"..."
"Hey, show some respect for this king! Where's the flair? You're ruining the epic battle vibe with your silence."
Feeling the collective gaze of pity, Iskandar scratched his head in frustration.
Why am I the one isolated here?
"Idiot, no need for chatter with the enemy. Attack!"
Ignoring Iskandar's awkwardness after Gilgamesh snubbed his greeting, Kayneth had no patience for his feelings and ordered Fionn to strike.
This wasn't a banquet for chit-chat—it was war. With a decisive advantage, they needed to act fast.
He knew well that delays bred complications.
"Ho ho, I agree with Lord El-Melloi. Let's fight, King of Conquerors."
Matou Zouken shared Kayneth's sentiment. Even before Gilgamesh appeared, he'd had a bad feeling, which intensified the moment the King of Heroes emerged.
His heart whispered, Something's off...
Something bad was brewing...
Glancing at the troubled Iskandar, the battle-ready Fionn, and the eager Lancelot, then at Gilgamesh overlooking them from above, Zouken thought, Three Servants together—there shouldn't be an issue, right?
No, there couldn't be. Their lineup was tailored to take down Gilgamesh.
Lancelot's Knight of Owner countered Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon projectiles; Iskandar's Reality Marble restricted his mobility; and Fionn, the god-slayer, would deliver the fatal blow.
Even without Scáthach, this was a luxurious lineup—the grandest gathering of heroes Zouken had seen in centuries, fueling his confidence.
How could such a flawless team fail? Three elite Servants against the King of Heroes—the strongest possible formation.
How could there be a problem?
Though Gilgamesh was formidable, their Servants were heroes too. He was overthinking.
Shaking off his unease, Zouken raised the Book of the False Attendant and commanded Lancelot in a sinister tone, "Berserker, fight with all your might. Tear the King of Heroes apart."
"—Arrrrrrrrrrrr!!!"
As the command took effect, a red Command Spell vanished, boosting Lancelot's strength. His armor screeched louder, his crimson gaze locking onto Gilgamesh as his prey.
This glare clearly irked Gilgamesh, who narrowed his crimson eyes and sneered at the Black Knight and his decrepit Master. "A mad dog and a pest—what a perfect pair."
His icy gaze swept over Lancelot and Zouken, instantly piercing their essence, his scorn unsparing. "A rotten soul like a filthy worm. You've worked hard to cling to this world."
His eyes fixed on Zouken, his words dripping with killing intent and contempt.
"Heh, I should've died long ago, but I have unfinished business, so it's not my time yet."
Unfazed by Gilgamesh's mockery, Zouken knew his status and strength were no match for the ancient king. Without these Servants' protection, Gilgamesh could crush him like an worm.
As he spoke, Zouken issued his command and retreated several steps, addressing Kayneth and Waver seriously. "Lord El-Melloi, and this promising young magus, I leave this battlefield to you. I'll have Lancelot assist you here."
Though their side held the upper hand, Zouken opted for caution.
Sensing Gilgamesh's killing intent, he followed his survival instincts, withdrawing from the fight against Gilgamesh to face the easier target, Kotomine Kirei.
Gilgamesh's depths were unfathomable, and a magus like Zouken was at risk in such a battle. Lancelot, as a Berserker, wouldn't protect him, so he left the field.
Turning to a dark patch of forest nearby, he rasped, "Since you're here, why not show yourself?"
"..."
Silence followed, then faint footsteps echoed from the darkness.
Tap, tap, tap—!!
Hearing Zouken's words, Kotomine Kirei, who had been watching from the shadows, slowly emerged.
"That's the King of Heroes' new Master?"
Seeing the expressionless young man in clerical garb appear in the night, Kayneth started to speak, but Zouken, eager to escape, acted swiftly.
His eyes flashed, his demeanor shifting from frail to ferocious. With surprising explosiveness for his decayed frame, he lunged at Kirei, swinging his cane viciously at his throat, aiming for a lethal strike.
But Kirei, unlike the academic Tohsaka Tokiomi, was a battle-hardened Church Executor. He reacted instantly, flipping his hand to draw several Black Keys from his sleeve, blocking Zouken's assault expressionlessly.
"Ho ho, you're quite different from that Tohsaka boy."
Surprised his ambush was thwarted so easily, Zouken's eyes glinted, and he let out a chilling laugh. With a wave of his arm, he unleashed his magecraft.
—Buzz, buzz, buzz!!
The sound of wings vibrated as worm familiars hidden in his body shot toward Kirei like arrows, their attack swift and ruthless.
"You're... Kotomine Kirei, right?"
Noticing the Command Spells on Kirei's hand as he blocked the assaults, Zouken's face twisted into a eerie smile.
"You know me?"
Kirei asked a pointless question.
"Naturally. The Matou are a magical family of Fuyuki. I'm well aware of local affairs."
"Killing your professor, and seemingly your father... you're even less human than I am."
Zouken rasped.
"Less human? Perhaps, but it's my choice—my heart's choice. It makes me feel alive, brings me joy. As for why I'm talking so much..."
Kirei leaped onto a tall tree branch, looking down at Zouken summoning his worm familiars. "Because there's no need to keep secrets from the dead."
"..."
"They're fighting elsewhere now?"
Witnessing Zouken's explosive mobility and destructive power, so at odds with his frail frame, Waver was astonished.
"Are you blind?"
Kayneth snorted, unimpressed.
He could see Zouken was taking the least risky path, escaping the dangerous battlefield.
But that was fine. If Zouken could eliminate Kirei, it would benefit them. Kayneth hadn't counted on him contributing much against Gilgamesh anyway—leaving Berserker was enough.
In an instant, the battlefield split anew.
