[This is a battle you are completely unaware of.]
[But that doesn't diminish its importance—this is the beginning of everything that follows.]
[However, the reason for its eruption is far simpler than imagined.]
As someone who had participated in the Holy Grail War twice, Kotomine Kirei believed he understood this ritual quite well. One of his clearest understandings was that each class had its unique way of achieving victory. For instance, Servants of the Saber class excelled in honorable duels, and their "Magic Resistance" was also a manifestation of this identity. As for Casters, they specialized in building workshops to gain advantages, often involving incredible magecraft that would leave an unforgettable impression upon sight. Assassins, being assassins, employed extremely stealthy combat methods. After all, Assassins, who needed to protect their identities during their lives, often lacked sufficient legendary backing, which affected their combat power. Kotomine Kirei had already felt this from the Hassan-i-Sabbah he had summoned previously. Direct confrontation was not their forte. Operating in the shadows was the most correct way to use the Assassin class. This also meant that effectively utilizing an Assassin actually demanded considerable skill from the Master themselves.
However—what Kotomine Kirei considered an ironclad rule became meaningless in the Fifth Holy Grail War. Because this time, he also summoned an Assassin. However, this Servant, named Li Shuwen, completely lacked the characteristics that class should possess.
Or, to put it in a more common way—he preferred direct confrontation. Yes. Li Shuwen, as an Assassin, instinctively rejected the act of assassinating people from the shadows. He craved worthy opponents—those who could push him to the brink. Because only in such predicaments could his ultimate technique, the "No Second Strike," be further refined. This was the so-called "reaching the pinnacle"! And actions born from such a philosophy were equally at odds with the Holy Grail War.
"What?" Kotomine Kirei looked at the old man before him, quite surprised by his suggestion. "Assassin, you said you want to set up a fighting ring?"
This was an unreasonable request. The class that should be most concerned with concealment was now proposing the most conspicuous action.
"Yes," Li Shuwen looked at Kotomine Kirei, his expression unwavering. "Do you have any objections?"
"..." By all accounts, at this point, a normal Master, even for the sake of their own dignity, should have directly rejected Li Shuwen's request. After all, it sounded completely unlike an action aimed at achieving victory.
However—for Kotomine Kirei, whose perceptions had become twisted over years of ascetic training, and who had embarked on a path of 'pleasure' after the death of Archer Gilgamesh in the previous Holy Grail War, such an action held immense value.
Against common sense? Good.
Illogical? No problem.
As long as he could derive sufficient amusement from it, everything was worthwhile. After all—Gilgamesh had earnestly taught him a lesson, at the cost of his own death: "To pursue what you desire is entertainment; entertainment brings pleasure, and pleasure increases one's sense of happiness."
If that were the case, then any action was perfectly reasonable, wasn't it? Upholding the path of pleasure, Kotomine Kirei fully supported Assassin Li Shuwen's suggestion.
"Good. I will immediately set up a fighting ring for you."
Kotomine Kirei wasn't just saying that. After agreeing to his Servant's request, in less than a week, he spent a large amount of manpower and resources to build an exceptionally Chinese-style fighting ring in a suitable location, according to Li Shuwen's specifications.
Deep night, the moonlight shone brightly. Li Shuwen ascended the fighting ring, feeling a surge of excitement. That long-lost keenness once again surfaced in his heart. This was the fundamental difference between his two age groups—if the two had a chance to meet, they might even start fighting on the spot.
But that's beside the point. Standing on the red fighting ring, Li Shuwen regulated the qi within his body and began to practice his martial arts under the moonlight. As someone who had reached the pinnacle of Bajiquan, his style was unparalleled. Kotomine Kirei, who also practiced Bajiquan, understood this perfectly well. Looking at the fluid movements on the ring, he felt his own inner vitality being stirred. Perhaps in another minute. No. Perhaps in just thirty seconds. Kotomine Kirei felt he would go up and practice with him. Indeed. Li Shuwen's boxing had such terrifying tension that even someone like Kotomine Kirei could feel the charm of martial arts.
But just then—Kotomine Kirei heard an unfamiliar voice.
"A very imposing boxing style. It's truly breathtaking—even I feel an urge to learn it."
"..." Although Kotomine Kirei was captivated by Li Shuwen's martial arts, he wasn't completely oblivious to his surroundings. He followed the voice and saw a man with a silver single side ponytail. And beside this man, there was another man with bronze skin and a remarkably sturdy physique.
"..." Kotomine Kirei instinctively became vigilant—his long years in the church had made him scoff at others' praises. "Who are you?" he asked.
"Oh... my apologies, I haven't introduced myself yet." The silver-haired man politely bowed, then spoke openly. "I am Marisbilly Animusphere. If the name is too long, you may call me Marisbilly. As for my identity—" The man, who called himself Marisbilly, looked at Kotomine Kirei and smiled slightly. "Kotomine Kirei, like you, I am also a participant in this Holy Grail War."
"..." Kotomine Kirei was momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized. The two people before him were another Master and Servant pair in this Holy Grail War! But—how did he know his name? Kotomine Kirei looked at Marisbilly, instinctively stepping back a few paces. It was a sign of sensing danger—or rather, a stress reaction upon realizing the other party was not simple.
And Marisbilly, as if he had already seen through Kotomine Kirei's thoughts, quickly continued: "Please don't be so nervous. I certainly didn't use any dirty tricks to learn your name—this is all recently acquired information. You are the Master." Saying this, Marisbilly's gaze shifted to Li Shuwen on the fighting ring. "And that's your Servant, Assassin, isn't it?"
