I, Kenneth, am going to get to the root of the problem today.

Page 31

“Good, wear this to the banquet today. I’ll be watching you. Lily, don’t even think about secretly changing back into that armor.”

Morgan saw through her thoughts, and a hint of displeasure flashed in Artoria's eyes. Lifting her skirt, Artoria retorted to Morgan with a huff before walking back to her room with a 'clattering' sound.

"Didn't you really want to make up with her? Why are you treating her like this?"

Recalling the lingering sensation on his fingertips, Morgan turned with a smile and walked towards Aozaki Aoko, who had already eaten a whole bunch of melon rinds.

“She’s too stubborn. Ordinary methods won’t work on her. Since I’m already a bad woman in her heart, I might as well try a different approach and let her subconsciously accept my existence first. There’s plenty of time later, and I’m not in a hurry.”

"I see. The relationship between you sisters is quite complicated. To be honest, I never expected that King Arthur would be a girl."

Seeing Aozaki Aoko's hesitant and unsure expression, Morgan tilted his head to one side, somewhat puzzled.

"Is there a problem, Aoko?"

Facing Morgan's unwavering gaze, Aozaki Aoko's face showed a rare blush. After a while, she decided to take the plunge and walked to Morgan's side.

"Um, since you're all girls, how did Mordred come to be...?"

"Mordred, I drugged Lily that night, I used a little trick, and that child is my masterpiece."

Morgan's unvarnished explanation made Aozaki Aoko blush. If she weren't so shy, she would have really wanted to say: "You're being so fussy."

Realizing that the usually carefree Aozaki Aoko was actually so innocent, Morgan's eyes, hidden behind her veil, immediately filled with joy.

"Actually, Aoko, you know what? Girls can do it too. Let me tell you, that night..."

"Woo——!!"

A sound like boiling water rang out. In this era before the birth of the XP system, such a sticky idea was truly beyond Aozaki Aoko's imagination. She covered Morgan's mouth with her hand. At this moment, Aozaki Aoko wished she could use the Fifth Law to delete this period of time and replace it with a completely ignorant brain.

However, as a wicked witch, Morgan was not about to be stopped by Aozaki Aoko's little resistance. The smile in her eyes became clearer and clearer, and Morgan's voice slowly rang in Aozaki Aoko's mind through the contact between the two.

"Aoko, do you know what? That night I put something in the food and brought Lily back to the castle..."

Seemingly feeling that mere words weren't specific enough, Morgan, who had already reached level six, went all out. The intermittent images were clearly switched during Morgan's narration. From a third-person perspective, Aozaki Aoko, living in the 1990s, truly experienced an IMAX-level 3D mental blockbuster under Morgan's wicked humor.

"Qingzi, do you know that only Mordred was conceived by me? Do you want to experience what it felt like that night?"

Just as Morgan was preparing to upgrade the 3D screening to 4D or even 5D, Aozaki Aoko, completely bewildered by the new world, broke free from Morgan's grasp in shame and anger, and rushed back to the backyard of Ryudouji Temple with steam rising from her head.

"What a good child. I wish Lily could be like that too."

Watching Aozaki Aoko close the door with a 'clang,' Morgan's face showed longing as he walked towards his magic workshop. Artoria would be going to a banquet soon, and the protective Morgan naturally wanted to make some preparations in advance.

The mountains and forests on the other side.

Arriving at the agreed location and standing in front of the cave, Red A's shadow was the first to reach Kiritsugu Emiya. Kiritsugu Emiya, who was maintaining his guns and ammunition, did not stop what he was doing. His voice, devoid of any warmth, echoed in the empty cave.

"Did you shake him off?"

"I shook him off. That Hero King had had his fill of playing around and then stopped. I took the opportunity to escape using my spirit form."

Day after day, he repeated the actions of drawing and putting away his gun. After stretching his arm, which he had custom-made from Aozaki Touko, Emiya Kiritsugu took the Origin Bullet out of the chamber and placed it in front of his eyes. Looking at the bullet, which was made from a part of his own body, Emiya Kiritsugu clenched it tightly in his palm.

"The situation is very unfavorable for us. That Hero King and Lancer are too strong. Berserker has already left the stage. I guess the next one will be Assassin. We can't count on those rotten things."

Without answering this foster father who didn't resemble the one he remembered, Red A walked into the cave and sat cross-legged on a protruding rock. As if talking to himself, Kiritsugu Emiya continued speaking along his own train of thought.

