Chapter 43
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-Town of Fuyuki, Einzbern Castle.
3rd POV*
"Hah?" Saber, Archer and even Nero who already snapped from her dazed state said in confusion. They all stared at Rider dumbfounded by what he just said. "Y-Y-You liar! You said you want to conquer the w-whole world!" Waver Velvet hurriedly rushed to Rider only to be flicked by the huge guy. "Fool! What kind of person simply wish for the whole world! Everything must be started at the beginning! I want to conquer the world using my blood, sweat, and tears! And for that reincarnation is a must!" Rider said.
Archer gave a scoff chuckle hearing what he said. "It's been decided Rider. You shall die by my hands" Archer said squinting his eyes. To others this might have been an insult but for Lawrence he knows this is a way for Archer to show his respect for others albeit just a little. "What irrationality! Umu! I must correct it with my words!" Nero finally said something making the other kings give her a side glance.
"Oh yeah? What can you say about my wish, Emperor Red" Rider asked looking at Nero. "Your stupidity even baffles me, how can your proclaim that your wish is grand when you simply looked at the inside of the box!" Nero shouted shaking her head indignant at Rider's wish. It is simply not grand as he spoke! Rider was stunned hearing that because he thought that Caster would refute his wish. It seems like she was just reprimanding how shallow minded he was.
Rider did not say anything and just let Caster continue her talking, "Why focus yourself on a world that you almost conquered once! Not to say that you are already familiar with its inner working, that would make it easier for you to conquer! What tears and blood, you will be merely shedding sweats when doing that work yet you claimed that it was grand?" Nero spat those words gaining interest from the others.
"Head to the point Caster, I can't stand your ramblings" Archer said displeased from how long it was. "Rider, your wish is invalid on my mind as it is too weak! Reincarnation on this same world is nothing but just repeating what you have done! Go to other worlds instead! Where systems you don't know exist and it would make it harder for you to conquer, that will be the time where you could proudly claim yourself as the King of Conquerors!" Nero finished her saying.
Rider seemed to have gained an enlightenment hearing it, he started thinking about her words and realized that despite most of them being an insult or so, there was still value in them. "Other worlds huh…? Hahahaha! I'm intrigued!" Rider laughed loudly thinking about that scene, him conquering a world where no one is aware of him and the bars are even bigger.
"Well-spoken mongrel. Although most of what you said are rubbish, I can still recognize the main point of that ramblings" Archer said lessening her dissatisfaction about Caster coming late. "Ridiculous" Saber who has been quiet all the time finally spoke. She cannot discern the thoughts of these kings in front of her, they talked more about conquering rather than protecting their people which she cannot accept.
All three kings heard her muttering but decided to ignore her, it was not her turn yet, they must respect the flow of things. "How about you Caster, you dare to rebuke my wish, you surely must have a wish of certain splendor for you to speak like that. Let us hear it!" Rider opened his hand wide gesturing Nero to start talking. "Umu! I was just thinking about that earlier! My previous wish has already been destroyed by my current master so I decided to form a new one!"
Nero smiled greatly staring at Lawrence who was surprised that she already finished that phase, "Your servant really is capable" Shiki commented smiling at him, Lawrence shook his head and just patted Shiki. "I was about to say that" Their initial regret of summoning Nero has already been erased, they are rather fond of the emperor right now.
"Previous wish? Then state both of them! So that I can ridicule your idiocy!" Archer said also intrigued by her wish. "Umu! As a magnanimous person, I shall let you in on this one. I used to wish of experiencing being loved. It was a simple and foolish wish that I could have easily achieved even in this world" Nero started.
"Kuh-! An Emperor wishing to be loved? How ironic!" Archer immediately chuckled in ridicule to Nero's wish which she realized quite stupid. "Oh shut up Archer! I am not done yet!" Nero glared at Archer who just snorted in response. Although he really does not appreciate that conceit on her eyes, he will let it pass because of this occasion. "What is your new wish Caster?" Saber asked particularly focused on this one.
Nero looked at Saber before smiling joyfully, "I wish to rebuild Rome! One that is properly handled so that the citizens will cheer for my name all day!" Nero shouted opening her arms wide. Rider on the other hand got mad, "What?! That was your wish?! And you dare to reprimand me for how boorish mine was!?" Rider snarled at Nero who just snickered.
