Tsundere

On the way back to Uruk, Arkhan took a look at the reward he had just received—the Key of Blankness.

It was a set of armor, slightly different from what he had in mind, but its functions were similar. As long as he inserted the Herrscher Core of the Divine Key into it, he could obtain power comparable to a true Herrscher.

However, at the same time, it would impose a huge burden on the wearer's body.

Nevertheless, this burden was still within manageable limits for Arkhan.

However, what really concerned him was not the burden but the other consequence of using the Key of Blankness.

It was well known that the power of Herrscher came from the Herrscher Core, which in turn derived its power from the connection to the 'Imaginary Tree'.

However, due to the adjustments made by the Root, the Herrscher Cores Arkhan possessed could no longer establish a connection with the Imaginary Tree and used 'Honkai Energy', instead turning into something that was driven by 'Magical Energy'.

Nevertheless, Arkhan discovered that by embedding the Herrscher Core into the Key of Blankness, he could actually establish a connection with the Imaginary Tree once again!

Realizing this truth, he instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

He hadn't forgotten what God had said at the beginning—the war between the two dimensions would be a disaster, regardless of who ultimately won or lost!

Countless worlds would be destroyed because of it.

Fortunately, this connection was not mandatory, so as long as he didn't take the initiative, the connection could not be established.

However, if he were to really use it, there would be another consequence—once used, the Herrscher Core's power could not be replenished.

It meant that under the effect of the Key of Blankness, the Herrscher Core could be fully unleashed, but afterward, it would be a useless item, an empty core.

Without the power of the Herrscher Core, the Divine Key could not be used.

Needless to say, the cost of using the Key of Blankness was to abandon the Divine Key in exchange for temporary power.

===

Relying on the spatial power of Cosmic Juggernaut, Arkhan finally returned to Uruk.

"Are you... Lord Enkidu?"

Siduri, who had come to greet Arkhan, looked at the green-haired figure behind him with a face full of astonishment.

She truly didn't understand.

Arkhan had gone to defeat the Goddess of Demonic Beasts, so why had he suddenly brought back someone who looked so much like Enkidu?

Moreover, if she remembered correctly, Enkidu should have already passed away.

"I'm sorry, Siduri. Although I don't want to shatter your illusions, this fellow is not the Enkidu you know." Arkhan said, shaking his head.

"This..."

Siduri glanced hesitantly at Kingu.

Although Enkidu and Kingu looked identical, the gloomy expression on Kingu's face was something she had never seen on the gentle face of Enkidu.

Smart as she was, she already sensed that there was probably some hidden truth, but she didn't press further and bowed her head slightly.

"His Majesty is waiting for you in the throne room."

"I know." Arkhan nodded and walked into the ziggurat.

As Kingu looked at the ziggurat in front of them, their expression changed unpredictably.

In the end, they sighed in resignation and followed inside.

It was already late at night, but the ziggurat was still brightly lit.

As always, Gilgamesh sat on the throne, with piles of clay tablets stacked beside him.

Upon hearing the sound of footsteps, Gilgamesh moved his gaze from the clay tablet in his hand to his front.

When he saw the green-haired figure, his scarlet vertical pupils suddenly contracted.

However, this change lasted only a brief moment before he quickly returned to normal, his face as calm as usual.

"When you said this afternoon that you were going to defeat the Goddess of Demonic Beasts, I didn't expect you to return so soon."

Looking at Arkhan, Gilgamesh spoke calmly as he set down the clay tablet in his hand.

As for Kingu, they seemed to be completely ignored by Gilgamesh.

"Battles are often like this, deciding the outcome only takes a moment of vulnerability," Arkhan said with a smile. "Since the Goddess of Demonic Beasts is dead and there is no one to command those demonic beasts, the pressure on the front lines should be greatly reduced."

"Hou? You did very well—no, better than I expected." Gilgamesh said, nodding in approval.

He did not mention any rewards like before because he knew that Arkhan did not need such things. Even if he did offer, it would only be self-deprecating.

"By the way, I brought you a gift."

Arkhan stepped aside, revealing Kingu behind him.

"Kingu, I think you might have heard this name before. This fellow also revived along with Tiamat. Although I'm not sure why they occupy Enkidu's body, that's the reality."

Kingu silently glanced at Gilgamesh with a complex expression.

They knew that this golden-haired man should be their greatest enemy, but for some reason, they couldn't muster any anger. Instead, they felt an urge to be close to him.

'It's all because of this damn body...' Kingu thought with frustration.

Gilgamesh glanced at Kingu indifferently, as if he were observing a stranger, with no emotional fluctuation visible at all.

"Got it..." Gilgamesh nodded. "Thanks for your hard work. I'll take care of the rest."

"I'll leave it to you then." Arkhan nodded back, then turned and left the ziggurat.

As Arkhan descended the steps, he glanced back at the brightly lit ziggurat, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Even though Gilgamesh seemed calm, his calmness was actually the most unusual thing.

"What a tsundere..."

Arkhan shook his head and quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Meanwhile, inside the ziggurat.

After Arkhan left, Gilgamesh continued to focus on the clay tablet in his hands as if nothing happened.

At the same time, Kingu stood silently in the throne room like a statue.

Although Arkhan had freed Kingu from the chains of the Oath of Judah, he had sealed the Holy Grail within their body using the primordial rune, so they still couldn't exert any power.

Because of this, there was no way Kingu could escape from this place.

As time ticked by, neither Gilgamesh nor Kingu made a move to speak, filling the air with awkward tension.