The Cloud-Raised Brave Man's Travels

Quetzal watched Koya's growth in just one day. He went from knowing nothing about wrestling to mastering it completely in just one day. Such talent was enough to amaze Quetzal. With a few more days of training, Koya would become his best rival. Whenever she wanted to wrestle, she would have a rival of equal strength, and her wrestling skills would surely improve. In short, Quetzal wanted to take Koya on as his apprentice.

Koya used the power of dragon attributes to draw a circle with a diameter of one hundred meters in the basin. This place was so small that Koya and Quetzal could be thrown out easily, but it was precisely because of the small size of the place that this battle was valuable!

"The moment the coin drops, the battle begins. Is that alright?"

"no problem!"

The two stood at the center of the circle, their eyes fixed on the coin that Koya had thrown into the air. A second later—

boom!

Two figures wrestled with each other. Wrestling was divided into ground combat and air combat. Since Koya learned all his wrestling skills from Quetzal, he was better at air combat. This resulted in the two men basically jumping around in the air. But even so, the battle was deadlocked. Both sides were obviously non-humans who could lift hundred-ton rocks as shot put, but they could not send the other side out of this small arena.

"Oh~~Are they still fighting?"

"Well, Koya drew a ring and set the rule that whoever steps out loses. But it looks like the fight might last a while. With night coming, Quetzal's magic won't be replenished by the sun, so she might be out soon."

"Hey, Koya too. He's obviously best at energy attacks, but he insists on playing wrestling with this guy. Are you an idiot?"

"The attacks launched by Quetzal using the magic power of the sun are no weaker than those launched by Koya, but the casualties would not be as severe as they are now. Uruk might even be destroyed in the aftermath of their energy."

Ishtar and Ereshkigal watched the two men fighting on the city wall. During this time, Ishtar was too bored with the fighting and lay down on Maana to take a nap. When she woke up, the two were still fighting. However, as Ereshkigal said, as the sun goddess, Quetzal's magic power can be replenished under the sun, but now that the moon has risen, if she continues to squander her magic power like during the day, she will soon lose.

"Wow—the winner is decided! Yay~~"

The result—Koya's victory. Noticing Quetzal's weakening strength, he resorted to the simplest and most brutal method, holding her back and pushing her backwards, attempting to push her out of the ring. Finally, nearing the edge, Quetzal employed a technique to leverage the opponent's momentum and throw Koya out first, but Koya's brute force held her in check, and she was eventually pushed out.

"Sorry, it's a bit dishonorable to win in this way."

"Hahahaha, what are you talking about! You won! You won beautifully! There's nothing dishonorable about it. Isn't a ring battle all about doing everything you can to help someone get out of the ring? Okay, if you have any questions, just ask. I'll definitely answer them all."

"Those restricted by the Three Goddesses' Covenant can also ask?"

"Of course!"

"What I want to ask is...how did you three goddesses appear in Uruk?"

"We were summoned by Mother to kill humans. However, the method of killing humans depends on our personal preferences. I like wrestling, so every day I will choose a brave man to fight with me. If I win, he will die. If he wins, then I will not kill anyone for ten days."

Chapter 170: God of the Rainforest

After answering Koya's question, Quetzal floated away. Koya had no intention of chasing him. Today's battle seemed to be evenly matched between Koya and Quetzal, but in fact, Quetzal had the sun to replenish his magic power during the day, while Koya could only rely on his physical strength to fight. Now Koya had no strength to chase Quetzal.

"You were able to hurt Quetzal? I thought you were a hero of the good side, but it turns out you're a dragon."

Ishtar and Elle rushed to Koya's side immediately. Ishtar looked at him with some surprise. Her image of Koya was once again updated. However, she had already suspected that Koya had a good personality and a noble and upright way of doing things, but his transformed image was truly terrifying. No one would believe that he was a good person.

"It doesn't matter. I like Koya regardless of whether he's a good person or not. It's better to say that the evil dragon and I, the goddess of the underworld, are a perfect match. But Ishtar, as the mistress of heaven, you're not really suitable to be with Koya, are you? Oh, right, your father wouldn't agree either, so it's better to leave as soon as possible!"

"You bastard, you really want to squeeze me whenever you get the chance, right? Fine, fine, just wait!"

"Humph! Sister, you are not as strong as me, and you are not as pretty as me, so what are you asking me to wait for~"

“Ereshkigal!!”

