Feng Xi and the others were examining the items they had drawn from the treasure chests, while the group chat grew lively again.
In the group, Diarmuid formally challenged Our King.
Diarmuid: "King of Knights, will you come accept my challenge again tonight?"
Artoria: "Of course. As a knight, I will never refuse a challenge."
King of Conquerors: "Hahaha, you already know what will happen tonight, and you still intend to duel?"
Artoria: "King of Conquerors, please do not interrupt our duel again tonight."
Diarmuid: "Exactly."
Unfortunately, their words were destined to fall on deaf ears.
If he obediently did as he was told, Iskandar would not be the King of Conquerors.
Naturally, Feng Xi and the others noticed the messages in the group as well.
Zhang Jue: "Well? Are we going?"
Feng Xi: "Of course. Tonight is bound to be lively, after all."
Zhang Jue: "Then are you ready to face that King of Heroes?"
Feng Xi: "Don't worry. If I hadn't steeled myself, I wouldn't have come to participate in the War of the Holy Grail."
"Good. Remember, no matter when, never lose that spirit of yours."
Zhang Jue nodded and said, "To be safe, I'll set up some defensive formations here first, in case they come knocking."
Chapter 26: The First Night
Night fell over the Fuyuki docks.
Saber's team and Lancer's team met there as agreed.
Just as in the original plot, Artoria and Irisviel came for Saber's team, while Diarmuid arrived alone for Lancer's team.
"Hmph, just as I thought."
Watching this from the shadows, Kayneth gave a disdainful smile.
The reason he stayed hidden was to guard against that man, Kiritsugu Emiya.
He had long since heard of the Magus Killer's reputation.
"Times have changed, old man" perfectly described Kiritsugu Emiya.
While others used magecraft, he used firearms, completely ignoring the way magi normally fought.
He had even modified a handgun into a Mystic Code.
Of course, it was not that Kiritsugu Emiya did not know magecraft. He had mastered Time Alter, the time magecraft passed down through generations of the Emiya family.
For precisely that reason, many magi had fallen at Kiritsugu Emiya's hands.
Just as he had expected, even with his identity as a Master exposed, Kiritsugu Emiya would not show himself lightly.
"Ah, I've been waiting a long time for you, King of Knights."
Already growing impatient, Diarmuid gripped his two spears and assumed a fighting stance.
"Come. Let us have a battle that leaves no regrets."
"Very well."
Artoria donned her armor and drew Excalibur, concealed by Invisible Air. "This time, I won't fall for your tricks so easily," she said solemnly.
As soon as she finished speaking, Artoria launched an attack on Diarmuid.
"Come!"
Diarmuid swung his twin spears and clashed with her.
The two traded blows, neither giving an inch.
Although Diarmuid wielded his twin spears in practiced coordination, Our King was already prepared, leaving him unable to gain any advantage.
Artoria focused on countering Gáe Dearg, using her armor to block Gáe Buidhe.
Still, the advantage of wielding two weapons allowed Diarmuid to barely keep Artoria suppressed.
While their battle raged, numerous Servants had already arrived around the docks.
By unspoken agreement, they all remained hidden, observing the duel for the time being.
But that situation was soon disrupted.
Vroom, vroom, vroom...
Accompanied by a roaring engine, a burly red-haired man dressed like a gangster charged out on a red motorcycle, driving straight into the battlefield and interrupting their fight.
"Show no disrespect before the king!"
Indeed, the newcomer was Iskandar.
Ever since seeing Gilgamesh riding a motorcycle in the video, he had been unable to contain himself. He had dragged Waver out to buy a motorcycle and even gotten himself an outfit.
For the King of Conquerors, who possessed A+ Riding, mastering this thing took only one try.
As for a driver's license, what was that?
"King of Conquerors, didn't we ask you not to interfere with our duel?"
Artoria was deeply displeased with Iskandar's behavior.
Iskandar laughed unconcernedly. "It's only the first day. Why rush to decide a winner? It would be better for everyone to get acquainted first."
"Right, my friends hiding in the shadows? Isn't it time you came out?"
"Hmph, how dull. I thought I might see something more entertaining develop."
A golden figure appeared atop a streetlight nearby, dazzling light radiating from his body.
By lighting himself up so brightly in the dead of night, Gilgamesh instantly became the brightest guy around, drawing everyone's gaze.
Congratulations to Gilgamesh on acquiring the title of King of Streetlights.
Meanwhile, Feng Xi, dressed in a suit, and Zhang Jue also appeared atop a shipping container nearby.
Indeed, Zhang Jue had given Royal Brand to Feng Xi.
As a Heroic Spirit, the boost Royal Brand gave him was not actually that great, so Zhang Jue had given it to Feng Xi.
After all, as a Master, Feng Xi needed something like this more.
"Mongrel, you dare appear before me again."
The moment Gilgamesh saw Feng Xi, furious killing intent erupted from him.
"Are you ready to meet your death?"
The space around Gilgamesh rippled like water, and several gleaming golden Noble Phantasms emerged.
Gate of Babylon, open.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
The Noble Phantasms instantly became brilliant streaks of light, shooting toward Feng Xi.
Feng Xi and Zhang Jue immediately dodged, and the shipping containers beneath their feet were blasted to pieces.
That alone showed the power of these Noble Phantasm projectiles.
"Let's see where you can run. Accept your death!"
Another dozen or so gleaming golden Noble Phantasms appeared behind Gilgamesh and shot toward Feng Xi.
Clearly, he would not stop until he had killed Feng Xi.
"Hey, King of Heroes, aren't you being a little petty?"
Iskandar spoke up. "Is there any need to be so ruthless against a Master?"
Gilgamesh snorted coldly. "This is the price of offending a king."
Facing even more Noble Phantasms, Feng Xi hurriedly flipped backward to evade them. But the Noble Phantasms struck over a wide area, instantly sealing off his surroundings and engulfing him in dust and smoke.
Clang, clang, clang...
Just as a satisfied expression appeared on Gilgamesh's face, a series of metallic clashes rang out from within the dust.
Then several Noble Phantasms were sent flying out.
"What?"
Gilgamesh was stunned by the sight as well.
When the dust cleared, everyone was left somewhat dumbfounded by what they saw.
Feng Xi now wore a suit of armor and a purple-gold crown, with a heavy bracer held in each hand.
More importantly, they sensed the power of a Heroic Spirit coming from Feng Xi.
"Whew, that was close. Really close."
Feng Xi waved his hands, and the bracers transformed into a square-bladed halberd that settled into his grasp.