3 Chapter: 2

------------

Chapter - 2: True Monster and Innocent Monster

-----------

[Third Person]

Heart pounding, I mustered the courage to step forward. "I am Manaka Sajyou," she said, trying to match the Oni's intensity with her own determination. "I am your Master."

He continued to scrutinize her, as if assessing my worthiness. After what felt like an eternity, he gave a dismissive snort, clearly unimpressed. "Very well. I suppose you'll do," He said, with indifference as if it were not really important.

Amidst the tension-filled scene, Hakuno Sayjou, Manaka's father, was visibly shaken. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he stared at the monstrous figure before him, paralyzed by the overwhelming presence that emanated from it.

The fear of making even the slightest movement, lest it provoke a deadly response, held him captive.

"My name is Otakemaru, the Supreme ruler of every Yokai on Mt. Ibuki," the Oni declaration carried an eerie indifference, as if the world around had no importance to him.

What the hell was this abomination before him? And what kind of servant introduces his name before his class? What kind of fucking Servant had his daughter conjured up he would have preferred a knight or even just a simple samurai?

In the midst of this unsettling encounter, Manaka's attention was drawn to Otakemaru's gaze shifting towards her. Their eyes locked, and a shiver ran down her spine as she found herself ensnared by the intensity of his gaze.

His eyes, golden with black scleral, stared at her with unearthly intensity, freezing her in place "Ah, so I was conjured up by a little innocent monster, how funny" Otakemaru gave her a brief nod, indicating that he was pleased with the tiny human creature before him.

The description of her as an "innocent little monster" left a strange blend of validation and unease. As if peering into her very essence, his eyes seemed to see beyond the facade she had carefully constructed, stripping away the layers that concealed her true self.

Though the color of their eyes was drastically different, there was an inexplicable connection that transcended the surface. A sensation coursed through her, a feeling of vulnerability mingled with intrigue.

Otakemaru's presence was disconcerting yet strangely captivating, stirring emotions within Manaka that had remained dormant until now. As the weight of his gaze persisted, she couldn't help but ponder the implications of meeting the Servant best suited for her

"That means it was you who summoned me. Very well, first we will take time to get to know each other, then we can proceed to talk about the upcoming War," he declared, his tone betraying an almost whimsical detachment, as though the entire summoning ritual were a mere diversion.

"Nice to meet you too, little Hime..." he addressed her, a smile on his lips that revealed fangs capable of effortlessly rending the flesh of even the most formidable Phantasmal Beasts.

The juxtaposition of his smile and the deadly potential of those fangs was unsettling yet strangely intriguing of her.

Manaka's gaze remained fixed on her newly summoned Servant. His demeanor was undeniably captivating, and she could sense a sincerity in his words.

Despite having laid bare her darker desires, the side of her that harbored the urge to inflict harm upon others, Otakemaru's response remained unperturbed. It was a reaction she had not expected, for typically, anyone who glimpsed her true nature would recoil in fear or disdain.

Yet this man, or rather, this monster, displayed no fear, no revulsion. He acknowledged her darker aspect with an air of nonchalance, as if it were just another facet of her being. The lack of judgment was both refreshing and mystifying, leaving Manaka intrigued by the enigmatic creature before her.

Interesting...

As the conversation progressed, Hakuno, her father, finally found his voice. "Excuse me, Otakemaru-sama, but what class are you?" he inquired, his curiosity breaking through the tense atmosphere.

Otakemaru turned his attention to Hakuno, his expression remaining stoically indifferent. "Actually, I can be summoned to any of the seven main classes. Additionally, I have the potential to manifest as one of the three extra classes. However, for this summoning, I have taken the form of an Avenger," he replied, delivering the revelation with an air of calculated detachment that seemed to emphasize the gravity of his presence.

A Servant capable of manifesting in all classes – Hakuno couldn't fathom the implications of such an existence. He was utterly bewildered, having never come across a heroic spirit with such versatility.

And to compound his confusion, the revelation of the Avenger class further rattled him. He had never even heard of such a class before.

