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"Hmph!"
Gilgamesh didn't need to think much, he simply raised his head proudly, "Only the strongest is worthy of challenging this King."
What's more, with such a good opportunity to obtain information on Rin and Iskandar.
He wouldn't mind the two fighting to the death, and then he would reap the benefits.
Of course, he certainly couldn't say that.
He was the noble King of Heroes.
Even if he were to accept a challenger, it would have to be the one who stood until the very end.
"Then, it's your turn, Saber?"
"I..."
Artoria understood the meaning of Rin's previous words.
Indeed, after hearing his declaration of war, Artoria, for whatever reason, should not interfere.
If they were fighting fairly, and she were to sneak attack one side while they were weak, the King of Knights' chivalry would surely weep.
Artoria now only hoped that Emiya Kiritsugu wouldn't be so shameless.
Otherwise, even she would look down on herself.
"I swear on the honor of the King of Knights, I will never do such a despicable thing!"
Artoria was a supporter of knightly duels, so of course she supported Rin and Iskandar' decision to fight.
If Kiritsugu caused trouble again, Artoria would definitely swing her sword and cut him down!
She was already mentally prepared to use her own will to resist Emiya Kiritsugu's Command Spells.
"You decide the time and place, how about it?"
Rin raised his hand, signaling Iskandar to make the decision, truly giving him enough face.
"Anywhere is fine, as long as it's not on your territory."
Iskandar would not give up his advantage for the sake of face.
Even though Rin was not a magus, Iskandar had witnessed his ability to set up formations, which was like an impenetrable iron barrel.
So, only a fool would go to Ryuudou Temple to fight Rin.
"But..."
"It's best to find a place with few people."
"How about that big bridge?"
Iskandar thought for a moment and said, "Let's set the time for tomorrow night. Then, let me witness the power of the Demon Lord from another world."
"You won't be disappointed, King of Conquerors!"
However, Rin's declaration of war was not yet over.
"Then next..."
"Gilgamesh."
Rin aimed his spear at Gilgamesh: "If I defeat Iskandar, you will be next."
"Oh?"
"How arrogant, Demon King from another world."
Gilgamesh revealed a ferocious smile: "As an entertainment, if you can't satisfy this King, do you understand what kind of end you will face?"
"I suggest you watch my fight with Iskandar tomorrow carefully."
"Tch!"
Rin invited everyone to watch the battle.
What did this mean?
One must know that information was extremely important for Heroic Spirits.
Allowing Gilgamesh and Artoria to watch Rin's battle with Iskandar up close was, in a roundabout way, giving them an opportunity to understand Rin.
"Because, isn't that fair?"
"I know your history and legends, but you know nothing about me."
Rin naturally would not reveal his trump cards to Gilgamesh for no reason.
Dealing with Iskandar did not require using Rin's true trump cards.
Those powerful dependents were reserved for Gilgamesh.
Therefore, this viewing of the battle was itself a strategy, used to mislead Gilgamesh's assessment of their strength.
As for Artoria...
To be honest, Rin had never taken Artoria seriously from the beginning.
To deal with her, he didn't even need to resort to force.
Simply revealing the truth of the Holy Grail, or waiting until more than half of the Heroic Spirits had died, the erosion of Irisviel by the Greater Holy Grail alone would be enough to make the girl collapse.
The Banquet of Kings concluded.
On the way back, Waver, riding on the Chariot, looked at Iskandar, who had been silent since earlier, feeling a subtle unease in his heart.
"Rider?"
"Are you really going to accept the challenge tomorrow night?"
"What are you trying to say, boy?"
"What I mean is, this is the Holy Grail War."
Waver: "Since it's the Holy Grail War, there's no need to follow any rules."
Because Iskandar had not displayed his Bounded Field, Waver was unsure of his Servant's true strength.
In his opinion, Rin was simply too strong.
The four Servants who appeared at the banquet.
Waver even felt that Iskandar couldn't defeat any one of them.
"Smack!"
"Ah, that hurts~"
Waver, clutching his forehead, angrily lunged at Iskandar, but was held back by the latter's single hand on his head, unable to advance: "What are you doing, Rider! I was so worried about you, you bastard!!"
Gradually, the atmosphere fell silent again.
Iskandar did not immediately offer an explanation.
The red-haired strongman drove the thunder chariot, galloping through the deserted night.
"That guy is very strong, completely different from any opponent I've encountered before."
Iskandar was silent for a moment, then laughed: "It's wonderful to be able to participate in the Holy Grail War."
"What?"
Waver was utterly confused by Iskandar' inexplicable turn: "What in the world are you talking about?"
During his lifetime, Iskandar led his army from Macedon, conquering every country he passed through, yet showing no attachment to their territories.
He constantly marched east, aiming to reach the 'end of the world' and personally witness the legendary 'Sea at the End'.
Alas, Iskandar ultimately did not get his wish.
He was exhausted before seeing the Sea at the End.
Soon after, the historical Conqueror, Alexander the Great, passed away.
"I didn't get to see the Sea at the End, nor did I reach the end of the world."
Iskandar, abandoning his usual boisterous demeanor, now appeared like a true king.
In his mind, Rin's figure emerged.
To roam endless oceans, land on islands called worlds, to witness, to conquer, to lead, and then to continue forward without attachment, until the true end.
"If you can obtain the Holy Grail, you can certainly fulfill your wish."
Anyway, Waver had no particular wish, so he would give the wish-granting opportunity to Iskandar then, allowing him to gain a physical body: "You said it, didn't you, that you want to continue your journey of conquest?"
(To be continued.)
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