Iskandar raised an eyebrow slightly and said in a low voice, "Lancer?"
Even though the other party was wrapped up tightly from head to toe, he could still feel an incredibly shocking presence coming from her.
'Clearly, this girl is strong.'
Sajyou Manaka also cast her gaze over. After looking for a few moments, she was just about to withdraw her eyes, clearly not very interested.
However, right at that moment, she seemed to sense something. Her gaze froze in place, and she looked at the knight in astonishment.
"The aura of the White Dragon?"
If the enemy were just an ordinary servant, Sajyou Manaka would not have taken any interest in her.
But from this servant, she clearly caught a very familiar scent.
'The White Dragon?'
'Why would Lancer carry the aura left behind by the White Dragon?'
Sajyou Manaka carefully sized Mordred up a few more times. Even though the other party was wearing a suit of silver armor that wrapped her completely, she still saw through Mordred's true nature.
'A servant who possesses "White Dragon bloodline"?'
'If that's the case, then Lancer's true identity should be his child?'
She hadn't expected to see both Alvin and his child in the same Holy Grail War. An amused smile couldn't help appearing on Sajyou Manaka's face.
"You've been staring at me this whole time. What are you looking at?"
Noticing Sajyou Manaka's undisguised gaze, Mordred frowned slightly, looking displeased.
"Nothing. I just think you look kind of familiar," Sajyou Manaka said with a smile.
'After all, she's Saber's child. If Saber can see her, she'll probably be very happy, right?'
'And if my senses aren't wrong, Saber's teacher, that Lord from the Clock Tower, also seems to be nearby.'
'Looks like this 'bait' operation is quite successful. It even lured in a few troublesome fellows.'
Sajyou Manaka's gaze drifted unintentionally toward the tall, burly man standing ahead.
"Waver, don't you have anything to say?"
At that moment, Kayneth's voice, naturally carrying authority, echoed through the street once more.
He was clearly hiding his real location on purpose. Although his voice sounded somewhat distant, it still frightened Waver badly. His face turned pale as paper.
"It's over… this time it's really over… I can't believe I ran into my teacher here! If I'd known, I wouldn't have come to Fuyuki!"
Waver covered his face like an ostrich burying its head, filled with despair.
The Clock Tower places extreme importance on bloodlines and background. Waver's family had only been magi for three generations, so he was often looked down on by other families and even by instructors.
The reason Waver stole Kayneth's relic this time was simply because he had been criticized by Kayneth in class before. Dissatisfied with Kayneth's behavior, he desperately wanted to prove his own ability by participating in the Holy Grail War and earn recognition from others.
But he had never imagined that this Holy Grail War would far exceed his understanding right from the very beginning.
After last night's battle between Saber and Archer, Iskandar had given only one evaluation: very strong.
To be praised like that by the King of Conquerors, one could imagine how difficult it would be to become the final winner of this Holy Grail War.
If Waver hadn't desperately stopped Iskandar yesterday, then during the battle between Saber and Archer, Iskandar would probably have been drawn over by their clash and triggered an earth-shaking fight even before the official war truly began.
However, even though he managed to hold Iskandar back last night, once the Holy Grail War officially started today, Waver could no longer control this King of Conquerors.
To the point that Iskandar forcefully dragged Waver to the center of the battlefield tonight, and even got caught by his own teacher.
At this moment, Waver felt fear and helplessness like a mouse seeing a cat.
It felt like when you're secretly playing with your phone in class or making a racket, then suddenly turn your head and see the homeroom teacher staring at you through the crack in the window. A pure horror story.
"Hahahahaha! Are you scared, Master?"
At that moment, Iskandar suddenly burst out laughing, as if he had discovered something amusing.
He slapped Waver hard on the shoulder and said, "Don't be afraid. Show the courage you had last night when you stopped me. You even dared to advise this king. Why would you fear someone who keeps hiding in the shadows during the Holy Grail War?"
Iskandar had no intention of lowering his voice, so his deep, booming words immediately reached Kayneth's ears.
For Iskandar, the one who summoned him was Waver, so of course he would shield his own subject.
But to Kayneth, those words sounded especially harsh. Hidden in the dark, he couldn't help clicking his tongue, his eyes growing colder, anger burning in his heart.
The reason he joined the Holy Grail War in the first place was because he had been denied by his own teacher and future father-in-law, who even intended to cancel his engagement to Sola. Kayneth was already in a highly sensitive state.
For someone as proud as him, being compared to Waver, and even having this Rider imply that he was inferior to Waver, that was simply a huge humiliation.
But for the sake of the bigger picture, Kayneth restrained the urge to speak again.
Iskandar might look rough and careless, but he also had his sharp side. If he continued talking now, his hidden position might be discovered.
Not everyone is as outrageous as Saber's Master, walking alone outside during the Holy Grail War.
Of course, judging from her performance earlier, she clearly had the confidence to do so.
"Hey, were you just insulting my Master, Rider?"
However, although Kayneth was rational, he had clearly overlooked the temper of the servant he summoned.
Mordred looked up at the King of Conquerors standing beneath the night sky, her tone full of hostility, "As his servant, I can't just pretend I didn't hear that."
Perhaps it was the oppressive aura emanating from Mordred, but Waver subconsciously shrank back. Iskandar, meanwhile, looked her over thoughtfully.
"Your presence does seem pretty impressive. Little girl, what's your name?"
Hearing that, even Waver, who was on the same side, couldn't help complaining, "Rider, who asks someone's identity the moment they meet like that?"
In the Holy Grail War, the later a servant's true identity is discovered, the better. Without knowing who the opponent is, some special Noble Phantasms can have unexpected effects if not prepared for in advance.