"Rider's Master is El-Melloi's student. The investigation shows that he has a lot of grievances against El-Melloi, but this may all be a facade, so we will temporarily give up contacting him."

"The Tohsaka family and that Kirei Kotomine are formidable enemies. Caster, have you assimilated Enzoyama?"

Looking at the Origin Bullet clutched in his hand, Kiritsugu Emiya's eyes flickered.

"Servant, the Third Law has descended, so you mean a body made of magic? Cutting and combining, my Origin Bullet."

“Archer, do you think I can kill…no, hurt that Caster?”

With the most composed voice, Kiritsugu Emiya uttered a statement that could shake the magic world. He turned his lifeless eyes to Archer, who was sitting cross-legged at the entrance of the cave.

"That's difficult. A Servant can avoid your attacks simply by becoming a spirit. Why don't you try using me?"

"I see. Is there any news about the Lesser Grail?"

With his arms draped over the rock face behind him and his weight entirely on his back, Red A shook his head in frustration.

“No, but Rider is preparing to hold a banquet, and Saber and the King of Heroes are on his invitation list. I think we can go and take a look.”

As he was organizing his equipment, Kiritsugu Emiya paused, a glint of incomprehensible light flashing in his eyes.

"Location?"

"It should be the back garden of Einzbern Castle. Shall I go and scout it out?"

After recalling the layout of the castle, Kiritsugu Emiya began searching for a place to hide. As a Master hired by the Einzbern family, Kiritsugu Emiya was arguably one of the people most familiar with the castle.

“No need. We can use some modern methods. I’m not the only one who knows the layout of the castle. There’s no need to risk close surveillance. Keep in touch. You go and keep an eye on that conqueror king. I’ll go to the castle to make some arrangements.”

Red A's figure vanished silently. Emiya Kiritsugu lit a cigarette, picked up his briefcase, and strode towards the base he had abandoned.

Chapter 78 You are not a hero, Karna.

In the bustling hall, Kenneth vaguely saw a figure standing alone outside the crowd. At the other end of the hall, a dark-skinned man in white stood in the center of the stage, surrounded by a crowd.

"You coachman's son, what right do you have to challenge the Third Prince?!"

"The fact that you're even standing here is already a sign of our mercy. Take your coachman father and leave! And remember to sweep up your footprints..."

"You and your father are both..."

......

The insults were incessant. Karna could endure the humiliation directed at him, but he would never allow anyone to insult his father. After that day, Karna joined the Kuru tribe. In a predetermined match, Karna once again faced the third prince, who was surrounded by the crowd. With his unparalleled martial arts, Karna emerged victorious. However, as the victor, Karna was once again despised because of his status, and the conflict intensified.

War broke out, and Karna traversed the battlefield with valiant courage. Just as his spear was about to strike the third prince's elder brother, a woman appeared before Karna. The woman revealed her identity, and Karna realized that the man under his spear was his half-brother.

Karna hesitated before his birth mother, who had obtained the golden armor for him. However, burdened by the debt of gratitude owed to the Kurukshetra clan, Karna ultimately refused his birth mother's advances. At his mother's pleading, Karna swore an oath not to harm any of his brothers except for the third prince.

The battle intensified, and blood stained the sacred river red. Amidst heavy casualties, the two sides, who had been fighting for years, decided to end their conflict with a duel. On that day, an old man found Karna. Faced with the old man's request, even knowing his identity, Karna, who had sworn an oath, handed over the golden armor that had long since become one with him.

Looking at the blood-soaked armor before him, the old man, filled with admiration for the other's noble character, handed over his divine spear to Karna out of shame. Having lost the protection of his biological father, the curse that had accumulated over decades flared up, and dragging his ailing body, Karna mounted the chariot.

Rama's curse robbed Karna of his martial arts, and the curse from the earth rendered him unable to move... Under the malice of the world, this man who treated all beings equally was too powerless to even lift his own weapon. In this situation, the dark-skinned third prince took out his longbow and, violating the rules of the duel, shot the arrow that would end the man's life...

"Is this all there is to your life? I've heard about it before, but seeing it with my own eyes is truly unsettling!"

With a sigh in his heart, rubbing his slightly throbbing head, Kenneth, who had just gone through the traditional Holy Grail War events, looked at Karna, who had reverted to his spirit form at the same time as he awoke.

Realizing that Karna had been guarding him the whole time, Kenneth didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Karna was so considerate, keeping a proper distance while always staying by Kenneth's side.

