Chapter 124: Temporary Return!

Chapter 124: Temporary Return!

"It's getting late; I'm heading home to get some sleep. You all can continue thinking." Alexander checked the time on his phone. It had been a long day, starting with shopping and eating with Rin, followed by a skirmish involving spears and sword, then hours of anime watching, and finally, a battle against a sea monster that lasted until the early hours of the morning. As the first light of dawn appeared in the sky, Alexander felt the exhaustion of the night catching up with him.

"If you need anything, feel free to come to me," she said, grateful for Alexander's help in defeating the sea monster. Rin could see how tired he was, and she didn't want to burden him further.

Alexander bid farewell to everyone and left the world with Gilgamesh. When he returned home, the sun was already up, illuminating the room. Exhausted, Alexander collapsed onto his bed, ready to rest. Gilgamesh, on the other hand, left Alexander's place, disappointed that his anticipated confrontation with Lancelot didn't happen.

Despite the events of the night, Alexander soon fell asleep, leaving behind the worries and battles of the day.

And in that moment, within the confines of Kayneth's Magic Workshop in the world of Fate/Zero...

"How about it, Waver? Does my proposal sound reasonable?" Kayneth sat on a sofa, accompanied by Waver and Iskandar, while Diarmuid stood behind Kayneth, begrudgingly fulfilling his duty as a knight despite his dislike for Kayneth. Meanwhile, Kayneth's fiancée was locked in a room, her attempts at infidelity thwarted by Kayneth's decisive actions.

"I must say, Kayneth-sensei, your proposal is rather surprising. Are you suggesting we cooperate?" Waver was visibly taken aback, not expecting such a proposition from the typically traditional magician.

"Indeed. Diarmuid and I have no interest in the Holy Grail itself. My aim is purely for the honor and glory of the Clock Tower. Regardless of which of us claims victory, it will be a triumph for our institution. As for Iskandar, if he desires a physical body, that is his prerogative. However, if he manages to withstand the corruption of the black mud, I have no objection. But, Waver, you must agree to one condition." Kayneth's tone was firm, his gaze unwavering.

"If we succeed in obtaining the Holy Grail, the glory will be yours. I will safely return to the Clock Tower, but thereafter, you will become my disciple!" Kayneth's choice of words was deliberate, signaling his intent to treat Waver as a personal disciple. Kayneth was astute enough to recognize that surviving the Holy Grail War would ensure a promising future for anyone involved.

Upon hearing Kayneth's offer, Waver nodded in agreement. Becoming Kayneth's disciple was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. Waver also felt a sense of guilt towards Kayneth, realizing that if he hadn't stolen the Iskandar relic, he might not have met such a tragic end.

"Then... I accept, Kayneth-sensei…"

In that moment, the two men exchanged a smile, sealing their agreement with a handshake with the room echoed with a single voice...

"Let me out, Kayneth! Let me out!"

Kayneth's fiancée's pleas fell on deaf ears as Kayneth remained resolute in keeping her confined, lest she meet a fate as dire as those on anime.

Meanwhile, at the Tohsaka household…

"I expected Alexander to wipe out all of them upon arrival, but he only took down one Caster? That's quite unexpected," Ishtar remarked, her gaze fixed on Tokiomi. 

Despite Alexander's formidable strength, combined with Gilgamesh, Rin and Tokiomi, it seemed like they should have easily overwhelmed their opponents. Gilgamesh against Iskandar, Alexander against Saber, herself against the sea monster, Hassan against the enigmatic Berserker, and Diarmuid... well, Hassan might struggle, but they could at least delay.

Listening to Ishtar's analysis, Rin shot her a bemused look. "You look just like me, but your IQ is seriously lacking. Alexander's goal is to alter the predetermined fate of the world. If we proceed as you suggest, isn't it just another Holy Grail War? Furthermore, based on my observations, Alexander's strength seems to grow as he gathers more allies. Perhaps, deep down, what he truly desires is still conquest."

"Hump! Conquest? Those individuals are proud and arrogant. Can he really achieve that alone?" Ishtar shook her head, skeptical of Alexander's ability to accomplish such a feat. 

Conquering was far more challenging than simply eliminating adversaries.