Sanzang said seriously, “But I have a dream now. I have a dream as a Servant. I have a dream after meeting you and the Master named Fujimaru Ritsuka. Mashu, after I bring peace to this era, I want to go to Chaldea. There, I will train Fujimaru as a master. We will laugh together, cry together, and laugh together. And then I will completely defeat that guy called… the Magic King? That is my dream. Now I can hear this voice in my heart. This is what I want to do most. Even if it is only for a temporary life, that is why I want to fight, with you.”

Hikigaya Hachiman said in astonishment: “You have developed such deep feelings so quickly? Is Fujimaru Ritsuka a succubus?”

Hikigaya Hachiman was shocked. These people had only been together for two or three days, right? How could they have developed such a deep bond in such a short time? Was Fujimaru Ritsuka so charming? It was hard to tell from such a short video!

The next day, everyone arrived at the mountaintop temple. The solemn and majestic temple, with its dark tones, exuded a drowsy, oppressive feeling. Those standing at the entrance all wore solemn expressions.

Roman, in the Chaldea command room, felt no such pressure at all. He casually commented, “This is the Temple of Azrael… I don’t really have any special reaction…”

Mashu’s teeth chattered as she retorted, “No, doctor… This is a heavy pressure that cannot be felt unless you are present… There is no reaction from magic or servants, no sound or life. But… but, my whole body trembles uncontrollably. It’s not my mind, but my soul. My soul is refusing to stay in this temple with all its might…!”

Hassan of the Cursed Arm said sternly, “…Let us advance, Master Fujimaru. Ahead lies the territory of the First Generation, unknown even to us. It’s impossible to predict what will happen. Please maintain utmost vigilance.”

[Just as he finished speaking, a tall figure appeared in front of Fujimaru Ritsuka, raising a heavy sword.]

[Mashu hurriedly raised her shield, but the figure in front of her disappeared silently.]

Mashu yelled in panic: “Ugh…! Unable to detect the enemy’s shadow! Doctor, is there any response from the Servant!?”

Roman exclaimed in surprise, “Nothing! There’s no movement there except for you. No, I should say that Ritsuka’s reaction disappeared in that instant!? Mashu clearly defended against the attack, so what’s going on…? From what I can see, Ritsuka is already dead!”

[Fujimaru Ritsuka asked in surprise: “What do you mean, so scary!?”]

[Suddenly, a voice rang out: “Magician.”]

【”exist!”】

[Cursed-Wrist Hassan responds loudly, and he and Serene Hassan drop to the ground together.]

Sanzang asked in surprise, “Hey, what’s going on?! Two people suddenly fell to the ground!? And nothing has appeared yet?!”

Bedivere’s expression was solemn: “…No. Please be quiet, Master Sanzang…someone has appeared before us.”

Tawaratou Taiya said, “…Hmm. Shut up, Sanzang. If possible, hold your breath. We won’t be able to withstand this guy’s attack… His martial arts are so advanced that even if I practice for another thirty… forty years, it’s still uncertain whether I can hit him with this shot…”

A deep voice echoes: “O magicians, and beings long past human, your voices have been heard. Your desire to save the age has been recognized by my sword. However, those who dare to enter my temple must first face death. Fight as the dead, and seize the right to live. Only through this ritual can you absolve the demon that caused my appearance. O Tranquil Elder, the sacrifice is now in your hands. Complete this ritual perfectly.”

「Ahhh, ahhhhh!? Eh, no…………!?」

[Quiet Hassan screamed, lying on the ground twitching, but his magic power began to increase continuously.]

Bedivere exclaimed in shock, “Lord Serenity…! This aura… is my consciousness being hijacked…?”

Hassan, the Cursed Arm, pleaded anxiously, “Shoudaime-sama! If you wish to use it, please let me take your place…! The burden on Serenity is too great!”

A stern voice rebuked, “Foolish. My sword cut off your head. It is not suitable for ritual use. The head of the Serene Old Man will be the offering of this group. Simply hand it over to the scales.”

Fujimaru Ritsuka looked around, searching for the person who had spoken, and shouted, “Are you saying that we should kill Serenity Hassan…?!”

“Don’t ask about the process. Only the result matters. Begin the dance of death, O Tranquil One. It is your choice which head will be chosen by the evening bell.”

[Accompanied by a cold voice, Hassan Silent stood up with a stiff expression.]

