The Fairy Palace in the early morning was destined not to be peaceful.
At the dining table, a silent war was underway.
On one side was Queen Morgan, elegantly slicing French toast, every bite resembling an artistic performance.
On the other side was the King of Knights, Artoria, who, despite her upright posture and perfect etiquette, ate at a speed that left afterimages on her plate.
“Another bowl, please.” Artoria set down the empty bowl, her emerald eyes filled with devotion toward the food.
“Are you the reincarnation of a starving ghost?” Morgan finally couldn’t help but set down her teacup, a vein popping on her forehead.
“This is the fifth bowl.
Even though that old worm saved up quite a fortune for the Matou Family, it won’t last if you keep eating like this.” “An excellent warrior needs to intake sufficient energy.” Artoria replied seriously without changing her expression, “Furthermore, the rice porridge Arthur made contains magical energy, which helps me recover from last night’s exertion.” Sitting at the head of the table, Arthur smiled helplessly and served Artoria another bowl.
“It’s fine, having a good appetite is a blessing.
I can afford to feed her anyway.” (Golden Rule (A) gave a thumbs up.) He looked at Sakura, who was sipping porridge beside them, and asked gently, “Sakura, how are you feeling today?” “Mm…
my body feels warm and very comfortable.” Sakura gave a timid smile.
Looking at this large family, although noisy, such a lively morning gave her an unprecedented sense of peace.
“By the way, Arthur.” Morgan suddenly remembered something, lazily propping her chin on her hand.
“The food stock at home is running low.
Especially the black tea and snacks, which were all eaten by a certain lion.
Go buy some more.” “I’m going too!” Artoria, who was drinking porridge, immediately looked up, the ahoge on her head standing up like a radar.
“As a guest, I have an obligation to help carry supplies.
Besides…
I want to see the marketplace of this era.” Morgan narrowed her eyes, just about to refuse.
But Arthur took the initiative to hold Morgan’s hand and soothed her: “You stay home and teach Sakura magecraft.
Such a noisy place isn’t suitable for a Queen’s arrival.
Saber and I will be back soon.” Morgan gave a cold snort, though she knew that squeezing through a supermarket would indeed be beneath her dignity.
“Fine.
Keep an eye on that country lion; don’t let her get lost.” …Fuyuki City, Shinto Commercial Street.
Arthur wasn’t wearing that conspicuous modern trench coat, but had changed into a simple white shirt and jeans.
Yet his tall stature and handsome face, fused with the Old Saber template, still made passing women look back frequently.
Walking beside him, Artoria had changed into the casual clothes Irisviel had prepared for her—a blue pleated skirt paired with a white knit sweater, losing some of a knight’s sharpness and gaining some of a neighbor girl’s purity.
“Is this a modern marketplace?
The supplies are so abundant…” Artoria pushed the shopping cart, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the dazzling array of goods on the shelves.
For her, who lived in the resource-scarce era of Britain, this modern supermarket was simply a treasure trove.
“Take whatever you want to eat, don’t be polite.” Arthur acted like a domineering CEO pampering his girlfriend.
“Really?
Then this…
and this…” Artoria’s hand reached toward the snack section.
Just as the two were enjoying this rare “date” time— “Oh oh!
Isn’t this Brother Saber and the little Saber girl!” A thunderous, loud voice pierced through the entire liquor section.
Arthur turned to look and saw a giant man wearing a T-shirt with the words “Great Strategy” waving excitedly in front of a shelf piled with cheap red wine.
It was indeed the Conqueror King, Iskandar.
And the thin youth beside him with an “I want to die” expression was, naturally, Waver.
“Rider?” Artoria frowned vigilantly, instinctively stepping in front of Arthur.
“Why are you here?
Do you want to start a battle in a busy downtown area?” “Don’t be so nervous!” Iskandar heroically patted the wooden barrel in his arms.
“This King is just here to buy wine.
