[278] Ending Ahead of Time

"The pyramid in the middle of the desert has started moving. Rider has also started moving."

The moment Ozymandias set out, the Holy Church received the information.

"So it is—It's about time." Gilgamesh put down the chess piece in his hand and chuckled. "How about it, Kirei? Can you reveal your plans now?"

"Oh, what do you mean?"

"It's simple." Gilgamesh stood up, smiling. "In the face of the current situation, even this King has to take action. After all, this might be the end. If we're too slow, by the time this King arrives, both sides may have already decided the victor. Sitting here to determine the outcome is just boring. The final battle between me and Enkidu hasn't even started yet."

Gilgamesh looked down at Kirei Kotomine with a faint smile. "So, understand, Kirei. My patience with you is not unlimited; it's not endless. Now, the Holy Grail War is about to enter its conclusion. This is the King's last inquiry. Kirei, what exactly are you planning?"

"Hmph..." Kirei Kotomine's mouth slowly curved into a deeper smile. "Fine, it's about time. There's no harm in telling you... King of Heroes, obtain the Holy Grail."

"Oh..." Gilgamesh chuckled slowly. "Isn't the Holy Church's goal to completely destroy the Holy Grail? What's this? Have you changed your mind?"

"No... it's just a simple reason. According to the Mage's Association's research, the Holy Grail can prolong the leylines. So... can such a Holy Grail accelerate the early recession of the leylines?"

"...?" Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow slightly, then laughed. "Hahahahahahahaha, Kirei, you really are a complete clown. But what meaning does it have for you to do this?"

Kirei Kotomine stood up. "The Holy Grail War... this is my second time participating, and it should be the last. With the lessons from this time, even if we lose this Holy Grail War, the Mage's Association will still control the Holy Grail. The recession of the leyline is still several years away, only truly disappearing in the year 2000. In this way, taking the lessons from this time into account, even if we lose this time, the next Holy Grail War might involve six Masters from the Mage Association against a lone Master... this outcome is almost certain."

"So." Kirei Kotomine continued, smiling happily and laughing. "What if we expedite the recession of the leyline? I remember the Mage's Association is currently studying plans like 'What to do if the leyline disappears.' However... this takes time. And one of the factions has placed their bet on Barthomeloi Lorelei, hoping she can successfully prolong the leyline. So... in this situation, if we obtain the Holy Grail and make a wish for the 'early recession of the leyline'... the outcome is something that can be easily imagined."

"I see, I see! Is this your goal? Is this your wish? Hahaha, indeed, it's quite interesting." Gilgamesh laughed until tears came out of his eyes. "Very well! Let me help you! Help you obtain the Holy Grail!"

With that, the attire on Gilgamesh began to change slowly. His clothes gradually disappeared, revealing the upper half of his body covered in red patterns.

The golden armor had already shattered.

Fortunately, the armor DIO encountered was his, or else, if it was his body, even Gilgamesh would have to return to the Throne of Heroes.

If he were to fight DIO, the only thing he could do was long-range attacks, while being cautious of DIO getting close at any moment.

He couldn't even use Ea, except for small-scale uses.

If he fully unleashed it, the charging time alone would be enough for DIO to kill him several times.

Of course, that's only in theory.

In reality, Gilgamesh didn't think he would lose if they really fought.

"Please, King of Heroes. Obtain the Holy Grail!"

"Very well." Gilgamesh walked forward, saying, "That's it then. Open your eyes wide! Watch the radiance of the King of Heroes attentively!"

"Ah."

Bang—

Watching Gilgamesh break through the ceiling in an instant and soar into the sky, Kirei Kotomine slowly turned around. The corners of his mouth carried an increasingly deep smile, difficult to contain.

Just like that...

If the leyline really recedes ahead of time.

The faces of those magus... must be quite amusing.

Certainly quite amusing.

He's already a bit impatient!

On the side... on the other side of the wall, leaning there, Ambrose Conant tilted his head slightly. "Get ready... prepare to take action."

"Yes, so... what's the target?"

"To obtain the Holy Grail, to prematurely end the continuation of the leyline," Ambrose Conant said. "I agree with this goal."

...

*Tick* *Tick* *Tick*

In front of the Holy Grail.

Marta, who was reading a manga, put down the book in her hand, took a deep breath, and looked at the bats surrounding her. "So... it's Alucard?"

"Hehe, indeed." The bats gathered together, forming the figure of Alucard in front of Marta.

"What? What are you planning?" Marta said cautiously.

"It's simple, to get that Holy Grail." Alucard laughed maniacally, looking at Marta in front of him. "Step aside, Saintess. Step aside, Marta! This is the last chance."

Alucard took out a gun, pointing it at Marta. "It ends here. This game, like playing house, should come to an end now!"

"Step aside? Are you talking about me?"

Marta placed the book aside and clenched her gauntlets. "Yes, exactly!" Alucard laughed. "I've already received the order, oh, my Master. Search and Destroy! Kill the enemy on sight! Even so, if you insist on standing in my way—"

"So what!" Marta rushed towards Alucard and punched his head!

"Bang, bang——"

The next moment.

Bullets shot out from under Marta's feet, leaving a wound on her ankle!

"If you stand in the way, you die! No matter who you are!"

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