The sky over the Imperial Capital of Japan.
Once, this very sky had been the favored hunting ground for countless samurai.
Not long ago, it became a battlefield awash in fire. Steel birds from across the ocean flew unchecked through the heavens, dropping devastating bombs upon the land below.
Smoke from gunpowder and the glow of flames filled the heavens—this was the daily sight endured by the citizens of the Imperial Capital. Perhaps due to its overwhelming intensity, or simply because they had witnessed it for too long, the people had come to accept that the sky simply looked like this.
But today, at dusk, the ever-smoky, flame-drenched sky suddenly cleared—impossibly, brilliantly clear!
If asked why…
*SWISH!*
It was because, for reasons unknown, countless golden meteors streaked across the sky of the Imperial Capital today.
Was this an omen that this apocalyptic life would soon end?
Those who gazed upward could not help but think so. After all, since ancient times, meteors had carried legends of granting human wishes. In this era of war, no matter how bizarre the phenomenon, the first thought that crossed the minds of those suffering under conflict was peace.
Of course, reality was far from their hopeful imaginings.
These golden meteors were not signs of peace… nor of hope.
They were merely countless munitions fired from the Gate of Babylon.
*DOR!* *DOR!* *DOR!* *DOR!*
Above the Imperial Capital, amid an unending roar of gunfire, an intense long-range aerial battle raged.
Seated beside Naoki atop the Vimana, Angelica—having activated her Class Card without hesitation—unleashed her Noble Phantasm, transforming it into projectiles hurled at the enemy who had initiated this aerial confrontation.
Normally, no Servant could sustain prolonged long-range combat against Gilgamesh.
The most fundamental reason? His firepower was catastrophically insufficient.
As the Oldest King, possessor of all treasures, Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasms were virtually limitless. Thus, his ammunition was equally boundless—endurance was never an issue. Moreover, what he fired weren't ordinary bullets, but Noble Phantasms forged from fantasy crystals. Even the lowest-ranked Noble Phantasm possessed enough destructive power to obliterate entire roads—let alone high-tier ones.
To engage Gilgamesh in long-range combat was thus suicide. It was no different than willingly seeking annihilation. At best, it was only a question of whether defeat came swiftly or slowly.
But now—
"She's clinging on tightly."
With his fairy senses tracking Nobunaga's movements in real time, Naoki chuckled softly. "Truly worthy of being Japan's most famed hero. Bonus legend, combined with homeland recognition correction… Even Gilgamesh can't suppress her without unleashing his highest-tier Noble Phantasm."
Oda Nobunaga was an innovator—a revolutionary.
As a harbinger of change, she shattered old concepts and transformed everything ancient into something new. Based on legends surrounding her lifetime, after becoming a hero, she became, in a literal sense, a God-Slayer.
The higher the divinity and mystery inherent in her opponent—or any guardian of the system—the greater the positive correction she received. Against heroes or Noble Phantasms possessing immense divinity and mystery, Nobunaga held absolute superiority.
And unfortunately, Gilgamesh possessed the highest possible level of divinity among all heroes.
He himself lived at the tail end of the Age of Gods and played a pivotal role in its conclusion. His mystery was likewise extraordinarily profound.
Even if Angelica used only Class Card, the effect would be slightly diminished—but the fact remained: Gilgamesh's divinity and mystery were undeniable. Furthermore, every Noble Phantasm fired from the Gate of Babylon right now were high-tier artifacts. Their levels of mystery were certainly not low.
All these factors combined granted Nobunaga an enormous ability correction. The power of her matchlock rifles had risen to a level capable of rivaling the Gate of Babylon itself!
"Hahahaha! Excellent! Fantastic! I haven't felt such an all-out battle in ages! Golden woman—I adore you!"
Standing atop a sea of matchlocks, Nobunaga clung fiercely to the Vimana as she erupted into wild, unrestrained laughter.
"If not for our positions, I'd absolutely make you my subordinate! With firepower like yours, not a single castle wall in Japan would survive my assault!"
"Empty dreams!"
Perhaps provoked by Nobunaga's sudden arrogance—or perhaps influenced by Gilgamesh's own spirit—Angelica spun the Vimana around, pivoting directly toward Nobunaga. Then, from beneath both wings of the Vimana, a torrent of missiles cascaded down like rain!
As a flying vessel mentioned in two Indian epics, the Vimana—an aerial weapon from India's mythical age—was inherently equipped with numerous armaments.
For example—nuclear warheads from mythic eras.
*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*
Almost simultaneously as the Vimana's barrage collided with Nobunaga's volleys, massive explosions of fire and shockwaves erupted above the Imperial Capital. Flames and concussive blasts swept across the entire sky!
Below, the Imperial Capital blared its air raid sirens!
(They believe this is an attack by enemy bombers.)
Hearing the alarms below, Naoki's brow twitched.
(I should've told Angelica to drop them lower… Ah, well, it doesn't matter now. More importantly—Nobunaga's situation…)
His fairy senses detected no mana response from Nobunaga whatsoever.
Destroyed?
(No… she must have immediately shifted into spiritual form and escaped before the shockwave hit. She's ruthless, decisive.)
"She's gone."
"I apologize, Natsukawa-sama. I failed to defeat the enemy." Angelica immediately knelt and bowed her head in apology.
Naoki waved his hand dismissively. "No need. For us, this encounter and skirmish are merely a polite greeting. The true life-or-death battle will come afterward. Since we're already branded as great sinners destined to destroy this place, I'm sure there will be more fights ahead. We just need to win when the moment comes."
"Understood."
"Good. Then next—we go there."
Naoki pointed toward one direction.
It was the location of the Imperial Japanese Army Headquarters.
"They came to our doorstep. It would be impolite not to return the visit. Now it's our turn to go pay them a call, Angelica."
"Let's go and bombard them with hundreds of Noble Phantasms until they're reduced to dust!"