Wow, it's been quite a while...

Actually, this delay was caused by a system error in FFn's part, which didn't allow me to access some things relevant to the writing and publishing of this chapter. Sorry about that, on behalf of me and the site – you guys know all parties wanted to bring forth the best reading experience for you. Hopefully this chapter is good enough to soothe your hunger and loneliness in this holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (super-belatedly, but still...)!

Anyways, quite surprised none of you kicked up a fuss with more religion-heavy discussions in previous chapters, knowing the time we're living in. I'll take that as a positive thing, where we all live in harmony, peace, and tolerance to each other's views, instead of storming and rioting whenever an unimportant person speaks out something you want to hear (yeah, I went there; sue me). Please allow this positive mindset continue to this new year, and may all of us have a bright future ahead!

Thin mailbag this time. Let's fill it up for the next one!
Royal Freshness12345: Yes, though I was unsure her OOC self in this reality (in which of course she's going to be different) will be well-received or not. But yes, it's Ophis near her prime and without the brainwashing and nerfing in the DXD universe. And the Spanish priest... just like the Spanish Inquisition, no one will see the 'owned' you mentioned coming. Sometimes I worry about your reviews actually containing spoilers owing to your predictive powers... Yes, the Christmas event is pretty meh, though I like Karna and Vritra. Merry Christmas to you too!
Archer: Hi, there. I assume you and the anonymous reviewer right before you are one and the same? Nice analysis; enough to make into a decent faux chant for Unlimited Blade Works. Personally, I don't have much to comment on what you wrote. See you soon!

I am not a fan of war.

Oh, not in that idealistic kind of way which believes it's not even possible. Instead, I'm not comfortable because I'm no good at it. Yes, my martial skills are perhaps unmatched in the world when combined with my Magecraft and knowledge, but that's just a sliver of war's aspects. Logistics, management, leadership, tactics… There are so many facets it's impossible to wage war alone.

That's why I usually leave all those necessary, but tedious things to people I trust. I am more suited either as a blacksmith or a warrior, and not a general.

Still, despite knowing this full well, Kippōshi still puts me in this elevated position, technically leading a large number of troops. She makes sure I won't decline by placing most of the people grateful for me in this army of mine, ranging from infantry, cavalry, artillery, transportation, and so on.

In fact, they've grown so numerous even I'm unsure whether I've truly saved this many or not. I try my hardest not to sound ungrateful, but perhaps I've done too much in this era? Granted, that's exactly what Alaya and I are always attempting to do: to almost cause a Singularity so each Quantum Time Lock leading to humanity's – and, by that extent, Alaya's – extinction.

Our world has always been constantly threatened by these events, some of them irreversibly so. While I'm confident in us as a race we're able to overcome them come hell or high water, if I'm able to make these future heroes' efforts just a tad easier, then all of this will be worth it.

It's a strange, fickle concept, [Time]. On occasion, only minor changes are required to create a cascade of effects and lead to a completely different future. Of course, the universe has its own methods to prevent this via its Quantum Time Locks, where absolutely nothing one does inside will affect either side of the infinite [Time] branches. In a way, they act as the points of singularity so the area among them can be as infinite as possible.

In the meantime, Alaya and I – as well as the other Heroic Vessels – want to achieve the opposite: change these finite points to open up endless probabilities, yet aim to narrow down the results into a favourable one amidst their boundlessness.

That's why I don't concern myself with war. It's just a waste of energy I can invest elsewhere for the greater good.

Oh, dear, how I used to hate that word. Yet, the 'greater good' many of my detractors speak of is not a true one, and merely their own delusions, achieved after giving up on their ideals. All of my own selves which constitutes the present me, clearly, are not from this ilk.

Therefore, against the combined forces of Azai-Asakura, I'll rely on Manchiyo-san's expertise to at least nullify their army and buy me time to 'resolve' the root issue of this sudden betrayal.

…though it's not really 'sudden' when I consider my knowledge of history. Yet, it is when I think about everything I've done to raise Kippōshi's general popularity both around the commonfolk and her own family. Nobukatsu is living peacefully as the backup heir in Owari, happily married to a girl he fancies (who suspiciously looks so similar to Kippōshi), instead of having his head chopped off due to an ultimately successful gamble to clear the path to her sister's succession.

Yet, she still lost a family member in Kohaku. No one's fault… technically, yes. But if someone asks me whether there's something either I, Kippōshi, or Tatsumi can do better? Oh, definitely also yes. For instance, despite having the full resource of advanced infant delivery and healthcare for the time, Kohaku received not even a sliver of it, with all of us thinking her body could withstand it. However, we all failed to consider how her body would react with the Mutsu Clan's compound's ambient magic energy, because all previous members who married in didn't have any problems.

