Chapter 217 - 217: State Your Wish

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Haru raised his goblet, taking a long drink of wine, then smiled. "This is a gathering of heroes, yet—we haven't even introduced ourselves properly, have we?"

"You're right!" Rider said, looking around the table. "As the host of thisfeast, I'll go first."

He puffed out his chest. "I am Iskandar, King of Conquerors!"

He turned his gaze to Saber. Of all the Servants present,herswas the only identity he hadn't yet figured out.

Saber, her face impassive, her emerald eyes filled with a quiet determination, spoke. "I am Artoria Pendragon, King of Knights."

"Oh?" Gilgamesh's lips curled into a smile, her eyes fixed on Saber, a glint ofinterest—in them.

"King Arthur a woman?" Waver gaped at Saber, stunned. Having grown up in England, he knew the legends of King Arthur. And in every story, every poem, Arthur had been aman.

"The King of Knights a queen? And so young? Astonishing." Rider, scratching his head, looked at Saber with surprise.

Saber's eyes narrowed at the word "young."

"What's so surprising? The Celts were ruled by queens. Artoria being a woman isn't unusual. And as for age, you were barely eighteen when you began your conquests, Iskandar."

Haru, taking a sip of wine, looked at Rider with an expression of amusement, as if the King of Conquerors were some country bumpkin.

"Ha! My apologies! I forgot aboutcultural differences. My mistake." Rider, slapping his forehead, raised his goblet to Saber. "I'll drink to that."

Saber's expression softened as she watched him drink, then, turning her attention to the food before her, she began to eat, though her pace, out of respect for theformaloccasion, was slower than usual—though still remarkably fast compared to an ordinary human's.

"My turn! My turn! I'm Kiyohime. A woman born for love~" She leaned against Haru, her voice a seductive purr.

"I recognize your name. You're thatlovesick womanfrom theKonjaku Hyakki Shūi, aren't you?" Rider said, nodding slowly.

"You've been doing your research, I see. You learned her name last night and looked her up," Haru said with a grin, giving Kiyohime's rear a playful pat, making her blush.

"Of course! Intelligence gathering is crucial in war!" Rider boomed, then turned his gaze towards Gilgamesh.

She was the only one who hadn't revealed her identity.

"You stand in my presence, bathed in my glory, yet you don't even know my name?" Gilgamesh's voice was laced with displeasure.

"I have a pretty good idea who you are. Your arrogance, your claim to be the only true king—only a fool wouldn't recognize Gilgamesh," Rider replied.

"You expectmeto announce my own name? Such disrespect... you're looking for afight, mongrel." Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Hey, this is my house. If you two start fighting, I'll be the one topay for the damages. And I'm—broke," Haru said, interrupting their escalating tension, his tone light, but his meaning clear.

Gilgamesh frowned, then snapped her fingers.

Clink! Clink! Clink! Clink!

A shower of gold bricks and jewels rained down from the sky, filling half the courtyard. The Einzbern castle glittered under the moonlight, reflecting off the treasure.

"If you needed money, you should have just asked. And living in such adrabplace—it's unbefitting of your status. I'll see if I can find a suitable castle in my treasury later," Gilgamesh said, her voice filled with a strange mix of annoyance andconcern, as if she were scolding achild.

Haru looked at her, a wry smile on his face. It seemed the ancient queen had fully embraced her role as amother figure.

He'd made a joke, and she'd responded by showering him with treasure.

Perhaps he should make more jokes.

Saber, who'd been happily munching on the snacks, paused, a bead of sweat trickling down her cheek.

Gilgamesh's casual display of wealth wasintimidating.

Her own kingdom, Camelot, hadn't been so prosperous.

Otherwise, she wouldn't be so easily swayed bymodern cuisine. She'd been constantlyhungry. Even a king couldn't always get enough to eat.

Rider's eyes gleamed as he looked at the treasure, then at the golden ripple behind Gilgamesh. "So, itisyou. The King of Heroes, Gilgamesh. Andthatis the legendaryGate of Babylon, I presume?"

"You have a discerning eye," Gilgamesh replied—a hint of pride in her voice.

She picked up her goblet, took a small sip, then, her face contorting in disgust, spat the wine onto the ground.

"Ptooey!!! What is this swill? You dare to serve such garbage at a gathering of heroes? And you call yourself a connoisseur of treasures?"

"But this is the best wine I could find!" Rider protested, scratching his head.

He'd scoured Fuyuki City with Waver, using his enhanced sense of smell, to find this particular vintage.

"That's because you have no taste, youmongrel," Gilgamesh sneered. From theGate of Babylonemerged a collection of ornate goblets and a heavy, golden flask filled with a clear liquid.

"This is a king's wine."

"Oh, excellent! More drinks!" Rider, unfazed by her insult, grinned, his eyes fixed on the golden flask. He grabbed it, emptying the wine from their goblets and refilling them with thesuperior vintage.

"Magnificent!" Rider exclaimed after taking a long drink.

Haru took a small sip, feeling a warmth spread through him. "Strong, yet delicate. A perfect balance of fire and purity. Excellent."

Gilgamesh smiled, pleased with his assessment. "Your palate isadequate. Though you seemunfamiliarwith alcohol. Learn to appreciate it. A true king should be a connoisseur of fine wines."

Haru listened to herlecture, a wry smile on his face.

He had a weakness formotherly figures.

She thinks of him as a child, a student... while he's thinking of—other things...

His gaze lingered on Gilgamesh's ample bosom, barely contained by her shirt.

Kiyohime, after taking a sip of the wine, her cheeks flushed, leaned against Haru, her body soft and pliant.

Hassan, accustomed to assassinations during feasts, downed her wine in a single gulp, her brown skin turning a deep shade of red.

Saber, intrigued by their reactions, also took a long drink. A burning sensation filled her throat, and her head swam.

Having always been disciplined and reserved, she rarely drank. If not for her status as a Servant, she would have collapsed on the spot.

"Incredible! This isn't human wine. This is the drink ofgods!" Rider declared, his voice filled with awe.

Then, his expression turned serious. "Now, with the drinks flowing—let us discuss who among us is most worthy of the Grail."

The Servants' faces became grim.

Haru, watching them, a subtle smile playing on his lips, spoke.

"Indeed. Tell me your wishes, heroes. If I find themworthy—I shall bestow the Grail upon you."

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