Gilgamesh's words sounded like illogical nonsense, or rather, they were nonsense. But for Gilgamesh, what did it matter if everyone who knew about it considered it nonsense? He firmly believed and steadfastly upheld the laws he had set, using force and authority to tell the world that this was the truth!
Truth and reason were inherently established by kings, because the king pointed the direction, and then everyone followed the direction designated by the king, subsequently forming a natural consensus.
Therefore, Gilgamesh did not need to consider anyone's thoughts. He had the right to make the world accept his ideology, and this right required strength, which he happened to possess.
The King of Conquerors clearly understood this point and sighed deeply.
"What a perfect king, one who can uphold the laws he sets. In that case, there is nothing left but to speak with swords, because I still very much want the Holy Grail! My way is to take it by force if I want it, because I, Iskandar, am the King of Conquerors!"
Along with these words, a shocking aura of dominance erupted from this burly man wearing a ridiculous modern video game T-shirt! It was as if a roaring lion had bristled its mane, and any obstacle daring to stand in his way would be crushed to dust.
However, all those seated were strong individuals with resolute wills; no one would be intimidated by mere aura. Even Rin, who was directly opposite the King of Conquerors, continued to hold her wine glass without changing her expression, calmly and composedly listening to this debate between ancient kings.
"Not necessarily. If you come to offend, I will punish you. Be prepared, bastard."
Gilgamesh changed his previously indifferent demeanor, looking seriously at the awe-inspiring King of Conquerors.
"However, Archer, what's important now is drinking. Let's save the fighting for later."
"Of course. Or do you perhaps look down on the wine I brought?"
"What a joke! With such fine wine before me, how could I bear not to drink it?"
In just a few words, the two kings, infamous for their tyranny, who had already agreed to battle, sat together peacefully again, drinking. This ability to pick up and put down matters was beyond ordinary people.
Even if they were to face each other in a life-or-death battle tomorrow, they could still sit together and clink glasses tonight. This was the courage and magnanimity of kings.
At this moment, Gilgamesh and the King of Conquerors made the king of knights unable to distinguish between friend and foe. She could only sit silently, watching the two of them. Once quiet returned, she finally spoke to the King of Conquerors.
"King of Conquerors, even if you have already acknowledged that the Holy Grail belongs to someone else, do you still intend to seize it by force?"
The King of Conquerors, who was pouring himself wine, paused slightly at the king of knights' sudden question, then answered without hesitation.
"Hmm? Of course! Because my belief is conquest, contention, and invasion!"
Saber, unable to agree with such a creed, frowned deeply and asked, "Having gone to such lengths, what exactly do you desire from the Holy Grail?"
At this, the King of Conquerors, this burly man, actually blushed slightly, smiling as if shy, and as if to bolster his courage, he drained the freshly filled cup in his hand, which left Gilgamesh and Saber utterly bewildered.
"I want a physical body."
"Huh?..."
The most intense reaction to this unexpected answer came from the King of Conquerors's young Master, Waver.
Ignoring the awe-inspiring aura of the powerful individuals present, he rushed behind the King of Conquerors and vigorously pounded his rock-solid, broad back, shouting in a near-frenzied tone, "Hey, hey! Aren't you supposed to wish to conquer the world… Wah!"
With a casual pat, he sent his young Master tumbling three times, face-first, before he quietly returned to his original spot.
The King of Conquerors shrugged and continued, "Idiot, how can I conquer the world in this form?
Conquest is my dream, but this first step needs to be entrusted to the Holy Grail to achieve."
"bastard, you would challenge this King for such a trivial matter?"
Even Gilgamesh looked bored after hearing this, but the King of Conquerors said with a serious expression, "Even if manifested in the present world by magic, I am still merely a Servant, not a life existing in this world.
Though it feels somewhat ridiculous, are you truly satisfied with this? No, I am not satisfied.
I wish to reincarnate in this world, to take root as a living being."
"Why do you want a physical body so much?"
"Because it is the foundation of conquest!"
Iskandar declared loudly, staring at his clenched fist.
"With a physical body, I will advance towards heaven and earth, starting from here, moving forward step by step, conquering this era!
