King of Heroes, Gilgamesh

"Run away? Very well..."

"In consideration of that reverence, This Seat shall grant them a pardon."

The golden-haired youth sitting sideways on the roof slowly stood up, looking at the fleeing Sella and Leysritt with a disdainful expression.

"I wondered what it was; they are merely homunculi."

"Not bad, all things considered."

"To think that dolls merely maintaining a human shape could mimic natural living beings so well."

"It seems they were crafted using quite decent molds."

"But mages truly never learn their lesson, installing personalities into mere tools."

"In the end, humanity will never reciprocate that pure heart of yours."

The golden-haired youth commented wantonly, then turned his head to look at Illya:

"However, compared to you, those two are merely small fry."

"A fusion of a homunculus and a human."

"Just what kind of whimsical thing did that fellow who created you make?"

The golden-haired youth—or perhaps it is more fitting to call him Gilgamesh—was not a normal participant in this Holy Grail War, or one could say he was now a part of the Holy Grail itself.

Since he was not a normal participant in this war, the rules of the Holy Grail War naturally could not restrict him.

Though, such rules were meant to be followed by one's own volition anyway.

Illya looked at Gilgamesh on the roof with an indifferent expression and questioned:

"What do you want?"

Before Gilgamesh appeared, there had been no movement at all from the forest's barrier.

To be able to achieve this, the only possibility was an intrusion from high above in the sky.

Although Gilgamesh had not yet made a move, Illya could feel the killing intent and the stench of blood clinging to him.

Even though Gilgamesh was spotless and appeared perfectly normal.

"I am merely taking back what belongs to This Seat ahead of schedule."

"The only one with the right to handle the Holy Grail is This Seat!"

"However, I have no interest in you, the vessel of the Holy Grail."

"I simply do not wish for those mongrels to lay their hands on what belongs to This Seat."

Upon hearing this, Illya's expression turned visibly angry:

"Who exactly are you?"

To Illya's question, Gilgamesh laughed with extreme disdain:

"As expected, no matter how exquisitely crafted a doll may be, it remains a doll in the end."

"To not know the name of This Seat and fail to offer a kowtow—what audacity!"

"Before I execute you, do you have any last words you wish to say?"

Clearly, the negotiations had completely broken down. At this moment, Illya faced a formidable enemy, staring at Gilgamesh on the roof as she shouted in a low, angry voice:

"Kill him!"

"Berserker!"

Berserker, who had been in spirit form guarding Illya, suddenly manifested. He roared at Gilgamesh standing on the roof, the stone tiles beneath his feet shattering from the force of his step!

Gilgamesh watched Berserker with an excited expression. Accompanied by a flash of golden light, he stood not far opposite Berserker.

Gilgamesh curled his lips, staring at Berserker with his burning red eyes, and shouted:

"That is it."

"Come, great hero!"

"If you act as my opponent, my weariness will be swept away!"

"Let the battle of myths..."

"Be reenacted here!!!"

As Gilgamesh spoke, countless shimmering golden ripples appeared around him.

The light emanating from those golden ripples was enough to make even the sunlight dim.

Within those golden ripples appeared blades, spears, swords, halberds, axes, hooks, and forks—a vast variety, none of them repeating, and any one of them could serve as a legendary treasure.

That is right; these weapons, polished until they shone like mirrors, were each and every one of them genuine Noble Phantasms!

And all these weapons were now pointed at Berserker, who stood shielding Illya!

Accompanied by the roar of the wind being torn asunder, countless blades shimmering with cold light flew toward Berserker in a single, devastating barrage!

However, these flying Noble Phantasms could not inflict any damage on Berserker at all, merely leaving sparks on his body before being deflected!

Seeing this, Illya, standing to the side, was filled with confidence.

The true identity of Berserker was Heracles, the greatest hero in Greek mythology.

He possessed the Noble Phantasm God Hand.

It was a Noble Phantasm that represented immortality, serving as both a divine blessing and a curse bestowed upon Heracles.

It did not take the form of a weapon or armor; his very body could be called the Noble Phantasm itself.

It was a type of ability that turned his flesh into impenetrable armor, rendering attacks of Rank B or lower ineffective, whether they were physical or magical in nature.

It possessed the effect of automatically reviving his body after death, and because this resurrection was stocked with eleven charges, Heracles would not be defeated unless he was killed twelve times.

Furthermore, due to Illya's immense magical energy, if given time, the consumed resurrection charges could even be restored.

However, if he were to suffer massive damage, several of his lives could be taken away at once.

Beyond resurrection and nullifying attacks, God Hand possessed a third effect.

That was to ensure that any attack he had experienced once would not work a second time.

No matter how powerful the ability used to defeat Heracles, once he revived, that Noble Phantasm would no longer be effective.

This was the source of Illya's confidence!

In this Holy Grail War, no other Servant could compare to her Berserker!

But...

That was only for this time.

Watching his ineffective attacks, Gilgamesh did not show the slightest hint of surprise on his face; instead, he laughed with keen interest:

"Great hero."

"Perhaps those mongrels would find themselves at a loss when facing you."

"But it is a pity."

"You have encountered this King!"

The one thing the King of Heroes Gilgamesh lacked the least was Noble Phantasms!

What he had just used was merely a test fire with a pile of Noble Phantasms Rank B or lower; he would not hold back from here on out!

In an instant, golden ripples appeared once again around Gilgamesh, numbering over thirty!

Even Illya's expression changed drastically at this moment.

These were completely different Noble Phantasms from before, with no repeats whatsoever.

Moreover, the power of each of these Noble Phantasms was Rank A or higher!

"Berserker!"

Illya cried out in alarm.

Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasms descended upon Berserker like a torrential downpour!

Berserker swung his great axe to strike down the incoming Noble Phantasms, yet many still pierced his body, inflicting damage upon him.

Berserker could have easily dodged them with his agility, but because Illya was still nearby, he did not want her to be harmed.

Illya realized this as well and leaped backward abruptly!

Facing Illya's retreat, Gilgamesh merely let out a cold snort.

It was just as well; Gilgamesh had no desire to fight a hero who was held back by hesitation.

Regardless of how Illya tried to escape, Gilgamesh was confident he could capture her!

With no further worries, Berserker roared loudly while brandishing his great axe, his crimson pupils seemingly expressing his current rage.

Gilgamesh's own emotions were ignited at this moment, and he shouted:

"Let this King see if you can entertain me!"

The next moment, hundreds of golden ripples emerged around Gilgamesh in an instant, and the golden Noble Phantasms, as numerous as raindrops, were fired toward Berserker all at once!

Berserker leaped, rolled, and sprinted across the surrounding walls!

He swung his great axe, intercepting the flying Noble Phantasms one after another!

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom--"

The continuous sound of explosions echoed through the sky within the castle!

Standing on a distant rooftop, Illya watched the battlefield with a deeply furrowed brow.

Kaoru Sakura, standing alongside Sella and Leysritt, had a look of utter confusion in her eyes.

"Who am I?"

"Where am I?"

"What is happening?"

If Kaoru Sakura remembered correctly, she had just been scooped up by Illya's maid and flown straight up, landing on the roof with effortless ease.

What in the world was that golden sparkle thing in the distance?

And why was a Giant fighting that golden sparkle?

Was this a dream?

Or some kind of stunt performance?

Clearly, Kaoru Sakura still had no idea what was going on.

Yet, no matter how optimistic Kaoru Sakura was, she could tell that Illya was furious right now.

The aura radiating from her was so intimidating that Kaoru Sakura couldn't even speak clearly:

"I... Illya-nee."

"What on earth is happening?"

"Are you okay?"

Listening to Kaoru Sakura's words, Illya forced her brow to relax and said in a low voice:

"Kaoru, could you come here for a moment?"

Hearing this, Kaoru Sakura nodded like a chick pecking at rice, walking over to Illya's side quite obediently, feeling somewhat nervous:

"Illya-nee, what is it..."

At this moment, Illya slowly turned her head, looking up slightly to meet Kaoru Sakura's gaze.

[Suggestion Magecraft]

In an instant, Kaoru Sakura felt incredibly sleepy, her body swaying as she collapsed directly toward Illya.

Illya caught Kaoru Sakura in her arms, though her slightly petite frame looked a bit strained under the weight.

Sella, standing to the side, tried to take Kaoru Sakura from Illya, but was refused.

After all, today might be the last time she would ever see Kaoru Sakura.

However, Illya would never let Kaoru Sakura get dragged into this; if things went south, she would order Sella and Leysritt to take Kaoru Sakura and flee.

Just as Illya turned her gaze back to the battlefield, Sella suddenly shouted in anger:

"Who are you?"

"Don't come any closer!"