here, all thanks to my protection! Were you trying to mess all that up!?

That's right. This is my land, so you should show some more respect by putting "the Great" in front of my name. You might get a blessing if you do.

I may have caused you all some trouble in the past, but isn't it a bit cruel for THAT to be the first thing that comes out of your mouth!?

？！

Anyway. I don't have time to be dealing with you right now, Fujimaru.

I need to smash that nasty eyesore into red clay and dump it into the river. It's ruining the whole aesthetic here.

Even though you made yourself look like Shamhat, the moment I know who you really are you just become hideous to me. You're the worst.

I see. As you are the goddess of beauty, it is fitting that you at least appreciate Shamhat's beauty. That makes me happy. Goodbye.

Don't you change the subject while you attack me! A clay doll like you shouldn't be able to move like some kind of martial arts master!

Amazing! It's like a rain of light between sky and land! So this is the story of "Enuma Elish"!

Oh my, even a single stray bullet could end Master's life here and now!

W-wait! Please calm down, Ishtar!

That's Enkidu! It's not the version of Kingu we fought!

...

Come on now, Mash. Who do you think I am?

Eh?

I was perfectly aware that this was the real Enkidu, not Kingu, from the start!

If that's the case...

And THAT is what I'm trying to kill right here, right now!

B-but...!

Well that's not surprising. Don't you remember their previous interaction, Mash?

Even the myth engraved on the clay tablets mentions that the two of them were on VERY unfriendly terms. So it's no shock this is how a meeting would go.

When we were hunting down Demon God Pillars, I let you off the hook because there were more important things, but now that you've sashayed back into my turf...you've got a death wish, right?

I'm perfectly happy to help you with that. Be a good doll and just sit there to rot away in agony♡

Well, I'm relieved to know you're still the vulgar fiend you've always been. I will have no hesitation in disposing of you, even with Master here.

Your age is over. Humanity has already made their ties with a new god. Your attempt to cling to your rule makes you a malevolent god.

Don't give me that know-it-all crap! You don't belong with these humans, haven't you figured that out!?

Even though you're a good-for-nothing, you at least gained a true friend. But since you turned your back on the gods, there is nothing worthwhile in you.

I am a tool. Protection and concern for the gods is wasted on me.

I see...

Oh, don't tell me... You're not still feeling guilty over what happened to that child, are you?

...

Now that I look closer, the Heroic Spirits you're traveling with...

I get it now.

Unbelievable. You say you're just a tool, but it looks like you're still hung up on that child's demise.

You really don't know when to hold your tongue. You're the absolute embodiment of an insolent god who's never doubted that everything is theirs.

Hey, you're finally getting serious.

The wounds and splendor engraved upon the planet...I shall sing upon it! Age of Babylon!

？！

Calm down. They do that all the time. It creates weapons from the ground, like spears and chains.

So that ability was a Noble Phantasm as well...

Fine. Any weapon a piece of junk like you makes could only be trash. I'm going to show you the product of a true beauty!

!

？！

...

I will refrain from comment... I do at least have some small sense of mercy in my program.

Really? I'll point out that I will show you no mercy. You have two options: you can die, or you can die!

You're about to get a taste of the awesome power that scarred Mt. Ebih!

Even the supreme god An once said only a fool would try to defy it!

Wasn't he saying that to you, Ishtar!?

Ouuuuch...

Hey! Fujimaru!

Why're you taking Enkidu's side here!?

Ugh... Okay, MAYBE that's true, but this is Enkidu! Isn't humanity all about preemptive strikes?

Ah, so we have reached a point where gods use humanity as a justification for their behavior! I'd be curious to know what the other gods think of this!

Stop! I strongly urge you not to do that! I'm sure it'll get SUPER complicated in A LOT of ways!

Wouldn't that be more reason for you not to attack it!? What are you, a hornet that attacks anything that's a color you don't like?

But they were wonderful monsters! They would definitely be found in picture books as the bad guys!

