MMMS 105

"You said you spent the night in Artoria's room, right?"

"Yeah, that's right."

So she could back up his story.

“…That’s odd.” Irisviel's pout deepened.

Because the thing was, this wasn't just one woman's scent. It was two distinct ones, layered together. Still, there was no way Ryuuto could explain that he'd spent twenty minutes that morning sandwiched between Morgan and Artoria in what could only be described as a very thorough kissing session.

"...I see. I believe you." In any case, she needed to eliminate every trace of that perfume from Ryuuto's skin.

Irisviel's eyes flicked to the sunroom's glass door. Already locked from the inside when she'd entered. The transparent walls meant anyone could see in, but sound barely traveled through the thick panes. Perfect for someone with her particular talents.

Her tongue darted across her lower lip as she dropped to her knees beside the tea table. Time to see if Ryuuto was lying to her or not…

…

1:30 AM

Winter had turned the empty streets into a frozen wasteland. Streetlights painted the asphalt in sickly yellow pools, and not a single car disturbed the silence. Only hoofbeats rang against the pavement as a magnificent warhorse carried its rider through the sleeping city.

Iskandar's mount climbed toward the bridge, breath steaming in the cold air.

"Right on time." Rider's voice rumbled with satisfaction as he pulled up short.

There, against the darkness of the river below, his opponent waited. Golden light rippled off Gilgamesh's armor like liquid fire, turning the bridge's steel cables into gleaming threads. Even in defeat, the bastard's posture screamed arrogance. Chin raised, shoulders back, like the world owed him an apology.

The King of Heroes and the King of Conquerors had chosen Fuyuki's grandest bridge for their final meeting. Nothing smaller could hold two egos this massive.

"Rider, where's that chariot you're so fond of?" Gilgamesh's voice carried its usual bored contempt.

"Ah, that." Iskandar rolled his shoulders. "Some bastard smashed it to pieces. Then he had the nerve to disappear before I could return the favor. Really pisses me off."

Gilgamesh's crimson eyes narrowed. "Have you forgotten what I told you? I said I'd crush you when you were at full strength."

“Right, right. Now that you mention it, there was something like that.” Rider’s grin spread wide. “My chariot’s gone, I’ll give you that. But you’re in worse shape, aren’t you, King of Heroes? What happened to that fancy sword of yours?”

Ea…

Gilgamesh's jaw tightened, just for a second. Long enough.

"Anyway." Rider waved a dismissive hand. "Let's skip the posturing and talk business."

The alliance proposal was simple enough in concept. Iskandar's Ionian Hetairoi combined with Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon. An army that had conquered half the known world, armed with genuine Noble Phantasms pulled from history's greatest treasure vault.

On paper, it was unstoppable. The most powerful military force humanity had ever dreamed of fielding.

Together, the King of Heroes and the King of Conquerors would lead this combined force straight into the Einzbern Castle, sweeping aside whatever resistance remained.

"After we crush these remaining mongrels," Gilgamesh declared, "this king shall fulfill our agreement and grant you the death you seek, Rider."

"Ahahaha! Not so fast, Archer." Iskander's booming laugh echoed across the bridge. "We made another promise at that banquet, remember?"

Gilgamesh tilted his head, genuinely puzzled.

"You still have that exquisite wine in your treasury, don't you? My nose never lies."

"Hmph. How very like you, King of Thieves—already eyeing this king's belongings."

But Gilgamesh's smirk held amusement rather than annoyance. Golden cups rippled into existence from the Gate of Babylon, their surfaces gleaming. He poured the last of the divine wine from the Age of Gods, the sacred liquid flowing like liquid amber.

The two kings raised their cups.

"You know, you've changed quite a bit since we last shared a drink."

"Fool." Gilgamesh's red eyes flashed dangerously. "Speak such nonsense again and this king will end you here and now. I am eternal and unchanging."

"No, no, I'm serious about this!"

"And what of it?"

Iskandar stroked his beard, grinning widely. "If I'd asked the Golden King from a few days ago to join me in conquering the distant stars, you'd have thrown back your head and roared with laughter. Called it the most ridiculous joke you'd ever heard!"

"..."

The King of Conquerors' blunt observation left the Golden King speechless.

Gilgamesh stared into his wine for a long moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter than usual.

"This world has room for only one king. And this king..." He paused, something flickering across his features. "This king doesn't make friends. But tonight is different."

Iskandar leaned, intrigued. He drained half his cup in one pull, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "That kid who faced you down—the one who took out Saber—just who is he? What kind of enemy makes the mighty Gilgamesh come looking for allies?"

No answer came. Gilgamesh had turned toward the Fuyuki Bridge, his gaze tracking something only he could see in the darkness below.

His eyes narrowed, and for a moment he looked almost... young. Like he was seeing something from long ago, from when the world was newer and he was just a boy listening to stories that seemed too big to be real.

When he spoke again, his voice barely audible.

"Oceanus."

The cup slipped from Iskandar's fingers, clattering against stone. "What did you just say?"

For the first time that night—maybe the first time in years—Gilgamesh's voice carried something that might have been wonder.

"That boy you're asking about, King of Conquerors..." He turned back to meet Iskandar's stare. "He's the ocean you've been chasing your whole life.”

…

Irisviel's hair was soft under his fingers, catching the lamplight like spun silver. Ryuuto traced gentle circles against her hair, trying to find the right words. "Iri... you know those old Mesopotamian stories? The really ancient ones?"

She made a soft humming sound, not quite awake but listening. Her hand found his wrist, thumb brushing over his pulse point.

"There's this legend about a flood." He kept his voice low, almost like he was telling her a bedtime story. "Humanity got too loud for the gods' liking. Enlil—the wind god—he got fed up with all the noise we were making."

"Mmm?" She shifted closer, breath warm against his chest.

"So he tried to wipe us out. Floods, drought, disease—the whole arsenal." Ryuuto's hand stilled in her hair. "But there was another god, Enki. He liked humans, thought we deserved a chance. Taught us how to survive, how to grow food, store grain, heal the sick."

Irisviel's eyes opened, silver and curious. "And Enlil didn't like that."

"Not even a little." A laugh escaped him. "He was so pissed he decided to flood the entire world. But Enki found out and warned this guy Utnapishtim—told him to build a boat, save his family, wait it out."

He reached for his tea with his free hand, feeling its warmth against his palm. “The flood came. Everything drowned except what Utnapishtim saved. Afterwards, the gods made a deal—humans could live, but only if we stayed in line. Step out of bounds, stop believing…” He met her eyes. “They could end us whenever they wanted.”

"The thing is, it wasn't just Mesopotamia." Ryuuto's fingers found a tangle in her hair and worked it loose gently. "Floods like that happened everywhere—China, the Americas, all over. Different cultures, same story. Like the world was trying to reset itself."

Irisviel shifted against him, listening.

"You know Noah's Ark, right? Same idea. God got tired of humanity's shit and decided to wash the slate clean. Start over with better people."

"Mmm." She tilted her head up to look at him. Her hair fell across her face in soft waves. "So why the history lesson?"

Ryuuto's hand stilled. This was it. He took a shaky breath.

"Because... I think I might be connected to all of it." The words came out in a rush. "Not the boat part, or the people who survived. The other part."

"What other part?"

He couldn't meet her eyes. "The Great Flood itself."

Silence. Irisviel blinked slowly, like she was trying to process what he'd just said.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand what Ryuuto is trying to say. But..." She gently nestled her head against his legs again. "No matter what happens, I’ll always be on your side."