Arrived in Type-Moon, Now Out of Contact

Chapter 26: All Present

The "boat" of golden and emerald radiance soared through the sky, dazzling and eye-catching enough to draw everyone's attention. A king, also clad in golden armor, stood proudly at the very front. Behind him, Tokiomi Tohsaka, holding his wand, looked even more displeased than Kaineth.

How should I put this? Flying around in something so ostentatious, won't it attract public attention?

I felt a brief pang of sympathy for Kirei Kotomine and Tokiomi Tohsaka, about 0.33 seconds each, before quickly shielding the still-uncooked chicken legs. Anyone who's grilled knows the ugly faces of companions waiting for skewers, looking like starving ghosts reincarnated. Now, a hulking man who wanted to gnaw on anything he saw stood by Li Zihan's grill.

The ones responsible for handling these matters were the ley line manager, Tokiomi Tohsaka, and Kirei Kotomine of the Church. No matter how big the issue, it had nothing to do with Li Zihan. If he won, he'd be like Long Ao Tian in another world. If he lost, what was there to talk about? If he couldn't even guarantee his own life, why bother talking about preventing the leakage of mystery? Why not just run? Waiting for love?

"Wh-what is that?" Kiritsugu Emiya gazed at the airship in the sky, his hand holding the cigarette trembling slightly.

Kaineth's brow was also tightly furrowed. He had just dealt with the troublesome Caster, only for an even more troublesome fellow to appear. Furthermore, the Berserker in Li Zihan's possession was also extremely powerful. Looking at it this way, he was actually at a significant disadvantage in this Holy Grail War.

Saber and Lancer both entered a defensive stance. The newcomer was too arrogant, making it difficult to discern his attitude.

"It seems this 'Gleaming' fellow is more suited for the Rider class than I am," Rider said, looking at the airship in the sky, his eyes shining with a light that unnerved Waver. "Once I buy a B-2, I'll definitely have an aerial showdown with Archer."

After Waver's earnest persuasion, Rider still hadn't given up on his plan to purchase a B-2 bomber.

He listens humbly but never changes.

"Hey, Berserker's Master, do you know what Archer's ride is?" Rider pulled out a can of raw beer and poured it into his mouth. The action was so vigorous that a lot of foam stuck to his beard. Rider raised his arm to wipe his mouth, then asked, "If it's cheap, I want to buy ten of them."

"Vimana, a flying machine from ancient Indian mythology that roams the skies. It's also recorded in India's two great epics, the 'Ramayana' and the 'Mahabharata'," Li Zihan didn't state the specific price because he didn't know it himself. "The materials it's made of are gold and emerald. A B-2 bomber is cheaper than it."

"If only there was a wealthy city for me to conquer," Rider sighed. "If I had enough wealth, I could buy a B-2, and maybe even buy that airship from Archer."

It seems even the King of Conquerors yearns to become a "money power" user. (Author whispers: I want that too.)

"Mongrel, how dare you speak such words!" Archer descended from the stopped Vimana, his crimson eyes filled with amusement. "To dare covet this King's treasure, your courage is commendable."

"It can't be helped, after all, I am also known as the King of Conquerors. If I don't try to snatch something this interesting, I'd be letting down my title." Rider crossed his arms over his chest. He didn't hide his covetousness for Archer's Noble Phantasm, openly revealing his desires.

This is probably one of the reasons why Rider could easily subdue his subordinates and be admired by his people.

He possessed stronger desires than anyone, was more unrestrained, more easily angered, embodying both purity and impurity, more real than anyone. He was both awe-inspiring and aspirational.

Such a person would be a banner wherever they stood, inspiring those who came after.

"Although you are merely a mongrel, you are undoubtedly the cream of the crop among mongrels," Archer said, looking at Rider. He retracted his previous dismissive tone. "I've decided, a madman like you will be personally slain by this King."

Without much further exchange, the two kings confirmed each other as enemies the moment they met. They conversed as if no one else was around, not even their Masters, Tokiomi Tohsaka and Waver, could interject.

"Are we going to fight here?" Rider sloshed the half-finished beer in his hand, looking somewhat helpless. "Although this King and his army don't mind, it would be a waste if the good things at today's banquet were ruined."

"A banquet attended by this King will not involve any bloodshed," Archer's tone shifted, becoming sharp. "However, can this even be called a banquet?"

Archer raised an eyebrow and sneered, looking at the "feast" that could only be described as rudimentary. "Is this the low taste of mongrels? Or is Berserker's Master toying with this King? Toying with a king is a capital offense."

"To you, perhaps all the so-called high-class food and drink in this world are just inferior goods. After all, you are a king who was active in the Age of Gods. Rather than making a fool of yourself with those 'high-class banquet items,' it's better to choose some specialties of this era and let you experience the modern atmosphere."

Li Zihan pulled Waver over to the grill to help, then stretched. "Your Majesty Gilgamesh."

"It seems there are still people in this era who recognize this King's radiance," Gilgamesh nodded in satisfaction upon having his true name revealed. He completely failed to notice Tokiomi Tohsaka's expression of despair, identical to Waver's, due to the exposure of his Servant's true name.

Iskandar took a bottle of cola from the tablecloth and tossed it to Gilgamesh. "This is a specialty of this era, you must try it."

Archer caught the soda, opened it, took a sip, and then frowned. "Although the taste is quite peculiar, this is not a healthy food."