I'll have you know that they were supposed to be guardian statues of justice that received the blessing of a goddess...me!

？！

(Sigh) Fine. I know this is no time for a battle to the death.

Right. The moment I tried to inflict the final blow, I felt as if Master were about to cast Gandr on me.

Master, trusting Ishtar is your choice, but I recommend extreme caution in dealing with such a wild, capricious goddess as her.

She may say that all she does is for humans, but her entire thought process is fundamentally different to begin with. What's worse, she is unaware of this.

Just think of her as one of those bizarre sorts who turn up at the change of seasons...someone with delusions of managing the world.

Oh really? You've got a lot of nerve to say something like that♡

One of these days, when Fujimaru's not around...

...if we ever encounter each other somewhere Chaldea isn't involved, I'm going to use all my godly power and smash you to tiny pieces♡

Unfortunately for you, such a miracle is unlikely unless Chaldea or humanity is on the verge of catastrophe.

Hee-haw! Is this what they call a Chekov's gun? You are aware that our existence is possible in the first place because of miracles piled atop each other, yes?

...Perhaps.

Anyway, are you really going to stop this fight, Ishtar? I've never known you to back down when you mean to kill someone.

Shut up. If you insist on keeping this up, you won't have any justification. But still, if you're going to keep going, I'm ready for you.

...

No, I have no intention of continuing. And I apologize for my many indiscretions.

This apology is not for Ishtar, but for the poor human whom she has merged with. I should respect that girl at least, whoever she is and wherever she may be from.

She may be somewhat like Ishtar, but the fact remains that she has managed to mellow Ishtar out somewhat, which can only mean she has a most virtuous soul.

Or maybe strong-willed is a better word for it. The goddess has retained a tendency to rush into things without considering the consequences.

Ungh...this piece of junk still loves making those cutting remarks. Are you okay with that, Fujimaru? Does it stress you out?

？！

(Sigh) Suppose this junkpile is still good at playing innocent.

So...can we move on?

Am I correct to assume that you, Ishtar, have already found the source of this phenomenon?

Yep, and I can explain. We can talk while we go through the forest. Follow me.

Ooh, an adventure with a hero AND a goddess!? I have a wonderful feeling about this!

Do you think so? I find myself overcome with a feeling of purest dread, as though we were being led to the scene of a perfect crime or some such...

Hee-haw! You know the saying! Life is all twisty and turny, like rope! You never know what fate awaits...when you could be kicked off a mountain by an old man's horse the next minute!!!

Oh, little sayings like that are so amusing, Master!

You're right. No matter where we end up...atop a mountain or in a valley...let us pray that we have a good journey.

Not to the gods...but upon the route that Master will be taking.

...

(Does Enkidu really think this group would be able to get to the bottom of this?)

(Even on Enkidu's journey with Gilgamesh, they couldn't save that child... That beast...)

What a deep, dark forest. It's still daytime, but this darkness makes it feel like someone's going to start singing "Hey! Diddle, Diddle!"

Yes, it is still both dark and silent here. This place is one of the Primordial Forests that connect night and day, humans and gods.

I can't believe you can be so nonchalant about it. Care to enlighten us about a certain duo who went in to destroy that connection?

Sorry, but it's time to set your past squabbles aside. We have more important things to do right now.

Or...if Ishtar is letting the issue alone right now, is it safe to say that the situation isn't as urgent?

...Well, that's a tough question.

The Laḫmu are certainly diminishing in number. I'd love to watch that happen at a safe distance.

I don't really want to kick the hornet's nest here, but I do have some strong feelings about this.

？！

Come on, I'm trying to be serious here, so don't tease.

Your effort to confront your true nature is exactly why Master said that.

You put on this air of being the guardian of human prosperity...yet you never listen to humans.

Actually, you probably do listen, but what you hear is twisted up in your bizarre divine mind.

Shut up, you piece of junk. Honestly, I think Kingu had more respect for goddesses like me.

Kingu...

That is the soul who inhabited my body in this Singularity, correct?

Would Master and Mash mind telling me about that?

What did Kingu, in my body, do in this world? What did they say? What did they leave behind?

I don't mind. Just tell me what you know.

Saved... Wasn't Kingu your enemy?

？！

We really only know a little about Kingu. But his final actions did make it a little harder to think of him as a true enemy...

No. We really don't have enough information to even offer conjecture. Since it's your body, I think the story would be hard for you to hear, Enkidu.

Heeha! I don't think it's much of a problem, Master!

Talking about someone else is never really all that objective! In fact, I'd call all the world's heroic tales silly little farces, wouldn't you?

And so what can you possibly tell us about Kingu? Everything's a fraud. That's how the world turns.

What a horrible thing to say, Uncle Mephy! Not all stories are so sad!

When someone tells somebody else's story, that story becomes another kind of truth!

Master. Enkidu wants to hear Kingu's tale from your perspective. Please tell them!

A...story?

Hmmm. This may be uncalled for, but were I to merely keep quiet and look smug, I would be like a certain insufferable detective...and I won't have that!

Master, tell your story. We all have a notion of what Enkidu is searching for.

I'm not saying you need to dramatize it. Just tell the story of Kingu, from your own perspective.

And, truth to tell, I find myself curious about this story. Purely for educational reasons, of course.

...Are you sure?

It's not really my place to pitch in here, but I can offer some supplemental information if asked.

Besides, this piece of junk lacks emotion. No matter how their body was used, they would accept the truth.

She's the last person I wanted to point out that I lack emotion, but the rude goddess is right.

Don't worry about me. I would be satisfied to know anything you are willing to tell me.

If Senpai is all right with it, then I can also contribute...

Senpai!?

Um...so let me begin first.

？！

Our relationship with Kingu was...complicated from the start.

At first, Kingu pretended to be Enkidu when he appeared to us just after we arrived.

He turned against us quickly, saying he was the messenger of the Three Goddess Alliance. The truth, though, was that he worshipped Tiamat as his mother.

...Tiamat.

Yes. But during our final decisive battle at Uruk...

...I see.

My body that claimed to be Kingu...tried to stop Tiamat, the Beast whom he worshipped as his mother.

I don't know what made him change his mind. Though maybe that regal friend of yours might have some more insight in it.

But one thing's for sure: both the chain and the wedge were essential in saving Uruk.

...

I see... So Kingu, or the "me" in this Singularity, managed to hold to his conviction to the very end.

？！

Oh, sorry. I suppose that may have sounded odd, since I'm not Kingu.

I mean no insult to his soul, nor do I believe myself to be superior to him.

It's just that my body...my flesh was created that way. I am designed so that my entire personality is inscribed into the body itself.

So even if a different soul inhabited this corpse, it would be recorded by the world as one of the paths a body created by the gods took.

Paths?

Yeah, a path...or perhaps circuit is a better term.

Originally, I did not have a personality.

I was created by Utu and the others as an empty container intended to become the perfect being.

To put it in modern terms, I was like computer hardware that did not yet have any software installed.

And so upon this empty container, Shamhat, Gil, and some other old allies inscribed the traits of humanity. And that is how I came to be as I am.

...

In other words, the "me" that is speaking to you right now is simply a sort of software that happened to be put into operation around this time.

To the world...rather, the gods who created me...the hardware running the system was more important.

Well that's pretty weird, I gotta say. Are you trying to say that what was registered onto the Throne was not your soul, but your physical body?

Correct. That's probably the most sensible explanation.

Specifically, the journey that I took isn't what's engraved on the Throne... It would be more accurate to say the hardware called Enkidu was registered.

And that's why I respect Kingu.

Respect?

The path Kingu took is definitely something human from my perspective, and should be praised.

Per the wish of the individual whom Kingu worshipped as a maternal figure, Kingu was able to live in this world as a new human.

In consequence, he was never a doll used by the gods, but was instead a human with his own will...

