"The King of Heroes." Rider nodded with satisfaction. "Now, this war is truly interesting if one of the strongest Heroic Spirits is fighting against me. Won't you agree, Gilgamesh?"
'Wait, Archer is Gilgamesh? That Gilgamesh?!' The king of the ancient city of Uruk and the hero of Epic of Gilgamesh. Lelouch wasn't too interested in Literature but during his time in Ashford Academy, he read some stories about it.
"Mongrel. I don't remember permitting you to call me by name so casually." Gilgamesh sent Rider an irritated look but the huge man just laughed it off. "And you have the audacity to call yourself a King. I am disappointed at how much standards have dropped since my days."
"Oh, really? Just how highly do you think of yourself, blondie?" Gilgamesh gave Avenger a boring look.
"High enough to distinguish the decent king from the illiterate mongrel. Can you guess which category you fall into?" he smirked when Avenger clenched her teeth.
"Unlike you, I wasn't born in Royalty and had to fight for everything in my life, even the right to rule my clan. If anything I'm more worthy to call myself a ruler than some spoiled brat who was born with a golden spoon up his ass." Both Avenger and Archer glared at each other. Lelouch could feel that both were ready to start a fight at any moment, he needed to do something. However, thankfully Saber was one to calm the situation.
"Both of you stop right now! This meeting was allowed only as long as no one started a fight. This rule applies to you as well, Archer. I will make sure of that." She said with a commanding tone that reminded Lelouch of his older half-sister. 'Cornelia would have liked her.'
"...I'm the rule-"
"Gilgamesh."
Saber said slowly with enough power to make King of Heroes back down but with a small smile. Lelouch didn't think it was because out of fear, maybe it was out of respect or acknowledgement.
"Very well, Saber. Your house, your rules. However, I will let you know, Avenger," Lelouch's servant blinked, surprised that Archer didn't try to insult her again. "Not everything in my life is easy for me to accomplish... I had my own battles and made my own law that I follow no matter what."
"Aren't you the perfect King, Archer?" Iskandar laughed but asked further. "And what law is that?"
"It is pretty simple. My law is to punish anyone who dared to put their dirty hands on my treasures and anything I can consider as such." He finished and took another sip.
Avenger looked puzzled. "That's all? Sounds pretty underwhelming."
"Not exactly." Everyone turned to Lelouch who suddenly spoke. Seeing how he gained their attention, the Demon Emperor spoke, "Treasures aren't just artefacts or weapons, it can be people or memories as well." Avenger narrowed her eyes as she looked down, Rider smiled while Gilgamesh nodded approvingly. Saber clenched her working hand.
"Indeed. Only fools would think that the true King only treasures his material possessions. Since the Grail is just another part of my Gate, I should treasure it as any of my possessions." His red eyes looked carefully at the master before him. "You seem to understand this concept, Master of Avenger."
Lelouch stared at the red liquid at his cup. He thought about what he considered his treasures. There weren't too many of them but one stood out among others.
"...I had my own treasure, who I was ready to do anything for." He raised his head and looked straight into Gilgamesh's eyes. Violet met Red. "I'm still ready."
The golden Archer raised his eyebrow. A little impressed with what he saw, Gilgamesh stated. "Not bad. Seems this age isn't without some hidden gems. Good, you will make good entertainment for the duration of this war, Lelouch." The master in question felt chills run down his spine when the King of Heroes said his name like that but didn't show any weakness before Archer.
"Oi, Archer. He is my master, not some whore to humour you." Avenger said with venom but Gilgamesh just sighed.
"...I suppose I have to tolerate you too," he said with clear disappointment.
Rider looked at this conversation with curiosity. "I get what you both mean but Archer," The huge man placed a cup on the ground. "Even if you follow this law of yours I will still take the Grail. I'm the King of Conquers after all. Have to live up to the name, you know."
"You can always try. And I can always use the target practice," The Golden Servant smirked. Both Iskandar and Gilgamesh stared at each other with such excited expression. 'Thank God, Milly isn't here to make an inappropriate comment.'
"...you both can kill each other after I'm done with my sake...or right now, I wouldn't mind a little show." commented Avenger before turning to Lelouch and whispering. "My money's on Rider."
"Thanks!"
"Rider," Saber suddenly spoke and everyone's attention focused on her. "Are you truly ready to take the Grail by force even if it isn't yours? What kind of wish do you have to go so far?"
