Building a Monster Nation From Zero in Another World

"I'll go out and see, try not to leave my side."

Irisviel nodded in response, then accompanied Saber, who was going to meet the enemy.

She knew very well that the safest place on the battlefield was by Artoria's side.

"That thunder just now, and that unrestrained power, the enemy should be Iskandar."

The two hurried through the abandoned castle, arrived at the balcony surrounding the high-ceilinged hall, and then waited for the other party's arrival.

"I thought so too."

Irisviel recalled the power of the Noble Phantasm Gordius Wheel she had witnessed in the warehouse district the day before yesterday.

That divine bull chariot surrounded by lightning.

If such an anti-army Noble Phantasm were fully unleashed, it would not be surprising if the Magecraft array base points set up in the forest were uprooted.

"Hey, King of Knights!"

"I specifically came to find you, why aren't you coming out quickly?"

As the two had expected, the voice calling out brazenly in the hall was indeed Iskandar.

Artoria, while running, transformed her suit into silver-white armor, ready to meet the challenge at any moment.

"Yo, Saber."

"I heard you built a castle, so I came to see."

"Tsk tsk tsk."

Iskandar stroked his chin, sighing, "It's a bit disappointing. This castle is somehow shabby."

"Well!"

"But as long as it's a castle, it's fine."

"You don't mind if I borrow this place for a banquet, do you?"

Iskandar's shameless words truly made the two women's expressions difficult to maintain.

"Rider, you..."

Artoria understood the meaning of his words.

He wasn't here to cause trouble.

"Making such a big commotion just to say these things?"

Artoria glared fiercely at Iskandar. "And don't just unilaterally occupy other people's things!"

"Well, well~"

Iskandar scratched the back of his head, then revealed his white teeth. "Since I helped you cut down some trees in front of the castle gate, lend me the place, alright?"

"Don't you think the view has become much wider without those trees in the yard?"

If Artoria wasn't a moral person, and Irisviel wasn't from a noble family, upon hearing Iskandar's shameless boast, they would probably have cursed directly.

"What exactly do you want to do?!"

Artoria: "If you can't give me a reasonable explanation, don't blame me for being merciless with my sword!"

"Idiot, idiot, idiot."

Seeing the atmosphere becoming increasingly tense, Waver quickly poked his head out from behind Iskandar. "Really, I told you to ask first!"

"Haha, how would that be quick enough?"

Iskandar ignored Waver's nonsense, he lifted the wine barrel beside him. "Relax, relax, I'm not here to fight you this time."

"Then what is it?"

"Can't you tell?"

Iskandar patted the wine barrel and laughed. "Of course, it's the wine for tonight!"

"Alright, don't just stand there, lead the way."

"Don't you have any suitable gardens for a banquet here?"

"This broken castle is full of dust everywhere, it's unbearable."

Every word from Iskandar was like a sharp blade, piercing deeply into Irisviel's heart.

Even she, with her gentle temperament, felt the urge to perish with him at this moment.

This guy was simply too much of a bully!

"Is it a trap?"

"He's not the type to play petty tricks, is he?"

"Is he really just here to drink?"

Walking towards the courtyard, Irisviel quietly asked Artoria.

Upon reflection, Iskandar had publicly stated earlier that he would not fight Saber until Saber and Lancer had determined a victor.

If that was a promise made by a Heroic Spirit based on their dignity, then his sudden attack tonight would be inexplicable.

"That man, isn't he deliberately trying to gain your favor, then launch a surprise attack?"

"No, Irisviel, you don't understand."

Artoria had already understood Iskandar's meaning.

She put away her fighting spirit, but her expression was even more serious than before.

"This is a challenge initiated by a king."

"I am a king, and he is also a king of a nation."

Artoria: "If he knows both our identities and still wants to drink with me, then this is a battle without weapons."

"Haha!"

Seeing that Saber finally understood, Iskandar laughed. "Exactly!"

"If you don't want to wield swords, then let's raise our cups and drink together, King of Knights!"

"Tonight, I'm going to properly question your kingly demeanor. Are you mentally prepared?"

"Interesting, I accept."

Artoria resolutely accepted the challenge, her face radiating the same stern heroism as when she went to battle.

"This..."

As things developed, Irisviel finally understood that this was not a joke, but the beginning of a real contest.

The chosen venue for the banquet was the garden in the castle's central courtyard.

The battle that night had not affected this place, so it was still a suitable spot to entertain guests without losing face.

"So, shall we begin now?"

Sitting cross-legged opposite Conqueror in the center of the garden, Artoria asked.

"Wait, there's still a guest who hasn't arrived."

"A guest?"

"Ah, you and I are not the only Kings who have descended in this Holy Grail War."

"Could it be?!"

Hearing the word 'King,' a name immediately popped into Artoria's mind. "Solomon..."

The girl immediately thought of Rin, whom Emiya Kiritsugu had mentioned.

Of course, a certain incredibly arrogant street lamp King was automatically ignored by Artoria.

That guy was simply too arrogant.

Artoria did not want to invite such a fellow to her home as a guest.

"I shouldn't be late, right?"

Just as Artoria was surprised, Rin's figure appeared in the courtyard at some point.

"This is our first meeting, isn't it, Artoria?"

Rin sat with his back to the east, taking the opportunity to closely observe Artoria's heroic posture.

And after his appearance, the gazes of Irisviel and Artoria fell upon Rin, as if they wanted to see through him.

'This is the legendary King Solomon?'

Even Irisviel, as an artificial human, had to admit that Rin's appearance was simply too astonishing.

(To be continued.)