Episode 262: The King of Heroes - Archer Gilgamesh' Arrives to Aid the Battle!
『 "Let, this King lend you a hand!" That familiar and majestic voice echoed through the air.
"Servant Archer, the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh!" His identity required no further explanation; everyone present recognized the heroic bearing of this legendary king.
"I only came because it was far too noisy here…" Although his tone held a hint of playfulness, anyone could tell he was masking his true emotions.
Under Gilgamesh's full-strength rescue, Tiamat, who had been on the verge of escaping the Underworld, was once again struck down onto this land of deathly silence.
With this, the situation began to gradually turn for the better.
Not only that, as Gilgamesh unleashed indiscriminate attacks without mercy, several Lahmu had already fallen beneath those shimmering, infinitely powerful Noble Phantasms.
The Lahmu, who originally possessed eleven individuals strong enough to rival the leaders of the Demon Gods, were now few in number after several intense exchanges.
Yet even so, the Uruk side had almost exhausted all of their own magical energy.
On the battlefield, except for the newly arrived Gilgamesh, all participants had just undergone a fierce battle against the Lahmu, consuming a massive amount of energy.
Now, the final step to decide victory or defeat was approaching.
Would it be a victory belonging to the human world, or the reign of the ancient primordial goddess, Tiamat?
The answer was about to be unveiled.
On the desolate surface of the Underworld, whether it was the Primordial Goddess Tiamat, Chaldea representing the power of modern civilization, or the people of Uruk guarding the honor of an ancient kingdom, they all knew how agonizing the consequences of failure would be.
In order to fulfill their mission, everyone gritted their teeth and persevered; not a single person dared to easily admit defeat at this moment.
For Fujimaru Ritsuka and his companions, they only needed to observe carefully, analyze Tiamat's next possible strategy, and then take corresponding counter-measures.
The longer they delayed, the better, because Tiamat, being in the Underworld, was constantly enduring extremely painful mental torture and physical punishment; she could not hold out indefinitely.
Regardless, things had progressed to the final moment.
Fujimaru Ritsuka's gaze was like a torch, tightly locked onto Tiamat's figure, giving the opponent no opening to exploit. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "How strange, he was clearly someone who had passed away, yet now he appears here to join the fight." ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "This is actually a very good thing; they were just one step away." ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "Now with the support of this King, they can be even more powerful." ]
[ Tokiwa Sougo (Kamen Rider): "Good luck!" ]
[ .....]
〜Oregairu World〜
Service Club—
"I didn't expect… There to be such a dramatic turn of events…"
Yukino Yukinoshita, who had been resting her chin on her hand and remaining silent for a long while, was currently pondering where that gold-clad fellow had suddenly popped out from.
"Hahaha, Yukinon, you probably look down on these kinds of shows… just like idol dramas, there always have to be some twists and turns to keep the audience hooked."
Beside her, Yui Yuigahama felt that the brooding Yukino Yukinoshita was simply too cute at that moment.
Of course, it was only after seeing Gilgamesh arrive again that the atmosphere of the Service Club shifted; after all, having never experienced combat themselves, they couldn't help but feel distressed seeing such things.
Yukino Yukinoshita searched her memories and realized… she really hadn't watched many of these shows. In her heart, she had always felt they were both childish and unrealistic, and that it was better to do something to improve oneself.
However, seeing so many people from different worlds in the comments section, her thoughts changed.
So… there really were people different from them, who were always in dangerous situations, even losing their lives because of it… just like soldiers.
Furthermore… Yukino Yukinoshita, who had previously been very resistant to watching such 'childish films' and felt it was better to read more books to improve herself, was at this moment deeply immersed in the video.
After all, the fact that she could ask a question proved she was thinking and watching seriously.
"Yuigahama, do you know?"
Yukino Yukinoshita asked this question for the second time.
Although she disliked relying on others, this matter was indeed outside her area of expertise. For a stubborn person like her, if she didn't figure it out, she probably wouldn't be able to sleep at night.
"Hahaha… hahaha… haha… I don't know…"
While laughing, she responded to Yukino Yukinoshita's question. But then again, how would a simple-minded Yui know?
Yukino Yukinoshita showed a helpless expression, pressing her middle finger against her temple and shaking her head in resignation.
Then… the eyes of both girls turned toward the '8-man,' Hachiman Hikigaya, who was resting his face on one hand.
Looking at his reaction, he probably hadn't heard their conversation at all.
