Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

If the boy could fully grasp the information about this ability through the familiar's eyes—she would probably want to find a wall and smash her head against it.

Hassan regained his composure and said, "I'm sorry, I will not accept your invitation."

Shirou said, "Even if your Master treats you that way, don't you have any complaints?"

“I’m dissatisfied, of course I’m dissatisfied. Master’s actions have angered me.”

Bai Mao Hassan's clenched fist trembled.

Under Shirou's skillful instigation, her emotions became somewhat agitated.

"I have indeed had doubts about whether to continue serving him. We are not participating in the Holy Grail War to become stepping stones for someone's victory."

“But that’s not enough reason to betray my Master. I will not betray my Master and will cooperate with you, but—”

"I swear, Zaid's death will not have been in vain."

"I'll spare your life tonight for the sake of that child."

“I will pretend you were never here, and I will not tell Master about your affairs.”

"Get out of here now, and don't let anyone see where you are... before I change my mind."

"Hiding the fact that I was here is already the greatest betrayal of your Master."

Hearing the red-haired boy say that, Hundred-Faced Hassan couldn't help but sneer.

"So what? Are you going to complain? Do you think Kirei Kotomine will believe you?"

Shirou remained silent, but simply reached into his shorts pocket.

"--drop."

Accompanied by a sharp, mechanical sound, a woman's voice could be heard intermittently in the room.

"I'm dissatisfied, of course I'm dissatisfied. My Master's actions have angered me."

"I did have doubts about whether I should continue to be loyal to him."

"We're not participating in the Holy Grail War to become someone's stepping stone to victory..."

"I swear, Zaid's death will not have been in vain..."

"I will pretend you were never here, and I will not tell Master about your affairs."

"Get out of here right now, and don't let anyone see where you are..."

Hassan with a hundred faces: "???"

Shirou took out a voice recorder he had bought from a video store from his pocket and smiled slightly:

"Assassin, you don't want the Master to hear this confession, do you?"

------------

Volume 1, Chapter 38: Attacking the city is inferior; attacking the mind is superior.

"You secretly recorded our conversation!"

Hassan was furious: And it was even edited!!

As early as during the preparations for the Holy Grail War, Shirou commissioned Matou Tsuruno to obtain electronic devices such as pinhole cameras, locators, and eavesdropping devices.

After returning to pan-human history, he was quickly captivated by the technological civilization of modern society, spending his days online learning about the functions of these incredible instruments.

Whenever Shirou learns about a new electronic device, he has a strange sense of déjà vu: he always feels as if he already knew its functions and uses.

Machiri looks down on modern technology and disdains these "toys" that are only a few decades old. His attitude reflects the magicians' contempt for modern civilization.

However, Shirou felt that these electronic devices might play a surprisingly significant role in the Holy Grail War.

Magicians' illusions and camouflage techniques often rely on suggestion to deceive the observer's vision, and these magicians are often lax in their defenses against electronic devices.

Of course, the same applies to Servants.

Even someone as cautious as Assassin could never have imagined that the boy in front of him was recording the entire conversation.

"give it to me!"

With a loud shout, Bai Mao Hassan stomped his foot on the floor and kicked at the red-haired boy.

This time, Shirou made some progress, managing to catch Assassin's movements with his eyes.

“…Goooo!”

At the critical moment, Shirou projected the "Blade of Chaos" and raised his arms to defend himself.

However, the difference in their size and strength was too great, and Shirou was still kicked directly against the wall, feeling a sharp pain in his back as if his spine were breaking.

The moment his back touched the ground, he immediately used the reaction force to get up quickly. Almost simultaneously, the flying dagger struck the spot where he had just been standing.

"Is that your weapon?"

Hassan, having failed in his attack, warily stared at the chain blade wreathed in flames in Shirou's hand.

She instinctively sensed danger from the pair of swords.

Judging from his quick evasive maneuver, the boy possesses a wealth of combat experience beyond his physique and age.

It wasn't killing people, it was a bloody battle.

When it comes to experience and skill in killing, Bai Mao Hassan boasts that he is second to none.

However, when it comes to direct combat, she has virtually no experience in that area.

As the leader of an assassination cult, being forced to fight the enemy head-on is already a disqualification from being an Assassin.

