"Bring out all your tricks, Lancer."
Gilgamesh spoke indifferently, waving his hand as the golden ripples in the sky doubled.
"Otherwise, you won't have another chance."
The golden downpour fell once again, exploding about five meters above the ground. The explosion created a bright flash and a powerful blast, visible shockwaves spreading in all directions, turning the entire Ryuudou Temple into scorched earth in an instant.
Amidst the billowing smoke, a blazing reddish-orange pillar suddenly tore through the air, the terrifying heat distorting the surrounding void. Silently roaring like a mad dragon, it charged straight toward the radiant ship in the sky.
*BOOM!*
The scorching heat, capable of melting mountains, instantly shattered the precious golden ship, melting the exquisite gold and emerald into utter nothingness.
Waver, hiding in a secret vantage point, observing the battlefield through his familiar, found it heartbreaking and almost breathless.
Arkhan, blowing the smoke from the pistol of Judgment of Shamash, shook his head with resignation. It seemed like he couldn't bring back this radiant ship.
"Don't think it's over, Lancer!"
Gilgamesh, draped in a new fabulous attire, emerged from the explosion. Though his aura had diminished slightly, his eyes gleamed brighter, as if an invisible flame burned within.
"The real battle has just begun!"
An ice-cold intent, like a dormant volcano, suddenly erupted from nearby.
*Swish—!*
A black demonic hand, wielding a crimson demonic spear, thrust toward Arkhan's heart at lightning speed.
Arkhan squinted his eyes, wielding Black Abyss to block Cu Chulainn's attack. At the same time, he raised Judgment of Shamash in his other hand, pulling the trigger aimed at Cu Chulainn's head.
Facing the pitch-black barrel, Cu Chulainn's pupils shrank to pinprick size.
*BOOM!*
The surging flames roared like an enraged dragon.
In the nick of time, Cu Chulainn tilted his head to avoid the fatal blow, but his shoulder still took a hit. His armor, made from Curruid bones, was instantly pierced by the searing heat, which twisted his expression as he felt the piercing pain.
*Swish!* *Swish!* *Swish!*
Without warning, a rain of golden swords soon covered the area.
Gilgamesh seemed to completely disregard his own ally, Cu Chulainn, as he recklessly tossed his numerous Noble Phantasms from the Gate of Babylon without mercy. The exploding brilliance dispelled the darkness, illuminating everything around.
Even for Arkhan, it was challenging to withstand such bombardment. As a result, he decisively activated the spatial power of Cosmic Juggernaut, escaping from the explosion's coverage.
On the other side, Cu Chulainn, with his A+ Agility, managed to escape the explosion's coverage. However, being betrayed by an ally left him furious.
"What the fuck, Gilgamesh?!" Cu Chulainn growled, glaring at Gilgamesh, his expression darkening.
"Quit your yapping, mad dog." Gilgamesh coldly glanced at him. "I don't need dead weight as an ally. If you can't show enough strength, you might as well die with him."
"Tsk, tsk, these two really don't get along, eh? I don't know what their Masters were thinking, putting them together. Aren't they afraid these two will start fighting each other?"
Iskandar, standing on the chariot, crossed his arms and clicked his tongue. He then looked at Artoria, who remained motionless.
"By the way, aren't you teaming up with Archer and Berserker too? You just planning to stand here and watch?"
"Aren't you the one he sent specifically to keep an eye on me? I bet that as soon as I make a move, you'll immediately use your Reality Marble to pull me in." Artoria responded, her tone indifferent, not even glancing at him.
"Guhahaha, as expected of the King of Knights!" Iskandar laughed heartily, giving her a thumbs-up. "In that case, let's see together who the ultimate victor of this battle will be."
His voice wasn't exactly quiet and clearly heard by the three in the center of the battlefield, but the three paid it no mind. They were completely immersed in their battle, unable to afford any distraction.
Arkhan, shielded by Star of Eden, bore the brunt of Gilgamesh's attacks as he charged straight at Cu Chulainn.
Although it seemed that Gilgamesh was the easier opponent to deal with, with Cu Chulainn watching from the sidelines, the chances of victory were slim. In that case, it made more sense to deal with Cu Chulainn first.
Arkhan's black spear cut through the air with unpredictable arcs, continuously thrusting at Cu Chulainn's vital points. The latter didn't evade or dodge, only swinging his crimson demonic spear to deflect the former's assaults.
*Clang!* *Cling!* *Clang!* *Cling!* *Clang!* *Cling!*
The clash of the black spear and the crimson spear produced intense sparks.
The two fought like a whirlwind, displaying extraordinary spearmanship that seemed as natural as breathing. If there were spear experts present, they would instantly recognize that both of them executed nearly identical spearmanship.
"Haha! Yes! This is it! This is how it should be! You didn't disappoint, Lancer!"
Cu Chulainn yelled in delight, his mouth curving into a wild grin, and the crimson madness in his eyes burning like a relentless flame. At this moment, he finally experienced the long-lost joy of battle.
"Oh, by the way, Berserker, there's something I forgot to tell you." Arkhan suddenly spoke. "In the last battle between your other self and me, I actually won."
"Is that so?" Cu Chulainn, confidently wielding his spear, pushed Arkhan back step by step. "But it seems this time, I'm the one winning."
"I haven't finished yet." A sly smile appeared on Arkhan's lips. "That time, I didn't win solely with my spearmanship."
"What?" Cu Chulainn was slightly puzzled.
However, before he could react, a deep green light erupted from beneath him. Ancient runes, like blood, seeped from the ground, and a vast, surging power enveloped him, instantly restraining him.
"Primordial Rune?!" Seeing these familiar symbols, Cu Chulainn couldn't help but show a hint of surprise. "When did this happen..."
"Hmph, not even aware of such a crude trap. Truly, a mad dog is a mad dog after all."
Seeing this scene, Gilgamesh sneered while crossing his arms.
"Oh? Does this mean Berserker is losing?" Iskandar stroked his thick beard, eyes filled with curious interest.
Artoria's gaze flickered slightly and quietly tightened her grip on the invisible sword in her hand.
Just as everyone thought Cu Chulainn would be eliminated, a powerful surge of magical energy suddenly emanated from him.
"Slaughter, without exception."
"Liberate all curses. Without moderation."
"Be prepared to challenge despair..."
"Curruid Coinchenn!"
*BOOOM—!!!*
A colossal storm of crimson magical energy instantly surged forth from Cu Chulainn's body.