Then it happened.
A massive golden glow erupted from the sword, blinding everyone for a moment, and when it faded, another place was revealed.
The entire land was red, with mountains everywhere, and dozens of golden swords of various shapes floated in the air or were embedded in the ground.
"What is this?" asked Sun Wukong, seeing the place and feeling the power of each sword there.
"This is the place created by my Authority," said Gilgamesh, leaving the Monkey King stunned.
This should be impossible; no divine Authority could create an entire dimension.
Even Indra, with his Authority related to war and storms, couldn't do that, nor could Shiva with his Authority geared toward destruction.
The only ones with Authorities that created entire realms were Odin with Valhalla and Asgard, Hades with the Underworld, and the Biblical God with Heaven.
"After a massive battle, he successfully banished the Demon King Bull from Heaven after the latter tried to overthrow and rule it. Later, he accompanied the monk Xuanzang Sanzang on a journey to retrieve Buddhist sutras from India, accompanied by 'Pig' and 'Sandy,' who offered to accompany the priest to atone for their past crimes. The group faced a series of eighty-one tribulations before completing their mission and safely returning to China. There, Sun Wukong was granted Buddhahood for his service and strength," said Gilgamesh, finishing forging his sword, which glowed with an aura that began to burn Sun Wukong's body.
"That is you, Sun Wukong, the Great Monkey King, the Victorious Buddha in Combat, and the Great Sage Equal to Heaven," said Gilgamesh as his sword glowed.
All the swords turned against Sun Wukong, who stared in shock and quickly pulled several hairs from his beard, transforming them into clones of himself.
The swords fell like rain at supernatural speed on Sun Wukong.
The Monkey King's clones quickly stepped in to defend against the attack, and when the swords cut them, they turned into stones before crumbling to dust.
Gilgamesh swiftly charged at the Victorious Buddha in Combat, who tried to defend himself with his staff, but it wasn't enough.
In a swift motion, Gilgamesh slashed Sun Wukong with his sword, and the golden world of his Authority vanished.
When the golden world disappeared, Gilgamesh was revealed standing in front of Sun Wukong, who was kneeling with an expression of pain.
Sun Wukong couldn't believe it—he had been slashed by the sword and was intact, but he felt no connection to his divine power, as if it didn't exist.
Then Sun Wukong realized what that sword was—it was a weapon that violated a god's divinity and Authority.
When Gilgamesh slashed Sun Wukong, he nullified his divine power, reducing Sun Wukong from an extremely powerful god to a mere human.
Naturally, it wouldn't work as well since Sun Wukong was part youkai, but Gilgamesh had forged the sword to cut the very essence of the Buddha.
A massive crash drew Sun Wukong's attention, and he turned to see Yu-Long knocked out on the ground, blood flowing from his body, with the massive Boar roaring above him.
There was no comparison—although Yu-Long was a Dragon King, the Boar Avatar could injure and even kill a god if used at full power.
"W-What are you?" said Sun Wukong, unable to feel his power.
"Heed this, Victorious Buddha in Combat: I am the reincarnation of victory, a demigod with the power of the God of Victory. Never again dare to come after me or try to harm me, or I will kill you. If Indra wants something with me, let him come to me himself. I will use my golden sword and reduce him to a mere human," said Gilgamesh as his golden sword began to glow.
Gilgamesh released a bit of Sun Wukong's divinity, who quickly created a magic circle that enveloped him and Yu-Long, making them disappear.
Gilgamesh sighed as he deactivated his Authorities, and his golden sword and the Boar vanished.
Gilgamesh knew that normally any being in Japan would have sensed the power he and Sun Wukong displayed, but the barrier the Monkey King created was made with senjutsu, so unless someone was a master of that art, no one could sense any anomaly.
Gilgamesh also knew that Sun Wukong would recover his power since the golden sword only sealed the Authority temporarily.
Gilgamesh sighed before returning home, hoping nothing else would happen, as he wanted a bit of peace in his life.
