Chapter 5 The King's Banquet
AN: Hello everyone and welcome back to the fifth chapter of the Hero of the Sky. Before we start, I will like to say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Years too those that have supported this story and now enjoy.
As the night kept going and wind blow calmly, Saber was on guard as it was her time to watch out for any Servants or anything. The traps have been set but not strong enough for upfront attack and a new base was almost being located soon enough. The blonde-haired knight was also have been told that Jalter will be going into town to a get a few things that Naruto had asked her to get in order to cook dinner which got her interested in what the black-haired teen will cook.
Saber was soon knocked out of her train of thoughts as she started to sense a Servant coming into the forest and straight towards the castle, coming in fast and she acted quickly.
Irisviel had sense someone entering the Einzbern forest as well and rushed with her servant towards the front door to see who was here.
Naruto followed behind the two and three were greeted with a familiar and happy face from the first night.
"Greetings Saber, Ruler!" The red-haired servant called out with a grin on her face as she stopped her chariot in castle main hall.
"Rider?" Saber questioned on why Rider was here and wearing school girls' uniform.
"Why are you dress for battle? Why aren't you wearing your citizen cloths like I am?" Rider asked with her hands on her hips and smiled happily.
"Rider what are you doing here?" Saber asked.
"You can't tell?" Rider questioned as she reached into her chariot and grabbed a wine barrow that rested on her right shoulder.
"I have come here to drink. So, stop standing there and show me around this place. This castle should have a good place where we can have a royal banquet."
This got the three to look at each other and wonder why the King of Conquers will offered that? But then again, in her time, she was known to have parties after her conquests and drink to her heart's is full up. A banquet couldn't hurt, and it might help ease some things up in this war.
"Hey Naruto! What's up with door down and…oh never mind," Jalter asked but changed her mind when seeing the massive chariot in the main hall and carried bags in her hands.
She was now wearing normal cloths to avoid any smart mouths or servants following her. (Shinjuku outfit)
"Yeah, we have some guest for the night and I think that food you got will help in making a good banquet for our royal kings," Naruto said, having some ideas to cook some top five meals for the two kings and maybe a third one that might be joining them soon.
Jalter raised an eyebrow and wonder what the black-haired ruler will cook. She wasn't the only one as the white-haired mage, blonde sword wielding and red rider wonder the same thing as well.
This should be interesting.
Small Time Skip
With a little time, the royal banquet was set up in an open garden view with four paths walk way to the middle circle and a table was set up for the banquet to take place. Naruto had placed many different types of food on the table from Japan and Western era five-star meals, doing something different and wanted to have a good meeting between two kings now.
Rider broke into the wine barrow and started to strive some drinks out as she drinks her own cup down.
"It was said that the Holy Grail has the known Servants go out each other in an all-out battle but it's more of looking for the Grail than winning it. So, this war is different, but I do enjoy a good drink before going into the heart of battle," Rider said as she hands Saber a drink.
Saber took the cub before drinking down one moment, getting Rider to smirk at this.
"You want to test my rank against yours in this war?" Saber asked, wondering what Rider wants.
"Not at all. This war is more than a discovery hunt to a normal day war. Tonight, is not about the war but a good banquet between kings," Rider answered as she drinks another cub of wine down and try some of Naruto's cooking.
Saber did the same as she started to eat some of the food that Ruler made for them.
"Hmm, wonderful. Ruler, you just might be one of the greatest chefs I have met," Rider commented as she kept eating more.
"Very good," Saber said as she ate some as well.
"Your welcome," Naruto said with a smile.
From the background on the left side has Jalter and Irisviel eating some food, that Naruto handed to them, to try it out for themselves. They smiled on how good it was and enjoy their meal. The right side of the background had Waver, but he passed for anything food. He was missing out.
"I think that's enough, you mongrels," A voice spoked, getting the Servants and Mages attention to look at the servant that showed up out of spirit form, being Archer herself.
The mages were on edge a little, but the servants won't of the sudden appeases of the golden-haired servant.
"Archer what are you doing here?" Saber asked.
"Oh well, I happen to bump into her in town and ask her to join us. You are late don't you think Goldie? But then again you travel on foot while I travel a different means," Rider answered with a grin.
Archer didn't pay Rider any attention as she placed her right hand on her hip and said, "You really believe that we can have banquet here? What a bad taste."
"Why don't you relax yourself? Here start with something to drink," Rider offered as she hands a cup of wine to the golden haired king.
