Chapter 36: Day 8 ⑦

My hands are numb. While still gripping them, I gaze at the characters engraved upon the blades of the twin swords.

"…………"

The characters are blurring, fading away. Having taken Assassin’s Secret Sword, I can only watch as they begin to crumble from the edges.

The Illusions that took form here cannot maintain their existence after a single clash; they are vanishing.

—Still naive. Something called a Noble Phantasm shouldn't shatter in a single blow.

Was that truly my own thought? I felt as if the swords—or rather, the man who once owned them—had spoken to me.

The theory I read when I projected these swords, Kanshou and Bakuya.

While sympathizing with the creator's intent and capturing the structure, I noticed another will. Not the creator who birthed the swords into the world, but the theory of Magecraft held by the man who read and imitated them.

The thousands, tens of thousands of trials and errors repeated to reach this point. The technique of imitation obtained at the end of it all. Something a magus could never understand just by analyzing the blades... "Experience of Projection Magecraft" that only Shirou Emiya can read.

My head short-circuits. The processing cannot keep up with the sheer volume of information.

How many battlefields did these twin swords overcome together with him? Like looking into a kaleidoscope, various battles of the owner flicker in and out of existence.

In every one of them, he never retreated.

—No. He never even thought of retreating. He only tried to grasp back the hand that was reached out.

Not once did he suffer defeat.

—And yet, there was not a single victory. Not even one.

Doing his best in every situation, cutting away the few to save the many.

—Wrong. Even if he wanted to save everything, he had no choice but to cut them away.

My blood is of iron and my heart of glass—My body is made of swords...

—If I don't harden myself to the limit, I...

To crush the source of harm to the world, he had to ignore those crying out for help right in front of him. When he finally appeared on the main stage, those who had sought help were sometimes already silent. This hand that cannot reach the person who reached out hoping to be saved. This hand that reached out to save, but only touched a corpse——

My heart solidifies like stone. Gradually, I mechanically separate the savable from the unsavable, degrading into a being that saves without emotion. I couldn't become Hero of ■■. Was I... wrong—?

"Kh—!!"

I shake off the flowing thoughts.

I don't need this! I’ll save everyone I can with everything I have!

I don't want to hear such weakness, and it has nothing to do with me! As if I’d Synchronize with your whining!

However, information I cannot help but acknowledge flows in as well.

—The scale of his Projection accuracy is on a different level from mine.

Judging the concept of creation.

Hypothesizing the basic structure.

Duplicating the composition material.

Imitating the skill of its making.

Sympathizing with the experience of its growth.

Reproducing the accumulated years.

Exc■■ling every ma■ufactu■....■■...■.. 

No matter which step I look at, I haven't achieved a reproduction that equals him.

The path that continues far, far beyond where I am headed. The road he traveled lies open like a perfect model.

If I follow this path, I might catch up to him. Yes, it would be a shortcut to reach that man who looks forward without ever looking back at me.

"——Projection, Start (Trace On)."

The twin swords appear in my hands once more. A solid texture. Their existence is more certain than the ones before.

However, the Analysis, the Hypothesis, the Duplication, the Imitation, the Sympathy, the Reproduction——none of it reaches his level.

I lower my arms and grip the swords. I pass magical energy through my eyes to Reinforce them; I won't miss even the smallest opening. This is battle preparation as a magus—something Saber, who possesses naturally superior eyesight, wouldn't use.

I push my thoughts to the limit. How can I, inferior in swordsmanship, defeat the superior Assassin? I find a result among the few possibilities and deploy the process to execute it within my brain.

Before me, Assassin regrips his katana. From Ryuudou Temple, the sound of explosions and light can be heard. It's likely Caster’s magecraft, but I have no leeway to worry about that.

"Are you an Anki-tsukai (wielder of hidden weapons)? No... yet the faint aura I read is certainly that of a swordsman."

Assassin doesn't seem bothered that his strike was blocked. Rather, he seems slightly surprised by the swords that appeared suddenly. If he had knowledge of magecraft, he would have immediately realized it was a magical act from sensing the prana.

But Assassin is a pure swordsman. It can't be helped if he is ignorant of magecraft. Or perhaps he knows of orthodox magecraft, but he couldn't possibly know a unique magecraft like creating swords.

"Well, no matter. It is enough that I can still cross blades with you. Now, let us see what kind of trick you will show me next."

