(Heartfelt thanks to 'winterice', 'Wind of Nothingness', 'Meng Mojing', 'Yan Ai Ai', and 'Dust of the Other Shore' for their rewards!)
"Squelch—!"
Accompanied by the sound of tearing flesh, the Knight Sword mercilessly pierced through Gilgamesh's heart, emerging from his back and spraying crimson blood across the ground.
"Urgh—!"
Gilgamesh's eyes widened. His entire body stiffened against the chains binding his limbs and torso, leaving him unable to move even an inch.
Bright red blood also spilled from the corner of his mouth. Drawn by gravity, it dripped to the ground together with the blood flowing from his pierced heart, gradually pooling into a puddle.
As strength and life slowly left his body, Ea, which Gilgamesh held in his hand, slipped free. It struck the ground with a crisp slap, then transformed into particles of light and scattered away.
Without a doubt, it was a fatal wound.
Under normal circumstances, because Servants were spiritual entities, even having their hearts pierced could be healed. It would not necessarily count as a fatal injury.
Gilgamesh had gained a physical body during the previous Holy Grail War, allowing him to maintain his manifestation in this world without consuming magical energy.
Yet precisely because he had obtained a physical body, having his heart pierced was unquestionably fatal.
Gilgamesh's vision began to blur.
Did it hurt?
Of course it hurt.
Was he unwilling to accept it?
Of course he was.
But more than the pain, more than his unwillingness, there was another question Gilgamesh cared about.
Hanging in midair, bound by chains, Gilgamesh lowered his head and forced out the words with difficulty.
"Who... are you?..."
It was only natural to ask.
How could an ordinary person possibly seize every Treasure Tool on the verge of being lost in each era at the very instant