Because of the distance, Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others could not see what Karna and Arjuna were doing. It was enough to know that the two could restrain each other. As for helping them, that was asking too much.
Gilgamesh, however, could see their actions. Because of Sha Naqba Imuru, he also knew which side both of them stood on. Compared with Medea and Hassan of the Cursed Arm, Karna and Arjuna could barely earn his acknowledgment, so he did not interfere much in their battle.
Gilgamesh now looked down at Wu Ling. Even he did not take lightly an existence that had forced the Counter Force to act so aggressively. Still, in his current state, he had complete confidence in himself.
"Using this Evil of Humanity as my opponent barely reaches the standard."
As Gilgamesh spoke, Vimana flew toward Wu Ling without the slightest hesitation. Magical energy rose through his body. He entered combat condition, golden light glimmering behind him. Countless Noble Phantasms were ready to fire at any moment.
Just as the battle was about to begin, a black greatsword appeared silently behind Gilgamesh. Despite how close it was, no one present noticed it, not even Gilgamesh himself.
A black slash flashed. Before everyone's eyes, Gilgamesh's head separated from his body.
A black space gradually swallowed his sight. In the haze, the last thing that entered his eyes was Fujimaru Ritsuka's alarmed and vigilant face.
"What... is this?"
Gilgamesh suddenly opened his eyes. Looking ahead, he saw Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others still observing the battlefield below.
He understood at once. "A prophecy from Clairvoyance."
Below Vimana, Karna and Arjuna had resumed their battle. Gilgamesh immediately understood the current situation.
Even Clairvoyance and Sha Naqba Imuru could not directly observe that swordsman fused with death itself. Prophecy, however, could. He did not need to keep searching his surroundings. He only needed to calculate the timing and place his defenses in the right position ahead of time.
The Shield of Zeus, Rho Aias: The Seven Rings That Cover the Fiery Heavens, and every other physical and conceptual defensive Noble Phantasm he possessed were deployed in layers behind his neck.
The black greatsword appeared again. This time, it stopped five centimeters from Gilgamesh's neck. The waiting Enkidu: Chains of Heaven and other binding Noble Phantasms all rushed toward First Hassan as his true form emerged, but the result was poor. Those Noble Phantasms could bind almost anyone in the world, but they could not bind death.
Gilgamesh's actions drew Fujimaru Ritsuka's group's attention as well. Mash, Musashi, and Artoria were about to enter combat, but sudden chains swept everyone off the ship.
"Waaaah!"
As the falling voices faded into the distance, Gilgamesh fully armed himself. Golden armor covered him again. Layers of conceptual defensive Noble Phantasms stacked around him. Ea rested in his right hand. Enkidu: Chains of Heaven coiled around his left. Clairvoyance and Sha Naqba Imuru operated at maximum output.
All of that preparation was necessary. Without it, even he could be beheaded before he could react.
First Hassan appeared before him and openly stood in the center of the ship. His experience was deep enough that, after only a moment, he understood why his rare assassination attempt had failed.
"I see. Clairvoyance."
Gilgamesh remained vigilant, but his face still wore that effortless expression.
"Hmph. More importantly, I would like to know why a man like you helps that fellow."
"Why?" Blue light flashed in First Hassan's eyes. The greatsword he held upright had already bitten a third of the way into Vimana. Slowly, he lifted it and gave his reason.
"Duty."
Clang.
Gilgamesh, who had seen part of the future again through Clairvoyance, successfully blocked First Hassan's strike with Ea.
Ea began to rotate. The rising storm was easily dodged by First Hassan. Gilgamesh used that opening to glance downward.
"I have only seen that far. The rest of the ending is yours, boy."
Then the two clashed again.
On the ground, the group landed through all sorts of methods. Fujimaru Ritsuka first looked up worriedly at Vimana floating overhead, then turned his gaze toward Wu Ling seated on the distant throne.
After everything he had experienced, the more dangerous the situation became, the more his potential surfaced. Fujimaru Ritsuka wasted no time.
"Gilgamesh must have done that because he met an enemy difficult even for him to handle. We cannot waste the chance he made for us. Target: the Evil of Humanity. Move out!"
Mash raised her shield and placed herself in front of the group.
"Understood, Master. Mash Kyrielight, moving out!"
Everyone followed behind Mash and ran toward Wu Ling. Halfway there, however, a blue figure blocked their path.
"Hm. I suppose I count as the gatekeeper. You will not pass unless you defeat me."
Fujimaru Ritsuka looked at the figure blocking them with wariness. "Sasaki Kojiro."
Musashi heard Fujimaru Ritsuka at once. "Eh? He is Kojiro? Really?... Wait. Wait, what is that supposed to be? How can there be a Kojiro like that? This is not about strength anymore. He has reached the seat of emptiness, has he not? Ah, is he a tanuki in disguise?"
After that first absurd reaction, Musashi's expression slowly calmed. She walked in front of the others and spoke with her back to them.
"I understand now. I understand why I came to this world. Keep moving, Ritsuka. Leave this place to me."
Fujimaru Ritsuka looked at that familiar back and opened his mouth, but in the end, he said nothing to stop her.
"We are going, Musashi. Make sure you win, just like the legend!"
After saying that, Fujimaru Ritsuka led the others past Sasaki Kojiro. Strangely, Sasaki Kojiro did not stop them at all, even though he had just said they could not pass without defeating him.
After Fujimaru Ritsuka's group left, Musashi drew both swords.
"Looks like I have to bet my life again. What a pain. Still, not bad."
Sasaki Kojiro drew his own blade.
"So you think the same way. Come. Let us settle this."
And so, the two swordsmen who had reached the realm of emptiness began a duel worthy of legend.
At the same time, Fujimaru Ritsuka's steps remained firm. At last, he, Kadoc, Moriarty, Mash, and Artoria reached Wu Ling's throne and stood face to face with Wu Ling.