Disclaimer: I don't own anything, not even Alexander the Great's quote. Credits go to Hiroshi Shiibashi for Nurarihyon no Mago, and Gen Urobuchi, and the TYPE MOON franchise for Fate/Zero.
Chapter 18: The Banquet of the Holy Grail
"We will appear in the Einzbern Mansion." Caster now tied her hair in a low ponytail as she now wore her casual outfit of the modern world. Good thing her Shapeshift ability did not fail her in the slightest. But then again, that skill of hers can be considered as top – notch, so using that skill is as easy as putting on her clothes. "I'm pretty sure that Emiya - san is now on the hunt for Masters after that incident. After all, his objective is to finish them off as quickly as possible, including us."
Meanwhile Kejoro has now put on her best red velvet dress with a short cut reaching from the hem of her dress to her knees on the left side. She tried the sleek black suit like Saber's first, but then her chest feels constricted every time she tries it on.
"Provided that Servants don't pop up in the same location twice, we'll be fine…" Kejoro pulled a deep red ribbon from the small wooden drawer. She then arranged her hair in a ponytail. "Right?"
"I think so." Caster mused as she then saw the sunlight slowly dimming in their place. "Let's go, Kejoro – san."
"Yeah, let's." Kejoro quipped as she now pulled a long deep red pair of gloves on her hands reaching to her forearms. Even though she is a youkai, if they want to meet with Saber, they must appear as they are.
This is a situation that can be considered by many as a disaster waiting to happen. They certainly did not expect this of all things to happen to them. Going to meet Saber is par for the suicide course. Meeting three kings in one place can be considered as an astounding dashing of hope. Moreover, the two kings, Saber and Archer, are part of the Knight class. Her own Luck stat really likes to play games with them.
This is really not their night.
These are the moments where going in the Einzbern Mansion can be considered by many as an awkward moment. Three kings now turned their gazes on the newcomers who dared to ruin their banquet. The golden Servant now set his crimson eyes on the newcomers warily.
"Ah, they may be the mongrels who are the rumored eighth pair in the Grail War." Archer has his tone in a really slightly interested voice. But then, his interest can be misinterpreted by others as killing instinct, as if both these terms have the same meaning to the king. Rider just smirked at the events, seeing that this is the pair that they are looking for.
"Ah, how should I put this in words…" the pink – haired lady now has her voice in an awkward manner as she saw two other people aside from who they came in for. She unconsciously parted the strands of hair on her left side in a calm manner that hid her panicking side. Kejoro on the other hand looks calm on the outside, but on the inside her mind just went full overdrive in panic. Two beings that call themselves as kings are here as guests in the banquet that the King of Conquerors has initiated. Their thoughts are now united as their minds only say one thing that can send every Master that has the weakest Servant cowering.
This…could be really bad.
How should I put this in words… Any ideas, Goshujin – sama? Caster has once again said the word, but instead of a usual snarky tone, it is clearly said in a tone of nervousness, and she needs someone to explain what they just went into. Unfortunately, Kejoro is also clearly at a loss for words, the panic cranking up to overdrive as she now cheerfully replied.
It seems that we now jumped from the frying pan and into a really hot furnace. Kejoro replied in a trembling cheerful manner through her mental link. We have three options. We could run away and die like dogs, we could face them in a battle and die like dogs, or ask for help from Saber and die like dogs.
Good thing Caster thought of one thing, but it will be forever etched in history as the most stupid choice ever made if this situation is to be made in a visual novel.
I say that option D is the right answer. Caster also replied in the same manner as Kejoro through her mental link as she now approached the three Servants emanating charisma.
Kejoro has now snapped out of her thoughts, but what snapped her out is the comment that her Servant has made, unsure whether that comment made any sense. Wait a minute, there's no option D, right?
"May I join your banquet, Ou – sama – tachi?" Caster politely bowed as Archer, Saber and Rider were surprised by the uninvited guest. Less on the part of Rider, who has seen the pair as described by Waver, and Archer, who discerned the brief prana spike as such. Even Waver and Iri stood speechless as three Servants became four at the presumed second Caster's sudden appearance.
Invite ourselves in and die like dogs…probably?
"Of course, this is a banquet. Everyone's invited to this feast. Even commoners have the right to listen to kings." Rider acquiesced as he studied Caster's stats. Waver studied her too, and was surprised to what he had just found.
She's on a completely different level from that insane Caster! Just what is she? Waver held his jaw upright to keep it from falling.
Kejoro walked up to Waver. Waver can only describe her as an otherworldly beauty that is never meant to be here in the first place. Waver then asked her something that he thought is a very stupid question. He saw it from their interactions earlier, but just to be sure, he pressed on it.
"Are you her Master?" Waver asked as Kejoro faced him, then she smiled softly at him.
"You can say that I am." Kejoro replied as she stared at Caster listening to the conversation of the kings. Waver only knows that only Western heroes are allowed to be summoned, and to make sure that no one slips past their observation, the Grail system has set up for itself a barrier preventing it to be so. But for some reason, this Caster is summoned, and with sky high stats to boot for a Caster – class Servant.