"Alright, alright, stop arguing. Ishtar, what did you mean when you said I could hurt Quetzal? Does she have some kind of all-powerful ability to inflict no harm?"

"Oh... I think I forgot to tell you. Quetzal is a good deity, the pinnacle of goodness. No one on the good side can harm her. This isn't a power, it's a rule. Being a Heroic Spirit really isn't that interesting, with all the rules and restrictions, and even the ability to use your omnipotence outside of your class is restricted."

Ishtar was quite dissatisfied with this Servant's method of descending. The main reason was that she had descended several times as a Servant, and each time Gugalana came with her, she would be lost. This was definitely a limitation of the Servant system! Otherwise, how could her little baby be lost?

"Huh huh huh~~"

“Ereshkigal, why are you smiling so sinisterly—wait, how did you leave the Underworld?”

"Oh, you only realized it now, idiot! Of course, that's because I've broken free from the contract with Hades. Now I'm the complete God of the Underworld. Although my power is restricted by the world, all my abilities are intact~~ Incomplete Ishtar."

"You...oh, Koya gave you a world pass, right? I have one too, and I definitely got one before you. Once I leave this world, I will become a complete figure, the true Mistress of Heaven, Inanna."

"what?"

·Dividing line·

The perspective turns back to Fujimaru Tachibana. After several days of rapid march, they crossed the city of Uer together, but this time they did not disturb the citizens of Uer. When they rested at night, they found an uninhabited house outside the city to stay temporarily. They set off again before dawn. The destination of their trip was Eridu, a city further south of Uer. If nothing unexpected happened, that was the place where the feathered serpent god Quetzal was located.

"Why do you look so sad the whole time, Mr. Tachibana?"

"Ushiwakamaru...it's nothing, I just feel a little uneasy."

"It's okay, Tachibana-dono, we will protect you!"

At this moment, accompanied by a tiger's roar, an unusual creature appeared in front of Tachibana and the others.

"Wahahaha, just as I expected, you guys showed up so carelessly, meow!"

What on earth was this creature? It called itself a leopard man, its costume was that of a tiger, and its speech ended with "meow." Fujimaru Tachibana and his group naturally saw her, but their previous encounter had made them all choose to ignore her. Even when Ushiwakamaru assumed an attacking stance, Mash held his hand and continued forward.

"Ms. Ushiwakamaru, ignore this strange creature and just pretend she doesn't exist."

"Awoo! What are you doing? What are you doing? Why are you ignoring a super beautiful woman like me in front of you?"

"By the way, Tachibana, Quetzalcoatl is recorded as a benevolent deity, someone who protects and defends humanity, even going so far as to personally fight for them. Perhaps there's some hidden reason behind her becoming one of the Three Goddesses."

Merlin told Tachibana that in the plan between him and Gilgamesh, all the three goddesses except Gorgon were forces that could be united. Unfortunately, he still could not explain the existence of Tiamat to Tachibana, because Tachibana was carrying the destiny. If she knew the existence of Tiamat, Tiamat who was sleeping in the sea would definitely feel it and might wake up early.

"Is Quetzal a good god?"

"Yeah."

"Hey, are you guys going to look for Kukul? How about I lead the way? Hey! What's wrong with you guys? Wait, could it be that the leopard people have really blended into this rainforest and that they can't detect my presence? Hey - can you hear me? Can you hear me, meow!"

Next to the group, the leopard man would occasionally rush over to them, shouting at them, but she never drew her weapon. Tachibana and the others also tacitly ignored this guy, feeling that talking to her would shorten their lives...

"No, my divinity hasn't changed? As expected, you're just deliberately ignoring me!"

This leopard man is really annoying.

"So, Tachibana, when you meet Quetzal, try to communicate first. Communication is the first step in building a relationship and the prerequisite for mutual understanding between people. Yes, communication! Sincere communication is the most important thing! Do you understand, Tachibana?"

"it is good!"

"You're totally unconvincing! I'm right here in front of you! There's a god right here in front of you who no one even listens to! Is this what you call communication? Don't you realize I'm about to cry, Leopard Man? I'm almost crying, meow!"

"Ah...senpai, she really cried."

"All I see is an annoying paper tiger who enjoys being miserable."

"Miss Anna, please be polite. It's not nice to say that."

