This Is My Holy Grail War [114]

The artificial lifeform had only just escaped the confines of its incubation tank, its body still undeveloped and fragile.

The cold, eerie wind of the forest pricked at his raw nerves. The rustling leaves created a cacophony that echoed in his underdeveloped eardrums, leaving him confused and overwhelmed. His delicate skin, untouched by hardship, seemed as if the slightest touch could tear it apart. The world greeted him not with gentle acceptance but with the brutality of a storm.

What might have been a pleasant breeze for most was a piercing torment for this fragile being. The rough ground and biting wind tore at his vulnerable flesh, yet even that agony paled compared to the looming specter of death.

"Save me... I... I don't want to die," the homunculus whispered, his voice weak and trembling, but no answer came.

It was as if the world itself had abandoned him. The shadow of death crept closer, numbing his hands and feet, robbing them of feeling. The only warmth he could sense was the approach of Rider, the one who had tried to protect him.

Please don't shake me. It hurts...

With great effort, he raised his arm to push Rider away, but it fell limply to his side. His heart had already been shattered, quite literally. A magus's spell had struck his chest, reducing his heart to little more than mangled flesh, shredded by the force of the blow.

"Save me..."

His entire body was suffocating, oxygen deprivation sending waves of pain through his chest and searing his brain. Cells withered as his life ebbed away, inching closer to its end.

As his consciousness began to fade, his instincts screamed for survival—an impulse imprinted in his very being the moment he emerged from the tank. He wanted to breathe, to take in deep gulps of air, but the agony in his chest rendered even that impossible.

A strained, inhuman sound escaped his throat. His vision blurred, as if veiled by a thin layer of blood-red silk, staining everything in crimson.

In the haze of his final struggle, a silhouette appeared. It was an ethereal figure holding a staff—a being unlike any he had ever seen. A slender elf stood beneath the shadows of the trees, their pointed ears and graceful features exuding an otherworldly beauty.

He couldn’t decipher their expression but saw them steadily approaching.

"Save me...!" he cried out, pleading to anything and everything around him. He knew it was futile, yet he tried. Life was precious, and he wasn’t ready to return to the earth as dust.

The elf was breathtaking, like an angel descending from the heavens. His heart throbbed faintly at their presence, and despite his dimming sight, he instinctively reached out a trembling hand.

I can’t hold on…

No matter how much he fought, life was fragile. When it reached its limit, only death awaited. Yet, just as his eyes fluttered shut, he felt something—warmth. A faint, vibrant energy flowed into him.

The elf’s melodic voice began chanting in an unfamiliar tongue. The swift, lyrical words bypassed his ears and resonated deep within his mind.

It wasn’t merely beautiful; it was a spell.

He had never imagined such powerful magical energy could be wielded so effortlessly. The pain in his chest began to subside. The emptiness in his torso started to fill.

Thump.

For the first time since his heart had stopped, he heard it beat again. The elf’s magic pulsed within him, mending what was broken.

“Cough… cough…” A sharp fit of coughing followed, and air rushed into his lungs. His heart pumped oxygen through his body once more.

Gasping deeply, relief overwhelmed him. He had escaped death’s clutches and tasted salvation. Tears streamed down his face unbidden, and though he was weak, he managed to whisper, “Thank you… for saving me…”

Those were the last words he could muster before silence reclaimed him. Yet, the gratitude in his heart required no further words.

Lying on the forest floor, he gazed at the sky peeking through the canopy of leaves, inhaling greedily. Life felt more vibrant than ever.

As he gathered the strength to rise and thank the angelic elf, his eyes fell upon another figure—the devil who haunted his nightmares.

Caster stood before him, accompanied by other Servants. The homunculus dared not meet Caster’s gaze, knowing the horror that lay beneath the mask.

"Well done, Saber. You saved him," Caster said coldly. "He’s the core of my Noble Phantasm. Without him, my plans would have been in jeopardy. Thank you."

“It was nothing,” Saber replied tersely.

“Now, leave the rest to me, Saber,” Caster said, his tone laced with distrust, clearly eager to reclaim control over the homunculus.

“As you wish.” Saber nodded and turned away. “He’s yours. I only saved his life. I hope your plans live up to their importance.”

The angelic elf melted into the shadows, vanishing without further aid. Rider, too, had withdrawn, attempting to play off the failure with lightheartedness.

The homunculus was filled with dread. Rider’s protection felt insufficient; only the elf had provided a semblance of safety.

Saber... the elf’s name. He etched it into his memory, vowing to repay the debt and meet his savior again.

"Come with me, homunculus," Caster ordered, yanking him from his thoughts and back to reality.

“No… no!” he cried, flailing weakly as he backed away.

Caster drew closer, his gloved hand reaching out. Despite its polished surface, it appeared to the homunculus as a claw of death.

“No! Stay away!” He scrambled backward until his back pressed against a tree. Then he turned and bolted toward the forest’s depths.

“Pointless resistance,” Caster sneered, his finger curling upward. The earth trembled, forming a prison of stone and mud around the homunculus, trapping him.

No escape. No hope. The walls closed in as Caster’s shadow loomed, his hand outstretched.

But just as the homunculus braced for the end, pain surged through his arm, and the earthen cage dissolved into nothing.

“Who?!” Caster snarled, spinning around.

A calm, neutral voice answered, “A Servant of Red—Berserker. I am here at your call, Master. Life upon this earth, do not be afraid. I am by your side.”

The homunculus stared in awe at the new arrival. A glance at his hand revealed three Command Seals—a pair of wings, one demonic and one angelic, separated by a dividing line.

“Stop him!” the homunculus stammered, retreating behind Berserker.

“Understood. Is it a contest against Caster of Black’s capabilities?” Berserker replied coolly. Their androgynous voice and tall, imposing figure made it difficult to discern their gender. Their flowing green hair and white robes added to their ethereal aura, an image far removed from the madness typically associated with Berserkers.

“You summoned… a Servant?” Archer of Black’s shocked voice rang out as he arrived on the scene. His exclamation drew the attention of other Servants, whose voices joined in a chaotic chorus.

In the storm of fear and confusion, the homunculus clung to one thought: survival. Pressing himself closer to Berserker, he whispered, “Run… please.”

“As you command, Master. Retreating without fighting may lack dignity, but a weapon must learn flexibility,” Berserker said calmly, lifting the homunculus into their arms and fleeing into the shadows.

The wind whipped past them as Berserker ran. The homunculus buried his face against their chest, terrified. Yet the pain he had anticipated never came.

“Do not worry, Master,” Berserker reassured him. “I have infused you with new vitality. The earth will protect you.”

“Will they follow us?” he asked, still trembling.

“Rider and Archer of Red will handle them. You are safe now,” Berserker said gently, their words soothing his fears.

“Thank you… What’s your name?”

“I am Enkidu, a weapon at your service. And you, Master?”

“I… don’t know,” he said softly, realizing he had no name—only the word Saber etched deeply in his heart.

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T/N: ENKIDU??? OMGGG FIRST GIL TNOAWNOPAFIAHSFASIFNAKLFASKFGASIOFAIOPFNALSFNAK:F

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!