Fate/Magus Path

166 Ur

As Jaguar Man had predicted, shortly after venturing into the rainforest, the beasts received a summons from their unseen master. Without hesitation, they turned back, retreating from the jungle without pressing further toward Ur.

Concerned about Taiga's reliability, Roy chose to part ways with her about a kilometer from the city. He freed himself from her grasp, remaining in place for a long while, waiting.

Had the beasts truly pursued them, running to Ur would never have been an option. Even with Quetzalcoatl present, Roy could not, in good conscience, bring disaster upon the city's inhabitants. If a battle with Kingu was inevitable, he would face it here rather than allow innocent lives to be drawn into the conflict.

He urged Taiga to go ahead to Ur, promising to follow shortly. Though bewildered by Roy's reckless decision, Taiga, as his Servant, refused to leave his side. More than that... her Master was none other than her most revered and beloved older brother. How could she possibly flee in disgrace?

That was not the way of the Tiger of Fuyuki.

Determined, Taiga stood her ground beside Roy, ready to meet the incoming wave of beasts. As an immense surge of magical energy descended upon the rainforest, the two immediately steeled themselves, prepared for battle.

However, the unseen force took note of their presence. After a mere glance in their direction, it launched a few earthen spears... easily shattered... before abandoning further tests. Turning away, it led the beasts out of the jungle.

Relieved by this turn of events, Roy and Taiga wasted no time and set off for Ur, the rainforest city under the rule of Quetzalcoatl.

...

Unlike the arid climate typical of Mesopotamia, Ur stood amid a lush tropical rainforest. Enveloped by dense foliage, the city was humid and stifling.

Lacking arable land, its people survived primarily as hunters. Yet, as Roy observed the city, something felt profoundly amiss... it did not resemble a thriving community of hunters at all.

Despite the evident traces of human habitation, the city lacked the most fundamental aspect of any settlement:

Life.

It was as if the city were an elderly man on the brink of death... bereft of vitality, drained of spirit.

The streets were devoid of merchants and passersby, absent of children's laughter. The few middle-aged men that moved through the town wore no smiles.

A heavy silence blanketed Ur, mirroring its people's subdued, repressed emotions.

Roy's gaze sharpened as he activated his detection magecraft, allowing his senses to sweep across the city in an instant.

Hmm...

The population numbered in the thousands. But strangely, they were all in their prime... there were few elderly or children among them.

His findings led him to a realization: the entire city was populated by young, strong individuals.

Had Quetzalcoatl already gathered this many warriors from other cities? And yet... she was nowhere to be found in Ur. Had she left to capture more?

Quetzalcoatl... the Feathered Serpents God, one of the supreme deities of Aztec mythology.

A goddess who appeared wild and free, yet was, in truth, wise and kind. She despised human sacrifices and loved humanity dearly. She was a god of life and harvest, of culture, of wind and rain. At one point, she was even worshiped as a sun deity.

Among all divine beings, she stood at the pinnacle of benevolence.

She had gathered these young warriors here not to harm them, but to test and recruit them.