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...
"...This is bad."
Rider stood atop the arch of the Fuyuki Bridge, gazing down at the battle raging in the harbor. He muttered these words under his breath before rising to his feet.
"W-What is it?"
Seeing Iskandar, the King of Conquerors, display anxiety for the first time, Waver felt a surge of unease. He clung tightly to the bridge's steel beams and asked anxiously.
"Lancer has unleashed his trump card. It seems he intends to settle this quickly."
"No, it's not the right time yet. We can't let this continue!"
"Idiot! What are you talking about?"
With a clang, Iskandar slammed his heel against the steel beam.
"I intended to observe the situation until everyone had gathered, but at this rate, Saber will be at a disadvantage. If we wait any longer, it will be too late."
"Too late? Wait, weren't you planning to strike when they were exhausted from fighting each other?" Waver shouted from his precarious perch.
"Master, have you misunderstood my intentions?"
Iskandar frowned, a disappointed expression on his face as he looked down at Waver.
"I certainly hoped that the other Servants wouldn't fall for Lancer's provocation."
"But that's only natural, isn't it?"
"Rather than seeking them out one by one, it's far more efficient to gather them all together and engage in a glorious free-for-all."
Possessing the Noble Phantasm known as "Ionioi Hetairoi" (Army of the King), Iskandar had no fear of a group battle.
In fact, he preferred facing multiple opponents.
It was the only way to truly satisfy his thirst for battle.
"..."
Waver fell silent, stunned by Iskandar's response.
He realized the vast difference in their perspectives and was momentarily speechless.
Iskandar's words were far beyond anything he could have imagined.
"Gather them all together... and then engage in a chaotic battle?"
"Precisely! Opportunities to clash with heroes from different eras are rare. If all six of them assemble, I won't let a single one escape."
Gazing towards the distant battle at the harbor, a predatory grin spread across Iskandar's face.
"Both Saber and Lancer possess the fiery spirit of true warriors. I admire them greatly. It would be a shame to let them perish."
"But how can we not kill them?! Isn't the Holy Grail War a battle to the death?" Waver's voice was laced with desperation.
His frantic outburst was abruptly interrupted by a sudden impact.
"To achieve victory without causing needless death, to rule without inflicting humiliation – that is true 'conquest'!" Iskandar declared, his chest puffed out with pride.
He then drew the sword at his hip and slashed through the empty air, tearing a rift in space.
Accompanied by a swirling torrent of magical energy, his Noble Phantasm, the Gordius Wheel, descended from the sky.
"Our observation ends here, Master. It's time to join the fray."
Before Waver could react, Iskandar leaped onto the Gordius Wheel, his cape billowing behind him.
"Idiot, idiot! This is reckless!"
"Hmm? If you don't wish to participate, you may remain here and observe."
"I'm coming! I'm coming! Take me with you, you idiot!"
Trembling atop the bridge, Waver couldn't fathom the thought of being left alone.
"Very well! That's what I expect from my Master!"
Iskandar let out a hearty laugh and gently grabbed Waver by the collar, pulling him onto the chariot beside him.
"Now, let us depart, Gordius Wheel!"
The chariot responded to its master's call with a thunderous roar, surging towards the distant harbor.
Their target was none other than Diarmuid Ua Duibhne and Artoria Pendragon, locked in a fierce battle.
In an instant, lightning and thunder descended upon the harbor.
The two combatants below quickly noticed the disturbance.
Looking up, they saw a chariot drawn by bulls, crackling with electricity, hurtling towards them.
"A chariot!"
"It's Rider's Noble Phantasm! Retreat!"
Sensing the immense magical energy and the chariot's terrifying speed, they instantly recognized the approaching Servant's class and swiftly moved to evade the oncoming attack.
The chariot, radiating immense power, gradually slowed in mid-air before coming to a stop between Artoria and Diarmuid.
"Both of you, lower your weapons! You stand before a king!" Iskandar boomed, his voice echoing across the battlefield.
Standing atop the Gordius Wheel, Iskandar's commanding presence immediately overwhelmed the two Servants.
Unsure of his intentions, Artoria and Diarmuid cautiously retreated, wary of a surprise attack.
Satisfied with their compliance, Iskandar nodded approvingly.
"I am Iskandar, the King of Conquerors, summoned into this Holy Grail War as the Rider class."
His words sent another wave of shock through those present.
