Still Not Despairing After Crossing Mountains and Seas and Treading Snowy Paths

Fuyuki Bridge.

Although the last rays of the sun had long since faded, it wasn't actually too late; it was still far from the point where the city would fall completely silent, and there was no one around anymore.

One reason is the recent urban legends about unrest at night; another is that the shadow left by the recently solved serial murder case has not completely disappeared; and the last, and most important reason, is that the Church has put pressure on the police and the government to restrict pedestrians from going out at night.

Giving up the night market and vibrant nightlife would inevitably have a significant impact on the economic development of the port city of Fuyuki, and would also cause losses to urban construction. However, if it is a concession made for a grand Feast, then any price is justified.

The stage for legends and heroes, the clash between kings is the climax of this stage.

Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, the King of Heroes, the King of Kings, the tyrant of Uruk, and the owner of all the treasures in the world.

Alexander Iskandar, a descendant of Zeus, King of Conquerors, Disseminator of Civilization, the one who broke the Knot of King Solomon, and a student of the great sage Aristotle.

Separated by a brightly lit bridge, the kings, each adorned with their own glory, meet again, not for a banquet, but for a battle.

Weber sensed a tense atmosphere in the cold air around him; two unseen force fields were colliding and rubbing against each other fiercely, and for a moment Weber even thought he saw sparks.

Just when he thought an earth-shattering battle was about to begin, he found himself being lifted up by Rider.

"Hey kid, wait a minute."

Rider dismounted from the chariot, unarmed, and strode toward his opponent. Archer, as if by telepathy, walked over with a leisurely gait.

"Rider, you should know my strength from that bastard Caster. Even so, do you still dare to challenge me?"

"Hahaha, if we shrink from battle just because our opponent is strong, the title of King of Conquerors will weep! Besides, didn't we have an agreement?"

"There is no doubt that I will defeat you when you are at your full strength. So, Rider, are you fully prepared for battle?"

"Our troops are strong, well-equipped, and highly motivated; moreover, we know ourselves and our enemy well. In terms of warfare, we need nothing more!"

"Hmph, the aura of a king emanating from you is indeed extraordinary. It seems you have your reasons."

After the two kings confirmed each other's will, Archer was about to turn around and return to his starting position when Rider called him back again.

"Wait a minute, Archer, speaking of agreements, don't we have another one?"

Are you saying we can only resort to arms against each other?

"Not that," Rider urged with a rather unbelievably innocent expression. "It's a shame that some clueless guy ruined things back then, but you still have some wine left, don't you? I can't hide that from you."

Hearing this, even Archer couldn't help but smile wryly, "To be so obsessed with other people's things, truly befitting a king of usurpation."

They retrieved the wine bottle and vessels from a treasure vault located in another dimension, and poured the last remaining wine into two glasses. The two kings, like boxers clasping their hands in a gesture of respect, solemnly raised their glasses and clinked them together.

"So, in this final moment, let me ask one more question."

"Granted. Speak."

Although Rider held his wine glass with a serious expression, his eyes revealed a childlike innocence.

"To give an example, if my 'Ionioi Hetairoi' were armed with your 'Gate of Babylon,' it would absolutely become..."

An invincible army. The likes of Clinton are utterly worthless.

"Hmm, so what?"

"I'll ask you one more time, do you want to form an alliance with me? If we join forces, we can definitely fight our way to the ends of the Sea of Stars."

The King of Heroes burst into laughter, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.

"You're quite an interesting fellow. It's been a long time since I've laughed so heartily at the ramblings of a mere commoner."

Although he was smiling, his cold-blooded killing intent did not diminish in the slightest. For this golden king, killing intent and pleasure were essentially synonymous.

"Unfortunately, I need no second friend. Throughout history, I have only ever had one true friend. And besides, this world needs no two kings."

Although he was rejected, the King of Conquerors showed no disappointment, and simply nodded quietly.

"The solitary path of kingship, is it? I shall dare to challenge your unwavering way of life."

"Very well. Show yourself to the fullest, King of Conquerors. You are a thief worthy of my personal judgment."

The two kings drank the last of their fine wine in one gulp, tossed aside their cups, and turned to leave. Neither of them looked back, and they each walked straight back to the bridgehead.

Weber watched nervously as the two toasted one last time, then sighed as he welcomed the king's return.

"Do you consider your relationship to be very good?"

"More or less. But now we're about to clash, and he might be the last opponent we ever face. How can we not treat him with courtesy?"

