During Iskandar's earlier account of Gilgamesh to Yuto and the others, he had described the King of Hero as a fiercely arrogant figure clad in golden armor.
However, the Gilgamesh standing before him now differed significantly from the image Iskandar had described, both in appearance and temperament.
Though still arrogant, he showed no contempt for others.
As Yuto listened to Gilgamesh's words, his mind raced back through the King of Hero recorded history.
The "Return Journey" Gilgamesh mentioned likely referred to his quest to retrieve the elixir of immortality.
During that journey, a serpent stole the elixir, leading the King of hero to a realization: that nothing in this world can be forced.
Life and death, both, should be embraced with joy.
From that moment onward, Gilgamesh, in the twilight years of his life, transformed into a wise and benevolent king.
The old tyrant vanished without a trace.
Therefore, the Gilgamesh present in the restaurant now must be from this later stage of his life.
Iskandar face light up with understanding.
Though he appeared fierce on the outside, he was by no means lacking in wisdom and reason.
"I understand," Iskandar said, smiling with admiration and appreciation as he gazed at Gilgamesh.
Beside him, Lord El-Melloi II's brow remained furrowed.
The anger he felt toward Gilgamesh still dominated his heart. Even after Iskandar soothing words had calmed him, he couldn't find peace.
Seeing his former master expression, Iskandar slapped Lord El-Melloi II on the back in exasperation.
"Waver, he's not the Golden jerk from back then! Snap out of it!"
Iskandar's slap jolted Lord El-Melloi II back to a semblance of clarity.
He studied Gilgamesh before him with renewed scrutiny.
His eyes widened in shock. "You're not a Heroic Spirit after all?"
Gilgamesh let out a boisterous laugh. "While my future will eventually lead me to become a Heroic Spirit, at this moment, I stand before you as a human."
When the King of hero spoke "as a human," his tone radiated pride and satisfaction.
Even bystanders could hear the joy in his voice.
The legendary King of Hero, a demigod, was proudly proclaiming his humanity!
Lord El-Melloi II's expression returned to composure as he realized his own misunderstanding.
With his sharp mind and deductive skills, he had momentarily been blinded by the decade's pent-up anger and resentment.
Though he no longer glared at Gilgamesh, his gaze remained cold.
The scene of Gilgamesh slaying Iskandar echoed in his heart, making it impossible for him to completely let go of that memory.
Yet even under Lord El-Melloi II's icy stare, Gilgamesh maintained an air of admiration.
There was no anger or resentment toward Lord El-Melloi II—only the magnanimity befitting a king.
As a king, he bore the weight of countless gazes.
Gilgamesh would never resent a loyal enemy or subject for their devotion. On the contrary, he greatly admired Lord El-Melloi II for facing him with such cold defiance.
"Tsk, it's hard to believe you're the same person as back then," Iskandar said, pressing a hand to his forehead with a wry smile.
"Hmph! I've already told you, that was my immature self," Gilgamesh scoffed, his expression not angry but rather displeased, as if he were angry at his past self.
"Ahhahahaha! This is a rare reunion! How about we celebrate with a hearty drink?" Iskandar boomed with jovial laughter.
Even knowing this man had once killed him, Iskandar extended an invitation to drink with him, embodying his indomitable spirit.
"If it were anyone else, i would never accept. But since it's you, King of Conqueror's, I might just make an exception," Gilgamesh declared.
Hearing these arrogant words, Iskandar scratched his head and chuckled. "Your arrogance hasn't changed much, has it, you bastard?"
"As it should be," Gilgamesh retorted.
Iskandar sat down beside Gilgamesh.
Lord El-Melloi II took a deep breath and remained standing. Like Siduri, he positioned himself behind Iskandar.
At that moment, he was observing the proper etiquette of a subject.
Just as he refused to believe Iskandar could lose to Gilgamesh in battle, he refused to let his king be outdone in any other aspect!
If Gilgamesh had subjects to attend to him, then his king should have them too!
"Hmph, Iskandar, your subject is quite capable," Gilgamesh remarked, glancing at Lord El-Melloi II before turning to Iskandar with a mischievous grin.
