Episode 238: As long as life exists, the concept of death does not exist for the Mother of Life (Mama Tiamat is the best)
『 Sparks flew where their gazes met, and the determination in their hearts was thoroughly ignited.
"There is still… hope…" Fujimaru Ritsuka repeated these two words with a trembling yet powerful voice.
"That's right!" Hearing this, Ishtar nodded firmly in response.
That aura, full of the desire for battle, immediately infected everyone around them.
"Then… we must stop Tiamat!" A look of fortitude flashed through Fujimaru Ritsuka's eyes as he spoke with a resounding voice.
At that very moment, a smile that had not been seen for a long time finally returned to Fujimaru Ritsuka's young face.
This is what is called—A will of steel!
Seeing this scene, even the usually arrogant Gilgamesh was influenced by this forward-looking atmosphere, the corners of his mouth curving into a confident and satisfied arc.
"Hey… people of Chaldea! Did you hear that?" He turned and shouted into the void.
"This kid named Fujimaru Ritsuka! He hasn't given up a single shred of hope until now, nor has he retreated half a step because of the difficulties before him!" He announced loudly again for everyone to hear.
"I believe you haven't given up either, right?" He said to the unseen Dr. Roman.
Meanwhile, inside the Chaldea base, everyone, including Dr. Roman, who had fallen into silence, Da Vinci, and all the Chaldea staff, was awakened by these words, reigniting the flame of fighting spirit that was about to go out in their hearts.
"Of course not…" Dr. Roman murmured in a low voice.
No matter how bad the current situation is, at least they can't let their morale be lost to their comrades far away, especially when…
When that young man named Fujimaru Ritsuka is still holding on to his dream…
"Let him see our power properly… Romani!" Da Vinci proposed with a firm tone, crossing her arms over her chest to show support.
At this moment, Dr. Romani also took a deep breath to relax his tense body, then assumed a posture ready for battle—raising his arms above his head.
"What a stubborn and persistent lad you are… we've been through too many hard times together, haven't we?"
Suddenly, the entire room erupted with deafening cheers and shouts; it was the manifestation of the desire for victory deep within everyone's hearts.
Undoubtedly, no matter what difficult situations they encountered, everyone had worked together to overcome them. So this time is no exception; they are just creating another miracle that belongs to them once again.
Finally, under the sound of Dr. Roman rapidly typing on the keyboard, a massive amount of information regarding Tiamat flooded into the Chaldea system like a deluge.
"I have successfully uploaded all intelligence files related to Tiamat… now let's start from the beginning!" 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Chika Fujiwara (Love Is War): "Very good, let's start the battle anew!" ]
[ Miyuki Shirogane (Love Is War): "Um, Secretary Fujiwara, there's really no need for you to be this excited." ]
[ Chika Fujiwara (Love Is War): "Sorry, sorry, hehehe." ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "The moment of life and death for a civilization is indeed something that makes one's blood boil." ]
[ Beidou (Genshin Impact): "Hahahaha! That's right." ]
[ Beidou (Genshin Impact): "Although I can't participate, watching a moment like this isn't bad either." ]
[ Mavuika (Genshin Impact): "Very good, pull yourselves together like this and continue fighting!" ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "That's right!" ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "LET'S PULL OURSELVES TOGETHER JUST LIKE THIS!!!" ]
[ .....]
『 The people of Uruk were still resisting tenaciously, a fact that was enough to inject them with the courage to continue fighting.
After quickly gathering all available forces, the group immediately began discussing the battle plan against Tiamat.
After some operations by Dr. Romani, the data regarding Tiamat was presented to everyone one by one.
"A moving firearms factory."
"Huge magical energy sufficient to support interstellar travel."
"A massive amount of Life Seeds stored within the body."
"A realm that humanity would take hundreds of years to reach…"
"Ark of God."
Romani slowly listed Tiamat's characteristics. However, after he finished speaking, the fighting spirit that had just been ignited was instantly extinguished without a trace.
Although… it didn't seem like a hopeless situation for the time being, after listening to Romani's description, the expressions on everyone present became unusually heavy, and they fell into silence for a while.
"This is the true face of the Goddess Tiamat."
"…"
A long silence ensued until Gilgamesh broke the deadlock.
"You bastard! Are you here to boast about Tiamat's power? There are absolutely no weaknesses to speak of here!"