Then he remembered that this is a Grail War, so it is fitting that they will attempt to summon the strongest Servants of those classes, most notably the Saber class.
Caster now took her place as a spectator to the discussion. She now sat in a way that a prim and proper princess would in Japanese times. Rider then celebrated it by raising his cup to the spectator.
"Before we hold our discussion, let me introduce to you our spectator and the eighth Servant, Caster." Rider bellowed as he introduced the eighth Servant. Saber is surprised at the mention of the specific Class. Is her Master Kiritsugu really too ignorant of her to the point of not telling her anything about the Servants that she will fight?
But then, Kiritsugu really has a habit of leaving her to her own devices, so she will use that time to study the new Caster that dared to appear. It seems that she is here for a different purpose, judging by the surprised look of her Master and Caster at seeing the three of them here.
Meanwhile Archer looked down on her warily. Earlier he has seen the pieces with an eighth Servant and Master opposing the Grail. He correctly deduced that they have an eighth Servant, no matter what the Grail says to him that they only have seven Servants.
Caster then bowed her head down in deep respect. "It is an honor to witness such an edifying discussion."
"I am glad that you will enjoy this, Caster." Rider laughed as he offered her wine. Caster then politely refused.
"Even though I like wine, the fact remains that it will cloud my judgment. So I wish to keep my head clear to push through with what we will do." Caster explained.
"Oho, let me hear about it, little lady." Rider urged Caster to spill what they will exactly do.
"That…" she looked stoically at Saber's direction, which surprised the latter. "is for Saber and her Master to hear themselves. My thoughts are not jewels that can be sold easily to merchants."
Archer then spoke now. "Rider, you know that kings are supposed to have a discussion in this place. Mongrels like her should not even be allowed to speak out their thoughts."
"I suppose that mongrels like me should stay silent here, am I right, Archer?" Caster gave off a calm smile but pronounced every word with dripping venom, leaving Archer irate at the atmosphere, but decided to keep quiet lest he unleash Caster's form of rage. Saber, Rider, Waver and Irisviel are surprised at the demeanor that Caster unleashed just now. Her demeanor can equate those born of royal descent.
That was not Charisma. That was pure killing intent. Unlike the other Caster's overt and senseless kills, this one has a pure killing intent that can be directed at someone. I will really enjoy killing someone like her, even though she is a mongrel woman. Archer mused as he faced off with Caster's immense atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Maiya was still observing them from the shadows, through the lens of her Steyr AUG, and she can't believe that a Caster of all servants can unleash a dissonant atmosphere similar to a servant having the skill of Charisma, to a level that even Archer, the Knight of the Bow, must comply with what she says. She decided to take the shot at Caster, but then relented from doing so.
The cause of her relenting is another issue. Something else was nagging on her instincts. She sense something appear one by one. This could mean an all-out war again, just like the last time. But this time, they will launch an all-out assassination of Servants within that vicinity.
This could be really bad…
"So, now that we have introduced our spectator, we will now lay out our aspirations." Rider began. "Let me start with you, Archer. Why do you covet the Grail?"
"I do not need to covet the Grail." Archer scoffed, as he swirled his wine. "Everything in this world belongs to me, no more doubts. By that regard, the Grail is already mine."
"The way you speak as of now is no different from Caster's rants." Saber now spoke. "It looks to me that he is not the only Servant that has gone insane after all."
Archer clicked his tongue to his ire, but Rider quickly dissipated it with another question.
"So, Archer, you say that you own the Grail already." Rider spoke once again. "Does that mean that you have seen the Grail? You would know what it is like, am I right?"
"Do not stoop yourself to a fool, nor base it according to your mongrel perception. The vast wealth of my treasury has surpassed my knowledge of it long ago." Archer declared. "Anyone who dares to take my precious treasures is nothing more than a thief."
"Ah, I see." Rider quipped as he smirked. "I think I know what is Kinpika's name."
Waver is surprised at that notion and quickly established a mental link to him.
Wait, so you mean you now know his true name? What is it? What is his name?
Do not be so quick, boy. I want to confirm it for myself. Rider replied through the link. Like I said, this matter will clarify itself as we drink, so do not be too hasty.
Meanwhile Kejoro and Caster now listened intently to the talk of the kings. Kejoro observed them from a distance, but from Caster's expressions, she knows something is going on. Caster then quickly established a link to her.
Kejoro – san, what would you want me to do? He knows the name of Archer.
Caster, we can only wait. As we can see, they are not here to flaunt their identities, but rather, show the other kings their way of kingship. Also, we cannot do anything even if we know their names now.
I think you're right. Caster admitted. It's not like we have a Phantasm up for the task.
In actuality, her mirror is a really powerful Noble Phantasm by itself. But then, as she willingly let herself become a Servant, the mirror can only be used to cast powerful spells.
Rider now spoke. "That will mean that if we really want the Grail, we only need to ask from you, am I right?"
"Indeed." Archer quipped as he drank the last drop. "But it will not mean that I will give it to mongrels like you."
"Are you just being selfish at that point?"