In the end, Torahiko and Komahiko lost their mother, and Tatsumi lost the familiar energetic glint in his eyes so familiar to me since we were small. Fortunately, he hasn't degraded to the point he's closed off all contact with the world, but that's merely a response, instead of a preventive act.

It all indicates I can still do more, despite my earlier gripes. After all, who knows what positive effect coming my way from the numerous good deeds everyone related to me does? Ancient people call it 'karma', solely because they lack a global understanding of the Butterfly Effect, but it doesn't mean it's false. In fact, it's a frighteningly accurate description of 'what goes around, comes around'.

I'm not worried about us losing here. After the weapons and armours I exclusively arm our troops with, I'll simply be insulting myself for doubting their efficiency, effectiveness, and 'dummy-proof'-ness. Ease of use and practicality is essential for mass-produced weapons, it's impossible, for instance, to match every piece's ergonomics to wildly differing body shapes and needs. In fact, most of Kippōshi's blades personal blades are hand-me-downs, but her favourite ones are all custom-made to her body such as Maōken, because those earlier ones simply don't fit well with her developing physique.

For better comparison, both she and Inuchiyo-chan own weapons made by my mentor Yukimitsu, yet Kippōshi's Fudō never sees any real combat owing to her unfamiliarity with tantōs, unlike Chiyome or Danzō who trained extensively with this weapon type. On the contrary, Inuchiyo-chan's spear is custom-made to her inhuman strength and flexibility, and is her preferred weapon on the battlefield.

So, how do we overcome this obstacle and provide the troops with affordable weapons made from readily-available materials, while also being somewhat comfortable to wield for everyone, able to be switched out between wielders as one fell before another?

Well, that's a trade secret, of course. Additionally, they're equipped with curses to prevent enemies, deserters, or traitors from picking them up and using them against us.

Anyway, I ensure we have an unfair advantage. It's up to Manchiyo-san to use it well.

Also, I mention Manchiyo-san a lot because the other Princess General who usually holds command in this situation, Jūbei, is stubbornly sticking to my side like glue, needlessly competing with the quietly amused Danzō for who can stay the closest to my body. Still, at least the girl has just enough tact to spare the necessary faculty to focus on the mission at hand, and not squabbling like when Tatsumi is around.

Really, the two are actually very good friends, aren't they? I'm not one who'll suggest that to their faces anytime soon, but only a close couple can bicker like that and go back to working together in an instant, right? In reality, those who portray themselves as loyal and agreeable often do nothing apart from plot behind our backs with their blades ready to plunge.

- Boing. Boing. Boing.

Compared to Okehazama or the newly-named Gifu Castle, the Odani Castle is built on rockier terrain. While not extreme, it's beautifully taken advantage of, with outposts and various small structures erected to give defenders the best vantage points as possible. The entire place's philosophy is similar to a pyramid, where the main keep is at its highest point, forcing invaders to trudge upwards and waste stamina.

Of course, this makes the simple act of living rather tiring, and the inhabitants helpfully have placed several connecting planks between extreme elevation differences to travel easier… which we gladly use right now to bypass most of the trudging combat.

- Boing. Boing. Boing.

Most of the Owari troops are available since there's no need to position a significant portion of them facing north to guard against Chiyome's 'Haruna', the lazy Ujiyasu, and the still-recovering Kagetora. The tripartite are oddly quiet lately, not making any moves even when we blatantly marched towards the capital and struck a good public relationship with Himiko. This is a prime example of what I mentioned earlier regarding the effects of every good deed I did, because I don't need to understand the why – I only have to enjoy the results like this newfound freedom, and not have to worry about the might of their armies flooding down from behind us.

Sounds counterintuitive, when everything I've done is based on the concept of not leaving anything to chance. However, I've learnt from my various missions overcomplicating things usually leads to a worse result. I've done my due diligence, and is more than allowed to reap the rewards.

Given Shuten-sama's appearance recently, I suspect Otakemaru's acting up again, inciting either Nagamasa or Yoshikage to rise up against Kippōshi, since her improved interpersonal relationships with them proved to be not enough to deter them from doing this.

- Boing. Boing. Boing.

"Jūbei, should we revise our strategy again? It's apparent in the way you're constantly glaring at Danzō you're not as focused as usual," I chide her gently, having to Reinforce my voice for it to pierce the aerodynamic drag created from our speed. "Tell me, what's your personal objective?"

"Wha-?! I-I was not!" Jūbei immediately refutes, yet the way she instantly shifts her gaze away from both of our faces easily tells me she's lying to herself. "I am very focused, as always, Senpai! Danzō-san, I am focused, right? Right right right?"

"I detect a 30% drop in cognitive ability… as well as an unhealthy length of time when your eyes linger on my chest and posterior."