Only by accomplishing such a great feat… ha, will it be my kingly path…"
The King of Conquerors poured another cup of wine down his throat and sighed with emotion.
"But now I have no physical body, and this is unacceptable; without it, nothing can begin.
I fear nothing, but I must possess a physical body; only this is the starting point of my kingly way."
Gilgamesh, as if listening intently to his words, silently drank his wine from beginning to end.
After the King of Conquerors finished speaking, he showed a peculiar expression, different from before; to describe it as a smile might be a stretch, but compared to his usual mocking expression, it carried an unprecedented seriousness.
"It is decided, King of Conquerors, this King will personally kill you."
Gilgamesh's killing intent was an acknowledgment of the King of Conquerors's kingly way, even his address changed from 'bastard' to 'King of Conquerors'.
And it was precisely because he acknowledged this qualification to be a king that they were irreconcilable, because there was no need for two suns in the sky, nor two kings on earth.
"Ah ha ha ha ha…! It's too late to say such things now!
Not only the Holy Grail, I also plan to plunder your treasury clean!
For such fine wine to be drunk by me, Iskandar, the King of Conquerors, you are truly careless!"
The King of Conquerors's boisterous laughter echoed through the empty courtyard; his hearty laughter showed no concern for Gilgamesh's killing intent.
Rin's greatest admiration for the King of Conquerors was undoubtedly his wish: he sought a living body from the Holy Grail, but his ultimate dream was to achieve it himself after obtaining the body.
In this regard, Rin and the King of Conquerors were in complete agreement.
A dream is only a dream when it is achieved with one's own hands; what is achieved by wishing upon the Holy Grail is not a dream, but a plea.
Hearing the King of Conquerors's heroic words firsthand, Rin, deeply resonated, felt a surge of hot blood within her and couldn't help but wonder if she should help him fulfill this wish.
She then activated her magic to use Spirit Vision to observe the King of Conquerors's body.
"Oh? Little girl, you seem to have some thoughts about my kingly way."
Rin's gaze, of course, did not escape the notice of those present.
The King of Conquerors, whose true nature was being seen through, asked Rin.
"Alas, no…" Rin sighed softly, closed her eyes, and deactivated her Spirit Vision, saying regretfully, "Hearing your wish, I wanted to try if I could help you achieve it, after all, making a living body capable of carrying a soul, I can do such a thing.
But unfortunately, all those who have descended here are merely projections of their original selves from the Throne of Heroes, manifested by the greater grail's magic; their essential souls are incomplete, so I am powerless."
Indeed, the Servants summoned in the Holy Grail War are merely projections of the Heroic Spirits themselves, and the most fundamental difference from Jalter, who was summoned by the complete Third Magic, lies here: Jalter possesses a complete soul.
Only a complete soul can vitalize a physical body to live as a being.
"Oh? I didn't realize, little girl, that not only are you exceptionally brave, but you also possess such magical skills.
If I couldn't clearly feel the life force on you right now, I would be more inclined to believe that you are the true Caster."
Artificial life, such a technique was undoubtedly a legendary tale in ancient times; even among the true Heroic Spirit Casters from the Throne of Magic, few could achieve it.
Rin shrugged, regretting, "Unfortunately, even if I have mastered the method of creating life, I still cannot fulfill your wish."
"Ah ha ha ha ha…! No need to worry!
There is still an unfinished battle between you and me; whatever you have to say, it won't be too late to say it after we have fought with all our might."
"That's true, let's talk after the fight.
If you win, I'll be dead; if you lose, I'll send you back to the Hall of Heroes, so there's no need to worry."
"Precisely!"
The King of Conquerors was straightforward and uninhibited, while Rin was whimsical and followed her heart; these two, despite their vastly different appearances, easily got along.
"Little girl, since we are sitting here talking, why don't you tell us your grand wish for the Holy Grail before the king of knights speaks?
I believe someone who can sit at the same table as kings like us must have some unique insights."
The King of Conquerors smiled, leading the topic to Rin, who, as the only human present, smiled calmly under the gaze of the three Heroic Spirits.
"None, I have no wish that requires the Holy Grail to fulfill for me."
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