Chapter 40: Merlin Deserves to Die!

"Even the wetlands of the Reed Fields have shown signs of Magical Beasts—ones like Mušḫuššu that thrive in swamps."

"Judging from the sounds we heard earlier, it seems they're nesting and reproducing there…"

"If that's the case, the road from Uruk to Kutha will be cut off."

"Transporting ore from the Mount Ebih region will be delayed, which is quite a problem."

Merlin rubbed his chin out of habit, deep in thought, a flicker of worry in his eyes.

Then, the great sage—rarely seen with such a serious expression—turned to Samael with an apologetic smile.

"Sorry to drag you into this, young man, but thankfully the crisis is over."

"The rest of the road should be safe. What will you do now?"

Before Samael could respond, Ana looked up and timidly suggested,

"Come with us to Uruk! It's the safest place right now!"

Sensing the child's kindness, the ancient snake gently rested his palm on Ana's head, giving her a light pat as he smiled and nodded.

"Very well. I have a mission to carry out and plan to visit King Gilgamesh anyway—looks like we're heading the same way."

The Incubus stood ahead on the road, lips curled into a smile. He gave an elegant courtly bow, raising a hand in invitation.

"Then, welcome to Mesopotamia—Uruk, humanity's oldest fortress city!"

The grand city was already beginning to reveal its outline.

Though they'd set off from the edge of the Reed Fields at noon, by the time they arrived on foot at the outskirts of Uruk, only the fading glow of sunset remained.

Bathed in the blood-red twilight, the city radiated a magnificent hue. Carts transporting goods and soldiers on duty moved steadily along the wide, compacted roads.

The towering walls on either side, built from clay-fired bricks, shimmered faintly with Magecraft inscriptions, looking impenetrable.

The outer walls flanking the painted green-and-yellow archways were adorned with sculpted images of livestock—cattle, sheep, horses, dogs—etched in simple, rustic lines that exuded an ancient charm.

Through the open gates, one could just make out the city's inner layout.

Even as night approached, and despite wartime conditions, Uruk—now home to the majority of Mesopotamia's remaining population—remained lively and vibrant.

Voices filled the air: people walking, trading, chatting, laughing, training, forging.

Stalls selling fruits and vegetables, pottery workshops, smithies, observatories, livestock pens, inns, restaurants—every corner of the city buzzed with life.

At the gate, Merlin handed over his traveler's pass, then led Samael and Ana through the streets of Uruk, the fortress city that had held off waves of Magical Beasts for half a year.

"It's getting late. Even if the king isn't resting, he still has a full workload."

"How about we stay the night at the embassy? Tomorrow morning, we'll head to the palace and the Divine Tower."

After a quick tour of the Sumerian city, Merlin glanced at the sinking sun and offered the suggestion.

Samael glanced at Ana, who was busy nibbling on a snack beside him, and smiled slightly.

"If it comes with dinner, I'm in…"

While they were being inspected at the gate, a kind-hearted guard, seeing the young girl who had traveled so far to seek refuge, had offered her some biscuit-like snacks he'd brought along.

Since they entered the city, the girl had been munching nonstop like a little squirrel.

Noticing she was being watched, Ana looked up in surprise, crumbs stuck to her face. Recalling the earlier conversation, she nodded earnestly and bared her little fangs in warning.

"Mm-hm! And Merlin's not allowed to cook!"

The white-haired Incubus clutched his chest in mock heartbreak, then gave in with a helpless nod under Ana's toothy threat.

"No problem. You can all eat as much as you want this time!"

Samael and Merlin exchanged a glance and nodded in quiet agreement.

The ancient snake could see how much Ana had brightened up thanks to their playful banter, so he wisely chose not to expose the great sage's little antics.

In addition, to satisfy his appetite and wash away the fishy taste lingering in his mouth, Samael, after confirming the location of the embassy, took out a pouch from his belongings and set aside ten Priestess Silver coins. He entrusted the shopping task to the ever-curious Ana, who was eager to explore the marketplace.

Naturally, those ten coins were her errand fee.

Watching the little angel cheerfully run off, Samael began tidying up the embassy with Merlin's help. The place already showed signs of neglect.

By nightfall, as fruits, cooked food, bedding, curtains, and other daily necessities were brought back, the ancient snake took the initiative to assume the role of cook. He made mushroom soup and a few simple stir-fried dishes. Though he wasn't a gourmet, years of living alone had given him some basic culinary skills. Combined with guidance from a certain sacred prostitute, he could manage a decent meal.

As for how the food was received—Ana, busy chomping on butter cake with a stack of lamb rib bones beside her, was already showing off a round little belly that proved the meal's success. Meanwhile, Merlin was gulping down ale, looking every bit the drunkard.

Despite his usual claim that, as an Incubus, human food held no real meaning for him, he couldn't resist tasting a few bites—and ended up showering them with praise.

Samael, who still hadn't forgotten the trauma of being duped into eating that infamous "Stargazing" dish, could only roll his eyes.

"From now on, Merlin is banned from the kitchen!"

Clinking her cup and taking a sip, Ana suddenly slammed her hand on the table—either struck by emotion or haunted by memories of the Reed Fields.

"If he tries to feed us that garbage again, we're smashing his head in!"

Beside her, the ancient snake, savoring a juicy lamb chop, quietly added fuel to the fire.

"Yes! Smash his head in!"

Ana pumped her tiny fists in excitement, her cheeks flushing pink. She tilted her head back and downed her drink in one gulp.

Before Samael could react, the purple-haired girl summoned her scythe and leapt over the table, charging straight at Merlin.

"Hey, hey, hey! Ana! That's a divine weapon that can cut through anything! You'll actually kill him!"

The Incubus yelped and dodged in panic.

"Hey, stop her!"

Frowning, Samael quickly stepped in to steady Ana, who was stumbling forward. But the moment they touched, a strong whiff of alcohol hit his nose from her breath.

His expression darkened. Reaching for Ana's cup, he found a layer of pale milk at the bottom—reeking of malt beer.

"Merlin, you bastard! You spiked Ana's milk with booze! You're dead!"

"It was just a little..."

"And hey, since she can't handle alcohol, shouldn't she start building tolerance young...?"

Hiding behind the door, the Incubus peeked out nervously with a forced laugh, trying to justify himself.

Poisoning even children now? May you rot, heartless Merlin!

Expressionless, the ancient snake gently released the drunk kitten from his arms and leaned close to whisper in her ear.

"Burp..."

"Merlin... should die!"

Ana echoed the last words, burping with unfocused eyes. Swaying on her feet, she lunged forward like a tiny kitten baring its claws.

At last, the infamous Magus of Flowers reaped what he sowed, getting chased all around the courtyard by a very drunk Ana.

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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