"Yes, no matter how difficult the wish, with the Holy Grail, it can certainly be granted…"
Saber declared, not realizing that Rider's question wasn't about the difficulty of her wish, but rather his rejection of the wish itself.
"Ah, wait! I want to confirm, uh, the destruction of the kingdom, was that in your era? When you were ruling?"
"Yes! That's why I cannot forgive myself!"
Saber's tone was firm, but she still didn't understand what their silence meant.
"I am filled with regret! I want to change that outcome; it was because of me that this end came to pass…"
Before she could finish, a loud laugh erupted. Archer, disregarding Saber's expression, continued to laugh to himself.
Faced with this insult, Saber was naturally filled with anger.
"—Archer! What's so funny?"
Gilgamesh seemed to have laughed so hard he choked, lightly patting his stomach before he spoke in a broken voice: "Claiming to be a king, praised by all people! Such a person actually says they are filled with regret? Hahahaha! How can one not laugh at this? A masterpiece, truly a masterpiece! Saber, you are the greatest clown…" Gilgamesh mocked her freely. He had previously called Ryougi Raku a clown, but after learning Ryougi Raku's true nature, he discarded his previous statement. Now, he had found an even greater clown, and naturally vented his malicious emotions.
Even Rider frowned, looking at Saber with displeasure, "Wait!!! King of Knights, are you trying to deny the history you created?" He looked utterly incredulous, and for the first time, he agreed with Archer's thoughts… Saber, who had never wavered in her ideals, firmly replied: "Precisely! Are you so surprised? As a king, the country I dedicated myself to was destroyed! What fault is there in me mourning it?"
"Hahahahaha! Did you hear that, did you hear that? Rider, did you hear that? This little girl, who calls herself the King of Knights, actually, actually says 'dedicated herself to the country'?" Gilgamesh seemed to have heard the greatest joke in history and could no longer control his actions.
Rider, hearing Gilgamesh's question, merely remained silent, wordlessly affirming his words.
"I don't understand what's so funny. As a king, one should naturally step forward and strive for the prosperity of the country!" Saber was annoyed.
"You are wrong!" Rider firmly and definitively refuted Saber's words.
"It's not the king who dedicates himself, but the country and its people who dedicate everything to the king! Don't you ever get that wrong!"
"What are you saying—" Saber's anger suddenly flared.
"Isn't that a tyrant?! Rider, and you, Archer, the way you rule is a huge mistake!"
"Indeed, we are not just tyrants! But we are still heroes!"
Rider said calmly.
"So, Saber, if a king is dissatisfied with the outcome of the country he governed, it only shows that he is an incompetent ruler, worse than a tyrant!"
Rider's words fundamentally denied Saber, the King of Knights.
"Iskandar… your empire, which you built with your own hands, eventually split apart. Do you truly have no regrets? Don't you want to start over and save it?"
"No!" Rider answered without hesitation, swiftly and decisively. Facing the King of Knights' gaze, he was unreserved.
"If my decisions and my subjects led to such a result, then destruction was inevitable. I mourn it, I grieve for it, but I will never regret it!"
"How can that be…" Saber couldn't believe it.
"Although I am not a king, your paths are no different from others' paths, except that yours are the paths of kings…" A voice suddenly interjected, interrupting their conversation. Everyone turned their heads and saw Ryougi Raku smiling as he spoke.
Ignoring their gazes, Ryougi Raku simply continued to expound his thoughts, "…Whether it's Saber, Rider, or Archer, for me, I don't agree with any of your paths, but I will also respect them. Everyone has the right to pursue their own path; there is no right or wrong. To say that others' paths are wrong, how is that not betraying one's own path?"
Regardless of their gazes, each carrying different meanings, Ryougi Raku acted as if no one else was there, "…Rider, you are the famous Iskandar. You are celebrated by the world, and your empire is known to all. The world praises your path endlessly; but she, Saber, is also the renowned King Arthur, whose name spread throughout the land. Her path is also sung by later generations, so how can one say whether yours is correct or hers is correct?"
Ryougi Raku's gaze was profound, "…Ultimately, it's simply a matter of, different paths, no common ground!"
Ryougi Raku's words practically negated all of Saber's and Rider's ideas, but at the same time, he affirmed all of their thoughts!
