The banquet was held next to the flower bed in the courtyard of the castle. The battle last night did not affect this place, and it did not look shabby for entertaining guests. At this time, no one cared about the cold outside.
The rider brought the wine bottle to the atrium, and the three Servants sat next to each other and confronted each other leisurely. Irisviel and Waver sat side by side, guessing the development of the situation, and realized that this meant a temporary truce, and they only had to be aside
Just watch it.
The rider smashed the lid of the barrel with his fist, and the rich aroma of red wine suddenly filled the air in the atrium.
"Although the shape is very strange, it is a drinking vessel unique to this country."
As Rider spoke, he proudly poured wine with a bamboo-handled spoon. Unfortunately, no one at the scene could point out his common sense mistake. Illya just stared at the bright red wine and ignored Rider's question.
The rider first drank the wine in the spoon in one gulp, and then spoke.
"Let's talk about little miss's question first! Little miss, are you the king?"
"...So be it..."
Ilia was stunned for a moment, raised her head and gave an ambiguous answer.
"The king is the king. What is 'maybe'?! Miss, you'd better give a clear answer. Otherwise I won't admit it!"
Obviously the Conqueror was not satisfied with this answer.
"ha……"
Seeing the King of Conqueror's expression that he was obviously ready to break the pot and ask the question, Illya smiled helplessly.
"Then let me explain it, although it may be a bit long."
Turning her gaze to the distant starry sky, Illya talked about her somewhat modified identity in a daze.
"The father of this body, Philos Alan Stein Trember, is a great alchemist who belongs to the Crusaders. He used this body as a sacrifice and frantically prepared to alchemize the god.
However, of course he failed, and even his soul was swallowed up by the alchemy array.
Of course, as a failure, this body is also on the verge of collapse.
Later, my soul fell into a deep sleep to maintain the existence of this body.
When I regained awareness of the outside world, I discovered that this body was actually enshrined by the Cross as a substitute for God."
With that said, Illya changed to a more comfortable sitting position. Everyone looked at her in surprise. They originally thought that what she was going to tell was the process of becoming a king, but they didn't expect that it would be her "formation" process, an alternative.
Formation.
"A thousand years, I have been enshrined like this for a thousand years.
They regard this body as a god, the god on whom their spirits rest.
The strong thoughts they prayed for have continuously penetrated into this body during this thousand years.
Those thoughts corrode this body, trying to turn this body into a god.
But it is impossible for this body to become a true god simply by relying on people's thoughts.
However, it is still possible to make this body a 'King' of a lower level than a 'God', a king who entrusts people's ideals.
This body has thus become a religious king."
Using pure magic power to condense a wine glass, Illya poured herself a glass of wine from the barrel and continued:
"They call this person 'god-holy-symbol', their spiritual 'holy king', the royal way forged by human faith. But it is just a formal symbol at best.
So let alone rights, I don’t even have freedom. That’s how I ended up like this..."
Listening to Ilia's somewhat self-deprecating summary, everyone fell into silence. None of them thought that the playful, noisy and alcoholic little girl in front of them was actually just a sacrifice, someone who was regarded as a "god"
, but it became a symbol of "king". This has to be said to be a very bad experience, compared with their experience of becoming king. Although they definitely misunderstood Illya because they regarded her as a real heroic spirit.
The fate he met.
"Well...it is indeed unlikely that the important secrets of this kind of Christianity will be known to outsiders, let alone spread to the world...Okay! Anyway! I admit it! Little Miss, you are a king!' Holy
King of Religion! That’s enough!”
The Conqueror King chose to break the dullness in front of him and changed the topic.
"Now let's talk about the theme this time! I heard that only qualified people can get the Holy Grail."
The serious tone calmed the surrounding atmosphere. This man actually spoke in such a tone, and I always felt that something was wrong.
"And the ceremony to select the qualified person is this war in Fuyuki... But if you just watch, there is no need to shed blood. We are both heroic spirits, and if we can recognize each other's abilities, then there will be no need for me.
