Chapter 65: The Assassins Mobilize
Words : 771
Updated : Sep 17th, 2025
A pitch-black axe-sword spread open like wings, its height exceeding that of most humans—perhaps only a nearly three-meter-tall giant could wield it with ease.
And because of this, when Sakatsuki swung this ferocious weapon, the impact it created was more intense than ever before.
Saber had unleashed a variant of her Noble Phantasm, "Invisible Air"—a momentary release of compressed air that slashed at her enemy in a sweeping strike, "Strike Air."
However, the violent storm was torn apart by the rapid nine-fold slashes of the axe-sword. The once-lethal wind blades were reduced to nothing more than chaotic air currents. Even Saber hadn't expected that Sakatsuki, whose arms appeared so slender in comparison to the massive weapon, would be able to wield such a monstrous thing.@@@@
Style: Shooting the Hundred Heads.
The Noble Phantasm most trusted by the Heroic Spirit Heracles, once used to slay the immortal Hydra.
Through wielded weapons or even barehanded combat techniques, this skill had been crystallized into a "Technique Noble Phantasm" akin to "A Knight Does Not Die with Empty Hands." It maximized a weapon's full potential, shifting between different forms to suit the situation—ranging from anti-personnel strikes to anti-army and even siege-level attacks.
If used with a sword, it manifested as nine instantaneous slashes. If used with a bow, it became nine dragon-shaped homing lasers.
Sakatsuki's Projection Magecraft had been inherited from Shirou Emiya—a rule-breaking ability that allowed him to replicate weapons while also acquiring fragments of their original wielder's skills. That was why, even as Sakatsuki wielded Heracles' secret technique, he still had enough leeway to retreat and vanish from Saber's line of sight.
Once Saber confirmed Sakatsuki's presence had disappeared, her signature ahoge twitched slightly. She retracted her radiant Sword of Victory and returned to Irisviel's side.
"Are you alright, Irisviel?"
"I'm fine, thank you, Saber."
But there was little relief on Irisviel's face. She gazed at the massive axe sword, which was slowly dissipating into magical energy, her ruby-red eyes filled with concern.
"You're worried about Sakatsuki, aren't you?"
Saber asked.
"Why not just say it?"
Her concern turned into guilt. The pure-hearted Winter Princess lowered her head and remained silent.
What was Irisviel looking at?
Curious, Saber imitated her gaze but saw nothing more than a flat concrete surface.
After a long pause, a faint voice broke the silence.
"I have no right to look at that child."
The silver-haired homunculus, whose emotions were more delicate than anyone else's, murmured softly.
"He's helped us so much... and yet we are forced to be his enemies."
That was the contradiction Irisviel carried within her—the reason she had remained silent from the beginning.
Since his sudden appearance a year ago, Sakatsuki had never shown hostility toward her. Even now, as they stood on opposing sides in the Holy Grail War, the young man had been silently protecting her and Saber...
His white cloak billowed, his red attire fluttered, and his black-and-white twin swords gleamed sharply as they reflected the light.
Faced with an army of Servants, the young man did not falter nor retreat. Instead—He launched a ferocious attack as if he could hardly wait!
Caught off guard, Assassins' heads flew into the air, severed by his merciless blades.
"Trace on!"
His initial twin swords were discarded—whirling through the black-robed ranks like a reaper's scythe. Then, Sakatsuki's hands crossed, grasping tightly—new blades materialized instantly, and he plunged into the fray once more.
"Eight of you, cover my retreat! The rest, delay him—do not engage directly!"
From the moment Kirei summoned Assassin, he had already made up his mind.
Despite having Servants at his disposal, despite his own formidable combat skills, he had no intention of fighting Sakatsuki.
His only goal was to escape.
"You think you can run?"
Easily dodging several flying daggers and shattering an Assassin's skull with the flat of his blade, Sakatsuki sneered as he saw Kirei retreating.
A cold, ruthless smile spread across his lips.
"Full Projection: Continuous Layer Writing!"
A golden storm of countless weapons roared toward Kirei—
A tactic eerily reminiscent of the King of Heroes.
In that moment, Sakatsuki's resolve became clear—
He was determined to kill Kirei Kotomine.
At the same time, a deep, resonant incantation shook the magical energy in the air.
"I am the bone of my sword."
***
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