This sentiment was shared by his daughter, Manaka, whose surprise was evident in her voice. "Avenger?" she queried, her curiosity mirroring her father's.

"Yes, Avenger," Otakemaru confirmed nonchalantly, his response dripping with an air of indifference. "You could say it's a class meant for a World Destroyer or something of the sort. As for why I was summoned into that class, well, you're the one who initiated the summoning ritual," he added, punctuating his words with a casual shrug.

Hakuno's bewilderment deepened. "But we invoked the chant for summoning a Saber," he retorted, his brow furrowed in consternation.

Otakemaru's reply was as blunt as ever, his tone dry. "Well, then it seems humanity's luck still leaves much to be desired," he remarked, his words causing a flash of annoyance to cross Hakuno's face at the brusque response.

"Regardless," Otakemaru continued, seemingly undisturbed by their astonishment, "perhaps it's best we relocate to a more spacious setting. This place is beginning to feel too confining for my liking."

Hakuno, though still grappling with the whirlwind of revelations, found himself compelled to concede. The enigmatic Servant's presence carried an air of authority that left little room for argument.

[Interlude]

[Later on in Manaka's room]

In the confines of Manaka's room, a candid statement hung in the air. "You know what I am...." Manaka's words were direct, her gaze fixed on the enigmatic figure before her.

Otakemaru, who had transformed into a young human with an imposing physique, calmly reclined as he sat. His white hair contrasted against the simple attire he now wore – a white and gray T-shirt, a hooded jacket, and long blue pants. With an air of casual nonchalance, he sipped from a drink he had procured.

The initial tension that had accompanied their meeting had gradually waned, replaced by a shared understanding. Following a brief explanation about the Avenger class and an inquiry from Hakuno about Otakemaru's identity, the three of them had spent time getting acquainted. However, a sense of unease lingered beneath the surface, particularly within Hakuno.

Despite his efforts to remain composed, Hakuno held reservations about Otakemaru. The very presence of this Servant felt like a threat, especially when it concerned his daughter's well-being. Yet, the fear of invoking wrath Otakemaru's are kept him from taking drastic measures – for now.

Compounding Hakuno's concerns was the intricate narrative that surrounded Otakemaru. The rise of Shuten-douji/Ibuki-douji had obscured much of the historical records about him, leaving his story shrouded in confusion and uncertainty.

In response to Hakuno's questions, Otakemaru gave an answer. And he hinted at the possibility of discovering a story related to "Otakemaru," although he clarified that it would not necessarily be about him.

His story, it was apparently, had been woven into the fabric of myth and legend, a simple fable that should not have existed..

For Hakuno, this revelation was anything but reassuring. The thought of leaving his daughter under the guidance of someone as enigmatic as Otakemaru ignited a fierce inner turmoil. His protective instincts clashed with fear, leaving him in a stalemate.

It was no secret to him that Servants could kill their Master if they wanted to or use them only as a Prana battery. So right now while Hakuno was trying to find Otakemaru's story, he gave him and Manaka some time to get to know each other.

Aware of the potential danger that Servants could pose to their Masters, Hakuno was cautious in his approach. As he delved into the task of researching Otakemaru's background, he allowed both Manaka and the Servant time to forge a connection, giving them space to get to know each other.

Manaka's curiosity was palpable as she posed a direct question to Otakemaru. "And you're not even annoyed? Aren't you slightly disgusted? Why are you a monster?" Her inquiry held a mix of innocence and intrigue.

Otakemaru's response was marked by a dismissive nonchalance, as if such reactions were expected. "Yes, I know," he conceded, his tone implying that Manaka's concern was typical for someone in her position.

Manaka's head tilted as she sought to understand the nature of this enigmatic being before her. "I've done and seen worse, little girl..." Otakemaru's retort was laced with a hint of exasperation. "Do you think I ascended to the position of supreme commander of all Yokai through a fortunate stroke of luck? No, I fought and shed blood to earn that title," he explained, his words emphasizing what a real monster was..

