"Banquet?"
Shiomi was taken aback.
Shiomi didn't know of any banquet plans, so it was clear this must've been something the self-indulgent King of Conquerors had decided on his own.
Hiding behind Rider's massive frame, Waver looked at Shiomi and Morgan with an expression that teetered between fear and hostility. But Shiomi could clearly read the words written all over his face: I want to go home.
"Yes, a banquet."
With that, the King of Conquerors, clad in faded jeans and a plain white T-shirt, hoisted a large wooden barrel from the ox cart. There was no mistaking it—it was a wine barrel.
"So, you're here to find someone to drink with?"
Shiomi and Morgan exchanged glances, once again reminded of how spontaneous and bold the Macedonian king could be.
"That's right. I'll borrow your courtyard. That shouldn't be too much trouble, right?"
Carrying the barrel, the King of Conquerors leapt down, and the ox cart Noble Phantasm vanished into thin air.
Shiomi turned away.
"Wait here."
Then the two groups of uninvited guests really did wait in the garden for nearly an hour.
Shiomi didn't return until a full hour had passed. He had thrown on a coat to keep warm, but he hadn't gone to change—he had gone to the kitchen to prepare food to go with the drinks, along with some blankets for sitting.
On normal days, Shiomi often shared portable meals in the garden with Sakura and Caren—things like handmade sandwiches, fresh bread, and baked treats.
It was thanks to that habit that Shiomi realized he wasn't entirely helpless in domestic matters. He could still handle some housework.
The colorful spread of food helped Artoria, who had been on guard, relax as her eyes lit up. Irisviel still looked a bit fatigued, but her overall mood was quite good.
"Wow! This is really something. I threw together this banquet on a whim, but you—who's providing the venue—ended up doing the cooking yourself," Iskandar said in admiration.
"You knew it was last minute and still didn't send out a notice?" Shiomi shot back. "Is it normal in your country to hold banquets without any formalities?"
For once, the towering man was left speechless by Shiomi's jab. He gave an apologetic smile.
"That's a harsh but fair critique," Iskandar said, lowering his head.
"Then issue a formal apology."
Shiomi kept up the banter but didn't press the issue further. After all, even someone as rough as the King of Conquerors wouldn't try to throw a party during the Holy Grail War without a deeper motive.
"So? Did something good happen that made you come to my house to eat and drink for free?" Shiomi asked.
Iskandar, who hadn't originally come for that reason, seized the chance to boast about his Master's achievements.
"You probably haven't heard, but my Master managed to find Caster's workshop using simple alchemy. So I set out to attack it."
"Caster was defeated too?" Shiomi asked.
"No, the guy wasn't there. If he was, I'd have executed him on the spot," the King of Conquerors said without a hint of shame.
Waver, arms folded, picked up a sandwich and took a bite.
"It was just a cheap trick. Nothing worth bragging about."
"What do you mean?"
Shiomi raised an eyebrow.
Iskandar gave a rough explanation. Waver had extracted water from different sections of the Mion River, analyzed it for residual magical traces, and pinpointed Caster's workshop that way.
The more he spoke, the more flustered Waver looked—understandable, considering such a method probably wouldn't impress a top-tier Magus like Shiomi.
"Not bad."
Shiomi's comment took Waver by surprise.
"Hahahaha! See what I said!"
Iskandar beamed with satisfaction.
"Magus are often too obsessed with Magecraft itself and neglect how to actually solve problems. That's the real issue."
Shiomi glanced at Waver. He considered it, but decided against mentioning that he had already taken out Kayneth's camp.
"Is that so?"
Waver responded with skepticism, though deep down he was clearly pleased.
The standards of practical Magus really were different.
"So then, King of Conquerors—what's your real purpose for coming here tonight?"
Shiomi decided to cut to the chase.
Iskandar hadn't started eating, nor had he poured anyone a drink. It was obvious he was waiting for something.
"Of course, it's 'battle'—but not with weapons or Noble Phantasms. Rather, a clash of spirits over wine. I want to ask Saber and Berserker—no, the King of Knights and Morgan—about their respective 'kingly bearing.'"
It seemed Iskandar already knew their true names. Whether he had figured them out himself or someone from another camp had deliberately leaked the information was unclear.
After all, Assassin was still active in the shadows—even Shiomi couldn't guard against everything.
But that wasn't the main concern.
"I am indeed a king, but... how could my sister be one?"
Artoria was well aware that Morgan had never once claimed the title of king.
"No, King of Knights. The one before you has indeed reigned as a king—perhaps you just weren't aware of it."
Iskandar spoke seriously, confident in his judgment. He was sure he hadn't misread her.
Morgan simply smiled calmly.
"I did indeed reign as the 'Winter Queen.' I will not refuse your challenge."
Winter Queen—yet another title absent from legend.
Hearing that self-proclaimed title, Shiomi was momentarily surprised, though his expression didn't show it.
"So, you're proposing a contest of character among Heroic Spirits, to see if each side can acknowledge the other's strength. If everyone accepts, then the answer will naturally reveal itself?"
Shiomi quickly understood Iskandar's intent.
Iskandar grinned broadly.
"Exactly! You truly are sharp. Why don't you serve as the host of this 'Holy Grail Quiz'?"
"Huh?"
Shiomi blinked.
"Why me—"
"No need to be modest, God-Slayer."
A flash of brilliant golden light burst forth as Gilgamesh stepped into the courtyard.
He wasn't clad in golden armor, but a white robe, snakeskin-patterned pants, and white leather shoes. Gold accessories adorned his wrists and neck, radiating unmistakable opulence.
"With someone like you hosting this banquet, it's worth my time to sit and listen to these mongrels spew their nonsense."
"..."
Shiomi had the growing sense that events were veering into something completely incomprehensible.
Whether it was the "Holy Grail Quiz" or how Gilgamesh addressed him—
The only thing he could say for certain was that tonight, at least, there would be no fighting in this courtyard.