Chapter 18

"Mash!" exclaimed Fujimaru, visibly concerned, as he watched his companion's intense battle against a mysterious girl.

"I'll help you, Mash. Amadeus, take care of Mr. Siegfried," Maria ordered, determined. Amadeus nodded, understanding his task.

Suddenly, Dr. Roman's desperate voice echoed through the air. "Mash! There's a massive energy approaching from the sky! It's a dragon!"

Mash, still fighting her opponent, looked at the doctor with doubts. "Is that true, doctor? You're not joking, are you?"

"Yes, it's true. There's no time for jokes. You need to get out of there! Actually, it might be too late..." Dr. Roman lamented, his expression filled with discouragement and despair. He crossed his fingers, hoping that nothing terrible would happen.

Meanwhile, Siegfried stood up firmly, holding his sword with determination. "Mash! Amadeus! Let me face the dragon with the last of my strength. After that, you must escape. Don't waste my efforts."

Amidst the chaos, Jeanne's voice resonated from the heavens. "Mash! Activate your Noble Phantasm now! To the left!"

Mash, confused but confident, followed the instructions of the celestial voice. She activated her Noble Phantasm, even amidst the intense battle. Energy flowed through her veins, ready to be unleashed.

"Berserk Saber, halt!" the voice commanded again, this time with surprising coldness.

"Master?" Berserk Saber was confused, not understanding the reason for the interruption.

"Are both Jeannes together? That's truly surprising. I didn't expect this. What? Mash! I sense a powerful energy approaching," Dr. Roman exclaimed, perplexed by the unfolding events. However, panic took hold of him as he realized the imminent approach of a frightening force.

"You fools! What are you waiting for? Should I hold your hands and bring you here? Hurry up and climb!" Jeanne Alter shouted, her voice echoing from the skies. Fafnir descended majestically, flapping its wings and raising an intense gust of wind.

"Is this serious? I can't believe Jeanne has allied with another Jeanne," Maria exclaimed, surprised and at the same time relieved by the turn of events.

"You're foolish, my queen. None of us here have been converted. Stop talking nonsense and climb up already, or stay here with our friend on the ground," Jeanne Alter corrected, gritting her teeth at the thought that everyone would think she joined Jeanne out of persuasion.

Siegfried, assisted by Amadeus, finally reached the dragon. He displayed a strange expression, just like the creature in front of him. Something was amiss.

"Everyone, climb quickly! As fast as you can! Mash, I'm coming to help you," Jeanne said, jumping off the dragon and arriving by Mash's side.

"You don't need to, Santa. I can handle this attack alone, even without knowing who's attacking us. Is it that Servant the other Jeanne mentioned?" Mash asked, curious.

"Yes, he's stronger than we expected. The other Jeanne and I couldn't defeat him, even fighting together. He's extremely powerful," Jeanne explained, narrowing her eyes as she glimpsed a brief red light through the dust cloud.

"So, you mean that Jeanne with the dragon, alongside you, couldn't defeat just one Servant? That's truly incredible," Dr. Roman expressed his surprise.

"Believe me, wizard. I'm not lying to you. I see no reason to do so," Jeanne affirmed, conviction in her words.

"I'm sorry, Saint. I didn't mean to imply that you were lying. I just found it incredible, whether it's good or bad, since he can help defeat Jeanne," Dr. Roman apologized, feeling embarrassed.

"My other half is on our side, for now. I hope it remains that way until the end. This servant... How can I explain... He wants to destroy everything, he's not willing to talk," Jeanne said, her face showing the difficulty of the situation.

"I understand... We need to look at the bright side, Jeanne. At least we won't face this servant alone. Even without knowing if we can fully trust them, we should help," Mash pondered, trying to see things optimistically.

"Yes, Mash. Let's rid this era without allowing it to be destroyed. I hope... at least save him," Jeanne spoke with determination.

