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-Town of Fuyuki.
3rd POV*
Lawrence left the room letting Nero cope with the sudden news, he know that this will be hard because almost all Heroic Spirits has a wish in the grail and realizing that it cannot grant wish will certainly be a huge deal to them. Shiki also followed him pretty satisfied with the way he dealt with it, at least he didn't try to grant her wish using his abilities.
"Are you sure that is fine? She might turn into wrong path if the worse outcome happens" Shiki asked grabbing his arm, she held it closer to her chest wanting to feel the warmth of Lawrence. She really can't display this kind of affection in public because that would break her image, in other words, she is an authentic Tsundere!
Lawrence also enjoyed this moment of theirs so he slowed down his speed trying to lengthen their time together. "If Nero was such person then I would be disappointed. I know this is selfish of me trying to put my opinion on her existence but nonetheless, I still wanted to give my thoughts about this. I believe that she will return in her normal state maybe tomorrow?" Lawrence gave his guess making Shiki shake her head.
"Yeah… she is that kind of woman after all. Her experience made her much stronger than anyone" Shiki admitted it, in terms of mindset she won't stand a chance against Nero. "You surprisingly admit defeat, are you that weak now Shiki? Lawrence asked chuckling at Shiki who immediately got angry. "There is no way, my life is simply much lavisher than hers. At least I didn't have to deal with a schemer mother" Shiki shook her head.
Lawrence thought about Nero's past that he has been seeing on his dream for a few days now and nodded his head, her past was much more complicated than he consider. He initially thought that Nero lived through luxuries and died embracing her full Emperor self. That is hardly the truth, it would be an insult to even think about it. The only reason her reputation got destroyed later on was because of one mistake she made.
"Let's stop thinking about it, rider and his master are already heading towards one place" Lawrence said viewing the whole town. Shiki adhered his words, she went back to the room to inform Nero of the news. Meanwhile Lawrence just went to the living room to invite the others, "Anastashia, Bea, do you want to come with us?" he asked.
Bea was the first one to answer his question, "I am fine staying in here master, having the Observer Ward is enough for me" Bea said lowering her head. Anastashia on the other hand seemed to have decided something based on the resolute on her face. "I'll also stay Lawrence! I need to teach a certain someone the harsh reality!" she said staring at Luvia who squealed in joy.
"Nee-sama~!" she exclaimed launching herself at Anastashia, she thought that Anastashia just wanted to spend more time with her rather than waste it with the useless man Lawrence. This made Luvia overjoyed. Anastashia just reluctantly returned the gesture shaking her head, she can now somehow relate with Lawrence regarding of how she acted before.
It is certainly a hassle handling an insane creature like this. "Shiki! You ready there?" Lawrence asked as Shiki and Nero just reappeared on his side. Nero has complicated look on her face and was rather quiet, based on her expression, she is probably still contemplating the words of Lawrence before. "Then, let's go"
???
Saber and Irisviel who was staying at their castle got alarmed when sudden rumbles of thunder sounded throughout the whole castle. Saber immediately lent her shoulder to Irisviel who stumbled from the shaking. "Those thunders and hooves… only a single fool would do such entrance. Irisivel, we should be expecting Servant Rider as the incoming enemy" Saber said seriously.
Both of them went to the front gate of the castle and saw it was already destroyed by Rider's chariot. "What are your purpose here Rider!" Saber asked staring daggers at Rider. "Greetings, Saber! I have come to share a drink!" Rider said lifting the barrel that he brought with him. Irisviel and Saber looked at each other before a decision was made.
Rider and Saber were sat on the garden staring at each. Rider opened the barrel before pouring himself a drink, "Now, tell me your purpose Rider" Saber asked warily. "The grail choose the most competent as its winner. If that would have been the case then there should be no need for war and bloodshed right? If the servants reached a consensus to make the winner by 'rankings' then it would make things easier" Rider grinned handing Saber her part.
Saber took a glance at it before drinking the wine. "Are you suggesting that we compare ourselves as persons?" she asked staring directly at Rider. "Not as persons saber but as kings. Isn't that right King of Knights?" Rider asked making Saber wary as her identity has been found out. She reached to her sword but instantly halted her movements when another person made its presence known.
