This Is My Holy Grail War

A pitch-black void filled Assassin's vision, with not a glimmer of light to pierce through the suffocating darkness. Saber's unleashed Noble Phantasm had collapsed the entire sewer system, reducing it to ruins.

Fuyuki City trembled as if struck by an earthquake, and its citizens couldn't help but feel the aftershocks rippling through their homes and streets.

Assassin had escaped. His position, farther from Caster than Lancer's, had saved him. When Saber's devastating strike fell, the sheer distance between him and the blast ensured he avoided the brunt of the attack.

Moreover, the falling debris posed no threat to him. In his spiritual form, Assassin was untouchable by physical objects, much like how Rider had once used the same ability to pass through walls and pilfer books unnoticed. The rubble and chaos could not impede his retreat.

What does it feel like to be in spiritual form?

For Assassin, it was paradoxical. On one hand, the absence of a physical body felt strangely liberating, like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. On the other hand, it left him feeling vulnerable—an intangible being adrift in a chaotic world.

The most striking aspect, however, was the reduction in his magical energy consumption. Without a physical body to maintain, his demand for mana sharply decreased.

It was an odd sensation. Magic coursed through his existence like sweet, intoxicating nectar. It healed him, empowered him, and gave him strength beyond mortal limits. Yet, it was also addictive, pulling him deeper into reliance with each sip.

Now, standing amidst the scattered magical remnants of vaporized sea demons and the lingering heat of Saber's holy blade, Assassin felt slightly dazed. His sense of direction faltered, leaving him to wander aimlessly through the eerie ruins of the sewer.

Lancer must have escaped too, he thought. A Servant with speed equal to his own wouldn't have been caught in the blast.

But what of Caster?

He must be dead, Assassin mused. Saber's Noble Phantasm had been aimed directly at him, and there was no way to survive a direct hit from [Excalibur].

The blade of legend, wielded by King Arthur herself, had been the first Noble Phantasm unleashed in this Holy Grail War. Assassin could only marvel at its overwhelming power.

If only I had a weapon like that, he thought bitterly. I'd never show myself. I'd stay hidden, strike from the shadows, and annihilate anyone in my way.

After much aimless drifting, Assassin finally caught a faint trace of mana in the air. The intertwined presence of both Saber and Lancer guided him forward, leading him out of the ruins and into the night.

The moon was hidden behind thick clouds, casting an oppressive gloom over the city. In the dim light, Assassin spotted them: two figures standing amidst the rubble.

Saber's usually pristine appearance was now marred with dust and grime, a stark reminder of her recent struggle to claw her way out of the collapsed sewer.

Lancer, on the other hand, was furious. His golden eyes burned as he confronted Saber.

"Arthur Pendragon of Britain!" he shouted. "You, who are hailed as the King of Knights! How could you commit such a grave violation of chivalry? Do you not understand? Assassin ventured into that sewer to confront Caster and uphold justice!"

Assassin arrived just in time to hear Lancer's scathing accusation. He watched from the shadows as Saber attempted to explain herself.

"My apologies, Lancer," she began, her voice heavy with remorse. "I was blinded by my rage at the sight of those desecrated corpses. My Master, too, acted out of righteous anger, compelling me to unleash my Noble Phantasm."

Assassin stood silently, observing the exchange.

For the first time, he fully appreciated the value of [Presence Concealment]. Even at its modest B rank, it allowed him to remain unseen by two of the most formidable knights in history.

Neither Saber nor Lancer sensed his presence.

'Assassin,' came the voice of Kotomine Kirei through their shared mental connection, 'can you assassinate either of them?'

'No,' Assassin responded bluntly. 'They're too vigilant right now.'

He didn't even consider attacking. With both knights' agility exceeding A, a botched attempt would be suicidal. It wasn't worth the risk, especially for someone like him who valued survival above all else.

'Then reveal yourself,' Kirei commanded, 'and deliver a message to Saber. Tell her I wish to meet her Master and that her Master must take responsibility for tonight's destruction.'

Assassin sighed inwardly. Of course, he thought.

Emerging from the shadows, Assassin shifted into her usual disguise: Saber's form. Her green eyes locked onto Saber's real figure, who froze at the sight of her identical appearance.

"Saber," Assassin called out, her tone sharp. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

Saber's head dipped slightly, her expression conflicted. "I should have been more composed," she admitted. "I should have noticed you and Lancer before acting."

"That's irrelevant," Assassin cut in. She gestured to the ruins beneath their feet. "You've destroyed one of this city's most vital systems. The collapse of the sewer means Fuyuki is now on the brink of a sanitation crisis."

Saber's head hung low. "I… I'm sorry."

"Are you willing to take responsibility for this?" Assassin pressed.

"I never run from my mistakes," Saber answered, her posture straightening with resolve.

"Good," Assassin replied. "I'll contact my Master to handle this. I'll need you and your Master to cooperate. Agreed?"