Some Time Later.
Gilgamesh's House.
Gilgamesh had returned home and talked to everyone about the incident with the Victorious Buddha in Combat.
Everyone quickly scolded Gilgamesh for overreacting, which he didn't understand since he was the one attacked.
Everyone agreed and would stay on alert for anything. At least the battle wasn't in vain, as Gilgamesh had captured some of Yu-Long's aura through his Boar Authority and sealed it in Valerie's Artificial Sacred Gear, increasing her power.
He also used his [Unlimited Weapons Works] to create a copy of Sun Wukong's magical staff, Ruyi Jingu Bang.
Currently, Gilgamesh was standing before Arthur and Le Fay, as it seemed they were ready to leave. Gilgamesh had many questions for Arthur.
What he had been through, what he knew about this organization, if he remembered anything about it.
Though it seemed he wasn't sure about it.
While Le Fay looked between Arthur and Gilgamesh.
"So, now that you've been freed, what will you do?"
At Gilgamesh's question, Arthur shrugged.
"We have nowhere to go. Our family… well, I left the Pendragon family to ensure my… lover would be safe."
"Forbidden romance, huh?"
Gilgamesh teased, genuinely curious about what was going on.
Arthur showed a slight smile.
"Maybe something like that. I decided she needed to stay safe, so I left, and Le Fay followed me. Since then, we've been doing our own thing, moving from place to place, without really having a place to call home."
Gilgamesh frowned.
"That's awful. I'm sorry about that."
Arthur waved his hand.
"Thank you for your kind words. But I must thank you for helping Le Fay and also for helping me. You've done us a great service; we're in your debt. From now on, when I wield my sword, I'll be thinking of Gilgamesh and his allies."
Gilgamesh scratched his cheek, marveling at Arthur's demeanor.
"Heh, so you're that kind of swordsman, huh. So honorable," Gilgamesh replied, his eyes dancing between the siblings. "So, where are you going now?"
Being a bit worried about them, he had to ask.
He didn't want anything else to happen to them.
No danger for them.
"We're not sure yet. I suppose whatever we do, it'll be a bit dangerous. I'd prefer Le Fay not be in danger, of course."
"Of course," Gilgamesh smiled, looking at Le Fay, who seemed downcast. "You know, if you have nowhere to go, you can always stay here in Kuoh. It wouldn't be a problem."
Le Fay gasped.
The prospect of staying in Kuoh—she wasn't sure what Arthur would think about it.
But she herself was very much in favor.
"S-Seriously, Gilgamesh-sama?"
Gilgamesh laughed, patting Le Fay's head, who blushed intensely.
"Naturally, it would be perfectly fine to stay here. We've become friends now, allies in the fight, and all those good things."
Though Le Fay was in favor, Arthur seemed hesitant about it; he didn't feel right accepting such kindness after everything that had happened.
"Thank you for the offer, I really appreciate it. But you've already done enough for us—you helped my little sister and saved my life too. We couldn't impose any more than we already have."
"Nonsense," Gilgamesh disarmed Arthur with his words. "It would be totally fine. Besides, you said it yourself—you left your home, you travel looking for a place… this could be your place. I know it's a city mostly made up of demons, but that doesn't mean you couldn't stay here. I have a lot of influence and power here."
Arthur couldn't believe his words.
But he still had doubts about something.
Why was Gilgamesh helping them without expecting anything in return?
"… Are you serious? Even though we've caused trouble for you…"
"Trouble? We always run into some kind of trouble. Trouble is just another Tuesday for us," Gilgamesh smiled. "Think about it. You'd be surrounded by allies, friends, and wouldn't have to move around so much. And if it's a fight, we're always being attacked. Believe me, this recent attack is just one in a long line of people who wanted us dead, or something like that."
"… Onii-sama, it's a kind offer. It would also give you what you want, right? A fight, a place to live normally. I don't see any downside to it."
"OQGF, right, Le Fay?"
