Saber’s response surprises him. He assumed the wagons were filled to provide full team support for the journey – but not necessarily for the destinations. After all, only Saber and Gil had the power to obtain the sword at the lake. The rest of them may as well have stayed on the ship.

He doesn’t reply immediately, for at that moment, the ant guard marches them past an opening in the wall showing a… most impressive armory. Orcelito can’t help but stare and almost slows down to look more closely. But he quickly catches himself. If this is a show of military power, it should ultimately appear to mean very little to him. He will not be intimidated.

Left in the waiting room with the others, he immediately crosses over to the curtain. He knows better than to push it aside, but he does stand beside it to listen. If they’re being overheard, he would like to know.

Afterwards, he approaches Saber and lowers his voice to continue the conversation. “I won’t dismiss that idea.” He replies carefully. “But I would like to make an excellent impression before Her Majesty. A display of ceremony and confidence would be worth a great deal in opening negotiations.”