Just like any other human who lived in Sumer. He managed to become a being with will, instead of a life-form without it.

With that in mind, it is fair to say that he filled what time was given to him well.

He confronted the goddess whom he worshipped as his mother, using only the emotions he was born with.

To act of my own volition was something I could not do until the very end. While that may have been my fate, Kingu managed to escape it.

Perhaps I should feel jealous. Or perhaps I should feel relieved that I never held such sentiments.

I am merely a tool. To live as a human would be to denounce the role I was assigned.

Thank you. But that may just be a performance.

It may just be my programming enabling me to mimic humans to better interact with them.

That may be true. But if those people are satisfied with their life that way, that is the result of feeling hope, which is unique to humans.

If someone feels despair...to be able to feel despair...that is just further proof of being human. That is also an emotion that I cannot experience.

？！

Oh come on! You're just covering for yourself by stringing together a bunch of logical-seeming nonsense! THIS is why I can't stand you!

You're a piece of junk. You broke in just the right ways to gain a personality.

Heh. A complete and perfect entity... You make me laugh! There's only room for one perfect entity, and that's me!

But then again...

...maybe that's why you're so full of guilt. You regret dying before that stubborn king.

Or maybe you regret your actions and the fate that ultimately tarnished his proud independence.

Whatever it is, you died with regret in your heart. You need to just face the fact that you met your end practically drowning in human emotion.

Look who's talking... You are the one who cursed me. You even went so far as to call for help.

Oh I'm aware. I will say it as many times as I have to, and I'd do it all over again! I'm sticking to my principles!

...

...

P-please calm down, both of you! We would be repeating...

There is no need to worry. We seem to have another problem now.

Right. It seems we are approaching our destination.

Yep, we've got a visual here.

But this is...

？！

That's...a piece of the chain that was used to restrain Tiamat during the decisive battle at Uruk.

I'm guessing here, but maybe that chain...

...is a remnant of Kingu from the Singularity.

I see. No wonder my Presence Detection didn't work. It was a part of my own body.

This area is shrouded with the same magical energy as my body. That energy concealed the presence of all the Laḫmu as well.

Yep. And do you see that building-sized hunk of flesh the chain is wrapped around?

That's a piece of Tiamat's body. It looks like the chain is still trying to restrain it.

And the Laḫmu are being born as if in protest. But because this age is correcting itself, the chain is more powerful than the flesh.

That piece of flesh will disappear soon, bringing an end to the chain's purpose...which means the last remnant of Kingu's body will vanish.

Unlike this piece of junk here, I don't have any real problem with Kingu. So I thought the least I could do was watch over him until his end.

？！

Yeah, yeah. You guys are really softies.

But I hope you know...if you agitate it, that bit of flesh will use its last strength to go berserk. If that happens, I can't guarantee you'd survive.

It'll be okay. I'll protect Master.

And we're here too!

Oh ho? We have somehow been included in this god-killing troupe! What are your thoughts, old, aged man?

This peppy Mephy is as excited as can be to get some god killing done! Wheehaha!

Argh! This is exactly what I was worried about! Well, we did come all this way, so I will help!

After all, such damning blasphemy as killing the remnant of a goddess is just the sort of dirty job fit for Mephistopheles and myself!

...Thank you, everyone.

And you too, Kingu...

I respect you. Truly. I respect that you have kept to your conviction even after ending up like that.

I'm going to take care of everything now. And...I hope you will forgive me for taking over.

The Laḫmu have detected you! Please be careful, Senpai!

Looks like that chunk of Tiamat has also detected you. Don't let it eat you or anything!

The readings of Tiamat and her Laḫmu are beginning to disappear!

... ...!

Your protection of Mother's body till the end is admirable, but then I came and trampled over your desires for my own ends.

If you are to curse someone, it should be neither humanity nor Master. You should curse me, even though I could not become truly human.

...

...0;0;f　ffs　smi　zai　t5.

...30;m4　0;0;f　6j5を　30;m4 ...6j5f　...pte0　...4o/ue

...

