Chapter 222 - 222: You’re Too Greedy

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"Hmph," Saber huffed, taking a deep breath to compose herself before turning her attention to Haru.

"So, you wish to share yourwisdomregarding kingship? I'mintrigued," Rider said, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm, though his curiosity was genuine. He wanted to know a God's perspective on the matter.

"In my opinion, none of your approaches are inherently wrong," Haru began, his gaze sweeping over the assembled Servants. "Iskandar'sconquest and plunder, Gilgamesh'styranny, and Artoria'sselfless devotion... they are allvalidpaths."

"But," he continued, "as the saying goes, 'birds of a feather flock together.' You argue, you debate, each trying to impose your beliefs on the others. But a king's conviction—it shouldn't be so easily swayed. Your arguments aremeaningless." He swirled the wine in his goblet, his voice calm, almost indifferent.

Rider nodded slowly. "I agree. But I still disagree with Saber's approach. She's just achild, clinging to naive ideals."

"..." Saber shot to her feet, her hand instinctively going to her sword, magical energy crackling around her.

"Sit down, Saber. This is a banquet," Haru said, his voice flat, a warning in his eyes.

Saber's lips tightened into a thin line as she sat back down, glaring at Rider.

"Well, since I've accepted thisroleas the Biblical God, as the judge of your wishes, I suppose I can offer someguidance," Haru said, taking a sip of wine.

"Guidance? You thinkIrequire guidance?" Gilgamesh's playful expression vanished, replaced by a frown.

"No.Youdon't. You've lived, you've loved, you've lost. You've seen it all, experienced everything. You have no need for the Grail," Haru said with a smile.

"He understands me. As expected ofherchild." Gilgamesh nodded, a hint ofpridein her voice as she looked at Haru.

Saber and Rider stared at them, their faces filled with surprise.

"No wish? Then why are you even participating in this war?" Rider asked, his brow furrowed.

"I will not allow others to covet what is rightfully mine. I am here to punish those who would steal from me," Gilgamesh replied, her voice cold.

"What are you talking about? The Grail belongs to Haru, not you!" Saber exclaimed.

"Not quite. Gilgamesh, according to legend, possessed all the treasures of the world. Therefore, she could be considered the Grail'srightful owner," Haru explained.

"Ah, theGate of Babylon. I'd forgotten about that. If her treasury has manifested as a Noble Phantasm, then it likely contains the Grail as well," Rider said, his eyes lighting up.

"Naturally," Gilgamesh said, her voice laced with arrogance.

"So, there are nowtwoways to obtain the Grail—one from the God, and one from the King of Heroes. Excellent!" Rider laughed.

"If you swear fealty to me, the Grail is yours," Gilgamesh offered.

"Heh, as the God said, 'birds of a feather...' I'll stick to my own methods. I intend totakewhat I desire—both your Grail, and His." Rider grinned, grabbing the golden flask and pouring himself another drink.

"So, it seems even a steadfast dreamer like you, Iskandar, doesn't require my guidance," Haru said with a chuckle.

"Damn right!" Rider roared, raising his goblet.

"Haru-sama," Kiyohime purred, rubbing against his arm, her face flushed, "Kiyohimeneedsyour guidance."

"Don't be ridiculous. You, with your unwavering devotion tome—what guidance could you possibly need? All you desire is myaffection," Haru teased, his smile turninglecherous.

Saber's face hardened. Four Servants didn't require guidance. That meant...shewas the only one who did. "Haru, are you sayingIneed your guidance?" Her voice was cold, laced with anger.

"That's right, Artoria. Tell me... why did you become Britain's king?" Haru turned to her, his gaze intense.

"To save my country from war. To protect my people," Saber replied without hesitation, her voice firm. She had never forgotten the reason she'd drawn Caliburn, the Sword in the Stone.

"Then why didn't you abdicate when Camelot reached its peak, when your kingdom was at its strongest, when there were no enemies left to conquer? You'd already saved Britain from war," Haru asked, not giving her a chance to respond.

"I wanted my people to have a better life..." A flicker of doubt entered Saber's voice, though her resolve remained.

"And how did you intend to achieve that?"

"With just laws and a fair system of governance," Saber replied, her voice firm once more. That was how she'd ruled, how she'd guided Camelot to prosperity.

"Then why did your kingdom fall?"

Saber fell silent.If she'd done everything right—why had she failed?For the first time, doubt clouded her emerald eyes.

"So, do you need guidance?" Haru's voice was gentle now, almostkind.

"Haru... Let her suffer. Let her drown in her impossible dream," Gilgamesh said, her brow furrowed. She wanted to see Saber'spain, to revel in her despair. AredeemedKing of Knights wasn't what she wanted.

"I prefer to see herawakened," Haru replied with a shrug.

He looked at Saber, her face now pale, her usual confidence shaken, and his expression turned serious.

"You wish to change history—because you want to go back andprevent yourself from becoming king, don't you?"

Saber nodded silently.

"Because before you died, you realized your 'righteous' path, your 'noble' ideals, had led to your kingdom's destruction. You regret it. You wish there had been another king," Haru continued, his voice soft.

Saber nodded again, her eyes downcast.

"Wake up, Artoria. You were the only one who could draw Caliburn. If you hadn't become king, Britain's fate would have been far worse. So, I'll give you some advice. If you go back, if you change historyabdicate. Step down when Camelot reaches its peak."

Saber's eyes widened. "But what about my people?"

"You're too greedy," Haru said, his voice flat.

Saber fell silent, even her ahoge drooping slightly.

She couldn't deny it.

She was a fool, clinging to a dream, her ideals twisted into a curse by her own regrets, her own unwillingness to accept her failures.

Her original wish, to save Britain—she'd achieved that, and more, the moment she became King, the moment the Knights of the Round Table assembled.

But she hadn't been satisfied. Blinded by her victories, she'd failed to realize that her—limitedabilities as a ruler meant that her dream of a better life for her people—it was beyond her grasp.

That was why she'd fallen, why her kingdom had crumbled.

"Saber, your true wish—it's to saveyourself, isn't it? You know, deep down, that your methods, your ideals, would lead to ruin. You regret it. You use this—noble lie—this desire to change history, to hide your true desire—to go back and stop yourself from ever becoming king. To escape your regrets."

Haru's words, like daggers, pierced Saber's heart. Her eyes became vacant, her voice barely a whisper. "No... I wanted to save my people..."

"How do you know theyneededsaving? Even a god must hear their prayers to know their desires. Did you hear your people's cries, Saber? Did theyaskyou to save them?"

Saber sat motionless, her eyes empty, like a doll's.

"Tch, she's broken. You're a cruel one," Gilgamesh muttered, her voice laced with a hint of—disappointment.

AbrokenSaber wasn't what she wanted. And Saber, with her unwavering conviction, would surely recover soon. That, too, wasn't what Gilgamesh wanted.

Haru appeared beside Saber, lifting her into his arms and sitting down, holding her close. He whispered in her ear, "Lancelot answered the Grail's call. He's here, in this war."

Saber's eyes widened, their vacant stare vanishing. "Lancelot...?"

"After the banquet—why don't you talk to him?" Haru tightened his grip around her waist, his cheek pressed against hers.

Kiyohime's eyes narrowed, her body radiating a dark aura, her tongue darting out like a snake's.

"So,that'swhy youguidedher..." Rider murmured, a knowing smile on his face.

Then, his expression turned serious. "I have a question. Why areyou, a god, participating in this war?"

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