For a Servant to reveal their true name was a significant risk.
The weaknesses and Noble Phantasms of these legendary heroes were often detailed in their myths and legends.
For example, Achilles and Siegfried.
Both were renowned heroes, each possessing incredible invulnerability and defensive capabilities. Ordinary weapons couldn't even scratch their defenses.
However, knowledge of their true names would reveal their weaknesses: Achilles' heel and Siegfried's vulnerable back.
This knowledge would severely hinder them in future battles.
Another example was Diarmuid Ua Duibhne.
If Artoria had known his true name beforehand, she would have instantly understood his fighting style and the threat posed by his two spears.
After all, his legendary spears were renowned enough to be considered Noble Phantasms.
With this knowledge, Artoria wouldn't be facing the imminent threat of losing her arm.
Therefore, all Masters guarded their Servants' true names fiercely, preventing their opponents from gaining an advantage.
Yet, here stood a Servant who had boldly revealed his true identity.
"What are you thinking?! You idiot!"
Clinging to Iskandar's cape, Waver shrieked in disbelief.
However, Iskandar remained unfazed.
He fixed his gaze on Artoria and Diarmuid and spoke with unwavering conviction.
"You fight each other for the sake of the Holy Grail. But before you continue your battle, I have a question for you."
"I don't know what you each desire from the Holy Grail. But consider this: Are your wishes truly greater than the ambition to conquer the world?"
"What are you trying to say?!" Artoria demanded, angered by Iskandar's cryptic words.
"Well, to put it simply..."
Despite maintaining his regal demeanor, Iskandar's tone softened slightly.
"Will you kneel before me and relinquish the Holy Grail? If you do, I will treat you as my trusted companions and share the glory of conquering the world with you."
Iskandar's words were met with stunned silence.
Suddenly, a hearty laugh echoed through the air.
"As expected, Iskandar, you never cease to amaze me."
"Look, you've completely stunned them."
Emerging from his concealed state, Mika appeared with a playful grin.
---
"What?! There's someone else?!"
Diarmuid instantly raised his guard, his gaze fixed on the suddenly appearing Mika and Merlin.
Meanwhile, Artoria's eyes widened in shock as she recognized the hooded figure standing behind Mika.
"Merlin! Is that you, Merlin?!"
Artoria's cry drew everyone's attention to the hooded figure.
Unlike the other Servants, Merlin stood at the pinnacle of magecraft.
Legend claimed he was the founder of modern magic.
Therefore, his appearance commanded far more attention from the Masters than any other Servant.
"Oh dear, I didn't expect to be recognized so quickly, Artoria," Merlin sighed dramatically, revealing his handsome face as he lowered his hood. He continued with a playful grin. "It's been a long time. I never imagined we would meet again as enemies."
"Such is the cruel twist of Fate!"
With just a few words, Merlin subtly distanced himself from Artoria, effectively cutting off any attempts at reminiscing.
He harbored a deep sense of guilt towards Artoria and was unsure how to face her.
"Enemies...?"
Artoria's expression was filled with bitterness as she looked at Merlin's familiar face.
Her feelings towards Merlin were complex.
He had been a father figure and a confidant.
And now they stood on opposing sides.
Pushing aside her sorrow, Artoria quickly regained her composure, her expression hardening with determination.
"Merlin, I will achieve victory and obtain the Holy Grail. I will save Britain!"
"You cannot do it, Artoria," Merlin said solemnly.
Having observed the world for over a millennium from within the Tower of Avalon, he understood the true nature of the Holy Grail better than anyone.
The Holy Grail could not grant Artoria's wish.
Furthermore, history could not be changed.
Those who dared to manipulate the past would be rejected by human history, creating a singularity that would ultimately lead to the world's destruction.
Therefore, Artoria's wish was destined to remain unfulfilled.
"No, I can do it!"
Artoria's eyes blazed with unwavering conviction.
Believing that Merlin also sought the Holy Grail, she fixed him with a determined stare.
"Even if it's you, Merlin, if you stand in my way, I will show no mercy."
"I will save Britain!"
"No, you cannot."
Merlin understood the depth of Artoria's conviction.
But it wasn't something he could erase.
Artoria needed to realize the truth herself and ultimately find her own redemption.
Therefore, the harsh lessons she was about to face were unavoidable.
"No, I can do it!" Artoria insisted once more.
