Chapter 24: Chapter 24: There Are Parallel Worlds in Singularities
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Chihiro: "Come on, admit it. The person in that picture looks exactly like you, doesn't he?"
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Waver: "It's true. The resemblance is uncanny, same build, face, even the hairstyle."
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King of Conquerors: "Hero King, could it be that you have this kind of taste in your private life?"
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Artoria: "Disgusting…"
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Hero King: "Silence! If you keep talking, I'll end you!"
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[You have 5 minutes to answer the question. Please begin.]
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"Kid, how should I approach this one?" Zhang jiao asked.
Chihiro smirked. "Just pick the one that feels the least like Gilgamesh."
"I'd suggest D and F."
"D, I understand. It does seem different, but F.…" Zhang jiao replied.
"You can't answer this question based purely on appearance. Think about it, Gilgamesh is so arrogant. Do you really think he'd wear something so… undignified?"
Zhang Jiao nodded. "That's true. If he doesn't even have that much self-respect, then he isn't worthy of being called a king."
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Meanwhile, at the Tohsaka residence, Tohsaka Tokiomi carefully asked for Gilgamesh's opinion. "King, how should I proceed with this question?"
Gilgamesh, visibly annoyed from all the commotion, replied, "It's obvious. Both D and F are certainly not me."
Tohsaka Tokiomi breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, I thought the same."
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[Time's up. The quiz is now over.]
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[Now announcing the correct answers.]
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The system began to reveal the answers, prompting a mixture of curiosity and dread from the participants.
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[A: This version of Gilgamesh is an incarnation who has remained in the human world, familiarizing himself with modern life.]
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Kenneth: "Incarnation?! Hero King, you managed to obtain a physical body?"
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Waver: "Does that mean you actually won the Holy Grail War?"
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Hero King: "Hahaha! Was there ever any doubt?"
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The King of Conquerors: "Victory or defeat, it doesn't matter. Even if I were to fail, I'd still charge forward without hesitation."
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Artoria: "Well, I certainly won't make it easy for you."
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Gilgamesh scoffed. "You clearly don't know the extent of my power."
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[B: This image depicts a young Gilgamesh. It's uncertain whether he appears as a child due to drinking the potion of youth or by some other means.]
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The King of Conquerors: "A potion of youth! You really have everything, don't you, Hero King?"
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Gilgamesh grinned. "My treasury holds all manner of treasures."
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[C: This version of Gilgamesh is from a parallel world, an older and more reflective king who views Arthur Pendragon as a rival.]
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Waver: "Ah, so this one is from a parallel world. It did feel slightly different."
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The King of Conquerors: "In another world, you're actually rivals with King Arthur? Seems like you two are destined to cross paths no matter the reality."
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Hero King: "The outcome remains the same in every world."
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Artoria: "That remains to be seen."
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[D: This is Angelica Ainsworth, a member of the Ainsworth family in the world of Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya. The image shows her using the Gilgamesh Class Card in combat.]
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Gilgamesh huffed. "I knew that woman wasn't me."
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Waver: "What's a Class Card?"
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Chihiro: "It's a magical item that grants the user the abilities of a Heroic Spirit temporarily, much like a specialized magical artifact."
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Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed. "So, a mere thief dares to wield my power? If I ever encounter her, she'll regret it."
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Kenneth was skeptical. "A magical item that grants the power of a Heroic Spirit? It sounds absurd."
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Chihiro shrugged. "The world is vast, Director Ken. There's plenty of room for the unusual. You shouldn't let it get to you."
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Waver: "Are there such cards in our world?"
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Kenneth: "Not that I've heard of."
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[E: This is a depiction of a wise and mature Gilgamesh, ruling with a strict but just hand, known as the Wise King.]
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The King of Conquerors laughed. "Hahaha! This version seems more like a true king compared to you, Hero King."
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Waver: "It's hard to believe these two are supposed to be the same person."
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Hero King: "Tch. That one is himself, and I am me. Don't confuse us."
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Chihiro: "Wow, way to deny your own other self."
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[F: This is Nebuchadnezzar II, the second king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.]
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[He is referred to as the "Gory Hero King" who appeared in the "Parallel Seventh Singularity - Babylon: Critically Propserous City" after the demon queen "Draco" summoned Nebuchadnezzar's soul using the Holy Grail in 27th century BC and made him possess the body of the strongest hero.]
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Everyone: "!!!"
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The explanation left everyone speechless. There was more to this than they had expected.
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Gilgamesh beamed with pride. "Hahaha! Did you hear that? The system itself acknowledged it—I am the strongest Heroic Spirit!"
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Chihiro rolled his eyes. "You're missing the point."
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Waver agreed. "Exactly. Shouldn't you be more concerned about the part where it says 'possession'?"
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Gilgamesh's triumphant expression faltered slightly.
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"Tokiomi! Who exactly is this Nebuchadnezzar II?!"
Tokiomi, trying not to show his nervousness, quickly explained. "Nebuchadnezzar II was the son of Nabopolassar, founder of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. His reign marked the peak of the empire's prosperity."
Gilgamesh scoffed. "Prosperity? Are you saying it rivaled my Uruk?"
Tohsaka Tokiomi hesitated. "…"
He wisely chose not to answer, unsure whether Uruk's prosperity could indeed be matched.
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Kenneth was visibly struggling to comprehend the last explanation. "What kind of introduction was that?!"
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Kenneth: "Singularities, the seventh one at that, and something about parallel worlds. The amount of information is overwhelming."
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Kenneth rubbed his temples. Although the concept of singularities had long been discussed within the Mage's Association, it had remained a theoretical subject mostly handled by the Department of Astronomy. Now, to learn that these singularities actually existed, with at least seven confirmed, was disorienting.
More surprising was the fact that parallel worlds existed within these singularities.
No wonder Director Ken was feeling a bit light-headed.