As soon as the sword exploded, the Assassin at the top swiftly turned his gaze towards the source of the sound. Shirou took advantage of this situation and calculated that most of the Assassins would head towards the explosion site to investigate. He seized this opportunity to move closer to the highest-positioned Assassin and detonated the second sword.
"Boom-"
Accompanying the explosion was a flare fired by Kiritsugu from a distance.
The countdown began.
60 seconds!
59 seconds!
...
Shirou counted the time in his mind as he carefully calculated the distance and detonated the third sword. He had meticulously placed the swords, taking into account the distance, to ensure maximum impact.
As Shirou detonated the seven swords, he was dangerously close to the Assassin's vantage point. To his surprise, he saw that two more Assassins had already congregated there. The seasoned veteran, Assassin, was not someone to be underestimated, certainly not someone like Shirou who was inexperienced in battle.
The continual bombing without any visible attackers was a clear ploy to divert attention. The high ground, being the best location for a strategic view, was also the likely headquarters of the battlefield. Assassin, being a seasoned veteran, quickly saw through the trick.
Unfortunately, Shirou had accounted for this eventuality. As a result, Assassin's reaction was also within Shirou's calculations!
Shirou halted his movement, detonated all the swords simultaneously, and the explosion's sound rose steadily. The firelight illuminated Shirou's profile.
Mentally calculating the distance, he merged with the Saint Graph and without hesitation, began to recite the incantation.
As he reached the second part of the incantation, a pitch-black short sword sliced through the sky and penetrated his defense, wounding his right arm.
The limitations of mortal wisdom were once again evident. In hindsight, wouldn't the stronghold's perimeter be guarded by troops stationed there?
Four Assassins appeared around Shirou and advanced to strangle him, but he evaded while continuing to chant. The speed of his incantation noticeably slowed, and a noticeable pallor overcame his body.
By the time Shirou reached the middle of the third part of the incantation, most of the Assassins had arrived and were choking him. His forehead was slick with cold sweat and his internal organs, as well as his eyes and limbs, were trembling.
It was a gamble, but it was the only option!
It was either finish the incantation and turn to face the Assassins, or be killed by them!
A gamble!
With his life on the line!
"——So as I pray, Unlimited Blade Works!"
His left arm was impaled by seven short swords, his right arm by three, and his right thigh by one. The pain was unbearable!
It hurts...
So painful...!
But he had won the gamble. He completed the incantation!
As the assassins approached, their steps rapid and determined, Shirou brought his incantation to a close. A whirlwind of sand swirled into being, darkening the sky and revealing a crimson wasteland dotted with countless swords. The horizon flickered with the glow of burning flames, creating a desolate and foreboding landscape that looked like a graveyard of swords.
The assassin stood in the Reality Marble, feeling slightly uneasy. However, their gaze finally settled on Shirou, who stood alone in the wilderness. With a wave of their short swords, the assassin charged toward Shirou like a dark mist of death.
"Do you really think you can overpower me? Ha! It's impossible! I'll bring you to your knees and put an end to all of you! This is the final resting place for swords, and for you, it will be your grave!"
With a flick of his wrist, Shirou commanded the swords in the wasteland to respond. Like a surging tidal wave, the blades rose up and rushed toward the oncoming assassins. They cut through the air with deadly precision, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
"Clang clang clang--!!!"
The cacophony of battle blended with the cries of pain, and the ground was stained red with the flow of blood. Shirou's heart pounded, but he remained steadfast as the rain of swords claimed the lives of countless assassins.
The previous day, he had witnessed the horrors of a true bloodbath, and after being imbued with that savage brutality, it would be unnatural for him to quiver or feel discomfort.
As Shirou gazed up at the desolate and gloomy sky, he gradually regained his composure and became aware of the changes within himself brought on by the unexpected war. Despite being unsettling, he realized that these changes would increase his chances of survival in the conflict.
The fight had ended the moment Shirou unleashed Unlimited Blade Works.
Hassan lacked a Noble Phantasm capable of facing Reality Marble. Their only asset was a phantom that heightened the individual's reconnaissance abilities. The battlefield was littered with the fallen, and blood stained the ground.
The assassins may have perished, but Shirou's thirst for revenge remained unfulfilled. He clenched his fist and a handful of sharp blades shot out, burying themselves in the pile of bodies.
Then —
"Broken Phantasm!"
"Boom! Rumble! Rumble!"
The impact obliterated even the bones.
This was hatred.
This was also revenge!
His reserves of magical energy were depleted, causing Unlimited Blade Works to shut down automatically.
The pain was intense, and agony wracked Shirou's body as short swords pierced both of his arms, causing blood to flow down the blades. However, he knew he couldn't fall here!
Tokiomi!
Tohsaka Tokiomi!
He had to kill him!
Once he did, the Holy Grail War would be over.
He had to kill him!
He must end it all by killing him!
A burst of light appeared in the distance, signaling the start of a 30-second countdown. Shirou mustered his remaining strength and sprinted toward the source of the flare.
"Whoosh!"
Shirou heard a sharp 'clack!' as a short sword whizzed past him, grazing his thigh.
