Holy Maiden

"What is this place? An abandoned hut?"

Upon arriving at the fortress that had been attacked and almost reduced to ruins after chasing the soldiers, the group couldn't help but express their astonishment.

The sight was devastating, as if it had been gouged by claws, burnt by flames, and gnawed by fangs, leaving their souls speechless.

"Could it be that? A shabby barn that three livestock animals created to protect themselves from wolves?"

"'I think it's a fortress. The outer walls are still intact, but the inside is in a terrible state.'"

"'It's not just wounded soldiers... Ritsuka , the soldiers returned over there, right?'"

"I'm sure. Let's go and hear what they have to say."

"Alright, say 'Bonjour.' Bonjour."

They repeated the greetings in accordance with the French customs. Ritsuka nodded and approached the soldiers.

"...Are you not enemies?"

"Yes, please tell us. What happened here?"

"...She was resurrected."

"Resurrected?"

"Yes, the Holy Maiden, Jeanne d'Arc, was resurrected."

"As a Dragon Witch... she made a pact with the devil!"

"'What!?'"

"...A country girl made a pact with the devil?"

"'Is that true!?'"

It's not surprising that Chaldea's Jeanne would react with astonishment to such a story.

***

Attacking the approaching skeletons, Mash and the Master used them as practice while leaning on a motorcycle. Meanwhile, they checked Jeanne's profile.

"'This is my material, King of Heroes.'"

"Hmm."

Jeanne d'Arc, a country girl who received the voice of God in her devout soul, picked up the flag to save Orleans and became a renowned holy maiden in the world, standing up as the savior of France.

With her courageous efforts and the revelations she received, she miraculously liberated Orleans in just one year.

However, Jeanne's dignity was captured by an enemy nation and subjected to all kinds of humiliation and degradation. Betrayed by her allies in pursuit of compensation, she was subjected to every possible blasphemy and insult to draw out the voice of God she claimed to hear.

Mentally and physically demeaned, she met a cruel end, not even allowed to rest in peace. Her dignity was only restored 400 years later.

"You have become a Ruler, despite all that."

The current words were subjective... they slipped out unintentionally.

It's unbelievable. Could a life be so unrewarding? To be betrayed by those she protected, sold to enemies, and burned with regret.

A normal person would... hate the world, harbor resentment, and end up consumed by hatred, right?

"No, it's rather impressive that you became a Heroic Spirit. Considering the treatment you received, being a vengeful spirit or a avenger would have been appropriate, country girl."

"'Avenger? Why?'"

Jeanne asked, looking puzzled.

"'Avenger is a class that hates someone. I don't hold any grudges against anyone.'"

"Is that so?"

"'Indeed.'"

—Is she still human?

No, was she ever human? This girl...

After enduring so much, she doesn't harbor any resentment...?

—To hide the coldness running down my spine, I fold the material.

"Then you must be strong. Let me give you some candy later."

"'Thank you!'"

"So, what is this country girl claiming to be a witch resurrected for? Even if she is a fake, can she deceive the people?"

"'I don't know!'"

"You should think a bit more..."

Seemingly influenced by the Master's personality, Jeanne appears more lively.

While dumbfounded, the battle ends, and Mash and the Master return.

"We're back!"

"Hmm, did you manage to get the hang of it?"

"Yes, I think I understood the basics of shielding and striking."

"Even though it was against skeletons, it felt a bit strange. What were you talking about?"

"'Just some casual conversation, Master.'"

"Oh, I see..."

"You guys did well..."

Mocking the astonished soldiers, I address them.

"What were you doing? Struggling against enemies that the two girls could easily defeat?"

—Something feels off. Can skeletons and beasts cause such tremendous destruction...?

"No, we can handle those... The real threat is elsewhere."

"The real threat?"

—The answer comes through the roaring voice echoing from the sky.

"Gyaaaah!"

An ear-piercing roar, trembling air, and a killing intent envelop them.