Just tell me."
"..."
Saber took the spoon from Rider without hesitation and took a spoonful of wine as well.
Saber's slender body always makes people worry about whether she can really drink.
But looking at her generosity in drinking, she was not inferior to the giant rider. Rider gave a happy compliment when he saw this.
"So, first of all, you are going to compete with me to see who is stronger? Rider."
After taking a look at Ilia, who was still a little out of shape, the King of Knights directly challenged the King of Conquerors.
"Exactly, a real contest between each other in the name of 'King', but in this case it wouldn't be called a 'Holy Grail War', it would be better to call it a 'Holy Grail Question'... In the end, among the King of Knights, the King of Conquerors and the Saint King
, who can become the 'King of Holy Grails'? This is the perfect question to ask the wine glass."
The rider changed his serious tone and smiled mischievously. Then he spoke as if talking to himself.
"Ah, speaking of which, there is another person here who claims to be the 'King'!"
"…The joke ends here, bastard."
It seemed to be in response to Rider's unclear words.
A dazzling golden light flashed in front of everyone.
The sound and the light made Saber and Irisviel's bodies immediately stiffen. Illya, who came back to her senses, just glanced at it and paid no attention to it, just sipping on her own.
"Archer, why are you here..."
Saber asked sharply, but it was Rider who answered her calmly.
"Ah, when I saw him on the street, I asked him to drink together... But I was still late, Jin Guang. But unlike me, he walks on foot, so I can't blame him."
"I knew that since it was the king's party, how could there be one person missing!"
After hearing Rider's answer, Illya felt that this should be the case.
"However, I didn't expect that a person who doesn't take me seriously and calls him a 'king' without knowing how high the heaven and earth is would appear again today! And take back your statement that 'king' is one level lower than 'god'."
If so! How can those bastards compare with me!"
"Oh? 'God'? Are you talking about those narcissists who claim to be gods, but are eventually killed by what they regard as 'mere humans'?"
Hearing this, the armor-clad Archer looked at Ilia with interest with his ruby-like eyes. After getting a roll of his eyes from the other party, he didn't get angry. He just chuckled with no meaning, and then turned to look at her.
rider.
"It's a shame that you chose such a poor place to hold a banquet. You only have this taste. How can you apologize for making me come all the way?"
"Don't say that. Come on, have a drink first."
Ignoring Archer's somewhat strange attitude towards Illya just now, Rider smiled boldly and handed him the spoon full of wine.
I thought he would be irritated by Rider's attitude, but unexpectedly he simply took the spoon and drank the wine in one gulp.
Irisviel thought of the "challenge" Saber mentioned earlier.
In Irisviel's understanding, Archer, a golden heroic spirit whose true identity is unknown, calls himself the "King", so it is impossible for him to refuse the wine offered by Rider.
"...What kind of bad wine is this? You actually use this kind of wine to fight between kings?"
Archer said with a look of disgust.
"..."
Hearing this, Illya looked at the wine in the quilt, then at the shining golden archer, and thought speechlessly:
'Only this guy can treat a wine that has been brewed for more than a hundred years as rubbish...'
"Really? This is a high-priced item I bought from the high-end market here! It's a nice wine."
"You think so because you don't understand wine at all, you bastard!"
A whirlpool of empty space appeared around Archer, who sneered. This was a precursor to the strange phenomenon that could summon the Noble Phantasm. Weber and Irisviel only felt a chill in their bodies.
But... what appeared next to Archer tonight was not weapons, but a series of drinking utensils inlaid with dazzling gems. The heavy gold bottle was filled with colorless and clear liquid.
"Look, this is the 'wine of kings'."
"Oh, I'm so touched!"
"Oh! Oh! Excellent!!!"
Rider didn't pay attention to Archer's tone, and happily poured the new wine into three cups. Yes! It was three cups, because someone took away a gold bottle directly. That is, he was so excited to see such a beautiful wine that he ignored it
Illya of the King of Heroes.
