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MP : 48 Path of Loyalty
🕑 Added 2024-10-31 16:00:02 +0000 UTCThe Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest existing heroic epic in the world.
Its content is divided into three sections, each detailing the protagonist Gilgamesh's journey through three stages.
From the brutal tyrant of Uruk to the King of Heroes who, alongside his close friend Enkidu, battles Humbaba, and finally, after failing in his quest for the herb of immortality, he awakens to become a wise king.
The protagonist, the King of Heroes Gilgamesh, possesses two-thirds divine blood and one-third human lineage, beloved by the Sumerian gods as a pivotal figure bridging humans and deities.
His legend is grand and magnificent; the strength and greatness of Gilgamesh are vividly depicted in the epic.
Now, they have crossed swords with this king, and truly feel the absolute power emanating from the King of Heroes.
Even in their eyes, what was already an almost invincible army crumbled in an instant under Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasm.
This terrifying power is truly deserving of the title of the top-tier Servant, the King of Heroes.
"What on earth is happening? Why is this happening?!"
Kayneth could hardly accept this cruel reality.
As the Sword of the End fell, a cataclysmic flood, symbolizing destruction, descended upon them, and the endless waves swallowed everything within the Ionioi Hetairoi... be it the yellow sand world or the invincible formation, all were quickly buried in the raging sea.
Gilgamesh had condemned the Ionioi Hetairoi to destruction with the Anti-Civilization Noble Phantasm, the Sword of the End - Enki.
Enki is a divine construct recorded in the Epic of Gilgamesh, originally used by Enlil, the god of air and storms from Sumerian mythology, during the flood to exterminate humanity. It was later gifted to Gilgamesh.
This is a genuine Anti-Civilization Noble Phantasm; legend has it that once the Sword of the End is fired, it will activate on its own, increasing in intensity each day, and by the seventh day, it will become a tsunami, unleashing gigantic waves that could entirely engulf the world.
The moment the flood arrived, sensing the impending disaster, Kayneth immediately released a large number of familiars and various mystic codes to protect himself.
Fionn swiftly decided to carry Kayneth and escape, while Iskandar still drove the divine wheel, struggling through the deluge.
Disadvantage.
An absolute disadvantage.
Undoubtedly, facing Gilgamesh, who possessed the largest area of attack Noble Phantasms, Iskandar was at an overwhelming disadvantage... not just in terms of hard power, but more so due to the mutual restraining nature of their abilities.
His pride, the Ionioi Hetairoi, represents the pinnacle of human endeavors, while the Sword of the End is a tool of civilization's destruction, the world-ending artifact used by Enlil to eradicate humanity, effectively rendering Gilgamesh's Sword of the End a lethal counter to his Ionioi Hetairoi.
Yet even so, despite his army being obliterated...
Iskandar felt no fear; he gripped the reins tightly with both hands, still commanding his chariot to charge resolutely into the endless ocean.
For him, even in the face of an utterly unbeatable enemy, there was no reason to retreat, let alone any choice to do so, because he was the King of Conquerors!!
Boom...
The roaring thunder trampled across the raging sea, and the two azure divine bulls exhaled thunderous roars, their bodies exploding with lightning as they resisted the oncoming giant waves.
"Hold on tight, kid! We're going all out now!" Iskandar shouted.
"Okay... I'm ready!"
"Really? Then here we go!"
Via Expugnatio!
Boom!
The sky was torn apart, and dazzling lightning erupted once more in the firmament, with the two divine bulls in front of the chariot letting out deafening roars.
In that fleeting moment, the thunder that broke through the waves symbolized Iskandar as Rider in this Holy Grail War and was also one of his most cherished Noble Phantasms, the Gordius Wheel.
At this moment, he had decided to risk everything.
Gilgamesh gazed at the thunder that broke through the raging waves, a smirk appearing on his lips, and a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.
"Very well, this is more like it for someone who calls himself the King of Conquerors."
Even in such dire straits, to muster the courage for a final charge, this spirit is something I acknowledge.
As for that so-called invincible Ionioi Hetairoi.
And those two divine bulls bestowed by the gods.
Such things are nothing in his eyes; they cannot stir his emotions in the slightest.
What he truly cared about was this indomitable will displayed.
"King of Conquerors, Iskandar, I can feel your resolve."
"In that case, let's also witness my dearest friend, my proudest Noble Phantasm! Enkidu!"
Swish Swish Swish
As soon as he finished speaking, dozens of chains shot out from the various light gates of the king's treasury, swiftly darting in from all directions. They howled, carrying a terrifying aura, like dragons, binding the thunder in the sky.
"Kid, keep your head down."
While driving the chariot, faced with these unavoidable golden serpents, Iskandar's expression grew serious as he warned.
"Rider..."
"Sorry, little Master, but I may really have to exit this time."
"Even though being outmatched isn't regrettable, I do feel a bit disappointed; it seems this wish to conquer the world will have to wait until next time..."
