The next day, after lunch with Irisviel and the others, Shichen stepped out of the restaurant—only to run right into Rider, who was hauling a giant barrel of wine.
Today, Rider wasn't rocking his usual wild outfit. Instead, he wore a plain white T-shirt that showed off his seriously built muscles. And even though it was winter, he looked completely unbothered by the cold.
"Yo~" Rider greeted them with a friendly wave, like they were old drinking buddies.
"Rider, what's that?" Saber asked.
"Getting ready for tonight's party. This stuff's top-notch~" Rider patted the barrel on his shoulder.
"Is that so?"
"Then see you tonight." Rider flashed a grin and strolled off.
Saber just watched him go, saying nothing.
"Look at him… now look at you," Shichen said, sighing as he ca up beside her and patted her shoulder.
"What about ?" Saber shot him a puzzled look, knocking his hand away.
"Rider's out here enjoying life. He's already blended right into this world." Shichen crossed his arms.
"So you like Rider better, is that it?" Saber asked directly.
"Not even close."
Shichen rolled his eyes. "I have zero interest in teaming up with so muscle-bound dude."
"Then why say that?"
"Because you're an idiot."
He flicked her forehead. "I'm saying you should loosen up and enjoy this world a little. It's colorful, full of things to experience—don't you have even a bit of curiosity?"
"No. I just want to end the Holy Grail War as soon as possible." Saber shook her head firmly.
"Then why did you hesitate to kill Lancer the other day?" Shichen shot back.
"I…"
"Alright, alright. I know—you don't like winning without honor." He ruffled her hair, giving her an out.
This ti, Saber didn't push his hand away.
Seeing her reaction, Shichen just shook his head and said quietly, "You don't need to push yourself that hard."
"What?"
"Nothing. You'll figure it out later."
He let go and scooped up Illya and Sakura.
"Co on, let's go have so fun today."
"Okay!"
"Shichen, can I go ho now?" Frieren asked softly.
"Of course… not."
"Ugh, I don't even want to play…" Frieren pouted.
"Too bad."
"Hey, Alice, what's that supposed to an?" Saber asked.
"I have no idea," Irisviel said with a smile, "but I know Shichen won't let you down."
"He won't let down, huh? …I'll believe that."
That night, under a bright moon and starry sky, the city looked like it was wrapped in silver mist—quiet and hazy.
Shichen and Saber arrived at the venue for Rider's party: a garden surrounded by flowers, the air fresh and lightly scented.
"Hahaha! Saber! And Saber's Master—over here!" Rider waved from the center of the garden.
Next to him stood Archer, gleaming in golden armor, practically glowing under the moonlight.
Saber glanced at Shichen.
"Let's go." He led the way.
Shichen dropped down cross-legged in front of them without hesitation, while Saber knelt properly, her skirt draping over her legs.
"Oh? You think an insect like you deserves to sit with the King?" Archer sneered at Shichen.
"Tell , Goldie—do you think I'm worthy?" Shichen smiled faintly—then unleashed his mana.
The air instantly turned heavy. Mana surged like a towering pillar into the sky, covering the entire area.
Not a single flower petal moved.
"Wh-what is this…?!" Waver, watching from a distance, fell on his backside.
"Impossible!" Archer's eyes went wide.
"Well, damn…" Rider just chuckled and shook his head.
"Shichen, you…" Saber stared at him in disbelief.
Facing that power, there was no thought of resisting—only a deep, crushing sense of helplessness.
They knew. None of them could win. That sheer, endless mana could wear them down a thousand tis over.
"Who the hell are you? How can anyone have that much mana?" Archer demanded, a rare flicker of unease in his voice.
"Relax, Gilgash. I'm just here with Saber for the party." Shichen patted him on the shoulder.
"Gilgash?!" Saber's eyes widened.
"The King of Heroes, huh? Now that's interesting," Rider laughed.
"You actually know ?" Archer looked too surprised to push Shichen's hand away.
"Well, you're famous enough… Anyway, forget that—let's try that wine."
Shichen dismissed his mana, eyed the barrel, and held out his hand to Rider.
"Hahaha, here you go." Rider handed him a ladle.
Ignoring Archer and Saber's stunned faces, Shichen opened the barrel, took in the rich aroma, and scooped up a full ladle of deep red wine.
"Saber and I are late, so we'll take a penalty cup."
He downed it in one gulp.
"Not bad. Good flavor. Here, Saber—your turn."
"Oh… okay."
She took the ladle, drank it down without thinking, and handed it back.
"How was it?" Shichen asked as he burned the ladle to ash.
"Hey! What are we supposed to use now?!" Rider yelped.
Shichen ignored him.
Saber gave him a resigned look, clearly realizing what he'd just done. "It's fine."
"Hmph. That swill's nothing worth drinking."
Archer snorted and summoned a golden ripple, pulling out a gleaming goblet and four small cups. He filled them with fragrant wine that instantly filled the air.
"Oh! Now this is a drink!" Rider's eyes lit up, and he drained it in one go.
"Excellent. As expected of the King of Hero."
"Hmph. The King's wine is leagues above that trash."
Shichen took a sip—and yeah, compared to Rider's, this was divine. Smooth, cleansing… like it washed both body and soul.
"You should try this—it's better."
"Alright." Saber drank hers in one go, visibly relaxing.
"You just chugged it? What if you get drunk?" Shichen tapped her head.
"I won't."
"Who knows with Goldie's wine? You might not be able to handle it."
"I can—"
"I get it. You just want to carry you ho."
"What? No!"
"Hey, I didn't invite you here to flirt," Rider interrupted, clearly fed up.
Archer's eyebrow twitched.
"We're not flirting," Saber said quickly.
"Hah, sure you're not."
Saber glared at Shichen, who just grinned—and shalessly grabbed Archer's gold wine bottle to pour himself more.
"You ever heard of manners?" Archer frowned, but his tone wasn't as arrogant as before.
He knew—everyone knew—after that mana display, the Grail War already had a clear frontrunner.
"Well, I didn't expect to et a Master like you," Archer said, finishing his drink with a sigh.
"What's this? Giving up already?" Shichen poured him more.
"Hardly. I want the Grail more than anyone."
"Fool. The Grail belongs to the King. Are you saying you'd steal from ?" Archer sneered.
"King of Hero, even if you're the oldest of kings, the Grail isn't yours."
"Hmph. All treasures are mine by right."
"Oh? So you're not here to win it?"
"A king doesn't fight for his treasures. I'm here to punish those foolish enough to covet what's mine."
And he had the arrogance to back it up.
"Then if I asked, would you give it to ?" Rider asked suddenly.
"Rider? Why are you acting like the Grail already belongs to Archer?" Saber frowned.
"Well~ I just don't see much hope of winning this war. But I still really want it," Rider admitted.
"What's your wish?"
"Simple… to have a real body."
~~~
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