Also because of Karna's seriousness, since his arrival, Karna has never closed his eyes, arguing that Servants do not need to sleep. As a result, Karna has never seen Kenneth's life story due to the contract.

As a time traveler, Kenneth was truly afraid to gamble on whether Karna, who entered his dream, saw Kenneth's past or his own. But now, the exceptionally serious Karna completely eliminated Kenneth's worries.

Looking at Kenneth, who was rubbing his head, the perceptive Karna quickly discerned the complexity in Kenneth's eyes.

"Master, did you see my past? Please forgive my ignorance, Master. My life has been very ordinary, without any of those glorious heroes or epic tales."

Looking at Karna, who had followed his own righteous path his entire life and was able to calmly accept his own death, and meeting those still bright eyes that had endured injustice, Kenneth was momentarily at a loss for words.

Perhaps there was anger, perhaps there were choices, but this man never regretted it, nor did he harbor resentment. Facing Karna, who was like a saint, any words of comfort were an insult to him, and any sympathy for his life was a trampling on his principles. Because this man never considered himself a victim, this man had always been practicing the principles in his heart.

Shouldering strength beyond that of ordinary people and walking a difficult and arduous path—isn't that a natural duty?

Recalling Karna's lifelong perseverance, Kenneth, as a man who would do anything to survive, truly couldn't understand how Karna persevered. But even if he couldn't understand, none of that prevented Kenneth from admiring the man before him, because that was a height that Kenneth could never reach in his own life.

“No, Karna, your life is full of meaning. You may feel that you are not as good as those heroes who created legendary epics, but Karna, I have always felt that the title of hero is not suitable for you.”

"As expected, Master, you also think I'm not a hero? I think so too. A hero who is given away, that's what some people call me, but that's not true. I'm just following my own right path."

Without the slightest emotional fluctuation, Karna interpreted his less-than-perfect life with the most serene mindset.

“Indeed, Karna, you are not a hero, or rather, you have transcended the scope that the word ‘hero’ can describe. In my opinion, a saint is the true reflection of your life.”

"Master, you flatter me. How could I possibly bear the title of a saint? I am merely an ordinary person, a..."

"Karna, you're too modest."

Interrupting Karna's self-deprecating words, Kenneth looked at the man before him who did not lament his own tragedy and took a deep breath.

"Karna, a hero may call himself a hero, but only a saint considers himself a mortal, for only a saint stands with ordinary people and treats everyone he encounters with gentleness and equality."

“You think your life is ordinary, but in my opinion, you represent the ordinary people who struggled in that era. For the sake of ordinary people, you stood on the opposite side of those who were called heroes in your time. Even in the face of such an ending, you never regretted it. You are the one who can represent the will of the masses in that era.”

Kenneth stood up and placed his arm on the somewhat bewildered Karna's shoulder.

"Therefore, Karna, in my eyes you are more reliable than any other Servant. You are you. There is no need to envy those who are bathed in epics. The light you represent in the ordinary is something they can never obtain in their entire lives. How can they who have tasted the finest wines and delicacies understand the suffering of all living beings? Glory is a shackle. In the end, they live up to the expectations of others. Only you, Karna, have lived up to your own righteousness. You are a hero among mortals, a saint of the times!"

"Master, I..."

"These are my honest thoughts. Little Sun, don't be shy. You deserve this praise. Don't yearn for others, especially that chuunibyou who only knows how to laugh. You are you. Your glory doesn't need others to acknowledge it, because you are the light itself."

After patting the embarrassed Karna on the shoulder, the emotionally intelligent Kenneth left Karna alone and went into the bedroom. After a long while, Karna, who had calmed down from Kenneth's praise, looked in the direction Kenneth had left and did not look away for a long time.

Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Cocktail Party Under the Public Eyes

On the streets of Fuyuki City, Iskandar, carrying an oak barrel, strolled casually through the crowd. Sensing the gazes directed at him, the shy Weber tugged at Iskandar's T-shirt, which bore the words "Grand Strategy."

"Rider, the Holy Grail War formation needs to be conducted in secrecy; this is too conspicuous!"

"Hahaha, as king, I should be the center of attention. Next is a banquet. Am I, Iskandar, supposed to attend it timidly?!"

Under Iskandar's loud voice, the crowd instinctively took several steps back.

"That person, I didn't expect him to still be such a chuunibyou at his age, huh~~"

"No way, and what about that guy next to them? Could it be that the two of them...?"

