People in Type-Moon start from adopting Sakura

“Knight King!!”

His tall and straight figure stood majestically, his crimson cloak like a flaming mane, making his image even taller. Iskandar roared, staring at the silver knight in front of him.

All the former soldiers had died for this ideal, and he would never allow anyone to trample on their beliefs with such an attitude.

"Are you angry, King of Conquerors? Did I hit a nerve? Rest assured, I have no intention of insulting those fallen soldiers. They were all valiant warriors, deserving the respect of all. But as a king, you have clearly failed in your duty. The sea you led them to pursue is nothing but emptiness, even in its final destination, isn't it? It's only a path to death."

Altria continued to talk to herself, paying no attention to the Conqueror's expression.

"Not only that, you led them to invade various nations, leaving the land in ruins, leaving the people in dire straits and corpses strewn across the land. Your kingly way is nothing but a bloody one. How many families have you torn apart? How many innocent lives have been left to rot under your tyranny? King of Conquerors, you only care about your own progress, never once looking back? Can you truly have a clear conscience about your evil deeds?"

If you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, it would be hard to imagine that the noble Knight King would reveal such undisguised disgust on his face.

"This king can have a clear conscience."

Facing Altria's questioning, Iskandar was still not confused at all, and he answered the question without hesitation.

Afterwards, he, who was good at eloquence, did not use superficial words to refute, but asked Artoria a few questions from his own perspective.

"How did you become king? And why did you become king?"

Iskandar asked coldly.

"Because the people need it, because the country needs it, because destiny requires it. Britain needs a suitable king to protect it, so I drew the sword of the king and became the king of Britain."

"What's the specific reason?"

"To protect the smiles of the people."

Altria said with certainty.

"You mean the smile?"

"That's right. I'm standing here not for my own ambitions, but to protect the smiles on other people's faces. As long as the people in my country can still smile, then I believe that what I do will never be wrong."

...Just to respond to other people's expectations and wishes?

How naive and childish.

But this was also the beginning of the tragic life of the man called the Knight King and Altria.

"If that's all, then you're truly pathetic...King of Knights, perhaps I've misjudged you. You're not a true king at all. At best, you're just a dreamy little girl without brains or ambition."

"A king's ambition? Who decides this? You? The people? Or myself?"

"Then I ask you again, Knight King. You keep talking about protecting smiles, but what did you actually protect? A shattered Britain? Your kingdom's fate is even more tragic than mine, isn't it? Knights betrayed, fathers and sons turned against each other. Who do you think is responsible for this situation?"

Ignoring the Knight King's questioning, Iskandar asked a few more questions.

"King Knight, why did your Britain perish? Why did the things you protected perish?"

His words were powerful and touched Artoria's heart.

Yes, the demise of Britain is still an everlasting pain in her eyes.

She would never forget the sad scene of the Knight of the Lake kneeling in front of her, begging her to punish only him.

"King, punish me! But please let the queen go. She is innocent."

Nor will I forget the Sun Knight who had just paid tribute to his brother in front of the British mausoleum and then set out on the road of revenge alone, filled with hatred and anger.

"My king, I'm sorry. I can never forgive that traitor, and I can never let go of this hatred. I must seek revenge!!"

I also can't forget the sad knight who always closed his eyes, played the organ silently, and finally chose to leave because he didn't understand me.

"King, you don't understand people's hearts."

King Arthur, the King of Knights, she was so gentle and perfect that she gradually distanced herself from everyone else.

King Arthur is the sun, and her light should illuminate everything. No matter what kind of person he is, she will choose to accept him instead of hating him.

Even if, on that final battlefield, the question uttered by his own blood-related offspring as he pierced his chest with a sharp blade,

"Father, why are you unwilling to acknowledge me?!"

There were too many tragedies, too many regrets and betrayals, but even so, she still did not choose to hate anyone.

From the beginning to the end, King Arthur hated not anyone else, but himself.

I hate myself for not being able to do things perfectly, and I hate myself for not being able to prevent tragedy from happening.

Therefore, even if it means giving up her freedom and the glory of being a heroic spirit, she will do her utmost to change Britain's destiny...

For this, she would do anything, even if she could never be truly liberated.

