"Master, I can sense it directly—Miss Hassan of Serenity's Saint Graph parameters have already undergone explosive growth...!" Mash held up her shield, watching Hassan of Serenity standing ahead of them, black mist rising from her body, with both wariness and reluctance in her eyes.
Fujimaru Ritsuka gritted his teeth, feeling his palms grow sweaty.
Though they had gone through much on their journey, battles like this were truly rare.
"Mash, find a way to make Miss Hassan of Serenity unable to fight, that's all." Fujimaru Ritsuka grabbed Mash's shoulder and gave her the instruction.
She knew that Anno could not take part in this battle, nor could Xuanzang or Tawara Tōta. Even Carmilla could not participate.
Because, just as the first King Hassan had said, this was a battle to contend for "life."
Anno, Xuanzang, Tawara Tōta, and Carmilla—every last one of them was a Heroic Spirit, one of the "dead." They could not take part in this battle.
This battle could only be fought by Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash.
Anno's expression was grave, but he did not move.
There was something that neither Fujimaru Ritsuka nor Mash—even all of Chaldea—knew.
That was, at this moment, he might not count as a Servant.
While he was thinking, Hassan of Serenity had already rushed forward.
Poison was ineffective against Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka. Hassan of Serenity's greatest weapon was her assassination technique.
Fujimaru Ritsuka felt a stabbing pain in her neck and immediately ducked hard. The next second, Hassan of Serenity's dagger slashed through empty air. Mash seized the chance and smashed Hassan of Serenity away with her shield, while Fujimaru Ritsuka, crouched low, rolled across the ground and escaped Hassan of Serenity's attack range.
The first King Hassan seemed somewhat surprised. A member of the Assassin Order who could become