Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

You little brat, I raised you, and now you're bringing Goldie to my doorstep?

Translate for me, what's the meaning of a surprise?

Souma's smile grew brighter and sunnier, while internally, he was screaming curses—this was just his damn luck.

He'd been avoiding Goldie for the past two days, only for the guy to show up at his doorstep.

And worse, brought in by this little troublemaker herself!

My pants are moving.

I'm out!

A chill ran down Souma's spine.

If not for the subtle reminder from the Chains of Heaven wrapped around his waist, he wouldn't have even realized the other's identity.

If Goldie decided he wanted a heartfelt reunion with his "best friend," a single "heart-to-heart" talk could instantly send him straight to the grave!

With a perfectly practiced eight-tooth smile, he said, "Dinner's ready, Mr. Gold. Please wash your hands and join us."

As for his original plan of beating the guy up and dumping him into Fuyuki Bay?

Yeah, right. At this point, not being the one getting beaten up and dumped into the bay was already a stroke of luck!

"Pardon the intrusion."

Gilgamesh strode into the room with ease.

And, naturally, he slipped into a pair of house slippers without hesitation, acting as if he owned the place.

During their earlier handshake, Sha Naqba Imuru had fully activated, sensing something… peculiar.

Interesting. Truly interesting!

The corners of Gilgamesh's lips curled up slightly—just as he had expected.

On the surface, this man seemed like nothing more than an ordinary, domesticated househusband.

But he had keenly noticed something unusual.

This shut-in who spent every day with a little girl… was clearly no ordinary man.

Then again, it made sense.

An ordinary person, living alongside a little girl bound by countless seals as if she were an apocalyptic demon lord?

Was that even possible?

Obviously not!

Ordinary? That was the greatest disguise of all!

Once Gilgamesh had stepped into the bathroom, Roya sidled up to Souma. "Hehe, this guy's a total moneybags—owns entire mines!"

In front of this man, she finally understood what it meant to be truly wealthy.

Money meant nothing to him—if he wanted something, he just bought it.

Even coming over for a simple home-cooked meal, he casually tossed out tens of thousands like it was pocket change.

Was this guy some rich idiot from a noble family?

"Yeah, he's loaded…"

Souma pinched the brat's ear. "I told you not to bring strangers home!"

Do you even know who you just dragged in?!

After all the effort I put into raising you, this is how you repay me?

You're digging my grave!

And hey, didn't this guy stab you through the heart back in the day? You're not scared he'll do it again?!

"Ahem, I know, but I was just trying to lighten your burden!" Roya coughed awkwardly.

Of course she knew she'd messed up.

Acting as a tour guide for a random stranger, then bringing him home under the influence of his money—anyone would call her out for it.

But the problem was—

He paid way too much!!!

So much that she couldn't refuse.

Gritting her teeth, Roya pulled out half the cash from her little wallet and handed it over. "Here, we'll split it. Consider this your chef's fee for cooking!"

But then—

Souma casually reached into her clothes and fished out the other wallet she'd hidden.

"Mine now!"

Under her furious glare, he stuffed the wallet into his own pocket.

"You little brat, trying to play tricks in front of me? Still too green for that."

"I know every hair on your body!"

"Dammit! You can't be this shady!" Roya couldn't help but whisper angrily.

Yet inwardly, she cheered—it seemed this hurdle was finally cleared, and she'd avoid a beating.

Most importantly—

Bet you didn't expect this! I still have a third wallet that wasn't even on me!

Click~

The bathroom door opened as Gilgamesh watched them with amusement. "You two get along so well!"

Their relationship was truly peculiar.

Though one was the jailer and the other the jailed, they bickered and played like family.

Such petty squabbles over insignificant sums of money, casually given to the little one, yet they schemed against each other like this.

Fascinating. Truly fascinating!

Gilgamesh glanced at the ordinary dishes on the table, utterly indifferent.

As one who wielded the [Gate of Babylon], standing atop the pyramid of humanity, he could eat whatever he desired.

"Mr. Gold, please sit! Let's eat quickly," Roya fawned obsequiously.

Having taken his money, she naturally wanted to return the favor with food.

"Hmm, thank you."

Gilgamesh casually took a seat at the table.

As the mighty King of Heroes, how could he care for such mundane dishes? He merely wished to observe the mastermind behind this little one.

Playing along with local customs, he picked up chopsticks, taking a small bite just for appearances.