"AWAWAWAWA! No, Senpai… T-That's not true! Danzō-san is l-lying! Clearly, clearly lying! Aren't you?!" Panicking, she puts too much strength into her slash, pointlessly wasting energy in bifurcating a nearly-screaming guard while a quick laceration across the throat will do. Still, it's a testament to her raw talent even this misstep isn't enough to throw her off-balance. "I only have eyes for you, Senpai! Believe me!"

"I'm flattered," I reply flatly, destroying an entire defensive line by carving out a straight trench with a casual swing. "But I haven't received your answer to my question, regardless of your… reasonable attraction to Danzō. She's incredibly attractive, and hard to keep your eyes off; I understand."

"I am honoured my body pleases you, my lord," the kunoichi adds similarly neutrally, causing Jūbei to fume from both of her reddened ears.

"Hmph! You two keep teasing me!" She harrumphs, shooting a water jet to pierce an archer's throat some distance away, before moving her pistol-like two pressed fingers to slash at his assistants by the side. "Oichi! My target is Oichi! There, are you two happy?! And I still am not looking at Danzō-san all the time!"

Danzō's hands flicker, fast enough I can barely perceive them, and a barred gate in front of us is sliced open horizontally. The soldiers guarding it panic, allowing us through without much problem. "My lord, she is experiencing a rise in body temperature, particularly around her cranium and abdominal area."

"CAN YOU PLEASE STOP TTTTHHHHHAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTT?!"

As we chatter on, stealth long since been discarded, I begin activating my Pure Eyes. While not agreed upon beforehand, the two girls also expand their sensory capabilities around this point – the middle part of the compound, halfway towards the innermost keep – because there's little sense in adding more information when the first part of the journey was so chaotic. The magic energy emitted by both sides was indiscernible, akin to attempting to separate each gunpowder grain among a fireworks cascade. While I'm capable of doing that, the effort would've gone to waste because there's no advantageous information contained in the chaos.

Here, though, where the theoretically stronger oppositions are located, it's prudent to at least get on terms with them, because every invading force of equal number is always at a disadvantage.

For instance, the unmistakable Od output of Kashin Koji simmering from where Nagamasa's personal chamber should be is a good indication of the prime objective's location.

Jūbei said it well: Oichi and her children are the priority. We can afford to let whoever is stupid and brave enough to incite this uprising go, but not at the cost of their lives. While Kippōshi was relatively well-adjusted after Kohaku's passing, I don't wish to see that solemn aura bathing her lithe shoulders again. Ditto to Jūbei, because she externally appeared to be the one hit hardest by that young woman's death.

…and if I said I wasn't affected, then I'd also be lying to myself.

"Let's go."

I take the position as vanguard, because my Reinforcement skill is the strongest among us, ready to endure whatever traps this unrelenting yōkai have prepared for us. I'm quite sure my Conceptual Weight is also high enough to function as a pseudo-[Magic Resistance], enabling me to hold out under a conceptual-based attack until Danzō, who's an expert in analysing and dismantling things like this, can figure a way out.

In a way, my current skills specialize so much in direct combat – both physically and Thaumaturgically – most of the techniques one Kiritsugu Emiya taught Shirō Emiya are no better than mediocre when I perform it. Certainly, in the speed and heat of combat, it's better to leave it to a person who's actually better than me, and one I trust implicitly with my life.

"Okay, now, stop joking around. Our hosts are here."

"YOU'RE THE ONE PLAYING AROUND, SENPAI!" Jūbei instantly tsukkomi-es.

However, she's still professional enough to refocus instantly at the person overlooking proceedings from the topmost balcony – a position seemingly most boss-like people favour. Perhaps it's purely an aesthetical and egoistical choice? It's certainly not the safest one, because just by relying on my magical senses, I can snipe her well from outside the Omi Province.

However, looking up close, it's also quite clear Azai Nagamasa isn't in her best state. Hence, my usage of the word 'hosts' earlier.

Danzō quickly confirms my suspicion. "Two magical signatures detected- Correction, three."

"His own, his Guardian Spirit… and the instigator?" Jūbei theorizes, which I quickly agree with.

We're still travelling at quite a fair pace, and our conversation finishes at just about leaping distance. "No change of plans. I'm going first."

"So… Sister-in-Law sends you? I, Azai Nagamasa, am honou-"

Rule Breaker already stabs into her bound chest before she can finish, having performed Sword Burst beforehand to open up any magical protection cladding her skin. Indeed, the sound of broken glass chimed around me a touch later than my initial attack, my Reinforced leap landing at the same time as the invisible attack.

"Sorry, Nagamasa-san… And you can get the fuck out of her body."

