Bab 55: 55 Side by Side
"Sorry, King of Heroes. Although I would love to continue admiring your glory, there are more important matters waiting for you to attend to."
Understanding the other's temperament, Roy decided to play along.
He gave a slight bow towards Gilgamesh, who was perched on the streetlamp, speaking in a tone that was plain yet respectful.
"It seems you're quite perceptive, kid. However, recognizing the brilliance of this king is something you've done well."
The compliment, though not overly flattering, pleased Gilgamesh. At this moment, he was too lazy to nitpick and descended graciously in front of Roy.
The golden king stood opposite him, and although they were on equal ground, there was an undeniable air of superiority about him.
"Foreigner, though you are a weak and strange individual, it appears you possess quite a remarkable treasure."
Gilgamesh seriously gazed into Roy's eyes. "Like the flame within your soul."
"Yes, thank you for your praise. Just as Enkidu holds value for you, this flame is also my most precious treasure."
Roy grasped the flickering flame at his chest, generously acknowledging it.
This flame, which transcended fate and rebelled against the destiny passed to him, served as a bond and proof; for him, it was the most treasured possession.
"Mm?! You dare to think that the flimsy bond between you and the Avenger can be compared to the friendship I share with Enkidu?! This is an act of grave disrespect, sufficient for this king to tear you to pieces!!"
In that instant, Gilgamesh's tone was filled with danger, his eyes gleaming with undisguised fury. Golden ripples undulated through the air, tightly surrounding Roy from all directions, the murderous intent unabashedly released.
"Archer, what are you trying to do?!"
Seeing this scene, Artoria shouted anxiously and quickly stepped forward.
"Lancer, go stop him!"
Noticing the sudden shift in the atmosphere, Kayneth hurriedly instructed Fionn to assist Saber.
He could not watch his student fall victim before his eyes.
"Understood, master."
Fionn approached with his spear in hand.
"Kid, do you really think those two can stop this king from killing you?" Gilgamesh glared fiercely.
"Of course not." Roy shook his head slightly and candidly admitted it.
"At such a short distance, if you truly wish to strike me down, even Lancer and Saber would struggle to save me in time."
"However, I still do not intend to retract what I just said. Although I am inferior in strength, the bond between us will certainly not be less than that between you and Enkidu."
"Because for me, he is my unique Enkidu."
Roy glanced at the countless Noble Phantasms peeking through the surrounding golden ripples, maintaining a calm demeanor as he locked eyes with Gilgamesh without fear.
At this moment, the ignited flame blazed brighter, showing no signs of retreat even when surrounded by countless Noble Phantasms.
The fire within his soul continued to burn.
"…"
Silence lingered for a moment before one side finally broke it.
"Hmph, you aren't too bad. Although foolish and weak, this unwavering will and emotion are still worthy of praise."
Gilgamesh snorted, his icy demeanor vanishing instantly. He nonchalantly closed the open Bab-ilu around him.
His indifferent gaze showed no concern for the encroaching Saber and Lancer.
Fickle and self-absorbed, this was the arrogance of the ancient king, Gilgamesh.
"Alright, the battle ahead is no longer a mere game. In the face of such beings, even I must take this seriously."
"You holy sword wielder and magus should stand behind me obediently and behold my glory! It will be I who shows you what a king's brilliance truly is!!"
With that, Gilgamesh swung his hand sharply, reopening Bab-ilu. A golden goblet emerged from the golden gate, and then he reached in to retrieve a strange herb emitting an unusual glow.
The Great Grail of Uruk and the Herb of Immortality.
"Is that the Holy Grail?!" Seeing the true form of the golden cup, everyone present, except for Roy, who was already aware of Gilgamesh's abilities, widened their eyes in disbelief.
If the Holy Grail had long been in Gilgamesh's possession, then what was the point of their participation in the Holy Grail War, fighting and killing for it here?!
"What's so surprising about it? My treasury contains all the treasures of the world, and of course, this Holy Grail is also among my possessions."
Seeing the astonished looks from everyone, Gilgamesh smirked disdainfully. In his eyes, possessing all the treasures of the world was only natural.
After speaking, he quickly consumed the liquid from the Great Grail of Uruk along with the Herb of Immortality, raising his state to a peak of unchallenged prowess.
Gilgamesh licked his lips, his eyes shimmering with dazzling light, "The issue of magical energy has now been completely resolved. With that, I can unleash my full strength in battle."
*Crack* *Crack* *Crack*
As he said, the surging magical power erupted from Gilgamesh. The luxurious armor studded with gold gradually shattered, revealing his well-toned upper body.
"Let the mythic battle unfold once more, false angel!!"
Gilgamesh smirked, then drew his Enki from his back. With a swift motion, he transformed into a streak of light charging toward the massive angel.
This battle was not just about protecting humanity; for him, this enemy was also the most worthy opponent to defeat in this Holy Grail War.
Unlike the Gilgamesh of other times or worlds, who possessed the pride of a king, he still preferred to act as a hero.
When facing a worthy opponent, regardless of whether the opponent was of equal or greater rank, he yearned to fight with all his might.
So, at this moment, he would strike with his full force!!
