Journey to Find Heroic Spirits

The battle tonight has ended, but the ripples caused by Illya's appearance are far from settled.

Einzbern Castle.

Irisviel, agitated, said to Kiritsugu Emiya, "That's Illya! Silver hair, red eyes, the name and appearance are exactly the same. She must be Illya!"

Kiritsugu sat expressionlessly on a chair, staring blankly at the floor, and calmly replied, "No, she's not. Our daughter is in Germany, with the Einzbern family."

"Then who is she?" Irisviel shed tears of pain, recalling what Yu Xian had told her that day, urging her not to give up hope for Illya's sake.

"Irisviel," Artoria stepped forward to support her. "Besides Illya, who is that red-clothed Servant?"

Kiritsugu said in a low voice, "His name is Shirou Emiya. He appeared in Fuyuki City with Illya a year ago."

"Emiya?!" Irisviel was surprised by the surname. "Could he be like Illya...?"

"No, it's likely a coincidence," Kiritsugu's expression was calm. He recalled everything that had happened on the island; he had no remaining relatives with the surname Emiya. "Regardless, let's deal with the others first."

Tohsaka Family, Tokiomi Tohsaka's magic workshop.

Kirei Kotomine reported to Tokiomi Tohsaka, "Teacher, I have dispatched the Assassin to monitor the vicinity of the Matou family."

"Good, you've done well," Tokiomi nodded thoughtfully. "We still don't know their objective, but with three Servants, they cannot be underestimated. Coupled with Kariya Matou and the Berserker, the Matou family has become our biggest opponent in this Holy Grail War."

"My father said these three Servants were not summoned through the Holy Grail in violation of the rules. I wonder what method they used," Kirei Kotomine continued.

"Intelligence indicates they likely borrowed the power of Heroic Spirits through unknown means." Tokiomi put down his wine glass and bowed to the Golden Flash sitting beside him. "My King, could you inform your subject of the information regarding those three Servants?"

"Hmph? You want me to pay attention to three insects?" Golden Flash's expression was arrogant, clearly displeased with Tokiomi's request.

The next day, Illya was still very weak. She took leave from school and rested at home.

In the evening, Yu Xian received an invitation from the King of Conquerors to go to Einzbern Castle for drinks.

A Holy Grail conversation?

Yu Xian was very interested and readily agreed to go.

He asked Emiya to prepare some delicacies; it wouldn't do to have drinks without food.

When Yu Xian and Mash arrived at Einzbern Castle, the three kings were already seated on the ground in the castle courtyard, drinking together.

"Ah, apologies for being late," Yu Xian said, though his face showed no hint of tardiness.

He then added, "How can a gathering of kings be so shabby! Mash, set up the table."

"Yes, Senpai," Mash immediately transformed the shield in her hand into a round table and placed it in the center of the courtyard.

"Oh? Is this the King of Knights' Round Table?" The King of Conquerors thumped the table forcefully, quite curious about this legendary "gathering place of heroes."

Artoria stepped forward, gently stroking the round table with a nostalgic expression. She clearly remembered the seat each Knight had occupied.

Golden Flash said with great displeasure, "Mongrel, do you intend for me to become a vassal of the King of Knights?!"

"Eh? Didn't you say all treasures belong to you? Is this round table an exception?" Yu Xian feigned extreme surprise, retorting.

"Hmph!" Golden Flash said no more.

Yu Xian ignored the chuunibyou Golden Flash and continued, "Drinking without food? You kings live a very simple life, understanding nothing of enjoyment."

"Emiya, serve the food."

Emiya placed plate after plate of exquisite food onto the round table, filling it completely.

As expected of a Servant with EX-rank cooking skills, Yu Xian had only asked him to prepare some simple snacks, yet Emiya had produced a lavish banquet.

Everyone was stunned. Yu Xian seemed to hear someone swallow.

Yu Xian enthusiastically beckoned to everyone, "Come, come, Waver and Irisviel, try some too. Let me tell you, Emiya's cooking is the best among all Servants."

"By your words, have you met many Servants?" The King of Conquerors, Iskandar, did not stand on ceremony and immediately found a seat.

"Quite a few, there's..." Yu Xian trailed off, then turned to Mash. "Mash, how many Servants does Chaldea have again?"

"Senpai, you rarely forget things. It must be tough being your Servant," Mash quipped.

Yu Xian felt a little ashamed and quickly changed the subject. "Golden Flash, bring out a few more cups."

Golden Flash glared at Yu Xian, displeased by his rudeness.

Yu Xian widened his eyes and glared back, goading him, "As the King of Heroes, are you unwilling to share fine wine and food with your subjects? Or are you simply stingy?"

