The Gateway to the Demon Realm Overflowing with Death (Part 2)

"I see."

Upon hearing what Rovey said, Scáthach nodded solemnly beside her, then put away her worried look and continued to accumulate magic power, preparing for the impending thunderous strike.

Meanwhile, Gilgamesh on the other side will also fight the four false angels to the very end.

With their endless barrage of Noble Phantasm, even with nearly half of the Holy Grail's magic power supporting them, these four angels could hardly achieve any significant results against the King of Heroes.

Just moments ago, Gilgamesh was able to focus his attacks on Rovey, unable to inflict any damage on him. However, that non-fatal injury was completely ineffective against Gilgamesh at this moment. With the blessing of the Elixir of Immortality and the Holy Grail's magic, the damage inflicted on him by the four angels began to heal at a visible rate. This scene made Rovey and Scáthach realize the abnormality of Gilgamesh's current state. Furthermore, considering that he had unleashed so many Noble Phantasm simultaneously without showing any signs of fatigue, Rovey deduced that Gilgamesh had probably consumed something like the Golden Apple, the Elixir of Immortality, or the Elixir of Immortality before arriving—something like that—granting him a powerful buff of rapid healing, unlimited vitality, and even immortality.

In other words, apart from Gilgamesh with a single blow that shatters his Spirit Core or inflicting a fatal wound on his Spirit Origin, any other attacks that break through his defenses are unlikely to achieve any significant results for the King of Heroes.

It can be said that in order to secure a victory against the absurd master-servant combination of Rovey and Scáthach, Gilgamesh made ample preparations this time, even using the Elixir of Immortality and the Holy Grail, which was simply outrageous.

Gilgamesh was originally labeled as the most fragile of the three golden targets because of his absurd experience in a certain World Line where he was killed by Emiya Shirou after having his arm severed due to his carelessness.

However, with all the thorough preparations made beforehand to win this battle, while it still can't compare to the Sun King Shemesh Rameses II's Noble Phantasm, the Radiant Great Composite Temple, and its absolute immortality, or Karna's Golden Armor, which reduces all damage taken to one-tenth, this powerful immortality, combined with his miscellaneous defensive Noble Phantasm, has completely compensated for this so-called weakness.

At this moment, Gilgamesh is nothing short of a rogue warrior. In addition to his unparalleled ranged output and maximum firepower, he has also built himself into a tank with an infinite mana bar. Even if four angels simultaneously unleash damage from their elemental magic swords that is close to A-rank Noble Phantasm, he can easily withstand it with his defensive Noble Phantasm and his physical body.

"What's wrong? Not going to continue? In that case, it's my turn!"

Gilgamesh glanced at the four angels in front of him, whose attacks were gradually slowing down due to Rovey's manipulation, and sneered. He then turned all the light gates in the sky around and launched several devastating attacks against them without any mercy.

Under his precise control, it only took the blink of an eye.

The archangels, whose strength was comparable to that of Servant, were completely annihilated under his attack.

Michael, the archangel of fire and justice, was pierced through the chest by the Lucifer's Morning Star, which belonged to Lucifer, and died instantly; Gabriel, the archangel of water and justice, had his wings severed by Original Sin and fell to the earth, and then the Sea-Burning Sword followed, completely annihilating the water element he symbolized; as for Raphael, the archangel of hurricanes and healing, before he could heal the other three, he was suddenly controlled by the Wind-Fixing Pearl and then blasted into pieces by the True Nine Lives; the deaths of the three archangels were only a moment away, and Uriel, the earth angel symbolizing the earth and protection, was naturally unable to fight alone. Before he could achieve any significant results, Gilgamesh used the Mountain-Cleaving Sword to tear apart the earth he symbolized.

