Overwhelmed by the killing intent, Waver stumbled, falling flat on his backside.
"I apologize for my kid's rudeness." Iskandar said.
He had a rough sense of Damien's identity.
He didn't know who Damien was exactly.
But one thing was certain: Damien was not King Solomon!
"Disappointed?" Damien asked, not directly revealing his origins but clearly denying the Solomon connection.
"Not at all!" Iskandar lowered his head, a hearty smile spreading across his face. "If anything, it doesn't matter!"
Whether Damien was Solomon or not didn't affect Iskandar's judgment.
Loyal familliars willing to spill blood and sacrifice their lives.
Anyone with such followers, who declared themselves a king, was a true king!
"Tonight, I plan to hold a Banquet of Kings for a Holy Grail Q&A!" Iskandar declared. "In the name of Iskandar, the King of Conqueror, I formally invite you, unknown king, to attend!"
"Very well." Damien nodded. "Since a king invites me, I won't refuse."
"Oh, that…" Iskandar scratched his head, chuckling. "My kid's place is a bit too shabby for kings like you."
Holding the banquet at Ryudou Temple, someone else's stronghold, was a step too foolish even for Iskandar.
"Let's have it there!" He said. "Saber's Master! I recall her place is spacious enough for everyone!"
"And as the host, I'll provide the drinks."
This way, Artoria offered the venue, Iskandar brought the wine, and the others just needed to show up.
Damien appreciated Iskandar's straightforward nature.
The feeling was mutual.
Unlike Gilgamesh's venomous tongue or Saber's rigidity, Damien, despite being a Heroic Spirit, seemed well-versed in the modern world.
"If only we'd met sooner!" Iskandar said. "Shame there's not enough time."
Standing, he bid Damien farewell. "I've got preparations to make. See you tonight, Damien!"
During their talk, Damien had shared his name.
As Iskandar said, he didn't care about Damien's true identity.
Here, in this Holy Grail War, Damien was a king worthy of sharing drinks and clashing with.
Historical kings belonged to the world.
Only those raising glasses together were worthy opponents!
"Just let him leave like that?"
For once, it wasn't the Ice Empress speaking.
Since Damien's last lesson, she'd matured considerably.
"It's basic guest etiquette." Damien said, glancing at the waiting Star Wolves leaders. "He and I will clash eventually, but not now."
In their conversation, Damien had already issued a war invitation to Iskandar.
No schemes, just an open clash of forces.
"We'll deliver victory in this duel of kings!"
Over thirty kilometers west of Fuyuki City's downtown, a national highway cut through a mountainous region far from human habitation.
Along this road lay a lush, verdant forest, untouched by the encroaching tide of urban development.
This area was shrouded in mystery.
At first glance, it seemed like public land, but it was privately owned by a foreign corporation whose existence was uncertain.
Digging into the land's details yielded only odd urban legends.
Rumors spoke of a 'Dream Castle' deep within the forest.
Children exploring for fun or lost hikers would find a magnificent stone castle emerging from the fog.
The castle was said to be an eerie mansion.
Though it appeared abandoned, it was pristine, spotless, unlike any uninhabited place.
No one took the rumors seriously, save for third-rate magazines filling summer occult specials.
Only a select few magi knew the castle's true existence.
It was a mystical fortress that welcomed its master every sixty years, serving as a wartime stronghold.
Protected by illusions and bounded fields, it was nearly impossible for outsiders to find, except in rare circumstances.
Those who knew its true nature called the forest Einzbern Forest.
Just a day ago, a magical conflict had erupted here.
Kayneth had stormed the Einzbern residence, clashing with Kiritsugu, only to fall to the Origin Bullet.
A day later, many of the castle's facilities remained unrepaired.
Under the silent night, the scars of battle were still jarring.
Irisviel sighed, trying to ignore the devastation as she walked through the crumbling, near-ruined corridor.
As she worried for her husband's future, a deafening roar shattered the night's silence.
The strain on Irisviel's Magic Circuits nearly made her collapse. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on nοvelfire.net
The roar came from nearby thunder.
The magical feedback accompanying it signaled that the forest's bounded field had been breached.
Not just breached... the bounded field's very structure had been obliterated.
"They're breaking through head-on?" Irisviel felt stifled. Once, twice... it was as if anyone could waltz into the Einzbern castle.
"Are you alright, Irisviel?"
A slender yet strong hand steadied her as she swayed.
Sensing the disturbance, Artoria had rushed to her side like a gust of wind.
"I'm fine, just caught off guard." Irisviel said, regaining her composure but still wary and angry at the intruder's audacity. "I didn't expect such a rude guest."
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
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