"Fool. My people and my subjects are the only ones worthy of my compassion." Archer replied "Therefore, if you willingly submit yourselves to me, I can permit you to have a drink or two anytime."
"A tempting offer as it may be, Archer, but I cannot help it." Rider smiled as the liquor almost went to his brain. "I want the Grail too much that I will have to take it away from you."
"If you will take it away from me, I will have no other choice but to punish you severely." Archer declared as he placed down his goblet. "It is as simple as that. Anyone who takes away my treasure is a thief, and so I must punish them for their foolish acts."
"You may punish me, Archer, but what law will punish me for it?"
"My law." Archer declared with full resolution. "It will be my law that I set down as the ruler of the land."
"So that means that the way that you set the laws yourself is enough proof of your kingship. That is a perfect reason, no doubt about that."
After much thought, Saber now asked Rider.
"King of Conquerors, you have acknowledged Archer's belongings as his belongings. Yet you try to take it away from him. Why will you go that far to attain the Grail?"
After much thought on how the wine will affect his thinking, without a doubt he spoke this line. "True reincarnation."
Waver dropped his jaw in disbelief. He now ran to Rider's place.
"Hey! Didn't you say that you desire world conquest! That is your wi –" He is now cut off as Rider flicked him away. Rider then continued his discourse as Waver lied down face first on the ground.
"Of what use is the act of conquest if I myself do not do it, but rather the Grail does it for me?" Rider reasoned out as he drank. "First and foremost, even if we are in this world, the truth remains that we are still Servants who needs mana from our Masters. Achieving true reincarnation helps me achieve the first step in conquering the world. If I have a physical body of my own, I can do anything I want. Such is my path of conquest, and consequently, my kingship."
Archer now smirked. "I have now decided, Rider. I will have to kill you with my own hands."
"I deeply apologize, Archer, but it will have to wait." Rider let out a small laugh and he now poured a goblet – full of wine at Archer's goblet. "We can kill each other after we finished our drinks."
Caster, who observed their ways, now spoke up, to Archer's disdain. "Ah, I see. Your path of conquest is your proof of your kingship."
"Indeed, little girl." Rider applauded at the spectator, to the disgust of Archer.
"Mongrels should not be allowed to speak." Archer quipped in annoyance. "Are you challenging our authority as kings?"
"On the contrary, my king." Caster politely spat back. "I respect your authorities. Is it wrong for me to speak my mind?"
"Not at all. Like I said earlier, even commoners have the right to listen to their kings and convey their wishes." Rider agreed at that notion, but remembers that only the people of Archer gain his compassion. "Let us hear your way of how your people rule during your time."
"I will be glad to lay my path." Caster bowed her head deeply before she spoke.
"Although I am of royal descent, my position in the kingdom sorely pales in comparison to you." Caster began. "Our ruler is what I can consider as the most compassionate one, and therefore we follow his example. His love for the people knows no bounds, and he tries to destroy the law that dictates of his divinity, leading to the people being distant from him."
"At first I am interested, but not long after, I too wanted to serve my people. In doing so, I have pledged to myself to become a good wife for the king." Caster continued her discourse. "I therefore learn from him how to give the people another opportunity to explain their circumstances on why they did the crime, as opposed to Archer's rule that does not give them another chance and punishes them without a single thought."
Archer can bear the fact that Saber has insulted him to his face, but not an insult from a lowlife such as Caster. Her class is inferior, no doubt, but why she has an air of regality whenever she talks of her life? Adding to that dilemma is the fact that her demeanor can silence every single one of them at a snap of her fingers. It is really different from Saber's and Rider's ability of Charisma.
"I also learned from him to understand our people more through hearing their voices and opinions." Caster spoke. "Before long, I am now also following an example that the emperor gave me, and so I come to understand human bei – I mean my people more."
Whew, I am so close right there. Caster replied through her mental link. If text message occurred in their time, it will have a comical sweat drop over the message that she relayed to Kejoro. But those lines that she said will almost be her undoing.
To Archer, it almost makes sense to him that Caster has that air as opposed to the insane Caster. He then saw Rider as he smirked. Kejoro now tries to stop herself from whisking Caster away from the banquet as Caster accidentally blurted out one thing that can make them highly suspicious of her identity.
"Hey, Kinpika, want to guess what is the standing of our special guest in this banquet?"
"No need for that, King of Conquerors, I think I already know what she is." Archer chuckled as he began to ascertain Caster's certain attributes once again.
"Who would have known that a deity would descend upon the earth to listen to us fools talking about the Grail?" He roared in laughter at that notion, to which Caster denied the allegations being a divine being.
Saber, being lost at what they are talking about, asked Rider. "What are you talking about, King of Conquerors?"
Rider laughed even more. "Even the King of Knights herself cannot distinguish the divine from human. This is truly rich!" To which Saber huffed in annoyance at the fact that she can't sense something from Caster aside from the demeanor that she emanated earlier. Thankfully, Rider spoke again.
