Chosen King vs King of Heroes

"Judgment, you say...?"

Gilgamesh muttered, his eyes exuding a coldness that could freeze time itself. Extreme anger twisted his lips into a sinister smile.

"Only a mongrel dares to speak such words."

He raised his hand, and behind him, the golden ripples expanded even more. Countless divine weapons freely danced through the air as if they cost nothing, rushing fiercely towards Arkhan, seemingly intent on sinking the entire dock area.

In response, the black holes behind Arkhan also expanded.

Filled with countless golden imitations of the Black Abyss mimicked by the Void Archives, they launched and transformed into an endless stream of golden light. The black night sky changed into a fierce golden hue, colliding with numerous Noble Phantasms renowned in history from the Gate of Babylon.

*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*

*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*

Like small nuclear explosions, deafening blasts echoed through the heavens and the earth consecutively, thick smoke billowing without stopping.

Seeing this, Gilgamesh's face darkened terribly.

He had always used his absolute advantage in Noble Phantasms to suppress others. Now, this unknown mongrel possessed the same abilities as him.

It was a blatant challenge!

He should be the only king under the heavens, his authority was the only eternal one. Whether Lancer's Noble Phantasms were genuine or imitation, such existence could not be tolerated. Those who blaspheme against his kingship must pay with their lives!

"Let me tell you the difference between original and fake!" Gilgamesh exclaimed with anger.

It was as if the sky had opened countless golden eyes, golden ripples covered it densely, endless and infinite, illuminating the deep night into boundless golden brilliance. In such a magnificent scene, any creature could only lament its own insignificance.

All Masters, who used their familiars to observe the battle of the two kings, witnessed this magnificent scene with wide eyes.

Their expressions transformed from curiosity to complete astonishment. If all these Noble Phantasms were truly unleashed, the dock area would be obliterated!

Such a commotion would undoubtedly cause a stir in the world!

Not revealing 'Mystery' to ordinary people was a basic rule in the world of magecraft. That's why, when destruction caused by the Holy Grail War occurred, they always used gas leaks as an excuse.

However, watching Gilgamesh, who was obviously engulfed in anger, no one dared to interfere. In such a situation, even if the gods themselves descended, they would probably be mercilessly targeted by this King of Heroes.

The only one capable of stopping Gilgamesh now would be his Master. Yet, facing a Servant with such a foul temper, would any Master dare to intervene?

Every Master shook their heads silently. If they forcibly summoned Gilgamesh back with a Command Spell at this moment, those Noble Phantasms would likely find a new target.

Their eyes turned to the figure clad in silver. The only remaining hope now rested on the one who bore the name of the Chosen King, Arthur.

Artoria stood on the edge of the dock area while gripping her black holy sword. Her hand tightened and loosened, seemingly hesitating. A faint trace of indecision appeared in her pale golden eyes.

"This time, let me see how you'll block this!" Gilgamesh grinned maliciously, raising his hand and sweeping it through the air.

Swords, spears, axes, and countless Noble Phantasms, shrouded in a thick ancient aura, descended at a speed surpassing sound, like a golden torrent.

Arkhan observed the Noble Phantasms raining down like a storm. Not only had their numbers increased, but their ranks had also noticeably risen; almost all of them were now B-rank or higher Noble Phantasms.

The Void Archives in his hands were merely imitations created by the Throne of Heroes, naturally weaker than the original. With the added nerfs of mimicking another Divine Key using Void Archives' ability, the actual rank of these 'imitations of imitations' probably fell within the range of 'C' to 'B-'. Blocking so many B-rank Noble Phantasms with them was impossible.

Gilgamesh clearly saw through this weakness, prompting him to make such adjustments. His goal was to resolve the situation in one round, leaving no chance for Arkhan to fight back.

However, who said Arkhan had to choose a head-on collision?

Remembering what Kiana as the Herrscher of the Void did in the animation trailer, a slight curve appeared on his lips. Using the power of Cosmic Juggernaut, he pressed his thumb and middle finger together, gently snapping his fingers.

*Snap!*

As if corresponding with the golden ripples in the sky, numerous black holes emerged from above Arkhan's head, resembling bottomless abysses. They swallowed all the flying Noble Phantasms from the Gate of Babylon, leaving the scene calm and undisturbed—without a trace as if these Noble Phantasms had never existed.

"..."

The silver frosty moon cast a cold gleam, and the scene soon fell into a deathly silence.

So many Noble Phantasms, all gone in an instant?

Deep confusion was evident in everyone's eyes. This scene had completely exceeded their understanding. They couldn't help but doubt if they were dreaming.

Those were thousands of B-rank Noble Phantasms. Yet, they vanished before their eyes in the blink of an eye!

Even if you threw thousands of stones to the ground, at least there would be a sound. However, so many powerful Noble Phantasms had descended, but there was no reaction whatsoever.