"Hmm???"

Gilgamesh paused slightly, sensing an extraordinary flavor exploding in his mouth.

Delicious!

A fragrance even he couldn't resist.

Skill bordering on the divine!

Why... did this taste evoke such nostalgia?

Roya eagerly asked, "So? Isn't it amazing? Totally on par with five-star chefs, right?"

She'd once attended a high-end birthday banquet at a friend's invitation, only to find the food there couldn't hold a candle to their home-cooked meals.

She'd repeatedly urged Souma to open a restaurant, but he'd flatly refused.

This shut-in claimed ordinary people weren't worthy of his cooking—that those who wanted to eat his food could form lines circling entire schoolyards.

That some might even wage wars just for a taste.

Seriously, what kind of nonsense was that?

Did he think he had EX-rank charm, capable of toppling nations?

Even the true fox spirit Tamamo-no-Mae couldn't pull that off!

"Indeed, quite delicious. I find myself somewhat envious of you, getting to eat this daily," Gilgamesh remarked.

"If you like it, have more! Make yourself at home—you're welcome to come eat here every day!" Roya rubbed her hands together.

This was a genuine big spender.

If she could just cling to him as his little sister, she'd instantly leap from an ordinary life to being a rich heiress!

Thwack!

Souma flicked her forehead. "Enough nonsense. Mr. Gold just wanted to try some home cooking."

You little brat, haven't you screwed me over enough already?

It's already a miracle Goldie hasn't noticed anything. Now you want to invite him over daily?

Looks like I'll need to pull out Enkidu and teach you a proper lesson!

...After Goldie leaves, that is.

"Oh, that would be too presumptuous. I'll visit when time permits," Gilgamesh replied with a faint smile.

Earlier, this little girl had inadvertently exuded an aura rivaling that of the Mother Goddess.

Coupled with the countless chains of sealing wrapped around her...

Having Gilgamesh sit beside you while eating truly makes it impossible to properly enjoy a fine meal.

Let me give you an example.

If you knew you were sitting on top of a Tsar Bomba and were told it could detonate at any moment, could you still eat peacefully?

Only he could remain so composed while dining.

Anyone else would have been scared to death by now!

"Don't be shy! I feel like we've been friends forever—seeing you is like seeing family!"

Roya's sweet words dripped like honey.

And she wasn't lying.

To her, the man before her might as well have been Qin Shi Huang printed on banknotes—wasn't that basically family?

Qin Shi Huang, who guarded the entire Dragon Nation against America—there wasn't a single person in the country who didn't worship and adore him.

"…"

Beside them, Souma felt a vein throbbing on his forehead.

You little brat, that's enough!

You're supposed to be an apocalyptic Demon King—is it really worth humiliating yourself over a bit of money—

A measly few thousand bucks?

"What an adorable little thing. I have a friend who's just as cute as you." Gilgamesh smiled nostalgically.

It had been a long time since he last saw that green-haired best friend of his. He wondered where they were now.

Could they still be with Nameless?

Roya couldn't resist prying with a gossipy tone, "Oh, is that friend you mentioned—"

"Stop asking unnecessary questions. If Mr. Gold wants to talk about it, he will."

Without hesitation, Souma stepped forward and covered her mouth.

Right now, Enkidu was coiled around his waist like a belt.

It was Enkidu who had reminded him earlier, allowing him to immediately recognize the other's identity.

After all, the Chains of Heaven were a divine weapon forged specifically to counter the King of Heroes!

If Gilgamesh noticed anything unusual, he would definitely recognize him!

"Well then, thank you for the hospitality. I should take my leave."

Gilgamesh wiped his mouth and stood up.

"Huh? Leaving so soon? You barely ate anything," Roya said, feeling a bit guilty.

The man had spent tens of thousands, only to leave after a few bites.

Even if they wanted to fleece him, this was too much!

"It's fine. I just came to take a look."

Gilgamesh waved his hand lightly, completely unbothered by it.

The two quickly stood up to see him off.

Just as they rose, the doorbell rang.

"Coming!"

Roya trotted over to open the door.

Souma, who had been relaxed just moments ago, suddenly stiffened.

He had finally remembered something he'd forgotten—

Illya had mentioned earlier that she would come for dinner!!!

Damn it!

Recognizing Gilgamesh had been so shocking that he'd completely blanked on it.

Click—

The door opened, revealing a little girl with snow-white hair who greeted them sweetly, "Souma, sorry I'm a bit late."

