And so, we rode in Rider's chariot, soaring through the sky.
"How many Servants are there..."
Waver Velvet was clutching Rider's cape, looking somewhat terrified. As for us, we just nodded, as if understanding Waver Velvet, with expressions that suggested this was now a common occurrence we had adapted to.
Meanwhile, Caster was screaming, restoring the mansion and rebuilding the barrier.
Among them, Tiamat was quietly holding me, her expression worried that I might fall.
"Oh, if you go that way, you'll see a flower garden."
"Oh? A perfect spot for a feast!"
The flower garden, looking fit for nobles, was filled with blossoms.
And Medea, as if prepared for something, pulled out a parchment.
"You said 'feast,' so I prepared some parchment."
Medea was turning into something like Mede-emon (a reference to Doraemon, implying she can pull out anything needed).
============
Meanwhile, Kiritsugu, staying at Irisviel's mansion, detected the approach of Servants through a tremendous surge of magical energy.
"Servants!? Maiya, reduce your presence as much as possible and hide."
"Yes."
Kiritsugu checked his Origin Bullets-loaded pistol and other weapons, confirming the number of Servants.
"Four Servants? Is that Irisviel!?"
At the sight of Irisviel disembarking from the chariot, Kiritsugu's heart began to pound rapidly.
Was this guilt, or longing?
Kiritsugu could only stare at Irisviel.
===============
In the center, Rider unfurled the parchment and set down a wine barrel.
Waver was clinging to Rider, and Artoria sat facing Rider.
"It's a somewhat peculiar shape, but they say this is a sake cup fitting for this country's tradition."
"Iskandar belongs to a distant land, so I'm not sure if it suits Japanese sake."
"Well, since it's a sake cup fitting for tradition and said to be a masterpiece, it must be worth drinking, wouldn't you say?"
Saying so, Rider proudly raised a bamboo ladle.
Rider first took a drink, scooping up wine from the barrel with the ladle and gulping it down in one go.
"The Grail, they say, is destined to fall into the hands of the worthy."
He began in a quiet voice. His stern tone was rare for this man, yet for some reason, it felt completely natural.
'Does he drink like that?'
It was the first time I'd seen someone drink with a ladle.
He should have drunk from a cup or a glass. At Iskandar's manly drinking, I could only nod.
"The ritual to determine that, here in Fuyuki, is called a war──but if it's merely for determination, there's no need for bloodshed. If Heroic Spirits acknowledge each other's 'worth,' the answer will naturally emerge."
"..."
And Saber unhesitatingly accepted the ladle Rider offered, then scooped out the contents of the barrel and drank.
"Hoo?"
Rider simply smiled, as if he had met an enjoyable opponent. Artoria, however, frowned slightly and said:
"So you intend to compete with me in 'worth,' Rider?"
"Precisely. If we both claim to be 'kings' and refuse to yield, then we cannot leave things as they are. This, you see, is not a 'Holy Grail War' but a 'Holy Grail Debate'──which, pray tell, between the King of Knights and the King of Conquerors, is the more fitting vessel to be the 'King of the Grail'? If we ask the cup, the truth will be revealed in detail."
As he spoke, I, Medea, Diarmuid, and Tiamat merely watched Rider and Saber's actions intently.
"Ah, now that I think about it, there was one more person besides us who claimed to be 'king.'"
"──That's enough nonsense, mongrel. And to think I would meet such an unexpected individual. It is inconvenient that I cannot see him with my Clairvoyance, but the inability to predict him only makes me more amused. Mongrel!"
To summarize Gilgamesh's words, he found observing the future tiresome, and this new variable was exciting and interesting.
'Then just pluck out those eyes of yours!'
As if in response to Rider's bold declaration, a blinding golden light erupted before everyone's eyes.
At that voice, that radiance, Saber, Waver Velvet, and Irisviel, who remembered it, all stiffened.
"Archer's arrival was expected."
"Hoh, you speak as if you knew I would come."
"Because you're the King of Heroes."
"Hahahaha! Correct! You speak without a single falsehood. But you miss a crucial point. I came because I heard these self-proclaimed kings were holding a feast, but do you think I would be satisfied with such meager wine? Very well, it is my pleasure. I shall augment this feast!"
And as a table and various dishes appeared, Rider and Saber's eyes widened.
"That golden pika... was he carrying food too!?"
"This is... 'a sight I have never seen even in Britain!' Gulp."
"This is the worth of a king!"
The food, visibly infused with magical energy, resembled dishes made from divine beasts or demonic beasts that might appear in Babylon.
"Wow? It looks like it's made from demonic and divine beast meat."
"Hoh? Do you recognize it? No, your answer lacks certainty. Nevertheless, as he says, this is meat from demonic and divine beasts, prepared by the finest chefs!"
"I have a question. Why do you store food?"
"Hmph, (when I'm too lazy to do paperwork) I go outside, and when I'm hungry, food is naturally needed. Sometimes I want to eat outside."