If you cannot win, prepare the situation yourself so that you can. To obtain victory, use every scheme.

If you are no match with a sword, use every means you possess to defeat the enemy before you——!

As I listen to Assassin's words, a revolution of thought occurs within me.

When I was wielding Excalibur and using Saber’s movements to fight Assassin, I was obsessed with the idea of fighting fairly as a swordsman without shame. ——Even though I am not a swordsman myself.

Was the trigger being slashed by Assassin and nearly dying, or was it after I took these twin swords? From that point, everything is being rewritten.

...Originally, I, Shirou Emiya, was never in a position to care about appearances. And even now, I had forgotten that hasn't changed.

I am inferior to Saber and Assassin in swordsmanship and movement. I am inferior to Rider and Berserker in strength, and to Lancer in speed. Even if I can defend, my magecraft is incomparable to Caster’s.

By borrowing Saber’s body, I had unconsciously felt like I had gained an advantage. I was conceited, thinking that with this much physical ability, I might manage somehow.

Even if I am drawing out the body's performance, it doesn't mean I have become Saber.

I am me. Even if the body is Saber’s, the inside is nothing more than Shirou Emiya, a Spellcaster. Assassin, right in front of me, taught me that.

Assassin ascends a dozen steps in a single leap. I dash up as if in pursuit.

A silver line approaches with increasing sharpness.

And Kanshou and Bakuya parry it as if flowing.

Intersecting white, black, and silver.

Iron against iron, scattering sparks while creating high-pitched rings.

—In this situation, victory will never be in sight.

—But, do not panic and fight at the same height as Assassin.

Somewhere in my head, a calm judgment is made.

And following it, I swing the swords.

Swords I should be swinging for the first time. Yet, they feel as familiar as if they were custom-made for these hands, moving as if they were part of my body.

Maintaining a fixed interval without trying to press the attack, I carefully handle each of Assassin’s strikes.

It's different from Saber’s swordsmanship, which uses physical ability and Mana Burst to the fullest.

There is no great power. However, I can receive, evade, and parry with minimal force. If I focus on a fighting style specialized in defense, there are few weapons as suitable as these.

Though against opponents with overwhelming power like Berserker or Saber, the option to "receive" wouldn't even exist.

No matter how much they feel like part of my body, or how suited they are for defense, it is still the first time. Discrepancies appear in fine movements.

Kanshou is struck down. Bakuya is blown away. If I create an opening to pick them up, the battle will be decided in that instant.

Immediate Projection. Kanshou and Bakuya appear in both hands as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Receiving a sharp blow, the twin swords fray——they collapse.

Still too naive. Return to the starting point—from the analysis, and firmly step forward again.

Projection, Projection, Projection, Projection, Projection, Projection——————.

The standard rises every time I repeat it. My movements sharpen in proportion.

As the degree of completion increases, the movements and techniques become more refined. That is likely thanks to the level of Experience Reproduction rising. I read the projected experience and turn it into my own, one by one.

Assassin’s blade continues to show its usual brilliance.

Seeing the twin swords he thought he had blown away appearing in my hands again and again, Assassin wavers slightly. Yet, no stagnation is born in his movements. He seems to have recognized me as an opponent with such an ability.

After somehow managing to withstand the Tsubame Gaeshi (Swallow Reversal), his attacks are swung with the precision of passing through the eye of a needle, and despite that, his sword speed is increasing.

I was somehow managing to withstand it. In fact, I have more breathing room than when I was using Excalibur.

These twin swords are not focused on power or weight, but rather on fighting with the number of hits from rotating body movements; they are more compatible than fighting with a single Western sword. Even if a parried blade changes trajectory and approaches, I can somehow respond with the other.

Still, the situation of being entirely on the defensive remains unchanged. While I can manage just receiving because I'm losing in skill, I can't even find an opening to turn to the offensive.

I don't think I can win with a sword, nor do I intend to.

And then, several more clashes. While swinging the swords as if to confirm, I weave the words to head toward victory.

"——Projection, Start (Trace On)."

Clack, I push in the hammer. Instantly, my body is rebuilt into something different.

I bring Kanshou and Bakuya to mind and read them again from scratch. I knew this, but there is another use for them besides slashing.

A blueprint is already completed in my mind. All that's left is to pass magical energy through it, which will act as the trigger, and they will appear in these hands.