"Do you think you'll lose?"

"Even with Caster's information as a basis, it's just a generalization based on observing the past. The opponent is the first hero in human history; nothing would be surprising."

"Snort..."

Although still filled with worry, Weber turned his head away with an arrogant expression. Rider simply smiled and drew his sword, slashing it through the air.

"Rally, my compatriots! Tonight we will create legends once more—no, epics and miracles!"

The Winds of the Hot Sands, following the king's call, dispersed the mist over the river.

The desires of warriors yearning for the battlefield have corrupted the mortal realm, turning the deserted bridge into a plain ravaged by raging winds.

The Primordial Heroic Spirit and the Lord of the Conquering Army, their fateful duel has finally begun.

--------------Before---------------------------

"Kiritsugu, do we really want to form an alliance with them?"

"There's no other way, Airi. Although there's some kind of agreement between the Tohsaka Family and the Holy Church, we can't possibly withstand three of their Servants if we don't join forces right now."

"But Kirei Kotomine... Kiritsugu, I think he's a threat, I can't trust him."

"Me too, so we already set the conditions beforehand: from the signing of the alliance until the end of the Holy Grail War, Kirei Kotomine must leave Fuyuki City. Judging from Tokiomi Tohsaka's character, he won't break a written agreement."

"..."

"What's wrong, Airi?"

"Kiritsugu, what's wrong with you? Ever since that day you went out to meet Caster's Master, you've been acting strangely. Although you haven't shown it outwardly, I know you're holding something in your heart, Kiritsugu?"

"..."

"It's alright, Kiritsugu. No matter what, I'm on your side. Do as you wish."

"Sorry, thank you, Airi."

"..."

"Miss Maiya, you were with Kiritsugu that day, weren't you? What happened?"

"No, Madam. Caster's Master just showed Kiritsugu some materials, and then Kiritsugu became a bit irrational, not even noticing that the other party had been gone for a long time."

What kind of material is that?

"I don't know, I didn't see it."

So where is it now?

"Lady..."

"Maiya, you don't want to see Kiritsugu in this conflicted state, do you? He's about to face a life-or-death battle, and even the slightest hesitation could have serious consequences. At least knowing what's confusing him is better than worrying aimlessly without any understanding."

"..."

"Maiya!"

"... Please come with me, madam."

"Clang!"

"Drink it!"

The crisp clang of clashing blades, the dodging, slashing, yielding, and parrying—the melee between the two Knight looked more like a ballroom dance at a banquet.

However, while the man was indeed a charming gentleman, the woman was no delicate princess. Neither of them were wearing formal attire, nor were they carrying flowers.

But for Knight, what flower could be more beautiful than a sword? And the Excalibur and the Arondight are the pinnacle of swords. To use such a sword for offense and defense is surely the same as exchanging the most beautiful flowers.

The interaction of swords is also a communication of the soul; things that are difficult to convey in language can be clearly felt at this moment.

Why not punish me? Why not seek compensation from me? Why deny yourself?

Why don't you understand me? Why don't you hate me? Why are you stopping me from changing the past?

The blame for the kingdom's destruction lies with me!

The blame for the kingdom's destruction lies with me!

What's the point of changing the past?

What can punishment undo?

The glory of the Round Table, the redemption of the kingdom, the legend that will be remembered for generations, the aspirations of all people in that era—do you want to deny it all because of your own selfish desires?

Comrades turn against each other, lovers perish, the country is destroyed, and you bear a lifelong stain, mocked by history—do you care about any of this?

No one is infallible! Trying to cover up mistakes is not the way of Knight!

A true king must always be absolutely right!

A king is also human! How can he guide people if he separates himself from the concept of "humanity"?

The king is so aloof!

Aloofness and isolation are two different concepts.

How can you see further and more comprehensively without standing at a high vantage point? And how can you make the right choices if you can't see the whole picture?

Why is someone standing there alone? Leaving that aside, are Galahad and Bedivere really that untrustworthy?

!!!?

There's a flaw!

--------Author's Note--------------------------------

Ugh, I'm exhausted... If it's a Saturday, I'll try to update four or even five times a weekday, but I'll pass on weekdays...

There was a small bug in the last chapter, so I won't fix it; I guess most of you didn't even notice it (self-deception)...

If you're in the mood, you can try guessing the titles of the next few chapters. There's no prize for guessing correctly.

Going to play games ^_^ Received a Heroes of the Storm beta code on my birthday, Blizzard, I knew I hadn't misjudged you!