Did the Heroic Spirit I conquered become a reality?

"Pfft..." He almost burst out laughing.

"Hmm?" Kiritsugu Emiya noticed Saber's abrupt, almost erratic reaction and frowned.

Merlin suppressed a laugh, his eyes gleaming with unprecedented excitement, and said in a meaningful tone, "Do you think this audacious duo is going to be eliminated?"

Kiritsugu Emiya frowned slightly, glancing at him instinctively: "Isn't that right?"

"Or... do you think Caster can fight Archer?"

He couldn't understand how, no matter how special Caster was, she could possibly have a chance against the Hero King Gilgamesh.

Merlin didn't explain, but simply turned his head and gave Kiritsugu Emiya a brilliant yet unfathomable smile.

"...Just you wait and see."

He paused, then looked back at the screen, as if he could already foresee the interesting scene that was about to unfold.

Then, Merlin added softly, in a tone that was almost gloating, yet also as if announcing the future:

"The King of Heroes... is going to suffer a great loss."

Volume 1: Chapter 41 Mom, save me! (6K)

In Einzbern Castle, the flames in the fireplace flickered, reflecting on Kiritsugu Emiya's expressionless, indifferent face.

The images of Fuyuki City streets transmitted through the magical medium came into view, and the scene of the confrontation between the two sides—especially Archer, who was radiating dazzling golden light—was clearly imprinted in Kiritsugu Emiya's eyes at this moment.

"The King of Heroes, Gilgamesh..." Kiritsugu Emiya repeated the name in a low voice, a cold light flashing in his gray eyes.

This was an unexpectedly powerful enemy, whose very existence was enough to disrupt all his plans.

He glanced at Saber—Merlin—standing not far away.

The legendary magician still wore that gentle yet enigmatic smile, as if everything he had just witnessed was merely an amusing drama.

“Saber,” Kiritsugu Emiya’s voice remained emotionless, “you seem to think Archer will be at a disadvantage?”

Merlin turned his head, a hint of a smile in his purple eyes: "Well, after all, while that Hero King was powerful, his character flaws were equally obvious. Being too arrogant is often the beginning of failure."

Kiritsugu did not press the matter further; he did not fully trust this Saber whose origins were unknown and whose motives were questionable.

Merlin's words sounded easy, but Kiritsugu could sense that things were not so simple.

Moreover, Merlin's tone suggested that he knew that Caster and was certain that the King of Heroes would suffer a loss... This was highly unusual.

In Kiritsugu Emiya's view, the girl, despite seemingly possessing some kind of hidden power, was ultimately just a human being; and the Caster... although she appeared to have immense magical power, her combat experience and skills did not seem to be capable of contending with an existence of the level of the King of Heroes.

A frail young girl Master, plus a Caster who seems to have little combat experience... such a combination won't last long in the Holy Grail War.

Merlin... what exactly is this guy up to?

Kiritsugu Emiya turned to look at the cold, snowy night outside the window, and fell into deep thought for a long time.

……

Meanwhile, on the snowy streets of Fuyuki City.

The biting wind, carrying snowflakes, lashed against the two opposing sides.

Above the streetlight, the golden king Gilgamesh arrogantly surveyed the pair on the ground below with his majestic red eyes that seemed to see through everything.

His gaze first casually swept over the black-haired, black-eyed Servant, his eyes filled with obvious disdain.

Caster class... and so young and seemingly harmless, he doesn't seem worth his time.

The girl next to him, on the other hand, was quite interesting...

It wasn't because of her appearance, but because of the subtle, unfathomable aura emanating from her, seemingly connected to her very roots.

Although it was extremely subtle, it could not escape the eyes of Gilgamesh, who had witnessed the end of the Age of Gods.

However, it's only "somewhat interesting".

To Gilgamesh, whether gods or beings connected to the Root, they were all mere playthings to be "judged" at will by this most ancient king.

“Bastard,” Gilgamesh’s voice was filled with unquestionable authority and contempt, “daring to 'stroll' so leisurely before me on the eve of the Holy Grail War? Is it stupidity, or… such blind confidence in your own strength?”

As he spoke, a terrifying pressure spread out as if it were a tangible force, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, and even the falling snowflakes seemed to pause for a moment.