It was beyond incredible and was downright surreal!

Staring at the towering silver figure, everyone couldn't help but share the same doubt.

—Is King Arthur this powerful?

"Saber, do you have that ability we just witnessed?" Kiritsugu's voice suddenly echoed in Artoria's mind.

"No..." Artoria replied with a furrowed brows.

"I see... I understand..." Kiritsugu sighed almost imperceptibly and then severed the connection with her.

"..." Artoria unknowingly felt pissed.

Arkhan gazed at Gilgamesh in the distance, whose face had turned almost as dark as the bottom of a pot.

"I'm not a fan of keeping other people's things, so it's better to return them to their rightful owner. Take it back, Gilgamesh. I'm returning your beloved Noble Phantasms." Arkhan said casually with a light chuckle.

*Snap!*

He snapped his fingers again, and the black holes reappeared, but this time, they didn't unfold flat like before. Instead, they formed a circle centered around Gilgamesh.

As Gilgamesh stared at the black and deep holes surrounding him, his crimson eyes suddenly contracted to a needle-like size.

"You bas—!"

*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*

*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*

Gilgamesh roared with anger, but before he could finish, a series of rapid explosions drowned out his voice.

The Noble Phantasms that had been swallowed by the black holes earlier flew out again at the same speed, like a shower of golden lights, completely covering Gilgamesh's figure. Continuous explosions erupted, quickly shrouded in thick smoke.

Everyone watched this scene, involuntarily swallowing hard, feeling a sense of sorrow.

The bombardment lasted a full ten minutes before ending. When the smoke cleared, Gilgamesh reappeared in front of everyone.

The King of Heroes no longer had the majestic appearance of a god descending to earth. His golden armor was shattered, and his body was covered in grim scratches. Flesh and blood were blurred in many places, with crimson blood continuously flowing. His hair was charred black, and even his right hand had been severed. He looked very gloomy and miserable.

"You... bastard..." Gilgamesh gritted his teeth, staring at Arkhan with great anger. The previous bombardment had depleted all his defensive Noble Phantasms, but even so, he still had to pay a considerable price.

"Please temporarily retreat, Your Majesty. Your current condition is very dangerous. Continuing to fight may endanger your life."

A man's voice suddenly echoed in Gilgamesh's ears.

"Are you underestimating me, Tokiomi!?" Gilgamesh roared like a wild beast. Rage boiled in his crimson eyes. "I haven't lost yet! I still have a trump card! I must make that bastard pay!"

He raised his hand again, and from the golden ripple, golden chains leaped out like dragons, entwining towards Arkhan.

"You can't hide it from me, Arthur! Like me, you also possess divinity!" Gilgamesh looked at Arkhan, a cold and cruel curve forming at the corner of his mouth. "As long as you have divinity, you can't escape the binding of Enkidu. But since you're challenging me head-on, I'll give you a satisfying battle."

Gilgamesh was indeed an arrogant king, domineering and self-centered. He was challenging to get along with, but if recognized by him, he would express his appreciation generously.

Although Arkhan had caused Gilgamesh considerable trouble, he also proved the strength worthy of the title of king. Faced with such an opponent, Gilgamesh would naturally give due respect.

"The Chains of Heaven, Enkidu..." Arkhan muttered and then smirked as he gazed upon the most cherished Noble Phantasm of Gilgamesh. "Indeed, it's highly effective against me, but the catch is, it has to bind me for it to work, right?"

*Rattle!*

Thirteen golden spears with trailing chains soared out from Arkhan's back. It entangled with the approaching chains, sparking dazzling lights and erupting into the crisp sound of clashes between golden and iron, like ancient dragons in combat.

Gilgamesh's pupils suddenly shrank.

'Enkidu isn't working either?! Damn it, where did this bastard get so many Noble Phantasms?!' Gilgamesh exclaimed with anger in his mind.

The King of Heroes, who usually dominated and bullied others with the advantage of his abundant Noble Phantasms, now experienced being suppressed in the same way by another. From the beginning of the battle until now, he hadn't seized any advantage. Both the Gate of Babylon and Enkidu were utterly useless before this black-haired man.

Every ability of this man seemed tailor-made to counter him, completely restraining him.

"Reveal your final trump card, Gilgamesh." Arkhan, wielding Black Abyss, advanced step by step while speaking in a cold and ruthless tone. "Otherwise, you'll have no chance left..."

"Hmph, as you wish!" Gilgamesh responded without hesitation.

In this situation, his only remaining hope for a comeback was 'Ea'. However, just as he reached his hand into the golden ripple to pull Ea, a tall and black figure suddenly blocked his way.

As Arkhan looked at the familiar face in front of Gilgamesh, he involuntarily halted his step and a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.

"Cu Chulainn?"