From a distant hill, Shinji watched Shirou and his companions being overwhelmed and felt puzzled. With the help of proper Heroic Spirits, collecting the cards shouldn't be this difficult.
Except for the Berserker card, which had some challenge, Ilya had the real Berserker on her side. With Berserker leading the charge and the others providing support, it should have been a simple task.
The only truly difficult card was this eighth card of Gilgamesh. After all, this version of Gilgamesh was both cautious and skilled with a shield, and he could wield EA with ease. But considering there were so many Heroic Spirits on their side, how could a single dark Gilgamesh hold them off?
Though Gilgamesh himself was merely watching, and Rider was staying home to protect Sakura as per Shinji's orders, they still had Saber, Archer, Lancer, and Berserker. Such a lineup should be more than enough to take on one dark Gilgamesh.
Moreover, they had the warrior Bazett, the skilled projection mage Shirou, the highly capable magi Ilya, Rin, and Luvia, and even a transforming magical girl.
How could they be losing so badly?
Shinji's face was full of confusion, but then he noticed something.
Shirou, gritting his teeth, forced himself to stand and summoned Kanshou and Bakuya with his last bit of mana, charging at the giant. But once again, he was knocked down by the giant Gilgamesh's massive hand. Meanwhile, Ilya, who seemed to be preparing to do something, was thwarted by a barrage of golden Noble Phantasms aimed at her.
At the same time, Archer, who was about to intervene, noticed that several golden Noble Phantasms were also targeting him and Rin. Archer knew that if he moved, those weapons would strike immediately. While he didn't care about himself, he couldn't risk Rin getting hurt.
"Tch," Archer clicked his tongue and put away his swords.
Watching Gilgamesh threaten his own allies, Shinji couldn't help but twitch.
Is this guy a traitor or what?
What the hell is he doing?
On the battlefield, seeing Gilgamesh threatening many of their fighters, Rin's clenched fists trembled. She turned to Luvia, who was also seething.
"Can't you control your Servant? What is he doing? He's completely on the enemy's side!"
Luvia bit her lip, tears of frustration welling up. She hadn't expected this outcome.
Two months ago, after witnessing the power of the Heroic Spirits during their first card collection battle, Luvia decided she needed a Servant of her own to be taken seriously as a mage in Fuyuki City. The day after they collected the Caster card, she found Gilgamesh patrolling the streets.
From what Luvia had learned, Gilgamesh currently had no master. So she sincerely invited him to join her.
To Luvia's delight, Gilgamesh agreed! Although his words about being a proper servant were annoying, he recognized her as his master.
But then things went downhill!
Bringing him home, Luvia realized she had brought back a tyrant. He didn't follow orders!
If she raised her voice even a bit, he would scold her.
Scolding her for not being a proper servant, and so on. The past two months had been a nightmare for Luvia.
In battle, he never participated properly. Every time she asked him to fight, he would snap, "You want a king to fight those lowlifes? Do you know the penalty for that?!"
However, he did occasionally save her when she was in danger during their card hunts.
But today...
He betrayed her!
In the fight for the eighth card, anyone who attacked the giant was targeted by Gilgamesh. He was acting as if he were on the enemy's side!
And Rin, don't you think I want to control him?
But he doesn't listen to me. What can I do? Not every Servant follows orders like yours!
"Hmph!"
Sitting on his flying vehicle, Gilgamesh coldly watched Luvia's changing expressions below.
"Hahaha, I really don't want to face you," said young Gilgamesh, scratching his head and laughing.
Gilgamesh smiled slightly, generously allowing the fake to perform on stage today, provided it was entertaining.
"... If you tarnish the king's dignity, I will personally punish you."
Hearing Gilgamesh's threat, young Gilgamesh just laughed, scratching his head. "I'm not a fake; I'm the real deal."
He glanced at Shirou, who was struggling to stand again, and sighed. "Honestly, why do you keep getting up when this has nothing to do with you?"
"Of course it has everything to do with me."
Shirou, battered and bleeding, said quietly. After wiping the blood from his mouth, he forced himself to stand and projected Kanshou and Bakuya again.
"Even if she hasn't said it, Miyu's eyes are crying out for help!"
Everyone, including young Gilgamesh and Miyu, who was held by the giant, was stunned by Shirou's words.
"I don't know about the Holy Grail, but how can I ignore this? Damn it!"
Young Gilgamesh, who had been frozen in place, finally reacted. He placed his right hand on his forehead and, after a moment, laughed uproariously.
"Hahaha! How boring! So boring! The most interesting opposition is actually this dull! Hahaha!"
Seeing young Gilgamesh laughing uncontrollably, Gilgamesh wanted to laugh too but held back as his lines had been stolen.
"What's so funny?"
Shirou asked, frowning, while glancing at Saber, who was clearly out of strength.
Shirou knew that in this situation, the only way to save Miyu was to overextend himself and use Unlimited Blade Works again.
"It's so boring that it's funny. I don't know how else to react," young Gilgamesh said, looking down at Shirou.
"But... there is a purity to it."
Both young Gilgamesh and Shinji said simultaneously.
Watching Shinji speak, Kirei, sitting bruised and battered nearby under a tree, looked at him in confusion.
"Don't you get it?"
Shinji smiled softly, helping the injured silver-haired girl to her feet.
"You disappeared for two months, causing this mess, didn't you?"
"Are you kidding? Do I look like I'd do something so boring?"
Shinji shrugged, transferring a bit of life force to Kirei.
"You don't need to thank me. The city's hypnotic barrier is your work, right? Good job. Better than the last supervisor. Consider this a little reward."
"Aren't you going to help?" Kirei asked, feeling her strength return.
"Who knows? Helping now might upset someone."
Shinji glanced at Gilgamesh in the air, then at Shirou, who was once again knocked down by young Gilgamesh.
"Shirou Emiya is often seen as foolish in manga, but fools and idiots have another name..."
"What's that?" Kirei asked, frowning as Shinji's hand lingered on her.
"… The protagonist."
Watching Shinji, Kirei frowned again.
…
"Shirou!"
Seeing Shirou get knocked down yet again, Miyu wept.
"Hold on, Miyu…" Shirou struggled to his knees and stood up, using all his remaining strength. "I'll save you soon…"
"Stop! Stop, Shirou-san! Don't do this for me…"
Miyu cried, knowing Shirou was risking everything for her, just like the Shirou of her own world.
"Just a bit longer. I still have... strength."
Shirou forced a smile at the girl.
"Big brother, you are pure. So, let me end this."
Young Gilgamesh said, controlling the giant to swallow Miyu and merging himself with the giant.
As Miyu gave up, Ruby was expelled. In her last moments, Miyu spoke to Shirou:
"Shirou-san, this is... my fate…"
"Miyu—!!"