The establishment of the Time Travelers Alliance began in the first year of Conan

Chapter 376 The Meeting of the Two Kings (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Near the exit of Beikacho Station, there is a large parking lot used by taxis and buses to pick up and drop off passengers.

The first destination for everyone after getting off the bus was naturally there.

Of course, just as Kenneth thought, surely no one will be stumped by the cost of transportation to the [Academy]... right?

Clearly, the monarch's view on money is quite different from that of Weber, a mere student of the Clock Tower.

"What a wicked rich person..."

Complaining like this, Weber ran towards the place he had agreed to meet with Rider.

To be honest, this was perhaps the only thing that made Weber somewhat happy since arriving in this place.

Perhaps it's because the profession of "detective" requires excellent physical fitness. Like when he was in the train aisle, he instinctively found a way to break free from Rider's restraints, and perhaps even defeat him.

Webber is no longer a physical failure.

In fact, his energy was so abundant that—

In just one hour, Weber had already surveyed the station once.

Therefore, he not only completed the task of "earning the fare", but also had the spare capacity to find out some useful information.

When Saber and the others looked in the direction of the sound, they saw Waver waving the banknotes in his hand and running over with excitement.

"Rider, I'm back with money—wait, what?!"

After handing half of the stack of banknotes to Rider, the young magician looked at Saber and Irisviel standing to the side.

"Rider, where are you from??"

"Ah, that's what I wanted to talk about." Iskandar gave a hearty laugh.

Judging from the way he and Saber seemed to be having a very pleasant conversation.

Clearly, he did not heed a single word of Weber's instructions during the agreed-upon hour.

Of course, Webber had anticipated this, otherwise he wouldn't have been so considerate as to lend Rider a sum of money as well.

Rider gave Weber a thumbs-up for the money he had earned and spoke with a hint of pride.

“Saber and her Master have now joined our side.”

"Although I still haven't been able to recruit any swordsmen, forming an alliance is a good option."

Rider paused, then said with some emotion, "Wave, compared to you, kid, Saber's ambition is boundless."

"And Saber's Master is too."

In Weber's eyes, the burly man seemed to have discovered some secret, and he smacked his lips mysteriously.

"The desire to save the world—well, that sounds like it's only inferior to my desire to conquer the entire world."

Before Saber and Irisviel could speak, the burly man swept his gaze over the three people in front of him with a comparative look.

"Exactly, it would be terrible if women and children were to save the world."

To be honest, Rider's statement doesn't seem to be entirely wrong.

As the Knight King, Artoria's time was frozen after she pulled out the "Golden Sword of Victory." Her body and appearance stopped growing and aging, and she remained forever at the age of 15.

As for Irisviel, who was previously a homunculus, she was actually much younger than Saber, only nine years old.

Regardless of whether they are women or children, both of them meet the relevant conditions.

To Waver's surprise, although he could clearly see Saber's dissatisfaction with Rider's words thanks to his "Insight," she did not immediately refute him.

……

Actually, it wasn't that Artoria didn't want to refute Rider's words.

Instead, after arguing with Rider, she realized that she couldn't win an argument with Alexander the Great.

Come to think of it, the student of that incompetent Merlin is nothing compared to the student of the famous philosopher Aristotle—

Yes, the difference in literary literacy between the two is quite obvious.

It's worth noting that Iskandar could even recite the Iliad backwards!
However, this surprised Rider somewhat.

Unlike the so-called "Three Kings Meeting" where he easily made the girl waver, this Artoria's beliefs were almost too firm... too firm.

It was as if another [Artoria] had possessed her!
"King of Conquerors, I do not deny that this is a betrayal of 'past history,' but in any case, this is what I, as King Arthur, want to do."

"As long as the Holy Grail can fulfill this wish, I have a reason to fight for it."

Listen, listen!
Is this something Artoria, a king who doesn't understand human nature, could say?

Whenever Rider points out the logical flaws in Saber's words, the undefeated king's emerald eyes flash with the sharpness of a jade knight's sword.

She then reiterated, in a calm and restrained manner, that she did not care about the so-called "present history".

"The so-called denial of one's own experiences and the denial of past history is nothing more than a conclusion drawn by future generations."

"A mistake is a mistake, and a right is a right—"

"As the King of Britain, I am only responsible to my subjects in my time."

"Now that there is a way to avoid destruction, there is a need to realize it."

"Just like you, Rider, if denying the past is a mistake, then your desires are just as wrong."

Saber's tone even became aggressive.

"As a [Heroic Spirit], the King of Conquerors has no right to allow his past ambitions of 'conquest' to continue to swell."

"Hahahaha!" Iskandar laughed heartily in response to Saber's questioning.

The smile on the Conqueror's face now contained a certain shining spirit and desire.

He stretched out his arms, making a gesture of embracing the heavens and the earth.

