Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

"Mr. Qin?"

Roya couldn't help but remind the slightly dazed guest.

The visitor possessed an androgynous charm similar to Enkidu's, transcending gender boundaries.

He was currently observing Souma and Gilgamesh seated on the sofa.

Why did this scene suddenly feel vaguely reminiscent of a certain world-famous painting?

On a snowy day, one person standing there watching two people sitting close together...

Hmm, with all three present, we could recreate the "White Album" meme.

But what about me?

Roya inexplicably felt like she was the odd one out!

Damn, what a strange thought!

She shook her head and quickly introduced: "That's Mr. Gold, a friend of Souma who's visited several times before."

"Oh, a friend."

Qin Shi Huang said no more and stepped inside.

As he entered,

Souma stared blankly at the TV screen showing Qin Shi Huang delivering New Year greetings to the people of China, then at the person who absolutely shouldn't be here standing before him.

What the hell?

Weren't you supposed to be in your palace right now?

Don't tell me you can make shadow clones—

Actually, you probably can!

Given Qin Shi Huang's mechanical holy body, creating shadow clones would be child's play.

Even this current body was a perfect vessel he created himself.

Hence his famous declaration "My gender is myself," making him nearly identical to Enkidu the clay golem.

Souma felt slightly awkward.

The troublemaker had shown his gift to Gilgamesh, and now the gift-giver had caught them red-handed.

Dammit, you little troublemaker screwed me over again!

I'll definitely add dozens more restraints later!

However,

Qin Shi Huang's gaze swept past him, settling with a faint smile on the composed Gilgamesh.

Two pairs of crimson eyes locked in silent confrontation.

In this moment, an overwhelming aura surrounded both men, making approach impossible.

Qin Shi Huang stepped forward: "Mr. Gold, I've heard much about you."

Anyone who dared call himself Nameless's friend while bearing the name "Gold" could only be one person—

The original Hero King from the dawn of human civilization, wielder of world-rending divine weapons.

Standing atop the pyramid of heroic spirits, with only a handful as his peers.

"Mr. Qin, the honor is mine," Gilgamesh replied with equal grace.

Calling himself "Qin" while radiating such domineering presence barely concealed his identity.

This could only be the emperor who commanded two billion Chinese lives, led over a hundred heroic spirits against the United States.

The two had met numerous times in international conferences, exchanging occasional words.

But this marked their first private meeting in such a homely setting.

Roya enthusiastically offered: "Mr. Qin, please have a seat."

These two men both seemed extraordinarily wealthy, and both were Souma's friends.

This made her increasingly suspect that her own shut-in might still be hiding some unknown past.

Could he be a young master from some ancient aristocratic family?

"Alright."

Qin Shi Huang nodded and calmly sat down on the sofa.

This effectively sandwiched Souma right in the middle.

Making him even more awkward, he quickly stood up: "You two sit first, I'll get you some water."

Damn it, one is the King of Heroes, the other is Qin Shi Huang—why don't you go manage your own countries instead of crowding into my place!

If this were ever exposed, the whole world would go absolutely wild.

Two of the most supreme emperors, people ordinary folks wouldn't even have the privilege to meet.

And both of them were so proud they'd never casually meet with commoners.

Gilgamesh looked at the fox scarf on the table and asked with a smile, "Was this a gift from Mr. Qin?"

To be able to cut off Tamamo-no-Mae's tails and craft them into the powerful A-rank Mystic Code [Fox Scarf] with strong charm abilities...

There were only a handful in this world who could accomplish such a feat.

He himself was one, and naturally, the Grand Assassin could do it effortlessly.

Other than that, there was only the man before him.

"Yes, a New Year's gift for Nameless. Just a trivial fox, nothing more," Qin Shi Huang admitted openly. "What are you planning to do in Fuyuki City, Mr. Gold?"

"I'm just here to look around. As a humble small businessman, just doing a bit of trade," Gilgamesh replied with an almost identical demeanor.

A trivial fox? A bit of trade?

Souma, who was pouring water, nearly lost it when he heard this.

Damn, do you two have to show off like this in front of me?

If others knew that the "trivial fox" was Tamamo-no-Mae, and "a bit of trade" meant buying a hotel and the bank behind it with a single sentence... Forget it, better not think about it.

Compared to him, who was too exhausted to even comment.

Roya's eyes sparkled.

These two seemed even richer than she had imagined.

