บท 61: C61
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.
...
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