Episode 229: There is still a new intimacy value · The First Human - Kingu?

『 Sure enough, there was indeed a shimmering presence on the opponent’s chest, exuding a warm yet mysterious aura—a golden object embedded in her breast, looking both singular and beautiful.

"That thing... does it represent the light emitted by the Holy Grail?"

"Hehehe... someone is actually quite sharp..."

Gorgon did not deny it; instead, she mocked Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others with a cynical attitude, throwing out those provocative words.

"To obtain immortality by relying on the power granted by the Grail? Hmph, you underestimate my true strength! In truth, I do not need any form of external help to easily annihilate all of you. You are a mere handful of mortals; why would I need to go through such trouble?"

As she spoke, her entire aura instantly became extremely cold and terrifying, as if even the surrounding air was being frozen to the bone.

"In that case, next, I shall personally lead my army to attack Uruk and personally deal with that overbearing King Gilgamesh."

She marched forward without stopping, flashing an evil smile at her followers as she walked, looking as excited as a predator preparing to hunt, clearly anticipating her next move.

It was this expression that made the people opposite her even more certain that she truly intended to launch a large-scale offensive.

"Listen well, my beasts! There is no longer any need to wait patiently for the right moment. Let us charge forth, carrying our deep-seated hatred for the enemy and our desire to destroy everything! Trample those weak humans who attempt to flee to your heart’s content; let them feel what true despair is!"

Immediately upon receiving the command, all the Demonic Beasts surged toward the human camp like a tide, as a tragic and incomparable battle was on the verge of erupting.

At that moment, a young but somewhat pitiful voice rang out from the crowd:

"Wait... Mother... wouldn’t starting the war directly like this be a bit too hasty?"

Hearing such a doubt, Gorgon, who had just been full of smiles, enjoying the thrill of the impending battle, suddenly snapped her head back.

Her gaze was as sharp as a blade as she stared at her son, Kingu, who dared to obstruct her plan. Her expression instantly became incredibly ferocious, as if she would tear him to pieces if he uttered another disrespectful word. 』

『 .....』

〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜

[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "This guy, why would he say something like that?" ]

[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Clearly, she was doing those kinds of things before." ]

[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "According to light novel logic, at a time like this, shouldn’t she be coming over to the protagonist’s side?" ]

[ Eriri Spencer Sawamura (Saekano): "You said it yourself, that’s light novel logic. This is reality." ]

[ Tony Stark (Earth-616): "This also makes me a bit curious about what kind of choice she will make later on." ]

[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "Curious + 1" ]

[ March 7th (Honkai: Star Rail): "+ 1+ 1+ 1" ]

[ + 1+ 1+ 1+ 1 ]

[ Gilgamesh⦍Chūnibyō⦎ (Type-Moon): "...." ]

[ .....]

『 Kingu spoke slowly and calmly:

"For us, taking Uruk is only one part of the overall plan. The real problem lies not with the humans but in the competition between the other Goddesses. If one of the Goddesses occupies Uruk, the alliance will instantly shatter. The second-generation Demonic Beasts are in preparation for the battles to come. Before those hundred thousand children soon to be born in the Blood Temple arrive, the alliance between the Three Goddesses must be maintained."

"Furthermore... when dealing with humans, one needs to torture them slowly and carefully."

As she spoke, her eyes coldly swept over the trembling humans standing below. Without exception, the humans below showed expressions of extreme terror.

"These people once stole the land from the beasts, even snatched away their children, and inflicted unforgivable harm upon our Great Mother. And now, they actually have the nerve to forget all of it entirely." 』

『 .....』

〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜

[ Nobi Nobita (Doraemon): "I thought she was going to become a good person, but then she said something like that." ]

[ March 7th (Honkai: Star Rail): "Ugh, how can such cold words come out of a mouth that has warmth?" ]

[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Torturing people one by one... how can she say such horrible things?" ]

[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "As expected, she’s just like before, no change at all." ]

[ Rimuru Tempest (Tensura): "What a loathsome person." ]

[ Ainz Ooal Gown (Overlord): "......(Although I am not human now, it seems my Great Tomb can do even more terrifying things...)" ]

[ .....]

『 Hearing these words, Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn’t help but grit his teeth hard, his heart filled with indignation.

"Be grateful, she still possesses some mercy, you pathetic and hateful humans."

Gorgon seemed somewhat moved by these words. She turned around abruptly, no longer looking at the chaotic scene before her. From her actions, it could be judged that her thoughts had shifted in a short amount of time.

