Despite the King of Heroes' praise, Steve remained calm and composed, even smiling gently. He made no pretense of humbling himself, his poise unshaken.
After all, the oldest tycoon in all Type-Moon history could be easily appeased with a few well-chosen, Snufkin-worthy words.
Having chosen not to fight the Servants, and to pursue a "peaceful and speedy path", there was no need to fuss over face or formal honorifics.
So the man returned the compliment, evenly and with genuine respect.
"On that front, we are equals, 'Wedge of Heaven'."
He incisively stated the very essence of the Hero King—the one who separated the age of gods from the age of men, and built the foundation of our world.
The use of that title brought a rare glint of pride to Gilgamesh's crimson serpent eyes.
Steve continued, "Perhaps my accomplishments appear grand to modern people, but it was only possible because of the groundwork laid in those parallel worlds. No matter what shape humanity's civilization takes, if it endures to modern times, there must always be those like you and the King of Magecraft who sever the gods—and create a new dawn."
He deftly placed his own epic after the great deeds of the two gods-of-the-end, not out of false humility, but as a matter-of-fact assessment rooted in historical perspective.
"Without the foundation you and King of Magecraft laid in the Age of Gods, the wisdom I brought from another parallel world would never have accomplished what it did, not when the planet was still ruled by gods."
"I merely relayed your vision and the King of Magecraft's, pushing humanity a bit further toward our inevitable destiny—just as it's been through uncounted generations."
His words nourished the Hero King's proud soul like the finest vintage wine.
What this king desired was never mere submission, but understanding and recognition from those he saw as his equals—or, perhaps, as those with even greater vision. And that was exactly what Steve offered.
"Heh... Hahahaha!"
Gilgamesh laughed long and deep, all arrogance and mockery gone, only pure joy:
"A successor... to inherit... damn you—no, Steve Weis."
"Your vision is worthy of your grand deeds."
"Excellent! For now, I'll accept your explanation, Dream Weaver!"
For the first time, and perhaps the last, the Golden King addressed the man before him by his true name.
As their deep conversation reached a crescendo, the heavy wooden door softly opened.
Tokiomi Tohsaka, with little Archer at his side, entered the living room.
Tokiomi, holding a white sandalwood box etched in ancient runes, barely restrained his excitement. Young Red Archer's expression was more subtle—he seemed to notice the odd, almost "satisfied" mood among the servants, especially the air between Caster and the King of Heroes.
Tokiomi, seeing a rare, nearly equal and relaxed vibe between Caster and the King of Heroes, felt his pupils shake in disbelief.
To think—this Caster not only convinced him with a single plan, but also, within the short span while Tokiomi was gone, had tamed a Heroic Spirit even the Master himself could barely control?
Suppressing his disquiet, Tokiomi stepped up, presenting the box with the utmost formality.
"Caster, I have not disappointed you."
His voice quivered with excitement. "Here are the blueprints for the legendary Jewel Sword of Zelretch, the greatest treasure long guarded by the Tohsaka family through generations."
Steve nodded, accepting the heavy box. Instantly, he sensed its unfathomable mystery—its link to infinite worlds.
But instead of opening it right away, he swept his gaze over everyone present: the excited Tokiomi, the wary young Archer, and... Gilgamesh, who stood with shining eyes.
"The time has come."
His voice rang out, strong and clear: "The theory and props are ready."
"Let the final act of our drama begin."
He turned to Tokiomi and his associates.
"Tokiomi, Archer—back to Ryuudou Temple. All our allies are assembled and ready to depart."
At last, he looked to the Golden King.
"Golden King, will you join us for the grand finale?"
"Naturally, you deserve the very best seat in the house."
"Hmph, as if you need to ask."
Gilgamesh crossed his arms, a proud grin curling his lips:
"When my treasures dazzle in their greatest spectacle, how could I possibly miss it?"
"Lead on. I will judge if your temple is worthy of the coming feast."
…
As the sun set, gilding Ryuudou's gates in solemn gold, Kiritsugu Emiya watched through his familiar's shared vision. He almost doubted his own eyes when he saw the three silhouettes appear at the mountain path.
Leading was the ever-composed Caster; at his left, the young Red Archer in a red trench coat, looking conflicted; and at his right—Gilgamesh, armored in gold, exuding unrivaled royal authority—the very Servant who should have been the war's strongest enemy!
"Everyone—stay back—"
Kiritsugu instinctively wanted to issue a warning, but swallowed the words.
There was no tension among the trio; instead, they appeared like comrades heading to a banquet.
Steve led the two Archers into the temple's courtyard, where all the allies had gathered.
Saber was at the front in blue-silver armor, hand resting on that unseen holy sword, emerald eyes full of vigilance and confusion. Behind her stood the tense Irisviel.
Kiritsugu kept to the shadows, the scope of his Walther WA2000 glinting faintly.
On the other side—Kariya Matou, and beside him, Berserker Lancelot's black armor flickering with ominous red, beast-like growls issuing as he sensed the presence of two top-rank Heroic Spirits.
At the newcomers' appearance, the whole courtyard seemed to freeze.
"...Caster... you..."
Artoria's voice was husky: "What… What's happening? Why is Archer here?"
Her question, everyone's question.
Steve didn't answer at once. Instead, he walked to the center and gently set down the wooden box before the stone shrine.
Turning to face them all, his voice rang out:
"No need for alarm, everyone."
"As you see, the Archer faction... is now on our side."
Casting a glance at their disbelief:
"All my objectives in the Tohsaka trip are complete. Master Tokiomi now fully supports our plan, for the sake of his family's wishes."
"And the Hero King—"
He lightly gestured toward Gilgamesh.
"He is here as both judge and witness to the coming performance."
He paused, allowing each time to digest, before speaking again—solemn, commanding:
"Every puzzle piece is now in place."
"I hereby declare the final phase of the 'Jewel Sword Project'... begins!"
"All forces will be mobilized, duties assigned for the last coming ritual."
He raised his hand, and a series of magical light screens unfolded before him—maps of the temple and key nodes to be secured.
"But first, two 'guests' remain to be summoned."
His eyes seemed to pierce the space itself, staring directly down to the foot of the mountain where Fuyuki's heart beat.
"On behalf of us all, it's time to send the final invitations to the Lancer and Rider camps."
"Invite them to Ryuudou Temple—for the last ceremony that will end this war, and save all present."
Steve's words thundered in their hearts. Looking at him—with two very different yet equally strong Archers at his side, and the mysterious box—they realized:
The war was truly ending, in a way none had ever imagined.
…