Thank you. I'm grateful.

...That's right. This is my sign of appreciation.

What's going on, Enkidu? Why are you standing in front of Kingu's chain?

I wanted to...thank him.

Thank you, Kingu. You were indeed a human. And a hero.

Thank you...proud soul who helped to maintain the connection between humans, land, and sky.

？！

Calm down. That was originally part of Enkidu. Absorbing it back into themselves is nothing strange.

Yes...it feels like a missing piece of me has finally been returned.

I synchronized with the chain and incorporated it back to my Spirit Origin. At the same time, a part of Kingu's Spirit Origin came flowing into me.

Maybe one day, Kingu may manifest in my Spirit Origin.

My eyes might turn blue sometimes, but that's just a part of the software in Enkidu's body.

And...a part of Kingu's heart is also becoming part of me. I can see the journey he took. I can see how it came to an end...

...

So Gil really did become a wonderful king. That...is a relief.

Hm...this may just be me, but I sense that the quality of your Spirit Origin has changed.

My connection to the world may have changed slightly.

My Presence Detection doesn't sharpen one's mind. It's a subsystem that allows me to become one with the world and identify anything out of place.

Now that I have inherited the legacy and story of Kingu, I am now able to further integrate myself into anything connected to Chaldea's world.

Now I can melt my very existence into the world. Even if only for an instant, I may be able to evade an enemy's attacks.

？！

Whether it can actually be used would probably depend on how much my Spirit Origin has bonded with Chaldea and Master.

Either way, the issue here has been corrected. Let's return to Chaldea, Master.

Eh?

Aren't you going to go see Gilgamesh?

...

You know that fool would hurry overwhether he be in the underworld or on the thronethe moment he learns someone's raiding Uruk's treasury.

More than that, he would really hurry over if he knew you were here.

Well, it would be nice if I saw him.

But the Gilgamesh here, now, is the Gil who's already said goodbye to me. He is a king now.

I don't think Gilgamesh is the sort to treat you differently because of his status...

Maybe not for Gilgamesh. But the people who live in this age are a different matter.

I'm sure the people will be fearful. They might be afraid that I may take Gil's soul to the underworld on some adventure.

And, honestly...I might really do that.

Really? I see... Then there really isn't any reason for me to see him.

Gil became a king who made his citizens strong...

And that knowledge alone is as good as meeting Gil and speaking with him.

Yeah. But then again, if the people of Uruk are that resilient, maybe I really would take Gil off on an adventure without having to worry.

Who knows? Another trip through a forest or over a mountain does sound fun...

Yeah... Even my own software might determine that being with him is the optimal decision.

Kidnapping, you say!? Taking Gil as the adventurer is one thing, but taking Gil the king by force should be easy as pie!

？！

No... Whether Gil and I want to or not, we would have gone on a journey had the fates decreed it to be so. That's how it is.

This sounds like some kind of riddle. But I'm sure it would have been a wonderful journey!

Of course it would. A journey with Gil could never be boring.

This entire planet is his garden. But Gil isn't the sort of person who would be satisfied with just a stroll through something already his.

The moment he finishes walking every inch of this planet, he'll probably head out into space.

Haha, who knows? That treasury of his is a miniaturized version of human history. Whether such a vehicle is within it is up to how curious he is.

I don't know. I am a doll that is meant to be part of the planet.

However, should somebody travel through the stars with Gil, I may entrust them with some sort of wish.

I'd wish that the time we spent togethereven if only a portioncould light the way on their new journey.

？！

You really can't be honest with yourself, huh? I never knew what you were thinking...

I'm aware that others find it difficult to understand me. But that is just how I have always been.

And I wanted to make that clear for Master.

So, please, think of me simply as a tool. My only wish is to be used effectively in your service, Master.

Please don't say anything so sad! Senpai has never thought of his Servants as tools.

I don't recommend that approach. If the time comes, use me until I break to help yourself survive.

