"This wine is truly incredible!!"
Iskandar downed the wine in front of him in a single gulp, without the slightest bit of restraint. The liquid vanished in an instant, and clearly unsatisfied, he was already reaching his large hand toward the untouched cups belonging to Arthur and Gilgamesh.
Before he could even touch them, two ripples appeared simultaneously beside Arthur and Gilgamesh, and two blades emerged.
In the very next instant, two perfectly aligned swords were silently pointed at Iskandar's neck.
The movement was so synchronized it looked like a reflection in a mirror.
"Hahaha I was just joking"
Iskandar quickly pulled his hand back and scratched his head, laughing as if nothing had happened. Even so, a faint sheen of sweat had formed on his forehead.
"Who could possibly be satisfied with so little wine?!"
He raised his voice in exaggerated protest, as always. Then his nostrils flared, as if he had just come up with a brilliant idea.
Without warning, he walked over to a nearby wall.
His muscles tensed, and then he threw a straight punch into the structure.
BOOM!
The impact echoed throughout the courtyard.
From the hole he created, he pulled out an entire barrel of wine.
"Seriously, why are you still hiding wine when you have guests?!"
Iskandar complained loudly, glancing toward Tokiomi before striding back confidently, balancing the sake barrel over his shoulder as if it were a trophy.
"That idiot!"
Waver bit his finger, trembling with rage, utterly helpless in the face of his Servant's complete lack of common sense.
"Don't look at me like that. This place feels so lifeless—I just wanted to liven things up a bit."
Faced with the attentive—and dangerously silent—gazes of Arthur and Gilgamesh, Iskandar merely smiled, without a trace of remorse.
With a sharp blow, he broke the barrel's lid and began pouring the wine directly, using the cup Gilgamesh had given him.
"Drinking like this is far more enjoyable! Hey, why are you still dressed like that? Parties are meant for wearing modern, stylish clothes like mine, hahaha!"
He proudly pointed at his loose white vest, printed with a world map.
Gilgamesh slowly raised his cup.
He took a small sip.
His crimson eyes studied Iskandar as if he were some curious animal.
"Fool."
His voice was calm, laced with disdain.
"We are about to deal with that Caster worm… and you call this a party?"
"I hate to admit it, but he's right. There's no reason for me to dress casually." Arthur commented, picking up his cup and drinking with elegance.
"Now that we've decided to launch the attack, we should make the most of this gathering. Only then can we raise morale to its peak," Iskandar replied, lifting the barrel once more.
Gilgamesh frowned slightly.
But before he could retort, Iskandar's tone shifted completely.
His eyes turned serious.
"It is said that the Holy Grail is destined to be claimed by the most suitable person… and that this war is merely a ritual to select them."
He looked at both of them.
"But if it's just a selection process… then there's no need for bloodshed."
"If Heroic Spirits can understand each other's level… the answer of who is most worthy to possess it will naturally emerge."
"That's interesting," Gilgamesh said. "But all the treasures of the world belong to me."
"You are nothing but mere usurpers. From that perspective… there is no need for selection," he continued.
"Lancer, why are you silent?" Iskandar ignored Gilgamesh's words and turned his gaze to Arthur.
Arthur, who had been merely observing until then, slowly swirled the wine in his cup before responding.
"Unlike the two of you… I possess enough maturity to understand that this is not the appropriate moment for meaningless disputes."
Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes.
Arthur's answer irritated him.
But not in the usual way—this man claimed to be him, so it felt as though he were being mocked by himself… and yet, he refused to accept it.
"Hmm, that makes sense."
Iskandar nodded, but then his eyes suddenly widened.
He looked at the table, then at Arthur, and finally at the barrel beside him.
Empty.
Completely empty.
"How did you drink all of it in so little time!?" Iskandar shouted, incredulous.
"Hmph. What a loser."
Gilgamesh snapped his fingers, and golden ripples appeared above the table.
From within them, a golden jar filled with wine gently descended.
"So, it's already clear which king holds the superior status… isn't it?"
His smile was arrogant.
"The amount of wine in my treasury is infinite. If you wish… simply bow before me."
Arthur let out a soft sigh.
"Could you stop that? You're embarrassing me."
He snapped his fingers.
More ripples appeared, and several jars of wine emerged—this time coming directly from Tempest.
"Drink as much as you like."
Arthur poured himself another cup, this time deliberately restraining himself to avoid getting drunk.
Gilgamesh watched this in silence.
His eyes narrowed—the difference between them was not in quantity…
But in attitude.
"Setting aside who will claim the Grail… what are your wishes?" Arthur asked.
Iskandar was the first to respond:
"I want to obtain a body."
"Hm?"
Such a direct wish made even Gilgamesh raise an eyebrow slightly.
Arthur, on the other hand, let out a faint chuckle.
Waver rushed toward Iskandar, panicked:
"Isn't your dream to conquer the world?!"
Without even looking at him, Iskandar shoved him aside.
Waver's body bounced across the ground several times before rolling back, as if it were perfectly normal.
Iskandar continued as if nothing had happened:
"What's the point of letting a mere chalice conquer the world for me?"
He clenched his fist.
"Conquest is something I must achieve myself!"
"I will do it with these hands!"
His muscles bulged, his presence dominating the surroundings.
"The Holy Grail is just the beginning."
"You bastard… are you challenging me over something so trivial?" Gilgamesh said, clearly irritated.
"Unfortunately… we are still just Servants."
Iskandar shrugged.
"Only the Holy Grail can change that."
He picked up a jar—
And drained it in one go.
"I've made my decision, Rider." Gilgamesh smiled. "I will personally kill you."
"Hahaha! I also intend to take all your treasure!" Iskandar replied.
"Gilgamesh's wish is to add the Grail to his treasury… mine is to reclaim a body. And you, Lancer?"
"Me?"
"That's right."
Iskandar pointed at Arthur.
"You started this. State your wish."
Gilgamesh also turned his gaze toward him.
"My wish…?"
Arthur gently swirled the wine.
"Personally… I have no wish for the Holy Grail."
"Then why are you here?" Iskandar asked.
"Simple," Arthur replied. "Because I want to kill the Caster." His eyes darkened slightly as he remembered Gilles.
"Besides… I know someone who will make better use of it."
He turned his head.
"Artie, come here."
"Hm?"
Confused, Artoria approached.
In the next instant, Arthur pulled her into his arms, making her sit on his lap.
"I have no wish. Therefore… fulfilling her wish is my wish."
"Eh?"
Artoria was completely stunned.
"Ah~"
Irisviel nearly burst out laughing.
"Oh~ so your goal is that simple…" Iskandar commented.
"You are truly boring to the extreme," Gilgamesh said, clearly disappointed.
"What is your wish?" Iskandar asked Artoria.
But, before she could answer the question, Tokiomi's distressed voice rang out.
"What?! Rin… she…"
At that moment, Tokiomi answered a call, and his expression changed drastically.
(End of Chapter)