Miracle Summoner

Seeing that Altera was completely restrained by Rozen, Gilgamesh couldn't help but speak, both surprised and amused.

"Although I did foresee such a future, I still wouldn't have believed it without seeing it myself. That someone would actually form a contract with you and be capable of restraining you, Sefar."

Gilgamesh teased Altera.

"Shut up!"

Altera, though unable to move, still responded coldly.

"What's wrong? You seem a bit anxious," Gilgamesh said playfully, ignoring her tone. "You really don't want your Master to know your true name, do you? Astral Warrior."

His words were as cryptic as ever.

Especially for Mash and Siduri, who had no idea what Gilgamesh was talking about.

But Rozen seemed to understand something.

"Astral Warrior…"

—Astral.

That term was not something Rozen could ignore.

After all, it was mentioned in Altera's Astral Emblem skill.

Rozen had always wondered what it truly meant, and from Gilgamesh's expression, it was clear he knew exactly what it implied.

Could it be…?

(Does Gilgamesh know Altera's true nature?)

Does he know the true origin of the Giant Altera?

Does he know her secret?

Does he know about the white giant that often appears in Rozen's dreams?

(Sefar… is that really her true name?)

Rozen turned his head toward Altera.

There, she stood frozen with her sword still raised. The calm she always carried seemed to vanish—she was biting her lip, eyes full of hostility as they stared at Gilgamesh.

It was the first time since they formed their contract that Rozen saw such raw emotion in Altera.

Other than when she was in her giant form, Altera had always seemed almost emotionless to Rozen.

But now, her emotional turmoil was plain for anyone to see.

Clearly, Gilgamesh had struck a nerve.

"Phew…"

While thinking this, Rozen exhaled.

"Return for now, Altera."

He gave the command.

Only then did Altera feel herself released.

The white-haired girl glanced at Rozen, then at Gilgamesh, and fell into silence.

Moments later, she vanished into a wisp of spirit fog, returning to spirit form.

The oppressive tension in the throne room gradually lifted.

Mash, Anna, even Merlin visibly relaxed their shoulders in relief.

"My apologies, King. My Servant was a bit disrespectful," Rozen said calmly. "But it was because your jest went a little too far. I ask your forgiveness."

He maintained formal courtesy.

"Are you blaming me?" Gilgamesh replied indifferently. "Seems like you're even more impudent than your so-called Servant. But I'll forgive it this time, since you've shown me something quite amusing, Magus of Chaldea."

Then he narrowed his eyes and corrected himself.

"No… I should call you Magician, shouldn't I?"

That statement stunned everyone present.

"What?"

Anna and Siduri both gasped.

"A Magician?"

Even Merlin narrowed his eyes, now taking Rozen far more seriously.

Even within Chaldea, those watching remotely were visibly shaken.

"A Magician? You're saying Rozen is a Magician? That's impossible!" Olga Marie was the first to shout in disbelief—she, descendant of one of the Association's most prestigious families.

"Is this a joke?" Da Vinci was just as stunned.

"A… Magician…"

Even Roman was left speechless.

The group's reactions only made Gilgamesh scoff.

"No one knew? He's hidden it well—but unfortunately, while he might fool others, he cannot fool me. Why don't you show them the crest on your right hand?"

He said it casually.

"No need," Rozen replied, ignoring the others' reactions. "I had no intent to conceal it. I simply never brought it up. I just didn't expect you to blurt it out."

"Anything with value should be shown to the world," Gilgamesh said as he shifted position, eyes fixed on Rozen.

"And if it's valuable enough, I won't withhold commentary. The final Master of humanity, a creation of that observatory… I know your worth well. Because I see it all—your origin, the source of your ring included."

At those words, Rozen clenched his right hand tightly.

At that moment, he understood how Altera felt.

Everything about him—what he knew, what he didn't know, and what he didn't want others to know—this king seemingly knew it all.

Perhaps even more than Merlin.

Rozen had the sudden urge…

The urge to ask Gilgamesh about something he'd longed to understand, from the past to now.

But he suppressed it.

Because he didn't believe Gilgamesh would reveal anything for free.

So Rozen took a deep breath, pushed down the impulse, and looked toward the king.

"In that case, may I take it to mean that you see me as someone worthy of speaking with you on equal terms?"

Rozen asked calmly.

But Gilgamesh responded bluntly.

"Whether past or future, there is only one being equal to me," he declared with royal disdain. "You do indeed possess qualities worthy of acknowledgment—but equality with me? Don't speak nonsense and risk souring my mood."

That said, Gilgamesh shifted his tone.

"However, as far as conversation is concerned, I will grant it to you. Whether it's your identity as a Magician, your ability to command that white girl effortlessly, or that brain of yours which can keep up with my administrative duties—you've earned my indulgence."

"I also know your purpose in coming here."

"You want this, don't you?"

As he spoke, Gilgamesh raised one hand.

Vmmm!

A golden ripple spread through space above his palm.

From within it, a golden urn slowly descended and landed in Gilgamesh's grasp.

"The Holy Grail!"

Mash and the rest of Chaldea finally reacted, spirits lifting at the sight of the vessel.

Rozen, too, focused intently on the golden urn.

As expected, the Hero King possessed a Holy Grail.