The leopard man, whose defense was precisely broken by Anna's words, immediately wiped away his tears and summoned her toy-like weapon in a second, a fleshy cat paw inserted in a stick... Perhaps it was because the scene of Koya killing the leopard man with two arrows in the rainforest was still vivid in their minds, and the group was no longer afraid of this goddess.

"Very good! You foul-mouthed brat, I'm going to kill you! Let's end this thousand-year-long war between light and darkness right here! Hey—"

Mashu's shield hit the leopard man's head with a bang. The crisp sound made the group of people turn their heads away in confusion.

"S-Sorry, Miss Leopard, my hand slipped..."

"N-Never mind, it's just this level. It doesn't hurt at all."

"Miss Leopard Man, there was a huge bump on your head. Ah...it's gone now. You're truly a god."

"Ms. Mashu is very polite, and the teacher likes her very much. But please remember, as a Servant without a master, every bit of my magic power is earned through hard work. I'm really confused as to why I'm still a pathetic office worker even though I've become a god."

The leopard man didn't care about Mashu's attack. As a teacher, he naturally treated good children with favoritism... Wait, why teacher? Has the leopard man ever been a teacher? What is a teacher?

"Eh? Miss Leopard is a Servant without a Master?"

"I thought you must be Quetzalcoatl's subordinate."

"There's just a bad relationship between Kukul and me, and now I'm just working for her. After all, I don't have a Master, so I'll just get some oil and water from Kukul to replenish my magic power. It's very hard, meow, especially when Kukul is not around, I have to do everything!"

"Oh! I see, a corporate slave!"

Merlin's expression suddenly became interesting, and he put on his signature smirk~

"Miss Leopard, are you interested in changing jobs? Tachibana, I'm leaving it to you. Let's communicate and practice on Miss Leopard first. Any extra companions would be a plus!"

"Ah? What should I do?"

"Hehe, the natural way to treat a company slave is to give her a reward that makes her heart flutter. Do you know what to do next?"

The two of them had this conversation right in front of the Leopard Man. When Tachibana heard Merlin's words, she was confused at first, then her eyes rolled around, and suddenly a light bulb popped up above her head??!

"I heard everything you said! Because I have four ears! But I'm sure that the possibility of you switching jobs, which is perfect for you, is completely non-existent! No, but if you can provide me with a handsome man for a blind date, I wouldn't consider it, nya."

Tachibana didn't say much, just stood in front of the leopard man and took a deep breath.

'Sorry, husband!'

"First, we will provide sufficient mana supplies. Miss Leopardman doesn't need to worry about mana anymore. We in Chaldea have six Holy Grails in stock, which can perfectly meet the magic needs of even the gods. We will not require Miss Leopardman to work, but we hope that Miss Leopardman can help us in battle with the enemy."

"Yeah, and then what."

"Leopard Man, you have fur as shiny as a demon pig (Red-skinned Demon Pig), and eyes as bright and watery as a gazer (Tentacle Big Eyes Boy). You are so beautiful, why don't you have a man by your side? If you join us... Chaldea will provide you with all kinds of super handsome men from all ages to go on blind dates! You will definitely meet a blind man to be with you!"

"W-what..."

"Are you praising her, Senior?"

"Are you really arranging a blind date for me?"

"Yes! When we return to Uruk, I will arrange a blind date between you and Koya. Do you remember? He's the man who nailed you to the ground with two arrows last time."

"I—meow!"

The flowers in the rainforest bloomed, and the carnivorous plants drooled. The divine power of the rainforest goddess made the rainforest feel her will, and she was deeply moved!

"Alright, I'll join you. Master, please sign a contract with me! I understand, I understand. It's all about reaching Quetzalcoatl! Leave it to me, big sister! Any enemy who dares to stand in my way will be torn to pieces by my sharp claws, no matter who they are! Meow!"

Seeing the Leopard Man's quick switch, everyone present wore indescribably complex expressions. Ushiwakamaru, for one, looked at Tachibana with a slightly changed expression. Anna, however, unleashed her sharp tongue, this time targeting Miss Tachibana.

"Fujimaru, you're really unscrupulous, but this is all Merlin's fault. And Fujimaru, are you sure Koya won't mind selling him out like this?"

"It's okay. Miss Leopard is indeed a pretty big sister. Koya won't refuse her."

"Hello everyone, I'm Leopard Man. From today on, I'll be under Tachibana's care, so please take care of me!"

