In Academy City—
Kirina looked up at the handsome man before her, pouting slightly. "Mr. Gold, I'm sorry, I've got something else to do. Please find someone else."
Who cares if you're Mr. Gold or Mr. Silver, you're not stopping me from buying my heroic spirit merch!
Of course, she wasn't buying anything of that King of Heroes.
Just seeing his stuff made her remember the scene where he got his arm chopped off by Shirou, not to mention how he bullied her best friend before.
She wouldn't buy his merch even if you paid her!
Right now, with Unlimited Blade Works exploding in popularity, tons of people were fighting over those posters of King Artoria going all-out in the battle scenes.
As a devoted King fan, there was no way she was missing out.
"Of course, I wouldn't ask you to guide me for free. I can offer a tip."
The man smiled even more gently.
"Tch, like I'd care about your—"
Kirina didn't hesitate to refuse.
This guy's probably some creep. Even someone as adorable as her—a perfect little loli—wasn't safe from him!
She had to keep her distance!
But midway through her rejection, her words died in her throat.
Because the man had just pulled out a thick stack of bills.
???
You're that rich!?
Kirina couldn't help swallowing nervously, almost seeing all those limited edition heroic spirit figurines waving at her from afar.
"No need to be shy. I'm broke, except for the fact that I have way too much money."
Gilgamesh waved a few bills in front of the little one.
A rather strange little girl.
She looked completely normal, not even possessing a single magical circuit.
Just an ordinary girl.
And yet…
Even with his clairvoyance, he still felt a faint sense of something off.
A Noble Phantasm capable of seeing through names, disguises, illusions, and even divine concealment had nearly failed to see through her!
Interesting. Very interesting.
"Fine, I'll show you around," Kirina muttered under her breath, calling him a "damn rich mutt," but she still ended up agreeing.
Academy City was guarded by Heroic Spirits like Tamamo-no-Mae and Abe no Seimei, plus a whole army of protectors, countless magic machines, golems, etc.
It was literally one of the most secure city on Earth.
She wasn't scared of anything happening here.
Unless the man in front of her was on the same level as Tamamo-no-Mae.
But that was obviously impossible.
Kirina knew her worth. There was no way someone that powerful would be after her. She was just a weak, pitiful—but very good at spending money—ordinary girl!
"Thanks."
Gilgamesh looked at the little girl's eyes sparkling like a money-hungry goblin, and even he couldn't help but chuckle.
He gently placed a few bills into her tiny hand.
Buzz~
Sha Naqba Imuru suddenly blared a warning.
He was no longer the brash teenager from his Chuunibyou days—he always kept it on to guard against any danger.
But now it was issuing the highest-level life-and-death warning!
What the hell?
Gilgamesh's expression instantly darkened.
Because up close, he could sense on this tiny girl... an aura on the same level as the primordial goddess of creation—Tiamat!
Yes, the same level!
A power that transcended all Heroic Spirits, a crushing force of overwhelming despair.
But the aura vanished instantly, like a mirage—impossible to trace again.
"Mr. Gold, this way please. Let's ride the campus sightseeing tram." Kirina cheerfully tucked away the bills and smiled.
She planned to take him to some popular landmarks, act as a decent tour guide, and make some pocket money.
This was actually a common student part-time gig—guiding visitors through the enormous Academy City.
"Of course, I'll follow your lead."
Gilgamesh subtly took a half-step back from her.
Aside from that aura, he could faintly make out countless runes etched across her body.
They were vast and intricate like stars in the night sky.
Those runes formed layers upon layers of terrifyingly powerful chains, sealing her tightly.
Just being near her made him feel like he was standing on the rim of a volcano—like an infinite flood of energy would devour him at any moment.
Who the hell sealed her like this?
"Sorry, I'm just a normal person. There are some places I can't take you," Kirina apologized politely.
Some parts of the Fuyuki Magic Academy were restricted to official magi.
Ordinary people weren't allowed in.
"…No worries."
Gilgamesh really wanted to say—
Are normal people this ridiculous nowadays?
If I peeled away your seals one by one, I'd find your deepest, most repressed secrets.
Secrets that would shake the entire world.
Because each of those sealing spells… had power equivalent to—
The Chains of Heaven—Enkidu.
As if dozens of little Enkidus had worked together to chain her down!
Gilgamesh casually chatted as they walked: "With how cute you are, I imagine you must have plenty of admirers?"
"Hmph, of course I do!"
Kirina replied without hesitation.
Better to plant the idea that she's taken to ward off any pervy thoughts.
"Oh? Would you mind telling me about one?" Gilgamesh asked with interest.
Such a mysterious and special girl—could she really have a normal love life?
