[Fan] Chapter 26-30

### Chapter 26: The Beautiful Green-Haired Being, Enkidu!

【

Live… live, live, live, live!!!

That formless cry of instinct filled the mind. At the very last moment, the white wolf let out a resentful wail!

The next instant—

“BOOM!!!”

A blinding thunderbolt split the skies. The wind stilled. The rain ceased.

“Are you my Master?”

From within the lightning stepped a figure draped in white, breathtakingly beautiful, long green hair flowing down to the waist.

A gentle, radiant smile graced their face. Ignoring the man, they bent down and cradled the filthy, battered white wolf into their arms.

“Thank you. The contract is complete.”

In the darkness, those green eyes glowed faintly. The white wolf, as though it had finally found its true home, offered no resistance, pressing close in pure trust.

“No… no way, how is this possible?! That’s just a beast—a chimera!! Don’t joke with me!!!” the man screamed in madness. His hands trembled as he raised his gun, not knowing whether to aim at the Heroic Spirit or the wolf.

“Please, put down the gun. My Master bears no malice toward you.”

Enkidu’s voice was calm. “I can understand his words. And what you’ve done to him—anyone can see it at a glance.

“But since my Master bears no malice toward you, you should understand what that means.”

Still holding the white wolf, Enkidu turned to leave.

Master… A mere beast had become a Master. Each word stabbed into the man’s heart like a knife. Unwilling, he shouted, “Wait! Better to join with me than recognize that mongrel as your—”

Enkidu looked back. The icy sharpness in those eyes froze him in place. He dared not utter another word.

】

………

【Yuuka Kazami: “This Enkidu gives off such a comforting presence.”】

【Chopper: “Yeah, yeah! The kind of person you just want to jump into their arms. It’s like you can’t help but feel close to them.”】

【Gamamaru: “Could this be… a god of nature? The natural energy radiating from them is impossibly dense.”】

【Hashirama Senju: “Yeah… it’s like the vastness of the earth itself.”】

【Sanji: “S-So beautiful… it’s like a goddess stepped straight out of a painting!”】

【Ruiko Saten: “Not exactly. According to legend, Enkidu was a divine construct forged by the gods to bring King Gilgamesh back to the side of the divine—a weapon of the gods, the Chains of Heaven. Strictly speaking, Enkidu has no gender.”】

【Hachiman Hikigaya: “No gender…? With that kindness and gentleness… like an angel. Damn, my nose is bleeding—”】

【Zouken Matou: “Such… absurdity! Are my eyes blind? How can something like this possibly happen?!”】

【Kenneth: “How could a god descend into the Holy Grail War?! This world shouldn’t even be capable of holding such a being!!”】

【Aozaki Touko: “Indeed. Gods cannot become Servants. Even a Grand-class vessel cannot fully contain the might of a deity. They must first be degraded, only then can they barely descend in the form of a Heroic Spirit. But then… why descend at all? For the Grail? Even the Great Grail shouldn’t suffice.”】

【Smokescreen: “I seriously don’t know what those Babylonian gods were thinking, creating not just one, but two monsters like this.”】

【Chisuzu Natsuyo: “So gentle… answering with a miracle simply because they wanted to grant one. A dazzling existence…”】

【Ishtar: “Tch. Even that pile of clay showed up. Irritating.”】

………

[Fate World]

Others might not understand the true weight of this Holy Grail War, but the natives certainly did.

One Gilgamesh was already a rule-breaking, outside-the-scale existence.

And now there were two?! At once?!

You dare still call this a Holy Grail War?! What kind of Grail War comes with this kind of lineup?!

How are the other Masters and Servants supposed to compete?!

Are you sure this isn’t some mythological epic battle instead?!

………

Avalon

“Hehehe, could it be that the Chains of Heaven and the Wedge of Heaven triggered some kind of chain reaction, so they ended up being summoned together?”

Merlin’s eyes sparkled with anticipation before the image appeared on the screen.

She could once use her clairvoyance to observe the entire world, not just the “present.” With Avalon’s eternal nature, she could, in a sense, see past, present, and future all at once.

But ever since the image projection appeared, her clairvoyance seemed to have been completely sealed.

“Fun, fun, fun! I need my fun!” The mischief-seeker Merlin was already cracking her knuckles.

……

Seventh Singularity

“Enkidu…” The puppet named Kingu stared blankly at the image, at the figure that looked exactly the same as them.

