Ritsuka didn't know what to say so he said it. "What did you do to the kids you kidnapped, every town you burned down you took the kids".
Jalter looked at him. "Jesses I am not a heart less monster, I spared the children, they are safe".
Ritsuka looked at her, feairng the worst. "Where are there".
Jalter then made a happy smile rembering her children. "In my Day care the house is flames, it is on the second floor of the castle, I finally have my dream to be a mother".
Ritsuka brain onces again stopped working. "What?". It was not ven screen more pure sensor confusion
Ritsuka blinked in utter disbelief, trying to process what Jalter had just said. "A... day care?" His voice cracked slightly, unable to fathom how the twisted, destructive force that was Jalter could even think of something like that. "You're really keeping children... in a day care... in the same castle where you burn towns to the ground?"
Jalter's expression softened even more, an almost maternal warmth flooding her features as she sighed happily, looking off into the distance, as if picturing her perfect little sanctuary. "Yes... It's my dream. To be a mother. I always wanted to care for children. But no one ever gave me the chance. So, I took matters into my own hands. The children are safe with me. I love them, Ritsuka. They're my little ones, and I'm their protector."
Ritsuka's mind was reeling, processing the sharp contrast in her words. She was still the same mad woman who had caused so much pain, yet here she was, claiming to care for these kids as if they were her own. His harem system was glitching again, the error signals flashing in his mind, as if trying to shield him from understanding this paradox.
[Error. Emotional conflict detected. Host at risk.]
"Jalter..." Ritsuka started slowly, careful with his words, knowing that even the slightest misstep could push her further into madness. "I get that you want to care for them, but... this isn't the way. You've hurt so many people. And now you want to build something... like this?" He gestured at her, trying to encompass everything she was—her chaos, her rage, and yet, her twisted sense of nurturing.
Jalter turned her eyes back to him, her smile wavering for a moment as a glint of something darker crossed her face. "You don't understand, Ritsuka," she said softly, almost sadly, but the underlying tone was possessive, as if daring him to challenge her. "You see me as the villain, the monster. But I'm just trying to make things right... in my own way. This is the only way I know how to fix things."
Her words sent a chill down Ritsuka's spine. In that moment, he realized just how deeply her obsession with her "family" ran. This wasn't about a simple desire to nurture—it was a twisted, obsessive need to control, to reshape the world around her into something she could dominate and mold to her vision.
Ritsuka tried to stay calm, even as his mind raced. "But Jalter, you can't fix everything by taking it all for yourself. You can't just force people to be a part of your world."
Jalter's eyes flickered, her expression hardening. "I'm not forcing anyone, Ritsuka. They're mine. They belong to me. And I will protect them. No one will take them away from me, not like they took my Life."
Ritsuka's heart sank at her words, the pain in her voice cutting through the madness. He had heard her mention, and while he could never understand what it felt like to lose someone so dear, he could see that her grief had driven her to this point of madness. Still, he couldn't let her spiral further into this delusion.
He needed to act. He had to get to those kids before Jalter's obsession consumed them too. "Jalter," he said, his voice gentle but firm, "You can't keep living in this fantasy. You have to let go of your past and move forward. If you really care about those kids, you'll let them go, too."
Jalter's face twisted at his words, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "You think you can tell me what to do?" Her voice was low, menacing now. "You have no idea what it's like to lose everything and fight for what's yours. I will protect them. I will make sure no one takes them from me. Not even you."
Ritsuka could feel the tension building, the air thick with impending violence. His harem system was sending out more warning signals, but he wasn't sure if it was out of fear or sheer instinct to survive. "Jalter," he repeated, this time with more resolve, "I don't want to fight you. But I will do what I must to stop this madness."
For a long moment, there was silence between them. Jalter's hand tightened around the bars of his cell, her fingers digging into the cold metal as she glared at him, her smile now gone. The madness and pain in her eyes were undeniable.
Then, to his surprise, she stepped back, shaking her head softly, as if fighting some internal battle. "You... you don't understand, do you? I'm doing this for them," she whispered, more to herself than to him. "They need me."