"That's why I'm seeking a real physical body!"

“A solid physique is the domineering force that I, Iskandar, will embody, and it is the first step in ‘conquest’.”

“Once we become ‘human’ again, we have a reason to re-engage with ‘history’.”

Iskandar wore a proud expression.

"My path to conquest is not as superficial as you think, Saber."

"My conquests are a gesture of looking toward a broader future and venturing into the unknown."

His clenched fist was swung fiercely in the air, so much so that several passersby couldn't help but stop and watch, moved by his passionate and high-spirited energy.

"The more difficult and distant the journey, the more reason there is to reach that ocean at the end of the world!"

"Oh, oh, oh! Exactly! Exactly!"

Standing atop a raised concrete pier, Rider's robust posture and inspiring speech inevitably drew cheers and applause.

Wait, where did these people come from?

Looking at the tourists who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, some stopping and even cheering, Irisviel was somewhat bewildered.

"Once I have a 'human' body, I will no longer be a ghost in history!"

Iskandar shouted to the new spectators.

"My conquest will reach the very edge of the starry sea!"

"Oh, oh, oh!!! Indeed! Indeed!"

Amidst cheers, the Conqueror King slowly spoke:
"On the contrary, you, as the King of Knights, only want to prolong the existence of that old zombie to satisfy your selfish desire for so-called salvation!"

However, Saber remained unmoved.

If it were Artoria who had just been summoned, or Artoria who was still outside of Beika Town, she might be swayed by Rider's words.

Saber has changed so much without us even realizing it.

Whether it was that inexplicable conversation in the photo studio, or the ambush by Lancer at Fuyuki Harbor...

At this moment, the kingly way of advocating salvation has not wavered for a moment.

In fact, there always seemed to be a grander, even more terrifying vision in her heart, which made Artoria yearn for the Holy Grail that could fulfill her wish.

Because they cannot bear the consequences, because they suffer and struggle because of unfulfilled desires?
No, I won't have any of those emotions.

Artoria, or... [Artoria]?
At this moment, this invincible king, or—the once and future king—already had an unshakable answer in his heart.

He could only adopt the posture of a "savior" and use the kingly way of "salvation" to carry out his cause.

"We absolutely cannot choose anything else, otherwise... otherwise—"

Otherwise what?
Saber suddenly felt a headache coming on.

It was as if some unbearable hallucination was appearing before my eyes.

The sky was filled with the aura of blood, and the flower field was stained with blood.

The gleaming, unmistakable scabbard was presented by the man clad in blood-stained armor.

This destruction is even more irreversible than the destruction we learned when we pulled out the sword from the stone.

It was a scene many times more tragic than any "history" destined for destruction.

The endless dead piled up into mountains and oceans, and even the dead planets, and even the universe itself.

It was as if countless worlds and infinite mental images suddenly condemned my actions and suppressed my resolve.

Unfortunately, these "remnant souls" can do nothing.

Within the petite girl's body, the sheath that shone with eternal golden light easily blocked the [history] and [mental images] that wanted to catch up, and the [spirit] and [soul] that wanted to reproduce.

Even if it is not truly possessed and manifested in that [sword sheath].

But for Artoria, who bore the sliver of that glory of the "Eternal Undefeated and Ever-Victorious King".

These dangerous attacks brought nothing more than a headache and hallucinations.

……

To be honest, the atmosphere was a bit tense at the time.

Although I don't know why the people around me regarded it as a street speech or performance, and joined in so enthusiastically.

But Irisviel knew that the two Heroic Spirits before her undoubtedly possessed their own pride and principles.

And more importantly -

Saber's sword is still in her hand!
She had even gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, already poised to draw it.

If Saber and Rider continued talking like that, Irisviel was really worried that the detective work would have to begin immediately when Mr. Webber returned.

"Mr. Rider! Saber! Please stop arguing about the wish!"

The anxious, silver-haired beauty then forcefully stepped between the two.

The performance ended amidst the regretful sighs of the surrounding audience and the actions of a few children who chased after the Rider, wanting to "follow him."

As a result, Irisviel's expression now looks somewhat embarrassed.

"So... Rider, your method is to make money through performances?"

This kind of behavior—publicly proclaiming one's ideas and acting recklessly—is indeed very characteristic of a Rider.

After listening to Irisviel's description, Weber sighed wearily.

He first turned to apologize to Saber and Irisviel, then cast a look of "wave disapproval" at his servant.

"Rider, this is way too reckless!!!"

In Weber's view, Rider's actions had put all three of them in a dangerous situation.

"What if the other Masters are on our train? What if they find out about us because of this?!"

However, despite saying that, Weber actually felt a sense of relief.

From this perspective, Rider should still be the same carefree Rider.