Before I have to Break the Rule Breaker piercing the topmost layer of the crossdressing Princess General's skin – pun not intended – Nagamasa's back burst open with black, oozy energy much like how a butterfly will do to its cocoon. I tilt my body to let her fall, fully knowing either Jūbei or Danzō will catch her before her face smacks the floor… as well as the urgency to press the initiative while I have whatever spell Otakemaru imbedded in her backpedalling.

Which, as it turned out, is a classic case of reversed Spiritual Evocation, as the black torrent coalesced into Kashin Koji, Otakemaru's avatar I've been informed of.

Now, I'm sure he wants to speak of numerous things, perhaps having already prepared a grand, villainous speech for my group's ability to corner them this quickly. Or perhaps he's going to curse Shuten-sama again, given their relationship over these centuries, for assuming she is the one who set him up to fail again.

Well, I don't care. Talking is not free action – a trait which even EMIYA often falls for.

He opens his mouth – either to really try to talk his way out of this or chant – but a katana has already slashed towards his neck at an angle his khakkara shouldn't be able to block. It's a run-of-the-mill Traced weapon, not of any particular Conceptual Weight or Mystery, just to test his defences in this form. What is the percentile of strength an avatar has compared to his main body? Given Otakemaru's current immobile state, does all of his power reside in this frail fake body? Is his intelligence and cunning transferrable? Has he weakened from his heyday when he 'gave birth' to Danzō?

…I just feel disgusted all of a sudden, when I think of this man being a father-in-law of mine.

Well, then, better wipe him off the face of this planet as quickly as possible.

I'm quite sure he's realized Danzō is here, but I won't let him use that fact as an advantage… or even the tiniest leverage. As I intend to from the start, and in the plans outlined from the beginning, the best strategy is often time the blitzkrieg… then ask questions later. If one has the power to do the former and resources to pick the bones apart from the latter's mess, then it's optimal. I simply trust the beloved people around me to not just do their job, but go above and beyond to reach the idealized outcome left unsaid.

However confident I am, I have to twist away to the side without looking, interrupting my charge towards the dark magus, because a pair of dark-tainted wings slashes at my back, coming from the gaping dimensional wound on Nagamasa's back.

"You don't think I exited willingly, do you?"

Damn it. He does get his line in.

That crucial break enabled him to shoot away with his levitating spell, barely slower than my maximum speed. Thus, I immediately set into a shooting stance, summoning a bow similar in size to Herakles's but with my own design, and notching three Altered Gáe Dearg. I choose to shoot them horizontally – perhaps with the most ridiculous-looking stance ever – to spread them out: one for Kashin Koji, one for Nagamasa's transforming berserk state, and one towards Danzō's outstretched hand.

- Clang!

Jūbei has already clashed with the female Princess General, her shorter stature striking upwards against the taller Nagamasa. My kunoichi, meanwhile, flickers away with a fleeting glance towards the male avatar who crafted her old body, eager to get to where Oichi and her daughters are undoubtedly hidden in this castle.

"Danzō! They're outside the compound; intercept them!" I yell out with a newly-discovered information after a cursory scan with my already-activated Pure Eyes. "Come – Myōjingiri, Tsumukari!"

The Gáe Dearg explodes just as Kashin Koji is about to swat it with his unenchanted staff, having realized its true nature, but completely unprepared for the shards which suddenly rain down upon his figure. They disrupted the Mana of everything among them, suddenly stalling his flight, enabling me to catch up. However, he does manage to get one step away from the metallic crimson cloud and curl himself into a heavily-Reinforced ball by the time both of my katanas near his skin.

- Srrt.

Both of them sink into him with an unnaturally soft sound… and the Odani Castle behind him is bisected into four equal pieces.

"Senpai! Please don't go overboard!" Jūbei whines from behind me.

I dearly want to tsukkomi back, but I can't have my attention diverted away at this time. "I wonder… what choice you will make now. I suggest you bring forth all of your available power," I gloat deliberately, attempting to make him follow my prediction. "Or are you going to run away again like you did so many times?"

The avatar darkly chuckles. "It appears you've learned a thing or two from that damned ancestor of yours."

"Quite a curse, coming from someone who has consistently come second best to her."

"It's because she outnumbered me!" He howls, waving his staff and conjuring numerous dark purple orbs around his levitating self, aiming down at me whose feet is firmly on one of the taller ramparts. "It'll do you good to see through what delusions Shuten has crafted!"

Predictably, numerous beams of light shoot towards me, sacrificing variety to boost operation and execution speed. In effect, it simply appears the orbs transforms into pillars instantly, engulfing everything in its path.

However, it seems controlling an avatar from a dimensional prison slows his battle perception, because I've made it clear my top speed and burst acceleration are faster. Before I can even finish thinking this fact, my arms have instinctively slashed at the offending Magecraft and banished them into nothingness, the Sword Burst travelling all the way to Kashin Koji who is forced to curl up again. This time, likely because of the magic energy required to cast the spell, he's a touch slower and my counterattack draws blood.