"..." With things laid out so clearly, Kotomine Kirei knew there was no point in feigning ignorance anymore. He directly affirmed Marisbilly's words. "Indeed. So, what do you want?" Kotomine Kirei revealed his arm, which bore the Command Spells. "If you intend to act here—I don't think my Assassin will just stand by."
"Yes, you're right," Marisbilly nodded. "So—I am here precisely to resolve this issue."
"Resolve this issue?" Kotomine Kirei was somewhat confused. "What do you mean?"
"It's simple," Marisbilly remained courteous. "Since it's the Holy Grail War—let's resolve the problem in the manner of the Holy Grail War." Marisbilly moved a few steps aside, making some room for the man behind him. "I'd like my C-a-s-t-e-r to have a round with your Assassin on that fighting ring, what do you say?"
"..." Kotomine Kirei actually didn't care about the other Servant's class—but at this moment, he found his attention completely fixated on Caster. Caster, a magus. This was a being physically weaker than even an Assassin. And now he was going to fight Li Shuwen in the arena? Just imagining the scene of Caster being pounded into a bloody mess by his Servant made Kotomine Kirei feel utterly elated.
"Good!" he readily agreed. "Then let's have a fight!"
And so—with the mutual agreement of Kotomine Kirei and Marisbilly, a battle thus began.
On the fighting ring. Looking at the enemy who had ascended the platform, Li Shuwen began by asking a question. "Who goes there?"
"Solomon," the man reported his name without hesitation.
"I see." Li Shuwen took off his coat, spread his legs, and assumed an offensive stance. "Solomon. You must know that those who step onto this ring, settle scores and decide life and death, right?"
"...I know." Solomon also adopted a serious posture. "So I will fight with all my might."
"Very good," Li Shuwen greatly approved of Solomon's attitude. "That is the resolve one should have in battle. Then—!"
"I'm starting!" Taking a deep breath, Li Shuwen immediately launched his attack in the most ferocious manner. Although he appeared to be an old man, his aura was in no way diminished. Just watching him gave one the illusion of a fierce tiger hunting its prey.
But Solomon also seemed to be highly skilled in martial arts. Watching the fiercely approaching Li Shuwen, he not only didn't panic but even showed a hint of approval.
Bang! The hands of the two on the fighting ring clashed, forcefully creating a wave of air that spread in all directions. This was a sight that was difficult to achieve even with clashing weapons, yet it was demonstrated by two bare hands.
"A formidable technique," Solomon said, looking at Li Shuwen. "If you had been born a little earlier, perhaps Bajiquan would have been named after you."
"You don't need to remind me of such things." An excited Li Shuwen was fully focused. "Try this move of mine!"
Under the moonlit night. The two Servants fiercely attacked and defended each other, the entire scene resembling a martial arts performance. But one needed only to see the ground of the fighting ring instantly pulverized into dust where they passed to immediately realize this was a battle fought with lives on the line.
Everything seemed never-ending. But this was not the result Li Shuwen desired—he never liked drawing with others; it made him feel as though his skills were lacking. After another exchange, Li Shuwen did a backflip, forcibly creating distance from Solomon. Although he was outwardly an old man, this aged body at this moment exuded an extremely powerful aura. Li Shuwen brought his hands together.
"To defeat an enemy not with countless secret techniques, but with a single principle—that is my ultimate technique!"
"Secret Technique—Peerless No Second Strike!"
In a flash, Li Shuwen directly charged in front of Solomon, ready to deliver a heavy blow using his life's accumulated knowledge to the one who had stepped onto this ring.
But just then—he found that something seemed off. The other party... had no intention of dodging?
"Achieving the pinnacle in a single aspect can certainly be considered a powerful display," Solomon replied, looking at Li Shuwen's charging punch. "But—what if what you climbed was actually just a small peak?"
"What?" In Li Shuwen's astonished gaze, Solomon ripped off his upper garment. "Now, let me show you what it means to be someone who has traversed many mountains."
Saying this, Solomon, as a Caster, confronted Li Shuwen's No Second Strike directly. The next moment, specks of light shone from the center of the ring towards the sky. When they completely vanished, the large fighting ring was utterly in ruins, with only a shirtless Solomon remaining. And on his body, there were a few new scars—presumably the consequence of facing Li Shuwen's No Second Strike head-on. However, for Solomon, none of this seemed worth mentioning.
He put his shirt back on and walked towards Marisbilly. "Let's go. I already know where Lancer is."
"Alright, I understand." Marisbilly nodded at Solomon, then smiled slightly at Kotomine Kirei, speaking chilling words. "Then—since your Servant has been defeated. Please die gloriously here as well." Saying this, a gleaming dagger appeared in his hand.
[You are completely unaware of this battle.]
[Because at this moment, you have another matter to attend to.]
Night.
"Lily, what's wrong?" Ian looked at Artoria, who had pulled him aside, somewhat puzzled. "Why do you look so nervous?"
"Um—" Artoria looked at him, a hint of reliance in her eyes. "Mr. Ian... you know that Illya is participating in this Holy Grail War to find her mother, right?"
"Mm," Ian nodded. "Didn't we just talk about this afternoon?"
"But—" Artoria sighed. "Her mother already died in the Fourth Holy Grail War. Mr. Ian... how should I tell her?"