In a certain residence within Fuyuki City.
A long-haired man was responding to someone on the phone.
"Yes, that's right."
"I won't be returning tonight, thank you for your kindness."
Beep—beep—
He hung up the phone.
The man was named Waver. The call had been from his student, Tohsaka Sakura, asking if he needed a room reserved for him at the mansion. Waver, however, politely declined her offer.
Because—
He had something to do.
Waver turned, a faint, forced smile touching his lips as he looked at the elderly grandmother behind him.
"Um... is it alright if I sleep here tonight?"
"Of course, it's alright." The old woman's face was filled with gentle kindness, as if the long-haired Waver before her was truly her own grandson.
"Your grandpa's gone, and it's just me left here. I'm so happy you can stay, dear."
"You can stay as long as you like."
"However—"
The old woman's gaze drifted to the empty space beside Waver.
"Where's that big fellow, what was his name..."
"Alex," Waver quickly supplied.
"Yes," the old woman nodded, a soft smile. "Alex, where did he go?"
"Uh..."
Waver bit his lip.
"Grandma... Alex had some things he needed to do, so he couldn't come see you."
"Next time, though, next time I'll definitely make sure he comes with me!"
"Mm, alright," the old woman accepted this, her smile warm. "Make sure you come next time."
"Yes, I know." Waver pointed towards a room at the end of the hallway, a familiar place.
"Then, Grandma—"
It was the room where he had "stayed over" ten years ago.
"I'll head back to the room to rest now."
"I'm a bit tired today and want to go to bed early."
"Alright, go on."
With the old woman's gentle affirmation, Waver walked towards that room. It was the place where he had lived with Iskandar when he was a Master. He stepped inside.
Everything within was almost exactly as it had been ten years ago. The old woman seemed to have been diligently keeping the room tidy, as if always expecting the two of them to return. Waver walked to the television set. He reached out a hand, gently stroking the somewhat aged appliance. His fingers brushed against the power button. A thin, white silver line flickered across the screen—it still miraculously worked.
Only.
When Waver saw the name written under "Grand Conquest" game player on the screen, tears welled uncontrollably in his eyes. There, it read:
"King of Conquerors, and his friend Waver."
"Iskandar..." Waver wiped at his tears, his entire being sinking into an unstoppable wave of sorrow. He had told himself he wouldn't grieve like this anymore, but his emotions still broke free the moment he touched this piece of the past. This was the last game he had played with him. How could he not feel sad when confronted with such a poignant memory?
[This was a memory belonging solely to Waver.]
[He had never written about this incident in any report—even when the Clock Tower repeatedly warned him.]
[It wasn't because this memory was so beautiful that he didn't want to share it.]
[Quite the opposite, it was an unbearable past.]
[To this day, Waver still used it to warn himself—to always remember how terrifying a magician's incompetence could be.]
Ten years ago, Fuyuki City, during the Fourth Holy Grail War.
Iskandar, the Servant, and his Master, Waver, were playing a game. As an ancient Heroic Spirit Servant, the King of Conquerors thoroughly enjoyed the game called "Grand Conquest." However, he also had some complaints.
"My conquered territories weren't that small, were they? Is this game wrong?"
Despite his grumbling, Iskandar continued to play with unrestrained glee. Waver, however, was in no mood for games. With an expression of extreme discomfort, he questioned his Servant.
"I say, Rider—!"
"Did you really only talk about that meaningless 'King's Way' with Archer and Saber the other day?"
"Indeed," Iskandar replied, pressing the game controller in his hands as he answered Waver's question.
"The three of us only discussed that."
"But—"
"Boy, this is not something meaningless."
"A king is a king precisely because they possess different ideals of kingship."
"Understanding the ideals of other kings allows one to gain a broader perspective and also to discern if they are truly like-minded, which in turn helps in strategizing in advance."
"How can you say that's useless?"
"..."
When it came to grand pronouncements, Waver knew he was no match for Iskandar in a debate. After all, the other was a genuine King of Conquerors, while he was merely a second-rate, perhaps even third-rate, mage. Yet, even knowing this, Waver still felt a touch of frustration.
He plopped down beside Iskandar, asking his next question with earnest sincerity.
"Then, Rider, what should we do next?"
"It seems like we can't do anything right now, does it?"
"Don't fret, boy."
Iskandar glanced up at the clock on the wall, then murmured to himself:
"It should be almost time."
"Almost time?"
Waver was completely bewildered. He had a feeling Iskandar had been doing something behind his back.
However—
Waver didn't feel angry, only a little curious. He knew this magnanimous King of Conquerors held no ill intentions and was an excellent Servant absolutely worthy of his trust.
"Mm."
Iskandar set down his game controller and stood up. Almost simultaneously, a knock sounded at the door. The old woman's kind voice drifted into Waver's ears.
"Waver, Alex... someone's here to see you."
"Huh? For us?"
Waver was quite surprised. He wasn't Japanese at all, and he had never been to Fuyuki before, so he naturally wouldn't have any friends here. The only person who could cause such a thing was Iskandar, standing beside him.
