This Is My Holy Grail War [92]

Walking alongside Tohsaka Rin past the threshold of the Emiya residence, Assassin couldn’t help but notice lingering traces of the recent chaos. The aftermath of the battle was still etched into the estate.

The corridor, damaged by Berserker’s rampage, had been cleared of shattered glass, but no new panes had been installed yet. The courtyard, pockmarked and uneven, had not been repaired. Only the main building had undergone some restoration. From the looks of it, the owner had put in considerable effort, though there was only so much one person could do.

Inside, the tatami mats were worn and damaged. To ensure the safety of his guests, Shirou had thoughtfully placed spare slippers at the entrance.

“I didn’t have anything specifically prepared, but there are some larger-sized shoes left over from before,” Shirou explained, clasping his hands together apologetically. “I’m sorry for the poor accommodations.”

Larger-sized men’s shoes? Assassin raised an eyebrow. The shoes weren’t new, and it was clear no one else lived in this house.

“It’s fine. Being treated this well already exceeds my expectations.” Assassin smiled faintly, his gaze lingering on Shirou with interest. “If it weren’t for your mana limitations, you’d make a decent Master. So, how about it? Has your Servant surprised you yet?”

“I’m truly sorry,” Shirou said, his tone sincere. “At first, I thought Servants were just familiars and said some very rude things.”

“By the way,” Shirou added, “are you really an Assassin? You’re nothing like what I imagined. In fact, you looked almost identical to Saber. Is that… your Noble Phantasm at work?”

“It’s merely a facade,” Assassin answered nonchalantly. “This body is stronger—at least for now. However, I might have to rely on Saber’s body later. Lancer’s form doesn’t convert food into mana very efficiently.”

As they talked, Assassin entered the house. He immediately noticed the height difference—this form was taller than what he’d grown accustomed to. Having spent time in a body the same height as Artoria’s, seeing the world from Lancer’s perspective felt strange and novel.

Saber, who used to stand eye-to-eye with him, was now noticeably shorter—by over a head. From this vantage, her ahoge swayed energetically in his view, a detail that amused him. He could sense Saber’s anticipation for the meal, a feeling he understood all too well.

Saber’s movements were composed and graceful as she picked up her tea, sitting at the table with an air of leisure, seemingly unfazed by the Holy Grail War.

Following suit, Assassin knelt at the table, mimicking the posture of those around him.

For the first time, Assassin experienced a true moment of relaxation. This peaceful gathering felt almost surreal. If I could live like this, free from the specter of death, maybe such a life wouldn’t be so bad.

“I’m going to shift forms, Saber,” Assassin said, seeking permission from the original owner of his borrowed body. “Is that all right?”

“Of course. I give you permission,” Saber replied without hesitation.

The robust young man sitting at the table began to emit a swirling mist the moment Saber’s words left her lips. The transformation was swift, occurring in the blink of an eye.

In that instant, Assassin lost the endurance granted by Battle Continuation and the divine essence that came with Lancer’s form. His body felt heavy, as though something pressed against his chest, making it slightly harder to breathe.

However, Avalon’s power within him seemed to grow stronger. The Noble Phantasm began to synchronize with his mana, eliminating the need for Saber to supply mana to Avalon. Her own energy, in concept, had become indistinguishable from the mana of the King of Knights.

“These shoes seem to fit less well now,” Assassin remarked absently.

“No matter,” she added with a composed smile. “I’ll look forward to sampling Shirou’s cooking.”

Though the atmosphere was relaxed, Assassin maintained her usual upright posture, her composure as taut as ever. When the food was finally served, she joined the others in murmuring, “Itadakimasu,” before taking her first bite.

The moment the food touched her tongue, a rush of sensation jolted her. It was an overwhelming delight, a feast for the senses! The perfectly cooked salmon, paired with fresh rice, evoked an almost nostalgic feeling—a taste of home.

Her impression of the boy named Emiya Shirou rose significantly in her heart.

Stealing a glance at Shirou as she ate, Assassin thought to herself, To be able to eat food like this every day… that would truly be a rare blessing.

Before she could lose herself in the thought, Rin’s voice pulled her back.

“Spring will be here soon,” Rin mused meaningfully. “It’s just a shame… the Holy Grail War’s Servants only have seven days to exist. If only… we had more time. Then we could go see the cherry blossoms together.”

“Cherry blossoms?” Assassin had never considered such a notion. Her mind had always been occupied with battles and survival, never with such fleeting, peaceful moments.

Sasaki Kojirō had once advised her not to let bloodlust consume her true self. He’d told her to seek her own elegance and serenity.

The image of cherry blossoms in full bloom floated into her mind, captivating her imagination. She could almost see the delicate petals drifting in the breeze, feel the touch of a fallen blossom on her fingertips… How beautiful would that be?

“Yes, cherry blossoms,” Rin nodded. “It’s such a lovely name, isn’t it? I even have a relative with that name.”

“Mm,” Assassin agreed. “It’s a beautiful name—poetic, even. There’s a faint sadness to it, though, something ineffable.”

“A Knight of the Round Table in Britain—Lancelot, wasn’t it? I suppose you’ve never seen cherry blossoms before,” Rin remarked, her voice carrying a tinge of reminiscence. “They’re stunning, truly.”

“If I ever get the chance, I’ll make sure to see them,” Assassin replied, lifting her bowl. “Shirou, my rice is gone.”

“There’s actually…no more…”

“No more?!” Two golden-haired Artorias exclaimed in unison, their disbelief evident.

“But I only had a little!” Assassin protested, her tone almost petulant. “I was just starting to feel the tiniest bit satisfied!”

—

T/N: wheres my yuri though WAIT EVEN BETTER ITS DOOMED YURI YESSS

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!