Kingu’s hand slowly drifted to their chest, fragmented memories flickering in their mind.

So that’s it. You’ve been here all along, haven’t you?

……

Fate World — Fourth Grail War, Church

“Humhahahahaha! Humhahahahahahahaha! As expected of my dearest friend!”

The moment that figure appeared, even the crimson serpent-like eyes of the oldest Tyrant Tiger seemed to regain a faint clarity, a trace of memory.

“Yes… the beautiful one who bestows miracles. This king acknowledges you!”

It had been countless years since he’d last seen that figure. Even Gilgamesh could hardly recall it clearly.

Though he had lingered in Grail Wars in recent years, even shaping a filthy vessel from mud just for entertainment, it was nothing more than passing amusement.

To see Enkidu again in this way—how rare, how precious!

“This king finds himself more and more eager for this meeting.” The crimson serpent eyes glowed with excitement as the ancient Tyrant Tiger turned toward the flashing wall of “green” comments:

“Thunder cracks, and little En shows up shining!”

“As long as it’s artificial life, there’s a chance to summon Enkidu.”

“Probably only Gudako could manage to summon them.”

“So beautiful, so beautiful! Little En is stunning!”

“Waaah, the radiant legend of Type-Moon’s beauty!”

Gilgamesh nodded in satisfaction and laughed loudly.

“Humhahahahaha! You mongrels! Behold and bask in the glory of this king’s dearest friend!”

……

【

Starlight filled the sky, insects and birds softly sang, and the still waters of the lake mirrored the image of that beautiful one.

Enkidu sat by the shore, gently stroking the white wolf’s head.

“I’m relieved. I thought this world had already been filled with things like Uruk City… but it seems the world is still so beautiful.”

】

[Seventh Singularity — Inside the Temple]

“Filled with things like Uruk.”

Siduri froze for a moment, then couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Was Enkidu… criticizing Uruk?

She never expected that even the beautiful one would make such a jab.

“Siduri, what are you laughing at?!”

The king’s voice came from above. The Wise King Gilgamesh held a stone tablet in hand, appearing to be at work, though his eyes couldn’t help but flicker constantly toward Enkidu’s figure on the image.

“My king, your servant merely thought of something amusing,” Siduri answered with a bow and a gentle smile.

“Hmph! If you have time to laugh, then handle this pile of work! And in the future, trivial matters like recording the number of pigs born need not be brought before me again!

“What next—should the epics record me as the Ancient King of Pig-Raising?!” Gilgamesh feigned anger.

Of course Siduri knew the truth. The king simply wished to free up more time to look upon his dear friend, though his pride kept him from saying so outright.

“Yes, my king~”

---/---

### Chapter 27: The Elixir of Immortality! EX Noble Phantasm!!!

【

Leaves rustled, the sound of water echoed softly by the lake, and Enkidu immersed themself in the beauty of the moment.

How fortunate… even after thousands of years, they could still witness such natural splendor.

But in the next instant, Enkidu sensed something shocking. They whipped around suddenly, gazing toward the mountaintop beneath the sea of stars.

“Could it be… you?”

There was no need to doubt. That unforgettable bond of friendship—Enkidu was certain they would never mistake it.

“Shall we duel again in the plaza? That might be fun as well.”

The breeze stirred Enkidu’s white robe as they stretched out their arms, embracing the heavens and the earth.

“Ahhh—!” Their low voice rolled with the wind, carrying far into the distance.

That massive surge of mana, like a beacon in the dark night, was impossible to ignore. Tine sensed it instantly.

The vastness of that magic was simply too overwhelming. Sweat slid down the girl’s forehead. Even compared to the king standing beside her…

She instinctively turned to him, and froze at his reaction.

No anger at provocation. Instead, once he confirmed something, his expression erupted into pure joy.

“Humhahahahahahahaha!!!” Gilgamesh burst into laughter. “Mongrel girl, you should be grateful!”

“It seems this war is worth taking seriously after all.”

Casually, he tossed the Elixir of Immortality into Tine’s hands.

“Though you’re too young to truly need it, take it obediently.”

“Ah… y-yes!” Tine stammered, overwhelmed. It felt like the king had just thrown her something world-shaking without a second thought.

