The seventh day of the Holy Grail War passed like a fleeting meteor.
As dusk painted the sky, the golden king, whose body flowed with crimson and gold, emerged from the leyline and unceremoniously arrived at the base of Mount Enzo.
"Fools, are you ready to welcome your king?"
The confident shout didn't carry far, but for one group, they had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Amidst thunder that seemed capable of splitting the heavens, a deep blue lightning surged, rivaling the magnificent golden light.
The burly Conqueror rode his chariot, while his small Master, a steadfast friend, sat beside him, both casting defiant gazes at Archer.
"Not bad, Rider."
Archer nodded in satisfaction.
"If you wish to challenge me, you must show the proper attitude."
"Indeed, King of Heroes. I, the King of Conqueror, have come to challenge your lonely path. Let my army of ten thousand test your unshakable ideals."
Even at this decisive moment, Rider's face still wore that calm and fearless smile.
Hearing this, Archer's expression turned pleased.
"Very well, show me your full power, Conqueror. You are a thief worthy of being judged by my own hand."
With all words spoken and the finest farewell wine already consumed the night before, the two kings exchanged one last glance before turning away, never looking back.
"You two... actually get along quite well, don't you?"
Waver, sensing the tension between them, couldn't help but comment.
"Not bad. It's just that we'll soon be trying to kill each other. He might be the last person I ever lock eyes with, so I can't be too harsh on him."
"...Don't say such foolish things."
Iskandar joked carelessly, while Waver refuted in a low voice.
"How could you possibly be killed? I won't allow it. Have you forgotten my Command Spells?"
"That's true... Ah, I owe Sakatsuki another favor."
Rider scratched his head.
"I don't think it's necessary. Us fighting Archer to the death is the best reward for him." Waver said with a wry smile.
Command Spells—those were something Waver once had but had lost. The first was used to maintain the Army of the King, while the latter two prevented Rider from being ganged up on and killed by Class Card Servants. By all accounts, Waver should no longer have been able to use Command Spells.
However, for Sakatsuki, who had inherited the old priest's legacy, Command Spells were in no short supply.
"That's the King of Heroes. If you show up battered and bruised, you'll surely be ridiculed by that golden bastard. As an audience member, it's only natural that I want to see a good show. Take it, consider it my ticket fee."
The young man's casual act of handing over a Command Spell left Waver stunned for a long time.
And now was the time to use it.
The cold night air was as sharp as killing intent, but Waver felt no fear. A steady presence protected him, scattering all unease and terror.
To think such a man had once existed in human history.
With a sense of awe in his heart, Waver raised his arm.
"My king, Waver Velvet commands with a Command Spell—Rider, you must achieve final victory!"
The Command Spell released, and miraculous mana flowed into Rider's body. In response to his Master's expectations, the Servant smiled sharply and drew the sword at his waist.
"My comrades, come forth! Tonight, let us etch our heroic figures into the strongest legend!"
And so, the heroic spirits who shared the same journey answered their king's call, gathering once more on this final battlefield.
"Ah..."
For Waver, this was the third time he had witnessed the majestic sight of the "Army of the King." Though he was no longer surprised, he now understood the true meaning behind this Noble Phantasm that embodied Iskandar's kingship. The awe and reverence he felt were even stronger than before, deeply shaking him.
The radiant elite cavalry—their bond with the Conqueror transcended the boundaries of the living and the dead.
These warriors, transcended into eternity, cared not where the battlefield was—as long as the Conqueror displayed his supremacy, his subjects would rush to his side, no matter how far.
This was the pride of standing with a king.
This was the blood-boiling joy of fighting alongside a king.
"Our enemy is the King of Heroes, a warrior unmatched by ten thousand—he is our perfect opponent! Men! Show the first hero our strength!"
"OOOOOOOOOH!"
The ranks of soldiers resonated with Iskandar's roar, letting out earth-shaking cries.
Archer stood alone against the surging tide of the mighty army, yet not a trace of distress could be seen. He stood arrogantly before the army, his golden figure like a towering mountain, exuding the overwhelming presence only a demigod could possess.
"Come at me, King of Conquerors. You will learn what it truly means to be a king..."
The King of Heroes spoke haughtily. As the divine chariot led the charge, the army of heroic spirits began to rush toward him in a wedge shaped (V-shaped) formation.
At the forefront, Rider let out a long roar, and the cavalry responded with their own shouts. Amidst the fierce assault that echoed through the heavens, Waver also raised his thin voice, shouting as loudly as he could—
"AAAALaLaLaLaLaie!!!"
The mighty force of the "Army of the King" kicked up golden sands, shaking the earth as they charged—
Even in the face of this breathtaking sight, the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh, remained unmoved.
This was the second time he had found himself in a similar situation. The Conqueror had slightly revealed his trump card before, and if the King of Heroes didn't have absolute confidence in victory, he wouldn't have the face to stand here.
Should he use the sword that split heaven and earth, Ea?
Even as the army closed in, a self-mocking smile appeared on the King of Heroes' lips.
That thought had been discarded last night—thanks to that damned Kirei Kotomine, he was now a man without roots. Any action that consumed a vast amount of mana had to be saved for the very end.
But that didn't stop the King of Heroes from showing respect to the opponent he acknowledged.
"Dreams are lofty, ambitions are grand. I commend your aspirations. But warriors, do you understand? Dreams must one day come to an end."
The Gate of Babylon opened, and the greenish-golden flying vessel carried the king into the sky, rising above the clouds.
But how could Alexander's army lack the means to counter the skies? At the command of the Seven Companions, many strong-armed soldiers drew their bows. Empowered by their heroic spirits, their arrows shot upward like a shooting star, striking the Vimana. The accumulated force caused even the prototype of all flying vessels to let out mournful cries.
Yet the King of Heroes, seated on his throne, remained unmoved. After dodging and enduring a volley of arrows, he opened his blood-red serpent eyes and let out a mocking laugh.
"Having too many treasures is also a trouble. Fortunately, my memory is excellent—now, it's my turn. Prepare to taste the bitter wine of defeat, Conqueror."
As Gilgamesh placed his hand on the control panel for the first time, a golden ripple silently opened beneath the Vimana.
***
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