This Is My Holy Grail War [139]

In this Holy Grail War, two non-Caster Servants unleashed a duel of magecraft that could rival a full-fledged exchange between proper Casters. Magic swirled as both sides clashed, pouring their will into the battlefield to try and dominate the other.

Saber’s voice never ceased. Her chanting, sharp and shrill, carried the weight of [High-Speed Divine Words] fully unleashed, cutting through the air like the wailing of a banshee. Each word commanded magic, spreading her influence farther, granting her control over a wider range.

Fresh from her battle with Achilles, Saber found herself once again consumed by rage. What infuriated her wasn’t Assassin’s magic cannon fire or the swarming dragon-tooth soldiers—it was the Greater Grail itself.

Saber had watched helplessly as the Greater Grail was taken into the [Hanging Gardens of Babylon], her most coveted prize slipping away. Regardless of the War’s shifting rules, the one who held the Grail in the end would be declared the victor.

Her carefully prepared workshop had already expanded into the castle’s core, crafted with unparalleled magical precision to avoid detection by Yggdmillennia’s other members. Initially, she had intended to use it as a contingency plan. But the Red Faction’s audacious move forced her into a direct confrontation with Assassin’s Noble Phantasm.

Even with her Divine Words at their peak and the mana supplied by homunculi batteries, Saber’s efforts were no match for the might of a [Reality Marble]. The moment her workshop was torn from the ley lines, its defenses crumbled, leaving her plans in ruins.

This was a devastating loss. Without the backup mana reserves stored in her “temple,” Saber’s chances of severing her contract with Gordes were slim. Without independent magical energy to sustain her existence, she would fade within an hour.

If the Red Faction wanted to deny her betrayal, they had succeeded. But their actions had also driven Saber to a singular resolve: If you’ve left me no way back, then I’ll see this through to the end.

Despite losing her [Instinct] in Medea’s form, Saber was unafraid. Gripping her staff tightly, she ascended into the skies toward the fortress above, intent on exacting a bloody toll.

Her allies would eventually join her, but she couldn’t wait for them. Her fury demanded immediate release.

Assassin’s twelve magic cannons greeted her with relentless firepower. However, with her heightened magical sensitivity, Medea-like Saber could discern every cannon’s activation the moment the mana began to flow. Combined with her [Mind’s Eye (Fake)], she evaded each shot with precision, weaving through the storm of blasts.

The cannons roared as their projectiles slammed into the ground below, erupting into massive explosions. Mushroom clouds of destruction bloomed, yet Saber pressed onward, unyielding and untouched.

Angered further by the assault, Saber retaliated with her own dragon-tooth soldiers. Using the same spellcraft as Assassin, she conjured her soldiers more efficiently, creating them from mana and air alone.

Despite Assassin’s superior fortress and resources, Saber’s dragon-tooth warriors overwhelmed her opponents in both speed and quantity.

Saber breached the Gardens, landing atop the floating fortress with a resounding stomp.

The interior of the Hanging Gardens stretched vast like a floating city. The labyrinthine corridors disoriented Saber, forcing her to pause her advance.

Unable to find her way, she drew [Durandal] from its scabbard. Still in Medea’s form, she now resembled a battlemage, wielding both staff and sword.

With a loud crash, Saber smashed through a wall, sending rubble scattering before her. Deciding the labyrinth was a waste of time, she took to the skies once more, flying outside the Gardens to locate its weak points.

Her experience as a mage of the Age of Gods sharpened her insight. She quickly realized the fortress wasn’t an invincible weapon but a mobile workshop, vulnerable in its complexity. It was clear the Gardens hadn’t been fully optimized; they lacked additional defenses that could have been installed with more preparation.

Suspended gardens grew downward, their trees and plants hanging below, while streams of water defied gravity, flowing upward. The entire fortress operated on reversed gravity.

Saber understood that the Gardens’ floating ability relied on this concept of inversion. If she could dismantle the anchors maintaining this effect, the fortress would crash.

As Saber prepared her spell, she received a long-awaited mental message.

Saber, how’s it going on your end? Chiron’s calm voice reached her through magical communication.

Though her link with Gordes had been severed by the Gardens’ interference, her connection with Chiron remained intact.

I’m fine, Saber replied. I’m working on dismantling the fortress, but I’ll need more time.

Understood. We’ll buy you as much time as you need, Chiron assured her.

Then I’ll leave the enemy Servants to you, Saber said, focusing back on her task.

She located the first anchor embedded in the fortress. With a wave of her staff, a glowing magic circle appeared, and the anchor dissolved into black mist, along with its inverted gravity.

The Gardens lurched. A section of its suspended oasis detached and fell.

Semiramis, startled by the sudden shift, realized the damage Saber had inflicted. Though her allies could delay Black’s other forces, she knew Saber’s relentless assault could not be ignored.

“Enough, Saber of Black,” came a voice from above.

Saber looked up to see her challenger: Lancer of Red Karna, the invincible son of the Sun God Surya.

The area surrounding the anchor had returned to normal gravity, but Karna floated effortlessly. As Red Faction’s strongest Servant, his mere presence exuded overwhelming power.

Yet Saber didn’t focus on him. She knew Karna’s golden armor was impenetrable, leaving no openings for her attacks.

Choosing caution over offense, she began dismantling the next anchor, ignoring Karna’s words.

“Your nature hasn’t changed,” Karna said. “You relentlessly pursue victory, even at the cost of your humanity. You desire triumph more than the Grail itself. If becoming a demon ensures your victory, you wouldn’t hesitate, would you?”

Saber stayed silent, unwilling to acknowledge his accusations.

Karna raised his spear, unleashing searing flames to halt her spell. Saber transformed back into Artoria, using her enhanced agility and [Instinct] to evade the attack.

“I’m curious,” Karna continued, his voice unwavering. “What kind of wish drives someone pure of heart to embrace the path of a demon?”

Saber hesitated, Karna’s question striking at her core. She had always fought to survive. But what would she do if she claimed the Grail?

She finally answered, her voice calm but resolute. “I want to be a hero.”

Karna raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Because the world remembers heroes,” Saber replied simply. If I become a hero, my soul will enter the Throne of Heroes, securing my survival for eternity.

Understanding dawned on Karna. Saber sought heroism not for glory but as a means to exist beyond death.

“Then become the most famous hero the world has ever known,” Karna said, his tone sincere. “Burn brightly, and take my blessing with you.”

Saber frowned. “Why would you say that?”

Karna’s response was straightforward. “I prefer heroes over demons.”

Saber didn’t reply, her attention returning to dismantling the anchors. Even with her slower Divine Words, she would succeed if given enough time.

“Unfortunately, my orders are absolute,” Karna said, his voice heavy with resolve. “I must stop you—no matter the cost. And to do so, I will strike with absolute power.”

---

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!