FATE: Target of Grand Master

Thanks to Gilgamesh's unexpected intervention, Xia Yan and his companions were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Shirou, we're not in good shape. I suggest we leave while Berserker and Archer are fighting."

"Archer? Doesn't each class only have one Servant in the Holy Grail War?"

"That's right. He's not the Archer summoned in this Holy Grail War, but the Archer from the last Holy Grail War."

Artoria's words left Shirou Emiya bewildered.

"Could it be that this Archer has been present in the world since the last Holy Grail War?"

"That's right. Gilgamesh was touched by the black mud at the end of the last Holy Grail War, which gave him a physical body, allowing him to remain in the world until now. But this isn't the time to talk about that; I think we should go help Illya."

After explaining to Shirou, Xia Yan also offered his own opinion.

Gilgamesh's appearance was indeed unexpected for Xia Yan, but Xia Yan was very clear about his purpose.

Just like in the UBW route, defeat Berserker, extract Illya's heart, and take control of the Lesser Grail.

If they don't help Illya now, Hercules will have no chance against Gilgamesh, who possesses the Chains of Heaven.

Although Saber had consumed a lot of magic power, thanks to her early intervention, Shirou Emiya had encountered several fewer battles and hadn't used any of his Command Seals. Now was the perfect time to use them.

"Saber, please, go help Illya."

Shirou was unwilling to watch Illya, his nominal older sister but whom he always regarded as a little sister, die.

"I command you with a Command Spell, Saber, restore your magic and defeat that high and mighty Archer!"

With a flash of red light, Artoria felt her magic power return to its peak, and all the injuries she had sustained in the battle with Hercules were healed.

"Since this is Master's order, I, Artoria, will not fail in my duty!"

On the other side, Hercules had been reduced to only three lives by Gilgamesh's barrage of Noble Phantasms. Moreover, with his divine A rank, he was firmly bound by the Chains of Heaven, making him a perfect target.

"Great hero, you truly disappoint me. Has the battle with Saber made you dull-witted?"

Gilgamesh remained with his hands in his pockets, and Hercules had not gotten close to him since the start of the war.

"roar!"

Hercules roared in anger.

"Alright, let's end the game here. I hope I'll have the chance to play a proper match with you again someday when you're not so irrational."

Gilgamesh raised his hand, ready to quickly end the battle, when suddenly, the figure of a golden-haired knight girl magnified in Gilgamesh's pupils.

"Archer!"

Artoria unleashed her magic, doubling the range of her holy sword's strikes as she swept it towards Gilgamesh.

The angle of the distortion in the space above his head immediately adjusted, and several Noble Phantasms landed in front of Gilgamesh, forming a temporary cover to block Artoria's attack.

As the Noble Phantasm dissipated, Gilgamesh saw Artoria and Heracles standing side by side and immediately understood everything.

"You're something else, Saber. You pretended to attack me, but actually cut the Chains of Heaven and rescued that beast."

Artoria gripped the holy sword tightly, her eyes fixed on the blond man before her. Facing this oldest king of mankind, she dared not relax for a moment.

"What? Are you so happy to see me again that you're speechless?"

Gilgamesh slightly raised his head, looking down at the knight princess below.

"Archer, why are you still participating in the Holy Grail War? Don't you have any wishes to make to the Holy Grail?"

Artoria voiced the question that had been lingering in her mind.

"I thought you were going to say something, but you asked such a foolish question. The Holy Grail is my property. If any thief is eyeing my treasure, I will naturally clean it up. As for wishes, after observing for the past few years, the human species has multiplied to a number that can be described as a virus. I don't need so many subjects, so I will conduct a selection ceremony for my subjects. The Holy Grail is merely the most convenient tool I find convenient."

"Select your subjects? As a king, shouldn't you protect your subjects?" Artoria questioned.

"A king naturally has the obligation to protect his people, but he also has the right to choose and evaluate them. You don't expect me to admit that so many bastards are my people, do you? There's a limit to making me laugh, Saber."

"Gilgamesh, you tyrant, you are utterly unreasonable!"

Artoria simply could not accept Gilgamesh's values.

"It's alright, I'm in a good mood today, so I forgive your overstepping. By the way, do you remember what I said to you before?"

Artoria clearly realized something when faced with Gilgamesh's slightly provocative gaze.

"I don't understand what you're talking about."

"Hmph. Saber, you should learn to clear your mind of useless thoughts and only keep what I have to say to you. This will be more beneficial to your married life," Gilgamesh said mockingly.

"Gilgamesh, how long are you going to keep fooling me!"

Artoria charged forward with her sword drawn, but was pushed back by several Noble Phantasms shot down from the sky.

"Wait a minute, Saber. Let me hear your answer first."

"roar!"

Hercules, unable to contain himself any longer, charged at Gilgamesh once more.

"Beast, I have lost interest in you. Don't interrupt my conversation."

The Chains of Heaven reappeared, accompanied by a barrage of over ten Noble Phantasms, and Hercules lost another life.

"Berserker!"

Ilya felt heartbroken, but she also understood that the battle between the three Servants in front of her was not something she could interfere with.

"Answer me, Saber! Will you become my wife?"

"I don't want to!"

The answer wasn't from Saber, but from Shirou Emiya.

"There are so many stray dogs barking here."

A Noble Phantasm shot towards Shirou in an instant.

"Shirou!"

Saber was too late to provide assistance.

clang!

Shirou projected Gan Jiang and Mo Xie again, deflecting the incoming Noble Phantasm. However, due to excessive mana consumption, he knelt on one knee.

"Not only did you speak disrespectfully to me, but you even dared to use a counterfeit to knock away my genuine piece. Your crime is unforgivable!"

Gilgamesh was enraged and prepared to use more Noble Phantasms to kill Shirou.

"Gilgamesh!"

Artoria immediately dashed forward, shouting as she ran, "My answer is also no!"

Gilgamesh leaped to the side to dodge Artoria's sword strike, then drew a sword from the Gate of Babylon and clashed with Saber.

In terms of swordsmanship alone, Gilgamesh is no match for Artoria, whether in terms of class or ability. However, battles are not limited to fair one-on-one duels.

Gilgamesh attacked while simultaneously manipulating the Gate of Babylon to launch a sneak attack. Artoria not only had to defend against the frontal attacks but also had to be constantly on guard against attacks from her blind spots, and the battle situation began to turn against her.

The battle between the two was like a game played by Gilgamesh. All that could be seen on the King of Heroes' face was a slight upturn of his lips, while Artoria on the other side was already sweating profusely from the exertion.

"roar!"

Suddenly, a great many roars of magical beasts came from outside the castle. Judging from the sound, these magical beasts were definitely not small.

Gilgamesh's smile vanished instantly. He dodged Artoria's attack and leaped to the second-floor window of the castle, looking out towards the outside.

"Damn monsters, who gave you permission to devour my people without authorization!"

Gilgamesh turned to the crowd and said, "Consider yourselves lucky, you bastards. I have more important matters to attend to now, so you can keep the Holy Grail container for a few more days. Saber, I'll find a chance to speak with you privately next time."

After saying this, Gilgamesh disappeared into the castle.

Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, a dull thud rang out.

Xia Yan and Shirou turned their heads and saw a monster with a lion's head, a goat's head, and a snake's head smash through the castle wall and pounce on the two of them.