I plan to hold a banquet tonight.
How about it?
Since we’ve met, why don’t you two come for a drink?” “A banquet?” Arthur raised an eyebrow.
“That’s right!
Fighting and killing in something like the Holy Grail War is so boring.” Iskandar grinned, his eyes flashing with sharp light: “Since we call ourselves kings, we should compare whose capacity is greater.
We’ll use wine to decide the victor; this shall be the ‘Holy Grail Dialogue’!” “Or…
do the two Kings of Knights not dare to accept the challenge?” A clumsy provocation.
But for a king, it was very effective.
Artoria’s gaze instantly became sharp: “Ridiculous.
In terms of drinking capacity and greatness, I will not lose to anyone.” Arthur glanced at the wooden barrel in Iskandar’s arms, a hint of disdain curling his lips: “This is the wine you prepared?
Cheap stuff on sale at the supermarket?” “Uh…” Iskandar scratched his head awkwardly.
“It can’t be helped, my little master’s wallet is really too thin.” Beside him, Waver was so ashamed he wanted to crawl into a crack in the ground.
“Something like water like this is unworthy of the name ‘Banquet of Kings’.” Arthur shook his head and casually took a bottle of juice from the shelf that looked decent and put it in the cart.
He looked at Iskandar and said indifferently: “Tonight at nine, come to my castle.” “I’ll show you what true ‘King’s Wine’ is.
Remember to bring that Goldie; I don’t mind an extra guest.” “Oh?
To that stronghold transformed into a Fairy Domain?” Iskandar’s eyes lit up.
“What courage!
Daring to invite enemies into your heartland!
Fine, this King accepts!
See you tonight!” …Back at the Fairy Palace.
“What did you say?” Morgan was sitting on the sofa teaching Sakura how to read.
Hearing Arthur’s report, her eyebrows twitched slightly.
“You want to bring those crude men home to drink?
And you want me to provide the wine?” “This is also part of the war, Morgan.” Arthur sat beside Morgan, skillfully kneading her shoulders, and said coaxingly: “The Conqueror King wants to compete in ‘King’s Capacity’.
If I also use inferior wine from the supermarket, it would be a disgrace to our Britain (especially to you, the Queen).” “I’ve thought about it, and the only wine in this world that can be called a ‘masterpiece’ is what you can provide.” This bit of flattery was perfectly timed.
Morgan valued “Britain’s dignity” more than her own life.
“Humph, at least you have some sense.” Morgan waved her hand, and blue ripples appeared in the air.
An exquisite crystal wine bottle appeared on the table.
The liquid inside was a dreamlike amber color, emitting a fragrance that made the soul tremble.
“This is ‘aurora dew’, a specialty of Fae Britain.” Morgan raised her chin proudly.
“Even in the Age of Gods, it was a secret treasure that only the highest-ranking fae could taste.
Giving it to those mongrels to drink is a complete waste.” “However…” She turned to look at Arthur, her gaze becoming somewhat dangerous yet enchanting: “Since it’s to proclaim my husband’s majesty, I’ll make an exception this once.
But remember, if you don’t drink them under the table tonight, don’t even think about being on top in the future.” “As you command, my Queen.” Arthur picked up the wine bottle, feeling the immense magical energy contained within.
This wasn’t just wine; it was practically a high-concentration crystallization of magical energy.
An ordinary person would likely explode after a single sip, but for Heroic Spirits, it was a supreme tonic.
Night fell.
In the courtyard garden.
Arthur had already had the seats arranged.
Moonlight like water spilled onto the lawn covered with velvet carpets.
“Well then…” Arthur changed into a black formal suit and sat at the head of the table.
To his left sat Artoria in silver armor, sitting perfectly upright.
To his right was Morgan in a black evening gown, with a “watching the show” expression.
“Come, kings.” Arthur looked toward the night sky.
The rumbling of thunder and a golden radiance approached simultaneously.