She knew the opponent was a Servant, and judging by the aura, it had to be either Saber or Archer... Since she wasn't wielding a sword, Archer seemed more likely. What baffled her, however, was the feeling that her very life was being held in the palm of this person’s hand, as if she could be killed at any moment!

"Mongrel, you are not qualified to know my identity." The golden girl sneered dismissively. Without making any visible move, fiery, bizarre energy erupted on either side of her, swirling like separate dimensions. Then, in the very next instant, blades and implements flashed forth, shimmering brilliantly from within that strange space.

Sheathed swords, menacing lances—every piece of weaponry was dazzlingly decorated, radiating an undeniable surge of magic power that screamed they were no ordinary arms, but... Noble Phantasms!

"What! These are Noble Phantasms?!"

Even Illya was struck dumb by the sight... Noble Phantasms, the ultimate armament of a Servant, the very essence that defined them. Generally, even powerful Servants were exceptional to possess three or four; weaker ones often boasted only one. But this girl before her... her collection of Noble Phantasms was so vast it defied calculation!

This Servant was completely outside the norm.

The King of Heroes! Gilgamesh!

Illya instantly recognized the true identity of the Servant before her.

Yes, this girl was the strongest Servant from the Fourth Holy Grail War, the one who remained until the very end—Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes.

In the Fourth Holy Grail War, the King of Heroes had deployed the Gate of Babylon countless times, yet few recognized her true identity back then; even other Servants remained ignorant until the King of Conquerors later deduced it from her demeanor and speech. But Illya had seen through it instantly. This wasn't because Illya possessed greater insight than the Servants, but because she knew the history of the Fourth Holy Grail War.

While not entirely comprehensive, she knew the Servants involved nearly inside and out.

A Servant possessing countless Noble Phantasms. There was only one such Hero!

Facing the King of Heroes’ scornful gaze, Illya glared back stubbornly, like a child who had been wronged, before swiftly leaping down from the Giant's shoulder. "Berserker, destroy her!"

Though this was her first encounter with the King of Heroes, and she had never truly fought her, Illya understood the Servant’s unconventional and overwhelming strength, so she commanded Berserker to attack without hesitation.

"Roar!!" Obeying its Master's order, Berserker let out a monstrous bellow and brought the stone sword in its hand crashing down heavily toward the golden girl ahead.

"Hmph, mongrel!" The King of Heroes maintained her arrogant posture, utterly ignoring Berserker's ferocious assault. She merely raised her right hand slightly, and the infinite armaments flanking her shot out like a volley of arrows... Shu-shu-shu-shu!

Clang! Berserker's stone sword was instantaneously blocked, and its massive frame was jolted backward. The remaining Noble Phantasms then pierced its body... Its enormous size offered no advantage now; instead, it became a target.

"Berserker!" Illya watched in disbelief. She knew the King of Heroes was strong, but she hadn't expected her to instantly dispatch a monster like Heracles so easily.

"Berserker! Stand up!" Illya clenched her fists tightly and shouted.

"Roar!!!" As if responding to the girl's call, the seemingly dead Berserker roared once more. A barbaric aura swept out, violently throwing off the Noble Phantasms embedded in its body.

Though killed once, Berserker, possessing the revival Noble Phantasm 'The Twelve Labors,' would not perish so easily unless someone managed to kill him instantly twelve times, or continuously twelve times. Moreover, with each subsequent resurrection, he would grow stronger.

"Hmph," The King of Heroes merely sneered, showing no surprise at Berserker’s revival. She simply swept her hand forward again, and the endless stream of Noble Phantasms shot out once more.

Clang-clang-clang-clang!

Berserker swung his stone sword, deflecting the bombardment of countless Noble Phantasms. While he had been instantly defeated the first time, his Twelve Labors granted him not only enhanced physicality and resurrection but also an ability to nullify attacks—meaning "an attack suffered once will not work a second time." Even if something as powerful as Ea struck him down, upon revival, Ea would become ineffective.

Thus, this time, the King of Heroes could not dispatch him so easily.

But!

The Gate of Babylon was endless, and every Noble Phantasm was different. Even if the previous weapons failed, more could still be utilized. Despite Berserker’s heroism, under the onslaught of countless Noble Phantasms, he was finally defeated again.

Then Berserker revived... grew stronger... was killed... revived... grew stronger... was killed... This cycle continued endlessly.

Against the dominant King of Heroes, even Heracles transformed into a monster was thoroughly suppressed.