"However... even so, it does not change your destined annihilation. Remember, at dawn ten days from today, we shall descend upon this place and utterly destroy all of Uruk. Do not forget this!"

After saying this, Gorgon vanished from the spot without a trace.

At that moment, Kingu had landed not far from Fujimaru Ritsuka’s side at some unknown point.

"Sigh..."

"Did I finally manage to persuade her to go back?"

Kingu let out a long sigh, then, with a bitter yet still smiling expression, spoke to the people around her: "Having an unreasonable mother is truly a headache. Who can decide what kind of parents they have? Wouldn’t you agree, Fujimaru Ritsuka?" 』

『 .....』

〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜

[ Chika Fujiwara (Love Is War): "Wait, what’s the situation now?" ]

[ Chika Fujiwara (Love Is War): "Why has it turned out like this again?" ]

[ Shinomiya Kaguya (Love Is War): "Oh? It seems there might still be a turn of events." ]

[ March 7th (Honkai: Star Rail): "Could it be that this person has a sliver of friendliness?" ]

[ .....]

『 "What exactly do you mean by that! Enkidu!" Fujimaru Ritsuka questioned in confusion.

"What could it mean? I saved you." Kingu’s words were filled with irony and contempt.

Kingu maintained a very composed manner; even though she was surrounded by Fujimaru Ritsuka’s group, she did not show a hint of panic. Her composure was like an indestructible rock, making everyone feel a sense of oppression.

"If we were to wipe out humanity right now, the other two Goddesses would likely get serious." As Kingu spoke, she cast his gaze toward the silent Merlin, as if wanting to see his reaction.

"I see. So, who are you? Clearly, you are not Enkidu," Fujimaru Ritsuka asked in a calm but firm tone, trying to find clues in the other’s words.

"Hahahahahahahahahahaha..." Accompanying this burst of wild laughter was a hair-raising aura that spread out. Then, after the laughter subsided, Kingu slowly turned her head toward the crowd and said:

"My goal is to destroy the humans of the old era and replace them with a new form of life, becoming the ruler under the new order of this world—I am your humanity’s primal form!"

"My true name is Kingu!" When she emphasized this again, the air seemed to freeze.

"Kingu!" This time, the voice of surprise came from Dr. Roman of the Chaldea Security Organization.

This knowledgeable elder had never imagined he would encounter the actual existence behind that name under such circumstances.

"Are you that great deity from Babylonian mythology who leads all the children of Tiamat?" Roman’s voice trembled, filled with both awe and disbelief.

"Yes. I represent the direction of the future, a more advanced and perfect next generation of life. Therefore... I can guarantee you that this will absolutely happen." Kingu began to walk slowly toward Fujimaru Ritsuka, each step exceptionally firm and powerful. The faint, subtle smile at the corner of her mouth added a layer of mystery.

"But remember one thing: true destruction will not descend upon humanity. On the contrary, it will open a new era, allowing civilization to continue in a form never before imagined."

As she said this, Kingu’s face was almost pressed against the other’s, as if trying to convey more intangible information through proximity.

"The history you once created will be continued and inherited by us, the children of the new era!" She almost shouted this sentence, every word striking the ground with all his might.

"That kind of thing..." After a brief silence, anger finally erupted. Fujimaru Ritsuka could no longer control his indignation and suddenly swung a punch straight at the opponent.

Faced with this sudden yet expected attack, Kingu simply tilted her body slightly and easily dodged the blow filled with rage, showing no sign of fluster.

"The joy of returning to nothingness is the best blessing I can offer to the beings of this soon-to-vanish era."

As the last syllable fell...

"Hahahahahahaha..." The laughter rang out again, but this time it sounded more like the announcement of a certain conclusion.

As the laughter rose and then faded, before anyone could react, Kingu vanished from the spot like a bolt of lightning, leaving behind a group of people full of confusion and a touch of helplessness.

Following that, everyone was busy cleaning up the wreckage on the battlefield, which was in a state of total ruin. Soldiers solemnly cleared and recovered the corpses left on the field one by one.

When the soldiers looked at the bodies before them, their hearts were incredibly heavy. Especially the body placed right in the center—it was their leader, Leonidas.

Seeing more and more fallen Demonic Beasts and the departed King Leonidas, the soldiers’ grief surged instantly, becoming uncontrollable.

"The Northern Wall we guarded for so long... is it no more..." Fujimaru Ritsuka sighed involuntarily as he gazed at the devastated scene.

