The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

At Flan's sharp remark, Rider froze mid-motion. The famously bold King of Conquerors scratched his head awkwardly, not quite sure what to do next.

Indeed, it was rather rude to expect such a cute little girl to drink from a ladle he had already used. The problem was, he hadn't thought to bring a second cup.

Maybe he should just ask them to bring out a few more cups. After all, they were in their residence—surely something like wine cups wouldn't be in short supply?

Rider stroked his chin as he pondered this, but felt too embarrassed to speak up.

Just as the awkward silence settled in, a new surge of magical energy rippled through the air nearby.

Sensing this sudden burst, Rider's eyes lit up. Reinforcements had arrived—someone who could save him from this awkward moment.

"So you finally made it! I was starting to think you got lost."

Rider laughed heartily, but was quickly cut off by an angry voice.

"Enough jokes, mongrel."

With that familiar tone of arrogance, a brilliant golden light flashed into view before everyone.

The voice and that light caused Irisviel's body to go rigid. Yoru, sensing his wife's fear, gently squeezed her hand to reassure her.

"Archer, you finally showed up. And Saber too."

It wasn't just Archer—he had arrived together with the silent Saber. In an instant, three powerful Servants had gathered at Einzbern.

"What's going on? What are those two doing here?"

Even Flan felt a faint pressure with three high-tier Servants gathered. The girl looked warily at the new arrivals and questioned Rider directly.

Unlike the slightly tense Flan, Rider answered with a calm and casual tone.

"Ah, I bumped into them on the street and invited them to join us for a drink. Though they did arrive a bit late—Golden Boy and Little Miss. But hey, they came on foot, unlike me, so you can't really blame them."

Clad in shining armor, Archer glared at Rider with ruby-like eyes full of disdain. Meanwhile, the silent Saber raised her head and glared at Rider with barely contained indignation.

Watching this unfold, Waver covered his face in despair. One careless comment had offended not one, but two powerful Servants. Was there truly anyone more reckless than this muscle-headed fool?

"You really picked this shabby place for a banquet? That's the extent of your taste? I came all this way, how are you going to make up for this insult?"

The awkward atmosphere persisted for a moment until Archer broke the silence with his scornful remark.

"Oh, don't be like that. Here—have a drink first."

Rider laughed heartily and handed Archer the ladle full of wine.

One would expect Archer to be enraged by Rider's boldness, but surprisingly, he took the ladle and downed the wine in one gulp without protest.

Irisviel looked on, visibly surprised, but Yoru calmly explained:

"Archer claims to be a 'king'. As a Heroic Spirit whose true identity remains unknown, he refers to himself as a king—so naturally, he wouldn't refuse a drink offered by another king."

A challenge between monarchs? Irisviel thought to herself. After drinking, Archer spoke.

"What kind of swill is this? You dare offer this garbage as the drink of kings?"

He spoke with open disdain.

"Is that so? I bought it at the local market—it's pretty decent."

"That's because you know nothing about wine, you mongrel."

Archer sneered. A spatial vortex began to swirl beside him—an ominous sign of his ability to summon Noble Phantasms. Waver and Irisviel both felt a chill run down their spines.

But instead of weapons, what emerged tonight were finely crafted drinking vessels embedded with dazzling gemstones. From a heavy golden bottle, he poured out a clear, colorless liquid.

"Now this—this is the wine of kings."

"Oh, I'm truly moved."

Rider took no offense to Archer's tone and cheerfully poured the new wine into four cups.

Saber still held strong reservations toward the mysterious Archer. She hesitated as she looked at the golden bottle's contents, but ultimately accepted the cup passed to her.

Flan, too, took a cup. But Archer turned his scornful gaze her way.

"Hold on. This is a banquet for kings. What right does a little girl have to sit here and drink wine meant only for royalty?!"

"Well, to be honest, I invited this young lady here tonight to express my thanks."

Rider looked a bit embarrassed as he replied to Archer's rebuke.

In truth, when he'd run into Archer and Saber on the way, he hadn't given it much thought. He'd simply called out to them to join him for a drink.

But now... it seemed Archer may have misunderstood the situation a bit.

"Are you mocking me, Rider?! Do you intend to taint this royal banquet with your filthy blood?!"

"That's enough, Archer. She's someone worthy of respect for defeating the rogue Servant. Don't tell me you, a man of strength, can stomach the atrocities that Servant committed."

Like Rider, Saber held deep gratitude toward Flan. The actions of the now-eliminated Gilles had crossed every one of Saber's moral boundaries, inciting a rage she had never experienced before.

"Tch… that filthy insect. I, the King, would have taken his head myself at the right time. The fact that you beat me to it really pisses me off."

Archer sounded annoyed, but it seemed he was no longer insistent on whether Flan was worthy of drinking the wine of kings.

Rider, understanding how prideful Archer was, simply laughed it off. He no longer cared about the argument—he was far more interested in tasting the exquisite wine Archer had brought.

Though he was also a king, Rider—unlike Saber or Archer—had spent his life constantly fighting, conquering, and leading armies. He rarely enjoyed the luxury or adoration that came with kingship.

His entire life had been a campaign. Even in death, he fell while on the path of conquest.

Perhaps for that reason, the wine Archer presented tonight—he had never tasted anything like it. Maybe he had never even seen anything so refined.

To him, the wine he bought from a market vendor was already considered top shelf.

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