This Is My Holy Grail War

By evening, the sky was blanketed with dark clouds, a foreboding tension in the air suggesting a downpour was imminent.

Assassin lifted his gaze, taking in the towering concrete jungle of this foreign land.

In this strange and unfamiliar country, he found himself observing his surroundings with growing curiosity. What had begun as a disoriented wander now felt almost like a spontaneous journey of discovery.

Along the banks of the Mion River, a salty breeze carried from the distant sea mixed with the crisp evening air. Breathing in deeply, Assassin suddenly detected an overwhelming surge of magical energy—thick, potent, and entirely unhidden.

The sheer density of this mana was extraordinary, far beyond the capabilities of any ordinary magus. The intensity jolted Assassin into high alert. He instinctively prepared to activate his Noble Phantasm, ready to transform into Saber's form at a moment's notice. Only Saber's instincts and combat prowess could provide him the edge needed to face a Servant in close combat.

While the magical energy undeniably belonged to a Servant, it felt unfamiliar—unlike any he had encountered thus far.

Who could it be?

It was the third official day of the Holy Grail War, and five Servants had already revealed themselves. The only ones Assassin had yet to encounter were Lancer and Caster.

Given the situation, Lancer seemed the most likely candidate—bold and direct, he was someone who would actively challenge others. However, there was also the possibility that it was Caster. Perhaps he had come looking for Assassin? The mere thought of Caster's grotesque sea demon sent a shiver down Assassin's spine.

What should I do?

Assassin hesitated briefly before deciding to ignore it. Neither Lancer nor Caster was his target, and unless forced to engage, avoiding them was the safest option. In fact, avoiding all confrontations was best.

Every Servant posed a lethal threat to him.

As he prepared to retreat, Kirei Kotomine's command reached him: "Follow the source of that magical energy."

Of course. This idle priest had been monitoring him all along. With no other means of gathering information and no intention of leaving his hiding place without a Servant, Kirei had kept his focus squarely on Assassin.

Caught under his Master's watchful gaze, Assassin had no choice. After a moment of reluctance, he began making his way toward the source of the magical disturbance.

He resolved, however, to remain unseen. With his B-rank [Presence Concealment] and his spirit form, even a Servant would struggle to detect him. If Kirei ordered him to make contact, Assassin was prepared to refuse—unless, of course, Kirei used a Command Spell to force his compliance.

He's already down to two Command Spells after using one earlier. If he forces me again… he'll only have one left.

Assassin silently tallied Kirei's remaining Command Spells. These were his lifeline.

The spectral form of Assassin drifted through Fuyuki City's streets, moving steadily toward the source of the mana. Despite his A+ Agility, he walked at a deliberately slow pace, dragging his feet in a futile attempt to delay the inevitable.

But no matter how much he stalled, the destination drew nearer.

Finally, at a deserted street corner, Assassin caught sight of the Servant emanating the overwhelming magical energy.

With the sun just beginning to set, Lancer stood tall, his twin spears gleaming faintly under the dim light. The air around him buzzed with anticipation, a clear invitation to any who dared to challenge him.

At the sight of Assassin, Lancer's lips curled into a faint smile. Without hesitation, the spearman turned and disappeared, a blur of motion as he darted deeper into the city.

"Follow him," Kirei's voice echoed in Assassin's mind.

Lancer moved with breathtaking speed, far surpassing Saber's agility. His steps were effortless, his form perfectly balanced as he navigated the labyrinth of Fuyuki's urban sprawl.

Trailing behind, Assassin struggled to keep up. His A+ Agility allowed him to maintain some semblance of pursuit, but his movements were clumsy and uncoordinated, in stark contrast to Lancer's fluid grace.

Lancer leapt over walls and raced across rooftops as if the terrain itself bent to his will. Assassin, by comparison, stumbled and faltered, his lack of experience painfully evident.

This wasn't combat. He couldn't rely on instincts or foresight.

In contrast, Lancer's every move was deliberate. Each jump, each landing was planned with precision. He traversed the city as though walking across flat ground.

Why am I even chasing him?

The question lingered in Assassin's mind.

Is it pride? Refusing to give up?

No.

The answer lay in Lancer's movements. His elegant, calculated strides captivated Assassin, drawing him in.

He wanted to learn.

Despite the widening gap, Assassin pressed on. Lancer, sensing he had gained a persistent follower, slowed his pace, curious. To his surprise, Assassin was still there, gradually closing the distance.

Assassin was learning.

Though he lacked formal training or experience, his A+ Agility compensated for much. In the short span of this chase, Assassin had begun to mimic Lancer's movements, studying and replicating his techniques.

Lancer noticed the change. His pursuer, who had been clumsy and erratic, now moved with an awkward but undeniable improvement.

Impressive.

The gap between them continued to narrow.

Finally, Lancer stopped in a shadowy alleyway, turning to face his pursuer.

"You've been following me for quite some time," he said, his voice calm yet sharp. Raising his crimson spear, he pointed it toward an empty rooftop. "It's time to stop hiding, don't you think?"

The tip of his weapon gleamed ominously, aimed directly at where Assassin stood.

"I've been waiting for this," Lancer added with a confident smile. "You're the first to reveal yourself. May I ask, which Servant are you?"

His tone was polite, but the eagerness in his eyes betrayed his excitement. He was ready to fight.