His words took a somber turn as he continued, addressing a notion that had remained unsaid. "You are a monster born of envy," Otakemaru stated matter-of-factly, causing Manaka to blink in surprise at the unexpected declaration. "You possess everything you desire, until the allure fades. Then, when you encounter ordinary individuals, you covet the simplicity of their lives... You may not admit it, but deep down, jealousy simmers within you."

The atmosphere in the room shifted palpably as Manaka absorbed Otakemaru's words. It was as if his observations had struck a nerve, causing her bright eyes to grow cold and her once angelic smile to vanish, replaced by an unsettling blend of anger and a piercing stare.

"And how do you know?" Her voice was now laced with an icy edge as she muttered the question. Otakemaru's insight had pierced through her defenses, unearthing a truth that she had been reluctant to acknowledge – the jealousy that simmered beneath her veneer of indifference.

Otakemaru remained unperturbed by the shift in Manaka's demeanor, offering her a serene smile in response. "Because I met someone like you in the past," he explained calmly, his tone carrying the weight of experience. "He was a human, much like you, consumed by revenge and envy. He sacrificed everything for power, only to become a monster himself."

Manaka listened intently, her neutral expression betraying little emotion as Otakemaru continued. "You, little Hime, share similarities with him. While your goals and desires may differ, the path you tread bears a resemblance. I sense it within you. A trajectory that, once set in motion, could lead you down a perilous road, from which there may be no return."

Manaka's features remained neutral as she absorbed Otakemaru's words, her icy blue eyes offering no insight into her thoughts. With deliberate slowness, she finally spoke, her voice carrying a teasing undertone. "What makes you think I care?" Her words danced on the edge of indifference, a calculated facade that concealed the inner turmoil stirred by their conversation.

"Why do you still feel jealous?" Otakemaru's response was measured and direct, his words cutting through her defenses. He laid bare her emotions with a simplicity that caught her off guard. "You are jealous of them, and deep down, you recognize the wrongness of your impending actions... This inner conflict reveals that morality still resides within you."

His slight smile held a gentleness that contrasted with the weight of his words. "And that, my little, is not a weakness," he continued, his tone soft yet resolute. "It is a testament to your humanity. It demonstrates that you still possess boundaries, limits that delineate the line between innocence."

Manaka, who had been listening intently, couldn't help but widen her eyes – a rare display of surprise following her earlier anger. Otakemaru's perspective had pierced through her defenses, illuminating a facet of her psyche that she had been reluctant to confront.

Could it be true? Could I really know what I did was wrong? No... I know it's wrong to feel this way, to find out how I will feel when I kill people, but it's the only thing I find fun in this world. To find something new...' Manaka's thoughts swirled within her mind, a tumultuous reflection of her inner conflict. Her gaze remained distant, lost in contemplation.

Sensing her turmoil, Otakemaru rose from his seat with deliberate grace, his hand extending to gently caress her head. The unexpected gesture elicited surprise from Manaka, her vacant expression shifting as she absorbed his touch. His words carried a comforting reassurance. "Hey, there's no need to be so gloomy. If you truly desire to take a life, let's channel that urge towards the battlefield."

Confusion colored Manaka's features as she grappled with the paradox before her. "But you're an Oni, aren't you? Don't you revel in violence? I can't quite grasp it..." Her tone held a note of bewilderment as she tried to reconcile her perceptions with the complexity of Otakemaru's nature.

A soft laugh escaped Otakemaru's lips, a sound that seemed to scorn other creatures similar to him. "Do not confuse me with the common Oni, those who feed solely on battles and the taste of human flesh. I am different from them, for I am their ruler."

His explanation shifted, revealing a different facet of his motivation. "As for why I've chosen to aid you, the answer is simple. If my little master were to succumb entirely to a bloodthirsty monstrosity, it would become my duty to eliminate you. Two such creatures cannot coexist within the same domain," he replied with a smile worthy of an Oni.

-------------