"You!"
Artoria was surprised by Damien's arrival.
But his 'Ahoge King' nickname irked her. "Another Heroic Spirit like Rider?" She muttered.
"Hey, since when did 'Rider' become an insult?" Iskandar protested.
"I agree." Damien said, not sparing Iskandar's feelings. "Not at all what I expected from the King of Conqueror."
"Exactly!" Artoria nodded in rare agreement.
"That's harsh." Iskandar said, looking at Damien with mock resentment. "I thought we got along, lil bro."
"Sorry, I'm not into men." Damien replied, his gaze drifting to a certain direction.
"Hahaha, you're an interesting guy!" Iskandar laughed, cracking open the wine barrel with a knuckled fist.
Instantly, the rich aroma of red wine filled the night air of the courtyard.
Being the King of Conqueror's Master must be tough, Damien thought, glancing at Waver. That huge barrel of fine wine probably cost a fortune.
He doubted Waver was the type to use magecraft for ill-gotten gains.
"Though it's shaped oddly, this is a traditional drinking vessel of this land." Iskandar said proudly, holding up a bamboo ladle.
"That's not a decanter; it's just a tea utensil." Damien corrected, familiar with its use in Japanese tea ceremonies.
"Is that so?" Iskandar shrugged. "Eh, doesn't matter. It works fine."
He scooped a ladle of wine, ready to down it.
"Use this." Damien said, handing out cups.
"Ho, thanks!"
Iskandar accepted without fuss, filling a cup and draining it in one go.
"The legend says the Holy Grail will be granted to the worthy." He said solemnly, opening the discussion.
Though rare for him to speak so seriously, it felt oddly fitting.
"This contest in Fuyuki is the ritual to determine the worthy."
"But choosing a candidate doesn't always require bloodshed."
"If Heroic Spirits can accept each other's 'mettle,' the answer will emerge naturally."
Artoria took a cup from Damien and scooped wine from the barrel.
Despite her petite frame raising doubts about her drinking ability, she matched Iskandar's boldness, downing it with equal gusto.
Iskandar grinned, pleased.
Both turned to Damien, awaiting his response.
"You're all drinking; if I don't, won't I look out of place?"
Damien had little interest in wine, but with the mood set, he joined them, downing a cup.
"So, you want to compare 'mettle' with us, Rider?" Artoria asked, keeping her eyes on Damien.
If Iskandar was a forthright overlord, Damien was like an elegant, enigmatic saint-king.
His every move lacked Gilgamesh's arrogance, exuding a refreshing ease that showcased a king's magnanimity and openness.
"Exactly. As self-proclaimed kings, we must discuss mettle." Iskandar said, his gaze shifting between Damien and Artoria. "This isn't a Holy Grail War but a Holy Grail Q&A."
"King of Knights, King of Conqueror, and… King of Magecraft. You don't mind the title, do you?" He asked Damien.
At the mention of 'King of Magecraft,' their hearts raced.
As expected!
He was the legendary King Solomon!
"No issue." Damien said, offering no explanation.
With Gilgamesh yet to arrive, he'd wait to clarify.
Repeating introductions would be beneath him.
"Who's most suited to be the Holy Grail's king?"
"A sip from the cup will make it clear." Iskandar said earnestly, then smirked mischievously, addressing someone unseen. "By the way, I recall another guy who insists he's a king."
"Enough of your jests, mongrel." A voice snapped.
A blinding golden light flashed before their eyes.
Artoria and Irisviel tensed, recognizing the voice and light.
"Archer, why are you here?" Saber asked, her expression tight.
Iskandar answered nonchalantly. "Saw him on the street, so I invited him too."
"You're so slow, Goldie."
"But unlike me, you walked here, so I can't blame you."
Clad in gleaming armor, Archer appeared, his ruby-red eyes glaring arrogantly at Iskandar.
"To choose such a cramped, stifling place for a kings' banquet... your worth is clear from that alone." Gilgamesh sneered. "I came all this way; how will you atone?"
From the moment he appeared, his gaze never left Damien.
"And you, where did you crawl out from?"
"Invited by this fool, you must be another delusional mongrel claiming kingship."
His words froze the atmosphere.
Not figuratively... a literal, deathly silence gripped everyone.
Shion, Souei, and Hoshiga, led by the Ice Empress, appeared around the garden.
They said nothing, awaiting Damien's command.
A single glance from their lord, and they'd attack Gilgamesh, making him pay for his insolence in blood.
"!!!"
The scene didn't go unnoticed.
All four radiated terrifying strength.
Shion's power was already known.
She'd withstood a barrage of over a hundred Noble Phantasms unscathed.
The other three's auras were no less formidable.
The Ice Empress, in particular, exuded a chilling magical force, as if she could freeze the entire castle.
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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