This Is My Holy Grail War [87]

Kuzuki Souichirou’s lifeless body lay before them, surrounded by a pool of crimson blood. Assassin watched as Kirei Kotomine, unbothered, walked through the blood, making his way toward the temple gates.

“Humans always repeat the same mistakes. Why? They could survive if they simply chose to walk away,” Kotomine muttered as he moved, his voice laced with a faint trace of confusion. “After all these years, I still can’t grasp the logic of magi, and now I can’t even understand a killer’s reasoning.”

Lancer followed close behind, his guard firmly fixed on Assassin. However, their path was soon blocked—Sasaki Kojirō stood in their way.

The ancient swordsman found himself trapped between two foes, Saber behind him and Lancer ahead. For a moment, his expression faltered in surprise, but it was fleeting. He quickly composed himself and spoke.

“A Lancer-class Servant? If you’re coming from within, I assume my Master has already been defeated,” Kojirō said, his voice steady, showing no shock at Medea’s death. He seemed to view mortality with remarkable calm. “Though I wasn’t particularly fond of that vixen, she was still my Master. I was entrusted with a task: to prevent anyone from passing this gate. No matter who they may be.”

Facing enemies on both sides, Kojirō turned slightly, adopting a solitary stance that exuded readiness for battle.

“I am Servant Sasaki Kojirō,” he continued, his tone unwavering. “Although this name carries some falsehood, it is with this sword that I will ensure the name remains unblemished.” He did not bother mentioning his class; he had already explained as much to Saber earlier and saw no need to repeat himself.

“Sasaki Kojirō?” Lancer said, twirling his spear casually as he closed the distance. “Revealing your name from the outset—that’s a foolish move in a Holy Grail War. You’re not much of a warrior, but as a swordsman, you deserve respect. Still, I’m curious. Your Master, Caster, is dead, yet you seem completely unaffected. How is that possible?”

Lancer’s sharp observation struck the core of the mystery. Kojirō had only realized Caster’s death upon seeing him.

“Strange. Do you have a high rank in [Independent Action]? Or maybe an unusual skill? A Noble Phantasm, perhaps?”

“My Master was indeed Caster,” Kojirō answered courteously, not bothered by exposing his flaws. “But there are exceptions to every rule. While I was her Servant in name, my true source of mana is this mountain gate itself.”

“So you’re just a wraith bound to the gate,” Lancer mused, his curiosity seemingly satisfied.

“He’s an exceptional swordsman,” Saber interjected from the bottom of the stairs, her tone respectful. “Even with my superior strength and mana, his skill alone was enough to suppress me.”

“Come now,” Kojirō said calmly, his eyes gleaming with resolve. Even with two of the Holy Grail War’s Three Knight Classes before him, he showed no fear. “Two Servants? Quite unexpected. I had thought I would remain in obscurity until the war’s end. At least now, I’ll have no regrets when I fall.”

His words carried an excitement eerily reminiscent of Lancer’s own demeanor.

“Oh, don’t worry,” Lancer said dismissively. “I’m not here to deal with you. A land-bound spirit with no Master isn’t worth killing. My orders are… to eliminate Saber!”

Lancer’s eyes flared with intensity as veins bulged around his temples.

“[Gáe Bolg]!” he roared, raising his spear high. Without hesitation, he hurled the crimson weapon, its lethal arc slicing through the air toward its target.

For the second time that night, Lancer’s crimson spear lit up the night sky, its deadly brilliance burning beneath the moonlight.

Saber, shocked and bewildered, had only a moment to react. The red flash of [Gáe Bolg] brushed past Kojirō, striking him with explosive force but leaving no physical harm. It barreled through the temple gate, dragging a trail of crimson lightning with it.

By the time the streaking light neared her, Saber barely managed to raise her invisible sword in defense. Her blade, forged of starlight, intercepted the deadly spear at the last possible second.

ZZZZAP!

The spear and sword clashed, unleashing arcs of red energy that crackled and sparked like welding flames. The sheer force drove Saber back, pushing her down the temple steps. The staircase leading to Ryuudou Temple crumbled beneath her, leaving a deep fissure in the path of worship.

When the magic began to dissipate, Saber emerged from the rubble, seemingly unharmed. But Assassin, watching closely, knew better. Even Caster’s time-reversing magic hadn’t spared her from [Gáe Bolg]. Blocking the spear didn’t change the fact that its effects were inevitable.

Once again, the flow of time bent under Lancer’s control. The crimson light retreated, returning to Lancer’s hand. He raised the spear once more, repeating the attack—but this time, he didn’t even bother calling out its name.

“Assassin, find an opening and stop Lancer!” Rin’s voice echoed urgently through their mental link. Saber’s narrow escape had left Rin visibly shaken.

To Rin, Saber was more than just an ally—she was a source of hope during her darkest moments, someone who had promised to help her reclaim Assassin. Now, it was Rin’s turn to repay that kindness.

Lancer’s attention was on Saber, his movements focused on preparing for a second strike. In this window of opportunity, Assassin could strike before he unleashed [Gáe Bolg] again.

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T/N: I had to remove the last few sentences since it did not flow with the story well, It mentioned Assassin agreeing to Rin's command instantly with no back talk then getting stopped by Assassins Tsubame Gaeshi however when we transition to the next chapter, Assassin actually argues with Rin...

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!