While saying this, he held Waver close and urged the chariot to surge toward the oncoming golden serpents, using all his remaining magical power.
"However, even in this final moment, I still don't want to give up so easily!!"
"Gordius Wheel, my old companion, unleash your full power and let this King of Heroes witness our determination capable of tearing apart the firmament!!"
In this instant, the momentum of the Gordius Wheel soared to its peak, and during its high-speed flight, it even generated a sonic boom, akin to a thunderous spear capable of rending everything apart.
"Hmph, is it the final strike? Very well, in that case, I will gladly accompany you."
Gilgamesh snorted lightly, raising his hand to wave, unwilling to let his chains collide with the Gordius Wheel. He then drew back the Enkidu from mid-air and slowly pulled back the longbow formed by the Sword of the End in his hand, gathering for the final strike.
"With this final blow as the conclusion, obediently exit here, King of Conquerors!!"
Boom!
The golden arrow shot forth suddenly, targeting the approaching thunder with absolute speed surpassing the speed of sound.
This arrow was capable of piercing through thunder.
"King of Heroes!!"
Under this thunderous strike, Iskandar's vision was left with only that terrifying arrow hurtling at unimaginable speed.
Then, the Reality Marble constructed by the Ionioi Hetairoi completely collapsed in that moment.
The ocean swallowed the yellow sand.
The skies screamed, and the earth roared.
The world shattered.
...
In a corner of Fuyuki City's suburbs.
"I lost, huh…"
Iskandar was kneeling on the ground, gazing up at the cold sky above. The drizzling rain had soaked him completely.
Not only had all his proud Noble Phantasms been destroyed, but even his Master's three Command Seals had been fully consumed. Moreover...
"Rider, your body…"
Looking at Iskandar's half-destroyed body, shattered by the longbow, Waver stood there in shock, tears beginning to flow uncontrollably from his eyes.
There was no saving him; his saint graph had already shattered.
"It's alright; we're just parting ways. This king has already died once before, so there's nothing to be sad about."
Iskandar gently patted Waver's head, forcing a smile.
"Kid, do you know? I'm really happy to have become your Servant…"
"Rider…"
Waver began to sob.
"Don't cry; as a man, you shouldn't be shedding tears."
Ultimate Move: Fingers Snap.
Slap
"Ugh!"
The familiar force and motion caused Waver to momentarily lose his focus. When he lifted his head, he still saw Iskandar's big smile.
"Lastly, I have one more thing to ask you, Waver Velvet. Do you wish to become this king's subject?"
"I… I do… Only you are my king," Waver cried as he knelt down.
"Hahaha, is that so… To have a subject like you at the last moment, I'm truly happy. Then…"
Iskandar patted his head again and, with great difficulty, stood up with his broken body.
"Manifesting dreams is the responsibility of a king like me!"
"And witnessing the king's dream and passing it down to future generations is the duty of you, my subjects."
"Finally… Live on! Waver, your teacher and Lancer should be nearby; go find them. Then pass on my story; do you understand?"
"I… I understand!"
Waver gritted his teeth, trying his best to hold back his tears.
"That's wonderful."
"And I truly thank you, Archer, for not interrupting and allowing me to bid farewell to my Master."
"Hmph... "
Looking up, he saw Gilgamesh's figure still on the high platform, silently watching without coming down to disturb them.
Seeing that he had been discovered, Gilgamesh snorted coldly and mocked, "In your current pathetic state, do you still think you're worthy of my intervention?"
"Hahaha, yes, it seems I've reached my end, but…"
"It really was a remarkable journey… It stirred my heart immensely…"
Laughing heartily, Iskandar's body began to gradually transform into golden particles, dissipating before the two.
With his saint graph shattered, there was no possibility of revival.
"The sound of the sea at the end, it seems to linger in my ears…"
Rider - Iskandar exits.
"Have you awakened from your dream, King of Conquerors?"
Taking a glance at the completely dissipated Iskandar, Gilgamesh leaped down from the high platform.
He looked at Waver, now a tear-stained mess, and solemnly questioned, "Kid, are you his subject?!"
"Yes, I am the king's subject."
"Then, if that's the case, isn't it your duty to avenge your king if you truly are a loyal subject?"
Facing Gilgamesh's question head-on, the overwhelming pressure washed over Waver, causing his scalp to tingle.
But...
He clenched his fists.
"Hero King, if I were to challenge you, would you not kill me?"
"That is only natural."
"Then I can't do it! That king gave me his last order, to live on. I must follow his command to survive and pass on his story!"
Wiping his tears, Waver met Gilgamesh's gaze with determination, choosing to honor the king's wishes.
"Is that so…"
Gilgamesh fell silent for a moment, then smiled before turning to leave.
"The path of loyalty is the path of righteousness. Kid, your loyalty deserves my praise, so remember this resolve forever."
"Ahhhhhhhh…"
The golden shadow of the king completely vanished, leaving Waver alone, helplessly crying in place.