Witnessing the standoff between Artoria and Merlin, Iskandar, his initial proposition ignored, spoke again, a hint of frustration in his voice.
"Everyone, regarding the Holy Grail..."
"Silence!" Artoria interrupted, her voice filled with determination. "The Holy Grail is mine!"
"I will not yield it to anyone!"
"As will I!" Diarmuid declared. "I will only offer the Holy Grail to the new king I swear fealty to, and that will never be you, Rider!"
"Rejected, it seems," Iskandar muttered, somewhat displeased.
"Of course you were rejected! Who would switch sides just because of a single invitation?!" Waver exclaimed, exasperated.
"Why not? Shouldn't we always be willing to try?"
"Because of this?!"
"Hahaha!"
Mika couldn't help but chuckle at the exchange between Iskandar and Waver.
They were truly living up to their reputation as the comedic duo.
Earlier, while observing from atop the shipping containers, their antics had nearly exposed Mika and Merlin as they struggled to contain their laughter.
As for why they had revealed themselves now, it was simply because Mika wanted to join the upcoming battle.
These Servants, heroes of the past, possessed physical abilities that far surpassed his own. Even their combat skills were comparable to his.
How could Mika resist such enticing opponents?
As for how he planned to bridge the gap in physical strength, Mika had a simple answer: Merlin!
In the Fifth Holy Grail War, Souichirou Kuzuki, enhanced by the magus Medea, had managed to overpower Artoria in their initial encounter.
Of course, Kuzuki's strength stemmed from three key factors.
Firstly, Medea's enhancements.
As a magus from the Age of Gods, Medea's magic was far beyond the reach of ordinary mages.
Secondly, Artoria's weakened state.
Due to her Master, Shirou Emiya's limited magical energy, Artoria's overall stats were significantly reduced.
Finally, and most importantly, Kuzuki's martial arts.
The assassination techniques he employed were known as "Snake."
This fighting style possessed a unique characteristic: a guaranteed kill on the first encounter.
The first attack was always the most devastating.
However, once the initial attack was survived, the technique posed no further threat.
It was a purely offensive, assassination-focused style.
Compared to Kuzuki, Mika possessed similar advantages.
Firstly, compared to Medea, Merlin's enhancement magic was undoubtedly superior.
While Merlin might bite his tongue if he chanted spells too quickly, as long as he didn't rely on rapid spellcasting during combat, his magic was incredibly potent.
Furthermore, Merlin's true strength lay in his swordsmanship!
To fully unleash the power of his swordsmanship, enhancement magic was essential.
In a sense, enhancement magic might be Merlin's most powerful magic.
Secondly, physical abilities.
While Artoria in the Fourth Holy Grail War was at her peak, Mika's physical capabilities were far greater than Kuzuki's.
After all, he had reached Level 3!
Finally, regarding technique, Mika had no doubt that his skills were on par with these Servants.
Therefore, he was confident in his ability to fight alongside them.
Of course, another reason for revealing himself so early was to avoid being mocked by Iskandar.
Upon seeing Waver, Diarmuid's Master, Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, emerged from the shadows.
He immediately directed his murderous intent towards Waver, the boy who had stolen his relic.
Sensing Waver's fear, Iskandar shielded him protectively.
He then denounced Kayneth, hidden in the darkness, as unworthy of being his Master.
Finally, he turned his attention to the surrounding area, his voice booming with authority.
"Show yourselves! There are others here, aren't there? Our companions lurking in the shadows!"
He looked at the surprised Artoria and Diarmuid and continued with a hearty laugh.
"Saber, Lancer, your honorable duel has been truly magnificent. Your battle was so captivating that surely we, Rider and Caster, aren't the only Servants drawn to this spectacle."
Scanning the surrounding darkness, Iskandar bellowed, his voice echoing through the night.
"Shameful! Utterly shameful!"
"Heroes gathered in Fuyuki City, if you were captivated by Saber and Lancer's valiant spirit, then abandon your cowardly hiding places and show yourselves!"
"Do you not possess names you are proud of? Or are you nothing but cowards, lurking in the darkness, observing from afar? What kind of Servants are you?!"
"At this moment, all the Heroic Spirits chosen by the Holy Grail have gathered. If any craven soul dares not reveal themselves, they will be met with the scorn of Iskandar, the King of Conquerors!"
Iskandar continued to taunt those hidden in the darkness, his voice filled with both challenge and disdain.
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