The Wise King

by HoJ Roxas

A mysterious kingdom was born, its growth and prosperity the center of many questions. As the scales begin to tip and uncertainty looms over the horizons, the king makes his moves boldly and with peerless pride.

4. Chapter 3: Friends, New and Old

Special Thanks to dear Ekaterina016 for their immense help in Beta-reading and editing this chapter as well as helping with the brainstorming of the plot.

This story would not be possible without you.

I do not own Magi or Type-Moon content.

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Sindria:

A few days had passed since the attack on Sindria, with tension still high in every citizen Kingu passed as he walked down the streets. The son of Tiamat had been staying in this kingdom for over a week now, his curiosity peaked once the nation was assaulted by Al-Thamen. The thought of the Kou vixen made Kingu frown, before he shook his head and advanced towards the palace.

His stay was fruitful, to say the least, having witnessed the combat from the sidelines and observed how the generals and their king reacted during their crisis. There was also the young Magi, although their group had ventured into a dungeon at the time.

All in all, Kingu was far from impressed. Though better than most humans he's seen, everyone of note here felt lacking in his eyes. Deciding to not dwell on such thoughts, Kingu entered the palace and made his way to meet Sindbad.

The leader of the Seven Seas Alliance was proving to be the biggest challenge to Kingu's patience yet. His probing and inquiring was relentless despite Kingu's repeated rejection, the temptation to simply wring the human's neck and be done with it increasing with each syllable he uttered.

Sensing a presence approaching him, Kingu effortlessly side-stepped the absent-minded princess of Kou with a slight glare. He almost ignored her curious look and left on his way, a memory of Ningal's reminders surfacing.

"Please be sure to show courtesy to those of high noble status while you're away. I know you don't like doing it, but it's very important to avoid unnecessary fighting because of pride."

Kingu sighed as he fully turned to Kougyoku, his face completely neutral as he slowly forced a nod. "Greetings, Princess Kougyoku." Kingu struggled to keep his voice devoid of contempt, silently cursing himself for allowing Ningal's words to affect him so.

Kougyoku smiled gently and nodded towards Kingu. "Good day to you, Sir Kingu." Her eyes shyly avoided making eye contact with the handsome man, a blush threatening to appear on her face as she recalled the many whispers she's been hearing from most of the female servants… and even some of the male ones.

The man's confident demeanor, coupled with his impeccable looks and high status made him a subject of many fantasies… ones the people around her found little reason to be discreet about in his absence. Kougyoku could see where they're coming from, having been quite taken by him when she first met him upon his arrival to Sindria.

Much to her displeasure, the man showed his complete lack of interest in everyone around him without an ounce of subtlety, choosing to keep only the barest level of courtesy to the officials around him. She could feel a hard wall separating Kingu from everyone else as the man went through his motions, making it next to impossible to approach him in any meaningful capacity.

Her thoughts ground to a halt when she realized the man was already walking away. She contemplated running after him, but eventually decided not to as she left on her own way with a sigh.

Following a path he became familiar with over the course of his stay, Kingu found himself in one of the gardens of the palace. He watched the young Magi along with his friends talking together as he moved to sit at the base of a tree. According to Sindbad, he should be able to depart for Uruk tomorrow along with the King and some of his closest confidants.

Kingu frowned as he felt some relief at the thought of returning, wondering if this growing attachment was also another defect of his. Yet despite his concerns, he couldn't deny the refreshing sensation in his chest as he thought of the people there.

It's quite the frustrating dilemma he'd been pondering on during the many years he followed Gilgamesh around, as the arrogant King whimsically shifted their destination from one place to another. It was the most chaotic time of his life, and a source of many headaches.

He snorted, his lips lifting just a smidge as he closed his eyes and allowed his mind to dive into those memories. A presence approached him, but was completely ignored even as it stood right in front of him.

"Good afternoon."

Heedless of the greeting, Kingu remained completely unperturbed as he focused on the pleasant feeling in his heart. The person in front of him seemed to grow agitated as their call fell on deaf ears.

"Excuse me? I'm talking to you."

Despite pressing on, the man's words went unanswered as Kingu felt the sensation grow thin because of the interference. The son of Tiamat frowned as he slowly opened his eyes and openly glared at the white-haired swordsman from Heliohapt – Sharrkan, if memory serves him. Holding in the choice words he was about to give the impudent human, Kingu sighed and met Sharrkan's eyes with a cold glare.

"What do you want?"

"I've heard you are one of the strongest of Uruk. Is that correct?" Sharrkan heard a lot about Uruk's warriors from the merchants and travelers visiting Sindria, his curiosity peaked by the many rumors surrounding the mysterious green haired man, said to be one of the strongest fighters in the nation.

His first impressions of Kingu were far from good, given the rather disrespectful and uncaring attitude he displayed during his stay. The swordsman found it increasingly difficult to hide his own annoyance even as he watched the ladies eyeing Kingu whenever he presented himself, a fire of competitiveness burning in him as a result. "I wish to have a duel with you."

Kingu's eyes seemed to analyze the man in front of him, before he shook his head and stood up. He dusted his clothes before his eyes caught sight of the Magi and the others looking their way, wondering if Gilgamesh foresaw this situation. Calmly, he moved forward, even as Sharrkan playfully leaned ever-so-slightly to bump shoulders with him.

An act hardly subtle enough for Kingu to miss, as he chose to meet this action with one of his own, deliberately putting more strength into his shove, the unexpected force driving the swordsman back a few steps before he regained his balance.

Sharrkan was surprised by the force hidden beneath Kingu's lean build, but quickly composed himself while the flame of competition burned recklessly bright. "Quite the strength you have there. Why not show me more of what Uruk has to offer?"

Kingu's steps didn't falter as he passed Sharrkan, his unperturbed and chilly gaze only fueling the swordsman's desire to fight him. Turning his gaze to Kingu's departing figure as a smirk appeared on his face, Sharrkan decided to be a bit bolder with his approach. "Are the people of Uruk such cowards to a degree where they wouldn't even accept a friendly spar?"

Kingu stopped dead in his tracks, his posture betraying no emotion as he remained still as a statue.

Aladdin felt a chill down his spine; the Rukh around him screamed frantically and flew away from them in droves. Turning around, he spotted Sharrkan and the green-haired man from Uruk, and more importantly, he could feel a powerful colorless aura converging around Kingu. A certain sharpness laid underneath the calm exterior the man projected, one which had the young Magi paralyzed in fear.

Looking to his companions, he could see his friends were having similar feelings, having already stopped their chatter as they tensed.

His voice felt trapped in his throat as Kingu's head turned ever so slowly to stare at the general, a murderous glint flashing in his purple eyes for the briefest of instances. "Are all the people of Sindria as pathetic as you?"

"Those are fighting words I'm hearing, yet I don't see you accepting my suggestion." Sharrkan's tone betrayed nothing as he kept a cool head, his eyes narrowing as his hand tapped his scimitar's pommel. "Didn't your moth-"

In the span of an instant, Kingu's figure almost teleported in front of the general, his hand tightly gripping Sharrkan's throat as he easily lifted him off the ground. Acting on instinct, Sharrkan's hand immediately reached for his weapon, only to find it missing before his eyes widened when he realized it was in Kingu's other hand.

"To have such insolence to dare to provoke me when you only have this? Typical idiocy." Kingu ignored the shouts of the guards near him as a crowd slowly gathered around, throwing the sword to the side as Sharrkan struggled for breath. "But to even attempt to include my mother into this folly is beyond foolish. Do you believe I won't kill you?"

The prince put all of his strength into breaking Kingu's hold, to no avail. Pain flared in his neck as the green-haired man tightened his grip once more. Even as Jafar, Masrur, Drakon and Hinahoho made their entrance, Kingu continued to focus solely on the man he was choking.

"What are you doing!?"

"Release him this instant, envoy of Uruk!"

Hatred filled every crevice of Kingu's flesh and bones as his heart hammered against the inside of his chest, his frustration continuing to mount as he found himself actually hesitating to wring the human's neck for his transgression.

Yet, an inch of love remained…one none but Aladdin could see, as he saw an ethereal presence holding the aggressive man in a gentle and loving embrace, even as the Rukh all around them could not approach them.

The woman's very presence seemed to impose its own power upon the land around Kingu, causing the young Magi to feel more nauseous the closer he got to him.

Regaining his calm, Kingu threw Sharrkan against the tree before turning his gaze to the crowd around him. Even as he stood before three of Sindria's generals, along with the numerous soldiers, the man's cold eyes weathered their collective pressure with ease. People hurried around him to check on Sharrkan, only to find his neck deeply bruised all over.

"What do you think you're doing?" Hinahoho was the first to step up to him, the Immechak tribe member's casual attitude notably absent as he glared down at the shorter Kingu, who simply raised his head to meet the glare sent his way with a neutral one.

"That is a question you should ask him. This mercy is the one and only courtesy I will offer; now, move." Kingu remained calm and casual even as Hinahoho clenched his fists, all while Jafar attentively observed him with his hands hidden underneath his sleeves.

The imposing man didn't budge, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he gritted his teeth in frustration. Anger welled within him as he saw Sharrkan being steadied by Drakon as he struggled for every ounce of breath, his neck looking worse for wear the more time passed.

Seeing his words go unheeded, Kingu slowly clenched his fists as he decided to forgo this farce. He humored the humans out of consideration for the young pup's wishes, but his patience was pushed to its limits with the attempted insult to his mother.

"What is going on here?" Sindbad's voice cut through the tension as he hastily walked into the gardens. Everyone turned to the approaching King, his presence calming much of the unease in the soldiers' hearts.

Yet he was not alone.

"I didn't expect Gilgamesh to send you as an envoy, Kingu."

Kingu's brow rose ever so slightly at the familiar voice of the woman accompanying Sindbad. Shifting his gaze to the source, he easily recognized Mira Dianus Artemina, queen of the nation of Artemyra, walking their way.