"Just some shut-in otaku. We basically grew up together—childhood friends." Kirina immediately dragged Sanjiro out to be her decoy.
"Growing up together, huh? That sounds nice."
Gilgamesh grew even more intrigued.
That would mean this person likely knew something. Or maybe… they were the one who placed all those seals.
"That guy's pretty normal, but he's amazing at cooking. Like a housewife, really—he takes care of everything."
Unknowingly, Kirina started speaking in a proud tone.
Her first memory was of him reaching out and carrying her home. Since then, they had relied on each other and never been apart.
They even used to sleep in the same bed!
In short, that otaku was the most important person in her life.
No one was allowed to take him away!
"I have a friend too. He's also really good at cooking."
Gilgamesh couldn't help remembering.
That annoying bastard with no name, whose cooking beat every professional chef.
He always had to shamelessly beg for a meal.
And the funny part?
That guy pretended to hate him, yet always made one extra plate—besides Enkidu's portion.
He'd trash talk all day, but his body was way too honest.
Such a tsundere.
Kirina blinked curiously, eyes full of gossip. "Is your friend… your lover?"
"No, just a bastard friend."
Gilgamesh smiled.
"Uh… you call your friend a bastard?" Kirina tilted her head, confused.
"Yup. He's a total bastard." Gilgamesh sighed softly. "He gave me advice, solved all my problems—(Bull of Heaven, Sumerian gods)—then faked his death and disappeared."
"He's an unforgivable bastard!"
A man who walked through human history without leaving behind a name. Gave his all for Gilgamesh, for Uruk, for humanity—and was forgotten by everyone.
If not for Alaya's revelation, no one would've known he existed.
What had that bastard gone through?
"You two must be really close!" Kirina praised sincerely.
He clearly wanted to insult his friend, but kept praising him.
That was the mark of a true soulmate!
If they were of opposite genders, they'd have been married already!
"Maybe. I sneaked into Fuyuki City this time to give him a surprise." Gilgamesh smiled. "That bastard keeps avoiding me. When he sees me, he'll be so shocked he won't be able to speak!"
"Then I hope you reunite soon."
Kirina gave her most heartfelt blessing.
A touching reunion between long-lost friends… how beautiful!
She couldn't help asking curiously: "If it's not rude… Mr. Gold, what's your friend's name? Maybe I can help you find him."
"That guy's name is Sanjiro."
Gilgamesh replied.
If not for Alaya revealing it, he wouldn't have even known the name—everything had been completely hidden.
"Ah—Sanjiro???"
Kirina couldn't help but yelp.
That's way too much of a coincidence!
She stared at him in disbelief. "To be honest… I know a shut-in otaku named Sanjiro, but he's only seventeen. He probably isn't the same person you know, right?"
"Seventeen? Yeah, definitely not."
Gilgamesh was visibly disappointed.
In Unlimited Blade Works, the man he knew had gone from a seventeen-year-old boy to a silver-haired, nameless counter guardian.
"…Yeah, that makes sense."
Kirina laughed awkwardly.
That guy was just an ordinary high schooler—how could he possibly know someone who was clearly a super-wealthy tycoon?
"Since fate has brought us together, would you allow me to visit your home and try the cooking of this person you speak of?"
Gilgamesh took out an even thicker stack of cash.
The little one in front of him was shrouded in endless mystery, and he couldn't help but be intrigued.
Just who was the person behind all this?
Why did he feel a faint sense of familiarity?
Gulp~
Kirina stared at the thick stack of bills in front of her—judging by sight alone, it had to be over ten thousand yen—and swallowed involuntarily.
With great difficulty, she forced her gaze away from the money and smiled. "Of course! We citizens of Fuyuki are known for our hospitality!"
It was just a single meal—this was too good a deal!
…
Meanwhile—
In the grand hall of Academy City, countless people were practicing nervously and in perfect order.
The upcoming reception would involve tens of thousands of participants.
There were even children assigned to present flowers to the Heroic Spirits, as well as others tasked with guiding them on campus tours and more.
Sanjiro had been recommended by many as a representative of the ordinary students, and would have the opportunity to interact with the Heroic Spirits up close.
After finishing rehearsals—
He picked up a bottle of mineral water and took a large swig, feeling like it had been more exhausting than an actual battle. He was completely drained.
All this trouble for a few Heroic Spirits? Was that really necessary?
As Sanjiro silently complained in his mind, his phone suddenly rang.
Seeing it was the brat, he casually answered, "What is it?"
The other person lowered their voice, sounding incredibly excited.
"Big news! A super-rich tycoon is coming over for dinner tonight. You have to come home early!"