Spirit

Slowly, from the golden ripples, a single sword is drawn.

For some reason, the King of Knight... referred to as Saber. Vast details about that king were recorded within this vessel.

And thus, reading and gaining the past records and knowledge, the emotions held by this vessel for that Servant slowly became visible.

Saber, possessing the heart of a dragon, is inevitably weak against weapons that kill dragons.

With this insight, a sword that becomes the source of dragon-slaying, different from the "thing" used when connected with a Saber from a certain dimension, was drawn.

If there are achievements, I shall gratefully utilize them. Once weaknesses are known, they must be exploited thoroughly. Without complacency or carelessness, even for someone nameless and without a signature, such must be the way.

—A Saber whose True Name has not been released will not break this armor.

—It would be best not to rely too much on this. Upon careful consideration, with each strike, every movement emanates an immense magical power, accomplishing all tasks.

Claiming to be unperturbed by rocket impacts due to being fully armored, the demeanor of a king has not penetrated this unmarked self.

—An Excalibur without a sheath is worthless.

The sheath of Excalibur... is it referring to the sheath of Excalibur?

Confusion arises. Could there be a situation where the sheath is stronger than the blade? Is there a purpose beyond sheathing the drawn blade?

I wanted to know more, but stubbornly, the details were not recorded within this vessel. Why...

I gaze at the black King of Knight before me. —There is no sign of anything resembling a sheath. It seems this vessel will not fall into the feared situation. I breathe a sigh of relief.

—It's precisely because one can't obtain it, that there exists beauty in certain things.—

...?

What does that mean? Are you saying that there is something that the king, who obtained and stored all sorts of treasures from the universe, throughout history, could not obtain? Really?

—Is this the true nature of this discomfort? Is this the cause of this frustration?

—Unthinkable as it may be, could the King of Heroes be... to that King of Knight?

I quickly dispel the fleeting thought.

There's no need for base actions that expose the heart. It might be acceptable for combat information, but to dig up past sentiments is undoubtedly disrespectful and sacrilegious.

—Repeat. I do not wish to dominate this vessel, nor do I wish to manipulate it.

Regardless of whatever fate may have unfolded, this vessel has genuine experiences, dignity, and pride.

Respect for the existence named the King of Heroes Gilgamesh and the magnanimity that still does not expel me. As an unmarked soul, I must not forget to be thankful.

I must discipline myself to avoid shamelessly flaunting others' accomplishments.

"You're pondering quite a bit. Have you grown tired of that foolish game of a tactic from that head? "

A stern voice shoots towards me. For someone with a weak heart, just this voice alone could drive them mad with fear.

"Well, I was simply considering a method suitable for you, that bloody makeup. Your fresh blood, drawn from you, would surely complement that pale skin, resembling either a corpse or wax."

A resolute, unfazed tone. I'm impressed by an unwavering set of values, but that certainly doesn't attract opportunities or advantages.

Rather—

"...A cheap provocation. I'll bite. Know that you can't swallow back the spit you've spat out. Go, golden—!!"

Naturally, upon hearing this, the presence I sensed would rage. I'm simultaneously awed and bewildered by her innate royalty and her way of life.

A mass of magical energy descends like a released jet, ready to strike like a bomber. An average hero who can't even perceive it would be cut down and killed.

"Don't underestimate me, Black."

"Ugh!"

My arm moves from experience faster than perception, barely intercepting the tremendous slash.

The impact transmitted from the intercepted sword is akin to being bombed up close, but—it doesn't threaten my life.

Nonsensical or beyond the norms of existence.

I haven't encountered an existence as formidable as this king's—!

"Ho... Do you intend to block my strike with your feeble arms?"

"Flies come to a halt. Your crude swordsmanship, which is only guided by brute strength, is repulsive to behold, Saber!"

While it's true that failure to react would have been fatal, I rally my emotions against the words of the vessel that remains composed and unflinching.

...

"...Hahaha, this is going to be fun."

Starting with a sound like an engine revving up,

"As that false pretense crumbles, you reveal your usual indignation, huh—!"

With a blast of incredible speed and fierce propulsion, a ferocious flurry of holy sword strikes assails Gilgamesh—!

"Nu, ooooohhh!!"

Countless clashes of swords create sparks. First engagement, second engagement, third engagement—countless lethal exchanges occur in the blink of an eye.

Amidst the whirlwind of a deadly dance, where missed strikes create blossoms of fresh blood, gold and black collide.

The momentum transforms into a violent storm, sweeping through the surroundings, causing the earth to rumble and the heavens to quake, a thunderous roar rises.

