Temporary Retreat

The moment Berserker was about to bring his weapon down on Sasaki Kojiro's neck, Sasaki Kojiro launched his counterattack.

[Secret Sword: Swallow Reversal]

It could be called a slash that folded space.

In simpler terms, [Tsubame Gaeshi] worked like this.

After Sasaki Kojiro swung his first strike, he could return to the moment before that strike and deliver a second!

Once he had swung the second strike, the first was almost frozen in place.

Then, after the second strike, he would swing a third at the moment before the second had been delivered.

At that point, both the first and second strikes were nearly at the instant of impact.

The moment Sasaki Kojiro swung his third strike, all three would hit their target at once!

Tsubame Gaeshi was a sword technique he had mastered after idly wondering how to cut down a flying swallow.

To kill a swallow famed for its speed, he needed to begin with a feint, then use another strike to block its escape route.

But with a Nodachi that long, carrying out the theory meant he had to deliver both strikes at the same time.

Even then, the agile swallow could still dodge them.

So he needed to swing a third strike from the side, blocking the swallow's escape in that direction and creating a triangular trajectory for his blades.

No matter what, the target would be struck.

Even Berserker, whose agility was extraordinary, was hit twice by Sasaki Kojiro!

One of the sharpest blades slashed straight across Berserker's neck!

The other cut off Berserker's left arm!

But Sasaki Kojiro hadn't escaped unscathed, either.

He dodged the massive axe that had been aimed at his head, but since he couldn't evade completely while performing [Tsubame Gaeshi], his left shoulder was cleaved open!

The axe had come within a few centimeters of Sasaki Kojiro's heart. If he hadn't sacrificed his left arm to block its remaining force, he might have died instantly.

But Sasaki Kojiro had won his gamble!

And according to the information from that vixen at the temple, Sasaki Kojiro knew something about Berserker's abilities.

Even with his left arm severed, Sasaki Kojiro didn't hesitate for a moment.

While Berserker was still recovering, he leaped over him, holding the Nodachi in his right hand, and swung it at Illya behind him!

As Sasaki Kojiro saw it, even if this little girl had great talent as a mage, he was still a Servant.

Killing her while he had the chance would be no trouble!

But Sasaki Kojiro had underestimated Illya and Berserker.

And he had underestimated Sasuke, too.

"Clang—"

A sharp metallic crash rang out around them!

Sasuke summoned the Kusanagi Sword, sealed within the bracer on his right arm. In an instant, he pulled Illya behind him, then raised his hand and knocked Sasaki Kojiro's Nodachi flying!

Sasaki Kojiro stared in shock at Sasuke, whose eyes now showed the Three Tomoe. He had only one arm left, but he was still no opponent a mage could contend with.

Yet the force Sasuke had used to knock away his Nodachi was no less than Berserker's!

There was no time for Sasaki Kojiro to remain stunned.

Almost at that same moment, Berserker, fully recovered, charged up to him and grabbed the wrist of the hand holding his sword!

Sasaki Kojiro didn't hesitate. He tore off his remaining arm and leaped into the air.

It was the only choice. If he were any slower, Berserker would twist his neck.

Fortunately, Berserker was focused on protecting his Master. Otherwise, he could have smashed Sasaki Kojiro's head apart.

And no one pursued Sasaki Kojiro.

Berserker looked at Illya with what seemed like an apologetic expression.

How could Illya possibly blame Berserker? She shook her head and smiled gently to show him he hadn't done anything wrong.

After receiving Illya's reassurance, Berserker turned to Sasuke.

Sasuke held the scabbard in his left hand and the Kusanagi Sword in his right. No one could tell when he had drawn it.

Sasuke slowly sheathed the Kusanagi Sword, replying to Berserker's gaze:

"It was nothing."

"Even without me, she would have been fine. There's no need to thank me."

Even though Illya had "forced" Sasuke to take part in the battle, now that her life was in danger tonight, he naturally couldn't stand by and do nothing.

After all, Illya had promised Kaoru she would come over for dinner tomorrow.

At least until then, Sasuke had to make sure Illya stayed alive.

Besides, even without Sasuke, Sasaki Kojiro wouldn't have managed to hit Illya just then.

At that speed, Berserker should have been able to save her at exactly the right moment.

Still, Sasuke had been the one to save Illya, so Berserker remained grateful.

Sasaki Kojiro, now missing both arms, had caught the Nodachi in his mouth as he leaped into the air, retrieving the weapon Sasuke had knocked away.

Now covered in blood, Sasaki Kojiro sat in a sorry heap on the steps before the temple gate. With his mouth full of blood, his words came out thick and muffled:

"This age... really is... full of talent..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sasaki Kojiro's severed arms began growing back at a visible rate. In no time, he had nearly recovered.

From inside Ryudou Temple behind him, a woman's voice, rich with emotion, rang out:

"Assassin, relying on you to kill the enemy Master really was my most foolish idea."

"From now on, you only need to drive them back."

"Don't make me waste so much magecraft again."

Hearing the order from inside the temple, Sasaki Kojiro let out a bitter sigh, but still picked up his Nodachi.

That voice just now...

Was it Assassin's Master, or Caster?

Illya couldn't tell.

But whatever the case, she had miscalculated today.

She hadn't expected Assassin and Caster to form an alliance.

With Caster's support, Assassin could use the terrain to hold Berserker off all night.

And Illya couldn't be sure whether Caster had any other schemes in mind.

To be safe, retreating was the best option now.

Illya thought that if Sasuke helped her, they might be able to wipe out Assassin and Caster together!

But that wasn't realistic. Sasuke wouldn't agree to her request.

So...

"That's enough for today, Berserker."

Illya said.

As they headed down the mountain, Sasaki Kojiro, standing guard at the temple gate, slowly let out a breath. He couldn't help thinking how lucky he had been today.

If he'd made the slightest mistake, he might have died there.

Still, perhaps dying wouldn't have been so bad. Being trapped here wasn't what he wanted, after all.

By the time Illya reached the foot of the mountain, she seemed to have regained her energy:

"Even though we didn't accomplish much today, thank you for stepping in to save me."

Without changing expression, Sasuke sealed the Kusanagi Sword back inside his bracer.

"If you want to thank someone, thank Kaoru tomorrow."

"If you don't need anything else from me today, I'll take my leave."

Hearing Sasuke's words, Illya gave a slight nod:

"Mm..."

"I'll be there on time tomorrow at noon."