-----------

Chapter - 8: Dragon? Demon Lord!

-----------

[Otakemaru Pov]

Once again, my luck held true as I stood there, gazing at the scene on the field of Homurahara Academy, Manaka by my side.

At that moment, we were situated about 2 kilometers away from the building. While I lacked the sharp eyes of the Archer class, I could see such a distance thanks to Manaka's magical abilities.

Using her Formalcraft skills, we could extend our vision beyond the capabilities of ordinary human eyes. Although it paled in comparison to the keen eyesight of an Archer, it was sufficient to observe the ongoing battle from this distance

A fierce clash between Servant Archer and the Spearman was taking place in front of us. The sight took me by surprise: the Archer wielded swords instead of a bow, and the peculiar double grip he used intrigued me.

"An Archer using swords. Interesting..." I murmured, a faint whisper escaping my lips. Deep inside me was a feeling of beckoning that urged me to use them to unleash my power and enjoy the carnage of the battle ahead.

However, this was not my priority at the moment....

The duel between the Archer and the Lancer seemed to be at an impasse. Initially, the Lancer seemed to have the upper hand, repelling the Archer's advances. But the situation has slowly turned around, and now it is clear that the skill of the Lancer is overpowering the efforts of the Archer.

As I watched the battle between Archer and Lancer unfold, my attention was divided between the clash of their Noble Phantasms and the unexpected presence of a red-haired teenager in the distance.

The incessant destruction of Archer's summoned weapons intrigued me, a testament to his resolve despite their constant demise.

Abruptly, Lancer gathered an immense amount of energy into his spear, an unmistakable precursor to his Noble Phantasm. This was what I had been waiting for – the unveiling of their most powerful abilities. While I held little doubt about my own strength, I was curious to witness the potential might of other heroic spirits.

As the battle raged on, Manaka's attention shifted elsewhere. "Oh dear, there is a witness..." she murmured, her voice tinged with concern.

Narrowing my eyes, I followed her line of sight to a red-haired teenager observing the skirmish from a distance. "A human..."

In accordance with the rules of the Holy Grail War, any witnesses had to be dealt with – either through elimination or memory alteration. This boy had unwittingly intruded upon a secret world that should remain hidden.

Though I harbored little concern for such trivial matters, adhering to the established rules was necessary to maintain the balance between the supernatural and mundane realms. The revelation of the existence of Magi and Servants could have far-reaching consequences that I was indifferent to, but others might not be.

"Do you want me to kill him?" I posed the question in my characteristic apathetic manner, well aware that Manaka's ethical standpoint on human life was markedly different from my own.

Manaka's gaze remained fixed on the red-haired teenager. "Hmm... I'm not sure yet," she replied thoughtfully. "Let's see how this plays out."

Manaka appeared ready to agree to my proposition, but something caught her attention. Lancer had detected the presence of the red-haired boy and began to give chase. I observed the unfolding events with mild interest, intrigued by the sudden twist.

Rin and Archer from joined the pursuit, displaying a sense of responsibility for the lives of innocent bystanders.

It seems that the heiress Tohsaka wanted to save an innocent student. Since she was the second owner of this town, she was actually quite responsible. she too seemed to appreciate the concept of saving lives, although her motives were often shrouded in a layer of innocence.

However, our observations revealed that the boy's fate was sealed. Lancer left just before Rin and Archer, a clear sign that he was about to take care of the witness. The act was in line with the rules of the Holy Grail War, where secrecy was paramount.

Manaka suggested a change of scenery. "Why don't we meet at a restaurant? Just you and me," her proposed with a spark of excitement in her eyes.

I could not help but feel the obsession I felt about myself, similar to the admiration a princess might have for her knight. Nevertheless, my indifference remained unwavering. "Before that, we should follow Lancer and make sure the situation has been dealt with appropriately," I replied with my usual impassivity.

Manaka's enthusiasm diminished and he pouted. "Why?" her asked with a hint of disappointment.

I was about to respond to Manaka's pout when a surprising turn of events caught our attention. Rin and Archer emerged from the school, and what struck me as odd was that they carried no body with them. Considering Rin's personality, she wasn't one to dispose of a witness so carelessly. This left me contemplating the possibilities.

'Could Rin Tohsaka have been the one who saved the boy?' I mused silently. However, the boy's presence was a potential complication, and I wondered why Rin hadn't taken more measures to keep him away if she had indeed spared his life.

