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As Mika crawled out from the rubble, he faced two distinct paths.
The first was to swiftly escape the Type-Moon world and return for revenge after his injuries had fully healed.
The second was to strive to create an opportunity, to attempt a reversal of the dire situation.
Initially, Mika favored the first option.
As someone capable of traversing between worlds, he saw no need to engage in a desperate struggle against Gilgamesh. After all, Gilgamesh was a Servant who could utilize Command Spells to restore his condition.
However, as Gilgamesh continued speaking, Mika's resolve wavered.
Although Gilgamesh's words weren't intended as a provocation, they had that exact effect on Mika.
"It's not as if victory is impossible. I haven't reached my limits yet. Why should I flee?"
With this thought, Mika's eyes, hidden beneath his helmet, hardened with determination.
He would turn the tide of this battle!
"Mika, do you still intend to fight?"
"Although Airmid's healing magic has restored your body to a minimally functional state, it's merely a superficial recovery."
"In reality, your internal organs are withered and require a significant amount of time to fully regenerate."
Gabriel, who had remained by Mika's side throughout the ordeal, spoke seriously upon regaining consciousness.
She understood the dire state of Mika's body better than anyone.
"Furthermore, don't forget that my ability to transfer magical energy to you relied on the Magic Circuits within your body. But you must have realized by now, haven't you?"
"Your Magic Circuits have been completely burned out."
During the previous attack, (Heavenly Fire: Annihilation), it wasn't just Mika's body that had been incinerated; even his equipment had been reduced to ashes.
Currently, Mika's body, concealed beneath his armor, was completely exposed.
With the destruction of the combat suit Gabriel had prepared, the virtual Magic Circuits within Mika had vanished.
In this state, he was unable to receive the magical energy Gabriel could provide.
Moreover, all the energy within his body, be it spiritual power, Od, or magical energy, had been nearly completely exhausted.
Due to the internal damage, his energy regeneration was also incredibly slow.
Therefore, Mika was in no condition to face Gilgamesh in battle.
"No, I can still fight."
Although Mika's body could no longer handle magical energy, the enhancements and blessings bestowed upon him by Merlin remained.
Gabriel had quickly used her own magical energy to sustain them when the situation had become critical.
Without them, Mika wouldn't stand a chance against Gilgamesh.
But as long as they remained, Mika could still fight.
"Gabriel, give me that holy sword."
Gabriel was momentarily stunned by Mika's request before reluctantly retrieving the indestructible holy sword from her dimensional pocket.
It was one of the Noble Phantasms Mika had seized from Gilgamesh.
It was Durandal, the holy sword once wielded by Roland, a paladin of Charlemagne.
Taking the legendary sword from Gabriel, a determined smile spread across Mika's face.
"Let the final battle begin."
He looked towards Gilgamesh, who stood in the distance, Ea raised high, and began walking towards him.
Seeing this, Gabriel quickly grabbed Mika's shoulder.
Having developed the ability to teleport, she was prepared to whisk Mika away if the situation became hopeless, allowing them to return and confront their opponent later.
Her eyes were filled with a focused intensity.
She had to meticulously assess the surroundings and Mika's condition.
...
"Is he coming?"
Gilgamesh watched Mika approach, his gait unsteady, but his eyes held no hint of underestimation.
Mika's previous actions had earned his respect.
This was a formidable foe.
"Awaken, Ea! Let us grant this brave warrior a final farewell."
As Gilgamesh spoke, the sword Ea in his hand began to spin, its speed increasing with every rotation.
In an instant, a chaotic storm erupted once more.
However, this time, there was no blazing inferno to counter it.
Gripping Ea tightly, Gilgamesh swung it downwards with unwavering resolve.
"Enuma Elish! The Star of Creation!"
The awakened Ea was aimed directly at Mika. Gilgamesh intended to end his life with this single, devastating attack.
Facing the oncoming chaotic storm, a faint smile touched Mika's lips.
"Enuma Elish: The Star of Creation? Just what I was hoping for!"
As the chaotic storm unleashed by Ea engulfed Mika, the armor he wore began to glow brightly.
This armor, named "Angel Armament," was specifically designed to counter energy-based attacks.
Not only could it negate ninety percent of the damage, but it could also absorb ten percent of the negated damage to enhance itself.
As Enuma Elish struck Mika, his armor continuously absorbed the energy, its glow intensifying with every passing moment.
Eventually, the armor transformed into pure light.
"AAAAAHHH!"
The fully energized armor significantly amplified Mika's physical abilities, but at the same time, the intense energy coursing through his body caused him to cry out in agony.
However, even this excruciating pain couldn't hinder Mika's movements.
Empowered by the armor, his pace quickened, his walk transforming into a run, his speed increasing exponentially.
This was the effect of Mika's skill, "Battle Combat."
No matter the pain, nothing could deter him from battle.
"AH!"
As the armor continued to absorb the energy released by Ea, the energy within it surged, reaching a critical point.
Suddenly, a massive burst of energy erupted from Mika's back, propelling him forward with several times his previous speed.
To those observing, this burst of energy resembled a pair of wings.
"He's charging towards Ea?!"
After a moment of stunned disbelief, Gilgamesh roared with laughter. "Mika, how many more surprises do you have in store for me?!"
"Ea, maximum output release!"
Facing Mika's relentless advance against Enuma Elish, Gilgamesh unleashed Ea's full power.
"Finally, no more holding back, huh?"
The moment he faced this attack, Mika sensed that Gilgamesh had been holding back previously.
This attack was far more devastating than the previous one.
However, Mika understood his reasoning.
Perhaps Gilgamesh believed that using Ea against a near-death Mika was the ultimate form of acknowledgement.
Unleashing its full power would be beneath him.
After all, he was the King of Heroes!
"As expected of you, Gilgamesh. Since you've granted me this opportunity, I will seize it without hesitation!" Mika declared, his voice filled with unwavering determination.
---
Mika's Angel Armament was highly effective against Gilgamesh's Enuma Elish.
This was due to their inherent properties.
Similar to how, in the Great Holy Grail War, Sieg, despite wielding Siegfried's power, was utterly helpless against Karna's Anti-Divine Noble Phantasm, "Vasavi Shakti: O Sun, Abide to Death," yet Karna was powerless against Astolfo's "Hippogriff: Anti-Army Noble Phantasm" acquired from Achilles.
After all, once Hippogriff was deployed, it created a miniature world as a barrier.
Even Anti-Divine Noble Phantasms couldn't penetrate such a defense.
However, Gilgamesh's Ea, an Anti-World Noble Phantasm, could easily break through it.
This didn't necessarily mean that Gilgamesh was far stronger than Karna.
It simply meant that his Noble Phantasm was more effective against Astolfo's.
Unlike Karna's, which was countered by Astolfo's.
In battles between Servants, the compatibility of their Noble Phantasms was crucial.
Mika's Angel Armament was specifically designed to counter all energy-based attacks.
However, it had its limits.
The remaining ten percent.
If, after negating ninety percent of an energy attack, the remaining ten percent could still shatter the armor, even after it had been enhanced by the absorbed energy, then the advantage it provided would be nullified.
This was the principle of overwhelming power overcoming technique.
So, did Gilgamesh's Enuma Elish possess such overwhelming power?
Mika could only say it was possible.
Therefore, when Mika initially considered fighting Gilgamesh, he hadn't planned on utilizing this tactic. It was simply too risky.
Although Merlin's enhancements had elevated Mika's combat abilities to the level of a first-rate Servant, his fundamental nature remained unchanged.
He was still just a Level 3 adventurer.
A Nen user with only a couple of years of experience.
Perhaps he could also be considered a novice mage.
Therefore, compared to the Heavenly Fire: Annihilation, which could unleash attacks exceeding his level, Mika hadn't intended to rely on the defensive capabilities of the Angel Armament, which were more in line with his actual level.
However, now, it was his only remaining option.
If Gilgamesh hadn't used Ea against Mika's charge and had instead opted for the Gate of Babylon, Mika would have likely fled on the spot.
Similarly, if Gilgamesh had unleashed Ea's full power from the start, Mika would have retreated.
But when Mika sensed the reduced intensity of Ea's attack, he knew that a chance for victory had presented itself.
"AAAAAHHH!"
"Gilgamesh, you've been outplayed again!"
Seeing the cracks appearing on his armor, Mika swiftly released all his remaining energy, further increasing his speed and resistance to the impact.
In an instant, including the initial burst of energy, six streams of light, resembling wings, erupted from Mika's back.
Combined with his own speed, the remaining distance of several dozen meters vanished in a flash.
In that moment, Mika pierced through the chaotic storm of Enuma Elish and arrived before Gilgamesh.
"Damn it!"
Gilgamesh saw Mika, clad in his battered armor, the holy sword raised high.
Behind him, the Gate of Babylon shimmered into existence.
But it was too late.
He swiftly leaped backward, but Mika pursued him with even greater speed.
Looking at the holy sword, unscathed despite enduring the chaotic storm, Gilgamesh, filled with frustration, conceded defeat. "It seems victory belongs to you this time."
In the next instant, the holy sword pierced through his body.
The energy imbued within the sword surged through him, shattering his spiritual core.
As Gilgamesh's core of existence was destroyed, the Gate of Babylon, before it could unleash its weapons, began to crumble and vanish.
His body impaled, his strength rapidly fading, Gilgamesh suddenly felt Ea being wrenched from his grasp.
He glanced down and saw the gauntlet-clad hand that now held his prized Noble Phantasm.
"So, it has fallen into your hands after all."
"What a bold thief!"
With those final words, Gilgamesh's form began to dissipate, transforming into particles of light that scattered into the air.
"You were right, King of Heroes. Victory is mine," Mika muttered to himself with a faint smile before collapsing onto the ground.
As he fell, his armor shattered, scattering fragments around him.
During his final, desperate charge, Ea, unleashed at full power, had quickly destroyed his Angel Armament and struck Mika directly.
The moment Ea's attack connected, Mika's blood evaporated the instant it left his body due to the intense energy surrounding him.
Therefore, despite defeating Gilgamesh, he could no longer move.
"Mika! Mika, are you alright?!"
Gabriel rushed to his side, her eyes filled with concern as she noticed his shallow breaths. She immediately began casting healing magic.
During her time at the Matou residence, while researching the Five Great Rituals, Gabriel had thoroughly studied the Matou's magical knowledge.
Therefore, she was proficient in basic healing magic.
However, it was merely basic magic, insufficient to fully heal Mika's current state. It could only prevent his condition from worsening.
"But this is enough!"
"Hold on, Mika! I've contacted Airmid and the others. They'll be here soon!"
"No need to shout. I can hear you," Mika replied weakly.
With Gabriel's healing magic stabilizing his condition, Mika gradually regained some consciousness.
"That's amazing, Mika!"
"You defeated the King of Heroes!"
Knowing Gilgamesh's overwhelming power, Gabriel had considered him an insurmountable foe.
His abilities were simply too formidable.
She believed that if she possessed such power, she would have long since conquered Heaven and become the ruler of the gods.
However, despite his incredible abilities, Gilgamesh had a fatal flaw: his personality.
If he possessed the cautious nature of a "prudent hero," he would be truly invincible.
"Yes, I won."
Although Mika had repeatedly rejected Gilgamesh's acknowledgement, the moment he plunged his sword into his opponent's body, ending his life, a surge of exhilaration and pride filled his heart.
He had defeated the King of Heroes.
Despite his current state, lying motionless on the ground, Gabriel could see the triumph in Mika's eyes.
She couldn't help but smile.
Just then, a frantic voice called out from the distance.
"Mika! Mika!"
"We're here!" Gabriel waved excitedly as she spotted Airmid, Mellie, and Merlin rushing towards them.
With Airmid's arrival, Mika would be safe.
Finally, Gabriel could breathe a sigh of relief.
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