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Haru raised his goblet, taking a long drink of wine, then smiled. "This is a gathering of heroes, yet—we haven't even introduced ourselves properly, have we?"
"You're right!" Rider said, looking around the table. "As the host of this feast, I'll go first."
He puffed out his chest. "I am Iskandar, King of Conquerors!"
He turned his gaze to Saber. Of all the Servants present, hers was the only identity he hadn't yet figured out.
Saber, her face impassive, her erald eyes filled with a quiet determination, spoke. "I am Artoria Pendragon, King of Knights."
"Oh?" Gilgash's lips curled into a smile, her eyes fixed on Saber, a glint of interest—in them.
"King Arthur a woman?" Waver gaped at Saber, stunned. Having grown up in England, he knew the legends of King Arthur. And in every story, every poem, Arthur had been a man.
"The King of Knights a queen? And so young? Astonishing." Rider, scratching his head, looked at Saber with surprise.
Saber's eyes narrowed at the word "young."
"What's so surprising? The Celts were ruled by queens. Artoria being a woman isn't unusual. And as for age, you were barely eighteen when you began your conquests, Iskandar."
Haru, taking a sip of wine, looked at Rider with an expression of amusent, as if the King of Conquerors were so country bumpkin.
"Ha! My apologies! I forgot about cultural differences. My mistake." Rider, slapping his forehead, raised his goblet to Saber. "I'll drink to that."
Saber's expression softened as she watched him drink, then, turning her attention to the food before her, she began to eat, though her pace, out of respect for the formal occasion, was slower than usual—though still remarkably fast compared to an ordinary human's.
"My turn! My turn! I'm Kiyohi. A woman born for love~" She leaned against Haru, her voice a seductive purr.
"I recognize your na. You're that lovesick woman from the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi, aren't you?" Rider said, nodding slowly.
"You've been doing your research, I see. You learned her na last night and looked her up," Haru said with a grin, giving Kiyohi's rear a playful pat, making her blush.
"Of course! Intelligence gathering is crucial in war!" Rider bood, then turned his gaze towards Gilgash.
She was the only one who hadn't revealed her identity.
"You stand in my presence, bathed in my glory, yet you don't even know my na?" Gilgash's voice was laced with displeasure.
"I have a pretty good idea who you are. Your arrogance, your claim to be the only true king—only a fool wouldn't recognize Gilgash," Rider replied.
"You expect to announce my own na? Such disrespect... you're looking for a fight, mongrel." Gilgash's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Hey, this is my house. If you two start fighting, I'll be the one to pay for the damages. And I'm—broke," Haru said, interrupting their escalating tension, his tone light, but his aning clear.
Gilgash frowned, then snapped her fingers.
Clink! Clink! Clink! Clink!
A shower of gold bricks and jewels rained down from the sky, filling half the courtyard. The Einzbern castle glittered under the moonlight, reflecting off the treasure.
"If you needed money, you should have just asked. And living in such a drab place—it's unbefitting of your status. I'll see if I can find a suitable castle in my treasury later," Gilgash said, her voice filled with a strange mix of annoyance and concern, as if she were scolding a child.
Haru looked at her, a wry smile on his face. It seed the ancient queen had fully embraced her role as a mother figure.
He'd made a joke, and she'd responded by showering him with treasure.
Perhaps he should make more jokes.
Saber, who'd been happily munching on the snacks, paused, a bead of sweat trickling down her cheek.
Gilgash's casual display of wealth was intimidating.
Her own kingdom, Calot, hadn't been so prosperous.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be so easily swayed by modern cuisine. She'd been constantly hungry. Even a king couldn't always get enough to eat.
Rider's eyes glead as he looked at the treasure, then at the golden ripple behind Gilgash. "So, it is you. The King of Heroes, Gilgash. And that is the legendary Gate of Babylon, I presu?"
"You have a discerning eye," Gilgash replied—a hint of pride in her voice.
She picked up her goblet, took a small sip, then, her face contorting in disgust, spat the wine onto the ground.
"Ptooey!!! What is this swill? You dare to serve such garbage at a gathering of heroes? And you call yourself a connoisseur of treasures?"
"But this is the best wine I could find!" Rider protested, scratching his head.
He'd scoured Fuyuki City with Waver, using his enhanced sense of sll, to find this particular vintage.
"That's because you have no taste, you mongrel," Gilgash sneered. From the Gate of Babylon erged a collection of ornate goblets and a heavy, golden flask filled with a clear liquid.
"This is a king's wine."
"Oh, excellent! More drinks!" Rider, unfazed by her insult, grinned, his eyes fixed on the golden flask. He grabbed it, emptying the wine from their goblets and refilling them with the superior vintage.
"Magnificent!" Rider exclaid after taking a long drink.
Haru took a small sip, feeling a warmth spread through him. "Strong, yet delicate. A perfect balance of fire and purity. Excellent."
Gilgash smiled, pleased with his assessnt. "Your palate is adequate. Though you seem unfamiliar with alcohol. Learn to appreciate it. A true king should be a connoisseur of fine wines."
Haru listened to her lecture, a wry smile on his face.
He had a weakness for motherly figures.
She thinks of him as a child, a student... while he's thinking of—other things...
His gaze lingered on Gilgash's ample bosom, barely contained by her shirt.
Kiyohi, after taking a sip of the wine, her cheeks flushed, leaned against Haru, her body soft and pliant.
Hassan, accustod to assassinations during feasts, downed her wine in a single gulp, her brown skin turning a deep shade of red.
Saber, intrigued by their reactions, also took a long drink. A burning sensation filled her throat, and her head swam.
Having always been disciplined and reserved, she rarely drank. If not for her status as a Servant, she would have collapsed on the spot.
"Incredible! This isn't human wine. This is the drink of gods!" Rider declared, his voice filled with awe.
Then, his expression turned serious. "Now, with the drinks flowing—let us discuss who among us is most worthy of the Grail."
The Servants' faces beca grim.
Haru, watching them, a subtle smile playing on his lips, spoke.
"Indeed. Tell your wishes, heroes. If I find them worthy—I shall bestow the Grail upon you."
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