Clang!
Golden chains whipped through the air, their inscribed runes radiating fearsome power.
A single lash could shatter stone.
Assassin stepped forward, wielding his greatsword with ease, swatting the chains aside like flies. When they struck the Tohsaka estate's walls, the sturdy barriers crumbled like tofu.
No one paid it mind—such destruction was routine for them.
"Die!"
Kingu pressed his hand to the ground, instantly bathing the earth in gold. Spears and chains emerged from golden ripples.
This was one of his Noble Phantasms, Age of Babylon, born from his legend as the son of the earth, summoning weapons by borrowing the land's power.
Golden spears and chains arced through the air, raining down on Assassin.
Clad in heavy armor, greatsword in hand, Assassin advanced steadily, deflecting each chain with precise strikes.
Boom, boom, boom!
Weapons fell like thunder, their force threatening to obliterate Assassin's position, the Tohsaka courtyard, and even the street beyond.
Explosions roared skyward, flashes seeming to sweep the night clear.
The road looked carpet-bombed by modern jets, unbelievable for mere spears and chains.
Yet, beneath this onslaught, Assassin stood tall, greatsword unwavering, unscathed—his armor unmarred.
"Hey, Master! Did you see that?"
Miles away, atop Fuyuki Bridge, Iskandar—Rider—watched with his Master, observing the spectacle.
The Holy Grail War's first battle drew all eyes, with many Masters and Servants covertly gathering intelligence for strategic advantage.
Assassin's clash with Kingu was seen by numerous Servants.
"What's that?"
Some Masters, like Waver, Rider's Master, couldn't comprehend.
"Didn't you see? That armored executioner wields a door-sized greatsword with finesse, parrying every attack. It's like his blade split into dozens, forming a sword curtain that blocked nearly everything."
"What? None of those attacks hit?"
Waver stared at Rider, incredulous, awaiting confirmation.
"Not quite. A few struck in the chaos, but he stands unshaken, unaffected. He's a formidable foe."
Rider's expression was grave. As Alexander the Great, he'd seen countless warriors, but those matching such skill were fewer than five.
However…
"Kid, get ready to move."
Rider, previously spectating, spoke suddenly.
"Huh? Shouldn't we wait for them to wear each other out?"
Waver's instinctive reply reflected the obvious strategy: let enemies exhaust themselves, then capitalize.
"Hah? Wear each other out? I'd love a quick clash, sure. But hunting them one by one? Taking them all at once is faster!"
Rider delivered a bold declaration.
"A-all… at once…"
Waver gaped, as if staring at a fool. He knew Rider's trump card was strong, but tackling everyone was delusional.
"Exactly. Facing heroes from different eras is a rare chance—six of them! I won't miss a single one. These two alone are thrilling heroes; letting them fall now would be a shame."
Rider flashed a goofy grin, and Waver sensed trouble brewing.
"If not to kill them, then what? This is a war of slaughter!"
Waver tried to argue.
Thwack!
"Ow!"
A flick from the king sent the young strategist sprawling on the bridge.
Rider, handling his "household affairs," mounted his thunderous ox-drawn chariot, its roar amplifying the lightning.
"Ugh—ow!"
Waver, "disciplined," lay on the conductive bridge, writhing in electrified pain.
"Win without destroying, dominate without humiliating. That's true conquest. Spectating's over—let's go, kid!"
"Idiot, idiot, idiot! You're so reckless!"
…
"Damn it…"
Kingu's golden ripples intensified, attacks now several times denser, aiming for a decisive blow. He knew Assassin's strength and that this wouldn't defeat him—just wear him down.
"Please stop, Lord Kingu. Revealing your trump Noble Phantasm here is unwise."
Tokiomi Tohsaka's face was grim. He'd planned to display Kingu's might to avoid early conflicts, but hadn't anticipated Kingu's feud with this odd Assassin. He only meant to put on a show.
Revealing a key Noble Phantasm and facing Assassin was too costly.
Unbeknownst to Tokiomi, this wasn't a trump Noble Phantasm, nor could it fell Assassin.
He just wanted to break up the fight.
"Retreat, Assassin!"
Kirei Kotomine wasn't overly concerned, his emotions naturally muted. He felt little about the life-or-death duel, though he was surprised by Assassin's strength.
Regrettably, neither Master could sway their battle-hungry Servants.
"I'll prove my power to my father!"
Kingu ignored Tokiomi, driven solely by the desire to defeat Assassin, an enemy his father respected. Beating him would earn that same respect.
As for Assassin… frankly, he didn't take Kingu seriously. Though summoned with a standard Saint Graph, merely standing, he wouldn't lose to any Servant. Kingu? Just an immature child, no match for him.
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 70 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL