This Is My Holy Grail War [196]

Saber turned around. Before her lay the other side of the river of swords. Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she gazed at the Holy Grail, momentarily forgetting her pain.

"The Holy Grail... the Holy Grail..."

No matter how hard Saber had fought in the past, victory had always eluded her. She had never even once truly touched the Grail. And now, a mere mortal summoned to the battlefield by an unknown force had gained the power to challenge kings.

The youthful face she once bore had long since shed its innocence, leaving behind only the bloodstains from countless battles fought to the death. Saber's emerald-green eyes flashed with an unexpected ease.

Nearby, Assassin’s Master stood trembling slightly. Saber felt somewhat uneasy under Victoria’s intense gaze. Her blue eyes were filled with despair, yet her lips carried a smile. Unlike Saber, this woman seemed to harbor no fear of death—she was merely waiting for it. Unlike Saber, she had already accepted it.

Cursed since childhood, Victoria had long since come to terms with death. In that regard, she was nothing like a modern person; instead, she bore the demeanor of someone who had weathered the ages. She had likely spent too much time in hospitals, witnessing the constant cycle of life and death. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so calm.

Curled up in a corner of the street, her frail body seemed to blend into the cold, hard pavement. Saber suspected that, in the end, Victoria would regret it—because the suffocating grasp of death was unbearable. Deciding that after securing victory, she would take the time to rid Victoria of her curse, Saber steeled her resolve and strode forward.

Yet, after only a few steps, she stopped.

Saber had originally planned to lure out a Servant and kill them, forcing the Holy Grail to activate as quickly as possible. Once the Grail was triggered, she would complete her goal.

However, it was clear that she wasn’t the only one lying in wait.

The Grail had activated successfully, but due to Rider’s actions, it had started slightly earlier than she had anticipated. Before she could even lay a finger on the fabled wish-granting chalice, another Servant had already appeared before her.

Assassin had just fallen, and almost immediately, Lancer stepped out from the shadows.

Coincidence? Or premeditation?

Clad in black armor, spear in hand—Saber recognized him. He had always been lurking in the darkness, and his Master was the true ruler of this land.

"You've been waiting for quite some time, haven't you?" Saber wasn’t nervous. She remained calm, considering her options. Though she acted indifferent, she had sustained severe injuries. A damaged Spirit Core was no minor wound.

If I fight Lancer now, my chances of victory aren’t high.

Saber wouldn’t underestimate one of the Three Knight Classes.

If I retreat, the Holy Grail will fall into his hands. Then, I should buy time through magecraft, wait for the others to arrive, and take advantage of the chaos.

Just as she finalized her plan, she heard Lancer’s voice, brimming with murderous intent.

"By my Master's command—eliminate the enemy."

"Me?" Saber remained unfazed. Despite her injuries, she had unwavering confidence in her invincibility.

"No," Lancer shook his head. "I have no certainty that I can defeat you."

"Then it’s her, isn’t it?" Saber’s gaze flickered toward Victoria.

"Yes."

"She’s already lost her Servant—just a child now," Saber frowned, hostility evident in her expression as she looked at Lancer.

"I know. But I can’t afford to take any risks. She still has unused [Command Seals]."

Lancer was committed to eradicating all threats. Yet, his killing intent wasn’t directed at Saber. Though he could see the blood trickling from her wounds, he remained cautious.

"If this is a mistake," Lancer said solemnly, "then I will bear the consequences alone."

"I see…"

Saber glanced back at Assassin’s Master. A sharp pain still radiated from the wound in her chest.

Her injuries were severe. In this state, it was nearly impossible to face off against a Lancer, one of the Three Knight Classes. If she chose to protect Victoria, she would have to battle Lancer head-on. But right now, she wasn’t in the condition for a prolonged fight. She needed time—time to mend the rupture in her Spirit Core.

Had she been given a moment to recover, she could regain her strength.

But now? This was too soon.

Lancer was closing in.

He strode toward Victoria. The girl did not resist. It was as if her heart had already died. She simply knelt there quietly on the cold, unyielding concrete.

Yet she was smiling.

Not a smile for death—but a smile for Saber.

"...Apologies, but this area is off-limits."

Saber abruptly drew [Durandal], positioning it between Victoria and Lancer.

Because in the face of death, she had found her courage.

She could no longer hear the beating of her own heart. Even if she pressed a hand to her chest, there would be no movement beneath. Her shattered Spirit Core had forced her to rely on [Avalon] as a temporary replacement.

But just like before—

When she had been struck by Sasaki Kojirō’s [Tsubame Gaeshi], she hadn’t had the materials to repair her Spirit Origin. Relying solely on [Avalon] wouldn’t be enough to stem the flow of prana.

Fortunately, the damage wasn’t too severe. She could still hold on.

The breastplate that had been pierced by a Noble Phantasm was now marred by a blood-soaked hole. The silver armor, forged from pure mana, had been twisted by sheer force.

Scattered fragments of steel fell to the ground, gradually dissolving into a blue haze. Blood trickled from Saber’s wound, staining the pavement below.

Avalon continued its ceaseless restoration.

Saber clutched her chest.

It hurt—

Even though she had won, the searing pain stabbed through her mind again.

Memories of agony resurfaced, sharp and clear. The sensation of dying in countless Holy Grail Wars—it was growing more distinct each time.

Her body was withering, while [Avalon] tirelessly repaired it. The alternating sensations of pain and relief churned within her, unsettling her emotions.

Yet she quickly calmed herself.

Her gaze burned as she looked toward the distant river of swords.

Dying again and again, only to be reborn each time.

What, then, was death?

Saber had experienced countless forms of dying—she had even felt her very soul decay.

A frail girl.

A wounded Servant.

Lancer stood before them like an immovable mountain, his black armor gleaming with killing intent.

Protecting the girl, Saber had seemingly backed herself into a corner. Against such a formidable opponent, she appeared to have no way out.

But none of that mattered—

Because Saber could see the world breaking apart before her very eyes.

Her brilliant, azure-lit vision revealed countless cracks.

A single stroke would bring about the end.

Everything—living or dead—bore a thin, meandering line, curving, twisting, ever within reach.

Saber’s mind deciphered the meaning of these lines.

Through the countless deaths she had endured, her eyes had gained the ability to perceive death directly—

"You intend to protect her?"

The moment Saber resolved to aid Victoria, Lancer seemed to realize something. For the first time, his gaze swept over Saber, truly examining her.

His expression conveyed a clear message: Carrying that burden, you will lose.

"I made a promise to Assassin."

Saber straightened her once-hunched back.

And in her gaze, she saw Lancer’s form—his entire body—woven with lines of death.

---

T/N: NO WAY HER PURE EYES EVOLVED TO MYSTIC EYES OF DEATH??

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!