Half an Hour Later
A thunderous roar echoed from the night sky, accompanied by a booming voice, descending toward the castle. Even from afar, it was unmistakable.
"Haha, yo, Saber! We meet again. Your wounds seem to have healed nicely. Though, this castle looks a bit… chilly—"
Before he could finish, Artoria, waiting alone at the gate, summoned Excalibur without hesitation. She leaped forward, slashing mercilessly at the uninvited, talkative red-haired brute.
"Ex…calibur!!"
Charged in advance, a golden beam of light surged from the blade, its immense mana erupting. Iskandar, sensing danger, swiftly maneuvered his Gordius Wheel skyward, narrowly dodging the face-targeting Noble Phantasm.
"Wah!!"
On the chariot, Waver, barely landed, let out a scream as the golden light grazed past, spared only by Iskandar's protection.
Blue lightning crackled through the night. Iskandar sighed in relief, one hand holding Waver, the other clutching fine wine from Kayneth's stash. He leaped down, landing firmly before Saber.
"Hmph…"
Seeing Iskandar evade her point-blank Noble Phantasm, Artoria let out a displeased hum.
She wasn't surprised. She'd held back, knowing such a sudden attack wouldn't truly harm a Servant like Rider, let alone eliminate him. Her strike was merely to vent her frustration at his audacity.
What irked her more was that her first successful Noble Phantasm in the Holy Grail War wasn't in battle but over this trivial matter.
That jerk, holding a banquet at my place without telling me?
Their grand arrivals made her and Kiritsugu think they were the first targets for elimination, nearly sparking a fight, only to reveal a misunderstanding.
Meanwhile, Einzbern Castle's Reception Room
"The main guest has arrived…"
After a detection spell confirmed the tea was unpoisoned, Roy took a calm sip.
Hearing the explosion outside, he smiled at Kiritsugu. "Won't you, as host, greet the guests, Mr. Emiya?"
"…" Kiritsugu, head in hands, didn't respond. His assistant, Maiya, fidgeted, her hand subtly reaching for her gun, itching to shoot Roy. Only Kiritsugu's restraint stopped her.
"No, you go. The castle's yours. We're leaving soon. I bombed their base yesterday—facing those Servants risks them killing me. I won't show myself."
Kiritsugu shook his head mockingly, rising with Maiya to clear space for the noisy, absurd banquet.
"Alright. If you're unwilling, how about I host the banquet?"
Roy, unfazed, smiled at him.
"Do as you like. Food's in the castle's cold storage."
"Thank you," Roy said, leaving the room.
"Kiritsugu… are you really agreeing to his request? If you give up Avalon, your body…"
Once Roy left, Maiya, easing her grip on her gun, asked Kiritsugu worriedly. She knew he was after Kiritsugu's treasure.
"I'll be fine, Maiya…"
Under her concerned gaze, Kiritsugu shook his head.
"But…"
"We're at a severe disadvantage. I have no choice. Even if I refuse, he could take it by force. And Irisviel's in his hands…"
"I never imagined this obscure mage was the War's mastermind, Aoko Aozaki's partner. To realize it now… I'm such a fool…"
Kiritsugu slammed the table, his face contorted.
"We have no choice. For Irisviel's safety and a chance at victory, I must trade. As long as she's alive, we have a shot. As for my body…"
He gave a bitter smile. "Let it be buried with my dream in this land."
…
"Man, you guys got here before me. No wonder Saber attacked on sight."
Dusty from his chariot, Iskandar scratched his head, realizing the situation upon seeing Scáthach and Roy.
He faced Artoria's hostile glare with a natural grin. "Don't be mad, Saber. I didn't tell you to surprise you! Heroes and kings gathered—what a grand affair! You're thrilled too, right?"
"Hahaha…"
Surveying the scene, Iskandar laughed heartily.
"…Surprise? More like shock."
Artoria gripped her sword, sighing. "If the Queen of the Land of Shadows weren't here, I'd have blasted you full-force."
"You're something, Conqueror. Holding a banquet at someone's home without telling them? No wonder King Arthur's pissed."
Roy quipped, while Scáthach, covering her mouth, teased Iskandar.
"If I were Arthur, I'd have chopped you into pieces the moment you landed."
"Was I that rude? I thought the King of Knights would welcome this…"
Seeing their reactions, Iskandar scratched his head.
As the mood settled, he noticed Scáthach's elegant gown, exclaiming, "Queen of the Land of Shadows, you look stunning! Your beauty rivals Venus herself."
"Thank you, Conqueror. Just felt like trying something new." Scáthach smiled.
"Heroes gathering is thrilling, but that's no excuse for crashing Saber's place without notice."
Roy shook his head but, with misunderstandings cleared, invited Iskandar to sit.
"Alright, the mix-up's resolved. Come in—I've picked spots. The courtyard's plain but spacious. I'll grab food soon."
"Huh?"
Seeing Roy, not Artoria, speak, Iskandar and Waver exchanged surprised glances.
"Isn't this Saber's castle? Why're you acting like the host?" Waver blurted, overwhelmed by the absurdity.