？！

Master, you really are soft. You're the complete opposite of Gil... You are certainly unique.

Or, perhaps... Perhaps you are the one who is more human.

If so, having been a Servant to a human such as you is an honor.

While the position of best friend is one that has already been filled, if you consider me to be a trustworthy tool, then I will answer your call and serve you as best I can in my brief existence.

That is why I wish you to use me until I break. That is the purpose of my coming to Chaldea.

Enkidu...

Hmph. After hearing all that from you... You really are a bit of a fool, aren't you, Enkidu?

Professor?

Ah, yes... Enkidu, you are like a pure, innocent, newborn doll. You would be an easy mark for an unscrupulous villain like myself.

How intriguing. I suppose I could not hope to match the Professor or the intricacies of his schemes.

Now, now. This smug grin isn't just because you've stated the obvious. I was speaking of the attitude that you and Kingu take toward the world.

With Kingu...toward the world?

Kingu adopted your form and went on a rampage. Any citizen of Uruk who saw you would surely think their enemy has returned for them.

True. Chaos may ensue.

Exactly. That's why I

On the other hand, you have not blamed Kingu for any of this.

He tarnished your name, your reputation. And yet you praised his conviction and incorporated him into your own Spirit Origin!

Do you intend to embrace not only his soul, but also every bit of tragedy and hatred he created?

...

I will say it once more: you, my little clay doll, are a fool.

You're neither good nor bad. Just a foolishly honest...story of a hero.

...!

I think I know why you were always interested in us. I think Enkidu is very similar to us.

Oh my, oh my...did you not realize this!?

I was born a devil...while Nursery was born a story.

And add in the old, aged man, a man who was inscribed upon the world's Throne as the ultimate villain...and the correlation is quite simple.

Though, I do think the old, aged man is somewhat different than the two of us... Why do you think that is, old, aged man?

Firstly, I told you to drop the "aged" bit. Let us set aside for the moment whether I should be here or not.

...

We have all, through the intervention of some other entity, been forced to be and act in certain ways.

In your particular case, you were assigned a role by the gods themselves, but you defied their decree.

...I do not deny that. I did indeed defy my reason for my existence, my purpose for living.

I'm different than Kingu. I did not gain a soul. I simply abandoned my very being.

However...

The reason you wanted to learn more about us is that you are searching for an answer, for some sort of saving grace. Or, that was my initial belief.

But my calculations require a bit of alteration and correcting on this short journey.

You sought salvation in understanding us not for yourself, but for another. Am I wrong?

...!

Heh. You really are quite expressive, Enkidu.

And so we arrive back at why I called you a fool.

That applies to dolls and tools...humans and heroes.

Well, honestly I think fools are quite boring, but I don't hate them. I am, after all, a teacher.

I would hate to see another accidentally gain a sense of justice like Watson, but it may be interesting to see them succumb to evil like the spider woman.

Me...sinking into either good or evil...

Intriguing. Do you think that could even be possible for me?

I'm really not interested in this conversation, but thought I'd let you know we're ready to Rayshift.

We can put Enkidu's decision about their future on hold for now.

Ishtar, thank you very much.

Don't worry about it. We're friends, after all.

But I'm warning you: never bring that piece of junk back here again.

It would be better if you would disappear from this age. In fact, it would be BEST if you just disappeared entirely from human history.

Ah, unfortunately for you, as long as humanity thrives here, I will keep existing, even as a remnant of a guardian god.

...

...

U-um, since I find the smiles they have while they're glaring at each other terrifying, I'm commencing the Rayshift! Senpai, are you ready?

？！

... There they go.

So that hardheaded king never showed up.

But he had to have sensed that Enkidu was here...

Those two really are impossible. I never could get my head around what they were thinking!

Argh! Just thinking about it makes me so mad!

I'm gonna go raid Uruk's treasury for jewels to make myself feel better!

Welcome back, Senpai! Is everyone else okay, too?

Yeah. They made me walk quite a ways, and I feel I must have aged a few years on the trip.

