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A loud crack, like thunder mixed with the sound of shattering glass, echoed through the castle—the Einzbern's barriers had been breached.
"What was that? Someone's attacking the castle directly?" Saber turned to Illyasviel, her voice sharp.
"Yes. The barriers... they're all gone," Illyasviel replied, her gaze fixed on Haru and Kiyohime, who had frozen mid-embrace, a hint of regret—in her voice.
It was hard to tell if she was more upset about the broken barriers or the interrupted—moment.
"Haru, we need to respond!" Saber said, her brow furrowed as she saw Illyasviel's expression.
Though Illyasviel was her Master, Haru was the one making the decisions. She turned to him, her voice firm.
Haru gently patted Kiyohime, who glared at the door, a low growl rumbling in her throat. Then, she took a deep breath, composing herself, her face smoothing into its usual serene mask, though the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her inner turmoil.
"Kiyohime, prepare your Dragon's Breath. Saber, ready Excalibur. On my mark, we'll teach this—guest—some manners," Haru said, his voice cold, his face darkening as he strode towards the source of the commotion.
——
Rider, standing at the castle gates with Waver beside him, cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Hello! Is anyone there?! I'm here to requisition this place for a party! Come out and play!"
The castle gates slowly opened.
"There you are! Good evening!" Rider's voice, though still boisterous, was now tinged with a hint of nervousness as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Something's not right—Should we leave?" Waver whispered, tugging at Rider's coat, his eyes wide with fear as he looked at the figures emerging from the castle—Haru and Kiyohime, their expressions grim.
Rider, maintaining his cheerful facade, spoke to Waver through their mental link, his tone serious. "I sense it too, boy. They look ready to kill. Stay alert. Follow my lead."
"Iskandar. What are you doing here?" Haru's voice was cold, his tone laced with impatience.
Saber, standing before Rider, her eyes filled with pity, released the Invisible Air barrier that concealed Excalibur, the blade's golden light intensifying as she channeled her magical energy.
Beside her, Kiyohime opened her fan, a sinister smile on her face, Azure Dragon's Breath swirling around her.
"I'm here to—borrow this place for a—Servant party," Rider replied, patting the oak barrel beside him. His change in wording, from "requisition" to "borrow," betrayed his—apprehension.
Haru's eyes narrowed, and a golden aura, thick and viscous, began to radiate from him, the air around him distorting, the space itself groaning under the pressure.
Silence.
Rider and Waver stared at him, bewildered. He'd even changed his wording, and Haru still looked ready to attack.
'This isn't what you meant by "Don't engage unless provoked"! They're clearly going to kill us!' Waver's panicked voice echoed in Rider's mind.
'A miscalculation, boy. It happens. Prepare for battle.' Rider's voice was grim as he channeled his magical energy, his own power building.
Waver gulped, his eyes darting between Haru, Saber, and Kiyohime. In the sudden silence, the sound was—loud.
Everyone's gaze turned towards him.
"Your magical energy?" Haru looked at Rider and Waver, his brow furrowed. Rider hadn't possessed this much power yesterday.
"Oh, I had my Master replenish my reserves," Rider replied casually. This "replenishment," to both him and Waver, involved certain activities. He saw no need to be discreet. After all, the King of Conquerors was a legendary lover of men.
The others' gazes, now filled with a strange mix of curiosity and something else fixed on Waver.
Waver's face paled. Could he explain that he'd—sacrificed himself to enhance their power, fearing the Einzbern's strength? They wouldn't believe him.
"Oh, A party, you say? Why didn't you say so? Consider this place yours," Haru said, his voice now warm and welcoming, his earlier hostility gone.
Waver's face turned ashen. "My reputation—The Velvet name—it ends with me."
"—Congratulations," Saber said to Rider, a strange look on her face as she reactivated her Invisible Air barrier around Excalibur.
"Another king with unique tastes," Kiyohime murmured, nuzzling against Haru, her voice laced with disdain. Having been raised in a noble family, she'd heard the whispers about the preferences of royalty and the elite. Though not entirely unexpected, seeing it firsthand was still unsettling.
Illyasviel, her head tilted, looked back and forth between Rider and Waver, who now wore a distinctly—submissive expression, then her eyes lit up with understanding.
She leaned in, whispering to Haru, "I think Iskandar is G*y, Haru."
Her whisper, amplified by Haru's enhanced hearing, echoed through the hall. The others' gazes, now even more knowing, turned towards Rider and Waver.
Rider, ignoring their stares, scratched his head and patted the oak barrel. "So, you'll let us use this place? Excellent! But I have a small request. I—only brought the drinks."
"Kiyohime, could you prepare some snacks?" Haru asked, giving Kiyohime's rear a playful pat.
"If Haru-sama commands it, I suppose I could make an exception," Kiyohime's cheeks flushed at his touch.
"Excellent! Now, with everything in place, it's time to invite our guests!" Rider's cheerful demeanor returned, though his expression turned serious.
He looked around the hall, his voice booming.
"I am Iskandar, King of Conquerors! I know you're out there, Servants of the Holy Grail War!"
"I've heard the Grail chooses only those it deems worthy. Therefore, I extend this invitation to you all!"
"Join me here, for a feast, for a debate! We shall discuss who among us is most deserving of the Grail's power! If you consider yourselves true heroes, then come! Let us settle this—over drinks!"
Kiyohime, who'd been heading towards the kitchen, stopped, turning to Rider, her brow furrowed. "I thought this was a wedding reception?"
"....."
Waver's heart sank.
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