This Is My Holy Grail War [128]

The earth trembled as countless vines burst forth, transforming into unyielding chains the moment they breached the surface.

These chains, imbued with the power of the planet, wove themselves into a massive net that completely blocked Saber’s path forward. Forced to stop, she turned to face the new adversary.

Above, the countless magic circles Saber had summoned shifted their aim, targeting the densest source of magical energy ahead.

Saber, what’s going on over there?! Her Master’s voice echoed urgently in her mind. Only now did Saber relay the arrival of new enemies.

There are enemies—and more than one. I’m currently engaged in battle, but I hold the advantage for now, Saber responded curtly, her tone reminiscent of a lone wolf. She felt an unspoken distance between herself and her allies.

In truth, this wasn’t unique to her. Most Servants with strong personal convictions treated temporary allies with a certain degree of wariness, rarely placing full trust in them.

More enemies? Gordes exclaimed in surprise. But we haven’t detected anything, and the boundary field hasn’t reported any unusual activity!

There are at least two, Saber replied evenly. Their movements are exceptionally stealthy.

Understood. I’ll send reinforcements immediately. Hold your ground, Saber!

As the mental link severed, Saber turned her gaze to the intruder—a green-haired Servant with an ethereal, flowing mane.

The figure’s face was strikingly androgynous, making it difficult to determine their gender at a glance. Berserker’s expression was solemn, almost unnervingly composed, exuding an air of cold detachment.

Though their outward appearance showed no signs of madness, the eerie stillness of Berserker’s features betrayed an unsettling aura.

This Berserker had been summoned by the homunculus Saber had saved earlier. Desperation for survival seemed to have resonated with the Holy Grail, granting the homunculus Command Seals and placing them on the Red Faction’s side. It was a surprising twist, a formidable enemy created by the Black Faction’s own hands.

Yet, such events were inevitable. If one homunculus fell, another would rise to fill their place. The Greater Grail would always allocate Command Seals to seven magi aligned against the Black Faction, even if it meant pulling adversaries from unexpected corners.

The Yggdmillennia family’s open defiance of the Mage’s Association had few direct challengers outside of the Association itself. Most magi remained indifferent, avoiding unnecessary involvement unless it directly impacted their interests. The homunculus was an anomaly in this equation.

Saber had paid particular attention to him due to his significance to their Caster. Now, however, the Red Faction’s Berserker stood in her way, and conflict seemed unavoidable.

The chains erupting from the earth posed a significant threat to Saber. While in her Medea-like state, she had lost the benefits of [Instinct] and [Mana Burst], leaving her without key defensive advantages.

Although her Age of Gods magecraft was powerful, Saber lacked the time to set up a workshop in the wild.

If that’s the case… Saber thought decisively. I’ll simply leave the ground behind.

Flipping open her black grimoire, she unfurled her cloak, assuming a form she had become increasingly adept at wielding. In the process of constructing workshops, she had learned to truly embody Medea.

Graceful as a butterfly, Saber ascended into the sky, rising above the treacherous terrain. Cloaked in magical energy, she surveyed the battlefield below.

Raising her hand, Saber linked the magic circles in the air. They coalesced into what appeared to be a massive dragon composed entirely of mana. With her command, the magical dragon roared thunderously and descended upon Berserker.

Countless beams of magical energy rained down like a meteor shower.

Berserker remained unfazed, gently placing a pale hand on the earth. Even in the face of such mythical devastation, he maintained an air of calm. “Just borrowing a bit of the earth’s strength,” he murmured.

Weapons of all kinds—swords, spears, and halberds—burst forth from the ground. No longer mere chains, these were razor-sharp armaments. Saber recognized them instantly.

Gilgamesh…?

The resemblance to the King of Heroes’ [Gate of Babylon] was uncanny. Yet, unlike Gilgamesh, who opened the vaults of the heavens to rain treasures upon his enemies, this Berserker called forth similar armaments through prayer to the earth.

A grim realization dawned on Saber. This Berserker’s combat style bore a striking resemblance to that of Gilgamesh.

Magic cannons collided with summoned weapons, and the resulting chaos lit up the forest canopy. Explosions tore through the air, and the heavens seemed to burn. The reverberating booms echoed across the battlefield.

When the relentless bombardment finally subsided, Saber realized she was at a disadvantage. Despite wielding A-rank [High-Speed Divine Words] and unleashing her full power with ample mana, she couldn’t breach Berserker’s defenses.

Not only did Berserker withstand her assault with ease, but he also seemed entirely unperturbed.

Saber clenched her teeth. I’m at a disadvantage, no doubt about it. But retreat isn’t an option.

This was Yggdmillennia territory. Reinforcements would arrive soon if she held out a little longer.

Resolving herself, Saber launched another wave of magic cannons. Though only two Servants were fighting, the sheer magnitude of their mana output resembled an all-out war, shaking all who observed.

Amid the chaos, Saber noticed the homunculus running out from the shadows of the forest.

He seemed strangely excited, his gaze fixed on Saber with an expression of joy.

“Stop this!” the homunculus shouted, trying to halt the battle. But his unfamiliarity with the Grail War’s rules left him unsure of how to properly command his Servant.

His voice was almost drowned out by the cacophony of explosions, only becoming audible as Saber paused to gather her mana for the next attack.

“She isn’t an enemy, Berserker. She’s my benefactor. Saber… Saber…” The homunculus repeated her name with reverence, the memory of his rescue etched deeply into his mind.

“If that’s your decision, I won’t object,” Berserker replied without hesitation. “You are my Master, and I am but a weapon.”

Berserker’s words carried no trace of resistance, his loyalty absolute. If not for the glimmers of individuality Saber sensed, she might have mistaken him for a lifeless automaton.

The homunculus and his Servant lingered near the edge of the forest, neither advancing nor retreating. It was as though they were waiting for someone. The forest itself seemed to shield them, offering sanctuary even within Yggdmillennia’s domain.

“Master, I’ve told you your body is fragile. Even under the earth’s protection, you mustn’t overexert yourself,” Berserker admonished, gently ruffling the homunculus’s hair. Yet, the earth continued to produce an endless stream of weapons.

“It’s fine… I’ll be fine…”

Saber observed the homunculus carefully. His frailty was evident, his breathing labored in the mana-saturated air.

“Thank you, Saber,” he said, lifting his gaze to the sky. “For pulling me back from the brink of death. Though I remain uncertain of my purpose…”

From above, Saber remained wary of Berserker but listened to the homunculus’s heartfelt words.

“I can neither contribute to this world nor leave a lasting mark. My lifespan is only three years. What can I possibly achieve in that time?” His voice carried a mix of despair and yearning as he posed the question to his savior.

“And so… what is it you wish to do?” Saber asked, her tone guarded.

—

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!