[146] The Final Battle

"What did you mean by 'Heracles, the Archer-class' that you just mentioned?" Gilgamesh looked at the situation and furrowed his brow slightly, but he remained calm. He inquired about the words from Kazuya.

If he still had another Noble Phantasm, the "Sha Naqba Imuru," he could discreetly use it to see the current situation. However, his strength was limited since he was summoned by two Command Spells.

"Well... though he's in the Archer class, something seems off. I'll tell you what I know," Kazuya explained, "He was originally summoned as an Archer, but after being contaminated by the Black Mud, he abandoned his glory and took on the form of an Avenger. However, Heracles was originally a Berserker. So what's going on?"

Kazuya pondered for a moment, and then the situation changed.

Rider's withdrawal was inevitable. Behind Heracles, the Holy Grail had absorbed five Heroic Spirits and had fully formed.

At the same time, Heracles shot several arrows with his bow, but Gilgamesh's treasure, the "King's Treasure," blocked them all.

In the next moment, he dropped his bow and rushed forward with a sword in hand.

"I see," Gilgamesh laughed, "It's a Noble Phantasm that nullifies thrown Noble Phantasms!"

"No, the Noble Phantasm he currently wields isn't the 'Twelve Labours' but the 'Twelve Glories.' It's a Noble Phantasm that materializes past glories, and among them, the one that nullifies countless Noble Phantasms is the fabric he's wearing, a Noble Phantasm called the 'Pelt of the Divine Beast.' It renders all items created by humans ineffective, which means Noble Phantasms are useless."

"Legend has it that Heracles conquered the Twelve Labours. So, this must be the first of the Twelve Labours," Gilgamesh smiled, as if he had seen something worth looking forward to.

Kazuya remained silent. If it was true, then Gilgamesh was in a highly unfavorable position. Gilgamesh's vast array of Noble Phantasms directly countered Heracles's Twelve Labours, and now Heracles wielded the Twelve Glories, with the 'Pelt of the Divine Beast' effectively countering Gilgamesh's King's Treasure.

In his prime, Gilgamesh might have had a treasure specifically designed to deal with such Noble Phantasms, but now, aside from Vimana, Chains of Heaven, and Enuma Elish, he couldn't unleash the true names of his other Noble Phantasms. Moreover, there was no Noble Phantasm like the "Sha Naqba Imuru."

This was because he had summoned himself in a form that aimed to conserve Command Spells, and now it seemed like he was in a dilemma.

Boom!

Heracles struck heavily, and Gilgamesh used his sword to block the blow, but he was sent flying, and blood flowed from his arm. However, thanks to Kazuya's immortality, he quickly recovered.

Heracles prepared to strike again, and countless chains wound around him. However, when they reached him, while they didn't break, they were still repelled, including the Chains of Heaven.

In other words, Gilgamesh could only harm him with his fists, as his Noble Phantasms were rendered ineffective. He was completely countered.

"Quick, use EA, King of Heroes! EA should work!" Kazuya suggested. This Noble Phantasm indeed nullified Noble Phantasms but not those released without their true names. In other words, for instance, Arthur's Excalibur couldn't harm him, much like the Chains of Heaven, but when the Excalibur's true name was invoked, it could deal damage.

"No! This Mongrel isn't worth my use of EA! He lacks the corresponding radiance!" Gilgamesh insisted, "Not to mention, the current Heracles has completely killed my desire for that! He doesn't deserve it."

Meanwhile, he searched for an opportunity to defeat Heracles before him.

"Damn it..." Kazuya clenched his teeth and didn't say anything more. Another chance...

Now there were only thirteen minutes left, originally twenty-three minutes, but since they had used Chains of Heaven once, there were now thirteen minutes.

Another two minutes...

If there were still two minutes left, and the battle didn't end, Kazuya would forcibly take control of his bodies using Chains of Heaven, Enkidu!

But... Gilgamesh also had his chances.

He observed the battle and noticed something.

The Heracles before him was still a Berserker, lacking intelligence. His weapons remained those of a Berserker. Currently, only one of the Twelve Glories had manifested. Of course, it was the one that Gilgamesh found most challenging.

It entirely countered Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasms. Now, Gilgamesh, an Archer who relied on long-range projectile Noble Phantasms, could only attempt to defeat Heracles with his fists or use Chains of Heaven. But... Gilgamesh stubbornly refused to use it.

For Gilgamesh, the decision to use Chains of Heaven depended on the enemy's strength and whether the stage was suitable. Heracles had the strength now, but the stage was not.

"Nothing else to do..."

"Hmm? You Mongrel! What are you planning?" Gilgamesh's expression darkened.

His hands, uncontrollably, took out his own Noble Phantasm – Chains of Heaven, Enkidu! But he couldn't control his body.

"Damn Mongrel! Stop it!"

"Ugh..." Kazuya, who was controlling Gilgamesh's body, let out a slight groan. He felt a severe mental shock. Gilgamesh's presence was eroding him.

"There's no more time..." Kazuya gritted his teeth, "Enuma Elish–!"

He didn't have the energy to strike a pose or recite lines. He had to release his Noble Phantasm as quickly as possible.

And he didn't even have the energy to aim at the fast-moving Heracles. So, he didn't aim. There was something Heracles would definitely protect, and that's what Kazuya targeted – the Greater Grail!

"Roar!" Heracles roared, and although his expression was hidden by the fabric covering his face, the anger in his voice was evident.

Then, Enuma Elish was unleashed at full power.

The torrent of wind blades surged toward Heracles, heading for the Greater Grail behind him.

Boom!

Ryudouu Temple... exploded again.

---

If you're interested in reading more, feel free to visit my patreon which already contains 20 chapters: 

https://www.patreon.com/XElenea