The Final Commotion

Iskandar, the conqueror, was unusually thoughtful, and finally he gathered his thoughts into a short statement and told it to everyone present.

"There is war in every era. There is no absolute peace in this world. Someone always has to play the role of war, bear hatred, praise the warriors, and act for the sake of hegemony. In my opinion, that is what makes a king!"

"And I will not shirk this responsibility, even if I know that in your eyes, the Guardian King, I am no different from an invader, but so what?"

Iskandar looked at Artoria, then his tone suddenly became more serious, "From the moment I decided to embark on this path, I was prepared to endure all hatred. If I couldn't do that, how could I uphold my domineering ambition, my desire for conquest and my dreams? And the soldiers who follow me, they, like me, crave glory, and war is their path to advancement! We are interdependent and absolutely inseparable! And this is the way of the King of Conquerors!!"

"My path to kingship differs from that of King of Heroes. I am not aloof, but willing to walk alongside my subjects. I always believe that as long as I need them, those soldiers who share the same lofty ambitions will always be by my side!"

Having said that, Iskandar patted his chest, where a surging, equally fiery heart beat, carrying his kingly will.

"Not aloof at all? Interesting... King of Conquerors, I must admit, you are more interesting to me than the King of Knights."

Gilgamesh, on the other hand, was lavish in his praise.

After all, his true nature is that he doesn't hide himself; however, the King of Heroes' praise and killing intent are often the same thing.

Thus, the kingly way of everyone present was stated, and just at this moment, Rovey, who had listened to the entire banquet, stood up.

"Oh? Do you also have some insights into the Way of the King, strategist?"

When he saw Rovey stand up, Iskandar's eyes showed a hint of surprise, and the others also turned their gazes to him.

To dare to stand up at such a tense and sensitive time is courageous enough to earn respect.

"I wouldn't call it insightful. Logically speaking, at such an important moment, someone like me, a minor character, should just obediently play a supporting role, but..."

Rovey looked at Artoria and then spoke.

"Unfortunately, I have been entrusted with this task and have been entrusted with it, so I also have some things I would like to say on behalf of the King of Knights. I wonder if you would give me this opportunity?"

"Oh? So it's about the King of Knights? Why not? Since heroes are here, then speak freely, strategist. Let me see your insights!"

Seeing that Rovey was about to speak, Iskandar, who greatly admired him, naturally did not object. Gilgamesh also turned his gaze to him, clearly curious about what Rovey wanted to say.

"Speak, kid, let me see what you're really capable of saying."

"Okay, thank you all."

With permission from everyone present, Rovey looked at the King of Knights in front of him and slowly uttered the three questions he had prepared.

"First question, King of Knights: Have you always been gazing into the past, never looking towards the future?"

"That kind of thing, I..."

Faced with this unexpected question, Artoria was about to answer when Lovi interrupted Rovey without hesitation.

"Please don't answer casually, and don't rush to give an answer. Ask your own heart, and be sure to give the answer that you truly think."

"..."

"The second question tonight, King Arthur. In your eyes, what would be the best way for a nation to die peacefully, to have a tranquil end? Reject ambiguous answers, and give a correct and specific answer."

Artoria's eyes widened slightly, her face filled with disbelief, but Rovey continued speaking, asking...

"This final, third question, Artoria, you say you're responding to expectations, but whose expectations are you really responding to? Do your knights truly want to see you in such pain? Have you truly listened to their wishes? Is it that you don't want to, or that you're unwilling?"

After Rovey finished his three probing questions, Artoria's expression suddenly changed. She hurriedly stood up and rushed forward, trying to grab Rovey's arm and ask him what had happened.

How did he know all these questions? What was his relationship with Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table? However, Rovey didn't give her a chance, leaping behind Scáthach in a flash.

Then, she gave a wink to the King of Conquerors and Gilgamesh, and the three, who were also interested in the three questions, immediately understood and joined forces to stop Artoria.

"That's enough, King of Knights. The strategist's three questions are the best questions and answers for you, and also the best answers."

Iskandar looked at her calmly and said, "Think it through carefully. When you understand, all of this will be over."

Compared to him, Gilgamesh's attitude had changed even more at this moment. His scarlet eyes were fixed on Rovey, and his gaze swept over him as if he were looking at an interesting toy.

"How interesting, kid... You certainly have more secrets than I imagined, and they're far more intriguing than I ever imagined..."

Gilgamesh sized up Rovey before him, then said with a hint of amusement, "Do you still remember what I said before about you being entitled to a reward..."

"Of course I remember."

Rovey nodded.

"Very well, since that's the case, while I'm bestowing this reward upon you, why don't you join me in playing a game?"

"Game?"

Upon hearing Gilgamesh's words, the others present couldn't help but turn their gazes in this direction.

Scáthach looked somewhat apprehensive; she didn't know what kind of game this unpredictable guy would play, while Fionn mac Cumhaill, at Kenneth's behest, was ready to come to the rescue at any time.