Ritsuka had no idea what to say anymore. He knew he couldn't win her over with words alone, and the tension in the air told him he was walking a thin line. He needed to escape, to find a way to free the kids, and maybe—just maybe—reach Jalter before she crossed a line she could never come back from.
[Host, proceed with extreme caution. Potential danger detected.]
Jalter then got up and kissed Ritsuka on the cheeks. "Sleep well, you will meet the Children tomorrow, after all I need show them there new Father".
As she left the cell, she locked the door and left him alone, as Ritsuka just blinked his find finally processing
Ritsuka just spoke. "Um system"
As then the system screen appears. [ What do you expect me to say, I am as confused as you are, dealing with my Creator Kama is one thing, but what ever this is, it makes me um fuck ]
Ritsuka let out a long sigh, staring blankly at the cell door that Jalter had just closed behind her. He could still feel the ghostly sensation of her kiss lingering on his cheek, and the words "new Father" echoed in his mind like an ominous drumbeat. His brain felt like it was spinning in a dozen different directions.
"System," he began, his voice a mix of disbelief and resignation. "Am I... in some kind of twisted dream? Because I seriously hope I wake up soon."
The system's screen flickered, the usual text looking somewhat jittery, as if even the system itself was at a loss. [I assure you, Host, this is as real as it gets. Though, frankly, I'd prefer dealing with Kama's antics a hundred times over than whatever this is.]
Ritsuka nodded slowly. "So, let me get this straight. I've been kidnapped, chained up, told I'm going to be the 'Father' of Jalter's 'daycare'... and tomorrow I'm meeting her so-called children." He rubbed his temples, trying to wrap his head around it all. "How did we even end up here?"
[Host, I must admit, your life choices seem to attract a rather... unique crowd. And now you've officially encountered a yandere, which, as per my calculations, doubles the chance of unpredictable events. Be prepared for… well, anything.]
Ritsuka groaned, resting his head against the wall. "Great. Just great. I was already dealing with insanity, and now we're going full speed into lunacy." He paused, eyeing the bars of his cell with a hint of hope. "Any chance you can, you know, help me get out of here?"
[Hmm… Let me run a scan. One moment, Host.] The system hummed as it worked, and Ritsuka waited, listening to the echo of distant footsteps somewhere in the castle. [Alright, I found a few possible escape routes… but they'll require precision timing and stealth. There's a ventilation shaft above you that leads to an outer corridor. I can unlock your chains, but you'll have to be careful.]
Ritsuka smirked. "Sounds better than staying here and playing family with Jalter."
The system's screen flickered again. [Understood. Releasing restraints… now.]
With a metallic clink, Ritsuka felt his wrists come free from the chains, and he stretched his arms, wincing a bit from the stiffness. He looked up at the small, narrow opening above him and took a deep breath.
"Alright, time to get out of here," he whispered, glancing one last time at the cell door. "Before Jalter brings me a bouquet or something equally terrifying."
Ritsuka paused mid-step, a sudden thought taking hold. "You know what? I'm not leaving yet," he muttered to himself, surprising even the system.
[...Host, forgive me if I misheard, but you're choosing to stay?] the system's text flickered in apparent shock.
"Yeah, I am," Ritsuka confirmed, his expression set with determination. "Running now might save me some trouble, but this isn't just about me. Jalter... there's something broken in her, something that made her twist into whatever this is." He gestured vaguely around the cell. "If there's even a chance I can help her—fix whatever went wrong—I have to try."
The system paused, then replied: [Host, do you realize how dangerous that is? This isn't some fairytale where love and understanding miraculously change someone. She's a powerful Servant driven by rage and vengeance—]
Ritsuka nodded, interrupting gently. "I know. But if I can just reach the part of her that's still Jeanne… maybe she'll let go of all that hate. And if not—" He gave a slight smile. "—I'll have you and my harem system ready to back me up."
The system flickered with an unusual hesitation before finally responding. [Very well, Host. I suppose there's no changing your mind. Just… proceed with caution.]
Ritsuka sat back down, resting his head against the wall, and closed his eyes, preparing himself mentally. "Alright, Jalter… tomorrow's going to be interesting."
The following morning, Ritsuka awoke to the sound of footsteps echoing down the stone corridor. He straightened, bracing himself as the heavy, iron door creaked open. Jalter stepped in, her expression softening as she saw him awake. Her usual fierce demeanor seemed subdued, and she actually looked… hopeful.
"Good morning," she said, trying to sound casual as she held a basket in her hands. "I brought you some breakfast." She set down a small tray with more rice balls and a bowl of soup, her eyes flicking between him and the food as though she was gauging his reaction.
Ritsuka managed a calm smile, sitting up and taking one of the rice balls. "Thanks, Jalter. Really." He took a bite, giving her an appreciative nod. "It's great, actually. You've got a talent."
She flushed slightly, brushing off the compliment with a scoff. "It's nothing. I… had a lot of time to practice." She shifted from foot to foot, suddenly fidgety. "Anyway," she cleared her throat, "there's something I wanted to show you today."
"Oh?" Ritsuka's brows lifted. He remembered her words from last night and felt a hint of trepidation. "Is it… the kids?"
Jalter's expression softened even more, and she nodded. "Yes. They'll want to meet you… after all, it's only right they know their new father."
His mind spun again, trying to make sense of it all. But he was committed now, and he knew better than to back down. He finished the last bite and stood up, nodding. "Alright. Let's meet them."
Jalter's face lit up, and she opened the cell door, gesturing for him to follow. They made their way up several winding staircases and through echoing halls until they reached a large, elaborately decorated room. It looked surprisingly cheerful, with vibrant rugs, toys scattered about, and a low, warm fire crackling in the hearth. Children of all ages filled the room, their eyes bright with curiosity.
When they saw Jalter enter with Ritsuka, they rushed toward her, shouting in excitement. "Mom! Mom, who's that?" A little girl tugged on Jalter's cloak, glancing shyly at Ritsuka.
Jalter glanced at him with a faint blush and looked back at the kids. "This is Ritsuka," she said, her voice unusually gentle. "He's… well, he's going to help look after you."
Ritsuka knelt down to meet their gazes, offering a warm smile. "It's nice to meet you all. I'll do my best to help out."
As he introduced himself to the children, he could feel Jalter's gaze fixed on him, watching his every move. There was something almost vulnerable in her expression—like she was holding on to a long-forgotten dream, one that she hadn't dared to believe in until now.
He was beginning to understand: beneath the fury, revenge, and darkness, there was a part of her that still yearned for something more, something human. And if he could connect with that, perhaps he really could help her change.
Jalter's voice broke through his thoughts. "Come with me, Ritsuka," she said, her tone more subdued as she gestured him over. She led him to the far side of the room, where they could talk quietly.
"So," he began, crossing his arms. "This… mother figure, this daycare you've set up. How long have you been doing this?"
Her expression grew wistful. "Ever since I was reborn into this form. These children, they were left behind, forgotten by their families in towns that were… destroyed." She bit her lip, glancing back at them. "They were innocent, and I… couldn't just leave them."
Ritsuka felt a pang of sympathy as he watched her, her tough exterior giving way to the smallest hint of regret. He took a breath, then spoke gently. "Maybe… there's a way to change things. A way to protect them, without the need for all the vengeance."
She looked at him sharply, as though his words had struck a nerve. "You don't understand. That's all I have. My reason for existing is to destroy those who wronged me, who left me to burn." Her fists clenched, her gaze flickering with pain and rage.
Ritsuka stepped closer, meeting her eyes calmly. "But that's not true. You have more than that—you have them," he gestured to the children. "You've built something here, Jalter. Something that actually matters."
She stared at him, her expression unreadable. For a long moment, there was only silence.
Then, almost imperceptibly, her hand reached out, grasping his for just a moment before she pulled away, her voice almost a whisper. "We'll see, Ritsuka. We'll see."
With that, she turned, leaving him standing there with the first spark of hope that maybe, just maybe, there was a future here that didn't end in flames.
To be continued
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