The queen didn't seem bothered by the lack of response or greeting from Kingu, her eyes analyzing the situation around them before she turned her attention to Sindbad who was being briefed by Jafar.

For his part, Sindbad nodded solemnly and approached Kingu, gesturing for Hinahoho to stand back even as his friend tried to place himself between the two. "Sir Kingu, can you explain what has transpired here? I'm afraid Sharrkan is not in any condition to talk comfortably at the moment."

Kingu snorted, his eyes briefly meeting Artemina's own as she nodded. "Your subordinate decided to provoke me, King of Sindria… calling my mother names. I merely responded accordingly, as a good son should." With no other elaboration, the man walked away from the garden under the conflicted looks of the crowd. The son of Tiamat passed through the corridor, completely unaware of the princess watching him, sympathy clear in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Sindbad sighed as he moved to check in on his friend, wincing slightly at the sight of his injured neck. Sharrkan tried to laugh off the pain, but only ended up coughing violently as he struggled for breath.

"Take him to Yamuraiha, she'll take good care of him." Gently patting his shoulder, Sindbad chuckled as his general's face grew sour at the mention of the magician.

Heeding his orders, Drakon helped the swordsman as they went to seek Yamuraiha.

"Will Sir Sharrkan be alright, Uncle Sindbad?" Aladdin made his presence known, his eyes fixed on Drakon's retreating figure.

"You don't need to worry, Aladdin. He'll be back to top form in no time." Sindbad gently patted the child's head, a soft smile spreading on his face when he noticed Aladdin's worry. "Why not follow after them? I'm sure Yamuraiha wouldn't mind having you guys around."

Aladdin nodded before ushering Alibaba, Morgiana and Hakuryuu to follow.

"Your general is quite fortunate; Kingu is not the type to show mercy when provoked." Artemina picked up the sword on the ground before casually tossing it to Sindbad, her strict features remaining solemn even as she turned in the direction Kingu headed in. "You would do well to stay clear of him until we reach Uruk."

"His behavior is still unacceptable regardless." Jafar protested, his eyes narrowing as he shook his head. "We shouldn't allow him to be so unruly as a guest, especially with the Kou retinue here." The former assassin sighed, even though his mind was still contemplating on the ease with which Kingu subdued Sharrkan.

"It would be a very unwise move." Artemina scoffed at the notion, her eyes trailing to her spear. "Kingu isn't someone you can defeat with mere Household Vessels. Even I would be hard pressed to hold him back." The queen didn't seem perturbed by the varying skeptical looks of those near her.

"Did you face him in the past, Queen Artemina?" Curious, Sindbad decided to inquire further, knowing she wasn't one for exaggeration as well as he did.

"I have not, but it is an easy deduction to make based on the fact he is the only person who can fight Gilgamesh on even ground, according to what I had gathered about him during their stay in my Kingdom years ago." A rare smirk spread on her lovely face as she recalled a fond memory. "In any case, we shall be departing tomorrow. There's no need to aggravate the situation if you hope to have any chance of a productive meeting with Uruk's King."

"I agree." Sindbad handed Sharrkan's saber to Hinahoho, before he sighed and turned to Jafar. "Instruct the rest of the generals, especially Sharrkan, to not approach Kingu. What's done is done, and we gain nothing from further escalation." He gave his people a cheerful grin before gesturing for Artemina to join him as they walked back inside.

Thankfully, the day went by without further complications as the denizens of the palace distanced themselves from Kingu. Even as night came and most were enjoying a feast held for Artemina, the son of Tiamat sat on his lonesome amidst the trees, his eyes gazing at the stars in the serenity nature offered.

At least, it was the case until Kougyoku made her presence known. The princess took a deep breath as she steeled herself.

'Calm down, Kougyoku. It's just a strong, dashing and domineering man. You got this.'

"I see you are here, Sir Kingu." She smiled when she noticed him turning her way, before giving a respectful nod. "I was hoping to find some peace and quiet from the festivities, may I sit with you?" She asked softly, hoping he wouldn't turn her away.

She would hardly find a similar opportunity so easily.

Kingu nodded indifferently, so Kougyoku beamed and neatly plopped down next to him. Neither of the two seemed to mind the silence, as Kingu gazed at the stars while the princess observed him.

Looking at the stars, Kingu couldn't help being reminded of a certain someone he and the others met in the Dark Continent, feelings of melancholy filling his heart and cracking his mask of indifference. He wondered how things were going there, a certain longing leaking in his demeanor.

Kougyoku's eyes widened slightly at the sight of Kingu's emotions, visible from his handsome side profile, her thoughts trailing to the incident earlier in the day. Having suffered through a lot of insults to her own mother when she was younger, the princess felt only sympathy for Kingu. The princess sighed and decided to start a conversation. "Sir Kingu, would you mind if I asked you a question?"

Kingu hummed slightly as he ceased his reminiscence, eyes turning to Kougyoku for a few brief moments. "By all means."

"Can you tell me about your mother?" The Princess asked, holding a smile of excitement as Kingu's features faltered and gave way to a look of puzzlement and surprise. "I was hoping to get to know you better, and I assumed she is a very important person to you from your reaction today."

Kingu grunted at the unpleasant recollection, choosing to humor the human next to him in an effort to drive it back to a distant corner of his mind. "Her name is Tiamat. In our language, it means 'Sea'." His voice was soft, the gentlest tone the princess of Kou heard him speak during the time he spent in Sindria. "My mother is the purest soul this world was fortunate enough to be graced with. She cares for everyone, loves her children unconditionally, and wishes us to live happily and safely." A charming smile unknowingly spread on Kingu's face, his hand softly pressing against his chest. "My mother frets easily whenever she sees one of her children sad or troubled. She can also be too accommodating to the unruly and unworthy." His eyes briefly trailed in the direction of the feast, a frown making itself apparent as a look of disgust flashed in his eyes. "She is more than this world deserves."

Kougyoku smiled, seeing the cold man talk so affectionately about someone. "She sounds like a great lady. She must be proud of you." Noticing his silent stare, Kougyoku decided to share a bit of her parentage in exchange. "Unfortunately, my own mother wasn't as noble. Unlike my siblings, I'm the daughter of a lowly prostitute." Her voice was soft, hesitantly throwing glances at Kingu to gauge his reaction, only to find him unaffected by the revelation. "My memories of her are fleeting at best, and the palace wasn't exactly the most welcoming place for me." Noticing Kingu's gaze shifting to her hands, Kougyoku realized she began gripping her dress tightly, her memories of her childhood leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.

'Way to go, Kougyoku. You destroyed any chance you had at the first step in getting anywhere with him.'

"You seem nervous; why?" Kingu's voice cut through her thoughts, his head tilted slightly as he tried to look at her eyes.

Kougyoku blinked a few times as she noticed the man's genuine curiosity. "Most people don't take kindly to this part of my parentage. I guess you can say I expected you to be more… critical."

Kingu snorted in amusement, a lazy smirk appearing on his face as he leaned back against the tree behind him. "I would be the last to do such a thing." Noticing her confused look, the man simply stared at his own body as surges of familiar yet foreign emotions ran through it. "I owe a lot of what I am now to a prostitute. Her name is Shamhat, and she was the one who taught me much of what I know." Kingu's eyes narrowed as he felt his heart skip a beat at the mention of the sacred prostitute, lightly cursing Enkidu's lingering feelings for the soft shade of red creeping up his cheeks. "I loved her dearly." He told a white lie, as he felt it was the right sentence to say to Kougyoku at the time, and since it wasn't technically a lie.

Enkidu did. Enkidu was Kingu, and so, by extension, he did too.

Reigning in his emotions, Kingu let out a long sigh as he turned to the princess. "You should not feel ashamed of such a thing. Take pride in yourself more, lest you find yourself at odds one day." His eyes focused on hers as the moonlight shone down on his figure, an ethereal aura enhancing his already spotless features.

Kougyoku found herself speechless before the sight, her heartbeat speeding up as she felt giddy. Her sleeves covered her face, hiding the excited smile she couldn't hold back.

Kingu's brow rose in confusion, before he shook his head and decided to ignore the human's strange behavior. He found her giggles to be less of a nuisance than he expected, though the pleasant tranquility was soon cut off by the distant call of Ka Koubun. "It appears your advisor is searching for you."

Kingu's voice woke the princess from her momentary stupor, the young woman quickly getting to her feet and fixing her dress. She gave Kingu a carefree smile, before she hummed in thought for a brief moment, seemingly considering something, nodding to herself cheerfully shortly after. "Sir Kingu, I have a small request, if you wouldn't mind." Getting his attention, Kougyoku resisted the slight awkwardness in the back of her mind, before she continued. "I would like to join you and King Sindbad on the trip to Uruk."

Kingu didn't show much of a reaction to the request, his eyes simply observing the princess's own silently. He pondered on the suggestion, finding no explicit reason to reject it. Gilgamesh is already planning on receiving Kou delegates in any case; one more wouldn't make much of a difference. "You are welcomed. We'll be leaving in the morning."

Kougyoku beamed happily, before she yelped as Ka Koubun's calls grew louder. "Thank you, Sir Kingu. I wish you a pleasant night." She clasped her hands under her sleeves and bowed slightly before walking away to her retainer, the noticeable spring in her steps betraying the giddiness in her heart.

Kingu snorted as he watched Kougyoku's retreating figure, taking a small amount of amusement from her childish glee. Once he was alone once more, his gaze shifted to a tree near him. "Are you going to keep hiding there all night, Magi?" His voice was neutral, his eyes unflinching as he stared at the tree until Aladdin moved from behind it.

Aladdin laughed nervously as he approached the silent man, awkwardly chuckling as he finally sat down next to him. The atmosphere immediately became more awkward as Aladdin found his existence completely ignored by the man next to him, the calls of a nearby cricket breaking the deathly silence in the area.

