---o---
[After a brief silence...
The King of Conquerors closed his eyes and rested a hand on his forehead. He never should have asked that question. He had thought this young woman was an extraordinary person, but he never expected such audacious words to come from her mouth.
However, this also proved from another angle that this young woman was by no means as simple as she appeared.
Not everyone could maintain such a joking attitude when facing a king. Although the Elysia before him possessed a physical body and was, in the truest sense, a human, his royal intuition told him that she was not merely a magus or a human.
"Hahaha!" The King of Conquerors broke the awkward atmosphere with his hearty laughter. "To think that in this Holy Grail War, besides long-renowned knights of history, I would also encounter such a remarkable woman! What a pity there is no fine wine or music. Otherwise, I would truly wish to hold a grand banquet!"
The King of Conquerors felt a pang of regret, then turned to Waver, who had only just recovered. "Hey, Waver, are there any places still selling wine at this hour?"
Waver, whose forehead was no longer hurting as much, struggled to climb out of the chariot. Hearing the King of Conquerors' words, he was overcome with indignation and shame, letting out a furious, yet still feeble, 'dragon's roar': "Rider—!"
"What on earth are you doing?!! This is the Holy Grail War, not a royal banquet! Why did you tell everyone our trump cards right from the start?!!"
Waver was on the verge of a complete breakdown. He was even starting to regret stealing Lord El-Melloi's catalyst. If he hadn't stolen the catalyst, he wouldn't have summoned such a bizarre Servant.
First recruiting followers, now planning a banquet... Was the world really once almost conquered by such an idiot?
It was all over now. His Servant had leaked all their information. He had already lost this Holy Grail War...
"Is that so? So it was you..."
Just as Waver was pounding his fists against the King of Conquerors, Lancer's hidden Master spoke up. The grating, duck-like voice was still highly recognizable, and the sound, coming from all directions, was clearly enhanced by magecraft to conceal his location.
When this voice rang out, the others had little reaction, but Waver's face was filled with terror. A cold sweat trickled down his skin as he instinctively glanced around, as if trying to find the source of the voice, yet also fearing that he would.
Then, the voice continued.
"I was wondering what madness possessed you to steal the catalyst I had prepared. So, it was to participate in the Holy Grail War..."
As the person spoke, Waver grew more and more terrified, trembling as he clutched the King of Conquerors' cape even tighter.
Then, the camera shifted to the top of a warehouse, where a person slowly walked out. It was none other than Lancer's Master, continuing his speech: "Since you had the resolve to participate in the Holy Grail War, then you were clearly prepared for a life-and-death struggle between magi."
"In that case, allow me, your mentor, to give you some special tutoring. I shall teach you what it means for magi to slaughter one another!"
"The fear and pain involved—I will impart all of it to you without reservation. And you can feel honored by this—Mr. Waver Velvet!"
By the time he finished speaking, he had fully emerged into the light of the port's lamps, his entire figure visible.
He was a young man with blond hair slicked back, appearing to be in his twenties. He was rather handsome, but his attire was old-fashioned—a set of blue robes. The aura of an old-school, traditional conservative practically radiated from him, the typical style of a traditionalist British noble.
Waver was so frightened by these words that he immediately hugged his head and crouched down, trembling uncontrollably, looking even more weak and timid.]
---o---
Shizuka Hiratsuka: "Hey, what's with this teacher? What kind of teacher treats their student like that!"
Hachiman Hikigaya: "They exist. Teacher, didn't you impart the fear of the consequences for being late to class and forgetting homework to your students?"
Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald: "The relationship between magi is completely different from that of you worldly commoners."
Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald: "Waver... to think a worthless failure like him would also participate in the Holy Grail War. Perfect... saves me the trouble of hunting him down."
Himeko Murata: "While stealing is certainly wrong, as a teacher, your actions are even more despicable!"
Kiana Kaslana: "Yeah, yeah! Major Himeko is a hundred times better than you! No, wait, a million times!"
The comments flashed by rapidly, most of them criticizing Kayneth. After all, Kayneth's entrance was no different from that of a villain.
Although Waver seemed a bit weak, he didn't appear to be a bad person. For a teacher to face his own student with such murderous intent was far too appalling.
---o---
[In the video, Waver was no longer as afraid, because the King of Conquerors had placed his massive right hand on his back, the large and powerful hand calming the meek little boy.
Then, the King of Conquerors mercilessly raised his head and loudly rebuked, "Hey! Magus! Listening to you, it sounds like you intended to become my Master instead of this boy. If that's the case, then that's utterly laughable!"
"The man who becomes my Master must be a warrior who can ride onto the battlefield with me! A coward who doesn't even dare to show his face is completely unworthy! Hahahaha~~~"
Amidst the King of Conquerors' hearty laughter, Kayneth's expression soured. Waver, on the other hand, looked touched, gazing at the King of Conquerors as if seeing a shining light. Just moments ago, he had been so aggrieved by his Servant that he was on the verge of death and wished for a new one, but now, his moved heart was on the verge of being conquered.
In that same moment, the King of Conquerors' charisma was on full display. The Holy Grail War was no child's play. In such a dangerous and unpredictable conflict, having a king like him as a Servant would provide an immense sense of security.
However, before people could savor the current situation, the King of Conquerors turned his head and shouted at the empty air, "Hey! There are others here, aren't there?"
"All you cowards lurking and peeking from the darkness! I know it! The Servants drawn by the clear clash of Saber's and Lancer's blades are definitely not limited to just us!"
"Heroic Spirits summoned by the Grail! Gather here now! Any coward who fears to show their face shall be held in contempt by me, Iskandar, the King of Conquerors!!!"
The last words were practically roared, the sound echoing in all directions. It was a clear and undisguised taunt, like a public challenge to everyone.
With such an obvious provocation, would anyone take the bait?]