This was not to say Heracles was weak; among all Servants in the Nasuverse, he ranked easily within the top five. Even though madness stripped him of his reason, and he lacked the Archer class best suited for him—thus forfeiting his most trusted Noble Phantasm, 'Nine Lives'—his inherent physical strength as a Berserker reached the pinnacle among all Servants, capable of sweeping away almost any opponent.

A monster untouchable even by other Servants—that was Heracles, the Berserker!

Any Servant struck by a casual blow from his current form would face only death. Even the King of Heroes was no exception. However, no matter how immense the power, it had to land a hit!

Heracles, relying solely on melee combat, could not bring his full fighting capability to bear against the mid-to-long range of the King of Heroes. All he could do was press forward, step by agonizing step... His body pierced, his head blown off, his limbs severed—he could only advance, advance, and advance!

Yet, that short distance of barely fifteen meters felt like an impassable gulf guarded by the Gate of Babylon.

Death... revival... death... revival... This cycle had already reached the eighth iteration. Just four more, and he would vanish from this world.

"Berserker..." Watching the tragic scene unfold, Illya felt fear for the first time. She tightly clenched her fists, her gaze fixed on the Giant’s silhouette ahead, whispering his name.

But Berserker could not hear her. Amidst such fierce combat, his only target was the golden girl opposite him. Once he closed the distance, once he reached her attack range, he could strike her down in one blow... Fulfilling his mission, protecting his Master, death held no fear!

Step by painful step, he drew closer.

Ten meters... nine... eight... seven... six... He utterly ignored the barrage of Noble Phantasms raining down like a storm. Even riddled with various blades, he showed no sign of retreat. Finally, his bloodied form neared the enemy ahead.

One strike! Just one more hit!

"Enkidu!"

However, the very moment Berserker raised the stone sword in his hand high above his head, the King of Heroes suddenly shouted. Immediately, massive chains materialized in the air, instantly binding his body tightly.

Berserker struggled violently, but it was useless.

"Once bound by these chains, even a god cannot escape," the King of Heroes declared proudly, crossing her arms. Compared to Ea, she trusted this Noble Phantasm more; it was her favored weapon, functioning as a 'Discipline for Gods.' The higher the divinity of the captured target, the greater the chains' resilience; it was a legendary armament meant to bind the divine.

And Heracles, possessing A-rank Divinity, faced his absolute nemesis in the Chains of Heaven!

"Die!"

The next moment, at the King of Heroes' command, more Noble Phantasms shot towards Berserker. Unable to move, Berserker became an absolute target. His limbs, torso, and head were impaled by various swords.

Boom!

Following this, the body, now bristling with weapons, exploded outward with countless streams of magic power... Four times. In a single attack, Berserker’s final four lives were extinguished.

"Berserker!" Behind the Giant, Illya cried out, her voice filled with anguish.

In his final moments, the reason lost to madness seemed to return to Berserker. Hearing the familiar voice, he slowly turned his monstrous face, revealing a gentle smile... Regardless of the outcome, he had never retreated. He had fought bravely, successfully fulfilling his mission. At least, before his disappearance, the one he was meant to protect remained unharmed.

That was enough.

Yes, though perhaps lacking in raw power, he had given his utmost effort to protect his Master. No one could fault him for that.

Then, as the Chains of Heaven were withdrawn, Berserker's colossal body collapsed heavily.

"Berserker!" Illya rushed forward, extending her hands as if to catch the Giant, but before her fingers could make contact, Berserker’s form dissolved into motes of light, vanishing into the air.

Thud. Illya’s knees buckled, and she sank to the ground. She stared blankly at the fading light points, tears welling in her eyes, yet she couldn't utter a single word.

Because she had violated the rules, summoning Berserker a year early using her own Command Spells, powered by her mana rather than the Holy Grail, she endured immense pain with every movement Berserker made, lacking the Grail's support.

Initially, when summoned, Berserker retained his clarity and enjoyed conversing with Illya. But the sheer agony of his existence, coupled with her disdain for his grotesque appearance, filled her with revulsion, making her unwilling to even speak to him.

Only after she mastered her Master abilities and endured the hellish training of the Einzbern family alongside Berserker did she gradually grow fond of him... Not the affection between lovers, but the bond of family. This ugly Giant was someone she could trust and rely upon.

At that time, Berserker had already been completely consumed by madness, rendering normal conversation impossible. But at least they could be together, so while Illya felt disappointment, she could accept it. Now, however, her only friend, her only kin, the one person she could depend on, had completely vanished before her eyes, just as it had ten years prior.

"Liar... liar... everyone is a liar! They are all the same... They promised to stay together forever, they promised we would meet again soon after parting... Lies, all lies..." Illya knelt on the ground, murmuring like a soulless puppet.