As Gilgamesh spoke, he strode forward and fiercely grabbed a handful of the holographic projection displaying Tiamat's data, as if venting the anger that had been accumulating in his heart for a long time.
"I also wish I could write down one or two countermeasures."
Far away in Chaldea, Romani responded with equal anxiety:
"But… this is reality."
"That is a perfect existence with no flaws, whether from a physical or mythological perspective. We are powerless to contend with it."
Da Vinci, standing aside, continued to supplement Dr. Romani's words:
"Although this hypothesis is a bit outrageous, Tiamat inherently has no concept of death."
"Because… She is the root of life!"
"The fact that we are all still alive is enough proof that she still exists in the world."
The tone of the two gradually slowed down, then their emotions stabilized, and subsequently became solemn.
Even though they didn't want to strike a blow to everyone, they still had to speak that cruel truth.
"As long as there is still a single living life in this world, Tiamat… will not perish."
The words from the two at Chaldea plunged the people present into a situation where they had no plan to execute.
"Mn…" Mash let out a soft sigh, breaking the long silence, and then asked tentatively: "Then… does it mean we simply cannot defeat her?"
"Mash…" Ishtar was the first to notice Mash's unusual state.
Mash's face slowly revealed emotions of intertwined fear and helplessness.
"To defeat Tiamat, must humanity be completely extinct?"
Mash roared in despair at Dr. Romani's projection, but the response she got was a prolonged silence, until finally, she received a weak nod.
Sure enough… is all of this impossible to achieve…
At this moment, everyone was shrouded in despair, and even Fujimaru Ritsuka and Gilgamesh couldn't help but sigh helplessly.
"If that's the case, doing these things is meaningless…"
Indeed, if humanity disappears, what value is there in defeating Tiamat?
Humanity… no matter how hard they try, ultimately cannot escape the fate of destruction. 』
『 .....』
『 Viewers of Countless World 』
At this moment, all the viewers watching this video were also stunned into silence by this news.
Tiamat… has never had a concept of death; what depressing information this is.
As the source of all living things, as long as there is a trace of life in the world, she will exist eternally.
.....
『 "There are two days left until Tiamat arrives; engaging in battle seems to be our only choice."
"However… the Fang of Napishtim was severely damaged by the attack just now. Although it is undergoing emergency repairs, such a state is obviously insufficient to resist the enemy."
For a moment, everyone present fell into anxious contemplation.
Coincidentally, at this time, the timely arrival of the Goddess of the Underworld, Ereshkigal, brought a glimmer of hope to Gilgamesh, Fujimaru Ritsuka, and the others. After some discussion, they decided to set the entrance to the Underworld beneath Uruk and, through this method, seal Tiamat deep within the darkness for a long time.
And against the backdrop of this plan, Ishtar's secret weapon—the Bull of Heaven—would thoroughly demonstrate its power in this battle.
As a lethal weapon on the battlefield, the destructive power of the Bull of Heaven could rival that of Tiamat.
As long as they could successfully delay Tiamat's steps until Ereshkigal transferred the Underworld to beneath Uruk, they could achieve a fatal blow.
However…
"Gugalanna, the Bull of Heaven, is missing?"
"Huh?"
"Nani?"
"What did you just say?"
"Gugalanna is missing!"
Hearing this news, Gilgamesh's smile vanished instantly, and even…
"YOU IDIOT GODDESS! WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS KING WENT THROUGH SO MUCH TROUBLE TO DRAG YOU IN HERE FOR?!?!"
Everyone's smiles faded instantly, leaving only Mash, who was stunned in place and at a loss, and Gilgamesh, who was constantly berating Ishtar.
The atmosphere that was originally full of hope was immediately replaced by silence.
Fortunately, not all goddesses are so unreliable.
Quetzalcoatl, the big sister known as the Feathered Serpent God, decided to use the Piedra del Sol to temporarily slow down Tiamat's offensive.
Truly a trustworthy big sister, simply countless times smarter than that absurd goddess just now.
Therefore…
"That is the only way…"
Rarely showing a bitter expression, Gilgamesh understood that continuing such a discussion would not bring about substantial changes and would only make people more anxious.
"Enough… let's disperse for today… rest for a while."
As soon as the words fell, Gilgamesh stepped out of the temple.