Getting somewhat fidgety, Aladdin grasped the old cane in his hand for comfort. "Sir Kingu, I… saw something earlier when you got into a fight with Mister Sharrkan." He paused for a brief moment, his eyes flickering nervously to Kingu's impassive face as the latter turned his attention to the Magi.

"What did you see?" The weight of Kingu's gaze bore down on Aladdin, the boy struggling to hold back the shivers all over his body as he felt colder just by sitting near the man.

He felt as if his life was hanging on by a thread. "I saw a beautiful woman, one with horns and eyes I've never seen before. She was hugging you while you were choking Mister Sharrkan, before disappearing when you let him go." Aladdin chose his words carefully, keeping his grip tight on his staff as he mustered the courage to finally look Kingu in the eye.

The man didn't respond or inquire further, his eyes betraying nothing even as he turned to observe the scenery in front of him. Aladdin awkwardly shifted about, hoping for any sort of response or explanation to break the silence.

Kingu's attention returned to Aladdin, piercing eyes akin to knives stabbing into the human as he contemplated what worth he had to deserve seeing his mother.

"The person you saw… was my mother." Kingu's voice held a softness which caught the Magi off-guard, though it was overshadowed by his intimidating stare regardless. "I don't expect you to understand." A human would be the last creature Kingu would expect to know what having a goddess for a mother is like.

The son of Tiamat could barely hide his surprise as the child visibly flinched and hugged the staff in his hands tighter, growing smaller by the second. A certain awkwardness washed over Kingu as he watched Aladdin grow deathly silent, the unmistakable sensation of a line being crossed making him relent. "Forget it."

Irkalla would freeze over before he saddened his mother by bullying a child.

Aladdin felt the tension in his body go away as Kingu leaned against the tree behind him, letting out a sigh. Watching the very unexpected behavior of the mysterious man, Aladdin felt a pang in his chest. Unable to hold his curiosity, the Magi spoke softly, "What does having a mother feel like?"

Kingu remained unaffected by the question, to the point Aladdin began to doubt he actually heard his question. It wasn't until Kingu's eyes shifted to him once again, did Aladdin know the man actually listened. "It is… challenging to put such a feeling into words. Nothing in this world could compare to my mother in all aspects; her love trumps any lover's, her embrace softer than any luxury, her presence dwarfing any treasure, her food sweeter than any nectar. Every experience I share with her is simply different." Kingu frowned, a hefty sigh betrayed a certain longing different from what Aladdin had seen in his journeys. "Just as much, our partings are crueler than any torment." Noting the boy's silence, Kingu observed him without elaborating further.

Aladdin felt somewhat perplexed, a wrenching discomfort building in his chest. He held his staff to his chest, taking solace in the remnant of Baba when he failed to recall any memories of his own parents. The Magi felt confused by the feelings he was experiencing, as if a part of him he didn't know he was missing made its lack of presence known with a vengeance.

…the child felt robbed, lacking a better way to describe it. Confusion gave way to heartache as an unprecedented sense of loneliness fell on him.

Kingu felt more and more displeased as he observed the child's sorrow, his stoic face hiding a certain sense of anxiousness at the thought of his mother's reaction to such a scene. Reigning in his emotions, he awkwardly pressed his hand on the child's head, the action was painfully so for the both of them even as it served its purpose of distancing Aladdin from the thoughts plaguing his mind. "Do not lose heart, child. Should fate permit it, I shall allow you to be graced by the presence of my mother. Once you meet her, you will know all the feelings you were deprived of and more." A proud smile spread on Kingu's face as he saw some light return to the Magi's eyes, even if some part of him was appalled by this concession he had to make to satisfy a human kid.

"Do you really think so?" Aladdin's voice was fleeting, his demeanor timid as he held to the hope Kingu's words were true, however fleeting it sounded.

Kingu scoffed, visibly amused, if not insulted, by the notion he would stoop so low as to lie to a mere human. Standing up, the son of Tiamat gave Aladdin a fleeting glance before he began walking away. "Rejoice, child, for few could enjoy such an honor. Look forward to it until then."

Aladdin watched him leave, smiling appreciatively as he wondered what kind of person Kingu's mother was. His mind drifted back to the woman he saw earlier in the day, her soft smile still fresh in his mind. He found himself feeling a strange sense of longing, his heart calming down.

Moving back to the palace, Aladdin could only hope the day he meets her in reality would be near.

---

Uruk:

Sinbad couldn't hide his excitement as soon as the mighty walls and flourishing harbor of Uruk appeared within their sights. Standing at the bow's very tip, the High King of the Seven Seas took a deep breath of the fresh sea air as he waited for their ship to finally dock. Having sent Aladdin and his friends on their own ways, he found himself free to put the entirety of his efforts into his visit as they traveled towards their destination.

He could see Artemina was also anticipating the experiences the flourishing city had to offer, as she smirked and immediately headed to her room in order to prepare for the reception.

Meanwhile, Masrur and Jafar stood by his side as they took in the sight of the city's impressive fortifications. The assassin frowned when he spotted the strange contraptions adorning the high wall, the defense itself already imposing enough without them. Plans are already formulating in his mind as to how to obtain as much information on their inner workings as possible during their brief visit.

Masrur's attention remained mostly on Kingu, as the Fanalis were still somewhat angry about the incident with Sharrkan. If he didn't see Sharrkan's bruises as he laid in the infirmary, the general wouldn't have believed his friend would be defeated so handedly by an unarmed man.

For his part, Kingu was constantly pondering on the possible ramifications of him murdering the Kou princess's advisor for the impudent glares he leveled his way as the lady stood beside him. Given how much she appeared to be enamored with him, he could even 'suggest' some things to get things done without dirtying his hands. Although he assumed now would be entirely too late with Ningal so close, lest he finds himself forced to withstand her ire.

Perhaps he can make it appear as an accident?

Too much of a hassle, he surmised. Once he takes these people to the throne room, he would be free of them. He would also be free to watch Gilgamesh deal with them, the spectacle no doubt worth his efforts.

"A very impressive defense." Kougyoku's voice cut through his thoughts, bringing him back from his entertaining thoughts to his less-than-stellar situation. The princess's dignified disposition as a soldier showed itself, her eyes narrowing as she took every visible detail of the city's defenses with a critical gaze. "The harbor itself is well-situated, the ships nearby ready and able for intervention. With proper support from the wall, I would be surprised if any naval force without a Metal Vessel user would ever make it to shore." Her eyes briefly turned to the warships circling nearby and the ones docked in the harbor, casually humming without a care as she continued her observations… until she realized Kingu was giving her an amused look. Redness crept on her cheeks as she embarrassedly fiddled her sleeves. "Forgive me for rambling so suddenly."

"Your assessment was quite observant, as expected. You are more at home in battle." Kingu didn't pay her much mind after she avoided his gaze, choosing to take in the sight of the docks. It didn't take him much effort to spot Merlin and Shirou waiting for them, the irritating smile of the Magus of Flowers curiously diminished slightly.

Once the ship finally docked, Kingu curiously looked at the door leading to the inner part of the ship, waiting for Artemina as Sindbad and his companions descended. Kougyoku curiously looked on as the door opened, wondering what Kingu was looking at, and was left speechless.

The Queen of Artemyra returned, donned in a most exotic dress decorated in resplendent gems and jewels as her helmet shone magnificently under the sunlight. Exquisite bracers and anklets, inscribed with intricate symbols, did well to compliment the bracelets and rings she wore. Coupled with her trident, Artemina struck an imposing figure akin to a goddess descending upon the mortal realm.

Kingu observed the extravagant woman with intrigue, wondering what she's planning. Pulling the stunned princess next to him and out of the Queen's path, Kingu silently made way for Artemina as she stepped on the plank and into the harbor.

Her presence shone not unlike a star in the moonless sky, capturing the attention of all in the harbor effortlessly. Artemina took no heed of the crowd, her attention focused solely on the priest and the magus standing in front of her. "Priest, I see you're doing well." Her eyes briefly turned to Merlin, her face shifting into a look of irritation. "I'm surprised you're still alive, Merlin." Her voice was poised, almost harsh, but the Queen easily pushed aside any distracting thoughts, keeping her eyes on the prize.

"It's been quite a while, Your Majesty. I hope your journey went well." Shirou bowed politely and gave the group a warm smile, his demeanor as composed and welcoming as Artemina remembered.

"Indeed. Your beauty is as radiant as ever, Queen of Artemyra." Merlin made an extravagant show of his courtesy, his smile unaffected by her words and demeanor towards him.

"Take us to Gilgamesh." Cutting straight to the point, Artemina gazed at the looming Ziggurat with purpose.

Merlin and Shirou nodded respectfully, before ushering the group to the Ziggurat, Kingu trailing with Kougyoku and her entourage just behind. The group easily traversed through the streets of the city, Artemina's charismatic figure holding all the attention.

Sindbad's eyes shone as he took note of such, only to disregard it when he sensed Merlin's gaze on him. The two silently stared at each other, each one sizing the other behind the smiles they shared. Sindbad observed the flow of the Rukh around them, a gut feeling warning him about the unnatural sensation it exuded.

The typical order in the flow of the Rukh was nowhere to be found, feeling more untamed, lacking a pattern as it flew in all directions. Sindbad also noted the anomalous behavior, as the specks of light around them parted and distanced itself from them… or rather, from the mysterious magician Merlin. Even more stunning was the aura exuding from the awe-inspiring fortress they headed towards. A weight kept pressing on him as they got closer to the building, his smile hiding the discomfort festering in his chest.

Moving through the rather cheerful populace, the group arrived at the Ziggurat. Crossing the entrance, Sindbad endured the sensory overload of the sheer enveloping pressure as best he could. His steps grew slightly slower as he walked through the tidal wave of Rukh filling the building, his senses immediately noting the presence of the powerful magical wards.

