Aftermath, Choices, and Truth

Caster was annihilated, leaving not a trace as it was consumed by the holy sword's radiance. It was a light that would inspire awe in anyone who witnessed it.

"Too dazzling."

After this battle, the few Servants present could be considered to have disbanded their alliance, but no one was so tactless as to immediately start fighting.

Rider, piloting his war chariot, arrived with a booming laugh. Upon reaching the shore, he dismounted, carrying Waver, who had nearly fainted from the holy sword's brilliance.

"King of Knights, a splendid attack. Caster has been thoroughly eliminated."

Saber, leaning on the holy sword, offered a faint smile. "Thank you for your praise, King of Conquerors. However, eliminating Caster was a collective effort. Without everyone's assistance, I could not have succeeded. I dare not claim all the credit."

This confidence and humility, the very essence of the King of Knights, left a profound impression. Saber now seemed like a completely different person from before.

Rider nodded, saying no more. "Then, tonight ends here. I have no desire to fight against all of you heroes after such a fierce battle; that would be too tedious. Why don't we celebrate instead? Get thoroughly drunk, and that would truly be a life well-lived. What do you say?"

A celebration after a battle was a sensible idea, a tradition that held true in both ancient and modern times.

However, Saber politely declined the King of Conquerors' offer.

"My apologies, King of Conquerors, but my companion is feeling unwell and cannot join you for the celebration."

Seeing the frail, silver-haired, elf-like woman beside the King of Knights, Rider didn't think too deeply, assuming she was the King of Knights' Master, weakened from expending too much mana.

"Without the main force of the King of Knights, the banquet would be dull. In that case, King of Knights, and you too, Lancer, loyal knight, let us part ways here. We shall meet again on the battlefield, haha."

Rider departed in his divine bull chariot, and Saber turned her gaze to the dark knight.

"Lord Lancelot?"

The knight knelt on one knee and bowed. "Forgive me, my King. Your knight has now fulfilled his duty of loyalty. Now, I am my Master's knight. After tonight, Your Majesty, we shall be enemies."

Enemies. To be enemies with a former friend, a comrade.

Saber felt a pang of sadness, but having emerged from her lowest point, such emotions could no longer sway her will. She swung the holy sword in her hand, tapping the knight's shoulder.

"Lord Lancelot, I understand. Although it was brief, I am truly happy to have had the company and support of an old friend. It allowed me to realize that even at the very end, as the kingdom crumbled, there were still comrades loyal to me, loyal to the path of our shared beliefs. I am overjoyed to have your acknowledgment and recognition."

It was Lancelot's encouragement and presence that made her realize she wasn't alone, even until the very end.

Previously, she had been consumed by the despair of annihilation, overlooking some people, forgetting that there were still those waiting for her, waiting for her to rouse herself and save their homeland.

The holy sword moved from the knight's shoulder to another spot.

An ancient ritual was completed here.

This was an ancient ceremony for knighting, but here, it also represented another meaning: that her knight, even if he were to become an enemy in the Holy Grail War, would remain loyal to her in his heart.

Saber sheathed the holy sword, then helped the knight to his feet, offering a serene smile.

"Lord Lancelot, I, King of Knights, Artoria Pendragon, hereby declare that during this Holy Grail War, you are temporarily dismissed from the Knights of the Round Table."

The knight bowed, placing his hand over his chest, accepting the declaration.

"Thank you. Then, King of Knights, Artoria Pendragon, I, Lancelot, will fight you with all my might in the future."

The phrase "with all my might" awakened a distant memory for Saber. Back then, within the Knights of the Round Table, no one's martial prowess could match that of the First Knight.

In that era, challenging Lancelot became the most glorious battle for any knight, and she herself was no exception; she wished to fight Lancelot.

However, their respective statuses and positions made the process of such a battle feel more like sparring. Neither could fight with their full strength, making it a regrettable encounter.

But now, to experience what she couldn't before in the Holy Grail War, Saber felt a surge of excitement.

She also declared loudly, "Lancelot, I accept your challenge in the name of the King of Knights."

"Thank you, King of Knights."

Having achieved his goal through a full-powered battle, the knight stepped back a distance, turned, and vanished into the night.

He had accomplished what he set out to do. From now on, he would wholeheartedly support his young Master and fight according to his oath.

Lancer, who had been watching from the side for a long time, was filled with envy. This kind of mutual understanding, support, and even the ability to be adversaries between a knight and their lord—how wonderful it would have been if he had encountered a lord like the King of Knights.

However, Lancer could not pledge his allegiance elsewhere now. After all, he was a Heroic Spirit, with his own honor.

"Saber, it is time for me to depart as well."

"Lancer, thank you for your efforts."

Seeing Lancer, Saber recalled the previous battle. If he hadn't selflessly lifted the curse on her left hand, dealing with the massive Sea Monster might have taken a bit more effort.

For this, Saber was truly grateful for Lancer's contribution.

"No, for the honor of a knight, a mere Noble Phantasm is nothing, Saber need not concern herself with it."

With the Sea Monster's demise, his contribution to this battle, overall, was significant. Although he lost his cursed short spear Noble Phantasm, Lancer did not regret his choice.

In this battle, he had witnessed the light emanating from the path of the knight, a light that illuminated almost the entire world.

He rejoiced in such brilliance and was happy to have participated in this Holy Grail War.

"However, Saber, we will clash blades again in the future. But I believe no one will want to fight another battle today. So, I bid you farewell. My Master is waiting for me."

Saber did not try to detain Lancer; there was no need. She would remember his noble act.

"Farewell, Lancer."

After Lancer also disappeared along the embankment, Saber, supporting Irisviel, who had regained some strength, approached the Mercedes-Benz car.

"Irisviel, are you alright?"

Saber had seen the silver-haired beauty, who resembled an elf, in such a weakened state before. She had seen her this morning at the stronghold Kiritsugu had prepared, witnessing firsthand how truly helpless she was.

Irisviel leaned against the car, managing a weak smile.

"I'm fine, Saber. I just need to rest a bit. You know, I'm an artificial human from the Einzbern family, not an ordinary human."

This time, Saber, who had awakened to her King of Knights mentality, wouldn't let Irisviel brush it off. "Irisviel, as a friend, tell me honestly, why has your body become like this?"

Seeing the stern King of Knights, Irisviel realized some things might have changed. "Saber..."

"Irisviel, hiding the truth will only drive us apart. Trust is the bridge between us. Both you and Kiritsugu—we will have a sincere talk later, sharing our ideals. I suspect we haven't truly communicated properly since I was summoned."

Sincerity and trust.

Could that man truly possess these two qualities?

Irisviel couldn't imagine it, but looking at Saber, she felt a strange sense that Saber was someone she could trust and rely on.

After hesitating for a moment, Irisviel finally decided to reveal the Einzbern's secret.

"Saber, listen to me. I'm not just the acting Master; I'm also the vessel for the Lesser Grail in this Holy Grail War..."

"...Irisviel, you..."