"Do you know who this servant is, Jeanne? If you do, it will be easier to identify which legend he belongs to," Dr. Roman asked, ready to research as soon as he had the servant's name.

"Yes, he is... Rémy," Jeanne revealed.

"Wait! Rémy? Are you talking about the Rémy I'm thinking of?" Dr. Roman inquired, surprised.

"I don't know which Rémy you're referring to, but my Rémy is the one who accompanied me through good and bad times. Even if this isn't the Rémy I know," Jeanne explained, not understanding Dr. Roman's reference.

"I... I don't know what to say, Jeanne... It must be difficult for you," Mash spoke, imagining what it would be like if her beloved, who accompanied her throughout her life, turned against her. Her eyes met Fujimaru's.

"Yes, it's a bit difficult. But deep down in my heart, even if I don't like to admit it, I'm relieved that it's not him, but someone else. I'm glad it's not him. I can't believe I'm having such a petty feeling," Jeanne confessed, feeling guilty for such thoughts. She preferred to see others suffer rather than the person she knew, but she didn't wish suffering for either of them. If she had to choose, she would choose that only the other party suffer.

"He's coming!" Dr. Roman shouted.

"Mash!" Jeanne activated her Noble Phantasm. Mash also activated hers. The spear collided with an overwhelming force, causing destruction in all visible directions. Chaos spread, creating a scene of devastation.

"Fafnir, move towards them!" Jeanne Alter, mounted on the imposing dragon, ordered him to head towards where Jeanne and Mash were. With a powerful beat of his majestic wings, the dragon took flight towards them. Its proximity allowed it to reach them in just one movement.

"Do we defend ourselves? Is it over?" Mash asked, curious. She felt that if it weren't for Jeanne's comforting presence by her side, she wouldn't have been able to withstand this attack alone.

"No. It won't stop with that. We have to leave now!" Jeanne shouted, initiating a frantic run, followed by Mash. Fafnir was already closing in on them, so both of them leaped into the air, while the dragon skillfully caught them on its powerful back.

Fafnir left behind the place where he rescued the two young women and flew towards Orleans, according to Jeanne Alter's will. "No... No! Come back here! Fight, you worms!" Remy Alter let out a furious shout, his legs moving quickly as he chased after the dragon.

"You won't escape from me! Stop hiding! I'm sick of this!" Remy Alter spoke as he ran, firmly planting his feet on the ground. With a tremendous force, he launched himself from the ground like a missile when he found his target. "I told you not to run from me! Now I'll get you!" His shout echoed through the air.

"Damn it! This damn guy really thought we would just stand still? Fafnir, what are you waiting for? Move!" Jeanne Alter looked back and shouted to Fafnir. In her mind, she promised to teach this servant a lesson for underestimating her.

"We won't have time. Get ready. I'll stop him!" Jeanne, realizing Remy Alter's speed, spoke up and positioned herself in front of everyone. "No need. We'll meet later. Gather as many servants as you can until then." Emiya spoke, looking at Jeanne's back. Even though he knew the enemy servant desired her, she didn't feel fear. Her life wasn't something she feared. Emiya couldn't stand idly by watching this, so he placed his hand on her shoulder.

"I'll take it from here. Do as I said. Don't worry about me. But I'm truly surprised by what you did. Few would have that courage." Emiya spoke, standing in front of Jeanne and facing Remy, who was rapidly approaching. "I don't understand what you're saying, but thank you. But I don't think you'll be able to stop him alone. Even if he intends to do something to me, I will fight. There are many capable people here." Jeanne spoke, standing beside Emiya. Her gaze swept over everyone but lingered on Jeanne Alter, conveying confidence.

"Why are you doing this? Do you feel guilty or something?" Emiya asked, intrigued. He couldn't comprehend the motivation behind her actions. "Guilt? I don't feel guilty. I do it to help people, even when they don't need it. It may have cost me many things, but I don't regret what I did, only some choices." Jeanne spoke with determination in her eyes and a smile on her face.

