"Hm? Look, what's that?"
Following Roy's pointing finger, Iskandar, Artoria, and the others gaped in astonishment.
A radiant "ship" Of gold and emerald soared through the night sky, its hull and gems reflecting like a golden star, naturally drawing all eyes.
Atop it stood a golden-armored king, his crimson eyes gazing down with a faint smile. Behind him, Tokiomi Tohsaka's face was grim.
While Artoria and Scáthach were surprised, Waver and Iskandar were utterly stunned. The flair was staggering—a golden airship, a divine entrance.
"This entrance outshines the sun god. Archer's tougher than I thought," Scáthach remarked, having seen true gods.
She'd considered herself among history's elite, but this War revealed an even more exceptional figure, wielding treasures from different mythologies.
While the Servants marveled, Kayneth and Tokiomi worried. Was such a flamboyant display wise? Flying over Fuyuki wouldn't it attract attention?
Sparing a thought for Tokiomi and Kirei, tasked with cleanup, Roy knew Gilgamesh's grand entrance was to flaunt his glory to the Servants, using Vimana from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
But Fuyuki's secrecy was the Tohsakas' and Church's responsibility. Whatever chaos ensued wasn't their concern. Kayneth's scowl softened.
After Tokiomi and Kiritsugu bombed his building, Tokiomi footed the bill. Let's see how this rural mage family handles this mess. Back at the Clock Tower, Kayneth would exploit any slip-up to trip Tokiomi up.
His mood lightened, and he sipped the odd blue cola. "Not bad."
(Heretic!)
"What is that?"
Miles away, Kiritsugu, observing through binoculars, trembled, his cigarette shaking.
Waver, equally baffled, glanced at the airship, then Iskandar. "Is he a Rider too?"
"No way, kid."
Iskandar shook his head, eyeing Vimana with awe. "But I must admit, Archer might suit Rider better than me."
Turning to the shocked Waver, he declared, "I've decided, kid!"
"What now?" Waver asked, dreading the answer.
"When the War's over, I'll get a flying craft to rival that ship! I saw an F-14 fighter jet on a military channel—perfect."
Waver froze. Despite his pleas, Iskandar's resolve to buy—or steal—an F-14 remained unshaken, giving Kayneth a headache. This kid and Rider can't win, or they'll wreak havoc—a walking disaster.
The F-14 topic faded quickly. Iskandar turned to Roy, grimacing from the mixed wine, and Scáthach, patting his back.
"Tactician, what's Archer's ride?"
Taking a sip by Vimana's glow, Iskandar asked, "If possible, I want hundreds to play with."
His words left everyone speechless.
"Conqueror, that's divine craftsmanship—a Noble Phantasm. Modern tech can't replicate it," Roy explained. "Vimana, the golden throne soaring the skies, from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Only one exists."
"Only one, huh…"
Iskandar nodded, disappointed but undeterred. "Then I'll just have to take it from Archer!"
"Your style's… hard to judge," Scáthach quipped.
Artoria saw echoes of the Saxon invaders she'd repelled.
"You mongrel dare speak so boldly?"
Hearing Iskandar's audacity, Gilgamesh, atop Vimana, frowned. He leaped from dozens of meters, landing before them.
His crimson eyes sized up Iskandar with amusement. "Rider, coveting my treasure?"
"Hahaha! Yes, it's me, Archer. I really fancy that treasure."
Facing Gilgamesh's challenge, Iskandar was unflinching. "You know my name—Conqueror! To conquer is my way. Seeing such a prize and not pursuing it would betray my title."
"So, Archer, if I defeat you, will you gift me Vimana?"
Frank and bold, Iskandar's kingship shone—take what you want, conquer what you love.
His unmatched ambition and clarity drew others to him, a beacon for the lost.
His words froze the atmosphere. Artoria clenched her fists, summoning Excalibur. Fionn and Scáthach shielded their Masters.
Only… Waver.
"I'm still here! Someone mind me!" Hiding behind Artoria, he broke the tension.
Roy and Gilgamesh's reactions were more colorful.
"Hahaha!" Gilgamesh laughed, as Roy expected, not angry but amused.
"Though a mongrel, you're a standout among them."
His gaze on Iskandar shed disdain for respect. "So, I've decided—your life ends by my hand. As for Vimana… win, and it's yours."
"Thank you, Archer."
They exchanged smiles, sparing words, but their clashing kingships marked each other as worthy foes.
"Shall we fight here, like the first night?" Iskandar scanned around, eager, but seeing Roy shake his head and the rare banquet, he lowered his arm.
"Oh? Backing down?"
"No, my armies can conquer anytime. But this banquet, which I proposed and the Tactician worked for, shouldn't be ruined."
Iskandar shook his head.
"Hmph, some sense. Drawing blades at my banquet is a grave sin," Gilgamesh nodded, then frowned at the mixed wine. "But this is a banquet?"
"Uh…"
Seeing the disdain for his wine, Iskandar frowned, embarrassed. "Is it that bad? I thought it was fine…"
"No point arguing. Let me show you true wine—a king's wine!"
Gilgamesh waved, ripples forming in the air.
He retrieved exquisite wine from his treasury, placing it before the Servants. As he prepared to start the banquet, his gaze fell on Roy, then Scáthach, a smile curling his lips. He broke precedent, offering Roy a cup.
"Hm?"
Surprised, Roy hadn't expected this.
"Drink, mongrel. This is my reward for your performance—outwitting Tokiomi, Saber's Master, and orchestrating from the shadows. You've pleased me."
Roy smiled, thanking Gilgamesh. "Just luck, but I'll accept your reward, Your Majesty."
"Hahaha, some still recognize my radiance!"
Gilgamesh nodded, unbothered by his revealed name, ignoring Tokiomi's despairing look as Roy exposed it.
He found Roy intriguing and capable, his soul uniquely twisted yet unlike any in his treasury, sparking curiosity.
But before he could speak, Tokiomi, having seen Roy with Scáthach and naming Gilgamesh, snapped.
"Master Crowley! Why are you here?"
His outburst interrupted Gilgamesh, who glared with disdain.
"I've been wondering that myself."
Facing Tokiomi's question, Roy smiled, raising his left hand to reveal three vivid Command Seals.
"Perhaps the Grail chose me."
(Snatched from Ryunosuke—chosen by force is still chosen.)
"You're the last hidden Master?"
Tokiomi reeled, dizzy from the revelation.
Recalling his actions…
He'd sent his daughter to a rival's hands, assuming the Matous were the threat.
The truth was staggering, leaving him incredulous.
But now wasn't the time for reflection. Realizing his enemy was Crowley, whom he'd once bonded with, Tokiomi thought of his daughter.
"Master Crowley, where's Sakura? My daughter? You haven't harmed her, have you?"
Tokiomi clenched his fists, staring at Roy.
His composure was gone.
"Rest assured, Master Tohsaka. I joined the War for my own wish, like you, but I'm sincere about adopting Sakura."
Roy shook his head, smiling. "No matter the outcome, Sakura will inherit the Crowley crest and study under the El-Melloi faction. I'll ensure her success in magecraft. Right, Professor Kayneth?"
He deftly shifted to Kayneth, who'd been eager to mentor the prodigy Sakura.
"Hmph, Tokiomi… surprising that a mediocrity like you sired a talent like Sakura."
Kayneth eyed Tokiomi with disdain. "Your actions with Kiritsugu yesterday infuriated me, but rest assured about Sakura. She's a genius I'll nurture personally, guiding her path in magecraft."
"And you…" Kayneth's fist tightened, his tone sharp. "Go ahead and die chasing your Grail and magecraft. If you perish, I'll care for your other daughter too. I'm skilled at cultivating talent."
His cold smile made Tokiomi swallow hard.
Kayneth wasn't just settling scores—he aimed to uproot the Tohsaka legacy.
His words screamed: I'll kill you and take your heirs!
Tokiomi panicked. He understood Roy's pursuit of the Root and the War, even feeling gratitude for honoring their deal with Sakura.
But Kayneth…
He wasn't pretending, openly declaring his intent to destroy Tokiomi and claim his heirs.
As a Clock Tower Lord, he could follow through post-War.
"Wait—"
Before Tokiomi could protest, Gilgamesh cut him off coldly.
"Enough, Tokiomi. How much more disgrace will you heap on yourself?"
Gilgamesh scolded, showing no regard for his Master.
Tokiomi's constant failures, scheming, and desire to control him with a Command Seal had worn his patience thin.
"But, King…"
Tokiomi tried to speak, but Gilgamesh unleashed a burst of mana, forcing him back, silencing him with raw power.
"Don't make me repeat myself, Tokiomi. This is a kings' banquet, not a stage for a vassal to prattle."
"Yes… King." Facing Gilgamesh's cold gaze, Tokiomi bit down, bowing, his nails digging into his palms, drawing blood.
Damn this mere Servant, dead for millennia, daring to scorn me…
He yearned to use a Command Seal to teach Gilgamesh a lesson.
But thinking of his sacrifices and efforts, he exhaled, urging himself to stay calm…
Soon, when the War ends, this wretch is done!
Though Tokiomi hid it well, the Servants caught his fleeting killing intent, eyeing the pair with varied thoughts.
Their issues are bigger than expected…
Gilgamesh snorted, ignoring Tokiomi, a dead man in his eyes, and turned to Roy.
"As I said, you're intriguing, seemingly predicting moves to control the board. So, can you foresee my wrath and how to quell it?"
His tone shifted, crimson eyes narrowing with a viper's cold amusement, testing Roy.
"You flatter me. Foresight like yours or the Mage King's Clairvoyance is beyond a mere mortal like me."
Facing the challenge, Roy declined Scáthach's protection, meeting Gilgamesh's gaze with a smile. "I don't know how to quell your wrath, but for this banquet, I've prepared gifts for everyone. Perhaps they'll soothe you."
He instructed Scáthach to fetch items from the car. Puzzled, she realized the clothes and trinkets were for the guests.
"Wait, Master. I'll be right back."
Though curious, Scáthach trusted Roy, heading to the car parked outside.
The crowd's expressions grew odd, and Gilgamesh, initially aggressive, became curious.
He wanted to see what this remarkable mortal would offer to appease him.
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 70 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL