chapter 14

("Yggdmillennia Castle Dungeon")

Jeanne fell silent as she gazed at Astolfo, pinned to the wall by his hands and feet.

"Who's there... Oh, so it's you, Ruler," Astolfo slowly lifted his head.

"You… didn't think it would come to this, did you?" Jeanne asked softly.

"Consequences? Just because of them, should I turn away the hands of those begging for help?" Astolfo tilted his head, a bright smile on his face. "He wanted me to save him, so I had to. But…"

Astolfo's expression grew sorrowful. "I was too weak. I couldn't even save that child."

"It's not your fault," Jeanne shook her head.

"Ruler, could I ask you for a favor?" Astolfo bit his lip. "Please save that child! He was just born! The first thing he learned after being born was that he was going to die. That's too cruel! He doesn't even know who he is, so please!"

"I… I can't interfere with the Black Faction," Jeanne murmured.

"But that child doesn't belong to the Black Faction! He has a soul! He's a person, not a tool!" Astolfo's hands shook violently, blood dripping down his pale skin to the ground.

Jeanne stood in silence for a moment before nodding firmly. "I understand. If that child has his own will…"

"Thank goodness..." Astolfo sighed in relief. "That child should be in the Caster's workshop."

"Leave it to me," Jeanne nodded, then turned and headed toward Caster's location.

Am I doing the right thing?

Standing in front of the workshop, Jeanne hesitated, her hand poised over the door. As Ruler, she was summoned to ensure the Holy Grail War proceeded as intended. She wasn't supposed to interfere in other matters, but she couldn't forget the look in that homunculus's eyes, combined with Astolfo's plea.

She was wavering...

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

The voice startled Jeanne, making her body stiffen.

"You should be..." Jeanne scratched her cheek awkwardly.

"Chatting with my teacher?" Cyd smirked. "Instead, I see you're at Caster's workshop after visiting Rider. What are you planning to do?"

"I want to save that child," Jeanne said, her clear eyes meeting Cyd's unflinchingly. "That child is innocent."

"Even if he is innocent, he is still technically a part of the Black Faction," Cyd responded.

"He has a soul..." Jeanne bit her lip.

With a loud bang, Cyd's right hand hit the wall beside Jeanne's ear, his gaze stern. "A soul? The Grail War's rules don't concern themselves with that. If you're so moved by it, then put his soul to rest."

Jeanne's eyes widened, her voice faltering. "Put his soul to rest? How could I…"

"Jeanne, as Rulers, we don't have the right to save him," Cyd sighed. "Our purpose here is to ensure the Holy Grail War's integrity. If you still want to interfere with the Black Faction's actions…"

Cyd leaned in closer, his eyes deep and penetrating. "Then give me all your Command Seals. If you can't uphold justice, you don't deserve to have them."

Jeanne stared back at him, her face tense.

"Uh…"

Goldolf cleared his throat behind Cyd, his expression odd.

"Is this how you Rulers communicate?"

"Ahem, no, we..." Jeanne's face flushed, and she instinctively tried to move to the side, but Cyd grabbed her right hand and pinned it against the wall.

"Answer my question."

"Can you give me more time?" Jeanne shrank back.

"No, it's precisely the time. Excuse me for a moment," Cyd apologized to Goldolf with a smile, then leaned closer to Jeanne. "Choose your duty or the life of that homunculus."

"How can I choose…" Jeanne bit her lip.

She couldn't abandon someone she could save. Her strong sense of responsibility had made her the Saint of France, but it also made her unsuitable as Ruler.

Cyd sighed. The girl in front of him was like a clear spring, pure and untouchable. But the Holy Grail War was the dirtiest place in the world, where everyone fought for their own reasons, no matter how noble they seemed.

Jeanne was too stubborn and unwilling to compromise her principles. But the Holy Grail War had no place for principles.

The Holy Grail War had only one rule: to keep the existence of the magecraft world hidden from the public. Beyond that, anything was allowed—killing, using live sacrifices—because magi had twisted morals. There was no such thing as humanity in magecraft.

Abnormalities? In the Holy Grail War, all abnormalities were normal. That was the nature of the war.

"You shouldn't have been summoned," Cyd released Jeanne. "You're not suited to be a Ruler. You can't ensure true fairness."

Cyd's blunt denial felt like a heavy blow to Jeanne, making her knees buckle as she sank to the ground.

"Um…" Goldolf pointed to the workshop door.

"Yes," Cyd grabbed Jeanne by the back of her collar and dragged her aside.

"Uh… thanks," Goldolf muttered, opening the workshop door and walking inside.

Siegfried nodded to Cyd and Jeanne before following Goldolf in, closing the door behind him.

"Honestly… I don't deny your desire to save him," Cyd squatted in front of Jeanne, patting her head. "But you and Astolfo are different."

"But… that child…" Jeanne looked down.

"Ah, don't forget you're already dead. That saint burned away in the flames of betrayal long ago," Cyd sighed. "If only…"

A loud crash interrupted them as the workshop door shattered. Caster flew out like a cannonball, slamming into the wall.

"Teacher!" A golden-haired youth rushed out, helping Caster up and shouting into the smoke, "What are you trying to do?"

"I'd like to know that too."

The smoke parted as Siegfried stepped through, Balmung in hand, glaring coldly at Caster. Goldolf, meanwhile, was fiddling with the homunculus on the table.

"You asked me to come and adjust him, didn't you, Roche?" Goldolf casually let the homunculus's limp hand drop onto the table.

"But he's dead!" Caster pushed Roche away, yelling. "I finally found a proper core! He's only one breath away from death! I asked you because you know homunculi best, so I wanted you to adjust him!"

"Well, too bad. He's dead," Goldolf shrugged.

"You bastard!" Caster raised his hand, and all the golems in the workshop immediately stopped working and charged at Goldolf.

"Stand down," Siegfried commanded, shattering the golems with a single swing.

"Saber, calm Caster down," Goldolf yawned.

"Understood," Siegfried nodded, tackling Caster to the ground.

Facing the strongest Saber, Caster had no chance and was pinned to the ground.

"Let go of my teacher, you bastard!" Roche cried, rushing at Siegfried, only to be pinned down beside Caster.

"Don't be so angry," Goldolf slung the homunculus over his shoulder. "Though he's dead, his body remains. I'll see if I can replicate him. Feel free to complain, but I did nothing wrong. He died due to your lack of skill."

"Damn it!" Caster howled in frustration.

His obsession, his pursuit, crumbled just as it was about to be fulfilled.

"Ha? If you want a core so badly, why don't you become one yourself?"

With that, Goldolf leisurely walked past Caster and Roche. But as he passed Cyd and Jeanne, his expression faltered, especially under their scrutinizing gazes.

"What are you looking at!"

Goldolf yelled nervously before rushing off with the homunculus.

Once Goldolf was out of sight, Siegfried returned to spirit form.

"Should we help them?" Jeanne tugged on Cyd's sleeve, pointing at the motionless Caster and Roche.

"This is their internal conflict. We can't interfere," Cyd pulled Jeanne to her feet. "Let's just pretend we didn't see anything."