Iskandar, scanning Roy and Artoria, clapped his hands. "I get it! You conquered this place and subdued the King of Knights before I arrived? Impressive, Tactician! I like you more!"
"Haha…"
Iskandar's words made Scáthach laugh, winking at the grim-faced Artoria.
"Rider, one more word, and I'll tear your mouth off."
Artoria's patience was at its limit.
Before a fight broke out, Roy clarified, "You've got it wrong. Saber's Master, due to yesterday's tensions, couldn't show, so he entrusted me to host and apologize for his rudeness."
"Oh, that's it."
Iskandar nodded, understanding. Artoria glanced at Roy, surprised.
"Tactics in war are normal. Why leave? But if so, Tactician, we'll trouble you."
"Naturally."
Grinning, Iskandar led Waver and his wine barrel inside.
…
The Einzbern castle's courtyard wasn't grand—downright shabby, even.
As homunculi, the Einzberns had muted emotions and desires, caring little for luxury. The castle was built purely as a stronghold, not for comfort.
Thus, it lacked fairy-tale gardens or ornate courtyards. The courtyard was a gray-stone expanse, more like a barren training ground than a castle's yard. No wonder Iskandar called it chilly.
Scáthach didn't mind. Compared to her Land of Shadow's harsh environment, where even ghosts suffered, this castle was fine, if small.
Led by Roy, they took prearranged seats. Noticing only Iskandar and Waver, Scáthach asked, "Lancer and his Master aren't here? Rider, did you actually notify them?"
"They should be here."
Iskandar shook his head, about to speak, when a lofty male voice rang from the courtyard's corner.
"No need to worry, Queen of the Land of Shadows. Nobles never arrive late to banquets."
A wealthy but not-so-handsome aristocrat emerged from the shadows, followed by the tall, rich, and handsome Lancer, Fionn. They'd been waiting.
"They're here?"
Artoria's brow twitched. She realized they'd slipped in with Rider, gathering intel and searching for Kiritsugu while she was distracted.
Kayneth, having suffered losses, wouldn't let it slide. Luckily, Kiritsugu escaped, or his fate would've been worse than the first night.
"Lancer, Saber, me, and the Queen of the Land of Shadows… half the guests are here."
Iskandar plunked his wine barrel down, eyeing the spread of chips, burgers, chicken nuggets, and cola, intrigued.
Grabbing a nugget and eating it, his eyes lit up. "Not bad!" He called, urging everyone to dig in.
Watching ancient heroes and Roy, pushing a cart of heated fast food from storage, Iskandar beamed. "My first modern banquet, with so many heroes and Masters!"
"Conqueror, red or blue cola?" Roy asked.
"Red. Blue's awful—I can't stand it," Iskandar replied, used to modern drinks from snack runs.
"Red, huh? I like red too. Blue's like mouthwash."
Roy nodded. Waver, a blue cola fan, protested, "What do you know? Blue's sweetness is the best. Red's like antiseptic!"
Roy ignored him, turning to Kayneth. "And you, professor?"
"Nothing!"
Unlike Rider, Kayneth's face was green with fury. Though unsure why Roy was hosting, the fast food and cola appalled his noble sensibilities. He wanted to grab Roy and demand, You call this a banquet? Did my Clock Tower feasts teach you nothing?
Roy was helpless. He'd wanted proper food, but the storage was a fast-food fortress—burgers galore. He'd scrounged what he could.
"Calm down, professor. You know, no ingredients, no meal. This place has only this. Alchemy isn't omnipotent, and I can't materialize dreams. Make do—it's about the people, not the food." Roy pointed to Artoria and Iskandar, happily eating.
"See? They're fine."
"Lord, calm yourself," Fionn interjected, supporting Roy. "The setting doesn't matter—it's the company."
"Fine…"
Sighing, Kayneth cooled off and sat.
As they settled, Iskandar tapped his barrel, opening it. He scooped wine, tasted it, and praised it, filling cups for Scáthach and others.
But Scáthach and Kayneth's faces soured, especially Kayneth's. Smelling the familiar blend, he nearly exploded.
Iskandar had mixed his prized wines into a chaotic stew, ruining them. The smell alone was torture.
Drink that?
Kayneth would rather mix red and blue cola!
Seeing Scáthach's expression, Roy sighed, taking the wine for her before she snapped, saving Iskandar's face and sparing his Servant.
"Tactician, bold move!"
Iskandar, delighted, admired Roy more.
Brave, strategic, considerate, and diplomatic—a talent rarer than warriors. Had he such a tactician, his conquests would've been grander.
"This is a banquet? The food's bad enough, but the wine should be grand!" Scáthach, no longer amused, grumbled.
"I agree," Artoria nodded. This was an embarrassment to kings.
Before they could continue, Iskandar scanned around, puzzled. "Where's Archer? He wouldn't break a promise."
"They're here."
Under Scáthach and Kayneth's startled gazes, Roy raised his cup to Iskandar, downed it as host, and pointed skyward, signaling the banquet's start.
All eyes followed.
In the dark night, a golden airship gleamed brilliantly.
***
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