The swirling sand settled with a king's closing eyes.
The roaring waves faded into a soft sigh.
Night reclaimed the world.
The Golden King watched a true king depart, returning Ea to his treasury. The golden chains trembled, as if consoling their master's mood.
"Hmph, Enkidu, I'm not so sentimental as to mourn a thief coveting my treasures. Just a passing thought…"
Glancing at the quivering chains, Gilgamesh snorted, his tone carrying a new emotion.
"No, it's nothing. He's merely awakened from his dream."
The most ancient king strode toward Iskandar's former Master, the frail young mage Waver Velvet.
Kayneth tried to pull Waver away, but Waver stood firm, staring at the approaching King of Heroes. Frustrated, Kayneth nearly cursed.
Did this fool not see the situation? Playing some heroic last stand?
His stubbornness mirrored his classroom defiance, challenging Kayneth with reckless theses.
Rider, Berserker, and Lancer's three-on-one fight ended in this disaster. The enemy's strength was undeniable—no need to fight further. Their plans were in tatters.
Though it pained Finn, Kayneth's only option was to use a Command Spell to force Finn to stall Gilgamesh while he and Waver escaped by vehicle. He'd call Roy to flee, abandoning the Grail War for survival.
The Grail could go to Gilgamesh—he was unbeatable.
Kayneth didn't hide this from Finn when Gilgamesh killed Iskandar, stating his plan, whether Finn agreed or not.
Finn was surprised—not by the sacrifice, but by Kayneth's honesty, not betraying him in secret. This candor shocked him.
As for sacrifice…
Finn didn't mind such trifles.
A loss was a loss. He wasn't fixated on the Grail; it held no regret for him. His duty was to serve, as always.
More than the Grail, he valued his lord, Kayneth El-Melloi.
If a lord's mission was to lead his people, singing of dreams, bringing prosperity and happiness, a knight's mission was to protect that vision, even at the cost of his life.
So, Finn felt no resentment toward Kayneth's choice—only joy.
In life, his narrow-mindedness and hatred broke his knightly oath, leading to lifelong regret and death.
This time, had he acted without shame?
Loyal to his lord, fighting alongside warriors…
No, he hadn't done his best.
He'd abandoned his comrades at the end…
Even with great wisdom, perfection eluded him.
But in this final moment, he'd stand firm, upholding his spirit and duty.
"Will you stop me, Lancer?"
Finn spun his spear, standing before Waver and Kayneth, blocking Gilgamesh's advance, ready to fight with all his might.
But Gilgamesh had no intent to fight—not yet. More than killing Lancer, he focused on Waver, the King of Conquerors's last vassal, who refused to yield.
"Step aside, Lancer. You sensed my Noble Phantasm and reacted correctly. I acknowledge you as a fine hero, worthy of my blade."
"But not now. I have more pressing matters."
Gilgamesh passed Finn without hostility.
Puzzled, Finn glanced at Waver, steadfast despite his lord's calls, and understood Gilgamesh's intent.
He sheathed his spear, standing by Kayneth, awaiting the outcome.
Gilgamesh approached Waver.
A sharp axe fell from his treasury, the Chains of Heaven restraining Kayneth, who tried to charge. Protected by Finn, he was unharmed. The golden blade pointed at Waver's throat, Gilgamesh staring impassively at the unremarkable youth.
"…Kid, you're the King of Conquerors's Master, aren't you?"
The Golden King was no merciful saint. Tyranny defined his life. His respect for Iskandar stemmed from his indomitable will and heart.
Kings were arrogant and decisive, rarely indecisive.
"No! I am that king's vassal!"
Waver's voice trembled, his legs shook—an obvious truth Gilgamesh saw through. But another detail intrigued him.
Despite his fear, Waver's eyes never wavered, meeting Gilgamesh's cold scarlet gaze. Though terrified, he stood firm, unyielding. Gilgamesh could scare him into collapse, yet those resolute eyes locked onto his.
Intriguing, truly intriguing…
Even in his era, few vassals dared meet his gaze so steadfastly.
In Gilgamesh's view, Waver's soul was weak yet strong, firm yet frail. Though not as radiant as some, it was a rare treasure, sparking his interest.
"Let me ask again, vassal of the King of Conquerors. Do you seek vengeance for your king?"
The axe edged closer, nicking Waver's skin, drawing faint blood. A slight push would sever his neck. The unmasked killing intent chilled everyone.
Yet, those steadfast eyes didn't falter.
Had he misjudged?
Intriguing…
"Lancer! Save him!"
Kayneth panicked, grabbing Finn's arm, but Finn remained still. As Kayneth prepared a Command Spell, Finn spoke.
"My lord, don't rush. I'm watching. He'll be fine. The King of Heroes has no true killing intent."
"No… killing intent?"
Finn's words stunned Kayneth.
Facing Gilgamesh's threat, Waver stood firm, his gaze unwavering, reflecting only resolve.
"Challenging you means death."
An obvious truth—attacking Gilgamesh would mean instant death, with no chance of victory.
But he wanted to know what followed.
"So… I can't. I'm that king's vassal, ordered to live peacefully."
No cowardice, no shame in survival.
Waver spoke openly, meeting Gilgamesh's gaze.
He didn't beg or call for Kayneth or Finn's aid. He was ready to die.
In other words…
"Hahahahahahaha—!!"
Gilgamesh laughed, his killing intent vanishing, withdrawing his weapon.
"Waver Velvet, was it? Well done…"
"I acknowledge the resolve you've gained, transcending life and death."
Gilgamesh, the supreme warrior and ancient king, had seen gods, heroes, and miracles. His judgment was infallible.
Yet, in Waver, he saw a rare spark…
He never withheld praise for such qualities.
If Waver were his vassal, he'd be even more pleased.