"Then don't make the wrong choice now. I'll take it from here, like I said. Take care of them and gather as many servants as possible to defeat this threat," Emiya said with renewed determination. He summoned his bow and placed a lance on it, preparing for the imminent confrontation with Remy Alter, who was approaching rapidly. Emiya planned to delay him for as long as possible.

"I can also stop him for a while. So, go ahead," Jeanne said confidently, putting her trust in the servant who was once her future husband. She didn't fear Remy Alter.

"I'm touched by your determination, but remember not to make the wrong choice. I'm leaving now. Do your part," Emiya affirmed before launching his lance towards Remy Alter, causing an explosion. Then, Emiya leaped from the dragon towards his enemy, summoning his two small swords to fight Remy Alter in the air.

Meanwhile, Jeanne looked at Emiya's receding back. "I hope you come back so that I can thank you," she murmured with gratitude. Jeanne Alter, as teasing as ever, taunted, "Aren't you going to cry? If you're going to cry, do it soon so I can get out of this dragon as quickly as possible."

Jeanne smiled in response. "Maybe I'll cry, but not now. So, don't worry," she said with determination, defying Jeanne Alter.

And so, Emiya and Remy Alter clashed in the air, exchanging blows and attacks. Remy Alter, however, wore an expectant look as if he knew something that Emiya didn't understand. The air around them was filled with the tension of their battle.

"Come, my salvation! Hahahahah!" Remy Alter let out an enigmatic laughter, staring fixedly at Emiya, who grew confused. "Why is this lunatic laughing? Salvation?" Emiya questioned, trying to understand the meaning behind his adversary's words.

"Well, it doesn't matter. One thing I know: you won't pass through here," Emiya asserted with renewed determination, fiercely attacking with his swords. However, his attacks seemed ineffective, unable to harm the wicked servant. Emiya tried to push him away, struggling to free himself from Remy Alter's grip on his mind, but his efforts were in vain.

"That's why I'm thanking you," Remy Alter revealed with a dark smile, further confusing Emiya. In an instant, Emiya felt Remy Alter's foot strike his stomach, realizing that his enemy was gaining the upper hand. "What are you doing... I said I would stop you!" Emiya asked in confusion but was soon overcome by despair. He cried out in agony as Remy Alter wore a satisfied smile. "Until next time," Remy Alter said, using the force of his foot to launch Emiya like a bullet into the air. Emiya tried to hold on, but he felt the impact in his stomach, being violently propelled towards the ground.

Meanwhile, Maria commented incredulously, "I still can't believe you managed to get help from that villainess." Jeanne Alter, irritated, was about to retort to the girl when she felt an energy approaching rapidly. Before she could react, it was too late. Remy Alter appeared with his lance and impaled it into the dragon, interrupting its flight.

Jeanne Alter tried to react, but Remy Alter was faster. He tried to grab her by the face, but she managed to dodge. However, Remy Alter grabbed her long hair and, with a swift motion, spun and threw Jeanne with all his strength towards the other Jeanne, who was coming to help. Both were thrown off the dragon, colliding with the others and tossing Fujimaru out as well.

"Master!" Mash shouted desperately and jumped after him. "Come down, you disgusting lizard!" Remy Alter shouted angrily. He threw his lance at the dragon, bringing it down. Now, only Siegfried, Maria, and Amadeus remained on top of the dragon. Despite the difficulties, Siegfried positioned himself in front of Maria and Amadeus, determined to protect them. "Get out of my way," Remy Alter challenged, approaching Siegfried with an arrogant expression.

"Let's fight... I'll use everything I have!" Siegfried shouted, a powerful energy starting to gather within him. "I told you to move aside, didn't I?" Remy Alter repeated, throwing a punch at Siegfried, who defended himself but was struck in the face. "Now you've moved aside. Let's finish you off once and for all," Remy Alter said as he advanced with his lance.

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