[We can see that contestant Shinji Matou has accepted a challenge from Gilgamesh. He was the first to issue a duel invitation to another Servant — his opponent is the Son of Light from Ireland, Cú Chulainn. This is a mortal challenging a legend of myth. Will Shinji Matou continue his undefeated streak? Let's wait and see!]
"He actually beat me to it?"
As an Archer, Gilgamesh didn't have any ultra-long-range attacks (though he did have massive area attacks), but seeing the news on the giant screen in the city center from over a hundred meters up in the sky was no problem for him.
"This king cannot lose this contest just because I failed to find an opponent!"
If he lost for that reason, Gilgamesh wouldn't mind simply destroying all of Fuyuki.
"Those Assassins always manage to start broadcasting immediately whenever a duel begins. They must know the locations of all the Servants."
Gilgamesh had no patience left for searching. He piloted Vimana straight toward Fuyuki TV Station.
"Team Three! What's Team Three doing?!"
Hundred-Faces, wearing a director's hat, sat in the control room, commanding the other Hundred-Faces.
"The battle over there is almost over! Make sure to get a close-up shot! Team Five! Team Five! You just caught another neutral wildcard — there aren't many left! Hurry up and prep a highlight reel about them too!"
"What? Someone's come again to interrogate us about what's going on? Please! The Master said we're only responsible for exposing everything and running the event. Let others worry about the fallout. No matter who they are, if they try to interfere again — just kill them."
Aside from Medea handling some early tasks, all of Jiang You's impulsive ideas had been implemented entirely by Hundred-Faces alone. Thus, the whole "Duel City" event was being frantically managed by him.
At that moment, the station wall was blasted open.
Ignoring all of Medea's defensive spells, a golden flying machine smashed right into the building.
The golden Servant immediately grabbed the main Hundred-Faces, roaring in a tone that brooked no argument:"Hurry up and mark the locations of the contestants for me! I want to duel them!"
The Hundred-Faces exchanged glances and quietly cut the broadcast feed of Illyasviel, who was busy hunting down other magi for stars, so Gilgamesh wouldn't see it. Among the seven properly summoned Servants: Caster, Assassin, Rider, and Archer were all having a banquet atop Mount Enzō — Jiang You's territory, definitely not somewhere they wanted Gilgamesh crashing into; Berserker's Master Illyasviel had close ties to Jiang You; and Lancer was already dueling Shinji Matou.Which meant — only one Servant was left.
"Achoo!"
Jason sneezed. Rubbing his sore nose, he nervously glanced around Team Four's area, relaxing only when he didn't spot any familiar Servants or Masters nearby.
"Looks like my Master's thinking about me again. Wasn't I assigned to cover the commercial district? Hanging around here a little shouldn't hurt. That Caster's not about to show up before the finals, anyway. Might as well enjoy myself for now and wait for a few days..."
Jason turned his attention back to the racing arcade game.
As the captain of the Argo, Jason actually had strong Rider-class compatibility. Even with his current Saber-class Spirit Origin, his Riding skill was still at B rank. To him, arcade racing games were a breeze.After a flash of speed, Jason easily defeated all the opponents and came in first.
"Above heaven and under heaven, I alone am... wait, that feels like someone else's catchphrase?"
After declaring his victory, the game switched to the name-entry screen for the ranking board.
Despite his great skills, Jason only ranked second. The first place name was flamboyantly entered as "HeroKing."
"Hero King?"
Jason read the name aloud, confused.
Then, the arcade's ceiling was ripped away by a burst of golden light.The massive energy blast disintegrated the debris until it was as if the ceiling had never existed at all — the break was that clean.
Jason instinctively thought Jiang You had attacked. He immediately summoned his Greek battle armor.
"It is I, the King!"
The golden flying machine slammed into the ground, and Gilgamesh instantly flashed to Jason's side.
The two blond, flamboyant Servants faced off in the middle of the arcade, golden light flashing dangerously between them, the air heavy with the tension of imminent battle.Then Jason covered his eyes.
"Hey, you! That lighting guy, Hassan! Yeah, you!"
Jason protested angrily,"Could you tone down the lighting?! You're blinding me!"
After Hundred-Faces adjusted the stage lighting, the atmosphere returned to normal.
"You dare imitate this king's appearance?"
Gilgamesh, when wearing casual clothes, had a hairstyle almost identical to Jason's — something he detested. He hated it when anything of his overlapped with another's.
"This king has decided. I won't just defeat you in a duel — I'll drive this Faker off the stage entirely!"
"A duel..."
Jason considered the situation. He had watched the broadcasts and knew full well who Gilgamesh was: the oldest Hero King. In a world where the older your legend, the stronger you were, Jason knew he couldn't match Gilgamesh alone.Thus, he decisively chose to flee.
"Sorry, my Master forbids me from participating. She's waiting for me to come home for dinner. I'll just be going—"
[Gilgamesh has issued you a duel invitation. Accept?]
[Duel/Battle]
Jason hadn't even taken two steps before he noticed a Noble Phantasm lodged less than a millimeter from his throat. Gilgamesh had already attacked. If not for the duel rules' protections, Jason would have been dead on the spot.
Behind Gilgamesh, countless Noble Phantasms were poised to fire.
"This king did not ask for your permission! It's an order! You have no right to refuse!"
Gilgamesh glanced at the livestream of Shinji Matou's duel and grew even more impatient."If you dare waste this king's time further, after killing you, I'll slaughter your Master too!"
"I accept your duel!"
Jason sighed heavily.He had just wanted to enjoy modern life a little.But for Tohsaka Rin's safety, he agreed to Gilgamesh's challenge.
"However... don't underestimate the heroes of the Argo!I, Jason, challenge you on behalf of all Argonauts!"
And with that, the duel field unfolded!