"Don't worry, it's just a game similar to the one you played when you asked Saber."

"The conditions are simple. I will now ask you a few questions. For each correct answer, I will increase your reward by one level. What do you think?"

Gilgamesh, gazed into Rovey's eyes, awaiting his choice. Then, golden ripples spread across the night sky behind him, followed by the simultaneous unfolding of dozens of golden gates, revealing a multitude of dreamlike treasures around him. The assembled Heroic Spirit, as well as Kenneth and Tokiomi Tohsaka, couldn't help but swallow hard. Not only them, but even the Heroic Spirit were captivated by these treasures, their gazes fixed on Rovey, awaiting his decision.

So...

Do you accept it?

Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes and asked in a cold voice.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Highness, the King of Heroes. Since you have gone to such lengths, I have no reason to refuse. However, unlike you, who are born with near-omniscience, I cannot be truly omniscient or appropriate. Please forgive me if there are any questions I cannot answer."

Even now, Rovey maintained an extremely humble attitude and answered with neither arrogance nor servility.

"Then let me ask you, who is your first target to be attacked?"

Gilgamesh stared intently at Rovey in front of him, then asked a question filled with mischievous amusement.

Chapter Sixty-Two: The Final Rumble (6,500 words)

The solitary, golden king stood before Rovey, his crimson eyes fixed intently on his face, as if trying to see through his very essence, to discern something from his mere physical form. Although the two stood at the same level, everyone present could feel the aura of superiority emanating from this golden king as they faced him.

Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, the first king in human history, is the protagonist of the oldest heroic epic.

Legend has it that he was a hybrid of human and god, a wedge created by the gods to maintain humanity, one-third human and two-thirds god, a near-perfect being.

That is why this king always views the world from the perspective of a god rather than a human.

This is not just simple arrogance, but his true nature.

Temperamental, willful, and reckless... this is the essence of a god, which is why he was so unrestrained and disregarded everything during this period.

Because of the guidance and influence of a certain green-clad person, he gradually shed his tyranny. Later, after personally experiencing life and death, and the process of searching for immortality alone, this king was unwilling to go to the side of the gods, but instead chose to walk alongside humanity.

From then on, he called himself a king, not a god.

Rather than calling Gilgamesh a king of humanity, it would be more accurate to say that he was a god who chose humanity but whose lifespan was extremely short.

'God's wisdom and power, yet possessing only human lifespan.'

This is how Rovey perceived Gilgamesh, the king.

"I ask you, who is the first target you intend to attack?"

Seeing that Rovey had accepted the game he had proposed, the capricious Golden King couldn't help but curl a smile at the corner of his mouth. He looked down at the young man in front of him and then asked his first question with a wicked grin.

If the plan is exposed, it will inevitably alert the other side, and will also more likely force the remaining two riders to form an alliance to save themselves. Moreover, if it really is Gilgamesh, it's hard to guarantee that answering this question truthfully won't provoke his wrath. After all, he's a king known for his unpredictable temper.

For a moment, the atmosphere froze, and all eyes turned to Rovey. In such a tense moment, Master with a weaker mental fortitude would surely be caught in a dilemma.

"Archer Gilgamesh, our initial target is you. The expedition team, consisting of Fionn mac Cumhaill, Iskandar, and Berserker, will attack the Tohsaka Family. I will take Scáthach to hold off Saber King Arthur and prevent her from going to support you. Kenneth and Weber will also take this opportunity to launch a solo attack on the Tohsaka Residence, behead Tokiomi Tohsaka, cut off his magical supply, reduce your threat, and ensure victory."

"Oh? You've planned this in great detail, you mongrels." Gilgamesh sneered.

"Because your strength is too great, in terms of individual strength, no one in the entire Holy Grail War can be said to be able to rival you. That's why we devised this strategy. Fighting you alone would only be suicide. Attacking you as a group is the right way to deal with this situation. I hope you understand."

But Rovey was clearly no ordinary Master. When Gilgamesh questioned him, he followed the rules of the game and answered all his questions without hesitation, revealing the subjugation plan that he and Kenneth had devised together.

Kenneth's eyelids twitched a few times as he watched, and Tokiomi Tohsaka's face turned deathly pale when he learned that this Lemon Head was actually so cunning.

Gilgamesh, upon hearing this, revealed a knowing smile.

"You are very interesting."

After answering the first question, Gilgamesh gave Rovey a very high evaluation. Then he waved his hand, and several different types of golden-style weapons shot out from a golden portal, landing directly in front of Rovey.

"Good, very honest, you didn't try anything funny with me. As a reward for honesty, you may choose one of the Noble Phantasm here."

Looking at the warhammer, battle axe, and golden machete that had fallen in front of him, Rovey's eyes became a little strange, and he couldn't help but mutter a complaint to himself.