...

No, there isn't!

Bowing low, stamping his feet, and raising his fists in front of him, Weber roared in utter shame and indignation. However, Iskandar, in a hurry, gave Weber no chance to argue with the crowd, grabbed Weber by the collar, and swaggered toward the Einzbern castle.

In the garden of Einzbern's castle, sitting at a pre-arranged table, Artoria, who had rarely worn women's clothing, felt a chill beneath her. Glancing towards the woods, she sighed, feeling she had lost her dignity, and prepared herself to be humiliated by the other two.

To Artoria's surprise, Iskandar, who was carrying a barrel of wine, paused for a moment after seeing Artoria's attire before clattering the barrel to the ground. Waver, on the other hand, had a wandering gaze after seeing Artoria in her evening gown.

After patting Waver on the head, his little Master came to his senses. Iskardal casually pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Artoria. Seeing that Iskardal didn't mention her attire, Artoria tightened her skirt and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Rider, war is not child's play. Why do you think you can decide the ownership of the Holy Grail with just a banquet? The sword in my hand will not grant you such a delusion!"

After waiting for a long time, Saber finally said this. Iskandar's previously serious expression instantly relaxed. Ignoring Artoria's death stare, he knocked open the wooden barrel with one hand, scooped up a spoonful of red wine, and poured it into his mouth.

"Ha~"

After letting out a satisfied breath of wine, Iskandar looked at the serious-looking Artoria.

"Honestly, I thought you, King Knight, would say something more, but it's just a trivial matter? The ownership of the Holy Grail cannot be decided by a mere banquet. Only those with true courage can lift the omnipotent wish-granting machine!!"

Just as Artoria was about to drink from the ladle that Iscadar handed her, Morgan's voice rang in her mind. Her hand holding the ladle paused, and after several changes of expression, Artoria took the wine vessel from the table and poured herself a glass of wine.

Faced with Artoria's somewhat unusual reaction, and after glancing at the dress she was wearing, Iskadar's mind raced.

"Wearing military uniform to the battlefield, attending a banquet in a formal dress, her actions just now... So she does care about her gender? No, wait, back at the port, I see. Didn't she mention her gender when she was queen?"

......

Under Waver's sullen gaze, Iskandar rubbed his beard. So, sometimes it's really best to use your brain less. Artoria narrowed her eyes impatiently as she looked at Iskandar, who was engrossed in his own thoughts.

"Conqueror King, as the organizer of this banquet, isn't this a bit impolite?"

Faced with Artoria's questioning, Iskandar, regaining his senses, laughed and picked up the wine spoon to pour it into his mouth. Wiping the wine from the corner of his mouth, Iskandar filled the spoon again.

"It was my rudeness; I will punish myself with three cups."

Although she didn't understand why Iskandar reacted so strongly, Artoria didn't dwell on it. With a serious expression, Artoria looked at Iskandar, who had finished his punishment drink, with her pale green eyes.

"Conqueror King, since the ownership of the Holy Grail is determined by courage, when shall we get down to business?"

Unbeknownst to her, Artoria, who had initially been very resistant to such a hasty decision on the Holy Grail's ownership, had also been assimilated by Iskandar. Unhurriedly, she poured herself another cup of wine, and only then did Iskandar look at the serious-looking Artoria.

"Don't be in such a hurry, King Knight. The guests haven't all arrived yet, and the banquet for kings hasn't even begun."

"Enough of this nonsense, you bastard."

Amidst rhythmic 'click-clack' sounds, Gilgamesh, dressed in his most expensive clothes and exuding the air of a nouveau riche, pulled out his chair after routinely casting disdain at the others.

With his head propped up, Gilgamesh, who seemed to have a built-in pay-to-win effect, first glanced at Artoria, who had taken off her armor, before taking in the table in front of him and the surrounding environment.

"To hold the King's Banquet in such a place, are you trying to humiliate me?!"

Faced with Gilgamesh's sudden outburst, Iskandar first gave Waver a reassuring look. Following Artoria's previous experience, Iskandar filled a glass with wine and handed it to Gilgamesh, who looked like DIO.

"Haha, don't be so serious. The glory of the king doesn't need those external things to support it. Come on, those who are late, punish yourselves with a drink first!"

Following the steps Iskandar offered, Gilgamesh, the oldest human being, happily accepted the wine glass. He sniffed the wine in the glass, and as the representative of the bratty kid, Gilgamesh once again showed his temper.