In just a few minutes, the angels, renowned in mythology and symbolizing the four basic elements of the world, all perished, failing to inflict any significant damage on Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh and Rovey showed little change in expression. After all, these beings were worlds apart from true archangels in terms of both rank and power. They merely possessed the name and certain characteristics from the Bible; the rest were false gods filled with elemental spirits and magical energy like balloons, lacking even true divinity. If Gilgamesh couldn't even handle these four alchemical creations that barely reached the level of Servant, then his title of King of Heroes would be nothing but a joke.

Moreover, the four angels fully fulfilled their mission, helping Rovey draw fire and buying him some breathing room, as well as creating a rare opportunity for Scáthach to counterattack. This time, she didn't dodge or simply throw the Gáe Bolg as usual. Standing amidst the falling golden rain of light, she didn't evade, but merely raised her hand, continuously channeling magic into the Crimson Magic Spear, then narrowed her eyes to adjust herself to her optimal state... or so it seemed.

No, this is not the best.

Scáthach was fully aware of this.

Even the Noble Phantasm she just unleashed using Command Seal was never her true Noble Phantasm, nor was it her legendary ultimate spear capable of slaying gods.

If you want to kill a god, simply locking down the target area and adding a level of 'cause and effect' is far from enough. In this battle, and from beginning to end, the strength that Scáthach has shown is only the level that Rovey wanted her to show.

She has been keeping her two trump cards hidden—her true Noble Phantasm and her absolute god-slaying spear—unused until now.

Although Scáthach felt that this opportunity might be a rare chance, and that she might actually be able to unleash that shot to teach this arrogant King of Heroes a lesson, and then personally tear apart his foul mouth that kept calling her an old woman.

However, remembering Rovey's instructions and his unwavering trust in her, Scáthach ultimately suppressed her inner thoughts and chose to trust Rovey's arrangements, continuing to act according to the plan.

"Then... go! Gáe Bolg!!"

Scáthach gave a soft shout, then unhesitatingly aimed the crimson spear she had been preparing for a long time at the golden figure in the sky and shot it.

This time, her movements were completely different from the previous, seemingly impulsive and powerful attacks of the Gáe Bolg. This time, the attack was utterly silent, like a venomous snake stealthily extending its tongue in the darkness. Compared to countless other magical Noble Phantasm radiating magnificent light, this demonic spear was utterly inconspicuous, its aura far too faint, like an ordinary blade of grass hiding in a forest—who would possibly notice it?

"Huh? What is this...?!"

However, in the brief instant it entered the locked range, Gilgamesh in mid-air seemed to sense something. His brows furrowed suddenly, and he abruptly turned to the side, dodging the demonic spear that seemed somewhat different from the previous ones.

However, due to the characteristics of the magic gun, the moment you enter its locking range, the result of being hit is already a fact, so there is no way to avoid it.

Gilgamesh then swung his hand sharply, summoning a defensive Noble Phantasm to protect himself while rapidly retreating.

However, he didn't actually need to do that, because the Rho Aias provides a defensive Noble Phantasm against projectiles; a regular javelin trying to break through that defense would be a joke. But... if the opponent's spear was covered in several Rune, enhanced by Command Seal, and imbued with causality, then that would be a different story.

Having suffered two major losses, Gilgamesh dared not be careless and hurriedly summoned his Noble Phantasm for defense.

And indeed, just as he had predicted, this time the demonic spear was completely different from the previous two, which were grand and flamboyant. The crimson light covering its surface looked unremarkable, but the magic power and light contained within were restrained, always concealing countless killing intents.

--call out!!

Only a crimson light remained in sight as the terrifyingly powerful demonic spear pierced straight through the Rho Aias had lost four layers due to the sudden attack of the first demonic spear and the explosion of the Radiant Ship, and broke straight through Gilgamesh's proud self-disciplined body defense system.

"Snort!"

This sight startled Gilgamesh. He snorted coldly and summoned the Shield of the Gods once more to protect his chest, attempting to block the incoming spear of light. However, this time the demonic spear struck not his heart, but... his left arm.

