"N-no, of course not! Laurent, you really are such a pervert!"
Mash's flustered shout burst out before she could stop herself, hands flying to cover her chest—but it did nothing to hide her perfect figure.
"Am I wrong, though?"
Laurent tilted his head, genuinely puzzled.
"I've already seen a few female Servants just now. Their outfits were all—tsk, tsk, tsk."
He could've sworn one even had animal ears.
Jeanne looked conflicted. She wanted to say something but didn't know how; instead her expression turned faintly sulky.
Laurent's paying attention to other women again...
She pouted inwardly.
"L-Laurent, the things you notice are really strange," Fujimaru added awkwardly, wiping cold sweat from his temple. These were combat outfits—he didn't find them unusual. Besides, the armor's defense was actually high.
Laurent's attention shifted immediately. He moved closer to Fujimaru, circling him curiously.
"Tell me, kid—why do I feel such a strong sense of affinity with you?"
"A-affinity?"
Mash misread instantly and lunged to pull Fujimaru back a few steps.
"Senpai! Same-sex relationships are... are not allowed!"
Her cheeks burned. Fujimaru blinked, confused, while Laurent laughed.
Hah. This short-haired purple girl actually knows quite a lot for her age. She looks innocent—but she's not as pure as she seems.
"Relax. I'm not interested in men," Laurent said, waving a hand. "It's just that you, kid—you feel a little... special."
He rubbed his chin, searching for the right words.
"I don't know why, but I get the feeling that if I swallowed you right now, I might be able to materialize into a physical body again."
Fujimaru took several steps back, a strained smile twitching.
"L-Laurent, you're... joking, right?"
"Heh heh. What do you think?"
Roman's voice crackled through the communicator.
"If I recall correctly, during the archangels' judgment, Laurent, you were classified as a being of pure evil. That would mean you have a strong affinity with anything related to evil, wouldn't it?"
"Exactly. Which is why this kid confuses me—he doesn't seem like a bad person at all."
"Senpai is definitely not a bad person!"
Mash immediately stepped forward protectively, shielding Fujimaru like a loyal cub.
"But... materialize?" she asked, blinking. "Laurent, you can still regain a physical body?"
"Oh, that's actually quite simple."
Laurent spread his hands, unconcerned.
"My original body was long gone. My current self is more of a conceptual existence—like those damn angels. So if I find a compatible host, I could theoretically devour them to regain a physical form. But that host would have to be sufficiently evil."
Everyone's gaze unconsciously shifted to Fujimaru. From Laurent's tone, it sounded like the boy might be evil enough.
"Ahem."
Jeanne's cough cut the tension. She tried to steady herself.
"Let's—let's get back to the main topic, shall we?"
If this kept up, the conversation would derail completely. Laurent's eyes were still glinting mischief as he looked at Fujimaru; it was making even Jeanne uneasy.
"So, you were turned into a Ruler," Laurent said, "but now you're half-functional—can't even see true names?"
"Y-yes..." Jeanne's attempt to redirect faltered, her tone shrinking into embarrassment.
"Still, with Laurent here, our combat strength's gone up quite a bit," Roman offered optimistically.
"So, do you have any leads right now?"
Wandering around aimlessly wouldn't solve anything. Laurent understood the general situation, but that didn't mean he knew how to fix it. After all, he himself was a Servant without a Master. That thought made his gaze slide back to Fujimaru.
"By the way, kid—you said you're a Master, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then how about forming a temporary contract with me? Just verbally, of course."
He didn't dislike this boy named Fujimaru.
"Though... your Servant's condition seems a bit off."
At that, Mash's expression dimmed. Fujimaru quickly explained.
"Mash is a demi-Servant, so she's still getting used to the connection."
"But I'll do my best," Mash said firmly, nodding.
Laurent smiled faintly. "I see. Then let's work hard together."
He extended a hand toward Fujimaru, who hesitated only a moment before returning the handshake with a gentle smile.
...
Damn it, damn it, damn it!
Why?! Why, why, why—why can't I get that man's image out of my head since the moment I saw him?!
Jeanne Alter paced, agitation burning in her chest. Who was that man? Who was Laurent? Why did she know nothing about him?
"Holy Maiden, is there something troubling you?" Gilles' soft, concerned voice pulled her back. Jeanne Alter's emotions steadied slightly, but the thought kept gnawing.
What had that been back there? During the fight—he clearly had the advantage, yet he stopped. That's supposed to be the so-called tyrant?
Her expression darkened.
"It's nothing."
"Holy Maiden, if something weighs upon your heart, destroy it. That is, after all, the reason for our existence."
"You're right, Gilles. For those people… I'll make sure they die in the cruelest way imaginable."
"Yes. It's not just your wish—Lord Laurent would surely approve." Gilles' tone grew solemn, almost mournful.
"Ah, how pitiful you are, my Holy Maiden. You gave everything for France, even separated yourself from your dear friend, only to be betrayed by those vile gods—and by the very people you saved! Such unforgivable cruelty!"
Laurent again. Laurent, Laurent!
Jeanne Alter's barely stabilized mood soured instantly. Who was he? Why did she know he was important, yet couldn't recall his face? Worse—why, in her final memory, had she been holding that damned tyrant who executed her? The thought made her clench her fists in fury.
"That foolish other me... she had something precious and still didn't understand it. Still clung to that ridiculous dream of saving the country. I'll tear apart everything she ever tried to protect!"
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