"Amazing, they're evenly matched! What a skillful king! If he stays focused and doesn't get complacent, he can do it!"

Roman exclaims in admiration. Strangely, he maintains a casually respectful tone when referring to the King of Heroes.

"Wow, Senpai! The King of Heroes is Archer, yet he's clashing swords with Saber, King Arthur!"

"Yeah... He can do anything... Gil!"

Mash and Ritsuka, too, excitedly and wholeheartedly raise their spirits in response to the awe-inspiring spectacle before them.

"Please, win—!"

As Olga Marie watches with bated breath, a warrior calmly observes the situation, ready for any turn of events.

"—Prepare yourself, miss."

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Cu Chulainn speaks up, and Ritsuka responds with confusion.

"Well, preparing for...?"

"It's obvious. It's for the next battle."

"—That goldie going to lose."

"—Huh?"

Certainly, there's also truth in the statement that he haven't fully adapted to physical combat tactics.

However, the opponent he chose to train against was too focused on close combat.

"Wait, what do you mean the King of Heroes is going to lose!?"

Ritsuka asks in response to the excessively cruel declaration.

"Exactly as I said. He's an archer, and Saber is a swordsman. The distance advantage has been reduced to zero in one go."

"But, he's managing to hold his own, isn't he?"

True, he haven't suffered any fatal strikes yet.

—But. Despite dodging, Gilgamesh seems unable to find an opening to counterattack against Saber's overwhelming prowess.

"He's managing to hold his own, but only that. Opening his Noble Phantasm would take too long at this distance. Besides, that guy rarely engages in close combat. Well, it's not impossible. As long as he keeps shooting, it should be enough."

Caster calmly explains. It's a detached, analytical assessment of the battle situation, based on the instincts of a seasoned warrior.

"He's a swordsman who's hanging by a thread. Sooner or later, he'll be overwhelmed. Being this close, Saber won't even give him a chance to perform his signature move or switch to other weapons. That's what this current Saber is like."

"Soon, his head will roll. The golden one's, that is."

"But, that's...!"

As if faced with an incomprehensible language from another world, her ears and heart reject understanding.

Lose? Gilgamesh?

The King of Heroes who may act arrogant but is kind, the one who worries about her, is he going to lose—?

What will happen if he loses? Naturally, he'll disappear. He's not an opponent who can be shown mercy by sparing him.

Images of their meeting, their encounter, flicker in her mind.

"You are..."

"Uh, what I want to know..."

"...Gil..."

The first Servant she summoned, other than Mash. A mischievous king who cracked a joke during the summoning, relieving her nervousness.

He was really intimidating when she first saw him, but he protected both her and Mash, who were utterly clueless. Because it was dangerous, he defeated the Servant on his own.

No matter how embarrassing, he stuck with her, a kind and fearsome king.

Disappear? Never be able to see him again? Really? Never again?

Can he be summoned again? Is this truly the 'Gil' that's here right now? Isn't he a completely different person?

She don't want that. She don't want any of that.

"...That's not..."

It's not that she like the King of Heroes Gilgamesh. Servant or anything, it doesn't matter.

"...That's not..."

He answered her summon.

He encouraged Mash.

He praised the director.

He gave candy, wanting everyone to get along.

The Gilgamesh here, right now, is the one her like.

She can summon him, that's why.

Even if she can call him again....

But that... He's not the Gil her want to stand shoulder to shoulder with...!

"The 'Gil' who fought here together with me is the one I need!"

"Ah!"

Mash lets out a voice akin to a scream.

...What remained there was the sound of high-pitched clashing of swords.

"—Ah."

Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasm in his hand shatters.

"—Ah—"

As his Noble Phantasm was shatters, Saber's counterattack slices through Gilgamesh.

"—Gil—!!!"

***

Not arrogance, but conceit.

Believing that self-evaluation through battles is sufficient. Thinking that a proper strategy can be established next.

—Such naive foresight. A human's naive thinking.

My upper body is still connected. However, my armor of the upper body is shattered to pieces, and my hair stands on end, fallen from the impact.

"Whether you were arrogant or not, I couldn't tell, but I'll just call it foolish. It was your mistake to dare challenge the Red Dragon of Britain with your swordplay games."

A cold voice echoes.

"—Tch, damn it... Even I was confused. I've gone too far with this play."

"It's an admirable confession. It might not be enough, but those words at the end will suffice."

—'She truly impressed.'

—'Without curses or pretenses. Accepting all misfortunes and shortcomings...'

This time, it was my judgment that was wrong.

I was already losing the moment I drew my sword. I was losing the moment she stepped in.

The moment it escalated into sword fighting—I was already losing.