……

"...Knight King, the path you have chosen is clear to King Ben."

Staring at Altria's emerald eyes, Iskandar sighed helplessly. At this moment, he already understood Altria's situation, and even the anger he felt finally turned into a final sigh.

He had to admit that Altria was indeed a king, because only a king could bear such awareness. However, it was difficult to judge her behavior to know that it was wrong, but still do it out of responsibility, sacrificing herself.

The Knight King possessed a consciousness and magnanimity unlike any other king. It was this magnanimity that allowed her to carry the nobleness and justice that belonged to her. However, she should never have done...

It's ridiculous to pin everything on the Holy Grail and start over again.

This made Iskandar feel sorry for everything about the Knight King.

"King of Knights, King of Knights... But in my opinion, you are more like a knight than a king, because I don't see the rule and tyranny that a king should have in you. Instead, your gentleness and protection occupy the vast majority of your life, so you are more like a knight."

Finn also sighed at this moment.

He also felt sorry for this noble knight.

"So, knowing that what you did was wrong, and even with the heinous determination to use the Holy Grail to change history, you are unwilling to repent?"

Scathach questioned.

She felt sad about what Altria did, but she did not agree with it.

"Yes, this was decided long ago. I will not stop until I save my subjects."

Altria shook her head and replied.

At this point, even though everyone present felt sorry for the Knight King's choice, since this was the choice she had made, they didn't say anything more.

"Hmph, King of Knights... While your wish may sound foolish, such determination is truly rare. Therefore, I will tentatively acknowledge that you are worthy of being slain by my own hands."

At this point, Gilgamesh reluctantly agreed to Artoria's insistence.

Even if it is extremely stupid, it is undoubtedly rare to be able to carry out one's beliefs wholeheartedly.

If you ask a person how difficult it is to persist?

All the heroes present can answer this question.

Some of them persist for the sake of hegemony, some persist for the sake of aloofness, some persist for the sake of love, and some persist for the sake of liberation.

This path was extraordinary and arduous. Even though they knew that Altria's current state was clearly wrong, seeing her still come this far despite knowing it was wrong, everyone couldn't help but admire her determination.

"Protection and responsibility, justice and accountability... As Finn said, King of Knights, your beliefs are more like those of a knight than a king. Since you don't understand the kingly way, I will have no choice but to speak directly to you."

After sighing, Iskandar was no longer as angry as before, nor did he have the playful smile he had at the beginning. Instead, he truly sighed.

"Since childhood, I have loved reading all kinds of mythological texts and Homer's epics. I also wish to possess the divine power of Hercules and create my own story. I also wish to possess the martial arts of Agrippa and travel to the end of the world to see it. However, my time was not peaceful. Instead, it was filled with war, and the ruthless flames of war were the main theme of that era."

"In war, lives will be lost, nations will be destroyed, and even more so, countless lives will be ravaged. This is unavoidable, but it is also the best way to achieve great things! This is the heroic spirit of men like us!"

As a conqueror, Iskandar was thinking for the first time. Finally, he put his thoughts into a short sentence and told it to everyone present.

"There are always wars in every era. There is no absolute peace in this world. Someone always has to play the role of war, bear the hatred, sing the praises of the warriors, and act for the purpose of hegemony. In my opinion, this is the king!"

"And I, the king, will take on this responsibility without hesitation. Even though I know that in the eyes of you, the Guardian King, I am undoubtedly an invader, so what?"

Iskandar looked at Artoria and suddenly spoke with a stronger tone, "From the moment I decided to embark on this path, I was prepared to endure all hatred. If I couldn't do this, how could I realize my tyranny and ambition, my conquest and dreams? And the soldiers who follow me, they, like me, crave glory, and war is their path to advancement! We complement each other and are absolutely inseparable! This is the way of the King of Conquerors!!"

"My kingly way differs from that of the Hero King. I am not aloof, but willing to walk side by side with my subjects. I always believe that as long as I need them, those soldiers who share my lofty ambitions will always be by my side!!"

After saying this, Iskandar patted his chest, inside which beat a surging and equally fiery heart, carrying his kingly way.

"Not aloof, huh? Interesting... King of Conquerors, I have to admit, you're far more interesting to me than the King of Knights."

