The damage to Heliopolis was beyond recovery.

  Both the priests and the citizens of the city seemed to have fallen into the

  unconsciousness of the Void.

  When officials and priests from nearby cities arrived and began their

  investigation, the five siblings moved the old man’s corpse to a secluded place

  on the outskirts.

  Ella dug a grave beneath a great tree.

  As she began wrapping the old man in linen and burying him, Tamar spoke.

  "You do know that man destroyed an entire city, and you're burying him

  anyway?"

  Ella sealed the grave with soil and marked it by placing small stones around

  it.

  "What he did cannot be forgiven… but still, it's pitiful. I wanted to

  bury him."

  When the burial was finished, Ella took out two coins and buried them in the

  soil, then recited a short mourning spell she knew.

  For the old man who had paid the price for a two-hundred-year grudge against

  Heliopolis in such a horrific way, it was a peaceful end.

  Soon Wadji woke up. He gagged and vomited for quite some time.

  Though he looked exhausted, he was unharmed upon examination.

  "I only remember up to eating something at the Temple of Mehen… after

  that, it feels like I've been trapped in a nightmare the whole time."

  While Wadji gathered himself, they rested beneath the tree.

  Elaton sat on a flat rock, staring at the golden sword with a troubled

  expression.

  He sheathed the blade, slowly stood, and looked around at his siblings.

  "I think… it would be better for me to leave for a while. At this rate,

  I won't be of any help."

  No one could find the words to respond.

  Azael spoke in a subdued voice.

  "Elaton… I understand the sense of loss. But this isn't something to

  decide emotionally."

  Elaton smiled gently.

  "No. I've thought about this for a long time. Watching Gilgamesh's

  swordsmanship made me realize something. There exists technique that surpasses

  raw power. I want to learn that too. Six months… give me six months. During

  that time, I'll find my own way and return."

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  Eshiel stood as well.

  "I also need time. I must find a new bow. Let us each seek our own path

  for six months."

  Azael fell into thought.

  It was clear that the strength of the siblings, himself included, had greatly

  diminished.

  If they scattered and grew stronger in their own ways, there would be nothing

  to lose.

  "Alright. Let's part ways for six months. We'll meet again in Upper

  Egypt, Memphis, six months from now."

  Ella and Wadji were assigned to accompany Tamar.

  Tamar complained.

  "I get Ella, but why is Wadji being attached to me too?"

  Azael smiled faintly.

  "Because you're the worst at foreign languages, Tamar."

  She shrugged as if she had nothing to say in response.

  In the end, they packed their belongings and promised to reunite in half a

  year.

  They exchanged farewells and left one by one along their separate paths.

  As the siblings who had lived together through everything departed, Ella felt a

  trace of bitterness.

  Then she suddenly shouted.

  "Ah! The goats! I forgot the goats. We tied them outside the

  temple!"

  "Well… they were probably stolen or eaten by beasts. Just forget

  them."

  At Tamar's words, Ella shook her head.

  "No! We need them. And I've been feeding and washing them this whole

  time!"

  Tamar clicked her tongue and began walking back toward the temple as if she

  had no choice.

  After about thirty minutes, they saw the goats still safely tied to the tree.

  "Haha, you're safe… Anu, Sili, I'm sorry."

  As Ella stroked the goats—whom she had even given names—Tamar watched with

  an unamused expression.

  At that moment, Wadji stared at the goats seriously. His eyes seemed to

  glimmer strangely.

  "They're magical creatures. I can see that their connection to their

  creator has been severed."

  He began touching one of the goats.

  "I think I can reconnect it."

  The tips of Wadji's fingers began to glow.

  As he made several motions as if reconnecting invisible threads, the goat-drawn

  cart began to emit a faint light.

  "It should be back to normal now."

  When Ella climbed aboard, the cart had indeed regained its original strength

  and speed.

  When she slightly lifted the cart, the goats returned to statues.

  "Wadji! How did you do that?"

  "I don't know… I can just see it, like it's right in my hands."

  Tamar glanced at the cart and spoke flatly.

  "That's good. I was getting annoyed walking everywhere. But where are

  we supposed to go now…"

  Wadji's eyes glowed faintly again.

  "How about heading into the forest? I can see a large forest to the

  west. I sense magical energy there that Miss Tamar might find

  interesting."

  Tamar frowned slightly.

  "Suddenly you're a fortune-teller, huh, kid. Well… since the cart's

  fixed, there's no harm in checking it out."

  Tamar, Ella, and Wadji boarded the cart.

  As the goats stamped their hooves, they instantly left the city and vanished

  beyond the western horizon.

  *Patreon is now open. You can enjoy the next episode and illustrations there.

  *For managing the series, I will upload twice every three days.