"I really didn't expect it... I thought it would be Archer standing here."
Even Iskandar, the "King of Conquest", was quite surprised by Shirou's appearance at the moment. He regarded Gilgamesh, the "Hero King" whose prestige even overshadowed his own reputation, as his greatest enemy and thought that he should end up in a showdown with him. Unexpectedly, the other party was killed by a teenager who had never appeared before that, and Saber, who was supposed to be from another camp, also followed the teenager.
At this moment, the scene that appeared in front of them, whether it was Waver or Rider, filled their hearts with doubt and surprise.
"Well, how about reporting your name before you fight?"
Rider spoke directly to Shirou. Hearing this, the red-haired boy felt that it was ridiculous and held back a smile.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to; I just thought it was funny." Shirou waved his hand and continued. "I'm sure you already know my name; after all, we've met almost three times."
"Three times?" Waver paused and immediately began to search for the figure of the other party in his mind. Then, the character who matched the characteristics immediately appeared. Red hair, brown eyes, and such a cheerful personality...
"Do you mean... You're Lancer's Master, Shirou Fujimaru!?"
Waver, who subconsciously exclaimed, could no longer control his expression; his eyes widened, and his face was shocked. In accordance with Waver's voice, the boy nodded approvingly.
"That's right, it is I."
"I won't ask why you are in such a posture; I just want to know, it was the two of you who fought Archer yesterday, right?" Rider asked.
Hearing this, Shirou nodded. "That's right. Archer is indeed very strong, and I also played the game for a long time, tried my best, and finally defeated him with the help of Saber's power."
The mere fact that he was able to defeat Archer was enough to make Rider take it seriously.
"Is that so...?"
Rider was lost in thought, while Waver looked at Saber and Shirou curiously. Although he knew the boy was Lancer's Master, Waver still didn't understand why Saber would follow him. Suddenly, something occurred to Waver. Could it be that the guy threatened Saber's Master and then used the coercive power of the Command Spell to take her for himself?
Although Waver is not very good at magic, he has his own uniqueness in reasoning, and he immediately began to make up a thrilling drama in his brain. Despite this, Waver found that Saber did not seem to be reluctant, meaning that she might have volunteered to become the teenager's Servant. Because of the lack of information, Waver could only speculate, so in the end he could not get an answer.
At this time, Rider had already come to his senses, raised his head, and said in a loud voice.
"Then, it looks like the final battle is next! If you want to challenge me, just come; no matter what means you have, I, the King of Conquest, will take it all!"
Iskandar smiled arrogantly, and his words were full of the domineering spirit of a king. It was not for nothing that he was so confident; with the thousands of Heroic Spirits in the King's army, he was indeed not afraid of anyone.
"Saber, I won't admit your faith even now, because it's contrary to my royal ways. If you want me to admit you, prove it in battle!"
Hearing Rider's words, Saber's expression immediately became firm, and a flame ignited in her glass-colored eyes.
"Rider, I'll crush your army in one fell swoop!"
Even though Saber's speech was full of momentum, Rider scoffed at her intimidation, tilted the corners of his mouth in a bold manner, and said with a big laugh.
"Because of the power of the Command Spells given by 'My Friend', Iskandar tonight is in his most perfect state!"
Although the previous magic power was only enough to support the "Reality Marble" to cast once, Waver's seemingly meaningless and completely wasted three spells were unexpectedly working. The forced effect of a Command Spell decreases depending on the general nature of its contents. At this point, Waver's order just now was not specific in the slightest, and from the point of view of use, it was equivalent to wasting three spells in vain.
On the other hand, if a Command Spell is not used to distort the Servant's will but is based on the common will of the two, it is not just a coercive force but an augmentation to assist the Servant's actions. In this case, just as the Master can use a spell to summon a Servant from another location via "space shift", the spell can sometimes subvert the common sense of magic, making near-"magical" miracles possible.
While it does weaken the effect of the spell itself, Waver's spells do work for Rider based on the Servant's intent and the fact that three spells are activated in succession. So, as long as Rider's actions are aimed at "victory", he will receive an extraordinary boost to his mana. In short, Rider is now in "great shape" like never before.
"Rider..." Waver was a little stunned, and the corners of his eyes seemed to moisten again.
"Hmph! I see; your kingly aura that fills your whole body is indeed extraordinary, and it seems that you have already planned it." Saber glanced at Rider.
"Hmph! Very good, come on! I'm the 'King of Conquest' Iskandar; I accept anyone's challenge! Being able to make all challengers surrender is the hegemony of conquest!"
Although Iskandar is full of pride at the moment, Waver is just a young man of modern times, and he does not have such courage. After seeing Saber's strong fighting intent, he swallowed a little nervously. Rider, who could see that Waver was a little nervous, reached out and patted him on the back, then spoke in a tone that only the two of them could hear.
"There's nothing to be afraid of. I'll crush the enemy in front of me as always; just charge with me!"
"Well, I see!" Seeing Iskandar's confident expression, Waver was also infected by that emotion and nodded firmly.