This Is My Holy Grail War [51]

Scarlet eyes gleamed through the black helmet, locking unwaveringly onto Lancer. Assassin refused to let him slip from view for even a second.

Their gazes met, and every time Lancer looked into Assassin's eyes, he was confronted by that terrifying glare. It was hard to imagine what kind of entity lay beneath that heavy armor.

Cautiously, Lancer surveyed the terrain, but the moment his gaze shifted, Assassin had already closed the distance.

The air was torn apart by Assassin's rapid charge, a chilling screech accompanying the flash of his sword carving an arc through the rain-drenched sky.

All of Lancer's battle-hardened experience seemed futile against Assassin. In this moment, he had only two choices: meet the assault head-on or be sliced apart by the blade.

With a slight tilt of his crimson spear, Lancer attempted to counter strength with skill, relying on his experience to suppress this beast. Yet, once again, he misjudged Assassin's martial prowess.

The sword's trajectory shifted ever so slightly mid-air, colliding against the spear at the perfect angle. None of the force was wasted—it poured entirely into the shaft of the spear.

Assassin was no mindless beast, nor was he a brute relying solely on raw strength. His strikes were deliberate, honed by an intuition and mastery of combat that bordered on divine.

"Ugh—!"

Mud and water splashed wildly from the force of the impact. Even as the recoil sent him skidding back, Assassin relentlessly pressed forward, closing the gap and swinging his sword again and again.

The clash of sword and spear created bursts of light that illuminated the forest. Trees crashed to the ground, the air roared, and rainwater exploded into mist from the shockwaves.

“Not my favorite style of fighting,” Lancer admitted, blood pumping furiously in his chest, “but you, you pitch-black bastard, are thrilling!” A surge of exhilaration bubbled up inside him, igniting his warrior’s spirit.

But just as that elation took hold, Lancer's movements faltered. His expression soured with disdain and frustration as he abruptly leapt from the muddy path into the dense forest beyond.

Night shrouded the forest in darkness, and the rain only deepened its impenetrable gloom. Assassin paused, scanning the shadowy woods, uncertain of Lancer’s next move. Was he setting an ambush? Preparing to unleash his Noble Phantasm?

Assassin did not hesitate. Raising his sword, he cleaved through the trees blocking his path. Though such reckless exertion consumed mana at an alarming rate, it was of little concern—Rin's supply of magical energy was more than sufficient.

Brimming with mana, Assassin’s every movement surged with unrelenting power. Even this frenzied pace left Rin’s reserves barely dented.

"Hey, you pitch-black bastard!" Lancer called as he raced ahead, glancing sideways to see Assassin hot on his heels. "Really? You’re ignoring your Master just to settle things with me? Well, fine by me. This Holy Grail War is already worth it." Despite his jest, Lancer sighed, a trace of melancholy lacing his voice.

---

The rain poured down in torrents, its relentless rhythm an oppressive backdrop to Rin’s growing frustration. Seated far from the chaos, she gritted her teeth as she strained to track the Servants through the dense forest.

She muttered under her breath, “If you’re confident about winning, why waste time with this cloak-and-dagger nonsense? Lancer couldn’t beat Assassin in a direct fight, and his agility counters Lancer perfectly.”

Rain or sweat trickled down her face—it was impossible to tell which. She could no longer see Assassin or Lancer, relying instead on their shared connection for updates.

‘Assassin, what’s the situation?’

‘Victory is possible.’

Relieved by his response, Rin exhaled softly. "Victory, huh? Then why all the secrecy? If it’s a straight fight, you should’ve crushed him by now."

Yet doubt gnawed at her. Lancer had mentioned Caster being nearby, but how should she act? Pursuing Caster seemed reckless without a clear plan.

‘Prioritize safety. Don’t take risks while I’m not with you,’ she instructed firmly. Assassin’s fight would take time, and Rin needed to provide him with a stable mana supply.

‘I will continue chasing Lancer, no matter where he flees,’ Assassin replied. ‘If I let him put distance between us, his Noble Phantasm will kill me instantly. I must keep him suppressed. If the situation becomes dire, use a Command Seal to summon me back without hesitation.’

Was Assassin experienced in battle? Not exactly—he had only fought once before. Compared to Lancer's countless campaigns, Assassin’s combat history was less than a fraction.

But there was one field where Assassin excelled: battles between Servants.

In close combat, if no decisive blow was struck early, the fight would ultimately come down to mana reserves. And in that arena, Assassin held the upper hand.

All he needed was to prevent Lancer from activating his Noble Phantasm. With Rin’s overwhelming mana supply, Assassin could simply outlast his opponent. His A+ Agility only enhanced his chances of executing this plan.

---

On the outskirts of Fuyuki City, Lancer retreated while fending off Assassin’s relentless pursuit. He relied on secrecy and strategy to evade the black-clad swordsman.

“Still chasing me, huh?” Lancer quipped, his voice laced with amusement as he eyed their proximity to the city. “We’re nearing the urban center. A fight here will surely draw the attention of ordinary people. Does your Master not care about that?”

“It’s not daylight yet. Do you really think you can run?” Assassin’s gravelly voice rang out, heavy and foreboding. “Your Master can recall you with a Command Seal, or you can leave your life behind. Choose!”

Assassin could have retreated long ago, but he refused to. He couldn’t.

If he allowed Lancer even a moment to break free and unleash his Noble Phantasm, the result would be fatal. Betting that Lancer wouldn’t use his spear in public was a gamble Assassin wasn’t willing to take.

---

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!