"Cease the nonsense, you mongrels" the Archer from before appeared in his same dignified atmosphere. "Archer?! Why are you here?!" Saber got even more cautious seeing the new person, although she has not interacted with this man before, she is aware of how strong he is easily dispatching Assassin and even calling him a worm.
"What is the meaning of this Rider?" Saber turned her attention to Rider who was the only person that has knowledge of this place. Rider scratched the back of his head replying to Saber's question, "I saw him in the town so I decided to invite him as well. He should have the qualities of a king, isn't that right goldilocks?" Rider asked smiling at Archer.
Archer sneered at Rider's words thinking it was ridiculous. "You do not have the excellence to question my quality. For even you is below to my likes" Archer reeled back in disgust towards Rider who just ignored it. "Anyway, have a drink" Rider handed the wine towards Archer who reluctantly took it. Archer took a sniff on the wine before commenting in disgust. "What is this piss-wine"
"Hm? I bought this in the highest on this country, even I think its quite great" Rider tilted his head not really understanding what Archer is saying. "Hmph, if you think that way then this might not even a talk anymore. Be grateful, I shall give you the honor to taste the real thing you called wine" Archer opened his hand as a golden rift opened from it. A golden jug was dropped from it along with 3 exquisite golden cups.
"Ohh! A regal!" Rider happily commented catching the cups from Archer's hands. Archer and Saber was about to take a sip from the wine when Rider suddenly stopped them. "Hold on right there!" he said halting the two. "Your intervention is displeasing me Rider. Do you wish to die?" Archer threatened angered by his action.
Rider once again ignored that threat, "We are not complete yet. Wait for Caster to arrive, they should be coming soon" Rider said making Archer open his eyes in shock. He initially thought he was the last and now it was known that there will be more people, he could not help but become mad at this proposition. "Caster?" Saber muttered remembering the ball of energy that exactly looked like her.
It did not take long before Rider's words came true, a silhouette of many people appeared and after a few seconds the silhouette became real. "Sorry, we are late" Lawrence said smiling at Rider who just returned the gesture. "Dogs who does not understand their place should just roll in forgiveness" Archer said with venom on his voice, he literally hated that someone dared to appear late on his presence, it was belittling his identity!
"Oh dogs? I thought you consider all things as worms, am I in higher hierarchy than them?" Lawrence smiled at Archer which infuriated him more. "Mongrel, don't push your luck" Archer threatened narrowing his eyes at Lawrence. "Alright, that's enough! Bastard stop this thing!" Rider shouted stopping them. Nero on the other hand just took a seat beside Saber as the Four Kings finally started banquet.
Archer did not give Nero a cup to drink so she could only look at Lawrence in question. "Here" Lawrence handed her an elegant looking cup just falling behind Archer's one. They all took a sip in their wine as the three could not help but comment in astonishment. "Yoeha! Tis delectable!" Rider said. "Hm, quite delicious" Saber also said. This made Archer smug, "But of course, only the finest enter my treasury" he said.
Nero also liked the wine but because her mind was more focused somewhere else, she didn't comment anything. "Archer why do you wish for the grail?" Rider asked starting the conversation. "Wish? I do not wish for something that has been mine originally. I just detest worms trying to lay their grasps on my treasure" Archer sneered at them swirling his cup.
"Ha! You spoke as if you really own it!" Rider also snorted not really believing Archer's statement. "Fool, all things in the world are my treasures! That includes the grail which I used to handle my wines" Archer spoke of accounts which are hard to believe making Saber think he is delusional. "Your mouth is grimier than even the biggest liars Archer" she said.
Rider shook his head and proceeded to ask some questions, "If you truly owned the grail then does that mean you have no need for it? Or do we simply ask for your permission when taking it Archer?" Rider asked. "Exactly, however why would I need to lower myself to handing you my treasure? My magnanimity only reached through my subordinates and vassals" Archer snickered at Rider.
"Heh! Damn bastard, asking is not within my dictionary. For I am Iskandar, the King of Conquerors! Thieving are more of my style!" Iskandar grinned proclaiming. "Rider, you speak as if your ambitions are greater than his, what is your wish in the first place" Saber questioned staring at Rider. This stunned Rider for a while, he held the back of his head as a visible blush appeared on his face. "Reincarnation" after some hesitation he uttered.
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