"Father, your archery skills are as sharp as ever!"
With an exclamation of awe from Siduri, Gilgamesh took down a wild boar with effortless precision. The soldiers following at his horse's heels immediately rushed forward to retrieve the carcass. After all, a plump wild boar meant a delicious feast of meat for everyone tonight; it was a prize no one would let slip away.
"Mastering any weapon is a matter of survival on the battlefield, if not the key to victory! It isn't a question of whether I want to improve; it is something I must refine every single day!
Siduri, you must also perfect your archery. That is the only way you will be able to protect yourself when the shadows close in!"
Facing his daughter's joyful praise, Gilgamesh spoke in a low, solemn voice, maintaining an air of profound authority that felt as heavy as his golden plate.
"I will, Father."
"Watch closely, then! See what kind of game I can bring down!"
Hearing Gilgamesh's meaningful words, Siduri nodded. She drew her bow and notched an arrow, scanning for her own prey. Soon, she spotted a faint shape moving through the brush. Settling her breathing and ensuring her aim was true, she released the string.
The animal collapsed instantly.
"Quick! Go see what I hit! We're having an extra course tonight!"
Seeing her shot find its mark, the young woman cheered excitedly, calling for the nearby soldiers of the Immortal Battalion to investigate. Eager for the promised feast, the soldiers hurried to the spot at top speed, dragging the prize away before any other predators could take notice.
"By the way, Enkidu-Sa, how is your archery?"
As Siduri cheered for her success, Ur-Namu and Enkidu-Sa, riding behind her, struck up a conversation. Ur-Namu looked at the scholar with a hint of curiosity.
"I must admit, I am quite ashamed..."
"Though the ancients required us scholars to master the six schools—Rites, Music, Archery, Charioteering, Calligraphy, and Mathematics—I never quite excelled at the bow. When my mentor tested our skill, I barely managed to pass. I can hit a few stationary targets, but if you expect me to shoot a hawk from the sky like the King or Lady Siduri, I'd rather decline."
Hearing Ur-Namu ask about his skill, Enkidu-Sa gave a wry smile and waved his hand in dismissal.
"Coming back to the matter at hand, Enkidu-Sa—what is your assessment of these Faunus?"
At that moment, Gilgamesh reined in his horse and approached them. After glancing around to ensure no untrustworthy ears were nearby, he cautiously sought the counsel of his registrar.
"I find their reactions quite natural," Enkidu-Sa replied after a moment of reflection. "They have been persecuted by a tyrannical and witless empire, and we did indeed rescue many of their daughters from the government troops.
Their hatred for humanity is well-founded. However, regardless of the circumstances, we must remain cautious. As the saying goes, 'one may know a person's face but not their heart'—and they are, after all, a different race with distinct differences from us."
He spoke measuredly, knowing Gilgamesh was a leader who valued blunt honesty and a realistic analysis of the situation.
"True. Your thoughts mirror my own," Gilgamesh said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Though the Faunus have accepted us and allowed us to camp on their land for now, I have chosen to garrison the city we captured rather than stay in their village. We must maintain a certain distance to prevent further conflict or misunderstanding."
"Well said, Lord. We must remain highly vigilant at all times to ensure we don't meet with a sudden disaster," Enkidu-Sa agreed with a nod.
"And Ur-Namu, what is the status of the city we occupied?" Gilgamesh turned to his general.
"My lord, I've had the men begin repairing the walls. Though the city's defenses were primitive, the basic structures are there. The Court didn't put as much heart into this place as they did the Alluvium, but the necessary fortifications were built. Our men can repurpose all the existing facilities to strengthen our position."
"Good," Gilgamesh muttered. "If the Faunus ever turn on us, we can use those fortifications to hold our ground. We won't be defeated so easily."
Just then, Siduri and the soldiers returned in high spirits. It turned out she had shot a fox!
"Father! Look! We got this fox! And the fur is of such high quality!"
Siduri held up the fox the soldiers had retrieved from the woods, her face beaming with excitement. Everyone looked closely; the fox was exceptionally plump with a lustrous, brilliant coat. In a major city in the Alluvium Empire, such a pelt would easily fetch tens of thousands of coins. It was a rare find, likely only possible in the deep, untouched forests of the southwest.
"Very good. You've brought down a fox on your first try; you haven't wasted the years I spent teaching you. Have the skinners remove the pelt tonight and make a fur piece for you. You caught it, so it should be yours to wear."
"Thank you, Father!"
Knowing she would get to keep the fur as an ornament, the young woman was secretly delighted. Though she had been raised in the army and possessed a wild, masculine temperament, she still had a natural love for beauty.
"You're welcome. You earned it," Gilgamesh said, watching his daughter's joy with a small nod.
Suddenly, a heavy rustling came from the dense thicket nearby. It sounded as though a massive beast was moving through the trees.
"Careful! Is it a tiger or a wolf pack?!" Ur-Namu was the first to react, shouting a warning.
The rebel soldiers didn't hesitate. They immediately surrounded the thicket, weapons ready to prevent whatever predator lurked within from leaping out at the commanders.
"Beast! Take this!"
Hearing Ur-Namu's alarm, Gilgamesh let out a thunderous shout and loosed an arrow directly into the heart of the rustling brush! The arrow struck home with a solid thud, and the movement inside stopped instantly.
"Go! Check it at once!"
Confident he had hit the mark, Gilgamesh signaled his men.
"As you command, King!" The soldiers moved forward cautiously to see what kind of monster had fallen to Gilgamesh's bow.