Roman shouted anxiously, “Here we go…! Hassan Serenity’s spiritual power is exploding…! If you still think of her as her old self, she’ll be wiped out in an instant! Everyone, fight with all your might!”

Mashu asks Fujimaru Ritsuka, “But defeating Miss Serenity…! Senpai…!”

Fujimaru Ritsuka made a decisive decision: “Let’s just go for it…!”

“Yes! Mash Kyrielight will fight with all my might as your Servant…!”

[Mashu raised her shield and charged towards Serene Hassan with determination.]

[Quiet Hassan wordlessly danced a dance of death, emitting a fierce and venomous aura.]

Chapter 229 The So-Called Assassins

[Mashu finally defeated Quiet Hassan. Quiet Hassan, who had escaped from her control, had tears in his eyes and a face full of guilt.]

“…I said I wanted to seize the right to live. But I didn’t expect you to want both. You’re such a greedy girl. But I’m the one who only cares about the results, not the good or bad of the process. Dismissed.”

[The tall skeleton swordsman held his heavy sword in front of him and appeared in everyone’s sight.]

“Welcome to my temple. I am Hassan Sabbah, the Old Man of the Mountains.”

Mashu said in surprise: “A swordsman…? The first generation of the old man in the mountains is actually… a swordsman…”

Roman said in shock, “No, that’s not what’s surprising. Could it be that Mashu, the Assassin, is the crown…”

The old man in the mountain scolded, “Stop such tactless talk, magician. It undermines the reckless bravery of your summoners.”

[The heavy sword swung, killing the horizon from Chaldea to the singularity. ]

Roman screams in panic, “Ahhhh, sorry! Huh? What happened? I can’t see the video!?”

Hassan of the Cursed Arm ignored Roman’s exclamation and said respectfully, “…Sir, please allow us to shamelessly visit the temple. These people intend to fight the Lion King, but they lack the strength to stand up to the king. Please lend them a helping hand. This is all for the future of our mountain people.”

The old man in the mountain stares at Hassan the Cursed Arm, his eyes flickering with a faint blue fire: “…You’ve made two mistakes. You’re still as short-sighted as ever, Cursed Arm.”

[Cursed-arm Hassan asked in confusion: “…What do you mean?”]

The old man in the mountain asked in a deep voice, “I ask the magicians, is it true that you are fighting against the Lion King? What you are pursuing is the head of the Lion King, who has fallen into deity. Is this true?”

Fujimaru Ritsuka hesitated for a moment: “…To be honest, I don’t know.”

[Cursed Arm Hassan shouted in surprise: “Master Fujimaru!?”]

Sanzang nodded as if it was a given. “Yeah, there’s no point in lying. You wouldn’t kill someone you’ve never even met. The most you can do is express your displeasure, right?”

The old man in the mountain continued, “You just said you were still lacking a little bit of fighting power. Is that really all you need?”

Fujimaru Ritsuka shook his head: “…To be honest, Hassan and the others alone are not enough.”

[Cursed Arm Hassan shouts: “Master Fujimaru…!?”]

The old man in the mountain said, “…Magicians. There are things you must know: the Lion King’s true intentions. The nonsense of that Sun King, the flaws in human nature, and the beginning of all this. Once you have mastered everything, my sword will be your vanguard. The Sun Knight, your name is Gawain, right? My sword will transform into a bird of prey to peck out that man’s eyes, and my black robe will become night, devouring the holy city.”

Oreki Houtarou said in surprise, “This isn’t the first time I’ve felt this way, but Fujimaru Ritsuka is truly an amazing person.”

Chitanda Eru asked, “Is it because she can always convince others?”

Oreki Houtarou shook his head. “It should be said that she always says the right thing at the right time, which is why she’s able to conquer every neutral person she encounters. Even if she makes a mistake in the game, there’s always a save file. It’s incredibly difficult to do that in real life.”

Sanzang yelled, “Excuse me, great man of the skeleton! I don’t understand you at all! Speak more clearly, more clearly!”

[Fujimaru Ritsuka sneered: “At least he should be called King Hassan!”]

Mashu said dumbfoundedly, “Master, calling me Wang Hassan isn’t very nice…! Please, if you continue this disrespectful behavior, even Mr. Wang Hassan will be unhappy…!”

The old man in the mountain said calmly, “It’s alright, whatever you like. I’m nameless, so I don’t care about these things, and there are no rules.”

