Tohsaka Tokiomi: Please Give Me More Opportunities to Show Off

The ancient hero-king of Uruk, Gilgamesh?

In an instant, people across the globe in the real world sprang into action, with many historians immediately stepping forward to explain the situation regarding Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh originates from the Epic of Gilgamesh, a heroic saga documented in detailed ancient stone tablet inscriptions that have been unearthed.

Among the king lists found on clay tablets in the Sumerian region, this epic is recognized by humanity as the first heroic saga with a detailed, recorded narrative.

It is speculated that Gilgamesh existed between the 28th and 26th centuries BC, serving as the king of the ancient city-state of Uruk.

Legend holds that he was two-thirds god and one-third human—a natural demigod possessing immense power. His epic follows a distinctly Western style: battling mythical beasts, defying gods, descending into the underworld, and ruling the most powerful nation in the Sumerian region at the time.

According to historical research, the Gilgamesh in the epic was indeed a real person, though the epic events themselves were likely based on ancient worship and exaggerated propaganda.

After all, ancient people—both East and West—loved to claim the status of being the child of some deity, often engaging in grand propaganda for the sake of prestige, personal gain, or simply to project power.

Such epic legends are essentially cut from the same cloth, appearing endlessly over the following millennia. The heroic epics of Ancient Greece were deeply influenced by the Epic of Gilgamesh, filled with all manner of boastful myths.

Although these stories seem fabricated to modern eyes, the epic itself is the first heroic saga with clear archaeological evidence. Coupled with Gilgamesh's status as a king, he is rightfully dubbed the oldest Heroic King.

However, it now seems that those epic tales might be true—at least in that Gilgamesh was a real person, which is why he could be summoned as a Servant.

Considering that the supernatural truly existed, it is highly probable that the gods and monsters from those legends were real as well.

This realization is chilling to contemplate.

Undoubtedly, the exposure of Gilgamesh's identity instantly doubled the mysterious aura surrounding the Holy Grail War.

If other characters were figures with clear historical records, Gilgamesh elevated the Holy Grail War to the level of the Age of Gods, instantly raising the stakes and prestige of the event by several tiers.

At the Yao Guang-Chaldea temporary headquarters, Murata Himeko crossed her arms, her expression grave. "Gilgamesh, huh... Truly a figure steeped in mythology. If he really is a demigod, then... do gods actually exist? Or rather... did creatures known as gods exist in ancient times?"

"Thinking about it, Gilgamesh's lack of manners becomes understandable. Before the 25th century BC, even civilizations at the national level were bound to be bloody and barbaric in their conduct. The entire human civilization was in an uncivilized, savage era, regardless of whether it was East or West."

"If a king wasn't strong or savage enough, he wouldn't be able to control those ancient people—who would be considered absolute savages by modern standards. So, it's understandable that he would act without manners despite being a king."

Recalling the records in the Epic of Gilgamesh regarding his brutality and his feats of wrestling lions and mythical beasts with his bare hands, she felt she could understand how his terrible personality was formed.

Of course, the direction of her thoughts was worlds apart from the reality, and whether she would have the chance to find the truth later remained to be seen.

At Su Yun's home, Artoria nodded in realization. "As expected, an ancient king. And to think he existed over two thousand years before the common era—that is quite impressive. Can the Holy Grail War really summon such a demigod? Or is his status as a demigod actually a fabrication?"

Su Yun smiled. "Without a doubt, Gilgamesh is indeed a demigod. Furthermore, Artoria, most of the demigods in those myths actually existed."

Artoria turned to look at Su Yun in surprise. "A-Yun, do you know about these things?"

Su Yun hummed. "Because I am an observer and liaison for Destiny, I know many secrets. For now, let's watch the Light Screen! There are some things I can better explain to you after you've seen them."

Hearing this, Artoria nodded. Trusting Su Yun completely, she turned her head back to continue watching.

Just then, a new situation unfolded.

On the Light Screen, after hearing Li Shuwen's reply, Gilgamesh's expression stiffened, his anger reignited. "Audacious! How dare you address a king by his name! Li Shuwen, do not mistake a king's magnanimity for a license for your arrogance! Your crime is enough for This Seat to grant you the death penalty!"

Li Shuwen chuckled. "I have already stated: we of the Middle Kingdom have always treated guests with propriety. We offer the rites of a guest to the virtuous, and the rites of a guest to the wicked."

"So, King of Uruk, can you retract your previous words? If you do, I shall also retract my discourtesy toward you—well then, King of Uruk, what is your answer?"

As he finished, the man who appeared to be seventy years old suddenly dropped his smile. His gaze turned icy, sharp as a blade, and filled with a chilling murderous intent.

This was the overwhelming pressure of a grandmaster of martial arts.

What Li Shuwen displayed was the spirit of a martial artist who had founded a school and reached the pinnacle of his craft.

Gilgamesh was thoroughly provoked by Li Shuwen's repeated 'provocations,' his voice turning frigid. "How bold! Mongrel! You treat the King's grace as a joke and repeatedly offend the King's majesty! Only death can wash away your sins! An ignorant fool has no right to live in this world!"

As he spoke the final words, his voice rose sharply, his expression twisting with rage.

Simultaneously, the space to his left and right shifted. Under the influence of magical energy, golden ripples like the surface of water appeared, and an exquisite sword and a magnificent spear slowly emerged from the golden ripples.

These two weapons were, without a doubt, Noble Phantasms!

The next moment, the camera shifted to a luxurious mansion.

It revealed a study filled with an archaic atmosphere. Tohsaka Tokiomi sat in the main seat, turned slightly toward the window. He held a wine glass filled with red wine in his right hand, his left hand resting on the armrest to support his head. A smile full of 'boss' energy played on his lips as he sat with his legs crossed, seemingly enjoying the mysterious and elegant moment.

The camera moved to the chair beside him, where Kotomine Kirei sat with his eyes closed. He suddenly opened them and looked at Tohsaka Tokiomi. "Teacher, Assassin and Archer have come into conflict. Should we stop them?"

Tohsaka Tokiomi did not change his posture or expression. He merely swirled his glass, letting the red wine move slowly, and gave his answer. "There is no need, Kirei. I have said it before: the law of victory is already in my hands; the process does not matter. Since the two Servants wish to fight, let them fight."

Kotomine Kirei: "But in terms of combat power, Assassin is far inferior to Archer in both stats and Noble Phantasms. Is this truly alright?"

Tohsaka Tokiomi took a small sip of wine before speaking slowly. "Kirei, you must have more confidence in your Servant. Do not forget which country this land belongs to, and what the people here believe in—Assassin possesses full local reinforcement effects here; their strength is more than doubled compared to other locations."

"Even if Assassin was summoned as the class least suited for direct combat, they are not someone that king—who is too arrogant to even reveal half of his true strength—can easily defeat. If things go poorly, he might even lose."

Kotomine Kirei fell silent. "..."

Tohsaka Tokiomi cast his gaze out the window. "Kirei, do you not understand?"

Kotomine Kirei: "Please enlighten me, Teacher."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "That king is too arrogant—so arrogant that he has already caused a negligible impact on my plans. Though it is negligible, for me, letting that king suffer a setback and realize he is not invincible is the best possible outcome."

Kotomine Kirei paused, then nodded. "I understand. If necessary, I will use a Command Spell to assist Assassin."

Tohsaka Tokiomi smiled and said no more, closing his eyes to sip his wine, seemingly indifferent to the events at the harbor, elegant and composed, fully embodying the aura of a mysterious final boss.