This Is My Holy Grail War [91]

This was a bedroom with a distinctly classical décor, the bed furnished in the traditional Japanese tatami style. Assassin, however, knew that Tohsaka Rin practiced Western magecraft and that her family residence was a luxurious Western-style mansion. Judging from his surroundings, he surmised that this must be Emiya Shirou’s home.

Rising from where he sat, Assassin glanced at the night sky. The moonlight had dimmed, no longer the bright and clear moon he remembered earlier. Instead, a faintly glowing moon had just risen, veiled and indistinct. The sky hadn’t fully darkened yet, and the moon lacked the stark contrast that would render it luminous.

This wasn’t the same day. Assassin noticed the absence of the crisp, cold air that follows a snowfall. Judging by the faint moonlight, he guessed that it was just after dusk.

So, this must be the next day? He speculated that he had been unconscious for an entire day.

“Assassin… Hah, never mind. I admit you have your methods. But even if they work, they’re far less efficient at replenishing mana.” Tohsaka Rin’s voice was soft as she spoke. “Are you sure you don’t want me to help you with that?”

“No need.” Assassin declined firmly and made his way to the door. However, before he could leave, Rin noticed his frailty and called him back, posing an odd and rather gossipy question.

“A beautiful girl throws herself into your arms, and you reject her without a second thought?!” Rin’s tone brimmed with suspicion. “Even when you’re so weak you can barely maintain your physical form, you’re still acting surprisingly reserved.” She sounded genuinely curious.

“Is there a problem with that?” Assassin asked.

“Well, Assassin… Say, the legendary Knight of the Round Table, Lancelot—could it be that, like his king, he’s actually a woman?” Rin lowered her head slightly, trying to observe Assassin’s reaction from below. Her face was filled with curiosity, mixed with a mischievous smirk.

“If the legendary King of Knights turned out to be a girl, then what about her knights…?” Rin’s grin widened as she noted Assassin’s reaction, her playful demeanor making her seem less reserved than usual.

“Lancelot is a man,” Assassin replied without hesitation.

“Is that so?” Rin moved closer to him, subtly pressuring him with her presence. “You know, I’m well aware you’re not actually Lancelot. Hehe.” Covering her mouth, she let out an odd chuckle.

“I won’t deny that. I’m not Lancelot. The real Lancelot would never betray King Arthur. While the legends speak of his unforgivable sins against the King of Knights, in truth, he was a peerless knight of loyalty and honor,” Assassin said calmly. “That said, I do owe a debt to Lancelot. If I can, I’d repay that debt. But for now, victory remains my ultimate goal.”

“You’ve even managed to fool Saber. Your ability to disguise yourself is truly top-tier.” Rin’s tone carried a hint of veiled praise, though her words seemed to have layers of meaning.

“That’s because I carry a fragment of Lancelot’s legend,” Assassin explained. “The Noble Phantasm I wield is tied to him. That’s why Saber was mistaken.”

“Then what about your true self?” Rin pressed further. “I know almost nothing about you—not your real name, your past, or even your gender. I haven’t even seen your face through that black mist.”

“From the moment you summoned me, all you’ve seen is this—a shadowy enigma,” Assassin said with a sigh. “To be honest, I don’t remember much about my life either. That’s why I’ve said nothing.”

At this, Assassin raised an arm, displaying a muscular physique reminiscent of Cú Chulainn’s. Forcing a smile, he tried to appear more cheerful as he answered Rin’s questions.

“I’m just a wraith borrowing the appearance of a hero, unworthy of being called a Heroic Spirit. Like this—my body has taken on the form of a Lancer, from my gender to the scars etched into this flesh. It’s all borrowed.”

But before Assassin could finish his thought, Rin slowly closed the distance between them. Rising onto her toes, she lifted her head and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. Assassin felt the faint fragrance of her scent and the warmth of her lips.

Mana flowed from her to him through the exchange of saliva, far surpassing the efficiency of standard mana transfers. For someone like Assassin, whose mana reserves were never impressive, the sudden influx of energy was overwhelming, like a dam breaking and flooding his body with power.

It was as if a man who had starved for an entire day suddenly found himself before a table laden with delicacies. The sheer hunger and desire to consume spurred him to greedily take more.

His entire body brimmed with vitality. Yet, it was only a kiss—not a deeper connection.

Though the mana replenishment through saliva was substantial, it was insufficient to restore his damaged body entirely. To fully recover, he would need an intimate exchange with Rin, to feel her warmth against his skin, their bodies intertwined…

As the kiss ended, Rin said softly, “I can feel it—you’re insecure. But when you’re cutting down enemies, you truly look like a hero.”

Assassin’s face turned a deep crimson. It was unclear whether it was from Rin’s compliment or the lingering sensations from the mana transfer.

“Thank you.”

Knock, knock, knock.

The light rapping at the door snapped Assassin out of his thoughts. Saber’s voice followed from outside.

“Rin, please address Assassin’s mana situation as soon as possible. It’s imperative that he regains combat readiness today.” Saber gently opened the door, adding, “Shirou has finished preparing dinner. He’s waiting for you both.”

“Got it, we’ll be right out,” Rin replied, her face just as flushed as Assassin’s. She seemed…

“So, this really is Emiya Shirou’s house?” Assassin asked.

“Because of Rider’s interference, the entire school is on break,” Rin explained. “He said he’d handle food and lodging, so here I am. No need to pay, after all,” she added in a small voice.

—

T/N: RIN YOU MAD MANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN YOU GO GIRL

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!