The Heroic Spirits' Approval (6.5K Words) (cont.)

Kenneth had initially dismissed Rovey's gift, thinking that mere money and worldly possessions could hardly move someone who had long since seen through the ways of the world. Then, he saw the few words on "The Improvement and Research Theory of Modern Puppet Magecraft"—by Aozaki Touko. The large characters at the end made him silently swallow his words, and then he quietly put it away as if he had found a treasure.

—A Grand Puppet Master's Puppet Magecraft Notes—Absolutely unbeatable!!

Although it's unclear where this kid got it from or why he's connected to the fugitive Aozaki Touko, Kenneth isn't in the Department of Law, so none of that matters in the face of this information. If this were passed down to a newly established Mage Families, it could serve as the foundation of the family.

He's truly won big in this Holy Grail War, and is returning home with a full haul.

Two heirs, a legacy Magecraft, and... Weber, that mediocre talent, can be properly trained after we take him back.

It must be said that after experiencing so much, Kenneth's opinion of Weber, the mediocre talent he once looked down on, has indeed changed considerably.

Fionn mac Cumhaill received a green lucky hat with a distinctly Ireland style, which left him somewhat puzzled.

As for the gifts Saber received...

She looked at her gift, her fingers trembling uncontrollably, clutching it tightly, her expression a complex mix of emotions.

She received an envelope...

The only signature on it is: Merlin, and the Knights of the Round Table.

The envelope was also prominently engraved with the emblem of the Knights of the Knights of the Round Table, a symbol known only to her and the Knights of the Round Table.

Artoria stared in astonishment at Rovey, who had presented the gift. Her emerald eyes were fixed on his, and her body involuntarily stood up. She then took steps toward him, wanting to ask what was going on.

However, Scáthach, sensing that something was wrong, and Iskandar, noticing Saber's emotional fluctuations, immediately stepped in front of Rovey to shield him.

"What's wrong, Saber? Is there something wrong with the gift you received?" Iskandar asked curiously, noticing that Artoria's emotions and behavior were clearly off. He glanced at the envelope in Artoria's hand, then at the innocent-looking Rovey, his curiosity itching to see what Rovey had written to the King of Knights that had caused him to lose his composure like this.

At this moment, everyone's gaze, even Gilgamesh's, couldn't help but focus on Artoria and Rovey. They were curious to know what Rovey had written to her. After all, given Saber's personality, even if Rovey wrote her a love letter, she would only be rejected outright. The fact that it could excite her so much must make them incredibly curious about its contents.

"I apologize for my rudeness... I don't know where you got this gift from, but thank you... Master of Queen Scáthach."

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Artoria's emotions gradually stabilized. She nodded solemnly to Rovey in front of her and then expressed her gratitude.

"No need to thank me, Miss Artoria."

"My name is Rovey Crowley, just call me Rovey."

To make Saber even more certain, Rovey even called out her real name.

'Artoria ...'

Upon hearing this familiar name, Saber's expression indeed changed. She was now certain that the young man before her had some connection to her Knights of the Round Table or Merlin, otherwise he wouldn't know these things about her.

Although she longed for an answer, Artoria knew that now was not the best time to press him, so she gave up and nodded at him.

"I understand, Rovey Lowe."

"Well, since everyone is satisfied with my gift, how about I, as the host, take the liberty of opening this Banquet of Kings?"

Seeing the heroic Heroic Spirit accept the gifts, and having successfully delivered the items he had arranged to give to others, a smile appeared on Rovey's face.

Then, he raised the golden goblet that Gilgamesh just given him and addressed the crowd.

"I have no objection, strategist. I have witnessed your abilities firsthand. To be able to bring so many kings and heroes together and have them get along so well is an ability that I, the King of Conquerors, will acknowledge first! It is only right that you open this banquet."

Iskandar was the first to agree, Fionn mac Cumhaill nodded as well, showing considerable respect for his Lord's student.

Putting aside his strength, his outstanding wisdom in controlling the battle and his remarkable ability to read people and balance the atmosphere and personality were enough to leave him in awe.

Fionn mac Cumhaill couldn't help but wonder if things would have turned out differently if his knights had had such talent back then, and if someone had dissuaded him in time.

But it's too late to say all this now.

I agree.

Artoria naturally had no objection to this proposal.

Although Rovey, as her enemy, had caused her a great deal of trouble, she was also willing to give Rovey high praise as her opponent.

When she faced Rovey, she felt like she was facing Merlin —completely unfathomable. It was hard to imagine that such a figure could exist in this era and become her enemy.

"My Master, of course I have no objection."

Scáthach smiled slightly, feeling quite satisfied with her Master.