Rider was silent, but then suddenly burst into laughter, "…Hahahaha! What a phrase, 'different paths, no common ground'!"
"Hmph!" A cold snort. As for Ryougi Raku's words, Archer neither affirmed nor denied them, but his tone was tinged with disdain for Ryougi Raku's words. Gilgamesh's existence was self-contained; even if they all understood this principle, they still mocked Saber and denied her. This was not a reason for them to agree with and understand Saber. Rider and Archer were alike; a part of their kingly paths was inherently shared. In fact, they were equally self-centered. In their kingly paths, anything that didn't conform to their own was wrong—such was their absolute dominance!
Therefore, "…But even so, I still don't acknowledge you, Saber!" His tone was firm; Rider had made his conclusion!
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Saber was beyond furious! Ryougi Raku's words made a lot of sense, but Saber still didn't agree with Rider's and Archer's ideas. In this stubbornness, the three of them, as kings, were remarkably similar.
Lancer, on the other hand, could simultaneously agree with and disagree with their three kingly paths… "Rider, the people need salvation, not your warrior-like actions!"
"Are you saying they want the king's salvation?" Rider laughed out loud.
"What meaning does such a thing have?"
"That is the king's duty!" Saber proudly declared.
"King of Conquerors, someone like you, who only cares about yourself and disregards others, will not understand my beliefs. You are merely a tyrannical overlord blinded by desire!!" Saber sternly rebuked.
"Ah, a king without desires is worse than a mere vase!" Rider suddenly stood up, roaring furiously. This was his first true outburst of anger, and his massive physique exuded immense pressure!
"Saber, in the past, you were an incorruptible saint, so pure that no one could compare. But who would wish to be martyred for an ideal? Only by comforting the people, but not guiding them, only by displaying ambition and celebrating ultimate glory, can one lead the people on the right path!"
Draining his cup of wine, the King of Conquerors corrected her.
Ryougi Raku observed Rider. His interpretation of the king's path was exactly the same as Ryougi Raku's. In Ryougi Raku's view, the only difference between a lone individual like himself, who only followed his own path, and a king, was simply the act of showcasing oneself… Both pursued their own paths, but a king had to display his path, leading his people to pursue his path with him. That was utilizing the people's strength to achieve his ultimate goal; whereas a person like Ryougi Raku relied solely on his own strength… There was no question of who was noble or who was lowly, because the ultimate outcome they sought was the same: their own ideals. It was just a difference in method, and these two different methods naturally had their own advantages and disadvantages… But he found their dispute incredibly tiresome. Such people, who stubbornly adhered to their own opinions and firmly believed their own path was correct, were the most troublesome when they met! To attempt to use words to make others believe in their path, to so unequivocally assert their own correctness, in Ryougi Raku's eyes, their ultimate fate would only be that of a martyr! The path that best suited one's own nature, the one most fitting for oneself, was the correct path; anything else was a wrong path!
His gaze shifted slightly, glancing at Gilgamesh. He said nothing; although he mocked Saber and disdained Rider, he would never use his words to argue with others about the rightness or wrongness of paths. In his heart, perhaps all paths other than his own were wrong… Such clear self-awareness, proud yet not arrogant, steadfastly walking his own path without wavering. He neither wished nor hoped for others to walk the same path as him. He was both a king who guided his people and a practitioner who acted on his own accord. That was a perfect self-interpretation that neither Rider nor Saber could match. He was truly worthy of being the King of Heroes, truly worthy of being the Oldest King!
"Oh King, who bears the name of Knight, your justice and ideals may have temporarily saved the country and its people, which is why your name is still sung today. However, you cannot be unaware of the outcome that awaited those who were saved, can you?!"
"What—what did you say?" Saber wanted to retort, but countless images suddenly appeared in her mind… "Saber, is your wish truly to attempt to overturn history and choose another king?" Ryougi Raku suddenly interrupted their conversation.
"Of course! Saving my subjects is naturally my wish!" Facing Ryougi Raku's question, Saber remained firm.
"Then, how do your subjects view you?" Ryougi Raku was already tired of their conversation.
A king? That's a title you only have when you possess land and your own subjects!
