[Mass Update: 3/8]
Rider felt the divine authority of the Command Seal tighten around him.
Despite his magic resistance, Rider couldn't resist such a direct order.
His frown deepened.
He had not expected Kenneth to cross this line.
Reluctantly, he took up the reins. The Divine Bulls roared.
But before charging, he cast a rare glare back at his Master.
"You'll regret this, Master."
"Rider, I am the Master."
Kenneth's cold reply left no room for doubt.
[T/N: Wtf just happened??!!!...🙀]
And so, against his will, Rider launched forward, the Command Seal buffed his chariot thundering through the sky like a divine comet.
---
"Another fool comes charging in." Gilgamesh clicked his tongue.
But even the King of Heroes couldn't ignore this he redirected his barrage boosted with power of a command seal, dozens of Noble Phantasms streaking toward Rider's approach.
"Although its is not my will, but the lemon head was right, you are too strong!" Rider roared.
The Divine Bulls stepped on the air with its iron hooves, and every step forward caused the extremely condensed wind pressure to separate, blowing rider's cloak, guarding the flanks of the chariot. Countless purple lightning shot up into the sky, and this grand scene was like a judgment passed by wind and thunder.
Unlike the Berserker's superb skills, the Rider standing in front of the chariot, with the help of the chariot's rampage, raised his sword high and rushed forward against the Archer's attack.
"Really? Zassu, then try this!"
To Gilgamesh, Rider's words sounded like contempt, which made him direct most of his firepower at Rider.
In an instant, golden ripples appeared beside Rider's chariot, front, back, left and right, and countless weapons emerged from them and shot towards Rider.
Before he could even take a breath, Rider was engulfed in the flames of the attack.
However, Archer also had to pay the price for his mistake
Without the obstruction of those weapons, Berserker pressed down like a beast, quickly shortening the already short distance between the two, rushed in front of Archer, jumped up and slashed at the opponent with great force.
Gilgamesh parried, barely. He was furious. This so-called hoky grail war was supposed to be a dull amusement, a game. He was nowhere near his peak, why should he even bother? To fight these "clowns" seriously would be a disgrace.
He is a hero among heroes, a king among kings. No matter how the situation changes, Gilgamesh does not intend to change his arrogant and underestimating attitude, and he is confident that he will be the winner in the end.
Still, he wouldn't allow this insult to stand.
Ripples bloomed anew, this time, chains laced with power emerged.
The Chains of Heaven, sacred, ancient, divine.
As they coiled around Berserker, Gilgamesh took a moment to put distance between them, and to reevaluate Rider.
Though forced into battle by his master, the King of Conquerors still laughed.
He didn't press the attack. Instead, he maneuvered the chariot to harass Archer's flanks, slowing him down but not truly threatening him.
"Hey, Gilgamesh. Maybe you should pay more attention to the Berserker behind you."
The moment Rider's words landed, Gilgamesh turned, and his pupils shrank.
Berserker, snarling and straining, was trying to grab the Chains of Heaven with his bare hands.
The Heroic Spirits had already seen that this particular Berserker had the skill that could seize and wield Noble Phantasms that are not his own.
But this one was different.
The Chains were sacred to Gilgamesh, not merely weapons, but a symbol of his dearest bond.
"You filthy mongrel! Don't you dare lay hands on my friend!"
In a white-hot rage, Gilgamesh launched a barrage stronger than anything before.
---
The chaos reached new heights. Servants hesitated, uncertain. No one wanted to be first but once someone leaped in, everyone else followed.
"Gilgamesh... The King of Heroes," Darnic muttered.
He stared across the battlefield where the golden light flared.
"If the rumors are true, and he's gathered countless prototypes of Noble Phantasms, the one said to be the master of All of humanity's treasure, if he really is that king of heroes, then he's far too dangerous to be left unchecked."
He turned to his own Servant, the stoic, elegant Lancer.
"Lancer. Assist them and kill Gilgamesh. Understood?"
He watched Lancer's face carefully. Though Enkidu obeyed like a weapon, Darnic knew that a Servant's heart was not easily controlled. Darnic also planned to use this opportunity to test Enkidu's true attitude.
Unlike Kenneth who is blinded by his own glory, He knew clearly that servants were by no means high-level familiars, but heroes with their own personalities. If one was not careful, it would be easy to play with fire and get burned.
But Lancer simply smiled.
"It's not a fair duel, but I doubt he'll mind."
Without hesitation, Enkidu dashed toward the battle. Darnic watched his retreating figure, unease creeping into his expression.
As Archer's newest barrage launched, each Noble Phantasm like a meteor, suddenly, they were knocked aside.
By spears. By halberds. From afar.
"Another Servant...?"
All heads turned.
The excitement contained in the approaching steps could be clearly sensed even by the Masters who knew nothing about the actual combat between heroes.
Before the figure fully arrived, his voice reached them, a song, gentle as wind, clear as water, a voice that resonated with the world itself.
The moment he heard the song, the anger on Archer's face seemed to have never existed. He just seemed to be stunned, looking at the Heaven's Chain that began to tremble beside him.
This treasure, which represented his best friend himself was a symbol of the bond between the two, had already announced that this was a long-awaited reunion,
Then,
He burst into wild laughter.
"At last! At last, this war is worth my full strength!"
Behind him, thousands of golden ripples glowed. The night sky prepared to turn gold.