"Swish!"
"Swish swish! ——"
Golden streaks of light shot out from Gilgamesh's "Gate of Babylon" at high speed, heading straight for the King of Conquerors!
Iskandar, the great emperor, raised his sword high, charging suicidally on his horse straight towards Gilgamesh!
The distance between them was limited, but precisely, this limited distance increased the power of Gilgamesh's "Gate of Babylon."
The arrogant king opposite him stood with his arms crossed, his expression indifferent, as if Iskandar's charge was of no concern to him!
"Swish! ——"
Like sharp arrows, the projectiles quickly tore through the air, punching small holes in the bridge surface!
A golden blade was the first to pierce the black steed!
"Splurt!"
Blood splattered, and the horse collapsed, but Iskandar swiftly dismounted, dodging several incoming Noble Phantasms.
His sword gleamed faintly under the moonlight, his face resolute.
Without hesitation, even as his steed lay dead, he continued his reckless charge!
He swung his sword and deflected incoming Noble Phantasms, sending them crashing aside!
"Splurt—"
Finally, a Noble Phantasm pierced Iskandar's left side, blood spurting out, staining the ground.
His speed slowed slightly, but his rugged face showed no change in expression!
He continued to swing his sword, knocking away the oncoming Noble Phantasms.
But the frequency of projectiles from the "Gate of Babylon" kept increasing, raining down without pause!
Blood bloomed on his body, leaving small pools of blood on the bridge at regular intervals.
Standing at the far end of the bridge, Waver's shoulders shook, unable to suppress his emotions.
"Ah!——"
Iskandar gathered his strength one last time, deflecting the incoming Noble Phantasms into the water! He swung his sword mightily; if he could strike Gilgamesh, he would continue the Holy Grail War!
If not...
"Zing~"
Tiny golden ripples bloomed around Iskandar, chains emerging to bind the king tightly!
The blade was only thirty centimeters above Gilgamesh's head!
The chains gradually pulled Iskandar's arms back to prevent any threat to their master.
The proud spirit, arms still crossed, finally opened his eyes, "Conqueror..."
"Splurt!~"
Warm blood splashed onto his handsome face, staining it!
His expression stiffened, crimson eyes fixed on the heavy spear piercing Iskandar's tall frame!
The tall, muscular King of Conquerors twitched slightly.
"Indeed... not considering other factors in battle is a... great taboo for warriors!"
Trembling, he spoke, "Then... King of Heroes, I'll wait for you... in the Throne of Heroes!"
His gaze returned to the night sky. "Nightmare" had already gripped the heavy spear, its energy reactor charging the right arm to its peak!
The electronic eye processed a wealth of information, preparing for Iskandar's assassination!
When golden ripples bloomed around Iskandar, "Nightmare" unleashed unimaginable power with its right arm!
The heavy spear turned into a black shadow, compressing the air into a spiral. The airflow hadn't fully wrapped around the spear when it disappeared!
Piercing through Iskandar, the spear tip barely grazed the bridge. The immense force absorbed by the bridge after destroying Iskandar's internal organs created spiderweb-like cracks that spread quickly, even causing the bridge under Gilgamesh's feet to slightly lower.
Blood still stained his face, making reading the ancient king's expression hard, but he was undoubtedly furious!
"Boom~"
Like a balloon popping, Iskandar, still pierced by the heavy spear, turned into stardust and disappeared into the night.
The air seemed to echo Iskandar's final words.
"...I'll wait for you... in the Throne of Heroes..."
"Damn mongrel!"
As Gilgamesh wiped the blood from his face, "Nightmare" grabbed the retracting "Chains of Heaven!"
The armor's power reached its peak! The wings on its back spread, entering full battle mode!
Cannons extended from the shoulders, their ethereal blue glow targeting the "Chains of Heaven"!
All weapon systems are aimed at the "Chains of Heaven," and the energy reactor inside "Nightmare" is reaching uncontrollable levels!
If "Nightmare" wasn't made of Adamantium and Vibranium, Kurumi wouldn't dare sit inside this "ticking time bomb"!
"Boom! ——"
An explosion triggered a chain reaction, causing the bridge to groan under the strain.
While Waver mourned for Iskandar, he briefly considered joining his king.
But the red-haired giant's teachings echoed in his mind. After one last glance at the bridge's center, the small mage ran towards the direction he came from!
The Holy Grail War no longer concerned him, and it was time to say goodbye to everything here and return to the Clock Tower.
Cracks spread rapidly, forcing Waver to quicken his pace, but the cracks overtook him!
Holding his breath, he leaped!
The bridge cables snapped under the weight, one whipping towards Waver!
His magic was poised for action!
Landing and rolling smoothly, he unleashed his magic on the whipping cable!
"Snap! ——"
After the sound, Waver sat on the ground, the cable narrowly missing him, leaving a mark on the concrete.
Looking ahead, the bridge collapsed with thunderous booms, and stones and steel fell into the river, creating a spectacular scene.
If he hadn't jumped, he would have joined his king by now!
Though he wished to follow him, a king's orders must not be disobeyed!