Never one to falter, Sindbad smiled and silently followed without a care. Through the intricate hallways and the lavish corridors, the group eventually reached the throne room. Shirou stepped forward, his presence noted by the various people standing in front of the man sitting on the extravagant throne whilst reading a report. "Your Majesty, your guests from Sindria have arrived."

Gilgamesh was indifferent to the declaration, his eyes remaining on the tablet in his hand while his head lazily leaned on his closed fist. It took a few more minutes before he passed the tablet to the dutiful Ningal, his eyes ignoring the leader of the Seven Seas Alliance in favor of the rather nervous-looking old man timidly standing at the center of the hall. "Your request is accepted. The relief aid shall be delivered by the Tower within three days, and the team sent will provide assistance with the soil's degradation."

The man looked visibly overjoyed, his hands trembling as he bowed. "T-Thank you, Your Majesty." Relief washed over the elder, his figure visibly deflating as he slowly walked out of the great hall under the King's watchful gaze.

Artemina watched the audience in cold silence, her eyes focused solely on Gilgamesh. The Queen took in every feature, every movement and every shift he made, evaluating him in her own way. Now with both him and Sindbad in her field of vision, the Queen wished to compare the two and measure their worth as the only men she held interest in currently.

In terms of charisma, both of them were exceptional enough to outclass even other rulers in many kingdoms. Yet each had their own essence, as Sindbad's aura seemed capable and approachable, while Gilgamesh overflowed with confidence and power in his every gesture.

If one were to judge the two in terms of political power and pure influence, then Sindbad would come out on top as the leader of a major superpower, and a wielder of connections so many they could make or break some nations. However, Artemina wouldn't consider such to be a big obstacle for someone of Gilgamesh's caliber, his nation's stability and prosperity despite its young age proof enough of his capacity as King.

Their style of clothing was also quite different, as one was draped in the finest silk Sindria had to offer and decorated with the most precious gems and jewelry, while the other clothed himself in his usual exquisite and more revealing outfit, showing off his sculpted physique and shoulder tattoos along with the jewelry decorating his turban and hands. Artemina found herself favoring Gilgamesh's choice as it was closer to her own tastes.

Having fought both of them, Artemina held no illusion Sindbad held even a sliver of a chance in terms of personal might. Despite his Djinns, Sindbad would hardly be able to resist the man's unrelenting barrage, and such was even more evident when her ally needed to activate his Metal Vessel. The recollection of her fight made her smile with excitement and slight desire.

Although Sindbad was content with observing the scene, Jafar was far from satisfied as their presence was completely ignored. Observing the King, he could easily tell it was intentional as well, which only served to fuel his frustration. He chose to hold his tongue for the time being.

They remained standing even as two other citizens were granted audience, the perceived slight enough to make Jafar's discontent clear by now.

Even still, Gilgamesh dismissed the citizen once his case was resolved. The King observed the tablet in his hand for a few more moments before he passed it to his assistant. "Take a small respite. You are to return within half an hour." His voice rang loud and clear despite the calmness in his tone. As soon as the people left, Gilgamesh turned to Ningal with a silent glare.

For her part, the veiled beauty easily met his gaze with a smile, refusing to leave his side. Choosing to ignore his silent admonishment, Ningal turned her attention to Shirou, giving him a nod.

Shirou and Merlin both made way for the guests, and they advanced. Gilgamesh's eyes remained indifferent, even as the Queen did not stop at the stairs. Slowly but surely, she climbed every step with great grace and elegance until she stood directly in front of the King.

Sindbad felt a bit uncomfortable by the lack of reaction from any of Gilgamesh's present retainers to the blatant breach in protocols, sensing a Metal Vessel in the veiled lady's possession. He noticed his associates were having a much more difficult time containing their shock as well. Choosing to remain cautious, he decided to see what his ally was planning by this sudden bold move.

His sights blocked by her body, Gilgamesh shifted his attention to Artemina. A glint of amusement flashed in his eyes as she leaned forward, daringly placing her free hand on the armrest of his throne.

The two stared into each other's eyes unflinchingly, their faces close enough to note each other's scent and feel the air of their breath. Vivid memories of their first meeting filled Artemina's mind as she gazed into those crimson orbs, thrill mixing with intrigue as to what exactly this man sees. In the end, it was the Queen who broke the haunting silence. "You have not changed, King Gilgamesh."

"And you are still as impudent as ever, woman. It appears you are in need of another defeat." Gilgamesh's tone lacked the edge the Sindrian visitors expected, although his words brought them worry. He didn't so much as twitch as the warrior woman retreated a few steps and leveled her trident to his face fearlessly.

"I recall you stating you will return to Artemyra when last we spoke, yet you never came. I didn't take you for someone who would tell lies." A confidant smile appeared on her face as the King remained impassive to the threatening weapon inches away from his eyes, before she relented. "But I shall look past it as I can now see your own Kingdom with my own eyes. I expect it to live up to my expectations." Her smirk appeared almost challenging, only growing slightly friendlier when she turned to Ningal. "If it isn't the little pup." Artemina moved closer to the veiled Fanalis, her eyes narrowing as she took in the younger woman's appearance and state, before her hand patted her head with a fond smile. "You've grown well."

"I thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty the Queen of Artemyra." Ningal bowed to the ruler, her gesture earning the woman's approval.

Satisfied, Artemina returned to stand next to Sindbad and his companions. Noting the nervousness they were feeling earlier, she gave them an amused smirk and simply shrugged nonchalantly.

His cue given, Sindbad took a few steps forward. "Greetings, King Gilgamesh. My name is Sindbad, the ruler of Sindria and the representative of the Seven Seas Alliance." His eyes turned to Ningal, and he gave her a charming smile. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance."

— …

Noting the indifference on Ningal's face, and the silence from Gilgamesh's part, Sindbad's smile almost faltered. He remembered the equal lack of care from their companion Tomoe back in Balbadd as well, growing somber at the thought of his recent track record with the women he met recently.

Was he losing his touch with the ladies?!

Behind him, Jafar didn't know whether to feel exasperated at the shamelessness of his King, or stunned as his attempt failed so mercilessly. Masrur's eyes widened slightly, genuinely surprised by what he saw.

Sindbad cleared his throat under the neutral gaze of the King of Heroes, before he continued. "First of all, I'd like to thank Your Majesty for accepting our request. We hope to-"

"Your requests have been a nuisance to me and mine, mongrel." Gilgamesh interrupted him, his voice cutting clear and concise as he observed Sinbad and his companions with clear annoyance. "Knowing such, enlighten me as to what exactly you hope to gain." Condescension laced every word Gilgamesh spoke, his eyes betraying nothing.

Jafar frowned deeply at the response, clasping his hands and bowing slightly to attempt to diffuse the situation. "With all due res-"

"Silence." Once again, King Gilgamesh interrupted, though this time his tone carried a coldness which seeped into one's bones. Jafar felt shivers up his spine as years of training warned him of danger, but managed to remain stoic through his discipline. "You shall speak only when spoken to. Speak out of turn again, and you will receive my judgment."

Tension flared in the hall, however briefly. Masrur's body tensed, although his instincts immediately alerted him to Shirou's gaze the moment his muscles clenched. Jafar clenched his teeth and bore with the response, silently backing down and maintaining his silence.

Sindbad's friendly smile didn't waver despite the hostility. "Please forgive my general; he means well. I apologize profoundly for the disturbance our requests caused you." The leader of the Seven Seas Alliance bowed his head slightly, before he crossed his arms and decided to get to the point. "To be frank, I believe we stand to gain together more than we do individually. Uruk is a proud and prosperous nation which has a lot of potential, one I wish to see realized sooner rather than later." Sindbad's eyes trailed to every corner of the throne room as he spoke, his hands reaching out to Gilgamesh. "I would like to personally extend an invitation to Uruk to become part of the Seven Seas Alliance."

"An amusing proposal." Contrary to his words, Gilgamesh looked far from amused. "To believe my Kingdom would need the likes of you to harness its potential is insulting, mongrel."

"I am willing to admit such a thing. Uruk has a lot to be proud of as a rising star." Sindbad's posture straightened and his earlier demeanor shifted into a serious and unwavering disposition, befitting his status. The Rukh flooded the hall and overflowed into the rest of the Ziggurat, as the First-Class Singularity met the King of Heroes without flinching. "And as such, establishing a network of reliable allies is of vital importance to Uruk's interests. The Seven Seas Alliance would be honored to welcome this nation into our partnership, and thus provide it with its full support as a member so we can all advance together."

"You make many insolent assumptions. My people are of a different caliber than those ruled by fools calling themselves 'Kings', in your language, and to assume we need such aid is nothing but a hilarious joke." Disinterest saturated every word Gilgamesh spoke, his face as stoic as a statue as he leaned into his throne lazily. "Neither you nor your peers are my equal; a partnership is thus void and non-negotiable."

"As fellow Kings, I wholeheartedly believe we can achieve great things as peers. As a representative of my people and my comrades, I will not take the dismissal of my status lightly." Sindbad frowned for the first time, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes as he continued. "It is my hope we can have appropriate discourse as fellow leaders of nations seeking to achieve the betterment of both sides." The King of Sindria spoke firmly, his stance made clear even as his generals tensed and carefully observed the people around them.

Jafar and Masrur felt a certain pressure bearing down on them as they beheld the fearsome crimson eyes of the King of Uruk, but Sindbad remained unaffected, meeting the domineering glare with an unfaltering one.

The ensuing silence was stifling and it was Gilgamesh who decided to break it by letting out a boisterous laughter. The King of Uruk recollected himself after a few brief moments, heedless of the growing agitation in his visitors by his continued behavior. "You are truly amusing. I suppose this shall be compensation enough for accepting your request." For the first time since they entered the throne room, Gilgamesh smiled. "But tell me, ruler of Sindria, what are you planning to do if I refuse?"

