This Is My Holy Grail War [200]

Saber lifted his head wearily. His long blue ponytail had come undone, and his clothes were tattered beyond recognition. Blood and dirt covered his face—he looked no better than a beggar.

Before him, the Holy Grail had fully manifested. Victory was just across the river, waiting to grant him the fulfillment of his lifelong pursuit.

But in his current state, Saber—bound by Cu's form—could not step onto the water. Only Artoria’s power would allow him to walk across.

Cu Chulainn’s [Battle Continuation] had kept him standing, but he was utterly drained. He had no strength left to take flight, his body completely exhausted, his mind slipping into a daze.

His ability to persist in battle had reached its absolute limit. It was only sheer will that kept him from collapsing on the spot.

And now, the river had become the greatest obstacle between him and the Grail. At this moment, he had nothing left to cross it. What should have been a mere unremarkable stream had become an impassable chasm.

Lancer’s death had accelerated the Holy Grail’s descent. The moment the Greater Grail fully manifested, Saber had caught the distinct stench of something wrong. A sickening, putrid odor churned his stomach. If he wasn’t mistaken—this was the scent of All the World’s Evil.

This world’s Grail was tainted. Now that the Greater Grail was fully unveiled, nothing within it could remain hidden. Though submerged beneath the water, Saber’s keen senses had already allowed him to glimpse its true form.

At the river’s center, a vortex churned, releasing countless bubbles. The Greater Grail was rising. Soon, it would fully emerge from the depths, and with it—All the World’s Evil would spill forth.

“Are you afraid of death?”

A voice rang out—familiar, yet oddly foreign. Saber was sure he had heard it somewhere before, yet something about it felt deeply wrong.

He turned his head and saw that Victoria had already been knocked unconscious.

Mustering the last of his strength, Saber forced himself upright. A man with short blue hair was approaching him slowly.

When did this happen?

His senses were muddled—so much so that he hadn’t even noticed when this person had arrived, nor when Victoria had been struck down.

Had it happened just now? Or had some time already passed? Saber could only guess.

His grasp on time and space was slipping away. The only thing anchoring him now was his obsession with the Holy Grail. He refused to fall here, so he clung to his sword, standing firm at the river’s edge.

Saber’s gaze traced the man’s body, searching for lines of death. There were far fewer than on an ordinary human, but that hardly mattered. If he could still muster one last swing, [Durandal’s] blade would pierce him through. With the power of the [Mystic Eyes of Death Perception], his opponent wouldn’t even have the chance to struggle.

Yet, the man showed no hostility. And so, Saber did not strike.

“Makiri Zolgen, at your service.”

The blue-haired man gave a graceful bow before repeating his earlier question.

“Saber, are you afraid of death?”

He clearly already knew Saber’s wish.

“Of course.”

Saber answered plainly, then turned the question back on him.

“And you? Are you afraid of death?”

“Of course.” The man gave the same answer but then added, “What I fear is that, after death, I will never be able to fulfill my life’s purpose.”

“I simply want to live. Nothing more.” Saber was honest—he had no intention of letting go.

“But you’re already dead.”

The words pierced like needles. Saber knew the man had mistaken him for a Servant.

“No, I’m not dead yet.” Saber gritted his teeth. “I can still go on.”

“To be honest, you’re the first Servant I’ve met who fights solely to stay alive.” Makiri’s voice carried the weight of experience. “But what’s the point of clinging to life? You’ve already died once, haven’t you?”

It was true. Though Saber was no ordinary Servant, he had indeed died more than once.

His first death had erased his past and thrown him into the Holy Grail War. And with each subsequent death, he had only grown stronger. The pressure of survival had forced him to evolve, his mindset gradually aligning with that of a true Heroic Spirit.

“So what? I’ll find my purpose after I survive. Right now, I just want to live—forever. To stand on solid ground, to feel this world breathing around me.”

“There is no eternity in this world. Everyone dies.” Makiri spoke as though stating a simple fact. “Even if you live on, the earth beneath your feet will one day crumble.”

“The Land of Steel?” Saber frowned.

“Without skin, how can hair exist?” Makiri chuckled. “Look up, Saber. Beneath the vast sea of stars, we are but insignificant specks. In our insignificance, isn’t the pursuit of eternity nothing but arrogance?”

Though the sky was veiled in mist, Saber’s eyes could still see the stars beyond.

Even if life were infinite, it would not be eternal.

Not only the Earth—one day, even the universe itself would reach its end, and with it, all things within.

Saber nodded. “You’re right.”

Makiri assumed he had finally convinced Saber to abandon his desperate bid for survival. After all, Saber was no longer fixated on the Holy Grail.

But the truth was—Saber had already secured his place in the next Holy Grail War. His thoughts had only expanded further. If survival on this dying Earth is impossible, then what about beyond it?

Makiri had meant to corner him with rhetoric, but Saber had taken it seriously.

If humanity perished—so what?
If Earth was destroyed—so what?

The stars stretched infinitely above him. If he could live long enough to open the path to a new world, then why not?

And if anything dared to stand in his way—then he would simply kill it with these eyes.

