Chapter 599
One of the many Noble Phantasm possessed by Alcides, the "Pelt of the Divine Beast".
The pelt was taken from the invulnerable Giant Lion of Nemea that the Great Hero killed in his lifetime, and its fur was processed into the long cloth that is currently draped over his head.
This Noble Phantasm has the effect of negating human reasoning and rejecting all weapons and tools from human civilization.
Two days ago, Alcides survived the baptism of thousands of Gate of Babylon unscathed thanks to this Noble Phantasm, and it was through this that Gilgamesh saw through his true name.
As long as the black archer wears this Nemean lion skin, he can avoid all Noble Phantasm created by humans.
Even for King of Heroes possessed all the treasures of the world, the Divine Construct Weapon in his treasury was only a handful.
However, this Noble Phantasm also has a weakness: it reveals its vulnerability the moment it is drawn and the arrow is released, and the areas not covered by the lion skin may suffer fatal wounds.
Gilgamesh was using the gaps between the animal hides to force Alcides back.
"What are you doing, King of Heroes?"
The dark demon, forced to a halt the release of his Noble Phantasm, frowned unhappily at Gilgamesh.
"Shut up! That bastard is my prey, you're not allowed to lay a hand on him!!"
Although the red-haired boy suggested, "I'm in a hurry, so both of you come at me together," how could the King of Heroes allow such a thing to happen?
And indeed, he was blinded by anger.
If it were the usual King, he would have said, "Hmph, watching the clowns kill each other is quite a bit of entertainment," but now he's the first to do it.
At this point, communication has become impossible.
Alcides slowly lowered the bow in his hand.
All we can do now is wait for the King of Heroes and this red-haired boy to settle their differences.
But--
There was one thing that Alcides was very concerned about:
As I prepared to use "Nine Lives," the boy's stance and natural breathing...
No matter how you look at it, it's still "Nine Lives".
On the other side, the King of Heroes' feet left the ground, and he stood in the sky.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, you bastard."
He crossed his arms and confronted the boy standing on the church.
"Hey, are you really going to come alone? It's definitely better to bring some help; you'll lose terribly if you go it alone."
"..."
Tiné couldn't help but shudder: Don't provoke Gilgamesh any further!!!
Hearing such provocation, the golden archer frowned.
Frankly, his anger had crossed a critical point.
If any bastard had dared to speak to him like that while he was alive, he would have cut off their tongue on the spot and poured molten copper down their throat.
But now, having pushed his anger to its limits, his heart has found peace.
"You've been talking incessantly since just now... Since you're so eager to die, then I'll grant your wish."
At least let me enjoy myself before I die, you bastard!
The next moment--
A scene that exceeded the expectations of Alcides, Tiné, Haruri, and all the Magecraft watching the battle unfolded.
The King of Heroes pulled out "that".
A golden key shaped like a short sword.
Tiné knows that person.
According to Gilgamesh himself, this is Noble Phantasm, forged by the King of Heroes himself.
King's Law Key (Bab-ilu).
The crimson magic emanating from the tip of the golden dagger began to erode everything in the surrounding space, pushing open the gates of the world itself.
With the dimensional tremors, all the distortions of spacetime converged in one place—
From the uncontrolled rift that had been forcibly torn open, a strangely shaped "sword" slowly emerged.
The Vortex Sword descended upon the earth once more.
"How is that possible...?"
Tiné's eyes widened.
Gilgamesh... are you planning to use Vortex Sword against that scoundrel of unknown origin!?
She knew exactly what it meant for the King of Heroes to draw that sword.
In fact, Gilgamesh himself stated that only Enkidu was worthy of allowing him to use this item in this Holy Grail War.
However, just one day later, the king went back on his word.
If someone offends one's bastard, one can simply use Noble Phantasm from the treasure vault—either a Noble Phantasm or a Noble Phantasm of unknown origin—to slaughter them.
However, Gilgamesh took out Vortex Sword, which was essentially half of his own body.
Even the King of Heroes himself was surprised by his own subconscious action.
Did I subconsciously perceive this bastard as "an opponent I would lose if I went all out immediately"?
An unprecedented and overwhelming unhappiness filled the king's heart.
At the same time, a strange sense of satisfaction arose.