No way? There really aren't Assassins who would actually fight people head-on?

Moreover, what's truly terrifying about the boy isn't his extensive combat experience, but rather his astonishing potential for growth.

When Hassan the Hundred-Faced Man first demonstrated his speed, the boy was taken away before he even knew what was happening.

But just now, Shirou was able to react to her actions.

Hassan immediately realized that turning the battle into a protracted war would be very bad for him, and he absolutely could not let him continue to adapt to his speed.

The battle will end in the next round.

"—"

The female assassin slowly curled up her waist and back, lowered her center of gravity, and made a preparatory sprinting motion like a female leopard.

She was about to go at the highest speed she could, but just then, she caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye—

A chain was wrapped around her ankle.

when! ?

Shirou suddenly pulled on the chain.

"……what!"

Losing her balance, Bai Ma Hassan let out a panicked scream. She was first thrown into the air, then plummeted down, her back slamming heavily onto the ground.

The intense impact caused Bai Mao Hassan to lose her senses for a moment. When she came to her senses, the boy was already riding on her waist.

"That makes it one win and one loss, Assassin."

As Shirou said this, he pressed the blade against her neck.

Hassan, gritting his teeth and glaring angrily, said, "Gulp... kill me."

The red-haired boy was speechless: Machiri too, why does everyone like to say that?

Beneath the skull mask, Hassan Baekhau's expression was resolute.

"I am also the leader of the order, and I will not beg for mercy from the enemy out of fear of death."

"Rather than hoping I'll submit, you might as well kill me now."

Shirou disagreed: "Assassin, dying won't work for me, you know."

I won't let you die innocent—I'll send that recording to the Tohsaka family.

Tokiomi Tohsaka and Kirei Kotomine will definitely think you've betrayed them, and Archer will kill all the remaining "yous."

"……you."

Bai Mao Hassan was stunned: What a vicious brat...!

"Assassin, cooperate with me," Shirou repeated.

"........."

Bai Mao Hassan hesitated, but still shook his head and coldly uttered three words.

"impossible."

Shirou said, "I know, Assassin, you... 'you' also have wishes."

Sacrificing yourself to pave the way for others is not the outcome "you" expect, is it?

Continuing to be loyal to your current Master, "you" will probably just waste your time on meaningless things in the future.

Just like tonight... nothing will be left, only meaningless death and nothingness.

Bai Mao Hassan retorted, "It's not meaningless."

Even if they cannot obtain the Holy Grail, if they can bring an advantage to the overall battle, then even their sacrifice would be worthwhile.

Shadows like "us" exist for this purpose; victory is not solely achieved by obtaining the Holy Grail.

Shirou said, "Then the problem comes back to square one—"

"Kirei Kotomine and Tokiomi Tohsaka, are they really planning to make good use of your strengths?"

"!"

Bai Mao Hassan's eyes widened.

Shirou discerned her deepest thoughts and used skillful words to gradually amplify Assassin's wavering.

Because the faction has an extraordinary and invincible being like the Golden Archer, Hassan the Hundred Faces does not need to provide any support in terms of combat power.

Not only is it impossible for her to obtain the Holy Grail, but she will also find it difficult to utilize her strengths.

"Assassinating the Master" should have been the most glorious job for an Assassin... but it was abandoned by her Master.

All of this is because the composed gentleman refused an unrefined victory—at least for now, Tokiomi Tohsaka still felt there was no need to assassinate the magician.

No one is born into this world to die in someone else's place.

Shirou spoke in a persuasive tone: "Assassin, let's find a way to victory that is not about sacrifice."

"Shut up! I told you to stop talking!"

Hassan screamed and brandished the dagger hidden beneath his wrist, intending to take everyone down with him—

"...Can the child also be sacrificed?"

"!"

The woman's face beneath the skeletal mask was frozen.

She turned around following Shirou's gaze and saw Hassan, the little girl, trembling behind the door.

"........."

The dagger in Bai Mao Hassan's hand fell to the ground.

"You win."

-------------------

Volume 1, Chapter 39: The Hero King Sells His Head with a Bid

Eleven o'clock at night.

"I never expected that Sister Assassin would be willing to become my partner. That's great."