This Is My Holy Grail War [97]

Shifting into spirit form rendered Assassin invisible to the naked eye, while [Presence Concealment] erased any trace of her mana. This unique combination made the Assassin class the most dangerous in the Holy Grail War, capable of moving undetected with careful precision.

The long-unused skill felt liberating, as Assassin shed the constraints of physical laws. She darted through the forest, bypassing overgrown paths and cutting directly toward the distant castle.

Trees and brambles blurred past her as she moved, her incorporeal form unhindered by obstacles. The natural rules of the world couldn’t bind a Servant in spirit form.

However, the convenience came at a price. Far from conserving mana, the act of maintaining her spirit form placed a greater burden on her strained reserves.

Her body was still damaged, forcing her to rely on [Avalon] to repair the cracks in her spirit core.

The holy scabbard continuously drained small amounts of mana to heal her, fueled by Artoria’s mana output. But this arrangement came with a risk—losing Artoria’s body would severely disrupt the delicate balance.

Assassin could feel her mana slowly slipping away. Though the drain was minimal, a Servant’s acute awareness of their own energy made the sensation unnervingly vivid.

It’s like being bled dry, bit by bit, she thought. You can feel every drop leaving you.

The creeping loss forced her to pause, emerging from the shadows to rest and recharge Avalon with her Noble Phantasm.

Assassin wasn’t particularly skilled in infiltration—she’d never formally learned the art of stealth. Instead, she relied on the synergy of spiritualization and [Presence Concealment], a combination that mimicked true invisibility.

The castle was close now. Stepping lightly across the boundary, Assassin entered the Einzbern domain.

Master, I’m inside, she relayed to Tohsaka Rin.

Standing on the castle’s outer balcony, Assassin took a brief moment to breathe. Manifesting Artoria’s form for a quick recharge, she likened the act to surfacing for air while swimming underwater.

Perched high above, she sniffed the forest air carried on the morning breeze. Amid the soft sounds of birdsong, she leapt effortlessly from her vantage point. The sunlight now bathed the entire castle, but she trusted her spirit form to keep her hidden.

Mid-air, Assassin transformed into a swirl of black mist. By the time she landed, her body had completely melded with the darkness, becoming undetectable even to trained eyes.

Assassin didn’t wait for Rin’s next instructions—there was no room for hesitation this deep into enemy territory.

She moved quietly, taking care not to interact with anything powered by mana. Though she could easily bypass the castle’s wards, breaking through them openly would draw unnecessary attention.

Assassin, I see them entering the castle, Rin’s voice rang in her mind.

Just as the message reached her, a violent explosion echoed from within the castle walls.

Understood. I’ll move in quickly.

As she prepared to advance, two maids dressed in black appeared from around the corner.

Rather than hide, Assassin quickened her pace, slipping past them with calculated speed. She glimpsed pale white strands of hair beneath their caps as she darted between them, close enough to touch.

“Are we really leaving the young mistress alone with those intruders?” one maid asked, her voice sharp with concern.

“It's necessary,” the other replied, her tone cold and mechanical. “Lady Illya is already engaged. Interfering would only make us liabilities. To ensure Berserker performs at full capacity, retreating is the correct course of action.”

Assassin paid them no further attention. Her destination lay ahead, where the stench of blood hung thick in the air.

Reaching the second-floor hall, she was greeted by a horrifying scene: Berserker, as immovable as a mountain, was locked in combat with Gilgamesh.

The room was awash in golden light, the treasures of the Gate of Babylon spilling forth like a radiant sea. Even the sunlight streaming through the shattered windows seemed dim by comparison.

Berserker’s body had been pierced by two golden lances, their divine radiance blazing as they pinned him in place. Only the finest Noble Phantasms could breach his defenses, and here, Gilgamesh wielded them like common tools.

Assassin, still concealed, assessed the situation. She’d prepared for a tactical retreat if necessary, but something was amiss—there was no sign of the pale Archer.

Only Gilgamesh stood before Berserker.

What should I do…? Assassin pondered, pressing herself against the wall. Though she could remain unnoticed in broad daylight, her instinctive respect for the two Servants’ power made her shy away from the light.

As Berserker and Gilgamesh clashed, Assassin scanned her surroundings. The other Archer was nowhere to be found. Choosing to bide her time, she lingered in the shadows, waiting for the right opportunity.

How long can Berserker hold out? she wondered, glancing toward Illya. Her expression was tense, but Berserker still seemed capable of fighting.

Better to wait for a decisive moment. Helping now won’t mean as much as saving them in a crisis.

Taking a deep breath, Assassin closed her eyes, feeling Avalon’s steady pulse within her.

“I’ve seen heroes who stand tall after being slashed or burned,” Gilgamesh remarked with amusement, the [Gate of Babylon] unfurling behind him. “But one who truly rises from death? Now that is fascinating.”

He shifted his aim, reorienting the portals to encircle Illya.

As countless weapons shimmered, poised to strike, Gilgamesh’s lips curled into a triumphant smirk. The thrill of battle lit his expression as the treasures began to fire.

This is my chance, Assassin realized, her resolve crystallizing.

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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!