2 AM.
Rider and his Master were on the quietly sleeping street, along with Saber, Lancer, Caster, Tiamat, and Akira.
"Why are you guys here?"
"To watch the fight between Rider and Gilgamesh?"
"Hahaha, risking your lives just to watch. That's impressive."
The residents who usually enjoyed the nightlife were quietly holed up in their homes, perhaps spooked by the repeated incidents of strange lights, following the advice to refrain from going out at night. Even the shadows of cars had disappeared from the road, and the asphalt, nonchalantly illuminated only by streetlights, was cold in the winter night air.
But Rider showed us a single famous horse galloping through the bizarre scenery.
Not long after, Gilgamesh arrived.
"Hoh? The number of spectators has increased. It matters not. This is a fight between a thief and I. Having an audience is not bad. You spectators there, appreciate my greatness."
His brilliantly shining armor looked incredibly sturdy, and Lancelot, seeing it, thought it was amazing that he had fought such an opponent while losing his reason.
"Are you scared? Kid."
Waver was trembling.
Perhaps that was why Rider asked.
Iskandar was an adult, and Waver was just a kid.
"Yeah, I'm scared. Or maybe, to put it your way, this is what you call 'my heart is pounding'."
To the answer returned in a voice full of tension, the King of Conquerors grinned.
"Exactly. The stronger the enemy, the greater the anticipation for the sweet wine of victory becomes bliss. Heh, you know it well."
Rider stroked the bull's head, praising the stillness that accurately grasped the rider's intent.
"Kid, wait here for now."
"...Eh?"
And Rider summoned his chariot.
"Ooooooh!!!"
Gilgamesh, seeing the bulls emitting lightning, laughed as if amused.
"A peaceful Holy Grail War isn't bad. Since I can fight in perfect condition."
"King of Babylonia, one last question to end the feast."
"I permit it. Speak."
"If, say, my 『Ionioi Hetairoi』 were armed with your 『Gate of Babylon』, without a doubt, the strongest army would be born. Even that President of the West or whatever would be no match."
"Hmm, so?"
"I ask again, will you not become my sworn friend? If the two of us joined hands, surely we could conquer even the ends of the stars."
At Rider's words, the King of Heroes burst into laughter as if he had heard a delightful joke.
"You are an amusing fellow, through and through. It has been a long time since I laughed so much at the nonsense of someone who is not a jester."
But even as he laughed, his cold killing intent did not diminish in the slightest. To this golden king, killing intent and joy were likely synonymous.
"Unfortunately. I have no need for a second friend. My friend remains only one, in the past and in the future. ...And, two kings are not needed either. But if you have the qualification to become my friend, prove it. If you cannot even prove it, there is only death."
At such a firm answer, the King of Conquerors did not show even a hint of disappointment, but just nodded quietly.
"I see. So if our worth does not match, we cannot even become friends. King of Babylonia, I shall explore your unknown."
"Good. But remember, if you fail to prove it, there is only death without mercy."
"Are you two actually getting along?"
At Waver's words, Rider scratched his head.
"Well, considering we're about to kill each other. Perhaps he might be the last person I exchange glances with in this life. I can't treat him coldly."
"...Don't say stupid things."
To Iskandar's playful tone, Waver retorted with a voice full of suppressed emotion.
And showing his Command Spells, Waver said:
"Rider, I, Waver Velvet, command you with a Command Spell.
Rider, explore the unknown world!
I command you again with a Command Spell.
Rider, survive until the end!
I command you once more with a Command Spell.
Rider, win.
With this, I am no longer your Master.
Do as you please."
"Hmm... but the fact that you are my friend remains unchanged."
"...M-me... me... with someone like me... is it really okay...? By the side of someone like you... me..."
"You've faced this with me this far, what are you saying now? You fool."
We spectators just watched quietly.
"Haven't you been my friend who has talked with me, learned about me, and been with me until today? Puff out your chest and stand equal to me."
"Yeah... I think I'm lucky to have met you in the Holy Grail War."
"Is that so. It is the same for me. Waver, I acknowledge you as my retainer."
At that, Waver's eyes widened.
"And live! Waver. Witness everything, and live to tell the tale. Of your king's form, of this Iskandar's charge!"
"Don't talk like you're going to die. Do you think I can accept that? Did you forget my Command Spells?"
"That's right. ...Ah, indeed."
Rider took a few steps towards Gilgamesh and shouted.
"Gather, my compatriots! Tonight, we shall etch our brave figures into the strongest legend for my new retainer!"
"""Aaaaaah!!!"""
The imagery of the heroes who materialized a battlefield transcending time on the hazy horizon eroded even reality, transforming the deserted bridge into a vast plain swept by whirlwinds.
And the figures of Heroic Spirits running out, one by one, towards the prepared stage for the decisive battle.
This is Iskandar's story.
And the sight of the retainers marching for his dream resonated with Waver's heartbeat.
"Ah... win! You must win!"
"Yes, watch closely, kid! Iskandar's fight! The enemy is the King of Heroes, unmatched by ten thousand... a worthy opponent! Now, men, let us show our path of conquest to the primordial Heroic Spirit!"
"""Ooooooh!!!!!!!!"""
At Iskandar's grand shout, the lined-up army shook the sky with applause.
Each one was close to a Servant; they were not heroes, but the elite soldiers who followed Iskandar, fought in the long journey, survived in unknown territories, and fought on.
They were those who had been with him simply out of admiration for Iskandar's dream, and perhaps because they couldn't show an unsightly appearance in front of the new retainer, an even more spirited atmosphere could be felt.
"Come, Lord of the defeated army. Now you shall know the true form of a king..."
"Charge! Alalalalala!!!"
"Ooooooh!!"
The chariot rushed towards where Gilgamesh was at high speed.
And as Gilgamesh took out an object, several red lines appeared in the sky, compressing one by one into something that was recognized as a weapon, neither spear nor sword, but Iskandar did not stop.
Iskandar explored the unknown amidst recklessness.
He never looked back at the deaths of the retainers who followed him.
Looking back at their deaths would be nothing but an insult to his retainers.
They followed knowing that the path was dangerous and that death would not be strange for anyone.
Then, walking forward until the end was Iskandar's way.
For those who marched together for his dream, the chariot rushed at a speed exceeding limits.
"Aaaaaalalalalala!!!"
Rider's Noble Phantasm, shaking the earth and kicking up sand clouds as it surged forward, was overwhelmingly powerful, but Gilgamesh did not move a single step and said only one thing.
"Weaving dreams to aspire for conquest... I shall praise that high spirit. But soldiers, do you know? That dreams are destined to wake and disappear eventually. Therefore, it was inevitable that I would stand in your way. King of Conquerors, realize the end of your unfulfilled dream. I shall personally show you the law."
Then, the weapon held in Gilgamesh's hand began to spin.
As it began to spin faster and faster, we saw it.
A single calamity, a single Noble Phantasm.
"Now, awaken, 『Ea』. A stage worthy of you has been prepared! Now, look up... 『The Star of Creation that Split Heaven and Earth - Enuma Elish』!"
The sky screams, and the earth shakes.
A massive mass of magical energy released while distorting the laws of the universe.
The tip of the blade struck down by Archer was not aimed at anyone from the beginning.
There was no longer anyone to aim at.
What the blade cuts is not merely an "enemy".
It was correct to say it was a sword to cut the world itself.
Before the eyes of the charging Rider, the earth split, and an abyss opened.
All the Servants who watched this showed expressions of astonishment, wondering if this was truly a Noble Phantasm.
"Yeah, so this is Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasm. Seeing it in person is amazing."
"Yes, Mama is seeing something like that for the first time too."
However, two people just appreciated the Noble Phantasm as if they were not particularly moved.
At those words, the other Servants fell into confusion, wondering if they were abnormal or if their Master was abnormal.