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 attack, Master" Rider said urgently.
"What?" Waver said incredulously.
"Tch"
Berserker clicked his tongue seeing Rider run in the distance, in his hand a black bow.
Berserker quickly chased after Rider by jumping from building to building, bow in hand, he needed a clear sight to snipe Rider young Master, but it seems Rider quickly notices his intention.
Berserker saw Rider speed away toward the city, clearly trying to use the high building as a cover from his attack.
He quickly got on another building where he can clearly see Rider and his master, Berserker put an arrow to the notches and aim...only for Rider to run into an alleyway out of his sight.
'Shit.' Berserker thought. Not wanting to lose sight of Rider he quickly chases after them.
Just as Berserker chases after them, Rider is not idle himself, riding his horse toward the city as fast as he can to escape Berserker sight.
He make sure to keep as close as possible to the side of a building to shield himself from the onslought of arrow from Berserker. Just as he manage to dodge a shot to his back Waver called out to him.
"Rider, go that way!" He said pointing toward an alley, Rider quickly followed his instruction trusting his master decision.
As Rider get into the alleyway Berserker clicked his teeth because Rider just barely dodge his shot, Berserker quickly change his position so as not to lose sight of Rider.
Meanwhile Rider is galloping from alley to alley under his Master instruction, which impressed Rider considering the complicated route they just taken.
"How do you know about this path, Master?" Asked Rider while fast riding, now that they lose sight of Berserker.
"I memorized the path when we're trying to find Caster, just in case if it was needed, I didn't think it would be useful at a time like this." Waver said in frustration. Truly Berserker attacked came at the worst of time, not long after they fought Caster, clearly he was prepared for this moment.
"Well, good job, Master, you save us again it seems." Rider said to Waver.
"Thank me later when we're safe!" Waver replied.
"Of course." Rider laughed.
Just as they get out from another alley a hail of arrow came upon them, each arrow is strong enough to pierce concrete wall.
With a startled cry from Waver Rider started another run from Berserker attack.
"Damnit, he found us." Rider cursed in frustration.
Rider frustration is not undeserving, in terms of stats alone Rider is vastly superior to Berserker own especially when he's riding his partner back, the black horse Bucephalus, but after losing the duel of the sky last night Rider lost his chariot, The Gordius Wheel, this give a unique problem to Rider, while his stats is superior from Berserker he lack the option for range attack and with his chariot destroyed he also lacked the much needed mobility to match Berserker assault, which is completely exploited in this moment. But, at the same time all he needed was the chance to get close to Berserker and he could win this battle, and that was the problem.
Berserker despite his class is not fighting like a mad warrior instead he fight just like an assassin and he would recognize this advantage he had and keeping himself in a higher ground away from Rider, meaning if Rider got close to him, Berserker will avoid him, which will make every attempt Rider make to retaliate null. No, Rider needed to corner Berserker somewhere he can't run and defeated him swiftly.
The thought to retreat didn't even cross Rider mind, he had lost the previous duel, he will not lost this one as well, but with his current situation he just can't seem to think anything.
"We needed a plan Master." Rider told Waver.
"We needed to corner him someplace he can't run to defeat him." Rider claimed, hoping that his little Master, can create a miracle. Meanwhile Waver is digesting Rider word before concluding a bold plan.
"Rider, will you listen to me?" Waver asked, which Rider just replied with a toothy smile.
Berserker is currently jumping from building to building trying his best to keep Rider on his sight.
He saw Rider going in and out of alleyway making it hard for him to keep up and shooting but he persevere.
It was only insistence that allows him to spot Rider every time.
As of right now he saw Rider coming out from another alley and speeding along the sideways of the train rail, Berserker quickly sends a hail of arrows toward Rider.
In response Rider jump toward the train rail beside him, in the process he got shot in his shoulder alongside the horse bum.
Gritting his teeth in frustration Rider keep running toward the train tunnel, realizing where Rider intent to go, Berserker hurried to followed, quickly he trace a familiar sword, it was the same sword he uses against Rider in their previous battle.
The tunnel was long and split in several places, making it a perfect places for Rider to hide or get away from Berserker.
If Rider managed to get in to the tunnel, with the horse speed Berserker won't be able to keep up and will definitely lose him, before that he must at the very least weakened Rider.
So as Rider get into the tunnel Berserker followed him, desperately trying to keep sight of Rider. But once Berserker reach the tunnel he was stunned as he is thrown back harshly.
"GOT YA." Rider screamed in excitement as hot wind flow from behind him.
Apparently after Rider get inside the tunnel instead getting deeper he hid inside the shadow and waited until he spotted Berserker. Once Rider spotted Berserker he quickly gallop and crash Berserker back to the ground.
Once Berserker try to stand he was surprised when the ground he stand turned into sand, and the cool air night turned hot dry. Berserker eyes were wide open when he realised he is surrounded by hundreds of soldiers several Meters from him pointing their weapons toward him. On the dunes of sand right in front of Berserker he could see Rider looking Down on him from above while smiling.
The situation in tense with nobody making a sound except the sound of breathing, for several seconds nobody makes a move, until Rider point his sword toward Berserker.
"Slayed him!" Rider loudly ordered his soldier as they rush toward Berserker screaming.
'BERSERKER' Kariya screamed to Berserker mind as he prepared himself for a battle.