Chapter 17: A Reward!

'It's not precognition... it's more like some kind of ability to see true names,' Lelouch thought, focusing more on Archer's strange powers than on the idea of multiple kings of Britain. Archer had casually revealed his true name the moment he exposed his Knightmare, and Lelouch couldn't help but suspect that Archer had some sort of power to discern people's identities.

For Saber, however, Archer's words were a complete shock. Britain had fallen after her reign, and she had never heard of a ruler named Lelouch. What kind of "king of Britain" was this Rider supposed to be? And from the looks of his attire and the massive Knightmare he piloted, he didn't resemble any king from her time.

"It seems you can only see true names, but not the entire history," Lelouch prodded, trying to glean more information from Gilgamesh. 

"Hmph, don't underestimate my power," Archer sneered, crossing his arms. "I merely used it sparingly this time. After all, there are many peculiar mongrels among you." 

Gilgamesh's *Sha Nagba Imuru*—the "Omniscient and Omnipotent Star"—was a Noble Phantasm he rarely used. With it, he could peer into the vast knowledge of the world, capable of knowing everything about his opponents, including their true names, Noble Phantasms, and even hidden secrets. It was like reading a script for the Holy Grail War. However, it was too boring for him, so he seldom activated it. He had used it this time because he sensed something off about Berserker. 

As it turned out, his instincts were right. Even with the power of omniscience, the information he received about Berserker was frustratingly limited. He could only discern the class and true name, with much of Berserker's details blocked by some unknown force. 

'His power is greater than what we see, but it's restricted somehow,' Lelouch deduced, noting Archer's displeased expression. He was unfazed by the revelation of his true name—it wouldn't matter much. After all, his version of Britannia had long since fallen, and nobody here could uncover the truth behind his reign.

"Answer me, Rider! Are you really a king of Britain?" Saber demanded, her voice quivering with intensity. "And what is your wish in this war?" 

"Do I need to answer that?" Lelouch replied calmly, unsure why Saber was so agitated.

"!?" 

Saber seemed momentarily taken aback, but then something clicked inside her. Clenching her teeth, she declared, "If you won't answer my question, I will make you my first target in this war!" 

Her declaration seemed rash, almost as if she was acting on pure emotion. But for Saber, Lelouch's existence was of paramount importance. Her own wish was to save Britain, the land she believed had perished because of her reign. She was convinced that if someone more worthy had taken her place, Britain could have prospered rather than fallen into ruin.

The idea that a new "king of Britain" had emerged strained her resolve. If a king like Lelouch truly existed, did that mean her wish to undo her reign and save Britain was the right path all along?

"A troublesome person has taken an interest in you, Rider," Waver muttered from inside the cockpit of the Knightmare, watching the tense exchange between Saber and Lelouch. Even Waver couldn't fully understand Rider's origins. While Saber was well-known as the King of Knights, the historical record held no mention of a "Lelouch vi Britannia" as a king of Britain. 

"If you insist on challenging me," Lelouch declared, raising his sword towards Saber, "then consider this your formal declaration of war against the Holy Britannian Empire!" 

Though his weapon lacked any legendary power, Lelouch brandished it as if it were the legendary Excalibur. It was a false sword, representing the authority of his Britannia, which had no place for the holy relics Saber revered. 

"I see," Saber whispered, lowering her head slightly. She understood the implication behind his words. Lelouch had acknowledged it—he was indeed a king of Britannia. 

And that was enough for her. A new king for a future Britain. Perhaps her wish had been justified after all. If someone like Lelouch could rule, it proved there was another path. A part of her even felt a strange sense of relief.

"Well, this is confusing," Jounouchi said, standing up, scratching his head as he tried to comprehend the heated exchange. 

"Yeah, I don't get all this king business either," Kyoko muttered. But before she could think too much, she launched another attack at Caster. She was determined to find a way to dispel the curse that bound her hands.

Bang! 

"Hey! That's dangerous!" Jounouchi shouted, dodging her whip-like chain. 

"Huh? Is there some rule in this war that says I can't kill you?" Kyoko snapped back, her eyes filled with determination. 

Jounouchi, caught off guard by her bluntness, was left speechless. 

"You're too young to be so ruthless!" he exclaimed. 

"A sneaky adult like you doesn't get to lecture me!" she shot back, their argument continuing as if the war itself was a mere sideshow. 

Clang! 

Kenshin, meanwhile, caught something tossed down from above—a shining sword. He blinked in confusion, unsure why a weapon had fallen into his hands. 

"It's a reward," came Gilgamesh's haughty voice. 

Kenshin looked up in surprise, gazing at the golden king. 

"Fight well for your king," Gilgamesh said. "If you were to lose because of a lack of proper equipment, it would reflect poorly on me."

"Many thanks!" Kenshin responded, gripping the divine blade with both hands. Despite the situation, he treated Gilgamesh's gift with genuine gratitude. For those who knew Gilgamesh, such generosity was unheard of. The king rarely parted with any of his treasures, especially to another Heroic Spirit. 

In Kenshin's hands was the *Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi*, a legendary sword from Japan's ancient myths. While it wasn't capable of unleashing a Noble Phantasm's full power in Kenshin's hands, it was more than enough for his masterful swordsmanship to shine.

'Berserker's power and armor have fully recovered,' Kenshin noted, his eyes glancing towards Berserker. Gilgamesh's attention remained fixed on the mysterious black knight. His decision to give Kenshin the sword wasn't out of charity. He wanted to push Kenshin harder to explore Berserker's true identity. 

To Gilgamesh, Berserker's existence was far too peculiar. Gilgamesh had no intention of lowering himself to fight Berserker directly—that would be beneath him. Instead, he would let his "subordinates" do the work of uncovering the mystery.