Until the day Gilgamesh challenged him, no one had expected it.
Least of all Vasco Strada.
What shocked everyone even more was that Vasco accepted.
The moment the challenge was confirmed, word spread quickly throughout the Church. Many believed Gilgamesh would rely on one of his Longinus for such a battle.
But when they finally faced each other, Gilgamesh activated none of them.
Vasco immediately noticed.
"Are you underestimating me?" Vasco asked, his gaze sharp.
Gilgamesh only shook his head.
"I want to be the strongest," he replied calmly. "If I use a Longinus, then it won't truly be my power. I will defeat you with my own strength."
From that moment on, Vasco Strada's respect for Gilgamesh deepened.
The battle that followed lasted an entire day.
It was a brutal contest of endurance and will.
Vasco's Durandal strikes were so powerful that even the pressure alone shattered nearby buildings. Had it not been for Gilgamesh's relentless training over the years, he would have fallen that day.
But in the end—
Gilgamesh emerged victorious.
From that point forward, he was acknowledged as The Strongest Exorcist.
........
Not long after, Gilgamesh departed from the Church.
He had business to attend to in Kuoh City.
The Church was far from pleased. Losing their strongest operative was a heavy blow. Gabriel herself tried repeatedly to convince him to stay.
In the end, after long discussions—and with Michael's mediation—Gilgamesh left.
Before departing, he promised them one thing:
If they ever needed him, no matter where he was, he would come.
During that period, Gilgamesh also had a strange encounter with Nyx, the Prime Goddess of the Greek Night.
Though she was a Prime Goddess, her power was not overwhelming. Their clash ended with Gilgamesh restraining her using [Enkidu: Chains of Heaven]. Nyx had apparently taken interest in both Gilgamesh and his Longinus—especially since he possessed two.
Since then, she would occasionally appear just to visit.
........
Those years were not spent solely on Gilgamesh's growth.
Valerie trained as well.
At first, the Dhampir struggled to adjust to her new surroundings, but before long she grew close to everyone.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu taught her various forms of combat, while Sebas personally instructed her in multiple branches of magic—something Valerie showed remarkable talent for.
They deliberately avoided training her Longinus, however.
The [Sephiroth Graal] was dangerous even to its wielder, capable of harming the user's own soul.
Over those two years, Gilgamesh himself advanced greatly in strength.
…
…
And all of that led him to where he was now.
A mansion in Kuoh City.
Gilgamesh's primary objective here was simple.
He intended to obtain the Longinus [Boosted Gear], currently possessed by Issei Hyoudou.
After all, this was not the story of Issei Hyoudou.
This was the story of Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes.
And whatever Issei could accomplish—
Gilgamesh would do better.
Without relying on Boosted Gear.
........
Gilgamesh rose from his bed and headed to the bathroom, where he washed up and took a shower.
Afterward, he changed into black pants and a long-sleeved white T-shirt.
Stepping out into the hallway, he surveyed the spacious mansion—a gift from his parents.
He knew they blamed themselves for not being able to stay with him more often. Gilgamesh didn't resent them for it. They had no knowledge of the supernatural world, after all.
Still, he cared deeply for them.
He often accompanied his father on business trips and traveled with his mother whenever he could.
When he said he wished to return to Japan to study, they made sure everything was arranged for him.
Walking further inside, Gilgamesh entered the dining room.
A large table stood at its center, already covered with an impressive variety of dishes.
Sebas was still placing plates with practiced precision.
Usually, Gilgamesh and Sebas cooked together—Gilgamesh genuinely enjoyed it.
The butler looked exactly as he always had: rigid in posture, yet warm in presence.
On the sofas nearby, Enkidu was sitting beside Regulus, who was currently in his lion form. Enkidu ran his hand through Regulus's mane, earning contented purring from the Lion King.
At the table sat another figure.
A short blonde girl with blue-green eyes lounged lazily in her chair, earning a stern look from Sebas.
"Good morning, everyone," Gilgamesh announced.
"Good morning, young master," Sebas replied with a small bow.
"Good morning, Gil," Enkidu said cheerfully, continuing to pet Regulus.
"Good morning, Master," Regulus added, still purring.
"You took too long," the short girl complained. "I almost started eating."
Gilgamesh smiled.
"If you keep eating like that, you'll make Mordred fat."
The girl scowled.
The one seated there was none other than Mordred Pendragon—the Knight of Treachery, daughter of Arthur Pendragon, and Heroic Spirit.
Her presence was… unusual.
Gilgamesh had not summoned her.
One day, after returning from a Church mission, he simply found Mordred lying on his couch. She declared herself his Servant.
Confused, Gilgamesh demanded an explanation.
Apparently, the goddesses who sent him to this world had grown bored and decided to "spice things up" by sending Mordred to accompany him. They also warned that other changes might occur in the future.
Since then, Gilgamesh had remained alert for deviations in the timeline.
So far, Mordred was the only one.
"Oi!" Mordred shouted, throwing a fork at Gilgamesh. He easily dodged.
"So," Gilgamesh asked, "is Valerie awake yet?"
Mordred slammed her hands on the table, earning another sharp look from Sebas.
"She's still asleep! That lazy, perverted vampire!"
Gilgamesh chuckled.
Valerie truly was unexpectedly lazy.
"I'll wake her," Gilgamesh said, turning to leave.
"Don't take too long, or I'll eat everything!" Mordred shouted after him.
He waved dismissively.
........
Valerie's Room
"Rise and shine, Valerie! It's a bright day, and we've got things to do!"
Gilgamesh opened the curtains, letting sunlight flood the room.
The Dhampir buried herself deeper into her blankets with a sleepy whine.
"Come on. You had all night and most of the morning. There's breakfast downstairs."
Only muffled protests answered him.
Amused, Gilgamesh walked over and gently pulled the covers back.
Valerie curled up instinctively, groaning softly.
"Vampires are nocturnal…"
"You're a Dhampir," Gilgamesh replied. "That excuse doesn't work. Get up, or I'll use ice."
At that, she finally stirred.
She slowly sat up, blinking sleep from her eyes.
Realizing her state, Valerie quickly pulled the blanket around herself, her cheeks turning pink.
"U-um… sorry about that, Gilgamesh…"
"There's nothing to apologize for," he replied calmly.
She relaxed a little, then nodded.
"O-oh… thank you."
Gilgamesh gave her a gentle smile.
"You don't have to call me that. Gilgamesh is fine. Or just Gil."
Her expression brightened immediately.
"Really? I'd like that very much, Gil!"