】

【Nami: “Aaaah, having a king like that must be bliss! Handsome, rich—practically the perfect captain!!”】

【Tamamo Vitch: “You can tell the king is genuinely happy. He even handed over such a precious Elixir of Immortality without hesitation~”】

【Aozaki Touko: “Indeed. Something that could shake the entire magical world, just given away like that. This king is truly generous to his retainers.”】

【Kirei Kotomine: “…Is he, now?”】

【Naruto Uzumaki: “Forget the elixir! What really matters is the friendship between the King of Heroes and Enkidu! So cool! Sasuke, we should be like that someday!”】

【Sakura Haruno: “Naruto, have you looked in the mirror?! Sasuke-kun is the future Six Paths powerhouse. You can’t compare! The only one who can stand by Sasuke-kun’s side is me!”】

……

[Naruto World]

“Hisss… To think even the legendary Elixir of Immortality could be treated like a trinket, handed out so casually?” Orochimaru licked his parched lips, his eyes glazing over.

He no longer craved the Sharingan, nor the forbidden scrolls of human experimentation.

All he wanted now… was to open his eyes and see the world!

……

[Fourth Grail War — Tohsaka Household]

Tokiomi’s face turned blotchy red and white, clearly enraged.

So much for all that talk of being the king’s most favored retainer. Thinking back on it now made his cheeks burn.

Compared to the girl in the video, he was nothing but a servant looking for a domineering father figure.

Not only was he forced to wine and dine with the finest luxuries, but he was also constantly threatened with punishment.

“No, no… be a gentleman, be a gentleman! Maintain decorum!” Tokiomi frantically consoled himself in his heart.

The king was simply overjoyed to meet an old friend in a foreign land. That had to be it. That had to be it!!

……

【

“Since you’ve chosen to be my retainer, I’ll give you your first command: a child should behave like a child.”

“As long as you don’t yet understand the truths of the world, then simply fix your eyes on the radiance of your king.”

In Tine’s eyes reflected the figure of the King. That was the gaze of a child in the deepest awe—a mix of admiration, yearning, and reverence.

That back—more dazzling than the stars themselves.

“I’ll do my best,” Tine said sincerely. But the next moment, the Command Seals on her hand began to burn, bursting with blinding brilliance like the sun tearing open the night sky.

Tine gasped in horror. The key forged by the King… no!

“Don’t confuse it with the clown’s trinket from before,” Gilgamesh smirked. “This is a tangible pact, forged by me.”

In an instant, countless magical circuits bloomed across the void.

“Tine, prove yourself. If you can’t withstand even the aftershocks of this little display… then you’re unworthy to be my retainer.”

Clad in golden armor, the Heroic Spirit stood towering in the heavens. He reached into the void. Space twisted, condensed—then shattered!

In his hand appeared a weapon of bizarre shape, sword yet not sword. A golden hilt and guard, with a blade composed of three rotating cylindrical segments, etched with glowing crimson lines.

“Ea… you’ve been disturbed from your slumber. You must be seething. But come now—you’ll accompany me to this banquet.”

“Don’t worry. None of us will be bored. Not a single one.”

Gilgamesh’s figure shot skyward like a stream of light. At the same time, deep in the forest, a green radiance split the heavens, streaking straight toward the desert.

】

【Orochimaru: “That sword… this Ea… what is it?! Why does it feel so terrifying, as though the entire world is about to be destroyed?!”】

【Esdeath: “That’s scarier than the strongest Imperial Arms of legend. Can such a weapon truly exist in this world?!”】

【EMIYA: “So this is the true Noble Phantasm of the King of Heroes. If only I hadn’t been quick with that arm back then…”】

【Merlin: “Indeed. Even to gaze upon it chills the heart. In Mesopotamian myth it bore the name of the gods themselves—the Sword of Creation!”】

【Right Hand of God: “Unbelievable… this sword actually exists, and in the hands of the First King himself. Then the fabled Chains of Heaven must be real too, no?”】

【Smokescreen: “Outrageous! Every ancient civilization has myths of creation weapons, but what’s absurd is that this First King is casually wielding one in a Grail War! That’s an EX-ranked Noble Phantasm—at the pinnacle of them all!”】

……

[Chaldea]

“Dr. Roman… is the Seventh Singularity really unavoidable?” Ritsuka muttered while recording data, utterly dumbfounded.

Was this Singularity even a Singularity anymore? Just one “First King” already felt like it could annihilate all the previous Singularities combined.

……

[Academy City – the World’s Safest City]

At an ice cream shop, the Railgun quartet sat by the window.