Yu Tohsaka immediately shielded Ayaka Sajou behind her, her EX-level magic instantly activating to resist the suffocating pressure.

Behind him, Aika Sajou's smile had also vanished.

When Gilgamesh appeared, when that familiar, unparalleled aura of royalty locked onto them, a long-forgotten feeling called "crisis" coiled around her heart like a cold, venomous snake.

Sajō Aika... She is the Princess of Root, born to be connected to the beginning and end of all things. Logically speaking, a mere Servant, even the King of Heroes, should not cause her such strong unease.

But she knew very well that the man in front of her was different.

Gilgamesh is the pinnacle of the Holy Grail War Servants, the oldest king who witnessed the end of the Age of Gods, and his power is far beyond what ordinary Heroic Spirits can match!

Even for her, it would be difficult to win head-on within the constraints of this human body called "Sajō Aika".

More importantly... she could sense that the man had arrived, and he seemed to have developed some kind of "interest" in her... or rather, in the "quality" that connected her to her roots.

This also made Aika Sajou very wary.

Looking at the boy who stood in front of Ayaka Sajou, Gilgamesh's eyes remained arrogant: "You dare to face me directly for the sake of your master... This foolish courage is commendable."

Yu Tohsaka didn't speak, but several gems that shone with various colors quietly gathered in her hand.

He knew the gap between himself and the King of Heroes, but now that his master was behind him, he naturally couldn't back down.

"Gem magic?"

Gilgamesh saw the gem in Tohsaka Yu's hand, a hint of surprise flashing in his crimson eyes, followed by a deeper disdain. "What a nostalgic trick... I remember back in Uruk, there was a goddess who also liked to play with these glittering stones."

He was referring, of course, to Ishtar, the goddess of the heavens who was also associated with Venus and gemstones.

"However, compared to her rather magnificent powers, your gem magic... is simply like a child's scribbles, crude and utterly incompetent!"

Before he finished speaking, the space behind Gilgamesh rippled like water. Within the golden ripples, hundreds of ancient and magnificent treasures, including swords, spears, halberds, and other weapons, revealed their ferocious fangs like venomous snakes poised to strike!

——Gate of Babylon-Moon-Ripple-*/Mark*/

"On the eve of the Holy Grail War... it is up to you to please me, Caster!"

Whoosh!

Like a meteor shower, countless Noble Phantasms, accompanied by piercing shrieks that tore through the air, shot towards Tohsaka Yu and Sajou Ayaka!

Without hesitation, Yu Tohsaka unleashed a dazzling light from the gem in her hand!

Flames, frost, lightning, wind blades... a torrent of magic containing the power of various elements surged from the gem, like dazzling fireworks, heading towards the rain of deadly Noble Phantasms!

boom!

Violent explosions echoed through the snowy night, and the violent magical shockwaves blew away all the surrounding snow and streetlight debris!

The terror of the King's Treasury lies not only in its quantity, but also in the power of the treasures contained within.

Logically, this should have been a one-sided crushing defeat... However, Gilgamesh quickly noticed something was amiss.

Looking down at Caster, who was in a sorry state but still stubbornly resisting with his gem magic, a hint of surprise flashed in his scarlet eyes.

"Oh? They actually managed to hold out until now? And..."

Gilgamesh keenly sensed that something was wrong.

This Caster... his mana consumption rate is simply abnormal.

It's important to understand that each time a gem magic spell is cast, it requires a massive amount of magical power. Logically speaking, even a top-tier magician would have exhausted their magical power long ago if they used it continuously and at such a high intensity like Caster.

How could a Servant possibly fight against the Gate of Babylon with his own magic to this extent? Gilgamesh found it unbelievable, and soon, a cold rage flashed in his eyes.

"This truly displeases me greatly!"

Despite possessing such immense, almost limitless magical power, this Caster has consistently resorted to such inferior gem magic to counter his Gate of Babylon? He hasn't even shown the slightest intention to use his Noble Phantasm or display his true strength!

What arrogance! What utter contempt!

It's as if they're saying Gilgamesh isn't worthy of them using their true power!

“…Very well!” Gilgamesh’s aura became even more terrifying. “Since that’s the case, then let me see just how long these gems of yours can last!”