Sindbad's smile diminished somewhat, yet his enthusiasm remained. "If you do not wish to join, that is your prerogative. Instead, I would like to represent the Seven Seas Alliance and present a few trade proposals we have made." A glint shone in Sindbad's eyes, the trademark smirk of the leader of the Seven Seas Alliance confident and unperturbed. "We have heard much about Uruk's quality goods, and I'm sure we can work out an arrangement beneficial to both of us."

Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed, his earlier smile disappearing as the flow of the Rukh around them completely froze, much to Sindbad's surprise. The King of Sindria instantly looked at the frozen motes of light as they disappeared from the throne room one by one, observing the strange phenomenon. Gilgamesh leisurely stood up, descending the stairs step by step, the Rukh unable to approach him and parting before him.

He stood right in front of Sindbad, the two kings standing face-to-face for the first time. Neither of them spoke, the other people in the room watching with varying expressions as they waited for their next actions.

Sindbad smiled despite the questions lingering in his mind, the charisma of a First-Class Singularity on full display.

An overwhelming charisma met his own in equal measure, the overwhelming strength of presence in the man in front of him giving Sindbad pause for the briefest of moments before he smiled, his eyes filled with excitement. 'To think there would be another.'

"Your invitation is refused." Gilgamesh spoke with finality, hesitation completely absent in his every move. "As for your proposals, my answer will be given after the negotiations."

Sindbad couldn't help but feel disappointed, his aspirations for cooperation dashed so quickly. Still, he wasn't someone who would give up so easily, nor was he so inflexible in the methods to achieve a similar result to the one he hoped.

In the end, his visit offered only rewards. With an optimistic smile, Sindbad nodded. "I'm looking forward to working with you, King of Uruk."

"It remains to be seen. Although if you wish to enjoy the treasures of my people, be prepared to offer an appropriate price." Gilgamesh smirked, his posture bordering on nonchalance as his eyes shifted to Artemina briefly. "I shall expect an adequate performance."

Gilgamesh returned to his throne, assuming the same casual posture he had beforehand. "The negotiations shall wait for another day. I have my duties and you have your interests—the priest will see you to your quarters. The hospitality of Uruk is yours until your departure."

"We thank you for your time, King Gilgamesh. It was an honor to meet you." Sindbad grinned brightly before he followed Shirou, his generals not far behind.

Artemina hummed in thought as she slowly came to her conclusion, having observed the King of Heroes throughout the whole ordeal. Having had her fair share of husbands, the Queen was satisfied with confirming her original assessment.

Among all the men she met, he was most certainly far above them. A most promising specimen to enjoy. Smiling mysteriously, she silently followed the group without a word.

Once they left, Merlin smiled at Gilgamesh, the latter frowning deeply at the Magus of Flowers. "It seems you are too free lately, incubus, if you have the time for useless thoughts." A glint shone in the King's eyes, before he gave his magician a smile of his own. "Do you wish to receive a punishment of my choosing again?"

"I-I wouldn't dare, Your Majesty." Merlin's face paled at the accursed memory, the King Maker hurrying off out of the hall. "I shall return to my research in the tower—duty awaits."

Gilgamesh shook his head, annoyance briefly appearing on his face before he chose to ignore Merlin's attitude. Turning to the remaining group led by Kingu, Gilgamesh blinked a few times when he caught the girl next to him stealing glances at Kingu. Her enamored shyness made him smirk at the son of Tiamat, the latter returning such a gesture with a harsh glare as he approached along with the group.

"Welcome back. It seems you even brought a guest of your own." Gilgamesh's voice was filled with amusement, his gloating clear on his face as he sat unaffected by Kingu's murderous glare.

Sensing Kingu's agitation, Kougyoku decided to shift the King's attention on her. She moved forward and stood in front of the taller man, her eyes fixed on Gilgamesh. "Greetings, King of Uruk. I am Ren Kougyoku, the eighth princess of the Kou Empire."

"I am well aware of who you are, girl." Leaning forward and placing his arms on his thighs, a gleam of interest appeared in Gilgamesh's eyes. "What is your purpose in entering my nation with the Sindrian envoy?" The edge in his voice diminished somewhat compared to earlier.

"My presence here is purely personal and does not represent the Empire, Your Majesty. I wished to see the Kingdom Sir Kingu called home." Calm and collected, the princess answered without a shift in her tone. The man in front of her had the same air about him as Sindbad and her brother Kouen, and so she decided to tread carefully.

She couldn't mess up and endanger her chances with Kingu after she made such progress.

Gilgamesh's smile seemed to grow, and so did the frown on Kingu's face as a result. The green-haired man subtly shifted his sight to Ningal, hoping she would see reason to get the insufferable King to cease whatever plot he was planning… only to find her giving him a wink.

It seems the pup was every bit as treacherous as the lowly humans.

"Is that so? Then I shall leave it to Kingu to give you a tour of my city while the servants prepare your accommodations." Gilgamesh didn't allow Kingu to protest, openly indicating the end of the conversation as he closed his eyes.

Kougyoku beamed at the prospect, her eyes sparkling as she turned to Kingu. Seeing her excited face, Kingu could only wordlessly pray the man sitting in front of him would find himself in the underworld in his sleep again.

"Ka Koubun, I will leave you to handle our accommodations while Sir Kingu and I explore the city." The princess smiled towards her advisor, words of protest dying in his throat as his liege hurried off with the insufferable green-haired man before he could speak.

He debated whether to follow after them, but banished the thought as he decided overseeing the preparations for their accommodation was more important. The princess was strong, and Ka Koubun was certain their hosts wouldn't seek to start an incident with a foreign superpower, especially given how the discussion with Sindbad went. With that thought in mind, he led his assistants and followed the servants.

Left alone in the throne room, Ningal and Gilgamesh remained silent for a few brief moments, before the former chuckled. "It seems the Ziggurat is growing energetic and lively, don't you think so, my King?"

"It's only growing more noisy, Ningal." The King of Heroes opened his eyes and glimpsed at the skies, unbothered and uncaring. "And we have yet to welcome all the mongrels." He snorted with disdain, his confidence almost palpable.

"Until then, we can look forward to teasing Kingu more." Ningal chuckled, her veil swaying with the cool breeze.

Gilgamesh's laughter soon joined hers, the soldiers guarding the entrance to the throne room straightening just a smidge more as they shared knowing smiles.

---

Observing the impressive view of the bustling city from the comfort of his room, Sindbad reevaluated his expectations and assessment of Uruk and its King. Never in all his years did the High King of the Seven Seas imagine he could find another Singularity, and of such impressive caliber. Gilgamesh's presence easily distinguished itself compared to everyone else he had met in the past, his instincts immediately cementing the urgent need to revise his entire approach to this diplomatic endeavor.

Turning to his advisor who's pacing back and forth restlessly, Sindbad smiled. "You should calm down, Jafar. You look like you're going to explode."

Evidently, it was the wrong choice of words. Jafar turned to his King, glaring daggers at the nonchalant man. "You speak as if we weren't blatantly looked down upon by a King of a minor upstart nation! In front of a princess of Kou, no less!" The assassin sighed, his eyes narrowing. "I'm surprised he refused the opportunity to join the Alliance so quickly. Do you think he has ulterior motives for bringing us here?"

"I doubt it. He strikes me as a man who would have dealt with us directly should he truly had nefarious intentions." Sindbad was quick to dismiss such a notion, Gilgamesh's overflowing pride and disregard for them seemed to indicate he didn't deem them a threat to begin with. "However, I feel as if this place is much more than what meets the eye. I sensed an overwhelming amount and quality of wards for the simple protection of a building. Artemina's own accounts of Gilgamesh and our conversation just now suggests the King does not require nor care for such things."

"You believe something else is being protected here?" Jafar hummed in thought, contemplating what information they had.

"It's only an assumption right now, but I sense King Gilgamesh has his own trump cards here." Sindbad took a sip of the cup filled with ale next to him, appreciating the good taste it had. "I believe finding an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of what we're dealing with is necessary." The leader of the Seven Seas Alliance didn't feel comfortable with a fellow Singularity holding such an advantage.

Jafar nodded, his expression rather grim. If Sin was acting this cautiously, then it only made their lack of knowledge even more precarious. "I'll handle it. I will need you to cover for me tonight during the feast, and while everyone is busy there, I'll try to sneak into the inner sanctum and search for any clues." Jafar nodded and headed to the door. "I'll take a tour through and around the fortress to prepare. I will meet you here at sunset."

Sindbad nodded and turned to Masrur as Jafar left, standing up and lightly stretching before the two of them left the room. "I'll be heading out sightseeing. You should go check out their training field, Masrur, I think you'll have fun." Waving at his stoic friend, Sindbad exited the Ziggurat and walked into the streets.

---

The sea breeze felt refreshing as it caressed Kougyoku's face, the young princess feeling her heart palpitate once she took notice of the fluttering green hair and pure white robes. Despite his stoic silence, Kingu's figure was distinctive among the populace around them, and the princess was impressed by the number of people who greeted him with a smile on their faces.

It made her realize how misleading Kingu's attitude was, and it only encouraged her to be more active to get him to open up. After getting out of the Ziggurat, Kingu chose to take her to the harbor as their first stop. Watching the bustling sailors, travelers and merchants go about their lives, the princess became immersed in the different sights around her.

Looking around, she took notice of Kingu moving to the very edge of the harbor. Noticing her approach, he raised his hand. "Stay there for now, princess." Seeing her nod, Kingu's gaze shifted back to the sea.

His eyes narrowed once he saw the distant disturbance in the formerly calm waters. As the seconds went by, the shifting of the waters became clearer from a distance and a shadow became visible under the water. A monstrous serpentine creature burst out from the depths, letting out a fearsome roar as it approached the shore in a frenzy.

Kougyoku's face turned serious as her hand reached for her hairpin, only for it to freeze as she saw Kingu's hand reaching forward in turn. In the time it took her to blink, a chain appeared from within the man's sleeve and pierced through the monster's head, before tying itself around the dead creature's head.

