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An invisible pressure, a palpable weight, descended upon the courtyard, though the physical world remained untouched. It was the undeniable presence of the Counter Force, Gaia and Alaya.
"I thought the Counter Force's existence was—debatable!" Waver's voice was a panicked whisper, tears streaming down his face.
He wanted to strangle his past self. Why had he agreed to this insane Grail War? Masters forming alliances, Servants wielding broken powers, a God joining the fray, and now—the Counter Force, whose very existence was questioned by Magicians, had appeared.
In this war, with his less than impressive physique, he was sure to die.
Rider fell silent, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief as he processed the information being relayed by the Counter Force to the Servants present.
"King of Conquerors, your instincts—are they as sharp as mine? Is your Instinct also A-rank?" Saber asked, her voice strained, a bead of sweat trickling down her forehead.
"So, Rider was right. He's their son. That explains why Enkidu willingly gave him her blood—and why the Counter Force allows a God to exist in this era." Gilgamesh's voice was filled with a sudden understanding.
Enkidu, after all, had been created from the clay of the earth, an extension of Gaia. And Haru, as Gaia's child, was essentially Enkidu's child as well.
And the rule forbidding the existence of Gods—that was enforced by the Counter Force. Making an exception for their own offspring—was understandable. A perk of being the son of the boss.
"Ha ha... I suppose you're the most suitable judge, then…" Rider said, his voice a bit awkward as he looked at Haru.
"Do any of you object?" he asked, his gaze sweeping over the other Servants. They nodded, their agreement—reluctant, but firm.
They had no choice. Servants were essentially the Counter Force's enforcers, and they were all participating in the Grail War without official permission. Defying the son of the Counter Force—it would be like employees arguing with the boss's son.
"Then, state your wish, Iskandar. As the one who initiated this banquet, you may begin," Haru said, his gray eyes fixed on Rider.
Rider, his cheeks flushing slightly, took a long drink of wine to steady his nerves, then spoke. "I wish to become human."
"Huh?" Waver's jaw dropped, then, as if a sudden realization struck him, he shouted, "Y-you still want to conquer the world?! You're..."
Thwack!
Rider flicked Waver on the forehead.
Waver clutched his head, tears welling up in his eyes.
"You idiot! Do you think I'd use the Grail for something so trivial? Conquering the world is my own dream. I can only ask the Grail for—the first step."
"A hot-blooded youth, hidden beneath that rough exterior? Your character... is quite amusing, Iskandar," Haru chuckled, taking a sip of wine.
Rider nodded, acknowledging Haru's assessment. His voice was deep, filled with a quiet conviction.
"Even as Servants, manifested in our true forms—we are still dead. We will eventually return to the Throne of Heroes. It may seem foolish—to reject eternal life... but I would rather not have it. I desire a physical body. I wish to be reborn into this world, as a human, to achieve my dream with my own hands."
Silence fell over the courtyard. No one could argue with a man so dedicated to his dream.
Gilgamesh, who had been listening intently, her lips curved into a cold smile, her crimson eyes narrowed. "You dare to covet my garden, mongrel?"
She, the self-proclaimed King of Heroes, saw the entire world as her garden. And Rider's desire to conquer it—it was a challenge she couldn't ignore.
"That's right! Not only your garden, but your treasury as well! All those precious treasures—they belong with me!" Rider laughed, his voice booming. He wasn't lying. Who wouldn't want Gilgamesh's treasury?
"Knowing it belongs to another, yet still seeking to take it by force? Is that your way, King of Conquerors?" Saber's voice was sharp, her face flushed with anger. To her, a knight who valued justice and honor, such blatant greed was unacceptable.
"Of course! You call me the King of Conquerors! My very being is conquest! Taking what I desire! Invading! Plundering!" Rider's laughter echoed through the courtyard.
Waver covered his face, groaning. "Give me back my admiration! I thought you were so noble…"
Saber was about to retort when Gilgamesh's laughter interrupted her.
"You covet my treasury? Without my permission? Very well, Iskandar. I shall kill you." She swirled the wine in her goblet, her voice light, almost playful, yet the killing intent radiating from her was palpable.
"Ha! Try it! The corpses of those who've tried to kill me could fill the Pacific Ocean!" Rider's laughter boomed, though his eyes were now serious.
"It seems our first match is decided," Haru said with a smirk, stroking his chin.
"Indeed," Rider replied, grinning.
"Don't disappoint me, Iskandar. I'd hate to crush you like an insect," Gilgamesh said, her voice laced with playful menace.
"We'll see who crushes whom," Rider retorted, his voice firm.
"Now then, who's next? Kiyohime?" Haru looked around the table, his gaze settling on the alluring young woman beside him.
"As you wish, Haru-sama." Kiyohime lifted her fan, its surface decorated with a dragon motif, and opened it, partially concealing her face.
Her voice, like the tinkling of bells, echoed through the courtyard.
"Wouldn't a world without lies be wonderful? I wonder—if the Grail could grant such a wish?"
Everyone stared at her, dumbfounded.
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