"So looking back, you say that you ruled your people with compassion, give them another opportunity if they erred and you and the emperor strived to understand your people more. That is what I can consider as a just rule." Rider declared. "But I hate to say it to you, Caster. Sometimes you just have to be cruel to let them know that you are not too lenient."
"I already did that long before you advised me on that, my king." Caster somberly replied as she remembered her last moments. "But still, I humbly thank you for giving me that advice and the opportunity to speak."
"Think nothing of it, little lady." Rider smirked.
Waver then studied Caster's stats once again. It does not say there that she has a Divinity attribute as opposed to Rider and Archer. Yet Rider declares her as a deity for no reason at all. He made a mental note to look for that information later. Kejoro can only keep her eyes closed as Caster's identity is threatened to be revealed now. It is a good thing that Rider sensed Saber keeping quiet among the chaos, and he now spoke to Saber.
"Now, Saber, you have kept quiet for so long there." Rider quipped as he sipped from his cup. "I think that you haven't said anything since we got here. What I have asked to Archer, I will also impose it to you."
He now faced her with all his regal glory as Saber's cold emerald eyes stared at Rider's hazel red eyes. Rider now inquired with great curiosity as he almost finished his drink.
"What is your reason for coveting the Holy Grail?"
Saber has no doubts about what will her actions be. It is ingrained into her very soul by the very contract that she stamped with her own name. Whoever shall stand in her way will suffer the wrath of her golden blade.
"My reason for coveting the Grail is that I want to save my country from its own devastation." Saber resolutely replied. Sorrowful silence reigned in the air as her reply echoed within the area where Waver, Kejoro, Irisviel, Archer, Caster and Rider are. "It has devastated itself during my reign; therefore, I covet the Grail in order to make a wish upon it and save my country."
Archer smirked, although he is now close to laughing. He tried to stop himself from laughing as he hears the case of the one that the people esteemed as "The King of Knights".
Rider frowned upon hearing Saber's reply. "So by making that wish to the Grail, you also want to undo that part of history of which you have become part of?"
"It is a small price to pay, as compared to seeing the country being saved before my very eyes." Saber's reply is still as cold as a hard stone. Archer cannot contain his laughter anymore as Saber states her case, and so Archer joyously laughed.
"See this, Rider! The all – powerful King of Knights wishes her country to be saved!"Archer quipped in between their conversation as he laid down his golden goblet. "I have never been more amused than this in a very long time!"
Rider ignored Archer's jovial mood, instead focusing on Saber's statement. He just shook his head as he replied.
"Maybe you have not realized this, Saber, but if you undo the past, you are also laying the efforts of your men to waste. Remember, Saber, these are your men who fought for the sake of what you believe in. Do you truly wish to undo their valiant efforts along with yours for the sake of the salvation of your country?"
Rider hopes that Saber will answer his question, but instead of what he desired to hear, he heard Saber's reply as she now stood from her place. Caster now looked up to her as she defends her cause.
"It is not wrong to follow what you believe in, Rider. But let me ask you this. Is it wrong to regret for the actions that you deem wrong? Is it wrong to wish for the salvation of your country? Are you saying that my ideals are wrong?" Saber points out all of Rider's assumptions as she continues her discourse. "You of all people know what happened after your death. The empire that you hold dear has split up to three different empires. Surely you have a slightest tinge of regret after those events."
The last statement that Saber threw at Rider has left a bitter taste in Rider's mouth. But then again, he declared his identity, so naturally this is what he will get. But what he will say next has astounded Caster.
"It is true that my kingdom has been led astray by three different factions. But then, as I lay in my deathbed, I ask them that in my approaching death to lay my palms wide open to let it serve as a message to the other aspiring empires." Rider lazily moves his golden cup round with his hand to create swirls and ripples in the wine. He just observed the chaotic movements of the royal liquid before he resumed his discourse. "You may conquer the whole world, but in your death, you will take nothing of it along with you. I shall weep, I shall mourn, I may even get angry but I shall never regret. You must enjoy the world lavishly and as it is while you still can."
He then turned his attention to Saber, his eyes now having a sharp stare. "You, however, have let yourself be enslaved and be chained upon that throne. There are fine men who believed in your ideals, and together, all of you have accomplished what no one has ever done. But despite all of this, for you it is not enough. You still worship the image of an unblemished king, and in doing so, you have discarded all of your emotions. Your subjects do not even know you anymore."
"Rider…" Saber now retorted, her eyes now staring at his fervently. "this world as of now is not what you think as it is before. 'Enjoy the world lavishly' is only something that tyrants will say."
"You are right, Saber. Those are the words of a tyrant." Rider acknowledged. "But is not that always the case? We are heroes because we are tyrants."
"That is not the way of a true king." Saber replied. "A true king must put others' interests before himself. A true king denies his own privileges and recognizes others' needs as more important. You however take what others have, and still you are not being contented. A king who has nothing but greed is only fit to be a figurehead, nothing more."
Rider almost lost his temper and his eyebrows are now furrowed with pure rage at what he perceived as Saber's childishness. He placed his cup down in his tranquil anger, being careful not to spill what he can call the precious wine ever produced in the modern or even the ancient world. Archer, sensing the King of Conqueror's anger, wisely let his mouth stay silent. Then Rider now replied as Caster looked on to Saber.