Somewhere within me, there was dullness. That's the reason for my defeat.

The vessel actually performed quite well. To have handled that many swords is quite remarkable.

But—I couldn't seize the opportunity beyond that. That's all there is to it.

"Now, let me sever your head. Don't hesitate, King of Heroes."

"...?"

Am I giving up? Here?

My soul wavers.

Is it ending? Right here?

My soul wavers.

Is i disappearing? Right here...?

My soul—

"No."

"From here on, I'm going all out!"

My soul ignites.

"...!?"

—'Saber felt an anomaly in her right hand just as the sword was about to strike down.'

"This is—!"

"Hmph, this is truly my ultimate secret! The supreme treasure that will grant me a chance of victory when everything else fails!"

Chains—yes, chains.

Silver chains tightly coiled around my right hand, the final weapon of last resort for King of Heroes Gilgamesh—

"I'm indebted to you! 'Chains of Heaven'—!!"

In an instant, the sword is drawn. The demonic sword, the origin of dragon slaying, is retrieved once more.

"Guh—!!"

That momentary pause became her downfall. Piercing through the armor, penetrating her magical energy. The sword deeply pierces Saber's body.

"Fuhahaha! Do you think I'd willingly admit defeat? A king must be thicker-skinned than anyone else! Dying of overwork is out of the question! I won't even imagine it!"

"You...!"

"Saber, your long-winded lecture has become your downfall! It's utterly foolish to lick your lips in front of your prey!! My shattered armor is regrettable, but as long as my body remains, it's trivial—now, let me return the favor!"

Golden ripples surge through the air. Their number—five gates.

"Enjoy to the fullest—!! This is what a true archer is!!"

Sword-like objects set up like bullets release spears at supersonic speeds, one after another piercing Saber's limbs.

"—Tch!!"

Even with her limbs compromised, there's still breath in her, as befits one who claims the title of a dragon. She pushes back the chains and quickly puts distance between them.

—What difference does it make that i was slashed?

Experiencing this feeling of powerlessness is no different from what I felt back then.

What difference does it make that i wounded?

This means nothing compared to the emptiness I felt at that time.

True. This soul has only just begun to walk.

To fulfill what must be done.

To leave behind the meaning of my own existence.

First and foremost, if I keep worrying about such wounds—

"Now, behold! This is the pinnacle of an archer! The unique marksmanship allowed only to me, the Archer!"

—For Mash, who perseveres despite her fear and anxiety,

—For the Master who doesn't avert their eyes from their own destiny,

"I shall show you a glimpse of my supreme treasure!"

Golden ripples surge. Ten, twenty, thirty, fifty— a total of a hundred gates of ripples.

Arranged in a manner that surrounds Saber from all directions.

Above all—

In this vessel that contains me—King of Heroes Gilgamesh!

"——Gate of Babylon!!!"

—Because I feel inadequate for having to apologize—!!!

"――!!!"

Countless swords, axes, spears, and halberds. Every imaginable weapon rains down upon Saber.

An endless barrage of supremely merciless bullets, never depleting no matter how many are fired. It's a carpet bombing of unparalleled cruelty.

And furthermore, this time—each and every one of them is a weapon specialized in slaying dragons.

Reflecting on the previous failure, I meticulously selected the weapons while the vessel was barking loudly. I didn't spare even a trace of mercy.

Indeed, if the Archer's marksmanship is sloppy, then I shall be the one to choose the bullets.

When an endless number of bullets are haphazardly fired and each one proves to be a lethal hit tailored to the enemy—this is the sublime culmination of quantity and quality, a supreme marksmanship that blends the King's arrogance and nameless caution.

Here it is—my Noble Phantasm 'Gate of Babylon: King's Treasure' has unfolded.

—Eventually, sensing the shattering of her spiritual core dissipating in a mist of magical energy, I cease the bombardment.

Despite being pierced through by countless weapons all over her body, Saber's stance glaring at me remains unyielding, like an unsinkable battleship.

—She speaks quietly.

"...It would have been fitting to repel the futile throwing of countless weapons with my own, but there's no need to mobilize weapons specialized in killing dragons."

"Think of it as a parting gift to you. —As long as you don't let yourself be consumed by extraneous thoughts, you'll be able to use your slash to finish off what I couldn't."

"—You will understand, eventually. King of Heroes."

"The journey for the Holy Grail—the Grand Order has only just begun."

"—"

Before I can ask anything, the Black King of Knight disappears.

...She was formidable, and she was also a powerful hero who honed her soul.

Gratitude to that soul. I hope, in some other form, we shall see each other again—

***

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