Under her scrutinizing stare, Kingu flew to the shore and pulled the predator's corpse with ease. She rushed to join him, soon followed by a number of soldiers.

"Sir Kingu, thank you for your assistance." The soldier at the front saluted the green-haired man, before turning to his soldiers. "One of you will get the Fanalis soldiers to help us with this, the rest of us are on crowd control."

Once the soldiers were gone, Kougyoku approached the corpse and examined the puncture wound in its skull with interest. Kingu's blow was precise and critical, serving its purpose with surgical precision despite the enormous distance between him and the beast at the time. She looked back to the man with respect, her smile brilliant as she moved away from the body to his side. "Your skill is impressive, Sir Kingu. I assumed you used your bare hands to fight."

Kingu scoffed at the notion while shaking his head. "I indeed do not need to use anything more than my hands." He gave her a cocky, handsome, charming smirk.

Kougyoku couldn't resist the redness creeping up her cheeks, quickly shifting her sights to the sea in order to distract herself. "I-I see…" Shyly pushing back a few strands of hair back, Kougyoku found herself struggling to come up with any conversation. 'Think, Kougyoku. Think!'

"Do you come here often?" She stole a glance at him, finding him observing the horizons as the shining light of the sun reflected on his violet eyes.

"I do not. This place is too crowded, and the noise is annoying." Kingu frowned, displeasure clear in his features. "The foreigners tend to act more impudent when they look at me."

"Then let's go somewhere else." Kougyoku noticed his discomfort, then, with courage she found surprising herself, chose to hold his hand as she led him back to the city. The two quickly got away from the bustle of port, and it didn't take long for them to get into the busy markets.

Kingu watched as the young princess skipped around with her hands held behind her, gazing at him with a happy smile all the while. "Although this place is somewhat busy, would you like to join me whilst I observe the wares here?" Her hair and robes gently swayed with the gentle wind, giving her an air of elegance and grace as she pushed back a few stray strands.

Kingu sighed and simply watched Kougyoku as she went from one stall to another. As the tour went on and on, the son of Tiamat found himself ridden with boredom as he pondered on his continued patience with this ridiculous task he was assigned.

His inattention was shaken off as he felt his companion tug on his sleeve. Turning towards Kougyoku, his eyes widened subtly when she wantonly wrapped a simple silver necklace with a remarkable jade with remarkably shaky hands around his neck.

Kougyoku hummed as she observed him for a moment, worry clear in her eyes. "It looks good on you. I believed your style of clothing needed simple accessories; it's hard to find ones which weren't overly extravagant." There was a bit of hesitation in her voice, and she seemed nervous. "D-Do you not like it?"

Kingu remained silent, hand reaching for the necklace and grasping the jade. It felt cool to the touch, the surface smooth against his skin. it was obviously cheap, a far cry from the treasures of Babylon, lacking in both purity and artful elegance. "It is… adequate." Knowing he shouldn't risk displeasing her if he wished to avoid a lecture from the little pup, Kingu nodded.

Strangely enough, he felt like he owed the princess in some way he couldn't point out exactly. The feeling wasn't unpleasant, but it did leave him feeling pensive as he slowly processed it while Kougyoku moved to other stalls.

His eyes caught the sight of people gathering around a certain stall, the shouting indicating the trouble brewing in their midst. Putting the feeling aside for the moment, Kingu moved to the commotion, Kougyoku following not far behind. Pushing past the people in front of him, Kingu saw two women, one an elderly while the other was still rather young, standing in front of the stall of a merchant who seemed to be selling milk. Noting the people's eyes on him, Kingu cursed his bad luck and approached them.

"What is the meaning of this?" He stood between the two women as the three bowed their heads to him, his head turned to the older one with a glint of recognition.

"This trader is cheating the citizens of Uruk! He has mixed his milk with water, Sir Kingu." The woman didn't seem afraid of Kingu's intimidating demeanor, tapping the merchant's big pot of milk with her cane.

"How dare you! I did no such thing, sir. This woman came out of nowhere, looked at my milk and told my customer to return it before she began insulting me and making terrible accusations!" The trader became incensed, fury burning in his eyes as he shakily pointed at the woman.

"Be silent." Kingu's voice silenced the man as well as the whispering crowds. Everyone watched as the man reached for the merchant's small ladle before taking a sip. Kingu's eyes narrowed as he spit the milk. "It seems you are either very courageous or very stupid, scum." He shifted his attention to the elderly woman once again. "Is he local?"

"No, he is not, Sir Kingu. I know most, if not all of our own traders." The woman gave the merchant a stern glare, her age proving to be an afterthought when faced with troublemakers. "They know better than to attempt such shameless acts."

"Who are you to speak to poke your nose in my business and order me around?" The merchant seemed more reserved, but did not back down from the woman's scolding.

"I assumed as much." Kingu placed his hand on the sizable pot, his menacing presence cowing the man into silence once more. "Only an outsider would dare speak to Iman, a supervisor of Uruk's markets, in such an insolent tone." Ignoring the palling face of the trader, Kingu continued. "What's to be done with him?"

"Either he takes this milk off and makes use of it himself, or we shall spill it. Should he persist again, I will personally beat him and he shall be kicked out of our market." Iman gripped her cane and turned to the woman next to her. "Return that milk to him, and you give her money back."

Growing fearful, the man returned the money with haste as he then put a lid on his pot and started to pack up, unwilling to remain under the scrutiny of the public.

Kougyoku could hear the approving remarks from the people around her, her eyes fixed on Kingu as he watched the swindler leave alongside the elderly woman. The customer bowed to both of them and promptly left, the crowd dispersing as a result and finally giving Kougyoku the chance to join Kingu. "That was a valiant display."

Iman bowed her head when she finally took note of the princess. "I humbly greet the princess. I apologize for the unseemly display you had to see."

"On the contrary, seeing Uruk uphold justice and fairness for its subjects is a credit to the nation." Kougyoku nodded and turned to Kingu. "Sir Kingu was guiding me throughout the city, and I can say for certain Uruk is certainly a wonderful kingdom to behold."

Iman's eyes widened in surprise as she took note of the thinly-veiled enamored looks of the princess, turning to the silent Kingu for a few brief moments, before a confident smile graced her lips. "I see. I'm quite relieved to see Sir Kingu did such a thing. He usually remains distant."

"You talk too much." Kingu snorted and silently beckoned the princess to follow him before immediately walking away.

Kougyoku clasped her hands under her sleeves and bid her goodbye. Sprinting until she caught up to him, Kougyoku's gaze lingered to Iman whose smile didn't diminish by Kingu's rudeness, the woman chuckling before she returned to the bustling stalls behind her.

"Lady Iman seems like a kind woman. May I ask how she came to take on such a heavy responsibility?" Checking over the perfume and incense stall curiously, Kougyoku sighed as the sweet aroma brought her exquisite sensations.

Kingu watched her with disinterest, his eyes watching the merchandise around them with no clear purpose. "She has proven herself competent in trade during the early years of Uruk's founding, and so was assigned the duty of maintaining the quality and fairness of the market with the full support of Gilgamesh." Crossing his arms, Kingu noticed a small figure approaching him, fast.

"Brother Kingu! You're finally back!" A young girl hugged his leg with enthusiasm, the few missing teeth doing little to diminish her adorable grin. "Everyone really missed you! Can you play with us today!"

Kougyoku was surprised to see the child acting so boldly towards him, even more so when the girl's pleading eyes easily defeated his usual reluctance as he nodded. Her chuckle caused him to frown at her, but she didn't feel any hostility from the gesture.

The child took notice of the princess, eyes gleaming with wonder when Kougyoku approached. "So pretty! Do you know brother Kingu, pretty miss?" She excitedly observed the intricate robes and the expensive looking hairpin, childish glee making her voice crack.

'So adorable!'

Kougyoku smiled as she puffed out her chest with pride, trying her best to somewhat mimic her elder sister's curvature… and failing. "Yes, I do. This is my first time being in Uruk, and Sir Kingu was kind enough to show me around." Her hand gently caressed the girl's hair. "My name is Kougyoku; what is your name?"

"My name is Unan, pretty Kouyoku." The child tilted her head as she tried to pronounce the name, but failed somewhat. "Do you want to come play with us?"

Kougyoku could see Kingu snickering at the butchering of her name, the princess pouting at him in turn. Not letting the minor setback distract her, she gave Unan a thumbs up. "You bet. let's go."

Unan cheered as she moved between Kougyoku and Kingu, grabbing both her hands and smiling innocently as the three walked to their destination. The princess felt somewhat self-conscious at the current situation, her mind running wild with possibilities. Kingu seemed a bit uncomfortable as well, but didn't let it show as he allowed Unan to drag him.

The three of them soon reached a spacious building with a sizable free space around it. A plaque hung on the entrance, with the words "Sea's Embrace Orphanage" etched into it. Kougyoku could see a number of children playing together outside under the watchful eye of a young veiled woman.

"You guys! Kingu is back!" Unan shouted at the top of her lungs, motioning for them to follow her as she ran to the garden.

Kougyoku watched her companion tense as the children turned their way, taking great amusement as the collective enthusiasm of more than two dozen energetic children came towards him. It took all her willpower to hold back from laughing out loud as the kids climbed on his shoulders, hugged his legs, pulled his hair and abused his ears with overlapping voices, each demanding attention.

In the end, she failed to contain a soft chuckle… and it spelled her doom.

"Who is she?" One of the kids heard her, and asked with a puzzled look. His question drew the attention of the rest of his fellow kids.

Oh no.

"Do you know her, Unan?" A girl asked, remembering the fact Unan came with them.

Please no.

"Yes, her name is Kouyoku. Kingu was walking with her in the markets when I found them." Unan dashed her hopes of escape, her words lighting a spark in the rest of the children.

