"So, heroes, any further questions? Do you... acknowledge Saber as worthy to sit among us?"
Samuel's words prompted an immediate, decisive response from Iskandar. "Saber! I don't recognize you as a king, but undeniably, you're a hero, worthy of this table. But... wake up from that dream, or even your heroic radiance will be consumed!"
"Saber is worthy to sit with us, but her wish... I cannot endorse."
Karna shook his head gently. He couldn't fathom regretting one's choices. No matter the consequences or outcome, weren't they the result of one's own decisions?
"Karna?"
Saber's brows furrowed. She hadn't expected Karna to reject her wish too.
"Um... may I ask something, Saber? How exactly would you use the Grail to change Britain's fate?"
Roman asked with an apologetic smile.
Despite Iskandar and Karna's rejections, Saber remained steadfast. Saving Britain was a concrete goal she'd long planned.
As a hero, she didn't pin hopes on the vague. Her wish was precise.
"If I hadn't drawn that sword, if I hadn't become—"
"Silence!!!"
Iskandar stood, slamming his massive arm on the table with a heavy thud.
His eyes blazed like fire, his stance that of a raging lion.
"Saber! Are you saying if you hadn't become king, letting someone else rule Britain?"
Barely containing his fury, he asked in a strained tone.
Interrupted again, Saber's anger surged. She stood, shouting, "Yes! If I hadn't become king, Britain would—"
"Fool!"
Iskandar roared, his gaze and actions stripped of any respect for Saber. Like a monarch scolding a traitor, he bellowed, "Saber! I retract my words. You're unworthy to sit with us, unworthy to be a hero!"
"Iskandar!!! If you keep up this insolence, acting like a barbarian, don't blame my sword for showing no mercy!"
Saber's fury erupted, her golden holy sword materializing, aimed at Iskandar.
"Heh."
Iskandar smirked disdainfully, eyeing the ornate, powerful blade. "So this is the legendary holy sword, gifted by the Lady of the Lake? What a pity, tarnished in the hands of someone like you!"
"What did you say?"
Saber, enraged, swung her sword.
Clang!
Her golden blade clashed with golden chains, sparking fiercely. Iskandar fearlessly faced the blade inches from him.
"My father declared this a bloodless gathering... so... no fighting!"
Kingu's cold gaze locked on Saber. She wouldn't forgive anyone who disrespected her father, even if that person might one day be her...
"Hmph, Iskandar, if you can't justify yourself... when this banquet ends, I'll have your head!"
"Heh, Saber... little girl! The sword's in your hand—that's your choice."
Iskandar's sneer and "little girl" moniker were his ultimate contempt, no longer treating her as a hero.
"You—"
Iskandar refused to say more, his silence underscoring his disdain. He no longer saw Saber as worthy of sharing this table or engaging in discourse.
"I reassess you, Saber. I agree with the King of Conquerors—you're unworthy to sit with us."
Karna shook his head calmly.
The "Hero of Charity" fully rejected Saber.
All because of her wish's specific execution.
"If I hadn't become king..."
To these heroes, those words were as irresponsible as saying, "As long as it's not my problem."
"Well, I'll pass on judging..."
Roman spread his hands with a wry smile, clearly sparing Saber further embarrassment.
"I make no judgment."
Assassin's voice rang like an ancient bell, devoid of inflection.
Yet to Saber, it sounded like another rejection!
Kingu merely smirked scornfully.
Jeanne gave a bitter smile, avoiding a response.
Sola looked utterly confused.
Irisviel wanted to comfort Saber but didn't know what to say.
Reines grinned, relishing Saber's strained expression.
"It seems we've reached no consensus this time. Let's pause here! On the seventh day of the Holy Grail War, the final day, please return. By then, you'll have your answers. Prepare for the second half!"
Samuel smiled, glancing at the distressed Saber and Iskandar, joking with a flustered Waver, before announcing a break to the heroes.
Clap, clap.
With a clap of his hands, everyone was ejected from the Reality Marble.
Only the table and chairs remained.
Samuel turned to Kariya Matou's former seat. "What do you think, Lancelot?"
Photons coalesced, revealing a dark knight in the seat. Samuel hadn't expelled him.
He'd even helped conceal him.
"...My king simply didn't expect this... Perhaps... that way isn't so bad."
"Even if... it places you all in such a position?"
"Perhaps... that's how a king should live. Maybe being a king was too heavy a burden. We, who placed that weight on her... bear responsibility too."
"Is that so? Then... will you still go?"
"I must! Even so, I must... I need my king's punishment. She... is still our king!!!"
"Heh."
Samuel snapped his fingers, shifting space again. Lancelot vanished, hidden once more.
Samuel and the others reappeared outside.
Saber, sword in hand, pointed at Iskandar, their conflict on the verge of erupting again.
"Little girl... tell me, do you think a king stands alone?"
Iskandar smiled, like a tycoon asking a commoner, "What's it like to be rich?"
***
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