"Kings without greed are even worse than figureheads!" Rider bellowed as Saber is now taken aback at Rider's reply. "He must laugh louder than anyone! He must be angrier than anyone! He must be greedier than anyone ever is! A king sets an example for his subjects the extremes of those acts, both good and bad, so they may learn from it and choose which the right path to take is! These actions define what kings truly are!"
He then lifted up his cup attached to a stick, then he scooped up some of the wine from the barrel as he now continued his discourse.
"You may have saved them, Saber, but you really never led them. You never showed them how kingly you are. I thought I know you better, but here you are, a girl chasing after that impossible dream that they call salvation. You of all people know what happens to the subjects and to the people who are being constantly saved from their demise."
Saber is now crestfallen as she remembers that very scene. It is a scene where everybody's mangled, scorched and dismembered bodies are scattered all across the hills, battered and broken swords, shields, crossbows and arrows everywhere. Their fellow countrymen fared no better than his army as bodies are also scattered across. Stale clouds and a pale sun reigns above that battlefield as King Arthur takes in that scene and weeps for it. The near fatal stab wound on her right abdomen did not deter her from lamenting over that scene and regretting her actions.
That very scene is called "The Battle of Camlann". Many civil wars happened, but not as intense as this. Her son wanted to usurp the throne thanks to the prodding of Morgana le Fay, one of the powerful witches in the Arthurian legends. This battle has happened all because the rebels believed that the king did not fully know its subjects more.
Saber's face is now contorted in deep shock as the reality of that scene seeped in. She cannot believe that this is the result of her trying to do everything in her power to save them. Caster can only frown at Saber's faltering resolve.
Saber… Caster implored silently. Please show me that I can fully place my trust in you. You are the King of Knights. Surely your noble ideals have not been laid to waste for a reason.
But then, her pleas went to deaf ears as Saber has been soundly defeated by Rider's argument. She can never retort on it, for it has struck deep in Saber's psyche. A sorrowful atmosphere fills the air as Saber tries to bow her head down in defeat, but she cannot on the fact that her body is not cooperating.
That still silence has been broken by Archer's haughty laughter. Saber's eyes now returned to its stoic form as she now asked the man in the golden armor.
"What are you laughing at, Archer?"
"It's just that your expression as of now is like a woman who has been defiled in bed." Archer quipped in between his laughs. "It is really refreshing to see that side of you, Saber. You should stay that way more."
Saber steeled her expressions as she tried not to mind Archer. She then drew her sword. The audible crispness of the unsheathed blade has broken the silence reigning in the air as Saber is about to lay her hand on Archer.
"You unspeakable…" But then that stillness is also broken as they now sensed the Servants who came in their peaceful solitude one by one. This is a skill fit for a Servant of the Dagger.
It will be more fitting to say that this is a skill fit for the Servants of the Dagger.
"Th…this is ridiculous!" Waver cannot hide his surprise as he saw the full number of the Servants who came in to disturb the peace. He promptly backed off and rushed to his Servant's side as he saw those numbers increasing. He should have known better of the Assassin's skill based on their encounter with the Servants earlier at the lair of the other Caster, and yet he deemed it impossible for an Assassin to split itself in eighty seven persons. "How is this even possible?"
Caster can now count the exact number as she closed her eyes, amounting to eighty – six Assassins all in all. She has overestimated the number, but then she thought that overestimation is better than nothing at all.
"Archer, are they all yours?" Rider suspiciously asked Archer, but Archer discreetly but scathingly denied his accusations.
"Tokiomi disgraces himself." He quipped with disdain at the cowardly tactic that he employed, telling Kirei to put all of the Assassins on a suicide mission. The Assassins now declared their supremacy in the situation.
"We are one, yet we are many. We are many, yet we are also one. We are the shadows that men and women fear the most. We move silently in the midst of the noise of society. We are the Hassan – I – Sabbah, and this is our might, our pride and our power."
Rider then laughed at the laughter of the Assassins. He then faced the ones that claim to be the shadows in society. Waver now scurried towards Rider, and said this to Rider through the link.
Don't tell me that you already planned this.
Don't be ridiculous, boy. I wanted to invite them, but I never planned them to be here in the first place. The best thing that we can offer them is a modicum of hospitality.
Meanwhile, at Kejoro's place, she now disappeared like a shadow, therefore keeping out of Assassin's reach. She now reappeared at Caster's side and Irisviel went to Saber's side as fast as she can.
"Ah, what a great time for all of you to be here. I shall then offer you a drink from the kings' banquet." He took a scoop of wine, and presented it to them. "This drink is your blood!"
One of the Assassins threw a Dirk as fast as a bullet. It then hit precisely the hilt of the wooden cup, letting the grape wine spill to the ground. The Dirk that is thrown stood proud in its place, firmly rooting itself to the stone tile. The Assassins now laughed at Rider's futile attempt for diplomacy.
"Like I said, this drink is your blood." Rider spoke in a low voice. "If you insist on spilling it, then I will grant your wish!"