The servant in question stopped and made a thoughtful face before taking another sip of Archer's wine. Everyone stared at him waiting for an answer. He was silent for a moment before speaking.
"Reincarnation."
'What.'
"What?"
"WHAT?!"
"...You gotta be kidding me."
Waver ran to his servant and started to hit his back. "Wait! You said you wanted to conquer the entire world!" but was quickly tossed aside as Rider snapped his finger.
"Fool! What is the point of wishing world conquest from some Grail if I can do that myself? Conquest is my desire and something I should do with my own hands." while Iskdandar was speaking, Lelouch couldn't help but feel little, what was the word Avenger used earlier, oh, underwhelmed.
"World Conquest? Well, I suppose that's something the King of Conquers can dream of...Can't say that I share his interest." said the Emperor who did conquer the entire world in his past life.
"Easy for you to say." Avenger pouted as her red eyes stared at her master with jealousy. For a moment Lelouch forgot that she knew about his former life.
"We will discuss our dreams after the banquet, Fool of Owari," Lelouch used their connection and smirked when Avenger stopped and looked away with a slight pink shade on her face. He still needed to deal with that issue but it could wait for now.
"Speaking about dreams," Avenger whispered before glaring at Rider. "Why do you have the same wish as me!?" Rider blinked while Archer burst in laughter.
"Wait, what. Avenger, you want to be reborn in this age as well?" The King of Conquerors inquired with a stunned expression. The redheaded woman angrily pointed at him.
"That's right! And not only that but I want to finally create my own empire and spread my hegemony across Asia!" Avenger declared excitedly with sparkles in her eyes as a red blush appeared on her face. "First I will reconquer Japan, then Asia, and then the world!... Portugal can stay. I don't mind them."
Rider stared at her before starting to laugh like a madman. "HA! And I thought my only enemy would be this Clinton guy! But now I have a rival with the same wish! Avenger, we might have a small skirmish yesterday but from now on I shall fight you with everything I have!"
"Hoh. What is this? A formal declaration of war?" The Fool of Owari smirked with murderous intent but Lelouch could feel that she was excited.
"Yup. And I'm going to defeat you no matter what. That's a promise in my honour as King of Conquerors!" Rider declared as he raised his cup. Avenger stared at him with a dark smile before laughing.
"Very well, King Iskandar. I shall accept your declaration but know this when I win I will take your title for myself."
Rider smirked."What? You gonna call yourself Queen of Conquers?"
"Ara, Demon Conqueror sounds better to me but I will think about this stuff after my victory… Although that title might be taken."
Lelouch was the only one who understood what she meant but didn't show any emotions. Avenger just wanted to mess with him further and see his reactions. He wouldn't give in.
"What predictable and boring wishes, don't you agree?" Archer asked as he turned his attention to Lelouch and Saber. Both Rider and Avenger were busy with promises of what they will do after they are reborn.
"Your highness, I'm sure many kings would share their desire to be among the living again-"
"Would you?" Gilgamesh smirked when Lelouch stopped. "If you were a ruler who died and had the opportunity to wish for anything, what would you wish for?"
Lelouch froze for a second, thinking about how to answer. Giving a vague answer to Archer didn't seem to be the best option. The blonde servant wasn't openly hostile to him so losing it right now wouldn't be a wise move. His wish? Lelouch had no wish at this moment other than to see his mission completed no matter what.
"...As I said to Rider my wish is to protect people I care about or in other words, follow your law and protect my treasures." Demon Emperor said with a sweet tone, hoping this answer would be okay with Archer. Gilgamesh's smile didn't disappear, after a short moment, he turned to Saber.
"And what about you Saber? What is your wish?" The King of Knights immediately answered.
"...I wish to save my country. With something like the Grail, I shall change the fate of Britain." as she said this both Rider and Avenger stopped their conversation and turned to Saber. Iskandar's smile slowly disappeared while Avenger raised her eyebrow. Gilgamesh didn't say anything, while Lelouch stared at Artoria Pendragon, with a shocked expression.
After a long silence Rider was first to start speaking."So, King of Knights. You are going to change fate? That means changing history as well?"
"Indeed. I believe that with something as powerful as the Grail I can make it happen." As Saber said this, Archer started to laugh non-stop. Saber wanted to comment but Rider intervened.
"Wait, Saber. I'm trying to understand this. Does that you mean you want to change the history of Britain? The country that has fallen during your rule?" Rider's eyes turned to Lelouch. "His country?"