“Just watching this makes my blood boil—I wanna go fight too!” Misaka Mikoto’s eyes sparkled. She hadn’t even fought yet, but the pre-battle declarations alone set her ablaze.

“Onee-sama, please maintain the dignity of a Tokiwadai lady. And for your information, the Disciplinary Committee has already cleared the streets of all delinquents,” Kuroko sighed.

“So that’s why I haven’t run into any punks lately,” Misaka muttered instinctively—then noticed the two underclassmen sitting across from her. Her face turned red.

“Ahem. Ruiko, Uiharu… who do you think will win?” Misaka quickly changed the subject.

“U-uh… I think it’ll be that King,” Uiharu analyzed nervously. “With such a terrifying weapon, and such a ruthless demeanor…”

“I’m not so sure there’ll be a winner,” Ruiko said hesitantly.

“Eh?” All three blinked.

“It just feels like something unexpected will happen. If the Holy Grail War is fought for the Grail, then the other Servants won’t just sit by and watch.

After all, unless the strongest is dealt with… the war can’t even begin.”

---/---

### Chapter 28: Enuma Elish!!!

【

In the desolate desert, two figures stood facing each other from afar.

The wind howled, whipping their cloaks into flight. Both smiled at once.

The next moment—without another word—Gilgamesh, standing in the void, raised Ea high!

“Enuma Elish! Sing with all your might!”

Crimson lightning burst forth as the ‘sword’ began to rotate, and with it, space itself turned!

With the turning of the blade, the very fabric of reality warped, collapsed, and shattered!!!

The winds gathered, a maelstrom of the world’s fiercest power coalescing under the King’s command.

Clouds swirled, air currents from tens of thousands of meters around converging into a colossal cyclone. At its heart, a crimson radiance blazed, dazzling and terrifying!

The sheer magic within—its pressure could be felt even hundreds of miles away in the city center!

Yet before this overwhelming might, Enkidu only smiled.

“I’m glad… that I can still clash with you so freely.”

“Very well. As they’d say in this era—I’ll go full throttle.”

Torrential rain poured. Across the barren desert, flowers bloomed without number!

Enkidu stretched out both arms, embracing heaven and earth.

—And dazzling gold erupted across the ground!

“Behold the primal scene, when heaven and earth first parted, when even the void itself gave blessing to creation.”

Crimson lightning split the skies, the apocalyptic cyclone swallowed the world, and an immense vortex scarred the very surface of the planet!

At the center of the storm’s eye, Gilgamesh’s body bathed in thunder. His face was twisted in madness, yet filled with exultant joy!

“To tear the world asunder—that is the purpose of my Ea!”

“The cradle of the stars, the hell above, the twilight before creation itself—this is its end!”

Crimson torrents of mana became slashes that carved open the world, shredding space with unparalleled destructive might!

】

【Accelerator: “A strike that rends the world itself! Interesting! Too damn interesting! HAHAHAHAHA!!!”】

【Rick: “This is the kind of absolute power that overturns all situations!”】

【Izayoi: “It’s more than just a strike. With that weapon’s nature, the entire space around it will be shredded! That’s true creation-level power!”】

【Ainz Ooal Gown: “So this… this is what a true pay-to-win player looks like!”】

Across the multiverse, countless beings stared wide-eyed, not daring to blink, terrified of missing even an instant.

But the greatest question on everyone’s mind—how would Enkidu respond to a blow that could rend the world?!

………

【

“The breath that awakens… is that of the stars.”

Within the endless dark blue sea of the cosmos, light began to shine.

“I shall walk beside humanity. Therefore—”

The will of the planet stirred. In the depths of the world, something ancient awoke!!!

The invisible force of suppression transformed in an instant into an immense, tangible energy!

In but a heartbeat, magic rivaling even the brilliance of the stars within the storm was born!

All at once, tens of thousands of miles of forests, blossoms, and crops erupted into being, surging with world-shaking life force that rose with Enkidu’s figure straight into the heavens!

At the end of the vast sea of trees, Enkidu’s form transformed—into a spear.

Into the most terrifying divine weapon of all!!!