What were Saber and Rider now? Their countries had been destroyed, their people extinct. In Ryougi Raku's eyes, they were merely two former 'kings' who had fallen on hard times. However, if he wanted them to end this topic, trying to talk to Rider would be asking for trouble. He could only start with Saber; if Saber could see things clearly, couldn't she advance further?
Judging solely from the current outcome, it was completely Rider's victory. However, Saber had the potential to advance further. Although Ryougi Raku admired Rider, that was for his charisma, for his character, and not for Rider's pursuit of his own path!
Gilgamesh once said that he was the only king between heaven and earth, and in Ryougi Raku's eyes, it was indeed the truth...
Gilgamesh alone represented the entire nation and all its people; even if he was the only one, he could still call himself 'King'!
From the very beginning, both Rider and Saber had already lost.
Gilgamesh's power was not just limited to his Noble Phantasms!
'Ea, the Sword of Rupture' was indeed terrifyingly powerful, but it was precisely because he was Gilgamesh that he could wield that Noble Phantasm—that divine weapon which carved out the Mesopotamian plains, an era, and a culture!
If it were anyone else, how could they possibly use it?
If Gilgamesh were to truly get serious, whether it was Rider or Saber with Avalon, defeat would be their only outcome!
...Ryougi Raku's question made Saber suddenly think of her subjects.
"Oh King! She doesn't understand human emotions!" people murmured when Saber, sword in hand, abandoned a village and slaughtered a traitor.
But shouldn't any human being do the same? Saber couldn't understand.
She continued to act on her own accord, following her own path, but in the end, King Arthur was betrayed by her most trusted army...
Saber suddenly fell silent.
Her subjects viewed her in that way...
She disagreed with Rider's tyrannical ideology, so she naturally ignored Rider's questions.
In fact, Ryougi Raku and Rider asked similar things, but because the questioners were different, the results were naturally different...
"...Saber, your path is not wrong in any way, but you lack the means to make your subjects follow your path with unwavering devotion...
Your subjects abandoned you, your subordinates abandoned you... but isn't this also the history you yourselves created?
Are you also going to abandon the knights who once pledged their loyalty to you, the subjects who adored you, merely for reasons you arbitrarily believe to be true?
Then, how are you any different from the Rider you reject?
Aren't you also doing it for yourself?!" Ryougi Raku said coldly, his face grim and devoid of emotion.
"I... I..." Saber suddenly recoiled a step.
That phrase, so selfish and like Rider's, made her heart tremble.
"No, that's not it!" she vehemently denied, attempting to cast the thought completely out of her mind.
"The most famous king of Great Britain, King Arthur!
Look at Britain now; the descendants of your people live so happily.
They praise you, they glorify you, and yet you attempt to shatter this happiness, to overturn this history.
What are your intentions?!"
"I merely want my people to live better!"
"Aren't they living well now?" A rhetorical question left Saber speechless.
..."Face history, face yourself!
Forget Rider's words; your path is not wrong.
Your integrity, your purity, your steadfastness move me, make me adore you!
However, this current cowardly posture of yours, attempting to escape reality, truly makes me despise you!" Ryougi Raku's words abruptly stopped.
If he said any more, it would be a confession...
"Oh oh oh!" Watching Ryougi Raku suddenly become agitated, Rider stroked his chin, wondering what he was thinking...
The King of Heroes said nothing, because in Ryougi Raku's gaze just now, that heartfelt admiration, that complete praise for his existence, for his kingly path that transcended both Saber and Rider, Gilgamesh had clearly received it...
This made him suddenly feel that someone had understood him, if only a tiny bit...
Of course, it was only a tiny bit; the only person who could truly understand him, from ancient times to the present, was just one!
Saber was inexplicably shaken, but these words were not enough to make her give up; how could the King of Knights give up so easily?
However, her heart was indeed in turmoil!
Ryougi Raku naturally didn't believe that a few words would change Saber, but the fuse had been lit.
After the blows she had received from Rider and himself, Ryougi Raku knew that there was now only one thing preventing her from seeing and facing the truth: the Holy Grail!!
Saber still believed in the omnipotence of the Holy Grail, convinced that it could help her!
With such a thing still present, she would naturally cling to hope, hoping for this Holy Grail!