Seeing this, Archer just raised his eyebrows, glanced at Ilia again with interest, and said nothing more.
Saber was still very wary of Archer, who didn't know the details. She looked at the wine in the gold bottle with some hesitation, but she still accepted the wine glass that was handed to her.
“Oh, it’s delicious!!”
"Oh! It's really the best thing in the world! No no! It should be said that this should not belong to the world in the first place!"
Rider took a sip and immediately opened his eyes and praised. Illya also spoke out the words of praise without hesitation. Now even Saber was aroused curiosity. Originally, this was not a matter of seeing who is more decent.
It's not a competition, but a competition based on drinking.
When the wine flowed into her throat, Saber felt that her head was filled with a strong sense of expansion. This was indeed a good wine that she had never tasted before. It was strong and clean, mellow and refreshing, and the strong fragrance filled her nose. Her whole body felt like
A sense of erraticity.
"Great, this is definitely not wine brewed by humans, it must be drunk by gods!"
Looking at Rider who did not hesitate to praise him and Ilia who kept nodding in agreement, Archer showed a leisurely smile. At some point he also sat down and shook the wine glass in his hand with satisfaction.
"Of course, whether it's wine or swords, I only keep the best things in my treasure house. This is the king's taste."
"Are you kidding, archer."
Saber shouted. The calm began to be broken by the tense atmosphere.
"I'm tired of hearing you boast about hiding your wine. You don't look like a king, but more like a clown."
Archer looked at Saber who smelled of gunpowder with a sneer.
"It's outrageous. A guy who doesn't even know how to drink doesn't deserve to be king."
"How annoying! With such good wine to drink, why can't you shut your mouths?"
Ilia looked very angry when her rare drinking atmosphere was interrupted.
"That's it! Come on, you two are so boring."
Following Illya's words, Rider smiled bitterly and gestured to Saber who still wanted to say something, then turned around and continued the previous topic.
"Archer, your best wine can only be matched by the most precious cup... But unfortunately, the Holy Grail is not used to hold wine. Now we are conducting a Holy Grail question and answer to consider whether each other is qualified to obtain the Holy Grail. First, you must tell
Why do you want the Holy Grail? Archer, as a king, you can find a way to convince us that you are qualified to get the Holy Grail."
"I really can't stand you. First of all, we want to 'compete' for the Holy Grail. Your question is far from this premise."
"Um?"
Seeing Rider raise his eyebrows in surprise, Archer sighed helplessly.
"Originally, it should have been my property. All the treasures in the world originated from my collection, but after a long time, it was lost from my treasure house, but its owner is still me."
"Then you are saying, have you ever owned the Holy Grail? Do you know what it is?"
"No."
Archer flatly denied Rider's question.
"This is not something you can understand. The total amount of my property even exceeds the scope of my own knowledge, but as long as it is a 'treasure', then it must belong to me, that is very clear. You actually want to take my treasure
, you should still be a little self-aware.”
Now it was Saber's turn to be speechless.
"What you said is similar to that of Caster. It seems that he is not the only insane servant."
"Hey, what should I say?"
Unlike Saber, Rider mumbled as if he was echoing. At some point, he picked up the wine bottle and poured another drink into the glass without any hesitation.
"Speaking of which, I think I still know your real name. There is probably only one king who is more arrogant than I, Iskandar."
Hearing this, Illya just nodded her head clearly, while Irisviel and Waver immediately listened attentively, but Rider changed the topic.
"So Archer, that means as long as you nod and agree, we can get the Holy Grail?"
"Of course, but I have no reason to reward rats like you."
"Are you reluctant to part with it?"
"Of course not, I only reward my subjects and people."
Archer smiled mockingly at Rider.
"Or Rider, if you are willing to surrender to me, then I will give you one or two cups."
"...Ah, this is impossible."
