Gilgamesh was located at the center of Uruk, atop the Ziggurat, the core of the entire fortified city.
Under Merry's guidance, Naoki and the others, except for Rei, had now arrived here.
And as soon as they entered—
"Are you busy, King Gilgamesh? If you have a moment, could you spare some time? Magus Merry, bringing some guests to meet you."
Just as Gilgamesh, seated on his throne, had finished one task and was preparing for the next, Merry promptly dragged Ritsuka and the others before him.
Gilgamesh, who was reading a clay tablet in his hand, heard the voice. His glowing red eyes quickly lifted, locking onto Naoki's group.
Beside him, the priestess named Siduri stepped forward slightly. "Good morning, Lady Merry. I'm sorry, but the King is still handling state affairs. If there's something to discuss, please wait three hours."
"That's too troublesome, it's fine. It'll only take two or three minutes. Bear with it a bit, Siduri. I'll give you a thousand flowers later." Merry laughed.
"Lady Merry…"
Siduri, whose face looked somewhat helpless, seemed about to say more, but before she could, Gilgamesh, seated on the throne, spoke first—
"Siduri, announce it. All affairs are postponed for five minutes."
"Huh?"
"The King is truly wise. But honestly, five minutes isn't necessary. I just came to report the situation and introduce these guests."
Gilgamesh snorted coldly. "No need. This King already knows about the situation with those people—You're awfully late, Holy Sword wielder. Were you lying in a woman's embrace, unable to get up?"
"Oh?" Naoki was slightly surprised. "You're still from your previous life, yet you know about me? Can Clairvoyance see that far into the future?"
"Tch! Foolish question."
(Another person the Department Head knows? Does he even know people from the Age of Gods?)
(Actually, they're old acquaintances. The King met King Gilgamesh during the Holy Grail War twenty years ago, and he crushed him ten years ago.)
"This King was not crushed! You succubus over there, keep babbling, and this King will sentence you to death!"
Gilgamesh immediately glared at Merry angrily after hearing her quiet whisper.
"Well, even so, this King's defeat is a fact. Though I'm not pleased, since it's you, you're indeed useful help now. Let this King see the light of your Holy Sword, Holy Sword wielder."
Regarding Naoki's strength, even the arrogant Gilgamesh had to admit the other was truly powerful. With this strength, the Demon Beast defense line, which had been painstakingly maintained at a stalemate thanks to a few Servants and his treasures, would surely be able to launch a major counterattack.
But beyond that—
His eyes swept over Ritsuka, Mash, Hinako, and Xiang Yu in spirit form. Gilgamesh sighed slightly. "What's the rest of this, shoddily made goods? This is all you have after six Singularities? Might as well melt them down and remake them. This King doesn't have much time to deal with you lot. If it weren't for the Holy Sword wielder, I wouldn't give you a single minute."
"Ugh…"
The unexpectedly low assessment made Ritsuka and Mash feel a bit awkward, while Hinako beside them was instantly filled with rage!
(He dares call Lord Xiang Yu shoddily made goods?)
(When he himself is a mixed-blood blond!)
(Calm down, Yu. Don't be rash.)
(I understand, Lord Xiang Yu. Verbal provocation is ineffective against me.)
"Enough. The five minutes I've given you are already too much. In that time, this King could handle at least ten state affairs. I leave Chaldea's arrangements to you, Merry. If anything comes up, see Siduri. This King's time is precious and won't be wasted on useless people."
"Yes, yes, yes, I know you're generous."
Merry gave a helpless smile.
(Sorry, Ritsuka-chan, Mash, Hinako-chan. He's just like that. To make him talk nicely, we need strength first. Let's go for now.)
(So… we need 'capital' first?)
(Exactly, Ritsuka-chan's getting the hang of things. Once we take down one of the Three Goddess Alliance later, he'll have to talk to us.)
It had come to that point…
(I'll work hard!)
Just as Ritsuka and Merry were talking like this and preparing to leave the temple, a soldier suddenly rushed in from outside. "Sorry for interrupting your cheerful conversation, King."
"Who's having a cheerful conversation! Are you blind?!"
Gilgamesh immediately roared in anger.
"If there's urgent business, report it at once!"
"Yes! Someone is rapidly approaching Uruk. It's estimated to be one of the Three Goddess Alliance, Goddess Ishtar!"
The Three Goddess Alliance!
Ritsuka's eyes widened slightly, and Merry even shook her shoulders while laughing.
(An opportunity, Ritsuka-chan. Looks like the chance to talk with Gilgamesh came on its own.)
(Huh… Isn't this a bit too fast…?)
(No, no. Get pumped!)
On the throne, hearing the report, Gilgamesh couldn't help but press his forehead. "Why that foolish goddess again? Is she an idiot who never learns? How much trouble will she cause… No, this might be an opportunity—You know what to do, right, Holy Sword wielder?"
"You okay with me just going for it like that?" Naoki asked with a smile. "She's Uruk's patron goddess, after all."
"Hah! What kind of patron is a goddess who only knows how to cause trouble? Moreover, Uruk has never been protected by a goddess. Uruk, with this King, needs no gods' protection!"
That was truly something Gilgamesh would say.
"In that case, just to be safe, let me ask. If I end up damaging this temple later, I won't have to pay compensation."
"As long as you do it well enough to satisfy this King, it's fine."
"Alright."
After leaving the temple, Naoki looked up at the sky. With his vision, he could clearly see a streak of golden light rapidly flying toward Uruk.
Seeing that familiar sight, Naoki sighed slightly. "Speaking of which, it's been years since I last saw Tohsaka. Haven't met since I moved out of the apartment and returned to Japan four years ago… Next time I'm back in Japan, I should visit the Tohsaka household."
"Now—"
Activating Imaginary Manifestation, staring at the golden light speeding through the air, Naoki focused on the future a few seconds ahead. Then, aiming at the position the figure would definitely pass through, he swung the special baseball bat in his hand with all his might!
*CLANG!*
Followed by a muffled ringing sound, the baseball bat struck the target's head with perfect precision.
A black-haired goddess in revealing clothing collapsed upright at Naoki's feet.
Naoki turned and gave Gilgamesh a thumbs-up. "Like this, good enough, King Gilgamesh?"
"…"
After a brief silence, Gilgamesh's hearty laughter echoed throughout the Ziggurat.