Archer took a sip of the wine but soon spite back into the cup and disliked the drink.
"What a filthy wine? Do you really think we can have royal dinner with this?" Archer asked as she took her seat and the cup back.
"You don't like it. This is what I can get in short time at the city's market place."
"You really don't know any about true drinks, stupide mongrel."
Archer put her right hand, summoning a golden portal that soon brought out a golden wine and soon summoned four cups into her hand. This got Rider to have a gleam in her eyes and wonder what a wine will come. Saber and Naruto wonder as well with Jalter being a little cross she can't have wine due to her guarding Irisviel.
"Now enjoy, for this a drink of a true king," Archer said as she hands the cups and wine to Rider.
"A fine treasure indeed," Rider agreed as she got the cups fill with wine and pass them to the other rulers.
Rider strived anyone at the table cups of wine and started to take the first taste herself which she was surprise on how good it tasted and enjoyed it.
"Wonderful!" Rider said with grin on her face as she drinks her second sip.
Naruto and Saber took their sip, being taken back of the taste and how good it was.
"My treasury holds more than just swords. This alone shall tell us who is worthy," Archer said as she drinks her wine and take some food which she loved the favor.
"Now Archer, the Grail is not a drinking contest, but this drink is great I will say. But what will you do once you grain the Grail?" Rider asked, wondering what this King wants from the Grail and what wish she wants.
Archer shrugged her shoulders and said, "Nothing much, at first I want nothing from the Grail since my treasury once hold such item and what I should wish? I'm a King and I have already have all my desire greeted but some events have come into play for me to wish for something."
The gold haired answer causes the three rulers to wonder what wish. It seems that from the start she had no wish and now as one, making a question like what does she wants?
"I see, may I ask what wish?" Rider asked.
"I want share my wish but know that I will take pleasure in stopping anyone who dares to touch my treasures," Archer answered with her eyes narrowed a little.
"Hold on, you are going to be gritty?"
"Fool, I know very well my wish is different from you two. When I see the Grail, I will take it because whatever I see something I want, I take it."
"Then tonight let's drink for a good banquet and towards a fine battle ahead."
Saber and Naruto stood quiet, allowing Archer and Rider to talk it out but won't last long.
"Your words are no different than Caster's crazy. At least he is it the only servant who is insane," Saber commented as she drinks, getting Archer to glare at her.
"Now let's relax. And I now know who Goldie is," Rider said with a grin, having an idea who Archer really was due to her past wars she fought in the middle east and finished her drink which she gets more.
Archer looked at the red-haired servant, wondering who is but than again this king was knowing to conquer the known worlds. So, it shouldn't be surprise on that count but moving on.
"Rider, while Archer's wish seems odd but what of you? What wish will you want if you win the Grail War?" Saber asked as she and Naruto wonder the same thing as to what the King of Conquerors wants.
Rider blushed on that question before drinking another wine down her throat and groan after taking the wine down to answer the question.
"Reincarnation," Rider reposed with her eyes closed, having the blush still on her face.
This caused the rulers and white-haired servant to raise an eyebrow of such a wish.
"What!?" Waver shouted in question of his servant's wish before running at her.
"Wait? Wasn't your goal for world conquest?"
Before a word could come out, Rider had back flicked her master, sending him flying across the yard with smoke coming off his forehead.
"Baka, as if a thing can give me that wish. Conquest and seeing different parts of the world has always be my dream, but in order to do that, I must first gain the wish to make that happen," Rider answered before stroking her long hair out with her right hand.
"Mongrel, you will dare say a wish before me?" Archer asked with her eyes narrowed.
"Even with magic, we are still servants and bound to this the Throne. I want to live for as flesh and blood. Then I will ride to devour heaven and earth," Rider answered with her grin appearing on her face.
Naruto could see where Rider wants and remember another servant that once had wish just the same. It has been sometime since he heard that wish before.
"Than the matter is settle. I will take great pleasure in destroying you in battle," Archer said with a smile on her face, having her mind made up in fighting King in the next battle after Caster is done.
Rider laughed a little and said, "I won't make it easy for you. I will be ready to run you over Goldie, so get ready."
"That's not how a true King should act amongst Kings," Saber said.
"Oh? Then tell us Saber, what wish you want from the Grail?" Rider asked.
"When I come out as victor of the Grail War, I will use the Grail to wish for one thing…to change Britain's fate," Saber answered, getting a great deal of silence from the rulers of her wish.
