Kapitel 136: Chapter 136: Second Night (1)
Chapter 136: Second Night (1)
~Third POV~
[Nighttime, Ars Paulina]
[Ars Paulina: The Time of Crowning Has Come, He Is the One Who Begins All] is the second Noble Phantasm of Solomon. It is Solomon's Reality Marble workshop that exists outside of the universe and outside of time, located in the space of imaginary numbers. It is powered by Solomon's Magic Circuits. Death in this space does not "count" in reality, so it is possible to revive those who die in this space with enough magical energy.
And within the Workshop were the 3 Masters of Assassin, Caster, and Archer safe within the confines of the Workshop. Solomon explained to the group with a laid-back smile on his face to them, "… And that goes for the enemy Servants. With Berserker vanquished and knowing of Mash's Servant being of the Lancer Class Enkidu the others are Medusa of the Rider Class and Arthur Pendragon of Saber Class."
Barthomeloi Lorelei, Maiya Hisau, and Marisbury Animusphere all nodded in agreement. All 3 of them were inside the Reality Marble with their respective Servants standing by listening to the other lineup.
Lorelei sipped some tea with Marisbury impressed with Solomon's work in a proud tone, "Thank you very much, Caster. At the very least we know the other Servant identities which could prove useful."
Solomon nodded with Maiya and EMIYA on standby prepping their weapons. However, Gilgamesh sitting on the throne smiled as he spoke in a proud tone, "I care not for the weaklings as I have my eyes set on my prey. None of you would dare interfere on my hunt you mongrels."
They nodded as Gilgamesh set the stage for their encounter with Solomon intrigued by the fight between the [King of Heroes] and another worldly person that gathered his attention at him.
Lorelei nodded as she agreed with her Servant's words in a blunt honest tone not daring to gaze at him as she drank, "Of course your Majesty. But remember I need him alive to be taken in but otherwise enjoy your reunion, my lord."
Gilgamesh grinned followed by a curt nod. Unlike last time Gilgamesh made sure to fully enjoy the rematch without anyone going after his servant. He almost frowns recalling his previous Master Tokiomi the stain that allowed him to be retreated.
However, unlike that weakling in the previous Holy Grail War, he was the Servant of the proclaimed strongest Magus. And she proved her worth in his eyes being able to fight if it came down to it.
He scoffed at such a humiliating way to be defeated but unlike now he would be fighting to his heart's content recalling the previous Holy Grail War as he thought in confidence, 'This time things will be very different foreigner. This time no one to interrupt us for our inevitable reunion… but I suppose a small visit would do before the finale.'
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[Daytime, Fuyuki City]
Rin Tohsaka wondered if there was someone in a past life, she had somehow angered enough to warrant her current life taking a turn for the worse at this moment. After getting a call from Medea discussing not giving up this was the alternative.
Being babysit by the person who killed her father casually walking around Fuyuki City with an awkwardness in the air with Sakura enjoying the moment. If there was, then she still cursed at such a being for putting her in this situation.
Currently, all 3 of them with their Servants in their Astral form wandered around searching for Assassin and their Master as Mash spoke trying to ease up the conversation, "Man, Assassin elusive as hell. We looked at everyone and we still haven't got a clue. You said they followed you from the school, right?"
Rin simply glared at the sheer audacity of coming to investigate certain places around Fuyuki City answering to almost a growl, "Yeah but surprise they're not there. That's because we didn't look anywhere that we were supposed to look for Assassin or their Master. Tracking down the residual mana but they're nowhere in sight!"
Mash understanding her frustration scratches the back of his head as he sheepishly replies in a defeated tone, "Yeah, yeah, I get it. At the very least Archer won't be a problem later so that accounts for something right?"
A glare said otherwise from the frustrated Rin. But she soon pauses recalling he fought in the previous Holy Grail War 10 years ago deciding to ask in a neutral tone, "You know I and this a big MIGHT be willing to forgive your transactions against my family if you answer a few of my questions right now?"
Mash didn't believe that for a second staring at her as did Sakura. Raising an eyebrow, he played along to see where Rin was going on with this in a confused tone, "Not like I have anything else worth noting, but ask away."
Shrugging Rin asked a question staring daggers at him in a serious tone, "How do you know Sakura? Did you meet her at the previous war?"
This seemed to make her freeze up as he patted her head calming down as he answered Rin's question in a neutral tone, "Yeah, yeah, she and I go way back. It involved her uncle asking me for help and I answered."
Rin is genuinely curious and recalls memories of Uncle Kariya when he was mentioned. As far as Rin knew she didn't even know her Uncle Kariya participated in the previous Holy Grail War 10 years ago expressing shock on her face.
But she continues questioning him shaking off her shock in a serious tone crossing her arms, "How exactly did you meet her?"
Mash looked directly into her eyes as if gazing at something deeper she resisted a flinch judging her as she wanted to refute this statement. Still, she knew exactly what he was talking about in a cold tone, "Well, let me start with the fact that your old man deserved to die as scum concerning fatherhood. You probably know why I'm thinking that. You couldn't have known any better, since you were a kid but…"
His eyes briefly flickered to Sakura shaking lightly from PTSD as he closed his eyes not giving Rin the full details of what 'really' happened in a cold tone, "… Well, I'll spare you the details, but your sister was suffering. Badly."
Rin looked down as if she knew. Of course, she knew. Now imagine her shock when she learned she gained Command Seals. It frightened her to her core but wouldn't bow out because of the same wish for different reasons.
