A few minutes later, at the same harbor as ten years ago.
Standing in an open path among stacks of containers, Naoki looked around. The place hadn't changed much.
"This really brings back a lot of memories."
Ten years ago, this was where he and Arthur faced Kayneth and Diarmuid, an incident that sparked a chain of events. It could be said that if he hadn't decided to kidnap Kayneth back then, which led to awakening his Mystic Eyes, he wouldn't be who he is now.
In some ways, this place could be considered the starting point.
"Master, are you very familiar with this place?"
Seeing Naoki's nostalgic expression, Artoria couldn't help but ask curiously—Merry wasn't here; on the way, she seemed to have urgent business and left in a hurry.
"Not really. I only came here once ten years ago, but this place is, in a way, very significant to me. It can trigger a lot of memories."
"Like memories with that other Saber from ten years ago?"
From the shadows of the containers, Gilgamesh, clad in golden armor, stepped out and laughed. "Honestly, when this King heard you'd be joining, the first thing that came to mind was fighting that Holy Sword User. Who would've thought you'd summon this little King of Knights instead?"
"What can I say? For me, Gray and my child's matters are more important than fighting side by side with Arthur again." Naoki shrugged. "Besides, he's always with me. These past ten years, not a single moment has he been apart from me."
"Just like you and the Chains of Heaven."
Gilgamesh's expression froze for a moment before he covered his face and burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Comparing feelings for the Holy Sword User to me and Enkidu? Bold move! Very well, let this King see clearly if you two can truly match this King and his friend!"
*SWISH!* *SWISH!* *SWISH!*
A dozen golden ripples opened behind Gilgamesh. From each ripple, a Noble Phantasm radiating golden light aimed at the two before him like projectiles ready to fire.
Then—a full barrage!
*SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!*
Like bullets from a Gatling gun, dozens of golden meteors pierced through space, shooting toward Naoki!
Each fired Noble Phantasm was B-rank.
Though arrogant, Gilgamesh wouldn't underestimate Naoki. A dozen B-rank Noble Phantasms—let alone an ordinary Servant, even Artoria couldn't block them all without her scabbard.
*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*
Flames erupted among the containers, a swirling storm of fire instantly engulfing most of the harbor. Countless fragments scattered in all directions.
As towering flames illuminated the night sky, the confidence on Gilgamesh's face gradually faded. If his opponent were anyone else, he'd be certain they were dead. But Naoki…
(Come on, let this King see your abilities, Holy Sword User!)
*BOOOOMMMMMM!*
As if responding to Gilgamesh's intent, the raging flames suddenly paused, then transformed into a massive tsunami of fire, surging toward Gilgamesh!
(Here it comes!)
Two ripples opened in front of Gilgamesh. Two shields emerged, standing before him. Though their names were unknown, each was a Noble Phantasm with legends like [anti-fire and anti-water].
*BANG!*
The wave of fire slammed into the shields with immense force, but upon contact, two layers of light barriers instantly formed around them, completely blocking the flames!
(This shouldn't be the power of the Holy Sword User… Has he learned a new kind of power over these ten years?)
As Gilgamesh pondered, a figure shot through the sea of flames at incredible speed, appearing before him!
It was Artoria.
*CLANG!*
Her invisible Excalibur, cloaked in raging wind, struck the twin shields with full force, knocking them aside. She then stepped forward, charging into Gilgamesh's reach, her invisible sword slashing upward—
*CLANG!*
Blade met blade.
Wielding a sword of unknown name, Gilgamesh sneered at the King of Knights before him. He prepared to push her back with force, but before he could, Artoria vanished back into the sea of flames.
"So that's how it is."
Using the sea of flames to obscure vision and launch surprise attacks?
The Noble Phantasm he brought to counter the Mystic Eyes hadn't taken effect, meaning the other side hadn't unleashed their Mystic Eyes yet.
(Though I don't know how this Saber moves freely in a sea of flames, I assume she has a mongrel with a fire-resistant legend… Does she think that gives her the upper hand?)
"Foolish!"
Drawing a holy spear from the Gate of Babylon, Gilgamesh slammed it into the ground. From the cracks, a massive surge of water gushed out like a broken dam. The raging sea of flames was swiftly extinguished by the surging waves!
In an instant, Naoki and Artoria, hidden in the flames, were clearly visible to Gilgamesh.
The Gate of Babylon opened, Noble Phantasms at the ready—
*SHUA!*
Before they could fire, with Naoki at the center, the surging waves that had just extinguished the flames froze into a snowy white plain of ice! The freezing was so fast that Gilgamesh had no time to pull his feet and escape!
The next moment, facing a now-immobile Gilgamesh, Artoria—who had leaped even before the freezing began—slashed at his head with full force!
*BUZZ!*
Several ripples suddenly appeared around Artoria.
Ignoring the Saber surrounded by Noble Phantasms, Gilgamesh locked eyes on Naoki, firing all the prepared Noble Phantasms!
*DUK!*
Nearly ten ice walls suddenly rose, blocking all the Noble Phantasms. The shattered ice fragments then reformed into a massive ice spear. Like a meteor, it shot toward Gilgamesh with incredible speed!
*BOOM!*
The ice explosion instantly created a thick white mist, obscuring everyone's vision.
The intense tremors also caused countless tiny cracks in the sturdy ice layer, as if it were a fragile floor ready to shatter.
Standing there, gazing at the faint figure in the ice mist, Naoki let out a slight sigh.
"So… it didn't work?"