Fire Demon, Purgatorio.
As Naoki was possessed by this fairy variant, Artoria and Gilgamesh simultaneously sensed profound danger.
"Master…"
"Hoho, you've brought out something quite interesting."
Tossing the war axe back into the Gate of Babylon and drawing a pair of golden twin swords, Gilgamesh, for once, was unusually serious.
"To make this King feel the same as when stared at by your Mystic Eyes, it seems this is yet another trick tailored to target this King—no, more precisely, to target Servants, even Magecraft. Using those termites within the stars as familiars…"
"Rather than calling you a Holy Sword User, it's better to call you a Fairy Magus."
Termites?
In some ways, the description fit the nature of fairies and spirits. Both fairies and spirits often act on whims, driven solely by their own desires, mischievous children who care nothing for others' feelings. Even when they err, they feel no guilt, instead blaming others.
In essence, fairies and spirits are such existences.
So, calling them termites wasn't wrong.
"Saber, I leave my back to you."
"Understood."
Though shocked and astonished, her Master was not her enemy. Thus, Artoria didn't need to be overly wary of Naoki's current state. She just needed to follow his orders and protect his back well.
"Then… here I go, Hero King. Are your weapon reserves still sufficient?"
*BOOMM!*
The violet-blue flames suddenly erupted. The terrifying power of the fire propelled Naoki, who was a hundred meters away, to flash forward right in front of Gilgamesh!
A giant fist of violet-blue flame struck with devastating force!
*BANG!*
A storm of fire swept and raged, instantly incinerating most of the nearby containers. The narrow corridor even transformed into a flat arena amidst a sea of flames!
Leaping out of the fire, Gilgamesh slashed at the surrounding flames with his twin swords. Glancing at his partially scorched and disintegrating armor, he instantly understood the nature of the violet-blue flames.
(Fire that can burn Mana?)
*BOOM!*
The surging flames roared, and Naoki's figure, cloaked in blue fire, charged again, his fists swinging relentlessly like a storm. A rain of blue flames tore through Gilgamesh's vision!
The power of each punch was extraordinary, evident without needing to feel their impact. But compared to the damage, being hit by Naoki's attacks was far more fatal—for a Servant!
*SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!*
Opening the Gate of Babylon in front of him, Gilgamesh fired dozens of Noble Phantasms as a cover. He leaped back into the air, his twin swords merging into a longbow. Seven golden-feathered arrows, alongside dozens of Noble Phantasms, shot out simultaneously!
But as the Noble Phantasms and arrows flew midair, Artoria suddenly appeared in their path. Excalibur in her hand unleashed a powerful gust of wind, a storm like a hammer that instantly knocked all the Noble Phantasms and arrows away!
(That pesky Saber—)
"Where are you looking?"
A whisper like the reaper's voice came from behind. Without hesitation, Gilgamesh summoned several Noble Phantasm shields behind him!
*DONG!*
A heavy blow landed on the shield. A massive burst of blue flames erupted, and amidst the fiery wave, the Noble Phantasms used as barriers visibly burned to ash and fell from the air.
(Even B-rank Noble Phantasms can't withstand it for long?)
Using the fiery wind to retreat, Gilgamesh had to admit that, despite compatibility factors, Naoki had become a formidable enemy he had to face with full strength—
*BOOMM!*
An explosion interrupted his resolve. A violet-blue fireball suddenly expanded rapidly in Gilgamesh's eyes! The fire, which could incinerate a Servant's body with the slightest touch, now closed in on him without limit!
*SWISH!* *SWISH!* *SWISH!*
At that moment, countless ripples appeared without warning. Nearly a hundred silver chains, like serpents, formed a massive net that blocked the fireball!
Chains of Heaven!
*BOOM!*
A deafening explosion filled the night sky, blue flames blooming in the darkness like fireworks.
After clearing all the falling fire stars from Gilgamesh, seeing the Chains of Heaven return to his body, Gilgamesh couldn't help but give a wry smile. "You saved me again, my friend."
*PLAK!*
As if scolding Gilgamesh, one end of the Chains of Heaven gently tapped his head.
Perhaps only the Chains of Heaven could treat Gilgamesh this way.
"Enough. Since you've pushed me this far, this King must now get serious."
*BOOM!*
A roaring sound, like an engine accelerating, echoed. With flames spurting from his palms, Naoki rocketed down from the air!
Wielding a massive sword in his hands, Gilgamesh faced the incoming meteor with unprecedented seriousness.
A moment later—
*BANG!*
The fiery fist and giant sword collided with tremendous force, the impact spreading instantly, leveling everything around them. The swirling gusts even forced Artoria to plunge her sword into the ground to stabilize herself. When the storm passed and her gaze returned to the two, a huge question and shock filled her mind.
(Master, is he truly human?)
Though a Demi-Servant, the power Naoki displayed was not that of a Servant.
*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*
Amidst the roaring sounds, the fiery fist clashed with the giant sword again. The immense force pushed both back a step or two. Before Naoki could stabilize, the Chains of Heaven, always coiled around Gilgamesh, shot out, instantly binding Naoki's arms and legs in place!
The giant golden sword followed, slashing downward!
*BOOM!*
Just before his head was cleaved, an intense surge of violet-blue flames, as if fueled by endless kindling, erupted from Naoki's body, deflecting the giant sword and Gilgamesh's entire form! The Chains of Heaven were also forced off Naoki's limbs!
The moment his hands were free, two fireballs gathered in Naoki's palms. The violet-blue flames, like beams of light, were ready to fire!
*SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!*
But before they could be unleashed, several ripples, hovering above Naoki's head since who-knows-when, fired a machine-gun-like rain of Noble Phantasms, stopping him in his tracks!
(Difficult, I can't charge for a big attack!)
(Not bad, Holy Sword User!)