Laughing and fighting, Gilgamesh felt his blood boiling. As his Enki swung toward the angel, the Bab-ilu treasure vault opened once more, and dozens of A-rank or higher Noble Phantasms poured out.
Without a doubt, these were the most precious treasures within Gilgamesh's treasury.
The fierce Noble Phantasms fell like a torrential downpour, continuously crashing against the massive angel, forcing it to lower its head.
"Arghhh... "
Hit by the unending barrage of Noble Phantasms, the strange angel emitted wails of anguish, but soon new light wings emerged from the wounds pierced by the weapons, and in the blink of an eye, the angel's body grew even larger, its wings becoming increasingly blinding.
Countless light wings behind him, like tentacles, constantly swayed and swung, carrying immense force as they slammed toward Gilgamesh amidst the encirclement.
"Have you evolved again? You monster, but this isn't over yet!!"
Immediately afterward, Gilgamesh raised his hand to open more light gates, and those golden ripples quickly darted like lightning, instantaneously surrounding the angel from all four directions... front, back, left, and right.
Countless Noble Phantasms transformed into a sky full of flying blades, unhesitatingly piercing through the angel's body along with the swaying light wings, instantly pinning the angel from its body to its tentacles hard against the cement ground.
The scene was magnificent.
The King of Heroes actually suppressed this monster.
Although it couldn't be exterminated, it was indeed restrained.
"The Herb of Immortality combined with the Holy Grail's amplification is truly terrifying... The King of Heroes is now more than three times stronger than when he faced it before." Fionn couldn't help but exclaim.
"What are you still standing there for, Lancer? That monster is about to get up, hurry and stop that damned angel!"
Looking at the new tentacles continuously sprouting from the angel's massive body, Kayneth felt extremely anxious and hurriedly directed Fionn to join the battlefield.
"Understood, master."
Fionn nodded, wielding his spear and commanding the flow of water, then leaped into the fray.
"In the name of the command seal! Lancer, restore your full victory stance and engage in battle!"
The red light on the back of his hand flashed, and the last command seal on Kayneth's hand vanished.
At this point, he had done everything he could; the next decisive battle was no longer something this modern magus could intervene in.
However...
"How many more unreasonable things must you dead folks do before you give up?"
Kayneth held his head, feeling a headache. "And this damned monster is still evolving despite enduring such attacks. Can they really eliminate this thing?"
"Who knows? After all, the very existence of Heroic Spirits is a manifestation of miracles, isn't it? Trust them, Professor, we still have a chance of winning."
Roy shrugged, then turned his gaze to Saber, saying, "Come and form a temporary contract with me, Saber. I believe you can guess it, Irisviel has already turned into this ghastly form, and Emiya Kiritsugu has already achieved immortality in his pursuit of redemption."
"Right now, that monster you unleashed is destroying this world, threatening all of human history. Whether you act as an accomplice, a wielder of the Sword of Promised Victory, or as King Arthur, you have a responsibility to clean up the mess they've left behind."
"So come and form a temporary contract with me, Saber. You surely don't want to exit the stage in such a cowardly manner, do you?"
"This..."
Looking at the massive angelic figure engaged in fierce combat with Gilgamesh and Fionn, the wreckage of the city already in ruins around her, and the cries of despair and terror echoing in her ears, Artoria gritted her teeth.
"Emiya Kiritsugu, what he sought in his redemption turned out to be this thing, obtained at the cost of Irisviel's life, resulting in such a monster... What has all his effort amounted to thus far?"
"Is this grim reality the result of his endeavors?"
Roy extended his hand, providing an answer, "Yes, this monster is the redemption he brought about... a self-proclaimed redemption."
"…"
Gazing at Roy's outstretched hand, Artoria chose to take it.
She made her response solemnly.
"I promise you, Foreigner, as you said, in this Holy Grail War, I am indeed Emiya Kiritsugu's accomplice."
"Irisviel has turned into such a monster and those who have been hurt because of this... I bear an undeniable responsibility, and I will not deny or evade it."
"Now, I will personally rectify Emiya Kiritsugu's mistakes and help Irisviel find liberation! This will also be my own redemption."
"Very well, although you are considered Emiya Kiritsugu's accomplice, at least you've finally made the right choice, Saber."
"It seems you have indeed found your own purpose."
Looking into Artoria's determined eyes, Roy smiled slightly, placing his hand on the back of hers, "In that case, let's fight together, Artoria Pendragon, and use your efforts to repay the sins you and Emiya Kiritsugu carry."
"I will."
"Then let's start the contract."
"I hereby declare. Your body shall serve under me. My fate shall be your sword. Submit to the beckoning of the Holy Grail If you will submit to this will and this reason…Then answer!"
"An oath shall be sworn here! I shall attain all virtues of all of Heaven. I shall have dominion over all evils of all of Hell! "
"From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three greet words of power, Come forth from the ring of restraints, Protector of the Holy Balance! "
"I pledge, I shall respond to the principles of the Holy Grail, here I descend, responding to the summon of my Master...
"Roy."
"Saber... Artoria Pendragon, Contract accepted."
In that moment, a dazzling light flickered once more, and as Artoria's magical power surged, a gust of wind suddenly whipped through.
King of Knights returned to the battlefield in full victory stance.
"Then, let's fight together, Saber."
"Understood, Master."
----
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