Anyone familiar with the Hero King Gilgamesh knew that such an attitude was already a great blessing. Even the previous master, Tōsaka Tokiomi, had to be careful in his words and deeds in front of him, and would scold him harshly if he was not satisfied. How could he allow Rin to ridicule him in front of him like this, and he didn't seem angry at all.
But Lin didn't appreciate it at all and looked at him as if he was a fool.
"Shining for you? That's unbearable, you narcissist."
"There's nothing we can do about it."
Gilgamesh was not ashamed of Rin's ridicule but rather proud of it.
"Everything in the world pales in comparison to this king."
"Oh, is that really the case? I remember hearing that you have a close friend who also seems dim in front of you?"
"Enkidu is my best friend, as good as me. Even children in Uruk know this. But it doesn't seem worth having high expectations for this bastard."
"Yes, yes, you are right, you are always right, you are right now, you will be right in the future, and you will always be right!"
The words Lin said came from a foreign movie in the 1970s. The original words were "Mussolini is always right, right now, right in the future, and always right!" It was used to satirize Italian Prime Minister Mussolini, one of the leaders of the Axis powers who used all means to start the war.
Gilgamesh didn't know the story behind this, and even though he could tell that Lin's attitude was wrong, he still took it as a compliment.
"It's good for you to know. Paying homage to my majesty is the greatest entertainment in the world. Just stare at me as much as you want. I promise that it will be engraved in your mind until the moment of the planet's destruction."
"No, this guy is hopeless." Lin almost collapsed.
"Well, enough of this boring chit-chat. You are the one who summoned me instead of Tokiomi. Is he no longer here?"
"Yes." When talking about his father, Rin's face showed obvious loneliness.
"When? How did he die?"
"Five years ago, he fell ill. After the last Holy Grail War, his health had been poor and he became increasingly weak... My mother and I tried everything but failed to cure him, and we couldn't find the cause of his illness..."
"Is that so? Although he is a useless minister, I will be the first to express my condolences." Gilgamesh lowered his eyelids and remained silent for almost a minute. "I did not stand till the end of the last Holy Grail War, so I do not know the reason for his illness. However, since the cause of his illness is related to the Holy Grail War, I, as a king, also have a responsibility. The woman standing over there is your mother, right? There is a photo of her on Tokiomi's desk."
"Widow Tousaka Aoi." Aoi performed a very standard Japanese etiquette.
"Very good, this is the kind of generosity that a Tokiomi's wife should have." Gilgamesh nodded with satisfaction, "From now on, you and your daughter will be protected by me. In the name of the Hero King Gilgamesh, I will not let anyone harm you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Aoi bowed again.
Lin pouted unhappily: "What king? This is what a servant should do."
"No thanks."
Gilgamesh ignored Rin's words and turned his gaze to the man behind Aoi, who had retreated to the corner.
"Isn't this the master of that mad dog? How dare he show up here? He's really brave."
The cold killing intent invaded Kariya's body, causing him to feel stinging pain all over. However, such pain did not make him give in. He stood stubbornly, looking directly at Gilgamesh.
"Long time no see, Hero King of Babylonia."
At this moment he recalled the most magnificent and satisfying battle in his life, and the knight who shared the same fate with him.
"Where's that mad dog? Isn't he here? So you're not standing here as a Master? Then who gave you the courage to look at me like that? A bastard should act like a bastard!"
The moment the word "bastard" came out of his mouth, Kariya's body seemed to have been violently impacted, and blood oozed from his nostrils and mouth, but he still held his back straight. Now he represented not only himself, but also the knight who fought for him, Lancelot.
"Kariya!"
"Uncle Kariya!"
Aoi and Rin exclaimed at the same time, and Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes at their undisguised anxiety.
"Your reaction... Interesting, interesting—this man was one of the Masters of the last Holy Grail War, and an enemy of Tokiomi. I was killed by his Servant. Knowing this, are you still going to protect him?"
"We already knew these things."
Rin took a few steps sideways and stood between Gilgamesh and Kariya. "Father and Uncle Kariya didn't hide anything from us. When my father was dying, he entrusted my mother and me to Uncle Kariya's care."
"Oh? That Tokiomi actually made such a decision. It seems that his pedantic mind has finally become a little more flexible." Gilgamesh was slightly surprised, but soon turned into a smile, "Forget it, Tokiomi himself doesn't care, and there is no need for me to meddle in other people's business. I will let you go for now. Just fulfill your responsibility to take care of them and don't do unnecessary things. The tactics that mad dog used to deal with me were not designed by you, and the mad dog's own chaotic brain could not think so complicatedly. There must be someone behind you."
Kariya's lips moved, but before he could speak, Gilgamesh continued.
"No need to answer, I already know the answer. Is that person still here? Will he show up this time?"
This time, Kariya didn't even move his lips, as if he was wearing a mask, but this mask did not pose any hindrance to Gilgamesh.
"Very good. It looks like this Holy Grail War will not be boring. Matou Kariya, tell that clown in hiding to use whatever means he has. No matter what means he uses, I will defeat him and gain the final victory."
The King of Heroes’ words were so unquestionable, and his attitude was so proud. That pride, that dazzling brilliance almost made Kariya feel that the victory ten years ago was just a dream.
Can his nephew really defeat such a being
Ten years ago, he and Tokiomi did not take himself and Lancelot seriously, so they had a chance to win. Even so, the outcome was only a mutual loss and destruction.
Now, he is prepared. If Shinji still uses the old method, he will probably have no chance of winning.
No, I must tell Shinji this news immediately. But - could this be Gilgamesh's plan, and he is waiting for me to do this
And Aoi and Rin, what will they think of me if I do this
Damn it, what should I do
At this moment, Kariya realized the meaning of the word "strongest". It was a feeling of oppression that he had never experienced ten years ago.
The subtle changes on his former enemy's face did not escape Gilgamesh's sight, and the King of Heroes' bright red eyes sparkled with pleasure, as if he was very interested in the distress on the man's face.