And, continuing on, I write out the next sword in my head.

I saw it during the previous Holy Grail War. The weapon held by the tall Servant. Since it isn't a Noble Phantasm, understanding and grasping the framework and material isn't difficult. It would be classified as a sword, but its appearance is what is called a kusarigama (chain-sickle) in Japan... Completed.

Next. This is something I have duplicated once before. It is buried within me; I don't need to read and understand it from scratch, but simply call it forth.

Still, because it isn't a "sword" I usually project, it inevitably takes time. I apply the projection technique I gained this time to the sensation of projecting it before, bringing the imitation closer to the truth. ………………………… Completed.

"——Projection, Load (Trigger Off)."

I have three blueprints on standby. Creak, creak, creak, my brain starts to reject it. The reason this didn't happen before was likely due to the accuracy being poor. The closer it gets to the original, the more its information volume becomes an overload. On top of that, there are three at once this time. This is the first time I've attempted such continuous Projections.

...But that burden is light compared to when I was just Shirou Emiya. I don't know if it's because this body has a contract with the World, but even if I do something this reckless, the burden isn't great.

There is only one chance to attack. If I miss it, I will lose without even a chance to recover. If I miss, an opening will surely be created. The man before me is not a naive swordsman who would miss such an opening.

I don't try to force the distance. And Assassin doesn't attack either. That is convenient for me. Stepping back and escaping Assassin’s range, I ready the Kanshou and Bakuya in my hands.

Sensing my offensive intent, Assassin raises his katana slightly. Regardless, I hurl Kanshou and Bakuya straight at Assassin.

"To think you would throw your weapons——!"

Hearing the heavy sound of them cutting the wind while spinning vertically, Assassin doesn't receive them with his blade but evades them with body movement alone.

Because there was no distance, I couldn't throw them with horizontal rotation, but it must have served as a distraction.

After finishing the throw, I was already working on the Projection. I flow magical energy and change it into shape——but as expected, it inevitably takes more time compared to a sword.

But even that is a slight difference. Not enough to use up Assassin’s opening. The blueprint has already been assembled over time. That was fortunate.

"——AAAAAAAAAAH!!"

With a shout, a red trajectory streaks toward Assassin. A barrage of strikes, strikes, and more strikes at a speed that ordinary dynamic vision cannot track.

In my hands, a spear is gripped. The blood-red demonic spear owned by the blue man——Lancer.

Following the experience cultivated by the owner, I unleash a barrage of thrusts like a curtain of fire.

The first strike is the fastest. Lancer’s speed, which even Saber’s body couldn't keep up with. Using magical energy as a booster, I forcibly close the distance for just a few seconds.

"This is... Lancer’s spear!?"

Parrying the approaching spear, Assassin is astonished. It seems Lancer had already finished his scouting here. Assassin himself must have fought him as well.

This is a trick that can't even be called spearmanship, far inferior to Lancer, the original owner. But even the formidable Assassin cannot immediately adapt to my suddenly changed fighting style.

And at the same time, holding and swinging it, I realize. With this level of completion, there is no way I could release the True Name.

Even if I could by some miracle, the involvement with causality would be minuscule. Only someone incredibly unlucky would have their heart pierced.

However, since I'm not planning to defeat him using Gae Bolg’s True Name, this is enough.

What I wanted was a reach equal to that long sword and a strength that wouldn't be cut down by Assassin’s strikes. There was no other weapon within me that boasted more length while being able to withstand Assassin’s attacks.

And this is ultimately nothing more than a setup to widen the distance between us.

With the sudden change in reach, Assassin backs away. Even taking the non-stop barrage of the spear, there are no wounds on his body.

But this is as I intended. I was able to open up distance from Assassin. Because I fought recklessly, I consumed more magical energy than usual, but thanks to the Path with Rin, it is being constantly supplied.

Good... there is no problem.

Having let go of the spear, I have already finished the next Projection.

In my hands are Kanshou and Bakuya again. I hurl them at Assassin in a crossing pattern, setting them on a visible trajectory. Without watching them, I begin the next Projection.

Assassin somehow evades the approaching Kanshou and Bakuya as they rotate horizontally. Despite the sudden spear barrage and the immediate throwing of the twin swords, he still overcomes it.

He could probably receive them with his blade, but Assassin’s weapon is not a Noble Phantasm. The reason he went out of his way to evade is likely because his blade, which is exceptionally long compared to a general katana, cannot withstand great pressure due to its characteristics.

