Just as Saber's resolve was wavering and she was about to sink into the abyss of self-doubt...
Rumble—!!!!
A terrifying roar, like the simultaneous strike of ten thousand thunderclaps, exploded over the castle without warning!
It wasn't thunder, but the tyrannical boom of something incredibly heavy crushing through the atmosphere!
Immediately after, a violent purple flash of lightning tore through the night sky, descending like divine punishment and slamming hard into the center lawn of the courtyard!
A terrifying shockwave spread in a ring, and the resulting gale instantly shattered the thick tempered glass doors of the terrace into pieces!
Crash—!
Countless glass shards flew in all directions, mixed with the blast of air.
"An enemy attack?!"
The sudden change instantly snapped Saber out of her confusion. Her warrior instincts allowed her to dispel all negative emotions in an instant, her gaze suddenly becoming as sharp as an eagle's!
A golden light flashed, and an invisible sword coalesced in her hand.
She was about to leap down from the terrace to meet the enemy when a boisterous laugh, seemingly loud enough to scatter the dark clouds in the sky, pierced through the rolling dust and echoed over the entire castle.
"Hahahaha! It seems I am the first to arrive!"
The dust slowly cleared, revealing a majestic and magnificent chariot of ancient Greek style, parked firmly in the large crater crushed into the center of the courtyard.
In front of the chariot, two divine bulls entwined with purple lightning and bulging with muscles snorted impatiently, each breath carrying the pungent scent of hot ozone.
And atop the chariot, a burly giant of a man wearing a red robe and a full beard held a massive wooden wine barrel, nearly half his height, with one hand, laughing so hard his teeth showed.
Rider, the King of Conquerors—
Iskandar.
"Rider?!" Saber was stunned. Although she didn't lower her sword, the biting killing intent involuntarily weakened a few notches. "What are you doing here? Do you intend to launch a night raid?"
"A raid? Don't be ridiculous, little girl!"
Rider leaped directly from the several-meter-high chariot. When his heavy body landed, the entire courtyard floor trembled.
He placed the large wine barrel on the ground with a heavy "thud," then patted the side of the barrel like a drum, producing a dull "bang bang" sound.
"I have brought good wine!"
Rider grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. Ignoring Saber's wariness, he looked up at Saber on the terrace, as well as Mr. Han Sen and Irisviel who had just walked out from inside, and gave a hearty wave.
"What, won't you invite me in to sit for a while?"
"Don't be so tense! Tonight we won't talk of war or slaughter; I have specifically come to share a drink with you!"
Looking at the boisterous, eccentric giant below, Irisviel, standing beside Hansen, felt a bit at a loss.
She instinctively shrank behind Hansen, her ruby-like eyes filled with bewilderment.
"Mr. Han Sen... this..."
This was supposed to be a life-and-death Holy Grail War, yet a massive enemy was showing up with a wine barrel to have a drink... Was the plot development a bit off?
However, Hansen wasn't surprised at all.
He was dressed in dark gray casual loungewear, his collar slightly open to reveal his collarbone and strong chest muscles, exuding a lazy yet dangerous aura.
In his hand, he toyed with a pigeon-egg-sized ruby that he had confiscated from Tohsaka Rin.
His fingertips nimbly rotated the gem, which contained explosive magical power, as if it were just a pretty piece of ordinary glass.
"Rest easy, Iri, I'm here."
Hansen's voice was calm as usual, inexplicably soothing the anxiety in Irisviel's heart.
"Since he is a guest, there's no reason to turn him away. Besides..." A playful curve formed at the corner of Hansen's mouth. "I'm also quite curious to hear what this King of Conquerors has to say."
After comforting Irisviel, Hansen reached out and gently pressed his hand against Saber's hard, cold shoulder armor.
"Saber, put away your sword."
"But, Ruler..."
"Be good." Hansen's fingers didn't apply pressure, and his tone was light but unquestionable. "Though this fellow looks like a rough man with a head full of muscles, he should be reliable when it comes to the honor of a king."
"At the very least, he wouldn't stoop to using such means for a sneak attack."
Saber frowned, her emerald eyes scanning back and forth between Hansen and Rider.
Although she still had her doubts as a warrior, out of trust in Hansen's strength, she sighed and dispelled the Invisible Air that was enough to cut through steel.
However, she did not dismiss her armor, maintaining a posture ready for battle at any moment.
"Rider, if you are playing some kind of trick, my sword will show no mercy," the King of Knights warned sternly with a stiff face.
"Hahahaha! Naturally! The word 'deception' does not exist in my dictionary!"
Rider sat cross-legged on the grass without a care. Without using any tools, he punched the lid of the wine barrel directly.
Bang—!
Wood chips flew, and the barrel lid shattered.
Instantly, a rich aroma of wine mixed with the scent of oak wafted out.
It wasn't actually some top-tier vintage; in fact, it could be called a bit crude—the kind of ordinary stuff one could buy at a Fuyuki City convenience store.
But on this battlefield night filled with the aura of death, this mundane aroma was exceptionally enticing, as if it could stir the most primal heroism in one's heart.
"Come, come! Everyone, sit!"
Rider produced a large wooden long-handled ladle as if by magic, dipped it into the barrel to scoop up a full ladle of purple-red liquid, and said boisterously, "You should have cups, right? Hurry and bring them out, don't dawdle!"
"Tonight, we shall hold a 'Holy Grail Dialogue'!"
Hansen led Irisviel and Saber down from the terrace into the courtyard.
Though a bit formal, Irisviel showed the grace of a high-born lady and quickly had the maids prepare several silver wine cups.
"Holy Grail Dialogue?" Saber took a cup, looking at Rider with some confusion. "What is that? A ritual?"
"No, no, it's not that complicated."
A wise and fanatical light flickered in Rider's tiger-like eyes. He looked around at everyone, his voice becoming low and powerful.
"Since we are all fighting for the Holy Grail, all killing for that so-called 'miracle,' then we must clarify one thing—who, exactly, is more worthy of possessing it?"
"Since we are all kings who once ruled the world, let us decide in the way of kings!"
"Whether it be through martial might, breadth of character, or one's aspirations as a Ruler!"
Rider raised the large wooden ladle, the wine rippling under the moonlight. "This wine is our touchstone!"
"Drink this cup, and lay your Kingly Ways on the table!"
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