Chapter 407: C407
As Shirou looked at Artoria standing before him, he nodded with a sense of relief.
Finally, another matter has been resolved.
However, he couldn't help but notice something amiss in her expression, prompting him to ask, "Is something bothering you? Are you not feeling well as a Saber?"
She shook her head gently, taking a deep breath before speaking seriously, "No, it's not that. My King, I must ask for severe punishment."
"Are you still worrying about the Fourth Holy Grail War?" He couldn't help but smile and reached out to grab the ahoge on top of her head.
Gray observed the interaction, a worried thought crossing her mind, "This isn't good."
Having spent countless hours with her highness, Gray knew well that the ahoge was a significant symbol of her kingly authority, and even she wasn't permitted to touch it. Yet, here was Shirou casually grabbing it.
To her surprise, her highness didn't react with embarrassment or annoyance. Instead, she simply lowered her head, seemingly unaffected by his actions.
This unexpected response left Gray astonished, but then she considered his true identity and speculated that perhaps, as the Eternal King, he was allowed to touch the symbol of her authority.
Shirou grabbed the golden ahoge, giving it a gentle tug until it came off, and declared, "There, the punishment is done. You don't need to worry anymore."
Another ahoge instantly popped up on her head, and she spoke with excitement, "No, my King! This can't be called a punishment. You..."
"Rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble—!"
Before she could finish her protest, a loud rumbling sound erupted from the Mirror World, capturing everyone's attention.
They turned their heads and saw a huge golden boat soaring through the air.
"Oh? Has the matter been settled already?" a voice echoed from the golden boat.
"Hahaha! It's me!"
The golden boat resounded with cheerful laughter, and then, it emitted strange noises, transforming into a roughly thirty-meter-tall golden giant, before finally landing on the ground.
Shirou looked at the golden giant and couldn't help but twitch his lips.
Illya's lips also twitched, "G-Gundam?"
With a snap of his fingers, the center of the golden giant "clacked" open, revealing a throne made entirely of gold. Gil sat on the gleaming seat, swirling a goblet filled with wine, as he looked down at everyone with a hint of pride.
"Long time no see, everyone. Are you all amazed by my splendid armor?"
Chloe couldn't help but wear a speechless expression, "What on earth have you been doing these past few days?"
"Ah, the question should be, what haven't I done!" Gil chuckled heartily, taking a grand sip of wine. "Behold, Uruk No. 1, my magnificent armor!"
"That's not armor, but a Gundam!" Illya couldn't resist commenting.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you're wrong," Gil wagged of his little finger. "This is none other than my glorious armor, Uruk No. 1! Think carefully, how can your puny, pinkish excuse for armor ever compare to the perfection of mine? Only a huge masterpiece like Uruk No. 1, boasting an array of autonomous grand functions, can truly match my majesty! Hahahaha!"
He continued with unabashed joy, "Since you didn't let me borrow your armor for a bit of fun, I won't be lending you Uruk No. 1 either! Feast your eyes and be green with envy! Bow down before the unmatched perfection of Uruk No. 1!"
Ruby broke out in a cold sweat, "Is this guy crazy?"
Miyu nodded in agreement, "Yeah, because we didn't let him play with the armor."
Shirou covered his face.
"What's wrong, my King?"
He sighed, "I don't know why, but suddenly I feel like I'm getting old and out of touch with young people."
Gil leaped down from Uruk No. 1 and landed in front of him.
Gil turned to look at Artoria and flashed a smile. "Ah, has the Sword of Promised Victory finally manifested in the world?"
"Gilgamesh..." she gazed back at him.
Gil rested his hands behind his head, casually closing one eye as he said, "Though our essence is the same, there are some differences between the present me and the grown-up me. It's similar to your situation."
Gil turned to him and asked, "Shirou, do you want to play with Uruk No. 1? I can lend it to you."
"Didn't you just say you wouldn't lend it to anyone?"
"True, but I'm talking about her." Gil pointed at Miyu, "Others are welcome to play with it."
Miyu: "..."
"Are you a child?"
Gil nodded, "Yes. Do you want to give it a try? It's easy to operate."
Shirou cleared his throat, "Since it's the invitation of the King of Heroes, I can't really refuse. I suppose I have no choice but to accept."
He jumped to the cockpit, and Illya and the others also scrambled to get on.
Gil looked at Chloe touching his throne and expressed his displeasure, "The throne is off-limits! That's my seat!"
Chloe: "Tch!"
Artoria approached Gil's side, her tone serious as she asked, "You separated the King and the others to have a private conversation with me, didn't you, Gilgamesh?"
Gil nodded with a smile, "Indeed, I did. Your King is about to engage in a dangerous battle. As for what I want to say, you should already be well aware of it."
Her body trembled, showing a pained expression.
"It appears you have already understood," Gil smiled and continued, "Isn't it quite amusing? A naughty child who commits countless wrongs gets praised for doing one good deed, whereas a good child who performs countless good deeds is eternally met with resentment and dislike for doing a single bad thing. Tell me, don't you find that the good child pitiful?"
She clenched her fist and pursed her lips, saying, "...Not pitiful."
"Is that so?" He paused and asked, "Has anyone ever told you that you easily provoke others' desires to destroy and bully you?"
She locked eyes with him.
Gil maintained his calm expression as he continued, "There are two distinct types of strength. One is like the Eternal King, which commands genuine respect from others. The other, much like yours, unwittingly triggers an irresistible desire in others to unleash violence and destruction. It's no wonder King Mordred takes pleasure in tormenting you, and it's equally understandable that the older me would have the urge to collect you. People like you and Kotomine Kirei will eventually drown themselves. And in that moment of drowning, they'll be at their most beautiful."
Artoria: "..."
Her gaze sharpened, and she questioned, "Is that all you have to say, King Gilgamesh?"
"Ah, now you're getting angry. But no matter, speaking the truth always brings resentment. I've come to understand that long ago," Gil chuckled, "So carry this burden well and continue tormenting yourself. However, mark my words, you will definitely end up drowning yourself."
...
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