Spiraling radiance pierced the torsos of the giant and his steed, utterly destroying their Spirit Cores.
Sovell pulled out the Holy Spear. Their forms scattered in the wind as motes of gold and blue light, then vanished.
Servant Rider, Iskandar, had left the stage.
Waver stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly at the paving stone where Iskandar had stood before disappearing. Only when Sovell spoke did he come back to his senses:
"Hey, you there, young man. Your name was... Waver, right?"
"Huh? Yes, Waver Velvet."
Watching the Servant, now draped in his White Robe again, slowly approach him, Waver's legs trembled. The shock of that moment's impact still lingered in his heart.
But he remained where he stood, never stepping back.
"As agreed with the King of Conquerors, I will shelter you for the time being. There is no need to fear. Once the Holy Grail War ends, however, your life will be in your own hands. Do you understand?"
"Yes... I understand."
Sovell walked past Waver. At his will, the White Robe over his shoulders transformed back into that pure white suit, and he returned to Artoria's side.
He took out his remaining half glass of juice, drained it, then spoke again:
"You did very well. Using two Command Spells at once to strengthen Rider would likely have brought even this war's Berserker down beneath the Gordius Wheel. His only misfortune was that he faced me. Nothing more.
"As for those words of his, they should have been swept onto history's rubbish heap when the age of Greece came to an end. Likewise, you need not blame yourself for his departure. A young man's view of the world needs better guidance."
The banquet had ended with those words from its host, Iskandar, so neither he nor Artoria