Building a Monster Nation From Zero in Another World

"Eek~"

Intimidated by this killing intent, Waver stumbled and fell onto his backside.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch..."

"I apologize for my kid's rudeness."

Iskandar pretty much had an idea of Rin's identity.

He didn't know who Rin was.

But one thing he could be sure of.

That was that Rin was definitely not King Solomon.

"Are you disappointed?"

Rin did not directly state his origin, but his denial of being King Solomon had already been clearly conveyed to Iskandar.

"No!"

Iskandar lowered his head, a hearty smile appearing on his face. "Rather, that kind of thing doesn't matter at all!"

Whether he was King Solomon or not did not affect his judgment of Rin.

The other party was a King.

This was beyond doubt.

Subjects loyal unto death, soldiers willing to shed their blood and sacrifice their lives for him.

A person who possesses these, as long as he claims to be a King, then he is a true King.

"Tonight, I plan to hold a banquet of kings for a Holy Grail discussion!"

Iskandar: "Here, in the name of Conqueror King Iskandar, I officially invite you, unknown King, please be sure to attend!"

"Alright."

Rin nodded. "Since it is an invitation from a King, I naturally will not refuse."

"Then, where will the banquet be held?"

"Oh, about that..."

Iskandar scratched his head and laughed heartily. "My kid's small place is a bit too humble for kings like you."

As for holding the banquet directly at Ryuudou Temple.

Iskandar wasn't foolish enough to run to someone else's territory for that.

"Let's set it there!"

"Saber's Master!"

Iskandar: "I remember her house seems quite large, enough to accommodate everyone!"

"Of course, as the host, I will prepare the drinks."

This way, Artoria provides the venue, he brings the alcohol, and the remaining two just need to show up.

"Good."

Rin quite liked Iskandar' straightforward personality.

The other side felt the same.

Rin wasn't as foul-mouthed as Gilgamesh, nor as rigid as Saber.

Although he was a Heroic Spirit just like them, he had a good understanding of modern society.

"Truly, I wish I had met you sooner!"

"Unfortunately, there isn't enough time," Iskandar said, standing up and bidding farewell to Rin. "I still have some things to prepare. See you tonight, Rin!"

During their conversation, Rin had told Iskandar his name.

And just as Iskandar had said, he didn't care what Rin's true identity was.

At least here, in this Holy Grail War, Rin was a king with whom he could drink and be merry.

The kings of history belonged to the whole world.

Only those who were raising their cups and drinking with him were worthy opponents.

"Are we just letting him leave?"

Finally, this time, it wasn't Ice Empress who spoke.

Since being taught by Rin last time, Ice Empress had indeed matured a lot.

"This is the most basic guest etiquette," Rin said, looking at the Starfang Wolves generals waiting below. "He and I will have a battle sooner or later, but not now."

During their conversation just now, Rin had actually extended a war invitation to Conqueror King Iskandar.

And the other party agreed.

No schemes or tricks, only a straightforward confrontation between two armies.

"We obey your will."

"We will surely present you with victory in this king's duel!"

——

About thirty kilometers west of Fuyuki City's urban area, a national highway runs east-west, cutting through a mountainous area far from human habitation.

Along this road is a dense, emerald-green forest, seemingly forgotten by the overwhelming rush of residential development.

This area holds many mysterious secrets.

At first glance, it appears to be state-owned land, but in reality, it is privately owned, belonging to a foreign enterprise that exists only in name, its actual existence uncertain.

If one were to truly gather information about this land, the first things heard would be strange urban legends.

It is rumored that deep within this profound forest, there is a City of Dreams.

Before children who ventured into the forest with a bit of playful curiosity or lost picnickers, a magnificent ancient stone castle would suddenly appear in the thick fog.

Legend has it that the castle is an incredibly mysterious mansion.

Despite appearing like an empty ruin, it is meticulously clean and spotless, completely unlike an uninhabited place.

Of course, no one takes this rumor seriously, at most, some third-rate magazines with no material to write about would use it for seasonal interest in the summer, publishing it on a page in a supernatural special.

Only a very small number of mages know that this castle truly exists.

This is an eerie city that welcomes its master every sixty years, becoming a wartime base.

This castle is an alternate dimension protected by layers of illusions and Magecraft barriers, and it is absolutely impossible for the outside world to discover it, except in extremely rare circumstances.

Those who know the true origin of this castle refer to this deep forest as Einzbern Forest.

And just one day ago, a magical conflict erupted here.

Kayneth visited Einzbern, clashed with Emiya Kiritsugu, and was ultimately tricked and defeated by the Origin Bullet.

....

One day later, many facilities within the castle had not yet been repaired.

Under the silent dark night, the scars of fierce battles left everywhere were still shocking to behold.

Irisviel sighed, trying hard not to mind, as she walked through this dilapidated corridor, almost a ruin.

"Kiritsugu..."

And just as Irisviel was worrying about her husband's future, a deafening rumble shattered the night's silence.

"Ah!!"

Not only that, Irisviel's magic circuits were subjected to intense pressure, almost causing her to faint in the corridor.

The rumbling sound came from thunder not far away.

The feedback that accompanied the thunder indicated that the barrier in the forest outside the castle had been broken.

And it wasn't just a matter of breaking through the barrier, this feedback, as literally described, was caused by the complete dismantling of the barrier spell itself.

"They actually intend to break through head-on?"

Irisviel felt incredibly frustrated, as if anyone could freely enter and exit Einzbern's castle at will, time and time again.

"Are you alright, Irisviel?"

Suddenly, a slender yet strong hand supported the swaying Irisviel.

Artoria, upon sensing the anomaly, immediately transformed into a gust of wind and rushed to her side at the first instant.

"I'm fine, it's just a bit unexpected."

Irisviel had recovered her breath, but she was still filled with vigilance and anger towards the intruder's recklessness. "I didn't expect to welcome such a rude guest."

(To be continued.)