This Is My Holy Grail War [61]

The ground beneath his feet was familiar, and the person before his eyes was someone he'd known well.

Ten years had passed—the span between two Holy Grail Wars. Yet for Assassin, it had been only three days since he last encountered Saber.

"We meet again." Under the soft glow of moonlight, Saber greeted him with a gentle smile.

"Indeed, my king..." Assassin’s lips twitched slightly. She knew Saber had mistaken her for someone else again. "We meet again."

"Do you still remember everything from the last Holy Grail War?" Saber asked, probing carefully.

"The last Holy Grail War..." Assassin paused, deciding against hiding the truth. "I remember it well. I haven’t forgotten."

"Wait a second..." At this moment, Rin Tohsaka interrupted. "Assassin, you have memories of the last Holy Grail War... Saber does too, and your relationship is clearly unusual! Fine, I can accept that. But the two of you participated in both Grail Wars together?!" The sheer coincidence left her utterly stunned.

"Sometimes, the world is just that small," Assassin replied. "Don’t you think so, my king?"

"Indeed." Saber nodded. "Such is fate."

Two Servants, nearly identical in appearance, one speaking while the other echoed her sentiment, even their stray strands of hair swayed in opposite directions in perfect symmetry. Anyone uninformed might have mistaken them for twin sisters.

"Lancelot..." Saber whispered the name of a long-lost comrade, then turned to Assassin. "Why do you mimic my face?"

"My king, this is the form we revere." Assassin replied, her tone reverent. "But if it displeases you, I will discard it."

In the next instant, Assassin transformed into Lancelot—a knight cloaked in darkness.

If Saber remembered correctly, this was the very visage of Berserker from the last Holy Grail War!

Before she could react, she saw Assassin remove the helmet obscuring his face.

The handsome features of Lancelot came into view once again, accompanied by a familiar expression and voice.

"Berserker? You..." Saber’s voice trembled.

"My king, surely you’ve guessed by now?" Assassin said. "This is fate. I was the one who passed judgment upon him with my own hands. Truth be told, I hadn’t expected it either."

Saber lowered her head, silent. Guilt weighed heavily on her, leaving her at a loss for words.

Servants were facets of Heroic Spirits; it wasn’t impossible for two aspects of the same soul to manifest in one Grail War.

"He, at the time..."

"He left content, satisfied to have been judged by your hand," Assassin explained. "In his final moments, he wished only for you to be the one to deliver his punishment."

"Lancelot..."

"Wait a moment," Rin interjected again, pointing at Saber. "Assassin, didn’t you say you didn’t have a name? How do you know her? Lancelot—is that your true name?"

‘Master, could you act more mature?’ Assassin sent a mental message. ‘Remember my Noble Phantasm? This connection is a remnant from the last Grail War. Leave this to me.’

"You hid your true name?" Saber asked, surprised. "Why, Lancelot?"

"A sinner such as I cannot bear the burden of that name." Assassin’s tone was humble. "I can only strive for redemption."

This should work, right?! Assassin thought nervously. Mimicking Lancelot’s tone and speaking with Saber was a gamble that made her uneasy.

"I’m sorry. If only I had done better..." Saber quickly tried to comfort him. "Lancelot, you were a knight of great loyalty and virtue. No one understands your devotion to our country—and to me—better than I do. Please don’t blame yourself. I know, I... I..."

Saber’s voice faltered. No matter how much she wanted to articulate her feelings, this undefeated king could not bring herself to speak the words buried in her heart.

Artoria knew Lancelot was trapped in his guilt, unable to free himself from the sins he bore.

The Holy Grail... If she could obtain it, it would correct all past wrongs! A loyal knight would no longer be tormented by his guilt, not even to the point of discarding his name.

Gawain... Galahad... Mordred...

Saber lowered her head, and one by one, familiar faces flashed through her mind. Each visage cut into her heart like a sharp blade.

I must obtain it! For her homeland and her people, Artoria once again steeled her resolve.

"I will make amends... Lancelot." Saber raised her head. "The Holy Grail... it can be done. A miracle capable of overturning fate. As long as the Grail exists..."

"My king... You’re still just finding an excuse for your battles," Assassin remarked, shaking his head.

"Lancelot... I..."

"But if the king wishes to claim the Holy Grail—" Assassin paused before continuing, "then this knight shall fight with all his might for his king... In the name of Lancelot!"

Among those Assassin encountered in both Grail Wars, none had left a deeper impression than Lancelot. It was Lancelot who gave his life so Assassin could step into this second Holy Grail War.

These words, spoken out of gratitude for the knight, resonated deeply with Saber. Without Lancelot’s sacrifice, Assassin would have long perished.

In the name of Lancelot. The phrase struck Saber’s heart like a bell.

"Lancelot—I grant you permission to atone for your sins. When the Grail manifests, your transgressions shall be absolved."

Perhaps... this was all Saber could offer to her loyal knight—a direction for his redemption, so he might find peace.

"If my sins are forgiven, then fighting in your likeness is acceptable, is it not?" Assassin ventured cautiously. Artoria’s abilities were extraordinarily useful, particularly when paired with Rin’s vast mana reserves.

"Lancelot! You’re still joking at a time like this?" Wiping away the tears that had unknowingly flowed, Saber laughed—a genuine, heartfelt laugh.

"My king, you smiled... and cried."

"I understand, I understand!" Saber then murmured softly, "If you wish, you may."

"It’s not mere indulgence. You must have realized it in battle, my king," Assassin clarified.

"Precisely, which is why I’ve agreed." Saber’s voice regained its authority. "I am not a capricious king, after all."

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T/N: uh

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!