Chapter 23

Remy was immersed in his thoughts when a loud crash echoed in his ears. Immediately, his eyes turned towards the sound, anxious to discover its origin. As he turned around, he was met with the face of Jeanne Alter approaching slowly, but something was different. Her features seemed distorted, emitting a strange and unsettling aura.

"We have to go! Can't you two postpone this until we sort everything out?" Jeanne Alter exclaimed, her hands firmly planted on her hips. Her posture denoted impatience and determination.

Jeanne, by Remy's side, nodded solemnly. She reluctantly released the embrace and stood up, causing Remy to do the same. It was evident that something serious was happening, something that required their immediate attention.

"Hello, I'm Remy," Remy introduced himself, trying to establish some kind of connection with the other Jeanne. Jeanne Alter averted her gaze, displaying a clear aversion, but still replied, "I'm Jeanne d'Arc, as you already know. And I am the real one." Her voice contained a mix of pride and challenge, reinforcing her identity as the true Jeanne d'Arc.

Remy nodded respectfully. He was willing to follow the lead of either of the Jeannes, regardless of their differences. However, before they could proceed, Jeanne Alter reached out and grabbed Remy's hand, stopping him from moving forward.

"We can't go. We need to stay here and stop him. The other Jeanne will go with the rest of the servants to Orleans to find Gilles and gather the other servants scattered across France," Jeanne Alter explained, releasing Remy's hand. Jeanne intervened, "Then I'll stay here, and Remy, we'll be responsible for stopping him."

Jeanne Alter's voice cut through the tense air that had settled, "You're not strong enough for this. Go to Orleans, find Gilles, and organize the other servants in the cities. Luckily, they didn't teach me etiquette for dealing with idiotic servants." Emiya, who was mounted on Fafnir, leaped down from his back. "I'll stay here too. I believe that with me by your side, I can help you," he affirmed, his tone brimming with confidence.

Remy felt the weakness in his body, knowing that he wouldn't be able to face the imminent danger in his current condition. He knew he would need assistance to proceed. "If a Master can assist me by providing mana, maybe I can fight."

"Make a contract with me. I can provide the necessary amount of mana for you. But be quick, I don't like waiting," Jeanne Alter offered, despite her evident haste.

Emiya wasn't convinced. He feared that Jeanne Alter had ulterior motives and didn't want to see her with another servant under her command. "We already have a Master here. I don't see the need for another servant," he countered, cautious. His words made the lingering suspicion in the air clear.

Jeanne Alter grew irritated with Emiya's comment. She was helping, but still felt the fear and mistrust from the others. Her patience was wearing thin. "I'm here. I don't see a problem with making a contract with him. I won't cause any harm. You're all afraid, even though you know I'm on your side, helping you," she retorted, her voice filled with frustration.

Emiya sighed, his expression revealing his hidden concern. "It's not him I'm worried about..." he thought to himself. He wasn't sure of Remy's true strength, but if he was as powerful as Remy Alter, Emiya feared that Jeanne and the other servants stood no chance against Jeanne Alter.

Jeanne, curious, broke the tense silence, "You said you'd stay to hold him off, the evil Remy. Are you sensing his presence approaching?" Her voice echoed with anticipation as she struggled against her own weakness.

Jeanne Alter replied, her tone filled with determination, "Even though I'm weak, I can feel that bastard's energy. That's why I'm sending you to gather more servants. I'll hold, along with these two, the clown seeking revenge." Her gaze directed towards a certain direction, making it clear that there was another Remy there, of the Avenger class. The imminent threat was approaching, and everyone there would have to face it together.

"So, shall we make the contract? I hope there's no need for some elaborate ceremony," Remy was curious, as he wasn't interested in giving a speech to obtain mana. However, if that was the only option, he would accept it, even though he didn't particularly like the idea of giving a boring speech.

"No, it will be simple. You just need to accept the contract. So be quiet and accept it." Jeanne Alter raised her hand to Remy, and it didn't take long for the contract to form.

"Hmm. Is it done already? It was that simple. Is that right?" Remy started to worry, thinking that something might be wrong. He felt the connection he now had with Jeanne Alter, but he hoped that forming a contract would be more complicated. However, it was too easy.

"Yes, just that simple. What are you waiting for? A grand ritual? I don't think you deserve all that." Jeanne Alter let out a sarcastic laugh, as if laughing at what Remy had said. Remy found it strange to see Jeanne Alter acting impolite, as it wasn't typical of her. Nonetheless, he found her acceptable.

"If you can keep it brief, I would appreciate it. Of course, I'm not ordering, my Master. I'm just giving a warning." Remy tied up his long hair. He felt Jeanne Alter's displeased gaze when he challenged her.

"Sounds more like a threat to me. I don't appreciate threats at all." Jeanne Alter firmly held her flag. Emiya was surprised to see Jeanne Alter become hostile towards Remy, as until now she didn't seem to have anything against him.

"Don't take it personally. I'm just joking." Remy raised his hands in surrender, but he wasn't really joking. However, he didn't want to cause trouble with the person who was helping him.

"He's coming... I feel his presence getting closer! Hurry up, you idiots!" Jeanne Alter shouted at Jeanne, who mounted Fafnir and departed.

"This will be my fourth round against this Remy, or is it the fifth? I'm not sure. But this time, I want to at least inflict some damage on him." Emiya summoned his two swords in his hands and assumed a fighting stance, ready for the imminent battle.

"It will be the first time I fight against myself. I'm excited. It's not every day that someone gets to fight against themselves, is it? Even if it's a version I've never seen before and I don't know their abilities, it's still thrilling." Remy summoned his Noble Phantasm, the lance. Emiya and Jeanne looked at his lance, wondering if it had the same annoying effect as the enemy that was approaching.

"I see you also have that lance, even if the enemy's is better than the one in your hand, which looks more like a cheap imitation. I hope it proves useful." Jeanne Alter also assumed a combat stance, hoping that the lance in Remy's hands would indeed have the same effect as her enemy's.

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