Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

Although everyone wore masks and black robes, their physiques varied greatly. There were towering giants, slender thin people, people as short as children, and graceful women.

Hassan with a hundred faces.

Saber recalled the name Shirou had mentioned and the related settings.

An assassin who carried nearly a hundred spirits within a single vessel (body) during his lifetime, ascended to the Throne of Heroes after death and became a Servant with nearly a hundred souls.

For some reason, Saber suddenly thought of her older sister.

She shook her head, clearing her mind of distractions, and used her magic to construct azure silver armor.

Incidentally, Shirou didn't tell them that the Assassins had actually allied with him, so Saber saw this as an attack aimed at their and Shirou's lives.

"It seems that Tokiomi Tohsaka is not planning to let us go back easily tonight."

"Irisviel muttered angrily."

On the other side, even Artoria, who hadn't shed a single drop of sweat during her duel with the King of Heroes, was now biting her lip because of the unfavorable situation.

If it were just a fight against Assassin, whether the opponent had a hundred or a thousand men, Saber didn't think she would lose.

However, Irisviel was right beside her at that moment, and Shirou was unaware of it.

Although Assassins are weak, they are killers who can approach their targets silently, and their numbers are so large that they are uncontrollable.

The current situation is incomparable to the one we faced when confronting the sea monster horde.

Even if Saber can block several Assassins with one sword, if even one escapes, it could cause fatal damage to Irisviel and Shirou.

Unlike Saber, whose face showed bitterness, the Assassins all wore sneers beneath their masks.

Just now, Master Kirei Kotomine used a Command Spell on them.

The command contained in the Command Spell is "Victory at all costs," which in layman's terms means to send them to their deaths.

However, Kirei Kotomine and Tokiomi Tohsaka probably don't know that Assassin is heading to the battlefield tonight with the determination to die.

Among the eighty-six Hassans present, some, like Sister Hyakko, were devoted to Shirou, but many others still harbored doubts.

Is it really a good idea to trust that boy so much?

Although most of the Hundred Faces still harbored doubts, the order given tonight by Tokiomi Tohsaka and Kirei Kotomine made them fully realize that they were merely pawns to be discarded.

It no longer holds any expectations of its original owner.

The Assassins decided to die bravely, placing their last hope on the red-haired boy and "that child".

Even so, we still have to put on an act.

Seeing a peerless hero like Saber break out in a cold sweat also makes the Assassins feel extremely happy.

Since you've already decided to die, of course you should die with a happy heart.

At that moment, the purple-haired female assassin stepped out from the crowd.

Hassan the Hundred Faces said, "Saber, hand over the brat in your hand, and I will spare your Master's life."

"Stop dreaming!"

As Saber handed Shirou to Irisviel, she raised her Wind-Binding Sword and coldly refused Assassin's request.

Bai Mao Hassan persisted, asking, "Why?"

Keep that brat around; he'll only become your enemy in the future.

Why don't I play the villain and kill him for you?

Perhaps it would be happier to die peacefully in one's sleep, unaware of the betrayal by one's allies.

"I told you not to dream. I will not hand Shirou over to you, and..."

A hint of pride appeared on Saber's upright and dignified face:

"Unlike your alliances, which are based solely on mutual benefit—"

Shirou and I came together because we share the same beliefs; it's impossible for us to betray each other.

Upon hearing her words, Bai Mao Hassan's slender and graceful body suddenly exuded a murderous aura.

"That sounds nice, but you and your Master just want to use that brat's power."

"I know all too well how hypocritical a sanctimonious knight like you truly is."

At this moment, a large "?" appeared above Shirou's head as he lay on Irisviel's chest pretending to be asleep.

...ah?

Assassin, is she the eldest sister?

Why is it different from the script?

Why are you wasting so much time talking to Saber? Tokiomi Tohsaka will get suspicious!

And... why does your conversation feel so tense?

On the other side, Saber also typed a big "?".

Artoria didn't know why the Assassins hated her, but her "intuition" as a dragon...

No.

Her womanly intuition led her to instinctively feel repulsed by the purple-haired female assassin.

"Tsk... This is really annoying."

Hassan the Hundred Faces glared at Saber with eyes that revealed blatant hostility:

"As expected of the legendary King of Knights, he is truly admirable."

Not only is she skilled at managing her knights, but she also seems to have a knack for winning over men... all thanks to your pure and innocent pretty face.

The purple-haired female assassin sneered.

"But is there any possibility...?"

You think you and that kid have a mutual understanding and connection... but is that just wishful thinking on your part?

Saber frowned slightly: "Assassin, what do you mean by that?"

"...Cough cough! Cough cough cough cough!"

Shirou suddenly started coughing violently.

Are you still going to fight or not?

Hassan understood immediately, and using the boy's cough as a signal, dozens of dark figures rushed towards Saber and her Master behind her.

Volume 1, Chapter 76: Can We Sleep Together?

