He Tore Through The Holy Grail War, And You Still Call Him A Dragon?

A few minutes earlier, Shirou had rushed over following the sound of shattering glass. But when he arrived at the scene, he only caught sight of Odin riding Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse, flying off into the rain-filled sky.

Through the huge gaps in the broken floor-to-ceiling windows, the downpour flooded in, washing along the edges. From here, Shirou could see Odin's back growing smaller and smaller, fading from clear to blur. That back carried the air of a clean and decisive retreat—"withdraw and regroup, as swift as the wind."

This guy really does run the moment he loses the advantage. No shred of "How dare you insult me, brat! I will fight you to the death!" resolve at all.

Shirou muttered inwardly. Damn it, are villains these days all like this? Greasing their soles and fleeing at the first sign of danger? Can't you at least show a bit of backbone and fight back?

Feeling gloomy, Shirou confirmed the direction of Odin's retreat, then lowered his body, scanning the rain-darkened streets below.

He was searching for Melusine, who had been on standby around the Genji Heavy Industries building when he entered.

Though, knowing her, "standby" might just mean finding a quiet nook to sleep in while using the rain as an excuse.

Fortunately, that wasn't the case.

Shirou's sharp eyes soon spotted her—silver ponytail swaying in the storm—as Melusine emerged from under the shelter of a nearby tree. Her hair stood out vividly against the storm, tossing about in the wind and rain.

She gave him a curious look, as if wondering why Shirou was poking his head out from a hole in the building—though for her, broken human structures were hardly surprising.

"Hurry, hurry, take me after him!"

Shirou raised his arm and gestured, then pointed in Odin's fleeing direction. Once he confirmed Melusine had reacted, he stepped out and leapt straight through the gap in the high-rise!

Whoosh!

The instant he plunged into the storm, the cold downpour pelted his head and soaked his clothes.

But "Flame" gradually rose up around him, like a full-body dryer and umbrella, sealing the rain away.

Within two seconds, the sound of rushing wings cut through the storm.

Melusine shot up from below. Because Shirou had urged her so urgently—leaping out of the building, no less—she took off without bothering to form her usual armored seat or cabin-like saddle.

Shirou: ?

Okay, I get you wanted to catch me fast, but… where exactly am I supposed to sit? You're not planning to just drag me, or carry me bridal-style, are you?

The next second, he realized she had planned it all along—Melusine swept directly under him, lifted her altitude slightly, and Shirou ended up seated right on her petite back.

…So a human seat, huh? Why does this feel like an adult awkwardly squeezing into a child's toy car?

Shirou couldn't help but grumble inwardly as he rode the 1.47-meter-tall little dragon.

"Melusine, couldn't you make a seat for me to sit beside you? Is this really okay?"

"It's fine, this way is better. I just don't like being drenched in the rain," she replied bluntly.

Ah… her clothes must've gotten soaked earlier.

Shirou immediately understood. She was simply sticking close under his "umbrella." Looks like that earlier flight in the downpour left her with a deep dislike of rainy weather.

But since Shirou was now seated directly on her back, to balance in midair he had to reach forward and grab her wing roots. Then he slid back slightly, lowering his center of gravity—just like riding a motorcycle—to prevent tipping over.

But Melusine's small frame meant her back didn't leave much room. As he shifted, his seat pressed right against the roundness beneath her back. The sweatshirt and dark pants she still hadn't swapped out clung damply to the curves, wet from rain.

Like fresh fruits hanging from their branches, swaying in the air.

"…" Shirou adjusted his posture again, uneasily. This feels… not quite proper. She didn't plan this on purpose, did she?

Yet the little dragon's cheeks flushed too, her voice wavering as she stammered, "Please don't grab my wing roots, that spot is… ticklish! If you need balance, Shirou, please hold onto my horns instead!"

With that, she lifted her head, shaking the sharp dragon horns proudly.

Shirou suddenly understood—so her weak spot is her wing roots. He obediently moved his hands to grip her horns. Fine, fine, at least he could get a hold there…

But still—does this feel even more improper?

All of a sudden, it felt like holding onto a steering wheel.

———

Boom!

The stormy night sky thundered as rain poured down.