Confirming their opponents, Fionn approached the disgruntled Iskandar, ignored by all. "King of Conquerors, pre-battle rallying is nice, but we're all seasoned heroes here—no need for morale boosts. Since the enemy's here, let's unleash your Reality Marble and make some noise, per the plan?"
Releasing his thumb, Fionn smiled, twirling his spear in the air.
"...Fine, I get it. Skip the prelude and fight! But I've got one last thing to say."
"Do it quick."
Nodding, Iskandar stepped toward Gilgamesh, delivering his final words. "I don't know the details, but now we can finally discuss the kingly ways we talked about at the banquet, King of Heroes."
"I bet you're just as eager as I am!"
"Pfft... Hahahahahahaha!!!"
Hearing Iskandar, Gilgamesh, perched arrogantly on the streetlamp, burst into laughter. "You're killing me! You false kings want to discuss kingly ways with me? That's the best joke I've heard!"
"Hahaha, you say that, but without a contest, who can judge which way is better?"
Iskandar laughed back.
"Hmph, mongrel, you're confident in your path. But who do you think I am?"
Gilgamesh's eyes glinted with killing intent. "I am the ancient King of Heroes, King of Uruk, Gilgamesh!!"
As he spoke, he spread his arms, countless golden ripples spreading from the void behind him.
"Rider!!!"
Seeing the myriad Noble Phantasms emerging from the golden gates, Waver ducked behind Iskandar.
Kayneth, wary, stepped back, yielding the field to Fionn. Against a rule-breaking existence like Gilgamesh, only Servants could act.
"If I had time, I'd humor you, but now, you'll exit here obediently! I'm done playing!!"
"So, we settle kingly ways with martial prowess?"
Iskandar scratched his head, mirroring Gilgamesh's stance. "I'm game! Let's see whose path is the strongest, King of Heroes!"
"Master, use a Command Spell. I've burned a lot of mana. I need to fight at full strength! My path is to unite all who share my vision, chasing the heavens to the ends of the sea!"
Iskandar didn't propose a fair one-on-one duel but stuck to the plan—three Servants against one.
There's no mercy in battle. Though he valued honor, it wouldn't jeopardize victory or his comrades. He was the King of Conquerors, aiming to dominate all, not a knight chasing fairness. Only victors defined the battlefield!!
"I'm honored to fight beside you."
Fionn and Lancelot fully agreed, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him, facing the Holy Grail War's most fearsome foe.
"Ready, Master? I promised to show you true conquest. Will you join me?"
Iskandar flashed a hearty smile.
"Rider..."
"I understand!"
Waver nodded solemnly, raising his right hand. "By three Command Spells, I command you, Rider, fight at full strength! Unleash your Noble Phantasm! Show me your dominion!!"
"YES—!!"
Iskandar roared, his pre-battle fervor erupting. Raising his Sword of the Kupriotes, he summoned thundering might—
"Ionioi Hetairoi!!"
Sand and dust swirled as space warped and mana surged. Six figures vanished from Fuyuki's forest, transported to an ancient battlefield of endless sands and charging armies.
...
...
Meanwhile, late at night, Tohsaka Tokiomi, gravely injured from blood loss, snapped his eyes open and rose from a pet hospital bed.
Feeling the searing pain in his body and seeing the bandages on his chest, he recalled the events of days prior, his emotions a tangled mess.
Betrayed by his summoned Servant, Gilgamesh, then by his trusted disciple, and finally... saved by Matou Kariya, the man he despised most.
The blow to Tokiomi was worse than death.
Losing his place in the Holy Grail War, betrayed by those he trusted, and saved by one he scorned... even entrusting his wife and daughter to Kariya's care before nearly dying.
The experience left his proud, elegant heart feeling utterly humiliated, unsure how to face himself or Kariya again.
"..."
He had woken earlier that day, his blurred memories slowly returning, but unwilling to face the harsh reality, he feigned sleep until Kariya left. Only then did he rise.
He recalled that night—Kariya carrying him through the streets, frantically seeking a doctor, and the words spoken as he teetered on death.
It was about Aoi...
The promise to give Aoi happiness...
Memories flooded back. He vaguely recalled competing with Kariya for Aoi. One night, a disheveled Kariya stormed to his home, punched him, and said inexplicable things.
After that, Kariya vanished.
Tokiomi had forgotten, dismissing him as a coward. But after facing death, those buried memories resurfaced.
That night, Kariya had roared, "Tohsaka Tokiomi, I'll step back from this contest. If you truly love Aoi, give her happiness! If you fail and make her cry, no matter when or where, I'll return and beat you senseless!!"
Kariya's words echoed in his ears.
So that's it...
That's why Kariya returned.
Suddenly, Tokiomi understood everything. He stared blankly at a sunflower by the window, blooming in the sunlight, silent, his thoughts unreadable.
In the past, he'd have confidently claimed he was blameless. But now...
Was he wrong?
Truly wrong?
Perhaps... he was.
Perhaps dying in betrayal and flames would have been his best end.
Should I die now?
Tokiomi whispered, questioning himself, but quickly dismissed the thought.
He might deserve death, shamed to live after this, unsure how to face Kariya.
But not now—he hadn't given his wife and daughter happiness. He had unfinished business!
Turning, Tokiomi gripped the mercury sword by his bed—the blade that had pierced his chest, only recently removed by Kariya, nearly killing him.
A gift from his father, and one he gave to Kirei...
Seeing it, his fog of confusion cleared. Tokiomi knew what he must do.
"Kirei, Gilgamesh... just you wait."
Clutching the dagger tightly, his expression twisted grimly.
...
Soon after...
Kariya, returning with fruit, stared at the empty hospital bed.
"...Tohsaka Tokiomi?"
***
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