One-way traffic

"Then, we need to hurry. Gorgon will be able to recover his strength in a day and return to Uruk."

"Before that, we not only need to solve the problem of how to deal with that guy, but also the problems of the other members of the 'Three Goddess Alliance.' Time is running out. After you rest for an hour, set off directly for Mount Ebif and persuade the goddess Ishtar to join your cause."

"Wait—wait, Your Majesty? If that's the case, then what about Marduk's hand axe...?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka quickly expressed her doubts, even interrupting Gilgamesh.

"It's nothing, don't worry about that."

But the king simply smiled casually.

"What you need to focus on right now is not the Marduk axe, but to bring that idiot Ishtar back to Uruk."

"As for the other matter, I have my own plans... no, I should say that others have their own plans."

The king's words caused everyone to look at each other in bewilderment.

Only the king himself knew who was planning to retrieve the axe from Uruk.

Well then, let me see what you're planning to do next, you stranger…

Chapter 617 The Method of Protecting Someone Who Gets Tired of Being Hurt

King Gilgamesh gave the order, and Fujimaru Ritsuka and his group immediately began preparations.

They haven't had a proper rest since this morning, and they haven't even eaten lunch. However, there isn't enough time left for them to rest properly.

Including the time from now until midnight today, and the whole day tomorrow, it will only be about a day and a half at most.

A day and a half later, Gorgon, having regained his strength with the Holy Grail, will return to Uruk with the monsters.

Everything that needs to be done must be prepared beforehand.

An hour later, the four of them, including Merlin and Anna, set off together towards the dense forest to the southwest—the location of the city of Eridu.

…So, what about the other two besides them?

Accelerator and Hatsune Miku are walking together on the streets of this city right now.

"So, what should we do next?"

"Is there even a need to ask? We've already figured out where that guy's hideout is, so there's no need to do anything else unnecessary."

The enemy's actual location and faction have been confirmed.

In this way, there is no need to stay in the same place like a fool. We should go directly to their door, uproot their stronghold, and crush them without any mercy.

This was the prevailing practice in the past.

Although the situation is basically the same now, before that, he first needs to confirm all kinds of intelligence before he can raid the enemy's base.

"First and foremost, it's that guy's ability."

In their analysis together with Hatsune Miku, they summarized the special powers possessed by Cain and that guy named Elherd.

First and foremost is the most intuitive and universal ability: immortality.

Unlike vampires or zombies, who can instantly regenerate their physical form even if their bodies are destroyed, they do not maintain the internal structure of humans from the beginning, making their bodies like magma. In this way, even if Accelerator completely destroys them to the point where not even microscopic particles remain, they can still revive.

It can even rely on the power of this lava to perform teleportation effects that do not fall under the category of space.

"Those two guys seem to have the same ability, like they were cut from the same mold."

"Hmm... Whether it's Elherut or Cain, their bodies seem to be able to turn into magma. Could it be that they share the same ability?"

They found a shop, ordered some Uruk-style snacks and drinks, and started their discussion there.

Hatsune Miku tried her best to think about the information in these questions.

"Oh, speaking of which, I just noticed something."

"how?"

"There are two opposing factions, right? But, is that Elherut... really the other person in the faction?"

Of course, who else could it be?

—It would be natural to think that way if it were instinctive.

But after hearing Hatsune Miku's words, Accelerator actually nodded in agreement.

"That guy's behavior was too abnormal."

Recalling that fighting style, which was even more insane than the number one in Academy City, this was the only assessment he could make.

"Rather than a person, it's more like that guy was like a mad dog, and that guy named Cain was like the one leading that mad dog."

"Wow... It sounds scary, but the metaphor is really vivid."

The two have incredibly similar abilities, and coupled with Elherut's mad appearance... it's not hard to guess some vague details.

However, this is just speculation.

"Besides that, you also said that mad dog can not only use fire, but also the power of water?"

"Yes, it doesn't extinguish its fire when using water. Not only can it be both water and fire compatible, but even its head has become like a water snake, growing nine heads..."

A nine-headed serpent...?

Although Accelerator didn't know much about mythology, even a layman like him could guess that there was a connection from this description.

"Then there's the silver bow that bastard already used once. It should be able to release arrows of light by converting some kind of power into magic. This should be the simplest and easiest weapon to understand."

They even learned the name of the weapon—Artemis, the goddess of the hunt in ancient Greek mythology.

So... that's about all the basic information we need to know.

"Hatsune, the ice from your new outfit can't freeze the fire on that guy's body?"

"...I'm sorry, I've tried my best, but there's really no way..."

"No, it's nothing."

Accelerator waved his hand, showing no intention of reprimanding the girl.

"Even if you can't deal with the fire, try freezing it with ice the next time that guy uses that water-spraying ability."

