"Charge!" Iskandar roared, digging his heels into his horse's sides as he and his beloved steed charged toward the golden figure on the opposite side.
His heart pounded wildly—a sign of extreme excitement. This man was stronger than any opponent he had ever faced, igniting within him an even greater desire for conquest. That power of creation was like a reenactment of myth; he was the final obstacle to his dream. He would defeat him, celebrate his dominance—for himself, and for the vassals who supported him!
Facing the charging Rider, Gilgamesh calmly opened his Gate of Babylon. Countless Noble Phantasms, shimmering with light and carrying a surging torrent of magical energy, flew out.
"Hahahahahahaha!" The King of Conquerors laughed heartily, deflecting the incoming Noble Phantasms with the hilt of his sword.
An arrow in his left leg? No problem, he still had his right. An arrow in his right leg? No matter, his hands could still move. Even if all his limbs were crippled and he couldn't move, his spirit would not falter!
This short journey felt longer than all his previous conquests combined, yet the thrill of advancing, the joy of approaching his goal step by step, was unprecedented!
He heard it—the sound of surging waves. He seemed to see it—the end of his dream, the endless sea right before his eyes!
The King of Conquerors was now close, but Gilgamesh remained composed.
His warhorse was struck down by a Noble Phantasm, yet it used its last ounce of strength to carry its king a little further. This gentle step finally brought the King of Conquerors before the golden man.
"Ha!" he roared, exerting all his strength. There were no tricks, just an ordinary slash—a miracle intended to cleave open the final gate before his dream!
However, a miracle is a miracle precisely because its probability is so small... Facing this seemingly inevitable blow, the King of Heroes merely uttered a single word: "Enkidu!"
Countless chains emerged from the void, completely binding the fiercely charging King of Conquerors—his hands, feet, shoulders, and even his sword... He was just a hair's breadth away from striking the King of Heroes, but that tiny distance was like an insurmountable chasm.
The Chains of Heaven, Enkidu, were a Noble Phantasm the King of Heroes trusted even more than his Ea. They were a testament to his only friend, a manifestation of their shared resistance against the Bull of Heaven and their great friendship.
Named after Enkidu, the chains were like the embodiment of his dear friend, constantly accompanying him.
At the same time, the rotating, strange blade mercilessly pierced the King of Conquerors' body.
"Ha, you always pull out such bizarre things, don't you?"
With a self-deprecating smile, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, the King of Conquerors said bitterly.
"—Have you woken from your dream, King of Conquerors?"
"Ah, yes..." What a pity, this expedition was not successful, and his dream remained unfulfilled. But this dream was something he would gamble his entire life for—how could he abandon it because of a mere failure?
Well, it was about time. He could start the next dream, couldn't he?
"This expedition... it made my heart pound!"
Iskandar felt his consciousness blurring, but he spoke with a satisfied smile.
The King of Heroes nodded solemnly, "King of Conquerors Iskandar, I will accept your challenge at any time!"
Facing this unprecedented formidable foe, the King of Heroes did not hesitate to offer his praise!
"Until the end of time and space, every inch of this world is my garden, and it will never bore you!"
"Ha... That truly is... wonderful!" Rider echoed the King of Heroes' words, smiled calmly, and quietly vanished from this world.
This short but great war was deeply etched into Waver's heart. The events of this period were enough to rival his entire life; even if he were to die now, he believed he would never forget it!
The King of Heroes turned his gaze toward Waver.
Waver stood alone, facing the King of Heroes' gaze. He was afraid, he trembled, but he forced himself not to move. He knew that if he moved, he would no longer have the strength to stand.
Gilgamesh slowly walked over and said coldly, "Boy, are you Rider's Master?"
Trembling, Waver still managed to speak, "No... I am not. I am... that man's vassal!"
"Oh?" Narrowing his eyes, the King of Heroes sized up Waver.
He nodded, "Is that so? Then, boy, as a loyal vassal, shouldn't you avenge your deceased king?"
"If I challenge you, I will die!" Waver suddenly seemed free of pressure, speaking clearly.
"So I cannot do that. The King gave an order: he wants me to live!"
Waver had already made up his mind when he joined the war. He was not afraid of death. If there had been no command from the King, what would be wrong with departing with him? But since the King had given an order, he would certainly obey it as long as he was able!
The King of Heroes exuded killing intent, watching the frail body tremble, yet the eyes remained firm and unyielding. After silently observing for a moment, Gilgamesh nodded, no longer emitting that terrifying aura. "Loyalty is the greatest righteousness. Do not shame his efforts!"
With that, Gilgamesh turned and left without any hesitation.
Seeing the golden figure disappear into the distance, Waver could no longer stand and collapsed to the ground. But he had obeyed the King's command; he had survived.
Waver felt a genuine joy. It was his war. Facing Gilgamesh, he had not feared, not submitted, not hesitated. He had triumphed over himself and gained life. This was his first victory in his own battle—so insignificant, yet enough to influence his entire life!
He had gained the recognition of the greatest king in the world, becoming one of his subordinates. He had gained the affirmation of the greatest king in the world, to pass down his deeds!
Tears flowed uncontrollably, not from regret or humiliation. It was an indescribable feeling, but Waver felt that it was beautiful... He silently stood up, ignoring his uncontrollable tears, and gently patted the King's relic, dusting it off. It was a simple yet not-so-simple book, the Iliad, which had witnessed this war and symbolized the King and his vassal... Ryougi Raku and Saber headed together to the final battlefield.
"Saber, Archer and Rider will surely have their decisive battle. Unless a miracle occurs, the final victor will definitely be Archer!" Ryougi Raku said as they hurried along.
"Then, Archer can only be left to you! I will go to the Holy Grail, and at that time, I will also show you the true nature of the Holy Grail!"
Saber nodded. She unhesitatingly accepted the task Ryougi Raku gave her. The current Ryougi Raku commanded her absolute trust!
"...Though I don't want to say it, Lady Irisviel is probably beyond saving..." Ryougi Raku said softly.
"...I know, Raku. Illya has told me everything about the Holy Grail. Although I am very sad, I know that Illya has already made her resolve!" Saber's voice, though sorrowful, was very firm.
"Is that so? Since you're prepared, then it's fine..." Ryougi Raku murmured.
'Saber will hold off Archer, and I will obtain the Holy Grail. Even if the Holy Grail has been corrupted, it should still have some efficacy. I just don't know if it can grant my wish... No, it definitely cannot. Its mystery level isn't that high, unless I can gain Gaia's approval, then it might be possible to grant my wish...'
'However, I was born into this world as a native. It's good enough that Gaia and Alaya haven't disposed of me as an outsider... There's another possibility: the mysteriousness of the origin of all things is too high, so even Gaia and Alaya don't know my imprint... Regardless, the Holy Grail still has its use!'
With his resolve firm, Ryougi Raku accelerated again. He did not want any strange butterfly effects to alter the process...
---
After Rider's defeat, the Holy Grail vessel finally absorbed enough magical energy, and the Holy Grail was about to descend... Kotomine Kirei and Kiritsugu Emiya were engaged in a fierce battle, neither noticing, nor having the spare energy to notice, that Irisviel's body had silently been consumed by the flames.
The descent of the Holy Grail began unnoticed.
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