Fate: How About a New Savior?

The Mion River divides Fuyuki City into two parts: Miyama Town and Shinto. The Fuyuki Bridge is the most convenient way to travel between them.

For a city of only a few hundred thousand, the residents had no complaints.

By midnight, the streets were nearly empty of cars.

Especially during the Holy Grail War, Magus would often set up spells to repel bystanders.

That's why, when Shiomi's car crossed the Fuyuki Bridge, the golden figure standing alone in the center of the empty span—blocking the path to the final battlefield—was impossible to miss.

Only about ten meters from Gilgamesh, Shiomi drifted the car to a sharp stop. Stepping out with his spear in hand, he faced off against the Ruler.

"You're in our way again, King of Heroes!" Shiomi frowned deeply.

Behind him, Morgan, Sakura, and Rin stepped out of the car one after another.

"Ruler?" Rin exclaimed after seeing Gilgamesh's Class. "That gold-shining guy—what's his deal?"

Saber materialized from spirit form and questioned Shiomi, "What's going on? Didn't you say Caster was the only Servant left? Where did this Ruler come from?"

Shiomi hadn't told anyone about the Ruler's appearance in this Holy Grail War.

He had assumed Gilgamesh had no intention of participating, especially since his Master, the girl named Hakuno Kishinami, seemed to have no desire to fight for the Holy Grail.

Shiomi didn't bother replying to Mordred. His full attention was locked on Gilgamesh, his guard up.

Unlike ten years ago, when he'd worn a full suit of golden armor, this time Gilgamesh wore gold only on his lower half. His bare chest was marked with symmetrical red divine patterns.

A faintly glowing golden chain wrapped around his left arm, and in his right—clad in a golden glove—he held Ea.

There was no question: this wasn't some casual interruption. Gilgamesh was more serious than he had been a decade ago.

"Hmph. If you want to face the King of Magecraft, then go," Gilgamesh said, gesturing casually with his eyes. "But that Saber and the Faker over there must stay. Only you two are qualified to challenge the King of Magecraft."

In other words, he wasn't so much blocking their path as deliberately splitting their group.

Only Shiomi and Morgan would be allowed through.

"What's your game?" Shiomi demanded. "Sick of playing the arbiter and planning to fight for the Holy Grail yourself?"

"Don't get it twisted, God-Slayer," Gilgamesh said with a cold smile, his killing intent palpable. "As the arbiter, I've simply chosen those worthy to contend with the King of Magecraft."

Morgan stared at the Golden King with indifference. "So, you're siding with the King of Magecraft?"

No matter how you looked at it, separating them now meant weakening their battle strength.

"If that's how you want to see it, I don't mind," Gilgamesh said arrogantly. "After all, I'm curious to see whether a man born to be a king can act on desires of his own will."

"That ridiculous theory again," Shiomi muttered, swallowing his anger.

He had to admit, if they left the others behind and went ahead with just Morgan, it was the most strategic move.

Why Gilgamesh would choose to side with the King of Magecraft at a time like this—Shiomi could only hope to uncover the reason in the battle to come.

"One last question—where's your Master?" Shiomi asked. "Don't tell me you abandoned them again."

Gilgamesh gave a scornful smile. "Don't lump my Master in with those common Magus. The difference in caliber is vast."

"I see." Shiomi felt he'd asked a pointless question.

Archer stepped forward. "Leave this to us, Mr. Shiomi. It looks like the battle against the King of Magecraft falls to you two in the end."

"Seems that way."

Shiomi turned to glance at Sakura.

"That little girl over there—whether you stay or go is none of my concern," Gilgamesh said, not sparing a glance at Sakura or Rin.

It was clear the King of Heroes only intended to eliminate their Servants.

Sakura remained silent, merely nodding back at Shiomi. She was staying to support Saber in battle.

Rin did the same.

Seeing this, Shiomi returned to the car, and together with Morgan, drove toward the church in Shinto.

The wind howled on, the clouds thick and unmoving.

Even the usually lively Shinto was eerily quiet and dim—an entire city submerged in darkness.

The silver car moved alone through the broad streets, surrounded by pitch-black void and deathly silence. It cruised through streets faintly lit by struggling streetlights, like drifting ice floes gliding over black water.

In the distance, a blinding flash erupted from Fuyuki Bridge. Reflected in the rearview mirror and barely visible between buildings, were the telltale signs of battle and a surge of unmistakable magical energy.

"...Gilgamesh..." Shiomi muttered, voicing the question that still lingered in his mind. "Why are you doing this...?"

Morgan, eyes closed in rest, slowly answered. "That man once said the King of Magecraft was 'born as a king.'"

"And that means...?"

"A 'king' isn't something born from the human world—it's something dispatched by the heavens," Morgan said quietly. "In a certain sense, only beings like that can be called true 'kings of mankind.'"

"A king... by birthright?"

"Gilgamesh and Solomon both fall into that category," Morgan explained. "Kings like them were never meant to have wills of their own."

"Huh?"

"Those kings are the embodiment of the concept of 'ruling over mankind'—they act according to divine will and fulfill their duties," Morgan continued, opening her eyes and gazing at the church building now visible on the hillside. "Even if they stray from their duties for a time, they always return to their destined path. That is what it means to be a king born to rule."

"So the King of Heroes siding with the King of Magecraft at a time like this—is it out of sympathy?" Shiomi asked, unconvinced.

"Maybe he just can't stand to see him fall short," Morgan said with a casual smile. "After all, the King of Magecraft was a flawless king, from beginning to end."

This wasn't flattery for an enemy they were about to face.

It was simply the truth left behind by the King of Magecraft—his legend, his history.

...

As their brief conversation ended, the car climbed the slope toward the church. At the top of the long road outside, the King of Magecraft stood alone, quietly awaiting Shiomi and Morgan's arrival.

His handsome face was expressionless, like a still pond, as he stared silently at his enemies.

Just as the two who stepped out of the car stared back at him.