At the forefront of the Demonic Front.
Under the command of the Servant Leonidas I, Uruk's soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder in disciplined ranks. At his order, the well-trained warriors raised their spears, forming a phalanx that charged forward, cutting down the encroaching demonic beasts.
These spear-wielding soldiers rotated seamlessly, functioning like a well-oiled war machine, relentlessly reaping the lives of the beasts on the battlefield.
The muscular warrior struck his round shield with his spear, producing a resounding clang.
Leonidas bellowed to the valiant soldiers below, "Where are we?!"
"Uruk!!!"
"And what are you, soldiers?!!"
"Sparta!!!"
"Sparta!!!"
"…"
Amid the warrior's rallying cries, the soldiers of Uruk's battle line ignited with fierce resolve, raising their weapons in a thunderous war cry that shook the sky.
Even Roy and Gilgamesh, observing from a distance, couldn't help but be stirred by the fervor.
"What an exceptional general…"
"Indeed, Leonidas is a truly outstanding leader. It's precisely because he oversees the Demonic Front that I can focus on affairs in the divine tower, ensuring Uruk's operations continue smoothly."
Gilgamesh nodded at Roy's praise, clearly pleased with the excellent card he'd drawn.
As the attacking beasts below were nearly cleared by the soldiers, the two leapt down from the high wall, swiftly approaching Leonidas I.
"Hm?"
Sensing someone approaching, Leonidas turned warily, surprised to see his commander, Gilgamesh.
"My king? At this hour, shouldn't you be in the divine tower…?"
Gilgamesh was known to spend nearly twenty-four hours a day in the tower, handling affairs to keep Uruk running. His presence here was unexpected.
"Tedious affairs can wait. I have more pressing matters to entrust to you."
"Allow me to introduce, this is the new king of Ur, our current ally. Soon, many soldiers will reinforce the Demonic Front. You'll need to take extra care, understood, Leonidas I?"
"The king of Ur?"
Leonidas glanced at Gilgamesh beside Roy.
With King of Uruk vouching for him, this young man was undoubtedly an ally. Still, what exactly had happened…?
Though the specifics eluded Leonidas, knowing Roy was a partner bringing many soldiers was enough.
"Greetings, King of Ur. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Leonidas I. As you see, I, along with Archer, command this front. My primary duties are training recruits and leading these lads against the demonic beast assaults."
As he spoke, Leonidas extended his hand. Out of courtesy, Roy clasped it in return.
"Greetings, my name is Roy, currently the king of Ur. I entrust the soldiers and upcoming battles to your care, Mr. Leonidas."
"Hahaha, of course! Send as many lads from Ur as you like. I'll train them in a way even more Spartan than Sparta itself, turning every one into a warrior who can stand on their own."
"That's reassuring."
Seeing Leonidas's brimming confidence, Roy returned a smile.
But then, Gilgamesh scanned the surroundings, speaking with a hint of surprise.
"Leonidas, where's Archer? Why isn't he on the front at this hour? Is he elsewhere?"
Looking around the Demonic Front and finding no trace of Archer, Gilgamesh was puzzled.
Normally, that divinely gifted hero would be guarding the line alongside Leonidas.
Missing today?
Had he gone off to slack like Merlin?
No, impossible.
Gilgamesh knew that hero, powerful, disciplined, and above all, obedient. The best card he'd drawn. He wouldn't mimic Merlin's laziness.
His absence was surprising.
"Archer, huh…"
At Gilgamesh's mention of Archer, missing since yesterday, Leonidas's expression grew odd, unsure how to address what had happened.
Though Archer had insisted he not tell Gilgamesh, with the king asking directly, there was no avoiding it.
After gathering his thoughts, Leonidas explained hesitantly, "Actually, since yesterday noon, while I was commanding the soldiers against the beasts, I noticed Archer seemed distracted."
"I asked what was wrong, but he just shook his head, refusing to speak. Then, not long after, a surge of immense fiery magical energy erupted above the Demonic Front. Though I couldn't see the figure clearly, their power was undeniable, and the golden spear they wielded gave off a terrifying aura. It was even more fearsome than the beast leader Archer defeated recently."
"When Archer sensed that energy, he lost control. Without a word, he charged into the sky, engaging that fiery figure in fierce combat."
"I thought it might be a powerful foe sent by the beasts and wanted to assist, but Archer sharply ordered me to stay out of it, saying it was his fight alone. The opponent didn't seem to be from the beast side either. With such power, they could've razed the front in an instant, causing heavy casualties. Instead, they deliberately moved the battle into the beast horde, avoiding harm to Uruk's soldiers."
"Archer also insisted I not report this to you, so I didn't inform Head Priestess Siduri."
Recalling the strange events of yesterday noon, Leonidas was at a loss.
The opponent had come with hostility, no doubt, but clearly wasn't aligned with the beasts. Otherwise, they wouldn't have bothered shifting the battlefield to avoid harming Uruk's soldiers.
Yet that red figure clearly had a personal grudge with Archer. Their clash was filled with lethal strikes, each aiming to destroy the other.
By moving the fight into the beast horde, half the beasts yesterday perished in the fallout of their battle.
Now, both missing, they were likely still fighting somewhere in the Mesopotamian plains.
"A mysterious Servant wreathed in solar flames, wielding a golden spear…"
The description sparked an uneasy premonition in Roy's heart.
Recalling Karna's unusual behavior at the time, and noting it was around noon, the timing aligned perfectly.
Could it be…?
"King Gil, I have a question…"
A troubling possibility struck Roy, and he turned his stiffening neck toward Gilgamesh.
"Don't call me that, fool! Ask quickly."
"The Archer you summoned… his True Name wouldn't be-"
"Arjuna!!!"
"Karna!!!"
Before Roy could finish, two terrifying surges of magical energy erupted in the distant sky.
A red and a blue light collided at blinding speed in midair, then crashed into the beast tide below.
Instantly, flames and energy soared, dancing together across the vast sky.
___
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