“Aren’t you worried about the other Servants?”

After a moment of silence, Saber finally spoke. He had been talking with Makiri for some time now, and he couldn’t help but wonder—why was the man stalling?

Saber was barely clinging to life. He was no longer a real threat. So why was Makiri still being so cautious?

“Caster and the others promised to hold them back for me.”

“I see.” Saber nodded. Speaking was becoming an ordeal—every word felt like it was being forced from his lungs. Even breathing was starting to hurt.

With the last of his strength, he asked:

“And what is it you seek? That you would go so far, even at the cost of your own life?”

Makiri met his gaze and answered:

“To eradicate all evil from this world. The evil that dwells within humanity.”

Saber suddenly perked up, momentarily forgetting his pain. “That’s an interesting way to put it.” A rare excitement flickered in his eyes. “And how exactly do you plan to accomplish that? Surely not with the Holy Grail?”

“Yes, with the Grail.” Makiri admitted without hesitation.

Saber laughed.

Not just a chuckle—but a full-bodied, unabashed laugh, genuine in its amusement. He couldn’t even say why exactly—it was simply too ironic for him to resist.

A so-called saint, striving to purge the world of all evil, chasing after a Grail tainted by All the World’s Evil.

The contrast was delightful.

“The Holy Grail cannot grant your wish,” Saber said plainly, his breath uneven. “That damn thing is already completely corrupted. You should see for yourself—it won’t fulfill your desire. It’ll only twist it beyond recognition.”

He no longer had the strength to explain further, so he kept it brief.

Makiri looked startled, but Saber had already turned away, gripping the stone railing by the riverbank for support.

“Cleansing All the World’s Evil isn’t actually that difficult.” There was an unmistakable trace of mockery in Saber’s tone. “But neither of us will have that chance in this Holy Grail War.”

He watched in silence as Makiri scrambled to inspect the Grail, his movements growing increasingly frantic.

And then it happened.

The moment Makiri truly understood—the moment he saw the corruption for what it was—his face twisted with despair.

Gilgamesh and Kotomine Kirei would have enjoyed watching a man crumble like this. But Saber? He wasn’t that twisted.

Instead, he spoke.

“Do you want to purify the Grail? I can teach you how.”

With a quiet motion, Saber pulled out a thin sheet of parchment. The paper was aged, inscribed with only a few lines—but those lines detailed a ritual. A ritual specifically designed to counter All the World’s Evil.

Anyone who entered the Holy Grail War would inevitably come into contact with it. Saber had prepared for this long ago.

Makiri accepted it. “Thank you. Your sacrifice... I will never forget it.”

His voice carried the weight of sincerity, as if sending off a fallen hero.

Saber chuckled weakly. “I’m not dead yet. So… until we meet again, Zouken Makiri.”

And with that, he leaned against the railing—feeling the Grail’s pulse—before his body gradually dissolved into thin, black mist.

He no longer cared what Makiri was doing.

The Holy Grail… sinking in that water… was just too damn suffocating.

---

Victoria awoke with a splitting headache. The first thing she saw was Saber, standing by the riverbank.

Pain throbbed at her temples, sharp and unbearable.

What… just happened?

She had no memory of losing consciousness, nor did she understand why Saber had hesitated.

The Holy Grail was right in front of him. Yet Saber had made no move to claim it.

He can walk on water.

No—more than that. Saber could fly.

Yet he ignored the fully manifested Grail. Instead, he simply stood there, gripping the stone railing—until his body faded away into mist, as though he had deliberately left the Grail for her.

And now, before Victoria, there was nothing in her way.

The moment she approached the riverbank, the waters parted. A force of immense magic split the current in two, forming a wide, open path—leading directly to the Grail.

It was as if the Holy Grail was welcoming her.

And there was no one else here.

Victoria had been certain she was going to die. But Saber…

Saber had been like an angel.

She stepped forward.

Memories of despair clawed at her mind from all sides. Yet ahead—there was light.

The Holy Grail.

Darkness churned behind her, writhing, waiting to swallow everything.

But this was fate.

There was no turning back.

The only path forward—the only hope—was the Grail.

Victoria continued walking.

At first, she had only wanted to survive.

But now…

Now, she had so many wishes.

If, at the very start, a perfect wish-granting machine had been placed before her, she would have chosen without hesitation. She would have wished for her younger brother’s resurrection—the brother who had endured those painful years alongside her.

But now, as she stood before the Holy Grail, she felt uncertain.

The Grail War had given her another brother.

Assassin.

The Servant who had never once hesitated to stand by her side.

And then there was Saber—who had protected her until the very end…

Who had left the Grail for her.

The Holy Grail was right in front of her.

What should I do?

A thought formed in her mind.

“Maybe… the best choice is to give the Grail to Saber.”

His wish deserved to be granted. That was what she believed.

So she made her decision.

She would wish for Saber’s dream to come true.

If the Grail was truly omnipotent, then surely…

Surely, it could make this happen.

Victoria reached out.

Her lips parted—

But before she could utter a single word—

A tide of black mud swallowed her whole.

