Anime: Fight Sukuna at the beginning?.

Chapter 396 They are the challengers

Matou residence, magic workshop.

He pointed to the computer screen on the table and explained a basic point of alchemy.

The man beside her looked away again.

Instead of immediately bombarding him with the same probing and irritating questions that nearly stumped him, he didn't immediately address what he had said.

Miss Aozaki knew that the other party was probably conducting telepathic communication between Servant and Master again.

A question flashed through his mind: "Is he really a Heroic Spirit? Why is his Master letting him stay here for so long?"

Ms. Aozaki, who had just moved her chair around, claiming that she couldn't see the computer screen clearly due to poor eyesight.

She quietly lifted the chair again, aggressively compressing the space between herself and the man once more.

She then extended a hand and placed it naturally on the man's thigh.

They conducted some tentative explorations.

Seeing that the man didn't flinch, but instead turned his head and gave her a 'provocative' look that seemed to say, "That's it?"

As Ms. Aozaki intensified her groping, a knowing smile crept onto her lips.

Regardless of whether he's a Servant or not, he doesn't seem to dislike me and even has a fairly high level of friendliness towards me.

That's fine then.
-
Having witnessed the man's all-around strength, from charm to power, and having gained a preliminary understanding of his personality, she has already made her decision.

After the Holy Grail War ends, she will either kidnap this man or at least sign a contract with him.

To make it an asset at some point.

Preparing for the [Mage] succession ceremony involving the [Fifth Law], which began at some unknown time.

With the help of men.

She believed that challenging her younger sister, Aozaki Aoko, who aspired to become a "magician," would be a piece of cake.

I took the opportunity to reclaim my eyesight, which had deteriorated due to all the hard work I had put in.

The result was that, with just a notification, the qualification of "mage" was revoked, which goes without saying.

She could even take care of her sister's roommate, the one known as the "Witch" named "Kuonji Aratama," along with her.

(Note: The correct timeline of "Mahoutsukai no Yoru" should be before the Fourth Shinobi World War, but it has been modified here.)
She glanced at the man beside her, who seemed to be deep in thought, without revealing a smile on his profile.

He originally had a bad temper and little patience.

Ms. Aozaki is the one who will fight anyone who makes such a disrespectful move.

Instead of interrupting him, she quietly admired the man's face and enjoyed this moment of leisure.

As she became more familiar with the man, she realized a truth she didn't want to admit.

She had been drawn to him without realizing it, like an iron nail stuck to a magnet.

Whenever she saw a man's face, she had a lewd thought of leaving a lipstick mark on it.

After watching for several dozen seconds, Ms. Aozaki, having enjoyed the tranquil atmosphere, smiled with satisfaction.

If someone had told her a few days earlier that she would be huddled in a shabby workshop she would never have set foot in, she would have been completely different.

It was as if a highly accomplished academician were taking time out of his busy schedule to teach a teenager ABCs, while he was imparting very basic alchemy to a man. This was something that would be a complete waste of time for a Grand Magician.

She'll definitely fire a few "magic bullets" at the other person's face to bring them back to their senses.

At this moment, while doing these pointless things, she had already gained some insight.

The time spent with him was incredibly fun, no matter what we did.

He cleverly concocted an 'excuse' in his mind to support this wasteful behavior, and after some wild speculation, he...

She watched as this man, whom she considered an omnipotent hero, pulled out a chair and stood up.

He reached for the knife at his waist and uttered the words that would end the atmosphere.

Let's pause for a moment.

"If nothing unexpected happens, I need to make some preparations and kill the enemy."

Upon hearing these words, Miss Aozaki was taken aback.

Only then, suppressing her reluctance, did she ask the man a question.

"So, how long will it take?"
I haven't finished speaking yet.

Seeing the unusually serious expression on Fang Yi's face, he realized that the enemy's strength might far exceed his imagination.

Ms. Aozaki silently closed her laptop and gathered up her lecture notes.

She buttoned up the shirt she had deliberately unbuttoned to seduce men and asked a concise question.

"What can I do for you in this battle?"

Then he put on his trench coat and pointed to his chest.

"You know I won't die."

"So, if there's a plan that can sacrifice my body to increase your chances of winning..."

"Please use me as you wish."

Fang Yi did not answer.

He simply picked up the [Crystal Mayfly] that only required 200 certification points and handed it to Miss Aozaki.