Even if the video was interesting… There was no need to be that focused.
The two girls' gazes were secretly fixed upon Hachiman Hikigaya.
Feeling a chill down his spine, Hachiman Hikigaya finally snapped out of it at that moment.
Seeing the hateful looks the two were casting his way, Hachiman was stunned…
He hadn't done anything, yet he was being stared at like this. It didn't seem quite fair.
"What is it…?"
Asking this, Hachiman's heart suddenly felt very guilty. Although he didn't know what he had done wrong, he felt something was off.
"It seems Hikigaya-kun is very focused indeed!"
Yukino Yukinoshita spoke while flashing that terrifying smile, making Hachiman's skin crawl.
And even more terrifyingly… Yui Yuigahama, beside her, also nodded with a similarly 'cute' smile.
While both girls before him were undeniably rare beauties, when they wore those smiles, Hachiman only felt terror.
Whether it was a loss of humanity or a moral decline, Hachiman instantly turned his head away, no longer meeting their gazes.
And all of this was seen by the two girls.
"Hikki… that's very rude!"
"Hikigaya-kun, please turn your head back…"
The summons from the two girls echoed in Hachiman Hikigaya's ears like the voices of witches.
Though he felt afraid, at this moment, it seemed he had no choice but to comply.
After a fierce mental struggle, Hachiman Hikigaya finally turned his head back slowly, but he kept his head lowered to avoid direct eye contact.
I didn't do anything wrong… Hachiman Hikigaya sensed something was amiss at this moment.
Yeah… what did I do wrong?
I might be a bit of a failure as a person, but it's not like I'm a monster… these two!!
"Alright, alright… I'll stop teasing you, Hikki."
Just as Hachiman Hikigaya was about to stand his ground for once, the atmosphere suddenly changed, leaving him unable to react.
"However, I didn't expect Hikigaya-kun to have such a worm-like side to him. It's truly frightening…"
Yukino Yukinoshita covered her mouth with her hand, speaking with a hint of mockery, even stepping back slightly to express her 'fear.'
Watching the two tease him, Hachiman was momentarily speechless. Having never imagined he would one day become the butt of a joke, Hachiman began to comfort himself.
I'm truly amazing. To think I'd actually have enough presence one day to become someone's laughingstock. This never happened before. Does this count as a kind of progress?
While thinking this, Hachiman's thoughts were interrupted by Yui Yuigahama's words.
"Yukinon just asked why that gold-shining guy was able to arrive at such a critical moment."
Hearing the question, Hachiman Hikigaya didn't answer immediately but launched a counterattack.
"I didn't expect Miss Encyclopedia Yukinoshita to have things she doesn't understand, and to ask someone like me who gets everything done… It's truly hard to believe!"
For a moment, both girls looked at him as if he were a broken object.
Fine… I declare Hachiman Hikigaya the winner.
Inside Hachiman's mind, his inner monologue began again.
However, realizing that if he didn't say something soon, he would be finished, Hachiman Hikigaya feigned a serious cough twice.
"…"
The two girls' gazes were drawn to him once more. Although his previous statement was obnoxious enough, it seemed only Hachiman could provide them with an answer right now.
After all, both these girls were quite stubborn; if they didn't get an answer, they really might not be able to sleep at night.
"Ahem… it's like this… it's… like this…"
"Stop! Hikki, what are you trying to say…"
Realizing his explanation had a massive flaw, Hachiman Hikigaya was momentarily silenced.
"Fine… let me think about how to say it so you can understand more clearly… give me a moment to think…"
Hearing this, the girls' expressions became strange.
"That's so mean, Hikki…"
"Hikigaya-kun? Are you looking down on my comprehension..?"
Hearing Hachiman belittle them like that, the two girls' competitive spirits were instantly ignited.
Unable to win against the two, Hachiman Hikigaya could only do his best to speak in a way they'd understand.
"Well… he probably rushed over from somewhere else?"
"Huh…?"
Unfortunately, the difference in 'dimensions' was too great; the two girls couldn't understand what Hachiman meant.
"Remember that swordsman with the staff from before? That mage who was hacking and slashing everything…"
So was he a mage or a swordsman?
Although the two girls complained in their hearts, they silently nodded. After all, his performance just now had been very impressive.
"Exactly! That's it!"
As if grasping onto something, Hachiman's voice suddenly grew several degrees louder, even becoming what one might call 'passionate.'
