Chapter 307
Then, without saying a word, Jeanne d'Arc Alter led Novia to a path outside the city. When they reached an endless expanse of Farmland, Jeanne d'Arc Alter suddenly stopped and said the following words to the empty land in front of her:
"Although we've assigned dragons to those guys, we're still missing one big one... It's about time it came out."
Jeanne d'Arc Alter unconsciously tightened her grip.
Novia saw an even clearer picture of the 'Dragon Witch's' will within it.
Countless repulsive joys, abandoned Saintess, harboring personal resentment, sing of the joy of the sounds once played in their distorted memories, loudly chanting frantic wails and extreme distortions—this is the 'Saintess' based on Gilles de Rais's Wrath, prejudice, and one-sided obsession.
Therefore, as the current Ruler, her motivation as the 'Dragon Witch' is—
Revenge.
A dark, wrathful form of will flowed directly into the France soil through that hand.
At the same time, Jeanne d'Arc Alter's lips curled up in delight.
But what exactly is the source of this joy?
It was probably the burning pleasure she felt in the dark abyss of despair that gave her a certainty she had never known before.
"Appear, Fafnir!"
In the next instant, an enormous dragon, Fafnir —a creature from Europe cultures known as a dragon possessing immense wealth—appeared before Jeanne d'Arc Alter.
"Roar--"
Just as Fafnir was about to roar, it quickly stopped. The reason was simple: it saw Novia behind Jeanne d'Arc Alter, who was smiling at it—the same Novia who had killed it with Siegfried.
Of course, theoretically speaking, even if it was Fafnir who had killed it, it shouldn't care, since it could fight again. But the problem was that Fafnir felt the aura of the 'Primordial Dragon' on Novia was too terrifying, and there was even the aura of Typhon, the Greece Primordial Dragon that was the source of its birth... It felt like its ancestor had personally descended, so how could it dare to resist?
Fafnir's idea is understandable, since the origin of Western Europe Dragon Kind is the Primordial Dragon Typhon.
Therefore, in the next instant, Fafnir, who had initially seemed quite imposing to Jeanne d'Arc Alter, suddenly turned around, lying on the ground while softly calling out.
It looks like a large dog.
This greatly shocked Jeanne d'Arc Alter, who felt caught off guard.
"This..."
However, Jeanne d'Arc Alter believed that things were not so simple, because in her view, such a powerful dragon could not possibly appear so humble, could it be... that she was too strong? No wonder, now everything makes sense.
With this thought in mind, Jeanne d'Arc Alter smugly mounted Fafnir, and as Novia approached, she coldly called out:
"I didn't give you permission to ride. You weakling, just watch how I fly in the sky."
Fafnir, with its head bowed low, wanted to shake off the ungrateful woman when it heard Jeanne d'Arc Alter say those words. However, since Novia remained silent, it continued to keep its head down and did not move, no matter how much Jeanne d'Arc Alter flapped or shouted at it from above.
"It's rare to see Mount disobey its master."
"Shut up, mind your own business! Fafnir is just a little tired from her recent appearance!"
"Yeah?"
Novia answered calmly.
"Jeanne d'Arc, don't you hate those who don't listen to you?"
"It's different, Fafnir and the others would never betray me—"
Suddenly, Novia, who had been in front of Fafnir, appeared beside her with a speed that even Jeanne d'Arc Alter could not believe.
The two were so close that they could almost feel each other's presence, which startled Jeanne d'Arc Alter, who staggered backward and barely managed to avoid sitting on the dragon's back.
"' Jeanne d'Arc's, if you want to become my Master, then be prepared to be betrayed by me."
Novia smiled slightly at the dumbfounded Jeanne d'Arc Alter.
These words sounded like a comforting remark and a hint at something, but Jeanne d'Arc Alter quickly frowned and shook her head.
"Ha, you think that as my Servant, I would give you the chance to betray me, your Master? That's absolutely impossible! Before you could betray me, I would have already discarded you as a worthless being!"
After all, Jeanne d'Arc Alter is unexpectedly stubborn, so it would be difficult to see her bow down.
After Novia landed on her back, Fafnir took flight, just as Jeanne d'Arc Alter had predicted.
Soon, Jeanne d'Arc Alter was high in the sky, gazing at the vast Lake and the green leaves of the Crops, as well as the countless Dragon Tooth Warrior behind Fafnir. This made the girl suddenly squint and look at the nonchalant Novia beside her.
