The white veil shattered in the sky.
On the walls of the Demonic Front.
Karna, his battle halted, leapt from the sky to rejoin Roy.
His expression was grim.
Though Karna's strength was formidable, bolstered by his divinely granted golden armor, his opponent was none other than his fated rival, the great hero Arjuna.
Even after such an intense battle, he bore some wounds.
As Roy raised a hand, weaving magecraft to heal Karna's injuries, he spoke, "Quite a rampage, Karna."
"…My apologies, Master."
Fresh from the fray, his emotions settling, Karna bowed his head like a chastised child, looking at Roy with guilt.
"No need to apologize, Karna. If anything, I should be the one saying sorry for stopping your fight."
Roy shook his head, expressing his own remorse. "I'm sorry. As your Master and ally, I had to intervene at such a time, despite promising not to restrict you."
"No, I'm the one who should apologize, Master. I was too reckless, engaging Arjuna in a duel without informing you."
"I never imagined I'd encounter my fated rival here, let alone fight alongside him. What a twist of fate…"
"It's fine, Karna. Fate is ever unpredictable. We can't choose or control it, but your meeting wasn't mere chance. Perhaps it's an opportunity to resolve your past grievances."
"Master…"
"I promise you, once Uruk's crisis is resolved and this timeline is restored, Gilgamesh and I will not interfere in your fight with Arjuna. I'll even bear witness to the conclusion of your grudge. How's that?"
After speaking to Karna, Roy turned to Gilgamesh. "You'll join as a witness to this mythic duel, right, King Gil?"
"Hmph! Such trivial matters don't concern me. I have no interest in their fight. Thanks to them, my rest time's been ruined."
Having watched the Indian brothers' clash for so long, Gilgamesh was far from pleased.
Urgent tasks awaited, Ur's migration and settlement couldn't be left to Siduri alone in the divine tower.
With that, Gilgamesh glanced at Arjuna, who had returned to the Demonic Front, and reached through a golden portal, retrieving a pale blue potion and tossing it to him.
"Catch, Archer."
"My king, what is this?"
Arjuna caught the golden metal vial, puzzled.
"A healing potion. Don't act unscathed, I saw Karna hit you with his spear of light. Don't jeopardize my plans by pushing through injuries. You wouldn't want to atone for that."
"…"
"Well done, Arjuna. Facing your nemesis head-on, even as an Archer restrained by a Lancer, you held your own. Worthy of a Servant I summoned. I look forward to your final battle."
As he spoke, Gilgamesh turned, his figure gradually departing.
Not only Ur's migration but also the aftermath of this chaos demanded his attention.
If he didn't hurry back, Siduri might come for him with a rope.
"Thank you for your leniency, my king."
Arjuna bowed to Gilgamesh's retreating form, declaring firmly, "I swear to you, I will claim victory and uphold your honor!!"
"Hahaha! I'll be watching. Await my orders here. I have a task for you soon."
Were it not for this critical juncture, Gilgamesh might have allowed Arjuna and Karna's duel to proceed.
Carrying regrets from life, meeting again as Heroic Spirits in a new era to shine and settle their grievances was a romantic, admirable feat, one Gilgamesh appreciated.
But not now.
The looming crisis took precedence over personal matters.
His unease grew heavier; his Clairvoyance couldn't discern the cause.
They had to act faster. Merlin warned that Tiamat's awakening was imminent, poised to return to this land from her dream.
The Primordial Mother Goddess?
Hmph, so what?
Come if you dare, Uruk and I won't yield easily.
The age of gods had passed; humanity's era would dawn, its spark igniting the world.
As Gilgamesh departed, Arjuna rose, turning a cold gaze toward Roy and Karna.
This time, the Indian brothers merely locked eyes, exchanging no provocations or overt hostility, both accepting the duel date set by Roy and Gilgamesh.
They shared a singular thought: Once this timeline is saved, your life is mine!!
"Hahaha, what a thrilling battle. Its intensity rivals even Heracles."
"And you, King of Ur, you're impressive, daring to intervene in a fight of that caliber. I look forward to fighting alongside you."
With the battle over, Leonidas approached Roy, bronze shield in hand.
Thanks to Karna and Arjuna's chaos, most beasts around the front were dead. Cleanup could be left to Spartacus and Uruk's soldiers.
He could catch his breath and chat with Roy, awaiting the next beast wave.
