"My King, a massive swarm of Flying Dragon-types has appeared to the south, initially estimated at around three hundred. Based on your usual assessment methods, they'll enter our archers' range in approximately ten minutes."
Siduri immediately reported the intelligence gathered by scouts outside Uruk to Gilgamesh. "There's been no activity from the Magical Beasts in the north for three days now, only sporadic movements."
"Well done, but there's no need to waste arrows. Given the Flying Dragon-types' scales, ordinary soldiers' arrows can't inflict any meaningful damage. Have the archers remain on standby in the north."
Gilgamesh knew that Quetzalcoatl's tamed Flying Dragons were at least as powerful as ordinary Magical Beasts, if not more so, and possessed the advantage of flight, making them even more difficult for ordinary soldiers to handle.
"However, according to Chaldea's intelligence, the pressure from the south will be even greater. They also possess powerful goddesses, and their high-end combat power surpasses even Tiamat's forces among the Magical Beasts."
"That's precisely why I've ordered them to guard the north," Gilgamesh explained to Siduri. Only she could elicit such patient explanations from him.
"This battle has already surpassed the capabilities of ordinary people. The south only needs enough personnel to operate the Divine Authority Seals. The true outcome will be decided among the Heroic Spirits. Even I may have to personally join the fray."
"Speaking of which, have those shameless fools who were smuggling people south out of my Royal City been dealt with?"
Gilgamesh wasn't angered by the fact that some residents had fled to Ur. Uruk's current predicament was dire, and lingering resentment over his past actions was understandable. But anyone who dared to steal his people would face his wrath.
"Ushiwakamaru has already assisted the patrol teams in dealing with them," Siduri reported.
She was about to report this matter: "Even the ones spreading rumors in that area were servants. Without Ushiwakamaru, we wouldn't have been able to hold our ground. This demonstrates how numerous the enemy servants truly are. However, they also lost four lower-ranked servants, which counts as rare good news."
-
"Is this the city of humanity's oldest Heroic King?" Fairy Tristan remarked from her Red Flying Dragon-type mount, gazing at the distant settlement. "It looks utterly shabby."
"More like a village than a city!"
In truth, it wasn't as dire as Fairy Tristan claimed. This was the early 2nd millennium BCE - by contemporary standards, the Heroic King's city remained remarkably luxurious.
"Don't underestimate him," Jiang You cautioned. "In this world's history, he's recognized as the apex of Heroic Spirits."
Though Gilgamesh's combat record left much to be desired - including having his elbow stomped by a high school student - constant power adjustments kept him near the pinnacle of strength.
"Hmph, how could we possibly lose when we've already completely seized air supremacy? Just tell me, how can we lose with Flying Dragons bearing down on them?"
Fairy Tristan believed she held the advantage in both troop composition and high-end combat power.
"After we win, I'm going to take a good look at this so-called pinnacle of Heroic Spirits. I bet his humiliated expression will be priceless. I'm charging in first—no one's stealing my spot!"
"I really owe you one!"
To Jiang You's surprise, Fairy Tristan had unwittingly played the "poisoned milk" card, jinxing herself. He watched grimly as golden light surged across the city, filling the sky. This was Gilgamesh's trump card prepared specifically to counter Tiamat—now it was being used against them.
This ultra-wide-area attack wasn't highly accurate, but it was devastating against large creatures or massed formations. Unfortunately, Jiang You's initial assault force, led by Red, charged right into the line of fire.
The Wyvern Knights, having only received a few days of training, naturally couldn't evade Noble Phantasms. The Divine Authority Seals pierced through vast swathes of riders, instantly reducing the aerial force by sixty percent.
Because Quetzalcoatl had provided Jiang You with a Flying Dragon of a superior breed, he managed to survive. However, Fairy Tristan charged in too quickly, and the dragon took a direct hit, crashing ignominiously to the ground.
"Hmph, a mongrel remains a mongrel. Lacking even the slightest countermeasure, they squander their advantages. Dare they presume to oppose this King with such pathetic capabilities? What a waste of these people, willing to sell their lives for such a mongrel."
Standing atop the highest point of Uruk, Gilgamesh crossed his arms, exuding an air of absolute confidence. Though now far more composed, with the bearing of a Wise King, his inherent nature remained unchanged. "Siduri, relay the order. The Heroic Spirits may launch their assault. The Divine Authority Seal's bombardment is about to cease, and the subsequent recharge will take some time. The servants won't have time for a second wave."
As the order was relayed, Ushiwakamaru and Benkei charged forward, their objective to intercept Jiang You's servants. Meanwhile, Leonidas I of Sparta, Gilgamesh's strongest defensive servant, remained stationed on the city walls, maintaining the defensive line.
"This is truly outrageous," Gudako muttered, watching the Flying Dragons and soldiers rain down like hailstones. Even with the situation already so dire, Jiang You had initiated infighting among humans. What could be his motive?
"Mash, let's move out! We have to defeat that guy who might be Jiang You!"
"It won't be that simple," Merlin cautioned. "Once we engage him, any advantage we hold—whether in strength or numbers—will be forcibly reduced to a one-on-one duel."
This wasn't Merlin's first encounter with Jiang You. He had witnessed him at the Lion King's side before and knew the terrifying power lurking in Jiang You's Deck. If two Grand-class servants recognized him, he likely wouldn't do anything too reckless. Thus, Merlin planned to coast through this conflict.
"Therefore, we should avoid direct confrontation and focus on exhausting the Heroic Spirits he's summoned first."
"Understood."
As the team's primary combatant, Merlin had earned Gudako's full trust.
"Then let's pick off those isolated servants one by one."
Ushiwakamaru soon encountered a female Servant of formidable stature in every aspect. Her warrior's intuition immediately recognized the Servant's extraordinary power.
Without wasting words, Ushiwakamaru launched an immediate assault. Her nimble movements allowed her to constantly flash around the woman, seeking an opening for a thrust.
The attack was easily blocked. Ushiwakamaru immediately withdrew and pressed her pursuit with a series of sword techniques. Yet each strike seemed to be anticipated. The enemy intercepted every swing with uncanny precision, her movements revealing a shocking truth: her techniques were rooted in the same source as Ushiwakamaru's own.
"That blade... you're a successor of the Minamoto Clan, aren't you?"
Before Ushiwakamaru could ask her own question, the woman spoke first. "To meet a descendant of my clan on the battlefield... should I rejoice or lament? Still, this rare opportunity... allow me to test you, Minamoto no Raikou, at your service!"