Chapter 49: Debate—The Relationship Between the Nation and the King

Both sides had laid bare their philosophies. A clash of ideals was inevitable.

"In that case, King of Conquerors," the First Emperor asked, observing the tension between them like a spectator enjoying a play, "what wish would you make to the Holy Grail?"

Iskandar answered without hesitation. "My wish is simple: to obtain a physical body."

"What?!" Waver looked at him, utterly baffled. "Isn't your wish to conquer the world?"

Iskandar responded with a laugh and a playful slap to Waver's back, knocking him to the ground. "Conquer the world? Hah! How could I ask some mystical cup to achieve that? Conquering the world must be done with my own hands."

Gilgamesh scowled. "To challenge me for a paltry wish like that—what a waste."

Artoria frowned. "This… this isn't what a true king should wish for."

"Oh, King of Knights," Iskandar said, turning his gaze to her, "it seems you and I walk different paths. Tell me, what is your wish, then?"

Artoria paused, her expression pained. After a moment, she answered quietly, "My wish is to save my homeland."

Hearing this, the Black Knight visibly trembled.

"Save?" Iskandar's face grew serious. "How exactly do you intend to 'save' it?"

Artoria's voice was resolute. "With the power of the Holy Grail, I would wish to change the fate of Britain's destruction."

The hall fell silent.

Artoria looked around, sensing the unease in the air. Was her wish so strange?

"Wait," Iskandar said, his face now somber. "When you say you want to change Britain's fate… you mean you want to overturn past history?"

"Yes," Artoria replied, her tone equally grave. She was deadly serious.

"Oh…" A dark chuckle escaped Gilgamesh's lips.

Iskandar continued to study her with a stern gaze. "So, if I remember correctly… Britain fell under your rule, didn't it?"

Artoria's eyes hardened. "Yes. That's why I cannot forgive myself. I want to change everything."

"Hahahahahahahaha" Gilgamesh's chuckle turned into outright laughter, echoing through the hall.

Artoria clenched her fists. "What's so funny?!"

Gilgamesh smirked. "Forgive me, I just heard something utterly absurd. A king… talking about regret. It's laughable."

The First Emperor joined in, though his tone was calm rather than mocking. "Regret is common. Everyone has regrets. But as I see it, wishing to change one's past as a ruler is not redemption. It's pure escapism."

"What?!" Artoria's voice wavered, her conviction shaken.

The First Emperor continued, "Everyone desires to change their past. But for a ruler someone who leads a nation that mindset is unworthy."

"Why?" Artoria demanded, her frustration growing.

"Because as rulers, we must own our decisions."

The First Emperor's voice carried a weight of finality. "You wish to change the past. Does that mean you believe your decisions were wrong? Are you looking to deny your own history?"

Artoria's voice softened. "No… I wouldn't change my decisions. I did what I believed was right."

"Then what's the point of your wish?" the First Emperor asked, his tone piercing.

Iskandar nodded. "Saber, do you truly wish to erase your legacy? To deny the history that defines you?"

"What's wrong with my wish?" Artoria shot back, her frustration spilling over. "My kingdom fell because of me. I want to save it. Is that so wrong?"

Gilgamesh sneered, his eyes filled with disdain. "A kingdom built on sacrifice, yet you speak of devotion. How pitiful."

Artoria slammed her fist on the table. "There is nothing wrong with a king sacrificing themselves for their people!"

Ishtar, observing from the sidelines, remarked coolly, "There's no point arguing with him. This so-called king cares little for his people. Even the gods couldn't endure his tyranny over Uruk."

Gilgamesh glared at her. "Silence, foolish goddess. You and your kind are no better."

Iskandar interjected, his voice firm. "Sacrifice may be noble, but you misunderstand, Saber. A king does not exist to throw themselves away. It is the people who offer their sacrifices for the king."

The First Emperor nodded approvingly. "Well said, King of Conquerors. Though you call yourself a king, you understand the role of an emperor."

Artoria looked at them, eyes blazing. "What you describe… is tyranny!"

The First Emperor's tone remained calm. "The way of an emperor is, by nature, an absolute rule."

Iskandar's gaze hardened. "And Saber, if you cannot bear the weight of your decisions and instead wish to turn back time, what does that make you? A king or a deserter?"

Artoria's voice shook. "You say that as though you have no regrets! But don't forget—your empires also crumbled after your deaths."

Iskandar's face softened. "I won't deny that. But I would never change a thing. I mourn for my lost kingdom, yes. But regret it? Never."

The First Emperor added solemnly, "A ruler's responsibility is to reflect, not to escape. Regret is for the weak; reflection is for the strong."

Iskandar nodded. "A king's duty is to guide their nation, not to be a slave to regret."

Artoria's frustration reached a boiling point. "A king must sacrifice for their ideals!"

The First Emperor's gaze was unyielding. "Ideals without grounding are mere fantasies. They lead only to ruin."

Iskandar agreed, turning to her with a look of pity. "King of Knights, are you truly a servant to your people, or are you enslaved by your own vision?"

Artoria's voice was barely a whisper. "I do not expect you to understand… You, who rule by absolute power, could never grasp the burden of a king who truly serves their people."