With a deafening "BOOM—!", the golden armor covering his arm was pierced through by the demonic spear without any doubt, and his flesh and blood were shattered along with it. He was almost torn off by the powerful magic, repeating the humiliating experience of losing a close friend in other World Line. The dark purple runes also burrowed into his body the instant they pierced through him.

Tick-tock, tick-tock...

Crimson blood flowed continuously from the nearly severed arm, cascading to the ground. The once invincible King of Heroes, untouched by true injury, was the first to be wounded in this battle. The arm pierced by the demonic spear was cursed and poisoned. These were runes Scáthach had deliberately placed on the tip of the spear—a curse that severely restricted healing. Even though Gilgamesh wouldn't die because he had consumed the Elixir of Immortality beforehand, his healing speed would be greatly slowed, a substantial form of damage.

"..."

The atmosphere fell silent again. He stared at his injured arm, then looked down at Scáthach and Rovey. Instead of displaying the childlike rage expected, he spoke indifferently, "Very good, really very good. Despite coming from different eras, your teamwork can be described as seamless and perfectly in sync."

"I admit I underestimated you all before, the Queen of the Land of Shadows, and you, an outsider."

Feeling the power of the cursed runes raging within him, even the immortal Gilgamesh experienced unbearable pain. The cursed power of the Primordial Runes was indeed extraordinary. This excruciating agony was perhaps only comparable to the legendary venom of the Hydra.

That damned woman is truly like a venomous snake. Although she always has a smiling face on the surface, when she really gets serious, where is her reserve and pride as a warrior queen? She's completely after your life.

"Compared to the combination of Rider, Lancer, and that mad dog, the two of you can unleash far greater power than them. I'm truly astonished beyond words. In short, let me praise you a bit. At least you've proven to me with your strength that you have the opportunity to witness my strongest Noble Phantasm..."

Letting out a deep breath, Gilgamesh's face twisted into a terrifying, grotesque grin, a mask of rage from the curses and poisonous runes still raging within him. "Now that the minions are mostly dealt with, and the probing between you has dragged on for so long, it's time to deliver the final farewell to you two damned bastards!!"

As he spoke, Gilgamesh waved his hand, concealing most of the golden waves in the sky, but the brilliant starlight in the sky showed no sign of disappearing.

"Boy, your Magecraft is amazing, it actually managed to withstand my bombardment. But since ordinary Noble Phantasm and Broken Phantasm can't break through your defenses, boy, then I'll adjust all the Noble Phantasm to a level of B+ or higher. I wonder how long your prized turtle shell can protect the two of you?"

Gilgamesh looked down at Rovey and then coldly stated his plan.

Yes, despite the powerful enhancement from the Philosopher's Mace.

This caused Rovey's strength to leap directly from Magus to a top-tier Servant capable of withstanding the King of Heroes's relentless bombardment. Although his magical power remained inexhaustible, his human body was still his greatest limitation. He could not maintain his condition and stamina to resist like Servant. His body had its limits, and the Broken Phantasm of B+ rank or higher mentioned by the King of Heroes was clearly the limit he could not withstand.

But...

"So, keep struggling like a wild dog, let your life, like a candle in the wind, perish under my Noble Phantasm! Don't worry, after you die, I will still reclaim your wand and soul as an immortal collectible, hahahahahahahaha—!!"

Seemingly having fully adapted to the pain brought by the Rune, Gilgamesh looked down at Rovey, who was still struggling below, with a bloodthirsty pleasure on his face. In his eyes, Lovi, who had given him so many surprises and could bring him the unknown and pain Rovey, was undoubtedly the best prey.

Despite being thoroughly enraged by Rovey and Scáthach, he still didn't intend to directly use his Ea to crush this young man who loved to scheme and plot until he achieved his current situation. He wanted to use his Noble Phantasm to torment him relentlessly, pushing him step by step into a desperate situation until he sincerely begged for mercy. Only in this way could his vanity be satisfied to the greatest extent.

If he could, Gilgamesh would rather Rovey submit to him willingly and become his slave than collect an interesting soul, because that would make things much more interesting.