"It's nothing, Leonidas. I may be an imperfect king, but I must show some regal authority and capability, right?"
Roy nodded calmly at Leonidas's praise.
"You're right. I don't yet know you well, but your power alone justifies your crown."
Leonidas laughed, warming to the young king he'd just met.
Strong, insightful, fearless, and willing to risk himself at the right moment, a fine king to fight beside.
"By the way, Gilgamesh mentioned you're looking for Assassin and Rider? They returned two days ago and should be near the northern walls, clearing remnant beasts. You can find them there."
Leonidas donned his metal helmet, ready for battle.
A distant beastly roar signaled the next wave's approach, a call to Uruk's soldiers.
The front's horn resounded before Uruk's walls.
From the horizon, a dense, black tide of beasts surged like a flood.
They gave no respite.
The thousands of beasts slain by Karna and Arjuna's fallout were a drop in the bucket for their vast numbers. Within an hour, they could muster a force as strong as their initial assault on Uruk.
Countless beasts charged across the plains, a black wave aiming to breach the dam and devour the city behind it.
Before Uruk stood towering walls and a flesh-and-blood defense of soldiers wielding shields and spears.
They would be the dam, shielding their families from the dark tide.
Leonidas had no time for further talk. Raising his shield with his right hand and striking it with his spear in his left, he roared, "What are you?!!"
The soldiers below mimicked him, unleashing a resounding war cry.
"Sparta!!"
"Sparta!!!"
"…"
"Good! Prepare to engage! Don't forget your fear! Don't forget why you stand here! Don't forget the homes behind you! And finally… lads, may the war god bless you. On this perilous battlefield, we'll return to the throne…"
"Sparta!!!"
Deafening roars and war cries moved even gods.
In that moment, countless warriors took up arms, joining the fray.
Many were young men new to war, yet none retreated before the boundless beast tide. With courage, they charged the black wave.
For loved ones, for Uruk, for humanity…
They would not lose!!
This radiant brilliance was the glory of ancient Babylon.
The honor of Uruk.
The resolve of humanity!!
"Truly awe-inspiring. With such humans guarding it, Uruk will not fall easily."
Watching the valiant charge and their golden spirit, Roy felt his blood surge.
If he could, he'd take up arms, join this battle across life and death, and fight alongside these soldiers, rivaling any hero.
"Get moving, King of Ur. Take Karna to find Rider and Assassin at the northern walls. They're waiting."
Arjuna, mostly healed by Gilgamesh's elixir, spoke gravely.
"Instead of marveling at the beasts' scale or the battlefield's brutality, you have greater tasks. Don't linger. The Demonic Front is secure with me and Leonidas."
He handed Roy the tablet Gilgamesh left.
"This details the king's plan. Be careful."
Arjuna then fixed his gaze on Karna. "Especially you, Karna! Don't forget our duel. Don't die out there!!"
"Hmph, worry about yourself, Arjuna. Don't die before our duel."
The brothers exchanged a glance and brief words before Arjuna leapt into the fray, firing his bow to cover Uruk's soldiers against the beast tide.
"See that, Karna?"
"This is Uruk, a perfect city-state brimming with human will, a marvel that leaves me in awe."
Roy spared no praise for this city of human resolve.
Karna nodded silently. "Compared to the soldiers I led in life, these people shine brighter."
"Indeed, this beautiful city-state is full of surprises."
Merlin approached with Ritsuka and Mash.
"The finest human spirits and qualities shine here. Compared to my era's Britannia, I prefer this Uruk."
"So, we can't hold back. It's time to shine for this city-state, right?" Roy smiled at Merlin. "Merlin, protect Ritsuka and Mash. Karna and I have our own tasks to complete."
"Leave it to me, friend." Merlin nodded, his expression serious.
At such a critical moment, even he wouldn't jest.
"Eh? Roy-senpai, Mr. Karna, where are you going? Can't we-"
Roy gently shook his head at Ritsuka's question.
"I'm going to save my people. Gilgamesh has provided enough manpower for this. You have your own mission, Ritsuka. Don't follow me, do what you must."
"Once we've completed our tasks, we'll regroup in Uruk. Then, show me how much you've grown."
"If I'm impressed, I might even hand over the Holy Grail I took from Kingu."
With that, Roy nodded to Karna, and the two leapt from the Demonic Front's walls, vanishing swiftly from sight.
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