Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
Within the space of Unlimited Blade Works, Ailin beckoned, and instantly, all the Zanpakutō in the space, except for those on the Sword Hill, rose into the air, hovering over a hundred meters high, their blades all pointed at the Assassins in the distance.
"Gulp…"
One Assassin swallowed hard, the fear in his eyes impossible to conceal.
And he was one of the better ones among the dozens of Assassins.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
More Assassins, intimidated by the sheer number of Zanpakutō, lost their grip on their weapons, letting them fall to the ground within the Reality Marble, producing clear ringing sounds.
"Although, in the first world I lived in, there were rules like 'spare those who lay down their arms' and 'do not kill those who surrender,' I'm afraid this world doesn't seem to have such rules."
"So, my apologies, gentlemen. Since you have drawn your weapons against me, you must surely be prepared to be slain by mine."
With that, Ailin lowered his raised hand.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…"
"Swish, swish, swish, swish…"
In an instant, countless Zanpakutō rained down like a torrential downpour. The Assassins, offering no resistance whatsoever, were instantly pierced by the countless blades, dissolving into pools of blood that flowed through the gaps between the densely packed Zanpakutō.
Having slain the Assassins, Ailin didn't waste any more spiritual pressure maintaining Unlimited Blade Works. The blackish-red light receded, and everyone reappeared in the small garden of the Einzbern castle.
Everyone was in the same position as before.
It was as if the scene of thousands of swords raining down and instantly annihilating the Assassins had been nothing but an illusion.
"Tch, Berserker, what's the point of showing us that if it's no different from not showing us anything?"
Iskandar, the King of Conquerors, clicked his tongue, complaining to Ailin.
"That move of yours is no different from your first battle with Goldy."
"It's just a larger quantity."
While the destructive power of that many swords unleashed simultaneously was comparable to an A+ rank Noble Phantasm, Iskandar, as a wielder of a Reality Marble himself, didn't believe Ailin's Reality Marble was limited to such attacks.
"Ha, I would have liked to show you more of the abilities of my Reality Marble. But, unfortunately, the opponents were far too weak. Even if I wanted to exert myself, they didn't give me the chance."
Ailin shrugged, firmly refusing to take the blame.
"That's true."
Ailin's explanation was accepted by Iskandar.
"Tonight's feast is pretty much over."
"So, gentlemen, are you prepared to depart, or do you wish to continue tonight's unfinished battle?"
Ailin rose, stretched, and addressed the three remaining individuals.
"Although I did unleash my Reality Marble, my current Master is highly skilled. Such expenditure is insignificant to me. So, if you wish to continue fighting, do not feel obliged to consider me."
"Let's not."
Iskandar waved his hand.
"I've had my fill of excitement for tonight's feast. As for the battle, let's leave it for tomorrow. Goldy, if you wish to fight Berserker tonight, I can postpone our battle by a day, to give you ample time to recover."
For Servants, their current forms were merely constructs of magical energy.
Unless they were injured by cursed Noble Phantasms, absorbing more magical energy from their Master would heal their wounds.
"Ha, King of Conquerors, your goading is far too crude."
Gilgamesh hadn't said anything yet, but Ailin couldn't help but interject. "However, I must admit, I've been goaded."
"But, I think, before we debate whether I am inferior to the King of Heroes, I should send you on your way first."
With that, Ailin turned to Irisviel von Einzbern. "Of the Einzberns, I will temporarily borrow your grounds for a battle with this fellow. I trust you have no objections?"
"Rest assured, while I am borrowing your grounds, I will draw this fellow into my Reality Marble. Our battle will not cause any damage to your property."
"Berserker, are you trying to steal my opponent?"
Seeing Ailin and Iskandar about to clash, Gilgamesh frowned.
"Ha, Goldy, did you not hear?"
Hearing Gilgamesh's question, Ailin pointed at Iskandar. "This fellow just said that if we two fight, he will postpone his battle with you by a day. Doesn't that imply he believes I will be defeated and eliminated by you?"
"Can I tolerate such an insult? I feel it necessary to give this fellow another lesson, to make him clearly understand who is stronger between the two of us."
"Ha? Berserker, while I do dislike Rider, I do not believe Rider's words are incorrect. Although your wish is grand in scope, in your current state, you are no match for this king!"
Gilgamesh crossed his arms, looking arrogant.
"Heh, Goldy, if I remember correctly, in our last encounter, if my Master hadn't been ambushed and killed by another magus, you would have even unleashed your most powerful trump card, wouldn't you?"
"Mongrel, do you think you could have survived my attack?"
"Goldy, do you really believe that I, who possesses all the swords in a world, would lack a blade that could match or even surpass that Noble Phantasm of yours?"
"Are you serious? Are you serious?"
"Is the mighty, ancient King Gilgamesh truly so ignorant?"
"Mongrel, it seems that before I deal with that bandit, I must show you what true terror is!"
BOOM!
Immense spiritual pressure erupted from Ailin's body. Irisviel von Einzbern and Waver Velvet were forced back by the sheer force of his aura.
Gilgamesh, unfazed by Ailin's outburst, summoned dozens of spatial ripples behind him.
Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz…
Similarly, dozens of blackish-red spatial ripples appeared behind Ailin.
The tips of countless Zanpakutō, wreathed in blackish-red lightning, emerged from the blackish-red ripples, all aimed at Gilgamesh.
"Irisviel…"
The confrontation between Ailin and Gilgamesh, two top-tier Servants, was far too intense for Irisviel and Waver to withstand.
Artoria placed her hand on the ground and, in a few steps, reached Irisviel's side. She swept her invisible Excalibur, its blade now surrounded by the Boundary Field of the Wind King, to block the pressure emanating from Ailin and Gilgamesh.