But when she learned the true nature of the Holy Grail and recognized it, with her path cut off, a despairing Saber would naturally have to examine herself, her past, and her present.
With King Arthur's talent and steadfastness, how could she not see the root of her problem?
Lancer stared blankly at his Master; this was the first time he had seen his Master so agitated.
Waver and Irisviel were also a bit dumbfounded.
'I've said too much.' Ryougi Raku, who firmly believed that low-key was the way of kings, quickly paused.
However, one Servant had helped him a great deal.
The surrounding air suddenly felt strange.
A thick killing intent emanated from it.
One human form after another appeared in the air—skull masks and black cloaks—it was Assassin...
The King of Heroes frowned in displeasure; interrupting a king's banquet was a grave sin!
The presence of these Assassins must have been at the command of Tōsaka Tokiomi.
Gilgamesh's patience with Tōsaka Tokiomi was also reaching its limit.
"Wh-what's going on? Why are there so many Assassins?!" Waver cried out in panic.
"Hee hee hee, let me answer your question!
We are Servants who exist as a collective, with each individual merely a shadow of the whole!" one of the Assassins replied with an evil laugh, answering Waver's question.
"Does that mean we've been monitored by these guys until today?" Irisviel asked, distressed, upon hearing this.
Gradually, the Assassins surrounded the courtyard.
Saber gritted her teeth; the blow to her spirit had not yet subsided, and now so many rabble, relying on sheer numbers, had appeared.
This made her feel somewhat annoyed.
No matter how many Assassins there were, she wasn't afraid, but she was the only one who would be fine.
She couldn't guarantee that she could protect Irisviel in a chaotic battle, and who knew if this wasn't a scheme by that golden Archer?
It must be said that Saber's impression of Gilgamesh was so poor that she thought of him as utterly despicable...
Lancer also prepared for battle.
Among those present, only Rider, Archer, and Ryougi Raku remained leisurely.
The former two were disdainful, while the latter's disdain was mixed with the confident foresight of what was about to happen.
"Ri-Rider!" Seeing Rider still drinking by himself, Waver anxiously called out.
"Don't be so flustered, boy!
It's just that uninvited guests have arrived at the banquet; the wine must still be drunk!"
"They don't look like guests at all!" Waver shouted excitedly.
Rider smiled wryly, shook his head, raised his wine glass, and said calmly: "I say, everyone, can you please rein in your ghostly aura?
My friend is scared by you!"
"Do you still intend to invite them to the table, King of Conquerors?" Saber thought she had misheard.
Gilgamesh also frowned; he would not allow himself to sit at the same table with such mongrels.
"Of course, a king's words should be heard by all people, so if someone comes specifically to listen, it doesn't matter whether they are an enemy or a friend!"
Saying this, Rider handed over his wine glass.
"Don't be shy; if you want to drink with us, go get a cup.
This wine is with your blood!"
Clang—
It was the crisp sound of a wine glass falling to the ground.
Only the stem of the glass remained in Rider's hand.
"..."
Looking down at the wine spilled on the ground, Rider's tone gradually deepened: "I said, this wine is with your blood, didn't I?"
Rider stood up, his tall stature like the only existence between heaven and earth, as if making the whole world feel scorching hot.
A gust of wind blew, and in this cold season, that heat felt as if one were experiencing the desert of a Gobi...
"Ptooey, ptooey..." Waver spat out the sand that had blown into his mouth, and at the same time, he was very puzzled: where did the sand come from?
"Finally, I ask the kings present, the last question of this wine banquet—is a king solitary?" His voice was loud, echoing through the sky!
Archer chuckled, remaining silent.
"A king is naturally solitary!" But Saber answered without hesitation, with such firm resolve.
"Hahahahaha! No, no, that's not an answer at all, is it?
Today, let me tell you what a true king is!"
Amidst the wild laughter, the world changed!
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The cold Einzbern Castle was replaced by a festive desert, with swirling sand drifting everywhere.
"Wh-how is this possible?!" Waver and Irisviel were incredibly shocked; they understood the significance of this influence!
"A Reality Marble?!"
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(˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) ‹ (TL : More Chapters @patreon.com/c/Gooberilla)