】

………

【Yuuka Kazami: “That’s not just nature… that is nature itself!”】

【Tobirama Senju: “For the first time, I’ve seen a forest greater than even my brother’s. No… this is beyond him entirely. The life force there—it’s like tens of thousands of volcanoes erupting at once!”】

【Ishtar: “A counter-force Noble Phantasm?!! You’re even using that?!”】

【Chaotic Gudako: “Eh? What the heck is a counter-force Noble Phantasm? I only know Emiya’s anti-Archer NP, Mash’s anti-evil NP, Mordred’s anti-father NP, and Big Hero’s anti-conscience NP. What’s this one?!”】

【Merlin: “Ahem… as expected of Chaotic Evil… A counter-force NP is a weapon the gods once used in the Age of Divinity to annihilate all life, to purge the world itself.”】

【Natsu: “They’re clashing!!! Those two forces are about to collide!!!”】

………

【

“Enuma Elish, the Star that Splits Heaven and Earth!!!”

“O mortals, tremble before the Chains that Bind the Gods (Enuma Elish)!!!”

BOOOOM——!!!

The sky… lit up!!!

The void was torn apart, the world itself ripped open!

Heaven and earth lost their color, the ground collapsed!

The cataclysmic aftershock blossomed in the void, scattering the sea of clouds, returning the world to the chaos of creation!!!

Above the planet, a pillar of light visible to the naked eye pierced heaven and earth.

The once barren desert was utterly annihilated—every trace of life erased!!!

This was not the war of Servants.

Not the war of gods.

Not the war of Masters.

This was Uruk!

This was the continuation of the battle that had never ended millennia ago!!!

The glory of Uruk, the epic mythic war of gods and men—

At this very moment! On this soil where the Age of Gods had long since perished—

It was reenacted once more!!!

】

Across the multiverse, countless pupils shrank to needlepoints, goosebumps erupting across their bodies!

Such… such magnificence!!!

On this land where gods had once been annihilated, the splendor of the Age of Gods was reborn!!!

This was Enkidu, the Chains of Heaven!

This was Gilgamesh, the Wedge of Heaven, the Oldest King!

………

[Demon Slayer World]

“Wh-what is that?!!!”

Muzan’s pupils shrank into pinpoints.

He stared in disbelief at the scene before him—that human… no, that Heroic Spirit!

Why did they wield the power of a natural disaster—no, something even greater than disaster itself?!

Impossible. Absolutely impossible!

………

[No Game No Life Zero World]

“Shuvi, can you analyze it?!” Rick asked, trembling with excitement.

“Yes… but even mimicking one fiftieth of its true power is beyond me,” Shuvi answered with guilt.

“Hahahaha! Shuvi! You’re incredible! With even that, our odds of winning have soared!”

………

[Seven Deadly Sins World]

“Wuwuwu… too terrifying, too terrifying. To be born human—I apologize!”

Nighttime Escanor shrank back, timid and trembling.

………

[One Piece World]

“Unimaginable power,” Sengoku muttered.

At Marineford, Sengoku, Garp, and the Admirals all fell into silence.

Even Akainu, who moments ago had been shouting, now sat frozen—the cigar had slipped from his mouth without him realizing.

“Power far beyond the Three Ancient Weapons… and it’s wielded casually by one man. That world… it’s madness.”

………

[Marvel World]

“...What in the Nine Realms is that?” Loki muttered, glancing at the scepter in his hand, then at the overwhelming strike on the screen.

He was supposed to be the strongest sorcerer of the Nine Realms, and yet… and yet…

Mustered all his might, Loki blasted a tiny sapling beside him.

“……”

………

[Konosuba]

“Not even the Ultimate Crimson Demon’s Supreme Explosion Magic could compare!” Megumin fell to her knees in awe.

Such destructive might—this was the power she had pursued her entire life. To witness it with her own eyes, she had no regrets!

“Hm? What’s that smell?” Aqua sniffed suspiciously.

“Kazuma, did you pee yourself out of fear?!”

Kazuma looked at his pants, then at the screen, and shouted in frustration:

“No?! Is this how Uruk greets people?! Blasting each other to ashes at first sight?! How overly friendly can the Uruk people be?!”

---/---

### Chapter 29: Smokescreen in Ecstasy! The Pale Death?!

[Fate World — Fifth Grail War]

“...Gulp.”

Red Archer swallowed hard.

Only by directly witnessing a world-cleaving Noble Phantasm could one truly understand its might.

Standing before the vision, they could feel the same visceral pressure that Enkidu did. The only difference was that they were spectators… while Enkidu stood at the very center of the storm.

Gods knew—how had he ever managed to defeat that golden tiger back then?!

And Smokescreen had been right all along!