"Not at all, we're still eating," Roya called out.

But then she noticed the two men in the room frozen in place.

Huh? What's going on?

Was Mr. Gold also a fan of Illya?

Roya could totally understand that.

After Unlimited Blade Works aired, countless people had become her fans, affectionately dubbing her the "Pure White Little Angel."

So, it made sense for Gilgamesh to be surprised—but why did Souma look like he couldn't bear to watch, as if he wanted to bolt at any second?

Something was off!

Ahem—

Souma stepped forward calmly, shielding Gilgamesh from view. "Illya, go wash your hands first. You can join us for dinner right away."

"Mm, okay."

Illya nodded and walked past Gilgamesh.

The sight made Souma's heart leap into his throat.

Let's not forget—

In Unlimited Blade Works, Gilgamesh had been dead set on having a heart-to-heart talk with Illya!

Luckily, the man didn't move, merely watching her pass with a faint smile.

Gilgamesh sighed softly. "I never expected Illya to come here for dinner too. It seems I might shamelessly invite myself over for meals as well."

Interesting. Truly interesting!

Even Illya was here.

This tiny, ordinary home was hiding such extraordinary figures.

How amusing!

Gilgamesh naturally had no interest in heart-to-hearts.

That was something only his edgy younger self would do. Now, he had no need for it.

With all the wealth in the world at his disposal, what was a measly Holy Grail to him?

Souma instinctively wanted to refuse.

No!

Stay away!

Good grief, if you and Illya were in the same room, who could possibly eat in peace?!

"You're absolutely welcome!"

Roya immediately voiced her approval. "Mr. Gold, can I call you big brother?"

This was a super-thick golden thigh—she had to cling to it tightly.

"Of course," Gilgamesh replied with a smile.

Given the other party's peculiar identity, no Heroic Spirit could possibly fail to take notice.

If word got out, it would undoubtedly summon Heroic Spirits from across the entire world!

At that moment.

Fou, who had been sleeping all this time, finally woke up. After stretching lazily, it gracefully padded into the living room with cat-like elegance:

"Fou... fou... (Time for food!)"

As it approached,

Gilgamesh's crimson eyes locked onto it intently.

Even with [Sha Nagba Imuru] fully activated, he could only sense a mysterious aura, utterly unable to see through its true form!

A creature just as enigmatic as the little loli Roya—

A cat???

Under his gaze, Fou tilted its head slightly: "Meow?"

It had its [Cognition Filter] active, making it impossible for any human to see through its disguise.

They would only perceive it as an ordinary cat.

But now, this Heroic Spirit seemed to have noticed something?

Not that it mattered.

For the Fourth Beast, which held the Original Sin of [Comparison],

No matter how strong you were, it would always be just a little stronger than you!

If you won second prize in the lottery, it would win first.

If you rolled a five on the dice, it would roll a six.

And so on.

Always just a tiny bit better—how infuriating was that?

Fou strutted right past him, hopping onto its designated spot to start munching on dried fish.

Stupid humans, don't interrupt my mealtime!

Roya introduced from the side: "This is my pet cat, named Fou. Isn't it adorable?"

Adorable, sure.

But this damn cat never let her pet it even once!

It made Roya grit her teeth in frustration, yet all she could do was watch helplessly as Fou acted cute for Souma.

She was growing increasingly convinced that this creature was definitely that fox spirit who had entangled with Souma in a past life!

Now reincarnated as a cat to repay him!

"It is indeed adorable."

Gilgamesh nodded.

That little white beast Merlin had tossed from the Tower of the End actually had a disguise even he couldn't see through?

Just what was its true identity?

That bastard dream demon Merlin seemed to have hidden far too much from him.

After this grand spectacle was over, he wouldn't let him escape unscathed!

Gilgamesh smiled faintly. "Then I shall take my leave now."

"Ah, do you want me to walk you out?" Roya asked.

"No need. You continue your meal. Souma can see me off."

Gilgamesh waved dismissively.

Under Roya's reluctant, money-grubbing gaze, he and Souma stepped out of the house together.

The two walked side by side along the streets of Fuyuki City.

One tall, one short, yet both equally striking—they drew the attention of many young girls.

Just as they reached the plaza in the residential area,

Gilgamesh suddenly stopped, placing a hand on Souma's shoulder with a smile. "My dear old friend, so you're the one they call Souma, huh?"

***

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