The rider scratched his chin, as if he felt that the other party's conditions were too high, so he simply turned his head.
"But Archer, it doesn't matter to you whether you have the Holy Grail or not. You're not fighting for the Holy Grail just to fulfill any wish."
"Of course. But I can't let go of the guy who took away my treasure. This is a matter of principle."
"That is to say..."
The rider drained the glass of wine.
"What does that mean? Is there any reason?"
"It's the law."
Archer replied immediately.
"The rules I established as the king."
"Um."
The rider seemed to understand what he said and sighed deeply.
"What a perfect king, able to implement the laws he has set. But, I still want the Holy Grail very much. What I do is grab it when I want it, because I, Iskandar, am the conquering king."
"Not necessarily. As long as you commit a crime, I can punish you. There is no room for negotiation."
"Then we can only meet on the battlefield."
Archer and Rider nodded at the same time with a serious look on their faces.
"...But Archer, let's have a drink first, and let's leave the battle for later."
"Of course, unless you don't like the wine I brought at all."
"Are you kidding me? How can I refuse to drink wine now?"
At this moment, Archer and Rider could no longer tell whether Saber was friend or foe, so she could only sit silently and watch the two of them. After a while, she finally spoke to Rider.
"King of Conqueror, since you have admitted that the Holy Grail is someone else's property, do you still want to use force to seize it?"
"...Huh? Of course, my belief is 'conquest'...that is, 'capture' and 'invasion'."
Just when Saber suppressed the anger in her heart and wanted to continue asking, Illya's voice interrupted.
"Wait a minute Saber, let me explain it first!"
Looking at Saber, she really couldn't understand the reason, and after all, Saber was "one of her own". Illya couldn't watch her own people being bullied because she didn't understand, so she came forward to explain:
"Archer, because you are the king, I admit that the Holy Grail was once one of your many treasures, but this 'Holy Grail' is different. It cannot become your treasure!"
"oh?"
After hearing what Ilia said, Archer responded disapprovingly, but his attention was focused.
"Your Holy Grail is just the carrier of the 'Holy Grail' we are fighting for."
At this time, not only Archer but also everyone's attention was attracted by Ilia.
"Do you think that the 'Holy Grail' that is recorded and sung in many myths and legends really exists?"
No one present could answer Illya's question, because even they couldn't possibly know the truth behind all the myths and legends.
"It can't exist, right! Because even if that kind of thing exists, it should be part of the 'reason' in this world, and 'reason' cannot exist in a physical way..."
As she spoke, Illya took a sip of the colorless wine in the wine glass.
"One of the most important principles in the world, the third method 'The Cup of Heaven'... Yes! The projection of the 'Grail of Heaven', this is the real 'Holy Grail' we are fighting for, which can respond to and fulfill everyone's wishes.
It is precisely this projection Holy Grail that can connect to the main body of the 'Celestial Grail'. But..."
At this point, Illya turned to look at Archer, and everyone also looked at him. Therefore, everyone did not notice that in her wording just now, she did not include herself in the part about realizing her wish, but just used
The term "everyone's wish" is used.
Archer frowned in obvious displeasure at the attention of the crowd, but what he was about to say was overshadowed by Ilia's next words.
"We still have to fight for the Holy Grail that originally belonged to Archer, because in order to be able to carry the projection of the 'Celestial Grail', that is a necessary existence!"
When the words "necessary existence" were mentioned, Illya took advantage of the opportunity when everyone was lost in thought to look at Irisviel in a very secretive way.
Staring directly at those red and blue eyes, Irisviel instantly felt as if she had been completely seen through, and a bone-chilling chill surged directly into her heart.
Fortunately, Saber spoke to Rider at this time, helping Irisviel break away from Illya's magical eyes.
"Now that you say that, you still want to fight for other people's belongings! Are you right?!"
Under Saber's gaze, the Conqueror nodded matter-of-factly.
"Then King of Conquerors, please tell me why you want to get the Holy Grail?"
