Miracle Summoner

In terms of stance, Rozen and Gilgamesh were undoubtedly aligned.

Rozen's objective was to repair this Singularity and reestablish the foundation of human order, which required recovering the Holy Grail sent by the Magus King Solomon and defeating the Three Goddess Alliance that threatened this era.

Gilgamesh's goal, on the other hand, was to protect Uruk, preserve the flame of humanity, and ensure the continuation of human history. Therefore, he too needed to defeat the Three Goddess Alliance.

Under these circumstances—while Uruk had not yet collapsed—Rozen could seize the opportunity to search for the Holy Grail.

Surely, Gilgamesh also needed someone to undertake that task, right?

After all, eliminating the threat to humanity required removing the abnormality of this Singularity.

Thus, Gilgamesh would need a trustworthy individual to investigate the Holy Grail and repair the distorted era.

From this perspective, perhaps Gilgamesh had been waiting all along for Chaldea's arrival—or more specifically, for Rozen's.

Because only Rozen had the ability to move freely under the watchful eyes of the Three Goddess Alliance, traversing the battlefield of this age.

As for the Servants summoned by Gilgamesh—if he lost them, the frontlines could collapse prematurely.

In other words, Gilgamesh needed Rozen and his companions' strength as well.

And so, a division of labor between the two sides was a rare and effective strategy—one side defending humanity's final stronghold, while the other searched for the Holy Grail and worked toward defeating the Three Goddess Alliance.

However...

"Are you up for it?"

Gilgamesh's words were part mocking, part inquisitive.

"You're not at your peak right now, same as me—isn't that right?"

He had even seen through Rozen's condition.

Indeed, just like Gilgamesh, Rozen wasn't in peak condition. His strength had been affected to some degree.

That meant trying to search for the Holy Grail while under the noses of the Three Goddess Alliance wouldn't be easy.

But Rozen was unfazed.

"It's not like there are no issues," he said simply, "but I've got Mash, and I've got Altera. Even if one of the goddesses shows up in person, we'll manage."

Gilgamesh didn't deny this.

"True. That little girl's shield alone is enough to guarantee your safety. And since Sefar is on your side—even if she's manifested in the form of a Servant—her spirit origin seems to be on a Grand scale. If that's the case, then even against a goddess, your chances of winning aren't zero."

Saying this, Gilgamesh gave another laugh.

"Besides, you've already taken down one of the Three Goddess Alliance, haven't you?"

As he spoke, Gilgamesh's gaze finally turned to Mash—and to the young woman slung over her back.

"Hoo~nya..."

The girl, still unconscious and dazed, muttered a bizarre mix of moans and half-words in her sleep. Fou, perched on her, tapped her forehead with a paw as though trying to wake her up.

"Kuh—hahaha! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Seeing this, Gilgamesh broke into laughter again—this time even more exaggerated than before.

"Hoo~nya!? Did that woman actually meow in her sleep? That's the best humiliation I've seen in ages! Siduri, look at this! Hahahaha!"

Gilgamesh laughed until tears streamed down his face, leaving everyone else with awkward expressions.

Siduri's expression was the most complicated.

"Th-This person… could it be…?"

She looked as though she'd just seen something beyond belief, her eyes wide in disbelief.

And it wasn't just Siduri. Even the previously silent and stiff scribes began murmuring.

As citizens of Uruk—humans of this era—they couldn't not recognize their city goddess, Ishtar.

Especially since Ishtar had made more than a few dramatic appearances in Uruk before. How could anyone not recognize her?

"Hahaha! HAHAHAHA! I can't take it! I'm going to laugh myself into an abdominal cramp!"

Gilgamesh laughed so hard he had to clutch his stomach and brace against the throne's armrest.

Then, he stood up and descended from his throne.

He walked straight toward Mash.

"U-Um…!"

Mash tensed up, clearly nervous.

"What are you so nervous about? It's not like I'm going to eat you," Gilgamesh said, still grinning. "Put that idiot you're carrying down, Shield Knight. If you don't, when she wake up, you think you can subdue a goddess with those useless talismans stuck to her. You'll only suffer the consequences. Better let me humiliate—no, question her properly."

At that, someone immediately tried to stop him.

"N-No, you mustn't, my king!"

Siduri quickly and seriously protested.

"While it's true that Goddess Ishtar has caused us many troubles, she is still Uruk's city goddess. We cannot stand by and watch our faith be trampled!"

Hearing this, Gilgamesh didn't reprimand Siduri.

He couldn't.

"I know. You're the head priestess of the Temple of Rituals, after all. To you, this airheaded goddess is someone who's both looked after you—and been looked after by you. If I insult her in your presence, of course you'll object."

Gilgamesh chuckled as he spoke, clearly in a good mood.

"But I only intend to wake her. And only to prevent her from going on another rampage. That should be fine, no?"

Without waiting for Siduri's response, Gilgamesh raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

Vmm!

A golden ripple opened, from which several magic staves emerged.

The tips of the staves gathered mana and then flashed brightly—those flashes forming into glowing ropes that bound Ishtar's body.

"With her mana sealed as well, even this brute-force goddess shouldn't be able to break free for a while."

Gilgamesh, thoroughly amused, extended his hand toward Ishtar.

Snap!

He snapped his fingers again.

"Ugh…"

Ishtar's brow furrowed, her eyelids fluttering.

Seeing this—

"Set her down, Mash," Rozen instructed immediately.

"Right!"

Mash quickly placed Ishtar down.

Ishtar collapsed onto the floor, sitting upright, and slowly opened her eyes—her face dazed like someone just waking from sleep.

"Where… am I…?"

She glanced around groggily.

"Awake now, crazy goddess?"

Gilgamesh called out in delight.

"...!"

Ishtar jolted and snapped fully awake.

She looked at the royal hall—then at Gilgamesh standing before her—and her mouth began to open and close like a goldfish.

And then—

"Wha-What the heck is going onnnnnnnnnnn!?"

The goddess's panicked scream echoed through the divine tower.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Gilgamesh's roaring laughter followed, resounding endlessly.