D' Ultimate Lich King

Arthas watched the seemingly devastated girl; despite her kingship, he felt pity for her.

She was, after all, just a girl who shouldn't have had to bear such a burden.

She'd drawn the sword and become King, her young shoulders burdened with immense responsibility.

She shouldn't have had to sacrifice so much, yet she'd willingly placed a heavy yoke upon herself.

The people she trusted, the people she'd strived to protect, had ultimately betrayed her.

What was the point of all her perseverance? Perhaps, she shouldn't have taken the throne in the first place.

"Saber, don't let a few words from Rider and me make you abandon your lifelong pursuit."

Seeing Saber's dejection, Arthas spoke again.

"Of course not! Obtaining the Grail to change my nation's tragic fate—that wish remains unwavering!"

Empowered by Arthas's words, Saber straightened, proudly declaring her resolve.

"That's right." Arthas smiled, raising his golden goblet and draining the remaining wine.

"Since you're a King who walks your path resolutely, why care about others' opinions? Saber, as King of Britain, sitting on that throne, did you lack for gossip and slander?"

Saber fell silent. Arthas was right; the whispers had never ceased since she'd taken the throne. A seemingly random girl becoming a monarch—naturally, many resented it.

Saber had always ignored the gossip, focusing on her duties as King of Britain, striving for a clear conscience.

"Ignore what others say, how they judge. Rider's path is his; yours is yours. If you persist, there's a reason; that's what a King should do. Decide, and don't regret it!"

Arthas stood, subtly positioning himself in front of Illya, as if shielding the girl from unwanted attention.

"Thank you for the excellent wine, Archer."

He casually tossed the valuable golden goblet towards Archer; a golden vortex appeared behind the Heroic Spirit, smoothly catching the goblet.

Arthas had expected the proud golden Heroic Spirit to scornfully rebuke him for sullying his precious goblet; it seemed the Heroic Spirit wasn't as unbearable as he'd imagined.

Arthas realized that this proud Heroic Spirit showed considerable generosity towards those he acknowledged.

Like himself, and Rider.

Though the constant "mongrel" insults were still annoying.

"Naturally, I have no regrets; I'll pursue this wish until it's fulfilled."

Saber straightened, meeting Arthas's gaze with unwavering resolve. Confidence and pride returned to the swordswoman.

"Incredible…" Rider chuckled, watching Saber regain her resolve thanks to Arthas's simple words.

"Regardless, I can't agree with your path, Saber's path, but I admire your unwavering pursuit, however foolish it may seem."

"Hmph, Rider, enough talk; my sword will prove my kingship!" Saber retorted.

"I look forward to it… hahaha!" Knowing he couldn't overpower her, Rider laughed boisterously.

Arthas's intervention shifted the atmosphere; tension remained, but it was significantly less than before.

"Eh?" Illya looked at her husband protectively, confused.

"Be careful; new friends have arrived." Arthas smiled, subtly gesturing to Flandre.

She nodded; she'd sensed the intruders before Arthas.

They were Heroic Spirits; a fifth Servant had infiltrated the castle.

Lancer wouldn't do this; only Assassin.

Suddenly, Saber felt a chilling presence, instantly alert.

Only Saber, Rider, and Archer were in the courtyard; the sudden anomaly changed their expressions.

Moments later, Illya and Waver also sensed the change in the air. They couldn't see it, but felt intense killing intent.

Strange white figures appeared in the moonlit courtyard, one after another, pale as bleached bone.

Skeletal masks and black robes. The empty courtyard was gradually surrounded by this eerie group.

Assassin…

Assassin's elimination was clearly a staged performance by Kotomine Kirei and Tokiomi Tohsaka.

Seeing multiple Assassins, Arthas hugged Illya closely, thinking.

The Assassins weren't individuals; some Noble Phantasm allowed multiple manifestations.

"You did this, Archer." Saber, wielding her invisible sword, glared at Archer.

Archer shrugged innocently.

"Who knows? I don't bother with those mongrels' thoughts."

Archer clearly didn't care about the Assassins' arrival, continuing to enjoy his wine.

So many Assassins meant it wasn't just Kotomine Kirei's order; it was his teacher, Tokiomi Tohsaka's plan.

Tohsaka had paid homage to the King of Heroes, thus Archer acknowledged him as Master. However, Tohsaka's actions had increased Archer's displeasure.

Rider initiated the feast, but Archer provided the wine. Sending assassins to such a feast—what was Tohsaka's aim? It was a blatant insult to the King of Heroes; did he know?

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