After Gorgon departed, Musashibo Benkei approached Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others, announcing his departure. He declared himself a coward, fit only to be with the corpses of monsters. He revealed that he was not Musashibo Benkei, but Hitachi-bÅ Kaison, who had abandoned Ushiwakamaru in the past, and he had done the same today. He had no face to remain.
Mashu tried to persuade Musashibo Benkei to stay, but his heart had already changed. Without looking back, he left the northern wall.
Gazing at the battered northern wall, Fujimaru Ritsuka felt no despair. Instead, he picked up a brick and placed it on the wall. The surviving Uruk soldiers did the same. They had experienced the loss of comrades every day, yet they showed no fear or retreat.
...
The Blood Temple.
A stone statue gradually shattered, and Li Xing reappeared in the human world. Li Xing immediately spotted Gorgon, who was still resting. However, Li Xing did not disturb Gorgon. He left a flower and departed.
Outside, Li Xing encountered a horde of monsters. Li Xing had no appetite to fight them and ascended into the sky, flying rapidly towards Uruk.
As Li Xing entered Uruk's territory, he suddenly remembered something he had forgotten in his elation.
"Ah, I forgot Ushiwakamaru. She's still at the Blood Temple. Well, it's probably too late now. She's likely already been taken by Kingu to be bathed in the Black Mud."
Li Xing patted his forehead, then shook his head and continued flying towards Uruk. There was nothing more to dwell on. Summoned Heroic Spirits were destined to fade away eventually.
...
In the Uruk Temple, Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others were reporting the battle situation to Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh already knew the outcome and simply stated that war always involved sacrifices.
The immediate concern was how to deal with the Beast Goddess, Gorgon.
Just then, Li Xing descended from the sky and landed in the temple.
"Li Xing!"
Everyone cheered. It was good that Li Xing was alive. Anna rushed into Li Xing's arms, and Fou climbed onto his shoulder.
"Thank goodness you're alright. I have so many things I want to ask you..."
Li Xing gently stroked Anna's head. "Don't worry, I will never die."
"It is good that you have returned. This King has not misjudged you. However, you will be the one to repair the temple," Gilgamesh said expressionlessly.
The others, however, wore smiles. It was wonderful that he had returned.
"King Gilgamesh, I know how to deal with Gorgon. Gorgon does not have the ability to produce monsters, but she has gained this ability now because she possesses part of Tiamat's authority. In simple terms, it's a composite divinity."
"There is a weapon that can harm Tiamat: Marduk's Axe. Therefore, we need to obtain this weapon. However, it is kept by the Jungle Goddess. We must start by resolving the matter with the Three Goddess Alliance."
"First, we should try to win over Ishtar to increase our combat power. Then, we can go to the jungle and defeat the Jungle Goddess, or perhaps win her over, and retrieve Marduk's Axe. Finally, we can defeat the Beast Goddess. What do you think of my suggestion?"
"Indeed, Ishtar is a powerful combatant. This plan is excellent and deserves praise, Li Xing."
Gilgamesh found Li Xing's plan to be very good and immediately agreed. However, this did not absolve him of the punishment of repairing the temple.
"Sigh, I thought I could atone for my mistakes. What a stingy King of Uruk..." Li Xing muttered about Gilgamesh, thinking him petty for a minor incident of accidentally creating a hole by falling from the sky, something Ishtar had also done.
"Fujimaru Ritsuka, this mission will be yours. Use thirty percent of the mineral-based treasures from this King's treasury to bribe Ishtar. That woman lacks a fatal Golden Rule; that is her weakness."
Saying this, Gilgamesh presented a portion of his treasure. Fujimaru Ritsuka could only agree, unsure if it would work.
...
A day later, the Chaldea group departed from Uruk once more, their destination being Mount Ebih, Ishtar's domain.
Upon entering Mount Ebih and reaching Ishtar's temple, they were greeted by two maneki-neko statues at the entrance. It certainly had Ishtar's characteristic flair.
Before anyone could exchange greetings, several magic projectiles were fired towards them. Li Xing extended a hand, and a light barrier easily blocked them.
"It seems combat is unavoidable! You all wait here. I'll be back shortly."
With that, Li Xing flew towards the temple. Coincidentally, Ishtar also emerged.
"Defeated by the Beast Goddess, and now it's my turn? Do you think so little of me to come here so openly?"
"It's a misunderstanding, Ishtar. We've come to discuss cooperation."
Although Li Xing spoke of cooperation, his actions did not cease.
Li Xing punched the sky, tearing it open. Countless gems then rained down from the rift.
"Conjuration, gems."
Ishtar was stunned. "What... what is this? Gems? So many gems? This means we won't have to worry about magic gems anymore."
"Yes, these gems are offerings to you. We wish to hire you as a combat force. You can discuss it with Fujimaru Ritsuka," Li Xing said with a sly smile.
Fujimaru Ritsuka then stated their purpose and revealed a cartload of treasures, explaining that Gilgamesh was willing to give Ishtar twenty percent of the mineral-based treasures from Babylon's vault.
"Babylon's vault? You mean that one? The vault Gilgamesh created to face the future? Once it's completed, there will be an endless supply of treasure, equivalent to humanity's total assets..." Ishtar still found it hard to believe. Was that flashy King truly willing to give so much?
"Then how about twenty-five percent of the treasure?" Fujimaru Ritsuka offered, raising the bid.
Hearing that the offer could be increased, Ishtar began to hesitate. Seeing that Ishtar was still unwilling, Fujimaru Ritsuka threatened to take the treasures back.
"Wait... Fine! You win, Fujimaru Ritsuka. I will be your companion! However, you must kneel and kiss the back of my foot. I am a Servant, after all. We must have a proper contract..."
As she spoke, Ishtar extended her foot towards Fujimaru Ritsuka. Li Xing quickly used his Heavenly Hand relocation technique and placed his hands on Ishtar's foot.
"Really now, how can you reward Ritsuka at a time like this."
Ishtar smiled faintly. "You still have one reasonable person on your side. How about you accept this reward?"
Li Xing shook his head. "No. For them, it's a reward, but not for me. If it were Anna, then perhaps... Ow! That hurts... Anna, be gentle..."
Before Li Xing could finish speaking, Anna pinched his waist and twisted. Li Xing quickly removed his hands from Ishtar's foot.
Anna then released him. "Honestly, you're just as hopeless as Merlin."
"Hahaha, don't say that. I'm at least a little better than Merlin."
...