Chapter 99: Glory in the Distance

[Now that we have come to this, there is no need to say more.]

[The two threw their cups away and prepared to fight.]

[Iskandar did not hesitate, immediately leading his Army to charge at Gilgamesh.]

["To gather your troops and pursue your dreams… your determination is admirable,"] Gilgamesh remarked as he unsheathed Ea.

["But you must understand one truth: the so-called dream is destined to awaken."]

["Therefore, it is inevitable that I stand in your way, King of Conquerors!"]

["Enuma Elish!"]

[The red lightwave burst into the sky, unleashing overwhelming energy.]

[Without directly targeting Iskandar, Ea's force annihilated the King's Army.]

[Under the power of Gilgamesh's anti-world Noble Phantasm, the once-mighty King's Army shattered like fragile paper.]

---

Artoria: "I never imagined the Iskandar's Army would collapse so completely."

Ishtar: "This is what a weapon capable of obliterating worlds looks like."

First Emperor: "That sword is indeed terrifyingly powerful."

Even the First Emperor's Afang Palace, due to conflicting attributes, might not have withstood Ea's devastating attack.

Iskandar: "Gilgamesh, I knew your Noble Phantasm was extraordinary, but I never expected it to be this overwhelming."

In the previous battle, Gilgamesh had used Ea against Chihiro. However, due to Chihiro's Red Hare stacking countless buffs and absorbing the attack, Iskandar hadn't fully realized the weapon's destructive potential.

Now, watching his own Army collapse so effortlessly in the video, he finally understood.

Against Gilgamesh, he truly stood no chance of victory. He was entirely outmatched.

Gilgamesh: "Good that you now recognize it. During our last battle, I didn't even use my full strength. If I had, the outcome would have been different."

This wasn't mere boasting, he truly hadn't gone all out.

When he fought Chihiro, holding nothing back with Ea against a mere human would have been beneath his dignity. Furthermore, Tokiomi's mana supply at the time wasn't sufficient for a fully powered Ea.

---

[As the Army fell apart, both sides returned to the bridge. Waver looked at Iskandar with visible concern.]

["Speaking of which, there's one thing I forgot to ask you."]

[Iskandar, now unusually solemn, turned to Waver and asked, "Waver Velvet, are you willing to become my subject?"]

[Waver hesitated briefly, then answered with conviction, "You are the only king I acknowledge. I am willing to serve you and be loyal to you. Please, guide me forward and let me share in your dream!"]

["Good."]

[Hearing this, Iskandar smiled broadly, then gently set Waver down from his horse.]

[His meaning was clear.]

["It is the duty of a king to share his dream with his subjects. It is the duty of his subjects to witness that dream and pass it on to future generations."]

["Live on, Waver!"]

[With those final words, Iskandar charged toward Gilgamesh, fearless and resolute.]

---

Waver: "Rider, you…"

Iskandar: "Hahaha! Boy, won't you truly declare yourself my subject, like in the video?"

Waver: "Stop it already. We can talk about this later!"

El-Melloi II: "..."

---

["Glory lies in the distance. It is precisely because it cannot be reached that I must challenge it. My tyranny and conquest are not for my own glory but for the sake of my subjects watching my back."]

[Amidst the relentless barrage of treasures from Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon, Iskandar's determination remained unshaken.]

[Even as his beloved steed Bucephalus fell under the assault, his march forward did not falter.]

[The remaining distance was the longest he had ever walked in his life.]

[Finally, as Iskandar reached Gilgamesh, his journey was halted.]

[The Chains of Heaven appeared, binding him tightly and rendering him immobile.]

["You are truly…"]

[With a bitter smile, Iskandar muttered, "You always manage to summon something so peculiar."]

["Pfft!"]

[Gilgamesh did not hesitate, driving Ea through Iskandar's body.]

["Have you awakened from your dream, King of Conquerors?"]

["This expedition was exhilarating, even for me," Gilgamesh remarked.]

["I shall always welcome your challenges, King of Conquerors."]

["Truly? That… is wonderful."]

[And with that, Iskandar exited the stage.]

---

Iskandar: "This battle is difficult to watch. It doesn't sit well with me."

He had envisioned an epic duel with Gilgamesh, one filled with glory and valor. Yet, the reality was far from it.

In this one-on-one confrontation, he was utterly crushed, unable even to touch Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh: "You fought well, and I acknowledge your spirit."

Iskandar: "Really? Hahaha! Then it's not such a loss after all."

Tohsaka Rin: "What? He still relied on his Noble Phantasm to win."

