The time for a comeback had arrived!
"No… I must endure, just wait a little longer!"
Gilgamesh, having laughed earlier, now forcibly composed himself.
It was too early to be celebrating—the video had only played less than a fifth of the way through! If things turned around later and he got humiliated, it would be a complete disaster.
However, as his memories began rapidly returning, Gilgamesh had a vague feeling… that he might become even more radiant and glorious later.
Endure.
When the time comes, he'll put on a show and mock all the other Heroic Spirits in the hall properly!
"What are you so proud of?!" Jalter grumbled with clear irritation.
It felt like everyone but her had gained something—basking in Alaya's favor.
Why was it, that despite being the first Heroic Spirit exposed, she's had no spotlight since?
How frustrating!
Whether it was black history or glory, having no popularity was the most infuriating!
"Has Jalter really just become the foil to Artoria, Gilgamesh, and Shikotei?" Astolfo wanted to say something, but was instantly silenced by Lancelot.
If they embarrassed themselves again, it'd be international type. There was no way he'd let this "sanity evaporated" one run her mouth freely.
Sitting calmly on the throne, Shikotei appeared unshaken: "Let us continue watching. Let's see how the Hero King performs next."
But that calm was purely surface-level.
Inside, Shikotei was growing increasingly uneasy.
Could it be that this video, which was supposed to publicly expose Gilgamesh's black history, would instead make him shine?
Before the entire hall's gaze—
The video played on.
The Wise King no longer looked at Chaldea's group, but instead gave an order to his soldiers:
"I heard Tabado's daughter-in-law is giving birth. Send her some fruit. And call Tabado back—let him take three days off to spend time with his grandchild."
Such a natural, simple order left the audience utterly stunned.
The King of Uruk… was keeping track of even the birth of one woman in the city? Sending gifts, giving leave to a new grandfather—it was unbelievably humane.
"God, this man is managing so much—how is he not dead from overwork?"
Just as everyone was processing this, in the video—
A soldier suddenly rushed in to report:
"Your Majesty, a Heavenly Boat is charging this way. It's the Goddess Ishtar!"
"Sigh, it's that idiot again. Is she incapable of learning her lesson?" Gilgamesh sighed softly.
Priestess Siduri gently coughed in reminder: "Your Majesty, please restrain your words..."
"Hmph! That woman has never once protected Uruk. Even her father—Enlil—has long since been cut off by me and Nameless. She has no pantheon backing her up anymore."
Gilgamesh showed no mercy.
"In the end, she'll die alone and pitiful."
Boom!
The palace ceiling was suddenly smashed apart.
The all-too-familiar goddess descended from the sky, glaring furiously:
"You bastard! I'll kill you!"
The soldiers frantically retreated.
Because this goddess held the authority of fertility, she could curse someone to become sterile. And that is not something these soldiers want.
"Heh, admit it. You're useless. Just a failure of a goddess." Gilgamesh didn't hold back at all. "Chaldea, drive her off, and I might consider cooperating with you."
"You bastard, you're asking for death! Priestess Siduri, listen carefully: if Gilgamesh dies, I might consider saving Uruk!"
Ishtar, growing angrier, glanced to the side—and spotted a quiet, small figure standing behind Nameless.
Instantly, her eyes widened.
"Wait a minute. Chaldea's Master, who is that behind you?"
"Oh, that's the adorable Ana," Nameless replied with a smile.
"Ahaha… I see. How unfortunate!"
The previously enraged Ishtar suddenly flew into the sky, laughing.
"Farewell, naked King of Uruk. I'll let the demonic beasts devour you and your precious city!"
The entire audience exploded—
MonaLigmaBalls-[This goddess who wears practically nothing is mocking the King of Heroes for being shirtless?]
GigglesThenShit-[The lion, the witch, and the audacity of this bitch.]
HistorianWithWifi-[Does Ana have a connection with the Beast Goddess?]
AlmightyMiddleFinger-[Is she like Bedivere—key to helping the goddess regain her humanity?]
ICastFart-[Nooo, is tragedy about to begin again?!]
——
"Ana is like Bedivere???"
Sakura found it hard to believe.
That cute little loli, who even Merlin treated with seriousness, clearly had a very special identity. Even a goddess like Ishtar, who resembled her sister, recognized her significance at a glance!
"I don't know…" Rin's face was already flushed red with embarrassment, like she was steaming.
How embarrassing!
A supposed proud goddess, being called a useless failure over and over.
Rin was starting to doubt if this really was her past life.
As the queen bee of Fuyuki's Academy City, adored by all, how could she be so embarrassing?
——
Back in the video.
After chasing away the goddess, Gilgamesh looked at everyone and said:
"Hmph. In response to your hair-thin hope, the effort and struggle you've shown in this Singularity is commendable."
For once, the king who had looked down on Chaldea was offering rare praise.
"If you truly want to work for me… then let Siduri take you to start with odd jobs."
With a wave of his hand, he motioned for Siduri to lead them away.
And so—
Before countless onlookers, Nameless, Mash, Ana and the others actually began doing chores!
They ran around helping with childcare, harvesting, and assisting citizens—fully integrating into Uruk life.
"Oh, I get it now!" said Kirina. "This is like daily side quests to build reputation!"
Using a game logic:
New to the area, you have no rep or status. No one will trust you. So you do side quests to grind favor, then unlock the main storyline.
Artoria, watching from the side, allowed herself a faint smile.
Even though Gilgamesh's display here was vastly different from his version in other Singularities...
It seemed her bet with this Emperor was going to pay off!
——
Meanwhile.
The mysterious little loli Ana, who looked cold and unapproachable at first—
Was now cheerfully helping an old flower lady watch her shop, assisting farmers in the fields, and even playing with children.
Though she still wore her dark cloak, her smile had grown more frequent.
Countless viewers shouted in the comments:
Blorbo-[Tsundere Ana!]
LoliConnoisseur-[So cute~, I wouldn't mind locking her up in my basement!]
InterdimensionalFBI-[And what do you mean by that?!]
LoliConnoisseur-[Hmmph, exactly what I said!]
FateBot-[@InterdimensionalFBI Don't bother, I think he wanna follow the footsteps of the previous AspiringPedo.]
====
That night.
A full moon hung in the sky.
Ana stood atop the city walls, gazing at the night:
"The moon is so beautiful tonight."
"Yeah, it's beautiful… just like you." Nameless replied softly beside her.
This scene…
Made Illya instinctively glance at Miyu sitting next to her.
Good lord, even Ana was falling for Emiya?
"The moon is beautiful tonight."
It sounded ordinary—but in Japanese literary circles, it's a poetic way to say:
"I love you."
It became famous thanks to Natsume Sōseki, who rephrased "I love you" this way, meaning:
"It's your presence that makes the night sky beautiful."
In The Vow Beneath the Snow, Miyu had once said the same line to Shirou!
"Onii-chan…"
Miyu stared at the video.
Damn it! It should've been her beside Onii-chan, not this mysterious girl!
As the two gazed at the moon—
In the video—
Ana quietly asked:
"You know who I am, don't you? Why aren't you afraid of me?"
This Master from Chaldea clearly had powerful abilities.
In front of him, she couldn't hide anything.
"You're so cute, there's no way I'd be afraid of you," Nameless smiled. "Rather… do you love humanity?"
"I… hate humans…"
Ana turned her head, looking off into the distance.
"That's a lie. You have human emotions. You simply don't want to hurt others. You're kind—and worthy of being cared for."
Nameless hesitated, then gently lifted the black hood over her head, placing a hand on her violet hair.
EX-rank Noble Phantasm: Headpat Technique!
Surprisingly, Ana didn't resist. Her amethyst eyes stared directly at him.
"Then… are you asking me to stay silent and hide the truth?"
"Sometimes, a kind lie is important. Besides, you're trying to protect others—not harm them."
Nameless gently ruffled her head.
"It's precisely because you have emotions… that you're you, not that beast driven solely by vengeance."
"Hmph. What a sly human…"
Ana gave a soft snort—and suddenly leaned toward him.
This is what humans are like.
She hated them… and loved them.
But no matter what, she didn't want to see them disappear.
Then I'll give it my all—to stop the other me.
At that moment—
Mash suddenly walked over, staring at the two in disbelief.
"Senpai, don't tell me… don't tell me you're going after such a young girl?!"
"…How could I?!"
The savior of humanity, the Nameless Heroic Spirit who traversed human history, was thrown into utter awkwardness.
A faint blush rose on Mash's cheeks.
"Senpai… after this war ends… maybe you could… have a daughter of your own to play with…"
That line left her red with shame. It was basically saying, "After this war, go home and get married and have a daughter!"
The barrage of comments exploded instantly:
Blorbo-[WTF!! "Have a daughter to play with"?! Ma'am, that's called parenting, not pre-ordering your own husbando!]
BobUchiha-[Bro just dropped a whole Build-a-Loli business plan.]
ICastFart-[Next episode preview: "I didn't raise my Master to be a lolicon!" – Dr. Roman, probably.]
LoliConnoisseur-[If Ana is connected to the Beast Goddess, then she's a legally recognized loli—Gentlemen, Nameless is scot-free!]
InterdimensionalFBI-[We heard the phrase 'legally recognized loli'—that's a speedrun to prison, sir.]
SergeantSaunders-[Me: trying to enjoy the scene. The comments: LAWYERED UP, SWAT OUTSIDE, YOU'RE DONE.]
Illya's feelings grew increasingly complicated.
Considering her current appearance, if Sanjiro really was Shirou…
If they got married—the police would definitely come knocking.
At that time—
[Police: "You damn lolicon, get in the van!"
Sanjiro: "Wait, wait! Illya's a legal loli!"
Police: "Exactly. She's the one doing you. You're the minor here! Boys gotta learn to protect themselves too!"]
No matter how you looked at it, this was just wrong!
Elsewhere—
Shikotei was staring at his most respected teacher with a strange expression, nodding lightly.
"So that's how it is… So Teacher prefers lolis!"
No, no, no! This is all kinds of wrong!
The great Imperial Teacher… is a loli lover!?
Artoria also turned to look at Sanjiro.
She vaguely remembered that when she was small, he had cared for her very attentively.
But as she grew older, he had grown distant.
Could it be… I passed my expiration date?
"…"
Sanjiro, under their stares, became increasingly embarrassed.
Hey hey, don't look at me like that! A dignified savior being mistaken for a pervert—where's the justice in that?!
He'd only been trying to lower little Ana's guard to better repair the Singularity!
Everything was for the sake of preserving humanity!
Look at my pure and innocent face! I have absolutely no strange thoughts!
After all, he was the upright Hero of Justice. He only knew a few lolis: Illya, Miyu, Chloe, Ana, Abigail…
While he was still reeling in embarrassment—
The video screen changed.
After a stretch of daily quests… it was finally time for battle.
A massive, towering figure appeared.
Golden wings stretched over a hundred meters.
A colossal serpent tail—also over a hundred meters long.
On her head were dozens of venomous snake heads for hair, each several meters in length. Her appearance was grotesque and terrifying.
She loomed in the heavens, exuding a suffocating pressure like a mountain.
The newly revived divine construct, Kingu, now housed in Enkidu's body, furrowed his brows.
"She's so impatient."
The soldiers were in full panic.
She was massive.
One swipe of her tail could level an entire city.
No one could possibly stand against such a terrifying beast!
The giant monster looked down upon the people below:
"Insects! I am the nemesis of mankind, the leader of the Three Goddess Alliance, the Mother of Beast known to you as the Queen of Demonic Beasts. Upon seeing me—shouldn't you be groveling on the ground in prayer?"
This divine-level horror…
Just standing there made everyone feel breathless, as if they were suffocating in pain.
Merlin winced.
"We're in trouble… I can't even move a finger."
"Mash, deep breaths."
Nameless quickly reminded her.
"Y-Yes, Senpai!"
Mash, recalling her past fight against the Lion King, forced herself to relax and started breathing deeply.
Nameless turned to Merlin:
"Merlin, breathe through your gills!"
"Damn it, what the hell is gill breathing?! And as much as I hate to admit it, Merlin and merman do sound similar…"
Merlin grumbled—but he followed suit, breathing deeply to finally dispel the divine pressure.
Meanwhile…
Kirina stared at the Mother of Beasts' chest.
"S-So big…"
Gulp~
She swallowed hard, overwhelmed with envy.
"Too big! Way too big! Damn it… Just give me a little bit, that's all I ask!" Kirina grit her teeth.
Inequality is the real issue!
What's the point of being that big? Share some with me!
Sanjiro rolled his eyes in disgust.
Typical brat. Your focus is truly bizarre.
But don't worry.
You're not getting any bigger!
In the video—
Gorgon's smile turned even more cruel:
"A pitiful bunch of fragile ants… Let me crush your last hope and watch you die in despair!"
Boom!
Her massive body lunged toward the city walls—trying to wipe out all of Uruk in a single strike.
At that critical moment—
A figure darted forward like a streak of light, charging straight at the monstrous beast. Leaving behind only a warm, sunlit smile and a voice that rang out clearly:
"I'll hold her off! Last Master of Humanity, I promise—I'll come back alive!"
It was Ushiwakamaru!
A powerful warrior summoned from Japan.
"Hey, don't go—you'll die!" the Nameless shouted to stop her.
But Ushiwakamaru showed no fear.
"As long as there are children a thousand years from now who admire Ushiwakamaru—then I will fight with everything I have!"
She became a blur, dashing across the massive body of the Mother of Beasts and launching an assault.
"Heh… another bug? How annoying. I'll crush you like the insect you are!"
But she was too nimble.
Ushiwakamaru darted across her body, mocking her all the while:
"What a joke! You're no Miyamoto Musashi. With that clumsy hulk of a body, how can you catch a little bug like me?"
She leapt onto the beast's tail, ran up along it—
—and launched herself straight at her brow!
[Wandering Tales of Shana-oh, Act Two: Usumidori: Heavenly Blade Steps!]
Whoosh!
Her entire body became countless afterimages—striking Gorgon's forehead with a deadly blow.
But even that full-powered strike wasn't enough.
Gorgon surged with monstrous magical energy—healing instantly from her wounds.
BOOM!
The goddess struck back.
Ushiwakamaru fell on the spot—crushed under divine might.
Just then—
A Heroic Spirit wearing a helmet and wielding a shield and spear charged fearlessly toward the Mother of Beasts.
It was Leonidas, the King of Sparta.
Famed for his legendary last stand at Thermopylae, where 300 Spartan warriors faced off against a Persian army of 100,000!
Now, summoned in the Age of Gods, he stood against a terrifying divine being.
Gorgon glared at the one who dared block her path.
"Hmph. You pathetic ants… I'll tear you to shreds and feed you to my monsters!"
"Nonsense! If you want to kill the others, you'll have to cross over my dead body first!"
Leonidas roared in fury.
Buzz~
Behind him, three hundred spectral figures materialized.
They were none other than the legendary 300 Spartans who had fought and died at his side!
Watching from the screen—
Iskandar, the King of Conquerors, grinned.
"Leonidas… I see now—we're really alike."
Just like Leonidas, he too had many followers.
Once he activated his Reality Marble, Ionioi Hetairoi, he could summon all of his loyal warriors.
Each one boasted combat strength equal to that of a Heroic Spirit—and some were even stronger than he was.
Powerful enough to sweep through armies.
As all eyes watched—
Leonidas stood alone, yet he brought forth an army.
Three hundred Spartans stood proudly behind him, their phantoms echoing ancient glory.
He gripped his spear and slammed it into the ground.
"You want us to surrender? To hand over everything? Then come and take it!"
The Spartans behind him roared in unison—
"COME AND TAKE IT!!"
"COME AND TAKE IT!!"
...
After their battle cry shook the air—
Leonidas raised his spear high.
All three hundred Spartans simultaneously took up throwing positions.
Dozens upon dozens of spears rained down upon the massive body of Gorgon.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Her colossal form was pierced, and countless gashes tore across her flesh.
But—
They healed instantly.
Her regeneration was monstrous—suffocatingly powerful.
Gorgon scoffed.
"Hmph… What use are a bunch of insects?"
"You who were transformed into a monster by the goddess Athena… you who slaughtered countless heroes—Gorgon, we will be your end!"
Leonidas raised his shield and spear high again, shouting boldly—
"Molon Labe! Here goes! My friends, bring your souls hither!"
[Thermopylae Enomotia: Guardian of the Hot Gates!!]
Buzz~
Three hundred golden shields materialized all at once.
The Spartan warriors charged madly toward the Mother of Beasts.
And she, in response, roared with rage—
"Die, all of you!!"
BOOM!!
From her Mystic Eyes, beams of crimson light erupted—blasting into the Spartans with unrelenting force.
Crack! Crack!
Shield after shield shattered instantly. They couldn't withstand the divine fury of her petrifying gaze.
Yet—
Leonidas stood his ground.
He resisted with pure willpower—enduring the Mystic Eyes of Petrification!
Gorgon screamed:
"Impossible! How are you resisting my Mystic Eyes?!"
"Heh… even hotlines can bounce back. You, an ancient Greek goddess—no, you monster transformed by Athena, slayer of heroes—Gorgon!"
Leonidas, with unyielding determination, called her true name aloud.
The beast raged even more.
"You damn bastard! How dare you speak that name?! DIE, INSECT!!" Her Mystic Eyes surged with even more destructive, crimson light.
Under the barrage—
Shield after shield broke.
Even Leonidas' own shield shattered completely.
"You, who were abandoned—yet never abandoned anything in return… King of Flame. Today you'll die as a warrior!"
The Goddess unleashed her full fury.
But—
Leonidas showed not a hint of fear.
He stared back coldly.
"Spears will break. Shields will shatter. Flowers wither. People die. Even gods fade away—but this is our song."
In that final moment—
He dropped all defense and hurled his spear with all his might.
WHOOSH!
A dazzling golden flash shot forward—piercing straight through Gorgon's abdomen!
She stared in utter disbelief.
Pierced—by a mortal's spear.
The viewers were equally stunned.
It was just like when the great hero Arash unleashed his final arrow.
A mortal—facing down a god.
Leonidas looked up at the divine being and solemnly declared:
"Final Master of Humanity… please deliver this message to our homeland. We have fulfilled our oath—
To fight… and to fall."
From his feet, petrification began to spread rapidly upward.
His entire body turned to stone.
And yet, even as a statue—he remained, unmoving.
Forever frozen in that unyielding stance.
Nameless stared at the fallen King of Sparta,
"King of Flame… You are truly the King of Sparta. Wait for us. We'll defeat the gods—and restore humanity's eternal freedom."