Chapter 9

"No, I'm not with her!" exclaimed Rémy, his voice filled with urgency. The young man's eyes widened as he noticed the growing agitation among the citizens. He raised his hands in a defensive gesture, seeking to calm the crowd with his words. "Please, calm down! There's no reason to panic. I have no involvement with her." His voice echoed through the air, full of determination and conviction, hoping to restore serenity among those present.

While some citizens initially displayed a skeptical and suspicious stance towards Rémy's words, the atmosphere slowly began to transform as his words penetrated the troubled hearts of those who listened.

A woman, with a trembling yet curious voice, mustered the courage to question, "How can we truly trust you, Mr. Rémy?" Her expression carried a mix of hope and uncertainty.

Rémy's eyes locked with hers, conveying deep sincerity through his piercing gaze. "I am not on Jeanne's side," he asserted vehemently. "She is involved in atrocities; this is not the Jeanne I know. I ask that you trust me, as I said before. The wyverns under my control pose no threat to you. They are allies, not enemies."

Each word spoken by Rémy seemed to carry the weight of his conviction, filling the air with a renewed sense of hope. Gradually, the skepticism that hung in the air began to dissipate as people absorbed his words and allowed them to touch their restless souls.

The woman, upon hearing Rémy's response, felt a mixture of fear and relief. The tremor in her voice gave way to a flicker of emerging trust. Slowly, other concerned faces also began to reflect the shift in perception, softening the lines of tension on their faces.

As Rémy continued to speak, his sincerity overflowed in every word, reaching the deepest corners of the hearts and calming the worries that loomed. Gradually, doubts were replaced by a renewed willingness to believe in those impactful words.

Though the path ahead still seemed uncertain, Rémy's presence and his message of hope began to illuminate the horizon obscured by fear. Gradually, people allowed themselves to believe that perhaps this charismatic man could be the key to liberating them from the oppressive yoke Jeanne had imposed.

And so, as the woman and the other citizens absorbed the intensity of Rémy's gaze and the power of his words, a thread of trust extended, intertwining their souls with the promise of a brighter future.

"It's alright. Allow yourselves to rest. I will take responsibility for everyone's safety," declared Rémy, concerned for the well-being of the citizens. As twilight approached, they set off in search of a refuge where they could rest and recharge their energies.

"Fortunately, I was able to witness Jeanne delivering an inspiring speech. Although I couldn't replicate her eloquence, I'm sure it had an effect, at least in part," shared Rémy, taking a deep breath to alleviate the accumulated tension. However, the awareness that dangers still lurked in the surroundings kept him on high alert. "Now, I must be cautious. It's possible that the woman from the assassin class has left this place, but I can't state it with absolute certainty."

With a serious gaze, Rémy continued to observe the faces of each citizen with an almost palpable intensity. His eyes scanned the expressions, seeking any trace of apprehension or distrust, like a keen hunter tracking its prey. He understood the importance of capturing the subtle signs that could betray the deadly presence of Carmilla, a relentless assassin hiding in the shadows, ready to sow chaos and destruction.

Each step the group took towards a safe shelter was meticulously calculated. Rémy led the march with a rigid posture, remaining in a constant state of alertness. His sharpened senses swept the surroundings, scouring every nook and cranny for any sign that could suggest the presence of the imminent threat. His heart beat to the rhythm of this dangerous dance, while uncertainty hung in the air, weighing on his shoulders like a dark cloud.

Finally finding a temporary refuge, Rémy gathered the citizens around him, forming a circle of hope and determination. His eyes met the fearful and worried gazes of his comrades, and he understood the need to reaffirm the trust that had begun to form among them.

"Friends," Rémy began with a firm voice, yet imbued with a soothing gentleness. "I understand that many of you are apprehensive about what the future holds for us. But we cannot allow fear to paralyze us. We must remain united and face this threat head-on. I have confidence that together, we can overcome all the obstacles that stand before us."

As Rémy's words echoed in the tense silence, the citizens nodded with conviction, revealing a renewed determination in their expressions. They understood that to defeat Jeanne and her oppressive forces, it was crucial to trust each other and follow the guidance of this unlikely leader, whose courage and leadership had proven true.

In order to strengthen the bond within the group, Rémy continued, sharing his strategy and outlining plans to resist Jeanne's relentless oppression. His voice rose with passion as he encouraged the citizens to actively engage in the fight for freedom. He offered precise and practical suggestions, highlighting the unique skills and knowledge that each individual could bring to the impending battle.

As Rémy's message penetrated the hearts and minds of the citizens, a murmuring of determination filled the air. Fear gave way to a burning fire, an unyielding flame that shone in the eyes of those willing to fight for their freedom. They rose with newfound confidence, placing their faith in Rémy as their unquestionable leader, someone capable of guiding them through darkness and into the light.

"Who would have thought a knight would transform into a leader. I'll demand that of you, Jeanne," Rémy said, releasing a tired sigh. He whistled melodically, echoing through the surroundings. Shortly after, a majestic wyvern descended from the sky, landing next to Rémy with a soft noise.

