There was no helping it; in his daily life, he was so used to smirking like a villain that he had long since forgotten how to show any other expression.
"Pfft... what kind of smile is that supposed to be!" Jeanne finally couldn't hold it back anymore and let out a burst of laughter.
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she reached out and pinched Haruka Kasugano's cheeks firmly, beginning to manipulate his facial muscles as if trying to teach him how to master a normal smile.
"Goodness... you can't go on like this, you need a lot more practice!" Jeanne murmured softly.
After some effort, when she finally succeeded in making Haruka Kasugano squeeze out a passable smile, Jeanne let go with satisfaction and turned to leave. However, after only a few steps, she looked back at Haruka Kasugano, who was still standing there.
What on earth just happened...
The moment she touched Haruka Kasugano, the [Revelation] within her had been triggered unexpectedly.
In the vision of the [Revelation]:
Her skin, slippery and delicate, was revealed in its entirety. Her clothes had vanished at some unknown point, leaving her naked body exposed to the air. At that moment, she looked like a plucked duck, completely bare.
But even more shocking was that she didn't feel shy or afraid at all. Without a word, she wrapped those once long and beautiful legs tightly around Haruka Kasugano's waist, looking as happy as a little bird beneath him.
...Why would the Lord grant me such a vision?
------
Watching Jeanne walk away worryingly, Haruka Kasugano leaned against the fence, wearing an expression of utter helplessness. Jeanne possessed the supreme Magic Resistance in the Fate series—her EX-rank Magic Resistance was beyond reach.
Haruka Kasugano's skills like [Love Spot], [Incitement], and [Narrator] were all like mud cows entering the sea before her—completely useless. Not to mention the Noble Phantasm [Mathematical Extraction of Malice]; both the EX Magic Resistance and Jeanne's Saint attribute would make it completely fail. Against Jeanne, these skills were useless, and there was even a risk of exposing his identity.
Fortunately, [Camouflage] could ignore Magic Resistance, otherwise, he would truly be at a loss. Facing Jeanne, Haruka Kasugano could only swallow his pride for now.
Jeanne looked back every three steps. The content of the [Revelation] weighed heavily on her mind, so she constantly turned to gaze at Haruka Kasugano. She still didn't understand its true meaning. She was merely following Siegfried's pact and her own heart.
—This man who has nothing must have the right to survive.
He had nothing else left; if his life were taken too... that would be too tragic.
But what did the [Revelation] mean? Was it hinting that... if she wanted him to live, she had to give herself to him?
No, the person in the vision couldn't be her. It must be Leticia... She was the Ruler, the arbiter of this Holy Grail War; how could she indulge in passion with a man? There was no possibility, no reason, and certainly no time... In the few days of the Great Holy Grail War, she couldn't possibly abandon the battle to linger in romance with him...
Yes, it must be Leticia. She, like me, cares for this man and might eventually fall in love with him.
Ah... how wonderful. To think that by a twist of fate, I have saved the lover of my host body.
Thus, after self-persuasion, Jeanne left contentedly. Once she was gone, Haruka Kasugano turned to chat with the old man. According to the original plot, Sieg only stayed here for less than a day; he could leave tomorrow.
...
The next afternoon, the sunlight fell like scattered gold. After a short talk with the old man, Haruka Kasugano turned to leave. Before he left, the old man gifted him a belt, just like in the original story. Haruka Kasugano accepted it and hurried toward Artoria alter's location.
About half an hour later, Haruka Kasugano arrived at Artoria alter's new base. Upon opening the door, Artoria alter pounced on him like a hungry wolf and kissed him passionately.
"So slow! Why are you only getting here now!" Artoria alter seemed to have been waiting for a long time, unable to contain her desire. She hugged him tightly, as if trying to transfer all her passion to him.
The intense battle with Jack the Ripper last night had exhausted her. Although she had eaten a lot today, she still couldn't fully restore her mana. Right now, she could only extract that precious mana from Haruka Kasugano.
Meanwhile, Mordred, Melusine, Reika Rikudou, and Jack stood aside, silently watching. After a long time, Artoria alter finally let go, a thin silver thread of saliva lingering between them.
Haruka Kasugano held Artoria alter's soft, seductive body and smiled: "Seeing how much you lack mana, why don't you just form a contract with me?"
Artoria alter's face flushed, her eyes shimmering with complexity...
"I won't... I won't be controlled by you... I am the King of Knights, you are only fit to be stepped on by me!" Artoria alter barked back with crimson cheeks, turning her head away.
Haruka Kasugano couldn't hold back anymore and reached out to grip Artoria alter's "pears," wanting to have her right then and there.
"Ah! Let go! Aren't you going to provoke those two new women later? How do you have the heart to get intimate with me?" Artoria alter's voice suddenly softened in persuasion.
"Aha, no wonder you only asked for a kiss and didn't demand the 'lollipop' immediately. You really know how to look at the big picture..." Haruka Kasugano was pleasantly surprised. He never expected that Artoria could not only be a king but also be so excellent as a virtuous wife!
Haruka Kasugano felt happy and relieved. He picked her up, placed her back on the bed, and smiled: "Don't worry, baby, you'll get yours. We have a battle tonight, so we must replenish your mana first."
"Hmph!" Artoria alter turned away, looking like a shy young girl.
Seeing their intimacy, Melusine walked over like a professional assistant. Her legs were pressed together, and her hands were folded in front of her. She spoke in a formal tone: "The two ladies have been placed in the room next door. I've set up a soundproofing field to ensure you can enjoy yourself without interference."
Haruka Kasugano smirked: "Well done! In that case, come in with me. Just in case I can't handle it, I'll have a helper."
Melusine's face turned bright red, and she lowered her head: "Let me go in too... Actually, I don't have much experience in this. But if I want to perform better when it's my turn... maybe I really should observe and learn..."
Haruka Kasugano took Melusine's hand and stepped into the dim room next door. Reika Rikudou was tied up on the large bed, her mature and sexy body fully exposed, radiating an irresistible charm. Beside her, Jack was also bound. Although she was small, she had her own charm. Both were glaring at Haruka Kasugano.
...What kind of "game" should I play to make them both fall?
--------
Haruka Kasugano realized that simply threatening them would be counterproductive. Reika Rikudou was once a well-bred lady whose life spiraled down after her parents died, leading her to become a professional mistress. She showed motherly love to Jack only because Jack was the only person in her life who saved her without asking for anything in return.
Haruka Kasugano activated his [Mathematical Thinking] and hit upon a plan: start by bluffing.
He walked to Reika and untied her. "Sorry for using such extreme methods. Since you were hostile, we had no choice. My apologies!" Haruka Kasugano smiled, cranking up the power of [Incitement] and [Narrator].
"Sorry, we had no choice!" Melusine followed up with a bow.
"Uh..." Reika's hostility faded under the mental suggestion. Haruka Kasugano even expanded the effect of [Camouflage] to make her see him as an "ally."
"So... what do you want us for?" Reika asked, her guard lowered.
"Like you, I don't belong to the Red or Black factions. I seek the Grail, but they are too strong. I can only seek an alliance with you," Haruka Kasugano smiled gently. He then maximized the [Love Spot]. Reika, having no Magic Resistance, blushed instantly just by looking at him.
He's so handsome... and gentle...
"Mother, don't believe him!" Jack shouted.
To be safe, he had Melusine untie Jack. He then used [Heal] to fix Jack's injured arm. Jack was stunned. Although she had some Magic Resistance, she was still influenced by the [Love Spot] and [Camouflage]. Seeing Haruka Kasugano's kindness toward Reika, she didn't find him to be the type of man she hated most.