"Rider!" Waver Velvet cried, exasperated. His protests, however, were completely ignored by Iskandar. A king acted on his whims. Loyalty to his desires was Iskandar's royal prerogative.
Resigned, Waver huddled behind Iskandar, using his Master's ability to assess Ailin's parameters. He held his index and middle fingers before his eyes, a blue light flickering within them as he focused on Ailin.
Waver gasped. The parameters he saw were astonishing. Perhaps the strongest Servant in this war wasn't Gilgamesh, but this Berserker.
He recalled Iskandar's parameters:
…
Strength: B
Endurance: A
Agility: D
Magic: C
Luck: A+
Noble Phantasm: A++
…
As a Rider-class Servant, Iskandar's parameters were considered quite good. But compared to Berserker's, which were all A-rank or above, Iskandar seemed… underwhelming.
"What's wrong, Little Master?" Iskandar asked, sensing Waver's distress.
"Rider, we have to run!" Waver tugged on Iskandar's cloak. "That Berserker's parameters are all A or higher! He even has an A++ and his Noble Phantasm is EX-rank! We can't win against him!"
A spark of excitement ignited in Iskandar's eyes. Parameters were important, but a Servant's true strength lay in their Noble Phantasm, the crystallization of their legend, their proof of heroism. A weak Servant with a powerful Noble Phantasm could defeat a stronger opponent. Iskandar himself, despite his relatively low Agility and Magic, possessed an EX-rank Reality Marble, Ionioi Hetairoi (Army of the King), which elevated his Noble Phantasm ranking to A++.
Using Waver's Master abilities, Iskandar had assessed the other Servants. Lancer, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, with his C-rank Noble Phantasms, posed no threat. Saber, Artoria Pendragon, possessed an A++ rank Noble Phantasm, undoubtedly Excalibur. Caster was already eliminated. The remaining Servants, however, were a different matter. Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon and Berserker's similar ability were his greatest concerns.
While countered by them, Iskandar wasn't afraid. His army, loyal even in death, would fight by his side. Their combined strength, while individually weaker than Gilgamesh's treasures or Berserker's blades, was formidable. Moreover, Gilgamesh and Berserker's abilities were a perfect complement to his own. Iskandar's followers, summoned within Ionioi Hetairoi, lacked Noble Phantasms. If he could equip them with Gilgamesh's treasures or Berserker's blades… he would become the strongest Heroic Spirit, without question.
Unfortunately, neither Gilgamesh nor Ailin showed any inclination to cooperate.
"Rider, you're really asking for a beating." Ailin shook his head as Iskandar and Waver approached.
While all Masters could assess a Servant's parameters, it was considered rude to do so openly. To have his Master do it right in front of him… it was practically a declaration of war.
"If we weren't in the middle of the street, I'd stab you."
"Hahaha, don't be so uptight, Berserker." Iskandar laughed. "Won't you reconsider joining my army? I'll let you in on a secret: with you by my side, even 'Goldy' wouldn't stand a chance."
"Heh, you're dreaming, Rider." Ailin scoffed. "I could defeat all of you single-handedly. But I do look forward to our battle. Perhaps when you're kneeling before me, you'll remember this conversation and die of shame."
Iskandar's smile faltered.
"Looks like negotiations have failed."
"Isn't that obvious?" Ailin replied. "You should be grateful we're in a crowded public place. Now, if there's nothing else, you can leave." He glanced at the gathering onlookers.
"Now, now, don't be so hasty, Berserker." Iskandar, despite being dismissed, showed no sign of anger. Not because he was magnanimous, but because he saw his offer as a gift, a king bestowing his favor. Insults were meaningless. He would seek retribution on the battlefield, not through petty squabbles.
Three kings in a single Grail War… Iskandar wondered if such a thing had ever happened before. He had intended to invite Gilgamesh to a feast at Rider's territory, a contest of kingship. It was a gathering for kings. Others weren't invited. But seeing Berserker, and remembering his earlier comments about the kings of this world, Iskandar had a sudden inspiration. He would invite Berserker as well. If Berserker's claims about the kings of his world were true, they would earn Iskandar's respect. If not… well, they'd have a jester for their amusement.
"Berserker," Iskandar grinned, "I've invited 'Goldy' to a feast tonight at Rider's territory. Care to join us?"
Ailin paused, instantly recognizing the infamous "Feast of Kings." But he wasn't a king. Why invite him?
"I'm sorry, Rider, but while I would gladly accept a challenge to battle, I must decline your invitation to a feast. You, Gilgamesh, and Saber are all legendary kings of this world. It's a gathering for kings. What place does a non-king have among you?"
"A feast of kings…" Iskandar stroked his chin. "I like that. Tonight's feast shall be known as the Feast of Kings!" He slapped his thigh, then turned back to Ailin. "Berserker, from your earlier disdain, I gather your world also has its share of great kings. Kings you hold in such high regard that you dismiss the legends of our world. I have some questions I'd like to discuss with the other kings. Perhaps you could share some insights into the kings of your world, enlighten us about their… differences."
Ailin looked at him skeptically. "I've already told you, Rider. The kings of this world wouldn't even be worthy of an audience with the rulers of mine. Are you… doubting my words?"
"Hahaha, Berserker, your words alone aren't enough to convince us. If the kings of your world are as great as you claim, let us see them tonight!"
Without waiting for a response, Iskandar hoisted Waver onto his shoulder and began searching for suitable wine for their feast.
Kariya Matou's face was etched with worry. He hadn't been present during Berserker's clash with the other Servants. He'd been providing magical energy from a hotel balcony several kilometers away, where he was killed by Kiritsugu Emiya. But from Iskandar's words, he gathered Berserker had offended them. If they attacked him together…
"Don't worry, Kariya." Ailin sensed his concern. "I'm confident in my abilities. Even if they attack me together, defeating me won't be easy."
"But Berserker, you said it wouldn't be easy. Not that it's impossible." Kariya's voice was laced with anxiety. He was out of the Grail War, but Berserker wasn't. He wanted Sakura to help Berserker win, to fulfill his wish.
Ailin understood Kariya's worry. Even he, facing the combined might of three of the strongest Servants, had little chance of survival. Gilgamesh, Iskandar, and Artoria were proud kings. But that didn't preclude them from cooperating against a common enemy. They had done so against the abyssal sea monster.
Ailin hesitated. The Feast of Kings held a special significance for Fate fans. But more importantly, he had something to tell Artoria. He had intended to speak with her after the feast. But now, having received an invitation… he would attend.
"Kariya, I have… reasons to attend this feast. I won't be taking Sakura. I'll leave her here with you. And I'll leave a Zanpakutō to protect you, and to serve as a link between us. If I encounter danger, I'll let you know through the Zanpakutō. Then, Sakura can use a Command Spell to summon me."
"But…"
"Very well."
Kariya knew he couldn't dissuade Ailin. But this was acceptable. If Berserker was in danger, they could summon him back. With his power, even against six Servants, he could surely last until Sakura used a Command Spell. Kariya remembered Berserker's A++ rank Mana Burst. With Kariya as his Master, Ailin hadn't had enough magical energy to use it. But with Sakura… he could unleash his full power.
…
"The wind is picking up…" Ailin stood in the night sky above Fuyuki City, his white captain's haori billowing around him.
The rumble of thunder echoed through the air as Iskandar's chariot, pulled by two bulls wreathed in lightning, streaked across the sky towards the outskirts of the city, carrying him and his Master, Waver Velvet, towards the destined meeting of kings.