"How is this possible..." Artoria fell into a daze. If that were the case, would she never be able to save Britain?
That's right, Artoria could never save Britain. Signing a contract with Alaya, becoming a Servant, and constantly participating in the Holy Grail Wars was a perpetual Möbius strip. Unless Artoria could awaken and break this loop.
"Relax. As the renowned King of Knights, you are already the best king. You don't need to be troubled by the past anymore." Li Xing gently patted Artoria's back, softly comforting the King with the "saber face."
"You only wished to save your people, to save them, but you never guided them, never displayed a king's ambition. You are merely a young girl bound by the ideal of being a 'king'." Iskandar had already seen through Artoria and directly pinpointed the crux of the issue. A king like this was merely an unfeeling machine. If their subjects couldn't understand, it would lead to differing opinions and internal strife.
"Iskandar, stop talking," Li Xing quickly interjected, stopping Iskandar. If he continued, Artoria would fall into depression, and what if she turned dark?
However, the truth was that Artoria had fallen into self-doubt. Her body trembled uncontrollably, and she breathed in great gulps. Recalling the destruction of Britain in the past, Artoria felt immense pain. Yet, the more this was the case, the more she wanted to save Britain. However, what Li Xing had said proved that she couldn't save Britain, because the fact that she was here fighting to save it proved that Britain had been destroyed.
Just then, figures wearing skull masks appeared in the courtyard. These were all Assassins. Tokiomi Tohsaka intended to use the Assassins to test the Noble Phantasms of Rider and Li Xing, and Ying Zheng.
Waver was startled and quickly scrambled to Iskandar's side. Irisviel also hurried behind Artoria. However, Artoria was still lost in thought, so Li Xing naturally took responsibility for protecting Irisviel.
"Hassan of the Hundred Faces. After becoming a Heroic Spirit, his personality split into many individuals," Li Xing revealed the true name in one sentence, which greatly startled Hassan of the Hundred Faces. How did this person know so much?
Iskandar laughed heartily, raised a cup of wine, and invited Hassan to drink, but it was knocked away by a dagger.
Since they could not sit down and drink, all that was left was to fight. Iskandar stood up, manifested his cape, and with a flash of white light, the surrounding scenery transformed into a desert.
Irisviel was greatly alarmed; it was an Independent Manifestation. Gilgamesh and Ying Zheng seemed to have seen this desert before. Thinking of being suppressed by Li Xing, Gilgamesh felt displeased. The reason was that these people were disturbing the king's banquet, as was his Master, Tokiomi Tohsaka.
"This is the land where my army once rode, the scenery that will forever remain in the hearts of the warriors who shared joy and suffering with me!"
As Iskandar's words fell, figures walked from behind everyone. Each of them was a Heroic Spirit, and all of them were Iskandar's subordinates.
"Behold! My unparalleled army! Though their bodies have perished, their souls have been summoned as Heroic Spirits by the world, yet they remain loyal to me, the legendary heroes! The bond I share with them is my most precious treasure, my kingly path, my strongest Noble Phantasm, Iskandar's Army!"
Iskandar spread his arms and shouted loudly. The aura of his army constantly exuded the dominance of Alexander the Great, of Iskandar.
Then, a horse appeared before Iskandar. Iskandar mounted the horse, drew his sword, and pointed forward: "Tramp!"
Led by Iskandar, the entire army began to charge. The sheer momentum alone made the Hassans lose their will to fight. It was a one-sided annihilation, and the Hassans were soon cut down.
Seeing this scene, Ying Zheng immediately thought of his general, Meng Tian, and the Meng family army led by Meng Tian.
"Perhaps the First Emperor also had such an Independent Manifestation, considering the existence of the Terracotta Army. They were meant to conquer the world and protect the Qin dynasty even after death," Li Xing mused. Thinking this, Ying Zheng seemed like a combination of these three kings: tyrannical, cruel, and lacking understanding of his people, with the treasures of the Epang Palace, the Terracotta Army, and the Tai'a sword, one of the ten most famous swords in historical records.
After eliminating the Assassins, everyone returned to the courtyard. Tonight's banquet was over. Iskandar summoned his Gordius Wheel and departed into the void with his Master, Waver.
Gilgamesh said no more, merely stating that he would have a decisive battle with Li Xing next time before departing.
Artoria had already sobered up when the Army of the King manifested. She decided to persevere. Even if she couldn't save Britain, she would try her best.
"Alas, it seems you won't turn back until you hit a brick wall. Irisviel, come here for a moment." Li Xing sighed and then called out to Irisviel.
"What is it, Li Xing?"
As Irisviel approached Li Xing, he took her hand with one of his, while a ball of light appeared in the other, slowly forming a person identical to Irisviel. However, this Irisviel had no consciousness, just an empty shell.
"This is...?"
"An artificial human, a Lesser Grail. As someone from the Einzbern family, you should be very familiar with it. Use her to replace yourself as a vessel. Don't worry, she is just a shell, without life. Your life should be spent accompanying Illya as she grows. Stop pursuing the Holy Grail and live as an ordinary person."
Irisviel was greatly shocked: "You... How do you know Illya?"
Li Xing smiled and pointed to his eyes, saying, "There is a strict requirement for a Grand Servant: Clairvoyance. And I have absolute compatibility with the Grand title. I believe Artoria, you must be very clear about this. The court mage of Britain, Merlin, is precisely a Grand Servant."
This time, even Artoria was shocked: "Who... are you?"
"I am Li Xing, as you can see. I am a person, a star god, and also a Servant."
At this moment, Ying Zheng stood up: "Let us return to the palace! I am a bit tired."
"Let's go. You can stay at my place temporarily tonight and buy a house tomorrow. This place has already been discovered by other Servants. Artoria, since you desire the Holy Grail so much, I will help you obtain it and show you clearly whether the Holy Grail can change Britain."
Artoria and Irisviel were stunned for a moment. It seemed Li Xing already knew something. However, for now, they could only go to Li Xing's house to rest temporarily.