Fuyuki City Streets
Near Kayneth's temporary base.
"A Banquet of Kings… Heroes gathered to discuss kingship?"
On a bench by the street, Fionn, paused during his patrol, murmured as he pondered Iskandar's words.
"Exactly, Lancer. As you think. Me, Scáthach, Archer, and King Arthur are attending. We've got four kings for the Banquet. Since it's a feast, livelier is better, so we want to invite the rest of you for a grand celebration."
Standing before Fionn, hands on hips, the burly Iskandar spoke passionately about the Banquet, sincerely urging Fionn to join.
But compared to Iskandar's enthusiasm, Fionn's expression remained calm.
"A Banquet of Kings—what a bold name. What a gathering of heroes and kings! It reminds me of the feasts with my Fianna Knights. I recall the one who drank the most was…"
As he spoke, a displeasing figure flashed in Fionn's mind. He frowned, sighing.
"What's wrong, Lancer? Bad memories?"
Iskandar asked.
"No, just old grudges from life."
Fionn chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Our feud should've ended with our lives, but even as a Heroic Spirit, I can't let go. Quite shameful."
"Hahaha, what's that? It shows your passion! No worries—even I'd feel complex seeing Darius again!"
"Perhaps…"
"So, Fionn, will you join? You're a remarkable hero. Your presence would bring deeper insights."
Iskandar pressed again.
"I'm intrigued. I'd love to go. But I must follow my lord's orders. I'm here to protect him and help win the Holy Grail War."
"Though the Banquet appeals, I can't abandon my duty for personal desires. That's not knightly. If my negligence harms my lord, it'd repeat past tragedies. I need to think…"
Fionn squinted, shaking his head.
"Hahaha! True to form, always prioritizing your Master. A true knight, Lancer. I admire you more! Had I such a loyal hero, my conquests would've been greater."
Iskandar's respect grew.
"You flatter me. I'm just a knight skilled in martial arts, not as grand as you think."
"Who knows? I trust my judgment. So, if Lemonhead agrees, you'll come, right?"
Iskandar shrugged, confirming.
"Of course. If my lord agrees, as a knight, I've no reason to refuse."
Fionn nodded slightly.
"Got it. Easy then."
Iskandar laughed heartily, grabbing his games and sprinting toward the base.
"Wait, Lancer! I'll convince Lemonhead. See you tonight!"
"Huh?"
Before Fionn could react, Iskandar's massive frame charged down the street.
Fionn worried briefly, thinking, Will the Conqueror force my lord? No, probably not.
"Though Rider's rough, he's bold and confident. Such a king… truly admirable."
Fionn murmured with a smile, rising to resume his patrol.
…
Matou Residence
"Master Crowley, are you serious?"
Zouken Matou stared at the Banquet invitation from Scáthach, then at Roy, who'd come to visit. His decayed eyelids twitched.
He couldn't fathom such folly.
But compared to this, his useless descendant's failure to control Lancelot, letting King Arthur escape, seemed minor.
"A rare invitation. Isn't it nice? Just a gathering of Servants—let them have it."
Roy, playing chess with Zouken, spoke casually.
"So… you're nearly assured victory?"
Zouken eyed Roy suspiciously.
"More or less. With Lancelot, we have four Servants, each top-tier or exceptional. Combined, no one in the War can resist."
Roy placed a piece, continuing.
"Kill Archer, then Saber, and it's settled. Right?"
"True, but you were well-hidden. The Einzberns and Tohsakas didn't know you existed. Why expose yourself now?"
Zouken pressed.
"With Assassin around, hiding was safer. Now that they're gone, there's no need."
"Exactly. You're not wrong."
You've thought it all out for me—what could be wrong?
Roy thought sarcastically, keeping a calm facade.
Zouken's paranoia led to overthinking, making him outsmart himself.
He'd never guess Roy hid in the leyline under the Greater Grail, siphoning and purifying its mana to perfect his ultimate Mystic Code.
Nor that the Winter Saint, Irisviel, was taken by Aoko Aozaki on the first night.
She was in a basement, a guinea pig for Third Magic and Grail secrets.
In short…
The Holy Grail War was all but decided.
Except for Gilgamesh's unpredictable strength, everything was calculated.
Next, Roy needed to trick Rider and Lancer into dying against Tokiomi, falling to Gilgamesh. Then, ensure Scáthach defeated Gilgamesh and Artoria.
As for Lancelot?
A disposable pawn, to be discarded with Zouken when the time came…
Roy thought calmly, a glint of killing intent in his eyes.
Click.
A piece fell, and Roy checkmated Zouken's king.
He smiled faintly. "…Checkmate."
"Impressive, beating me at chess…"
"I'm truly old."
Seeing the board, Zouken nodded without protest.
"Just be prepared."
As Roy said, the situation favored them. The Tohsaka-Einzbern alliance was down to two Servants, with Saber injured.
Roy's alliance with Zouken had two, and with the El-Melloi duo, three—four top-tier Servants total.
Together, crushing the other two was feasible. Once only their four remained, the board would clear.
Roy's alliance with Zouken, bound by a geas against mutual attacks or Scáthach targeting Berserker, left Lancer and Rider as foes.
If Lancer and Rider cooperated fully, it'd complicate things.
But not unsolvable.
Zouken could hold back during the Archer attack, preserving Lancelot's strength. After Rider and Lancer barely defeated Archer, Berserker could finish them.
With no geas with the El-Mellois, betraying them carried no penalty.
Then, Lancelot and Scáthach could defeat the remaining Saber.