"Seek out Jeanne, the young woman dressed in common attire, not dressed in black. When you find her, make this gesture towards her," ordered Rémy, raising his finger to his forehead and lightly flicking the air. The wyvern nodded with a head shake, demonstrating its understanding. Then, it flapped its powerful wings, rising into the air and flying towards the indicated destination.

"I told you the wyverns obey me!" exclaimed Rémy, a confident gleam in his eyes, as he noticed the citizens around him watching, intrigued and amazed by the presence of the legendary winged creature that had previously been trying to kill them. But now, it stands by their side.

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As the scene unfolded in Orleans, a tense atmosphere enveloped the area.

"You may come out, assassin. Why the hell did you arrive early? What happened?" exclaimed Jeanne, a mixture of evident surprise in her voice. Sitting beside Gilles, she pondered the next steps, her thoughts dancing in search of a solution. Amidst this internal turmoil, her gaze scanned the hall and settled on a dark corner.

"Mistress, I had a terrible setback with a servant... Especially because he possesses the ability to control wyverns," Carmilla revealed, her voice filled with apprehension and a trace of frustration. It was clear that the prospect of facing that servant alone haunted her. She knew she couldn't confront this threat alone and would rely on the support of her companions to face this imminent challenge.

"So, that's why I lost control of my wyverns! It was this insolent thief who stole them from me. How dare he?!" Jeanne exclaimed, her voice sharp and cold. Indignation was evident in her words, as this audacious servant prevented the destruction of a city, something she didn't appreciate at all.

Carmilla, her eyes gleaming with a thirst for vengeance, replied with a voice laden with dark intentions: "This intruder has long red hair, eyes as blue as the night sky. He dresses like a simple villager, a deceptive disguise for his true intentions. But, oh, Jeanne, the wyverns, powerful creatures, simply ceased their actions at his words. It's as if they are captive to his will."

Determination shone in Jeanne's eyes as she planned her next move. She spoke with a mix of curiosity and ferocity: "I have no idea who he is, but tomorrow I will go there. I want to see with my own eyes this servant who dares to control dragons. I want to witness his reaction in the presence of the Dragon Witch. Perhaps I can persuade him to join me, although I am aware of the unlikelihood of that happening. If he refuses, I will not hesitate to destroy him completely!"

Gilles, in his disturbed mind, writhed in despair: "No... no! He can't be here. This servant will disrupt the plan of my precious Jeanne, her ultimate goal! How can he control wyverns? I cannot allow Jeanne to encounter him." His thoughts were filled with fear and desperation, but he remained silent, not revealing his concerns to Jeanne or Carmilla.

Jeanne noticed a slight discomfort in Gilles' expression, the corners of his mouth curving slightly downward, but she decided to ignore it. Her cold and distant personality prevented her from worrying about the emotions of others. She firmly believed in her own strength and abilities, convinced that she could face this servant alone.

With a cold and authoritative voice, Jeanne declared, "Gilles, don't worry about it. I will go there alone. There's no need for you to get involved." She showed no concern for Gilles' possible anxiety, considering it irrelevant compared to the objective at stake.

As she devised her plan, Jeanne murmured to herself, questioning whether the servant in question would also be capable of controlling dragons. The idea of facing someone with a power similar to her own excited her intensely. She longed to test her skills against a worthy opponent, someone who would truly challenge her.

"It could be truly interesting to face someone who possesses the same mastery over creatures as I do. Let's see if he can withstand my presence and the power of the Dragon Witch," Jeanne murmured, fueling her burning desire for confrontation and victory. If this servant showed any resistance, she would not hesitate to eliminate him, annihilating him without mercy to assert her supremacy and strengthen her position as the dominator of mystical creatures.

With her icy gaze fixed on Gilles, Jeanne cast a penetrating look that could freeze hell itself. Her voice, imbued with a cutting coldness, echoed in the room as she pronounced each word with calculated precision:

"Gilles, how dare you believe that the true Jeanne is anyone other than me? I, the Dragon Witch, or that mere shadow that dares to imitate me?"

Gilles, excited, gazed at Jeanne with enthusiasm, a gleam of intensity sparking in his eyes. He responded promptly, his voice overflowing with excitement and fervor:

"It's you, Jeanne! You are the one and only true Jeanne, the embodiment of perfection! The other, a mere attempt to replicate your grandeur, is just a pale and insignificant imitation before your immortal majesty. Only you deserve to be called the Dragon Witch!"

Gilles' fervent response brought a satisfied smile to Jeanne's lips. She appreciated Gilles' blind loyalty and adoration, seeing them as affirmations of her own power and undeniable superiority. Deep down, she considered herself the one and only true Jeanne, and she was willing to do anything to preserve that unwavering belief.

"You are absolutely correct, Gilles," Jeanne replied, her voice sharp, echoing through the room like a sharpened blade. "It is I, the true Jeanne. That other entity is nothing more than a mere imperfect copy, a futile attempt to match my magnificence. She lacks mastery over wyverns and the courage needed to face the challenges that await me. Compared to me, she is simply insignificant."

Jeanne's pleasure was visible on her face as she contemplated Gilles. She reveled in the certainty and confidence he placed in her, further fueling her ego and strengthening her determination to achieve her goals.

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