"Thud."
He tumbled to the ground and quickly rolled onto his back. As he raised his head, he was met with the sight of multiple Assassins charging toward him.
He realized with alarm that the group he thought he had defeated was just a fraction of the group that now threatened him.
With determination etched on his face, Shirou pushed his magic circuits to their limits. He summoned a sword and created a brilliant flash with the 'Broken Phantasm.'
Next, he released his Saint Graph to hide and then conjured a bow and arrow. He aimed towards the direction of the flare bomb and fired, then followed it up with another explosive 'Broken Phantasm.' The ground shook with a thundering boom.
The Assassins quickly took notice of the exploding Broken Phantasm and immediately gave chase but in the opposite direction. Shirou's ploy of creating a distraction was exposed and they wouldn't be easily fooled again.
However, the Assassins failed to see through Shirou's true intentions - to use his own life as the ultimate gamble in one bold strategy. Despite the pain, he dragged himself towards the location illuminated by the flare bomb, determined to see his plan through.
...
Next 76 Chapters are up on my Patreon: patreon.com/bcloud
Before the last flare exploded, Shirou hastened to the warzone where Kiritsugu and Tokiomi were engaged in combat. Despite being within reach of the fray, he elected to observe the battle between the two men from a distance.
Killing Tokiomi was the top priority for Shirou, but his ultimate goal was to take out both Tokiomi and Kiritsugu. Given his weakened state, he decided to bide his time and let Tokiomi tire Kiritsugu out before making his move.
Bracing himself against a nearby shelter, Shirou withdrew all of the short swords from his body and cast healing magecraft on himself. Though the magecraft had a potent restorative effect on physical injury, it was of no use in alleviating mental exhaustion or treating natural ailments.
In a previous battle against Spartacus, Shirou sustained serious injuries to both his arms. But he utilized his healing magecraft to cure himself, thus evading detection by his parents and regaining full use of his limbs. He was proficient in healing magecraft and quickly mended his external wounds. However, the internal pain and exhaustion persisted.
Shirou lurked, watching the battle between Kiritsugu and Tokiomi unfold. Kiritsugu was at a severe disadvantage, struggling against the superior tactics of Tokiomi. The latter had meticulously prepared for the fight, taking into account Kiritsugu's Origin and even accounting for normal firearms. It was clear that Tokiomi had thoroughly studied Kiritsugu's tactics and was one step ahead.
Tokiomi avoided direct confrontation with Kiritsugu, opting instead to use his gemstone magecraft to launch remote bombings and flame incineration. He relied solely on suppressing fire. Despite the relentless attack, Kiritsugu kept his cool and attempted to flee. However, the surrounding fire became Tokiomi's familiars, trapping Kiritsugu. His black coat was in tatters, singed by the flames, and his face obscured by dust, a sorry sight.
Shirou considered the option, "Should I wait for Tokiomi to defeat Kiritsugu, then move in to kill him?"
He quickly dismissed the thought, shaking his head.
Without Kiritsugu, Tokiomi would quickly catch wind of Shirou's ambush and call upon Gilgamesh for assistance, destroying any chance of victory. Additionally, Shirou's urge to eliminate Tokiomi overshadowed his motive to kill Kiritsugu.
If Tokiomi had died sooner, Gilgamesh's elimination would also come sooner. And with Gilgamesh gone, Shirou's happiness would have come sooner too. Despite adopting Sakura, he must be strict with her biological father and holds no mental burden about it.
Survival was the only way to achieve anything else. Losing everything, including life, was foolish. Shirou prioritized protecting his life first and dealt with other matters later.
Taking advantage of Tokiomi's focus on Kiritsugu, Shirou projected his two swords and sneaked up on Tokiomi, ready to ambush him.
Unbeknownst to Shirou, before he could even get near, Tokiomi fiercely turned and hurled three gems at him. Shirou swiftly narrowed his eyes and projected a barrier to block the incoming attack. In an instant, there was a loud "boom" as Tokiomi triggered the magecraft within the gems, destroying the barrier into fragments.
"I never thought Lord El-Melloi would be so proficient in using projection magecraft," Tokiomi displayed an elegant smile. "That outfit, is that your new Mystic Code, Lord El-Melloi?" Tokiomi glanced at his outfit and asked with curiosity.
Shirou's brows furrowed as he thought, 'Does he think I'm Kayneth?' He then replied, "Yes, Lord Tohsaka."
"Interesting. However, as the Supervisor of Fuyuki City, I must say that your arrival, Lord El-Melloi, is quite unwelcome," Tokiomi spoke with a polite smile as he swung his staff, sending a burst of fiery projectiles toward Shirou, resembling the wings of a phoenix. Shirou deftly evaded by rolling to the side.
"You're not behaving like a true noble, Lord El-Melloi," remarked Tokiomi.
"Nobility goes beyond mere words; it's reflected in one's actions," retorted Shirou.
"Indeed, Lord El-Melloi," Tokiomi unleashed a barrage of gems toward Shirou, trying to overwhelm him with firepower, similar to his attack on Kiritsugu. Shirou brandished his dual blades and charged toward Tokiomi.
