Aozaki Aoko Case File

"Master, a Servant is approaching us," King Solomon said, pausing his ceremony of constructing the base. He turned to Marisbury Animusphere, who stood beside him.

"What's going on?"

Marisbury asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.

"Were we discovered?"

"No," Solomon shook his head.

"He likely detected me. When I manifest in this world, the accompanying True Ether makes my presence visible to him."

"Should we relocate the base, Teacher?"

The blond youth, Kirschtaria, asked, his expression serious.

"Not for now," Marisbury said after a moment of thought, stroking his chin.

"We've already invested too many resources into this workshop. Abandoning it now would be too costly. Besides, the enemy has likely only pinpointed our general location. They probably don't know the exact position or how to enter."

"So, should we prepare for a defensive battle using the workshop's strategic advantages?"

Kirschtaria asked.

"Leveraging the True Ether brought by King Solomon to enhance Celestial Magecraft?"

"No. We need to take the initiative," Marisbury decided.

"Since the enemy likely hasn't found our workshop yet, we can intercept them halfway and take control of the battle's tempo."

"Engage them in a deliberate skirmish?"

Kirschtaria mulled over the idea.

"That's certainly a valid strategy."

"Kirschtaria, you'll stay behind to guard the workshop and prevent any sneak attacks from enemy magus," Marisbury ordered.

"I'll go with King Solomon to test the enemy's strength."

"Understood, Teacher."

Kirschtaria nodded solemnly.

"Let's go."

Marisbury turned to Solomon.

Without a word, Solomon raised his arm and swept his cloak toward Marisbury. With that motion, the two were swallowed by a vortex, vanishing into the distorted space.

Moments later, King Solomon and Marisbury Animusphere appeared above a park near the Mion River in Fuyuki City.

A golden light approached from the distance, moving steadily through the air. Marisbury frowned. He hadn't expected the opposing Servants to include one capable of aerial movement besides Solomon.

Still, it didn't matter, Marisbury thought. No Servant could rival Solomon. As long as Solomon completed the construction of the Grand Temple, victory would be assured.

As these thoughts consumed him, an unfamiliar Servant appeared. Seated atop a strange flying vessel, the figure looked down at them from above.

The craft was peculiar in design—part bird, part fish—made of gold and jade, gliding effortlessly through the air. At its center, on a resplendent throne, sat a golden king.

"I was under the impression that a puppet of the gods like you would never respond to a summons," the golden king—Gilgamesh, the Hero King—said, his tone mocking.

"...I fulfilled my contract with God," Solomon replied calmly.

"Such is the nature of a covenant: dissatisfaction may arise during its term, but by its conclusion, solace and reward are guaranteed."

"My appearance here is entirely of my own volition," Solomon added after a pause, his voice carrying an emotion difficult to discern.

"It is not by the will of God."

"Hmph. What a pitiful creature," Gilgamesh scoffed, his displeasure clear. The king before him stood as a stark contrast to his ideals. "Let me see if you're capable of anything beyond groveling at the feet of the gods!"

Raising his hand, Gilgamesh summoned countless golden portals into the air. From these, dozens of weapons emerged, their tips aimed at Solomon and Marisbury.

Marisbury's expression grew grim. He recognized the nature of these weapons: each was a Noble Phantasm.

This was no ordinary feat. A Noble Phantasm embodied the essence of a Heroic Spirit's legend. For a Servant to wield even two was extraordinary, but the golden king had summoned an entire arsenal.

Solomon, however, remained unshaken. He raised his right hand, one of the Ten Rings on his fingers beginning to shine.

From the ground below, a massive pillar of flesh erupted, spiraling with intricate patterns. Its surface was white, relief-like, and studded with countless diamond-shaped eyes. At its base, red crystals gleamed.

"Manifestation of [Halphas] complete," an inorganic voice declared as the many eyes of the demon god fixed on the golden king.

"What tasteless abomination is this?"

Gilgamesh sneered.

"Gaze upon the light of the true king, and perish!"

With his command, countless Noble Phantasms rained down like a deadly storm.

"Weapon Subsystem: Supplemental Mode," the voice of Halphas intoned. The crimson eyes pulsed, drawing magical energy from the ley lines.

"Commence combat: [Burning Mode—Halphas]."

The ensuing torrent of magical flames rose like a towering inferno, incinerating the onslaught of weapons. The Hero King's flying vessel shielded itself with numerous barriers, but the attack had not left him unaffected.

"Not bad!"

Gilgamesh said, his voice tinged with excitement. Rising from his throne, he smirked.

"Now, let's see if you can withstand this next attack!"

The sky filled with even more portals, their numbers multiplying exponentially, as countless Noble Phantasms emerged, blotting out the heavens.