Mashu said thankfully, “Uh… Yeah. We’re relieved to hear you say that…”

Ishigami Yu couldn’t help but complain: “Are all people whose surnames start with the character 藤 (藤) such strange minds?”

Baiyin Yuxing couldn’t help but nodded. Sometimes he really couldn’t understand the way these people thought.

Seeing the expressions of the two boys, Fujiwara Chika felt that she was being implied.

Shinomiya Kaguya also said: “Fortunately, this King Hassan is very generous. I didn’t expect that the Assassins, who were crushed by the Mongolian cavalry, would be so strong.”

Iino Miko asked doubtfully, “Mongol cavalry? Are the Hassans related to the Mongols?”

Shinomiya Kaguya calmly explained, “The Assassins are also a very famous assassin organization with a long history. After the Mongol Empire set foot in the Arab world, it aroused the vigilance of the Assassins.

At that time, the Assassins believed that as long as they killed Mongke Khan, the Mongol Empire would fall into division and would no longer be able to threaten the Islamic world.

This news was known to the Chief Justice of Kejiyun, Tansidin Kejiwini. Tansidin could not stand the atmosphere of terror created by the Assassins for a long time, so he told the news to Genghis Khan. After knowing this, Genghis Khan was naturally furious and issued an order: raze the Jirdiekuhei and Liumubexueer forts to the ground, turn them upside down, and leave no fortress or ruins in the world.

Hulagu, the general who led the Western Expedition, became the commander-in-chief of this expedition to Mulai, leading an army of 1.2 men and destroying the Assassins.

Ishigami Yuzen nodded. “I learned about this history when I played Assassin’s Creed. Although the Assassins were a powerful assassin organization, they were just that. Now the original Hassan is being portrayed as so powerful, as if he could easily slaughter Gawain like a chicken and decapitate King Arthur. That’s way too much.”

Baiyin Yuxing said, “Is that so? I don’t know if King Arthur is too weak or the Mongol Empire is too strong.”

Shinomiya Kaguya speculated, “If we only look at history, there aren’t many nations more powerful than the Mongol Empire at its peak. But when it comes to mythology, equating the First Hassan with the Angel of Death, Azrael, it’s not surprising that they possessed such power… But, given that, how did the Assassins fall? Could it be that the Mongol Empire was powerful enough to defeat the Angel of Death?”

The old man in the mountain turned his gaze towards Hassan the Cursed Arm, his white skull mask revealing a cold majesty: “The old man with the Cursed Arm. Hand over your head.”

Hassan Cursed-Wrist lowered his head: “…Yes. Hassan Cursed-Wrist is willing to accept punishment.”

Everyone was shocked. Bedivere hurriedly asked, “Wait a moment, why do you want to chop off Lord Hassan’s head?!”

The Old Man of the Mountain speaks in a commanding voice: “My face is the old man’s death. My sword is the old man’s severance. O stranger knight. O silver-armed traveler. I am the Old Man of the Mountain. I am Hassan, the one who slew Hassan.”

[Bedivere was stunned: “…! Then you are…”]

The Old Man of the Mountain said, “When the Old Man of the Mountain becomes corrupt, degenerates, and strays from the path, I will appear before him. Do you understand? Every Old Man of the Mountain has seen my mask at the moment of his death. No one can escape my sword. Therefore, those who have seen my mask are the true Old Man. The fact that Hassan of this era sought my help was equivalent to declaring that he was unworthy of being the Old Man of the Mountain and must be stripped of his mask.”

Baiyin Yuxing said, “I see. That makes sense. Because the Assassins had already fallen during the Mongol Empire, King Hassan didn’t intervene and allowed the sect to perish.”

Ishigami Yu complained: “This statement is a bit strange. After all, why did the first generation Hassan execute the later Hassan? Corrupt, degenerate, and straying from the right path, does he really know what he is talking about?”

What is the Assassin sect? An extremist cult that launches attacks, plunders property, and seizes territory. They use violence, extremist ideology, and marijuana to brainwash their followers, turning them into assassins.

How could such a sect have room for further degeneration? It has already fallen to the lowest point.

Bedivere looked at Hassan the Cursed Arm in surprise: “So… you knew this, but you still brought us here, Lord Hassan!?”

Fujimaru Ritsuka said without hesitation: “In that case, I don’t need any help…!”

[Cursed Arm Hassan looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka in shock.]

