This Is My Holy Grail War [192]

Bang!

Clang—!

Victoria and Saber locked eyes. The frail girl seemed utterly captivated by Saber, her entire focus drawn toward her. But as she stared intently, a gunshot shattered the stillness of the dimly lit air.

A flash of fire flared from the muzzle, briefly illuminating the shadows. The bullet sliced through the air, producing a barely perceptible whistle before—whoosh—it passed by, only to return with a sharp, explosive crack.

High atop a distant building, a lone [Dragon Tooth Warrior] was poised with a rifle. It aimed mechanically, its gaze fixed on this very spot. These creatures lacked minds, even lacked brains. They existed only to receive orders and execute them. Despite bearing the name of "Dragon Tooth," they were nothing like the legends.

On Saber’s command, it launched an attack on Victoria.

The girl hadn’t noticed anything amiss—her attention was completely consumed by Saber. But just as expected, such an attack was meaningless.

With effortless ease, Assassin intercepted the projectile mid-flight, as if it posed no challenge at all.

“So, you’ve finally shown yourself, Assassin.”

A sly smile spread across Saber’s once-valiant face. The dignified expression she usually wore took on a faintly seductive air for just a moment. Looking satisfied, she grasped the sheath of [Durandal].

In her hand was the resplendent [Avalon], which she lightly nudged with her thumb—releasing the cross-shaped sword from its scabbard.

That dark green robe… Saber was once again face to face with this familiar Servant.

“So, Your Excellency only did all this to lure me out?” Assassin twirled his sword in an elegant flourish before resting it lightly against his back. The ethereal gleam of the blade flickered in midair, leaving behind a swift, graceful arc—like a delicate dancer twirling flowers in her hands.

“Your methods are rather ruthless, but I must admit… they worked.”

His face was almost feminine, his skin pale, his features strikingly handsome. Though his expression held a trace of surprise, the initial flicker of anger had faded.

Victoria had been startled, but the magus quickly composed herself. Just as she was about to speak, Saber preempted her.

“I was never after you in the first place, so don’t worry.”

It was as if she had already anticipated what Victoria wanted to say, cutting her off before she had the chance.

Saber didn’t spare Victoria another glance—her focus remained fixed on Assassin, on the deep green of his robe. Like a predator that had found its prey, she exuded a mixture of excitement and bloodlust.

Her gaze always locked onto Servants. And she never bothered to conceal the wild killing intent simmering beneath.

Ever since Berserker had died, Saber’s hostility toward Servants had only intensified.

It wasn’t just about avenging her Master. More than anything, she was yearning for the Grail’s descent.

“Why?” Victoria was utterly confused. “I’m Assassin’s Master. Wouldn’t it be easier to kill me instead of him?”

“If I kill you, what if Assassin escapes?” Saber explained plainly. “I’m not particularly skilled at tracking, especially when it comes to Assassins.”

She glanced instinctively at Assassin. What truly concerned her was the possibility of the Servant fleeing.

“How kind of you,” Victoria remarked. “Even when you were lacking magical energy, you didn’t prey upon innocent lives. Instead, you remained in seclusion… Even though you have a wish that must be granted, you hesitate at every turn.”

“Hesitate?” Saber responded immediately. “It’s simply because I had better options.”

Her voice was firm, rejecting the notion outright.

“I was just being cautious. Besides, I’m unfamiliar with the ley lines of this land—I didn’t even have a proper workshop set up, let alone time to siphon energy from humans.”

If she had more time… perhaps she really would have done as Medea once had.

“Saber,” Assassin suddenly spoke. “If this battle between us reaches its conclusion, what will you do with my Master?”

“I have no grudge against her.”

Saber smiled as she answered.

For someone labeled a witch, her smile was surprisingly bright.

“All I need is victory. The rest has nothing to do with me.”

“Just as my Master has a wish that must be fulfilled, I too have a wish that cannot be abandoned.”

Assassin’s tone was solemn.

His expression, though serious, wasn’t cold. His refined features made him appear almost alluring instead.