Facing Saber's question, Rider smiled sheepishly. He took a sip of wine and replied:
"Want to be human."
This was such an unexpected answer that even Weber said "ah" and then shouted in an almost crazy tone.
"Oh, you! Do you still want to conquer this world... Wow!"
After forcing Master to quiet down with a snap of his fingers, Rider shrugged.
"Idiot, how can you conquer the world in this life? Conquest is your dream, and you can only entrust this first step to the 'Holy Grail of Projection' to realize it."
"Bastard...you actually challenge me for such a silly thing?"
Even Archer was helpless, but Rider said seriously:
"I said, even if we appear in the real world with magic power, in the end we are just servants and did not originally exist in this world... Although it feels a bit ridiculous, are you really satisfied?
I'm not satisfied. I want to be reincarnated in this world and live as a human being."
"..."
Recall... Weber originally thought that he didn't like spirit transformation, and insisting on appearing in physical form was Rider's quirk. Indeed, although servants can talk, dress, eat, etc. like humans, their essence is similar to ghosts.
"Why...want sex so much?"
“Because this is the basis of ‘conquest’.”
Iskandar looked at his clenched fists and murmured.
"Having a body, marching towards heaven and earth, and achieving my conquest... That is my way to be a king. But now I have no body, which is not possible. Without this, nothing can begin. I am not afraid of anything, I
I just feel that I must have it."
Archer seemed to be listening carefully to Rider's words, and just drank in silence from beginning to end. After careful observation, you can find that he showed a strange expression that was different from before. It might be a bit far-fetched to describe it as a smile.
But compared to his usual mocking expression before, his smile now contained a layer of sinisterness.
"It's decided...rider, I will kill you with my own hands."
"Haha, you are still saying this now. You should be aware of it as soon as possible. Not only the Holy Grail, I also plan to loot your treasure house. You are really too careless to let the King of Conqueror drink such fine wine."
The rider laughed wildly. But at this time there was another person who had not shown a smile even though he had participated in the banquet.
Saber, who attended the banquet, could not find any room to intervene in the conversation between Archer and Rider. The way of kingship that these two people talked about was far from what she believed in, so she could not talk to them at all.
Just follow your own will...
This is not what a king should think. Saber, who believes in integrity, sees Archer and Rider as nothing more than tyrants.
No matter how powerful the opponent is, Saber's heart still burns with unyielding fighting spirit.
These two are the only opponents that he cannot lose. He must not give up the Holy Grail to them. Archer's words make no sense at all, and Rider's wish can only be regarded as the wish of a warrior. Moreover, it is nothing but a human being*
The beginning of *. Compared with their wishes, the wishes in Saber's heart cannot but be said to be nobler than theirs.
"Holy, since you know so much, what is your wish? What is it?"
The rider looked at Illya, who had been drinking quietly since explaining the meaning of the real Holy Grail, and asked casually.
"Me? My wish? Sorry, my wish cannot be fulfilled by the Holy Grail in this world. I am just fulfilling my duties as a Servant and trying my best to win the Holy Grail for the Master. And my royal way has long been behind my escape.
The moment I left the Christian faith, I didn’t know where to go!”
Hearing this, Irisviel showed a somewhat sad look. After seeing it, Illya knew that Irisviel had misunderstood some of the meaning of her words, but she was not in a hurry to explain, because the next highlight was not
It's not Irisviel's body. Illya doesn't want to disrupt the drama of everyone below because of this.
Although Ilia answered casually, anyone could hear the deep helplessness behind this sentence.
"Alas... no wonder you just said 'everyone's wish'..."
Rider could only sigh at the other party's answer.
"...Hey, I said Saber, please tell me your wish."
Rider finally turned to Saber.
No matter when, the desire in her heart never wavered.
My way as a king is my pride. Still raising his head, the King of Knights looked directly at the two heroic spirits.
"I want to save my hometown. I want to change the fate of Britain."
This chapter has been completed!