He then emanated a burst of wind in his form. Even in his modern attire, he still has the eminence of a king.
"Saber, Archer, I have one last question for you…" Rider stood up from his seat while Archer looked on with interest in what the King of Conquerors is about to say. Meanwhile Caster tilted her head at the talk of the kings.
As he faced the Assassins, he now proclaimed it with his proud and booming voice as the Assassins prepare to battle. "Is it better for the king to be alone?"
Saber felt something that is clashing at her mind for some time. No one has ever dared to ask her this question before. Her indecisiveness in the matter will result in Rider laughing at her meaningless struggle to save the country of Britain. Thus, this is her only course of action.
"Aye, a king must be alone. A king puts others before himself." Saber resolutely declared even though her voice denotes otherwise. Caster sensed it too, but still, she believed that she can be the one, as she is the strongest of all the Servants. Even though she does not know how to be a king, surely she knew how to put others' happiness before their own.
But then Iskandar shook all of their beliefs with his declaration. "Nay, you are mistaken, Saber. A king must not be alone." At that point, his clothes change to his normal Servant attire, and from there, the whole area changed like a mirage in the desert. The mansion and the garden disappeared where it once stood and it was replaced by the hot sandy desert of Macedonia. From there, they saw whole armies. Armies composed of Servants.
Moreover, the Servants that are here with Iskandar are considered by him as his friends who died fighting alongside him and yet still believed in his reign.
"A Reality Marble?" Irisviel cannot believe her eyes. They were amazed that a Servant of all spirits can cast a scale of Magecraft that is this large. This is what Magi define as "art of the demons", thus only the demons themselves can cast this kind of Magecraft. It will be a more politically correct term that this principle borders on the art of sorcery. They try to invert the normal concept of the world and replace it with their own concept of the world. Normally someone who demonstrates this kind of Magecraft can die by the sheer amount of prana required. But in Rider's case, it is as easy as sheathing and unsheathing a sword.
They can only stare at the kingly glory that he is emanating right now. Archer seems to expect this, as he calmly sat on his place.
"Behold, my peerless army!" He now proclaimed in his mighty voice, showing the Assassins who is really the superior one in battle. "Ionian Hetairoi!"
For the assassins, it spells doom for them. For Archer, he sees it as Rider's magnificent display of his power. For the onlookers, this looks more of a lawnmower driving through the single leaf of grass. But for Saber, it is Rider's way of shattering her noble ideals.
"Reality Marble, huh?" Kejoro just could not find the words to describe what she sees right now except what Irisviel has mentioned right now. Even the onmyouji will be surprised at this level of magic that this Servant is demonstrating. This is not an ordinary illusion deployed by most Youkai and the Kyouka Suigetsu of the Nurarihyon clan. If one Servant is capable of changing their perception of the world in an instant, demonstrated by a Rider of all classes, how can they fight the other Servants that are on the level of a Knight?
Caster just marvelled at the Reality Marble that Iskandar made. Their feelings and their ideals are embodied in the form of that landscape. She now affirmed that the resolve of the one that they will make an alliance to is weak. But she is Arthur Pendragon. The Arthur Pendragon that she knew is never meant to be this weak. But she saw the whole scene, and she can only lament that the King of Knights chose to be alone rather than to have friends who can help her. If the Knights of the Round Table can still be considered by her as her friends.
"My men, this is the day that all of you have been waiting for!" Rider bellowed as he raised his sword. "A king must not be alone! Let us show them our way of conquest!"
His men from all parts of his conquered empire shouted in great unison as they raise their weapons high in the sky. Archer calmly raised his golden goblet in his seat, as if he is acknowledging Rider as his proper enemy that must be praised for his valiant efforts. Kejoro, Waver and Irisviel can only watch his air of magnificence be etched in their minds as the King of Conquerors pointed the tip of his blade at the desecrators of his lavish banquet. But the one who is supposed to be most surprised out of them all is Waver Velvet. Waver can only let his mental jaw drop at the awesome display of Rider's power. Anyone who has a Reality Marble can make the enemy shudder in great fear at the mere claim of it.
You have a freaking Reality Marble? Why did I not ask him of this in the first place?
Caster then saw the female Assassin, alive and well. But it will be the last that they will see each other. If only Assassin has her mask removed, Caster will see in that moment a tinge of regret in Assassin's eyes. But then, that mask obscures all of those emotions as the King of Conquerors declares an attack on all of them. Presence Concealment did not do wonders this time, as they are now in an open desert. The courses of action that they can only take are to either die like dogs or die like valiant soldiers.
She then brought out her Dirks, preparing for the onslaught that Rider may bring. Her other men ran away, but not her. She will face her death, as this is the last order that her Master gave to all of them.
Attain victory, no matter the cost.
She will stand by it, and she will die by it. Even if she felt being used as a tool, she forced herself to feel no regret. Before she even felt it, she now assumed that her head has separated from her body with the way the world has been blurred in her vision.
Meanwhile, the other men followed their king's suit, slaying each and every one that will stand in their king's way. There are no problems finding all of them, as Assassin's Concealment is rendered useless in the open desert.