This wish was something that two Kings don't like while Ruler stay quiet. Rider put her cup down for a second and clear her throat out.
"Let me get this straight, you wish to change the fate of your country?" Rider asked, making sure if this was the wish Saber wanted.
"Of course, I do and what of it. My beloved country that I along ruled and protected that I-," Saber replied but was cut off when a center servant started to laugh.
Archer started laughing, getting Saber crossed and narrowed her eyes at her.
"What so funny Archer?" Saber asked.
"You are the King of Knights and sad by your country? How can I laugh on such nonsense?" Archer replied with her laugh growing louder.
"Why dose that seem humorous?!" Saber questioned.
"Saber, you are willing to change the victories and hard ship of your past to change history?" Rider asked.
"I want to change the fate of my beloved country. I don't you would understand or know how I feel about this wish," Saber replied.
"I might not nor want to change the fate of my outcome. I fought for conquest and kept going to see my dream come true. I once never regret my actions or the man that fought by myside. But you are wishing for, spit on the sacrifice of your comrades and followers for your kingdom. That's not how a wish should be use or person live," Rider said with grim look on her face before finishing her drink and food down.
Before Saber could say anything, she was stopped when Naruto put his hand on her shoulder and show a look of kindness. She allowed the black-haired teen to speak and wait for what he has to say, hoping it wasn't bad.
"Archer, Rider. While Saber's wish might be bad that takes away the sacrifice and hardship that her and her men fought for, but I believe in her wish. Time traveling might be something that some servants will wish for but as a King it's their duty to think of their people and country. A ruler, no matter what gender or where, must place him or herself second and have their men by their side as one for their kingdom and people. Saber, in my eyes, has a fair and just wish that I think can come true," Naruto said, getting mix emotions and shock states of mind from everyone.
Saber was taken back on such wisdom, kindness and belief Naruto spoked to her. He knows that her wish might be impossible, but he believes in her and to be a good ruler to her people. She did have a few moments and people that didn't believe her, going into deep thought and still was touched on how Ruler spoke about her.
Archer, while not the same as Saber but was touched by Naruto's kindness and how he spoked like an emperor. She could see the signs of a true ruler in the making to this Ruler Class Servant. How he acts, talks, and dose sends a spark in her heart and gets more interested into her future king. Now she really wants her friend to help her with sudden feel and have some alone time with the black-haired ruler.
Rider was very taken of how Naruto defended Saber and spoked about his view of a true ruler. She could see how this young man was a truly an emperor in the making and one of the holy rulers that ruled a good kingdom in his time. The red-haired servant could guest that this young man might have been an emperor in the Roman time period and care about his people first before anything. She closed her eyes for a second and smiled.
"I see, then I will leave Saber's wish and her desire alone for the time being. As fellow King, I will respect your words Ruler," Rider said, leaving the subject alone.
Archer giggled a little bit before smirking and said in teasing tone of voice, "Such wise words for an emperor such as yourself, Ruler. I had some girls in my bed, but I never had a man before and wonder where it might go."
This got Saber crossed that the golden-haired servant would say that with a smirk on her face and Naruto blushed on such bored comment.
"You bitch!" Saber called out as she brought her sword and ready to strike but was stopped when something happens.
A dagger came out of nowhere and hit the table, getting all the four and everyone else to see where that knife. It was Assassin or one of them but changed when out of nowhere more Assassins appeared out of their spirit forms before everyone's eyes.
"Assassin – Hassan, what is the meaning of this?" Naruto asked, not caring if other servants know the skull masked servant's true name as he narrowed his eyes.
The purple haired assassin lowered her head in shame that she and others were forced to do something very shameful, to kill Ruler by Command Seal order from their master. They voiced their own thoughts to their master, but no luck and order was given by Command Seal, forcing any Servants to fulfill the order that was given to them.
"Forgive us, Ruler, we have little choice in the matter. We have been ordered to kill you, no matter the cost," One of the Assassin answered as all the cloaked assassins were surrounding the garden
"Hmm I see now. That's what Hassan's Noble Phantasm, having himself spilt into different version of himself and those that oneness took the Hassan's name or title. No wonder how some of the Servants and almost all the Mages were fooled in thinking that Assassin was dead from the start…. interesting," Naruto thought, understanding the full truth behind and power of Hassan and saw the plan that two masters took place.
"Well this is interesting. Archer, do you know these trickiest?" Rider asked, wondering if Archer brought Assassin with her.