And what about Rider?
He had already started thinking about it when he was surrounded by those people.

He suddenly remembered a description in the talent section of his character panel:
Talent: [King's Army]

Effect: A bold and unrestrained kingly aura from a foreign land.

You are more likely to gain favor with people who agree with the "royal way".
Recalling what had just happened, Rider couldn't help but think to himself, "Judging from the effect, this is more than just 'gaining favor'..."

Although those who were influenced by his imposing manner were mostly children whose minds were not yet mature.

But the look of approval and desire to join them on their faces as they squeezed in next to him was undeniable.

"And their behavior also seemed somewhat familiar."

Thinking about the way those children waved their arms, it seemed somewhat similar to the way they swung spears.

Rider pondered, "If this were a real world..." "Would my [King's Army] really be unable to be activated?"

……

Fortunately, this sudden silence did not last long.

Or rather, Rider took the initiative to break this status quo that made everyone start to think.

He nodded towards Saber with his chin and began to explain:
"Well, those kids were indeed very enthusiastic about giving us money, but Saber, as an ally, dissuaded me from doing so."

Saber nodded solemnly and said earnestly, "Plundering children's wealth is never the way of the righteous."

"Although Saber did not stop me from doing so, I did just argue with her about my kingly path."

The Conqueror King shrugged helplessly.

"Since you just said that conquest should aim for higher and stronger goals, then I'm too embarrassed to reach out."

"Alas—for the sake of the path of conquest, I have no choice but to relinquish this wealth."

However, Weber saw it very clearly.

At this moment, the playful expression on Rider's face faded.

His expression turned serious, and his voice became steady.

The conqueror then spoke in a sincere and earnest tone:
"I have made up my mind. I will use my own kingly way to compete with Saber, and even subdue her and bring her under my command."

"Rider, if you don't want to lose your newly acquired ally—"

"Well, that's roughly the gist of it." Rider looked at Weber, who seemed to understand but not quite.

"After all, kid Webber, you probably don't intend to kill your ally in the end, do you?"

"Are you kidding me, Rider?!"

My brain, which was working hard to think, crashed because of these sudden words.

Saber still wields the Sword of Excalibur!

Fighting Saber, who is skilled in melee combat and has a history of fighting on the battlefield, bare-handed seems like a sure way to lose!

Rider looked back at Saber.

"Very well, my Master has agreed. So Saber, what is your Master's opinion?"

……

At this moment, Irisviel, standing next to Saber, looked somewhat embarrassed.

Kenneth is clearly not trustworthy.

Given this, the two remaining factions can undoubtedly forge a closer alliance.

Moreover, given the current situation, there are already two wishes that can be made.

"So, let's decide the order of making wishes based on the debate over the principles of benevolent rule, shall we?"

"After all, none of us know whether the cup or the master can grant a greater wish, can we?"

"I am very sincere."

Iskandar raised an eyebrow at their hesitation.

"Furthermore, don't forget that my master is the one who is qualified to apply."

“If the competition really is about detective work,” Iskandar’s gaze swept over Saber’s sword, “your combat strength won’t be of any use, will it?”

He paused for a moment, then said, "Or is it that your Master, Saber, is actually the type who excels at solving cases?"

Without a doubt, Rider's proposal at the end of the debate was full of sincerity.

Just like one of the questions he raised in a recent debate—

"The first three Holy Grail Wars were unsuccessful, so none of us know if the Holy Grail that grants wishes is real, right?"

More importantly, that being was a god who casually created a "possible world".

If He truly is the Lord as described in the Bible...

The Holy Grail is nothing more than a cup filled with the blood of God.

Compared to the winner of the competition, who gets their wish granted by God, it seems harder to say which "wish" is easier to fulfill.

Moreover, it seems there are two wishes being offered now.

In that case, the person who makes the wish first will undoubtedly be more likely to achieve their wish.

Therefore, whether judged rationally or emotionally—

Some of Rider's remarks were indeed hateful, but he just had a knack for persuading others and gaining their approval.

Therefore, Saber and Irisviel should have no reason to refuse.

only--

Artoria then turned to look at Irisviel.

At this moment, he could no longer bring himself to say that his true master was not actually Alice.

If we acknowledge this, the trust that has been painstakingly built up will undoubtedly vanish instantly.

However, the real decision is clearly not something the two of them can make.

At the very least, Saber, who considers herself still a Servant, cannot make decisions for her Master.

Fortunately, Irisviel did not hesitate much.

She was certain in her heart: "If Kiritsugu knew, he would have agreed to this alliance."

So, after giving Saber an affirming look, Irisviel told Rider about their decision.

“Yes, Saber and I agree to your terms, Rider.”

……

Now, that oppressive atmosphere, like a tightly strung bowstring, has finally relaxed.

"However, although we have now formed an alliance—"

Weber tugged at Rider's arm, signaling him with his eyes not to speak.

