"Sakatsuki, we must respect the dead."
Saber's eyes remained on the dining table, but her royal dignity still compelled her to admonish someone's irreverence.
"I'm not being disrespectful, my king."
Sakatsuki waved at the dumbfounded Kariya, signalling him to snap out of it.
"As the saying goes, 'When Zhuangzi's wife died, he drummed on a basin and sang.' Although Tokiomi Tohsaka did not live a long and blessed life, as a magus dying on the path to the Root, it's a worthy death. It's fitting to hold a feast to honour the dead and comfort the living."
"...Especially you, Kariya. Tokiomi entrusted Aoi and his two daughters to you before he died, didn't he?"
"That's only because the Tohsaka family has no one else to carry the burden. In the end, he still wanted to use me to support the Tohsaka family, so his daughters could better learn magecraft. Hmph, at his core, he's still that magus I despise."
"Stop pretending to be modest. Just admit you're happy about it."
"I can't say I'm not happy, but..."
Kariya sighed.
"Aoi is such a strong-willed person. How could she easily remarry?"
"That's simple. Be the domineering lover, and over time, she'll see your true heart—take that as you will."
Sakatsuki casually remarked, earning a death glare from Saber.
"Sakatsuki!"
"Alright, alright, I'll stop..."
It seemed Sakatsuki was just looking for an excuse to feed Saber. Although he had sensed it that night at the Hyatt Hotel, he hadn't realized the guy's tastes were so peculiar. Even if Saber was beautiful, weren't heroic spirits just dead people engraved on their thrones?
Kariya's mouth twitched, but out of politeness and survival instinct, he naturally wouldn't comment on Sakatsuki's preferences. Instead, he changed the subject.
"By the way, Sakatsuki, do you have any way to protect the Zenjou family? Since Kirei assassinated Tokiomi, he might target Aoi and the others. Not to mention, before he died, the Command Spells on his hand had already disappeared..."
"Worried about your future wife and children?"
Sakatsuki nodded seriously.
"That's easy. Just go and protect them yourself. In gal games, that's the classic way to increase affection points."
"But I still have to participate in the Holy Grail War..."
"Do you still have any wishes you want to fulfill? Don't tell me your masochistic side has flared up, and you want to resurrect Tokiomi?"
The young man tilted his head, tapping the table before Kariya could erupt in anger.
"Besides, didn't I say it before—asking for my help comes with a fee, you know?"
Kariya blinked.
"I'll return the Assassin Class Card to you..."
"No thanks. I didn't invite Saber here for something like that."
Sakatsuki smirked coldly, crushing Kariya's hopes.
"Come, tonight we'll witness a traditional Round Table performance—civil war, Berserker, or should I say, Sir Lancelot."
The white-haired, golden-eyed young man rolled up his sleeve, revealing a full arm of Command Spells to Kariya and Saber's stunned gazes.
"I'll even throw in three extra Command Spells, Kariya. What I want to overthrow isn't a senile old man who's lost his mind."
***
"By the power of my Command Spell—regain your sanity, Lancelot!"
"By my second Command Spell—regain your sanity, Lancelot."
"By my third Command Spell—regain your sanity, Lancelot."
Same old recipe, the same familiar taste. Kariya, with dead fish eyes, didn't hesitate to expend the three Command Spells he had just received, even the command words lacking the passion of before.
"Ding."
The black mist dissipated, and the tall knight raised a glass, pouring a cool drink for his master, who radiated an aura of 'I just want to die.' A charming smile graced his lips.
"Please don't look so regretful, Master. Although our time together was brief, I, Lancelot, have no regrets travelling with you."
"And here, a glorious battle is my destiny."
"If only I hadn't summoned you as a Berserker..."
Kariya took the glass, looking at the ideal knight under the night sky, and with a bitter smile, downed the drink in one go.
"But now, it's meaningless to say such things. Thank you for accompanying me this far, and now, I must let you go to pursue your wish—go, Berserker, bring me victory!"
"Yes, I will not fail you!"
Lancelot struck his chest, showing deep respect and gratitude to the master who had summoned him.
If it weren't for Kariya Matou, he would still be trapped in a lifetime of regret and madness, not standing here under the gaze of his king, joyfully heading towards a glorious duel.
Turning around, he faced the young man waiting opposite him, Lancelot's charming smile growing even more genuine.
And the luckiest thing was—he and his king had met Sakatsuki.
A young man from a thousand years later had intersected with their time, unravelling the knots in the hearts of those who lived in legend.
And he had inherited the glory of the Round Table. After the endless night following the legend of King Arthur, a new dawn was rising.
Ah, how fortunate—
With such thoughts, Lancelot's eyes sharpened, his demonic sword pointing at the white-haired, golden-eyed young man.
"Unfortunately, I'm not skilled enough to hold back. Prepare yourself!"
That's why, as a senior member of the Round Table, I must temper this light to be even stronger!
Facing the challenge of the Round Table's first knight, the young man donned a red and white spiritual robe, gripping a red spear in his right hand, and responded with equal vigour.
"Ready when you are!"
After a brief silence, a violent storm erupted, centered around the two clashing figures. The sound of their weapons colliding roared like thunder!
***
The spear shot out like a dragon, the demonic sword drawing a clear, lake-like light.
Sakatsuki let out a light shout, stepping forward, his left hand suddenly summoning the Yellow Rose, thrusting it forward!
Clang!
A sturdy gauntlet swung from the side, hitting the spear's shaft and deflecting its trajectory. At the same time, Lancelot shifted his footing, advancing into Sakatsuki's defensive line with the stability of a heavy fortress. Twisting his demonic sword, he slashed towards Sakatsuki's chest with its sharp blade!
The sword cut through empty air, and the opponent in front disappeared. The disorienting sense of spatial displacement left Lancelot momentarily dazed, but a prickling sense of danger from behind made him roll to the side without regard for dignity, just in time to see twin spears pierce the air where he had been standing.
Using displacement magic to control the enemy while pouring all his strength into a fatal strike—there was no holding back, no room for hesitation.
If not for Lancelot's vast combat experience and physical superiority over Sakatsuki, the outcome might have been different.
The combination of magic and combat skills was truly a brilliant tactic.
Lancelot admired his opponent in his heart, but his hands didn't stop—unable to adjust his angle, but relying on his superior strength, he still managed to slam Sakatsuki away with the flat of his sword before the young man could recover!
"But if you can't hit your opponent, then you're the one in dire straits, junior!"
***
Hey readers!
Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.
🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹
Thanks for being awesome! ❤️