The sudden news clearly caught those present off guard; after all, Tiamat was already close at hand, so where was there any free time to rest?
Even the people watching the battle situation in front of the screens were confused for a moment.
Could it be… has King Gilgamesh, who has always been arrogant, bowed his head to failure?
"Although there are only a few hours left until dawn, this is probably the last night in Uruk."
"We… are not closing our eyes to rest because we have given up…"
Gilgamesh slowly raised his head, looking at the bright crescent moon in the sky, his face covered with heaviness.
"It is to live until tomorrow, to welcome a new day, that we choose to pass this night."
Fujimaru Ritsuka closed his eyes tightly and then opened them again, his eyes shining with unprecedented determination.
Since things have reached this point, there is no reason to retreat anymore. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Mash Kyrielight (Type-Moon): "But, at a time like this, can one really fall asleep?" ]
[ Mash Kyrielight (Type-Moon): "Even though the battle starts the next day anew." ]
[ Keqing (Genshin Impact): "Although that is true, resting properly before a battle is also very important." ]
[ Beidou (Genshin Impact): "That's right." ]
[ Busujima Saeko (High School of the Dead): "Indeed, possessing perfect energy is the most important thing in a battle." ]
[ Mash Kyrielight (Type-Moon): "Alright." ]
[ .....]
『 The next morning arrived as promised. The sky over Uruk was still shrouded in a gray haze, making people feel a suffocating oppression.
The streets of Uruk, which used to be bustling, were now dead silent.
Compared to the few survivors, the ghastly corpses all over the ground were particularly shocking—all of this was the catastrophe brought by Tiamat.
At this moment, the entire land of Mesopotamia was covered under a thick layer of black dust, like a scene from hell, with flesh flying and blood dripping.
But in the place Gilgamesh was most familiar with, known as the Hill of Heaven, the scene was vastly different.
Here… it was still peaceful and serene… as if it had never suffered from the invasion of war, remaining the purest corner of this ancient land.
In the past, this was the place Gilgamesh and Enkidu loved most; however, at this moment…
Gilgamesh stood alone on the Hill of Heaven, his gaze fixed on the green-haired person sitting on high, with a distinct wound on her chest—Kingu.
"This will be the final night…"
Everything will settle into dust at the break of dawn.
The current Kingu was completely unaware of Gilgamesh's arrival, her knees slowly bent, curled up alone in a corner of the Hill of Heaven.
"Too foolish… why do I want to stay here…"
She couldn't explain it herself; after being abandoned by her mother, she had unknowingly walked here and sat for a whole day.
Her head gradually drooped until it was close to her chest; despite this, extreme fatigue made her feel increasingly weak, drowsy, as if about to fall into a deep sleep.
Even though she repeatedly rubbed her palms trying to cheer herself up, these efforts were to no avail.
At this moment, her state was comparable to a stray cat that had lost its soul, sitting foolishly in place.
To onlookers, this situation was almost no different from a cold corpse.
Before the other party could react, Gilgamesh had already arrived at her side—normally, for a Vessel of Heaven, this situation shouldn't have happened, but alas, she was currently so weak that she didn't even have the strength to move.
"Still not standing up, fool." Gilgamesh's voice drifted faintly into Kingu's ears.
Hearing the sound, Kingu instantly snapped back to reality and turned her head to look at the comer, merely twisting her neck with a slightly bewildered look to gaze at this old friend before her.
Even in a desperate situation, that indifference and alienation belonging to the chosen one had not changed in the slightest, just like a lotus flower rising from the water, meant to be viewed from afar but not profaned.
This beauty… was displayed just right on him.
"I forbid you to die here…"
Gilgamesh walked forward slowly, step by step. When he saw the wound on Kingu's chest and the blood flowing in the air, his voice instantly turned into a gentle stream.
"Move back a bit, and this King will not condemn you."
"…."
Kingu just stared foolishly at the other party, unable to say a single word; even her expression had completely frozen there.
"Could it be… that you can't even stand? Is this King's proudest masterpiece?"
"Who do you think you are!!"
Even though she was extremely weak, upon hearing Gilgamesh's provocative words, a fire seemed to gradually ignite in Kingu's heart.
As if wanting to prove something, she struggled, slowly straightening his body.
However…
In just an instant, Kingu fell heavily to the ground as if he had lost all strength 』
『 .....』