Inside the gardens of the Einzbern Castle.
"Rider, the purpose of this banquet isn't just to lure Archer here, is it?"
Sensing the tension in the air, Proto-Arthur (the "Old Sword") kept his eyes fixed on Iskandar as he spoke.
"Hmph, I see you've seen through me. Although we've formed an alliance, we'll inevitably have to cross blades once Archer is dealt with." Iskandar paused, a hearty laugh breaking across his rugged face. "Better to compare our heroic spirits now, while we still have a moment of peace."
"You mean you wish to measure our 'caliber' against one another?" Arthur asked, his expression growing solemn.
Sitting to the side, Fionn mac Cumhaill raised an eyebrow with interest. Rather than a bloody struggle for the Grail, he preferred this bloodless battle—a clash of kings was a spectacle that fascinated the Great Hero of Ireland immensely.
"Exactly. Since we both call ourselves 'Kings,' why not discuss our caliber?"
With a heavy thud, Iskandar smashed the barrel lid with his fist, and the mellow aroma of red wine instantly permeated the air.
"The world belongs to the virtuous, and so it is with the Holy Grail. Whose caliber is best suited to be the 'King of the Grail'? One taste of this brew and it shall become clear." Iskandar turned his gaze toward Kamitani Yuu. "It is fitting to have a hero of this age witness this dialogue of the Grail; it makes the trip worthwhile."
"Haha, a hero of this age? I'm hardly—"
Yuu smiled and waved his hand, but before he could finish his modest reply, he was interrupted by a sharp voice.
"There is no need for modesty, mongrel."
A blinding golden light erupted in the courtyard as Gilgamesh appeared. Clad in his golden armor, his voice dripped with arrogance.
"For a hero like you to witness this banquet is an honor for these half-breeds."
Huh? Why does his attitude feel a bit... off? Yuu thought, glancing at the Golden King with surprise.
"To think you chose such a cramped, stifling place for a 'Kings' Feast.' That alone shows me how little you are worth. I've come all this way—how do you plan to compensate me?" Gilgamesh sat down, his ruby-red eyes staring arrogantly at Iskandar.
"Don't be like that. Here, the latecomer drinks first." Iskandar laughed off the insult, handing a ladle of wine to Gilgamesh.
Though one might expect Gilgamesh to be enraged by Rider's casual attitude, he surprisingly took the ladle and drained it. This was a "challenge" between kings; as a sovereign, he could not refuse the cup.
"—Tch. What is this low-grade swill? Do you truly believe you can measure a hero's caliber with such garbage?" Gilgamesh spat out the wine with a look of pure disgust.
"Is that so? But of the wine bought from the local market, this is quite high-end," Iskandar said, scratching his head with a troubled look.
"You think that because you have no concept of what true wine is, you lowly mongrel." Gilgamesh sneered. The space beside him began to warp and ripple with golden light. "Look closely. This is what you call a King's vintage."
From the ripples, Gilgamesh produced a set of wine vessels inlaid with brilliant gems and a golden bottle filled with a clear, colorless liquid. Five cups landed before the group, and Iskandar took the golden bottle.
"Whoa! This is incredible!" Iskandar exclaimed after pouring the drinks.
The wine from the Age of Gods was intense yet refreshing, fragrant yet sharp. The sensory pleasure was so overwhelming it dulled the other senses. Yuu took a small sip and felt a flush rise to his cheeks; he had to use prana to steady his mind to keep from getting tipsy on the spot. For someone who rarely drank, this high-proof spirit was a lot to handle.
"Marvelous! Archer, your wine is a masterpiece. To say it is meant for the gods would be no exaggeration!" Iskandar roared with delight. Arthur and Fionn nodded in silent agreement; in their memories, this was indeed a vintage of the highest order.
"Naturally. Whether wine or swords, only the best resides in my treasury—that is the taste of a King." Gilgamesh smiled leisurely, swirling his cup.
"Your wine is indeed fine, Archer, but we didn't gather for a feast of heroes just to drink," Iskandar said, setting his cup down. His eyes shone with intensity. "Why don't we each speak of what we wish to achieve with the Holy Grail? I'll start."
"My wish for the Holy Grail is to become human—to obtain a physical body once more and be born into this world."
"Reborn with a body?" Arthur blinked. He hadn't expected such a strange wish from a fellow king.
"Exactly!" Iskandar raised a clenched fist, a confident smile on his face. "To have a body, to dash across heaven and earth, to fulfill my conquest—that is my Kingly Way. But without a body, I cannot even take the first step. I want to remain in this world, witness this era with my own eyes, and then conquer it!"
"I can't stand you mongrels," Gilgamesh mocked. "Using 'struggling for the Grail' as a premise is already a violation of common sense."
"Oh?" Iskandar looked confused.
"The Holy Grail is already my property. All the treasures in this world originated from my treasury. Though time has passed and it slipped away, its owner is still me. Why should I let you rats steal my treasure?"
Iskandar just smiled. "So you're saying we just need your permission to get the Grail?"
"Indeed, but I have no reason to grant treasure to mongrels like you," Gilgamesh sneered, his red eyes growing sharp. "Only my subjects and people deserve my grace. Though, if any of you wish to submit to me, I wouldn't mind tossing a cup or two your way as a reward."
The courtyard fell silent.
"That won't do... it seems we really will have to meet on the battlefield," Iskandar said helplessly. No king or hero here would ever submit to another.
The dialogue continued until the topic turned to Arthur.
"I wish to save my homeland. I want to change the fate of Britain's destruction."
Before meeting Manaka or Ayaka, Arthur Pendragon's wish had never wavered. He looked at the other two kings with firm eyes. However, his righteous declaration was met with a heavy silence, followed by the low, mocking laughter of Gilgamesh.
"Archer, what's so funny?" Arthur knit his brows.
"To call yourself a King, to be praised by tens of thousands, and yet you still feel regret? Hahaha! How could I not laugh?" Gilgamesh mocked. "Truly remarkable, Saber. You are the ultimate clown!"
Iskandar also frowned, looking at Arthur with displeasure. "Wait—Knight King, are you saying you wish to deny the very history you created?"
"Exactly. Is that so shocking? As a King, I sacrificed myself for a country that was eventually destroyed. Is it wrong to mourn it? Do you not feel regret that your own nations fell?" Arthur questioned them sharply.
He turned his focus to Iskandar. "Iskandar, the empire you built split into four parts. Do you truly feel no bitterness? Do you not wish to start over and save your country?"
___
There's a few advance chapters on my P@treon
Usually upload 2 Chapters a day in there, except Saturday and Sunday
43 Chapters Ahead, and will continue to increase
[email protected]/Sp1ced
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