(Heartfelt thanks to 'You Bi Ji Yue', 'World's End Ballad', 'The Obscure Diving Party', 'Wufeng Haotian', 'Dragon God Descending to the Mortal World', and 'Mikuˉ Fan' for their donations!)
"Oh?"
Just as Rin Tohsaka and Saber chased after Zouken Matou, Gilgamesh, standing atop the roof of Ryudou Temple, let out a cold laugh.
"Though that worm-handler isn't worth protecting, especially not from mongrels beneath my notice, who gave you permission to leave?"
As he spoke, Gilgamesh slowly raised his hand, and a golden ripple stirred through the space around him.
"Whoosh—!"
However, before Gilgamesh could make a move, a piercing sound of something tearing through the air rang out beside his ear.
A sword of exceedingly luxurious design shot through the sky like a laser, carrying a sharp whistle of wind as it streaked toward Gilgamesh.
The lavish sword had come without warning.
Thus, even someone as arrogant as Gilgamesh could not help but show a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
But in the next instant, a shield of light, seemingly solid yet mirror-like, suddenly emerged from the golden ripple in the space around Gilgamesh. It dipped once and landed before him.
The sword that had torn through the sky like a laser struck the shield directly.
"Clang—!"
Amid a crisp ring, the sword that had shot forth like a laser was deflected away from the light shield.
"Bang—!"
Yet the seemingly solid shield of light suddenly exploded as well, shattering into glass-like fragments.
The arrogant expression on Gilgamesh's face instantly froze.
Because Gilgamesh saw it.
He saw Noah's actions and the disturbance around him as he stood in the vast open space below.
"Though Rin doesn't need my protection either, especially with Saber beside her..." Noah raised his head and looked directly at Gilgamesh on the rooftop. With