[FMMISM] Chapter 80: Tokiomi's Frustration and Ragna's Anger
Added 2024-08-06 01:12:02 +0000 UTCMeanwhile, beneath the Tohsaka mansion, far from the battlefield, Tokiomi clutched his head, which was throbbing with pain.
Gilgamesh, whom he had summoned, was undoubtedly the strongest Servant in this Holy Grail War, a fact he still firmly believed.
Yet, despite unleashing his most powerful attack, Gilgamesh had been easily defeated.
Tokiomi couldn't help but wonder who exactly the black-haired boy was and how he possessed such incredible power.
But most importantly, Gilgamesh's strongest Noble Phantasm had been taken away, which was undoubtedly a devastating blow for the Archer group.
With his expression wilted and his hair disheveled, Tokiomi was a far cry from the gentleman he once was.
"From the beginning, I strongly opposed using that Noble Phantasm..."
Now, still in the middle of the Holy Grail War, Tokiomi believed it was absolutely foolish to go all out. One must always remain composed and maintain elegance—this was the Tohsaka family's time-honored motto.
At this point, Gilgamesh was clearly intent on fighting to the death against the unknown boy who had taken Ea.
"What a joke… My King, you have lost tonight—utterly and completely! Stop it already and retreat!"
Exclaiming in frustration, Tokiomi ground his teeth as he stared at the Command Spells on his right hand.
Should he use a Command Spell to prevent Gilgamesh's suicidal action?
Trembling, Tokiomi reached for the teacup, roughly gulped down the scalding hot tea, and made a decision that went against Gilgamesh's will and dignity.
===
In the courtyard of the Einzbern Castle, the scene now was akin to a world-ending catastrophe.
Just as prophesied, the sky was screaming and the earth was roaring.
At this moment, Ragna raised Ea high above his head.
Ea's spinning blade compressed everything around it toward the center of the sword, with the expanding magical energy forming a vortex that shook the planet's structure.
On the other side, Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon had already filled the entire sky.
Hundreds of Noble Phantasms accumulated power in the void, waiting for his command.
Even though the Gate of Babylon should naturally contain a treasure capable of instantly healing his arm, Gilgamesh chose not to use it. As if to let the agonizing pain serve as a reminder, he allowed his divine blood to flow from his empty shoulder.
Currently, Gilgamesh gripped another sword in his left hand.
It was the prototype of Caliburn and Gram, the sword known as the Original Sin, Merodach. Aside from the Sword of Rupture, Ea, and the Chains of Heaven, Enkidu, it was the most trusted Noble Phantasm of the King of Heroes.
Betting all he had left, Gilgamesh launched a reckless challenge against an undefeatable enemy. Witnessing him like this, those watching couldn't help but feel a sorrowful urge to cheer him on.
Meanwhile, Ragna, looking at Gilgamesh, smiled as he poured out all his magical energy.
Even facing a Beast that devoured the world and the sword that shattered that world, Gilgamesh stood proudly in his usual kingly demeanor.
Seeing this, Ragna felt an unprecedented joy, finally finding something that interested him since the start of the Holy Grail War.
Unable to repay such great favor, Ragna could only offer his full effort.
Ragna and Gilgamesh exchanged knowing glances.
In the spectacle resembling either the dawn of creation or the apocalypse, it seemed that only the two of them remained in the world.
"It's time, King of Uruk."
"Ahh, come... Son of the Babylon the Great."
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
As the golden storm of weapons from the Gate of Babylon rained down, Ragna prepared to swing the Sword of Rupture, Ea. Unfortunately, before he could do it, Gilgamesh and the rain of weapons before him suddenly vanished without a trace.
In the castle's courtyard, only the desolate winter scenery remained.
Ragna, still holding Ea halfway up, stood dumbfounded in place.
"..."
After a moment of daze, Ragna suddenly turned his head and looked toward Miyama, several kilometers away, where the Tohsaka residence was located.
He discovered the reason Gilgamesh had suddenly vanished was due to a spatial magecraft close to True Magic.
Naturally, the simplest method to achieve this was through a Command Spell.
Ragna, who hadn't been able to fight to his heart's content, felt a gaping void in his chest.
"Tohsaka Tokiomi, you motherfucker…"
Glaring in Tokiomi's direction, Ragna gritted his teeth and gripped the hilt of Ea tightly.
It was clear that Ragna was extremely angry at Tokiomi's action.
"OOOHHH—!!!"
Iskandar's boisterous voice jolted Ragna from his anger.
"You're so strong! You actually pushed the King of Heroes into such a corner!"
Iskandar casually walked up to Ragna and slapped him hard on the back.
"Don't just stand there, fight me already, kid!"
"Forget it, I'm done..." Ragna muttered lifelessly.
At this moment, he felt his heart empty, clearly not in the mood to fight anymore.
"What? I can't hear you, kid!"
Iskandar continued to slap his back, speaking cheerfully.
"I said I'm tired. I'll fight you next time… I'm heading back now." Ragna said expressionlessly.
Even though it was their first meeting, he understood that Iskandar was exactly the type of person he struggled to deal with.
"Huh? Wait, wait, wait!"
Iskandar, looking a bit hurt, grabbed Ragna's arm.
"Hey, Kid! You said before that you were going to kill me and Archer. How can you suddenly back out now?"
"…"
Ragna sighed.
"Old man, you saw my fight with Archer, yeah? You should understand that I'm not someone you can defeat. Anyway, I'm heading back now. Someone is waiting for me."
"…How will you know if you don't try?" Iskandar insisted.
"..."
Ragna was momentarily stunned, then met Iskandar's clear gaze.
He could see that there was no trace of hesitation in Iskandar's eyes. It was a serious look that conveyed he genuinely wanted to fight him.
It was not without reason.
After all, Gilgamesh, who was supposed to be Iskandar's final opponent, was destined never to reach his peak again after losing his strongest Noble Phantasm, Ea.
Currently, the only way Iskandar could prove himself as the strongest was by fighting and defeating Ragna. For this reason, he wasn’t about to pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"Ah, I see..." Ragna thought for a moment before saying, "I did say I'd be your and Archer's opponent, but you’ve got it wrong, Rider."
He removed Iskandar's giant hand from his shoulder and walked toward the castle entrance door without looking back.
"What I meant was, I'll be your opponent when you and Archer team up."