You know, Caster Gilgamesh really likes Ritsuka, doesn't he. And I mean really really.
It's kinda low-key (of course it is, it's fucking CasGil), but when I had this epiphany I went back to some scenes with him and. Huh. It's true.
He sees himself as a guide for humanity. Hell, he's the one who kickstarted the Age of Man. And Ritsuka turned out to be the kind of human he likes.
Of course, Ritsuka is a completely ordinary, unremarkable human, having lived on peaceful times. No exploits, no breakthroughs in any field. Also definitely subpar as a mage. You'd think Gilgamesh would see them as nothing more than an ant, maybe even less.
Even so, it was Ritsuka who stood up on times of hardship and decided to fight. It's Ritsuka who refused to give up, Singularity after Singularity and Lostbelt after Lostbelt. It's Ritsuka who continues to pick themselves up and run, defying gods and Beasts and whatever the world throws their way. It's Ritsuka who carries the flag of humanity now.
And I think CasGil appreciates that a lot. Rather than leaning on the exploits of great figures, he thinks that Ritsuka's struggle holds far more meaning. If even the most ordinary person can stand up and achieve impossible things, then isn't that the perfect proof of the Human Order's value? Isn't that the perfect rebuttal against the fate imposed by the gods?
It makes me think of his Valentine's Day scene, actually. Instead of a physical gift like Archer Gil, CasGil chose a boat tour throughout Uruk, a city that houses plenty of memories for both him and Ritsuka. I wonder if he acknowledges that Uruk lives within them, too.
