This Is My Holy Grail War [84]

The tense air at Ryuudou Temple grew heavier as its occupants realized the battle that loomed. Kuzuki Souichirou emerged from his room, and Caster joined the confrontation. Now six figures stood in the temple courtyard, a battlefield of life and death.

Three against three. Yet the defenders boasted a critical advantage—not only did they have another Servant, but Caster’s dragon tooth soldiers circled them, poised to strike.

“Should we wait for Saber’s support, or dive straight in?” Lancer asked, though his eagerness was evident in his actions. He gripped his crimson spear tightly, his body practically vibrating with anticipation. “We look like we’re at a disadvantage here,” he said with a grin, clearly thrilled by the odds.

“There’s nothing to fear. Three against three, perfectly even. If Rin isn’t afraid, then as her senior, I certainly won’t be either,” Kirei Kotomine said calmly as he stretched his arms, loosening his muscles while assuming his stance. He was unarmed, his signature Black Keys nowhere in sight.

This time, his opponents weren’t mages or spiritual entities—they were killers. The Black Keys, designed to destroy magical constructs and spiritual forms, had no physical offensive power.

“I’ll take care of the murderers and their minions,” Kotomine declared.

“Understood, Master!” Lancer responded.

Without waiting for another word, Lancer surged forward, living up to his title as the fastest of the Servants. Like a ferocious beast, he charged headlong into the fray, aiming directly at Assassin, who had taken on Artoria’s visage to meet him head-on.

His spear lashed out with breathtaking speed, striking like lightning before anyone else could react. The collision between them ignited a surge of raw energy that made Assassin feel as though her very soul was ablaze, her blood boiling with battle lust.

BOOM!

The clash of power didn’t ring with the metallic clang of steel but erupted like a thunderclap. The shockwave shattered the still air, the deafening sound akin to Cerberus’s roar—a harbinger of death that sent chills through the battlefield.

Yet, despite the force of their collision, neither combatant budged. Lancer held firm, unfazed by Assassin’s strength.

Though Assassin’s physical strength matched Lancer’s, it was bolstered further by her [Mana Burst] and Caster’s workshop-enhanced barriers, Lancer stood his ground. His strength was every bit as formidable.

“Command Spells and runes?” Assassin muttered, sensing the tremendous magical energy coursing through Lancer’s body and the arcane sigils faintly glowing on his arms.

He had prepared well for this fight. Knowing Assassin’s stats outclassed his, Lancer had preemptively reinforced himself with runes and used a Command Spell to enhance his power even further.

“I must admit, I’m quite impressed with your rune magic,” Assassin said, intrigued. “Not only did it allow you to bypass Buddhist barriers, but it also strengthens both your offense and defense. It’s efficient and versatile. I’d like to learn it.”

“I’ll take the compliment,” Lancer said with a grin. “But I’m fonder of this spear in my hand than any rune. And as enemies, I’m afraid I can’t teach you. Maybe if you beat me, I’ll think about it?” He left the offer hanging, though Assassin could tell it was little more than an empty courtesy.

“I’ll hold you to that,” she replied.

Amid their fierce exchange, they found time to talk. Assassin posed her questions, and Lancer answered them freely.

“A promise to a lady like you? I’d never break it!” Lancer shouted, his voice tinged with exhilaration. “Still, it’s a shame I’ll have to kill someone so much to my liking. But sparing you would be an insult to a true warrior! Now, face my spear!”

“Increase Strength by one rank,” Assassin murmured, her voice barely audible.

“What?” Lancer blinked in confusion, unable to comprehend her words. It wasn’t a spell incantation, nor was it an obvious enchantment. Yet, the next instant, he felt her power rise through the impact of their clash.

[Strength B → Strength A]

Assassin’s physical strength surged to its limit. Even without her magical energy release, her blows could now crush Berserker’s defenses.

With a cry of effort, Assassin swung her blade like a batter at the plate. To Lancer, it was as if he had become the ball.

The red spear couldn’t hold against the overwhelming force. Lancer, along with his weapon, was sent hurtling ten meters away, crashing into the ground in a spectacular display of raw power.

The explosive magical energy ignited the air, and the impact left a spiderweb of cracks in the earth where Lancer landed.

“What the hell kind of magic is this?” Lancer groaned as he climbed to his feet, visibly annoyed. “No incantations, no magical flow… Was that some sort of spoken law? That’s divine authority-level power!” Though caught off guard, Lancer wasn’t the only one left bewildered.

At least Tohsaka Rin, who knew some of Assassin’s hidden abilities, wasn’t entirely surprised.

Despite his frustration, Lancer remained composed. Shifting his strategy, he stopped his reckless charges and instead began tracing runes in midair with his fingertips.

The fiery red runes glowed against the night sky, their sinister light eerily reminiscent of will-o’-the-wisps. They emitted a bone-chilling aura, even as they burned with an unnatural heat.

It was a silent warning: to touch them without magical resistance would be disastrous.

But that was only the beginning.

Assassin watched as Lancer raised his crimson spear high. Magical energy swirled around him, gathering at the spear’s tip with growing intensity. She recognized the signs instantly—it was the prelude to his Noble Phantasm.

Without hesitation, Assassin lunged forward to close the distance, but Lancer stepped back, buying himself time. The runes he left in his wake slowed her advance, forcing her to maneuver carefully. Still, the red light radiating from [Gáe Bolg] grew brighter and brighter, resembling a raging firestorm.

The spear’s tip aimed directly at her.

Yet Assassin felt no fear of death. Her eyes remained calm, and her stride never faltered. She charged toward him like a moth to a flame, unflinching in the face of annihilation.

In truth, she wasn’t banking on survival. She only sought to take Lancer down with her.

Deep down, she knew the truth. Even if she perished, she would enter the next Holy Grail War. The nameless voice in her mind had assured her of that. But there was a lingering unease in her heart—a faint, indefinable dread that she couldn’t shake.

While she was familiar with the Holy Grail Wars in Fuyuki City, she had no knowledge of what lay beyond them. The location, participants, and even the timeline of future wars were completely unpredictable.

Am I strong enough as I am? she wondered.

The answer was clear: no. Her offensive capabilities might be boosted by Medusa’s [Mystic Eyes], but using them would drain her magical energy too quickly. Defensively, she was lacking even more—large-scale Noble Phantasms remained her greatest weakness.

“[Gáe Bolg!]”

Lancer unleashed his Noble Phantasm. The spear glowed with a blinding crimson light, and the end was inevitable.

The Barbed Spear That Pierces with Death was ready to claim its target.

—

T/N: Wowza glass cannon build just because I’m feeling generous I’ll put her current stats down!

(Boosted from Master’s Mana)

• Strength: A

• Endurance: E

• Agility: A+

• Mana: C

• Luck: D

• Noble Phantasm: B

• Skills: A

this isn’t her base stats but it’s her current stats!

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!