This Is My Holy Grail War

Assassin wandered the empty streets, alone under the cloak of night. Despite the solitude, she made no move to dispel her Noble Phantasm, savoring the vivid sensations of this body. The soft gusts of night wind brushing past her skin reminded her of the simple joy of existence.

The cold air carried a biting chill, and the streets were eerily quiet. But for someone who had once tasted death, Assassin greedily cherished every fleeting second of life.

"Maybe I should take on Lancer's form instead?" she murmured to herself, her gaze downcast. Agility was her only attribute that could rival other Servants.

Lancer's stats, apart from agility, weren't particularly remarkable—making the class a viable fit for her.

Her thoughts churned, formulating strategies to draw out Lancer or to approach him unseen.

"Or perhaps Berserker would be better?" she mused, her head tilting slightly upward.

Unfamiliarity with her Noble Phantasm left her grasping for possibilities. This ability allowed her to assume the guise of any heroic spirit called forth by the Grail. That included inheriting some of their strengths.

She recalled Berserker—Lancelot's fearsome might. [Eternal Arms Mastery] wasn't a Noble Phantasm, but a skill. Through her power, she could theoretically replicate even this legendary talent.

As these thoughts swirled, Assassin's mental wanderings were interrupted by a command from her Master, Kirei Kotomine.

"Why have you slowed your pace? The library is just ahead."

As Kirei's voice echoed in her mind, Assassin paused. The acrid scent of gunpowder lingered in the air, a sign of destruction close by.

She scanned her surroundings. This wasn't a remote area, yet the streets were utterly deserted.

"My familiars have already infiltrated the site of the explosion. It appears the civilians were evacuated beforehand," Kirei's calm tone carried a note of intrigue. "This was no accident—someone orchestrated a premeditated attack. Most likely Kiritsugu Emiya. Only he would use such underhanded methods against magi."

Kirei uttered Kiritsugu's name with a peculiar fascination. Among the countless people he had encountered, none had intrigued him more than this infamous "Magus Killer."

Despite Kiritsugu's reputation for ruthlessness, Kirei couldn't help but marvel at his contradictory nature. A man who would employ brutal methods against magi, yet go to great lengths to ensure the safety of ordinary civilians. Was it genuine compassion, or an elaborate ploy to preserve secrecy?

Whatever the truth, Kiritsugu's actions stirred something within Kirei—a morbid curiosity.

"To the east of the library, there's a low, white building. Do you see it?" Kirei asked.

"Yes," Assassin replied.

The building was adjacent to the ruined library. Its walls were scorched, its glass windows shattered, and the structure seemed ready to collapse at any moment.

"Go to the rooftop. Don't use spirit form—remain visible and maintain surveillance."

Kirei's command was clear. While his modified familiars could gather intelligence, there was no substitute for direct observation. Through his bond with Assassin, Kirei could perceive the battlefield through her eyes and even access information about other Servants' stats—an ability granted by the Grail.

Without hesitation, Assassin followed his orders. She climbed onto the rooftop and perched herself in the shadows, scanning the wreckage below.

Through the smoke and debris, she spotted Rider emerging from the ruins, carrying his unconscious Master, Waver Velvet, like a sack of grain. Despite Rider's rugged appearance, his actions were delicate, almost tender, as he carefully placed Waver onto his chariot.

The area was littered with burning debris and pages torn from books. Rider shifted aside a pile of rubble, retrieving a book from a scorched desk. He placed it gently alongside Waver on the chariot, treating it with an almost reverent care.

Although Waver was battered and bloodied, none of his injuries were fatal. Rider's stoic face betrayed his simmering anger. He turned his gaze skyward, his imposing figure radiating fury.

But Assassin wasn't the only one watching.

Kiritsugu Emiya had been monitoring the scene from the beginning. While the explosions had failed to eliminate Rider, they were never meant to. Killing a Servant directly was a near-impossible task. Eliminating their Master, however, was a far more achievable goal.

Positioned at a nearby construction site west of the library, Kiritsugu lay prone atop a crane. His vantage point gave him a clear view of the ruins and a perfect angle for his sniper rifle.

Through his earpiece, he issued a calm command to Maiya Hisau.

"Can you see Rider's Master from your position?"

Maiya's voice crackled back. "Yes, but… there's a complication." She hesitated. "I've spotted Assassin."

"Location?" Kiritsugu's tone was clipped.

"On the rooftop of the eastern building—the white one."

Kiritsugu adjusted his scope, aligning it with Maiya's directions. He quickly spotted Assassin. She was standing atop the building, her figure silhouetted against the faint moonlight.

Through his scope, he saw the unmistakable form of Saber—or so it seemed at first glance. This was Assassin, employing her Noble Phantasm to mimic Saber's appearance.

Kiritsugu's mind raced. A Servant who could flawlessly disguise themselves and follow orders so obediently… Wouldn't it have been better if I'd summoned Assassin instead?

"I'm taking the shot," Kiritsugu said, loading a specialized round into his rifle.

"What about Rider's Master?" Maiya asked.

"I'll distract Assassin to buy you time. Finish Rider's Master while I have her attention."

Maiya acknowledged the plan. "Understood. There's a nearby sewer entrance—I'll escape through it after taking the shot."

"Good. Begin the operation."

Kiritsugu exhaled slowly, his crosshairs locked on Assassin's head.