Why could the oldest Tyrant Tiger even wield a creation-class Noble Phantasm?! This made no sense! Was this guy the world’s spoiled son?!

“If monsters like that appear in a Grail War, what’s even the point of fighting?” Rin Tohsaka’s face was pale as she turned to her Servant. Her voice trembled, though tinged with certainty. “Archer, if we run into him… we’re definitely dead, aren’t we?”

In her understanding, no one could withstand such a force. No one—save perhaps the fabled Magus Marshal of legend.

“No,” Red Archer shook his head.

Rin blinked, startled.

With firm resolve, he said: “We don’t need to withstand it. We just need to get one step ahead. When he’s busy showing off… we chop his elbow clean off!”

……

Fate World — Fourth Grail War, Tohsaka Residence

“Humhahahahahaha! Kirei! Do not hide it—let your trembling heart bow down in gratitude! Before the glory of this king and his dearest friend, none can help but shudder!”

The crimson serpent eyes of Gilgamesh shone with unrestrained delight. He clutched his aching stomach, laughter echoing madly through the church.

The oldest Tyrant Tiger glanced at the barrage of flashing comments:

“Engine full throttle, Gil!”

“Iconic moment—hand-spun Ea!”

“Everyone knows the Grail War is secret. This is clearly just… uh… a gas leak. Yeah, natural gas.”

“The last time two Noble Phantasms clashed was… the last time.”

“Humhahahahaha!!!” Gilgamesh laughed even louder.

Kirei said nothing. His hollow eyes betrayed not a ripple. This was not the joy he sought.

If only one of them…

The Bible in Kotomine Kirei’s hands suddenly felt unbearably heavy.

……

[A Certain Magical Index World]

Necessarius, the Anglican Church — “Necessary Evil” HQ

“Ea, Chains of Heaven, hmm~”

A girl stared at the screen, eyes sparkling with excitement.

Pale skin, blue eyes, hair so golden it was nearly two and a half times her height, folded and pinned back with a silver clip. Her pink archbishop’s robe accentuated every curve of her form.

Laura Stuart—Anglican Church’s Supreme Leader. Supposedly eighteen years old, though her true age was far beyond imagining.

“To think one could summon legendary divine artifacts into the world in the form of Heroic Spirits…” Dangerous light danced in Laura’s eyes.

The Servants weren’t impressive to her—not truly. That was just the world’s limit.

But if the rules of that world, the rules of ‘Heroic Spirits,’ could be copied into her own… how delightful would that be?

And even more entertaining—

What if she summoned the Roman Church’s Holy Founder himself? What would the Roman Orthodox do then? Their noses would be bent out of shape in rage!

“Amusing… far too amusing~~”

Laura doubled over with laughter, her body shaking with mirth.

Though… the Holy Grail, was it?

Would it have to be the one tainted with the blood of Christ himself? That could be… troublesome.

……

The Safest Place in the World — Academy City

“Experiments are suspended for now. You don’t need to come in,” the lab-coated researcher explained.

“Tch.”

The boy with messy white hair, clad in black-and-white stripes like a convict, furrowed his brow but said nothing more before turning away.

Accelerator—the strongest existence among the millions within this city of espers!

But that was all he was.

A twisted grin spread across his face. The terrifying destruction wrought by Gilgamesh and Enkidu on the screen… he could do that too, with some effort.

And yet… it wasn’t the same.

The strange power within Gilgamesh’s weapon, the legend of Enkidu’s Chains of Heaven—he couldn’t compare to either.

The monstrous computational force of his brain, rivaling a Tree Diagram, spun wildly—

He wanted to calculate the feasibility of such power.

He wanted to reach Level 6.

He wanted to become true evil!!!

“Ku-hahahaha… HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” The boy’s manic laughter shook his body like some deranged Yagami Iori.

【

“BOOOOM——!!!”

The thunderous explosion split the night, still visible even hundreds of miles away.

The deafening roar shattered the silence. In the city, a young girl awoke, startled by the thunder.

“What… was that?”

Rubbing her eyes, unease flickered in them. But when her gaze fell upon the framed photo of a family of three beside her bed, she drew courage.

She tiptoed to the window, peeking out—

BOOOOM!!!

The sight in the void made her pupils shrink in terror. That unspeakable collapse of reality sent her body trembling as she dove back into bed.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Thunder is so scary…” The girl muttered in fear, apologizing as if she had done wrong.

And as if in answer, a wisp of black smoke slipped out through the ceiling, drifting away into the night sky.

】

【Chuunibyou Gil: “Foolish mongrel girl, can’t even withstand the aftershock of this king’s glory?”】

【Enkidu: “Gil… don’t say that. I’m truly sorry.”】

【Touma Kamijou: “Yeah, I get it. Being woken up at night really sucks.”】

【Ruiko Saten: “Wait… I think I saw a wisp of black smoke just now? Was that my imagination?”】

【King Hassan: “Heretic.”】

【Smokescreen: “Oh ho, now this is getting interesting.”】

………

[Fate World — South American Lostbelt]

“Plague? War? Famine? Death?”

A blond man in shades, looking more like a delinquent than a divine figure, eyed the black smoke on the screen with great interest.

“No… think about it carefully. What’s the difference between fighting one Pale Rider of Death and fighting all four?”

War and Plague were warnings. Famine inevitably led to Death. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse—their powers were intertwined.

So for one of them to carry traces of the others wasn’t surprising.

“To think they’d summon something this dangerous… hah, guess they don’t want anyone in Snowfield City to live.”

But Smokescreen’s lips curled into a grin. After all, he was the God of War—nothing thrilled him more than watching people bash each other’s brains in.

………

Fate World — Fourth Grail War, Matou Household

Watching the little girl on the screen, Matou Zouken’s wrinkled, insect-like face twisted.

From her, he sensed something familiar. Not blood, not lineage… but something known, yet strange.

“…Is this old man merely imagining things?”

---/---

### Chapter 30: Gate of Babylon vs. The Wisdom of the People!!!

【

“I’m relieved. At first, when I saw you still bearing that nostalgic appearance, I almost wavered.”

Red lightning. Sandstorms. Tornadoes.

After their clash, the desert had become a land of ruin.

Yet the two figures still stood firm.

Gilgamesh hovered proudly in the void, eyes full of joy as he gazed upon that familiar silhouette.

“But it seems you haven’t let your heart regress to the innocence of youth.”

“To think you’d actually wait for me in the desert. Only you, fool that you are, would value comforting the forests more than welcoming me.”

“Still… though this place is barren, it’s not devoid of sandworms and vermin. It seems you’ve grown enough to make choices about life itself.” Gilgamesh’s tone was unusually gentle.

“I don’t have such qualifications.” Green hair fluttered in the wind as Enkidu’s voice remained tender. “As a tool, what I should do is determined by my Master.

“But this choice was mine alone. Let the desert’s hatred fall on me, and me alone.”

A flicker of nostalgia crossed Gilgamesh’s eyes. “Still saying the same things, I see. Even after dying once, you’ve never changed.”

“And you… you lived long enough to become a tyrant.”

“Hmph. You’re right,” Gilgamesh admitted with a wry smile. “If the boy I once was saw what I’ve become, he might’ve slit his own throat on the spot.”

】

......

【Kid Gil: “I can vouch for that. Just seeing this arrogant poser makes me want to slit my throat. Too bad I’m already dead.”】

【Wise King Gil: “Utter childishness.”】

【Sayaka Miki: “So basically, every version of yourself can’t stand the others?”】

【Merlin: “Hehe~ as expected of the First King. Truly charming.”】

…...

【

“Would he, though?”

Enkidu smiled faintly.

Looking up at Gilgamesh soaring into the heavens, he said, “If the child you once were was really as Shamhat described, then he would’ve kept living.

“Because everything you did was for the people of Uruk!”

As Enkidu lifted his head again, golden ripples spread like a sea of stars, covering the sky!

From those ripples emerged countless treasures—blades, swords, spears, axes, all pouring out endlessly!

And on the ground, too, golden armaments sprouted without number!

Weapons clashed and rang with metallic song!!!

An ocean of treasures unfurled across the night, meteoric ripples streaking through the dark sky!

Each impact carried devastating might.

The night lit up once more, explosions blooming like fireworks in the darkness.

Bathed in this sea of weapons, one bore a calm expression, the other a mad grin.

No fear.

No anger.

Only the joy of reuniting with an old friend.

“Humhahahahahaha!!!”

This was—

Gate of Babylon vs. The Wisdom of the People!

The clash between the tyrant’s wealth and the wisdom of mankind itself!!!

】

.......

