This Is My Holy Grail War [94]

Assassin surveyed the neatly stacked cuts of fresh meat by the stove.

Well, “fresh” might be an overstatement—the chilled meat still carried a faint coolness, clearly just removed from the refrigerator. It wasn’t freshly butchered, but its vibrant red hue suggested it hadn’t been sitting around for long. Likely some leftover supplies from a recent meal.

As Assassin prepared to follow Shirou’s earlier instructions and try her hand at cooking, her attention was caught by something unusual among the meat. A distinct white object stood out in the pile.

“Shirou, what’s this white sausage? I’ve never seen it before. Is it some kind of specialty?” Assassin poked at the pale sausage curiously.

“It’s Weisswurst, a Bavarian delicacy that Ilya brought over,” Shirou replied. “I originally planned to have a pleasant dinner with her, but things… escalated into a battle for survival instead. The sausages were meant for the next day’s breakfast, but, well, everything went sideways.” His tone carried a hint of wistfulness.

“You prepared this much food for her?” Assassin asked, surprised. “But someone as petite as Ilya wouldn’t need so much to eat, right?” She pictured Ilya’s small frame and found it hard to believe the girl could have a hearty appetite.

“Because she’s someone connected to my father, I wanted to show proper hospitality,” Shirou said. His hand paused briefly as he sliced meat, and a flicker of emotion crossed his face. Then, as if deliberately shifting the subject, he asked softly, “Are you hungry, Assassin?”

“Yes,” Assassin admitted plainly.

“Then let’s cook the Weisswurst as an appetizer before the main course,” Shirou suggested, reaching for the plate of sausages. “You seem eager.” His warm smile as he worked made Assassin feel unexpectedly at ease.

“Alright,” she agreed with a sharp nod.

“You’re definitely more straightforward than Saber,” Shirou remarked. “Cooking Weisswurst is simple—just simmer it in boiling water for about ten minutes.”

Shirou lit the stove and adjusted it to a medium flame. As the water began to heat, he placed the sausages in the pot, covered it, and let them cook as the savory aroma started to waft through the air.

“By the way, Assassin, the casing of Weisswurst isn’t edible, so be careful,” Shirou added, pulling a small dish of sweet mustard from the cupboard. “I made this sauce using a Bavarian recipe. I’m not sure how authentic it is, but give it a try.”

“Got it.”

Assassin deftly cut the casing open with a table knife, used chopsticks to pick up a piece of the white sausage, and dipped it into the mustard sauce. After a smooth and practiced motion, she brought the piece to her mouth.

“Mmm…” The sausage was slightly salty with a springy, tender texture. The sauce, despite being labeled mustard, had a pleasant sweetness without any sharpness. Is it even fair to call this mustard?

“This tastes amazing!” Perhaps it was her lingering hunger, but one bite of the sausage seemed to awaken her appetite even further. Her stomach protested loudly, demanding more. As her body processed the meal, the converted mana flowed through her, ready to fuel her for the next battle.

“Weisswurst is meant to whet your appetite, so I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Shirou said with a satisfied smile. “Alright, the marinated meat should be ready now.”

Finally, the tantalizing aroma of barbecued meat was within reach.

Before Assassin lay over ten carefully prepared portions of meat, primarily beef and lamb, as well as a few sausages that didn’t require marination. The only step left was to skewer them for grilling.

Shirou pulled skewers from a cupboard and began threading the marinated meat onto them.

This was a labor-intensive step—not complex, but time-consuming due to the sheer volume of meat. While Shirou worked at a steady pace, Assassin, a Servant with A+ Agility, turned the process into a blur of motion. In an instant, dozens of skewers were neatly assembled and laid out.

“Assassin, you seem… in a hurry,” Shirou said, watching her work with astonishment. Her rapid movements created an almost illusory effect, the meat transforming into skewers in the blink of an eye.

“I need mana,” Assassin said matter-of-factly, pausing her hands. “The sooner the food is ready, the better.”

“You’re not doing this for the joy of cooking but for efficiency,” Shirou observed, a touch of concern in his voice. “I’ve heard some things about you from Rin. She mentioned you’re a Servant with a strong killing intent, yet meeting you has been… surprising.”

“I wouldn’t know about that,” Assassin said, her hands slowing as she stabbed a skewer through the meat. Her grip was firm enough to warp the steel slightly, eliciting a faint creak.

“It’s just that… moments like this feel nice,” she admitted quietly. “And if I can replenish my mana, all the better. Honestly, I’m not in a rush. Winning the Holy Grail War matters to me, but this time, there’s no pressure. Death is just another reset for the next war.”

Shirou knew that Servants typically didn’t retain memories of previous Holy Grail Wars, but both Assassin and Saber were exceptions. He also understood that Assassin was already preparing for another cycle.

