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Chapter - 17: Goldy

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[Rider aka Medusa Gorgon Pov]

While in my spiritual form, I found myself observing Sakura, who appeared surprisingly calm, given the presence of the monstrous creature before us. I couldn't help but be captivated by this being foreign, unlike any Phantasmal Species I had encountered in ancient Greece, and I had encountered quite a few during my time.

This creature possessed an overwhelming charisma that seemed to compel me to follow him willingly, a stark departure from the typical encounters I had with giant monsters using their divine authorities to wreak havoc. It was a novel experience for me, and I couldn't deny its allure.

I couldn't help but wonder if this was a positive development, especially for Sakura. I hoped for the best, as this enigmatic being didn't seem to harbor any ill intentions towards her. In fact, he appeared deeply intrigued by her, a fact that both intrigued and concerned me.

Ever since my summoning into this Holy Grail War, my sole desire had been to rescue Sakura from the clutches of the Matou family and see her lead a life filled with happiness.

I couldn't help but worry about Sakura's fate, fearing that she might transform into a monster like me, losing herself in blind rage, and potentially harming her loved ones. 

However, I understood the complexity of her situation. She was torn between her personal desires and the role forced upon her.

As these conflicting thoughts swirled in my mind, I could only hope that this unexpected turn of events would ultimately prove to be a blessing for Sakura.

In a world where no hero seemed capable of saving her, my hopes rested on this monster that was similar to me.

[Interlude]

[Otakemaru Pov]

I made my way into the Sanjou mansion, following the mental connection I shared with the innocent little monster. Upon entering the dining room, I found two women engaged in light conversation over a cup of tea.

"Otakemaru!" My little master's excited voice filled the room as she greeted me.

In an attempt to calm her down, I gently patted her on the head. "You're always brimming with energy, my little-hime."

"Of course! You promised me something really fun tomorrow!" She beamed, a cute smile forming on her face.

"Yes, I did promise that. You just need to be patient a bit longer. Even for me, this Holy Grail War is becoming rather dull," I admitted.

She let out a thoughtful murmur, her gaze shifting beyond me, her eyes taking on a blank expression. "My king... Who is she?" She pointed towards Sakura, who appeared somewhat uneasy in this new environment.

"She's a new ally of ours and Rider's master," I replied with a growing smile. "Since she has nowhere else to go for the time being, she'll stay here and work as a maid."

"Huh?" She repeated her confusion, clearly taken aback by the unexpected development.

Both girls in the room expressed surprise, with Sakura blushing slightly, while Manaka's reaction seemed less pleased. I could sense her growing murderous intent as each moment passed.

In an effort to defuse the situation, I continued to pat the blushing loli's head, a gesture that only deepened her embarrassment.

As I continued to rub her hair, Manaka's anger began to dissipate. It was clear that I was ruining her mood, but I could also feel the joy she derived from the warmth of my hand on her head.

A bright smile spread across the innocent little monster's face as I continued my actions. "This feels nice..." I heard her murmur, and it brought a smile to my own face.

I could now appreciate how she must have felt when she did the same to me repeatedly back when I was a cute little Oni, practically inviting her to cuddle and tease me simultaneously.

However, it was not the time to get lost in nostalgic memories. My attention shifted to the remaining woman in the room. "Would you like to join us? We're going to pay a visit to that phony priest," I said, watching as her expression changed, much to my amusement.

Bazett responded firmly, her fists clenched and her gaze unwavering. It was evident that she still harbored deep resentment and a burning desire to make the fake priest pay for his actions.

In the end, she simply shook her head. "My involvement would only be detrimental to your cause," she stated plainly.

"I understand," I replied with a casual shrug of my shoulders. There would be other opportunities in this Holy Grail War for Bazett to exact her revenge on the priest.

[Interlude]

[Third Person]

[In the Brotherhood, in the Satanic Church]

Manaka ascended the hill leading to the Fuyuki City Church with an air of serenity. Her beautiful short blond hair danced in the breeze, accentuated by the elevated terrain.

Surrounded by tall trees on both sides, the path she followed was paved, resembling a road. 

As she reached the metal gates of the complex housing the imposing church, Otakemaru couldn't ignore the palpable malevolence in the atmosphere. It seemed to intensify with each passing moment, but this only served to strengthen him.

"Hello, it's been a while since the visits," Manaka greeted a man who stood tall and well-built but exuded an ominous aura. His dull eyes nullified any attractiveness he might have possessed. This was Kirei Kotomine.

Kirei was a high-ranking church executor, remarkably competent, and the overseer of the impending Holy Grail War in the city. He ensured that all the rules of the war were strictly followed and that Masters who had lost their Servants were granted sanctuary.

"...I'm certain we'll have time for a little chat, Mr. Overseer," Manaka suggested, a faint smile gracing her angelic face.

Kirei observed the young girl before him with a mixture of curiosity and a sense of impending danger. A thought crossed his mind that if the opportunity presented itself, he should consider eliminating her.

However, his thoughts were interrupted abruptly. With a startled gasp, he found himself hurtling through the church, smashing through pews that crumbled beneath his weight and newfound momentum. Kirei's uncontrolled flight only ceased when his body and face collided with the church's white wall.

Dazed and bloodied, the priest slowly lifted his gaze to see a young man with golden eyes standing before him. Though he appeared innocuous, Kirei recognized him as a Servant. He was unarmed, but Kirei knew better than to underestimate him.

Stammering, Kirei managed to ask, "H-How?"

Otakemaru tilted his head slightly, his tail swaying behind him. His response was stern, "You'd do well to keep your malicious intentions concealed within that worthless soul of yours. Displaying them so openly to me may lead you to get yourself killed right now.."

