Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

In Fuyuki Magecraft Academy.

Roya tilted her head to look up at the handsome man before her and couldn't help but pout. "Mr. Gold, sorry, but I have things to do. Please ask someone else."

Whatever Mr. Gold or Mr. Silver you are, nothing's stopping me from buying Heroic Spirit merch!

Of course, she wouldn't be buying any King of Heroes merchandise.

Upon seeing this, she couldn't help but recall the scene where the other person had their arm chopped off by Emiya and the earlier moment when they bullied her best friend.

Even if they paid her, she wouldn't buy it!

Coinciding with the explosive popularity of Unlimited Blade Works, a crowd was scrambling for posters of King Arthur unleashing her Noble Phantasm in the videos.

As a devoted fan of the King, naturally, she couldn't miss out.

"Of course, I won't ask you to guide me for free. I can give you a tip."

The other person smiled even more warmly.

"Tch, like I care about your measly—"

Roya was about to refuse without hesitation.

This guy was probably a creep, not even sparing an adorable little girl like her.

She had to stay far away!

Yet, as she spoke, her words trailed off—because the other person actually pulled out a stack of bills printed with Qin Shi Huang's face!

???

You're this loaded?!

Roya couldn't help but swallow hard, as if she could see Servant merchandise frantically waving at her.

"Don't hold back. I'm so poor, all I have left is money."

Gilgamesh flicked a few bills in front of the little girl, swaying them gently.

A very strange little creature.

She looked utterly ordinary, without even a single Magic Circuit.

Just a normal girl.

And yet!

Even with Sha Naqba Imuru active, he could faintly sense something off.

The ability to see through anyone's True Name, or the truth hidden behind Noble Phantasms, magecraft, and multiple layers of disguise—had nearly failed to pierce through her!

Interesting. Truly interesting!

"Fine, I'll show you around then."

Roya cursed inwardly, "Damn nouveau riche," but couldn't resist agreeing.

Academy City had the nine-tailed fox Tamamo-no-Mae and the onmyouji Abe-no-Seimei—two Servants stationed here—along with an entire garrison, countless mechanical puppets, and more.

It was practically the most secure city in the world!

Here, she wasn't afraid of any danger at all.

Unless the other person was a Servant as formidable as Tamamo-no-Mae!

But that was obviously impossible.

Roya had enough self-awareness to know she wasn't worth targeting by someone of that caliber.

What could she do? She was just a weak, pitiful, but spendthrift ordinary girl!

"Thank you."

Gilgamesh watched as the little girl's eyes sparkled, her utterly money-grubbing expression making him chuckle.

He gently placed the bills into her small hands.

Bzz—

Sha Naqba Imuru suddenly issued a warning.

He wasn't in his insufferable chuunibyou phase anymore, so of course he kept it active at all times to prevent any mishaps.

But now, it was blaring a life-or-death, highest-level alarm!

What was going on?

Gilgamesh's brow furrowed instantly.

Because, upon closer contact, he actually sensed a trace of aura on this little girl—one on par with the primordial Mother Goddess, Tiamat!

Yes, on par!

A terrifying, overwhelming presence that dwarfed all Servants!

The aura flickered and vanished, as if it had been an illusion, leaving no trace behind.

"Mr. Gold, please follow me. Let's take the campus sightseeing tram."

Roya happily pocketed the bills and smiled as she invited him.

She planned to take him to some popular spots, playing the part of a proper little tour guide to earn some pocket money.

In fact, this was quite common.

Many students took up part-time jobs guiding visitors through the vast Academy City.

"Of course. Lead the way."

Gilgamesh subtly took half a step back.

Apart from that aura, he faintly saw countless densely packed runes covering the little one's body.

As vast and intricate as stars in the night sky.

Countless runes formed layers upon layers of formidable, terrifying chains, sealing her under one heavy restraint after another.

Merely standing close to her made him feel as though he were at the mouth of a volcano, engulfed by the terrifying sense of being swallowed by an endless torrent of energy.

Who on earth had done this?

"I'm sorry, I'm just an ordinary person. There are some places I can't take you," Roya said apologetically.

At the Fuyuki Magecraft Academy, certain areas were restricted to magi only.

Ordinary people weren't permitted to enter.

"...It's fine."

Gilgamesh really wanted to retort—

Since when were the standards for "ordinary people" this high?

If I were willing to peel back your seals, layer by layer, I would find—I would suppress—I would uncover your most repressed, deepest secrets!

And those secrets would undoubtedly shake the entire world.

Because every single one of the countless restraints sealing her away carried a presence comparable to—

Enkidu, the Chains of Heaven!

It was as if countless miniature Enkidus had joined forces to bind her, covering her entirely in tiny Enkidus!

As they walked, Gilgamesh casually chatted with her. "A lovely girl like you must have plenty of suitors, right?"

"Hmph, of course I do!" Roya answered without hesitation.

