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After three days of travel, Shirou Emiya's group finally arrived outside the city of Uruk.
Along the way, monster attacks had been frequent. None of them were minor. Yet under Shirou Emiya's protection, not a single person was injured. Through those shared battles, the atmosphere among the five had quietly changed. The tension that once lingered between them had faded, replaced by a natural sense of coordination.
That was precisely why Shirou Emiya had not chosen to use a flying vehicle from the start.
Some things needed time.
Looking ahead, Mash narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Um... it looks like they're checking everyone entering the city."
She turned to Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"What should we do, Senpai?"
Ritsuka crossed his arms, thinking.
"...Yeah, getting in normally seems like a hassle."
He hesitated, then spoke again.
"How about we sneak in?"
"No need to complicate things."
Shirou Emiya interrupted calmly.
He turned his head toward Merlin.
"Wasn't Merlin summoned by Uruk and acting as their court mage?"
Merlin blinked.
"Then," Shirou continued, "he should've brought some form of identification with him, right?"
At those words, both Ritsuka and Mash turned to look at Merlin.
"...Really, Mr. Merlin?"
Their gazes were filled with doubt.
"Ehehe."
Merlin scratched his cheek, putting on an exaggeratedly innocent expression.
That reaction alone was enough.
Ritsuka and Mash exchanged glances.
Shirou had guessed correctly.
At the same time, the image of Merlin as an unreliable adult sank even deeper into their minds.
"Ow!"
Merlin suddenly yelped.
Fou had leapt up and scratched his face without mercy.
"Fou, come back."
Mash quickly called out.
Then she looked at Merlin.
"Merlin, please hurry and negotiate with the city guards."
"Yes, yes, yes."
With no room left to dodge responsibility, Merlin stopped pretending. After a brief, chaotic tussle with Fou, he bent down, picked up the staff that had fallen to the ground, and walked toward the guards.
With Merlin handling the negotiations and Siduri, the priestess of Uruk, guiding them, the group was allowed to enter the city.
The moment they passed through the gates, a wave of vitality washed over them.
Uruk was lively.
Voices calling out prices echoed through the streets. The sound of metal striking metal rang constantly in the air. Everywhere they looked, people were moving with purpose.
Shirou Emiya scanned the faces of the citizens.
There was no despair.
No resignation.
Everyone looked alive.
At the same time, the city's structure stood out. The layout was precise, efficient, clearly designed with intent. Defensive routes, supply paths, residential blocks-everything was arranged with care.
At a glance, this city fully deserved its reputation as a fortress built for war.
"Alright," Merlin said cheerfully, clapping his hands together. "Next, let's go meet the king of Uruk."
"Then please lead the way, Mr. Merlin."
Ritsuka nodded.
Considering the era they were in, meeting the king was unavoidable. If they wanted to borrow the strength of this age, they had to start there.
With Merlin leading, the group headed toward the Divine Tower where Gilgamesh resided.
Along the way, soldiers greeted them enthusiastically. Their expressions were bright, their movements sharp.
Below the Divine Tower, however, the atmosphere shifted slightly.
Several priestesses deliberately avoided Merlin's gaze.
"...Oh?" Shirou glanced sideways. "Merlin, looks like you're being shunned."
"Nonsense," Merlin replied without hesitation. "I'm everyone's big brother."
Shirou gave a small laugh.
The casual banter eased the lingering tension in Ritsuka and Mash's chests.
Although Shirou Emiya had mentioned before that King Gilgamesh should currently be in his wise king phase, memories of the king's past behavior still made them uneasy.
But standing here now, surrounded by the city's vitality, they felt themselves gradually calm down.
Once inside the Divine Tower, voices echoed continuously.
"Don't make me repeat myself. Battle reports must be as fresh as possible. Updates are not to slacken."
"The busier we are, the fewer chances they'll have."
"If you want an easy battle, then don't stop moving."
"Yes, sir. Secretary's clay tablet production interval adjusted to one hour. Transportation units increased by three carts."
"Good. Next item."
"Is this today's overview of material transport?"
"It appears the materials bound for Eresh have been delayed. Monsters may have nested in the streets."
"Dispatch twenty men from the East Gate barracks."
"Assign it to Tim. That's his hometown. He'll be more familiar with the area."
"Hmph. What is this foolish delay?"
"Why hasn't the poisonous dragon's corpse been sent to E-anna yet?"
"The scholars are too idle."
"Now is the time for them to put those clever little minds to work."
Shirou Emiya and the others stood quietly at the side, listening.
Under Gilgamesh's command, issue after issue was handled without pause. Orders flowed seamlessly, covering everything from military logistics to civilian safety.
He even addressed matters related to childbirth among the city's women.
"What should we do..."
Ritsuka muttered under his breath.
"I feel like we can't even get a word in."
The atmosphere left no room for outsiders.
"Haha," Merlin laughed softly. "When dealing with this king, don't bother reading the mood."
He leaned forward slightly.
"You must act decisively. He doesn't care about your feelings."
"So-"
"So?" Ritsuka and Mash looked at him blankly.
In response, Merlin raised his voice.
"King Gilgamesh! Merlin has brought guests back!"
The entire hall seemed to pause for half a beat.
"You're busy? Of course you are."
Merlin waved his hand casually.
"No need to worry. I'll bring them over now."
He turned back and winked at the two.
"Let's go."
Before either Ritsuka or Mash could react, Merlin grabbed Ritsuka's arm and pulled him forward.
"W-wait-!"
Ritsuka stumbled, completely caught off guard.
Mash followed in a fluster, her steps hurried.
Watching the scene unfold from behind, Shirou Emiya let out a quiet sigh.
"As expected of you, Merlin."
"When it comes to bullying people..."
"You're truly a master."
Putting himself in Ritsuka's position, Shirou felt a secondhand sense of discomfort.
When it came to pranks, Merlin was undeniably a professional.
...
Following Merlin and Ritsuka to the center of the Divine Tower, Shirou Emiya stopped.
He leaned against a nearby pillar.
From here, he could see everything clearly.
He had no intention of stepping forward.
What was about to happen was not something he had the standing to interfere with.
Soon after, upon seeing Ritsuka and Mash, Gilgamesh decided to test their strength personally.
Time was precious.
He had none to spare on prolonged explanations.
Merlin, reading the situation instantly, arranged for Ana to join as well.
Thus, the spectacle began.
Gilgamesh versus Mash and Ana.
As expected, the gap was overwhelming.
Mash and Ana were completely outmatched.
Gilgamesh's dissatisfaction was evident. To him, Chaldea's strength was insufficient. He made his intent clear-he would expel them.
Ritsuka, however, refused to back down.
He argued earnestly.
He spoke of their mission.
Their resolve.
Their necessity.
Then came Ishtar.
She descended noisily, caused a stir, and disrupted the already tense atmosphere. But upon realizing Ana's true identity, she chose to withdraw.
Throughout the entire sequence, Shirou Emiya remained silent.
He simply watched.
Eventually, after some discussion, Gilgamesh made his decision.
Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others would start from basic chores.
No special treatment.
No shortcuts.
He instructed the priestess Siduri to oversee them properly.
Once Ritsuka, Mash, Merlin, and Ana left the hall, the atmosphere shifted.
The hall grew quiet.
Gilgamesh's gaze moved.
It settled on Shirou Emiya.
His expression turned solemn.
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