Le Fay blushed intensely, and Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow.
"OQGF?"
"'What would Gilgamesh do?' That's what it means."
Arthur only made Le Fay even more shy as she clasped her hands.
"W-Well, that doesn't matter! Onii-sama, w-what do you say…? We could stay here for a while… a-and we could learn more about Gilgamesh-sama and the others… they've been so kind to us before… s-so, I thought it would be really nice if we stayed here for a bit…"
"Hmmm, I'm not sure…"
Arthur seemed quite proud.
Not in a bad way.
But in a way that made it hard to admit he'd like some help.
Gilgamesh could handle that, and he clapped his hands.
"So, if you're not sure what to say about it, I have an idea." Gilgamesh turned to his right. "Everyone, I know you're listening, come in."
Le Fay's stunned eyes landed on the door as it opened, revealing Gilgamesh's friends. They entered with embarrassed expressions, except for Karna, who didn't really care, walking forward with an indifferent look on his face.
"I won't force you, Arthur, but know that you have friends and allies now who are willing to fight by your side, and I'm sure we'd all get along," said Gilgamesh, smiling. "I'm sure everyone will welcome you with open arms, especially Arturia and Mordred."
Arthur's eyes widened upon hearing the second name.
"Mordred? As in Mordred Pendragon, the Knight of Treachery?" asked Arthur, surprised.
Gilgamesh smiled.
"Well, yes, those two are Mordred and Arturia Pendragon," said Gilgamesh, making the descendant of King Arthur stare at him in shock.
"Pendragon…" he whispered, stunned.
"Well, it's a bit more complicated than that, but it's amazing, Onii-sama," said Le Fay excitedly.
Gilgamesh looked at him.
"Know, Arthur, that we'll always help you no matter the situation," said Gilgamesh, smiling.
Arthur sighed, knowing the best decision for him and his sister.
"Very well, I accept…" said Arthur, smiling slightly.
Le Fay seemed relieved; she was happy that Arthur had fully accepted now.
That she could stay there with Gilgamesh and the others.
Gilgamesh clapped his hands once.
"Wonderful! Now, we'll have to arrange some rooms for your permanent stay. Tell Sebas what you'd like for your room, and we'll start remodeling the house."
Arthur waved his hand, not used to such things.
"No, no, don't go through so much—"
"I have so many ideas!" Le Fay sang, heading toward Sebas. "Is it possible to talk?"
Sebas nodded firmly.
"Of course, now that you're permanent members, we'd like your rooms to have the specifications you want, what kind of items you'd like, among other things. Feel free to ask for anything; we have many builders and some connections to get the best furniture in the world."
"Great!"
Le Fay clapped as Arthur laughed awkwardly.
"I suppose… if you're offering, then I could ask for a few things. Though I'd pay you back."
"Of course, please talk to Sebas about your needs and desires."
"Right… thank you, Gilgamesh-sama."
"Just call me Gilgamesh. And no need to thank me."
Arthur fixed his gaze and then showed a strong expression.
"… Gilgamesh-kun, then, thank you. Your hospitality knows no bounds. As long as I wield this blade, I'll wield it to protect those you deem worthy of your protection."
"Hehe, that's great."
Arthur bowed and went toward Sebas, who took him and Le Fay to arrange their rooms.
Gilgamesh quickly left the room, giving a look to everyone, and went to his room.
Gilgamesh raised his bracelet, which glowed as a light emerged from it, creating a screen, similar to a TV.
This bracelet has the ability to connect to Heaven, specifically to one of the Seraphs.
On the screen, a light appeared, and when it faded, a beautiful woman with a voluptuous body, long blonde hair, and stunning blue eyes was revealed.
It was Gabriel, one of the Four Great Seraphs of Heaven.
"Is it working? I don't think it is…" murmured Gabriel as she tried to see if it was functioning.
"Gabriel," called Gilgamesh, smiling in amusement at the Seraph's innocence.