"Rider, did you call someone?!"
"Heh heh," Iskandar grinned. "Boy, this is the importance of communication."
"Come on, let's go see."
"..."
Despite his many lingering doubts, Waver ultimately chose to trust Iskandar. This was perhaps his only commendable quality as a Master.
A few minutes later.
Seeing the visitor outside the door, Waver froze on the spot. Because it truly wasn't a friend of his, but the Saber of this Holy Grail War! He had seen her during that three-way meeting!
"..."
Waver was momentarily speechless, while Iskandar was as boisterous as ever.
"Hahahahaha!"
"Artoria, you truly came as promised!"
"Artoria?!"
Though not particularly sharp, Waver quickly realized that was the Saber's true name. Iskandar already knew her True Name?!
"Yes," Artoria nodded, her gaze steady. "Iskandar, thank you for trusting me and not giving me a false address at our last meeting."
Wait!
She knew Rider's True Name too?! What exactly had happened between them?
As if knowing Waver's worries, Iskandar quickly clapped him on the shoulder, saying heartily:
"Boy, take a closer look—who is this, exactly?"
"..."
At Iskandar's words, Waver naturally complied without hesitation. He used the dim light of the hallway to carefully examine Artoria. Soon, he remembered.
"Wait!"
"Aren't you the Servant who helped out that time?!"
Just as Waver exclaimed in surprise, the slightly muddled mage finally recalled the past events. This was the Servant who had intervened when he and Iskandar were desperately trying to get the old couple out of the burning building, but were entangled with Berserker!
I see.
With the affirmation of past events, Waver relaxed slightly. After all, to offer help in such a situation—
It meant the other party was relatively friendly. Under these circumstances, knowing each other's True Names actually became a sign of a good relationship. Waver's mind, perhaps only in situations like these, seemed to work a bit faster.
Seeing his Master finally understand, Iskandar laughed heartily.
"Boy, aren't you a bit slow on the uptake?"
"No way!" Waver, feeling a little embarrassed, retorted. "It just took me a moment to recall!"
"And—"
"I was busy looking after them in the back of the Gordias Wheel the whole time that day! How would I have time to worry about what was happening in front?!"
"If you hadn't mentioned it, of course I wouldn't have known!"
"Boy, doesn't that still mean you're slow?"
"I..."
Waver was left speechless by Iskandar, and could only turn to Artoria on the other side.
"Saber... no, I suppose I should call you Artoria now. You're looking for us about..."
Artoria glanced at both sides of the hallway, her expression quite serious. She asked:
"May we discuss this inside?"
"This place... isn't really suitable for discussing matters, is it?"
"Of course," Waver nodded. "Come in."
The three of them returned to the room where they had been playing games earlier.
"You two... are actually living together?" Artoria looked surprised.
"Y-yes, that's right..." Waver scratched his cheek, a little sheepish. "We couldn't find any more rooms, so we just had to make do."
"Hahahaha," Iskandar remained as cheerful as ever.
"Artoria, let me tell you, this boy is quite restless when he sleeps at night; he often hogs the blankets."
"And you have the nerve to say that?! Don't you remember who took all the blankets?!"
"Oh... was it me, then?"
"Rider, you—!"
Watching Waver and Iskandar interact like close friends, a hint of envy crossed Artoria's face.
"You two have such a good relationship."
"..."
"Ahem," Waver cleared his throat. "Let's not talk about that."
"You... why are you here? Please tell us quickly."
"Mm," Iskandar also reined in his casual demeanor from joking with Waver. "This is indeed something you need to tell us."
"Artoria, please answer quickly."
The young swordswoman took a deep breath, then replied to Waver and Iskandar before her.
"Do you two... remember Berserker?"
"Mm," Iskandar nodded. "That fellow was quite powerful... fighting him was very enjoyable."
The King of Conquerors still remembered the moment his Gordias Wheel clashed with Berserker. Thunderous power, blazing electricity. Even while he himself was in the midst of that dangerous lightning, Iskandar still felt incredibly exhilarated. After all, a primal clash was the most visceral kind of combat. A king who had conquered far and wide naturally enjoyed such things the most.
But in the next moment, Artoria spoke a somber truth.
"Berserker... was killed."
Iskandar and Waver paused, then slowly registered what had happened.
"Who could kill him?!" Waver asked, astonished. "Wasn't he evenly matched with Rider?!"
"Currently, it seems it was Archer," Artoria replied, a touch of sadness in her voice.
"But exactly how he was killed is still unclear."
"..."
Iskandar knew the Archer Artoria spoke of was Gilgamesh. A few veins pulsed on his forehead. But even so, the King of Conquerors didn't immediately act impulsively. He suppressed his emotions, then followed up on Waver's question: "Artoria, how do you know this?"
"..."
Artoria's brows were tightly furrowed, as if she was recalling something unpleasant.
"He and I were allies—but when I saw him again, he was a cold corpse."