[FATE] OP Demon King Across Multiverse!

"I ask you—are you my Master?"

Before Ryuu stood a knight in shining blue armor, a holy sword gripped tightly in her hand, and a distinctive ahoge perched on top of her head.

Ryuu smirked.

"No doubt about it. That's Artoria Pendragon—the so-called King of Knights."

A sharp pain flared in his hand. When he looked down, a Command Seal had appeared, its distorted shape twisting unnaturally on the back of his hand.

"Even my Command Seal looks demonic. Fitting."

Artoria lowered her sword.

"From now on, my sword is yours, and our destinies are bound together. With this, our contract is complete."

As she finished speaking, her gaze fell upon Shirou Emiya's unconscious body, still lying on the ground.

She frowned.

"Master… who is this person?"

Ryuu casually glanced at Shirou before replying.

"Your former Master's adopted son. Emiya Shirou."

Artoria's expression hardened.

"Kiritsugu… it's him? But Master, how did you know that I once fought alongside Kiritsugu?"

Ryuu chuckled. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement.

"I am the Demon King. I know everything, Saber."

Artoria studied him carefully.

"A Demon King… no wonder your magical energy feels so strange."

Unlike normal Magi, Ryuu lacked a traditional magic circuit. Instead, his magic flowed from the Demon King's Seed—a core of dark power within him that grew stronger as he did.

That was the source of his mana.

---

"Saber, do you want to reclaim Avalon?"

As Shirou's wounds fully healed, Artoria's eyes widened.

She had assumed it was some kind of healing spell, but now she understood—

Shirou possessed Avalon, her long-lost Noble Phantasm.

For a moment, she hesitated.

Then, she shook her head.

"There's no need, Master. My holy sword alone is enough to vanquish any enemy. Please forgive me."

Ryuu smirked.

"There's nothing to forgive. That decision is yours to make."

He had expected this.

Artoria's sense of duty wouldn't allow her to leave Shirou to die—even if he was Kiritsugu's son.

She wouldn't transfer her hatred to Shirou, no matter how much she despised his adoptive father.

Ryuu turned toward the exit.

"Let's go, Saber. If you don't want this kid getting involved, it's best if he never knows you were here."

"Understood, Master."

---

Ryuu and Artoria slipped out of the Emiya residence before the city fully woke.

As they wandered toward the market district, the scent of freshly made food filled the air.

Artoria's stomach growled.

Ryuu turned to look at her, eyebrow raised.

"That was fast."

Artoria's face reddened slightly as she turned away.

"A proper meal enhances a knight's strength in battle."

Ryuu laughed.

"Alright, alright. Let's get you some food, King Ahoge."

Artoria stiffened.

"Master! You may call me King Arthur, King of Knights, or Saber—but what is this 'King Ahoge' nonsense?!"

"Habit, I guess. Anyway, you should probably change into normal clothes. Walking around in armor will cause a scene."

Artoria hesitated for a moment before sighing and reluctantly transforming her outfit into a modern suit.

She still wanted an explanation for the nickname, but…

Her stomach had other priorities.

---

The two found a small restaurant, and Ryuu ordered a massive spread of food.

The waiter's eyes sparkled with joy—this was clearly a big spender.

Ryuu actually knew how to cook, but given Artoria's ridiculous appetite, he wasn't about to take that responsibility.

As the plates arrived, Artoria wasted no time digging in.

Knife in one hand, fork in the other—she devoured the food with zero hesitation.

The entire restaurant stared in disbelief.

"How is that little girl eating so much…?"

"I've never seen anyone eat like that…"

Ryuu leaned back, sipping his drink.

"Saber, you're drawing attention."

Artoria paused mid-bite.

"…Master, may I order two more dishes?"

"Go for it."

Ryuu snapped his fingers, calling for the waiter.

"Bring more food. A lot more."

The chef in the kitchen nearly collapsed.

After cooking hundreds of dishes, his soul had left his body.

"I swear, if my salary doesn't go up, I'm quitting…"

---

Three hours later—

The meal finally ended.

Pedestrians had begun filling the streets, and the morning bustle of Fuyuki City had officially begun.

Ryuu checked his watch.

"That should be enough for now. Let's go gather intel—see if any other Servants have been summoned."

After settling the bill, Ryuu even left a generous tip for the exhausted chef.

As the two strolled through the city, they immediately attracted attention.

A handsome young man walking beside a beautiful blonde girl—it was a sight to behold.

---

After a moment of silence, Artoria suddenly spoke.

"Master, you said you know everything about me… then may I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"…Am I a qualified king?"

Ryuu wasn't surprised.

Even after the King's Banquet, the doubts in her heart had never disappeared.

Tristan's words—"King Arthur does not understand people's hearts."—still haunted her.

Artoria looked at Ryuu with genuine uncertainty.

Ryuu chuckled.

"Saber, you are without a doubt a qualified king."

She blinked.

"Then why did I once seek to rewrite history using the Holy Grail?"

"Because your reason for doing so wasn't selfish. You didn't seek power for yourself—you only wanted Britain to thrive.*

"That's exactly why you're a great king."

Artoria's expression remained conflicted.

"Master… am I really worthy?"

Ryuu sighed, then placed both hands on her shoulders.

"There's only one thing you lacked as a king, Saber."

"What is it?"

"You never cared enough about yourself."

Artoria's eyes widened.

"Eh? But a king exists to serve the people!"

Ryuu shook his head.

"Is it truly right to suppress your own emotions just for the sake of the throne?"

"Look at Gilgamesh. He rules like a tyrant, yet his people worship him."

"Look at Iskandar. He leads through charisma, and his army follows him joyfully."

"But you, Artoria—you denied yourself happiness for the sake of your people. That's what Tristan meant."

Artoria fell silent.

Ryuu smiled, giving his final answer.

"You were a perfect king, Saber."

"But a perfect king… is not always a happy one."

Artoria's heart trembled.

For the first time, she began to understand.

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