This Is My Holy Grail War

If a Master is silently betrayed by their Servant, the consequences can be catastrophic—potentially fatal. Upon receiving Kirei Kotomine's report, Tokiomi Tohsaka gave him a kind but pointed warning.

"If Assassin learns that his Master has abandoned the Holy Grail, he will undoubtedly find a way to betray you."

The only exception would be if Assassin had no wish of his own, willingly serving as a stepping stone for another to claim victory. But such a scenario was nearly impossible.

To magi, Servants were nothing more than familiars—powerful but dangerous tools that were notoriously difficult to control. According to Tokiomi's plan, Assassin was to serve as bait, luring other Servants into the open.

By forcing Assassin to expose himself, other Servants might drop their guard and engage in battle. Yet, Tokiomi was cautious not to alienate Assassin entirely, aware that this could provoke outright rebellion.

They probed Assassin's reactions, but the Servant betrayed no emotion, no vulnerabilities. Assassin showed no signs of loyalty, no apparent desires, and no expression that hinted at his thoughts. This lack of connection left Tokiomi deeply unsettled.

At the time, Tokiomi had not yet summoned his own Servant. Confident that Assassin could not detect the Command Spells hidden beneath his gloves, he played the part of a stern mentor, feigning outrage at his student's transgressions.

When the next night fell, Tokiomi finally used his Command Spells to summon his Servant—Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes.

As golden radiance flooded the room, the Heroic Spirit stood with regal pride, gazing down upon the world as if all of creation were his to command. To Tokiomi, this was his ace, his guarantee of victory.

Victory is mine, he thought, convinced.

Assassin's usefulness, in Tokiomi's eyes, plummeted to its lowest point. A Servant designed to skulk in shadows, a disposable pawn, had no place in a battle of kings.

Even so, Tokiomi sought to extract maximum value from Assassin.

If Assassin remained alive, the presence of an unseen, silent killer would force the other Masters to remain hidden within their workshops.

Fear.

Assassin's presence would ensure everyone remained on edge, wary of a blade striking their throats in the dead of night.

Modern magi, compared to Heroic Spirits, were as defenseless as children learning to walk. Fragile. Vulnerable.

Thus, fearing Assassin's deadly efficiency, the Masters chose to lie low.

Among the seven classes of the Holy Grail War, Assassin might not have been the strongest, but it was undeniably the most terrifying. While other Servants excelled in direct combat, Assassins could bypass defenses and strike at the heart—the Master.

Though the surface of Fuyuki City remained vibrant, Tokiomi could feel the underlying tension.

News from the Church confirmed that the final Servant, Caster, had been summoned. Yet none of the Servants had revealed themselves. All remained hidden in the shadows, wary of Assassin's presence.

Even the Einzberns, who had summoned the combat-oriented Saber, and Kenneth Archibald, with his Lancer, avoided stepping into the light.

Tokiomi gave Kirei a direct order:

"Send out Assassin. Have him provoke the other Servants. If possible, make them reveal their Noble Phantasms."

Assassin held a longsword—a simple cross-hilted blade, not a Noble Phantasm. It was an ordinary weapon borrowed from Kirei, as Assassin had been summoned without any armaments.

"Assassin, your Noble Phantasm is useless without other Servants to observe. Is that correct?" Kirei asked.

"Yes."

"Historically, the Assassin class has been among the weakest. Yet, due to its unique abilities, it has become the most feared. You understand this, don't you?"

"I do."

Kirei continued, "No other Servants will reveal themselves while Assassin remains on the field. Without targets, your Noble Phantasm serves no purpose. Therefore, I order you to go out and challenge the other Servants."

"I am an Assassin," came the curt reply. Assassin's tone was firm but polite, a subtle refusal.

Kirei, though a priest, was not a persuasive preacher. He was an enforcer—a man of decisive action.

Tokiomi had already decided, and as his collaborator, Kirei could not hesitate. With a measured motion, he raised his hand, the Command Spells on his skin glowing faintly red.

"By the power of this Command Spell, I order you, Assassin: Tonight, challenge the other Servants!"

The Command Spell's light dimmed as its power activated. Mana coiled around Assassin, forcing him to move against his will. The black mist surrounding his sword rippled as he was compelled to advance toward the forest outskirts.

With his low Mana stat and lack of magic resistance, Assassin had no ability to resist the Command Spell's binding power.

---

In the darkened woods near the coastline, the unnatural chill of Assassin's presence spread outward, seeping into Fuyuki City like an ominous fog.

This location had been chosen by Kirei—a remote forest far from the bustling city, its terrain rugged and complex. Here, Assassin's agility could shine without compromising the veil of mystery that surrounded the Holy Grail War.

Assassin stood quietly, his hands trembling slightly as they gripped the cross-hilted sword. Though the blade was unremarkable, its weight brought him a faint sense of security.

Without his usual ability to suppress his presence, his aura spilled freely into the night, radiating a chilling menace. They will come, he thought. His exposed presence was an undeniable challenge.

It wasn't long before the sound of footsteps echoed through the silent forest.

"Servant Saber accepts your challenge."

The voice was clear and commanding, accompanied by the confident stride of a figure in armor. She stepped into view—a knight with an air of valor, her hand spinning her sword in a brief flourish. Her gaze locked onto Assassin like a blade poised to strike, sharp and unyielding.

"I didn't expect to see an Assassin willing to step into the open. Since you have issued this challenge, I will not retreat." Saber brandished her invisible sword, shrouded with [Invisible Air].

"Servant Assassin."

Assassin's reply was simple, but his calm declaration caused Saber to pause briefly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.

"You, an Assassin, dare to challenge all other Servants? Should I admire your bravery or laugh at your folly?"

To Saber, Assassin's actions were inexplicable. By revealing himself, he had discarded the advantage of stealth—the very essence of his class.

Yet something in his gaze, a subtle disdain for the other Servants, gave her pause. It was as though he was mocking their pride.

"Is that Assassin?"

The voice came from the shadows of the forest. Emerging from the underbrush was a woman with silver hair and an air of quiet elegance—Irisviel von Einzbern, the homunculus and vessel of the Grail.

"Irisviel! I told you to stay hidden," Saber said, her brows furrowed in concern.

"I don't need to hide now that Assassin has shown himself. With you here, I know I'm safe," Irisviel replied calmly, her faith in Saber unwavering.

"I will protect you. That is a knight's oath," Saber said firmly, her cheeks flushing faintly with resolve.

Assassin remained silent, his red gaze flickering between the two women. Bound by the Command Spell, he could not flee. His only option was to fight—against Saber, no less, a master of close combat.

"I'm coming, Assassin."

Saber's grip on her invisible blade tightened as she assumed a ready stance, her figure radiating an unshakable determination.

---

In a dark basement, Kirei watched through Assassin's eyes. The Servant's stats were displayed clearly, and his opponent's profile was revealed as well.

Saber's parameters were nearly flawless, with most attributes ranked at A—a top-tier Servant in every sense.

Assassin's mediocre stats and lackluster Noble Phantasm offered little hope against such an opponent.

"Assassin… let your death ignite the flames of battle among the Masters," Kirei murmured, closing his eyes in prayer.

Assassin is doomed.