At the very least, she needed to dissuade him from any thoughts of making a move on her.

"Oh? Would you mind telling me about them?" Gilgamesh looked at her with keen interest.

Such a mysterious and unique little creature—could she really experience love like an ordinary person?

"Just a plain, ordinary otaku. We grew up together as childhood friends," Roya said without hesitation, using Souma as a shield.

"Childhood friends… how nice."

Gilgamesh grew even more intrigued.

Growing up together meant that person likely knew something.

Or perhaps—he was the very one who had cast all those countless seals!

"That guy might be ordinary, but he cooks really well, taking care of me like a mother would," Roya said, unknowingly slipping into a boastful tone.

The origin of her memories was the moment he reached out his hand and carried her home.

From then on, the two had relied on each other, never parting again.

At first, they even slept together!

In short, that otaku was the most important person to her.

No one would ever take him away!

"I have a friend who also seems to be quite the excellent cook," Gilgamesh mused, unable to help recalling the past.

That bastard Nameless—his cooking was also exceptional, surpassing all other chefs.

Every time, Gilgamesh had shamelessly gone over to freeload a meal.

What was even more amusing was that, despite constantly bickering with him, that guy always made an extra portion—aside from Enkidu's—just for him.

Always cursing him with his mouth, yet his actions were surprisingly considerate.

A real tsundere!

Roya blinked her big eyes, brimming with curiosity. "Is that friend of yours your lover?"

"No, just a bastard of a friend," Gilgamesh replied with a smile.

"Uh… you call your friend a bastard?" Roya seemed a little confused.

"Yes, he was absolutely a bastard!"

Gilgamesh sighed softly. "He gave you advice, helped you through crises, and then tricked you into leaving for good."

"An unforgivable bastard, that's what he was!"

A man who walked through human history yet left no name behind.

Despite giving everything for him, for Uruk, for humanity, he was still forgotten by all.

Had it not been for Alaya's revelation, no one would have known of his existence!

What on earth happened to that bastard?

"You two must be really close!" Roya couldn't help but exclaim.

Though he wanted to curse his friend as a bastard, he kept praising him instead.

This was clearly the bond between kindred spirits and closest friends!

If they'd been of opposite genders, they would have married long ago!

"Perhaps. I came secretly to Fuyuki City this time to give him a surprise."

Gilgamesh collected his wandering thoughts and smiled. "That bastard has been avoiding me. When he sees me, he'll be so shocked he won't be able to speak!"

"Then I hope you reunite soon."

Roya offered her sincere and heartfelt blessings.

The reunion of long-lost best friends would surely be a deeply moving scene.

Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked: "If I may be so bold, Mr. Gold, what's your dear friend's name? Perhaps I could help you find him."

"That guy's name is Shirou."

Gilgamesh replied.

Had it not been for Alaya's exposure, he wouldn't even have known that bastard's name - truly keeping everything hidden to the end.

"Ah, Souma???"

Roya couldn't help but cry out in surprise.

What an incredible coincidence!

She looked at him in surprise. "To be honest, I do know a shut-in named Souma, but he's only seventeen this year. Probably not the person you're thinking of."

"Seventeen? Definitely not then."

Gilgamesh was deeply disappointed.

In Unlimited Blade Works, that person had transformed from a seventeen-year-old youth with hair turning instantly snow-white into the later nameless figure.

"Ahem, I thought so too."

Roya felt somewhat awkward.

That guy was just an ordinary high school student—how could he possibly know this extravagantly wealthy tycoon?

"Meeting like this must be fate. May I visit your home and sample the cooking of this person you mentioned?"

Gilgamesh pulled out an even thicker stack of cash.

The little one before him was shrouded in endless mystery, piquing his curiosity.

Who exactly had intervened?

Why did he feel a faint sense of familiarity?

Gulp~

Roya stared at the thick wad of bills—definitely over ten thousand by her estimate—and couldn't help swallowing hard.

With great difficulty, she tore her gaze away and smiled. "Of course! We citizens of Fuyuki are known for our hospitality!"

Just one meal—this was too good a deal!

...

Meanwhile.

In Fuyuki Magecraft Academy's grand auditorium, countless people were rehearsing with tense efficiency.

The upcoming welcoming ceremony would involve tens of thousands of participants.

There were children assigned to present flowers to the Heroic Spirits, guides to show them around campus, and more.

Souma, as an ordinary student representative recommended by many, would have the chance to interact with the Heroic Spirits up close.

Having just finished rehearsals.

He took a casual swig from his water bottle, feeling more drained than after an actual battle. This was mentally exhausting.

Just a few Heroic Spirits—was all this pomp really necessary?

As Souma mentally complained, his phone rang.

Seeing it was the troublemaker kid, he answered casually. "What's up?"

Her hushed, excited voice came through: "Amazing news! This super-rich tycoon is coming over for dinner tonight! You've gotta come home early!"

***

Hey readers!

Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.

🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