"Huh…?"

"As for those fires, although it's just a guess, I have a vague feeling that I do have a technique that can counter that kind of power."

Hatsune Miku blinked, and Accelerator also intended to show her the weapon.

"Wow! This bouquet of flowers is so beautiful!"

"If only I had discovered this flower shop sooner! My girlfriend has always wanted to see such beautiful flowers!"

"Tsk, stop showing off, you bastard...!"

"Alright, alright, stop arguing. Since you're all here to buy flowers, hurry up and choose the ones you like first!"

The two had just finished discussing and organizing the intelligence when a commotion arose from across the street.

But the lively atmosphere was definitely not due to the argument.

"What's wrong? What happened on the street across the street?"

"There's nothing to worry about, right?"

Accelerator glanced listlessly at the street not far away, but he understood what was going on just by listening to their nonsense.

At this moment, the waiter brought over two glasses of Uruk's special drinks.

"Ah...! Thank you!"

"The concept of a waiter still exists in this day and age..."

"Eh...? What do you mean by 'this era'...?"

"It's nothing, just something I said casually."

Seeing the waitress, dressed in a way that suited the current era, looking somewhat puzzled by his earlier words, Accelerator decided not to explain.

However—Hatsune Miku and he looked at the street not far away, and the crowd seemed to have become even denser.

"Excuse me, what exactly happened over there?"

"Ah, so you're curious about what's going on over there..."

Although she found the two people's clothing a bit strange, the waitress from Shindai still enthusiastically explained.

"It wasn't an argument or fight. It's just that everyone discovered a really great flower shop and has been rushing to buy from them lately."

"flower shop…?"

So, after wandering around for so many days, I've realized that there doesn't seem to be a flower shop in Uruk.

"Perhaps people are more interested in clay and the like. In any case, there are practically no flower shops open in Uruk, and I doubt anyone is still selling flowers now..."

"But not long ago, everyone saw a shop like this."

The waitress pointed to the other side of the street, and the two of them followed her gaze to get a clearer view of the scene.

—Inside the shop, there was an old woman.

On either side of the old woman were a man and a woman who warmly welcomed the customers who came to buy flowers. The old woman, despite her advanced age, was still very enthusiastic and meticulous in selecting the types of flowers for them.

"That flower shop seems to have always been open in Uruk, but because the owner is an old woman who is not very energetic and even blind, the promotion is not good, and almost no one has noticed what the flower shop looks like."

"But it is said that not long ago, the old woman regained her sight..."

"Your... vision has returned? Was you cured by someone?"

"I don't know the details, but I've heard that the actual situation seems quite incredible."

"Eh...that does sound incredible."

More and more people gathered on the street, not only to buy flowers, but also out of various kinds of curiosity.

"Grandma shopkeeper, excuse me... about your eyes..."

"I apologize for being so forward, but you mentioned before that your eyes suddenly recovered after just one day, right?"

"Could you please tell us about this in detail? Please! I know it's a very impolite request, but... I'm really curious!"

"I'll buy a few more bouquets, please! Please tell us about them!"

It seems that many young people are here for this kind of thing.

"alright…"

Under normal circumstances, this old woman would probably be angry, after all, she was talking to so many people about her past blindness.

But the smile that appeared on her face at that moment was practically overflowing from her lips.

"Actually, even I don't know exactly how I was cured, but vaguely, I feel it was a miracle bestowed by heaven..."

"God, miracle?"

"Then we have to start from something that happened even earlier, from the story of a little girl."

Under the attentive gaze of the people, the old woman continued her sermon.

"During the time I lost my sight, there was a very kind young girl who helped me run this flower shop."

"How long did it last? I don't quite remember, but... sometime after that, the little girl and I both heard a voice."

"Although it wasn't exactly a gentle and kind tone, the moment I shook hands with that person, my eyesight improved, and I could see everything again, including what the little girl looked like."

"But I never saw what the person who healed me looked like..."

These few words alone were enough to leave everyone completely dumbfounded.

"Therefore, I have always firmly believed that it was the little girl's continuous efforts to help me that moved the gods in heaven, which is why they healed my eyes... Sounds like a ridiculous conjecture, right?"

"How could that be...! I actually think that's more likely!"

"Could it be the goddess who did it? Isn't that goddess Ishtar the guardian deity of Uruk? She must have witnessed all of this and, out of kindness, helped you heal your eyes!"

"That must be it!"

The story spread quickly because the girl who helped an old man when he needed it most was so moving that the gods in heaven healed the old man's blindness.

Although, even the old woman herself didn't know what actually happened.

But she always firmly believed in it.

As long as there are people in this world who can consistently help others, and as long as such acts of kindness continue to exist.