---

【You Were Killed by Lancer】

【Bound by endless hatred, your grudge shall cling to you, refusing to fade until your revenge is complete.】

【You have avenged yourself against Lancer. But there are still others on this list.】

Once again, he found himself in that strange space.

The cracks in his vision had completely vanished.

To Saber, it was as if death did not exist in this world—only a cold, hollow emptiness. No lines of death, no sounds, no light.

The Holy Grail War had ended.

He felt that he had every right to claim victory. Even in a battle of heroes, he had wielded absolute power.

But that was far from the end. With every battle, his strength had continued to grow.

【You have acquired an A-Rank Noble Phantasm: False Mask.】

Another Noble Phantasm. But he had never heard of this one before.

【A white mask, like a blank slate, conceals all the blackness hidden beneath. Nothing can be seen. Nothing can be heard. No one can peer into your past. No one can glimpse your future. Your existence is veiled in falsehood—those who seek to perceive you will see only a blank, white frost. Unless witnessed with one’s own eyes, your location remains unknowable.】

Hiding his past meant little to him.

In fact, there were times when he wished others would know of it. If someone could tell him about it, that would be even better.

But the ability to conceal his future—that was something useful.

This Noble Phantasm would allow him to evade clairvoyance and all forms of detection.

【You have been summoned as an Assassin by Marco Lesen. Due to the influence of All the World's Evil, you have also acquired the Avenger class.】

—All the World's Evil?!

【Due to your Master's aptitude, your Endurance and Mana have increased by one rank.】

• Endurance: C → B

• Mana: C → B

【You have acquired the Assassin-class skill: Presence Concealment (A).】

【Your hatred for Gilgamesh is nothing more than an unforgotten memory. You hold no true resentment, no sense of regret. Vengeance is meaningless to you—you are an unworthy Avenger.】

【As a result, you have obtained the Avenger-class skill [Avenger E-]. To you, Gilgamesh was merely a passing shadow in your life. The hatred you bore was nothing more than the pain of being pierced through.】

【As an Avenger, you have also gained】:

• Self-Replenishment (Mana) C+

• Magic Resistance A

【Due to [Self-Replenishment (Mana)], your magical energy has undergone a massive increase. So long as your revenge remains unfulfilled, mana will continue to flow endlessly. This is both a curse and a power.】

• Mana: B → A+

【Your [Oblivion Correction] has been enhanced by two ranks for the duration of this Holy Grail War.】

• Oblivion Correction: D → B

【Your [Presence Concealment] has been reduced by two ranks due to the influence of vengeance.】

• Presence Concealment: A → C

【Due to [Avalon], your Endurance has been drastically increased.】

• Endurance: B → B+++

【Preparations are complete. Now, begin your revenge. Remember, you have two attribute points available for allocation.】

Saber—no, Assassin—examined his status before stepping forward to begin a new journey.

• Strength: A

• Endurance: B+++

• Agility: A

• Mana: A+

• Luck: D

---

When Assassin opened his eyes, he found himself standing in a strange hall.

Above him, on the highest platform, was an old man—both familiar and unfamiliar at once.

Before he even realized it, words had slipped from his lips. "Einzbern, huh."

The timing seemed early.

Assassin had not been summoned as a temporary Servant—his Master had made thorough preparations.

As for why he had been summoned... was it because of the scabbard?

Assassin glanced around, but Avalon was nowhere in sight.

Instead, what he found was a bloodstained cloak.

Half of the dried blood belonged to him.

The other half belonged to Rider—Iskandar.

He recognized this cloak immediately. The moment he laid eyes on the crimson fabric, memories surged forth.

However, it was incomplete. Only half of it remained—the rest had vanished.

Standing in the hall, the old man Ahade observed him alongside the homunculi.

Yet, there were also two unfamiliar magi present.

Assassin could feel the contract binding him—the steady flow of magical energy from his Master reinforcing his body.

The Avenger class had granted him unparalleled power.

And with it—absolute confidence.

He cast a brief glance at his Master.

Beyond the lines of death that covered the man’s body, Assassin also noticed something else—on his Master’s [Command Seals], there was a faint gray fracture.

Assassin knew magic well. If he wished to resist the power of the [Command Seals], all he had to do was swing his blade lightly—and sever the contract itself.

But for now, he simply spoke:

"Servant, Assassin. I have answered your summons."

Then, without waiting for his Master to respond, he continued:

"I have a request."

His gaze swept across the room, lingering briefly on the Einzbern elders.

"Would you allow me to break one of the Holy Grail War’s rules… and summon a Servant myself?"

A smirk tugged at his lips. "After all, I am a magus as well."

"Surely the Einzbern family has no objections to bending the rules?"

There were no visible catalysts for summoning nearby.

But that didn’t matter.

After all—his own Noble Phantasm was a relic in itself.

The only question was—if he summoned another Servant, would they, too, be tainted as he was?

---

T/N: NGL knowing how this shit works... Victoria's def still alive. ALSO BACK TO THE OG ASSASSIN!!!! also hmmermmm

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!