"Thank you, Saber."
With Artoria's protection, Irisviel took a few deep breaths to calm herself.
On the other side, Waver, lacking Iskandar's protection, had been knocked unconscious by the force of their combined auras. Iskandar, chagrined, slapped his forehead and picked up Waver, carrying him on his shoulder.
"Berserker, Goldy, I had intended to stay and watch your battle, but my little Master is far too uncooperative. I must depart for now. Rest assured, if you fight today, I will postpone my battle with the victor until the day after tomorrow."
With that, Iskandar's casual attire instantly transformed into his armor and cloak.
He drew his sword and slashed downwards.
The next moment, two bulls with hooves of lightning, pulling the Gordius Wheel, descended from the sky, stopping beside Iskandar.
"King of Conquerors, you are truly cowardly."
Seeing Iskandar instigate a conflict between himself and Gilgamesh, only to then retreat, Ailin couldn't help but mock him.
However, with dozens of Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasms pointed at him, Ailin didn't press the issue, didn't try to force Iskandar to join the fight.
While the possibility was slim, if Gilgamesh and Iskandar cooperated, if Gilgamesh provided the Noble Phantasms from his Gate of Babylon to the soldiers within Iskandar's King's Army… their combined power would be something even Ailin couldn't underestimate.
"Tokiomi, you dare…"
Just as Ailin prepared to engage Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh's face contorted in rage. He then dissolved into countless golden particles.
Clearly, Gilgamesh's Master, Tokiomi Tohsaka, had used a Command Spell to forcibly recall him.
Seeing this, Ailin shook his head.
Tokiomi Tohsaka was truly courting death.
The Servants summoned by the Grail were, in reality, merely fragments of the true Heroic Spirits' existence, snapshots from specific points in their lives.
Unfortunately, the snakeskin Tokiomi had used to summon Gilgamesh had drawn forth a version of the King of Heroes from a period of extreme tyranny, following Enkidu's death.
Obedience wasn't necessarily a virtue, but defiance was a guarantee of death!
If Gilgamesh had previously viewed Kirei Kotomine as interesting, after seeing his true nature through the "Omniscient Omnipotent Star," wanting to observe his awakening…
Now, after being forcibly recalled by Tokiomi Tohsaka using a Command Spell, Gilgamesh had undoubtedly marked Tokiomi for death.
A mere subject, daring to threaten his king? Death was the only fitting punishment!
Of course, Tokiomi's decision to use a Command Spell to forcibly recall Gilgamesh was also influenced by his upbringing and education.
In Tokiomi's view, the Servants summoned by the Grail weren't truly Heroic Spirits.
As one of the three founding families who had created the Greater Grail, Tokiomi found it difficult to respect the Servants summoned by his family's creation.
Even knowing he had summoned the most ancient of kings, and adopting the role of a subservient vassal, Tokiomi still viewed Servants as mere tools, albeit useful ones.
Archer was obedient, and Tokiomi was happy to save his Command Spells.
However, if Archer's actions deviated from Tokiomi's plans, he wouldn't hesitate to use a Command Spell to remind Archer who, under the Grail system, was truly in charge.
After all, Command Spells had been created specifically to control unruly Servants.
Tokiomi was confident that with three Command Spells, he could completely control Archer.
Unfortunately, Tokiomi didn't know that even though the Servants summoned by the Grail were merely fragments of the Heroic Spirits' existence, their consciousness, personality, and methods were identical to the originals.
As the most ancient king, Gilgamesh could tolerate advice from his subjects, but he would never forgive anyone who dared to coerce him.
With Gilgamesh's disappearance, the spatial ripples of the Gate of Babylon also gradually faded.
"King of Knights, what about you? Do you wish to fight?"
With Iskandar and Gilgamesh gone, Ailin turned his attention to Artoria.
"Let's not, Berserker. I do not trust Rider."
Artoria shook her head. "Until Rider is eliminated, I do not intend to fight you."
Indeed, Iskandar's actions tonight had completely eroded Artoria's trust.
The feast had been organized by Iskandar.
Before the feast began, he had declared his intention to choose the Grail's owner without bloodshed.
However, upon learning that the Grail already had an owner, Iskandar immediately discarded his own rules, intending to seize the Grail from its owner, Gilgamesh.
He didn't even consider his actions dishonorable, instead claiming such duplicity as his "kingly way" of "conquest."
From this, Artoria saw that Iskandar was an extreme egoist.
He would set rules for others to follow.
But if those rules became disadvantageous to him, he would disregard them, acting capriciously.
He had even instigated conflict between Berserker and Gilgamesh after setting a date for their duel, hoping to profit from their demise.
If Archer's Master hadn't used a Command Spell to forcibly recall Archer, this place might have already become a battlefield between Berserker and Archer.
"Alright."
Although Ailin was confident he could defeat Artoria and then eliminate Iskandar, he didn't force the issue since Artoria had no intention of fighting.
After all, it was only a matter of a few days.
With a wave of his hand, the spatial ripples behind Ailin also dissipated.
"Speaking of which, I also dislike that fellow. Unfortunately, Gilgamesh beat me to it."
Ailin said, somewhat regretfully.
"Oh? Berserker, you believe Rider is no match for Archer?"
Artoria looked at Ailin, surprised.
From the previous situation, it was clear that Iskandar didn't believe he would lose to the King of Heroes.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have challenged him.
But from Berserker's words, Artoria could tell that Berserker believed Rider would be killed by Archer.
"Yes."
Ailin nodded.
"Rider's greatest reliance is his Reality Marble, 'Ionioi Hetairoi'. Its effect is to summon the army that fought alongside him, to attack the enemy together."