The Sound of the Sea Echoing at the End (Part 2)

Or perhaps it's the divine bloodline from Zeus that he carries within him.

These things meant nothing to Gilgamesh; they were so uninteresting that they couldn't even stir the slightest ripple in his heart.

Whether it's Noble Phantasm, treasures, or even bloodlines, he occupies the absolute pinnacle of this world, and there's nothing left for him to care about.

What truly impressed him was the willpower and fearless spirit the other party displayed in dire straits.

"King of Conquerors Iskandar... Very good, very good. I have engraved your name and your image before your death in my heart, and I have also acknowledged your indomitable will."

"To express my respect for your indomitable will, I will now display my most prized treasure in response."

"Come forth! My dearest friend! My most prized Noble Phantasm — Enkidu, the Chains of Heaven!!"

Splash! Splash!

The instant the words fell, the portal behind Gilgamesh suddenly opened at the last moment, and dozens of golden chains shot out from the Babylon Treasury, attacking Iskandar from all directions. They rushed out at lightning speed, howling and with terrifying momentum, they pierced through the sandstorm, tearing apart the endless desert to surround Iskandar, and reached their target in the blink of an eye.

Bang--!!

His sword was knocked from his hand, and his warhorse was impaled by the chains that came charging at him, turning him into a corpse. Iskandar's body fell into the yellow sand.

"—Rider!!!"

Looking down from the top of the sky at Iskandar, who had fallen into the yellow sand, Weber let out a heart-wrenching cry.

"Little Master..."

Iskandar, who was lying on the ground, seemed to have heard Weber's shouts. He raised his head and looked up at the sky. When he saw Weber with tears glistening in his eyes, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Really, didn't I tell you long ago? A real man shouldn't cry all the time; he must be strong... I'm sorry, but this time I really have to leave..."

"Although it's not something to regret that I'm not as skilled as others, I still can't help feeling disappointed... It seems that my wish to conquer the world can only wait until next time. Little Master, I'll retire here and live well, taking your growth with me."

"Hmph, is this the end? Very well, now it's time for me to give you the final blow."

Upon seeing Iskandar lying in the yellow sand, Gilgamesh snorted coldly. As if to give his opponent a final respect, he did not let the Chains of Heaven pierce and kill him directly. Instead, he slowly raised the crimson Ea in his hand, aimed it at Iskandar, and slowly gathered his final strike.

"Use this final blow to end things, and obediently exit the stage here, King of Conquerors!!"

Boom—!!

The crimson light condensed once more, and the terrifying power tore the already Reality Marble to shreds in that instant.

A crimson beam of light, capable of tearing apart heaven and earth, suddenly shot out and swept towards the figure in the yellow sand with absolute destructive power.

This sword strike was enough to annihilate the lightning.

"King of Heroes!!!"

Under this deafening attack, all Iskandar could see was the ever-approaching red light.

"It's over..."

He gently closed his eyes, awaiting destruction.

"Arrrrrrr——! Arrrrrrr——!!!"

With an unexpected roar, a jet-black figure descended from the sky like a cannonball, holding two jet-black shields and standing firmly in front of Iskandar. Its slender body became its most solid wall, colliding directly with the red beam of light that came from the front.

—Boom!!

Subsequently, the entire mental world constructed by the Ionian Hetairoi collapsed completely at this moment.

At this moment, the world was completely destroyed.

The heavens are screaming, the earth is roaring.

The yellow sands were swallowed up.

Everything has come to an end.

In the forest of Fuyuki City.

"It was I who lost, and..."

"... Berserker."

Kneeling on the ground, Iskandar clutched his fatal chest wound, gazing at Lancelot directly in front of him. Lancelot, who had shielded him from the final blow of the Ea, was now reduced to half a body and was dissipating into spiritual particles. Lancelot's feelings were incredibly complex.

Not only was his own Noble Phantasm defeated head-on by the enemy, but his comrade-in-arms also died at the last moment to cover him. He couldn't even say a few last words to him. This feeling of powerlessness caused Iskandar great pain.

Because the Reality Marble was broken, Weber, who jumped off the Divine Chariot, ignored Kenneth's obstruction and quickly ran to Iskandar, looking at him with tears in his eyes as he was on the verge of death.

"Rider, your body..."

Seeing Iskandar's tall body, now Ea, Weber couldn't stop the tears from streaming down his face.

Needless to say, he already knew Iskandar's current predicament.

It's hopeless...

Half of his body was annihilated, and even his most important Spirit Core was pierced by the light; his death was inevitable.

"Why are you crying, little Master? It's just time to part ways. Wasn't it decided long ago? Anyway, I've already died once before, so there's nothing to be sad about."

Seeing Weber, who was almost in tears, Iskandar patted his head and smiled as always.

"My little Master, do you know? This is the happiest thing that has ever happened to me, the King, as your Servant..."

"Rider..."

Weber continued to sob softly.

"Don't cry, little Master. Didn't you promise me that you would become an excellent man?"

"I... I know... but I can't help it right now..."

"Is that so..."

Iskandar raised his finger and gently flicked his forehead, as he always did.

"Rider..."

The familiar force startled Weber. He looked up and saw that Iskandar's carefree smile had vanished, replaced by an indescribable solemnity and seriousness.

He changed his usual demeanor and looked at Weber in front of him seriously, asking, "Weber, there's something I've always wanted to ask you, and now I have to ask you."

The Golden King stood atop the forest, overlooking everything. Although his expression remained indifferent, his scarlet eyes were not irritable.

This was certainly not because Fionn mac Cumhaill was blocking his way; he was deliberately giving Iskandar this final chance to say goodbye.

"...What?"

Weber raised his head, still asking questions in the final moments of his life, already aware of what was to come.

"Weber Velvet, are you willing to become my subject and begin serving me as such?"

"..."

A moment of silence fell over the room. Weber trembled, and tears streamed down his face like a burst dam.

This was a question he knew was the least likely, yet he had always longed for and hoped for.

Isn't this already obvious?

"I... I... I'm willing, only you are—"

Weber wiped away his tears and knelt before Iskandar, weeping.

"My king, whom I have always longed for and am willing to follow forever... Thank you for your care and guidance over the years. I am willing to follow you... I am willing to witness with you what the other side of dreams is, so... please continue to guide me... Your Majesty."

This answer brought a smile to Iskandar; clearly, he was equally pleased with Weber's response and choice. Similarly, for Weber, as a subject, the king's smile was the greatest reward.

Therefore, Iskandar has nothing to regret.

"Haha, is that so? I never expected to gain such an excellent subject as you at the last moment. It seems this Holy Grail War has been worthwhile after all. So..."

Iskandar bent down and patted Weber's head, then stood up with difficulty. With a wave of his hand, he summoned Kenneth's Gordius Wheel along with him.

"What... what are you doing? You don't mean you want me to pledge allegiance to you, do you? Let me tell you, you're dreaming!!"

Upon seeing Iskandar bring him before him, Kenneth's expression suddenly changed, and he immediately refused in a shrill voice.

Although this guy's final performance did indeed shock and impress him, he had no intention of serving him.

"Hahaha, who wants your loyalty, you Lemon Head wretch? If you were my subject, I'd be arguing with you every single day..."

However, Iskandar simply smiled happily, then picked him up and walked alone onto the Gordius Wheel, standing once again with his two old friends.

"... Huh?"

Weber wanted to get on the bus, but Iskandar stopped him.

"That's enough. There's no need to follow Weber any further."

"It is my duty as king to reveal what dreams are."

"And as a subject, your duty is to see clearly the dream that the king displays and pass it on to future generations."

The King of Conquerors spoke calmly, though he was very close, he seemed to be high above, unreachable even if one reached out.

"So, live on! Weber, pass on my story and dreams to future generations, do you understand?"

"I, I... understand, Your Majesty."

Weber lowered his head and never looked up again.

"That would be wonderful..."

Iskandar nodded and smiled with satisfaction.

"Hey, Lemon Head ... no, I should say Lord El-Melloi ..."

Finally, he looked again at Kenneth, who stood to the side with a cold expression but remained silent, and bowed his head to him for the first time, making a heartfelt plea.

"Hmm? What's wrong with you now?"

Kenneth's expression turned somewhat strange when he heard Iskandar address him with a respectful title instead of "Lemon Head" for the first time.

"I entrust my little Master to your care from now on. No matter what the outcome, I would like to ask you to protect him for me. Please."

"Hmph, do you even need to tell me? Although Weber Velvet is an absolute mediocre talent, he is also my student, a member of the El-Melloi Classroom. As long as I'm here, I will not allow him to be harmed! This is my duty as Lord and teacher!"

"You annoying red gorilla, stop wasting your time and get to work while you're still alive."

Kenneth snorted coldly, then looked at Iskandar, who was beginning to dissipate, still arguing with him in his dying moments.

"... Oh, that's wonderful."

Upon hearing Kenneth's answer, Iskandar finally put aside all his worries.

"Then, let's go together! Gordius Wheel!!"

Shaking off unnecessary thoughts, the King of Conquerors gripped the reins tightly and began his final gallop. He let out a powerful roar and charged towards the formidable enemy that awaited him in the distance.

"Are you coming along too?"

Gilgamesh stared coldly at Fionn mac Cumhaill, who was blocking his way, and questioned him.

"No, I won't, because this is the battle of the King of Conquerors."

Seeing that the farewell was over, Fionn mac Cumhaill sheathed his spear and then leaped back to Kenneth's side, leaving the final stage to the two kings Iskandar and Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh snorted coldly upon seeing what Fionn mac Cumhaill had done.

"You scoundrel, I am not so oblivious to romance. However..."

He glanced at Iskandar, who was riding the Gordius Wheel and charging towards him, and scoffed, "In your current wretched state, do you even deserve my serious attention? Even if I do nothing, you're doomed..."

"Hahahaha, yes, it seems I've reached the end, but..."

"Until the moment of true death, my steps will not cease! So, take this, King of Heroes!!"

With a roar and a charge, Iskandar, as king, launched a final assault with his still-functioning body and his last remaining Noble Phantasm.

"Madness."

Upon seeing this, Gilgamesh frowned.

However, despite saying this, in order to give Iskandar the final respect, he still opened his treasure vault and used his most prized Noble Phantasm.

Countless golden streaks began to dance wildly around Gilgamesh, Chains of Heaven reappeared beside him before shooting out towards Iskandar's location.

One hundred meters.