Iskandar glanced back at Lord El-Melloi II, who stood solemn behind him.
He grinned and scratched his head.
"Of course! Waver is my acknowledged subject after all!" the Conqueror King declared.
Siduri was curious about the King of Conqueror's.
However, she would never presume to ask too many questions.
As the King of Hero most loyal subject, she had neither the right nor the impudence to interfere with her king's affairs.
Her purpose in bringing the King here today was simply to let him meet that person.
...
Earlier that day, she had asked the King a question: "Your Majesty, do you still wish to see Enkidu-sama again?"
At that moment, the King fell silent.
After the silence, his answer was a denial. "No. It was precisely Enkidu's death that forged the man I am today. I have neither the need nor the right to see him again."
Siduri had served Gilgamesh for a long time.
She could sense the loneliness and desolation hidden in his words. At that moment, she refused to believe the King's words.
As she gazed at the sky, she made a resolution.
'No matter what, I will make sure the King and Enkidu meet again. This time, let me disrespect the King! I'm willing to bear the consequences!'
...
Now, as she looked at Gilgamesh before her, her heart yearned for Enkidu's arrival.
'Enkidu-sama... The King is here... When will you come...?'
"Would you like some wine?" Yuto asked, seeing the two men were about to drink.
Iskandar smiled at Yuto. "No need this time, little Boss. This fellow here has plenty of fine wine."
As he spoke, Iskandar eyed Gilgamesh with a hint of envy.
Yuto also looked at Gilgamesh with curiosity. His establishment only served basic beers of average quality.
Gilgamesh's lips curled into a smug yet exasperated smirk. "I never imagined the so called King of Conqueror would be such a... character."
Though his words carried a hint of mockery, Gilgamesh reached into the rippling void and retrieved a bottle of his treasured wine.
As the oldest king, he was entitled to possess all the world's treasures.
The repository that housed these countless treasures was known as the Gate of Babylon. Within its depths lay even the most exquisite wines, reserved for the gods themselves.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, the King of Hero uncorked the bottle.
This was fine wine contained in a golden vessel, the vessel itself is priceless.
Yuto was momentarily awestruck.
'This King certainly seems wealthy,' he mused.
His impression was no exaggeration.
As the master of the Gate of Babylon, Gilgamesh possessed countless treasures.
If these treasures were converted into worldly currency, their value would be immeasurable, beyond any numerical estimation.
The gemstone he had gifted Siduri earlier would fetch at least tens of billions of yen at auction.
Yet such gems were piled mountain-high in Gilgamesh's treasury...
The moment the wine bottle was opened, an intense aroma filled the air.
This wasn't merely a pleasant fragrance, even Ainz felt a faint primal craving for it.
Yuto's eyes widened.
He had never encountered such a profound and intoxicating fragrance before, the fragrance it self seemed to seep into his very bones.
Inhale—
Iskandar took a deep breath, his rugged face softening with rapture and nostalgia.
"Ah, how I miss it. The last time I drank your wine was on that bridge."
A hint of nostalgia flickered in Iskandar's eyes.
It was just before their final clash.
The two kings had shared one last toast. The taste of that wine still lingered in Iskandar memory—a blend of restlessness, exhilaration, resolve, and the will to die.
Gilgamesh, of course, understood Iskandar meaning.
Though he had never met Iskandar in person, when he laid eyes on him, he saw everything.
His Clairvoyance allowed him to glimpse the future. Even dwelling within the distant memories of humankind, he could pierce through layers of mist to observe countless possible futures.
Thus, despite never having met Iskandar face-to-face, he recognized him.
However...
Gilgamesh glanced at Yuto.
His Clairvoyance failed to penetrate Yuto's true nature.
A veil of impenetrable mist obscured Yuto's past and future. When Gilgamesh attempted to pierce that mist, an indescribable gray light shook his soul.
In an instant, a threat far graver than death emanated from an unknown source.
Even a king like Gilgamesh couldn't help but feel dread.
This wasn't the kind of fear that could be overcome by sheer willpower or mental fortitude.
It was a power that transcended all worlds.
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I just read the description of Sha Naqba Imuru (Gilgamesh ability).. how the hell he lose to Shiro?