Sword Art Online Crossover: They're all close friends, how did I become a player?

Chapter 117: The King's Army

"King who takes chivalry as his honor, the justice and ideals you upheld may have indeed saved the country and its people, but... what became of those who were merely saved? I think you must know that, don't you?"

"What did you say?"

The Conqueror King's words were like sharp blades, shattering the tranquility in Artoria's heart. Images involuntarily flashed before her eyes: she stood alone on that war-torn land, surrounded by the countless bodies of her people, each bearing endless sorrow and despair.

"You have been tirelessly 'saving' your subjects, but you have neglected the importance of guidance. You have never shown the desires and ambitions that a king should have in front of the people. You choose to turn a blind eye to those people who are struggling in confusion. You just stubbornly adhere to your knightly aloofness and ideals, and immerse yourself in a dream that seems beautiful but is out of reach."

Therefore, you are not a qualified king; you are merely a little girl who yearns to be the kind of 'king' revered by the people, binding yourself to endless expectations and responsibilities in order to become such an idol, like a butterfly in a cocoon, unable to fly.

As the Conqueror's sigh faded, the bright moon in the sky seemed to sense the heaviness, slowly being obscured by the clouds. The once brightly lit courtyard was instantly swallowed by darkness and silence, just like Artoria's mood at this moment, gloomy and heavy.

The king's banquet was coming to an end, as a group of special "guests" seemed to have arrived in the courtyard.

The Assassins, who were supposed to be dead, are appearing one after another in the courtyard, their numbers increasing, and they seem to be surrounding everyone.

The Conqueror King gently placed his wine glass on the ground, stood up, and asked the last question of the banquet in a deep and powerful voice: "Is a king destined to be alone?"

Gilgamesh and Yu Bai both smiled but remained silent; their answers could be discerned from their expressions.

King Arthur clenched her fists. Although the words of the Conqueror King had stirred up waves in her heart and even made her somewhat confused, her steadfast belief never wavered: "A king must be aloof!"

"You can't go on like this, Saber. Wake up from your dream, or one day you'll lose even the most basic self-respect of a hero..." The King of Conquerors shook his head, his tone tinged with disappointment.

"I……"

Ignoring what Saber might say next, the Conqueror King picked up the ladle he had used to scoop the wine and addressed the suddenly appearing Assassins: "You drink this wine, and I will consider you friends who wish to explore the path of kingship together. For this wine is in your blood!"

"Snapped."

The wine spoon handed to him by the Conqueror King was rudely knocked to the ground by Assassin, and at the same time Gilgamesh's laughter once again echoed throughout the courtyard.

The Conqueror's expression darkened slightly, and a hint of anger crept onto his brow: "I have already made it clear that this wine is connected to your bloodline. Since you have chosen to scatter it to the dust, there is nothing I can do about it."

A massive surge of magic power erupted from the Conqueror King, and the resulting wind, mixed with a bit of yellow sand, made it difficult for everyone to open their eyes.

They were no longer in the courtyard of Eindzbern Castle, but in a vast desert.

In addition, on this desert, an army clad in armor and wielding weapons stands prominently. The chilling aura and surging fighting spirit emanating from them seem to transcend time and space, allowing people to glimpse the glory and honor of the era of Alexander the Great.

The King of Conquerors used his Noble Phantasm for the first time in front of everyone. The "Realistic Marble" formed by the Noble Phantasm enveloped everyone, including the uninvited Assassins.

"This is my army, this is the land I once led them to conquer, the scenery that will forever remain in the hearts of the warriors who shared my joys and sorrows."

"Behold, this is my army! Though our bodies perish, our souls remain as heroic spirits. Even so, I still have warriors loyal to me, and the bond between us is my most precious treasure! This is my most prized possession as Alexander the Great: the King's Army! This is my way of the king!"

The Conqueror King spread his arms wide, his face filled with pride and self-satisfaction for the army behind him.

"Roar! Conqueror King! Conqueror King!" As the Conqueror King's words fell, the army behind him erupted in a deafening roar. The soaring fighting spirit made Yu Bai involuntarily recall the turbulent times of his previous life, when all the major sects and the imperial court had entered the fray.

That was... a real battlefield stained with blood, a battlefield engulfed in flames.

The Conqueror King mounted his warhorse, his voice resounding through the heavens: "A true king is one who lives a life more spectacular than anyone else, captivating all who admire him, drawing all eyes to him, and leading the masses forward. Only then can he be called a king!"

"Yes!" came the deafening unison of the conqueror king's soldiers, a testament to their absolute loyalty and reverence for him.

"The king is not aloof! For his great ambition is the aspiration of all his subjects!" The Conqueror King gave his final answer to the question of "whether the king is aloof."

"Rampage it!"

With the Conqueror King's command, this banquet, which belonged to the king, came to an end as the Conqueror King's massive army charged towards the Assassins.

From this point on, Assassin completely withdrew from the Holy Grail War.

Of the seven competing groups, six remain.

"Lancer's Master, with Gilgamesh here, I probably won't need to escort you back, right? So, my Master and I will take our leave now. And Saber, I don't acknowledge you as king, that's all." The King of Conquerors sat on his chariot, picked up Waver and put him down, then said to Yu Bai.

"you……"

Saber stared blankly at the departing chariot, her expression a complex mix of emotions. She murmured to herself, but couldn't utter a word.

"Saber, stop thinking about it."

Irisviel gripped Saber's hand with some concern, nervously watching King Arthur before her, who seemed to have been dealt a blow.

"I am fine."

Seeing that the Saber group was busy comforting each other, Yu Bai turned to Gilgamesh and said, "Then let's go too. I hope you've found me a suitable place to live?"

"Huh, that's natural."

……

Conqueror King: Look, everyone! Look! This is my army! Aren't they amazing? (bragging)

Yu Bai: I feel that the army of my Great Tang Dynasty is still more powerful. (Touches his chin)