Ishtar: "Exactly. Without Ea and the Chains of Heaven, could he have done the same?"

Gilgamesh: "Silence, mongrels. A Noble Phantasm is part of one's strength."

Iskandar: "True. There's no shame in relying on one's Noble Phantasm to win."

Iskandar: "Don't forget, my Army is also a Noble Phantasm."

Tohsaka Rin: "At least you're magnanimous about your defeat."

Iskandar: "Hahaha! It's fine. Didn't I already lose last night?"

---

[As Iskandar faded, Waver stood frozen in place, his emotions overwhelming him.]

["Boy, are you the Master?"]

[Gilgamesh approached Waver, looking down on him as always.]

["I am his subject."]

[This time, Waver's timid demeanor was gone. He stared back at Gilgamesh with unwavering resolve.]

["I see."]

[Gilgamesh smirked, saying, "Then, as his subject, shouldn't you avenge your fallen king now?"]

["…I cannot."]

[Clenching his fists, Waver responded firmly, "He ordered me to survive."]

["…Your loyalty is admirable. Stand firm in your conviction."]

[With that, Gilgamesh gave a faint smile and turned away.]

[As soon as Gilgamesh left, Waver collapsed to his knees, letting out a heartrending wail.]

[The video ended there.]

---

[The correct answer is B.]

[Congratulations to Waver, Chihiro, Gilgamesh, Kayneth, Artoria, Iskandar, Hassan of the Hundred Faces, Rin Tohsaka, Sakura Tohsaka, Irisviel, Zhang Jue, Red Hare, El-MelloiII, Ishtar, Brynhildr, Sigurd, and the First Emperor for earning 5 Saint Quartz.]

[Those who answered incorrectly lose 1 Saint Quartz.]

---

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "I never imagined Iskandar would be the first to leave on the final night."

Chihiro: "What did you choose?"

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "We spread our answers across the options, but luck wasn't on my side."

Chihiro: "Well, seems like luck really makes a difference here."

---

[The first question is over. The second question will now begin.]

[This is a three-stage competitive multiple-choice question. Each question has 5 minutes to answer. If you answer correctly, you will get 3 Saint Quartz. If you answer incorrectly, 1 Saint Quartz will be deducted. If no one answers correctly within 5 minutes, the question will be invalid.]

[If you get 2 questions right in a row, you can get 1 more Saint Quartz. If you get 3 questions right in a row, you can get 3 more Saint Quartz.]

---

Waver: "Another type of answering mechanic?"

Chihiro: "Naturally. There are more and more members in the group now, so they need a way to widen the gap between them."

---

[The video starts.]

[In an underground parking garage, Artoria and Lancelot engage in battle.]

[Lancelot wields a sniper rifle, firing at close range.]

[Artoria feints to one side before countering from the other, slashing through the air with her sword. However, Lancelot swiftly pulls out a submachine gun and begins firing.]

[Artoria is forced to dodge frantically, weaving between the hail of bullets.]

[But it doesn't take her long to find a solution.]

[Using the Invisible Air, Artoria lifts a nearby car and uses it as a shield, charging toward Lancelot with the vehicle in hand.]

[As Lancelot swats the car away, Artoria closes the distance, her blade flashing downward in a deadly arc.]

[But instead of evading, Lancelot catches the blade with his bare hands.]

["He knows the exact length of this sword…" Artoria murmurs, her tone tinged with suspicion.]

["Is he a knight related to me?"]

[Artoria, narrowing her eyes, steps back and observes her opponent carefully.]

["Your movements… your skills… they seem familiar. Surely, you must be one of my knights."]

[Artoria's suspicions deepen, and she raises her voice.]

["If you know that your opponent is me—Artoria Pendragon, King of Britain—and still dare to stand against me, then answer me as a knight would. Tell me your name!"]

["…"]

[But instead of answering, Lancelot begins to tremble. A violent energy surges around him as his frenzy intensifies.]

[Artoria's eyes widen in shock as Lancelot summons his Noble Phantasm.]

["That weapon…"]

[A spark of recognition flashes across her face as she whispers, "Arondight… The Unfading Light of the Lake!"]

["Could it be…"]

[Her voice falters as the truth dawns on her.]

["Is it you?!"]

[As if in response to her question, Lancelot's helmet cracks open, revealing his face.]

["Arthurrr!"]

[He roars her name, his voice filled with anguish and fury.]

["Sir Lancelot!"]

[Artoria's expression shifts to one of utter disbelief. The revelation leaves her visibly shaken.]

***

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