Seeing the soldiers around them looking dejected one by one, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash were similarly filled with helplessness and sorrow.

"So you are here..."

At that moment, Benkei suddenly appeared behind the two of them from nowhere, his voice soft yet filled with a sense of finality.

"This monk shall take his leave now." His tone held a hint of reluctance but was mostly firm.

"Please tell King Gilgamesh that I failed to live up to his expectations. I am very sorry." After saying this, he bowed deeply in apology.

"Why?" Faced with this sudden turn of events, Mash’s face was written with confusion and bewilderment.

"Because, in truth, this monk is not the Musashibo Benkei that Master Fujimaru knows," Benkei explained calmly, as if all of this was already within his expectations.

"You’re saying... You aren’t the real Benkei?" Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn’t help but be surprised by this answer, unable to believe what was happening.

"Yes. I am Hitachibo Kaison, who betrayed Lord Minamoto no Yoshitsune." As he spoke, a flash of self-reproach crossed Benkei’s eyes.

"At the critical moment... I failed to save Lord Yoshitsune and the real Benkei. Since then, I have been trying to make up for the guilt in my heart by spreading the story of Yoshitsune."

"Therefore... that your story was passed down and became known to people brings this monk great comfort." At this point, Benkei’s expression relaxed slightly, and a faint smile touched his lips.

"Benkei... sir..." Hearing these words, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash could only look at him with incredulous eyes amidst their shock, while Benkei remained exceptionally calm.

"But... I have repeated my old mistakes..."

He spoke slowly: "When facing that giant serpent god, I felt an unprecedented fear. Because she was too powerful, I chose to shrink back in the face of that pressure..."

"So I retreated to the safe zone along with the other soldiers." Benkei continued to confess his failure, even if it might have been a decision made to save more lives.

"But..."

Without waiting for Benkei to finish, Fujimaru Ritsuka interrupted him:

"The soldiers survived because of it. You don’t need to blame yourself." His words revealed understanding and support for his friend. 』

『 .....』

〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜

[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "At the very least, he saved many lives." ]

[ Hu Tao (Genshin Impact): "They’re all individual clients." ]

[ Keqing (Genshin Impact): "Ahem, Director Hu, it’s inappropriate to say that at a time like this." ]

[ Hu Tao (Genshin Impact): "I know, I’m just sighing. After all, this is my line of work." ]

[ .....]

『 However, that single sentence was not enough to sway Benkei’s determination in the slightest.

"Every time Lord Leonidas charged forward, every time Lord Ushiwakamaru fought with her sword, I could only watch from afar, my heart filled with powerlessness."

"As expected, I am still inferior to that so-called coward, Musashibo Benkei. I can no longer find the meaning of my existence. It seems I was born for escape and fear."

Mash wanted to speak to stop him from leaving, but her heart was so full of anxiety and confusion that she couldn’t find any words to persuade him.

"...."

"That’s not true. Our team really needs your strength, especially now."

"No, you give me too much credit."

"For someone as worthless and full of errors as I am, perhaps fighting Demonic Beasts alone in the wilderness until my last breath is the most suitable end for me."

After saying those words, Benkei strode away in another direction without looking back, leaving behind a group of stunned companions.

"How did it turn out like this..."

As one reliable comrade after another left, especially with the loss of one of their most important combat assets, Mash’s heart was instantly shrouded in massive despair, her mood hitting rock bottom.

Just then, Merlin walked slowly toward her.

"Regarding Mr. Benkei, it’s truly a pity we couldn’t keep him. However, trying to make a soul that has already lost its way continue this grueling struggle is itself an extremely cruel and unwise thing."

As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed the girl standing before him staring at him with a terrifying gaze, making him feel an unprecedented sense of dread.

Feeling the threat, Merlin quickly took a few steps back and hurriedly changed his tune:

"Please don’t look so scary, okay? To be honest, I can understand his feeling of being lost in reality. Look over there..."

As he spoke, he gently pointed the staff symbolizing wisdom and power toward a figure crouching by the ruins.

Fujimaru Ritsuka was currently amidst a pile of broken stone bricks, focused on carefully placing one of them back in its original position. This simple yet profound act drew the gazes of many survivors around him. 』

『 .....』

( Translator-kun: Note on genders, here, Enkidu/Kingu is female, and Fujimaru is male (swapped from COTM iirc). If you notice any pronoun slips or inconsistencies, feel free to point them out so I can fix them. )