I Can See Health Bars in Real Life

Chapter 536 27: Before the Battle

Time flew by quickly, and a few days passed in the blink of an eye.In this shaky, crumbling era, in this world detached from the normal time axis, some people complained time passed too slowly, while others felt it went too fast. But regardless, we finally arrived at this day—

No matter how beautiful it is, the past is ultimately gone.

No matter how cruel it is, what is coming is about to arrive.

The old world is about to be destroyed by flames, and a new era will sprout from the ashes. This moment is the decisive farewell; if we can't cross this, humanity as a race will become history... No, even history won't remain, for human reason will already have been burned to ashes.

......

"To resist Gorgon's desperate counterattack, Uruk's North Wall has already gathered all remaining forces, so you don't need to worry about the rear, and shouldn't be distracted. Focus and aim directly at Gorgon's lair, accurately piercing the Blood Temple located deep within the underground lake of Sakura Forest."

It was midnight.

The setting was on a long defensive line.

Gilgamesh gazed at the distant Sakura Forest, its sprawling expanse forming a hazy outline under the night sky, and spoke.

"That place is really troublesome. I've tried flying there many times to take a look, only to find it's impossible to enter, at least for humans."

Habitually sitting on her Divine Ship, hovering above the defense line, the Ishtar Goddess pouted and said.

"Rather than calling it a temple, it's more like a 'fortified mountain.' Inside a hill there is a hollow, she nests in the hollow like ants, the entrance of the cave is covered by a barrier, merely trying to enter is as difficult as breaking through a city."

She never joined the Three Goddess Alliance and often watched the demon beasts constantly surging out of the Sakura Forest to attack Uruk, which annoyed her as Uruk's City God. Thus, she repeatedly flew to scout the area stealthily, wondering if there might be a chance for retribution.

But unable to find an opportunity, frustrated, there was nothing she could do but periodically fly over to Uruk, clamoring all day about attacking Uruk, bombing the beast swarms on the ground furiously...

But there was no choice at the time; she just couldn't get along with Uruk and refused to show humility, hence making use of the excuse of attacking Uruk—besides, Gilgamesh's palace was bombed thrice daily, wasn't this considered an attack?

Although eventually even the guarding soldiers got used to it...

Regarding Ishtar's question, Gilgamesh remained composed: "We'll use Marduk's Axe to deal with that; the axe should be able to destroy the Blood Temple, opening a path inside... We went through so much effort to transport that axe back from the southern city just for this moment."

"What does it have to do with you! Clearly, it was the Leopard Man who suffered!"

Ishtar retorted sarcastically.

In this matter, Uruk practically exerted no effort. Transporting that giant axe, which is dozens of meters long and resembles a small mountain, from the southern city of Eridu, traversing rugged terrain all the way back was solely through the Leopard Man's effort.

"Ah, it's actually okay, feel free to command her to your heart's content～"

Nearby, a Goddess resembling a cheerful elder sister laughed heartily, her figure slender and athletic, possessing flame-like golden hair, emerald green eyes, adorned with a beautiful feathered headdress, her attire exuding a South American flair.

This was the Forest Goddess from the south, the Feathered Serpent God from Aztec Mythology, Quetzalcoatl.

Fujimaru Ritsuka and others went to the southern city a few days ago to solve Marduk's Axe's transportation dilemma, and incidentally met her. Somehow, they seemed to have gained recognition from this Goddess, who had already agreed to abandon darkness for light, decisively returning with Chaldea's crew.

Now she was negotiating with everyone regarding the upcoming operational agreement.

"But that axe is still too heavy and large; how can we transport it to the Sakura Forest? My Winged Dragon doesn't fly fast enough, and would likely be shot down by demon beasts during transit. Also, if discovered in advance, Gorgon would be prepared..."

The Feathered Serpent God wasn't overly concerned about the Leopard Man responsible for transport, but doubted how to utilize the axe effectively in combat.

The haft is dozens of meters long, the blade resembling a heavenly gate, a divine-made weapon weighing hundreds of tons. In the current era, it's practically impossible for anyone to wield it correctly. Just transporting it back from the southern city took considerable effort.

"Just throw it over; you can do that, can't you, South American Goddess..." Gilgamesh looked at Quetzalcoatl.

"Is it approximately thirty kilometers from the North Wall to the temple? True, throwing it is indeed feasible..."

Quetzalcoatl stood on the defense line, glancing at the distant Sakura Forest, then estimating the distance between here and the destination based on aura sensing, nodding slowly. Although she can't wield the giant axe adeptly, merely throwing it over is no problem.

She didn't mention being unable to attack the Blood Temple; even though as one of the Three Goddess Alliance, violating the 'non-aggression' vow would lead to the destruction of the violator... But now the pact is virtually defunct, a certain Immortal tampered with their contract.