While my mind mulled over these thoughts, Manaka remained blissfully unaware of the intricacies of the situation. She was much more preoccupied with the prospect of our restaurant outing. I noticed her eyes light up with excitement, and for a fleeting moment, her demeanor reminded me of someone from my distant past.

Deciding that we could take a short break, I shared my intentions with her. "I think we can go eat for a moment.I will go and look at the school later," I proposed.

Manaka's response was filled with enthusiasm, as she reacted like a child receiving an unexpected gift. Before I knew it, I found myself acting on an impulse. I scooped her up in my arms in a bridal fashion, causing her to emit an endearing 'EEP.'

As I held her, a surprising thought crossed my mind. 'That... That was cute,' I admitted to myself, acknowledging the innocent charm she radiated. Despite her unusual and often dark actions, there was an undeniable purity to her nature that was hard to ignore.

Manaka's blushed cheeks took on a faint rosy hue as I held her in my arms. It seemed my impulsive action had caught her off guard, but she didn't seem to mind. In fact, she leaned a bit closer to my jacket, a shy smile gracing her lips. It was a small gesture, but it carried an air of intimacy that I hadn't expected.

Glancing back at Rin and Archer one last time, I then leaped off, carrying Manaka with me. We were headed towards the restaurant, where we could indulge in a brief respite from the ongoing war and the enigmatic events we had witnessed earlier.

[Interlude]

My Master and I had taken a momentary break in one of the nearby buildings, observing the events unfolding in the area. Saber's clash with Lancer had piqued our interest, and Manaka had taken great amusement in witnessing the activation of a Noble Phantasm for the first time. It seemed that battles between Servants were indeed a spectacle to behold at least for her.

However, our focus had shifted when a new player entered the scene – a red-haired Magus who had demonstrated considerable strength. I instincts and perceptions led me to believe that this newcomer might possess more power than initially apparent.

As we waited for Saber, Rin, and Shirou to approach the church for registration, Manaka inquired about their proximity. I scanned the surroundings, relying on my innate ability to sense negative emotions and malevolent intentions. So far, there was no indication of their approach.

With this lull in the action, I found myself pondering the peculiar aura that surrounded the church and Fuyuki Central Park. It was a malicious energy that did not seem to be natural.

It was clear that something dark and unnatural resided within those walls. The fact that it matched the aura in Fuyuki Central Park heightened my wariness. The church was not to be taken lightly, and our strategy had to account for this unsettling factor.

Manaka's compliance with my decisions didn't surprise me; our dynamic had been established, and she seemed content to follow my lead in matters beyond combat. Her fascination with my abilities and the excitement I brought to her life only deepened her loyalty.

With Manaka's agreement, we chose to be the last to register – a strategic move to avoid unnecessary attention and inquiries. This way, we could observe the actions of the other participants without being drawn into unwanted interactions.

However, Manaka had a request once Shirou and Rin would come here. She wanted to witness my power in action, to see me demonstrate my strength.

While I didn't usually indulge in such displays, I was intrigued by the prospect of facing off against Saber. She had caught my attention as a formidable adversary, and I was curious to see how our clash would unfold.

As Shirou, Rin, and Saber arrived, my senses were keenly attuned to their presence. My gaze fixed upon Saber, and a sinister smile stretched across my face.

I had found what I was looking for in this war.....

A hero.

In Saber, I saw what I had been seeking – a worthy opponent, a hero whose strength I could measure against my own.

Manaka, immediately turned her face and gaze toward them and blinked as well "Ara, Saber seems to have a strange dress sense, wearing a raincoat like that." She commented.

Manaka's comment about Saber's raincoat attire made me give a slight chuckle. It was a curious choice, but it seemed insignificant compared to the upcoming confrontation ahead.

"Yes, it is...I wonder why she wears it..." I watched her indifferently, unable to look away from his figure as if I had been completely mesmerized. "So when do we hit Little Monster?"

"When they come out of the church..." Manaka told me before letting out a little squeal "I can't believe I'm going to see you fight! At last! I can't wait to see you fight!" She exclaimed happily.

While I usually maintained a calm demeanor, I couldn't help but appreciate her enthusiasm. It was clear that she had formed a strong attachment to me and was genuinely excited to see my abilities in action.

