Interlude - A Pleasant Learning

"Doctor, you've prepared the requested books, right?"

On a certain day, I go to receive what I had requested from Romani.

It's the material about Gilgamesh that I had asked for during our time in Fuyuki, compiled for me.

"I've got it all ready. Gilgamesh's epic, 'The Epic of Gilgamesh.' It was properly preserved in the library."

"Well done, Doctor. Your name isn't just for show."

"Will you give me some candy?"

"No, I'm thinking of trading it for a real-life Magi☆Mari bromide."

"I don't need that! Please stop hiding deadly blades as rewards!"

"Hahaha, it's fine to be into subcultures, but if you're too open about it, you'll become an easy target. Be aware of how the world perceives you."

"Leave me alone! I don't need advice from someone who throws around jokes so casually!"

"I am concerned about how people perceive me, you know? If I see them unforgivingly, it might lead to judgment."

"Dropping instant death flags inconveniences the general public, you know!?"

"Hahaha. Alright then, I'll show my gratitude."

I leave the room. I'm carrying the books, and my steps are light.

Somehow, I feel comfortable around Romani. He also seems to have no reservations in a good sense. It's almost like we're colleagues working in the same office. He's easygoing, or rather...

Indeed, Romani is kind. It's hard to imagine anyone feeling animosity towards him with his gentle and easygoing demeanor.

However, somewhere, there's a part of me that says, "I don't know why, but I don't like this guy."

What's wrong with him? I still don't know.

Well, I'll probably talk to Romani about it at some point. It would be impolite to deny his hard work at Chaldea after seeing him struggle once we return.

But, the main subject is this. The vessel - King of Heroes Gilgamesh. The heroic tale that chronicles his exploits.

It's called the "Epic of Gilgamesh." It's highly regarded as the oldest heroic tale in the world and the origin of all heroic tales.

Is the King of Heroes himself also the origin? How much does he cling to his origins? I am in awe of his declaration that everything belongs to him.

...It's not an exaggeration. It's a "fact."

However, I don't know much about the King of Heroes residing in that vessel. I only know about his extraordinary abilities as a Servant and some of his tactics (I didn't expect him to throw away his wealth, though).

...Ignorance is not a crime. But being content with ignorance is.

Following the guidance of that vessel, I have decided to learn about this hero in my own way.

In a sense, I am inextricably linked with the King of Heroes. It would be too sneaky of me to tarnish his combat record due to my mistake.

Of course, it's almost unthinkable for this King of Heroes to lose... Rather, what can I do to not fall behind?

Also, it's a lie to pretend to have deep respect for him while not knowing a single episode about him. Respect must be accompanied by understanding.

And, I simply want to know. I want to know what kind of life this hero, free from monotony, has led.

Since I'm here, I'll go to the spacious library to read. The vessel naturally chooses the large central table.

I throw my legs onto the table and sit cross-legged, using one hand to open the epic. This vessel is skillful despite its thickness. Or rather, its posture is too bad. Its manners are terrible. The vessel perceives this as a comfortable posture, so I reluctantly comply. I'm sorry, everyone at Chaldea.

Anyway, let's unravel this. What kind of life has this King of Heroes led...

***

Sleepy

No, I'm very sleepy. Extremely sleepy. So damn sleepy.

My eyelids feel as heavy as lead. It's even bothersome to move my fingers. I can't stop yawning as I read. I want to use this book as an eye mask or pillow and fall asleep right away.

What's wrong, King of Heroes!? Didn't Romani just tell you not to be lazy? This is your own story, isn't it? It's not something to boast about, right?

Speaking for myself, I want to read more immediately. I can't stop turning the pages. There's not a single boring part in the story.

The supreme king born between gods and humans. Half of his body, no, almost everything about him is divine due to being conceived in the womb of a goddess.

Beloved by the people like a butterfly or flower. The supreme king who loved his people.

But after reaching adulthood, he transformed into a tyrant, suppressing the people, making merciless judgments, and behaving like a storm, scattering all the virgins in Uruk.

The desperate gods kneaded clay to create a human figure.

Their greatest masterpiece, Enkidu. Initially an irrational beast running wild in the wilderness, after six days and seven nights of conversation with the divine prostitute, he gained wisdom and human form, becoming the supreme weapon on par with Gilgamesh.

Enkidu confronted Gilgamesh, the pinnacle of arrogance and conceit. After days and nights of battle that shook Uruk and resembled a storm, the two became the highest of friends, acknowledging each other.

Countless scenes are depicted. Thrilling adventures. Confrontations with the forest demon called Humbaba.

I want to read. I want to read more and more.

But... my body is unbearably bored, contrary to my soul's desires. I feel fatigue. My eyelids are so heavy. If I relax, I might doze off.

"Hua... If only the author had worked on this a bit more..."

The King of Heroes yawns with a disinterested look. It seems like he's about to fall asleep.

Wait, wait a minute, King of Heroes! I still want to read! I want to read more and more about your story! I'll take a nap later! Please endure a bit longer!

"...I'll take a nap. I'm going to sleep. If anyone needs me, feel free to wake me up..."

Could it be...

I realize it. This boredom, this sense of trouble...

Perhaps, this vessel tired of reading his own story...?

As I reach that answer, my crimson eyes close.

Ah... I wanted to read more...!

――The gods didn't create humans to support them. The gods desired a ruler who would eventually return to the gods' side.

That ruler was the "keystone" embedded on the Earth. With the perspectives of both human and god, I was created as an absolute being who ultimately sides with the gods.

――I hear a voice. It feels like I'm talking to someone.

――The gods are merely there. Even if they have power, it's just a phenomenon. After all, nature has become the gods. That's only natural, right?

In contrast, humans possess extraordinary survival instincts. There may be no super beings with overwhelming power, but they are numerous.

Survival instincts are the power to shape the environment to make it easier for themselves to live. Humans are abundant in numbers, and each has its own individuality.

Whether it's an all-powerful god or a puny human, the decisions and conclusions they reach are not so different.

Do you understand? If you feel them as enemies, you eliminate them. If you feel joy, you rejoice. Isn't it the same? The gods feared that.

The gods feared the potential of humans. If humans continued to rise, the gods would become unnecessary.

Therefore---they created me. ...However, they could only create my physical form. The soul born within was my own predetermined soul.

――That's why. The words are woven.

I don't care about the gods' intentions. I live according to my feelings and create the opportunity to separate gods and humans.

I obey the gods. I respect them. But perish.

From the moment they created me, they lost seat in this world.

――This king was created as a keystone.

It was an oversight on the part of those who created him that his soul was too strong-willed.

――In the end, Gilgamesh became the "tip of the spear" that would strike at the age of the gods---

――Is this the process of the King of Heroes birth?

Whose story is this being told to...?

".....King of Heroes? King of Heroes?"

I open my eyes to the voice. Was that... a dream?

"...Mm... Mash... How long have I been asleep?"

"About an hour. Director Olga Marie asked the Master to try out a magical outfit in the simulation room."

"Hua... Yeah. I shouldn't have tried to read in the first place."

"You were reading your own heroic tale, right?"

"Yeah. Mash, you should read it with the Master."

"Oh, the Epic of Gilgamesh... I should read it?"

"I won't make it boring. Other than me, that is.---I read it whimsically, but it doesn't hold any interest for the person involved..."

Suppressing a yawn, I leaves the library.

"...King of Heroes... You're reading books..."

Mash felt a little closer to me.

***

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