Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover-Chapter 121: [] The King’s Banquet

"Oh! Since the King of Heroes has spoken, then I, too, should reward you by providing the venue!"

The burly King of Conquerors slapped his thigh and suddenly pulled his frail Master forward, placing him in front of Sakatsuki.

"I'll give my Master to you as a reward, Caster's Master!"

"W-What?!"

Caught in an unexpected disaster, Waver tried to run, but his own Servant held him down firmly. He trembled with anger.

"Idiot! You big idiot! What are you thinking?! Handing your Master over to someone else... Is your brain only filled with conquest?!"

"Hahaha... No matter the time, you two always make such an amusing pair."

Watching the flustered Waver, Sakatsuki couldn't help but laugh.

"Waver Velvet, your Servant isn't just a warrior—he's more like a politician. Just now, he was testing my tolerance."

"Handing Waver over to me... What's the matter? Could it be that the mighty King of Conquerors actually fears something?"

"Well, how should I put it..."

Rider kept one hand on Waver while scratching his chin with the other.

"I am already dead. I only need to enjoy this second life to the fullest. But this kid—my Master—is different. He still has a future ahead of him."

"Hmph. Since you trust me..."

Sakatsuki spread his hands, and with a flash of light, a dagger appeared in his grasp.

"This is..."

Saber, who stood nearby, recognized the blade adorned with golden patterns.

"The one that was used to extract the curse from me."

"Indeed. Now that it has absorbed a curse, the wounds it inflicts may be difficult to heal."

With a casual toss, Sakatsuki handed the dangerous artifact to Waver.

"It's yours."

"Eh? W-Whoa!"

Waver fumbled with the golden dagger before carefully securing it.

"Uh... Thanks?"

"Remember this, kid."

Sakatsuki rested his chin on his hand and stared at the short-haired boy who would one day become a lord.

"The Holy Grail War isn't just about conspiracies and slaughter. You're lucky to have summoned a great king. Watch closely, remember well, and feel deeply... for this is an epic tale being written for you by a king from ancient times."

"I would've done that even if you didn't say it!"

Waver retorted stiffly, only to be hoisted back by Rider.

"Thank you for the advice, little brother Sakatsuki."

Rider swirled his wine cup, then turned his gaze to the last of the three kings.

"It's your turn, Saber."

There was no doubt that either the reward from the King of Heroes or the test from the King of Conquerors had pushed Saber, another monarch, into the spotlight. If she failed to respond properly to Sakatsuki's actions, the Knight King would have lost this round of their unspoken duel.

Before Saber could speak, Irisviel stepped forward with a playful smile, patting Saber's shoulder and looking at Sakatsuki.

"What a pity. I already have a beloved husband... so we'll just hand Saber over to you, little Sakatsuki~~"

It seemed that Sakatsuki's act of returning Illyasviel had greatly increased Irisviel's fondness for him. Even now, she could still joke with him as she had in Castle Einzbern.

"H-Hey, Irisviel!"

Artoria never expected Irisviel to say something like that. Her fair face flushed slightly as she turned her head away, pretending to scold the mischievous Winter Princess. In reality, she just didn't dare meet Sakatsuki's amused gaze.

"Oh, oh! Now that's a fine reward—I like it, I like it very much."

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Rider nodded eagerly, letting out the kind of laugh that all men understood.

However, Sakatsuki didn't laugh. His eyes flickered for a moment before he smirked as if recalling something.

"I'll pass. I have no interest in a girl with the appetite of a dragon—after all, if she had free time, she'd just be hanging around a newly opened diner, stuffing herself every day, right?"

"What are you talking about, Sakatsuki?!"

Saber was furious at this insult.

"Hurry up and tell me what a diner is—no, I mean, apologize for your inappropriate remark!"

"[Boss! More food, please! One combo-fried meal, extra rice; one combo-grilled meal, extra rice—ah, and a lunch special too, of course, with extra rice!]"

Sakatsuki drawled, listening for the inevitable growl of the starving Knight King's stomach.

"Though this happened in another timeline..."

Sure enough, he heard the expected sound.

"But I think, no matter what, you wouldn't be able to escape this fate, right?"

"Ugh! Well, considering my era didn't have many delicacies... That does sound like something I'd say..."

Artoria's face turned red, her green eyes glaring at the young man in shame and anger as she tried to change the subject.

"S-Speaking of which, you're not a king, so you shouldn't even be sitting here, should you?"

"Hahahaha... Foolish, how utterly foolish, mongrel!"

Without a doubt, the Hero King had finally reconnected after his brief disconnection. He sneered at Saber's ignorance.

"Before us now sits a king as well."

"Hah?"

"Well, this is interesting."

Iskandar rubbed his chin, staring at the smiling, silent white-haired youth.

"Little brother Sakatsuki, you just said 'another timeline,' didn't you?"

"Oh? Looks like I misspoke."

Sakatsuki spread his hands, not offering any explanation.

"Regardless of whether I am a king since I have the recognition of the King of Heroes, I have the right to sit here, don't I?"

"Naturally. Moreover, you have already proven your wisdom and temperament. Come, let us continue drinking together!"

Iskandar raised his cup and clinked it with Sakatsuki's, while on the other side, Gilgamesh subtly hid his left hand behind him.

That hand, now corroded beyond recognition by purplish-black markings, did not bleed at all. Instead, it pulsed with endless pain, reminding the Hero King of the price for overstepping his bounds.

"Taking punishment on your hand instead of your eyes, huh... What a reasonable fellow."

Cold, reptilian eyes fixated on the laughing Sakatsuki, and the corners of Gilgamesh's lips twitched. His gaze was filled with amusement.

"I'd like to see how much more chaos you can stir up in this war."

***

"Whoa! This is amazing!"

After another hearty swig, Iskandar widened his eyes and shouted in praise. Saber and Sakatsuki, who had also taken a sip, showed expressions of delight.

This was the finest wine they had ever tasted—strong yet refreshing, rich yet exhilarating. The intensity of its flavour overwhelmed their sense of smell, dulling even their vision and touch.

"This is incredible! This wine couldn't have been made by human hands. Is it something from the age of mythology?"

Hearing Rider's admiration, Archer smiled leisurely. At some point, he had also sat cross-legged in his seat, gently swirling his cup.

"But of course. Whether it be fine wine or mighty weapons, my treasury holds only the finest treasures. Surely, that alone is enough to define a king's caliber?"

"To judge kingship by the quality of their wine... Archer, how absurd."

"Indeed. If that's the case, then Saber, who holds the Holy Sword of the Stars, must surpass Rider in greatness?"

One voice refuted, another teased.

With the first toast of the night, the banquet of kings—no, the banquet of four kings—finally began to brim with the scent of battle.

***

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