The Strongest Woman in Heaven quickly turned her gaze to Gilgamesh, and a blush spread across her cheeks when she saw his face and heard his voice.
"G-Gilgamesh-sama," said Gabriel, trying to avoid stuttering.
Gilgamesh smiled at the woman's embarrassment.
"You know just Gil is fine, so what do you want?" asked Gilgamesh to the Seraph.
Gabriel nodded with a flushed face before putting on a worried expression.
"I heard you were attacked and fought against the Goddess Artemis, Gil, and I also saw you were in demon territory," said Gabriel, visibly concerned.
Gilgamesh was touched by the woman's concern before narrowing his eyes at one piece of information.
"Gabriel, I understand you're worried and know about me being in demon territory, but how do you know I fought Artemis if that wasn't announced to anyone?" said Gilgamesh seriously.
Gabriel had an expression that could be described as a deer caught in headlights or a child caught with their hand in a cookie jar.
"W-W-Well, Gil, y-you see…" Gabriel began to stutter as she tried to come up with more excuses.
Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes.
"Gabriel, you weren't using Heaven's system to spy on me, were you?" asked Gilgamesh.
Heaven's system was something that existed in Heaven and allowed Angels to observe all places on Earth, except for other Factions.
Contrary to what many think, Heaven wasn't above the clouds but in a different dimension.
Heaven's system was something present in God's hall and in the rooms of each of the Four Great Seraphs, allowing them to observe Earth.
When Gilgamesh started working for the Church, Gabriel was the one who looked after him since no one trusted him yet.
But over time, everyone began to trust Gilgamesh, and Gabriel ended up falling in love with him. Since then, she used Heaven's system in her room to monitor him wherever he went.
When Gilgamesh went on dangerous missions, Gabriel insisted he not go and get hurt, always watching him to protect him, of course!
Gabriel always had to stay vigilant to protect Gilgamesh from enemies, especially those who tried to lure him to their side, like women who approached him to try to steal him.
Gilgamesh remembered a day when a girl tried to kiss him for helping her, and a massive lightning bolt struck nearby, preventing it from happening—Gabriel's doing, as she was trying to protect Gilgamesh from a woman attempting to steal him.
The Seraph had been watching over Gilgamesh since he left the Church. Although the King of Heroes tried to be as discreet as possible and even developed a skill to mask his aura, nothing escaped Gabriel's eyes. The seals and barriers he created to protect his training sessions from prying eyes weren't strong enough to stop her from snooping.
All for his protection, of course!
She was his self-appointed guardian angel, after all.
Gabriel tried every possible excuse.
Gilgamesh sighed.
"Don't worry, Gabriel, I'm not mad, so what do you want?" asked Gilgamesh to Gabriel, who sighed in relief.
"Gilgamesh-sama, I need your help," said Gabriel.
"What happened?"
"The Excalibur Fragments were stolen and taken to Japan," said Gabriel, worried.
Gilgamesh widened his eyes, realizing what this implied.
"And who did it?" asked Gilgamesh, feigning ignorance.
"It was one of my fallen brothers, Kokabiel," said Gabriel sadly.
Gilgamesh knew that Gabriel considered all Angels her brothers, even the Fallen Angels.
"I see," said Gilgamesh, closing his eyes.
"We'll send reinforcements, but I wanted to know if you could…" said Gabriel, stopping mid-sentence as she wasn't sure if this might bother Gilgamesh.
"Don't worry, Gabriel, I'll handle it," said Gilgamesh to the Seraph, who smiled in relief.
He wouldn't leave Gabriel worried.
And besides, Kuoh was under his protection since he lived there.
And anyone who dared to attack would regret it forever.
Somewhere in Japan, a ten-winged Fallen Angel who looked like an elf and was a war maniac sneezed and returned to his plans to restart the Great War.
Little did he know of the fate that awaited him.
Come check out my Patreon!
We already have 98 chapters posted there!
And you'll also get access to other exclusive stories as well.
👉 patreon.com/Vellgrace