"But the cost of going to the Detective Academy..."

Just as Weber had predicted, Rider burst into laughter.

"Don't worry, it's just a small amount of money—hmm."

The Conqueror King's generous offer to pay the bill was immediately thwarted by Waver's actions.

He is no longer a "Heroic Spirit Body". No matter how strong an ordinary person's body is, it will not exceed the upper limit of physics and cannot be compared with steel.

After jumping up to stop his servant from speaking, Waver glared at his servant under the strange looks of Saber and Irisviel, then gestured for him to turn his ear to the side.

"Rider!" Webber was truly speechless at this careless guy. "Do you know how expensive taxis are in Japan?!"

"This is all the money we have left."

He then emphasized the seriousness of the matter to Rider.

"We're all just ordinary people now. If we don't have enough, we might get called to the police and arrested!"

In Weber's view, this was undoubtedly one of Kenneth's sinister intentions.

【Beihanacho Station】is indeed quite a distance from the city center.

If we were to go over there, we would undoubtedly be handing over valuable reconnaissance time to the enemy.

If you choose to take a bus, it's even simpler.

Whether from the perspective of depleting the enemy's resources or seizing any possible leverage—

Obviously, if he were caught breaking the law, given Kenneth's status, he might be expelled from school!

Fortunately, Irisviel understood Webber's meaning.

She held out her wrist to show the map and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Mr. Weber, Saber and I will definitely pay you back this money later."

"Don't forget, I should also have a castle!"

“Hmm.” Rider nodded in agreement. “Saber is a king, after all. If she really can’t afford it, she can just give me that sword.”

It can only be said that, considering Weber's whispered words, Iskandar will not let go of an opportunity for "legitimate plunder".

"No problem, I'll pay you back double the fare later, how about that?"

Faced with such generous terms, Weber naturally had no reason to refuse.

"but--"

A question suddenly occurred to him.

“Miss Einzbern, in that case, have you tried contacting the castle directly by phone and asking them to send a car?”

……

Weber wasn't exaggerating when he said he had obtained very useful information.

If Rider attracts like-minded people with his charisma...

Weber is like someone who has maxed out their "Great Persuasion Skill" in a tabletop role-playing game.

As long as you present evidence, or even just say something like "I'm in charge of a very important case," it's easy to get help from others.

That's how he got the money he "borrowed".

Although I couldn't help but complain in my heart that my ability was even more "hypnotic" than "hypnosis," it was indeed very useful.

Even money wasn't his biggest takeaway from this trip.

"Besides borrowing money from Inspector Nakano, I also found out the names of Mr. Kenneth and other related people."

At this moment, Webber seems poised to take over the leadership of the league.

As he led the group toward the parking lot, he began to recount his discovery.

"The head of the Tohsaka family, or rather the new head, was also in that car, but they left directly from the VIP parking lot."

"Currently, it seems that Archer is also in that car."

Weber stated his judgment.

"In that case, the current head of the Tohsaka family should be the Master who summoned Archer, that golden guy."

"Kenneth left in the academy's private car, which is probably also related to his previous status as the monarch of the Clock Tower."

Weber asked, half tentatively and half doubtfully, "So, I was really surprised when I saw Miss Einzbern, Miss Saber, and Rider standing together!"

Irisviel's expression dimmed for a moment.

"Perhaps it's because I'm simply someone who loves Inzbern—"

She stopped speaking instinctively. Irisviel didn't know why, but she had almost revealed the truth that she was "just a doll."

A hint of apology appeared on her face. "I'm sorry, it's probably because I'm not actually that important in the family."

“However,” she looked up at Weber and promised him in the eyes, “please rest assured, Mr. Weber, I will take care of the fare later—”

"No, no, no! If we really don't have any money, it's only right that we allies help each other!"

Weber mentally slapped himself.

Irisviel's expression had already conjured up a tragic family drama in his mind.

The young magician didn't seem to intend to force Irisviel to repay the money—well, he was a kind young man.

“I’m just a little curious,” Weber said. “After all, from what I’ve heard, the Einzbern family should send someone to pick you up, given your status.”

As for Irisviel, Weber's words made her feel a little nervous.

The silver-haired woman also remembered that there seemed to be something different about her panel compared to others—

Name: Irisviel von Einzbern

Occupation: Medical Department Teacher at Beika Town Detective Academy / ? ? ?

Faction: To be determined / ? ?
If, if it is truly as Mr. Weber said, one's identity in this world is related to one's previous identity.

Could the fact that the Einzbern family didn't send anyone be related to those "question marks" on the panel?

For some reason, Irisviel felt a little worried.

Although this may be an unfounded fantasy without any reason.

But ever since I came to my senses, I've had this... this bad feeling.

(End of this chapter)