Golden Flash, annoyed, threw out a few more golden wine cups.

Yu Xian immediately took one, filled it to the brim for himself, and took an eager sip. This was fine wine from Golden Flash's treasury, and he had long wanted to try it.

"Ah—" The aroma of the fine wine lingered in Yu Xian's mouth. This was the best wine he had ever tasted. He turned to Mash and said, "Make a note, make a note. Next time I see Golden Flash, I must ask him for some of this fine wine."

Mash said speechlessly, "Senpai, you'll get killed by Mr. Golden if you do that."

"Then... ask young Gil?" Yu Xian also felt it might be difficult to ask Golden Flash for things, so he immediately changed his target.

Young Gil was much easier to talk to; he definitely wouldn't refuse his request.

As the group dined around the round table, Irisviel finally couldn't help but ask about Illya.

"She's fine," Yu Xian replied. "Her power comes from the gem staff made by the Jeweled Gentleman. She's just a bit overexerted and will be fine after a few days of rest."

"The Jeweled Gentleman!?" Waver exclaimed in surprise. "You mean that Marshal of Magic?"

Yu Xian nodded. "Yes, Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, the Jeweled Gentleman, the Mage of Flowers of 'Second Magic.' The Tohsaka Family's gem magic is inherited from him."

"No wonder it had such power." As a student of the Clock Tower, Waver had heard many tales of the Jeweled Gentleman.

Irisviel wasn't very interested in the Jeweled Gentleman. Her concern was Illya. "Is she really Illya?"

"You want to ask if she's your daughter, don't you?" Yu Xian knew what she was getting at. After some thought, he decided there was nothing to hide and explained, "Let's put it this way: her father is Kiritsugu Emiya, and her mother is Irisviel von Einzbern. She's Illya from a parallel world.

In fact, all of us come from another world, a human history safeguarding institution called Chaldea. I am the only Master there. I'm familiar with everyone here because there are existences similar to you in Chaldea."

"Huh? There's me too?" Waver pointed at himself, asking in surprise.

"Of course, there's you," Yu Xian said seriously, looking at him. "Don't underestimate yourself, Waver Velvet. You are the most important Servant in Chaldea."

"Haha, just as expected of my Master, the King of Conquerors," the King of Conquerors roared with laughter, slapping Waver's back hard.

Mash's eyes widened as she looked at Yu Xian, her forehead shining. "Isn't Senpai's most important Servant Arash?"

On the other side, Emiya's mouth twitched. He clearly recalled something unpleasant.

"Mash, that's slander! I am a Master with a conscience. I'm just on good terms with Arash," Yu Xian corrected her righteously, secretly resolving to treat Arash well if he ever met him again.

Arash was Yu Xian's first Servant to reach maximum Bond.

Section 12: Chapter Twelve - Where My King's Sword Points, So Shall Our Hearts Follow

In a cheerful and lively atmosphere, a large table full of dishes was completely cleared.

Yu Xian secretly glanced at Artoria. She had remained silent throughout the meal and was now elegantly wiping her mouth.

After the feast, the slightly tipsy King of Conquerors asked everyone, "What grand wishes did you place upon the Holy Grail?"

"Ultimately, that thing was originally mine. The origin of all treasures in the world can be traced back to my Treasury. If you want to steal it from my Treasury, there are limits to shamelessness," Golden Flash declared ownership of the Holy Grail.

Yu Xian said calmly, "My Dragon Loli picks up a Holy Grail for me every year. My room is almost full. So it turns out you were the one carelessly discarding them."

Everyone looked at him. Yu Xian quickly waved his hands. "The Holy Grail isn't very useful. It just sits in the room, sparkling and blinding."

The King of Conquerors laughed heartily. "That's quite something. I very much desire the Holy Grail. If I want something, I take it. That's my way, for I, Iskandar, am… the King of Conquerors."

Artoria asked, "You would use force to take it. What are you seeking from the Holy Grail?"

"A body," the King of Conquerors said in a low voice, feeling a bit ashamed.

"Ah! Isn't your wish to conquer the world!?" Waver asked in surprise.

"Idiot! What's the point of having a cup conquer the world for me? Conquest is a dream I carry myself."

After taking a hearty drink, the King of Conquerors continued, "To challenge heaven and earth with my own body, to complete the process of conquest with my own hands – that is my dominance."

"I've decided, Rider. I will personally kill you," Golden Flash said with a smile, piqued by the King of Conquerors' words.

The King of Conquerors was unfazed. "I also wish to steal all the treasures from your Treasury. You'd best be careful."

