The illusory world, where everything that happens within is considered mere illusion, will vanish entirely once the illusion is dispelled, no matter how much damage is caused inside it.
While the extent to which this can be achieved depends on the skill of the Magus, with Merry's abilities, as long as Gilgamesh doesn't unleash Ea or perform a Moonfall and release Excalibur, everything should be manageable.
"How about it, King of Heroes? Is this method of resolution acceptable?" Merry smiled. "Even so, the inevitable outcome of this battle—you already know it, don't you?"
Merry's statement made Gilgamesh frown in displeasure, but he had to admit there was truth in her words. Once the battle began, Naoki could unleash the Mystic Eyes of Soul Eater at any moment, and that would be fatal for him.
Of course, there were Noble Phantasms in the Gate of Babylon to counter this situation, but this encounter was unexpected, and he hadn't prepared for it. If he fought now, he might become the first Servant eliminated in the Holy Grail War.
With Gilgamesh's pride, he would never allow himself to be eliminated on the first night. Thus, he would likely find an excuse to retreat, even if it slightly bruised his ego.
"Hahaha, you think you can use this to drive this King away? Do you believe such a petty trick will work, Flower Magus?" Gilgamesh sneered, then turned to Naoki. "Holy Sword User, the site of our first battle ten years ago—this King will be waiting for you there. Prepare yourself and come. This time, I'll give you some face."
The site of the first battle ten years ago?
The harbor by the coast.
(He really picked a place full of memories for me.)
Watching Gilgamesh vanish in an instant, Naoki let out a small sigh. "Facing Gilgamesh on the first night as an opening ceremony—this is a bit too grand. Can I trouble you, Saber?"
"No problem, leave it to me, Master." Artoria replied confidently, in top condition after a full meal.
"Just to be safe, I'll contact Gray and the others. Though I'm very confident we'll win, if something unexpected happens, at least we'll have backup."
Naoki said this while pulling out her phone to send a message to Gray.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Meanwhile, amidst the bustling crowd.
[What are you doing, Archer?!]
Perched on Gilgamesh's shoulder, a gray starling let out Riddel's complaints.
Openly, Riddel allowed Gilgamesh to move freely in Fuyuki City, but in reality, to maintain control of the situation, she always gathered information through her familiar.
And now, upon learning that Gilgamesh would fight Naoki—
[Are you sure you can win, Archer?]
"Are you underestimating this King, Magus?" Gilgamesh laughed. "Though that Holy Sword User is troublesome in every way, with proper preparation, defeating her isn't difficult."
The Mystic Eyes of Soul Eater were indeed cheat-like, but at their core, they were still Mystic Eyes. Typically, Mystic Eyes functioned best as a first-strike kill, one of their defining traits. In situations where their abilities were already exposed, they could be countered with thorough preparation.
[Regarding Naoki's Mystic Eyes… I have some Mystic Eyes Killers ready to use. Though I doubt you'll need them, shall I provide them?]
"Of course not. This King has far superior items in his treasury. Cheap trinkets made by modern Magi aren't even worthy of my use. You just need to monitor the situation around the harbor and ensure no one interferes with this King, Magus."
[Of course, I know. But if I'm attacked by another Master or Servant here, I'll use a Command Spell immediately. No objections, right?]
"Fine, this King permits it."
With Gilgamesh's approval, the gray starling perched on his shoulder flew off.
Riddel didn't believe Gilgamesh would lose. Though she knew Naoki was powerful, it was still at a human level. A Demi-Servant couldn't possibly compete with a true Servant, especially Gilgamesh, arguably the strongest among them.
Merry had once said something significant would happen to Naoki in this Holy Grail War. If so, it was best to eliminate her early. If Naoki left the Holy Grail War, she wouldn't be affected—this was also why Riddel only complained but didn't oppose Gilgamesh's unilateral actions.
On the second floor of a Western-style house in the Miyama district, Riddel stood by the window, gazing toward Shin Tokyo.
"Though I don't know why you joined this Holy Grail War, I'm sorry, Naoki. This time, I'll win."
"I've let you roam free for five years. Don't expect to keep wandering this time."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Atop a building, standing on the edge of the roof and observing Shin Tokyo below, Arcueid closed her eyes, focusing on sensing her power.
Since Naoki's body contained a portion of her power, locating that power essentially meant locating Naoki. Arcueid still wanted to surprise her.
It had been over four years since their last meeting in a parallel world. Now that she could finally appear in her true form to have fun, it was impossible not to miss her.
As for the Holy Grail War, to Arcueid, it was merely a side matter. If she wished, she could end the Holy Grail War in a single night, though Fuyuki City might vanish from the face of the earth in the process.
"Ugh… the direction's a bit unclear. I've got the general area, but I'll need to go there to pinpoint her exact location. And her movement… toward the coast. Should I head there now? Or—"
"Master, please be careful."
Okita suddenly appeared behind Arcueid, gripping her sword and cautiously eyeing a nearby door.
There was a Servant's aura there.
"I know. By the way, Souji, you don't need to stand so far forward. Let me handle it."
Arcueid leaped down from the roof's edge, patted Okita's pink hair, and stepped in front of her.
Her Master was far stronger than she was—though Okita had known this for a while, she couldn't help feeling disappointed. In life and death, it seemed she could never be of much help.
And at that moment—
"I've found you, True Ancestor Princess."
From the door leading to the rooftop, Solomon, having shed his cloak and dressed in formal attire, spoke to Arcueid.
Arcueid gave a slight smile. "The first opponent of the Holy Grail War, it seems, is you, the King of Magecraft among humans. Not bad—good enough for a warm-up."
To face a Grand Servant and still speak so casually—perhaps only Arcueid could do that. But she had the grounds to speak this way. After all, even though she could only use thirty percent of her power to suppress her vampiric impulses, she remained the most dangerous figure in this Holy Grail War.
Far more dangerous than Naoki.
This was why Solomon appeared here. In Marisbury's eyes, Arcueid was undoubtedly the greatest obstacle to obtaining the Holy Grail, so she needed to be eliminated as quickly as possible on the first night.
*BZZZT!*
Without another word, the ten rings on Solomon's hands glowed faintly.
"Magecraft Summoning—"
"Demon God Pillar – Baal."