Chapter 312

Perhaps I am not the real Jeanne d'Arc?

But Gilles kept telling me that I was Jeanne d'Arc, and that I was a fallen Witch had fallen into the dream of many humans that "a woman with such an ending should have the right to Revenge." So the Dragon Witch was undoubtedly a side of Jeanne d'Arc of Arc! I firmly believed this too.

But if you only meet her once, how could you not recognize the mother who raised you?

Therefore, if one says that they are not the real Jeanne d'Arc of Arc, then everything makes sense.

Therefore, as Fake, even Gilles probably only sees herself as a substitute for Jeanne d'Arc, and so does Dragon Husband. Since everything is fake, what in that world is real?

I have absolutely no qualities that make me lovable... I'm utterly unattractive... I'm just a hopelessly twisted little girl, in other words, myself.

It's just a machine that exists solely to negate her...

That's it...

"Your mother needs you, and so do I. Actually, Gilles feels the same way. There's no such thing as 'you don't have to give something to be loved.' Stick to your principles, and you can live a pure and joyful life. Do what you want to do, and—"

"There's no reason why a forgery can't surpass the genuine article."

Suddenly, Novia's voice echoed in Jeanne d'Arc Alter Lily's mind, her words carrying an unknown emotion that seeped into her heart.

This made her eyes widen in surprise as she stared at Novia below, then at Isabella in front of her with a kind smile.

"I..."

In that instant, Jeanne d'Arc Alter Lily saw something shining in this world that was merely 'false' to her.

With it, you'll be able to withstand whatever comes your way.

So, for the first time, after shrinking, Jeanne d'Arc Alter Lily left Novia's neck and was held in Isabella's arms.

"Well, I, well, how should I put it..."

Jeanne d'Arc Alter Lily stammered, as if she were coughing repeatedly, and Isabella responded softly after hearing her.

"You can just call me Mom."

"... Mother."

So live well, if you want to be my daughter.

Jeanne d'Arc Alter Lily is not Saint, nor is she the Avenger she was summoned again after growing up. Her heart turns to evil and she turns to good. Her Future may not be so bright, but even so, as long as she desires it, she will be given the light of the Holy One.

As night approached, Novia had to lead the two back to prepare for the final battle. Isabella didn't try to stop them, but simply watched their retreating figures, whispering softly:

Listen to the murmuring of the waves, gaze upon the breaking waves; this landscape of origin, as harsh as the ends of the earth, yet so beautiful—

Isabella hesitated for a long time before whispering the last sentence.

"Let Novia show you the sea."

Although it was only a brief meeting, Isabella, being an experienced woman, noticed that both of her daughters had a strong liking for Novia. In particular, the younger Jeanne d'Arc wanted to act cute, but seemed to have no idea how to do so, which is why she kept riding on his shoulders.

In short, Isabella secretly thought to herself:

I'm entrusting this to you, Novia...

For some specific reasons, Isabella always felt guilty when she said that name.

"So--"

Suddenly, Isabella, who had her head down, heard Jeanne d'Arc of Arc's voice ahead. Since the two Jeanne d'Arc's voices were exactly the same, she couldn't tell which one it was. She just subconsciously looked up at the sunlit area, and it seemed that all three of them had turned around.

Although their faces were obscured by the sunlight, they all appeared to be smiling.

In the turbulent times of the past, when people rose up out of concern for and desire to save their country, there was once a 'Witch' who met an unfortunate end.

This is nothing unusual; in turbulent times, everyone lives and dies in a rush. But there will always be someone who remembers. So a mother stood up. She refused to accept that her daughter had been so slandered. After persisting for who knows how many years, this led to the notorious Paris Notre-Dame being packed with people on November 7, 1455.

The bull issued by Pope Rome Callixtus III, held in the hands of Isabella at the time, was delivered by the young Alexander VI. The bull ordered the Bishop of Paris and the Archbishop of Reims to re-examine the charges against Jeanne d'Arc. From that day on, a series of investigations into the Jeanne d'Arc case were launched at Notre Dame Notre-Dame in Paris.

In 1456, twenty-five years after Jeanne d'Arc's death, Callixtus III declared that Jeanne d'Arc had died in defense of her religion, her country, and her king, and that she was a true Martyr, Saintess.

In fact, the moment Isabella's grievances echoed through Paris Notre-Dame, everything was already explained.