At Gilgamesh's expression, which conveyed a deep story, everyone nodded.
Everyone seemed to understand, though they didn't know why, and just accepted it.
"Although it is the worth of a king, other Servants also have the right to eat. Consider it payment for amusing me."
Then, as Rider presented several plates, he could be seen pouring and drinking the wine Archer offered.
"Mmm!? Delicious!"
"Hahahaha, this is the wine of kings!"
"Ohh, this is good."
Archer spoke with a tone full of arrogance, but he looked at me.
"Do not stray from Mama's side."
"Hah, the Beast of Regression, it seems you have incarnated. Or should I say, you have simply come back to life?"
Gilgamesh merely appraised Tiamat with an intrigued expression.
His gaze showed seriousness and sincerity, but before long, he seemed to lose interest and began to eat.
"This is the worth of a king's food."
"Kuh, this is a defeat for me."
I was reminded of a knight who would shout "Mashed Potatoes!" while cooking.
"Hmm, the taste of the food is superb!"
Rider simply accepted the situation and praised Gilgamesh.
"Hahahaha! That is only natural!"
"And this wine cannot possibly be brewed by human hands. Is it not a relic of the Age of Gods?"
"Naturally. Be it wine or sword, only the supreme treasures can exist in my vault.──With this, the worth as a king shall be decided."
"Don't make me laugh, Archer."
"A king who boasts of his storeroom with wine and food alone is simply absurd to even hear about. Such jest is the duty of a jester, not a king."
At Artoria's words, Archer scoffed and dismissed her.
"How vulgar. Is not one who cannot even partake in wine at a feast far from being a king?"
"Now, now. Both of you are speaking too harshly."
"If you have a complaint, then don't eat."
"Who said I wasn't eating!"
"Hoh? Gluttony, is it? Kukuku."
As the atmosphere seemed to turn hostile, Rider intervened and said:
"Archer, the exquisite wine and food you possess would indeed be worthy of the precious cup itself.──However, unfortunately, the Holy Grail is not merely a vessel. This is a Holy Grail Debate, where we must question the right to wield the Grail. First, we cannot begin without asking how grand an ambition you wish for from the Grail. Come, Archer. As a true king, can you utter a grand aspiration capable of captivating both of us here?"
"How foolish, mongrel. The very premise of 'contesting' for the Grail is illogical."
"Huh?"
To Rider, who frowned suspiciously, Archer sighed as if utterly exasperated.
"From the start, it is my possession. All the treasures of the world, without exception, originate in my vault. Though some time has passed and they have scattered, the ownership of all of them still rightfully belongs to me. To presumptuously try to take it is beyond brazen."
Artoria let out an absurd laugh and said:
"Insane. How arrogant can you get, Archer?"
"If you are not an equal match for my friend, then I have no choice but to be arrogant. Do you think those numerous Noble Phantasms are merely for eating?"
"So what then? Archer, if you covet the Grail, do you only need my approval?"
To Rider, who shouted with a friendly expression, Archer glared with crimson eyes.
"Precisely. However, for mongrels such as yourselves, there is no reason for me to bestow my rewards."
"You... are you stingy?"
"Fool. The only ones upon whom I shall bestow favors are my friend, or my retainers and my people."
With a loud declaration, Archer smirked mockingly at Rider.
"Therefore, Rider, if you were to come under me, I could bestow one or two Holy Grails (cups) upon you at any time."
"...Well, that is an impossible offer."
Rider was, after all, a conqueror. He did not belong to the category of those who serve under someone.
Rider scratched his chin, and as if he still couldn't fully comprehend it, he continued to tilt his head.
"But Archer, you don't seem to be particularly eager for the Grail, do you? It's not that you came to the Holy Grail War because you had some wish you wanted to fulfill, is it?"
"Of course not. However, a fitting judgment must be passed upon the thief who targets my treasures. The core issue is one of procedure."
"So, that means──"
Stopping his words, Rider drank the contents of his cup and continued.
"In short, what is it, Archer? What justice is there, and what principle is there in that?"
"Law."
Archer's answer was immediate.
"My law, which I, as king, uphold."
"Hmm."
Rider let out a deep sigh, as if resigning himself.
"Perfect. To uphold one's own law is the essence of a king. But you see~, I desperately want the Holy Grail. My way is to plunder what I desire. After all, I, Iskandar, am the King of Conquerors."
"It cannot be helped. You shall transgress, and I shall judge. There is no room for debate."
Archer, with dignity, and Rider, with an expression of relief, both exchanged nods of agreement.
"──However, Archer. Can we not, at least, finish this wine? If it's just about killing each other, we can do that another time."
"Naturally. Otherwise, you, would you dare neglect the food and drink I have offered? And I am in a most excellent mood now, so I have no desire to fight."
Gilgamesh merely glanced at Tiamat and me.
His gaze was unsettling.