"Which world's Marduk are you?"
As if hearing something amusing, Marduk's face showed undisguised scorn for Gilgamesh, "What? Is this king's power beyond your imagination?"
"As the Wedge of Heaven, you didn't expect this king's power to surpass yours?"
"The so-called Oldest King? The so-called Golden King? Heh."
His twisted expression conveyed his hatred for Gilgamesh. Marduk's voice was like a vengeful ghost from the deepest abyss, "This king has come to collect his debt, Gilgamesh!"
In Snowfield City, Kirei of the Holy Church was undoubtedly respected by most residents.
Quite upright in character and serious in his work, completely devoid of duplicity, although Kirei was a man without much emotion, from a purely priestly perspective, he was quite responsible.
However, today, the church that should have been filled with confessions and prayers was empty. The reason was reportedly a gas explosion that had reduced the entire church to ruins.
Many people expressed regret while looking from a distance at the devastated church, hoping Father Kotomine could repair it soon.
And atop the ruins of this church.
"King Gilgamesh, that Marduk..."
As the most outstanding executor the Holy Church had produced in recent years, Kirei was very powerful.
Even facing Souichirou, a professional assassin, he held his own without falling behind in the close-quarters combat between the two Masters.
But... the Servant Gilgamesh was not faring well.
After the Holy Grail War countdown began, Marduk, who had previously failed to form an alliance, aggressively charged in and started a fierce battle with Gilgamesh.
Frankly, Kirei initially didn't believe Gilgamesh would lose. He was well aware of Gilgamesh's strength, and aside from that man twenty years ago, he truly couldn't imagine anyone defeating Gilgamesh.
But reality was harsh. Gilgamesh, with the power of a Grand Servant candidate, used all his Noble Phantasms, even wielding Ea, yet he was nearly killed by Marduk.
It was only because Marduk wanted to kill Gilgamesh, not just destroy his wristband to eliminate him, that the King of Heroes wasn't already out of the war.
After the battle ended, Marduk and Kuzuki left the Holy Church after making arrogant declarations.
As for Gilgamesh, after recovering from his injuries, he remained silent within the church.
Somewhat worried about Gilgamesh's state, Kirei said softly, "My King, you..."
"Do not worry about this king, Kotomine."
"If you think this king will be discouraged by this, you underestimate this king too much."
His furrowed brow showed he wasn't feeling great, but more than that, Gilgamesh resented his own incompetence.
Recalling Enkidu's death, he didn't want the pain of losing his best friend to befall him again.
Pondering how to defeat Marduk, the proud Oldest King remembered another person from before.
That man named Animusphere, the power from Chaldea!
…
Inside Snowfield City's largest library.
"Hey, hey, Matsumoto, if you're interested, just go for it!"
"Domoki, stop messing around. I'm not."
"Still denying it? You've been sneaking glances at her. We can all tell."
"That's not sneaking glances!"
As the president of a listed company in Snowfield City, Matsumoto Saburou had many advantages.
In his early thirties, well-proportioned figure, handsome looks, substantial wealth… the typical eligible bachelor, coveted by many women.
Unfortunately, being always overly critical, he had never met a suitable partner, which was why he was still single at this age.
So, with a try-it attitude, his friends Domoki and Mouri dragged him out, saying libraries had elegant, intellectual women and he might just meet someone he liked.
Initially reluctant, but after arriving at the library, Saburou immediately felt the trip was worthwhile.
Because he saw a woman who seemed divine.
"Heavens, is this truly your creation?"
Golden hair shimmered under the sunlight. Her exquisite face couldn't be captured even by the most beautiful painting. Crimson eyes held neither joy nor sorrow. Simply standing there, the woman captured Saburou's gaze.
Seeing Saburou captivated by the woman, his friends Domoki and Mouri teased him.
"Stop talking nonsense."
Full of admiration for the godlike woman, Saburou didn't even dare entertain any fantasies about her. He felt just stealing a glance was enough to satisfy him.
At this moment, there were quite a few people like Saburou around, more or less lingering near Crimson Moon, feeling satisfied just by secretly looking at her.
"Crimson Moon-sama, shall I eliminate these humans?"
Standing behind Crimson Moon, Hope could naturally sense the surrounding humans. Dissatisfied with their presumptuous staring at Crimson Moon, Hope didn't quite understand why Crimson Moon had brought her to a place like the library.
Wouldn't it be better to spend this time at home with their Master? Or teaching Sakura and Rin?
Rarely feeling puzzled by Crimson Moon's actions, Hope didn't voice it, but a trace of curiosity arose in her heart.
"Ignore them."
Closing the book in her hands, Crimson Moon was well aware of the surrounding gazes.
She simply didn't care.
As a True Ancestor, as the Moon King, in Crimson Moon's eyes, humans were undoubtedly a lower species.
Completely beneath her notice, just like if you saw a few ants watching you when you went out, would you care?
Obviously not.
Holding the same mindset, Crimson Moon couldn't even be bothered to pay attention to those humans. Her eyes were only on the books, or rather...
On the Machine Gods!
That's right. The stated purpose of coming out to read was actually false. After all, if she wanted to learn about the Snowfield City World, Crimson Moon could easily read books or browse the internet at the Einzbern Castle… there was no need to come out.
The reason she came out was because Crimson Moon had sensed it… she sensed the aura of the two Machine Gods, Prosperity and Justice, who were enemies back in the Eternal Night Empire, the ones who forced Ryuya to use himself for a mutual demise!
'Prosperity, Justice... How wonderful, to encounter you again.'
'This time... I won't let you escape.'
Her personality... how to describe it? The aloof and coldly elegant Crimson Moon, throughout her life, undoubtedly cared most about Ryuya.
As for Hope, Nero, Sakura, Rin, and others, they were merely extensions of that love. Even Arcueid and Altrouge, in Crimson Moon's eyes, were just her daughters, far incomparable to her husband Ryuya.
She had always held a grudge about what happened back in the Eternal Night Empire. Crimson Moon's current thoughts were simple.
'Machine Gods, I, the Moon King, have emerged. Where are you?'