In the blink of an eye, the eighth princess of the Kou Empire was swarmed by half a dozen gremlins with seemingly infinite energy, all descending from Kingu's body like an avalanche before climbing up her. Her ears couldn't process the numerous voices speaking at the same time, while she struggled to keep from falling down as some of the little girls touched her dress.

Kougyoku turned to her guide for aid, finding him openly smirking at her misfortune. Had it not been for the precarious situation she was in, she might have appreciated the way he smiled her way more. Sadly, all she felt now was betrayal as Kingu took care of the kids focusing on him while leaving her to fend for herself.

"Children, this is no way to treat a guest." The veiled caretaker approached the swarm, her gentle words silencing their tantrum miraculously. "Please calm down and introduce yourselves."

Almost magically, the little demons relented and gave the two some space. They began to introduce themselves one by one, before the lady ushered them to play somewhere else instead.

"Greetings, Sir Kingu and esteemed guest." The lady bowed her head, her blue eyes soft and calm. "Please excuse the children, they are very excitable."

"I-It is no issue, I was simply taken off-guard." Kougyoku looked at the playing kids with slight worry, slightly preferring to face a foe on the battlefield than go through what she just experienced again.

Kingu looked slightly perplexed as he straightened his robes, his thoughts unknown. "They seem to be in good health." He moved closer to the garden and sat down on the grass while watching the young ones.

"Indeed, they have been most anxious for your return after you left for Sindria. When His Majesty came to deliver the news, he was not allowed to leave until he played with them." The matron chuckled at the recollection, while Kingu openly snorted with clear satisfaction on his face.

Kougyoku sat beside him, her eyes drifting between the children and her companion as they settled in the calm space. The matron excused herself not long after as she headed inside, leaving the two in comfortable silence.

Kougyoku took note of the beautiful flowers around them, reminded of the time she spent with Alibaba in Sindria. She briefly wondered what her friend was doing right now, an idea coming to her as she began to make a flower crown.

Kingu noticed her plucking the flowers near her, taking advantage of her distracted state to touch the necklace once more. He recalled Ningal telling him it was important to appreciate gifts from others, but she never explained how he was supposed to do so. He pondered on it for a while, coming up empty.

In the end, he decided to simply present a gift of his own. While the princess was busy with her flower crown, Kingu's hand subtly touched the earth around him, gathering the riches of the land with his power before giving it shape in his hand.

"Sir Kingu."

Kingu turned to Kougyoku once more, remaining silent even as the princess placed an imperfect flower crown on his head.

Kougyoku smiled as she watched her handiwork. "It looks wonderful on you, your hair meshes well with the flower stems."

Kingu didn't say much, sighing as he simply nodded. "Princess." Her eyes widened as she immediately turned to him. Heedless of the slight redness in her cheeks as he leaned towards her, Kingu slowly put the necklace he made on and backed off.

The princess blinked repeatedly and rubbed her eyes as she grasped the gorgeous ruby decorating the silver necklace, the crystal clarity and impressive purity captivating her eyes. An indescribable giddiness made her heart flutter as she giggled. "Thank you, it's beautiful."

Kingu didn't respond, although he felt more at ease now. A certain satisfaction blossomed in his chest, and he took his time to savor the feeling.

"Hey, miss, can you make me something like that too?" One of the girls approached them, her finger pointing at the flower crown.

Kougyoku nodded with a smile, feeling quite excited. "Yeah, you can count on me!" She began to make another flower crown, humming a gentle tune as she followed the steps she learned.

Kingu watched her in silence, an imperceptible smile on his face as the rest of the children were attracted to the princess in order to have their own crowns. She seemed more comfortable with them now, focusing on crafting the crowns and asking them to collect more flowers.

He laid down on the ground, feeling the soft and comforting feeling of nature as he looked at the sky.

They're going to be here for a while.

---

Uruk's library was more extensive than Scheherazade expected. The vast selection of literature kept her company ever since she entered the silent space after having lunch.

The Magi found great interest in the section titled 'A Thousand and One Nights', the stories within as captivating as they were intriguing with their vibrant storytelling and refreshing twists. She asked one of the servants about their author, and was disappointed to learn their identity was unknown. It should be a single 'she', however—a feat most pleasing to her, as a former victim of discrimination when she was very young.

She sat in perfect tranquility near one of the windows, looking through some books on mathematics and geometry with curiosity as she noted some of the theorems she had never seen before, the validity and usefulness of which she would consult with some scholars in Reim upon her return.

Taking a small break, the petite Magi silently gazed at the outside world. Her understanding of King Gilgamesh had improved during the time she spent in Uruk so far, but she has yet to truly get his measure. Their conversations remained cordial after their discussion at the top of the Ziggurat, most of which revolved around a few agreements between their nations, which included a silent accord in regards to Uruk's aggression towards slave ships sailing in its waters. In return, Uruk would provide Reim with magic devices at below market price, which should prove important to the empire's internal development.

All in all, Scheherazade was satisfied with the results, and so was the King of Uruk. With her purpose fulfilled, the time to return to her nation was nearing, and she was planning on making the most of it.

Looking at the courtyard outside, the Magi's eyes narrowed at the sight of Sindbad talking with Leonidas and his men with a smile on his face. Muu already notified her of the Singularity's arrival alongside the Queen of Artemyra and two of his generals, as well as Gilgamesh's refusal to join the Seven Seas Alliance. Saying she was surprised would be a lie—the overpowering and tyrannical flow of the Rukh Gilgamesh possessed practically screamed his disinterest in such positions at her.

He was King, and he would not share such a title with others, not even as an equal.

Still, his loss could be her gain, provided she was careful in her approach. Uruk's potential as an ally wouldn't be left for others to exploit if she could help it.

"I see you're here, Lady Scheherazade." A voice snapped her out of her musings, her green eyes meeting Shirou's golden ones as the priest smiled her way while he approached, book in hand. "Would you mind if I join you?"

"Good day to you, Sir Shirou." Scheherazade motioned for him to sit, pouring herself some water in the meantime. She took her time observing the serene man, from his unusual garb to the peculiar cross hanging from his necklace.

"I was informed you are a priest. Is the cross you bear a symbol of your faith?" She inquired, her attention still on the book in front of her. Reim's own history with foreign faiths wasn't the best, and the Magi found the thought of what could have happened had she not intervened multiple times during such crises to be chilling.

Shirou smiled and gently clasped the cross in his hand. "Indeed it is. I am a priest who regularly performs sermons in a place of worship not far from the Ziggurat."

"Is your faith the national religion of Uruk?" Scheherazade poured him a cup of water, the man nodding appreciatively as he took it.

"It is not. Our King's stance on gods is not favorable, but he is no less understanding of the necessity of diversity of beliefs in our country. It is one of the aspects we pride ourselves over as a nation built by people seeking a better life." Shirou drank some water, his finger tracing the cup as he looked to the skies.

"I think I've seen such a symbol before… in some ancient teachings of Reim," she carefully admitted. Besides, she's also ancient, so for her to speak of things much older than her meant it's so old she'd almost forgotten about it. "However, I have to say I do not understand its meaning." The Magi's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Shirou for any reaction.

"It is a faith I was converted to in a land far from Heliohapt, I'm afraid. It is also not a popular faith by any means." Shirou brushed off her words with a disarming smile, his words lacking any deceit.

"Leonidas had spoken of you as a brother-in-arms, one who fought with him in a number of battles. Usually, priests who do such things don't hold on to their faith for long." Scheherazade off handedly remarked, having seen such cases during her long life. Men drowning in despair once their prayers went unanswered, and men who performed acts most heinous, fueled by zealotry.

Additionally, that symbol made it all the way there? To such a faraway land, when even Reim didn't have records of it?

"Indeed, but faith never tested is a fragile conviction. It is only when facing adversity can we hone our beliefs, is it not?" The light in Shirou's eyes seemed to dim as his hand gently caressed the book in front of him. "I too once prayed during my worst moments; I prayed so much I began to do it as a coping mechanism, as my own voice kept me from losing my mind." His eyes betrayed the painful memories he recalled, and the suffering he was made to witness before his first life ended. "Sometimes, I dare say I forgot why I even do it. However, I never once felt alone in my struggles, not even when I lost my way." The light returned to his eyes, a confident smile appearing on his face.

"Even when your prayers were met with silence in your most desperate hour? Do you not think your god is cruel for such silence?" Scheherazade probed inquisitively still.

"If we stopped believing simply because our prayers went unanswered, believers would be rarer than dungeons, my Lady. And what use is faith if gods roamed the earth, granting wishes big or small at the drop of a hat?" Shirou propped his chin on his palm, his calm countenance the opposite to the vibrant and chaotic Rukh around him.

"True enough, Sir Shirou." Scheherazade nodded, remaining silent as she shifted her attention back to the book. "However, I would rather my children survive their silence than wait for a miracle to save them in their time of need."

Shirou maintained his optimistic smile as he began reading his own book, a soft silence falling on the library as the cool breeze drifted in.

---

Night has fallen, and the feast began in the great hall. A rowdy joy infected the great hall as toasts were shared and conversations were had. King Gilgamesh sat on his throne, watching the people with a neutral stare, while Scheherazade and her retinue sat to his right while Artemina sat to his left, the remarkably empty seats beside her particularly notable.

Kingu sat down with the very happy princess of Kou, the sight bringing a smug smirk on Gilgamesh's face.

Glancing at the King of Heroes, Artemina felt slightly disconcerted by the lack of care to the blatant tardiness of the King of Sindria and his generals, unsure of what he might be thinking. She sighed, frustration bubbling in her chest and twisting her stomach as she thought over the major setback she'd suffer in her personal efforts because of her ally's bizarre behavior.

'What is he planning?'

Her eyes immediately widened once Masrur was ushered in, on his own. Artemina could practically feel the disapproval in the gazes of the people in the hall leveled towards the ever-stoic Fanalis.

"Where are your companions?" Gilgamesh spoke, his nonchalant tone breaking through all the conversations around.