"Miss Leopard's speaking habits are very similar to those of people from your country, Senior. Please take care of her."

"Leopard man, please lead the way to Eridu."

"Oh! Leave this little matter to me. I will bring you to Kukul as quickly as possible."

I have to say that with the help of Leopard Woman, the goddess of the rainforest, the road in the rainforest is much easier to walk, and annoying mosquitoes and the like will not bother Tachibana and the others. This makes the girls in the team have a higher degree of favorability towards Leopard Woman. They must bring Leopard Woman with them when they go to the rainforest in the future!

"Speaking of which, Leopard Man, why do you call Quetzal Kukul?"

"Kukul is Quetzal. Tachibana-san, I can tell you're not good at history. Do you need a teacher to tutor you after school? Um...wait, why am I calling myself a teacher again?"

"Quetzalcoatl was the Toltec priest-king, the chief deity. To the Maya, she was Kukulkan, the conquering king of humanity. While a deity, she sometimes appeared in history as a human king. So, Quetzalcoatl was a goddess who, despite understanding humanity, chose to destroy the human world. Does Tachibana feel any pressure?"

"Oh, by the way, do you know the rules of the Good Gods? Kukul, the main god, has an unreasonable ability. As long as it's a Good Servant, she can't cause any harm to her. I see that this little loli seems to be the only Evil Servant among you. You don't really plan to use communication to convince Kukul, right? She's very stubborn. Communication can only make her show mercy to you, but in the end, you will definitely have to fight, and only with the determination to die can she admit to this battle."

"What……"

"Oh my, I got some bad news... Tachibana, could you please contact Koya and ask him to come and help me out?"

Because they had been traveling all day yesterday and rested at night due to fatigue, Tachibana had no idea that Koya had already fought Quetzal outside Uruk and won by a narrow margin. So, Tachibana had no idea that they were about to face a Quetzal that Koya had already conquered with force. If Tachibana could really convince her, she might actually turn against them.

"Alright! Eridu is ahead! Let me see if Kukul's sacrifices are working well~ Oh, no, I'm not Kukul's supervisor anymore, woo! I suddenly feel relaxed! As expected, even the air feels sweet after I stop being a social animal!"

Chapter 171: Quetzal Joins

Eridu, the southernmost of the Sumerian city-states, was the first Sumerian city. According to Sumerian legend, Eridu was the world's first city. Their creation myth states: "In the beginning, there was nothing; then there was a city—Eridu." Eridu is believed to be the earliest Sumerian settlement in Mesopotamia. The Sumerian King List begins with the words: "Kingdom descended from heaven and fell upon Eridu." The center of Eridu was the Apsu Temple of Enki, later known as the Water Temple.

This temple, originally dedicated to the water god, has been usurped by the Quetzalcoatl of South America and has become her temple. When Tachibana and his companions crossed the rainforest to arrive here, the magnificent temple instantly caught their attention. Half a year was enough time to transform the temple into the appearance that Quetzal liked. A huge disc symbolizing the sun was placed at the highest point of the temple; and at the side of this temple stood a one-handed axe that was no less in size than the temple. There was no doubt that it was the hand axe that cut open the mother goddess Tiamat in the legend.

"See that sun disk on the temple? That's the Aztec calendar stone, the Sunstone. Quetzalcoatl's second Noble Phantasm, it represents the past, present, and future in Aztec mythology, and is the source of her power. Well... to be honest, considering the possibility that Quetzalcoatl could become our ally, I personally don't agree with destroying the stone. But if things really come to a point where we have to resort to war, then don't hesitate. Destroying it is the only way we have a chance of victory."

During the conversation, Merlin had already brought everyone to the stairs of the temple. The thousands of steps showed the grandeur of the temple. From here, the sun stone at the top of the temple seemed to be really like the sun, radiating its brilliance all around.

"Oh~ Are guests from Chaldea coming to visit? Well, what a great time to choose."

Next to the Sunstone, Quetzal changed from sitting to standing. Her body still had bruises from the fight with Koya. She could naturally recover from the injury instantly in front of the Sunstone, but the joy brought by the scar made her reluctant to heal it. That hearty wrestling battle was enough for her to savor for a hundred days.

"Well, although I have high hopes for you, my body and soul have been taken away by Lord Koya. I don't want to fight with anyone else before I defeat him."

"Koya?"