Chapter 3

"Is this fortress... supposed to be like this? Completely destroyed?" Fujimaru spoke, perplexed, as his eyes scanned the fallen walls and the debris scattered around the old stronghold. It was a desolate sight, a silent testament to a terrible carnage.

Mash, by Fujimaru's side, carefully observed the ruined scene. "I don't know... But it seems like a fierce battle took place here. It's strange, to tell the truth. There wasn't supposed to be a battle in this place..." she murmured, as her feet moved cautiously among the rubble.

"You're right, Mash. King Charles VII was supposed to have signed a peace treaty. However, it seems like the fighting is still going on," explained Dr. Roman, overseeing everything from Chaldea through his monitors. Puzzlement was evident on his face.

Suddenly, Fujimaru noticed the approach of the soldiers they had encountered earlier. Pointing with his trembling finger, he drew the attention of the others. "Look! The soldiers are coming towards us."

Mash directed her gaze at the soldiers, a look of concern forming on her face. "They don't seem to have the will to fight... In fact, they seem more defeated than before," she observed, her eyes fixed on the weary and apprehensive faces of the approaching soldiers.

With a mix of curiosity and apprehension, Mash approached the soldiers, offering her apologies and asking the question that consumed them. "We apologize for the earlier incident. We didn't intend to fight with you. But what is happening here? Could you inform us?" she apologized and inquired in French, attempting to establish friendly contact.

The soldiers didn't hesitate to share the terrible truth. "Don't you know? The king was assassinated by the witch not long ago," revealed one of the soldiers, showing no intention of hiding the information.

"She destroyed everything with her demonic followers. The city where the king was located was reduced to ashes, along with its entire population. Nothing remained... Not even children or plants. Nothing was left," continued the soldier, his voice choked with sadness as he imagined the suffering they would also face when the witch finally reached them.

Surprise spread across Dr. Roman's face. "What? A witch? Is that possible?" he exclaimed, his historical recollections muddled. Jeanne d'Arc, a familiar figure, but never as a witch. She had always been portrayed as a saint.

"I see that you're not aware of this. Jeanne d'Arc has returned, with a demonic pact! She came back to seek revenge on those who didn't save her from the flames. She is devastating all of France... Reborn as the Dragon Witch," informed the soldier, his tone filled with concern, unsure if he would survive the impending confrontation.

Desperation spread among the soldiers. "We have nowhere to go! There's no safe place to hide. We are at the mercy of fate. Even England fled as soon as they heard the news," another soldier lamented, not knowing what to do. Would it truly be inevitable to face the witch and meet a cruel fate?

Mash, trying to convey some comfort, addressed the soldiers. "Don't worry, we will do everything we can to help. But Jeanne d'Arc, a witch? This revelation deeply surprises me," she said, struggling to comprehend how the legendary heroine could be associated with such darkness.

Fujimaru, however, had a lingering question in his mind. "Who is Jeanne d'Arc?" he asked, his expression revealing his ignorance of history, having missed his classes.

Mash took on the responsibility of responding, her eyes shining with admiration. "Master, Jeanne D'Arc was a young peasant girl who claimed to hear the voice of God. She left her village with her childhood friend, aiming to free France from English oppression. They faced numerous battles, all of which they won. But in the end, they were captured. Rémy was killed, and Jeanne met her end at the stake, burned alive. She changed the course of history. Undoubtedly, her spirit is of a higher caliber," explained Mash, her voice filled with admiration and a hint of questioning her own courage in the face of challenges.

A warning cry cut through the tense air. "They're here! Get ready!" The soldiers panicked, their screams echoing through the area as they tightly gripped their weapons.

Worried, Fujimaru called out to Mash. Without hesitation, she ran toward the skeletal soldiers, ready to face the imminent danger. The battle was swift, as the skeletons proved to be weak opponents against her determination.

Fujimaru, helping one of the soldiers to his feet, asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

"Thank you. But... here come the dragons!" The soldier expressed his gratitude, but his gaze turned to the sky, where sinister silhouettes were approaching. The fear in his eyes revealed his immediate recognition.

"Dragons? But there were no dragons in this era!" Dr. Roman was once again confused, desperately trying to comprehend what was happening. A sense of breaking all the rules of history filled the air.

Mash, already positioned with her shield in hand, quickly responded, "Doctor, they're not dragons... they're wyverns!" Her voice conveyed determination as she was ready to face the approaching dangers, even if they were legendary creatures out of her time.

The wyverns flapped their wings fiercely as they approached, opening their gaping mouths and exhaling fiery flames. Mash, in a position of readiness with her shield, was prepared to protect the soldiers, ready to advance ahead of them. That's when a voice suddenly resounded!

"By God!" A magnificent and elegant voice, echoing like an angelic chant descending from the heavens. In an instant, right in front of the soldiers, who displayed tense and battle-ready faces, a woman appeared. Her long golden hair shone intensely in the light as she planted her flag in the ground, causing a golden light to rise, enveloping and protecting the soldiers.

The incandescent flames struck the golden barrier but to no avail. The wyverns became confused, attempting to strike with their claws but in vain. Their claws shattered in disgrace against the resistance of the barrier.

The eyes of the soldiers widened, but they did not express joy or surprise at being saved. Instead, they overflowed with pure horror, an indescribable terror.

"Mash, this woman who just appeared is a servant! Even if her energy is weak, she is undoubtedly a servant," warned Dr. Roman, drawing Mash and Fujimaru's attention as they observed the woman who had positioned herself in front of the soldiers.

"Mash, take the opportunity to strike the wyverns!" Fujimaru ordered. Mash seized the moment as the wyverns lunged at the barrier.

With both of them fighting in synchrony, they skillfully defeated the wyverns.

"Witch! The witch is here! She has arrived!" A soldier cried out in despair, cowering on the ground and closing his eyes, accepting his inevitable fate.

"Eh? Witch?" Mash and Fujimaru looked perplexed at Jeanne, who showed a certain discomfort. She scratched her arm, feeling embarrassed.

"Hm... thank you?" Jeanne replied, unsure of what to say. Throughout her life, she had been called a witch, but she had never cared much about it because she knew she was not one. However, being labeled as such by Mash did not leave her indifferent.

"I apologize for the rudeness. But who are you?" Mash apologized and asked, realizing that she had just referred to the person who had helped them as a witch. The chosen term might not be appreciated by the other person.

"My class is Ruler. Can we talk privately? In a quieter place?" the woman requested. The current location was not suitable for a deep conversation.

"Go with her, Mash and Fujimaru. She doesn't seem to have evil intentions. Besides, we already have an idea of who she is," Dr. Roman assured, conveying a sense of calm. He did not feel any negative energy coming from the woman called a witch.

"Alright," Fujimaru agreed, already suspecting the woman's identity.

"I thank you. Follow me," the woman expressed her gratitude, casting a glance at the frightened soldiers and letting out a sad sigh. Then, she departed along with Mash and Fujimaru.

"I sense malevolent presences here. I will eliminate them so they won't attack the fortress we just left," declared the woman, determined to protect the soldiers from any danger. She swiftly ran toward the skeletons and annihilated them one after another.

"It's strange," Mash expressed, uncertain about something that intrigued her. Although she wanted to help, the woman had already defeated the skeletons before she could act.

"What's strange?" Fujimaru asked, not understanding the question raised by Mash. Dr. Roman also seemed confused, unable to comprehend the reason for Mash's uncertainty.

"I thank you for waiting. My name is Jeanne d'Arc. Please introduce yourselves so I can know your names," said Jeanne, revealing her identity and seeking to get to know the people in front of her.

"Understood. My name is Mash Kyrielight," Mash introduced herself, then turned to Fujimaru.

"This is Fujimaru, he is my master," Fujimaru introduced themselves afterward.

"Master? So, there are masters even in this Holy Grail War," Jeanne observed, putting her hand on her chin, intrigued. What bothered her was the lack of information, something she would expect to have in a Holy Grail War.

"Actually, this is not a Holy Grail War," corrected Mash. Jeanne looked at her, seeking answers that would help her understand what Mash was trying to say.

Mash began patiently explaining the intricate matters to Jeanne of Chaldea, seeking to convey a complete understanding.

"Alright. Have you assimilated all the information?" Dr. Roman asked, anxious to confirm her comprehension.

"Yes, mage," Jeanne replied. Surprise tinged her voice as she realized that the doctor's voice was echoing through a device, revealing that he was not physically present.

"We need to defeat the other Jeanne, known as the Dragon Witch," Fujimaru proclaimed with unwavering determination.

"Yes, we have to confront my other self... for all these deaths. I just hope I won't become a burden to anyone," Jeanne admitted, her voice conveying weakness. She did not want to be a burden to her companions.

"Mash, I'm sure you won't be a burden," Mash encouraged her, offering a warm smile to Jeanne, seeking to instill confidence in her.

"Thank you," Jeanne sincerely expressed her gratitude, feeling thankful to Mash for her unwavering support.

"In that case, these wyverns are being controlled by the Dragon Witch. Do you have a similar ability?" Dr. Roman asked, hopeful that Jeanne also possessed a similar gift, which would greatly facilitate the battle against the wyverns.

"I'm sorry, but I don't possess such an ability," Jeanne said with a humble smile of apology. She did not have advanced capabilities to subdue wild animals.

"However, it seems that this other Jeanne... let's call her Jeanne Dark, may have that ability," Jeanne added, pondering the possibility. Although not entirely sure, it was likely that the other Jeanne possessed that peculiar gift.

"Forgive my impoliteness, Saint Jeanne, but I recall stories where Remy could communicate with animals. Could he also have had that ability?" the doctor inquired, curious, recalling the legends that told of Remy's ability to converse with creatures of the fauna.

"Communicating with animals? Is that possible?" Fujimaru expressed, clearly surprised. Wouldn't that be an extraordinary ability? Although magic existed, could Jeanne communicate in such a way?

"I believe so, although I'm not entirely sure. Remy taught me some methods to gain the obedience of animals," Jeanne replied, her uncertainty evident. But to her, Remy did indeed possess the ability to communicate with creatures.

"Would it be possible to control the wyverns through this gift?" Dr. Roman enthused. If Jeanne could control those flying beasts, the battle would be considerably easier.

"I'm not sure. I apologize, as I haven't even tried," Jeanne apologized, clenching her fists. She yearned to be more useful and felt frustrated by her lack of knowledge.

"It's alright. Don't worry. We have to head to the nearest city," Mash reassured, gently holding Jeanne's hand.

"La Charite. It's not far from here," Jeanne commented, demonstrating that she had knowledge of the locations in her country, even if not complete.

"Understood. Let's go there to gather information," Dr. Roman concluded, outlining the next step of their strategy with renewed determination.

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