Saber nodded without hesitation, unaware that she had just unintentionally burdened her own Master with an even greater responsibility.

Throughout the exchange, Lancer stood patiently, listening to their discussion. When silence finally settled between the two, he spoke with a grin.

"I'm glad you survived, Assassin," he said earnestly. "Meeting a warrior like you in this Grail War is truly an honor. Your Master must be an exceptional man, dedicating himself so selflessly to the harmony of this war."

"…Yes," Assassin replied tersely, masking her disdain.

Lancer's eyes sparkled with excitement as he turned to the others. "It's late now, and the real work starts tomorrow, right? Until then, we shouldn't waste the night."

Assassin frowned. "What are you suggesting?"

Lancer smiled broadly. "Have you noticed? All three of us here are knights—each with our own ideals, yet united by a common code. Let's share our stories, shall we?"

It was rare for three knights to meet under such circumstances.

Turning to Saber, Lancer added, "I've always wondered, King Arthur… Why is the legendary ruler of Britain a woman? And what led you to this Holy Grail War?"

Saber hesitated. "Assassin," she said softly, "could you stop mimicking me? It… brings back memories I'd rather not face."

All eyes turned to Assassin, whose green gaze met Saber's with unreadable intensity.

"Alright," Assassin relented under the pressure, deactivating her disguise. However, before reverting to her original form, she instinctively stepped back, ensuring she maintained a safe distance. This gap was crucial—enough space to prepare for any attack from the other two Servants, should it come to that.

In an instant, her figure dissolved into a black, ethereal mist. The atmosphere chilled sharply, as if the very air had frozen solid. The oppressive aura surrounding Assassin cast an eerie stillness, making one wonder about the enigmatic presence concealed behind that shadowy form.

Saber broke the silence. "I want to save my homeland. I want to change the fate of Britain's downfall."

"For your people… you've joined the Holy Grail War?" Lancer's tone was thoughtful, his expression reflective. Her answer wasn't unexpected, but hearing it affirmed was sobering.

"Yes," Saber affirmed. "Even if it costs me my life, the people of Britain are my everything. The Grail can make it possible. After all, it's… a wish-granting device."

"Your people are truly fortunate to have such a king," Lancer said, his voice laced with admiration. "A monarch willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of her subjects!"

Saber's chivalry was rooted in sacrifice.

"Thank you," she replied, a touch of gratitude in her tone.

"There's no need to thank me. I am a knight as well—a servant to my lord. It's only natural for me to think this way," Lancer continued, his voice turning somber.

"Though… I carry my own regrets. I am ashamed to admit it, but I once betrayed my lord. I swore an oath, yet broke it, and the guilt haunts me to this day." His voice quivered slightly, but he held his composure. "Now that I have been summoned to this war, I swear anew—I will fight to the bitter end for my master, with unyielding loyalty."

Lancer's chivalry was rooted in loyalty.

"And you, Assassin?" Lancer turned toward the shadowy figure. "What is your wish? I recall you told Rider that your desire was to be revived."

"…Yes," Assassin murmured softly.

"You've made no attempt to hide it," Lancer observed. "For someone to wish so desperately for life, there must be an important mission you seek to fulfill, correct?"

"No," Assassin answered plainly.

Her stark honesty left Lancer stunned for a moment. "Nothing? No greater purpose behind your desire?"

"No," she repeated, her voice carrying a faint, hollow echo through the mist.

"You're only seeking to survive?" Saber's voice was tinged with curiosity and a hint of disbelief.

"That's right," Assassin confirmed without hesitation.

"Like a beast," Lancer muttered, shaking his head. "To exist only for survival, with no greater goal… Such a mindset—I cannot approve of it."

"I don't need your approval!" Assassin's voice lashed out, sharp and unyielding.

Her response was fiery, defiant—a sharp contrast to her usual reserved demeanor.

You could question her strength, mock her methods, or even ridicule the simplicity of her wish. Assassin herself often felt a gnawing sense of inadequacy, her goals pale and insignificant compared to the grand ideals of others.

But no one, not even another Servant, could deny her fundamental right to exist. Her resolve to live, to cling desperately to her fleeting presence in this world, was something she would never allow anyone to demean.

Lancer's words had struck a nerve, triggering a rare surge of indignation. For the first time, Assassin directed her ire toward another Servant—not out of strategy, but sheer emotion.

The anger coursing through her was palpable, raw, and consuming. It was a fury she hadn't felt since the moment of her death.

But just as quickly as it had flared, she forced it down, quelling the storm within. Yet, even as she composed herself, she delivered a sharp, pointed question that turned the conversation on its head.

"Let me ask you this, Lancer," she began, her voice steady but laced with venom. "If loyalty and honor were placed before you, and you could only choose one, which path would you take?"

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T/N: tsk tsk tsk friggin lancer 10 chaps tomorrow (that was for webnovel again :3c)

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