"!! Here it comes! It's that! That's the dragon that devastated France!"

"'A dragon!?'"

"'Romani, show us the footage! —Is that a Wyvern!?'"

"A Wyvern, as I expected, a perfect scout."

A Wyvern. Not as strong as a dragon, but its robust body, fangs, and claws are more than a match for ordinary soldiers.

"Mash, Gil, prepare for battle!"

"'Okay, we can handle this! This creature doesn't belong in France in 1431!'"

"Understood, Master! Are you okay, King of Heroes?"

"No need for a battle."

I move my finger quickly.

"――――!!!??"

Treasure, shot at speeds surpassing the speed of sound, shatters the wyvern's skull.

"It's disrupting Mash and Master's rest, you useless dragon."

I'd like to let Mash and the others who just returned rest.

――I also need to get used to combat.

I move the two back.

"Gil..."

"Rest for a while. I'll handle the extermination."

"'Wyverns! They're coming! A total of 15!'"

I entrust the capture to Roman and face them.

"Now, let's warm up our shoulders. Rotate magical energy, just a little."

The enemy is a dragon. Using the Noble Phantasm I used against Saber should be fine.

To increase the precision of the king's treasure, I'll aim and shoot.

First, three.

"There."

I move three fingers, confirm the trajectory, and release.

Hit directly without evading, the wyvern crashes and dies.

――Next, six.

I move my chin, shoot the tracking Noble Phantasm, and fire.

Unable to escape, pierced through the wings, skull shattered, the wyvern falls.

"'Amazing anti-air! The wyverns are falling like dominoes!'"

"Boring. You're not even good playmates. Alright, I've come up with a good idea."

Swiftly kill the remaining four and deliberately leave one.

"Gyaaaaaa!"

Whether it's in desperation or not, a wyvern comes flying straight towards me.

"Watch out! Gil!"

"I'll cover you now!"

"No need."

Its fangs and claws don't harm me.

Right before it――right in front of my eyes and nose. Because I skewered it completely.

"Even a dumb dragon like you tried to show off at the last moment――"

Splattering fresh blood, the wyvern droops.

"In the end, just a pack of fighting dogs. A bunch of small fry."

――I was on edge. I tried dealing with being approached at close range, and it gave me a start. There's trust that I'll be fine, but fear is still fear.

"'Battle over! You're amazing, King of Heroes!'"

"Of course.――Hey."

"Yes, sir!?"

I call out to a soldier.

"I managed to take them down while preserving their forms as much as possible. Do you have provisions for field cooking?"

"Huh...? You mean, like, cooking them?"

"Roast and eat them. It'll sustain us for a while. Build up your energy and recover."

"Is, is that alright!?"

"I have no objections."

"Gil...!"

"'You're quite generous, really!'"

I chuckles.

They attacked anyway; they'll have to pay with their bodies for invading.

――It'd be nice if they could become nourishment for the wounded soldiers, even if just a little...

...

...

"Take care on your journey, travelers!"

With soldiers seeing them off, they leave the fortress.

"You received a lot of gratitude, Mash."

"I never thought they'd even give us medicine... Your luck truly seems bottomless..."

"'An elixir, right? They're quite valuable, but is it okay?'"

"I don't mind. Besides, this long piece of decay will rot until the ending anyway. Giving it some vitality should make it decently effective."

"Fou, Fou (Last elixir, huh...)"

"Now then, the break is over. Ride the iron horse and let's search for a base."

"Yay! It's like a tour!"

"'We'll be able to grasp the Leyline soon. Until then, be cautious of the surroundings...'"

"Alright, let's turn into the wind."

To the determined group,

"Wait!"

Someone stood in their way.

"...Huh!?"

"No way...!?"

"――――Have you strayed from Chaldea?"

Standing there was...

"I have a favor to ask! Please, lend me your strength!"

――The Maiden of Orleans, Jeanne d'Arc herself.

***

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