One of Otakemaru's most potent abilities was his knack for perceiving and utilizing malevolent intentions to his advantage. He had no qualms about capitalizing on the harmful intent that emanated from Kirei.

"I don't even care if you use this church for satanic rituals or hide children in your basement," he began, intending to provoke further irritation.

Kirei had no chance to respond, for a demonic hand swiftly seized his jaw, hoisting him off the ground. Otakemaru's grip spoke of a desire to put him down for his insolence. 

In the vision  of Otakemaru, attacking one of its treasures is akin to inviting death. His will overruled all other considerations.

Before Kirei could utter more curses, a cacophony of gunfire erupted as bullets pierced through the church's walls, heading straight for Manaka and Otakemaru. The Oni King reacted swiftly, prioritizing the safety of the one who sustained his existence. 

He released the priest and summoned several portals behind him. Oriental weapons materialized and intercepted the incoming bullets, forming a protective barrier around Manaka.

"HuhahahHAHAHAHA!" Arrogant laughter reverberated throughout the church, a display unabashed confidence. 

Otakemaru stood in front of Manaka, hands tucked casually into his pockets, seemingly impervious to the turmoil unfolding around him.

The entrance of another figure, a young man with blond hair and striking red eyes, put a temporary halt to the chaos. Gilgamesh, exuding an air of amusement, observed the scene with a hand resting on his waist.

"You truly possess the audacity to imitate me, even if you are nothing more than a monster from a fairy tale," Gilgamesh remarked, his smirk unwavering as he regarded Otakemaru with an authoritative air. 

While he couldn't deny the formidable abilities of the being before him, Gilgamesh, humanity's oldest hero, couldn't help but maintain his arrogance that characterized him.

Otakemaru's gaze locked onto the man standing before him. His normally cheerful golden eyes were replaced with a steely resolve. "This man..." Otakemaru thought, scrutinizing the enigmatic figure who had just arrived.

  It was evident that this individual was not human; that much was clear. Moreover, Otakemaru could detect a distinct aura of divinity emanating from him.

The presence of the man, initially unmistakably that of a Servant, held a certain ambiguity that piqued Otakemaru's interest. He scrutinized the enigmatic figure, sensing something peculiar beneath the surface.

While the man appeared to mask his aura skillfully, he possessed an uncanny quality—almost as if he were truly alive. It was as though he straddled the boundary between Servant and living human.

What truly fascinated Otakemaru was the man's aura, which bore a striking resemblance to Saber's, but it exuded a far more immense and menacing energy. There was something about this individual that tugged at Otakemaru's memories, evoking a sense of familiarity.

The presence of this man now reminds him of a certain person from the past whom he had found quite amusing. "Goldie..."

"... Goldie?" Gilgamesh responded, his head tilting in genuine confusion before he burst into hearty laughter. "Hu... Hahahaha!!! The bastard barks."

Yet, even in the midst of his amusement, Gilgamesh unleashed a barrage of thousands of low-level Noble Phantasms aimed at Otakemaru. It was an audacious move. If Otakemaru could withstand this onslaught, perhaps it would pique Gilgamesh's curiosity enough to warrant further discussion.

With an unwavering stance, Otakemaru absorbed the relentless assault, using his body to halt the onslaught of weapons. To the surprise of those present, he remained unshaken, and the metallic clang of swords meeting their target echoed through the surroundings as the discarded weapons piled around him

"Tsk... Your scales could compete with several Divine Beasts I faced when I was alive.... No, maybe they are even stronger?" Gilgamesh's tone held a hint of intrigue, and the Archer found himself genuinely intrigued. He had never encountered a creature quite like this one, which could withstand his formidable weapons so easily.

Once more, Gilgamesh's piercing gaze focused on Otakemaru. "You... What are you?"

"An Oni last time I checked.," Otakemaru replied with a calm smile and showing his fangs. Gilgamesh probably could have said that he knew more about himself and so, did not try to end the conversation, "Other than that, I'm sure this war is not to your liking."

"A war? High praise you bastard. This is a farce." The King of Heroes became frightened, a fiction in an era gone to shit. Humans had become much more vile than before, he had no love for such creatures.

"But you, you are different from anything. Where do you come from?" Gilgamesh did not ask his nationality, no, the Archer asked him about his origins because in his eyes, the servant before him alone was not like a mere "monster." He could sense many other traits within him and he felt completely different.

"I'm just built differently," Otakemaru smiled broadly; he was technically a stranger to this verse as a whole. Something like a stranger or an invader, looking at the Root and passing by her, had certainly shaped his body, but the essence of his being was different...

He was not a "monster" of this "world," so to speak. Of course, all this was something that would never have crossed his mind had he not received knowledge from the Throne of Heroes.

"Don't brag too much in my presence, you bastard," Gilgamesh sneered, displaying his characteristic arrogance.

But Otakemaru certainly wasn't intimidated by his words. "Well, you and the master are coming to visit the Ryuudou Temple tomorrow night, and you might see a real useful war,"  Offered with a sinister smile, extending his hand as an invitation.

"Hmm," The King of Heroes huffed, "You really have the courage to order me around when I haven't even accepted your proposal, you bastard!" Despite his words, there was a hint of amusement in Gilgamesh's expression.

Otakemaru didn't respond verbally; instead, he picked up Manaka princess-style and began to walk away. "I'll wait for you," he said with a wicked smile.

Manaka could only respond with a small sound of agreement as they left the church, leaving Gilgamesh behind, his curiosity piqued aroused by the future events that were about to happen.

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