Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

"A bet?" Merlin blinked in surprise.

You made a fool of yourself in the video—why take it out on me?

Seriously, is your friendship with Nameless that deep?

"Bet on whether he can win the Holy Grail War!"

Gilgamesh said calmly.

He naturally knew that the gender-bent King of Heroes in the Vow in the Snow video had nothing to do with that bastard Nameless.

It was all just the setting of that timeline.

But seeing it still pissed him off, and he needed someone to vent on.

"No deal on that bet!"

Merlin refused without hesitation.

No way—Nameless had pulled off too many miracles. Only an idiot would take that bet.

Then, with a grin full of amusement, he said, "Let's change the terms. If he can single-handedly clear the Holy Grail War in one night without relying on any other Servant's power, then you win!"

Maximum restrictions!

No borrowing other Servants' strength—meaning he couldn't rely on Avalon to block Ea like in Unlimited Blade Works.

Nor could he use Excalibur to kill the King of Heroes.

With just the boy from the video, even if given a lifetime, he wouldn't stand a chance against any gender-bent Gilgamesh!

"Truly a cunning bastard—very well, I accept!"

Gilgamesh nodded. "The wager is this: if I win, you'll dress like this, put on a cheongsam, and publicly dance Gokuraku Jodo. If I lose, I'll let you off the hook."

"As long as Nameless doesn't tip you off in advance, it's fair!"

Merlin added another restriction.

The videos released by [Alaya] couldn't be seen beyond their current point by anyone.

Meaning even the King of Heroes' Clairvoyance was useless.

Unless Nameless told him beforehand.

"Hmph, as if I'd stoop to cheating."

Gilgamesh scoffed.

In his treasury, there were countless treasures waiting to be claimed.

For example, the thing Nameless often muttered about—

The Black History

He held no deep grudge against the guy, so he wasn't hell-bent on killing him.

Humiliating him was far more entertaining.

The bet was set.

The three continued watching the video.

The boy who had lost his sister drowned in endless grief and self-blame.

A familiar purple-haired girl approached him, her voice filled with regret. "Senpai, going to school together, eating together, spending time in the club—those were my happiest moments. But now… none of it will ever happen again..."

"Sakura, has the Holy Grail War begun?"

Shirou looked up at her.

The sorrow on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by unshakable resolve.

Everything I've lost—I'll take it all back with my own hands!

Tears streamed down Sakura's face as she whispered mournfully, "Yes… the Holy Grail War has begun."

In her hand was a card—the Phantasm Summon card, capable of invoking the power of a Servant.

"This card… it's the King of Heroes, the oldest and strongest. By activating the summoning fusion, you can manifest as Gilgamesh!"

Even though she knew full well, Sakura still handed the card over without hesitation. "That's why… I want you to have it, Senpai. Please… end the Holy Grail War!"

"Sakura, you've been deceived. This card is blank. The Ainsworths' Angelica has already summoned the King of Heroes."

Emiya sighed softly, delivering the cruel truth.

"Blank…?"

Sakura staggered back two steps, her face paling.

At this moment, she felt as if the sky was collapsing, drowning her in despair.

Without the Phantasm Summon Card, how could they possibly survive the brutal Holy Grail War?

With just her and Shirou—two weak magus—they would be torn apart effortlessly!

Unable to suppress her panic, she blurted out, "Shirou, let's run away together—far away from Fuyuki City and never come back!"

In such a merciless war, fleeing the city was their only hope of survival!

Not just her, but everyone witnessing this scene couldn't help but lament—

-[This is pure despair! For an ordinary boy to fight through the Holy Grail War and reclaim his sister, it would take nothing short of a miracle!]

-[Miyu is a Holy Grail vessel. To truly get her back, he'd have to defeat all seven Servants!]

-[Damn it! Even the only ally he has—his junior—only has a blank card and can't summon any Servant!]

-[Even if he summons Nameless from the future... he still can't take on seven Servants alone!]

-[So tell me, how is he supposed to win?!]

...

Just as all the spectators predicted.

The young Shirou firmly rejected the idea of fleeing. "I'm sorry, but I have to fight—to take Miyu back!"

He was already alone in this world, with only his sister left.

If he couldn't even protect her, running away would only leave him drowning in regret and agony for the rest of his life!

A future without his sister wasn't the future he wanted!

"But you can't summon any Servant to help you! How can you possibly defeat a Servant with your own weak strength?"

Sakura couldn't help but step forward, grabbing his arm as she pleaded desperately. "Don't be stubborn—come with me and escape!"

"I'm sorry. You've always seen me as a hero. And heroes... don't run from battle!"

Suddenly, the boy flashed her a radiant smile.

At that very moment, he abruptly shoved the girl aside.

In her dazed confusion, Sakura saw a flurry of sharp daggers erupt from the spot where she had just been standing.

Had Shirou not pushed her away, she would have been skewered without a doubt!

Her face instantly paled as she turned to stare blankly at the man emerging from the shadows.

That man was none other than her own brother—

Matou Shinji!

Wielding his daggers with a cruel smirk, he sneered, "My dear little sister, so eager to run off with some man? Seems I need to discipline you properly!"

Though he spoke of "disciplining" his beloved sister, his actions were clearly meant to kill her on the spot!

"You damn bastard—how dare you attack your own sister?!" Shirou shielded the girl behind him, his voice trembling with fury.

"Hahaha! Because it's a hundred times more thrilling than shooting up!"

Shinji waved the card in his hand mockingly. "Hah! Did you really think Lord Julian would give you the real King of Heroes summoning card?"

His laughter grew maniacal, bordering on deranged.

"Die! Just die! Both of you lovebirds can rot together!"

Pulling out a genuine Phantasm Summon Card, Shinji transformed into an Assassin.

Empowered by the terrifying enhancements of a Servant, he lunged forward like a phantom, sending Shirou—who had tried to protect Sakura—flying through the air. The boy crashed through a window, landing hard inside the house.

Coughing up blood, Shirou struggled to his feet and raised his own card. "Please! Any Servant—whoever you are—answer my call! Help me end this Holy Grail War!"

Yet... there was no response. The summoning card remained silent and lifeless.

"Senpai...!"

Sakura covered her face, unable to bear watching any longer.

That was just a blank card, no heroic spirit would answer the summon!

Not just her, even all the spectators couldn't bear to watch.

It was too tragic.

The nameless one who would save countless heroic spirits and form bonds with them in the future now had no one to aid him!

Countless people began praying for him.

If just one heroic spirit was willing to assist the young Shirou, he wouldn't have to face this hopeless situation of certain death!

"Hahaha, are you stupid? Using a blank card to summon—how could anyone respond to that!"

Shinji grabbed his neck, laughing maniacally as he mocked.

Right now, all he wanted was to see the other's face twisted in utter despair, completely unable to escape.

To see him desperately kneel and beg for mercy, reduced to a pitiful clown pleading for his life.

However, he miscalculated.

The boy showed no trace of despair. Instead, he grinned mockingly. "I really should thank you for failing to steal this card."

Hum~

Though it was a blank card, it suddenly began to glow, immense magical energy surging wildly from within.

"What?! That's impossible! Those heroic spirits never formed contracts—how could they be summoned???"

Shinji stumbled back several steps in shock, completely unable to believe it.

A blank card—how could it summon a heroic spirit?

This couldn't be happening!

"In my moment of despair, I called for the heroic spirits' aid, but none answered me. The only one who answered... was myself!"

Shirou raised the card, sighing softly. "I beg of you—all versions of myself across every world—answer my call and end this Holy Grail War together!"

***

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