An Invisibility Potion from Skyrim combined with an illusion to hide any marks I make on the ground and lastly, a quick Muffle to silence my movements should render me nearly undetectable undetectable. With Berserker remained Astralized at my side, I approached the battle going on ahead.
From what I could make out, a man in golden armor wielding a lance was fighting another silver haired man with a glowing dragon tattoo wielding a sword, while what appeared to be another Servant and Master standing off to the side.
Curious.
Though, as I got close, the Servant glanced at me out of the corner of her eyes. Damn, even with all that and the Ring of the Khajiit, she could still notice me. She wasn't interfering at all, was this Ruler?
She gave off a feeling similar to Shirou.
I silently waved, causing her to slightly raise her eyebrow but otherwise didn't react even as I walked up to the rather large man standing near her, enthralled by the fight he was watching.
He was wearing some gaudy white and gold uniform that looked like it barely fit him. He was clenching his fist angrily, staring at the fight, muttering things under his breath.
I paused as I glanced at the fight again, having gotten this close. I couldn't help but grip my heart, as if something was bearing down on me by merely existing. It was a familiar feeling, one I felt from several weapons I've interacted with at this point.
[Dragon Slayer]
Speak of the devil…
The Silver haired man wielding a greatsword with a glowing Dragon Tattoo on his chest. His existence practically shouted 'danger' to my dragon nature.
I wanted to fight him.
I wanted to defeat him.
The urge was so much I didn't realize my fingers were digging into my skin and drawing blood. I took a silent breath, regaining my bearings as I focused on the master.
Taking a few steps forward, I quickly grabbed his mouth, my invisibility fading at the slightest touch. "Good evening." I was of course polite and offered a greeting to him.
"MHMMHMPHH" He muffled something, but it was hard to understand. His Circuits visibly lit up as if he was going to cast a spell.
"None of that" I wagged my finger infront of his face, a little bit of electricity forming at the tip in a threatening manner.
"Master!" The apparent Saber broke away from the engagement, barreling toward me at an impressive speed.
"Saber" I called out as my servant materialized, intercepting him midway. I could guess he was the Saber of Black by what was going on. The Dragon Slayer's eyes widened as he was pushed back in that quick exchange.
I wanted to fight him, but I felt like if I did, I wouldn't stop until one of us died, and that was not in the plan at the moment.
"Insect." Raikou looked at him in contempt, holding her sword up.
…..It was kind of hot.
Saber of Black rained down a fury of blows, all of which Berserker matched relatively well.
My head snapped to the side as the Lancer moved on the tentative Ruler Servant. "What the devil?" I blurted out as the golden armored lancer burst into flames and attacked her.
"Lancer, attacking me is a violation, are you going to continue this course of action?" Ruler declared, a Banner appeared in her hands, acting like a spear to block his attacks.
"I'm under orders, Ruler." He said simply, waving his lance as a burst of fire descended on her.
Well that answered my question on her identity.
[That fire is divine.]
Yeah, I could feel it. Was most certainly not normal fire, held a bit more 'oomph' to its presence that screamed danger.
"Whelp, I do believe I may have misinterpreted the situation." I acknowledged my mistake. For some reason the Lancer was attacking Ruler, and Saber of Black was defending her…..
"Oi, Lancer, are you from the Red Faction?" I asked.
He briefly turned to me. "I am Lancer of Red." He deemed to acknowledge me at least.
"Neat." I nodded, pushing the Master down and discharged a burst of lighting, he twitched but otherwise didn't move. "I'm also from the Red Faction." I grinned turning towards Ruler who looked at me with wariness.
I withdrew Mirage from my ring. "Let me give you a hand." I smiled, slashing my sword up, sending a dozen Birds at Lancer.
He slid his foot back, spinning his lance to disperse them on contact. "Impressive." He now looked at me more intently. "Do you intend to protect Ruler? Are you capable of it?" He raised his lancer towards me, not even bothered by my 'betrayal'.
"Well, two against one." I grinned, raising my sword.
"I will not interfere." Ruler declared, stepping back.
"I beg your pardon?"
"If you wish to battle Lancer of Red, that is part of the War. If I am targeted, then it will be a violation and I will defend myself appropriately." She explained.
I opened my mouth up, staring at her. "The requirement for being qualified for the Ruler class is that you need to not have a wish, even one buried deep in your heart. And you must be capable of acting with complete partiality to moderate the war."
Ruler seemed surprised by my statement. "That is not common knowledge."
I let out a snort. "There are very few people in existence that know more about the Grail's operations than I do. That narrows down your identity quite a bit, combining it with the 'weapon' you're wielding, it isn't hard to know who you are." Not to mention she looked quite a bit like her reincarnation in my birth world.
"Well." I held my hands up. "I guess it was my fault for expecting something from the French." My lips curled up, I glanced at her and saw a small twitch of her eye. "Anyways, thanks for waiting, Lancer." I turned my attention back towards Lancer of Red.
He looked amused by the whole thing. "The presence I feel from you piqued my interest, It is rare to find someone in this era that is so capable." He took a stance. "Come."
My other swords flew out, straight at him. He appeared surprised for only the briefest of moments, His Lance blurred with such speed and accuracy that they were all deflected with the barest of movements. My true attack didn't even gain me the initiative as he was able to meet me as if nothing happened.
I slammed my sword down from above, he twirled his staff, blocking it and counter attacking in all one motion. I narrowly dodged one of the protruding spikes on his weapon from tearing into my Aura.
His martial arts were very impressive. We barely started, and I could accept that he skill level was above mine without feeling ashamed.
My swords took flight, lashing out from all angles, yet he continued to deflect, dodge, and parry each one with minimal effort. All the while he didn't allow me to gain an inch and even good push me back.
"Impressive." Lancer had a small smile on his face. "Your attacks speak of a honed technique. In a decade, the outcome might have been different. Alas, I have received a new order, I must remove Ruler, forgive me for cutting our bout short. I will show my appreciation by utilizing my true power." He looked a bit saddened by his own words. "O'Agni."
The area around him erupted in divine flames. My Aura flared to the peak, just to stave off the activation of his ability. Was it another version of 'Mana burst'? I looked around, and found the perfect cover.
"Protect me Saintess~" I dived behind Ruler's back as divine fire poured down on me.
"W-WHAT!?" She blurted out, but her flag moved to defend. The flames bore down on me – her, but she held strong. I could imagine she had some impressive magic resistance due to her class. A necessity due to her role in moderating the war.
"Well done, partner." I gave her a thumbs up.
"That's not allowed!" She glared at me.
"What're you talking about? You're standing here in the middle of a fight, it's not my fault you get hit." I feigned innocence. "But I suppose it's time to stop holding back a bit." What point was there in continuously hiding my abilities in a fight like this? My swords returned to me, floating around slowly as I let go of Mirage and took the Sword of Destruction into my hand. It was appropriate to keep trump cards, but it wasn't wise to keep literally everything back.
Lightning gathered at my feet, visibly crackling against the ground. My hand grips the sword tight, and I fed it my aura, the Power of Destruction manifesting along its edge, jutting off, arcing and jumping all around.
Lancer didn't respond, looking at me intently before kicking off the ground. I responded, meeting him as his Divine Flames clashed with my Power of Destruction for the first time.
I poured everything I had into it, to fight against the raging inferno of divinity.
Lancer's eyes widened.
My Power of Destruction began to eat away at his Divine Flames.
***
Got home super late when I wrote this chapter the other day, so it's a on the smaller side.
If you want to read 7 chapters ahead or support me, visit my pat.reon.com/astoryforone Mordred revealed properly.