This Is My Holy Grail War [74]

Assassin’s eyes snapped open. Her sword no longer wavered, now radiating a sharp, unstoppable intent. In the emptiness before her, where no living thing could be seen, Assassin saw a swallow.

Since it was her own sword that moved, she knew its trajectory and precisely how to evade it. As her blade sliced through the air, she imagined herself as a nimble swallow, dodging the incoming strike.

Then, once again, she shifted her perspective, contemplating how to cut down this all-seeing swallow and follow up with another strike.

Each swing of the sword was a cycle, and with every cycle, Assassin felt her mind quiver, her thoughts roiling in a fevered storm.

On the steps of Ryuudou Temple, Assassin’s blade carved arcs of light into the darkness, a continuous dance of shimmering, almost spectral motion.

"How’s it going?" Sasaki Kojirou asked.

"I failed… and yet I succeeded," Assassin replied, her voice tinged with exhilaration. She found herself falling in love with the sword. "No matter how many times I swung, the swallow evaded me. But I’ve found the key."

It was thrilling, intoxicating. For the first time, Assassin understood why the man before her was so consumed by the sword.

"In the beginning, I saw a simple swallow flitting through the wilderness," Kojirou began, recounting his past. "At first, I could cut it down with ease."

"But an ordinary swallow is just that—ordinary. So I started to imagine a swallow that was faster, stronger."

"Like playing a game of chess with yourself," Assassin interjected. "Every move, whether offensive or defensive, is perfectly countered."

"Exactly." Kojirou nodded. "I even imagined myself as the swallow, but it didn’t work. I’m just a sword fanatic. All I think about is swinging my blade, never how to evade. So naturally, I failed."

"Eventually, I imagined the swallow as something far greater—one that could pierce through space, spew fire and radiant light in retaliation, and was shielded by impenetrable defenses." Kojirou spoke as if it were trivial. "This made the act of cutting it down a far greater challenge, demanding even more refinement."

"And one day, I encountered such a 'swallow' for real." Kojirou’s tone grew wistful. "I cut it down, of course. I can still recall the immense sense of accomplishment. But… was that swallow even real?" He seemed unsure himself.

"Probably?" Assassin’s mouth twitched. No matter how she looked at it, that “swallow” sounded suspiciously like a dragon from Western legends.

"I’m a swordsman, one who lives for the act of swinging the blade," Kojirou said with a touch of regret, though his tone suggested he had long made peace with it.

"My teacher once told me I would never be a sword saint—just a sword fanatic. I’ve never sought fame or dreamed of being invincible. I devoted my entire existence to the swing of a blade, my sole pursuit being to cut down the swallow. Unlike you, I could never imagine myself as the swallow. All I could do was refine my swordsmanship in other ways."

"Thank you for teaching me all this," Assassin said politely, bowing her head in gratitude.

"No need for thanks." Kojirou waved it off. "By the way, why do you practice the sword? What’s your goal?"

"I want to win," Assassin answered without hesitation. "To emerge victorious in the Holy Grail War—no matter who stands in my way."

"Good, good!" For a moment, Kojirou’s serene demeanor cracked, a spark of enthusiasm breaking through. "You have a heart of void!"

The heart of void—one that knows no limitations, no bounds. It was the very quality Kojirou himself lacked: the unyielding will to seek invincibility.

"Sharpening your blade through combat is one of the best ways to grow stronger," Kojirou said. "That’s what my teacher believed. But all I’ve ever thought about is the sword. Nothing else."

"A heart of void… that’s something I’ve never possessed," Kojirou continued, his voice tinged with melancholy. "Perhaps that’s why I could never reach the heights my teacher spoke of." He sighed lightly. "Now, come—let’s cross swords again."

This time, Assassin no longer hesitated. She had truly stepped onto the path of swordsmanship. Her blade moved with a newfound clarity, her strikes sharper, her intent focused. Each thrust followed the most lethal trajectory. While her technique was still rough, the beginnings of mastery were evident.

"Your swordsmanship is becoming more fluid," Kojirou said with a smile.

"Really?"

"Yes. Just keep practicing as your heart guides you. Seek victory in the same way," Kojirou advised. "What you lack is experience. With enough time, you’ll undoubtedly become a peerless swordswoman."

"I’ve always been short on time," Assassin replied.

"Time isn’t as scarce as you think. I’ve been there before, lost and uncertain," Kojirou said. "But when I changed my perspective, I realized that time is everywhere. If you’re willing to use it, you can always find it."

Kojirou laughed freely, attacking with unrestrained vigor. Assassin’s counterattacks now posed genuine threats, her movements capable of claiming his head if he faltered.

He relished the sensation. Though they weren’t using their full power, and their deadliest techniques remained hidden, their exchange of swordsmanship was uncompromising.

"This feels so liberating!" Kojirou exclaimed, though reluctantly, he sheathed his blade.

"That’s enough for now. If I exhaust my mana, that fox woman will surely complain," he said with a resigned sigh.

"But what a joy, what a surprise! To fight like this with someone… I’d be content to die now. It’s a shame, though—I can’t show you my secret technique."

"Doesn’t it bother you?" Assassin asked. "The way Caster treats you?"

"Not at all. I have no achievements to my name. Obeying my Master’s orders, even without a chance to fight, doesn’t trouble me," Kojirou replied. "If my Master sees me as nothing more than a blade, or even a whetstone, I don’t mind."

"A tool, huh? That’s not so bad," Assassin murmured. She had always hoped her own Master viewed her the same way.

"It’s fine for me—I’m just a sword fanatic. But I wouldn’t want you to become a tool," Kojirou said firmly. "You’re different. Life is fleeting, like a dream. Everyone should have their own dream."

Finally, Kojirou offered one last piece of advice: "You should find a hobby to calm your mind. Fishing, reading, meditation—anything to ground yourself. Don’t let the cruelty of war erode your heart."

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T/N: SASUGA AS EXPECTED FROM THE SAVIOR OF FRANCE!

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!