The old man in the mountain sighed, “Cursed Arm, although we are your compatriots for a time, you have not explained your fate to them. You haven’t changed at all. You always give up too soon. … Hold your head high, Cursed Arm. You have already lost face and cannot continue to lose your composure. Fulfill your duty with this group. After the deed is accomplished, I will chop off your head.”

Hassan of the Cursed Arm said excitedly, “…I am deeply grateful. I swear in the name of the Old Man of the Mountain that I will complete my mission.”

[Leaving the valley, the Chaldeans returned to the world of light.]

Bathed in the sunlight, Sanzang stretched lazily, squinting his eyes and saying, “Ah~, finally back under the sun~! Although a lot of things happened, I’m glad everyone is okay!”

Hassan of the Cursed Arms heaved a sigh of relief: “Hmm, I’ve successfully gotten the Shodaime’s help. But I didn’t expect that I could actually keep my head…”

Fujimaru Ritsuka teased, “It’s a good thing he didn’t get beheaded!”

Hassan of the Cursed Arm also laughed: “Hahaha, that’s true. I’ve already made up my mind, but I don’t want to experience that fear again. Instead of that, could you please take care of Jing Ning? Look, she’s been like that since a while ago.”

[As he spoke, Cursed-Arm Hassan’s smile faded slightly, and he looked towards Serene Hassan.]

Hassan lowered his head, unable to escape from his own sorrow and resentment.

Chapter 230: Despicable Knight

[Quiet Hassan blames himself and apologizes repeatedly: “…I’m sorry, sorry, sorry… I’m always like this… I’m sorry, sorry, sorry…”]

Fujimaru Ritsuka consoled him, “We should be the ones apologizing. We’re sorry for beating you up.”

Hassan’s cheeks flushed slightly, his eyes blurry as he spoke, “…Yes. To avoid killing me, you were so brave, so brutal… Thank you so much. Not only did you save Mr. Cursed Arm, you also saved me… Hmm… It seems that only… marriage… can… represent the meaning of sacrificing one’s life…”

Hikigaya Hachiman shouted, “Succubus! Is this woman really a succubus? How could she have let such a beautiful and outstanding girl commit suicide so quickly?”

Hikigaya Hachiman’s face was full of shock. Isn’t this too exaggerated?

Zaimokuza Yoshiki had a stern face.

Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui both saw him like this, but no one was willing to talk to him.

Hikigaya Hachiman couldn’t help but ask, “Hey, what’s with that expression?”

Zaimokuza Yoshiteru said: “In the last round, I, the swordsman general, might also join Chaldea. Could it be that I was also seduced by Fujimaru Ritsuka and fell in love with her?”

Hikigaya Hachiman complained: “I don’t think it’s possible. There’s no need to do that to deal with you. Just knock him down directly. As for the others, I don’t think Fujimaru Ritsuka would embarrass himself that much.”

Zaimokuza Yoshiteru couldn’t help but show a hurt expression: “My friend Hachiman, am I so humble in your eyes?”

Hikigaya Hachiman chuckled and let Zaimokuza Yoshiki savor it himself.

West Village was already ablaze. Amidst the raging flames, the Knights of Rectification mercilessly slaughtered the villagers. The male villagers, fearful yet resolute, tried to stop the Knights of Rectification from advancing, resisting with weapons that could hardly be considered weapons, and were then mercilessly slaughtered.

Arash protected the women and children and hid in a cave on the mountain. He stood at the entrance of the cave, drew his longbow and shot the pursuing Knights of Justice.

[Every time an arrow was shot, a Knight of Justice died. However, the twenty-first arrow was shot down in mid-air.]

Seeing this, the villagers were utterly shocked: “What happened!? Arash’s arrow was shot down right before the knights’ eyes!? No one did anything!? Is this the blessing of their gods!?”

Arash’s expression darkened. “No way. Is there anyone capable of engaging me at this distance…? …No. So, there is one. A Knight of the Round Table, the Demonic Stringmaster Tristan…!”

The villagers asked in panic, “What did you say? The Knights of the Round Table are here too!? Just to destroy this little village!?”

“That’s right. However, you all have misunderstood one thing.”

A steady voice sounded, and Lancelot suddenly appeared on the other side of the cave. He leaped over and mercilessly swung his sword at Arash. The brilliance of his sword was like the glittering light of a lake under the moon, slicing through Arash’s flesh.

“Sir Tristan isn’t the only Knight of the Round Table chasing us.”