"That guy who was both a swordsman and a mage also said he rushed over from somewhere, and he had already died once before. So I suspect this gold-shining guy, Gilgamesh also died once, and then arrived at the battlefield in a different form…"
As he spoke, the two girls nodded as if they half-understood.
Seeing them nod, Hachiman Hikigaya let out a long sigh of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
"But… if death can't even restrict them, doesn't that mean they can keep coming to this battlefield forever..?"
"Uh…"
Both Yui and Hachiman were stunned by Yukino's sudden question.
They weren't from that world, so they certainly couldn't answer that. And…
Wouldn't that be an exploit? Although Hachiman knew it surely wouldn't work that way, he just didn't know how to explain it.
He, Hachiman Hikigaya, could only pretend he didn't hear and returned his gaze to the video.
—
『 Facing Gilgamesh's unexpected arrival to the rescue, not only Fujimaru Ritsuka himself, but everyone else around felt it was simply unbelievable.
"King Gilgamesh!"
Compared to his previous appearance, the powerful aura currently radiating from Gilgamesh was shocking.
And it was obvious that his combat power at this moment had increased by more than just a level compared to before.
After confirming that the man radiating brilliant golden light was indeed the legendary King of Heroes, the worried expression on Fujimaru Ritsuka's face was immediately replaced by a relieved smile.
It wasn't just Fujimaru Ritsuka; everyone present felt the heavy pressure that had shrouded their hearts partially lift after seeing Gilgamesh appear in his Archer class. At the very least, it seemed the worst-case scenario had passed.
Standing beside Mash Kyrielight, a hint of relaxation appeared on her face as well. Even Fou, perched on Mash's shoulder, let out a sigh of relief.
Without a doubt, it was the arrival of the King of Heroes that had once again helped them overcome a crisis.
However, amidst the brief joy, many unsolved mysteries surged in Mash's mind…
"King Gilgamesh…. why have you taken this form…"
Looking at the current Gilgamesh, even Dr. Roman back at Chaldea was momentarily shocked.
His eyes widened, almost unable to believe what he was seeing.
"King Gilgamesh…? No… a Servant…?" Dr. Roman's voice became very intense, filled with an undeniable surprise and excitement, as if he were seeing something impossible.
Meanwhile, Da Vinci sat to the side, chin in hand, deep in thought.
Her gaze was exceptionally profound, her brow slightly furrowed, as if she were trying to solve an important puzzle.
"Could it be that he came here on his own…" Although her voice was soft, it was still heard by everyone present.
This short sentence was filled with speculation and confusion, and it also brought a strange sense of tension.
After all, with Merlin as a precedent, rushing over was indeed not impossible.
Everyone couldn't help but recall that miracle-filled rescue mission from not long ago.
Although Gilgamesh did not directly answer their questions, his composed and confident smile said everything.
Everyone realized: to be able to appear here in the form of a Servant, and specifically after he had passed away for some time, it was clear that this guy, like Merlin, had traveled a long distance to provide support.
One was a living being who had crossed the boundary of life and death from the distant and mysterious Avalon;
The other was an existence that had descended to the mortal realm from the ethereal yet incredibly sacred and solemn Throne of Heroes through summoning.
Though both had their unique circumstances, they shared the commonality of choosing to stand on the side of humanity to fight a powerful foe together.
Such a twist added even more unpredictability and legendary color to the whole affair.
And this battle… could truly be said to be incredibly dramatic and full of ups and downs. Because of this, the people who had persisted to this moment through countless hardships were even more determined not to take a single step back.
For they knew in their hearts: only by completely destroying Tiamat here and now could they truly bring this chapter to a close. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Keqing (Genshin Impact): "So, death is still a true death. This King has now manifested as a Heroic Spirit and come here to assist." ]
[ Mash Kyrielight (Type-Moon): "I see, so that's how the King of Heroes became a Servant." ]
[ Mash Kyrielight (Type-Moon): "The current Gilgamesh is at the peak of his strength, compared to his previous form as the Wise King." ]
[ Kiryu Sento (Kamen Rider): "The peak of his own strength, huh." ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "He was already so powerful before when he wasn't at his peak. How strong must he be now?" ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Great, then keep fighting! Defeat that enemy!" ]
[ .....]
『 With Gilgamesh's magnificent entrance that seemed to swallow the mountains and rivers, the sky was suddenly filled with a dazzling golden light.
This light originated from the massive, sun-blotting Gate of Babylon behind him. 』
『 .....』
( Translator-kun: ohhh we have a Hachiman moment here... )