As for Scáthach...

He had absolutely no interest in that old woman, whose soul was long since obscured by loneliness and killing, and whose soul fire flickered constantly. There was nothing about her that he cared about, and in the end, all she could expect was to be killed by him.

'Well then, it's time for me to clean up the mess.'

Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes, then pointed at Rovey and the other person and gently lowered his finger.

Then, the endless rows of Noble Phantasm sweeping out from the depths of the portal seemed to transform into a torrent of light, its terrifying aura threatening to obliterate everything in sight. In an instant, the roar once again resounded through the heavens and earth, and the continuous explosions of intense light replaced the sun, illuminating everything in the night sky.

This attack was no longer the random throwing of the past. Gilgamesh was now perfectly controlling all the Noble Phantasm he released, making the most of each one.

All of his Noble Phantasm were top-tier, B-rank or higher. He deliberately placed all Noble Phantasm that targeted barriers, Magecraft, or had the ability to break through defenses at the forefront of the golden torrent, intending to use them to destroy Rovey's barrier like scraps of paper. Meanwhile, the higher-ranking Noble Phantasm were hidden in the golden vortex, waiting for the barrier to disappear so they could deliver a fatal blow to Rovey.

Faced with such an attack, Rovey knew that it was pointless to continue to maintain the previous defenses in such a sorry state. He looked at the king in the sky with a crazed and bloodthirsty expression, knowing that the time was almost up.

Without further hesitation, he removed his defenses and released all restraints on Scáthach, allowing her to unleash her hidden Noble Phantasm for a final showdown with Gilgamesh, and offering her his final support.

[High-Speed Divine Words]

"By the name of the Command Seal Spell, Scáthach, restore to your best condition."

"By the name of a Command Seal, I command you to release your hidden second Noble Phantasm."

"Issuing this command in the name of a single Command Seal to enhance the power of the Second Noble Phantasm."

"By the name of a Command Seal, order its immediate release!"

Six Command Seal on her arm disappeared simultaneously, transforming into power and blessing that acted upon Scáthach at the same time.

"Is it finally my turn to make a move? At least I don't have to hold back anymore, hmph~"

Feeling the blessing from the Command Seal Spell, Scáthach smiled slightly, giving a smile to Rovey who turned his head to look at her from directly in front of him and nodded slightly. Then she looked up and glanced at the enhanced golden rain of light falling from the sky, her expression still calm, even with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

"You think you can kill us with just this? King of Heroes, you're far too arrogant. Do you really think you've got the win line in the bag?" Scáthach calmly questioned Gilgamesh, her gaze fixed on his cold eyes.

"Huh? What else? Whether it's the quantity or the quality of the Noble Phantasm, I have an absolute advantage. And with my defense, your Causal Spear can no longer play its proper role. So what other means do you have to threaten me?"

Gilgamesh spoke calmly, as if it were a matter of course, responding to Scáthach's question with a cold laugh.

But...

Under the night sky, Scáthach casually turned and used her magic spear to knock down all the golden rain of light that came from mid-air, her expression remaining calm as ever.

"As I said, you are too arrogant, King of Heroes. You thought you could crush all your opponents with the sheer number of your Noble Phantasm, so you thought you were invincible when you unleashed this Noble Phantasm."

Scáthach's crimson eyes stared silently at him. "You really think you'll never fail?"

"Huh? I admit, you are strong, Godslayer. But what good is your strength? Alone, you are no match for the treasures I have accumulated. In the end, you will only be swallowed up by these endless Noble Phantasm and then killed."

Gilgamesh remained calm, as if he were stating some kind of reality.

"Kill me?"

Scáthach suddenly chuckled.

"It seems you've completely misunderstood something, King of Heroes."

Then, to Gilgamesh's astonishment, she planted the spear in front of her, abandoning the familiar weapon she had always used.

What do you mean by that?

Gilgamesh frowned, a vague sense of unease rising within him.

