The atmosphere between Archer and Rider turned tense in an instant, but just as quickly, it relaxed once more.
"Well now, Archer, let's have a drink first. We can leave the fighting for later."
"Of course. Unless you think the wine I brought isn't worth drinking."
"What nonsense—how could I resist such fine wine?"
At this point, even Saber couldn't tell if Archer and Rider were enemies or friends. She could only sit in silence and watch the two of them. After a while, she finally addressed Rider.
"King of Conquerors, you just acknowledged that the Grail belongs to someone else. And yet, you still intend to take it by force?"
"Hmm? Of course I do. My belief is 'conquest'—in other words, 'seizing' and 'invading.'"
Suppressing her anger, Saber continued, "Then why do you want the Holy Grail?"
Rider scratched his head sheepishly and took a sip of wine before answering.
"I want to become human."
That answer was completely unexpected. Even Waver gasped aloud and then shouted, nearly hysterical:
"O-oh! You—you mean you want to conquer the world again... Ahh!"
With a snap of his fingers, Rider silenced his Master. Then he shrugged.
"Idiot. You think I can conquer the world in this lifetime? Conquest is my dream—but to take the first step, I must entrust it to the Grail."
"You cur... And you're challenging me over something so pointless?"
Even Archer seemed taken aback, but Rider replied earnestly.
"Listen—even though we manifest in this world through magical energy, we're still Servants. We don't truly exist in this world. As ridiculous as it sounds, aren't any of you even the least bit dissatisfied with that?"
"I'm not satisfied. I want to be reborn into this world. To live as a human."
Rider looked up, eyes glowing with hope as he voiced his desire to once again gain a physical body.
Looking back, Waver had always thought Rider's dislike of spiritual form and preference for physical manifestation was a quirky habit. Servants might walk and talk like humans, but at the end of the day, they were little more than ghosts.
"Why... Why do you want a body so badly?"
"Because it's the foundation of conquest."
Iskandar murmured as he looked at his clenched fist.
"With a body, I can face the heavens and earth—I can conquer. That's my kingly path. But as I am now, bodiless, that's impossible. Without it, I can't begin anything. I'm not afraid of death—I simply must have a body."
Archer, for once, listened quietly. He drank his wine without interrupting, but if one looked closely, they'd notice an expression quite unlike his usual sneer. It wasn't quite a smile, but compared to his usual mocking smirk, it carried a tinge of menace.
"I've decided, Rider. I'll personally kill you."
"Hah! You're still saying that? You better be ready, because not only do I plan to take the Grail—I'm going to pillage your entire treasury! Letting me taste such fine wine was your mistake, Archer."
Rider burst into loud, hearty laughter. But among those present, one person had yet to smile even once during this feast.
That was Saber.
She had sat through the banquet in silence, unable to find a chance to speak during Archer and Rider's conversation. Their "paths as kings" were completely incompatible with her own, and they spoke such different languages that she could not join in.
Doing whatever one pleases?
That was not how a true king should act. To Saber, who upheld justice and purity, Archer and Rider were nothing more than tyrants.
No matter how strong they were, she could never accept them. They were the ones she must not lose to. The Grail could not fall into their hands. Archer's words were pure nonsense. Rider's wish was nothing more than a warrior's desire. And that was just the start of human greed. Compared to their dreams, Saber's own wish was far nobler.
"Hey, little miss. What about you? I'm curious—what's the wish of the blood clan's queen?"
Rider turned to Flan with a curious expression.
"My wish?"
Flan tilted her head slightly, then gave a sweet, innocent smile.
"My wish, of course, is to make the name 'Scarlet' resound across the entire world—so that all who hear it will fall to their knees in worship."
"Ohh, that's a bold ambition, just like mine—world domination, huh?"
"That's right! The blood clan are the true rulers of this world. You humans have held onto what rightfully belongs to us for far too long. It's time you returned it."
"Well, hearing you say that makes me, a human, just a little annoyed. I guess before I fulfill my own dream of conquest, I'll need to clear away some foreign obstacles like you."
The King of Conquerors laughed heartily at his own words. Even Archer looked intrigued. Only Saber remained silent—until...
"Hey, Saber. What about your wish?"
Rider finally turned to her. No matter the time, her wish had never wavered.
My path as king is my pride.
Raising her head resolutely, the King of Knights met the eyes of the two Heroic Spirits.
"I want to save my homeland. I want to change the fate of Britain's destruction."
Her voice rang out with conviction—and then, silence fell over the group.
The first to feel unsettled was Saber herself.
She had spoken with such certainty, with such clarity. Her wish was simple, pure, and deeply understandable. It should have drawn a response—be it praise or rebuttal.
But no one said anything.
Why? Saber couldn't understand. She was sure they had heard her. The ones who had been so lively just moments ago now looked at her with strange expressions.
And yet they stayed silent.
Why were they looking at her like that? Saber clenched her fists, uncomfortable. The looks they gave her—those pitiful, almost sympathetic eyes—they were the same kind of eyes one might give to a child who hadn't yet woken from a dream.
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