This Is My Holy Grail War [105]

Surrounded by a sea of flowers, Assassin found herself in an unfamiliar place. A strange tower loomed nearby, and at its base, a man sat at a white round table, casually sipping a cup of floral tea. His white hair shimmered like moonlight, and a staff rested in his hand, giving him the air of a magician—though Assassin had never seen anyone like him before.

“Oh, Artoria-chan, you’ve arrived!” he greeted her with a warm smile, pushing a cup of tea toward her.

Before Assassin could respond, the man’s expression shifted in surprise. “Wait a moment... you’re not—! Oh, it’s you! I never thought you’d visit my home!” His voice overflowed with delight and enthusiasm.

He must think I’m Artoria... But what is this place? Assassin scanned her surroundings, puzzled by the dreamlike setting.

Even stranger, the man before her was not a Servant. Her Noble Phantasm, which could discern a Servant’s nature, seemed to have no effect on him. That meant he wasn’t bound by the framework of the Holy Grail War—he was a living human.

But how is that possible? His presence was dazzling, his magical energy so immense that it rivaled the strongest Servants.

“Welcome, welcome,” he said, his cheer undiminished. “I don’t have much to offer here, but I’ve brewed some tea. Care to try it?”

“May I?” The sweet aroma of the tea filled the air, evoking memories of the wine from Gilgamesh’s treasury.

Despite herself, Assassin felt drawn to it.

Taking a tentative sip, she found the tea rich and fragrant, leaving a lingering sweetness on her tongue. It was extraordinary, though her body—so attuned to Gilgamesh’s wine—seemed to prefer the latter.

“You don’t look so good,” the man observed, concern in his voice. “What happened? Whoever hurt you must be terrifyingly strong.”

“I fought someone. He was powerful,” Assassin admitted after a pause.

“Your wounds... I’d love to help, but I can’t interfere with your dimension.” He sounded genuinely regretful but brightened a moment later, as though struck by an idea. “Let me ask you a question instead. Do you want to become a hero, little Avenger?”

Avenger? His casual, almost affectionate use of the title unsettled her. This isn’t a normal conversation. Who is he?

Assassin remained silent, unsure how to respond.

Seeing her hesitation, the man’s gaze lingered, making her feel exposed and uneasy.

“What is a hero?” she asked, breaking the silence.

“Oh, that’s easy. A hero is someone whose name is remembered by the whole world.” His voice was honeyed, captivating her attention. The allure of his words was impossible to resist.

“Yes, I want that,” she answered without hesitation.

“Wonderful. Then keep going. Do your best.”

The moment he finished speaking, the world around her shattered like glass. The idyllic scene dissolved into nothingness, leaving Assassin disoriented.

When her vision cleared, she was back in the burning ruins of Fuyuki City, facing Gilgamesh, who stood with [Ea] lowered.

“What?! You’re still alive?” he exclaimed, unable to hide his astonishment.

Before he could say more, a streak of azure light cleaved through the sky, racing toward him.

Gilgamesh opened a portal and summoned the Chains of Heaven to block the incoming attack, but Assassin transformed into a comet of pure will, smashing through the chains.

In the chaos, she drove her broken sword forward, severing his arm in a burst of golden light and crimson blood.

The limb fell to the ground alongside the crimson blade of [Ea], now inert.

“Unexpected... Kuahahahaha!” Gilgamesh’s laughter rang out, unrestrained and wild. Despite the grievous injury, he neither screamed in pain nor faltered. Instead, he seemed almost exhilarated, like a madman.

“Incredible! You actually stopped my [Ea].” It took him a moment to regain his composure, but when he did, his tone turned curious. “Tell me, Assassin... Do you know what the Holy Grail truly contains?”

“I do,” she answered firmly.

“Then surely you realize it can’t grant wishes. What foolishness,” he said, shaking his head. To her surprise, he reached out and patted her head, as if chastising a wayward child.

“That Grail—no, the whole war—is a deception. Magi created the Holy Grail but neglected its contents. They tricked us, the Heroic Spirits, summoned from the Throne. Our souls, the pinnacle of humanity’s strength, are nothing more than fuel. For magi, the Grail is an infinite source of magical energy—a wishing machine. But for us, it’s meaningless. Do you understand, fool?”

“I don’t need the Grail to grant my wish,” Assassin replied, her voice steady. “All I need is to defeat you here and now.”

“Fair enough. The Grail is a dull thing, after all,” Gilgamesh admitted. “But as a tool for slaughter, nothing beats the corruption spilling from that hole.”

“Yes,” Assassin agreed. “That’s the malice of humanity itself—the curse of Angra Mainyu, summoned in the Third Holy Grail War. I have no intention of taking the Grail. All I seek is victory.”

“I see... You know quite a lot,” Gilgamesh mused. “Very well, go in peace. I will continue testing humanity. Though I am satisfied, this era’s humans still have trials to endure.”

His bloodstained fingers brushed against her face, leaving streaks of red.

“Continue?” Assassin smiled faintly, shaking her head. “No, it’s over.”

In the distance, a golden light began to bloom.

“You remember Saber’s sword, don’t you?” Assassin’s battered body finally relaxed, her voice losing its earlier tension. “Without [Ea], you can’t defend against it in time.”

She suddenly grabbed Gilgamesh’s wrist, holding him firmly in place. He couldn’t escape, much less block Saber’s impending attack.

“This is checkmate,” she declared, her words carrying the finality of a closing curtain.

“So, you only wanted to win?” Gilgamesh seemed genuinely curious but continued, “If I could grant you a wish—even one not from the Grail—what would it be?”

“Would it count as my victory?”

“Of course.”

“Then... I don’t know,” Assassin admitted honestly. “I want the world to remember me, but I haven’t even decided on a name worth remembering.”

“Are you human?” Gilgamesh asked unexpectedly.

“Of course,” she answered without hesitation.

“Then I accept you. You’re someone who can stand beside me, overlooking the world. Hahahahaha!” His laughter erupted once more, unrestrained and regal.

But Assassin remained unaffected, her expression distant.

Why does he laugh? she wondered. Even when cornered, he shows no fear of death.

Her body was failing. Blood poured from her wounds faster than Avalon could heal them. As Saber’s [Excalibur] drew closer, she could feel herself slipping away.

Lowering her head, she gazed at the fractured ground beneath her, her vision blurring as she closed her eyes.

Then, to her surprise, Gilgamesh’s hand shot out, lifting her chin.

“What are tiy doing?” she muttered weakly.

His piercing crimson eyes shone like twin stars, filled with a radiant defiance that refused to yield to the world.

"Lift your head! Do not bow before me!"

The voice of Gilgamesh thundered like a commandment. "You, the one I acknowledge, who stood unyielding against Heracles, who dared to challenge armies of Heroic Spirits, and who now wields the power to bring about my end! I will not allow you to lower your gaze so easily!"

"To withstand my [Ea] and bring me to such disgrace—how many in this world could claim such a feat?!"

Gilgamesh's laughter rang out defiantly, even as death loomed over him.

"Those false heroes, slaves to the Grail’s desires—they’re nothing but mongrels! Compared to you, they aren’t even worthy of the title!"

With his hand firmly beneath Assassin's chin, Gilgamesh lifted her face. Her gaze followed his to the heavens above, where Saber’s holy sword, [Excalibur], shone with radiant light.

---

Mongrels, those so-called heroes… less than me?

Gilgamesh’s voice echoed in his ears, even as darkness claimed him. Shadows of death engulfed him, and the events that followed blurred into obscurity. He knew only that his life was severed from the mortal plane once more.

The Fifth Holy Grail War faded into the distance, its outcome unknown. Another death, and another separation from the living world.

Yet, the words of the King of Heroes were etched deeply into his soul. To be acknowledged as a hero by Gilgamesh himself—it felt surreal, like a dream. He could scarcely believe it had happened.

The memory of Excalibur’s brilliance engulfing Gilgamesh was muddled, but the sensations of countless Noble Phantasms piercing his body were vivid—agonizingly vivid.

Even now, with [Oblivion Correction] suppressing the details, the searing pain of death lingered in his mind. The excruciating moment when bone cracked and flesh tore—it was unforgettable.

The vision of Gilgamesh flashed unbidden, and the pain surged anew.

It hurt more than it had during the battle itself. Every Noble Phantasm that had torn through his body, every shockwave that shattered his bones, was relived in full, as if his soul were branded by the trauma.

The torment clawed at his mind, an unrelenting curse that refused to fade. It was as though a parasite had taken root in his brain, gnawing at him from the inside.

“—Ugh.”

A hoarse groan escaped him as he clawed at his head, driven by pain and an overwhelming hatred for Gilgamesh.

Through [Oblivion Correction], his consciousness twisted, and with it came a new revelation:

[Due to Oblivion Correction, you have attained the Avenger class.]
[Slain by Gilgamesh, your endless agony will only cease once you exact vengeance upon him.]

Vengeance… to end this pain.

[You have successfully defeated two Servants.]

[Your invitation to the next Holy Grail War has been secured.]

[You will now receive a randomly assigned Noble Phantasm or skill.]

I didn’t win?

He had perished alongside Gilgamesh, but what happened afterward? Did anyone emerge victorious? He had no idea, nor did it matter. The only certainty was that his journey was not yet over.

Strength: B
Endurance: D → C
Agility: A+
Mana: E → C
Luck: D
Noble Phantasm: B → A-

[Noble Phantasm Acquired.]

[Durandal: The Unrivaled Sword of Renown (Rank A+).]
[However, due to your incompatibility as a non-saint, the Noble Phantasm’s rank has decreased to A-.]

[As a Saber-class Servant, you have been summoned by Gordes Musik Yggdmillennia.]

[You have gained B-rank Magic Resistance]

You have gained B-rank Riding] 

[Due to your Master’s mana capacity, your Mana has increased by two levels. C → A]

[Thus, the pursuit of the Holy Grail continues.]

From the enhancements alone, his new Master seemed competent—stronger than Kotomine Kirei but weaker than Tohsaka Rin. A respectable mage, albeit unexceptional. His mana supply was decent, though it lacked the versatility of more powerful magi.

As his mind pieced together this new situation, the persistent pain that had once clouded his thoughts began to recede. The agony lessened, no longer requiring sheer willpower to endure.

But the seed of vengeance had already been planted.

To end this pain, I will have my vengeance.

---

T/N: OOOH I LIKE THIS DEVELOPMENT! GILGAMESH WHO ACKNOWLEDGES AND EVEN CONSIDERS THEM FIT TO STAND WITH HIM WHILE ASSASSIN CAN ONLY SEE GILGAMESH AS THE SOURCE OF THEIR PAIN IS THIS DOOMED YAOI? YESSS OR IS IT JUST DOOMED RELATIONSHIP?? (i will 100% draw their death scene)

AUTHOR COOKED PLEASE GO CHECK THEM OUT!!!!

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!