Her eyes conveyed less confusion than acceptance of the fact.
"Hmph, you're lucky to be able to ride the Fafnir alongside me. Consider it my way of repaying you; from now on, you'll be the one riding the Fafnir— "
The arrogant Jeanne d'Arc (Jeanne d'Arc Alter) paused abruptly at this point.
Coachman? Coachman? Neither seems right... Fafnir is neither a carriage nor a horse, but a dragon, ah, a dragon...
"Yes, yes, you're going to be my Dragon Husband from now on!"
With her exceptional ability to apply knowledge to new situations, Jeanne d'Arc Alter uttered the name without hesitation, which almost made Novia burst out laughing.
"Isn't the title 'Dragon Husband' a bit...?"
"You are what I call you, that's my right as Master, and you, as Servant, have no right to object, understand?"
In the stillness where even the air seemed to stand still, Jeanne d'Arc Alter stared intently at Novia, her voice icy.
Upon hearing this, Novia turned to look at the girl.
"Then let it be as you said, Jeanne d'Arc."
As Twilight that day, Jeanne d'Arc Alter, returning to Orléans aboard Fafnir, sat in the Main Hall, her eyes half-open, gazing blankly out the window.
Leaning back in the heavily tilted chair, the girl gazed at the gradually yellowing sky, while a cool breeze flowed into the Main Hall. Then, Jeanne d'Arc Alter exhaled deeply, as if expelling all the 'confusion' and 'bewilderment' in her mouth.
What did I do today...?
He had planned to lead his dragon army to raid various parts of France after summoning Fafnir, to teach those who had betrayed him the lesson of betrayal, to make them wail and suffer in flames, but...
How could I be riding around in the sky with that guy on Fafnir... How could I do this to Gilles...?
Jeanne d'Arc Alter harbors a strange mix of clarity and numbness within her.
Suddenly, as if extremely displeased, Jeanne d'Arc Alter raised the Banner beside her with a fierce aura.
The Banner swept across the Ceiling of the Main Hall, and for a moment, she herself didn't know what she was doing.
The Ceiling was cut in half, and scattered fragments littered the room, raising dust in the air.
Let's go somewhere else. There's no need for me to stay in these ruins... I know I must lead Fafnir to destroy France!
With these thoughts in mind, Jeanne d'Arc Alter, in a daze, randomly found a room and went in to rest.
The next day, I continued to ride around in my Fafnir and Novia.
On the third day, I rode around in Fafnir and Novia.
On the fourth day, I strolled around with... Novia.
On the fifth day, I strolled around with that damned bastard.
On the Sixth Heaven, Jeanne d'Arc, oh Jeanne d'Arc! How could you do this! Did you just ignore it because Gilles didn't come to inquire? Those France bastards must know that I, Jeanne d'Arc of Saintess, have returned from Hell to Revenge! I can't wander around like this anymore! What's so interesting about this scenery!
Day 7: Strolling around.
Day 8--
"Absolutely not today! I must take Fafnir to another place to breathe fire! My other subordinates are performing so well in various places, I, as their superior, can't just sit here and do nothing!"
As Novia stood there, seeing his gentle smile as he greeted her, Jeanne d'Arc Alter slightly turned her head and crossed her arms, expressing her resistance.
"Of course, it's not that I'm never going again, it's just that today will be an exception. Anyway, you're going to destroy the town with me anyway, so wouldn't it be better to have a new pastime? Besides, even though you're weak, I don't think there's anything to worry about with me here."
With that, Jeanne d'Arc Alter waved apologetically, urging Novia in front of her to hurry up.
"Alright, hurry up--"
"Speaking of which, 'Jeanne d'Arc,' the Rider Class Servant you summoned and turned Mad Enhancement is named Martha, right?"
"I think that's her name..."
Jeanne d'Arc Alter stared at Novia with displeasure. "Why are you asking this? Do you two know each other?"
Novia didn't answer immediately, but instead moved closer to Jeanne d'Arc Alter. Jeanne d'Arc Alter wasn't on guard at all. The next second, Novia reached out and gathered her Od, pressing it against Jeanne Alter's neck. Jeanne d'Arc Alter then felt her head become dizzy.
"You... bastard... what are you going to do to me...?"
Even the Servant's body subconsciously became powerless, and in a daze, Jeanne d'Arc Alter felt something being stuffed into her mouth, and after entering her mouth, it released some kind of power that changed her body, seemingly shrinking.
