Credits: Razlan Mohd
"No, we'd like you, Sir Alaric, to take us to the Northern Wall Defense Line together. As Ushiwakamaru just mentioned, the Nippur migration requires a lot of manpower, doesn't it?"
Fujimaru, who held a different opinion from Mash, stared firmly at Alaric, her gaze resolute:
"If you feel that we cannot intervene in the battle between you and the goddess and refuse to let us accompany you, then at least let us join in the migration effort.
We will also complete King Gilgamesh's mission, but please don't bear all of this alone!"
When Ushiwakamaru was discussing with Alaric earlier, Fujimaru had been listening on the side, gaining insight into Alaric's plans for tomorrow and the significant challenges ahead.
Not only did he have to fight the goddess alone, but he also had to divide his attention to oversee the population migration.
This was something Fujimaru did not want to see.
If there is a difficulty, it should be faced together, not avoided, nor left for Alaric to shoulder alone.
At this moment, Mash, having finally come to her senses, also noticed this point. Resolute, she set aside her earlier playful attitude toward Alaric and said decisively:
"That's right! Sir Alaic, please don't do this!"
"This is quite troubling."
Seeing Mash also speak up to persuade him, Alaric rubbed his chin. He began to consider how to convince Mash and Fujimaru—or perhaps... take them to the Northern Wall.
Even Alaric himself felt conflicted and couldn't fully understand Gilgamesh's orders.
If everyone was already here, why waste time on such trivial matters?
As someone who always prioritized efficiency, Alaric found it hard to agree with such behavior—unless there was simply not enough time.
If Alaric were to engage in such a massive waste of time, delaying the progress of the battle, it would only mean that he needed more time to achieve his own goals.
But wasn't Gilgamesh supposed to aim for a swift resolution of the conflict with the Three Goddesses and the restoration of the Singularity?
While Alaric was tangled in his thoughts—
Merlin casually joined in with a smile:
"Oh my, oh my, Brother Alaric, you're quite popular, aren't you—"
"A wild Merlin appears!"
"Why say it like I'm some wild animal? Wait, I'm not domesticated either."
Merlin was almost led astray by Alaric's words. Coming back to his senses, he smiled as if nothing had happened and said:
"It doesn't matter where you bury someone, does it? It's all the same. Brother Alaric, right now, manpower is in high demand. Taking Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash to the Northern Wall would be nothing but beneficial."
Looking at Merlin, whose phrasing felt oddly familiar, Alaric rubbed his chin again.
When it came to bringing Fujimaru and the others to the Northern Wall—or even letting them join the migration effort for the citizens of Nippur—Alaric had no objections; in fact, he strongly supported it.
In such matters, the more combat power, the better. Fujimaru and Mash were undoubtedly excellent choices.
Moreover, Alaric thought Gilgamesh wouldn't oppose such actions, at most throwing in some snarky comments.
After thinking for a while, Alaric quickly agreed to bring Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash along.
This prompted Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash to high-five each other.
"Yay!"
They looked as delighted as children about to go on a trip with their parents, their smiles radiant.
Watching this scene from the side, even Merlin couldn't help but smile faintly.
As an observer of the world, Merlin fancied himself a companion of humanity, a useless big brother who would only watch from afar. Naturally, he'd been keeping an eye on Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash during their numerous adventures.
He had even broken into a cold sweat during some moments.
The most harrowing of these was the Sixth Singularity. Even Merlin couldn't predict what would happen when Fujimaru Ritsuka encountered Alaric at that time.
Faced with a person trapped in despair, unable to live or die, would they devour the one light of hope?
That possibility wasn't out of the question. If it truly came to that, Merlin believed the situation would spiral irreversibly out of control.
Alaric, who was also watching this scene, smiled. He hadn't expected a casual meal to turn into a full team operation.
...
The Next Day.
At the inn, after finishing breakfast, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash saw Alaric, yawning, as he emerged from his room.
Despite his body's ever-increasing strength, which granted him robust vitality, Alaric inexplicably felt a deep sense of fatigue.
Even after waking up, this lingering weariness refused to dissipate for a while.
Or perhaps, despite transcending human limits and wielding extraordinary powers far beyond any normal person, becoming something more than human, Alaric remained human.
The inherent laziness of humanity still resided within him.
No matter how far he grew, Alaric's essence would not change. As a ■■Human, he would continue to move forward with humanity.
"Good morning, Sir Alaric!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash greeted him cheerfully in unison.
It seemed this was their first time being so close to Alaric.
"Morning—
Where's Merlin?"
Still feeling groggy, Alaric turned his head weakly, trying to spot Merlin but failing to find that familiar figure in the inn.
Instead of Merlin, he spotted Ana.
"Ana?"
Seeing Ana, the dazed Alaric swayed as he staggered toward her.
Their eyes met, and in an instant, an unspoken exchange took place.
Alaric suddenly hugged Ana's slender frame, his entire body slumping like a pile of mud as he buried his face in her purple hair and murmured:
"So tired, Ana, carry me to the Northern Wall..."
"Sir Alaric!!"
Seeing Alaric's shocking action, Mash was stunned. She quickly dashed over and pulled Alaric off Ana, carrying him to the dining table.
Ana, still processing what had just happened, had a faint blush on her face.
Though Alaric had hugged her before on the Heavenly Vessel, this time felt completely different.
Finally snapping out of it, Fujimaru Ritsuka, with breakfast still in her mouth, ran over to Alaric and tried to wake him up.
As the group scrambled around, a certain figure made a dramatic entrance.
"Oh my, it seems something rather extraordinary has happened."
Merlin, spotting the groggy Alaric, along with the flustered Fujimaru Ritsuka, Mash, and the blushing Ana, smiled knowingly.
"Merlin! Sir Alaric, he—"
Seeing Merlin finally appear, the panicked Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash felt like they'd found their anchor. They quickly asked:
"Is there a way to wake him up?"
"Hmm, it's quite simple!"
Merlin glanced at Alaric and immediately understood the situation, a peculiar smile spreading across his face.
With Merlin's intervention, a floral wreath now adorned Alaric's head, and he finally shook off the lingering fatigue.
Touching the flower crown on his head, Alaric's face remained expressionless as he smacked his lips. With no outlet to vent his frustration, he silently finished breakfast before leading Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others to the Northern Wall.
This time, due to the larger group, Alaric couldn't use the Heavenly Vessel to travel quickly and had to resort to riding a horse-drawn carriage at a leisurely pace.
When the group finally reached the Northern Wall, it was already noon.
"Oh, Lord Alaric, you've finally arrived. Quite the unique look you've got there!"
Having waited for a long time, Ushiwakamaru noticed the flower crown on Alaric's head and joked with a smile:
"It's very pretty. I bet a beautiful lady gave it to you, didn't she?"
'A beautiful lady?'
Alaric glanced at the grinning Merlin and decisively ignored the topic.
"Let's not talk about that. I've decided to let Fujimaru and Mash join the Nippur migration effort."
"So, Lord Alaric, are you planning to fight Gorgon?"
"I'm going to blow her Blood Temple to pieces in one go—or at least cause significant damage."