I have no intention on continuing this passive observation, however. Seeing a touch of leakage in his defence with my Pure Eyes is enough incentive for me to continue my pressuring offense. Like most of my battles, it's done in a completely different way than EMIYA. He's so used to being inferior in most aspects to his opponents – entirely not his fault – he fought too defensively and cannily, at times backing off in 50-50 situations purely to remain in control. However, with this strength of mine, I choose the route of a bully; controlling my opponents' movements through unrelenting attacks favoured by Gilgamesh, preparing follow-throughs and counters based on how they react in the meantime.

Dismissing the katanas, I bring out the twin spears of Diarmuid Ua Duibhne… a lot of times. Inspired by Herakles's versatility, I strive to apply my signature technique with Gān Jiàng and Mò Yé, [Broken Wing, Void Realm], applicable to most paired weapons, much like his Nine Lives and the variations Shirō Emiya had mastered and passed on to me. So…

Broken Wing, Void Realm
~ Twin Blades of Separation and Union ~

Note the removal of [Sword] as a specifying quotient, because I truly want to branch this out to all bladed weapons inside Unlimited Blade Works.

The sound of Jūbei's and the corrupted Nagamasa's clashes behind me grows quieter as the two of us begin to move past the sliced-up Odani Castle and towards the wilderness behind it – Kashin Koji retreating and me advancing. The more prominent noise are the series of paired spears whistling through the air, each one subtly Altered to change how they cut and move in accordance to their position. Like in the past, I've blasted off my footwear so I can hold these blades with my toes, though the difference in spear-wielding and sabre-wielding meant my current movements, while still incredibly fast and efficient, look more like a modern quadcopter with my four limbs moving relatively stiffly, rotating and swinging in straight lines instead of Gān Jiàng and Mò Yé's signature curved trajectories.

The horde of crimson and golden spears buzz both physically and magically, their [Exorcism] and [Mortality] Origins distorting the air around us due to their sheer numbers. I still haven't grasped the full secret of this male avatar's defensive skill, so these Red and Yellow Roses are safe bets. Additionally, because they're passively activated, I can use them without taking the time to unleash their true names, unlike most of my clan's Noble Phantasms.

…actually, one of them originates from Otakemaru's ordeals, so I'm curious whether he'll use it soon or not.

Because I'm quite sure we're about to be finished here.

Now, neither Gáe Dearg nor Gáe Buidhe has partial automated tracking systems like the yin-yang sabres I favour. While this means this technique requires more skill and dexterity to manually use, it also opens up further avenues beyond Gān Jiàng and Mò Yé's fixed magnetism properties. For example, the spears have better performance when Broken, covering a wider area with greater offensive effect. Their length and weight mean I can move even faster and strike even harder, leveraging their shapes with flicks of my wrist from medium distance rather than powerful slashes with the shorter sabres.

Kashin Koji has decent staff skills, aiding his heavier khakkara not just to club away any probing attacks, but also bind committed ones. It's an inherently and ironically pacifistic style of the monks Kashin Koji behave like, though it won't help him for much longer.

Gáe Dearg's longer reach makes it easier to generate a powerful drilling motion with a sudden flick of the wrist – the spear variation of Kosen I taught Jūbei – blasting through Kashin Koji's staff defences because the rotation blasts away any attempt of capture or parry or block, made worse by his khakkara's top-heavy nature. The Gáe Deargs I'm wielding with my leg and mouth cancels out most of his magical counterattack attempts, with only his long years in this world enabling him to react properly whenever Gáe Buidhe gets near him, judging correctly he shouldn't allow any contact with either spears.

'Hmm… This trick needs more work.'

Indeed, I felt my usual five pairs of Gān Jiàng and Mò Yé would've struck Kashin Koji multiple times already, though whether they'd get through his unique defence was debatable. My multiple spear-wielding is still far from good enough, and Possession will currently only work with how Diarmuid Ua Duibhne originally did it – my version is certainly a long way from his. It's also why Noble Phantasms are more effective Broken rather than Reinforced, because the latter will only add imperfections without any strength boost to an already-perfect Mystery.

I mean, if it's going to fail, then may as well make it hurts against my opponent – hence the Broken Phantasms.

Kashin Koji looks to share my impatience, if rooted in different causes. Unlike my personal pride, his plans have experienced countless setbacks recently, with every escape getting narrower and narrower. I'm quite sure if Chiyome accompanied Shuten-sama from the start during the latter's breakout of Hanbei from Yoshitatsu's mad hands, the oni would've been able to revert to her Ibuki-dōji form using Yamata-no-Orochi's existence within my wife… and her strikes would've killed Otakemaru outright straight through his connection with this male avatar.

