Dating Caster

"Caster's Master, looking at you now, I assume you've finished handling your business!"

Rider's rough, booming voice forced Wang Xiaoming to turn his attention back to the banquet, and it was only then that he noticed something—

Whether it was Rider, Saber, Archer, or even their Masters, everyone's gaze was fixed squarely upon him.

"To dare make a king wait for your words, mongrel, you truly have quite the nerve."

"Caster's Master..."

Rarely, Rider lowered his voice, yet it carried an air of authority that commanded respect without needing to be angry: "While we have acknowledged your right to sit among kings, it would be unacceptable to repeatedly test a king's patience."

"My apologies."

Wang Xiaoming bowed his head in apology. Rider's meaning was clear: three strikes and you're out; a king's patience is not an inexhaustible resource.

"Since you understand, that is well. Now, state your wish."

"Huh?"

Even though he hadn't yet emerged from the emotional weight of potentially losing a friend, Wang Xiaoming was stunned by this line, which felt like it belonged in a completely different script.

"What, was I not clear enough?"

Seeing the blank stare Wang Xiaoming was giving him, Rider stroked his short beard and rephrased his intent.

"Caster's Master, since Caster has already shown you the [courtesy of a subject], then I ask you: what is your purpose in pursuing the Holy Grail?"

"Oh, I see."

Wang Xiaoming breathed a sigh of relief. For a second there, he really thought someone had wandered in from another show.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose. Facing these heroes and legends, there was no need for concealment; in fact, it was better to be straightforward:

"I only wish to survive until the end of the Holy Grail War."

"One truly cannot expect much from an ant. I am not surprised that such a lowly wish would come from your lips," Archer said, taking a leisurely sip of the red wine in his glass.

"Enough, Archer!"

Surprisingly, the one who spoke up to refute him wasn't Wang Xiaoming or Medea, but Saber:

"Listening to your tone, you don't sound like a king at all, but rather a posturing clown!"

Saber hadn't been able to find an opening during the earlier conversation between Archer and Rider. The way those two discussed the path of kingship was far removed from her own beliefs, so she found no common ground with them.

In Saber's eyes:

The two men currently holding court—Rider and Archer—

Were not qualified kings at all, but mere tyrants.

That was why, when Archer mocked Wang Xiaoming, Saber couldn't help but voice her objection.

Archer looked at the volatile Saber and couldn't help but sneer:

"Are you some kind of saint, then?"

The previously calm atmosphere now felt like a powder keg about to ignite. Just as Saber and Archer were locking horns, Rider suddenly spoke up:

"Enough, you two are truly tiresome."

He raised his hands with a wry smile to mediate, signaled Saber to hold her tongue, and then continued:

"Since Caster's Master has already stated his wish, then this beautiful lady..."

Rider cast his gaze toward Irisviel.

"And the little Master."

He turned his eyes to Waver.

"Tell us what you seek as well."

"I..."

Waver scratched his cheek, his fidgeting demeanor suggesting he was embarrassed to speak.

"Kid, as my Master, this attitude of yours is a disgrace to me!"

Rider slapped Waver's thin frame hard, his tone a mix of mockery and reprimand.

"I know, I know!"

Waver, nearly stumbling, looked at Rider with a flushed face and shouted defiantly:

"I just want to prove myself! I want my mentor, Kayneth, to see whether or not I am truly as ill-suited for the pursuit of magecraft as he claims!"

After finishing, Waver squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the Heroic Spirits to mock his insignificant wish. But the expected scene never came. Instead, Waver felt a hand rest on his shoulder.

Waver opened his eyes to find his Servant, Rider, patting his shoulder in encouragement:

"Wishes and pursuits are nothing to be ashamed of. As a subject of mine, you may state your desires with your head held high."

"Who wants to be your subject..." Waver muttered, turning his face away, but Rider had already shifted his gaze to the silver-haired beauty across from him.

"And so, this beautiful lady..."

"My reason for participating in the Holy Grail War is quite simple..."

Irisviel smiled slightly. Based on her previous observations, this Rider could truly be called an honorable Servant, and there was no need to worry about him resorting to any underhanded tactics.

"To win the Holy Grail for Kiritsugu, and to realize his wish."

"And who is Kiritsugu?"

"My beloved."

Clearly, Irisviel's candor had won Rider's favor. Rider stroked his chin and remarked with emotion:

"What a perfect wife you are. Your beloved must be quite happy."

"That is exactly what I desire as well."

Irisviel's smile brightened with happiness.

As a product created by human hands, as a woman born as a Homunculus, she was originally a woman destined to be far from happiness. No one had ever thought to bestow upon her the emotion of happiness.

Irisviel had never expected it either. Created as a doll and raised as a doll, perhaps she hadn't even understood the meaning of the word "happiness" in the past.

Yet, she, who was merely a doll, was now smiling brilliantly.

Originally born to carry the long-cherished wish of the Einzbern, her hollow and colorless life had gradually been painted with color after meeting that man.

Becoming a woman who received love, and then becoming a mother...

And learning of that man's heavy ideal.

Precisely because she knew her beloved's ideal, Irisviel held the same prayer in her heart.

To live for the same ideal, and to be buried with that ideal. Only in this way could she become that man's other half. This was the way of love for a woman like Irisviel.

And so—

The vessel of the Holy Grail kept within me, I will not hand it over to anyone. When the Holy Grail is filled, the only one qualified to possess it at that time is you.

--Kiritsugu

"Then, there is still..."

Rider's gaze shifted back and forth between the two remaining Heroic Spirits who had yet to speak.

"My Master's wish is my own."

Before Rider could even ask, Caster spoke up first. In an instant, Wang Xiaoming felt several inquisitive and gossipy gazes sweep toward him, making him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"Is that so? You two really are an interesting pair."

After withdrawing his curious gaze from Wang Xiaoming, Rider suddenly began to hold up his fingers to summarize:

"Archer participates for the sake of his own rules; I act out of my own convictions; the little Master is here to prove himself; as for this beautiful lady, she acts for the sake of love; and Caster's Master is likely acting on instinct, right?"

He cast an inquisitive look at Wang Xiaoming, and after receiving a nod in response:

"Then that only leaves you—"

Rider refocused his gaze on Saber:

"Hey, Saber, why don't you tell us your wish as well."

Without any emotional fluctuation, Saber raised her head to meet everyone's gaze and said sternly:

"I wish to save my homeland. I will change the fate of Britain's destruction."

PS: Going live this Friday, definitely not skipping!

Chapter Recommendation~

My Youth Story Is Only Loneliness

Synopsis: "To me, what is life?"

"Loneliness. It is not family, nor is it love; it is walking the path alone, bearing the responsibility known as the self."

"People can only rely on themselves."

There is a protagonist with a very... distinct personality, haha.

Those interested can take a look~

Chapter 56. Tipsy

"I wish to save my homeland. I will change the fate of Britain's destruction."

"..."

What should have been a lively banquet was met with a strange silence for the first time.

Wang Xiaoming raised the red wine in his glass, watching the subtle expressions on the faces of Rider and Archer, and felt his spirits lift slightly:

"The main event has finally arrived."

His previous suggestion to Rider to join the banquet was not without the intention of wanting to witness this scene.

"--Tell me, King of Knights, I didn't mishear you, did I?"

Rider, the first to speak, finally broke the silence. For some reason, his face was filled with confusion.

"Are you saying you want to 'change fate'? In other words, to overturn history?"

"Yes. No matter how impossible a wish may seem, as long as one possesses the omnipotent Holy Grail, it can certainly be realized—"

The scene turned cold due to Saber's firm words.

At this moment, Medea raised her head to glance at the composed Wang Xiaoming, and upon seeing the strange, ambiguous smile at the corner of his mouth, she understood a little:

It seems this situation was also calculated by him.

However, regardless of what Medea was thinking, the heavy atmosphere at the banquet did not dissipate.

"Saber, let me confirm: that country called Britain perished during your era, right? It happened while you were ruling?"

"That is correct! That is why I cannot forgive myself."

Perhaps because the reactions of those present were unexpected to Saber, even the tone of her explanation became slightly impatient:

"That is why I am so unreconciled; I want to change that outcome! It was because of me that such an end came to pass..."

A burst of laughter suddenly erupted from the side.

It was a wanton, rude, and even vulgar laugh, and this laughter came from the twisted mouth of Archer.

This vulgar laughter caused Medea's expression to darken slightly.

Having lived in the Age of Gods, Medea had seen many heroes during her lifetime; those people were either gentle and refined or boisterous and careless, but this arrogant laughter, along with that same golden radiance...