His long black hair swayed gently in the night breeze, his thin lips parting slightly as he continued,

“But there is no hatred between us."

“We are merely fighting for the right to claim the Grail.”

Then, he said, “I want to make a deal with you.”

“Hm?”

Saber frowned, puzzled.

“No matter the outcome, the winner must protect the loser's Master.” Assassin stated.

“Unfortunately, my Master has already died.” Saber responded, showing no intention of agreeing to the deal.

She held no attachment to her current Master—it was merely a relationship of mutual use. But Nasicaa seemed rather fond of Saber, even drooling in her sleep and calling out Saber’s title like some kind of crazed fangirl. How disgusting…

“I see. My condolences.” Assassin offered his sincere apology before making a plea.

“In that case… may I ask something of you?”

“What is it?” Saber asked.

“If I lose, would you look after my Master? At the very least… don’t kill her.”

Assassin smiled as he looked at his Master, but the emotions buried in his gaze were complex.

“After all, you have no grudge against her, do you?”

He had helped Saber once before—though she hadn’t taken much notice of it. But Assassin had shielded her from Lancer. That was a favor. Yet Assassin made no mention of it, treating it as a debt already settled.

“…Fine.” Saber nodded.

“That’s a relief. I will honor this agreement as well.”

“You speak as if you actually have a chance of beating me.” Saber smirked. “Still, I’ve enjoyed our conversation. So before we fight… let’s have one last discussion.”

She studied the two before her carefully, then asked with complete seriousness:

“What exactly is your wish? No lies."

“Maybe I can help you resolve it.”

Saber didn’t like fighting—she hated it.

Her views differed completely from the heroes of old. She could never understand what drove battle-hungry warriors to seek combat. If she weren’t forced into these conflicts, she would rather spend her days living peacefully in the human world.

“I want to bring my sister back to life.” Assassin answered without hesitation.

At the same time, Victoria spoke her own wish.

“I want to bring my brother back to life.”

Resurrection, huh?

Saber frowned.

She knew full well—the Holy Grail couldn’t grant such a wish.

Even the [Third Magic] itself couldn’t bring the dead back to life. The only way was to preserve a soul before death, fixing it in a permanent state to achieve immortality. But the [Materialization of the Soul] could not restore a soul that had already perished.

“The Grail can’t do that.” Saber answered honestly.

But before they could reply, she continued,

“…Not that you’d believe me, would you?”

“I don’t have a choice.”

Victoria nodded, acknowledging Saber’s words. It was a long while before she spoke again.

“Ordinary people have choices. They grow up leading free lives. They don’t live in constant fear of death. They aren’t plagued by curses. They don’t have to endure the pain of losing their loved ones.”

A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

“Do you know?

“From the moment I became aware of the world, I’ve never once stepped outside a hospital.”

“The first time I met you… I truly thought I was going to die.”

“No friends. No companions."

“All I could do was watch as my little brother slipped away from me, bit by bit.”

At that point, she could no longer continue.

She wasn’t doing this for herself.

Saber could sense it now—Victoria’s wish was one she had to fulfill.

A lifelong wish.

A long-held wish.

Just like a Heroic Spirit.

Just like Assassin.

Everyone who participated in the Holy Grail War had something like this. That was why they were chosen. That was why they were summoned. Whether Master or Servant, all of them shared this fate.

Even someone as unaware as Kotomine Kirei—he too had been given the stigmata by the Grail.

No matter what lay in their hearts, there was always a longing.

A voice calling from the depths of their souls.

The Greater Grail whispered in Saber’s ears, low and insidious, like the voice of a devil’s temptation.

Perhaps even Victoria herself didn’t realize—

Her wish was not merely a goal.

It was freedom itself.

Saber stood silently by the riverbank, thinking.

If she truly obtained the Holy Grail, wouldn’t she only face deeper despair?

An omnipotent wish-granting device—yet it could not fulfill the wish to bring someone back to life.

Then…

Stop her here.

For her sake.

For my sake.

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This is a fan translation of 这是我的圣杯之战 by 向希望祈祷. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!