This Is My Holy Grail War [73]

The night was deep, the world quiet... Within the secluded grounds of Ryuudou Temple on the outskirts of Fuyuki City, two figures sat together.

Surrounding them was a dense forest that encircled the mountain gate, and overhead, the moon hung high in the cloudless sky, bright and serene. On the temple’s stone steps, a man and a woman raised bamboo flasks, savoring the sake within.

This wasn’t any rare or precious brew, just a simple homemade liquor crafted from modest ingredients.

The sake was cold, yet the words of Sasaki Kojirou carried warmth.

"Drinking under the moon… Ah, I didn’t expect to have company tonight. How about it? Taking a brief respite from the blood-soaked war, sipping some sake during a moment of peace—doesn’t it feel good? Relaxing, isn’t it?" Kojirou asked with a contented grin, taking another sip from his bamboo flask as he sat cross-legged before the temple gate. His gaze wandered up to the moon as he continued:

"So, what do you want to learn? I’ve never been a teacher, so I can’t say I know how to instruct anyone. My swordsmanship… it’s just the culmination of solitary practice and a bit of chance—an achievement born out of the act of cutting a swallow. It’s nothing extraordinary. If you had enough time, anyone could accomplish it."

Kojirou spoke lightly, almost dismissively, but Assassin knew better. This humble and solitary gatekeeper had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. With nothing but an ordinary blade, he could unleash a secret technique that transcended dimensions.

"Swordsmanship," Assassin replied succinctly. She had no knowledge of it, no understanding of different schools or styles. She only knew she wanted to learn the way of the sword.

That alone was enough, for Kojirou was not the historical master who founded the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū school. Instead, he was a "self-taught" swordsman, shaped by a mere month of instruction from a passing sword saint.

The Sasaki Kojirou summoned as a Servant had forged his own unique style, born of an unconventional path. Ironically, this made him an ideal teacher for an apprentice like Assassin, whose understanding of the sword was a blank slate.

"True, true. The only thing I have to offer is my swordsmanship, and swordsmanship alone." Kojirou rose to his feet, brushing himself off. "Let’s begin with the basics. I’ve been in your shoes before." He stroked his chin thoughtfully, reminiscing.

"My teacher only taught me a little. The rest, I had to figure out on my own. Hm?" Kojirou paused mid-sentence, his gaze falling on the back of his long blade. He continued after a moment, "The Holy Grail War limits the time we Servants have in this world. Back then, my teacher only instructed me briefly. Thinking about it now, we share a certain… affinity as teacher and student."

"I was prepared to be rejected when I asked," Assassin admitted. "I just wanted to try my luck. I never expected—thank you so much."

"No need for thanks," Kojirou replied with his usual nonchalance. "Besides, I can’t teach you much. Time is short. This Holy Grail War will only last a few more days. My teacher only gave me the basics, taught me how to carry myself, and gave me a way of living. Those lessons were my greatest gain. What I can pass on to you is just as humble." His tone was unhurried, each word deliberate.

"For me, these few days aren’t so fleeting," Assassin said quietly. "They may feel like a much longer time."

"Putting your hopes in that fox woman isn’t the wisest decision, but if that’s what you believe, it’s your choice." Kojirou clearly didn’t trust Caster, though he didn’t press the matter. "Very well, from now on, I’ll teach you how to cut a swallow."

"So soon?" Assassin was taken aback. "I don’t even know the basics yet."

"Then we’ll start with the basics."

At Kojirou’s instruction, Assassin set aside her half-finished flask of sake and picked up the sword she had left to one side.

She felt a twinge of nervousness. Being guided by such a master swordsman made it impossible to relax. Her grip on the blade was stiff, almost desperate.

Kojirou noticed immediately and began his lesson with the fundamentals, patiently correcting her grip and posture. Step by step, he imparted the most basic principles of swordsmanship.

"Try attacking me. Don’t hold back," Kojirou instructed.

Assassin assumed a stance, then lashed out with her blade. Her speed was astonishing—like a bolt of lightning—but Kojirou easily deflected the strike.

Just as he was about to point out her mistakes and demonstrate a counter, something made him pause. He realized, to his astonishment, that every possible angle of his attack was already closed off.

Assassin’s swordplay was riddled with flaws, full of openings. Yet her strange, unpredictable footwork sealed off every path for a counterattack.

"Perfect footwork," Kojirou murmured, clearly impressed. "Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable." Her movements, though unrefined, allowed her to evade any incoming strike as if guided by foresight.

"I’m just able to sense it," Assassin explained. "In battle, my [Instincts] tell me where the enemy will attack, their intent and direction. I can also analyze how to counter those moves."

"Ah, I see! I see!" Kojirou exclaimed, his face lighting up. "Then let me ask you this: if you used your footwork to evade your own strikes, could you even graze yourself?"

"No," Assassin answered firmly. Offense was not her strength.

"Then you’re ready to begin practicing your own secret sword technique," Kojirou declared. "For me, it started by setting a simple goal: cutting a swallow. This place may lack those birds, but you have an even better target."

"And what’s my target?"

"Yourself!" Kojirou’s words struck Assassin like lightning. "Aside from cutting the swallow, I have no other extraordinary skills. My training method is simple—choose a small goal, then work toward it with all your might. If you can analyze how to evade, then you can analyze how to strike."

To strike myself…

Kojirou’s advice echoed in Assassin’s mind. Closing her eyes, she used her intuitive perception to construct an imaginary world.

In that world, there were only two living beings: a swordsman named Assassin and a swallow named Assassin.

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T/N: this is honestly so cool! it's because the combination of [Instinct] and [Mind's Eye (Fake] with A+ Agility virtually makes her untouchable! So it makes sense to make herself the target to learn how to cut things!!!!!!!!

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!