D' Ultimate Lich King

The tense atmosphere between Archer and Rider momentarily flared, then quickly subsided.

"But Archer, let's drink first; we can fight later."

"Of course, unless you disdain my wine."

"Don't be absurd; with such fine wine before me, how could I refuse?"

At this point, Saber couldn't discern friend from foe between Archer and Rider, silently observing. After a moment, she addressed Rider.

"King of Conquerors, you admit the Grail belongs to someone else; why use force to take it?"

"Hmm? That's obvious; my belief is 'conquest'… 'taking' and 'invasion.'"

Saber suppressed her anger. "Then why do you want the Grail?"

Rider smiled sheepishly, taking a sip of wine. "To become human."

This unexpected answer surprised everyone; even Waver exclaimed, almost frantically.

"Oh, you! You intend to conquer the world…?!"

Rider snapped his fingers, silencing his Master, then shrugged.

"Fool, how can I conquer the world in this life? Conquest is my dream; the Grail is the first step."

"Mongrel… for such a trivial reason, you challenge me?"

Even Archer was exasperated, but Rider said earnestly.

"Even manifested in this world, we're still Servants, not truly of this world—it's ridiculous, but are you truly satisfied?"

"I'm not. I want to be reborn in this world, to live as a human."

Rider looked up, his eyes shining with longing, expressing his desire for a human body.

Waver recalled thinking Rider's aversion to spirit form and insistence on physical manifestation was a quirk. Servants, while appearing human, are essentially ghosts.

"Why… do you want a physical body so much?"

"Because it's the foundation of 'conquest',"

Iskandar murmured, looking at his clenched fist.

"To possess a body, to reach for the heavens, to enact my conquest—that is my path. But I lack a body; it's impossible. Without it, nothing can begin. I fear nothing; I simply must have a body."

Archer seemed to listen intently, silently drinking. He wore a peculiar expression—not quite a smile, but different from his usual mockery; it held a hint of malice.

"Decided, Rider, I'll kill you myself."

"Haha, you're saying that now. Prepare yourself; I'll also plunder your treasury. The King of Conquerors enjoying such fine wine… you were careless."

Rider laughed boisterously. But one person remained silent throughout the feast.

Saber found no opportunity to interject during Archer and Rider's conversation. Their views on kingship differed greatly from hers.

To follow one's own will.

This wasn't a King's mindset. To Saber, who valued integrity, Archer and Rider were merely tyrants.

Regardless of their strength, Saber burned with unwavering resolve.

These two were her rivals; she wouldn't yield the Grail. Archer's claim was unreasonable; Rider's desire was merely a warrior's ambition—the beginning of human desires.

Compared to theirs, Saber's desire was far nobler.

"Hey, young lady, what's your wish? I'm curious what a bloodkin King desires."

Rider turned to Flandre, curious.

"My wish?"

Flandre tilted her head, smiling sweetly.

"My wish is for the Scarlet name to echo throughout the world, for all to revere it upon hearing it."

"Oh, a conquest-of-the-world ambition, just like mine."

"Indeed, the bloodkin are the true masters of the world! Humans have occupied what rightfully belongs to us for too long; it's time to reclaim it."

"Well, that makes me, a human, a little unhappy. Before enacting my conquest, I must remove this alien obstacle."

The King of Conquerors laughed heartily; even Archer showed interest; Saber remained silent until…

"Hey, Saber, what's your wish?"

Rider finally turned to Saber; her wish remained unwavering.

My path is my pride. Raising her head resolutely, the King of Knights looked at the two Heroic Spirits.

"I want to save my homeland; I will change Britain's fate."

After Saber's declaration, silence fell.

The first to feel doubt was Saber herself.

Even with her powerful statement, they wouldn't easily yield. Her words were clear and understandable.

Clear and straightforward, nothing strange; this was her path. Praise or rebuttal should have followed. But… silence.

Why? Saber didn't understand; they'd heard her wish; the jovial group now stared at her with varied expressions.

But they said nothing, their silence, their pitying gazes, like they were looking at a dreaming child, made Saber clench her fists in frustration.

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