"Hahahahahahahaha!! Although, according to common sense, the Banquet of Kings should be opened by me, the true King, you... you truly deserve this honor and glory. As a reward, you shall do it." Gilgamesh's crimson eyes lingered on Rovey, and then he said in a serious tone, "Boy, enjoy your glory. You are one of the few Magus who have caught my eye."

"Then thank you all for your kind words. In that case, I will accept them without hesitation."

With everyone's approval, and ignoring Tokiomi Tohsaka, who was practically bursting with jealousy and had a dark expression throughout, Rovey raised the wine that Gilgamesh had given him to everyone, then lifted the glass and drank it all in one gulp.

"Then this first cup is a toast to all the kings, heroes, and valiant warriors who are fortunate enough to gather here in this Holy Grail War!"

After taking a sip of wine, this time, unlike with the mixed red wine he had given Iskandar, Rovey did not use Magecraft to neutralize it. Instead, he drank it down without hesitation, as a sign of his respect for everyone.

Upon seeing this, Iskandar clapped his hands and exclaimed, "So generous!"

Even Gilgamesh's face showed a hint of a smile, and his eyes looked at Rovey with more satisfaction. He then glanced at Tokiomi Tohsaka, who was standing behind him with a dark face as punishment, and his disdain for him intensified.

How can there be such a big difference between Master, even though they are Master?

He was the strongest and most unique in terms of strength and prestige, yet he encountered this wretched thing, while that old woman managed to meet such an interesting person, which annoyed him.

When Tokiomi Tohsaka Gilgamesh's undisguised disdain, his face darkened even more. However, he remained patient and did not explode until Rovey came to his side, poured him a glass of wine, and invited him to sit down with him. Only then did his expression gradually improve.

"Thank you, Crowley Patriarch..."

Seeing that Rovey had offered him a way out, Tokiomi Tohsaka, who had previously looked like a clown, couldn't help but look at him with gratitude. His goodwill towards Rovey also increased significantly at that moment.

Look, what is true nobility in the demonic path? What is elite refinement? This is true etiquette! It's something these ancient barbarians could never achieve in their entire lives.

"Snort."

Gilgamesh merely snorted in response, ignoring Tokiomi Tohsaka. Instead, he glanced at Rovey and instructed, "Boy, remember not to leave first. I have something to ask you after the banquet."

"Good."

Rovey nodded slightly.

Subsequently, with his opening ceremony, the banquet was officially launched.

And so far, he has demonstrated wisdom, courage, and integrity, making him exceptionally dazzling in the eyes of all the Heroic Spirit.

The golden goblet was held high in the air, making a crisp clinking sound, and golden liquid flowed in the goblet, like the blood of a god.

Under the longing gazes of Kenneth, Weber, and Tokiomi Tohsaka, the three Masters were destined to never meet, the Heroic Spirit drank their fine wine and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"What fine wine, King of Heroes! I have never tasted such a fine wine in either my past or present life. This should not be wine for humans, but for gods, right?"

Iskandar was enjoying the wine, expressed his praise without reservation.

"Hmph, since this is the wine I drink, it is naturally not the same wine that you mortals drink. Only the wine of the gods is worthy of my status."

Gilgamesh snorted coldly, accepting Iskandar's praise while also retorting with unsparing sarcasm.

"Hahaha... I see. But I was really surprised just now. When the strategist revealed your identity, I realized that you were the King of Heroes of Babylon. At first, when I saw the Vimana you were riding, I even mistook you for Rama."

"However, after learning your identity, I am relieved. If you are the King of Heroes of Babylon, it is not so difficult to understand that you possess so many treasures."

Iskandar swirled his glass, reminiscing about his Joker role, and then burst into laughter.

"Hmph, now that we've had our drinks and everyone's almost here, and Berserker hasn't arrived yet, he probably won't be coming anyway, let's get straight to the first question of the Banquet of Kings."

Although he initiated the banquet, Gilgamesh provided the wine, Rovey hosted it, and Artoria's family owned the venue. However, Iskandar always believed in conquest, did not hold back and adopted the attitude of the host. He raised his glass and asked the people present, "Gentlemen, what is the reason for your pursuit of the Holy Grail?"

None of the heroic Heroic Spirit present had any objection to his first question.

Fionn mac Cumhaill wasn't a king and wouldn't speak, Scáthach and Artoria were only there to watch the fun. The only ones who could really liven up the atmosphere of the banquet were Iskandar and Gilgamesh.

Since it was Iskandar who asked the question, Gilgamesh naturally answered it first.

Upon hearing Iskandar's question, he scoffed and then answered with a disdainful expression.

"Pursuing the Holy Grail? That's the funniest joke ever. In the end, the premise of this Holy Grail War is wrong. All the treasures in this world rightfully belong to me. I'm just here to reclaim what belongs to me, and you are the coveters. I have no reason to bestow the Holy Grail upon any one of you here."

