Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover

In the end, seeing the harmonious interaction among the trio, Rider and Waver wisely chose not to press further and smoothly changed the subject.

"By the way, why are you here?"

Waver steered the conversation back on track.

"I got a call from the shop owner."

Sakatsuki explained.

"I had already instructed the owner to call me immediately if any suspicious characters showed up."

Hearing this, Rider couldn't help but click his tongue.

"You even anticipated my outing?"

"More like your size is too noticeable."

Waver retorted, squinting. Having just released Rider and already being caught, his mood wasn't great.

"Not to mention, you're dressed like that..."

"What do you think? My new outfit, with the world map on the chest—it's fantastic, hahaha..."

Rider laughed heartily, seemingly oblivious to Waver's annoyance.

"Stop laughing! Your voice is carrying all the way to the end of the alley!"

Waver couldn't take it anymore and punched Rider's chest, though his strength only amounted to a light tap.

Waver was right. Due to his divine nature, Rider possessed a physique far beyond that of an ordinary person. Coupled with his eccentric choice of wearing only a short-sleeved T-shirt in the middle of winter and his booming voice that could be heard dozens of meters away—it was no wonder the poor Master had been suffering before arriving here.

Though reluctant to interrupt the comedic exchange between Master and Servant, under the shop owner's near maniacal expression, Sakatsuki stifled a laugh and spoke up.

"Let's move somewhere else. There are too many people here."

Naturally, Waver was all for Sakatsuki's suggestion, and Rider had already gotten what he wanted, so he didn't object either.

The group of five bid farewell to the long-suffering shop owner and made their way to a quiet spot on the pedestrian street.

***

"Rider, what are you planning to do with that huge barrel of wine?"

Sakatsuki asked, already knowing the answer.

Before Rider could respond, Waver shot him a wary look.

"...Just so you know, I'm not drinking with you."

Actually, he couldn't drink. Just being near Rider as he drank was enough to make Waver feel lightheaded from the alcohol fumes. Not to mention, after the battle at the warehouse district, he had mistakenly taken a sip of the baijiu Sakatsuki brought and spent an entire day in bed, nearly dying from the embarrassment of being laughed at by this foolish king.

"Hmph, I wouldn't expect a little brat like you to keep up with me."

The red-haired giant muttered, then explained.

"At first, I just wanted to find a beautiful riverbank where I could get properly drunk... but then, I came up with a brilliant idea."

Though there was no basis for it, Waver felt a sense of foreboding. Rider continued.

"I'm going to host a banquet!"

"...Huh?"

The one who voiced the question was Waver, while Sakatsuki remained silent, a knowing smile on his face.

It had finally arrived, the banquet he had been waiting for—

"Hahaha, it seems Sakatsuki already understands what I mean!"

Amidst thunderous laughter, the king who bore the name "Conqueror" raised his arms, just as he had done in the past to challenge all the Heroic Spirits on the battlefield.

"In my time, there were no more worthy opponents. The beauty of the Holy Grail War lies in gathering heroes from different eras onto the same stage!"

His voice, loud and clear, reflected the full force of his kingly ambition.

"In this Holy Grail War, there are not one, not two, but three kings—my boils at the thought! Making me want to draw my sword and fight immediately! To show the world my dominance, my conquest!"

"But before that, I also want to know how we kings, recorded in the Throne of Heroes, differ in our capacities, and whether our paths of kingship can be compared—so, let us invite the kings to share this new era's fine wine!"

"Let words be our blades, our wills the battlefield. As the Conqueror, I shall lay down a new path of dominance!"

These were the heartfelt words of Iskandar, the King of Conquerors, and his challenge.

Physical conquest was not true conquest; conquering the heart was. The King of Conquerors sought to defeat the kings of other eras openly, to dominate them in both spirit and body and thus demonstrate the grandeur of this expedition!

Sakatsuki did not respond, not because he wasn't a king, but because a blinding golden light descended from the sky, answering in his stead.

"Enough of this jest, mongrels."

The golden light revealed Archer, clad in shining armour, his serpent-like crimson eyes filled with contempt as he stared down at Iskandar.

"There is only one true king, and that is me. Your so-called banquet of kings is nothing more than a solo drinking session for me."

As the hero-king recorded in the oldest epic, Gilgamesh had the right to be this arrogant.

"Still the same as ever, King of Heroes."

Iskandar picked his ear, unfazed.

"So, are you coming?"

"Hmph, are you joking?"

The golden king scoffed.

"It is my duty to show mongrels what a true king looks like."

Though reluctant, he had ultimately agreed... Waver, hiding behind Rider, was speechless.

This guy probably followed Rider from the start just to watch the show... Sakatsuki stared with dead fish eyes, feeling like he had figured something out.

"Good, now all that's left is to convince Saber and decide on the time and place for the banquet."

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Rider once again broke into a beaming smile.

At this, Sakatsuki, clearing his throat, stepped forward.

"Rider, I have a suggestion that can solve both issues at once."

Here, the young man's face broke into a mischievous smile.

"Let's go to the Einzbern Castle. Not only is Saber there, but the place is also spacious and secluded, perfect for hosting a banquet."

"Hmph, though you're just a cook, your eyes are not bad."

Gilgamesh snorted, for once not arguing.

"Oho, that sounds like a great idea!"

Iskandar, who hadn't participated in the battle that night, was immediately intrigued.

"Alright, it's decided! We'll hold the banquet tonight and have a Holy Grail Q&A to determine who is most worthy of the Grail!"

***

After finalizing the plans, Sakatsuki excused himself and left.

Though the two kings showed no hostility, with the church's bounty on his head, Sakatsuki didn't want to stride around under their noses. Besides, he had other matters to attend to.

After scouting a new base and quickly setting up some magical defences, the afternoon drew to a close.

Night fell.

And Sakatsuki, who had been wandering the streets with two children, finally caught the "fish" he had been after.

But before that, another girl had secretly infiltrated Fuyuki City...

***

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