Artemina could sense the people's hostility growing even more, as if any sign of displeasure from their king would spell disaster for the Sindrian general. Given the number of Fanalis in the crowd, she doubted even his Household Vessel would be enough to withstand their fury.

Masrur bowed his head, his face locked in his usual stone cold expression. "My sincere apologies for the blunder. Jafar has suffered some aches during his sightseeing today and was unable to attend. As for my King, he is on his way." Masrur did not raise his head, trying his best to show his sincerity.

"I see. Take your seat, then." Gilgamesh spoke, his eyes staring ahead even as Masrur took his seat on Artemina's side. "It seems my own subordinate has lost track of time as well," he muttered, his voice carrying a particularly sharp edge as his eyes narrowed for a reason neither of the two women who heard him could decipher. "I shall bring her here, else she shall lose herself to her work."

Scheherazade shivered as the Rukh around her wailed in agony, specks of light burning to nothing as the King of Uruk stood up. She felt sweat trickle down her back as her eyes dilated in terror, the fluctuations in the Rukh affecting her more than anyone else. All voices around her blurred, the sensory overdrive making her gasp for breath akin to a drowning man desperate for the surface the moment Gilgamesh exited the premises.

"My lady, are you alright?" Muu's worried whispers finally reached her ears, her faithful general holding her trembling hand gently.

She struggled to recompose herself, but managed to squeeze out a soft smile. "I am fine, Muu." Her voice almost cracked as the weakness plaguing her body receded.

The Magi noticed Artemina's somber gaze, the woman masterfully hiding a certain apprehension as she gripped the armrest of her chest tightly.

"Masrur, I have no idea what Sindbad is thinking." Artemina's low tone was almost sharp enough to kill, her eyes never leaving the entrance from which Gilgamesh left. "But if he doesn't appease Gilgamesh, you can forget about agreements and start preparing for war."

Masrur's countenance shifted greatly as his stoic visage gave way to shock and apprehension. He made to get up, but was forced back in place by Artemina herself.

"If you dare to leave, I will not be able to guarantee your survival. It's up to Sindbad right now." Her gaze brokered no negotiation and her grip was solid, forcing the general to remain in his seat.

They could only sit there in silence, apprehension of the unknown filling their hearts.

---

Jafar slipped past yet another patrol monitoring the inner halls of the fortress, his eyes carefully surveilling his surroundings before he advanced. His scouting of the Ziggurat's surroundings didn't yield any particular benefit, the building completely separated from the rest of town and impressively well-maintained, -manned and -guarded. It left him with no possible way to get out and disappear should the guards detect an intruder.

With that in mind, the assassin made sure to be as prepared as he could in order to complete the infiltration flawlessly. Going through another doorway, his eyes narrowed when he arrived at a set of stairs going underground, before he went down.

Soon enough, he found himself in a pitch-black pathway, or perhaps it was much larger than that as the pillars around him became noticeable once his eyes adjusted to the poor lighting.

He continued to walk through the empty place… before he quickened his pace once he noticed the seemingly-unending sea of pillars wasn't just that, but identical to the ones he just passed before. It didn't take an experienced killer like Jafar long to discover he was getting nowhere, already trapped in a spatial loop before he knew it.

Nor did he miss the unnatural apprehension building inside him, his instincts as an assassin warning him of imminent danger. His eyes turned left and right as he leaned forward, ready to lash out with his weapons. Jafar tried to pick up on the minute sounds around him, yet despite his ears failing him, his countenance turned grim once he realized he was completely surrounded, the paranoia in his heart building up even more.

His muscles tensed, ready to counterattack the instant he could pinpoint anything, but still three blades moved to circle his neck before his fingers could grab onto his blades. Three masked men surrounded him, their own blades in hand as they silently watched him, while another five held their crossbows and throwing knives at the ready.

"A long way from your room, general of Sindria."

None of the men around him spoke, their superior still out of sight.

Jafar carefully surveilled his surroundings, even as the blades got closer to his neck, to no avail. He maintained his silence amidst the assassins, settling into a familiar coldness.

"Good fortitude, for someone who has spent a long time away from the job. However, you do not need to be afraid; we will not kill you for trespassing here." The voice got closer, yet his presence still eluded Jafar and caused him to frown.

"You're rusty."

The voice whispered in his ears, close enough Jafar could feel its breath.

He whipped one arm behind him, intent to at least elbow his tormenter somewhere, yet his arm only sailed through air. He half-expected the encirclement to react aggressively at this movement, yet to the contrary, they grew… more relaxed?

"So now, do me a favor and clench your teeth."

It was a mere disturbance in the dust. The man's fist struck his jaw and knocked him out instantly with their inhuman strength, as he was too late to react to it, having his concentration broken by the precise taunts.

Fuma Kotaro stared at the fallen Sindrian official before he crossed his arms and signaled for his soldiers to sheath their weapons. "Take him back to his room without being seen and return to your posts. Assign two brothers to watch him over the duration of their stay." His voice was emotionless as he turned around and disappeared into the shadows. "And strip him of his belongings."

"By your will, commander." The assassins responded in unison, before they carried Jafar back to his quarters.

---

'I can't believe I fell asleep, His Majesty is going to be upset.'

Ningal sighed, her steps hurried as she headed towards the feast. She had busied herself greatly during the day reviewing the latest reports and passing writing down decrees to be sent out tomorrow, only to fall asleep at one point and subsequently wake up at the worst of times.

Taking a sharp turn, Ningal was able to dodge the stranger coming from the other direction thanks to her instincts. Her eyes widened in surprise as she recognized the King of Sindria, wondering what he was doing here at this time. Bowing her head slightly, the veiled Fanalis greeted Sindbad. "Good evening, King Sindbad. May I ask why you aren't at the feast?"

Sindbad chuckled nervously, his unease clear on his face. "I'm afraid…I got lost." He easily admitted as he scratched his cheek, an embarrassed smile on his face. "Are you heading there by any chance? I would be grateful if you could save me."

Ningal sighed, already worried about the repercussions of the main guest arriving so late. "Please follow me." She didn't comment on his grateful smile, holding back a groan of annoyance.

Sindbad observed her with interest, having picked up on some of the telling signs of her affection for her ruler, as well as her complete silence in regards to said emotions, the information he gathered from his outing during the day only confirming his initial theory. One didn't earn the title of 'Womanizer of the Seven Seas' from simple looks alone. "May I ask a question, my lady?" Sindbad smiled, his charm on full display.

Ningal nodded, fully focused on the path ahead.

"Although it would sound bizarre coming from me, is there a reason why Uruk has no Queen?" He asked, observing the woman for any reaction.

Ningal stopped, her gaze shifting to meet Sindbad's own. "My King simply has not seen a need for one, nor am I inclined to speak of my king's affairs with the likes of you even if he did." Her crimson orbs looked almost feral, reminding Sindbad of a lion.

"I see. At first, I assumed you two to be in a relationship of sorts, because I heard many tales about your apparent affection for King Gilgamesh, but it seems they were exaggerated." Sindbad raised his hands in surrender, attempting to correct the mood with his cheerful attitude.

"My devotion to His Majesty doesn't require such a thing." Ningal shook her head, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "My love exists quietly from afar, and I am satisfied with accompanying my King through each day." She silently walked forward, her eyes as stoic and resolute as ever. Rukh fluttered around the King Vessel, such was the spirit of the slave girl who was saved from the abyss.

Her king stood at the apex, his power, influence and ambition peerless. Tainted as she may be, he raised her and allowed her to stay by their side throughout their journey. Being by his side like this, she held no envy towards Kings or Emperors.

Sindbad noticed her shift in attitude, his hand gently grasping towards hers. "I had no intention to disturb you, my lady. I hope you can forgive me." His stoic face betrayed nothing as he sought to sooth the lady's spirit, regretting his decision on his target of seduction.

Yet, his hand froze a few inches short of Ningal's. Sindbad found himself frozen as he immediately stepped back and carefully observed the path ahead, his mind screaming danger while he readied Baal's Metal Vessel.

Ningal's eyes widened once Gilgamesh's figure appeared from the turn ahead, the King of Heroes walking in a slow, methodical pace, whilst his eyes bore down on the man behind her with enough ferocity to cow even the most rabid beast.

"Who gave you permission to lay your hand on my retainer, mongrel?"

It was no question, nor was an answer expected. Sindbad frowned, his hands twitching to his sword as he readied to use Baal should the situation degrade to violence. How did he even know he was here? Or was it simple luck?

"Please calm yourself, my King." Ningal stepped between the two and fell to her knees, her head bowed. "I beg your forgiveness for my absence. I was distracted by my work and overslept. I stumbled upon King Sindbad, who was lost, as I was heading to the feast and was bringing him there with me." Saying her piece, Ningal didn't move from her spot, nor did she raise her head. She didn't wish for her King to enter into conflict because of her.

Gilgamesh didn't speak, his gaze murderous. The next few moments were chilling and tense, the calm hanging on by a thread until the King of Uruk shifted his attention from Sindbad to Ningal. "Ningal, come."

Ningal stood up, hurrying to stand in front of her king. His eyes silently observed her face as if searching for something, only to lose some of its edge once he found nothing. "Head to the feast hall and supervise the festivities in my stead." His order was absolute, and Ningal didn't contest it as she bid them farewell before hurrying there.

Left alone, Sindbad could sense the hostility of the man in front of him resurfacing with a vengeance as he gripped his sword tightly, the octagram on its hilt shining ominously while Gilgamesh approached him.

The King of Heroes only stopped once only inches separated them, his arms crossed and completely ignoring the defensive gesture the King of Sindria took. Golden portals opened behind him, illuminating the entirety of the hallway.

"Rejoice, mongrel. You shall face my judgment. Struggle with all your might if you wish to survive."

---

Hopefully you enjoyed this extra large update.

Thank you for reading. Have a nice day and stay safe.

Next update will be Eden Candidate.