A perfect plan.
But…
Zouken underestimated Gilgamesh's strength and his Noble Phantasm's compatibility against Iskandar and Fionn.
His plan assumed Gilgamesh would barely win or lose to them. If the balance tipped, Lancelot's intervention would be futile.
Seeing Zouken's thoughtful look, Roy closed his eyes…
Gilgamesh wouldn't be careless like in the Fifth War against Shirou Emiya.
Facing Lancelot, Iskandar, and Fionn, he'd use his full arsenal.
This was the "serious Gilgamesh" Of legend, nearly untouchable.
Without Scáthach, their victory was uncertain, especially if Lancelot held back. Roy could foresee their fate.
Only Scáthach could defeat Gilgamesh.
She was candid about it: even with unlimited mana, her trump card might not beat him, given Ea's advantage over her and Iskandar.
Roy wasn't surprised. Reality wasn't a game—Scáthach's Noble Phantasm wouldn't one-shot Gilgamesh.
To win reliably, they needed something to counter Ea. Fortunately, this War had such a thing.
With it, Artoria would pose no threat, and Scáthach could reliably defeat Gilgamesh.
Then…
He'd be the ultimate victor.
Roy swept the chess pieces into the box below.
He had his answer.
The Banquet was a chance to meet Kiritsugu.
Though the item was precious to Kiritsugu, Roy held a card he couldn't refuse.
The War wasn't just Servants—it was Masters too.
In a Master duel, Roy was confident he'd triumph, even against Kayneth.
If Kiritsugu made an unexpected move…
He could kill him and take the treasure.
"Kiritsugu Emiya…"
Roy recalled the man obsessed with justice, fanatically pursuing world salvation.
"Killing his father, his foster mother, chasing a dream his whole life, only to end with nothing. Justice's ally, your life's truly tragic."
His words froze Zouken's expression. Roy stood, ready to leave.
Glancing at Zouken, who rose to see him off, Roy's lips curled sinisterly.
Right… there's more than one justice's ally. But this one's already fallen.
Zouken Matou… you think you control everything. What will you feel when it all shatters?
With that, his steps lightened, and he left under Zouken's gaze.
"Victory… so close after five hundred years. My wish will finally be fulfilled…"
After Roy left, Zouken closed his eyes, lost in his dream.
…
"How'd it go, Master? Did Berserker's group agree?"
Back at his base, Scáthach, lounging on a chair flipping through a fashion magazine, asked. Roy eyed her, rolling on the chair, worried she'd fall.
"Yes, I convinced them. Kariya Matou will bring Berserker to the Banquet."
"Impressive, Master. Convincing them for this?"
Scáthach praised, surprised Roy pulled it off.
"No big deal. They just want to gather intel."
Roy shook his head, helping Scáthach up, meeting her eyes calmly.
"And I have things to do at the Banquet, so I'll join you, Scáthach."
"Hm? Even you, Master? That's surprising…" Scáthach asked curiously. "No need to hide anymore?"
"No. My ultimate Mystic Code is nearly complete. Everything's set—exposure doesn't matter."
Roy nodded, a pleased glint in his eyes. "I also want to see Tokiomi's reaction to me."
"Tokiomi Tohsaka, Sakura's father?"
Scáthach shook her head. "He'll probably stamp his feet in rage. But…"
Standing, her crimson eyes narrowed, staring into Roy's. "Master, I know you're not that petty. You wouldn't show yourself just to taunt Tokiomi. So… what's your real goal?"
"Well… to ensure victory in a certain battle, I'm trading with Saber's Master."
Caught off-guard by her proximity and perfume, Roy knew he couldn't lie to the queen.
He told the truth.
"Oh? A battle? Mine with Archer?"
Scáthach, sharp as ever, caught his meaning.
Roy nodded frankly.
"I'll get you a treasure to counter Ea, so you can beat Gilgamesh."
"A treasure to counter Ea…"
Scáthach was surprised.
"I didn't tell you to make it a surprise and because I worried you'd resist."
"Resist? Master, if I refused that treasure and insisted on fighting Gilgamesh fairly, what would you do?" Scáthach teased, her crimson eyes probing. "Use a Command Seal?"
"No."
Roy answered firmly. "The Command Seal binds us, used only with your consent or in danger. It's not for control."
"Even if you refuse, I'll respect it. Then, I'd face Gilgamesh myself."
His tone was resolute, showing he'd confront the oldest king as a last line.
"You're really…"
Scáthach, usually composed, was moved, smiling at Roy.
"What?"
"Nothing. Just glad to have a Master like you. It's my luck."
She shook her head, her eyes warm and serious. "Master, the War isn't just Servants—Masters matter too. With your planning, how could I disappoint you?"
"Good."
Roy smiled, satisfied. "Thank you, Scáthach. Meeting you is my luck too. Let's give it our all."
"At the War's end, I'll use my gains to fulfill your wish, delivering a perfect result."
"I trust you, and I believe in you."
Scáthach beamed brightly.
They smiled, grateful for each other.
As Roy moved to prepare Mystic Codes, Scáthach grabbed his arm.
"What? Something else?"
Roy asked, surprised.
Scáthach handed him the magazine, pointing to outfits, smiling.
"For the Banquet of Kings, let's get formal modern attire. I picked some out—let's buy them together."
"…Attire?"
Roy paused, caught off-guard.
"I don't—"
He started to refuse but, seeing her enthusiasm, nodded reluctantly. "Fine, I'll leave it to you."
"No problem, Master. I've got this."
Scáthach's smile widened.
***
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