This Is My Holy Grail War [96]

Morning light filtered through the dense forest, dappling the narrow path with shifting patches of shadow.

Assassin moved silently along the wooded trail, cloaked in a muted gray coat. Her mana reserves were at their peak, every ounce conserved for battle. All unnecessary functions—armor manifestation, mana concealment—had been deactivated. The only spell maintained was the one sustaining Artoria’s appearance, ensuring Avalon continued its subtle recharge.

She stretched lazily, the magic coursing through her body making her feel revitalized. The chill dawn air was crisp and invigorating as she inhaled deeply, savoring the stillness before releasing a contented sigh.

“Master, are you sure your familiar got this right?” she asked, adjusting her coat for warmth as her voice broke the tranquil silence.

“Of course,” Tohsaka Rin replied confidently, gripping a gem in her hand as she led the way. “It’s the same Archer on the white horse we encountered before.”

Archer had made no effort to conceal her movements, striding openly through Fuyuki City for all to see.

Fortunately, her outward appearance wasn’t conspicuously unnatural. Passersby might have mistaken her for an eccentric cosplayer, albeit one with a particularly commanding presence.

“This path…” Assassin muttered, furrowing her brow. “It leads to the Einzbern Castle.”

In Fuyuki’s outskirts, few locations held any significance to Servants, and the castle was undoubtedly a prime target.

Archer was one of the most formidable enemies in this war, her combat capabilities far surpassing even Berserker’s. The moment she appeared, Rin’s tension had heightened, her focus unshakable.

Ignoring everything in her path—including the Einzbern defensive wards—Archer had charged straight into enemy territory, utterly indifferent to stealth or subtlety.

The sound of explosions rang through the forest, evidence that Illya had prepared her defenses in earnest.

“What’s the plan, Master?” Assassin asked, pulling down her hood and gazing at the devastated path ahead.

She cast a cautious glance over her shoulder, observing Saber and Emiya Shirou trailing behind. Her wariness of the other group was subtle, but ever-present.

Their small party moved in single file: Rin at the front, guiding them; Saber and Shirou bringing up the rear; and Assassin in the middle, maintaining a balanced distance between them all.

Ideally, stealth missions should be handled solely by Assassin. But her mana constraints necessitated conservation, forcing her to rely on her Master’s guidance for now.

“Wait… I see something,” Rin murmured, her voice tinged with surprise. “Two Servants!”

“Two?”

Including Caster’s irregular summoning, this Holy Grail War had already seen the appearance of eight Servants. Now, it seemed yet another had joined the fray.

“Yes, someone new,” Rin replied, frowning. “I’ve never seen them before. They’re wearing casual clothes, but there’s no mistaking it—their mana signature is unmistakably that of a Servant.”

“What kind of Servant?” Assassin pressed.

“I couldn’t get close enough,” Rin admitted. “But my familiar saw golden short hair and a black coat.”

Gilgamesh and Archer… Assassin’s mind pieced the situation together. The two were disturbingly well-matched in their goals. Both sought to unleash the evils of the Grail upon humanity.

“If I’m not mistaken, that’s Archer from the last Holy Grail War,” Assassin remarked, her voice laced with gravity. “Though why he remains in this world, I can’t say. Regardless, he’s unquestionably a rogue-class Servant.”

“A rogue-class Servant? How is that possible?!” Rin exclaimed.

Before Rin could process this revelation, Saber, already formulating a plan, posed a question.

“What happens if this Archer from the last war teams up with the pale Archer in this one?” she asked Assassin, her tone measured and calm.

“We can’t win,” Assassin replied bluntly. “Even facing just one would be difficult. Together, they’re the most dangerous alliance in this war.”

“Then what do we do?” Rin asked, the weight of the situation clear in her voice.

“We form our own alliance,” Saber suggested, her strategic mind at work. “Berserker is a powerful Servant. If we can convince his Master, Illya, to join forces with us, we might stand a chance.”

“Do you think Illya will agree to this?” Shirou interjected, his skepticism evident. Memories of the petite girl’s terrifying demeanor filled his mind.

“She will,” Assassin answered confidently. “If Berserker is forced to confront the torrent of weapons Gilgamesh wields, she won’t hesitate. Even Berserker cannot endure against both of them.”

“Understood. Then, Assassin,” Rin said, her voice resolute. “Can you infiltrate the castle ahead of us and wait for the right moment? If we step in when Berserker is in critical danger, convincing Illya will be far easier.”

“Consider it done,” Assassin replied without hesitation.

This was her first time receiving a proper infiltration mission, one perfectly suited to her role. Though lacking formal training, her class skills would allow her to operate in the shadows effortlessly.

Casting off her gray cloak, Assassin disappeared into the shadows, her body melting into the forest’s darkness as she headed toward the Einzbern Castle.

—

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!