Chapter 376: Dark Clouds Hang Low, Winds Lash Against the Tower!

Chapter 28: Dark Clouds Hang Low, Winds Lash Against the Tower!

Inside the vast expanse of the Ziggurat, the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense.

King Gilgamesh sat upright upon his high throne on the main dais, his expression far from pleasant. When Merlin had returned, he brought two pieces of news: one good and one bad. The good news was that Akira was alive. The bad news was that he had departed and had no intention of returning to Uruk.

Below the throne, Merlin bowed his head slightly, doing his best to minimize his own presence.

"Merlin, were those truly the exact words Shin Akira spoke?" King Gilgamesh asked, his voice cold.

"They were indeed his words, King Gilgamesh."

"Very well. If he does not wish to stay in Uruk, let him go. After all, he was never a citizen of Uruk to begin with."

As those words were uttered, it became clear that the mood of the Wise King was growing even gloomier. Even Siduri’s expression shifted slightly. However, as a capable priestess and chief official of internal affairs, she allowed no excessive display of emotion.

Merlin, sensing the shift in the room, let out a quiet sigh of relief. Fortunately, the King did not seem inclined to press the matter further. If he had, Merlin would have been the one to suffer the consequences. Although Gilgamesh in his era as the Wise King was famous for his discernment, his core nature remained arrogant and brimming with self-confidence.

As the story shifts elsewhere...

While Akira’s departure had some impact in Uruk, it wasn’t catastrophic. Meanwhile, at the other end of Mesopotamia, there sat a temple built deep within a cavern. Its interior was filled with various unidentified "biological samples."

Dense patterns, resembling living veins, pulsed and crawled along the walls and corridors. Cages lined the walls, containing one human corpse after another. Of course, there were also those among them who were still clinging to life. Without exception, they were all raw materials for the creation of the Demonic Beasts.

"Mother, I have returned..."

Upon reaching the deepest part of the temple, Kingu stood before a gargantuan pool. The dark red water within was, in essence, a weakened version of the Chaos Tide.

With a thunderous rumble following Kingu’s voice, a massive figure slowly rose to the surface.

She had a human upper body and the tail of a serpent below. A pair of colossal wings spanned across her back. Long purple hair flowed freely, and her face was adorned with snake-like scales that didn’t detract from her beauty, but rather radiated a strange and captivating allure.

This was Gorgon, an Avenger-class Servant, the Goddess of Vengeance, and the leader of the Three Goddess Alliance. Based in the mountainous regions north of Uruk, she possessed tentacles that could transform into giant serpents. She was truly the Queen of Demonic Beasts.

However, all of that was a false identity. Kingu had used the power of the Holy Grail to share a portion of Tiamat’s Authority with her. Her very existence was created as a key to awaken the true Mother, Tiamat, with her own death serving as the trigger.

"Kingu, my child, you have returned."

"Yes, I am back, Mother," Kingu replied with a smile.

The greeting "Mother" was not directed at Gorgon as an individual, but rather because Gorgon carried Tiamat’s Authority. In a sense, she was a manifestation of Tiamat herself. That was why Kingu addressed her so.

"Hm? My child, what has happened to you?" Gorgon asked, staring at the changes in Kingu’s body. The figure that had been "flat" before now possessed distinct, feminine curves. What exactly did you do while you were out?

"By utilizing the power of the Holy Grail, I have fully integrated with this body. Since Mother is female, I have likewise changed my gender to female."

"I see. So you have finally mastered that vessel completely. That is a good thing."

Gorgon was well aware of Kingu’s identity. The fact that she could now act as the Goddess of Demonic Beasts was also thanks to Kingu’s help. Without her, the Authority of the Mother of Creation was not something she could simply touch.

"Indeed, Mother. While I was out, I met my big brother. Not long ago, he also descended into this world."

"Your big brother?"

"Yes. He is the existence I respect above all others."

"Where is he now? If I can cooperate with him, form a contract, and become allies, then I would be willing to rule the land of Mesopotamia alongside him in the future."

"That, I do not know. However, I will bring him here next time. When that happens, Mother can ask him herself."

"Very well."

Gorgon nodded. All she desired was revenge against humanity. As for ruling, she had no real interest. The reason she intended to conquer Mesopotamia was solely because of the other two goddesses. Same goal, same line of alliance. Until she was truly ready, this alliance had to be maintained.

The Demonic Beasts currently rampaging through Mesopotamia were the first generation. Their task was merely to gather nutrients. Once enough nutrients were collected, the second generation could be born. Their job would be to sweep across all of Mesopotamia and contest the other two goddesses.

"Kingu, my child, how is the state of the battle?"

"Mother, nearly fifty percent of the cities in Mesopotamia have been conquered by the first-generation Magical Beasts. The remaining cities are also under attack. However, the majority of humans have begun moving toward the city of Uruk."

"The Kingdom of Uruk, hm?"

"Correct, Mother. The current King of Uruk is Gilgamesh. He is very powerful. Under his rule, Uruk is the strongest and most prominent kingdom in all of Mesopotamia."

"Hmph. As I thought, humans are like ants—they love to huddle together. If that is the case, simply continue the cleansing of Mesopotamia. Let them all gather in one place."

"Do you intend to capture them all at once, Mother?"

"Exactly. When all humans have gathered in Uruk, I will intervene personally. I shall crush them, annihilate humanity, and seize the Holy Grail. After that, all of Mesopotamia will fall under my control."

"I understand."

Kingu stole a brief glance at Gorgon. Ruling Mesopotamia? Such a thing was fundamentally impossible.

Right now, the Human Order was being incinerated. The last Master of humanity would arrive in Mesopotamia shortly. That was when everything would truly begin.

She would help Gorgon achieve her wish: to take revenge on humanity, destroy Uruk, and seize the Holy Grail. After Gorgon’s desire was fulfilled, it would be her turn to act.

By using Gorgon as a sacrifice, she would awaken the slumbering Mother, who was currently shrouded in the nightmare illusions of that cursed creature. Then, she would hand the Holy Grail to Mother, helping her complete her awakening.

At that moment, she, Mother, and her Big Brother would be united. They would surely be able to restore Mother as the supreme Creator Goddess of this world.

As for Mother’s identity as an Evil of Humanity, her Big Brother had once mentioned that he had a way to handle it. And Kingu, of course, trusted him one hundred percent.

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