Then he said it very calmly.

Use it.

"In addition, this sentence really touched me."

"In other genres of novels, you might have to 'sacrifice' yourself and self-destruct to contribute to the 'protagonist' me."

Fang Yi, who casually grasped Miss Aozaki's hand, leaned closer to her and uttered some very nasty words.

"But unfortunately, I have something to tell you."

"You have lost that qualification."

Looking at Miss Aozaki with her eyes wide open, Fang Yi readily uttered the second half of his sentence.

"Because, rather than portraying me as the 'protagonist' who challenges the 'demon king' in a classic tale, it's not as good as depicting me as the protagonist in a classic tale."

"It would be better to use those characters in the story who are both desperate and incredibly powerful."

"I should be described as an exceptionally meticulous 'villain' with outrageous methods and a cunning nature."

Fang Yi touched the knife in his hand.

With the blessing of [Peak of Perfection] and [Undefeated Crown], one's aura is pushed to a peak that others cannot reach and must look up to.

He uttered a seemingly arrogant but factual statement.

“They are the challengers in my eyes.”

"No matter what schemes or delusions they come up with, I will crush them and achieve victory."

Listening to the man's words and looking at his face, which shone with confidence.

Miss Aozaki swallowed hard.

[How come he makes such a clichéd declaration, made before a life-or-death struggle, sound so powerful?]

[She's become so alluring.]

After subconsciously clenching her thighs and tensing her toes, she cursed herself under her breath, "Aozaki Touko, I think you've gone crazy," and calmed herself down.

She nodded vigorously, showing her confidence in the man.

He mentally cursed inwardly.

Why did you say something cool but offensive? It made me feel bad.

Seeing Ms. Aozaki nod, Fang Yi began assigning tasks.

"Miss Aozaki, your task is very simple."

"Just use your magician skills."

"You need to seize a magician's Mystic Code and Magic Furnace at the right time."

The third day of the Holy Grail War, afternoon.

Downstairs at the Hyatt Hotel in Fuyuki City, where Kenneth was staying, Okada Izou frowned as he silently approached the magician's workshop, using his Presence Concealment skill to evade the sight of various Familiars.

The task his Master gave him was very simple.

Submit the cooperation agreement with the magician named Kenneth, outlining the terms of his master's writings.

Finally, leave this place and carry out the mission as planned.

But at this moment, he looked at the hotel, which was somewhat deserted after the Church of Sanctuary had taken the opportunity to evacuate most of the people due to the frequent gas explosions.

But something felt off, something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

[Strange? Why do I have this feeling of being spied on?]

The swordsman's intuition told him that he seemed to be being watched.

Once the thought crossed his mind, he was amused by his own foolish idea.

According to information from the [Spiritual Aura Disc] on my Master's side, there are two Assassin-class Servants.

Besides himself, the only other person on the field was the old man who had died as an Assassin.

To monitor oneself without being detected, one needs a higher level of [Scent Concealment].

Or one must possess a technique like that old man's, a state of perfect harmony with nature (【Circle】).

The former scenario is naturally impossible if you are the only Assassin (job title).

The latter scenario is even less likely.

That unique skill bears a strong personal imprint, making it truly one-of-a-kind and difficult for others to learn.

It is only possible for a second person to develop similar abilities if they have a similar life trajectory.

Thinking of this, even though he ruled out the possibility of surveillance, Okada Izou felt a contemptuous thought: "There can't possibly be such a Servant. Even if there were, I could kill him."

But relying on his intuition, he seemed to sense something and looked around.

They investigated all possible locations that could be monitoring them without leaving a trace.

After confirming that no one was watching and that the investigation had yielded no results, they entered the hotel.
-
A few minutes later, they arrived at the partition layer that the other party had constructed, which resembled another world.

Okada Izō then dispelled the [Scent Concealment].

He loudly repeated his Master's words, explaining his purpose.

"The esteemed El-Melloi, head of House Archibald, the most brilliant and unparalleled Lord in the Clock Tower."

"I am a follower of Zhang Yong, a student of the Clock Tower."

"I've come here at this time to bring you some good news."

This skillful remark, complete with flattery, clearly caught Kenneth's attention.

In just a few seconds, the [Moon Spirit Essence Liquid], as flexible and unpredictable as a T1000, appeared at the far end of this barrier.

