Saber's slender body was huffing painfully due to the intensive battle to the death that had just ended.
Seeing that the monster is defeated Rider cheered to his men.
"Victory is ours!"
"WOOOOOOOAAAAAA!"
With a cheer of victory, the warriors gave dedications and praise to their victory. Soon, with their mission completed, they returned to spirit form and disappeared into the distance.
And as such, the bounded field generated by these heroes also disappeared. Everyone vanished as if a bubble had been popped. The scene returned to the night air. The people present once again standing on the real world only this time they are on the shore instead in the middle of the river.
The white, clear moonlight was silent. There was nothing in the night air.
Rider now standing on the ground with his Master approach Saber.
"Oi, Master stand here." Rider said to his Master.
"W...what? Over here?" Waver replied not sure. Rider then turned toward Saber.
"That was impressive, Saber." He said while smiling which Saber returned.
"Thank you, your army is impressive as well, Rider." Saber praised.
"Ha! I know right, those people, they're my loyal followers." Then Rider become solemn.
"They're my treasure." He said proudly. Saber smile it's always a delight seeing a monarch bond to their people, though...
"Yet your legend claim you are a tyrant, care to explain Rider." Saber asked with a smile, her tone teasing.
"Hah! There is nothing to explain, I am a tyrant! Yet people love me nonetheless - this is the proof of my kingship!" Rider boast grandly. Saber snort, such arrogance.
"Come to think of it, we never did finish our conversation last time, are we Saber?" Rider asked suddenly out of the blue.
"No, no we didn't, what you want to continue the banquet?" Saber replied.
Rider take a thinking pose with his hand on his chin, it took a while until he replied.
"Nah, originally I wanted to ask about our wishes for the Holy Grail before moving on toward kingship, but.." He looked at Saber.
"After seeing your Noble Phantasm I changed my mind." Rider said confusing Saber.
"Why?" Saber asked curious.
"The light of victory, it is a sight for the sore eyes, wielded by the greatest of the knight, the chosen king of Britain." Rider said in awe.
"You have proven your kingship Saber, truly you live up to your moniker." He continued.
"The King of Kinghts." He ended grandly with both his hand high in the air. Saber smiled in return.
"You have proven yours too Rider, the King of Conquerors." She said, Rider snort in return with a smirk.
"Now the question is who's kingship is better than the other?" Rider asked in which Saber just smile.
"Clearly you won't admit mine." She replied provocatively, Rider didn't fall to it.
"Heh, I will enjoy our battle of supremacy later Saber, but for now we will leave. I don't want another snipe from Berserker." At this mention Saber smile is gone.
"Berserker, so he's the one who..." she trailed.
"Yep, better keep your toes Saber, that guy is ruthless." Rider said seriously with a smile, Saber just nodded.
"Alright Master, we're leaving." Rider said summoning his horse and ride away with his Master in his hand.
"H...hey." Waver complained.
Watching Rider leaving Saber looked toward the bridge where Kiritsugu is waiting for her, before walking there.
In the darkness of the night, while the two ride on the back of Rider mighty horse, Waver was silent the whole way through.
Everything on the streets is enveloped with darkness, and the street light providing a path for them.
There was no terror or restlessness.
His Servant was the most powerful one; that was beyond doubt – because he witnessed the might of Rider's true Noble Phantasm with his own eyes just now.
It still felt like as if he was right there even when he thought about it now, and he was able to feel the scent of the hot wind that blew the boiling sand dunes along.
An army of cavalry in high morale was in front of his eyes.
And also the majestic and proud face of the king who drew himself to his full height in front of that formation.
Ionian Hetairoi – a Heroic Spirit with such a mighty Noble Phantasm has no reasons for losing. Alexander would definitely defeat all other enemies and obtain the final victory.
That would definitely be called the King of Conquerors, Alexander's victory – at that end, where would the victory of Waver Velvet, be?
Yes, he would never forget. He was once mocked and looked down upon by those so-called prestigious families and nobilities. He gambled all he had to join the War of the Holy Grail exactly as a counter blow for their contempt towards him. Obtain the victory of the War of the Holy Grail and become the best magus in the world; that was the goal Waver set to himself.
But the War of the Holy Grail that unfolded at Fuyuki completely surpassed Waver's anticipations… the Servant he summoned happened to be a guy who completely ignored his Master's command, and acted by himself to fight only with his mighty strength.
If this goes on, Rider would definitely walk step by step towards victory with ease. Meanwhile, could Waver only forever hide behind his Servant with fear, be of no help even till the last minute and just muddle through to the end of the War?
Would he obtain the Holy Grail just because he was lucky enough to draw the most powerful trump card? What would be proven with a self like that? Prove that he obtained glory under Rider's shadow? At the end, this would only make others continue their mockery.
And if Rider really lost, then – what would a Master as useless as himself do?
This kind of battle… if this goes on until the end, then there would definitely be no changes in him.
It would only display his incapacity, insignificance and humiliation even more when he's beside an overly powerful Heroic Spirit. This made Waver more ashamed that the humiliation he went through at the Clock Tower.
"– How come you're so quiet? Hmm?"
"Nothing, just..." He trailed.
"What? You want to go to the toilet?" Rider suggestion incensed Waver.
"It's not that!"
"It's just...this is not the way to the church." Waver said timidly.
"Indeed, we're not going to the church, rather we will go home." Rider replied.
"Why? The reward for defeating Caster is..." Waver word is halted by Rider voice.
"Because it was Saber who slay the beast not us, I will not disgrace myself by stealing someone else achievement, well, if Saber agree to become my vassal I won't mind a Command Seal as an offering though." Rider said.
"That's impossible." Waver said.
"I know, but I won't budge for this matter." At this Waver just silent.
They travel in silent for a while before Waver asked Rider a question.
"Are you unsatisfied with this contract, Rider?"
Waver asked in a low voice after he silently swallowed his saliva.
"Hmm?" Rider is confused.
"You must have some complaints too, correct? Like why would I, such a useless person, end up being your Master! You would obtain victory even easier if you partnered up with an outstanding Master."
Without showing if he really understood the meaning from Waver's heart, forced out a laugh, and patted Wavers head. Rider said evenly.
"True, if your figure were more imposing, then it'd look more fitting compared to now."
Like usual, this reply had was delivered with such an easy going attitude, and it finally reached the limit of Waver's patience.
"Having a Servant who's so powerful that you're almost guaranteed to get the Holy Grail… doesn't bring anything to make me proud of myself! Making a contract with a Servant such as Assassin would have shown my worth even more!"
Hearing Waver's words, Rider scratched his head with a snort.
"If you really were to do something so stupid, you've probably died many times over by now."
"That's enough from you! I have no qualms about dying in my own battle! I wouldn't be here participating in the War of the Holy Grail if I was afraid of dying!"
"Calm down calm down…"
Seeing that Waver's mood became more agitated, Alexander placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Master, did you notice something?" Rider suddenly asked.
"Notice what? And don't suddenly change the subject." Waver said irritated.
"Just think about it, do you notice something, Master?" Rider asked once more, Waver decided to humor him and tried to understand Rider question. His eyes widened when he realized it.
"You, you're calling me Master." Waver said incredulously.
"That's right Master, thought you wouldn't notice." Rider said laughing.
"W...when?" Waver asked.
"When you saved our lives from Berserker assault." Rider answered simply, instead Waver just wilt at his answer.
"T...that, everyone would do the same in that situation." He said dejectedly.
"But you're the one who did it, not only that you even figure out a next course of action moments after surviving, and for that you have proven yourself worthy to become my Master." Rider said, lifting Waver spirit a bit.
"I...I see." Waver said not knowing how to replied. Rider meanwhile continued to talk.
"Master, this inferiority you feel is indeed the forerunner of having the spirit of a king."
"You'd still think that you are insignificant no matter how I appreciate to you. However, you'd still persist in marching towards a higher goal even knowing this. Aaa, from my experience, the seed of 'supremacy' had already started growing in your heart."
"…You're not praising me at all; you're treating me as if I'm a fool."
"However, Master, you're so foolish that it's cute."
Rider lifted his head and looked towards the sky. Rider smiled and spoke frankly.
"If I really made a contract with a Master whose ambitions are not too far from mine, like you said, then I would definitely feel really bored. However, your wishes far surpassed your capacities. Someone like you, who would chase after a 'far-distant glory', is the basic guideline of living in my time. Therefore, precisely because of this, I really feel very happy about making a contract with a foolish Master like you."
Waver turned his face aside, not daring to face Rider's rustic smile.
Why does this idiotic giant always use these unhappy things to comfort me?
Perhaps no one in the world would be happy when others call him a fool.
Thinking that he didn't know what emotions he should face Rider with, Waver almost wanted to disappear right now – Woah.
Rider suddenly grunt in pain, the horse under him become agitated before Rider calm it down.
Waver almost falling to the ground due to the sudden movement of the horse, thankfully Rider catch him on time. When Waver looked back he saw an arrow pierced Rider in his right arm and a thin line of blood coming of the wound.
"W...what's going on, Rider?" Waver asked as Rider pull the arrow from his arm and throw it to the ground.
"Enemy approach, Master" Rider said urgently.
"What?" Waver said incredulously.