Standing up, he dusted himself off and looked towards the river's center, where the battle raged.
He had no right to observe such a battle, even on the periphery.
The King of Conquerors had gone to the Throne of Heroes; it was time for him to leave, too.
With a final glance at the river's center.
"Mm!"
Holding back tears, his small frame seemed burdened with a thousand pounds!
Step by step, he left the battlefield...
——————
In reality, after the bridge collapsed, Gilgamesh didn't attack immediately.
He calmly wiped the blood from his face, his crimson eyes fixed on the black armor!
The armor appeared menacing, full of aggression!
He might have appreciated it if it had been painted gold with green accents instead of red.
The armor struck a bizarre pose amidst the bridge ruins.
"Chains of Heaven" were firmly held; his will couldn't retract them.
The chains barely retreated into the golden ripples before being pulled back by the armor's arms!
It was his first time seeing "Chains of Heaven" entangled by something else!
How odd!
And the strange thing before him was the same soul he fought before!
Same scene, same battle!
Always this wretched thing!
But looking at the heavy spear between them, Gilgamesh's lips curled slightly.
Crimson's eyes locked onto "Nightmare." "Witch, you should know the consequences of angering me, right?"
His tone carried unbridled arrogance!
"Now! Come out of that wretched thing and kneel before me, and I may forgive your past transgressions!"
In the "Nightmare" cockpit, Kurumi pursed her lips, "Nightmare" awaited the cooldown of its laser weapons. The energy reactor, powering many systems, had reached a dangerously high temperature!
So... "Nightmare's" high-energy weapon systems were all cooling down!
A recent salvo had destroyed the bridge, and lasers reflected by the "Chains of Heaven" had created many deep holes on the shore!
"Nightmare's" torso and back weapons cooled quickly, but its limbs, still holding the "Chains of Heaven," remained hot!
Despite her confidence in "Nightmare's" alloy, the Red Queen considered her master inside the cockpit!
"Hmph! Must I repeat myself, woman?!"
Gilgamesh's tone was full of impatience. Golden ripples behind him revealed countless weapons, their tips aimed menacingly at "Nightmare!"
"Oh? Can't the king's measure be a bit broader?"
Kurumi's voice, filtered through "Nightmare's" electronics, made Gilgamesh frown.
"Woman, my patience is not infinite. This does not mean you can be insolent forever!"
"Now! Step out of that machine and kneel before me, and I might forgive you!"
Golden light seemed ready to engulf him, and "Gate of Babylon" indeed pressured Kurumi, especially since she wasn't in her divine state, elevating the threat to her life!
"Ah~ Honorable ancient king, let me offer you a gift~"
"Do you think this will appease my anger? Foolish woman!"
"Really?"
Gilgamesh hesitated, feeling an unusual charm from the enhanced "Bewitchment." For a moment, "Nightmare" seemed charming.
Her red eyes met his, making him oddly pleased!
"Woman, this..."
Before he could finish, his body sensed an unusual danger!
"Boom! ——"
A chemical explosion drowned out the hum of energy weapons. Gilgamesh stood still, golden shield blocking the blast and the energy weapon's aftermath. The shield darkened but sustained no damage.
Yet his face turned black as coal!
He realized the attack wasn't aimed at him! The target was always the "Chains of Heaven"!
The chains, covered in cracks, looked ready to snap!
Despite the cracks slowly healing, the speed was glacial!
Reactivating the chains, golden ripples expanded, the chains trembling but not retracting!
Without the "Gate of Babylon," the armor might pull the "Chains of Heaven" apart!
His face darkened further, like a burnt pan bottom!
He spoke no more, the "Gate of Babylon" rippling violently! Countless Noble Phantasms aimed at "Nightmare"!
A salvo like this would devastate "Nightmare," despite its strong metal!
In the "Nightmare" cockpit, the chibi Red Queen adjusted data.
"Master, after you repel Gilgamesh, unleash your divine power seed. Remember to stay far from this spot!"
Kurumi nodded, "Will the reactor keep up?"
"For now, it should be fine."
"Launch me to the left of the spear."
"Prepare yourself, Master."
Kurumi took a deep breath, wine-red eyes squinting, fixating on the spear's location.
She aimed to strike before Gilgamesh unleashed the "Gate of Babylon!"
Otherwise... using her divine state early might save her, but who knew if the "Chains of Heaven" had a close-range buff?
"Nightmare's" chest armor opened, a gentle thrust pushing Kurumi in black combat gear towards the spear's left!
In that instant, Gilgamesh reacted, launching an attack!
Dozens of golden streaks vanished. The "Gate of Babylon" was still suspended, but the figure had vanished!
Using momentum, Kurumi reached the spear's left as Gilgamesh's attack began.
She used the force to swing the spear at his waist!
Under the golden light, a figure splashed into the river!
Without Gilgamesh's command, the "Gate of Babylon" halted.
Kurumi abandoned the spear, her spiritual vortex accelerating, slight divinity swirling.
The "Chains of Heaven," tightly bound by "Nightmare," writhed violently!
Reaching the other side of the river, her divinity fully erupted!