...

Is something the matter, Enkidu?

Well, this journey taught me many things. It will be quite difficult to assimilate all this data.

I'm not so sure if it was all right for me to have incorporated Kingu into my humble Spirit Origin...

Or perhaps it would be better to allow Kingu to take over as the Heroic Spirit for this body.

Enkidu...

Oh my, oh my... You really are overthinking this!

Mephistopheles?

From where I stand, there's no distinction between the two of you at all!

...Why do you think that?

Gods create. Humans form connections. And they all go back to the ground. That is the duty and inevitable end of all who walk upon this world.

If you say that Kingu was human, why wouldn't YOU be able to say you are human too, since you were all born from the same source, hmm?

That is one way to think of it.

Kingu's soul came from Tiamat, and he was able to forge many connections with humans in the Singularity.

The software that was used was the only thing that was different, but there's hardly any distinction between the way the two of you lived your lives.

Admittedly I never would have looked to Mephistopheles for that sort of sentiment!

Oooh, oooh, that stings!

I also don't think you should worry too much.

Many stories come from some sort of wish, but the interpretation can always differ in endless ways depending on the storyteller and listener!

So, please cheer up, great hero from an old, old, ooold story!

One of these days, someone will read your amazing story in such a beautiful light! I'm sure of it!

I was also able to forge many connections, and that's how I got to meet Master and many wonderful children who would listen to my story!

...I see. You may be right.

With all of your help, I believe I have made some progress.

What matters is not why I was created, but how I interact with others, how I live, and how all of that connects...

A long time ago, before I met Gil or Shamhat, or even before I was among the animals in the forest...I had an encounter with someone else.

But I couldn't make any connections. I simply returned the gods' creation back to the land and soil.

Once more...if I can meet this soul one more time, I may be able to create a connection for her story.

I'm glad I was able to hear from people like you...who were created to act a certain way.

My wish now is to update my software with the memories I've just made and take them back to the Throne.

Thank you, Mephistopheles. And you too, Nursery Rhyme. And you, old, aged man.

Why must you bring that up even now!? We were JUST about to conclude on a pleasant note!!!

You have an uncanny penchant for teasing, don't you!? I still recall what happened during that race!

Perhaps Chaldea has changed me. Or perhaps it is Master's influence.

Thank you, Master and Mash. I vow to continue serving as your sword and shield.

I can assure you that you are a Master worth protecting.

S-Senpai!?

Ah, right. Then I will focus on being your sword.

Are you joking too, Enkidu!?

？！

Either way, good work everyone. The chef in the cafeteria is making a tropical-style curry using summer vegetables, so go and have some.

Tropical...style? Sounds interesting! Let's go, Senpai!

Oh my...curry, you say? My Ticktock Bomb is quite tropical as well, so let's try mixing that in!

It must be Uncle Emiya's curry! I'm sure it's quite mild! Let's go!

Oh my days. All this commotion has caused me a bit of back pain, but I did manage to squirm my way out from losing that poker game earlier.

...

(But learning about Enkidu's true nature was a stroke of luck. Knowing this, I have some interesting ideas for the future. Heh heh heh...)

(I don't want anyone to forget that I was summoned to this world as the most evil master criminal!)

(The way one lives and leaves a connection to this world, huh? That's the very essence of a story. But it's also one's choice to play up the very role that was given to them in the first place.)

(I have no idea who Enkidu wants to save... Well, I do have my theories.)

(But the question is, whether that being really is asking for salvation or not...)

(I wonder if that fool would be able to tell the difference? Heh heh...)

...

(Not as a best friend, nor as a tool and its user. A relationship between a mage and their Servant, huh?)

(I see. In order to improve my relationship with Master, that's probably the best way to think of it.)

...

(Maybe with Master...we can find the one I'm looking for...)

(No...I shall find them for sure.)

(...Huwawa.)

(The being held captive in the forest of the gods... I will find the guidepost that will allow us to release your soul...)