Fate: Holy Grail

The flashes of swords and shadows in the middle of the forest and Saber initiated every attack.

However, Assassin kept retreating, and then would only make occasional counterattacks.

It looked like Saber had the absolute initiative and seemed to be able to overwhelm Assassin at any time with her superior strength.

On the surface, it seemed that Saber had absolute control, poised to overwhelm Assassin at any moment with her superior strength. Yet the reality was far more complicated than it appeared.

The dense forest hindered Saber's movements. Her powerful slashes were blocked by tree trunks while her thrusts couldn't even graze the corners of Assassin's cloak.

On the contrary, the seemingly mysterious Assassin moved through the forest like a fish in water with his agility.

"That's not a bad plan, luring me here." 

Saber remarked, turning as she sheathed her blade, assuming her stance again, "You've successfully used the terrain to limit a knight's sword."

Assassin remained silent, knowing deep down that Kirei had orchestrated all of this.

At first, Assassin had thought that Kotomine's choice of location was merely to keep the secrets of magic hidden from ordinary eyes.

However, he had no idea there was a deeper intention behind it all.

Saber kept Assassin in her direct line of sight, and her peripheral vision scanned the surroundings.

In the hazy moonlight, the forest stretched endlessly, with trees crossing each other and bushes all over the place.

"If you can use these trees, I just need to destroy all the cover here!"

Assassin narrowly evaded Saber's attack but did not retract her sword. 

Instead, she swung with greater force, her invisible air slicing mercilessly into the trunk of a nearby tree.

The next moment, it was like the tree had been cut like tofu. 

Bang!

The tree collapsed with a loud bang, leaving only a smooth stump cut off by the sword.

However, Assassin showed no reaction to Saber's actions. He didn't stop Saber, nor did he choose to retreat from this battlefield to search for more favorable terrain.

He lacked some combat experience, and everything he did was guided purely by instinct. 

Once again, Assassin dodged Saber's blade and no longer feared the sword. 

He didn't dare try to block Saber's straight attacks, and even in close combat, Saber struggled to land a blow on him.

Assassin leaped back, creating a brief distance between them. Then, for the first time, he turned to launch a countercharge against Saber.

He lunged forward using his momentum to lower himself into a sliding step. 

During the glide, Assassin saw her sword sweep past his face and his vision passed through the translucent blade to see the bright moon as if it were reflected in the rippling water.

The sword was very close and cut off a strand of golden hair. 

As the hair fell to the ground, Assassin swung his sword with all his might, aiming directly at Saber's waist.

He didn't know any skills, and his holding of the sword was very clumsy. He just held the hilt with determination.

He attacked purely on instinct, wielding the blade and striking with force.

With a sharp screech, sparks flew!

The steel sword scraped harshly against Saber's armor, sending a cascade of sparks flying, but it failed to penetrate.

The heart of the Red Dragon granted Saber formidable magical energy with her armor was enough to easily repel most weapons.

However, this time, Saber, acting recklessly, unexpectedly pulled back her sword in advance.

'Now'

Saber thought, seizing the opportunity with precision.

Assassin's sliding momentum was nearly impossible to stop, and Saber had calculated this moment with precision. 

As Assassin tried to attack, Saber unleashed her sword in a perfectly timed counter.

The barrier of the Wind King began to dissipate, revealing the radiant Excalibur of the holy sword. 

This strike would effortlessly cut Assassin in two.

Suddenly, Assassin twisted his body downward with remarkable agility, diving toward the ground. 

He held her up against a half-tree trunk with his left hand and pushed himself into a backflip that narrowly evaded Saber's lethal strike.

Once again, they charged and crossed, and at this time, Saber saw Assassin holding the sword tightly as he had never used one before... 

"You don't know how to use a sword, do you?" 

Saber said while maintaining a defensive stance with her voice carried a mix of curiosity and disdain, "Even the posture you hold the sword is all wrong."

She observed that Assassin seemed like a novice on the battlefield, but her movements and tactics were very experienced, and she couldn't find any flaws.

"I don't know how to," 

Assassin didn't hide it.

"Then why are you using one?" 

Saber questioned, her gaze piercing. 

A true knight would never leave his sword with their side.

"I only have this," 

Assassin replied, perhaps because Saber appeared as a delicate young woman, she didn't hold hatred. 

Despite knowing that Saber was her enemy, Assassin spoke casually with her. 

However, in his heart, she still carried the intent to kill.

"I see." 

She nodded, somewhat understanding Assassin's meaning.

The armor around Assassin's body looked identical to Saber's, imbued with magic. 

However, the armor that emerged with magic was merely a fake with no real magic.

Indeed… 

What could be accomplished with D-rank magic?

In the images that Assassin had predicted, the armor would offer no defense if struck by Saber.

'In other words, there is no difference between me with armor and being naked in front of her.'

Assassin looked down at the plate armor on his chest, and in the next instant, it dissolved into magical dust, leaving only a deep blue dress.

'Why would she abandon her defense?'

Saber stared at Assassin in surprise. 

She had never touched Assassin's armour and had no idea of the details behind it.

'As expected… every Servant summoned by the Holy Grail should not be underestimated! But precisely because of this, the Holy Grail is the omnipotent wish-granting device! Holy Grail… Holy Grail…' 

Saber's longing for the Holy Grail grew stronger, and her eyes unconsciously gleamed with a hint of madness.

"Your agility surpasses mine by far!" 

Saber said seriously. "I admit that if I continue, I would stand no chance against you. Surely, you must be one of the legendary heroes, right?"

"I am just an ordinary person..." 

Assassin replied.

"You are too modest. With your agility, I can't imagine any possibility of winning for myself." 

Saber acknowledged. 

She had already tried, and had it not been for her sturdy defense, Assassin's sword would have pierced her body long ago.

He hadn't tried to strike Saber's armor directly because it was completely impossible to pierce.

The only part Assassin could attack was her neck.

However, Saber trembled with fear every time she clashed with him.

It was as if she was walking on the tip of a blade, with Assassin's long sword always threatening to pierce her most vital spots. 

Despite Saber's cautious approach every time, Assassin always found a weakness.

There was no chance of winning in a hand-to-hand fight, but she had to win for Britain!

She slowly stepped back, and the Wind King's Barrier surged with a bluish-green light on her sacred sword.

The winds were being gathered, and the fierce blows summoned by the sword began to swirl around her as if ready to unleash a roar towards Assassin at any moment!

To be continued...