Chapter 108: Duel with Jeanne d'Arc

"Reiji, do you know where Aria and Bai Xue went?" Zhang Fan immediately contacted Reiji, who was monitoring from a distance. Reiji had even foregone the sniper competition for this mission, which earned Zhang Fan a few disapproving looks from the sniper department.

"In the underground warehouse," Reiji replied, her vantage point from the sniper building allowing her a panoramic view of Tokyo Martial Detective High. With vision as sharp as a hawk, she was akin to a superhero.

The underground warehouse, a sinking feeling gripped Zhang Fan's heart. Known as one of the three most perilous zones of Tokyo Martial Detective High, the warehouse was essentially an ammunition depot, despite its benign name.

According to the original storyline, Jeanne d'Arc had chosen this location for her move. Zhang Fan decided to confront her, knowing that the plot had changed significantly, yet old patterns remained.

"Thanks, Reiji." Closing his phone, Zhang Fan headed straight for the warehouse elevator. It was non-responsive – Jeanne d'Arc had indeed come prepared. He then resorted to the emergency stairs, sliding down to the seventh underground level, where he expected to find Aria and Bai Xue.

The warehouse was dark, lit only by red emergency lights. His phone had no signal, a testament to Jeanne d'Arc's cunning as a strategist.

Already a battle? He barely reached the ground when the sound of clashing swords echoed nearby. His timing couldn't have been better.

"I will catch you, Jeanne!" Aria, wielding two katanas, was relentlessly attacking the now visible Jeanne d'Arc. Bai Xue was assisting, but her hesitant demeanor suggested she wasn't fighting at full strength, resulting in a stalemate with Jeanne.

"Stop hesitating, Bai Xue. Join us; only I. Yu is where you truly belong." Jeanne, not exerting her full power, was simultaneously tempting Bai Xue while engaged in fierce combat, much to Aria's displeasure.

"Damn it, I'll make a hole in you!" Aria's verbal threat was hollow, as Jeanne had already frozen and dropped her pistols to the ground.

"You think you can? Strong as you are, descendant of Holmes, you're still far from defeating me," Jeanne retorted, her Holy Sword Durandal emanating a terrifying chill, threatening to turn Aria into an ice sculpture.

"What if I join the fray?" Zhang Fan knew it was time to intervene. Aria, despite her S-rank detective prowess, was at a disadvantage against a superpower user like Jeanne, whose ice attacks were overwhelmingly restrictive.

"It's you!" Jeanne's brow furrowed at Zhang Fan's appearance. She had lured Aria and Bai Xue here during Zhang Fan's match, not expecting him to arrive so soon.

"Long time no see, Jeanne d'Arc." Zhang Fan greeted her with a smile, his Maple Eternal Sword ready, shattering Jeanne's ice wave with a cold aura rivaling that of Durandal.

"A super detective with ice attributes?" Jeanne, aware of Zhang Fan's status, was surprised to see him wield ice powers, unaware that it was the Maple Eternal Sword's attached attribute.

"Guess?" Zhang Fan's sly smile deepened Jeanne's intrigue. Though she had encountered him several times and attempted to recruit him to I. Yu, Zhang Fan had always outsmarted her, leaving her frustrated and intrigued.

"You've indeed grown," Jeanne conceded, striking with Durandal. Zhang Fan blocked it effortlessly, his strength clearly surpassing hers.

"Bai Xue, Aria, be careful. I'll handle this." He deflected Jeanne's blow, reassuring the girls before launching his own attack.

Jeanne stabilized herself, knowing her spirit energy was depleting. Facing a tougher opponent in Zhang Fan, she prepared to counterattack.

Her sword sent a cold beam towards Zhang Fan, but his Maple Eternal Sword effortlessly shattered her ice. Realizing her intent to flee, Zhang Fan aimed to prevent her escape.

"Aria! Bai Xue!" He shouted, firing his Flame Magnum to block Jeanne's retreat. The girls, understanding his cue, skillfully trapped Jeanne.

"Hmph, you think you can defeat me?" Jeanne scoffed, refusing to concede. With Durandal in hand, she had an escape plan.

"Jeanne d'Arc, the end is near," Zhang Fan declared, prepared to bring the final showdown to a close.