Hector was ready to let go of his loyalty.
He might have been indebted to Angela, but saving a life is not a debt one can ever truly repay. All he could do was continue committing atrocities for her sake, hoping that eventually, he would gain the shred of approval he deserved. This wasn't a path he wanted to follow…Hector knew that abandoning it would hurt, that it would feel as if his soul was torn apart, but he maintained hope that he would rise up from those ashes. There was a future where he had to make this choice, but none if he stayed with Angela.
"Rider…" Hector spoke out, breaking the silence that overtook his room as the young man was consumed by his pondering.
"Yes?"
"I wanted to ask you something…Been on my mind for a while; I just couldn't choose a good time for it. You are the King of Conquerors, an incredibly strong servant; I know I don't exactly live up to you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't you feel I hold you back? You told me that leaders have to be worth following; I am your master, and I am supposed to be your leader as per the rules of this war. But I still can't even decide which side I'm on, much less take decisive action. If that ever was the case, I'm sorry…"
"Bah, as if that warrants even the slightest concern!" Iskandar chuckled. "Do you think that I was never in your situation? That I never faced doubt and indecision or regretted my actions? No, this could not be further from the truth. My path was a difficult one, just like yours, but if I wasn't willing to fail, then I would have never earned my place as a king. Seeing someone make the same steps towards growth is not a punishment or restraint. It is a blessing."
"Is that…" Hector stuttered, feeling his heartbeat increase from the swelling pride. "Is that what you truly think?"
"It is." Iskandar didn't hesitate. "Seeing a true 'modern' leader would've been entertaining for a time, but it would not be nearly as rewarding as setting someone on the path he has yet to walk. A path to become a true leader."
"A leader, huh?" Hector chuckled. "I'm no leader, not yet, at least…But I'm not a slave, either." Finally, he found his calling. "You were right, Rider; this isn't the time for regrets or looking back; it's a time for action…And I know what I must do. I will fight to stop Angra Mainyu, even Angela…And I will go find Sakura. She needs my help, especially against Lancer."
"Finally, the words worth a true warrior!" Iskandar said with pride.
"And you, Rider? Will you follow me?"
"Are you even asking? Of course, boy. I bow to no other king, but for this might, I will gladly follow another."
…
Shirou knew Angela would continue to scheme against the Coalition the moment they separated, but he didn't expect her to act so quickly and violently. Marianne was a powerful master in her own right; her servant was incredibly powerful, yet the Lancer fell to Angela's darkness. And that wasn't the extent of it, for matters were getting worse…Everyone had to stop Angela's plan quickly, or else she was going to spread even more destruction. Iseri had already killed enough people of Fuyuki, and Shirou couldn't allow another murderer to run loose.
At the mention of the Grail's formation, everyone at the estate gathered to listen to Assassin's report. Waver helped Rin get closer while Sakura called for Gilgamesh to discuss the next move. Hassan explained what he saw in detail, the darkness Angela unleashed and allowed into herself, the kind of power that will annihilate everyone in its way and spare no one.
"But this is not all." Assassin continued. "Lancer was not killed. Instead, she used Angra Mainyu to transform him into something else entirely…A broken creature with no will of his own but incredibly powerful."
"Reducing a hero to a mere puppet?" Gilgamesh frowned. "How uninspired."
"That makes matters harder for us." Waver sighed in disappointment. "Marianne would oppose some of her most deranged ideas, now she has her servant with none of the resistance."
"She wishes to use him as a weapon." Hassan continued. "She will send him to destroy us."
"Alone?" Rin wondered.
"We have to assume Lancer has only grown stronger with this transformation."
Of course, this was the perfect move. Shirou finally spoke.
"She will use him to distract us while she finishes her rituals…" She will unleash the Grail and see Kirei's dream realized.
"Anything else to report?" Shirou inquired.
"Hector doesn't want to go along with her plans; he is hesitant, and Rider isn't keen on it either."
"See, I told you," Sakura interjected. "He is not going to approve of something as horrible as this, never."
"We don't have time to wait until Lancer attacks; Angela will finish her ritual and materialize the Grail in its entirety…" Shirou said with anger, processing the difficult situation they were put in. "We will prepare for Lancer's attack and meet him here. Assassin…I have not been the kindest to you, but you were unflinchingly loyal all this time, and now I have to ask you to take the biggest risk yet."
"My daggers are always at your disposal, master."
"As we fight, you will infiltrate the Einzbern castle. Ignore Archer, Hector, and Rider, be as discreet as possible, and when you get your chance…" It was time to betray his ideals and slay the monster for the greater good. "Kill Angela von Einzbern."