"I told you long ago, be prepared to be betrayed by me, Jeanne d'Arc."
After Jeanne d'Arc Alter fell unconscious, Novia, carrying her, walked out of the Main Hall and onto the Hill outside.
At the same time, a sound came from the other side of the Hill.
Those were the sounds of painful wails, the sounds of people ravaging the land at this very moment, led by the Six Servants sent out by Jeanne d'Arc Alter and their Dragon Tooth Warrior.
"Your Excellency, where are you taking my Saintess?"
Suddenly, Bluebeard, who had ignored Jeanne d'Arc Alter and Novia's long conversation, appeared before Novia.
"Gilles, do you think the real Jeanne d'Arc would hate this country?"
"Isn't that obvious? Saintess who is adored by the world, revered as its Banner, exploited by the world, and ultimately abandoned by it—of course she would hate this country."
Bluebeard answered in an eerily calm tone.
"However, you and I both know that Jeanne d'Arc wouldn't hate, right?"
Novia replied with a smile.
"Ah, of course I understand, of course I understand."
Bluebeard's face was contorted with rage. "But I hate this country to the core. I swore to destroy this treacherous nation. I reached out to her, burning in flames, but I couldn't touch her because I wasn't there. But every time I reached out, every time I pleaded, but the outcome remained the same."
The man, who had been contorting his expression with rage, shed tears.
"Ah, why wasn't I there? Why, why didn't anyone save her? The real Jeanne d'Arc might forgive them, but I can't! Deity, royalty, and this country—I will destroy them all! I will kill them all! This is the wish I place in the Holy Grail! Don't stop me!"
Novia had already anticipated Gilles's answer; after all, it was a hatred she had long expected.
I don't think you're wrong.
Upon hearing this, his face turned pale, his Bluebeard bristled, but a smile still appeared on his lips as he stretched out his withered hand toward Novia.
"As expected, though her aura as Servant is weak, she is indeed the founder of that Church. Is it because of her demotion? The Holy One Novia! Will you join me, and the Saintess, in destroying time?"
As the wielder of the Holy Grail, Bluebeard naturally made some guesses after sensing that the Od of the France lands was flowing towards Novia, coupled with her appearance and name.
"No, of course I will stop you, that goes without saying."
Novia calmly replied, "But because Jeanne d'Arc is Saintess of the Church, as its founder, I feel it is necessary to tell you something for the future generations of the Church— "
"Gilles de Rais, it's understandable that you hate this world, and it's certainly reasonable to try to destroy this country, but I and others will still stop you, because even if no one is at fault."
The silver-haired youth stared directly at Bluebeard and continued, enunciating each word clearly.
"To leave you like this unchecked is absolutely a mistake."
"Ahhh... Why... why would you say such things... Ahhh..."
A childlike smile involuntarily appeared on Gilles's face, like a lost child finally seeing parents willing to take them home—an expression of relief and reassurance, while the tears that remained fell to the ground.
"So that's how it is. Today I will die by your hand—"
Bluebeard had just drawn the Holy Grail in preparation for battle, suddenly realized that the Holy Grail was no longer usable, as if he himself had been 'stopped'.
"I won't be the only one saying this to you, so let's wait for that day to come, Gilles de Rais."
After saying this, Novia, who had summoned Fafnir, carried Jeanne d'Arc Alter, who had already consumed the 'Youth-Restoring Elixir' from the Indian Ocean of Milk, to La Charité, the place where Jeanne d'Arc and Ritsuka met.
During this time, Novia felt that the best thing about her relationship with Jeanne d'Arc Alter was that she didn't let her ride Fafnir out, allowing the reputation of the 'Dragon Witch' to slowly spread from the Orléans region throughout France, and that she didn't order the Dragon Tooth Warrior to kill her own mother in La Charité.
Now that Jeanne d'Arc, who was summoned shortly after, has arrived, this mother will naturally not be killed.
Novia was also pondering how to make it believable for Jeanne d'Arc Alter to meet Jeanne d'Arc and her mother, since she genuinely didn't know her origins and believed herself to be simply another side of Jeanne d'Arc. After much deliberation, Novia decided on the following method:
Find an opportunity to give Jeanne d'Arc Alter the "Youth-Restoring Elixir," causing her body to shrink to Lily Form, and then take her to meet him.
Kuro Jeanne. jpg.
Chapter 354 Jeanne d'Arc: Even as a little girl, I am still me!
"Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash..."