Mr. Gold, who could take her in and out of the Fuyuki Grand Hotel—could he be some kind of ultra-tycoon?

And this Mr. Qin, who exuded such unique charm—was he a rich second-generation heir slumming it as a commoner?

Well, she still had to rely on herself. After all, these two had nothing to do with her.

Roya silently vowed that one day, she too would be this wealthy.

"I could replace them!"

Just then.

Gilgamesh pulled out a thick red envelope and handed it over: "Little Roya, I haven't given you a New Year's gift yet. Here's a belated one."

"Ah, this is too kind..."

Roya couldn't help but swallow hard.

Just the thickness of the envelope told her there was a lot inside.

Qin Shi Huang also smiled and took out a red envelope: "I prepared one as well. Which would you like?"

"Uh... can I only pick one?"

The words slipped out before she could stop herself.

"If you're willing to call me 'Daddy,' I could give you even more," Gilgamesh said with a delighted grin.

This girl before him seemed greedy for money.

But in reality, she was wrapped in countless layers of defenses—so strong that even his [Sha Naqba Imuru] couldn't pierce through.

And Souma had kept her by his side all this time.

Which meant that the fact everyone had forgotten Souma was definitely connected to her!

Qin Shi Huang frowned slightly at him but maintained a calm smile: "Roya, how about becoming my daughter? I'd love to have a well-behaved and sensible girl like you."

Huh, what the hell is going on???

Roya stared at the two men, utterly dumbfounded.

Earlier, the heroic spirits Jeanne d'Arc and Artoria had wanted her as their daughter.

Now why did these two want the same?

Roya suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of pride.

It seemed she truly was the nation's darling daughter.

If she filmed this and uploaded it to Bilibili, it would undoubtedly become the pinnacle of the "This Will Make You Want a Daughter" series!

Just as she agonized over which red envelope to choose...

Qin Shi Huang spoke softly, "Mr. Gold, you've been in Fuyuki City for quite some time. Have you considered returning to your homeland?"

"There's a saying in China: 'Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?' I quite enjoy it here and wish to stay longer," Gilgamesh replied with a flawless smile.

"The Chinese people are indeed hospitable," Qin Shi Huang's smile cooled slightly, "but only to friendly guests, not those who seek to take everything by force."

It was clear—this King of Heroes also wanted to take Souma away.

How could he allow that?

Gilgamesh said indifferently, "Mr. Qin, it seems we are indeed cut from the same cloth."

Neither man made any attempt to conceal their hostility.

Dominance, arrogance, tyranny... Their confrontation was laid bare in this simple exchange.

"No no, we're different." Qin Shi Huang shook his head meaningfully. "I am more perfect than you, without flaws."

The "Unlimited Blade Works" video released earlier by Alaya had already tarnished the King of Heroes' reputation as a wise ruler worshiped by the masses.

In contrast, Qin Shi Huang was flawless, far surpassing both the King of Heroes and King Arthur.

In all the world, he couldn't even find a worthy opponent.

How lonely it was to be invincible!

"That remains to be seen. No one is perfect—who's to say your flaws won't be exposed someday?" Gilgamesh's crimson eyes grew colder.

With his close friends, he could indulge the mischievous child's jokes without taking them seriously.

But with this peer-level heroic spirit, he wouldn't yield an inch.

Still torn between red envelopes, Roya blinked in confusion. "Wait, are you two business rivals?"

Even she could tell these two weren't hiding their mutual animosity.

They must be commercial competitors or something.

Had Mr. Gilgamesh come to Fuyuki City to seize Mr. Qin's business territory?

"Of course not," both men answered simultaneously with smiles.

This left Roya feeling complicated.

The adult world was truly troublesome.

Despite their obvious hostility, they still pretended to get along.

Compared to the deeply moved child, Souma was already feeling his scalp prickle.

These two were both top-tier heroic spirits.

If they actually fought in anger, all of Fuyuki City would face nuclear annihilation!

Souma produced a deck of cards and placed it between them. "How about some Cards to pass the time?"

"Yay! I'm great at Cards! Want to play together?" Roya squeezed in, pushing him aside.

"Acceptable," both men nodded.

The three began playing.

Souma twitched his lips and silently stepped away.

One possessed [Golden Rule], making him practically unbeatable like the God of Wealth.

The other had [Imperial Privilege], equally divine in getting whatever cards he desired.

Good luck, you mischievous child!

***

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