She refused to let Sakura suffer ever again as she thought in a determined tone, 'Not while I could prevent it.'
Reading her head using [Telepathy] he continued explaining how he encountered Kariya getting both their attentions as he spoke fondly reminiscing humming, "That was until I met the Master of Berserker Kariya Matou. He wasn't in the best shape because of the Crest Worms but he gave enough of a damn to offer his life for her. Sakura was brave enough to take my hand that fateful night, despite everything. A day after I won the Holy Grail War putting everything to rest and left for Kariya-san to do his part."
At that moment, Rin understood everything. Her gaze looked away as Sakura smiled fondly at her uncle risking his life for hers Rin thought in a conflicted tone, 'It was all because of him. He and Uncle Kariya saved Sakura… I… don't know what to say…'
While walking around Fuyuki City Mash sensed a presence nearby with a knowing grin as he gave Enkidu a command with their familiar link, '… Enkidu can you protect the girls while I'm gone? Seems like his majesty appeared and I'll personally greet him.'
Enkidu replied in a neutral tone but questioned his Master if it involved his friend in the conversation, 'Very well. But I doubt Gil would do anything like this. Underhanded tactics are beneath him.'
Mash curtly nodded as he replied sensing someone watching in a neutral tone, 'He isn't… but the others not so much.'
Enkidu with the highest [Presence Detection] soon understood what he meant as Assassin was tailing them as he agreed in an understanding tone, 'Ah… then it's understandable. Tell him I said hello.'
Mash nodded as he excused the girls for a moment having Lancer babysit them as he explained he had a friend to greet.
/////
[Daytime, Miyama Town]
Mash wandered throughout the city for a good while, either taking in the sights. He enjoyed the sights soon approaching a bar that was strangely enough void of any life nearby except for one.
Mash had sensed the presence of an old enemy as it was only a matter of time before they would happen upon each other. That moment was now.
He felt someone sit on the bench inside the bar that was placed next to his own. He smirked, and he could tell the man on the side had a similar expression as they greeted one another, "Welcome guest."
Mash followed as he spoke in a neutral tone with respect with a short bow, "Gilgamesh."
Taking a seat Gilgamesh took a sip of his wine as he spoke in a confident tone, "You are annoyingly late."
Taking a cup using his [Unseen Hands] and pouring a cup of water he spoke in a knowing tone to him, "Apologizes Gilgamesh I had some friends to catch up. But I see that you seem to be holding a grudge against me 10 years ago for your defeat."
Taking another sip of his drink Gilgamesh simply ignored his defeat in a proud tone answering to him, "Hmph. I simply retreated if you recall. We both know what would've happened if your Servant hadn't done what she did. But this so-called Holy Grail was shaping up to be nothing but a disappointment… till you were added into the mix to make it enjoyable."
Gilgamesh grinned knowing what he was referring to his battle with Enkidu yesterday having such joy in a long while. He wasn't even mad since Enkidu's Master was the same man who forced him to retreat.
Respect was due concerning those he crossed paths with him in the past. Gilgamesh could admit that much as he sipped his cup of wine.
Drinking his cup of water Mash sighed admitting the outcome of their previous fight with his eyes closed in an honest tone, "Sigh… yeah. But all's fair in love and war they say. I doubt I'll have the luxury to pull that again with you, but I doubt you'll want to hear of my tales."
Contrary Gilgamesh spoke in a pleased tone surprising Mash with his words pouring his cup with wine, "Nonsense. From what Enkidu said you fought in another Holy Grail War before this one. A Greater Holy Grail War with 14 Servants and some mention of the blasted Grand Caster Incubus?"
At this Mash spoke of his tales from beginning to end since he didn't mind. Gilgamesh listened to his tale and laughed hearing Grand Caster Merlin kicking him out of his tower amused greatly laughing using his wish simply to spite the Caster on his whims.
It was a relatively amicable chat to the outside ear. However, anyone with a sharp intuition could tell right away that they were a hair's breadth from killing each other rules be damned between them.
Soon enough Mash dared ask a curious question to Gilgamesh gaining his attention, "But I do have to ask, and I apologize if this a dumb question your Majesty. How come you aren't a Grand Servant with your strength?"
Gilgamesh merely scoffed at the idea explaining his reason harshly and answering his question focusing on his cup in a harsh tone, "Fool. I shan't be burdened with such a position. The World in its entirety is for the King to rule. To accept the station of the Crown would mean to accept the exact opposite."
He nodded his head accepting his reasoning with Gilgamesh standing up and ending conversations in a serious tone, "Hmph. The next time we cross paths, your own will come to an end. Dare not die before I get the chance mongrel."
Seconds later Gilgamesh returned to his astral form. Mash was sitting alone standing up to leave stretching his body in an amused tone shaking his head shamelessly, "Certainly your Majesty. As appealing as the idea of obliterating your sounds, it would leave a bad taste in my mouth if we didn't have a proper conclusion as selfish as it sounds. Enkidu says hello to you King of Uruk."
Standing up Mash soon left to deal with the Assassin immediately and their Master to not have anyone interrupt their fight. It was a matter of principle between the two as the previous encounter left a sour taste in their mouths of how it ended.
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A/N: Here's an extra chapter for today. Wanted to ask how you guys like the fic so far and do I have Gilgamesh personality close to the original or not. Had to search other fics to get a general idea of this guy's personality as close as possible.
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