This feeling was similar to the reunion battle with Enkidu a day earlier.
Gilgamesh followed his instincts and gripped Vortex Sword.
Seeing this, the red-haired boy, Shirou Amamiya, smiled.
"I'm so glad you used Vortex Sword right from the start, Gil."
"You bastard, I don't know where you met me, but die with your arrogant self-importance."
Gilgamesh spoke coldly, raising the supreme Noble Phantasm in his hand.
The three cylinders of the Vortex Sword each began to rotate with energy approaching that of a planet.
The whirling sound intensified, and as the speed increased, the surging of magic grew ever larger.
"Since Gil has shown her true abilities, then I'll give it my all too."
In the past, Shirou had defeated the King of Heroes who wielded the Vortex Sword.
However, that defeat could not be considered a fair and square head-on victory; rather, it relied more on information asymmetry and the "Fae Domain" mechanism.
So much time has passed since then. Although Shirou's body has not reached its peak when the "Dead Count Shapeshifter" was forcibly triggered, his strength is now vastly different from what it used to be.
If it were now, he felt confident he could defeat the Vortex Sword head-on.
Gil, let me show you the results of my training...
This is a secret technique that was kept hidden even in the Seventh Singularity, without being used.
"----Holy Sword, draw your blade."
As he whispered, Shirou vaguely saw a slender, blonde girl.
The lonely phantom flashed past the boy's eyes and quickly disappeared.
The King of Heroes' roar brought Shirou back to reality.
"The Star of Separation of Heaven and Earth (Enuma Elish)" ------!!!
Shirou grasped the scorching golden holy sword.
This light of possibility, refracted from countless Parallel World, converges, overlaps, and resonates together.
Even if the opponent is the supreme sword that split the heavens and earth, it is nothing to fear!
"Excalibur Works" ----!!!
That's all,
The planet is facing its closest moment to destruction in 4.6 billion years.
"How could this be..."
Tiné knelt on the hotel's warm-colored carpet, gazing incredulously at the sky, which had returned to calm.
"Gilgamesh... he actually lost...?"
Although I can't believe it no matter what, the undeniable facts are right in front of me.
Archer – Gilgamesh used all his strength and unleashed his strongest Noble Phantasm, but still lost to his opponent in the clash of firepower.
After the light and heat dissipated from the ground, the imposing figure of the King of Heroes, exuding a powerful presence, vanished, leaving only the red-haired boy behind.
No matter how Tiné called out, there was no response.
Gilgamesh is probably indeed dead.
Tiné had never imagined this possibility: the strongest Heroic Spirit she had a contract with would leave the stage on the second day of the Holy Grail War.
What should we do next?
What will happen next?
The girl had never thought about these things.
Because Gilgamesh is there... Although that lord has a cold and aloof side, he is actually very good at taking care of people.
In his first confrontation with Alcides, he fought against a formidable opponent while carefully protecting himself from being targeted by the enemy.
Tiné felt only boundless respect and gratitude towards that king.
And now, the King of Heroes has fallen in battle.
Ah... From the moment I was defeated in the Holy Grail War, the fate of my race was decided.
The Magecraft will surely retaliate fiercely, wiping out the Tiné Clan who tried to seize the land...
It's all over now.
If there's any good news, it's that the girl won't have to witness her people being slaughtered by the Magecraft.
Death God had already come to her.
"Any last words?"
Alcides, a demon exuding an ominous aura, entered the hotel room.
Even though the other party was a girl who was only ten years old, the dark-skinned Great Hero showed no pity or sympathy in his eyes, only staring intently at the Command Spell on the back of her hand.
Tiné: "..."
Seeing her lost and silent, the demon nocked an arrow and spoke.
"If you're going to hate someone, hate yourself for not using all your Command Spell before the Servant leaves the field."
At the very least, it will guarantee you a painless death.
"..."
Tiné knelt silently, awaiting her end.
I'm sorry, Gilgamesh...
If I were stronger...
If I were a better Magecraft, you wouldn't have lost...
Tiné bit her lip, and Alcides released the bowstring.
Just as the arrow was about to pierce the girl's forehead, a hand reached out and grabbed the arrow.
"Hey, hey, hey, do you prioritize torturing and murdering young girls more than fighting me? What a remarkable hobby."