Although Shinji didn't possess the bug-level perception of Scathach, Gilgamesh, Karna, or Waver, he knew that Gilgamesh wasn't speaking any empty words—everything he said was true.
Fourteen thousand years ago, before the gods had split, the white giant god Sefar descended from the heavens, bringing boundless destruction. In the face of such a catastrophe, some rose and fought until they died, while others chose to beg for mercy and survive by clinging to life.
Gilgamesh's father, Lugalbanda, one of the three great heroes of Uruk as named by later generations, belonged to the latter group. He begged for mercy from the giant god, who surpassed even the gods.
For reasons unknown, the giant god Sefar, who was supposed to be a weapon with no emotions and driven only by destruction, spared Lugalbanda and even had him swear an oath.
Although Sefar was eventually defeated by the Sword of the Stars, and Altera's true body fell into slumber, this seemingly insignificant event was quietly buried in the long river of history. Even Altera herself might not remember it. But a vow is a vow, and shame is a shame. Especially after Lugalbanda achieved the unprecedented feat of becoming a god in human form, the weight of that shame grew heavier—perhaps this was where the Hero King's hatred for the gods first began.
If Gilgamesh didn't want to bear that shame himself and turn into something he despised, he had to repay this debt, and now was the perfect opportunity.
Of course, if it were only Gilgamesh, Shinji wouldn't necessarily be afraid. He had the confidence and backing to boast about defeating Scathach (as a Servant). But adding Altera into the equation made things different.
Even though she had been suppressed earlier, a top-tier Servant was still a top-tier Servant. And although Gilgamesh had told Altera to stand aside, Shinji knew Altera well enough to realize she wouldn't listen. She viewed herself as a weapon of war and had no concept of chivalry or fair competition. Whether she chose to aid Lorelei, continue targeting him, or assist Iskandar, any of these actions could instantly break the balance of the battlefield.
With Gilgamesh's involvement, his power became a decisive factor in determining the outcome of the war.
What should he do? Admit defeat now? Or reveal what he had been hiding and gamble everything?
The hesitant Shinji instinctively glanced at the two queens nearby, who were engaged in a magical duel. Lorelei snorted, deliberately ignoring him, while Scathach gave him a familiar look as if to say, persevere, keep fighting. Ten years ago, she often used that same look to encourage both Shinji and Sakura. And now—
I understand. I'll wager everything I've accumulated over the past eleven years. I'll prove my growth by challenging two top-tier Servants.
But the mana concentration here wasn't quite enough yet. In that case...
Shinji took a deep breath and manifested rows of stakes that responded to the Noble Phantasms above. He spoke slowly:
"Against you, I can't afford to hold back. Draw your Ea, King of Heroes, or you might repeat the same mistake from ten years ago."
"Ha ha ha ha," Gilgamesh laughed instead of getting angry.
"Are you trying to provoke me by bringing up that mad dog? Unfortunately for you, clown, you're no mad dog. All you bring me is amusement. In honor of that, I'll give you a chance. If you can touch me in any way, I'll grant you the honor of beholding Ea."
"You said it," Shinji raised his hand, and the stakes began to rise from the ground.
"This king never goes back on his word."
Gilgamesh made a similar gesture, and magical energy surged around his Noble Phantasms to accelerate them.
In the next second, both of them swung their wrists—one up, the other down.
And these were also the directions their Noble Phantasms moved.
After a brief pause, over a thousand sharp weapons were launched from both sides.
The countless Noble Phantasms said to be the prototypes of every treasure in the world, were gathered by the oldest hero.
And the stakes, the manifestation of the greatest achievement of Romania's greatest hero, the embodiment of the concept of impalement, numbering twenty thousand.
The sound of metal clashing echoed across the battlefield like a howling storm.
◇◇◇
"Ugh, idiot, idiot, idiot!"
High above the battlefield, the Vimana, the prototype of all flying vehicles, hovered silently.
Standing at the edge, wearing her red coat, Rin Tohsaka clenched her fists, her twin tails flying in the wind as she cursed in frustration.
Standing beside her, Luvia gently smoothed her windblown hair and asked curiously:
"Who are you cursing at, Miss Tohsaka? The Hero King Gilgamesh, or Matou Shinji?"
"Both of them."
Rin hesitated for a moment before answering truthfully. It seemed that after a few hours of interaction, the two similar-minded girls had somewhat softened their relationship.
"We were watching the battle just fine, and suddenly he pulls everyone up here and jumps straight down. I have no idea what he's thinking. And that guy over there, too—fighting vampires, magus, and Servants, and now provoking Gilgamesh? Has he even thought about how many opponents he's fought tonight? About how much stamina and mana he's used up?"
"Are you worried about him? I thought he was your enemy?"
Luvia teased with a playful smile.
"Or is it that you..."
"Stop, stop saying nonsense!"
Rin panicked, her twin tails flailing in the wind.
"Who, who's worried about him? I'm just—just—thinking about Sakura! I don't know where she is right now, but if something happens to that guy, Sakura would be heartbroken."
"True. Thinking about it that way, I'm a little worried too."
Luvia had to admit that much.
Not long ago, they had all been together. But just before they reached the battlefield, Rider seemed to sense something, and then she and Sakura jumped down, disappearing ever since.
Though their time together hadn't been long, Luvia had to admit that Sakura was a very likable girl. She had tirelessly worked to mediate between her and Rin, staying behind even when she should have returned home. Even if Luvia had harbored deep resentment, she couldn't help but soften. Before she knew it, she had come to accept this younger sister.
"But, that's probably not the only reason, is it? You don't want him to die here, do you?"
"Huh?"
Rin froze for a second, then nodded firmly.
"That's right. He's my enemy, and I have to defeat him."
Luvia sighed: "In that case, I must say I admire your confidence. Seeing this scene of chaos and destruction, you still think you can win?"
"If I were alone, I wouldn't be so sure. But this time, I'm not fighting alone."
"Ah, I almost forgot. One of the Hero King's biggest advantages is his vast collection of Noble Phantasms. If he can lend you armor, then he can probably give you other things too."
"It's not just him. There are others as well. That's why I can't back down, not from this fight."
As if to pump herself up, Rin clenched her fists tightly.