This Is My Holy Grail War [42]

Kirei Kotomine! You’ve given everything to Tokiomi Tohsaka. It wasn’t I who betrayed you—you betrayed me! Assassin roared internally, but her body could no longer resist the Command Spell. Her steps carried her inexorably forward, her gaze locking onto Rider.

Clang.

The golden goblet slipped from Assassin’s hand, shattering against the ground. The clear, fragrant wine spilled across the earth. Bound by an irresistible force, Assassin launched her assault on Rider.

Rider, not a Servant proficient in close combat, couldn’t rely on his chariot to assist him in such a short span. To counter Assassin’s sudden attack, he had no choice but to activate his Reality Marble!

Under the compulsion of the Command Spell, Assassin unleashed her full power.

Her agility surged to A+, a level so extraordinary that an ordinary magus wouldn’t even be able to perceive her movements.

Yet, despite her charge, she realized she was growing farther and farther from Rider. When she finally came to her senses, she was standing on a vast plain covered in golden sands.

For the first time, she experienced a world transformed, stepping into another’s Reality Marble. Despite her preparation, the sheer magnificence of it left her stunned.

Still, it was not Assassin who voiced her surprise.

“Are all of these… Servants?!” Waver Velvet exclaimed in disbelief, rubbing his eyes as he took in the sight of countless Heroic Spirits surrounding them.

“Of course! These are the brave warriors who once rode into battle with this king!” Rider declared proudly. Mounted on his warhorse, he gently patted its mane before reaching down to hoist Waver up behind him.

“How did you guess my Noble Phantasm?” Rider asked with genuine curiosity.

“Masters, Servants—it doesn’t matter. I know all your goals, your true names, your thoughts, even your abilities. That’s why I avoided crossing paths with the stronger Servants from the very beginning…” Assassin answered with a bitter smile.

“But no matter how cautious I was, I still fell victim to my Master.” She sighed, her tone laden with resignation. “It’s futile… utterly futile. Even if I have the will to win, what use is it when my Master doesn’t?”

Rider’s voice rang out, both understanding and astonished. “I see! Your Master not only failed to let you fully utilize your skills as an Assassin but also didn’t realize… that you’re the strongest Servant in this Holy Grail War!”

Assassin raised an eyebrow at the remark.

“You know all the weaknesses of the other Servants, the vulnerabilities of the Masters. No matter how well they hide, they can’t escape your eyes, can they?” Rider continued, his tone almost admiring.

Even Waver was caught off guard. Rider had never revealed his army, nor had anyone guessed his trump card was a Reality Marble. Even Waver himself had been in the dark.

“Maybe,” Assassin replied with uncertainty. “At least, in this Holy Grail War, no one has been able to hide anything from me.”

“What a shame…” Rider remarked. “You knew my intentions from the very beginning, didn’t you?”

Assassin nodded. “That’s why I was so cautious around you and Archer.”

“Then, tell me—are you afraid of death, Assassin?” Rider asked, puzzled by the fierce determination in her eyes.

The Assassin he now faced was unrecognizable from the one he’d first encountered. She showed no fear of the death bearing down upon her, only an unyielding resolve.

“Not this time. In the next Holy Grail War, I’ll fight for victory again!”

Kirei’s Command left no room for interpretation. Unless Rider summoned his chariot and immediately dispersed his Reality Marble to flee, there was no escape.

But would the King of Conquerors ever run away? Not in front of Archer, not in front of anyone. What’s more, if he left now, the Command Spell would still take effect the next time they met.

Thank you… Lancelot. Assassin took a deep breath, bracing herself for death once again.

“So, you’re ready to die this time?” Rider raised his sword and addressed his soldiers. “Brave warriors! Today, we face a true hero. Let us bear witness to Assassin’s final moments!”

The soldiers’ deafening cheers shook the earth as they answered their king’s call.

“Assassin, I truly hope you’ll stand on the battlefield alongside me as an equal in the next war.”

Though Rider refrained from ordering his army to attack, Assassin, bound by the Command Spell, launched herself into a desperate charge.

There was no retreat. Under the power of the Command Spell, even knowing death awaited her, she was compelled to press forward.

In an instant, her appearance shifted. What had been a shadow of Saber’s form now became a pitch-black figure, resembling Berserker.

“Thank you for your kindness, but I’ll decline it!” Assassin growled, her voice hoarse and guttural, utterly unlike her usual playful tone. It was filled with an oppressive weight.

The yellow sands swirled, and dust billowed across the battlefield.

Only by drawing closer could one pierce the obscuring haze to see the countless warriors under the King of Conquerors’ command.

Spears gleamed, horses galloped, and phalanxes stood ready. These were the comrades-in-arms who had ridden with Iskandar, the cavalry who had followed him to countless victories.

Assassin’s shadowy form stood out starkly amidst the golden dunes, impossible to miss.

She came, unarmed, but with unwavering resolve.

This was no suicidal charge; Assassin intended to test her mettle, to see if she could cut through this army. It was a wild, almost absurd notion—but wasn’t life meant to be filled with dreams, no matter how improbable?

Let’s see how far I can go… I won’t give up this life so easily! Assassin thought, watching the gleaming spear tips aimed her way and the approaching thunder of hooves.

As the charging cavalry closed in, Assassin showed no fear. Her mastery of combat, honed to perfection, gave her unshakable confidence.

With an elegant leap, she twisted midair, narrowly avoiding the incoming thrusts. Reaching out, she seized the sword at the waist of one rider and pulled back.

But the soldier reacted swiftly. Both hands gripped the sword simultaneously, locking it in place. Even the ordinary soldiers of this army were fearsome, their strength not to be underestimated.

Using the momentum of the clash, Assassin wrenched the soldier from his saddle.

This rider’s strength surpassed hers slightly, but Assassin’s speed and skill made up the difference.

I need a weapon now!

“One point into Strength,” she muttered under her breath.

[Strength: D → Strength: C]

“What did you—?!” The soldier barely had time to register what happened before Assassin’s grip suddenly became overpowering.

With a sharp tug, she tore the sword free.

Leaping high into the air, she once again fixed her gaze on Rider, far in the distance.

Her objective was clear: to cut through the army of Heroic Spirits and strike down their king—Iskandar!

Let me burn bright, just this once! The weight of death no longer felt so heavy.

—

This is a fan translation of 这是我的圣杯之战 by 向希望祈祷. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!