"Hmph, not bad at all…"
Quetzalcoatl's lips curled into a smile as she observed the crowd gathered below. With a wave of her hand, she withdrew her Noble Phantasm, and the searing heat and unbearable pain that had plagued the city vanished in an instant.
"Honestly, you humans never cease to amaze me. So weak, yet capable of harboring such a captivating spark."
"Perhaps that's why I've always been so fond of your kind…"
She murmured to herself, her expression softening. As the people below struggled to comprehend the sudden disappearance of the oppressive heat, Quetzalcoatl's menacing demeanor faded, replaced by a warm, gentle smile.
"Really, if you had shown this kind of resolve earlier, things wouldn't have had to get so complicated."
"But it's not too late, I suppose…"
After a moment of reflection, she took action, much to the astonishment of the onlookers. Instead of unleashing destruction, she flew up to the temple and pulled the spear from Roy's shoulder.
The two exchanged a knowing smile.
"Well, Quetzalcoatl? Are you satisfied with the answer that has been given to you?" Roy asked, his eyes opening as he turned to her.
"Hahahaha, satisfied? Of course, I'm satisfied. More than satisfied, in fact. I couldn't have asked for a better answer."
"This is what humanity should be…"
Quetzalcoatl gently set Roy down from the temple wall, attempting to embrace him, but he shook his head and declined. She had been about to chide him for being stubborn, but her words caught in her throat as she watched the wound from the spear heal at an astonishing rate.
For the sake of realism... and at Roy's insistence... the spear had been driven deep, avoiding vital points but with enough force to pin him to the temple wall. By all accounts, Roy should have been severely injured, and Quetzalcoatl had even prepared to take him into the temple for healing.
But this rapid, almost unnatural recovery left her stunned.
She had been impressed during their earlier battle, but witnessing this up close was something else entirely. It was a power she had never seen before, one that seemed to act directly on the soul, influencing and repairing the body in ways she couldn't fully comprehend.
But it didn't matter. Everyone had their secrets, and Roy's was no exception. As long as their contract remained, they were allies who could trust each other with their lives.
And she would extend that trust in kind.
"So, what's next, Master? Shall we send these people back to Uruk?" Quetzalcoatl asked cheerfully, her mood significantly brighter.
Having witnessed their will to survive and their unyielding resolve, she no longer worried about their future. Though weak, these humans were anything but insignificant. With such a radiant spirit, they would surely overcome the impending calamity.
She believed this wholeheartedly.
And now, she and Roy would stand by their side, fighting alongside them.
"Not yet," Roy replied, shaking his head. "Uruk is already struggling to manage the frontlines and support its citizens. Sending tens of thousands more would only create more problems."
"Besides, if our alliance becomes known, Kingu will surely send his demonic beasts after us. Even with our protection, many lives would be lost during the journey."
"You're right. It would be irresponsible to simply send them back after everything that's happened."
"So, let's go down and meet them. Let's see these golden-hearted humans... the ones I've come to cherish."
Overjoyed, Quetzalcoatl spread her arms and embraced Roy, a reward for showing her such a beautiful sight. Then, taking his hand, she flew down to the crowd.
At that moment, even amidst the thousands below, she was the happiest, her laughter ringing out like a melody.
"It's the hero!"
"It's really him!!"
As Roy landed, the young men who had been worried for him rushed forward, their faces filled with emotion.
"Hero, thank goodness! We're so relieved to see you're safe."
"Thank you for everything you've done for us."
"If you return to Uruk, please tell my family... my wife and child... that their husband and father was a hero, not a coward!"
"And me!"
"And me!!"
The crowd swarmed around Roy, their voices overlapping as they shared their final words. Then, with renewed determination, they turned their spears toward Quetzalcoatl, the flames in their eyes burning brighter than ever.
"... Protect the hero!!"
With a thunderous roar, they advanced, surrounding Quetzalcoatl, ready to avenge their fallen comrades.
"How fascinating. Even now, you refuse to let that spark of rebellion die. You truly are remarkable."
"Alright, alright, I concede. I've lost to you humans. As a goddess, I can accept my defeat."
Quetzalcoatl's eyes shone with pride as she addressed the crowd. "So, be proud, mortals. You've overcome a god with your willpower. I will no longer imprison you. As for those I took as offerings to the Sun Temple…"
"Don't worry. They weren't sacrificed. I trained them into a formidable army. They're still in the temple, honing their skills."
"What?!"
The people of Uruk stared at her in disbelief.
"You didn't… eat them?"
"Hah? What kind of goddess do you take me for? I'm a benevolent deity, one of the kindest in the world! And stop looking at me like I'm some monster."
"But a bet is a bet. Since you've defeated me, I won't use my divine power to restrict your freedom anymore. Now, let's reunite you with your long-lost comrades."
With a clap of her hands, a well-disciplined army marched out from the temple. Clad in heavy armor and moving in perfect unison, they were a force to be reckoned with... a testament to Quetzalcoatl's training.
Tears welled up in the eyes of the onlookers as they recognized familiar faces among the soldiers... friends, family, and comrades they had thought lost forever.
The scene quickly turned into an emotional reunion, the solemn atmosphere replaced by joyous cries and heartfelt embraces.
Watching this unfold, Roy and Quetzalcoatl exchanged smiles.
Yes, this was the best possible outcome.
As the crowd surged with life, Ur's spirit was reignited. The warriors, no longer bound by fear, had embraced their humanity and their resolve.
This was the choice Quetzalcoatl had hoped to see, the ending she had longed for.
"Well then, the people of Ur are in your hands now, King of Heroes."
"Huh?"
Roy blinked at the strange title, but Quetzalcoatl was already raising his hand high, her voice amplified by magic to echo across the city.
"All hail the King of Heroes!!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices shaking the very foundations of Ur.
"King of Heroes!!"
"King of Heroes!!!"
The city trembled with their fervor.
"Isn't this a bit too much, Quetzalcoatl? I'm not cut out to be a king…"
Roy glanced at the jubilant crowd, then at the smirking goddess beside him.
"No, you have the makings of a king."
Quetzalcoatl shook her head, her tone firm. "I've been a goddess long enough to recognize such qualities. You're the one who formed a contract with me, after all."
"I believe you can lead the people of Ur to overcome the coming calamity. So…"
She leaned in, whispering in his ear, "Be a little prouder, Master."
"This power, this conviction... it's why you're fit to be king. You have my recognition."
With that, she bowed her head, a gesture of respect that sent shockwaves through the crowd.
A goddess, bowing to a king?
It was a sign of respect, of acknowledgment... an honor even Gilgamesh had never received.
Their king had surpassed the gods.
The crowd's admiration burned brighter, their faith unwavering.
"Then, I leave it to all of you," Roy said, raising his hand.
In response, thousands of arms shot into the air, their voices united.
"All hail the King of Heroes!!"
"All hail the King of Heroes!!!"
The cheers echoed through the heavens, a testament to their newfound unity.
At that moment, doubt and pain were cast aside. Their king would guide them forward, and they would follow him to the ends of the earth.
As Roy looked out over the sea of faces, a satisfied smile spread across his lips.
He knew that the people of Ur had found their resolve. With faith and determination, they would face any challenge and emerge victorious.
Though he had never been a king, he would do everything in his power to lead them to a brighter future.
They would prevail.
He was certain of it.
___
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