"Doing so is not the way of a king," Artoria disagreed with the King of Conquerors' approach.

Hearing this, the King of Conquerors looked at Artoria. "Then tell me, what are your thoughts?"

Artoria's expression turned serious, and she said earnestly, "My wish is to save my homeland and change the fate of Britannia's destruction."

The King of Conquerors wondered if he had misheard. He asked hesitantly, "Let me confirm, the destruction of Britannia you speak of happened during your reign, didn't it? You want to change the history you created?"

"Yes. That's precisely why I cannot accept it, why I regret it. I want to change that ending. It is my responsibility." Artoria's eyes were firm. This was exactly why she participated in the Holy Grail War.

"Hahahahaha!" Golden Flash burst into laughter.

Yu Xian stared at Golden Flash expressionlessly. Although Artoria's wish sounded somewhat absurd, he would not allow Golden Flash to mock her tragic aspiration so wantonly.

Sensing Yu Xian's unfriendly gaze, Golden Flash let out a "Tch" and stopped laughing.

"My Queen," Yu Xian rose and bowed to Artoria. "I once heard a great king say that the essence of humanity is responsibility."

"As a king's responsibility, you failed to guide your subjects properly, bearing everything upon yourself, attempting to change the history you created and save your homeland from destruction with a mere Holy Grail."

Yu Xian paused, then turned to Mash. "Make a note: next time you see Merlin, don't bother with anything else, just beat him up."

"Yes, Senpai," Mash agreed without hesitation, showing how unpopular the old rogue Merlin was in Chaldea, even earning the dissatisfaction of the usually gentle Mash.

"Merlin..." Artoria murmured.

"Indeed. He interfered with your fate but didn't guide you properly. Doesn't he deserve a beating?"

"You let Lancelot's mistakes go unpunished, leaving him in endless guilt and regret. Your child, the rebellious knight Mordred, always yearned for her father but never received your acknowledgment."

"As your knight Tristan said, 'The King does not understand human hearts.'"

Artoria's face fell, and she sank into deep self-reproach and pain. "Precisely because of this, I wish even more to change this fate."

Yu Xian shook his head. "My Queen, you are a king of noble character. You should look forward. Your sword's edge should always point forward."

"Where my King's sword points, so shall our hearts follow."

"You stopped your own time at the Hill of Swords, signing a contract with the Counter Force at the cost of eternal servitude. Do you know how tragic that is?" Yu Xian's tone became sorrowful. As a devoted fan of Artoria, he absolutely did not want her to end up like that.

He gestured towards Emiya. "You can ask him what it's like to be a dog for the Counter Force."

Emiya remained silent, a memory he was unwilling to revisit.

"My King, it's time to wake from your dream. Your knights await your guidance once more."

Yuxian spoke, his mood considerably dampened. He turned to leave the table, "My apologies, I'm not feeling well. I'll take my leave."

Before he could take a step, dense figures appeared all around the courtyard.

Yuxian flew into a rage. He had thought that with him present, Tokiomi Tohsaka would abandon this assault, but he hadn't expected Tohsaka to still send the Hundred Faced Hassan.

His mood was already foul, and Hassan's appearance only fueled his anger. He roared, "The evening bell has rung. You should make your exit."

Seeing Yuxian losing his composure, Emiya prepared to deal with these uninvited guests who had angered him.

Before Emiya could react, the King of Conquerors rose first. "What truly inconsiderate disruptors. Allow me to show this young lady what true bonds between a king and his subjects are."

Immense magical power emanated from the King of Conquerors, pulling everyone present into his Reality Marble.

[Army of the King]

Yuxian found himself in a boundless desert. Endless yellow sands swirled in the wind, and in the distance, a mighty army slowly approached.

This was the concretization of the King of Conquerors' inner world – the land his great army had once conquered, the scenery forever etched in the hearts of the warriors who had shared his joys and sorrows.

The King of Conquerors, Iskandar, spread his arms wide and bellowed, "Behold, my peerless army! Their bodies destroyed, their souls summoned as Heroic Spirits, yet still loyal to me, these legendary warriors! The bonds I share with them are my greatest treasure, my path as king, my strongest Noble Phantasm, [Army of the King]."

"King! King! King!"

Everyone in the army shouted in unison, awaiting their king to once again lead them to conquer the world.

The King of Conquerors gently embraced his beloved horse, Bucephalus, and mounted its back.

He declared loudly, "A king is one who lives more exceptionally than anyone else, someone who captivates all. Only one who gathers the envy of all warriors and becomes their direction can be called a king."

"Therefore, a king is not solitary. His great ambition is the sum of the ambitions of all his subjects."