Archer shook her head and said, "Tokiomi, my master, unlikable, and Kirei Kotomine, Assassin's Master."
"Hmm I see…. well then, hey Assassin, about something drink?" Rider asked.
"You are offering peace?"
"Of course. If a peace act comes, maybe they will act and drink a share. Please drink this wine!"
Soon Rider offered wine, one of Assassins launched a knife at the cup, getting the wine to land on the shirt of the servant that offered a drink peace and got her upset.
"Very well then…. this drink we will be your blood," Rider said with a glare and her normal cloths transformed into her battle gear, getting a massive whirlwind blasting around the whole area in garden.
Everyone started to cover their eyes with their hands as the wind got stronger, but Archer stood stile like nothing was happening and wonder what will happen next.
"Saber, Ruler, one last question before I start. Is a King truly alone?" Rider asked as she crossed her arms.
Saber looked at Naruto, who stood by her side and two shared a look, knowing the answer for well.
"I once thought a King shall stand along…. but that change. I now know that King is never alone," Saber answered, getting a nod from Ruler in agreement and felt a change within her the more time she is near with Naruto.
"Then there is hope for you, Saber. Now bear witness to my greatness weapon I have!" Rider announced has the whole area changed within a power white shine of light.
Everyone shielded their eyes as the whole area changed and transformed into something that made everyone eyes widen of what they saw. The whole castle garden changed to a desert landscape with hills and calm winds blowing around.
Saber held Irisviel close to her, keeping her master safe while Naruto and Jalter circle them with their swords out, making sure no one gets past them.
Archer just sat in her chair and waited for this show to start and end later.
Waver was shock that his servant had this Noble Phantasm.
The Assassins were got a in a trap.
"Now, to the distant ends of the earth! If our chests beat with ambition for the far horizon, the campaign shall never end. Raise your cries of war! Ionion Hetairoi: Army of the King! AAAALaLaLaLaLaie!" Rider shouted out aloud with laughter following behind as her Noble Phantasm was unleashed.
Rider has and had summoned a Reality Marble that embodies her very dreams. A Noble Phantasm that has an EX-rank.
"A Reality Marble?" Irisviel grasped in shock.
The three servants by the Einzbern were shock as they kept their guard up and make sure she was safe for the time being.
Soon enough, a massive army came walking from hill and towards their great general, their King and soon a massive horse comes to its master.
"Hello, my old friend, its been a long time," Rider said as she pats her horse and started to ride it with her sword out.
"Now my men…forward to battle!"
With that battle cry, the army charges towards Assassins, who now knows that they are fuck up and had no escape from this blood bath that was coming to them. The armies of great general king stomped them down like bugs, cutting into pieces until nothing was left and destroyed all of them.
Within another flash of white light, the landscapes changes back to the garden at the Einzbern castle, almost like nothing happen, but everyone failed to see one Assassin leaving, meaning that the servant was still around.
Rider drink another class of wine, drinking very victory down her throat and said, "Now that was great. Such a shame I didn't finish more of that wonderful food, but this well do for the night as I need some rest for the next battle coming."
Rider brought her chariot out with the bulls ready to leave and throw her master into the chariot for the night.
"Far well!" Rider called out as she and her master took off for the night, having the chariot take off into the sky with lightning following behind.
"Hmm so that is it for night. I hope we will be meet again, Ruler, as I have a few questions, but my master seems to be coward type and wants me back. So that will be put on hold and thanks for the meal…it was wonderful," Archer commented with a smirk on her face as she disappeared within a gold dust of energy into her spirit form and left the area.
The four stood quiet as the night's wind blow past them until one spoked out.
"I remember that knight left Camelot because the King never understood human emotions or the people at all. I'm starting to think that maybe I wasn't worthy to be King," Saber said with her head down but brought it back up when she felt someone's hands on her shoulders.
Naruto had put his hands on the blonde's shoulders and said, "I don't think so, Arturia. I believe many rulers had their fall and mistakes in their past life but that what makes us human. We know how we fall and learn to pick ourselves up. You know your mistakes and wish for fit it while some might say something else, but I believed in your wish and you, Arturia, to be a one of a kind King I have met."
Saber was very touched by this as she had a blush on her face and smile at the kind words. She had never met a person like Naruto before and wish that they have met during her time. May things could have been different, and she will be different. She was glad to have met this Ruler Class Servant as she and some others were starting to have feelings for him.
This could get interesting.