Their most desired purge has been completed, and the King of Conquerors now shouted his victory cry. His men also valiantly shouted of the king's accomplishment in conquest. Even these sentences are not enough to describe the joy of Rider and his men in attaining their victory.
Rider has now let his Reality Marble dissipate into thin air. On the roof, Maiya still has her eyes open wide in disbelief. But then, this is a Grail War, so it should be expected. She only heard about it from Kiritsugu, but she has never seen one in application. In her years of being a scout for Kiritsugu, she has seen much more things that a human can never consider the phenomena "normal". She can't be surprised with this by now.
But then, one who has a Reality Marble is considered by many as a real threat. There is a reason why the Mage's Association will label the ones who has a Reality Marble a Sealing Designation. Those who will see it will even question their minds if it is even real in the first place.
Even so, despite all what Rider has displayed that can astound the world, all that Rider can see is Saber's look of regret at the fact that she has never defended enough her actions during that reign. He only dipped his golden cup in the barrel of wine. As he drank, he heaved a sigh.
"What a depressing ending." Rider sighed as he drank. "That concludes our banquet."
He now stood up and he turned to Saber, his eyes filled with pity for the little girl who did not live out her life as a girl, but rather, as a king. She took upon herself the burden that a real king is supposed to carry.
"Saber, you know that kings are supposed to have a conversation in this banquet. From this moment on, I shall never acknowledge you as king." Rider somberly stated as he walked away. "You never realize the implications that your actions may bring. Until you realize that, I will stand by my words."
"Rider, wait!" Saber gritted her teeth as her hair obscured her eyes. She wanted to clearly convey something, but unfortunately for her, her mind cannot cooperate with her mouth.
"Wake up from your dream, little girl." Rider stopped her thinking with his words, his back still in front of her as he sliced an empty space. The Gordius Wheel has appeared once again before the King of Conquerors. "I am still hoping that you can appreciate what your men have done for you. Until then, Saber, please think about it."
"Also, for the princess of the land…" Rider slowly approached Caster. She can never run or hide. The only thing that she can do is to stand up and face the king. Her golden eyes stared at his eyes. "I sincerely hope that we can know each other more aside from this place."
"Nevertheless, it is really an honor to know you, King of Conquerors." The pink haired lady bowed in deep humbleness.
"No, it is an honor to know you." Rider replied. Caster can only stare wide eyed in shock as Rider smirked and alighted the chariot together with his Master Waver.
As Rider and Waver made their way home through the cold evening skies of Fuyuki, Waver can't help but realize who King Arthur truly is. The one who is in the Arthurian legends is nothing like the lady that he saw just now. Her words may not contradict the very essence of her principles that guided the Knights of the Round Table for ages, but the results of her reign has now left her in pure despair. The emotions of the persons cannot be painted fully in the legends that embody them as noble and righteous people.
"Boy, is there a problem?" Rider asked with concern. Waver can only shake his head as he replied.
"Nothing." Waver somberly replied. "It's just that this is not the King Arthur that I have known from my childhood."
"I know." Rider also somberly quipped as he pulled in the reins of his bulls to turn in another direction. "Just like you, she still has a lot more to learn. Unlike you, though, she has to still learn the true way of kingship. But I will ask something from you that I have never asked to you before. You are also from Britain just like she is, am I right?"
Waver can only nod at the question that he asked, although technically he is in London. Rider now fired his second question. His tone is now even grimmer than ever as he asked this.
"If you are her subject, will you regret what she has done for her country?"
This is a question supposedly not meant for him. This is a question meant for the subjects that she had. He is a child, and all that he knows is that reigns should never be frowned upon if their ways turned out that way because of their decisions. As long as you want to do it right, you can never regret on your actions. The king must be an example for the subjects to serve. The king must not deny his emotions for the sake of trying to fulfill an image that is impossible to achieve. Thus, this is his answer.
"I can never regret on it." Waver resolutely replied. "I mean, look at Britain now. It is being led properly, and its progress shows. The subjects and the people are happy. Although there may be differences, these are resolved as quickly and as peacefully as possible."
Rider then smirked upon the wisdom of his Master. Even though he is a young boy, he can make for a fine loyal subject if he ever lived.
"I am happy that you meet my expectations, boy. You may even convince her yourself since both of you came from the same roots!" He now slapped the boy's back in his joy, while Waver can only lie down as his back is in pain again due to Rider's playful slap.
"Never pay attention to Rider's words, Saber." Archer smirked as Saber can only simmer in her own anger. "Persevere in your ways, and I may find some worth in you after all. You may even be worthy of my love."
Archer laughed as he is about to dissipate in a golden mist. Caster now stared in deep hatred at his crimson eyes as Archer now mentioned her.
"As for you, unrighteous mongrel…" Archer stated as she still stared down at him. He did not even look at her way as he thought that just by looking at her may even stain his sight. "I sincerely hope that you will not taint my prized possession. If ever I caught a whiff of your scent tainting it, I shall make you disappear from my presence."