"Little-Hime, be patient a little..." I said with a small smile showing my fangs that were clearly visible "It will be soon.... Look, they are already entering the Church..." I pointed seeing Saber now standing outside as her stood guard so as not to suffer a sneak attack.

Manaka gave a dreamy sigh with a big innocent smile on her face as if she liked the situation. She suddenly leaned against my shoulder. "I look forward to it my king -" she murmured as she closed her eyes.

Her dreamy sigh as she leaned against my shoulder made me briefly reflect on the odd familiarity of this situation. I adjusted her sleeping posture gently, ensuring her comfort.

As we continued to wait for our moment, I couldn't deny that something within me stirred at the way Manaka leaned against me. Memories of the past resurfaced...

'What a strange human I have by my side...' I thought indifferently. 'But honestly speaking, it's okay.'

Soon, Saber and the others would emerge from the church, and the battlefield would come to life. My anticipation for the clash was undeniable, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration.

The Holy Grail War was about to escalate, and with it, my chance to face off against Saber and measure my strength against a hero...

[Interlude]

As we observed Berserker's fierce assault on Saber, Shirou, and Rin, it became evident that things were taking an unexpected turn. There was another presence involved – a small girl with white hair who had joined the fray. This was a new variable in the battle that we hadn't accounted for.

Manaka's comment about the situation being unexpected was an understatement. It was clear that this added complexity would alter our plans. We both knew that engaging in the battle prematurely might not be the wisest course of action, considering the new arrival

"Indeed... What do you want me to do, Master?" I asked as if everything that was going on didn't bother me in the least which was entirely true, after all I had killed beings stronger than them.

"You can beat them, right?" Manaka's question was straightforward, and I appreciated her faith in me.

Manaka's question about my ability to defeat them made me pause briefly. Meanwhile a smile grew on my face, I had absolute confidence in my strength, but it was not simply a matter of beating them, but of destroying them both physically and mentally and plunging them into absolute terror.

My form began to shift, subtly and then more pronouncedly, as I reverted to my original shape. The transformation was a reminder of my true nature and power, an embodiment of the ancient legend that I originated from.

My upper body transformed into a formidable, fearsome shape, resembling the monstrous oni I once was. The bony protrusions and scales that adorned my black skin added to my imposing appearance.

The two horns jutting from my forehead lent an eerie aura, and the magatama earrings hanging from my pointed ears glinted with an otherworldly glow. A long dragon-like tail swayed behind me, exuding an unsettling energy.

The smile I had worn earlier faded, replaced by an expression of pure indifference. It was a look that could send shivers down the spine of any being living in this world, a gaze that seemed to hold the power to snuff out human existence.

"I can, without a doubt. I am the strongest," I affirmed, my voice bored and indifferent.

"Then... Go my Demon God..." said Manaka in a dreamy tone, as if he had been waiting for this moment for her entire existence.

Manaka's dreamy tone started the battle as I stood up, channeling strong into my legs. With a single powerful kick, I launched myself into the air, heading straight towards the battleground where Berserker and Saber were locked in intense combat.

Berserker and Saber, in the midst of their fierce clashes, felt the shift in the atmosphere. Their instincts warned them of a new, potent presence approaching. Reacting swiftly, they disengaged from their battle to avoid the danger that my arrival posed.

The impact of my landing caused a resounding explosion, a testament to the force I exerted. The ground quaked beneath my feet as I prepared to engage in this battle that promised to be nothing short of a spectacle.

*BOOOM!*

The explosive impact of my landing caught the attention of all the Masters and their respective Servants. The shockwave rippled through the air, and as the smoke and dust cleared, my figure emerged, my aura radiating power and dominance.

The battle between Saber and Berserker came to an abrupt halt as the intensity of the disruption forced them to separate their weapons at the ready. Both warriors could sense the new presence on the field, a presence that demanded their attention.

In a voice laced with indifference, I spoke to Saber and Berserker, my tone a tinge of anticipation. "It's been many years since I fought a hero... I can feel a long-forgotten excitement welling up inside me. So show me, heroes, the reckless courage that drives you. Become the blades that may pierce my heart."

A chilling smile crossed my face, revealing my desire for a true challenge. But then, my expression shifted into one of cold detachment as my words took a darker turn. "Otherwise, I will devour you all."

With those words, the tension in the air grew palpable, and the battlefield became charged with a sense of impending conflict