Shirou's Return from the Fae Kingdom

If the boy had completely grasped the information about this ability through the Familiar's eyes—she probably would have found a wall and smashed her head into it.

Hundred-Faced Hassan regained her composure and said, "I'm sorry, I won't accept your invitation."

Shirou said, "Even if your Master treated you like that? Aren't you the least bit dissatisfied?"

"Dissatisfied? Of course, I'm dissatisfied. Your Master's actions are infuriating."

Hundred-Faced Hassan's clenched fists trembled.

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

"I have indeed begun to question whether I should continue to be loyal to him. 'We' are not participating in the Holy Grail War to become stepping stones for someone else's victory."

"But that's not enough reason to betray your Master. I won't betray my Master or cooperate with you, but—"

"I swear, Zayd's death will not be in vain."

"Tonight, for that child's sake, I'll spare your life for now."

"I will pretend you were never here, and I won't tell your Master about you."

"Hurry and retreat, don't let anyone see your tracks... before I change my mind."

"Concealing the fact that I was here is already the greatest betrayal to my Master."

Hearing the red-haired boy say this, 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, only reaching into his shorts pocket.

"—Beep."

Accompanied by a sharp mechanical sound, a female voice intermittently echoed in the room.

"Dissatisfied? Of course, I'm dissatisfied. Your Master's actions are infuriating."

"I have indeed begun to question whether I should continue to be loyal to him."

"We are not participating in the Holy Grail War to become stepping stones for someone else's victory..."

"I swear, Zayd's death will not be in vain..."

"I will pretend you were never here, and I won't tell your Master about you."

"Hurry and retreat, don't let anyone see your tracks..."

Hundred-Faced Hassan: "???"

Shirou took out a voice recorder he bought from a music store, a smile on his face:

"Assassin Sister, you wouldn't want your Master to hear this confession, would you?"

Volume 1, Chapter 038: Attacking the City is the Second Best, Attacking the Heart is the Best

"You secretly recorded our conversation!"

Hundred-Faced Hassan was furious: "And you even edited it!!"

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

Every time he learned about an electronic device, Shirou would experience a strange sense of déjà vu: he always felt as if he already knew its functions and uses.

Makiri looked down on modern technology with disdain, dismissing these "toys" that were only a few decades old. His attitude reflected the contempt Magus held for modern civilization.

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

The illusions and barrier camouflage of Magus mostly relied on suggestion to deceive the observer's vision. These Magus often let their guard down against electronic instruments.

Of course, the same applied to Servants.

Even an Assassin as cautious as her could not have possibly anticipated that the young man in front of her had been recording their conversation the entire time.

"Give it to me!"

Hundred-Faced Hassan shouted, stomping on the floor and kicking at the red-haired boy.

This time, Shirou had improved. His eyes could barely catch Assassin's movements.

"...Guh!"

At the last moment, Shirou projected the Blades of Chaos and raised his arms to defend.

But the gap in their physiques and strength was too vast. Shirou was still kicked flying into the wall, feeling a pain in his spine like it was breaking.

The instant his back hit the ground, he immediately used the recoil to quickly get up. Almost simultaneously, a flying dagger embedded itself where he had just been.

"Is that your weapon?"

Hundred-Faced Hassan, having missed her attack, stared warily at the flame-wreathed chain blades in Shirou's hand.

She instinctively sensed danger from this pair of blades.

Judging from his emergency evasion, the boy possessed combat experience far exceeding his physique and age.

It's not about killing, it's about fighting to the death.

When it comes to the experience and skill of killing, Hundred-Faced Hassan would never admit to being inferior to anyone.

However, when it comes to fighting head-on, she could say she has almost no experience in that area.

As the leader of an assassination order, if one is reduced to a situation where they have to fight an enemy head-on, it means they are disqualified as an Assassin.

No way. Would any Assassin really clash head-on with someone?

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

The first time Hundred-Faced Hassan displayed her speed, the boy didn't even know what happened before she appeared behind him.

But just now, Shirou was already able to react to her movements.

Hundred-Faced Hassan immediately judged that a prolonged battle would be extremely disadvantageous to her. She absolutely could not let him continue adapting to her speed.

She would end the battle by the end of the next round.

"--"

The female assassin slowly hunched her waist and back, lowering her center of gravity, adopting a preparatory pounce stance like a female leopard.

She intended to unleash her highest speed yet, but at that moment, she caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye--

A chain was wrapped around her ankle.

When!?

Shirou yanked the chain fiercely.

"...Ah!"

Hundred-Faced Hassan, losing her balance, let out a panicked scream. She first flew into the air, then rapidly fell, her back slamming heavily onto the ground.

The intense impact stunned Hundred-Faced Hassan for a moment. By the time she came to her senses, the boy was already straddling her waist.

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

Shirou said this, pressing the blade against her neck.

Hundred-Faced Hassan ground her teeth, her eyes wide with fury: "Guh... Kill me."

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

Beneath her skull mask, Hundred-Faced Hassan's expression was resolute.

"I am also the leader of my order. I will not beg for my life from an enemy out of cowardice.

You're better off killing me now than expecting me to yield.

Shirou dismissively replied, "Sister Assassin, dying easily won't work with me, you know?

I won't let you die with a clean slate—I'll send the recording from just now to the Tohsaka Family.

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

"...You."

Hundred-Faced Hassan was stunned: What a vicious brat...!

"Assassin, cooperate with me." Shirou repeated.

"..."

Hesitation arose in Hundred-Faced Hassan's heart, but she still shook her head and coldly spat out three words.

"Impossible."

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

Sacrificing yourselves to pave the way for others isn't the outcome 'you' desire, is it? If you continue to be loyal to your current Master, 'you' will eventually be consumed by meaningless things.

Just like tonight... leaving nothing behind but meaningless death and void."

Hundred-Faced Hassan retorted, "It's not meaningless.

Even if we can't obtain the Holy Grail, if it can bring an advantage to the overall battle, then even complete sacrifice is a worthy death--

Shadows like 'us' exist for this very purpose. Victory isn't solely defined by obtaining the Holy Grail."

Shirou stated, "Then the problem returns to the starting point--

Kirei Kotomine and Tokiomi Tohsaka, do they truly intend to utilize your strengths to their fullest?"

"!"

Hundred-Faced Hassan's eyes widened.

Shirou had seen through her deepest thoughts and used clever words to gradually widen her wavering resolve.

Because there was an existence in their faction like the Golden Archer, who was overwhelmingly powerful, Hundred-Faced Hassan didn't need to provide any support in terms of combat power.

Not only was it impossible for her to obtain the Holy Grail, but she could barely even utilize her own strengths--

'Assassinating the Master' was supposed to be Assassin's most glorious duty... yet it was abandoned by her Master.

This was all because that composed gentleman refused to accept a victory that wasn't elegant enough—at least for now, Tokiomi Tohsaka still felt there was no need to assassinate the Magus.

"No one descends upon this world to die for another."

Shirou spoke with a convincing tone, "Sister Assassin, let's find a way to win without sacrificing ourselves."

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

Hundred-Faced Hassan screamed and swung the dagger hidden beneath her wrist, intending to take them both down—

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

"!"

The female face beneath the skeletal mask stiffened.

She followed Shirou's gaze and turned her head, seeing Loli Hassan trembling behind the door.

"..."

The dagger in Hundred-Faced Hassan's hand fell to the ground.

"I surrender."

Volume 1, Chapter 039: The Hero King Who Sells His Head for a Price

11 PM.

"I can't believe Sister Assassin was willing to become my companion. That's great."