"Such recklessness is unbecoming of a noble," remarked Tokiomi with a light smile as a gem on his staff shone, creating a protective shield in front of him. But with a loud "Crack!" Shirou's sword broke through the shield, causing it to crack like a spider's web.
This was thanks to Shirou's sudden fusion with his Saint Graph!
Tokiomi's eyes widened, his expression shifting slightly, "Y-You're not Lord El-Melloi, you're Caster!"
"It's too late to realize it now!" exclaimed Shirou as he struck the shield once more with his sword, causing it to crack repeatedly. "Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack, crack!"
The shield crumbled further, but Tokiomi's expression remained unchanged. His dignified composure allowed him to remain calm even in the face of disaster.
Tokiomi's hand shot up, poised to summon Gilgamesh using the Command Seals. However, in that very moment, he caught sight of Kiritsugu rushing towards him, gun aimed and ready to fire.
The realization hit Tokiomi hard - he couldn't let himself get hit by that bullet. His expression shifted dramatically.
Tokiomi was forced to abandon the use of command seals and go on the offensive against Kiritsugu. However, Kiritsugu utilized Time Alter to quicken his own movements, deftly evading the attack. With a loud "Bang!", the Origin bullet was fired.
As Tokiomi attempted to dodge Kiritsugu's aim, Shirou tightened his grip.
"Broken Phantasm!"
"Rumbling!"
The sword which was deflected by the shield, detonated, obliterating Tokiomi's defense. A brilliant flash temporarily blinded him, and he reflexively squeezed his eyes shut. At that moment, Kiritsugu pulled another trigger on his gun.
With a sharp "Bang", the round-headed Origin bullet shot through the fiery battlefield, spinning through the air and plunging into Tokiomi's chest.
"Kacha-Kacha~"
Tokiomi's magic circuits were overloaded, causing him to be hurled to the ground by the force of his own magical energy. The Azoth Sword in his pocket clattered to the ground with a resounding "Clang."
Tokiomi lay on the ground, weakly thrashing and wailing pitifully. "Ah-, ah ah ah ah ah ah-!"
Gone were all traces of elegance.
Kiritsugu paid no attention to Tokiomi, instead turning to take aim at Shirou. But Shirou was ready, his demi-servant body allowing him to swing his sword at a speed faster than Kiritsugu. With a sharp "Cha" sound, the sharp blade emitted a cold light and sliced through Kiritsugu's gun.
Unfortunately for Shirou, Kiritsugu, having swiftly activated Time Alter, avoided the fatal strike. Shirou's sword merely severed Kiritsugu's gun and grazed his cheek. Undeterred, Shirou pressed forward in pursuit of victory.
However-
"Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh!!!"
The sound of shattering glass filled the air as eight black keys hurtled toward Shirou and Kiritsugu, slicing through the sky.
Shirou brandished his sword to fend off the incoming black keys, but Kiritsugu was sluggish in his response due to the recoil from his Time Alter, leaving him with a gash on his waist.
Shirou gazed in the direction from which the black keys had been fired and spotted Kirei, clad in his priestly robes, standing before Tokiomi.
"This is the end," Kirei declared. "I won't allow you to harm my teacher."
"Kirei... Kirei..." Tokiomi struggled, reaching out to Kirei.
"Teacher," Kirei said, retrieving the Azoth sword from the ground and beaming as he took Tokiomi's hand. In a sudden motion, he swung a black key and severed Tokiomi's hand, along with the Command Seals.
"Cha!"
"Ah! Ahhh!!!" Tokiomi cried out in agony as blood gushed from his arm and covered the ground. He thrashed, screamed, and bellowed before finally losing consciousness and collapsing to the ground.
Dozens of Assassins materialized around Kirei and set off in pursuit of Shirou and Kiritsugu.
With no other option, Shirou was forced to flee for his own survival and temporarily shelve his plan to eliminate Kiritsugu.
An Assassin gazed upon Tokiomi lying in a puddle of blood and asked Kirei, "Master, shall I eliminate him for you? He's still alive."
"Kill him?" Kirei replied with a smile. "He's my teacher. How could I take his life? I am a priest. How could I commit murder? I won't kill him. I will heal him and ensure he lives a fulfilling life."
The Assassin shuddered and unconsciously backed away at the sight of Kirei's smile.
The Command Seal on Tokiomi's hand was cut off, his magic circuits were destroyed by the Origin Bullet, and the Magic Crest of his family was destroyed. Death is the only relief for a magus. Yet, Kirei wants him to live.
Assassin shuddered. Kirei reminded him of the employers he served in his past life. However, only a master like Kirei could truly be called a Master.
Kirei mended Tokiomi's wounds and lifted him. Gazing upon the severed hand and Command Seal on the ground, he kicked it into the nearby flames.
The King who aided Kirei in realizing his true self never could have envisioned becoming the first servant to fall, let alone at Kirei's hands. The thought filled Kirei with wicked treacherous delight, betrayal, pleasure, and joy.
"Hahahahahahaha." Kirei burst into hearty laughter, his profile illuminated by the flickering firelight. Tears streamed down his face, but he was overflowing with joy.
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