"Stand up, doll." At that moment, the King of Heroes walked up to the girl.

Illya looked up at the lofty Servant... The moment Berserker vanished, she felt she had lost everything; even her own life seemed meaningless. But the coldness in the other's gaze triggered a primal fear within her.

The fear that she could die at any second.

"No! No! Don't..." Illya instinctively cried out, her voice laced with helplessness that begged for pity.

Yet, the King of Heroes merely scoffed. Whether as a human or now as a Servant, as the oldest King, she had ended countless lives. Such fragile sounds would never move her.

"Your journey ends here," the King of Heroes stated flatly, reaching out her hand...

Swish!

But just then, a beam of light shot down from above, aiming directly for the King of Heroes. The sharp sound of air being cleaved apart made her instinctively look up, and she rapidly retreated.

Thud. Where the King of Heroes had stood moments before, a small arrow was now embedded in the ground.

"Who dares interrupt this King?!" The King of Heroes frowned deeply and shouted.

Then, a calm voice sounded out: "There is an agreement between parties that Servants should not interfere in each other's battles. After all, if a Servant falls, they merely return to the Throne of Heroes. So, I have been watching the entire time. But this Holy Grail War is different. There is a rule here... No Servant, under any circumstance, may murder a Master, or they will face severe punishment. So, since I currently have no desire to fight, you should scramble off as far away as possible, little girl."

Simultaneously, a figure appeared on the second floor of the castle: a young woman with silver-white hair, wearing a nurse's cap and clad in a red-and-purple uniform adorned with Bagua and star patterns. The girl held a wooden bow, gazing calmly and indifferently down at the King of Heroes.

"You wretched mongrel!" The King of Heroes was furious. When had she, the oldest King, ever been treated with such contempt? She immediately prepared to unleash the Gate of Babylon and execute the person before her.

But before she could move, the girl who had been on the second floor instantly appeared right in front of her. Slap! With a crisp, clean motion, she delivered a resounding slap across the King of Heroes’ face.

"You spew 'mongrel' with every other breath, you utterly ignorant brat. Did your elders never teach you anything about manners?"

"You..." The King of Heroes touched her cheek, her rage instantly boiling over.

Slap!

The girl countered with a backhand slap, striking so hard the King of Heroes saw stars. "I said, you can leave now while you still can. If you utter another nonsense word, I won't let you go so easily."

The King of Heroes had no idea what situation she was in, nor who this woman was. After two slaps, she forgot everything else; she only wanted to tear this woman to pieces... From childhood through her life as a Servant, not even Gaia had struck her like this!

"Chains of Heaven!"

Without hesitation, the King of Heroes once again employed her most trusted Noble Phantasm, instantly binding the girl in the uniform tightly. However, the other woman didn't even spare it a glance. With a slight tremor, the chains that rendered Heracles powerless shattered into pieces with a loud clatter.

"Wh-what...?!" The King of Heroes' expression changed dramatically.

"Hmph. The Chains of Heaven might be effective against those with divinity, but to me, they are mere scrap iron. The Moon has mountains of junk like this," the girl in the uniform stated coolly.

"Who exactly are you?" The King of Heroes, though prone to chuunibyou tendencies, was no fool. Although the Chains of Heaven were an armament against gods, they shouldn't break so easily against a non-divine being. She immediately judged the girl before her to be unfathomably powerful and cautiously retreated, asking in a deep voice.

"An Adjuster. Hachii Eirin," the girl replied.

The strength of the girls arriving from Gensokyo varied. Some were restricted to levels comparable to local Servants, while others retained their incredibly potent power. Hachii Eirin was one of the latter.

Naturally possessing a genius-level intellect, her strength had advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years. She was now superior to most Hosts and fully qualified to stand alongside the two Counter Guardians. Even though her power was suppressed due to her status as a Servant, it was still far beyond what a mere 'Gilgamesh' could contend with.

Precisely because her strength as a Servant was so overwhelming, she was not included among the summonable Servants. Instead, she was deployed as an Adjuster... Simply put, she followed Lin Luo, the organizer of the game, acting as an online GM within the Holy Grail War, specifically tasked with handling matters Lin Luo couldn't attend to directly.

Such as this moment.

"As an Adjuster, while I cannot directly intervene in your battles, if you violate the rules, I have the absolute authority to impose sanctions. So then... little girl, are you choosing to leave now, or challenge me, the Adjuster?"

Hachii Eirin regarded the King of Heroes composedly. Having existed for hundreds of millions of years—perhaps even longer than Gaia—addressing the golden flash as 'little girl' was entirely natural.