The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

The lack of denial is, in a sense, tantamount to acquiescence.

Next, the Conqueror King picked up his wine glass, drank the wine in it in one gulp, and placed the glass on the table.

“Saber, try it, this wine is quite good.”

As he spoke, the Conqueror King picked up another bottle and poured some wine into it.

Seeing the Conqueror King's actions, Artoria hesitated.

The Conqueror King's actions are a bit strange.

Is it really just for drinking?

"What, Saber, you're really not afraid to drink?" The King of Conquerors said when he saw that Artoria was hesitant to drink. "Don't worry, I won't get you drunk. If you're not willing to drink, then I won't force you."

The Conqueror King's voice sounded very bold and unrestrained.

It was like seeing a friend I hadn't seen for days.

However, upon hearing these words, Artoria felt helpless.

Is this bastard really just doing this for the sake of drinking?

If it really was for drinking, then he wouldn't have looked surprised when he saw me.

It seems that this bastard is definitely hiding something.

“Speaking of which, Saber.”

The Conqueror King took a sip of his wine and then asked, "In your opinion, what is a king?"

"...And you, Conqueror King, what do you think a king is?"

Artoria countered with a question.

"King, of course, is a symbol of status. Only the bravest warriors and the most courageous people can become kings, and I am king."

"That's when the Conqueror King spoke."

Artoria was taken aback by the Conqueror King's reply.

"It seems you don't have much of a concept of honor."

"Heh, what's the point of saying anything now, Saber?"

"I cannot agree with this."

Regarding the Conqueror King's viewpoint, Artoria offered a contrasting perspective: "A king should be a person of high moral character, leading his subjects in the most appropriate way, so that everyone yearns for benevolence. This is what a king should do."

"...so?"

After Saber finished explaining her philosophy of kingship, the King of Conquerors fell silent.

He seemed to be wondering if Saber was joking with him.

However, upon seeing the serious expression on the Knight King's face, he shook his head helplessly.

He then downed both the wine in his glass and the wine in the barrel in one gulp.

"It seems you're not as interesting as I imagined. In that case..."

After Nan Nan said these words, the Conqueror King slowly stood up.

As he stood up, the surrounding environment began to change.

The mansion gates, which were originally open at night, were eventually shrouded in a patch of yellow sand.

This place is his mental world.

"Then, let's begin, Saber!"

When Kiana and Artoria opened their eyes, the Conqueror King had already arrived on the sand dunes hundreds of miles away.

Seeing this, Waver, Waver's master, immediately became agitated.

"Hey! Rider! Didn't we agree that we were just testing the waters?"

"Quiet, Weber, look!"

Just as Waver was furious, the Conqueror suddenly pointed his sword at a group of people on the sand dunes between him and Artoria.

These people wore masks, were dressed entirely in black, and carried short daggers used for assassination.

These were the Hassans who were left behind by Kirei Kotomine for a blocking mission.

"Assassin!"

Artoria and Waver were both shocked.

But the Conqueror King seemed to know everything all along, and slowly drew his sword, aiming it at the assassins before him.

"I don't recall inviting you. Were those men who were sneaking around with weapons towards my Master just now on that man's orders?"

This Ruler is so fair! (F/Z): Chapter 23 The Final Servant Battle, King of Conquerors vs. King of Knights!

Although the Conqueror King was a tyrannical and handsome ruler, he did not particularly favor such dishonorable acts.

What's more, just now, when I was drinking and chatting happily with her, this collaborator's subordinate dared to step forward and harbor ill intentions towards Weber.

If we don't respond with a strong counterattack, what kind of kingly dignity are we talking about?

You don't deserve to know.

When confronted with the Conqueror King's questions, Hassan and his people gave the most foolish response.

This response signifies their challenge to the champion.

This act alone was enough to make the Conqueror King kill him.

"Really?"

As the Conqueror King's expression darkened, an invisible, domineering wind arose, bringing with it a cloud of yellow sand that swept towards Hassan and his men.

And amidst the yellow sands, behind the king, lies a royal army of tens of thousands.

This is the culmination of his life's work, and a reflection of his life's battles.

It was this legion that forged his empire, and it was his personal charm that brought people of different skin colors and faiths together.

We move forward together towards a common goal.

Now, the king is enraged.

As the Conqueror King was enraged, the army, composed of tens of thousands of heroic spirits, gripped their weapons tightly.

"Then you are not worthy to participate in my banquet."

The Conqueror mounted his warhorse and then opened his arms.

"Saber! Do you see this? This is my symbol as king, the army of the king!"

“Each of them was a warrior worthy of being called a hero. In life, they were willing to follow me to fight on all sides, and in death, they exist in this world as heroic spirits.”

"Are you ready to face us, King of Knights!"

Unlike his disdain and rage towards Hassan, the Conqueror King, despite saying he disapproved of Artoria's way of being a king, did not act in a similar manner.

But the king treated her with the respect due to her.

He truly regarded her as his rival, a formidable opponent worthy of his attention.

Compared to the Conqueror King's army, Artoria's forces were pitifully small.

The only person who can be considered an ally is Kiana.

Thus, the two, who seemed to be of similar age, leaned on each other, gazing into the distance at the warriors clad in silver armor.

"Are all these people heroic spirits?!"

Artoria's eyes widened in disbelief.

This world is truly bizarre; the boundless yellow sand seems to offer no hope whatsoever.

The legion standing tall in the yellow sand is like a symbol of the entire desert, always ready to wield the scythe of death against any intruder.

Just the sight of groups of Heroic Spirits standing there made Kiana and Artoria feel immense pressure.

Is this the culmination of the Conqueror King's life's work, the King's Army?

"What a troublesome man."

Artoria said this.

Then, she slowly bent down and picked up a piece of yellow sand.

The sand, symbolizing desolation and loneliness, drifted in the wind and eventually disappeared into the wind.

The fate of the yellow sands seemed to foreshadow the life of this king...

For some reason, Artoria felt a sense of empathy.

"Is this all your life? Conqueror, fighting across the north and south, instigating wars and slaughtering enemies everywhere, only to end up with this desolate wasteland!"

Is this the end you wanted?

She shouted, somewhat out of control, seemingly lamenting the outcome.

Seeing this, Kiana, who was standing to the side, seemed to realize something and asked softly:

"Calm down, Saber. That's the style of a king. I know you're thinking of Camlann, but you need to understand... this isn't Camlann, but his final resting place."

Kiana spoke very calmly.

After all, as the adjudicator, she understands the origin and end of each Heroic Spirit.

Because of this ability, she was well aware that Saber harbored resentment towards Camlann.

This might be a significant weakness for her.

However, it must be said that this desolate place, and the ultimate fate of the Conqueror King, are indeed very similar to hers.

The only difference is that the other party died on the way to the expedition.

She died on the battlefield.

Kiana wasn't sure how to describe the differences between the two in a way that would make her language more neutral.