Do you think I'm the kind of berserker who casts a spell and then just starts swinging an axe and hacking people to pieces?

Without a doubt, these weapons were randomly ejected by Gilgamesh from his treasury without any deliberate selection, which is why this situation occurred.

Clearly, in his eyes, Rovey's current accumulated rewards were not enough to warrant him personally selecting them.

So...

"Thank you for your kindness, but I think it's better to settle the bill last." Rovey shook his head, not reaching for the Noble Phantasm within easy reach, but instead smiling at Gilgamesh as he replied, "After all, it seems you haven't had enough fun yet, have you?"

"Hmph, you are far more greedy than I thought, you mongrel."

Gilgamesh narrowed his crimson eyes, staring at Rovey's face, and saw through his thoughts at a glance.

However, what the kid said was indeed true, but at this point, he was far from having enough fun.

"Since you desire even greater treasures, then listen to my next question."

Gilgamesh stared at Rovey's face, then narrowed his eyes and asked a very intriguing question.

"Tell me everything you know about the nature of this Holy Grail War, and your purpose in participating. I will decide the outcome."

This is an interesting question. Although it's called one question, it's actually two. The first part is to find out about Rovey's understanding of this Holy Grail War, and the second part is to explore his purpose and thoughts.

Moreover, the current location was also hostile to Rovey, because it wasn't just the two of them present, but all the Master Servant for the Berserker. If Rovey answered, everyone would know.

Gilgamesh could see that even if someone like Rovey formed an alliance, he would inevitably have something to hide. If he were to get him to reveal the truth and his purpose here, then...

I wonder how he will maintain this alliance and these interpersonal relationships?

Gilgamesh was filled with curiosity about his choice and actions at this moment.

"As for the nature of the Holy Grail... that's a very complicated question."

Rovey scratched his head, looking troubled, and then thought for a moment before saying, "In essence, it is probably just a large-scale magical aggregate condensed using special ritual methods. It is a large-scale Third Magic jointly created by the Second Magic User as witness, his apprentice Nagato Tohsaka, Justeaze Zolgen Makiri, the first Winter's Holy Maiden, Justessa Risleich von Einzbern, and the Third Magecraft. It is a kind of miracle of this era."

"But simply having a magical aggregate is not enough; it's merely a giant block of magical energy, hardly a wish-granting machine. Therefore, it's necessary to summon Servant and have them fight each other, sacrificing their souls. Once more than five Servant have died, the Holy Grail ritual will begin, granting them some of the wish-granting abilities. At this point, some wishes can be fulfilled. And once seven are sacrificed, even miracles like resurrection or opening the Root Aperture to travel to the Root are not impossible."

Faced with Gilgamesh's question, Rovey once again calmly gave an answer that shocked everyone present.

At this moment, Tokiomi Tohsaka was extremely ugly. He gritted his teeth and stared intently at Rovey, who had answered the question, feeling extremely puzzled by his behavior.

Why would he know about this? And why would he reveal it?

Wasn't he also trying to reach the Root?

Sacrificing seven Heroic Spirit to reach the Root as the final victor—that's what they were meant to do. Their previous hypocrisy and compromises were all to appease Gilgamesh, waiting for the final sacrifice of him.

Now that Rovey has revealed the whole truth, it will undoubtedly make all the Heroic Spirit present aware of the truth and lose trust in their Master. If they had been prepared in advance, the success rate of using Command Seal to control suicide would be greatly reduced.

Tokiomi Tohsaka stared intently at Rovey, his heart trembling with anger at Lovi's answer. He wanted nothing more than to rush up to him, grab his collar, and loudly demand to know what benefit he had in doing this.

Aren't we all constantly moving forward in order to reach the Root?

Why reveal the truth about this? Aren't you afraid the Heroic Spirit will turn against you?

However, Rovey inwardly scoffed at this.

Us?

Who's with you or us?

He did have his own desires, but they never led him to the so-called the Root.

"And my desire to obtain the Holy Grail, and my plans, are actually quite simple." Having answered Gilgamesh's first question, Rovey smiled as he met those crimson eyes.

"I'm sure my unusual behavior won't escape your notice, so my wish is simple: I just want to try to go back to a place. Even though the chances of succeeding are extremely slim, I still want to give it a try."

"Going back to a place... Hmph, that's really a mongrel's wish, but it's also quite reasonable."

Upon hearing Rovey's answer, Gilgamesh nodded, thus acknowledging his wish. He did not expose the twisted essence of the soul that did not belong to this world in front of everyone.

The moment he saw him, he noticed the difference in Rovey's soul.

Twisted, enormous, pure, rare... It possessed no trace of this world, bearing its own unique characteristics. Even the well-traveled Gilgamesh had never seen anything like it. Even the Babylon Treasury, which contained all treasures, did not hold such a gem.

This soul is unique... it is one of a kind, and the miracles it contains are no less than those of the so-called Holy Grail, and may even be far greater.