"Oh? Even if they're scattered, those with the ability aren't allowed to snatch them. You're not some stingy person from somewhere, are you?"

Iskandar asked his question without any hesitation.

"Hmph, it's not that I'm stingy," Gilgamesh said calmly, "But rather that my favors are only bestowed upon my subjects, not you."

"King of Conquerors, if you are willing to submit to me, I may mercifully bestow this Holy Grail upon you."

As he spoke, Gilgamesh narrowed his crimson eyes and looked at Iskandar once more.

But even asking this question is superfluous.

"King of Heroes, since we are both kings, how could I possibly submit to others for the sake of the Holy Grail?"

Iskandar, whose goal is to conquer the world, would never submit to a mere Holy Grail. Even if he wanted it, he would only take it by his own true abilities.

"Oh, I see. That's a real shame."

When Iskandar refused, Gilgamesh shook his head slightly, but there was no trace of regret in his words. He must have known this answer all along.

"In that case, I have no choice but to deal with you along with the rest of those who coveted my treasure (the Holy Grail)."

Gilgamesh then concluded his speech.

"..."

Although the people present were speechless at Gilgamesh's shameless remarks, which resembled those of the oldest Gian, they didn't delve too deeply into the meaning behind them, considering his legendary stories and real name.

Instead, Iskandar continued to press him, asking, "If that's the case, then what kind of principles and ideals are contained in your kingly way, King of Heroes?"

"It is I, the king, who embodies the ideals and principles of the kingdom."

Gilgamesh replied calmly.

"The king acknowledges, the king bears the burden, the king decides the fate of this world! This principle applies to me."

"Therefore, wherever I am, that is where the law is; wherever I walk, that is the way of the king!"

Gilgamesh's words were extremely arrogant, yet they carried a powerful weight, causing everyone present to tremble in their hearts. No one doubted the truthfulness of his words.

"Is he completely self-centered? As expected of the King of Heroes, this kingly way is extraordinary."

After listening to Gilgamesh's words, Iskandar nodded, as if he understood something.

"And what about the Queen of the Land of Shadows? What is your path to becoming a king?"

When it was her turn to drink, Scáthach smiled slightly and then answered the question without any concern.

"I am different from you. I rule the kingdom of the dead, not the kingdom of the mortals. It cannot be judged by the rules of the mortals. The entire territory is filled with ghosts. The so-called kingship is naturally nonsense to me."

"If I had to put it into words, my path is to fight throughout my life, to live for battle, to survive against all odds, and to never rest until death... until at the end of this bloody road, when the right person takes my life and I find peace."

"I see..."

Upon hearing Scáthach's answer, Iskandar agreed wholeheartedly. He understood that the situation faced by the Queen of the Land of Shadows was entirely different from that of them, the mortal kings, but the will contained in her words still moved him.

"I understand now. Queen Scáthach has chosen a path of Asura, one that is neither about domination nor conquest. It requires her to follow her own will and keep moving forward until she seeks what her heart desires... Remarkable, truly remarkable. The loneliness and hardship involved are something that even I cannot help but admire."

Having heard all this, both Gilgamesh and Iskandar gained a certain understanding of Scáthach's Way.

Without a doubt, he was also a true king who could carry out his own will, no wonder he could rule the legendary land of the dead.

"And you? What is the legendary King of Knights, renowned for his integrity and justice, seeking?"

After the two kings had taken their turns, Iskandar turned his wine glass toward the King of Knights sitting alone in the corner. She was sitting there silently, and for some reason, her aloofness and noble character, so different from that of the other kings, became even more pronounced.

'Fairness, integrity...'

Upon hearing Iskandar's earlier address to her, Artoria laughed self-deprecatingly. Was she mocking Iskandar? No, she was mocking herself.

"I'm sorry, I may have disappointed you, King of Conquerors."

"Fairness and integrity are two words that don't really apply to me at all."

As soon as she finished speaking, the atmosphere of the banquet, which had been somewhat quiet, suddenly seemed to become strange.

Rovey gripped the petal in his hand tightly, a faint iridescent light appearing in his eyes, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

'So, it's another one of those kinds of starts? This is really troublesome... Mr. Merlin, do you need my help? But this will cost extra, so there will be additional charges.'

Hearing Rovey's retelling of the extra money, Merlin, far above the Tower of Avalon, couldn't help but twitch his brow, inwardly cursing the kid's heartlessness, saying he was even more greedy than the devil.

But at this moment, he had no other choice but to grit his teeth and agree.

"Okay, I'll grant you one more request unconditionally, okay? Please help little Al."

Okay, deal.

Upon hearing Merlin's agreement, a slight smile appeared on Rovey's lips at the Banquet of Kings, and then the colorful rainbow light in his eyes shone even brighter.