"Hehe, King of Heroes, just as I said before, you lost your dearest friend because of death in your previous life, and because of your fear of death, you went to find the elixir of immortality, but in the end, it was stolen by a snake and you failed. So, for you, death is your greatest enemy."

Scáthach gripped a slender magic wand that had appeared out of nowhere, drawing a strange pattern in the air before a surge of magical energy shook the entire battlefield.

"Therefore, King of Heroes, this time I will grant you true death once again as the Queen of Death."

"Let me see if your prized treasures can still shine as brightly as ever when facing the gates of the Land of Death."

As Scáthach's voice faded softly, Rovey, who had been standing at the forefront and had used all his strength to help her withstand the last wave of attacks, swayed back to her side, his body already nearing its limit, a weary smile on his face.

"Then it's up to you, Scáthach."

As soon as he finished speaking, he sat down on the ruins at his feet and began to do his best to recover from the injuries he had sustained in the battle.

"Don't worry, Master, I promise I will never let you down."

Scáthach nodded slightly, and at that moment Gilgamesh seemed to suddenly realize something important. His expression changed abruptly, and he roared, "You old hag! You actually brought the other side of the Land of Shadows out here?!"

"It's too late to realize this now. The gates of the land of the dead have been opened for you. No one can survive except those I favor. So accept your fate, King of Heroes!"

"—The Gate of Skye, Gate of Skye!!!"

Snap!

The heavy doors rattled, accompanied by the Queen of Death's merciless pronouncement. In the sky, the gates welcoming the dead had opened wide, taking in countless sweeping Noble Phantasm and disappearing without a trace.

Witnessing this scene firsthand and experiencing the aura emanating from the realm of death, even the proud and arrogant King of Heroes, Gilgamesh, immediately became solemn. He retreated rapidly, but with the aid of the Command Seal, he was already trapped the moment the Gate of Skye appeared. Gilgamesh had a premonition that his soul was already locked onto it, and no matter where he fled, he could not escape this Noble Phantasm.

"You scoundrel! Don't get too cocky!!"

Upon seeing this, the King of Heroes, whose face was extremely grim, did not hesitate to reach into the treasure vault. Only after touching a familiar sensation did he slightly relax his furrowed brows and continue looking down at the massive doorway and the queen who ruled the realm of death.

'... So, I guess I have no choice but to use this after all?'

She murmured to herself.

But Gilgamesh already had the answer in his heart, so he unhesitatingly drew the sword that had torn the heavens and earth apart once again, letting the crimson gale and magic power rage across the world once more.

"So it's that legendary other realm, the Land of Shadows... It's just as outrageous as Ereshkigal's Underworld. Since you two damned bastards have struggled to this extent, then I will no longer show mercy. This next blow may well be the end of this war. I don't care what Alaya thinks now. I don't care if this city is completely destroyed."

"In short, I will never lose!!"

With a terrifying burst of magical power, the crimson divine sword with three cylindrical blades reappeared in the world. This is the King of Heroes' strongest Noble Phantasm, the World-Defying Noble Phantasm Ea - Ea.

This world-shattering Noble Phantasm can cleave the world itself. Although the King of Heroes' magic is obviously not enough to cut the world apart, once it is used and unleashed, all matter within a certain range will inevitably return to the nothingness before creation.

Just as it tore apart Iskandar's Ionian Hetairoi, it would be perfect to use it against Scáthach's Land of Shadows.

Facing the gates of the Land of Shadows, which rivaled the seven gates of Ereshkigal's Underworld, Gilgamesh dared not be negligent and immediately unleashed his strongest offensive Noble Phantasm.

"Get ready, sing your heart out, Ea!!"

Seeing this, Scáthach noticed that her Land of Shadows was shaking under the special magic of the Ea, but her expression remained unchanged. She simply looked intently at the King of Heroes before her, preparing for a full-scale battle. Then, the two, one in the sky and one on the ground, spoke in unison—

"They're coming! The Queen of the Land of Shadows!!"

"Come on over here, King of Heroes!!!"