Facing Kingu's challenge, Rider puffed out his chest, a radiant grin spreading across his face as he repeated his ignored proclamation: "I am Iskandar, King of Conquerors, summoned as Rider! I ask: will you join my banner, yield the Grail to me, and share the thrill of conquering the world as friends?"
"…"
"…"
The proposal was so absurd it stunned Kingu into silence, not anger. Assassin, opposite him, seemed equally at a loss for words, frozen in place.
Iskandar, King of Conquerors, was a peerless Heroic Spirit in world history. His conquered lands ranked second among all kings, surpassed only by Genghis Khan, outstripping even "Scourge of God," Altera. In the shortest time, he forged the vastest empire, a legend of relentless conquest.
His thirty-three years left an enduring tale of ambition unmatched in human history.
Yet, so what?
Appearing abruptly, declaring his True Name openly, and demanding fealty before even clashing—this was unprecedented in the Holy Grail War.
"Was the world once conquered by such a fool?"
The scene fell into an eerie calm.
"Uh… terms are negotiable!"
Rider added, seeing no response.
"Hmph."
Assassin let out a soft chuckle, seemingly ready to depart, his desire to fight extinguished.
Kingu, however, furrowed his brow, anger rising. He roared, "Fool! Do you know who you address? I am Kingu, Child of the Mother of Genesis and Pure Human, summoned as Archer!"
"What?!"
Waver and Rider were shocked.
"Mother of Genesis? Who? Gaia? Tiamat? Someone else? Wait, Kingu? I'll look into it later—check records for intel."
Waver wasn't a stellar magus, but he knew the value of gathering intelligence.
Rider, meanwhile…
"A demigod hero? Impressive! Name your terms!"
His bizarre logic ignored reason.
"You…!"
Kingu was livid.
"Whoops! Talks broke down. Hey, you, about to leave—care to pledge loyalty? Got any great skills? Terms are open!"
"Hahaha!"
Assassin's hearty laugh rang out, intrigued by Rider's words.
"Interesting. I've met many kings, but you're the first like this—the first to try recruiting me. Others begged for their lives."
His voice, hoarse and heavy, came from beneath his armor.
"Oh? I'm honored! You're a capable sort—name your price!"
"Hmph. I decline. I kneel to no nation. I am the sword over rulers' heads, the ender of power."
"Aw, what a shame!"
Iskandar smiled wryly, his mind forming guesses about Assassin's origins—a fearsome presence from that region.
"Hey! Who'd agree to that? What's in your head?!"
Waver, squatting on the chariot, nursed a lump from Rider's fist.
"Haha, better to try than talk!"
"Is that your True Name or what?"
Waver couldn't control his Servant.
"So it's you, Waver. I wondered who stole my relic. To think you'd enter the Holy Grail War, Waver Velvet."
A new voice echoed from all directions. Waver, hearing it, shrank like a mouse before a cat, guilt-ridden.
It was his professor, Kayneth.
Waver had stolen his relic to summon Rider.
"What a pity. I wanted this dear student to find happiness. A mundane like you, Waver, should've lived a simple, safe life."
Kayneth's cutting voice, laced with mana, dizzied Waver. His mentor's long-standing authority and dazzling aura suffocated him.
"Time for a special lesson in magi's mutual slaughter. I'll teach you terror and pain without reserve—your honor."
Kayneth's murderous gaze shattered Waver's naive dreams, exposing the magus world's brutality.
Waver trembled, too scared to feel the insult.
A gentle yet firm hand wrapped around the boy's quaking shoulders.
"Hey, magus. Sounds like you want to replace this kid as my Master."
Rider addressed the hidden Kayneth, his face twisted with malicious pity.
"If so, that's laughable. My Master must be a warrior who rides the battlefield with me. A coward too scared to show himself? Unworthy!"
Silence fell, the air thick with awkwardness, Kayneth's fury palpable in the night.
"Hmph."
Rider's mocking laugh dismissed Kayneth.
"I know others are out there, lurking in the dark."
Rider's booming challenge aimed to reach every corner of Fuyuki.
"More than just me were drawn by Archer and Assassin's thrilling clash."
"Pathetic! Truly pathetic, heroes gathered in Fuyuki! Seeing Assassin and Archer's valor, have you no thoughts? Bearing proud True Names yet skulking in shadows—cowardly! Your Heroic Spirits weep!"
After a hearty laugh, Rider tilted his head, smirking fearlessly, his provocative gaze sweeping the surroundings.
"Spirits summoned by the Grail, gather here! Those too timid to show themselves will face the shame of Iskandar, King of Conquerors!"
"Holy—! That taunt? No way! No legendary, renowned Servant could resist that! Right, Solomon?"
"Why not just write my ID number? I can hold back—why waste the effort?"
***
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