Semiramis's exquisitely beautiful face revealed despair, loss, dejection, and a hint of bitterness.
Then...
Semiramis seemed to be relieved, her expression returning to indifference, even a touch of solace.
"Perhaps, this is my destined end," Semiramis smiled faintly. "Fate, it seems, always finds us when we least expect it."
As she spoke, Semiramis spread her arms wide.
In an instant, a terrifying magical power erupted from Semiramis, and arcane engravings reappeared one by one.
Simultaneously...
The entire Hanging Gardens of Babylon began to tremble.
From afar, one could see the Hanging Gardens starting to collapse.
Countless cracks appeared, spreading across the entire structure in the blink of an eye. Even the twelve colossal stone pillars surrounding the gardens began to crumble, showering debris downwards.
Within the Hanging Gardens, more and more magical engravings emerged around Semiramis, filling almost all available space.
Semiramis instantly drew upon the entirety of the Hanging Gardens' magical energy, preparing for the onslaught!
Whether it was due to her injuries or the immense expenditure of magic, Semiramis's face grew even paler.
"Hey, hey, hey, this is no laughing matter!"
Byakuya licked his lips and looked around.
Even the Xuanyuan Sword might not be able to withstand this level of power!
After all, Byakuya could not fully unleash the Xuanyuan Sword's might at present.
However, Gilgamesh's interest was clearly piqued.
Gilgamesh raised his head and looked at Semiramis. "Your courage in fighting to the bitter end is commendable. In that case, this King shall offer a token of his respect!"
As he spoke, Gilgamesh extended his hand forward.
"I speak of where it began, the place from which all things part. From the two halves of the world, a great rending, a splitting of heaven and earth. My Gate of Babylon, the star of all creation, the end of all journeys, the ultimate end of all legends. I shall return it to the void!" Gilgamesh took a deep breath and roared, "Enuma Elish, the Star of Creation!"
Instantly, a vast expanse of golden light erupted.
In Gilgamesh's hand, a peculiar sword slowly materialized.
The hilt of the sword was in typical Gilgamesh style, entirely made of pure gold with black patterns, but the blade was entirely different, appearing as a black, cylindrical shaft.
The cylindrical blade was black, with numerous red stripes, divided into three segments.
As Gilgamesh gripped the Ea, an incredibly terrifying aura erupted at that very moment.
A bloody radiance spread outwards.
The three segments of Ea began to rotate continuously, emitting a low hum.
Red currents of electricity circled the blade and Gilgamesh's body.
This was the legendary sword capable of cleaving the world!
And now...
Gilgamesh intended to use this sword to destroy the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
In the next instant, as Gilgamesh raised the sword, the bloody radiance from Ea reached its apex.
The radiance seemed to solidify, sweeping outwards and striking the surrounding walls, instantly shattering them.
It struck the ground, pulverizing it completely.
Soon, the brilliance emanating from Ea became so blinding that no one could open their eyes.
The light completely filled the surrounding space.
Byakuya instinctively raised his arm to shield his eyes.
At this very moment...
Outside the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, reporters in Fuyuki City were still filing their frantic reports. Especially after the anomaly of the Hanging Gardens appeared, these reporters had become even more excited.
Then...
BOOM!
A reporter was speaking into the camera when a violent explosion suddenly erupted from behind, followed by the camera shaking uncontrollably.
Everyone involuntarily turned their heads towards the direction of the Hanging Gardens!
At this moment...
A colossal beam of crimson light pierced through the Hanging Gardens, and even passed through them, soaring straight into the sky, shattering the clouds above.
Accompanying the appearance of the red beam, the entire Hanging Gardens began to collapse.
The twelve giant stone pillars surrounding the gardens were the first to shatter, turning into countless fragments that rained down.
Following that, the Hanging Gardens themselves began to disintegrate.
They crumbled from the outside inwards, the trees within toppled, and then the colossal castle.
Cracks appeared everywhere on the castle, and it began to collapse.
Finally...
Under the horrified gaze of the onlookers, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon plummeted from the sky.
Those around instantly descended into panic, scattering and fleeing madly.
Until...
CRASH!
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon fell to the ground.
At that moment, it felt like the end of the world.
Large areas around the impact site began to shake, and the buildings below were instantly crushed by the falling gardens.
Explosions continuously rang out.
The buildings in the vicinity that were hit by the Hanging Gardens began to explode. Flames erupted, and black smoke billowed into the sky.
In a flash, that entire area was reduced to rubble.
It was like the apocalypse had descended.
...
Deep within the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Fūma Kotarō gazed into the distance, then closed his eyes in resignation. A Servant abandoned by their Master had no meaning in life.
Atop a pile of ruins, Semiramis lay on a massive stone slab, her beautiful face pale and weak, a stark contrast to her black dress.
Looking at the collapsing Hanging Gardens, Semiramis showed no distress, instead a smile of relief.
Vanity represented falsehood, and destruction was only a matter of time. Thus, this was perhaps her best end.
In the sky, Gilgamesh and Byakuya stood upon the golden chariot.
Gilgamesh looked into the distance, while Byakuya held the gleaming golden Holy Grail in his hand.
Then...
Gilgamesh propelled the Vimana, turning into a golden streak of light, and swiftly departed the scene.
The Holy Grail had been obtained, but the Holy Grail War was not yet over.
According to the rules, the Holy Grail would manifest for 24 hours, and whoever held it at the end of that period would be the victor.
Approximately one-third of the 24 hours remained.
However, Byakuya felt it was meaningless.
Currently, the only ones with a chance to fight were Karna and Astolfo.
It was not impossible for them to try and snatch the Holy Grail, but...
Even without the Xuanyuan Sword, Byakuya had not considered Karna a threat, let alone with the Xuanyuan Sword in his possession now.
And as for Astolfo, in Gilgamesh's eyes...
Well, Gilgamesh didn't consider anyone worthy of his notice.
...