"Oh?"
Akatsuki's sudden appearance didn't surprise Gilgamesh; as long as she didn't emit killing intent, it didn't matter if he couldn't sense her, as there are many treasures in the world that conceal presence.
"You're the one Kirei took an interest in... Hmph, interesting."
"Let me go!"
Illya, held under Akatsuki's arm, swung her weak fists, but Akatsuki ignored her as if she hadn't heard a thing.
"king of heroes, I'll take the lesser grail. Today's farce should end. If we don't leave, Assassin's killing intent will catch up."
Akatsuki retreated to Shirou Emiya's side, handed Illya to him, and said with a pained expression, "If I hadn't just been cut by Assassin, I wouldn't want to hand Illya to you. Remember, don't let go of her hand."
Only then did Shirou Emiya notice that the hand Akatsuki used to hit Shinji Matou was dripping with blood. Combined with Akatsuki bringing Illya back, Tohsaka Rin was certain Assassin would arrive soon.
"Akatsuki, are you okay?"
"No problem, provided that Gilgamesh doesn't come looking for trouble; otherwise, I can't guarantee anything..."
Tohsaka Rin saw that Akatsuki was pretending to be relaxed, but for now, they had no better option. The Archer from the previous Holy Grail War stood before them, the Assassin who could strike at any moment was missing, and Caster's plans were unknown.
"Akatsuki, you look terrible... Do you need to drink blood?"
Tohsaka Rin unbuttoned her collar, revealing her snowy-white neck.
Akatsuki didn't refuse. Sharp fangs instantly pierced Tohsaka Rin's neck. Tohsaka Rin felt her heart race, her blood gradually draining, and an unspeakable sense of weakness quickly filled her body.
"Wait... go a bit slower..."
After a long time, Akatsuki released Tohsaka Rin's neck and licked the blood from the corner of her mouth. She had controlled her Bloodlust Impulse at the critical moment, preventing Tohsaka Rin from being drained to death.
"Thank you."
Akatsuki's voice became somewhat raspy, and her pupils turned deep red. Her expression looked as if she were trying hard to suppress something as she struggled to hand Tohsaka Rin over to Rider.
"king of heroes, you've played enough, haven't you?"
Being watched by Akatsuki's deep red pupils, Gilgamesh laughed and waved his hand, signaling that Tohsaka Rin and the others could leave.
Shirou Emiya held Illya's hand and looked at Akatsuki's back with a face full of frustration; he wanted to help her, but the opponent's strength made him feel despair.
"If you want to throw your life away, I won't stop you."
Archer took the unconscious Illya from Shirou Emiya's hands, then left with Rider without looking back.
"Emiya, no matter what you're thinking—whether it's becoming a hero of justice or winning the Holy Grail War—it's all based on the premise that you're still alive."
"Shirou, no matter what you choose, I will..."
"Saber! Classmate Emiya is still a minor, and his judgment is limited. In a life-or-death situation like this, you should guide him as an elder to make the right choice, rather than blindly supporting him."
Saying this, Akatsuki smiled, "Otherwise, a childhood dream will turn into an obsession, and obsession eventually becomes a curse. Remember, this is advice from an elder."
Saber wanted to say something, but she suddenly remembered her Master from the previous Holy Grail War.
"Quite a waste of time."
Gilgamesh stood on high, looking down coldly at Akatsuki.
"Young people are always full of passion to challenge strong enemies. Gilgamesh, if your younger self and your older self met your current self at the same time, I'm afraid they would be so ashamed they'd commit suicide."
"Oh?" Gilgamesh looked at Akatsuki with some surprise and then laughed out loud.
"Hahaha, indeed!"
The number of Gate of Babylon increased again. Countless Noble Phantasms were now ready to be launched, as if they would turn Akatsuki into a sieve in the next moment.
"So, are you ready to die?"
With the golden Noble Phantasms hanging high overhead, Akatsuki smiled.
"The one who should die is you!"
Akatsuki's aura rose sharply. An unspeakable pressure filled the Einzbern Family castle, felt by both Gilgamesh and the distant group of Shirou Emiya.
Shinji Matou, who was closer, was even forced to spit blood by this invisible power and fainted instantly.
"Oh? Showing some spirit. Don't disappoint this King."
Volley of Noble Phantasms!
A golden rain fell.
However, in the next moment, three Black Keys appeared in each of Akatsuki's hands. Any Noble Phantasm that came near her was knocked down by the Black Keys.
As the dust settled, Akatsuki's figure vanished. Almost simultaneously, his intuition as an Archer told Gilgamesh that if he stayed where he was, his head would be separated from his body in the next moment.
Tilting his body slightly, the sound of breaking wind passed by Gilgamesh's ear. He quickly retreated to put distance between himself and Akatsuki.
"Dodged it?"
A drop of cold sweat slid down Gilgamesh's face.
"Are you kidding me? How could a sword without any intent to kill ever kill anyone? Are you insulting this King!"
"That kind of thing called killing intent was used up when I was young."
A hint of nostalgia appeared on Akatsuki's face. "As for whether a sword without killing intent can actually kill... king of heroes, why don't you experience it for yourself!"
In the next moment, Akatsuki's figure suddenly vanished.
"Just like an Assassin, only knowing how to hide!"
The number of Gate of Babylon increased once more. Since Akatsuki wanted to play hide-and-seek in the Einzbern Family castle, Gilgamesh would simply destroy the castle!
"Hmph."
Then he looked up and saw Berserker still struggling. Before dealing with Akatsuki, he decided to kill this mindless Berserker first.
Gilgamesh looked at Berserker without speaking, but the massive Noble Phantasms in the Gate of Babylon behind him said everything. He was going to kill Berserker here.
"Even without a vessel for the Grail, as long as the number of Servants is reduced, the greater grail will still descend. At that point, the vessel will be optional."
Just as Gilgamesh intended to end Berserker's life, a drop of black mud silently dripped onto the ground.
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