【Dio: “What the hell is this?! Where are all these weapons coming from?! And what’s this ‘wisdom of the people’? Does a steamroller count?!”】

【Mandricardo: “Wait… everyone here is called a Heroic Spirit, right? Then why do I have no Noble Phantasms, while they’re spamming them by the thousands?! The gap is insane!”】

【Frenda: “Aaaaah! I’m so jealous! Those two are literally walking armories!!!”】

【Kakuzu: “Is it too late to switch worlds? I want to be the king’s dog.”】

【Ryuunosuke Uryuu: “Subarashii Subaras SUBARASHII!!!”】

【Elaina: “So much… so much gold!!! The Gate of Babylon is real?! Uuuu, so many priceless treasures, wasted just like that! Tell me where—I’ll go pick them up!”】

【Ishtar: “Hmph! Such poverty has blinded your imagination. Those treasures can be used infinitely, over and over! A bottomless arsenal!”】

【Gabriel: “…What?! Damn it all! Is it still possible for me to get my own Gate of Babylon?!”】

【Nami: “Wuwuwu, why did you have to show me something so cruel…”】

Across the multiverse, countless viewers’ eyes went red after seeing the true power of the King’s treasury.

Put simply: any treasure could be absorbed into it, and then drawn out infinitely.

Damn it all! How had this tyrant lived so long without being toppled?!

Wasn’t a tyrant supposed to be dragged to the guillotine, their head chopped off?!

………

[Chaldea]

“So… Enkidu and that tiger king were the true essence of fireworks?!”

Chaotic Evil Gudako’s eyes spun in madness, whispering frantically as if slipping into some bizarre trance.

In that case… she had to summon them both!

She stared at the “fireworks” on the screen, thrilled, but quickly frowned. Something felt… missing.

“Senpai! Stop tormenting Big Hero already!!”

Mash burst through the door, begging loudly.

“!!!”

“Mash—you’re a genius! Of course! I was wrong, I was wrong! Thanks to you, I’ve finally seen the truth!” Gudako cried with wild excitement.

“…Eh?” Mash blinked in confusion.

“This was nothing but a clash of Noble Phantasms, like ordinary fireworks. Tasteless, boring! This is the lowest tier of fireworks.”

“Eh?” A bad premonition crawled up Mash’s spine.

“That’s right, Mash! How could such dull fireworks ever satisfy me?!

“Life, belief, friendship, resolve—only fireworks that burn with everything at stake are the ultimate fireworks!

“And that… only Big Hero’s shooting star can achieve!”

“Mash—this is the true Firework Spirit!!!”

Moments later, having been enlightened about the “spirit of fireworks,” Big Hero slowly typed a question mark into chat, then covered his face and bolted out of Chaldea without looking back.

………

【

In the desert, their clash was less a battle and more a celebration of reunion expressed through combat.

“Humhahahahaha!!!” Gilgamesh’s wild laughter rang out, louder than even the clashing weapons.

Enkidu smiled gently, listening closely—but then their expression shifted.

The city… slaughter, death, curses—

Unconcealed malice surged forth, making Enkidu whip their head toward its source.

“Something unpleasant is coming.”

In an instant, both halted their fight.

“Oh?” Gilgamesh frowned, displeasure flashing in his gaze.

“The curse of death? Hmph. Truly careless of me—to be so lost in joy that I forgot about the thieves who covet my treasures.”

“Do you count me as one of those thieves?” Enkidu asked lightly.

Without hesitation, Gilgamesh replied, “You don’t need a Holy Grail. You’re a half-baked wishing machine all on your own.”

“I must protect my Master. If I’m ambushed here and vanish, my duty will be left unfulfilled. For now, I’ll retreat.”

“Very well. Once we’ve slaughtered these traitors, we’ll resume our banquet.”

】

………

[Fate World — Fourth Grail War]

“Thieves? But you are my treasure.”

Crimson eyes glimmered with nostalgia and delight as Gilgamesh unconsciously whispered to the vision on the screen.

“What was that, my king?” Tokiomi Tohsaka asked, not quite hearing.

“Nothing. But to dare disrupt this king’s reunion with his dearest friend—what audacity, mongrels!!!”

Rage blazed in Gilgamesh’s gaze. He wanted to see just who was bold enough to intrude.

Tokiomi nodded. Just as the King had said, those who sought to pilfer his treasures were mere pests, easily crushed.

The Holy Grail War? Nothing more than the King’s little game as he wandered the world.

Relieved, Tokiomi popped open a bottle of champagne and dutifully poured the King a full glass.

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