You lost to the version of yourself that lacked the will to survive!

Chapter 49. You lost to the version of yourself that lacked the will to survive!

"Tick-tock."

"puff!"

The spilled blood splashed onto the ground like ocean waves.

Saber and Kenshin each inflicted different injuries on the other.

but.

"Cough cough."

He fell to the ground, but Kenshin knew that this round of combat...

He lost.

The opponent deliberately released the "Sword of Victory Oath" to lure him into getting close.

"Assassin"

"Your swordsmanship and movement are quite impressive, especially considering the progress you've made in such a short time."

"But you have a fatal flaw."

Lying on the ground, one could vaguely turn their head and see Saber half-crouching on the ground, clutching her wound.

defect?

I vaguely remember hearing this term four or five years ago when I was practicing swordsmanship with my master on the mountain.

I never expected to hear the enemy say that word to me again.

The other person's emerald green pupils trembled slightly.

That was a look of pity.

"You must have been constantly traversing the Asura path of slaying enemies, haven't you?"

"It's incredible that even though you've killed so many people, I can still sense that you still possess 'goodness.'"

It's rare to find an assassin whose mind is neither broken nor twisted.

"I remember a country describing assassins like this."

"Death squad".

Having vaguely grasped some of the knowledge, Kenshin, panting, knew what the other party was talking about.

"You are simply the embodiment of that."

"In every battle, I can feel your sharp and ruthless killing skills."

"In terms of swordsmanship and movement, you are superior to me, the king. In close combat, you should have the advantage no matter what."

But now, you've lost to me.

"We didn't lose because of the difference in weaponry, nor because of the difference in 'skill'."

Despite being hit, Saber managed to stand up unsteadily.

That blood-stained figure was so upright and tenacious.

"You lost to the part of yourself that lacked the will to survive!"

Upon hearing the last sentence, Kenshin's pupils constricted sharply.

(Too much. Just think about how to survive.)

(You must stay alive)

Even his breathing became labored, and his thoughts drifted back to the distant past.

Kenshin only learned a portion of the Hiten Mitsurugi style from Hiko Seijuro before leaving the mountain alone.

Ignoring his master's objections.

What awaited him was...

A turbulent era. Bloodshed and brutal killings. Deceit and treachery.

In that kind of world, what is needed is immense strength and a ruthless heart.

The will to survive?

Kenshin had already given up on that when he was an executioner.

If he were afraid of death, he would have been killed long ago.

It is precisely because of this "ruthlessness"—his fearlessness in the face of death when fighting enemies—that he has survived to this day.

Now, for the first time, someone has said that the reason for their defeat was that they were "not afraid of death".

"Each attack is primarily aimed at killing the enemy."

"Every action leaves the other side no chance to breathe."

As she continued speaking, Saber slowly began to speak.

"I wouldn't even try to avoid attacks that could cause minor injuries."

"If you can't avoid trouble, you'll try to trade blows with the opponent."

"If you can exchange injury for the enemy's death, you won't consider the consequences."

"You've killed countless people, you don't even value your own life anymore!"

Having uncovered what had happened during their brief exchange, Saber was relieved that she had succeeded.

Faced with such a fast and "fearless" swordsman, all Saber could do was try her best to survive.

Fortunately, she did it.

He narrowly avoided Kenshin's deadly sword strike, but was severely injured.

On the other hand, Kenshin failed to dodge her attack, resulting in fatal injury.

You should cherish yourself more.

"If you're dead, you can't do anything."

"This is a form of recognition for him all along," Saber said, looking at Kenshin lying on the ground, still bleeding.

"Can you tell me your name?"

Finally, Saber looked at the assassin whose magic was beginning to fade and asked that question.

They became acquainted through a misunderstanding, but they still didn't know each other's names.

"Kenshin Himura!"

I've remembered your name.

"Ahem!"

Upon hearing Saber's words, Kenshin slowly closed his eyes.

Perhaps because it was his first encounter with the so-called "death," Kenshin's thoughts were inexplicably complicated.

(Is this what death is?)

He really never considered what would happen if he died.

He descended the mountain naively and full of enthusiasm, only to be greeted by a cold and dark era.

They finally found a "companion" on that dark road, but it was all destroyed in an instant.

Having been "lured" here, I will ultimately lose my life here.

Saber, Archer, Berserker, Rider, Lancer, Caster

He has seen many strange things, including those Masters of all kinds.

Unfortunately, this was the end of Himura Battosai's life.

He ultimately did just as Saber had said.

It has significant flaws.

The will to live

Those were indeed things I had abandoned.

He was filled with regret at not being able to see his master one last time.

"Feel sorry."

"I can't save you."

Upon hearing Assassin's sorrowful voice, Saber saw his body disintegrate and float into the sky like specks of light, leaving not even a trace of blood.

The only thing lying there was her long-lost sword sheath!

Assassin, Kenshin Himura! He's exiting the stage!

.........

"Hey! Rider, Assassin lost!"

Seeing this, Waver immediately spoke to Lelouch beside him.

"Tsk, things aren't going as planned?"

"Saber's will to live is stronger."

Lelouch was surprised by the outcome and felt things weren't going smoothly.

Although, on the surface, he should be happy about the alliance.

"Please don't rush, Your Majesty."

"The defeat of a Servant alone has no impact."

"My son, Kirei, will definitely complete the mission."

Standing to the side, bowing, Kotomine Ritsu said in a deep voice.

"That's true. As long as he can kill Kiritsugu Emiya, it doesn't matter who wins between Saber and Assassin."

"But... things seem to be going badly here too?"

Switching between the familiars' perspectives, they also observed the battle between the Masters on the other side.

……

"Bang bang bang!!!"

"So well prepared. Is this your answer?"

Looking at his formidable rival pointing a gun at him in the distance, Kirei Kotomine spoke.

His right leg had been shot and he was unable to stand or walk. He could only move around using one leg and his hands, which was a very difficult situation for him.

Meanwhile, Kiritsugu Emiya had blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, was panting heavily, and was not in good condition either.

He's not here to die this time.

There are as many methods as there are for dealing with Kirei Kotomine.

Fortunately, the situation is quite good now. He just found an opportunity to hit his opponent's right leg, restricting his mobility.

Next, as long as you don't give the opponent a chance to get close, you can wear them down by using the convenience of firearms.

(There are 12 regular bullets left.)

(Two grenades...)

(That's enough!)

Having made this judgment, Kiritsugu Emiya already had a way to kill his opponent.

PS:

Does anyone remember the "E" that was revealed in Kenshin's Servant designation earlier?

Well, you can tell from that setting that Kenshin would almost always lose when he fought against those powerful melee Servants.

At this time, Kenshin truly lacked the "will to survive" beyond killing.

So Saber realized this through their previous contact and took the initiative to fight him in close combat to exchange injuries. It can only be said that as an enemy, Saber had indeed seen through his weakness as an executioner.

Kenshin lost this time because of his "immature" stage, but things might be different next time.

(End of this chapter)