Faced with Roland's provocation, Gilgamesh was surprisingly calm. He did not even launch any further attacks.
He radiated a solemn presence as he met Roland's gaze.
"Why so quiet? This isn't like you. At the start, you would have immediately shouted about punishing a fool like me for challenging your royal majesty."
As though recalling the series of losses his earlier arrogance had caused, Gilgamesh spoke with an icy tone, yet a trace of anger remained audible.
"Indeed, my former self might have attacked without restraint. But now, Roland, stop these pointless gestures."
"It seems Enkidu's death really did help you mature considerably."
Roland nodded thoughtfully and spoke evenly.
"An enemy like you should never have been treated with such arrogance. Even at my peak, you would be an opponent who demanded all my wisdom and courage. My earlier arrogance... will not happen a second time."
Those calm words made Roland tilt his head. The King of Conquerors could not possibly defeat him, and Gilgamesh, who had experienced it firsthand, could not have been unaware of that.
Then why had he done it?
Roland looked into his empty eyes and, in a rare move, called upon another power.
-He called upon the darkness deep within his heart.
As his pupils turned a dripping crimson, he sensed the murderous intent beneath Gilgamesh's calm exterior, as though it would engulf everything.
"I see. You needed Rider to buy time so you could sort out your own feelings?"
"How perceptive, God of Another World." Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, looking past Roland toward the Magic Circle left by Darnic's Workshop behind him.
"I thought you would assume Enkidu's death had given me resolve."
"That was possible. But even then, Archer is Archer. A Servant is merely one aspect of a Heroic Spirit from a