Meruem didn't answer the Conqueror King's question directly. Instead, he swept his gaze around the area, and seeing everyone's attention focused on him, he couldn't help finding it amusing.
Looks like I've been treated as the final big boss.
And when Meruem's eyes fell on the Conqueror King and Artoria, he found no other emotion in their eyes—only simple curiosity.
Fine. It's not exactly earth-shattering intelligence anyway.
"Honestly, it doesn't matter if I tell you. My class doesn't belong to the seven standard classes you're familiar with. It's a nonstandard class: KING," Meruem said casually. Even if I tell you my class and my real identity, so what?
Who I am and what I can do—you still know nothing.
"KING? If that's the case, then you're also a king?" You could see excitement in the Conqueror King's eyes. He hadn't expected tonight to bring him so many surprises. He'd thought this Holy Grail War had three kings involved, but it turned out there were four.
To measure himself against kings from different eras—what an exhilarating thing.
Even Artoria couldn't help showing a surprised expression after hearing Meruem's words—adorably blank.
"That's right." Meruem had no intention of denying it.
"Then can you tell me which king you were in history?" the Conqueror King asked again curiously.
"It doesn't matter if I tell you. My name is: Meruem." Meruem answered the Conqueror King's question again.
"Meruem?" The Conqueror King seemed to be trying hard to recall the name, as if he couldn't remember any king in history with that name. "Hey, kid. Do you know which king this name belongs to?"
Maybe I'm just ignorant—better ask a professional. His Master might be lousy at magecraft, but he makes up for it with broad knowledge.
"Ah, there's no king in history named Meruem, okay?! Not in mythology either!" Waver tugged on the Conqueror King's red cloak.
"Then, KING—this class title really is uncomfortable to say. So you're lying?" For once, the Conqueror King showed a serious expression. If Meruem answered yes, then the Conqueror King would no longer choose to stand on Meruem's side. Deceiving a king is an unforgivable crime.
"Sorry, Conqueror King. I never said I was a king from this world." Meruem spread his hands at the Conqueror King like he was playing a prank.
"Uh..." The Conqueror King was momentarily speechless, swallowing the words he was about to say. "What do you mean? You're not from this world?"
"An imaginary heroic spirit, huh? That explains it. Looks like we won't get any other useful information. Maiya, we're leaving." Kiritsugu decisively chose to withdraw at this moment. Since there was no useful intel, staying here would just be pointless.
In the blink of an eye, Kayneth also ordered Diarmuid to retreat. The two of them vanished into the silent night.
And the only ones left were the Conqueror King duo, Artoria, Irisviel, Abe no Seimei, and Meruem himself.
"CASTER, do you still want to keep fighting?" The Conqueror King looked at Seimei with burning eyes. Although the Conqueror King was very displeased with Seimei's near-ambush the moment he showed up, that was, after all, how that class fought—ambushes and positional warfare were his style. So displeased as he was, he still acknowledged Seimei's strength.
Seimei wasn't like the original storyline's rabid Berserker Lancelot, who showed up and started swinging without even saying a word, so the Conqueror King's attitude wasn't that nasty. After watching Artoria fight Diarmuid and Meruem fight Seimei, the Conqueror King's hands were itching too—if possible, he wanted a good fight himself.
Unfortunately, Seimei had no intention of continuing. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, RIDER. And KING too. Looks like my Master wants me to withdraw. Heh heh—next time we meet will definitely be very interesting. I'm really looking forward to it."
Seimei's body turned into countless points of light and vanished before everyone's eyes.
At this moment, somewhere no one could see, Zouken Matou wore a livid expression as he gave the order to retreat. The Abe no Seimei he'd placed his hopes on had actually failed, and even after teaming up with LANCER, he still couldn't win. If he'd known, he definitely wouldn't have sent CASTER out so brazenly. He hadn't expected he still underestimated the strength of that damned Servant. This was a massive loss.
"Ah, they all left. Looks like there won't be a fight today." The Conqueror King scratched the back of his head, sounding regretful.
"Ah... geez. What are you even thinking?" Waver's voice took on a sobbing tone again. Everything today had been way too intense for him.
"Well then, King Arthur and... Conqueror King, thank you both for what happened today." Meruem spoke. Although their actions hadn't been outside Meruem's expectations, that didn't stop him from respecting them.
Especially that saint-like Artoria. Meruem believed he couldn't do what she did for the people, and his attitude toward her was far better than toward a certain golden punk. "Next time we meet, I will defeat you fair and square." Artoria's tone was full of confidence.
"Hahaha, next time we meet will definitely be another magnificent festival." The Conqueror King laughed heartily.
In the end, Conqueror King... what did you even come here for? Maybe it was simply because heroes from every era were all appearing together. It makes your blood boil.
This is what it means when heroes appreciate heroes—between heroes, no extra words are needed.
"Then, King of Knights, Conqueror King—until we meet again." Meruem spoke, and his entire body rose into the air. Before long, he disappeared into the night sky.
"Hm, I really didn't expect that KING could fly. How exciting. Next time we meet... Then, King of Knights, until next time." After saying that, the Conqueror King also drove the Chariot of Divine Might away.
The first night after the Holy Grail War began—after tonight, the horn of the Holy Grail War truly sounded.
But for Meruem, all of that had to move aside. Because he was facing an even harsher situation right now.
Sakura's eyes brimmed with tears. Puffing out her cheeks, she was glaring at him "viciously."
"Meru!"
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