The Master of Avenger stayed silent, observing Saber as she spoke. "The Britain of today is different. The present and the past are far different from each other. I failed to accomplish my responsibility and cannot accept it. That's why I'm grieving over it. I'm the one who is to blame and nobody else, that's why I should do it." as she spoke Gilgamesh laughed louder and louder. "What's so funny, Archer?"
"Hey, King of Knights," Avenger called out. "Do you mean you want to carve your reign from history?" she asked with a serious tone. Her eyes moved from Artoria to her master. Avenger had a bad feeling about how Lelouch might react to Saber's wish.
"Yes! What's strange about it? The country that gave me my sword, the country I dedicated my life to had collapsed. There's nothing wrong with my regret."
"...and I thought Rider was the biggest fool here," Avenger commented before drinking her sake. Gilgamesh laughed as he turned to Lelouch.
"Say, Lelouch. What do you think about this? What do you think about this little girl's dream?" he asked with an amused tone, not caring that the master in question stayed silent. Violet eyes focused on the legendary king from his homeland but inside he had mixed emotions.
'Such a wish...'
"The king must make sacrifices for the prosperity of the nation."
"You are wrong."
Saber turned to Rider. "It isn't the king who must make sacrifices but his people and nation. Not the other way around." Artoria looked at him with disbelief.
"Those are the words of a tyrant!"
"You still didn't get it, Saber?" asked Avenger as she waved around the banquet. "We are all here because we are tyrants in our own right. Every ruler here has done whatever it takes to accomplish their goals, no matter the consequences. That's what makes us heroic spirits… Or do you want to tell me that you were a perfect king who hasn't done any wrongs?"
Artoria looked at the ground with shame. "I wasn't a perfect king. I tried my best to rule justly but I failed."
"You regret your rule so much you want to change everything, Saber? What a foolish desire. No king should regret his rule otherwise he is a fool." Rider's tone was getting lower.
"Iskandar, your empire has fallen soon after the demise of your successors. Don't you regret it?"
"Saber, you asked me if I regret my rule." started Rider. "Truth is, I don't and never will. How can I call myself a king if I regret my decisions, good and bad that I made? If I make such a wish I will only disrespect all those who followed me and make their sacrifices for nothing!"
"Only bloodthirsty warmongers see honour in destruction and chaos! A King must rule with justice and devote his whole life to the people."
"Hey Saber, do you think every King should be a perfect being with no flaws to lead his people?" asked Avenger. "That every king must be a God-like being who sacrifices his every desire to accomplish this goal?"
"I'm only saying that a King should rule justly, a King should devote his life to his nation. That's what it means to be a king! To give up your life for the sake of your people."
Avenger stared at her before spitting on the ground. "What a terrible life to live. Living solely for the sake of your people? Who would want that?" Artoria's eyes went wide.
"Wha-"
"Foolish knight, I see why people might think of you as a hero of childish stories. Everyone here has his own ideals and we died following them one way or another. I had my own dream and ideas but was betrayed. However, I do not wish to change my fate. Why would I? My death is a result of my actions, changing them would be a coward's way. If I spent my new life as a servant only thinking about my failures and regrets I would only live in the past." Avenger took a pause and drank a little. "Artoria, your ideals might be naive but they're not wrong but because of them, you can't move on. That's not the life of a king." Avenger shook her head with disappointment. "I thought that you and I had similar hardships and fates but I had clear goals and ambitions which I don't regret. However, you are stuck in the past because of your own failure that you cannot accept. I would recommend getting over it and continue living."
"You wrong, Avenger. Both you and Rider are just tyrants who want to please your own desires. I have ruled Britain when it was facing its darkest time when it was being invaded. I had no time for foolish ideas of conquest like you."
"Saber, let me ask this. If you are such a fair King who rules with justice then how did your reign end?" started Gilgamesh. When Artoria opened her mouth to argue, Archer continued. "It was rebellion, wasn't it? And by those, you considered a loyal subject out of all people. Your most loyal servants went against you."
Artoria didn't say a word. It was painful for her to think about that moment of her rule. Saber's eyes turned from Avenger and Rider to others. Gilgamesh stared at her with a smirk before speaking again.
"Master of Avenger, Lelouch. You, a prince from modern Britain, you read stories about our naive Saber and said that they inspired you. Tell us what do you think about it?"