The battle, in terms of time, was incredibly short. From the moment Flandre and Arthas emerged to the end of the fight, it lasted less than a few minutes.
But for Waver, who had witnessed everything, this short period felt like a lifetime.
It was unforgettable. No matter how he tried to deceive himself, he could never forget that scene. What he had witnessed in those few minutes had become a part of his soul, inseparable.
Waver remained alone, motionless where he'd been left, feeling as though any movement would cause him to collapse.
But he couldn't kneel. Absolutely not.
Flandre, her eyes burning with a cruel crimson light, approached Waver slowly. The blood and carnage rekindled the frenzy within her.
While the Grail's power and the world's rules suppressed her madness, they hadn't eradicated it.
Flandre, the vampire girl, had been confined to the basement for centuries because she couldn't control her power.
This was a consequence of the inherent power of vampires, something even the Grail could only temporarily suppress.
The girl's killing intent made Waver tremble, but he stood firm, meeting Flandre's gaze without flinching. Even with Rider's death, Waver, as his former Master, wouldn't allow him to be dishonored.
Soon, Arthas approached from behind Flandre and gently embraced the nearly uncontrollable girl.
"There… there, it's over. It's alright now."
Arthas gently held her waist, whispering softly in her ear. Slowly, the violent expression on her face faded, replaced by serenity.
"You should leave. Or do you want revenge for Rider?"
"I won't. If I challenged you, I would die."
Waver shook his head gently, a faint smile on his face.
"And I don't need revenge for Rider. He didn't die; he simply returned to the Throne of Heroes after a glorious battle."
"That's the Grail War. I'm incredibly proud to have participated as Rider's Master. Even in defeat, Rider fought honorably, with great spirit!"
It was over—his and Rider's Grail War. To have fought alongside this great King, to have witnessed the end—what an honor.
This glory, Waver would cherish forever, continuing to follow Iskandar's legacy.
"Yes, Rider was a worthy opponent. If Saber hadn't intervened, the outcome would have been uncertain."
Arthas offered a similar faint smile. Waver bowed slightly, then turned and left Einzbern's courtyard.
Watching Waver's weary back, Arthas sighed. The boy was lucky; he'd participated in a brutal war and emerged alive.
If his opponent had been anyone else, he would be dead.
With Rider eliminated, and Lancer apparently dealt with by Kiritsugu Emiya through underhanded means (according to Saber), only Archer remained.
Of course, Kiritsugu Emiya was a significant threat; even without a Servant, this mad man was unpredictable.
Arthas thought this, then felt a sharp pain in his neck. Turning, he saw Flandre clinging to his neck, biting him hard.
Arthas smiled indulgently; while her bloodlust was suppressed, other desires remained.
Whatever; it's just a little blood.
Though he thought this, Flandre's bite was alarmingly strong; Arthas felt she might actually eat him.
Looking at the still-unconscious Saber, Arthas felt a headache coming on.
What should he do with her? Take her back as an ally, or…?
He instinctively resisted the first option; he couldn't explain this strange feeling.
Perhaps using her feelings like that felt wrong?
Using the girl's affection to make her his sword.
"Master seems troubled?"
Flandre, having finished feeding, leaned against Arthas, lightly licking the wound on his neck, and chuckled.
"Don't tease me…" Arthas shivered under Flandre's touch, sighing helplessly.
"Master is so strange. Others would be overjoyed! To gain such a powerful Servant, and one who clearly likes you."
"Master feels guilty towards Illya?"
"There's no such thing as guilt between Illya and me. Perhaps… I've always owed her too much."
Arthas chuckled wryly, picking up the unconscious Saber and heading towards the castle.
"I simply don't want to use her. I'll obtain the Grail with my own hands, and win this war. Flandre, you wouldn't want help winning, would you?"
"Of course not. That arrogant, flashy 'lamppost king' must be defeated by my own hands!"
Arthas laughed at the nickname. Dawn was breaking; the night's battle was finally over.
Five days into the Grail War, only Saber, Berserker, and Archer remained!
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