Temporary Retreat

Just as Berserker was about to cleave into the neck of Sasaki Kojiro, Sasaki Kojiro launched his counterattack.

[Secret Sword: Swallow Reversal]

It could be said that this is a sword strike capable of folding space.

One could also explain [Secret Sword: Swallow Reversal] in simpler terms.

After Sasaki Kojiro swings his first blade, he can return to the point in time before that first swing and unleash a second!

After the second swing is unleashed, the first swing remains in a state of near-stasis.

And after the second swing, the third blade is unleashed at a point in time before the second was swung.

At this moment, both the first and second blades are effectively in the instant of being swung.

By the moment Sasaki Kojiro unleashes the third blade, all three strikes hit the target simultaneously!

The so-called Swallow Reversal was a technique Sasaki Kojiro mastered on a whim, born from a thought he had while bored: to cut down a flying swallow.

To slay a swallow known for its speed, one must first unleash a baiting strike, then use another to seal the swallow's retreat.

But to achieve this theory using such a long Nodachi, both strikes must be completed at the same time.

Even so, an agile swallow could still evade those two strikes.

Therefore, a third strike must be swung from the side to seal the swallow's lateral retreat, forming a triangular trajectory of blade lines.

No matter what, the target will be struck.

Even Berserker, who possessed superhuman agility, was struck by Sasaki Kojiro no less than twice!

Furthermore, the sharpest blade directly sliced open Berserker's neck!

The other strike severed Berserker's left arm!

However, Sasaki Kojiro did not fare much better.

Although the giant axe Berserker had originally swung toward Sasaki Kojiro's head was dodged, Sasaki Kojiro could not fully evade due to the requirements of launching [Secret Sword: Swallow Reversal], and his left shoulder was sliced wide open!

The giant axe had missed Sasaki Kojiro's heart by only a few centimeters; had he not sacrificed his left arm to block the remaining force of the axe, he might have died instantly.

But Sasaki Kojiro had won the gamble!

Moreover, based on intelligence from that vixen at the temple, Sasaki Kojiro had gained some clarity regarding Berserker's abilities.

Even with his left arm severed, Sasaki Kojiro did not hesitate in the slightest.

Taking advantage of the split second while Berserker was in a state of recovery, he vaulted over Berserker and swung his Nodachi toward Illya, who was behind him!

In Sasaki Kojiro's view, even if this little girl possessed great talent as a magus, he was, at the very least, a Servant.

Taking the opportunity to kill her would be no difficult task!

However, Sasaki Kojiro had underestimated Illya and Berserker.

He had also looked down on Sasuke.

"Clang--"

A piercing sound of metal clashing echoed through the surroundings!

The Kusanagi Sword, which Sasuke had sealed within the wrist guard on his right arm, was summoned by Sasuke. In an instant, he pulled Illya behind him and then raised his hand to deflect Sasaki Kojiro's Nodachi!

Sasaki Kojiro stared in shock at Sasuke, who was currently displaying his Three Tomoe. Although Sasuke only had one arm, he was not a presence a mere magus could contend with.

Yet, the force Sasuke used to deflect his Nodachi was in no way inferior to Berserker's!

There was no time left for Sasaki Kojiro to be shocked.

Because at almost the same moment, Berserker, having finished his recovery, rushed before him in a flash and grabbed the wrist of the hand Sasaki Kojiro used to hold his blade!

Seeing this, Sasaki Kojiro did not hesitate; he forcefully tore off his own remaining arm and vaulted into the air.

It was a necessary choice; had he been a moment slower, Berserker would have snapped his neck.

Fortunately, Berserker was anxious to save his master, otherwise, Berserker could have simply crushed Sasaki Kojiro's head.

And at this moment, no one pursued Sasaki Kojiro.

Berserker looked at Illya with what seemed to be an apologetic expression in his eyes.

How could Illya harbor any complaints toward Berserker? She shook her head and smiled at him slightly to indicate that Berserker had done nothing wrong.

After receiving Illya's response, Berserker turned his head to look at Sasuke.

At this moment, Sasuke held the scabbard in his left hand and the Kusanagi Sword in his right; no one had been able to see when he had drawn the Kusanagi Sword.

Sasuke slowly sheathed the Kusanagi Sword in his hand and responded to Berserker, who was looking at him:

"It was just a small favor."

"Besides, even without me, she would have been fine; there's no need to thank me."

Even though Sasuke had been 'coerced' by Illya into participating in this battle, since Illya had been in mortal danger tonight, he naturally would not sit idly by.

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

At the very least, Sasuke had to keep Illya alive until then.

Besides, even if Sasuke hadn't been there just now, Illya wouldn't have been struck by Sasaki Kojiro.

Judging by the speed from a moment ago, Berserker should have been able to save Illya just in time.

However, even though Sasuke said that, it was Sasuke who saved Illya, so Berserker was still very grateful.

Sasaki Kojiro, having had both arms severed, had snatched back the Nodachi that Sasuke had knocked away with his mouth while leaping into the air just now.

Covered in blood, Sasaki Kojiro sat in a sorry state on the steps in front of the temple gate, the blood filling his mouth making his speech somewhat slurred:

"This era... truly... is full of talented people..."

As his words fell, Sasaki Kojiro's severed arms began to grow back at a speed visible to the naked eye, and in no time at all, Sasaki Kojiro had recovered almost completely.

From within Ryudou Temple behind Sasaki Kojiro, a rather emotional female voice drifted out:

"Assassin, it was truly my most foolish idea to count on you to kill the opponent's Master."

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

"You had best not make me waste so much mana again."

Hearing the command from inside the temple, Sasaki Kojiro sighed with a bitter smile, but he still picked up his Nodachi.

That voice just now...

Was it Assassin's Master, or Caster?

Illya found it difficult to distinguish.

But regardless, she had miscalculated today.

She truly had not expected that Assassin would have formed an alliance with Caster.

With Caster's support, Assassin could rely on the advantage of the terrain to wear Berserker down for the entire night.

Furthermore, Illya could not be certain whether Caster had other schemes in mind.

To be safe, retreating was the optimal solution for now.

Although Illya felt that if Sasuke were willing to help her, they might be able to wipe out both Assassin and Caster in one fell swoop!

But that was not realistic; Sasuke would not agree to such a request from Illya.

Therefore...

"Let's end it here for today, Berserker."

Illya said as much.

Watching the group head down the mountain, Sasaki Kojiro, who was guarding the temple gate, slowly let out a breath of relief, unable to help but lament how lucky he was today.

A single misstep, and he might have died here today.

Though perhaps dying wouldn't be so bad; after all, being trapped here was not the outcome he desired.

Meanwhile, having reached the foot of the mountain, Illya seemed to have regained her vitality:

"Although we didn't achieve any results today, I still thank you for being willing to step in and save me."

Sasuke expressionlessly sealed the Kusanagi Sword back into his bracer:

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

"If you have nothing else today, I shall take my leave."

Hearing Sasuke's words, Illya nodded slightly:

"Mm..."

"I will arrive on time tomorrow at noon."