Two blurs streaked through the air, like arrows piercing the roaring winds, cutting through the downpour as though carving an invisible tunnel across dozens of kilometers of sky.

Melusine's long-distance flight speed was astonishing. In no time, she caught up to Odin's Sleipnir.

Truly the ace of aerial combat—fighter jet among fighter girls.

One of Shirou's hands gripped the "steering wheel," while the other swung his sword. The blade carved a half-moon arc through the storm.

Clang!

Steel clashed with spearpoint, sparks bursting at the impact. Odin blocked the strike, golden fury flashing in his eyes, silently screaming: Damn brat, what kind of sticky gum are you to chase me this relentlessly?!

He glanced at Melusine beneath Shirou, wings spread wide, and snorted coldly without words.

That… was Leviathan's old test subject, now willingly letting this boy ride her like a mere toy? No matter—she's just a fledgling. She can't compare to his beloved Sleipnir, bonded to him since ancient times. Together they had ridden countless wars, unmatched in maneuvering and speed.

Watch closely, foolish brat—this is the bond of Odin and Sleipnir!

Winds roared like a hurricane as Odin pressed the unconscious Minamoto girl against the saddle with his arm, clamping her tight. He urged Sleipnir with his legs, lightning sparking from its hooves as its eight legs thundered across the sky.

Then, tugging the reins sharply, he forced the horse to bank right. With a powerful kick of its four forelegs, the beast executed a near-180-degree aerial drift at full speed, pulling away toward the distant mountains outside the city.

Shirou's eyes widened. He had just watched Odin perform the smoothest aerial drift of his life—like man and horse were one. My god, why are you so practiced at this?!

As Odin's silhouette began vanishing into the distance, Shirou clamped his legs around Melusine's waist, patted her horns, and shouted:

"Melusine! We've gotta turn faster, or we'll lose him! I'm counting on you!"

Feeling the heat of him on her back, her face flushed. With excitement in her voice, she cried, "I am the strongest in the skies! Surpassing that eight-legged horse is nothing! Hold tight—I'll prove it to you now!"

Whether Sleipnir or Pegasus, nothing surpasses a true dragon!

"Hey, don't get carried away! We're not racing—we're chasing!"

"Got it!"

With a shout, Melusine spread her arms. Magical energy burst from her body, shaping into long, glowing weapons—not lightsabers, but massive thrusters firing against their direction of flight, rocket boosters blazing.

"Holy—!" Shirou's pupils shrank. Realizing what was about to happen, he clenched both horns tightly and wrapped his legs firmly around her waist.

The next instant, a thunderous boom split the storm. The jets roared, hurling them forward like a lightning bolt cutting across the sky, leaving behind a blazing tail of fire.

The deafening roar caught the attention of pedestrians braving the storm below. In Bunkyō ward, a few children walking to school stopped in awe:

"Mom, look! A shooting star that can turn!"

———

Meanwhile, Odin lowered his altitude, circling as he headed toward the suburbs. His destination was an artificial lake, swelling under the storm.

To the eye it was ordinary, but beneath lay a hidden escape route—an entry point Odin had prepared with spatial magic, allowing him to slip away into Nibelungen where no one could follow.

For Sleipnir, that short distance was nothing.

Rumble!

But just as the thought crossed his mind, the thunderous roar came again from behind.

His blood pressure spiked. Can't you just let me leave in peace?!

Clang!

The deadly presence closed in again—Shirou's blade swung at him. Odin reacted instinctively, thrusting the unconscious Minamoto girl forward as a shield. If Shirou wanted her back, his strike would be shackled.

But the expected blow never came.

Instead, a hand shot forward, grabbing the girl's arm.

No! Odin realized at once—Shirou's sword slash was a feint! He had discarded his blade mid-swing and seized the hostage instead!

But Odin tightened his grip, refusing to release her.

In an instant, the three were locked together, momentum dragging them down.

Splash!

They crashed into the lake with an explosive roar, sending towering waves surging outward. The spray erupted like a thousand divers belly-flopping at once, shaking the entire lake.

Moments later, the waters calmed again, the surface rippling gently. Both sides had vanished beneath.

(End of Chapter)

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