FATE: The Man with Divine Keys

"That's how it is..."

Inside the central ziggurat, Arkhan and the others, just returned from the underworld, gathered in a spacious room. As they listened to Morgan's account, their gazes fixed on Kingu, lying silently within a magic circle, casting a somber mood over the atmosphere.

"Never expected such explosive news right after returning from the underworld..." Arkhan sighed, rubbing his brow after a long pause. "This isn't looking good at all..."

"It's my fault... If I had been a bit more careful, I wouldn't have let that intruder snatch the Holy Grail from us..."

Morgan's face was filled with regret.

As for Merlin's death, she considered it insignificant; even if that man didn't die this time, she would eventually eliminate that incubus with her own hand.

"Thieves are always on the prowl, and it's human nature to let your guard down after putting so much effort into transforming Uruk into your Territory." Arkhan shook his head thoughtfully. "However, if the intruder is who I suspect, it's normal for you not to notice him."

"Do you know the identity of this intruder?" Morgan's eyes flashed with seriousness. "Tell me, who is it?"

"It's just a guess, but that's not the point..." Arkhan shook his head, then turned to Siduri. "Siduri, how are things in the Persian Gulf?"

"According to the scouts' reports, the entire Persian Gulf has been submerged under black seawater, and all the soldiers stationed there have been... wiped out..." Siduri answered heavily.

Although she had anticipated this day would come, her mood still sank.

With their current strength, could they really oppose the returned Goddess of Beginning, Tiamat?

"No problem..." Arkhan affirmed.

Siduri looked up in surprise to see him smiling at her.

"Even if the enemy is Tiamat, we will definitely prevail." Arkhan added.

"You're right!"

A familiar voice suddenly chimed in from the doorway as Gilgamesh strode into the room.

"I've made ample preparations for this day. We cannot afford to lose this battle!"

As expected of his 'A+ Charisma', Gilgamesh's words lifted everyone's spirits instantly.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Arkhan eyed him up and down. "You just returned from the underworld. Shouldn't you take some time to rest?"

"Don't underestimate me. Dying once means nothing to me." Gilgamesh glanced at Arkhan calmly. "Besides, on my way here, I've already observed the situation over the Persian Gulf with my clairvoyance."

"What's the situation?" Arkhan perked up.

The most crucial thing now was intelligence on the Persian Gulf.

"The entire area above the Persian Gulf is shrouded in dark clouds and storms. The sea surface is covered with a strange and ominous black mud. Just looking at it made me nauseous." Gilgamesh spoke gravely. "And that black mud is moving toward the land."

As everyone imagined the scene, their moods grew heavier.

Indeed, as expected of the Goddess of Beginning.

Just awakened, and already causing such a stir.

"Shouldn't it be more than that?" Arkhan squinted his eyes slightly. "Tiamat's personal skill, according to her instinct, would definitely lead her to create some life forms immediately to protect herself."

"You're right..."

Gilgamesh nodded, then looked toward the direction of the Persian Gulf, his face showing undisguised disgust.

"I've indeed seen quite a few abominations born from that black mud, their appearances are nauseating, even worse than sea demons."

"Tiamat's creations have always had significant variability..." Arkhan shrugged his shoulders. "What about their numbers?"

"Quite a lot, I'd estimate hundreds of thousands roughly..." Gilgamesh looked somewhat grim. "And they keep spawning incessantly from that black mud."

"The black mud is a manifestation of Tiamat's authority. As long as it exists, these monsters will never cease." Arkhan shook his head. "We must take the initiative and not let that black mud spread across the lands of Uruk."

"Do you have any plans?" Gilgamesh asked.

*BOOM!*

Before Arkhan could answer, there was an explosion at the ziggurat gate, as if something had crashed down from the sky onto the ground.

Everyone was slightly startled.

"What's that noise, an enemy invasion?!" Siduri exclaimed with worry.

"No." Arkhan looked toward the gate, a smile spreading across his face. "It's our reinforcements."

"Oh~ Looks like something incredible must have happened."

Quetzalcoatl entered the room with a bright smile, followed by the reluctant Jaguarman.

"Just kidding, I already know. Tiamat has awakened, right?"

"You're right on time, Quetzalcoatl." Arkhan nodded. "With you here, our chances of defeating Tiamat increase."

"Oh? So instead of being holed up, we're going on the offensive? Little Brother, you're really starting to appeal to me more, y'know~" Quetzalcoatl grinned playfully.

"There's no difference between the two. Choosing the latter at least lets us take the initiative." Arkhan looked at the blonde king. "Gilgamesh, you don't object, right?"

"Guhahaha! Of course not! Being cooped up for half a year has exhausted my patience!" Gilgamesh laughed, reverting to his former arrogant demeanor.

"Besides that, there's one more thing..." Arkhan turned to the seemingly bored Ishtar. "Ereshkigal, are you here?"

"What are you talking about—"

Ishtar was about to say something, but before she could finish, her body suddenly stiffened, and her jet-black hair instantly turned dazzling gold, her demeanor turning icy cold.

"I'm here."

"If I recall correctly, you have the ability to manipulate the position of the underworld, right?" Arkhan squinted his eyes slightly as he asked.

"I can, but the underworld is vast. Moving it might take some time." Ereshkigal looked at him with confusion. "Why are you asking this?"

"Tiamat is an Earth Mother Goddess and the Goddess of Beginning. Her specific trait is that as long as her offspring exist on this earth, she cannot be killed..." Arkhan addressed everyone. "Only in the underworld can we nullify this trait of hers."

"It seems you know quite a bit about Tiamat, huh..." Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes slightly.

Upon hearing that, Arkhan chuckled and didn't respond, but turned to Ereshkigal instead.

"How long would it take for you to move the underworld to Uruk?" Arkhan asked.

"Wait, are you planning to have a showdown with Tiamat in Uruk?" Ereshkigal looked surprised.

"Uruk isn't too far from Kutha, and it's also a critical route for Tiamat to Uruk. Besides, the Temple of the Feathered Serpent is there. Geographically, there's no better place." Arkhan nodded slightly.

Ereshkigal pondered for a moment before nodding.

"I understand. I'll move the underworld to Uruk as soon as possible. It should take about a day."

"We have time." Arkhan nodded back.

"In that case, I'll get going." Ereshkigal nodded again before leaving Ishtar's body and returning to her own.