"Oh?"
Not only was Iskandar intrigued, but even Gilgamesh and Saber were captivated by Kaguya's bold statement.
"Are you saying that the concept of a king is unnecessary?" Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow as he questioned.
"Exactly," Kaguya, her cheeks slightly flushed from the alcohol, chuckled softly before continuing, "What do you think a nation is?"
A nation?
The others were momentarily puzzled by Kaguya's sudden shift in topic, seemingly thrown off by her leap in logic.
"A nation is simply a community formed by a group of people within a defined territory. In other words, every individual is part of that nation and a component of it," Kaguya sat cross-legged and explained matter-of-factly. "A nation exists because of its people. Without the people, there is no nation."
"What does this have to do with kingship?" Iskandar asked, still confused as he sat cross-legged himself.
"If a nation is made up of people, then every person has their own ideals, even those who claim to have none, as they still wish for a better life, which is an ideal in itself," Kaguya smiled. "The so-called 'king' is merely a symbol, a figure that represents the collective will of the people. Though not everyone may share the same thoughts, the king represents the interests of the majority and is chosen by them. In other words, the king is just a symbol. Anyone can be king. If a change in leadership causes the collapse of the nation, it simply means that the previous king no longer aligned with the people's collective will."
"Ridiculous," Gilgamesh sneered, his expression full of disdain. "I thought you had some profound insight to share, but it turns out your ideas are childish and laughable."
"Childish and laughable?" Kaguya wagged her pale fingers in mock disapproval, swaying slightly from the alcohol. "Are you questioning the collective will of over a billion working-class citizens?"
"What?" Gilgamesh blinked, clearly not understanding Kaguya's statement.
It wasn't surprising that he didn't grasp her meaning. After all, he had never been to the faraway land Kaguya spoke of.
"Ultimately, Heroic Spirits are merely images shaped by human beliefs. If people's faith and worship no longer exist," Kaguya's lips curled into a mocking smile, "do you really think you will continue to exist?"
"Utter nonsense," Gilgamesh scoffed. "I could never be bound by insignificant humans. To me, they are nothing more than cattle within my pasture, to be slaughtered at my whim."
"You're not being honest, are you?" Kaguya chuckled. "It's not the king who governs them, nor punishes them. In reality, a king is no more than a spokesperson. It's not heroes who shape the times, but the times that shape heroes. Without the very people you disdain, you wouldn't exist as you do now."
"What absurdity. Have you started rambling because of the alcohol?" Gilgamesh's expression darkened as he spoke, clearly irritated. "The thought of insignificant subjects trying to overthrow a king's rule is treason of the highest order, an unforgivable crime."
"Then tell me, why has there not been a single true emperor since ancient times?" Kaguya's large, beautiful eyes gleamed with an almost teasing light.
"That's because I am the only king the world has ever needed," Gilgamesh responded with a smirk, his tone arrogant and self-assured.
"Haha," Kaguya laughed behind her hand, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I've seen thick-skinned people before, but none as thick as you."
"What?" Gilgamesh's expression instantly darkened. "Are you questioning the capacity of a true king? Don't think that just because I favor you, you can mock my dignity with impunity."
"Don't you know? In a certain mysterious country in the East," Kaguya's lips curled into a sly smile, her eyes twinkling, "you're nothing more than a collection of monstrous creatures in their eyes."
"How dare you!" Gilgamesh shot to his feet, his face livid with fury, as though deeply insulted. "To belittle the great king so casually—arrogant humans who think themselves above their betters. I'll deliver the harshest punishment, ensuring their screams of pain will be the only way to wash away their filthy sins."
"You'd better beware of the proletariat's iron fist," Kaguya said, her tone light as she blinked playfully.
"The proletariat's iron fist?" Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Is that some kind of Noble Phantasm?"
"Indeed," Kaguya responded with a serious expression. "A powerful anti-personnel Noble Phantasm, specifically designed to counter Heroic Spirits. It can harness the strength of over a billion people, converting it into an overwhelming force capable of destroying all of Japan."
At this, Gilgamesh paused before smirking. "Interesting. I never imagined such amusing Noble Phantasms could be crafted by those mongrels. But even they are no match for my Gate of Babylon."
As he looked at her with a serious expression, Kaguya kept her face composed, but inwardly she was barely suppressing her laughter.
"But it seems we have some uninvited guests," Kaguya remarked, her eyes scanning the surroundings as a faint smile tugged at her lips.
Suddenly, black smoke rose around the garden, and from within the smoke, several masked figures emerged, each clad in black. They were Assassin.
"Hey, Golden Boy, did you summon them here?" Iskandar turned and asked.
"Damn that Tohsaka, using such underhanded tactics," Gilgamesh muttered, his face showing a trace of anger.
Kaguya's eyes narrowed as she thought about the situation. Assassin was supposed to be Kirei Kotomine's Servant, yet Gilgamesh claimed Tohsaka had sent them. This indicated that Kotomine and Tohsaka hadn't had their falling out yet. However, it wouldn't be long before Kotomine betrayed Tohsaka.
"There are quite a lot of them," Iskandar commented, eyeing the numerous Assassins surrounding them with interest.
"We are but the many faces of the same Assassin, each of us a shadow of the whole," one of the Assassins' voices echoed from all around.
"A Servant with a split personality that manifests as multiple entities?" Kaguya chuckled softly. "So, you're like amoebas that reproduce by splitting? Quite fascinating."
"Iskandar, do even these lackeys get to participate in your so-called feast?" Gilgamesh asked disdainfully.
"Of course," Iskandar laughed heartily. "A king speaks to all, friend or foe alike. Come, let's raise our glasses together. These drinks will mix with your blood."
A flash of light streaked by.
With a loud clang, the ladle in Iskandar's hand was sliced in half by a dagger, clattering to the ground.
"Heh heh heh…"
The mocking laughter of the Assassins echoed from all directions, clearly showing they held no respect for Iskandar.
"I see now," Iskandar said as he rose to his feet. "I said these drinks were your blood, didn't I? Since you've spilled it, I won't hold back anymore."
A powerful surge of energy erupted from Iskandar's body, manifesting as a fierce wind that whipped through the area, sending everyone's clothes fluttering in the gusts.
The Assassins were truly courting death, Kaguya thought. For a group of assassins, they were brazen enough to provoke a group of such powerful beings. She had to admire their audacity.
"Now, I shall—"
"Wait, Iskandar," Kaguya interrupted, standing up with a slight sway, her flushed cheeks making her look even more enchanting.
"You doubted my qualifications to attend this feast earlier, and that made me quite upset," Kaguya said, her eyes glinting with a cold light. "So now, let me show you all… my true power."
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