He's anxious to recover whatever he can from this failed rebellion attempt, since Nagahide was specifically instructed to delay things and prevent needless deaths to avoid completely decimating Omi Province of its best defenders. All I have to do now is ensure the official surrender of the mastermind – or defeat, whatever works – is conveyed properly and publicly to solidify Nagamasa's 'reluctance in following through Ashikaga Yoshikage's forceful demeanor'.

People of Nihon today is relatively well-educated and -read, following their neighbours' example of imperial-grade regular examinations and job interviews. Though not quite as developed as I would've liked, I have to give the previous Heroic Vessel here credit for the changes his work has initiated from the porous and weak Heian Period. As such, it's still quite simple to manipulate public opinion through the simple spread of pamphlets and bulletin boards, owing to Himiko's and now Nobunaga's good public impressions. It's simple to clear Nagamasa's and Oichi's name… if everything goes well.

And for that to happen, Otakemaru will have to make at least a partial personal appearance, by opening up the channel connecting him and Kashin Koji. My usage of Rule Breaker has been revealed, and severing these two existences' connections won't help me find and eradicate the source. Still, my Origin and Element aren't suited to channel the necessary spiritual and conceptual strike, which almost needs something closer to Mystic Eyes of Death Perception to do so.

Hopefully, I can get my hands on those in the future. While rare, the fact my current body is a direct descendant of the previous Heroic Vessel's meant the plan to 'seed' the various bloodlines to create suitable bodies is working well – and I'm not even too far removed in generations from him. Though it feels awkward doing something in a similar manner to a Beast, at times the same tricks can nullify each other very well.

Our bodies are still flying well past Odani Castle's remains, though from the concurrent increase in magic energy emitting from the two of us, we both have the same idea.

Finish this now.

"Oh, you fell for it," I comment, noting it's too late for Otakemaru to halt his outpouring of Od into Kashin Koji. "Well, that makes things easier, don't it? Why can't you spare Shuten-sama the effort? She's just as old as you, you know."

"Do you have nothing meaningful coming out of that mouth of yours? Or has that slut taught you nothing else?" Kashin Koji growls, directly insulting Shuten-sama. "Traitors, all of you! Impure breed, glance upon the glory of yōkai royalty!"

His gaunt, dishevelled appearance disintegrated in that same disgusting black geyser from before, and not quite neatly as Nagamasa's butterfly-like comparison. Kashin Koji's appears more like maggots bursting out of a desiccated corpse, if those larvae are at least a foot long each and dripping burning miasma.

Still, the end form they revealed is… quite majestic, if I may say.

The darkness hardened into glossy obsidian, which itself forms every rippling muscle and skeletal structure of the oni's well-built body. In figure, he's become similar to myself, though an entire size large in all aspects.

…I said that wrong, didn't I? Hopefully, just not in that aspect. Hmm…

His Magic Circuits surface and become apparent on his skin – regal golden lines the exact same shade as the purest magic stones I've ever seen take the place of clothing. While Chiyome's regular sleepwear is not much different, using crimson ribbons on top of bare skin, I decidedly have the opposite reaction when faced with Otakemaru's appearance.

…which, to be honest, I'm admiring. For example, while Shuten-sama's true form is not less powerful and imposing, her too-thin limbs look odd compared to her voluptuous, full, seductive figure. What these two onis share is the violet glow on their horns – two katana-sized ones for Otakemaru, and four curvy, relatively normal-sized ones from Shuten-sama.

Perhaps his near-metallic black body is also an indication of their shared pedigree, since her skin darkened after her transformation as well.

Chant thine written work
As I unravel the pillow's cords
Hear my voice, let thee be known far and wide
Daitsūren, cover the skies with the Eight Clouds
Spear the throngs of sparrows and evil spirits
O' Sword of Transcendent Wisdom and Knowledge
Daishintō, blast thine love

Heavenly Demon Rain
~ Mañjuśrī's Mythical Grand Sword ~

Oh, yeah, this is more my fighting style.

Otakemaru summons three incredibly familiar swords, from which a gigantic magic circle containing elements most nobles will be familiar with – i.e. the Minamoto Clan's previous symbol – before countless arrays of swords levitate in the air, aimed at me.

These were the three swords Suzuka-sama and her husband, the previous Heroic Vessel, took from Otakemaru's original corpse when they conspired to slay him in Takkoku-no-Iwaya-in. Because he was never known to use these weapons, they were recorded as Suzuka-sama's Noble Phantasms instead, and was passed through the Minamoto Clan for generations. As I mentioned before, it appears only I have enough affinity with these I almost immediately become its de facto leader, and only Himiko's talent for administration and politics make my refusal to take the mantle acceptable to the elders.