Looking at Kenneth, who was completely enveloped in the [Moon Spirit Marrow Liquid].

Okada Izo carried out Zhang Yong's order very decisively.

He took a few steps back, threw down the katana at his waist, and pulled out the human skin from his waistband.

He then knelt on one knee, raised the human skin with both hands, and made a gesture towards Kenneth indicating that he had no intention of fighting.

"The clown [Wave Velvet] who dared to offend your majesty and steal your [Relic] has been captured by our side."

"Our side would like to use this opportunity to submit this person to you and propose a highly rewarding cooperation plan."

"You only need to take this human skin and infuse it with magic to see it."

Hearing Okada Izo's incisive words and seeing his seemingly harmless demeanor, he understood the situation.

Kenneth elegantly manipulated the Mystic Code, transforming it into a large hand and taking the human skin from Okada Izou's hand.

A small barrier was erected, and they cautiously began to examine the human skin using [magic].

After repeatedly confirming that the human skin was harmless to him.

Kenneth then infused it with magic.

In an instant, the human skin seemed to melt, spewing out several manuscripts and a crystal ball displaying a directional image.

The handwriting on the manuscript was confirmed to be identical to the paper that the foolish Weber had submitted to him.

The Weber in the picture is also a real person.

He then revealed his signature lemon-shaped head to Okada Izo.

"Great, I'm very satisfied."

But I think

Before he finished speaking, several creatures appeared as guards within the barrier that served as Kenneth's home ground.

It seemed to be an extension of the barrier, merging with this space, an inseparable demon and monster.

The monster, with its twisted and blurred form resembling a demon and exuding a sinister aura, stretched out its arms as soon as it appeared.

With sharp, knife-like fingertips, carrying an inescapable sense of oppression and a vicious wind ready to tear apart any living being that came near, he attacked the unarmed Okada Izo.

Seeing the demons and monsters closing in on Okada Izo and Okada Izo only picking up his sword at this moment, Kenneth revealed a mocking smile.

"This is not enough to get me to cooperate with you according to your plans."

"If you want to cooperate, you either have to lower your stance like that woman from the [Holy Church]."

"Either show your strength..."

His response was a chilling aura that suddenly filled the space after Okada Izo drew his sword.

In an instant, the temperature in the air suddenly dropped dramatically.

The entire space seemed to freeze in an instant.

The demons and monsters that had already approached Okada Izou seemed to encounter some kind of suppression, and their attacking movements slowed down dramatically.

It felt as if we had entered a frozen time and space.

The heat in the air was instantly drawn away, and even the flow of magic within the barrier became increasingly sluggish.

The surrounding atmosphere was enveloped in a cold silence.

As Okada Izo gripped the long sword, the oppressive aura emanating from him instantly reached its peak.

"This is impossible..."

"Is this swordsmanship?"
"No! Even magic can't do that!"

Kenneth was stunned; he realized that the situation was no longer under his control.

He had never seen such a miraculous sword technique, one that could act so quickly on the entire barrier and destroy his defense system in such a short time.

He had never seen such magic before, and couldn't even determine which family or school it originated from.

Because there has never been such magic in the world that works without the need for magic power.

The only response he received was a lighthearted joke from Okada Izo.

"Is this level of strength enough?"
"Would you like to hear about our collaboration in attacking the church to obtain the Command Seals?"

Kenneth watched Okada Izou approach and instinctively responded.

"Please go ahead."

Okada Izo glanced at Kenneth with disdain and repeated his Master's words.

"you need to."

The two then began to 'discuss' a cooperation plan.
-
The swordswoman, who witnessed the entire process and learned the information, used the man's "Circle of Protection" and her own "Aura Concealment" to hide her presence.

Looking at the two people standing in the barrier, he asked his Master.

"Master, should I intervene to disrupt their plans?"

"Are you absolutely certain you can win?"

"It's a bit difficult not to use [skills] that might interfere with your battle; I might have to use [Noble Phantasms] that I haven't used much before, but I also hope to defeat them head-on."

"So that means we can win?"
"Then go ahead. I grant you permission to choose your own battle timing, and even to activate the [Oath of the Feather].

Upon hearing her Master's words, the swordswoman gripped the [Kashuu Kiyomitsu] in her hand.

(End of this chapter)