And so, the legion, wearing masks and black robes, charged toward Saber and her companions one after another.

Although this was a play that Shirou and Hyakko Hassan had planned in advance, it would be meaningless if it couldn't be convincing enough to fool Tokiomi Tohsaka and Kirei Kotomine.

Moreover... Shirou once said: Assassin only needs to give it her all.

That kid, he really underestimated me, didn't he?

Feeling inexplicably annoyed, Hassan decided to vent his anger on Saber and Irisviel.

On the other side, Saber pursed her lips, as if facing a formidable enemy.

It would be manageable if there were only seven or eight or even a dozen enemies, but when surrounded by nearly a hundred Servants, even the battle-hardened Saber felt helpless and didn't know how to proceed.

At that moment, the person who gave her a push from behind was the one being protected.

"Give the command with a command spell—"

"Irisviel!?"

The chilling voice of the silver-haired android echoed behind Saber in the nighttime parking lot.

At this moment, complex red markings appeared on her exposed face, neck, and the back of her hands, which was a sign that the Command Spell had been activated.

"Saber! Protect me and Shirou with all your might!"

The next instant, countless glittering stars emerged from the concrete ground where they stood and quickly gathered on Saber's invisible sword.

The "Wind King Barrier" that interfered with vision and the "Avalon" that provided defense and protection have long been dispelled.

The dazzling starlight adhered to the golden holy sword, causing the blade to extend continuously—

In the end, the holy sword in Saber's hand transformed into an extremely long golden lightsaber, nearly three meters in length.

Without the slightest hesitation, Artoria channeled magic into her wrists and swung the elongated Excalibur forward, instantly sweeping away several approaching Hassans.

"It's amazing that you could think of such a enhancement method..."

As Saber wielded her extended holy sword of light, slicing Hassan away in droves like mowing grass, she spoke telepathically to her Master with a gratified smile.

By temporarily altering Excalibur's properties with Command Spells, one can sacrifice vitality for a greater attack range.

Saber, who had initially found the situation troublesome, suddenly felt much more at ease. The defensive net formed by her slashes was impenetrable, and even Assassin, known for his speed and numbers, could not get close at all.

But then Irisviel replied, "No, this is actually what Shirou told me to do..."

"Shirou?"

Saber was stunned. Did Shirou have already anticipated that Hassan the Hundred-Faced would attack them?

That's why he came up with this strategy, even taking into account the possibility that he wouldn't be able to fight.

"Wow, that's amazing..." Saber exclaimed sincerely.

Although Saber gained a weapon capable of holding her own against Hassan the Hundred Faces thanks to Irisviel's Command Spell, Assassin wasn't just some docile grunt who would obediently accept being mowed down.

Although the extremely long blades caused a momentary commotion, the well-trained Assassins quickly regained their composure.

Instead of attacking all at once, they launched their attacks from all directions in groups of three.

Because Kirei Kotomine gave him the command (Command Seal) to "achieve victory at all costs" before the battle, Assassin has no concept of fear, and of course, he will not back down because of the King of Knights' unparalleled bravery.

Soon, Assassins began to break through Saber's defensive perimeter.

Their fluid teamwork and nimble, rapid movements made them appear as elusive as ghosts.

Just then, a dark figure dodged Saber's attack, approached the King of Knights, and leaped up onto her shoulder.

Saber recognized her as the female assassin he had just spoken to.

The purple-haired assassin, who had leaped into the air, suddenly changed direction and approached Irisviel like a night wind.

"I'll just leave a little scar on your pretty face," Baimao Hassan thought wickedly.

But at this moment——

A violent impact came from the side. Caught off guard, Bai Mao Hassan could only parry with his short sword, but was still sent flying more than ten meters away.

"Are you alright, Miss Irisviel?"

After clearly seeing the person blocking her way, Irisviel showed a surprised expression.

“Sera, and Lyselette…?”

Two android maids wielding long-handled giant axes appeared in the parking lot at night.

They filled the gap behind Saber, who had no time to attend to them, and wielded weapons imbued with weight magic, instantly repelling the onrushing Hassan.

If the opponent is Hassan of the Hundred Faces, who has been divided to the extreme, even Sera and Lyselite can participate in the battle.

As Irisviel's protectors before Saber's arrival, the two of them, though lacking magical talent, underwent a series of magical transformations.

That was the experience the Einzberns had accumulated over 200 years of Holy Grail War history, which allowed them to even adapt to low-intensity Servant battles.

In particular, Lyselette, as a failed attempt at the Lesser Grail, possesses superhuman strength that surpasses even that of most Heroic Spirits.

Upon seeing the two, Irisviel was both surprised and delighted: "Why are you here... Shouldn't you have already gone back?"

Earlier tonight, Sera and Lyselle had come from the castle to the new capital to take away Irisviel's shopping spoils from the afternoon.

They should already be on their way back to the castle, so why are they in a place like this?

Lizzie looked expressionlessly at the red-haired boy in the mistress's arms.