"I can assure you, my king…" Caster politely spat back as she bowed down. "It will be done before you even know it."
He now dissipated from their presence as Caster dusted herself. She now stood up as she stared deep in Saber's emerald eyes.
"I still humbly bow down before you, King Arthur." Caster declared as she bowed down. But then she heard Saber's grip on the sword held even tighter.
"Who exactly are you?" Saber's hand is now shaking as she tries to stop her hand from laying a hand on the unknown Servant. Fortunately, Kejoro found a perfect time to chime in as she replied.
"You can think of us as the eighth pair in this war. As opposed to Magi, we have a different reason for coming here." Kejoro bowed down and she now produced an object from her small bag. She then held it in her hand. "You might recognize this one, Saber."
Saber then looked intently at the object. Her eyes are still stone cold stoic, but in her mind, she is now almost confused at the mere sight of it. It looks like an ordinary bullet shell, but through the connection, she sensed the minuscule prana traces of that shell belonging to Emiya Kiritsugu.
Good thing she is the only one that has a strong connection to her Master, otherwise, the Magi may pounce on him like an unsuspecting meat.
Meanwhile, on the roof, Maiya is prepared for anything that will go wrong, but then she only sees people having conversations as though they are civilized persons. If only she has a spare familiar, she can get a closer look at what they are talking about.
"This is…" This may be a counterfeit, but the bullet's shell can never lie. She then stared at the two persons who gave her that item, then pointed her sword at them. "Are you trying to kill my Master through your despicable methods?"
"On the contrary, Saber, he is at a point where he can kill me and my Servant without questions asked!" Kejoro seethed as Saber accused them. Her silent anger tried its best to dissipate Saber's Charisma. Fortunately, that anger is accentuated by her prana flow and her Osore. But Saber's Charisma fought its way to dominance as she stared down at them. "I thought this should prove of our encounter with your Master and try to listen to our side. But it seems that we are proven wrong. Come, Caster. We are done here." She is about to leave when she heard Caster's voice.
"We are not yet done, Goshujin – sama." Caster almost bellowed as she stared deep in Saber's stoic emerald eyes. Kejoro can only look at Caster's back in disbelief. "We are close to proving our encounter with her true Master."
Saber and Irisviel can only watch as they stab each other with words as swords. Saber then lowered her sword silently. Meanwhile, on the roof, Maiya is prepared to take a shot once again as she saw the disharmony between the pair, but for some reason, Caster's demeanor emanating throughout the Einzbern Mansion prevented her from doing so. It is as if she is warning her that one move can make or break her life.
"Please don't rub your stubbornness in my face, Caster. We can only stay in the shadows. As your class and our abilities suggest, we are more fit to work in the shadows than to fight with her side by side." Kejoro seethed even more, prompting Caster to hear her side begrudgingly. "I can almost see why Emiya – san did not want to work with the King of Knights. We can still help her, but not in this way."
Caster's demeanor is beginning to diminish as she slowly realizes Kejoro's point. Her logic should have solved it, but her logic is blinded by her emotions. She has not really learned anything from that scene. Saber's sword is pointed at them once again as she saw from their conversation that they knew her Master more than she does.
"After that dialogue, we have seen how Saber reacted. She must face that reality. Although we are killed in this fight, those words will still leave a mark in her for life." Kejoro continued as she turned towards Saber, her golden steel gaze at her emerald eyes unwavering before Saber's invisible blade and Charisma. "What matters is her decision to hear our side or not. And Saber has rejected that offer. It is her decision as a king, and so we must abide by it. She sees us as enemies without even looking what we really came in for. And so we must stay as such in Saber's eyes."
Caster can only frown as her Master is right. But she will abide by Kejoro's words that they will help her. The method of how they will help her is now decided by her Master. This is the first time that she saw her Master grasp the rules of the Holy Grail War and used both of their abilities to the fullest advantage in that decision. She then let out a small smile as she admired Kejoro's initiative. Kejoro's golden eyes stared at Saber's emerald steel as she declared her words.
"We now leave it to your hands. Whether you want our help or not, we will still do it." Kejoro stated with steel in her voice. "Even if it will mean our death through you or your Master's hands."
Kejoro then motioned for Caster. The pink haired lady bowed curtly to both Saber and Irisviel before they dissipate in front of them.
Irisviel can only stand in utter surprise at what has happened back there. Saber now mused as she stared at the cruel but clear night sky.
"I now remember." Saber mused. "Someone from our table claimed that the king does not understand his subjects. This may also be the same sentiment that my men shared at that same table, but no one ever dared to voice it out to me."
She then thought about Caster, and what her Master has said. They will not appear here like the fools they are without a reason.
"Also, what Caster's Master has said. I really hate to say it but even though I defeat them, what has been said at this night will leave an imprint upon me for life." But then her thoughts now wander.
Have I really listened?
A/N: This is by far the longest one that I have ever written. Please enjoy this, along with the next chapter that I will release now.
Hope you enjoyed Caster's interactions with them in this Dialogue meant for the kings. XD
Reviews are really appreciated. No flames please. XD