Saber's eyes narrowed, and she tightened her grip on her sword. Having fought the silver-haired girl before, she knew firsthand how powerful Kaguya truly was. Despite her delicate appearance, her small body housed an incredible strength far beyond what one would expect.
Kaguya frowned slightly as she lowered her pale, slender arm. She was used to teasing others, but being teased herself? That was a first, and it didn't sit well with her.
"Hey, were you trying to kill me just now? That hit was way too hard," Iskandar said as he emerged from the bushes, his body covered in leaves and grass. Although his clothes were torn in several places by the branches, he seemed otherwise unharmed. Looking down at his ruined outfit, he sighed, "Ah, this was my favorite outfit... and it was limited edition, too."
"Not dead yet? What a shame," Kaguya said with a disappointed shrug.
"I just wanted to invite you to join my army, to serve under me, but you hit me so hard..." Iskandar sighed again, then turned to Saber, who was still standing tensely. "Put your sword down, Saber. This is a gathering of kings, not a battlefield."
Saber glanced at Kaguya before reluctantly lowering her sword and kneeling back down, though her expression remained serious.
"Now that's more like it," Iskandar laughed heartily. "This is a royal feast, after all!"
"Let's end this farce here," an unfamiliar voice suddenly cut in.
Bathed in a golden light, a man clad in golden armor stepped forward. With golden hair, striking red eyes, and a perfectly chiseled body, it was none other than Gilgamesh.
"You mongrel," he spat.
"Archer, what are you doing here?" Saber asked, her eyes locked on Gilgamesh.
"I ran into him on the street and casually invited him along," Iskandar said with a smile.
"You really are too casual," Kaguya muttered, unable to hold back her commentary.
"Not at all, haha!" Iskandar turned to Gilgamesh and grinned. "Golden Boy, you sure took your time getting here. Then again, it's understandable—you're on foot, unlike me."
Kaguya shot him a look. Was he subtly bragging about his chariot?
"To choose such a dull place for a royal banquet... Oh, I see you're here too," Gilgamesh's gaze finally landed on Kaguya, his lips curling into a smirk. "I was going to make you apologize for wasting my time earlier, but seeing you here, I might just forgive you."
"Well, I guess I'm honored," Iskandar laughed. "Come on, let's have a drink first!" He scooped some wine with the wooden ladle and handed it to Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh took the ladle, sniffed the wine, and grimaced. "What is this cheap swill? Do you really think such a thing is fit for heroes?"
"Is that so?" Iskandar frowned as he took back the ladle. "This is supposed to be one of the best wines around here."
"You wouldn't know fine wine if it slapped you in the face," Gilgamesh said with his characteristic arrogance. "You mongrel." He extended his hand, and golden ripples appeared in the air above it. Slowly, a magnificent golden chalice emerged from the ripples.
"Oh?" Iskandar's eyes widened with interest.
"Take a good look. This is what true kingly wine looks like," Gilgamesh declared, snapping his fingers. Four golden goblets appeared from the same ripples, and he casually tossed one to Iskandar.
Iskandar caught the goblet and grinned as he held the golden chalice. "Now this is top-quality stuff!"
Just then, Kaguya's face lit up with a radiant smile. "This is a banquet for kings, right? And only kings can participate. Well, I happen to be a 'king' too."
"Oh?" The three men turned their curious gazes toward her.
"Since you're all revealing your true selves, I can't exactly hide mine either," Kaguya said with a playful smile. "Let me show you my real form."
As soon as she finished speaking, Kaguya's body erupted with a brilliant light, as beautiful as a sky full of stars.
When the light faded, a breathtaking figure stood before them.
Her silver hair cascaded down her back like a shimmering waterfall, reaching down to her waist. Her eyebrows were delicate and graceful, her eyes clear and bright, her long lashes fluttering softly. Her lips were a soft, rosy hue. Her slender waist and graceful curves were balanced by the proud swell of her chest, and her every step exuded elegance. Even without any makeup, her beauty shone like a radiant jewel.
The three onlookers were stunned by the sight of her. None of them had ever seen a woman so beautiful before. Her eyes, especially, were like a vortex, drawing them in and holding their gaze, making it difficult to look away.
"As I expected, you're not just some ordinary person," Iskandar sighed in admiration. "It looks like there's no chance of you joining my ranks. What a pity."
Meanwhile, Gilgamesh stood up, his eyes gleaming as he stared at Kaguya with an intense, almost possessive gaze. "Impressive. As expected of something I have set my sights on. I only acknowledge the finest treasures, and you, my dear, will be the most dazzling jewel in my treasury."
"Sorry, but I'm not interested," Kaguya replied with a calm smile. "I've already told you before—I have no interest in you."
"I wasn't asking for your opinion," Gilgamesh retorted, his smirk growing. "This is my decree. Under the name of the King of All, I will grant you all the pleasures of this world."
Kaguya's brow furrowed, her tone sharp as she replied, "Are you looking for a fight?"
This arrogant fool really needed to be taught a lesson.
"Do you think you're capable of defeating me?" Gilgamesh sneered. "A beautiful vase is still just a vase. And vases belong where they can be admired, not on the battlefield."
"A vase, you say?" Kaguya's lips curled into a mocking smile. "We'll see who the real fragile vase is. The so-called 'King of Heroes' is nothing but an empty title."
"Hold on, hold on!" Iskandar interjected, sensing the growing tension between them. "This is a banquet for kings! A true king doesn't draw swords over such trivial matters. Let's put aside the fighting and have a drink first."
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