"So you don't intend to apologize. In that case, let's settle this the proper way, according to the rules of the Holy Grail War."
Mordred completely ignored Iskandar's question and slowly drew a sword.
The moment the blade left its sheath, red and black blood-like energy surged from it. Surging flames seemed to drive away the winter night's cold.
Clarent, the Brilliant King's Sword.
Once kept in King Arthur's armory as a symbol of royal succession, in legend it held value comparable to the Sword of Certain Victory, Caliburn.
Under normal circumstances, it should shine with a magnificent silver radiance. Yet in Mordred's hands, it transformed into a calamity-filled demonic sword brimming with evil energy.
At the same time, her originally silver armor seemed to become covered with a layer of black scales, an ominous aura faintly seeping from beneath her feet.
Sajyou Manaka's eyes lit up slightly, "Dragon scales of a demonic dragon?"
Although they seemed different from Saber's dragon scales, there was no doubt that this was indeed one of the White Dragon's authorities.
Kayneth, hiding in the dark, was also somewhat surprised. Even for him, this was the first time seeing Mordred truly fight.
She possessed both White Dragon and Red Dragon bloodlines. Even her helmet had been gifted by Morgan le Fay. As their child, summoning Mordred for this Holy Grail War had truly been the right choice.
Kayneth thought to himself.
After examining the servant in front of him for a few moments, Iskandar's eyes also gained a hint of seriousness.
But soon, a bold smile appeared on his face.
"Lancer, I think I understand your thoughts."
He changed his tone and continued, "But right now there are still too many cowards hiding in the shadows. Aside from Saber's side yesterday, the rest have been far too cautious. That's just boring."
Iskandar tossed Waver onto the chariot behind him and said slowly, "If it's a duel, it should be held under the witness of all sides. That's far more interesting."
In his hand, the weapon known as the Sword of Kupriote quietly condensed, faint lightning flickering around it.
"Rider… what are you planning to do?", Waver asked instinctively, his voice trembling without him realizing.
For some reason, he had a very bad feeling.
Ever since Iskandar brought him to this battlefield, the situation had completely slipped out of his control.
Rather than being Rider's Master, it felt as if Rider had been leading everything from the start. And now he seemed to be planning something dangerous.
Sure enough, in the next moment, Iskandar's resounding voice, filled with magical energy, echoed through the silent winter night.
"Cowards afraid to show yourselves will be scorned by me, Iskandar, King of Conquerors, from this night onward!"
"Heroic Spirits summoned by the Holy Grail, gather here now!"
At first, the sound was like a drop of water falling onto a still surface, creating ripples.
But soon, those ripples multiplied and spread, until Masters and Servants from all sides felt the same surge of presence.
Normally, the first night of the Holy Grail War should be a time for each side to probe one another's servant identities and trump cards.
Yet Iskandar openly sent his magical energy throughout Fuyuki. In truth, it was a straightforward move.
The message he conveyed was simple, 'I dare to declare my name and wait here for you. If you still want to be cowards, then keep hiding.'
Anyone who could become a servant must have possessed extraordinary achievements and legends in life.
For a servant, this was nothing short of a provocation.
Sure enough, upon sensing this magical fluctuation, within the Tohsaka residence, a trace of coldness appeared in Gilgamesh's eyes.
One Alvin was one thing, but in just two short days, he had been provoked again and again.
"Other than me, there is actually someone who dares to call himself king? Hmph!"
In the hall, sensing Gilgamesh's presence gradually moving away, Tohsaka Tokiomi's expression changed slightly, "Your Majesty—"
However, Gilgamesh paid no attention to Tokiomi's advice and turned to leave the Tohsaka mansion.
If it were another Master, he might already be cursing in anger.
It had not even been two days since summoning his servant, yet in these two days, his servant had already acted on his own twice… he was completely doing as he pleased.
Only Tokiomi could still barely maintain a trace of elegance. Even so, he couldn't help pressing his fingers against his brow in a headache.
After all, Saber was still inside his mansion. Was the King of Heroes not afraid that, once he left, Saber might seize the chance to attack him?
Once a Master dies, a servant cannot survive either.
"Tokiomi, plans often fail to keep up with change. Your conservatism may one day become someone else's wedding gown."
At that moment, Alvin also stood up and said with a smile, "It's getting late. I'll go join the fun too."
If nothing unexpected happened, Iskandar's commotion this time should attract servants from all sides.
After the timeline changed, just who would appear in this Holy Grail War?
Thinking of this, a trace of anticipation rose in Alvin's heart.
———
Clang!
On the street, only two figures could be seen colliding again and again.
Sword and sword clashed, scattering golden sparks.
Compared to Iskandar, Mordred was clearly much faster. But both sides seemed to be holding back, so the winner was not decided quickly.
Sajyou Manaka stood to the side, watching the fight with interest. Suddenly, as if sensing something, she raised her head and glanced toward a nearby streetlamp.
There, a golden figure quietly appeared.
"Heh! Looks like this Holy Grail War isn't entirely full of cowards."
Just after Iskandar and Mordred collided and sprang apart, he looked up, then quickly showed a hearty smile.
Gilgamesh stood atop the streetlamp, raising his proud head and casting a cold glance down at Iskandar on the ground.
"In this world, the only one who can be called king, above and below the heavens, is me."
"Rider, the courage for you to call yourself king… where does it come from?"
Iskandar froze for a moment, then scratched his cheek in slight trouble.
"I didn't expect there'd be someone who hasn't heard of the King of Conquerors. But fine, since you've said that, I can't ruin everyone's mood tonight."
"Let me show you my true measure."
Iskandar slowly clenched his fist. Tendons tightened, muscles swelling like iron.
He raised his right hand high and let out a thunderous roar.
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