"Hmph, mongrels. What a waste of gifts. How about you serve under me instead, I might share my magnanimity with you and let you use the grail once or twice" Archer scoffed at them thinking all of them are idiots. "You have no place to talk here considering you don't even want to use the grail! Protecting treasure? How laughable is that?!" Nero insulted Archer which greatly damaged his pride.
"Your mouth is filthy, it seems to require some cleaning" Archer coldly spoke. The three were bickering with each other leaving Saber to think about her wish. She was resolute with it so she also shared them her one and only wish. "How about you Saber? As the King of Knights, what do you wish for?" Rider turned his attention to Saber ignoring the bickering of Archer and Caster.
"I… wish to save Britain, it was my incompetence that led to its downfall, I wish to change that" Saber said with determination. That statement stopped even Archer and Caster. All three Kings stared at Saber having incredulity in their eyes. Rider hesitated for a while before finally asking, "Saber… the Britain you are talking is from your time right?" he asked. Saber nodded her head in affirmation to his question.
"Is there something wrong with that?" Saber narrowed her eyes at Archer who was barely keeping his snicker from coming out. "It's messed up!" Nero said staring at Saber with utter seriousness on her face. This baffled Saber as she have never seen this servant being this serious before. "What do you mean? Is that not what you wanted as well?" Saber asked in confusion not knowing why Caster seemed baffled by her words.
"Kuhahahaha!" Archer couldn't hold himself anymore and just laughed. "Archer, what is so amusing?" Saber asked getting irked by the way he acted. "You call yourself a king, and are praised by all as such… and yet you feel 'regret'. Hahaha! I can't help but laugh!" Archer said between his giggles. "Saber, of all things, you wish to make null and deny what you carved into history?" Rider asked.
"Verily! Why do you scoff? Why do you laugh? The country that gave me my blade to which I devoted my life, was destroyed. Why rebuke me for mourning so?" Saber was offended by their gazes, she does not appreciate it. "Oi, oi, Rider, Caster, do you hear this? Did you hear what this young maiden who calls herself King of Knights just said? 'To which I devoted my life…' Kuhahahahah!" Archer laughed so loudly failing to control his amusement.
"What reason do you have to laugh?" Saber raised her voice. "Does a king not wish for the prosperity of their country, regardless of sacrifices?" she asked indignant about this situation. "NO! That is wrong!" Saber turned her attention to the person who she thought shared her opinion the most. Nero stood up from her seat and faced Saber. "An emperor does not devote himself to the country! For the country shall devote themselves for the king! It will never be the opposite!" Nero shouted.
Nero's thoughts about Saber was turning worse, she seemed to realize what the situation Saber has in her life. "What say you! Is that not the reign of a tyrant?!" Saber was upset by that kind of mindset she could not help but rebuke Caster. "Indeed! We are heroes because we were tyrants. Therefore Saber, should a king ever regret his rule or its end, they were naught but a fool in power. They are worse than tyrant!" Rider took over saying that.
He has a feeling that the two won't come to a conclusion if they keep this up so he decided to explain it on Caster's behalf. Nero obediently sat down crossing her arms to show her displeasure. Saber then spoke of what happened after Iskandar's death trying to gain some kind of reaction from him. "You mean to say you regret not how it came to an end?" Saber asked.
Without any hesitation Rider responded. "Not at all. If that end came despite the efforts and sacrifices of my vassal and I, then its destruction was inevitable. I shall mourn, I shall weep, but I shall never regret it!" Rider said slowly raising his voice. "Let alone rewrite it!" he added. Saber took a step back hearing that. "Such fatuity would be a slight to all those who strove to build an era alongside me"
"Only warriors can find glory in destruction! If you fail to protect the powerless what good does it serve? A just rule. A just reign. Those are the marking of a real king!" Saber proclaimed afraid that her way of thinking will waver. After that statement, everyone fell in silence except for the laughing goldilocks, they were trying to comprehend what this little girl is saying.
Lawrence who was watching the show shook his head in disappointment, the way Saber went to throne was not an amusement for him. It is simply pathetic. A little girl being forced to heavy responsibilities, which might be the reason why she didn't have the chance to properly look at things. She was just focused on saving others that she didn't have the time to question herself whether what she is doing is right or wrong.
Honestly, it was difficult for Lawrence to just watch this show. Saber was just an innocent maiden that was placed in the position of king. Lawrence shook his head and stood up, he might at least end the reprimanding even if it means breaking this beautifully constructed banquet.
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