"I've seen your usage of this technique, Faker. Feast your eyes on its true nature!"

Oh, yes, I've heard that one before.

Though what I think of Gilgamesh's otherworldly beauty and Otakemaru's dark gallant figure is perhaps completely opposites of each other.

"Who is the fake, and who is the true? The one who can't use it properly and left it accumulating dust, or the one who know it to the last steel grain and fully utilizes its potential?" I rebuke, bringing up his past of inactivity, which led to his absence in the human-yōkai pact discussion and his eventual death by the combined efforts of the powers in that era. "Allow me to demonstrate, and send you back where you belong."

I Trace my own set of Kenmyōren, Shōtōren, and Daitsūren, though I don't invoke Heavenly Demon Rain, standing there with the first at my hand and the latter two floating by my side. My figure seems to have invoked a bad memory in Otakemaru, because I'm deliberately mimicking that excitable, cheerful ancestor of mine. Before I even finish talking, an ever-familiar sensation of being rained at by countless blades comes mercilessly at me.

One Sword Burst with Kenmyōren is enough to shatter the storm, even managing to land on Otakemaru's body. Harmlessly, yes, but it's certainly not insignificant since he flinches at the impact. "That sword… shouldn't be able to do that!"

"Oh? Of course you won't know, Faker."

"QUIET!"

He resummoned the glowing swords, but with reduced numbers in favour of stronger individual Conceptual Weight. Additionally, he launches himself off his mid-air perch, joining the fray and personally wielding three of them in an ironically similar manner to mine. Of course, he makes the point of transforming them into something more to his taste – that is, fantastical and grotesque.

The blacksmith in me admires them instead of analysing their weakness, a problem which I summarily address.

Perhaps that's why Otakemaru lost so readily so long ago, despite him being at his prime. Compared to the current him, I feel no threat at all, and I suspect Shuten-sama was only so heavily injured because she had to protect Hanbei. Additionally, in her current guise, she is shackled by various geas and penalties which mean she can't access her full power in emergencies. Unlike Otakemaru, though, given enough preparation, she can assume her true form without any corruption from the original.

What I am saying is… just like his blades, most of his 'tricks' go no more than skin-deep. Meanwhile, even though these are Traced weapons, their souls and experiences are properly condensed into their simpler forms… and, most importantly, into things human beings can benefit from.

He imbues his set with [Fire], [Water], and [Lightning], each corresponding to the swords' original themes… futilely. Yes, a draconic flaming whip instantly swipes across my body, but its unorthodox centre of gravity meant my unmodified Kenmyōren easily parries it aside. Unlike a kusarigama, this fire snake doesn't have a weight at the end meant for capturing weapons attempting this very move, prioritizing instead in pure destructive power and range.

- Clang! Clang! Clang!

We exchange several blows, Otakemaru failing to make any inroads to controlling the battle because despite his weapon's apparent range, he's seen my Sword Burst's speed and strength several times, realizing distance doesn't matter against me in an one-on-one duel. The [Water]-infused blade pierces the air in front of him several times, every end point summoning ultra-hard icicles which shoot faster than a cannonball. Shōtōren in my left hand, I use its inherent Mystery, Blessing of Wisdom, to calculate their trajectories and easily evade most of them without even activating my Pure Eyes.

When I do so, the silver katana slashes thoughtlessly, sending a thin [Sword] beam through a minuscule gap among the rain of blades and ice. Otakemaru rotates his [Water] sword to create a loose mirror-like shield, but it's easily cut into and draws sparks across his body, which soon leaks out golden magical energy.

His moveset isn't even too different from the swordsmanship I coach Jūbei with, showcasing his stagnation compared to the advancement of the eras. I'm not even sure he knows of Blessing of Wisdom, having used these Noble Phantasms more like almighty, all-solving clubs than life partners Suzuka-sama spent her entire life with. Otakemaru's more akin to Herakles's berserk form Shirō Emiya was all-too-familiar with: a force of nature who moves with pure instinct because it has no need to try harder.

I'm glad I was able to straighten the Herakles I know before he reaches that point… but only just.

Gilgamesh was far superior than this shadow of a powerful yōkai.

[You got that right!] The golden queen shouts from within Unlimited Blade Works, nearly causing me to lose concentration. Naturally, she's privy to my every thought, and instantly adds, [Serves you right for ignoring your queen for so long!]

'My apologies, Your Majesty.'

Before she can act up even more, I close up the connection slightly, which is left ajar from the frequent Tracing I've been doing in this battle. Not completely, though, because that's spiritually and Thaumaturgically impossible for me – just enough to mute Gilgamesh's cute little tantrum and present her movements in silence.

…don't tell her I call her 'cute', because she's sensitive to that particular adjective.

Otakemaru's [Lightning] blade, true to its name, flies about as unpredictably as the Element itself. Still, confirming he actually has no idea about these swords' true powers, his face contorts into confusion when Daitsūren perfectly chases and meets it, meaning we're both duelling with limbs and minds.

Still, despite my decisive knowledge advantage, it doesn't mean this version of Otakemaru is in any way physically limited – far from it, in fact. Having gauged our respective positions with small skirmishes, the two of us shut our mouths and actually fight.

I'm not even sure which part of the forest we're now in, too focused on chopping down anything in front of me.

Kenmyōren and Shōtōren flash through the night air, the former biting into the [Flame] blade's cheek as he desperately blocks a strike to his neck, while at the same time crossing his [Water] blade to parry the silver blade's thrust to his heart… or where I think his Spiritual Core is. Gauging where he feels the most danger is oftentimes the best method to test an opponent's weakness, though astute ones like Shuten-sama often fakes her expression to catch me off-guard. Even from that one mock duel against her true form, I can't imagine Otakemaru being stronger than her if they both fight evenly and fairly.

I tilt my head to the side, letting Daitsūren to fly through from behind it – and crucially, from his blind spot – straight to his eyes. He knees me in the stomach and uses the momentum to bend his upper body backwards, and after noticing his kneecap hitting what feel like solid steel, sends his [Lightning] blade with a roundhouse kick behind it, eager to see whether I choose to block or evade one of them… or both.

He's long forgone Heavenly Demon Rain, since he's not confident he can control it in this tight space where I've pulled both of us into. From this distance, I can begin to truly appreciate what his magic energy does to the blades in a cruder form of Reinforcement. In Shirō Emiya's time, elemental enhancement of weapons have been overlooked in favour of pure increase in Conceptual Weight and Mystery, owing to the poor density of Mana which leads to the weak elemental output of various experiments of this ilk. It's better to wield [Fire] in its purest form than cladding it around a catalyst – both more lethal and energy-efficient.

However, today, it's all the vogue, because it also has powerful mythological symbolism. Astute users can leverage this connection to summon Divine Blessings into their weapons, and with the thick air of Mystery, it enables people like me to match gods and demons with nothing more than a glorified complication of everyday Magecraft. It's especially so when one has rare, combat-specific Element like my [Sword], which naturally passively boosts everything bladed I hold in my hand anyway from how I circulate my Od during combat.

Does Otakemaru understand all this? I don't think so. In fact, Shuten-sama's the odd exception among her kind in that she still puts the effort to learn new things – mostly so she can finish fights quicker to slack off sooner, but hey. In fact, I understand completely why onis at his level don't do so – it's more pleasurable to invest in maintaining their fiefdom and continue the happy-go-lucky lives they're having. While Otakemaru is a much more ambitious example than most, this trait still exists and is apparent in his combat abilities.

Just as he uses his strike to propel himself backwards, I pinch his knee with my elbow and one of my own to block the sharp [Lightning] blade, instantly using Possession with Vajra to absorb the elemental aftereffects. Spinning once, I extend one of my hand with my index and middle finger outstretched and pressed together, channelling the captured and Vajra's additional [Lightning] Element through them and shoots it at the shocked Otakemaru – pun not intended.

He throws the [Fire] blade lightly forward, letting the lightning bolt strike it instead. However, that means he's only wielding a sword right now, since his [Lightning] one is occupied by the recovering Daitsūren.

"Trace, on."

He notices my chant and simultaneous movement, yet not the meaning behind my choice of words. Admittedly, at this era, the level of self-hypnosis required to initiate Mystery is nowhere near what Shirō Emiya religiously practised daily, to the point they're nearly redundant. In fact, my usual chantless Tracing is actually the norm here, as shown by Otakemaru's signature Magecraft and weapons of choice.

Even Medea wasn't sure what "Trace, on." actually means at first, rationalizing it as my own quirk. Perhaps it was better for her not to know, because it might contaminate her 'pure' Magecraft which was taught to her straight by Hecate herself.

Otakemaru assumes it's just another level of Reinforcement, one which comes naturally maximally to him. Additionally, my weapons' and own Conceptual Weight consume all of his attention, as a rustic magic circle appeared behind his back.

That is exactly the place where Dōjigiri Yasutsuna materializes, piercing through the haphazard magic ritual straight to the base of his neck.

His latest shock is enough opportunity for me to dispel everything else I've Traced – a chance he instinctively and desperately takes by sending all of his blades to where I was before – and focus entirely on Reinforcement.

Flickering right under his chin, a right hook towards the long katana's spine severs Otakemaru's neck nearly in half, before a left straight rips the sliver of obsidian flesh, sparking with golden energy, clean off.

As his head and body go limp and fall towards the ground below, I murmur, "Farewell, Old Faker."