~ Support & Read 10 Advanced Chapters on My Patreon!
<><><><>
"Ah... yes, I'm awake…" Iskandar murmured, his voice weak.
He felt the Chains of Heaven binding him, suppressing his power, preventing even a final, desperate attack, and a wry smile touched his lips.
"That's cheap…"
"Oh?" Gilgamesh, her face a mask of haughty indifference, looked at him, her brow furrowed slightly.
"A defensive [Noble Phantasm] to counter my army's ranged attacks, an Anti-World [Noble Phantasm] to dispel my Ionian Hetairoi, and a Divine Construct to negate my divinity—you're full of tricks, aren't you?"
Despite the blood trickling from his lips, Iskandar laughed, his voice filled with a grudging admiration.
"Rider!" Waver, his face pale with worry, rushed to his side.
Iskandar turned his head, looking at Waver, his expression softening. "There's something—I haven't asked you yet, boy."
"W-what is it…?" Waver asked, his voice trembling, tears blurring his vision.
"Waver Velvet," Iskandar said, each word a struggle, "Will you serve me? As my subject?"
Waver's body shook, tears streaming down his face.
He straightened, his voice firm despite the tears. "You are my king. I swear my loyalty to you, I will serve you until my dying breath. Please guide me, show me the dream you see."
A wide smile spread across Iskandar's face. Waver's words—they were the greatest praise he could have received.
"L-live well…"
"Yes!!!"
Iskandar's eyes, growing heavy, closed, a look of contentment on his face.
"This expedition—it was exhilarating…" he murmured.
"King of Conquerors, I will gladly accept your challenge anytime," Gilgamesh said, withdrawing Ea, her voice filled with respect. For a king who'd forced her to use two of her most treasured [Noble Phantasm], she held a grudging admiration.
Iskandar's massive form, still bound by the Chains of Heaven, dissolved into motes of white light, his final words echoing through the air.
"Time—for another dream…"
Gilgamesh turned her gaze towards Waver, her crimson eyes piercing him.
He knew her gaze held no malice, no ill intent. It was merely observational. And yet, he couldn't move, his body frozen in fear.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to meet her gaze.
Gilgamesh, looking at the trembling yet defiant boy, asked, her voice flat, "Boy, aren't you going to—follow your king?"
Waver shook his head, his voice barely a whisper. "He commanded me to live."
"Loyalty—a noble virtue. Don't disgrace his sacrifice," Gilgamesh said, a hint of approval in her voice.
The Lesser Grail on the table pulsed with a faint, white light. Simultaneously, deep within the Ryūdō Temple, a natural cave system carved into Mount Enzou—a golden light resonated, echoing the Grail's pulse.
Everyone's attention turned towards the table.
"Well? Explain yourself, Haru-chan," Gilgamesh said, glancing at the Grail, then at Haru, her voice haughty.
Haru's eye twitched. Haru-chan? What was he, a pet hamster?
"Haru-sama, what's going on?" Kiyohime asked, looking at the glowing Grail, her voice filled with confusion.
Hassan and Saber also turned to Haru, their gazes questioning.
"Haru, the Grail's activating!" Illyasviel said, her voice urgent. Having been a vessel for the Grail herself, she could sense its power stirring.
"It's absorbed Iskandar's soul. That's why it's activating," Haru replied, glaring at Gilgamesh, then, turning his attention back to the Grail, he stroked his chin, his expression thoughtful.
Waver's eyes widened, his gaze fixed on the glowing Grail. His king—his spirit resided within it now.
"So... about that wish," Hassan-i Sabbah said, looking at Haru, her eyes filled with hopeful anticipation.
"My spoils are not for stray cats to use," Gilgamesh sneered, her killing intent focused on Hassan.
Hassan, startled by the sudden surge of malice, flinched, scrambling into Haru's arms, her face a mask of fear.
Saber's lips twitched. A trained assassin, cowering in fear? Hiding behind a man? Where was her pride? Her honor as a Servant?
Hassan, clinging to Haru, rubbed against him, her small body pressing against his. Playing the role of a helpless damsel was child's play. As for honor? She was an Assassin. Honor was meaningless.
"It's not ready yet. The Grail needs to be prepared. There's a ritual," Haru said, his hand gently stroking Hassan's back, enjoying the feel of her soft body against his.
"Did you hear that? Get off him!" Kiyohime hissed, glaring at Hassan.
But Hassan, unfazed, continued to cling to Haru. She'd just realized that serving this son of the Counter Force might be a more efficient path to achieving her goals—fame and a whole personality—than winning the Grail War.
"Haru-chan," Gilgamesh said, her voice laced with boredom, "Call me when the ritual's ready. I have some business to attend to." She glanced towards the Tohsaka mansion, a flicker of anger in her eyes.
"Here." Haru tossed her a small, remote control device with two buttons.
"What's this?" Gilgamesh caught the device, looking at it with a puzzled expression.
"You're going to kill Tokiomi Tohsaka, aren't you?"
Gilgamesh didn't reply. The betrayal of a Master, a subject she'd acknowledged—it was a humiliation she didn't want to discuss.
"Don't kill him just yet. Press the button on the left first. You'll enjoy it. Trust me," Haru said with a grin.
Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed. She looked at Haru, then at the device, then, with a shrug, she vanished in a flash of golden light.
"Are we going to perform the ritual now?" Saber asked, her gaze fixed on the Grail, her voice filled with a strange mix of hope and resignation.
"Not yet," Haru replied, his expression turning serious. "I need more souls. More Heroic Spirits. To truly reach the Root."
Just then, a powerful surge of battle lust—a challenge—echoed from the distance.
Saber, sensing the familiar aura, gasped.
"Diarmuid!"
<><><><>
Support & Read 10 Advanced Chapters. Ahead of the rest!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
There is 9 Exciting Fanfics already available on my Patreon!