Even for the great Assassin, it shouldn't be easy to parry two simultaneous attacks while killing the impact. And Assassin evading was also within my expectations.

"——Projection, Complete (Trace Off)."

"This is!?"

Taking advantage of the momentary gap from his evasion, chains that were waiting as if anticipating his escape route coil around Assassin.

At the end of that chain is my hand gripping Rider's spiked chain-sword. Manipulating the chain in a snake-like winding trajectory to bind Assassin, I thrust the spiked chain-swords into the stone steps on both sides.

With this, all Projections are finished. All that's left is to attack with everything I have!!

"HAAAAAAAH!!!"

In my hand is Excalibur. This is the greatest and strongest attack I can possess while borrowing Saber’s body.

Exploding the magical energy I flowed into my legs, I close in on Assassin in an instant——!

"But, your tsume (final move) is still too naive——!!"

Even with his lower body’s freedom taken by the chains, Assassin returns his blade using only his upper body.

The iron screamed. A particularly large spark was birthed from the sword and the blade. Assassin received the strike of Excalibur, which was filled with maximum magical energy, even while his blade was warping.

To what heights does Assassin’s swordsmanship reach, that he can receive a full-power Excalibur by wielding his blade from such a restricted position? Even seeing it before my eyes, I can't believe it.

——But.

"No, this is tsumi (checkmate)!"

While bending Assassin’s blade and pushing against it and him with all my strength, I opened my mouth.

"What are you——!?"

And sensing the presence behind him, Assassin’s face stiffens.

He can likely hear the faint sound of cutting wind. From behind Assassin, the two blades of white and black return in an arc.

Assassin, whose lower body is bound by chains and cannot move, would have to show his back to me while we are locked in a struggle if he wanted to parry the twin swords approaching from behind.

On the other hand, if he continues to push against me like this, he will take them defenselessly as they approach from behind with a vicious sound of cutting wind.

——There was no escape for Assassin.

After a dull sound, Assassin coughs up blood.

In the end, Assassin remained locked in a struggle while facing me. The two swords that entered his shoulder and flank gouged his flesh, cut through bone, and finally stopped just before bisecting his body.

"My defeat, then..."

Coughing up blood, Assassin murmurs. Despite having received two fatal wounds, he looks up at the sky without falling. Although he murmurs that he lost, for some reason, his face was clear and bright.

"...Assassin. I am not a knight like Saber. I could only win with such a deceitful method. ——I’m sorry."

"What is there to apologize for?"

I, who couldn't respond head-on to Assassin who fought to the end as a swordsman, cannot turn my face toward him properly. Assassin looks at me with a look of genuine wonder.

"You simply fought your own battle, did you not?"

I was speechless. Indeed, this was likely a way of fighting that only I could do. But even that was all borrowed.

Saber's sword, Archer's twin swords, Lancer's spear, Rider's spiked chain-sword. Not one of them is mine.

A victory obtained by borrowing other people's weapons and ways of fighting. A Faker——everything is just plating. A counterfeit.

Guh, I surfaced from my thoughts at the sound of blood being coughed up, and I turned my face toward Assassin.

"At the end, may I ask your name?"

"...Servant class, Archer."

The class is given by the Holy Grail. But even if I am told to give my name, who am I? What answer would represent me?

"My name is............. my True Name is Alto."

I was about to answer 'Archer' as my name, but stopped right before. Hesitating, I ended up answering this.

The name Alto is, after all, only a part of Saber’s name, a temporary one created for external use since participating in the Holy Grail War.

But if I, who am neither Shirou Emiya nor Saber, am asked who I am, I can only answer that I am Alto.

"I see."

After a few seconds of silence, Assassin murmurs and stares straight into my face.

"Archer, you should go. Caster... she is an opponent who will not be handled easily."

"Yeah, I know."

Giving a single nod, I start running. I ran toward Ryuudou Temple, leaving Assassin standing alone.

"Archer. That was a fine, shiai (sparring match)."

As we pass each other, Assassin murmurs softly. From his tone, I knew he was smiling.

I continue forward without stopping.

"To think what I thought was a common wild flower possessed such thorns. Hah——I suppose picking it was not meant to be."

Assassin’s final words were drowned out by the sound of the gate closing and did not reach me.