Gilgamesh praised it generously.

After all, it was his nature not to conceal himself, but the Hero King's admiration and murderous intent were often equivalent.

At this point, the kingly way of thinking of everyone present was stated, and just at this moment, Luo Wei, who had listened to the entire banquet, stood up.

"Oh? Do you also have some insights into the kingly way, military advisor?"

Seeing Luo Wei stand up, Iskandar's eyes showed a hint of surprise, and the others also looked at him.

The courage to stand up at such a tense and sensitive time is enough to make people take notice.

"I can't say I have any opinions. Logically speaking, at such an important moment, a small character like me should just serve as a foil, but..."

Luo Wei looked at Altria and then spoke.

"Unfortunately, I have been entrusted with this task, so I also have some words I want to say on behalf of the Knight King. I wonder if you would give me this opportunity?"

"Oh? It's all about the King of Knights? Why not? Since you are a hero here, then feel free to speak freely, Advisor. Let me see your opinion!"

Seeing that Rowe was about to speak, Iskandar, who greatly admired him, naturally agreed. Gilgamesh also looked at him, clearly curious about what Rowe was about to say.

"Come on, boy, let me see what you can say."

"Okay, thank you all very much then."

After getting permission from everyone present, Luo Wei looked at the Knight King in front of him, and then slowly uttered the three questions he had prepared.

"First question, King of Knights, have you always been staring at the past, never looking to the future?"

"That kind of thing, I..."

Faced with this unexpected question, Artoria was about to answer, but was interrupted by Rowe without hesitation.

"Please don't answer casually, and don't rush to give an answer. Ask your heart and give the answer you really want."

"..."

"Second question tonight, King Arthur. In your opinion, for a nation, a quiet and peaceful death, a peaceful end, what exactly would satisfy your imagination? No ambiguous answers, please give a correct and specific answer."

Altria's eyes widened slightly, her face full of disbelief, but Luo Wei didn't stop talking. He just continued to ask,

"For this final third question, Artoria, you said you were responding to expectations, but whose expectations are you responding to? Do your knights really want to see you suffer so much? Have you really listened carefully to their wishes? Do you really want to? Or do you not want to?"

After Rowe finished his three heart-searching questions, Altria's expression suddenly changed. She hurriedly stood up and rushed forward, trying to grab Rowe's arm and ask him what was going on.

How did he know all this? What was his relationship with Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table? However, Rowe didn't give her a chance and hid behind Scathach with a leap.

Then he winked at the King of Conquerors and Gilgamesh, and the three people who also found these three questions interesting immediately understood what he meant and worked together to stop Artoria.

"Alright, Knight King. The three questions from the military advisor are the best questions and answers for you, and they are also the best answers."

Iskandar looked at her calmly and said, "Think it over carefully. When you figure it out, all this will be over."

Compared to him, Gilgamesh's attitude had changed at this moment. His scarlet eyes were fixed on Rowe, and his gaze swept over him wantonly as if he was looking at an interesting toy.

"How interesting, little ghost... You have more secrets than I imagined, and they are even more interesting..."

Gilgamesh looked at Luo Wei in front of him and said with some amusement, "Do you still remember that I told you before that you deserved a reward..."

"of course I remember."

Luo Wei nodded.

"Very good. In that case, while I am giving you my reward, why not play a game with me?"

"game?"

After hearing Gilgamesh's words, the people present couldn't help but look over here.

Scathach looked a little fearful. She didn't know what kind of game this moody guy would play. Finn was also ready to rescue at any time under Kenneth's instructions.

"Don't worry, it's just a game similar to when you asked Saber."

"The conditions are simple. I will ask you a few questions. Every time you answer, I will increase your original reward by one level. What do you think?"

Gilgamesh gazed into Rowe's eyes, a smile on his face, awaiting his choice. Then, behind him, golden ripples filled the night sky, followed by dozens of golden portals of light that simultaneously unfolded, revealing a multitude of fantastical treasures around him. The Heroic Spirits present, along with Kenneth and Tōsaka Tokiomi, couldn't help but swallow. Not only them, but the Heroic Spirits themselves were captivated by these treasures, and they too couldn't help but glance at Rowe, awaiting his choice.