"What the hell are you yelling about, kid? I lost my focus on Grand Strategy because of you!" Iskandar smacked Waver on the forehead with a strong thunk, forcibly cutting off his shouting.
Waver, rubbing his reddened forehead, stared at the ceiling. "Rider, do you think I'm despicable? Back when Archer and the others were defeated by Caster, my first thought was to have you ambush them... That way, we'd have one less opponent to deal with."
Waver had always wanted to take advantage of conflicts and pick up the spoils. But after seeing the devastation at the Tohsaka estate today, he felt a pang of sympathy. Until now, he'd been treating the Holy Grail War as a mere magical competition.
"That's it?" Iskandar looked unimpressed and gave Waver another flick to the forehead, making him roll around the bed in pain. "While I would also prefer a fair and honorable battle against the other Servants, exploiting an enemy's weakness is still a valid strategy. There's nothing to be ashamed of. That said, I wouldn't have followed through with it anyway."
"Really?"
"As the Master of the King of Conquerors, could you show some backbone, kid— Hm? What's with that terrified face?" Noticing Waver trembling like a leaf, Iskandar withdrew the hand he'd been about to flick him with again.
"Rider, help me! Lord El-Melloi sent a message through my familiar—he wants me to meet him at the port! I'm doomed! He's going to kill me!"
A third thunk finally landed.
"Weren't you trying to prove your courage when you stole the relic, kid? Since you've been invited, you have to go. We can't afford to lose our momentum. Now, let's move out!"
Before Waver could protest, Iskandar grabbed him under one arm and leapt out the window.
-
Late Night, Port Unloading Area
By the time Waver and Iskandar arrived at the meeting spot, Kayneth was already there, waiting alongside Romulus.
"This Spirit Origin... Its sheer scale is terrifying. Now that I'm up close, I can feel it even more clearly." Iskandar took a deep breath before speaking to his Master. "Kid, let me be honest with you. If not for Caster's bizarre Noble Phantasm, this Holy Grail War would already be over. Your teacher has already won."
Romulus's overwhelming presence was so intense that even Iskandar felt his breathing slow. This was the conclusion he had reached.
"W-What!?" Waver wailed in despair. "Weren't you super confident before? Why are you the one panicking now?"
"I'm not panicking!" Iskandar smacked Waver on the head again. "I'm stating a fact. With a Spirit Origin of this magnitude, he could finish the entire Holy Grail War in a single night if he wanted. But that's what makes it exciting! To think that even in death, I can still encounter heroes of this caliber! This alone makes it all worthwhile!"
Riding his Gordius Wheel down to the ground, Iskandar called out, "To face such a hero is an honor! I am Iskandar, King of Conquerors! Manifested in this war under the Rider class. May I ask for the name of my esteemed opponent?"
Romulus exchanged a glance with his Master. After receiving a confirming nod, he raised his arms in a gesture reminiscent of praising the sun.
"Lancer. Romulus. I am Rome itself!"
"The founding king of Rome?" Iskandar grinned, recognizing the name. "I never expected so many kings to gather in one Holy Grail War. What a pleasant surprise! But I am curious—why would a near-divine being like yourself descend into this war? Do you have regrets as well?"
Romulus did not answer directly. "To witness humanity still walking upon this earth after thousands of years brings me joy. I, Rome, wish for mankind to continue forward, to pierce the darkness of ignorance and reach out toward the unknown."
-
Meanwhile, Kayneth emerged from the shadows, hands behind his back, slowly approaching Waver.
Seeing Waver desperately resisting the urge to shrink away, Kayneth rolled his eyes before assuming a stern expression.
"Waver Velvet. Had you not vanished so completely, I might have never suspected you of stealing my relic. Tell me—why?"
Waver recoiled, backing into a shipping container before stopping. "O-Obviously to prove myself! To prove my thesis was correct! I'm not the incompetent fool you say I am!"
"Hmph." Kayneth narrowed his eyes at Waver. "So, you wanted to prove your thesis? It seems you still don't understand where you went wrong. Very well. Consider this an additional lesson."
His voice carried an undeniable authority. His sharp gaze bore down on Waver as he declared,
"First lesson—never attend a mage's summons unprepared!"
The pre-prepared magical field activated at Kayneth's command, unleashing a binding spell upon Waver.
"Kid!" Iskandar moved to intervene, but Romulus casually blocked him.
"Do not worry. Caster's Noble Phantasm is still in effect. I can tell there is no true animosity between them—only a lack of communication. Perhaps... this is an opportunity."
"Rider, save me!" Waver frantically attempted a counterspell, but his sloppy, improvised magic was easily shattered.
At the moment the spell took effect, a system notification appeared.
[Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald has issued a duel challenge. Do you accept?]
[Duel/Battle]
"A Noble Phantasm that uses cards to display the past and future while facilitating combat?" Kayneth had observed Jiang You and Gilgamesh's battle earlier and had developed a keen interest in this particular Noble Phantasm. He did not mind experiencing it firsthand.
"Waver Velvet, you are quite fortunate. If not for this strange Noble Phantasm, you wouldn't have lasted a single night in this Holy Grail War. Now, will you duel me using its rules, or do you wish to prove yourself through your own magic?"
Either way, Kayneth was confident in his absolute victory.
Gilgamesh's performance had made it clear what the difference between a duel and a battle entailed. Waver had only one choice.
"O-Obviously... Obviously, I'll use the Noble Phantasm's rules! I choose—"
"Duel!"
Waver LP: 4000
Kayneth LP: 4000
As the duel space materialized and their decks appeared in their hands, both combatants' expressions shifted dramatically.
"H-How is this possible!?" ×2