Given that, there's nothing left to worry about.

Besides, even if the covenant still exists, this goddess probably won't care that much. Now that she no longer needs to feign compliance within that alliance and can openly stand on the side of humanity, she could very well go to the extent of committing suicide to take down Gorgon!

Chop off the opponent's head, rip out their heart! After helping humanity solve this problem, it's alright if she herself gets exterminated.

"Eh, is such a thing really possible?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka looked astonished. She had seen the specifications of that giant axe firsthand—so massive, so heavy. Throwing it thirty kilometers away, isn't that a bit difficult?

Well, maybe it is really difficult...

But if the one being troubled isn't human, then it doesn't seem to be much of a hassle.

After a round of discussions, a specific battle strategy was quickly determined. Merlin followed the Chaldea group to act, giving instructions at the appropriate time, then Quetzalcoatl would throw the giant axe in the direction of the signal. It didn't need to be too precise; the axe would automatically navigate to the signal's location.

"The next step is a literal decisive battle. You all understand that after dealing with Gorgon, it might be the Mesopotamian world's end... Once Uruk is destroyed, human foundation will completely collapse, the anomaly will be burned away, and your Chaldea will disappear in the whirlpool of flames."

Gilgamesh waved his hand spiritedly—

"If you don't want this to happen, struggle until the last moment! Proceed according to this plan. Tomorrow morning, as soon as it gets light, start the action; the North Wall's fate hinges on this fight! Before dawn arrives, take a good rest first!"

"Then we'll go back to the embassy to sleep now... Uh, why isn't Senior Gu Mo here?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded. The great battle was imminent, and before it comes, adjusting her state as much as possible was essential. Luckily, this was already the seventh anomaly, and she had honed a corresponding big heart and thick nerves, otherwise, she might not have been able to sleep at all.

But at this moment, she suddenly discovered something peculiar. It seemed that during this important operational meeting, a key figure was missing.

Apart from that, everyone else was present, even Ushiwakamaru, Tomoe Gozen, Amakusa Shiro, and others were quietly listening nearby, their expressions calm and composed.

"That one has other things to attend to and must stay here in Uruk to handle some matters, so they can't go with you. But they don't need to act, right? Don't tell me, even with all these preparations, you still can't deal with a Gorgon..." Gilgamesh said indifferently.

Although Quetzalcoatl had to stay here to fend off the beast group's frenzied counterattack and must always be attentive to signals, ready to throw that giant axe over at any moment, he couldn't set out with them.

But Ishtar would go along, this goddess might drop the ball, and during previous discussions, she was found to have lost the Celestial Bull, but at least with her power, she can deal with Jin Gu occupying Enkidu's body.

Merlin and Anna would also follow along, and Tomoe Gozen, Ushiwakamaru, and other servants not suitable for defensive battles wouldn't remain at the North Wall defense line wasting their power; they would join the team to strike... Plus, Marduk's Axe could definitely heavily damage Gorgon; once the Blood Temple is destroyed, her function will be diminished.

Under such circumstances, what is there to be afraid of?

"Other matters..."

Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded, half-understanding. Although she didn't know what was going on, it probably was very important, maybe even preparing to deal with the upcoming Tiamat God?

Thinking of the inevitably-approaching final disaster, the enemy being the primal world's divine body, deep inside her heart surfaced a sense of urgency, this tension seemed to have suddenly intensified, whereas she hadn't felt it earlier.

But now that she thought about it seriously...

She felt her stomach was being grabbed by a hand, hard to describe that uncomfortable tension.

"Alright, Senior, let's return and rest first." Mash said, "There's still some time before tomorrow morning; obtaining enough sleep is necessary."

Humans need sleep, and servants also need rest. To ensure the upcoming fierce battle, everyone must build up energy and maintain their best state.

"Mm." Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded, followed by shaking her head, trying hard to dispel irrelevant thoughts from her mind, turned to follow Mash, preparing to leave the defense line to head to the embassy for a good rest.

"Huh, Miss Ishtar, are you coming with us too?"

Seeing a certain goddess lady stepping off her divine ship and following behind them, Mash asked with a hint of surprise.

"Let's go together, let's go together..." The black-haired girl nodded, somewhat listlessly waving her hand, "Anyway, these past few days as soon as it reaches midnight, when I fall asleep, I seem to unconsciously leave the Divine Hall and run to your side without knowing why..."

"There's such a thing?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka paused for a moment. Then she seemed to remember something, her expression slightly odd.

The goddess lady didn't notice; she merely raised a small white hand to scrutinize, slightly puzzled—

"Hmm? Can this body still sleepwalk?"