To Become a King and a Magician 372

Title: Another Guardian

Night fell quickly.

Before they knew it, the sky had turned completely dark.

In the same Shin-to district, in a house near the Miyama district—after obtaining Riddel’s location from Aoko, Artoria arrived.

“I didn’t expect you to come here alone, Saber.”

Sitting on an ornately decorated sofa, Gilgamesh looked at Artoria, who appeared before him with her sword. “Where’s your Master? I don’t see him this time. Could it be, knowing he can’t defeat me, he’s changed tactics?”

Naoki’s absence wasn’t good news for Gilgamesh. Last night’s battle gave him the thrill of facing a strong enemy, a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time, along with the joy of victory after defeating a formidable foe.

So, he was eagerly looking forward to tonight. The Fairy Magus Naoki had been defeated; next was Naoki, the Holy Sword User.

“I didn’t come to fight you, Archer.”

To Gilgamesh’s surprise, Artoria showed no hostility. “Of course, if you intend to fight, I’d gladly face you, but before that, allow me to ask you one thing, Archer.”

“Hoo… A question for me? Fine, I’ll allow it. Ask whatever you want—there’s nothing in this world I don’t know.”

“Is there a Noble Phantasm in your Gate of Babylon that can save someone who’s dying?”

“Of course.” Gilgamesh answered firmly. “Ancient or modern, Eastern or Western, all treasures reside in my Gate of Babylon. Weapons and armor are a given, but even an elixir of immortality that can chase a soul from the underworld and revive the dead exists.”

It really existed!

Artoria’s eyes lit up instantly. Catching the change in her expression, Gilgamesh couldn’t help but smile. “It seems you’re interested in that elixir, Saber. A Servant intrigued by an elixir of immortality… Let me guess, you want to obtain it from me?”

“If I said I wanted it, would you give it to me, Archer?”

“Hahahaha! Of course not!” Gilgamesh laughed heartily and rejected her outright. “What naive thinking, Saber. That’s a top-class treasure even in my Gate of Babylon. It’s impossible to give it to someone else.”

“But if you’re willing to submit to me, giving it as a reward to a subordinate isn’t out of the question.”

“Are you mocking me, Archer?!” Artoria immediately glared, her unsheathed sword pointed at Gilgamesh. “You should know I’d never agree to such nonsense!”

“Then you should also know I won’t hand over the elixir just because you asked—though I must say, Saber, I’m surprised. I thought you came to fight me, but it’s for an elixir. Why the sudden interest in it?”

Gilgamesh’s question left Artoria silent.

She hesitated about whether to tell him about Naoki. After all, he was an enemy. Revealing this could put them at a significant disadvantage.

Seeing Artoria’s silence, Gilgamesh sneered. “No need to speak, it’s fine. I can guess—most likely, that Fairy Magus is on the brink of death, right?”

“What—”

“Why the shocked expression, Saber? From your state, it’s an easy conclusion, isn’t it?” Gilgamesh shifted to a more comfortable position on the sofa. “What happened? Who put that Fairy Magus on death’s door before me? No, there was no strong Mana reaction during the day, so was he ambushed covertly?”

“…”

“Hahahahahahahaha! So it’s true! Ambushed covertly! Hahahaha! How pathetic and pitiful, Fairy Magus!”

Having confirmed the situation from Artoria’s silence, Gilgamesh laughed uncontrollably, but a second later, he fixed Artoria with a cold stare. “Who’s the trash that dared steal my prey?”

“Regarding that…”

Since most of it was already exposed, Artoria saw no need to hide anything further. Besides, she came for the elixir, and Gilgamesh would have to know sooner or later.

After hearing Artoria’s account and various speculations, even before Gilgamesh could respond—

“What you said is true, Saber!”

In the corner of the room, a hidden door suddenly opened. Riddel rushed out. “Naoki’s dying… Is that true?”

“You’re… Archer’s Master?” Artoria glanced at the Command Spell on Riddel’s hand. “I have no reason to lie to you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come here to ask Archer about the elixir.”

“Merry really did something like that…”

Though Riddel had long known Merry wasn’t exactly a saint, she always thought Merry’s antics toward Naoki were mere pranks. She never imagined Merry would push Naoki to the brink of death.

“Archer, can you bring out your elixir?”

“You want me to save that Fairy Magus? Helping an enemy is utterly foolish, Magus woman.” Gilgamesh frowned, displeased. “He’s an obstacle to your obtaining the Holy Grail. Even if you love him, if he stands in your way, you should eliminate him—isn’t that what Magi are?”

Indeed, Magi are fundamentally beings without humanity—save for a rare few.

“Besides, why do you all assume the Fairy Magus needs my help?”

“Huh?”

“What do you mean, Archer?”

“Think carefully, you foolish trash. Is there nothing else in that man’s body besides the Holy Sword User’s power? Compared to an elixir, the other power within him is far more reliable.”

Another power within Naoki?

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Aoko’s Residence.

On the back of Naoki’s hand as he lay on the bed, the Crimson Moon mark quietly emitted a faint glow.

The one protecting Naoki was never just Arthur alone.