Before he finished speaking, the golden spatial ripples behind him spread wildly as if boiling, and their number instantly increased several times over!

This time, what emerged from the "King's Treasury" were no longer the ordinary weapons that had been casually thrown before, but rather Noble Phantasms of a significantly higher rank, gleaming with a more dangerous light! Some even carried a clearly discernible divine aura!

Whoosh!

The Noble Phantasm, Torrential Rain, which was several times denser and more powerful than before, poured down on Tohsaka Yu like a flood bursting its banks, carrying the momentum to destroy everything!

Its power was so terrifying that even the surrounding snowflakes were instantly vaporized by the terrifying energy!

Yu Tohsaka's expression changed slightly. He could clearly sense that this attack was on a completely different level from the previous ones! The energy and concepts entwined on those Noble Phantasms were far beyond what ordinary Jewel Magic could easily neutralize!

But he still did not back down, and frantically squeezed out all the EX-level magic power in his body, pouring it into one high-quality gem after another as if it were free.

The light was even more dazzling than before.

Rumbling--

Even more terrifying explosions followed one after another, and the entire street trembled violently, as if it were about to collapse at any moment!

"They can still hold them off?"

Above the streetlight, Gilgamesh looked down at Caster, who, despite his intensified attacks, stubbornly clung to life with her nearly limitless gems and magic. His expression finally turned completely cold.

That wasn't just simple displeasure, but a true...rage after being repeatedly provoked by ants!

That bastard! His magic… his gems… are truly inexhaustible?!

And even at this point, he's still hiding his true Noble Phantasm?

"Since you are unwilling to reveal your true Noble Phantasm..." Gilgamesh's voice suddenly turned cold, each word like an ice pick, carrying a chilling intent and killing intent that could freeze the soul, "Then let me help you make up your mind!"

After he said those words, the magic in the air suddenly froze.

For a fleeting moment, Ayaka Sajou's pupils dilated slightly, as if she had realized something, and she instinctively said, "Caster, watch out!"

Her powerful senses allowed her to almost instantly perceive that some kind of danger was rapidly approaching.

And this feeling... even made Sajō Ayaka feel threatened!

"EA—!"

Behind Gilgamesh, a golden vortex quietly condensed, and a strangely shaped weapon, seemingly not of this world, imbued with the power to create the world, quietly emerged from the Gate of Babylon.

...The Sword of Ea!

The moment the sword appeared, the air in the entire city of Fuyuki seemed to freeze.

An indescribable sense of terror instantly swept across the entire area. The snowflakes in the sky seemed to freeze in fear, and the lights on the ground began to flicker wildly, as if they might go out at any moment!

That was not simply magical pressure, but a manifestation of a higher level of "power" that was enough to shake the world itself!

Inside the Einzbern Castle, Kiritsugu Emiya, who had been calmly observing, suddenly had his pupils contract the moment he saw that strange sword appear. The hairs on his body stood on end, and a sense of fear from the depths of his soul, a fear of facing absolute destructive power, instantly overwhelmed him!

Despite trying to remain calm, a slight wavering appeared in Kiritsugu Emiya's eyes, and he subconsciously asked, "What exactly is that thing...?"

Even Kiritsugu Emiya, the master magician killer, never imagined that there would be such a powerful Heroic Spirit and such an overpowered Noble Phantasm in the Holy Grail War.

Merlin's smile vanished, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity.

He remained silent, his purple eyes fixed on Tohsaka Yu under the streetlight on the screen, as if waiting for something.

……

Meanwhile, in the Tohsaka family's underground workshop.

Tokiomi Tohsaka, who was resting with his eyes closed and trying to calm himself down, suddenly opened his eyes.

He seemed to realize something, and the elegance and composure he had maintained vanished instantly, his expression changing drastically.

"This aura... Archer actually used that thing at this moment?!"

He never expected that his Servant would plan to unleash the strongest Noble Phantasm on the very first night before the Holy Grail War officially began!

This is simply... Even Tokiomi Tohsaka was speechless at this moment.

And if I'm not mistaken, the other Masters and Servants in Fuyuki City, and even the Church's overseers, are probably watching this battle right now.

Archer's early exposure of their hand puts them at a significant disadvantage later on.

but--