But his vassals were neither the strategic Roy nor the loyal Waver, but two scheming clowns.
"Kid, I'll be clear: you have no talent in magecraft. You'll likely achieve nothing in it, never surpassing that lemon-head, or even Tokiomi Tohsaka."
Gilgamesh spoke flatly. Waver's expression didn't waver.
He'd long known this, just refused to admit it.
But after this Grail War, after growing, he could face it.
"Yet, I feel your loyalty and will."
Gilgamesh evaluated.
Looking down at Waver, a smile crept onto his lips.
To the King of Heroes, Waver lacked a mage's talent but wasn't a complete failure.
If he were truly talentless, doomed to futility chasing Iskandar, Gilgamesh would grant him a glorious death, his soul barely worthy of his treasury.
But, fortunately, Waver wasn't a failure.
His talents were yet to shine, so Gilgamesh spared him.
Turning, he approached Finn, speaking slowly:
"Leave, as your king commanded. Don't look back—exit this city, or you'll fail your lord's order."
"Remember, kid, loyalty is true righteousness. Never forget your choice."
"I… I understand. I'll do it."
Waver wasn't naive. He knew Gilgamesh acknowledged and spared him.
He held no hatred for Gilgamesh.
They initiated the attack, three against one, unfairly, and were defeated. Though Iskandar died, Gilgamesh gave him respect and Waver acknowledgment.
Though reluctant, Waver owed Gilgamesh a great debt—one the king likely wouldn't care about from a minor mage.
This was likely their last meeting.
Waver stood, passing Gilgamesh, grabbing Kayneth's hand, and running into the deeper night.
"…"
Finn, witnessing this, smiled faintly.
His lord and his students were remarkable people…
Though he couldn't claim the Grail, he was fortunate to serve Kayneth, an excellent lord.
Seeing Waver lead Kayneth away, Gilgamesh didn't interfere—a reward for the brave.
"Now, Lancer…"
As Gilgamesh turned to Finn, ready for the next fight, their expressions shifted, eyes darting to the sky.
Something approached rapidly.
With their superhuman vision, Gilgamesh and Finn saw dozens of missiles nearing their position.
In the dark sky, the missiles' trails shone like stars, but colder, merciless.
By the time they noticed, the fiery streaks were nearly upon them, each bearing the mark of intercontinental missiles.
Though unfamiliar with military matters, they sensed the forest would be leveled under such bombardment.
In other words…
"My lord!!"
Finn shouted, rushing toward Kayneth and Waver's direction.
"…"
Gilgamesh didn't stop him, glaring coldly at the incoming missiles, his eyes filled with killing intent.
No need to guess—someone aimed to wipe out all Masters after the battle, eliminating all Servants in one stroke.
Such tactics were valid in the Grail War, but targeting him infuriated Gilgamesh.
He'd just granted Waver life as a favor, only for a third party to kill him, mocking his authority as the King of Heroes!
Damned mongrels, skulking like vermin. Think I can't find you?
Gilgamesh glanced at Waver's escape route, raising his arm to intercept, but seeing a red-haired woman—likely prepared—pick them up and speed away, he lowered his hand.
"The battle's over… Now, to deal with the rats ruining my mood…"
He reached into his treasury, pulling out a wooden-handled spear, aiming at the sky's darkness, and threw it without hesitation—
"Go, Gungnir!!"
—Swoosh!!
A piercing sound rang out.
The silver spear shot like a meteor, vanishing into the night.
…
In Fuyuki's stadium, at night.
Kiritsugu Emiya, with his wife, had arrived early, preparing for the Great Grail's descent.
Realizing two Servants had fallen and his contract with Saber severed, he looked at his assistant and the vital footage from his familiar, his emotions complex.
Rider and Berserker were gone. Saber, disconnected, would soon fade without mana.
Only Lancer or Archer needed to fall to achieve his goal.
Though defeating them directly was impossible, his familiar's intel confirmed Kirei Kotomine and Kayneth were in the missile strike zone.
He had his assistant press the launch button, sending a "gift" To the night's combatants.
Once the missiles landed, all opponents would be wiped out, gathering the Grail's sacrifices. Victory was near.
"…Good! We hit them!"
Seeing the missiles nearing the forest, Kiritsugu's heart raced.
The moment they struck, the outcome was sealed.
Under the barrage, all life would perish. Even a prodigy like Lord El-Melloi couldn't block intercontinental missiles without preparation—a pipe dream!!
In today's declining mystery, magecraft weakened, fading into legend. Technology was the era's mainstream.
His earlier loss to Kayneth was due to inferior tech and firepower. This time was different.
Lacking nukes, thermobaric bombs and missiles weren't something human flesh—or magecraft—could withstand in a panic.
He could already see Kayneth and Kirei's demise.
Boom—!!
The missiles landed, thunderous explosions echoing. The familiar's feed cut off, killed in the blast.
Seeing the screen go black, Kiritsugu exhaled…
It was over…
No one could stop him now.
He needed only to await the results and fulfill his wish.
With the dust settled, a smile spread across Kiritsugu's face.
"Good work, Maiya."
He turned to his assistant, who'd returned after her task, expressing sincere gratitude.
Without Maiya Hisau's support, he couldn't have reached this point. For this near-family assistant, he felt only gratitude.
Among the few more precious than his life, seeing her safe filled him with joy.
"It's nothing, Kiritsugu, I…"
Seeing his happiness, Maiya smiled. His joy outweighed everything.
But as she began to speak—
—Swoosh!!
A piercing sound descended. A radiant streak pierced the barriers, striking her heart. Her smile froze, life fading before she realized.
So swift, no one reacted.
Left behind was a smiling corpse and the gleaming silver Gungnir.
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 70 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL