Jeanne Alter decided to face the incoming enemies alone.
"I will win!"
She declared firmly, as if stating an accomplished fact.
"But I need a little time to prepare."
"I'll be back before the battle starts… for now, I'm entrusting this city to you all."
Jeanne Alter waved, leaving only a resolute silhouette before fading into the night.
"…"
The others exchanged glances, tempted to follow and uncover her secret but wary of being sent back by her, so they let it go.
One exception, however.
Whoosh...
As Jeanne Alter's figure nearly vanished, a white form darted past them, chasing her into the vast darkness.
"Are they running away?"
Much later, the blunt Elizabeth suddenly posed the question.
Kiyohime shot her a glance but didn't answer, heading toward the kitchen to prepare for the "victory feast."
"Rather than running, it's more like drawing the enemy away."
"Clearly, the enemy's target is her alone... if she's dealt with, this incident is perfectly resolved."
Ritsuka Fujimaru answered for Kiyohime.
In that moment, she realized a stark truth:
Aside from that white dragon, Jeanne Alter truly had nothing in this world.
She was, quite literally, surrounded by enemies.
...
Jeanne Alter headed east.
But she didn't go far, stopping at an abandoned pasture.
It was a place Alaric knew well... but now it felt unfamiliar.
The cows had long been taken by the Dragon Servants, the haystacks cleared out. All that remained were dilapidated buildings and overgrown grass.
"You followed me, huh."
Jeanne Alter looked at the white dragon trailing her, neither surprised nor dismissive.
She'd known he'd come... after all, they had a pact to never part.
"But what's the point of following? There's no barbecue for you here anymore."
Jeanne Alter sighed, sitting on the grass.
... This was her "preparation."
She had no real preparations to make. Her intel was already fully exposed, her trump cards played... she didn't even have her full strength from her prime.
Yet, for some reason, Jeanne Alter felt stronger than ever.
"I can win!"
She kept repeating it, as if hypnotizing herself, hoping her body would forget the enemy's might and create a true miracle.
But... how could she possibly win?!
"One against five... I can't even think of a way to beat them!"
"Unless I use that move… but if I do, I'll disappear."
"And if I die, there's no point talking about victory or defeat."
"I really don't want to die... "
"If I die, will you still remember me?"
Jeanne Alter reached out, gently stroking the dragon's scales.
Under the moonlight, Alaric could see her trembling hands.
She was afraid, terrified.
In her short life, this was the first time she'd felt such emotions.
... This was a good thing.
She feared death.
That was normal... all living beings fear death, a universal "truth" Of life. It showed she finally saw herself as a true living being, not a shadow of vengeance.
She feared being forgotten.
Even more human. To be forgotten meant erasing the traces of one's existence, rendering their life meaningless.
This was all proof of the change within Jeanne Alter.
She was becoming a complete human, with full emotions, joys, and sorrows... not just "wrath." Though it remained vital, no longer her entirety.
But it wasn't enough.
This level of "evolution" wasn't enough.
With death's pressure closing in, under this inescapable force, Alaric awaited the words from Jeanne Alter that would prove she truly possessed a "human heart."
She didn't disappoint.
"Damn it, let's do this!"
"Even if I can't win, I'll fight!"
"Take down as many as I can!"
"They think they can mess with me?!"
"Hell no!"
A torrent of crude, even filthy words poured from Jeanne Alter's mouth.
She sounded like an uneducated village girl cursing in the fields.
Yet this very version of her was overcoming her fear of death.
... This was the core essence hidden within humanity.
Death was terrifying.
But to protect what mattered, humans never lacked the courage to face it.
And thus, they created the miracle called "living toward death."
[Ding, your approval of Jeanne Alter has reached 100.]
[You have comprehended a new concept: Wrath.]
...
Three days later.
The enemy attacked.
As promised, Jeanne Alter, mentally prepared, stood alone on a battlefield far from the city, facing the pressure of five enemy Servants.
But from start to finish, Mash's eyes were fixed on the enemy leader.
"Wait... "
She spotted that golden ahoge gleaming in the sunlight.
And that poised, confident face, always seeming in control no matter the situation.
"The King???"
Mash looked up in disbelief.
This wasn't the King of Knights of historical legend she knew.
Yet, it was a King of Knights she was deeply familiar with, one she'd even worked alongside.
No mistake... she'd never mistake her!
She was, after all, half a Knight of the Round Table... how could a vassal misidentify their king?
But if the enemy was this king, and that white dragon was once her summon, brought to this world together…
Hiss...
Mash glanced between the distant king, standing as an "enemy." And the white dragon floating in their camp.
As understanding dawned, her face relaxed, only to twist into a strange expression the next moment.
... So, this was all a scripted play?!
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