After a fierce battle, Shichen and the others were completely exhausted.
Especially Shichen and Ryunosuke. One had just woken up only to find his home had been broken into, while the other had it even worse, getting knocked out twice in a single day.
You could say the two of them were comrades in shared misfortune.
Shichen spent a moment in the corner organizing the storyline in his head. If nothing unexpected happened, the Banquet of Kings would take place before long.
As for the Banquet of Kings... Shichen felt it was better not to overthink it; in short, it was just three people boasting about their achievements and then discussing their ideals.
Later on, as expected, the Ahoge King lost.
Why?
Because King Arthur had indeed failed, and the knights had even died in a civil war. At that point, the Ahoge King declared herself a wise ruler, which left the Conqueror King deeply puzzled: if she was such a wise ruler, how could her country still have fallen? That single question left the Ahoge King completely speechless.
Although the Conqueror King's nation had also fractured, his subordinate Ptolemy had founded a new dynasty and governed it quite well.
"You call me a tyrant, but my subordinates are all still alive and have built great achievements, which proves that I was right."
The Ahoge King had no way to refute this. Why had her nation fallen when she was clearly in the right?
Anyway, no matter what, the Ahoge King was the loser.
Shichen rubbed his eyes, glanced at the sun outside, and sat in a daze for a moment.
Then he set off in the direction Emiya Kiritsugu and the others had gone.
Shichen arrived in front of a room, and the moment he opened the door, he ran into a wild Ahoge King storming off in a huff.
"Saber, what's wrong? Did Kiritsugu upset you again?"
Shichen shouted toward Saber's retreating back.
But Saber didn't reply, simply striding away with long, hurried steps.
Just as Shichen was feeling puzzled, a second person stormed out in anger as well.
"Emiya Kiritsugu? Why are you acting like this too?"
Shichen was even more baffled. What was going on today? Why was everyone turning out like this?
Immediately after, Irisviel emerged from the room as well, looking helpless as she said to Shichen:
"The two of them started fighting again..."
After getting a general idea of the situation, Shichen understood.
After all, those two had only exchanged five sentences from start to finish. The first two were about protecting the wife, and as for the last three...
"By my Command Spells I command thee! Saber, I order you to destroy the Holy Grail!"
No wonder Saber would later say, "What could I possibly see through in a man connected to me by merely these three Command Spells?"
With their differing philosophies, it was only natural they couldn't see eye to eye.
Irisviel voiced her worry, "Will this affect the battles to come?"
"Both of them are crafty schemers, so rest assured. It won't have any effect."
Shichen knew very well that the two wouldn't give up on this war just because they didn't get along.
One of them strongly held back enemy Servants,
While the other lurked in the shadows to cunningly assassinate Masters.
If the two of them cooperated seriously, aside from Gilgamesh, they could still easily slaughter everyone else.
Though Irisviel didn't quite grasp the meaning of the phrase "crafty schemers," she figured it probably referred to Kiritsugu's assassination tactics.
After a moment of contemplation, Shichen decided to have Irisviel go find Kiritsugu while he went after Saber.
Soon enough, Shichen found Saber. She was standing alone in the courtyard, moonlight washing over her and making her look rather lonely.
Shichen slowly approached and asked softly, "Saber, are you still dwelling on what happened with Kiritsugu?"
Saber raised her head, a trace of confusion in her eyes: "I still don't understand what kind of person my Master really is."
Shichen gave a wry smile: "Kiritsugu has witnessed too much darkness. Judging from his life experiences, he might just be a... pitiful man."
Saber frowned: "Even so, why does he go to such lengths to assassinate other Masters? Why can't he fight fair and square?"
Shichen sighed: "In Kiritsugu's heart, as long as the goal is achieved, any means are justified. Assassinating enemy Masters secures victory faster and minimizes casualties."
Saber shook her head: "That approach goes against the knightly code."
"Yet the modern society he lives in hardly has anyone following those ancient principles." Shichen looked up at the sky. "Besides, he carries the mission of saving the majority, a burden so heavy that it forces him to choose the most efficient path."
Saber fell silent for a long time: "But can a victory obtained this way truly be called a victory?"
Shichen shrugged: "Perhaps in his eyes, the result is all that matters. But your goal is the same right now—you're both striving for the Holy Grail."
Saber clenched her fists. "I will honor the contract, but I will never agree with his methods!"
"I understand your persistence, but for now, this is the only way. Still, when facing truly formidable enemies, I hope you can set aside your differences for the time being."
Shichen gently patted Saber's shoulder and offered words of comfort.
Saber nodded slightly. "Naturally, I understand the stakes. I won't let my emotions cloud my judgment."
After saying this, Saber looked at Shichen and suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity.
Had they met somewhere before?
Could this familiar feeling be...
Right at that moment, an unusual wave of magical energy suddenly erupted.
Shichen's expression changed. "Oh no, there might be trouble." Saber immediately drew her sword from its scabbard, turning vigilant.
Up in the sky, a thunderous crash roared as the barrier around Einzbern Castle was forcefully torn apart.
"Saber, that thunder just now, and that unrestrained display of power—the enemy must be Rider."
Saber nodded in agreement.
The two of them sprinted with all their might toward the main entrance of Einzbern Castle.
"Hey, King of Knights! I've come looking for you specifically, why aren't you coming out faster?"
Just as Saber and Shichen arrived, they spotted Rider looking around his surroundings with great interest.
"Saber, I heard you built a castle, so I came to take a look... But this castle really is shabby."
Saber wore a stern expression. "Rider, you didn't come here just to mock this castle."
Rider burst into a hearty laugh. "Of course not, King of Knights. I came today for two reasons: first, out of curiosity about this castle, and second, to have a good chat with you."
Shichen watched Rider and Saber comfortably from the side, since he already knew what was about to happen next.
"Chat? There is nothing for us to talk about," Saber replied coldly.
"Don't you understand yet? Naturally, it's to invite you for a drink!"
Rider laughed heartily, then continued:
"Alright, stop standing there, lead the way. Don't you have a garden fit for a banquet around here? This run-down castle is covered in dust everywhere, it's truly unbearable."
Saber let out a helpless sigh, the anxiety accumulated in her chest dissipating along with it. Facing such an unreliable opponent, she had no appetite to maintain her fighting spirit.
"Caster, what should we do?"
A sly smile crept onto the corner of Shichen's mouth. "I have a plan..."