"The second through fourth after-parties are already scheduled. Please do not let your guard down; we cannot have you dying of overwork again," Siduri reminded him.
"I know that... Wait, second after-party?! I heard nothing of this! Let me see that proposal..." Gilgamesh scanned the tablet and frowned. "My name isn't on the guest list! Hmph. Someone was clearly being careless. You simply forgot to write it, didn't you?"
"You cannot attend, Sire. Your workload is too high. Unless... would you like to sit out the next meeting?"
"Inconceivable! Tch. Being a highly competent one-man management machine has its drawbacks! I'm starting to miss my chiropractor again...!"
"Excuse us! King Gilgamesh!"
"Excuse us! King Gilgamesh!"
"Line up in order!! Fine! I'll show you the full power of my overwork—!!"
The King bellowed, but his face held a brightness that suggested the heavy burden had finally been lifted. Siduri continued to assist him with a smile. There was no longer anything to rush them.
Uruk was here. And it would continue into the far, distant future. Tomorrow, the day after, and forever.
Farewells at the Embassy
At the Chaldea Embassy...
"It's time to say goodbye to this place. As the manager of this odd-jobs agency, it feels a bit lonely..." Tomoe settled into a sentimental mood as she packed her bags.
"Hahaha! We are but fleeting guests here. But look at it this way, Lady Tomoe: we have found the happiness of being able to depart after successfully fulfilling our duty," King Leonidas said, polishing the floors without his helmet. "Besides, we still have the final touch. An attempt to make our time here eternal."
"Hehe, you're right. Then—"
"Lady Tomoe! Look! I've lined up these pterodactyl heads as decorations for the embassy!"
"Hahaha... hahahaha... (nervous laughter)"
"No. Take them back. Do not forget the funeral rites; return them with respect."
"Aww... no good?"
"I've finished the wall painting... Oh, is this a tense situation?" Kotaro asked, peaking in.
"Haha, silence is golden, Kotaro-kun."
"Khahaha! I was lurking, waiting for my chance, but alas! The day for my true power to shine never came! The Primordial Mother was nothing to fear!"
"You talk big for a little brat who was crying 'Shuten! Shuten!' just a while ago," a voice teased.
"Are you mocking me, Genji?!"
"Now, now. Conflict produces nothing. We have a ceremony to attend shortly. Let's not give ourselves any fresh wounds."
"Exactly. Observe some moderation. Unless you'd like to experience a 'La Tomoe-nage'? I could call Lady Raikou for you..."
"Ugh..."
"Ngh..."
"Hahahaha! My wife was the same... formidable women are a terrifying thing indeed!"
The heroes summoned by the Wise King laughed together one last time in the embassy.
The Wanderer and the Goddesses
On the Hill of Heavens...
"So you're going, Kingu?" Quetzalcoatl called out to the retreating figure.
"...Yeah. I've taken too many lives. I'm heading to the Underworld for penance and atonement."
"How serious of you. This was a struggle for survival; I think you're carrying too much on your shoulders..."
"I am not Enkidu, and I am not your ally. I am... my Mother's only Kingu. I don't intend to end this on easy, friendly terms." He didn't look back. "Tell them... congratulations. For 'old models,' they all performed... exquisitely."
"Kingu!" She called out to his back one last time. "Gracias. That tag-team deathmatch with you was quite a thrill."
"...I won't forget your strength, Winged Serpent. Don't let those emotions of yours boil over."
With those final words, Kingu walked into the wasteland. Toward an endless atonement for the earth. Toward an endless requiem for souls. The lone "New Humanity."
And...
"...Be happy, Mother."
With a heart full of love for the mother he cherished. From that day on, none saw the "New Humanity" who called himself Kingu again. But they say that a voice as clear as a bell and offerings for Uruk began to arrive without end.
Near the city gates...
"..."
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