“Are you disappointed in Rin?” Shirou asked cautiously.

“Somewhat,” Assassin admitted without hesitation. “She doesn’t understand war… but then again, how could modern teenagers comprehend such a thing?”

What a heavy sense of duty, Shirou thought, noting how similar she seemed to Saber in this regard. He didn’t know why Assassin was so fixated on victory, but in his heart, he had already formed his own conclusions.

With the food prepared and the outdoor grill ready, Shirou gestured to Assassin. “Alright, let’s get started. Tonight’s feast awaits!”

As they stepped outside, Assassin set aside her usual reservations. Before her stretched a breathtaking view of the night sky—clear, radiant, and vast. The stars glimmered like jewels scattered across a canvas of black velvet.

It’s beautiful. For a moment, she forgot all her worries, remembering something Kojirō had once said: Learn to enjoy life, instead of being led by it.

Shirou turned the skewers on the grill, sprinkling cumin over the sizzling meat. The crackling fire and rich aroma made Assassin’s eyes widen in anticipation. As the spices fell through the gaps and hit the coals, a delightful sizzling sound filled the air.

“Do you know what the greatest pain in life is, Shirou?” Rin asked, her tone teasing.

“What’s that?”

“It’s hearing your stomach growl while staring at delicious food you can’t eat,” Rin replied with a grin. “Especially at night.”

“It’ll be ready soon, I promise,” Shirou said, laughing lightly. “I can’t serve undercooked food, no matter how hungry you all are.”

“Look at Assassin and Saber,” Rin said in a low voice. “So, hurry up.”

“Alright, alright,” Shirou replied, the pressure from their stares spurring him on. Focused, he carefully basted the skewers with oil as the scent of grilled meat filled the courtyard.

When the first batch was ready, Shirou plated the skewers with care. The vibrant meat glistened, its juices oozing as a smoky aroma wafted through the air.

Assassin took her first bite, savoring the tender, flavorful meat. It melted in her mouth, each bite an explosion of taste that sent waves of satisfaction through her.

Assassin and Saber, seated side by side, wore matching expressions of bliss as they devoured the meal. Under the starlit sky, they let go of their burdens, indulging in a rare moment of peace.

“Cheers, Assassin,” Saber said, raising her beer can.

“To Britain,” she declared solemnly, her voice resonating with conviction.

Assassin hesitated for a moment before raising her can in return. “To Britain,” she echoed, taking a light sip. Unlike Saber, who downed her drink in one gulp, Assassin savored the moment.

As the meal wound down, Assassin’s gaze lingered on her Master, Tohsaka Rin. Despite the array of delicious food before her, Rin hadn’t touched a single bite. Instead, she seemed lost in thought, her expression contemplative.

“Master, why aren’t you eating? Do you not have an appetite?” Assassin asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

“It’s nothing,” Rin replied after a pause, her tone carrying a faint sigh. “I was just thinking… I really wish you could stay as my Servant forever. I’ve never been able to get used to familiars—they don’t feel human at all, unlike Servants.”

For a moment, Rin’s words hung in the air. Her realization echoed what Ilya had once said: Servants weren’t mere tools. These heroic spirits summoned from ages past carried their own thoughts, desires, and even flaws, making them far more alive than any familiar could ever be.

“I’m glad you understand that,” Assassin said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Rin hesitated, then added, “Um… Assassin, there’s something important I need to tell you.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Well… I might not be able to afford your living expenses,” Rin admitted sheepishly, bowing her head in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, but in the days to come, there might not always be enough food for you.”

The sudden shift in tone was jarring. Assassin couldn’t help but wonder if Rin’s earlier kind words were just an attempt to soften the blow. Was this Rin’s way of cushioning the reality of their strained resources?

“Master,” Assassin began, her tone calm and measured, “as your summoned Servant, I have never once demanded anything in return. Mana is the only condition for my service—are you saying you won’t even provide that?”

Her words were devoid of anger, merely an even acknowledgment of the situation.

“Well… I mean…” Rin fumbled, flustered. “It’s not that I don’t want to. I just really don’t have the funds to support your meals! Honestly, I don’t even know how Shirou manages to keep Saber fed.”

Assassin let out a soft chuckle. “So, you summon a Servant and still find yourself dissatisfied? I’d wager there aren’t many Masters in this world as ambitious as you. Such greed.”

“That’s enough!” Rin stomped her foot, her voice rising in frustration. “If I can’t provide food, I’ll at least make sure you have mana. I’ll transfer my mana to you directly, without holding back!”

“Eh?!” Assassin blinked, startled by Rin’s sudden declaration.

—

T/N: HWUHAHFIAHSIFHAFHASKLFKLAS DOOME DYURI RYURI

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!