Now, in the First Singularity, in France, the first stage of the destruction of humanity Human Order Incineration, it is unknown which wish was fulfilled, or whether it was a stroke of Fate, but in any case, the mother met her daughter whom she should never have seen again.

Then, this daughter, together with the people of the New Era, will face not only the crisis of France, but a critical moment for the life and death of humanity.

Just like that day, when the mother saw her child through the window, those resolute eyes as the child left the house.

However, this time there are two pairs.

[The Heavens are the glory of the Lord, the firmaments are the work of the Lord. Warm light spreads across the earth, reaching the other side of the world. Ascend from one side of the heavens, to the other side. With what little remains, may we Protection His footsteps.]

"Well then, I'm off, Mom."

Bunny Girl Jeanne d'Arc Alter.

Chapter 358 Kiyohime: Waa...

Orléans is now deserted.

Inside the church, where the bricks and stones of the walls had been exposed by the scorching fire, the once exquisite carvings and decorations had been carbonized, and the ground was covered with black ash, Bluebeard was looking up at the only two walls in the church that were still intact.

One is the image of 'Jeanne d'Arc of Arc being executed' created by his Od, which is the 'Saintess burned by the crimson flames' that appeared in Bluebeard's mind when he first appeared in the France Singularity. However, he believes that this is not his memory because he did not go to see Jeanne d'Arc of Arc when she died.

Another feature is the sacred imagery found in every church. This imagery references the first Ecumenical Council convened by the First Pope in 55 AD during the Roman Empire, which brought Holy Church to the forefront of religious significance. The images depict Priest from various regions in the Rome Catholic Church collectively gazing at Pope Novia, who is waving his hand in the center.

For a long time, both believers and non-believers have held this sacred painting in high esteem.

Gilles had not yet gone mad because of Jeanne d'Arc of Arc's death, was also like this. However, after Joan of Jeanne d'Arc's death, he felt a deep despair and lost his direction in his Faith in God. Therefore, under the influence of François Prelati, this marshal who excessively praised Deity to the point that he could not help but question Deity, and then cursed and belittled Deity, but would never deny Deity.

Therefore, as the Prototype of Bluebeard, he should not feel piety or awe towards any Church- affiliated figures, believing that his brutal acts were merely a means to prove that the evil gods who should be punished do not exist. In other words, he actually yearned for the existence of Deity more than anyone else.

When Gilles became Bluebeard and witnessed the sacred painting he had seen countless times in his lifetime once again on the France soil, he had a completely new feeling. It was not an attitude towards people, but a more Root one, like the attitude towards Divinity things.

Of course, when Gilles was still a marshal, he would have adopted a similar attitude towards the Priest in the Church, but at this moment he was more eager and joyful.

It's probably due to the continued existence of the believers' Faith and some reason related to the 'Prelati's Spellbook' which are associated with Outer God.

Jeanne d'Arc...

After glancing at the two locations and muttering to himself, Bluebeard walked towards the outside of the city walls.

At this very moment, it was the final battle of the France Singularity. Sanson was fighting the Cake Queen and Mozart, while Carmilla was fighting Elizabeth. Bluebeard sensed that everyone else was waiting for him outside the city walls.

The real Jeanne d'Arc, the First Pope, and the 'Dragon Witch', but I'm not very familiar with the others.

In fact, Bluebeard was the first Servant to appear in France, so he quickly found the Holy Grail and used Holy Grail power to create the imagined Jeanne d'Arc, the Dragon Witch. To outsiders, she might seem like a substitute, but that's not the case. To him, she was undoubtedly the Saintess, which is why he didn't interfere much when Novia came into contact with her.

The fact that the Pope, who was revered by the world, treated the Dragon Witch in this way was undoubtedly a form of affirmation in Bluebeard's eyes. Even though they had never had much interaction, it had subtly and deeply touched his heart.

Bluebeard had prepared for death the day Novia's identity was confirmed, but Novia did not, so Bluebeard was not in a hurry and simply waited quietly for this day to arrive, and now that day has come.

"Nice to meet you both, and it's been a long time, Jeanne d'Arc, Lady Novia."

The pale-skinned man addressed the people before him with manners completely at odds with his appearance.

"Um, where is the Dragon Witch, Gilles?"

Jeanne d'Arc asked first.

She remained confused about the Dragon Witch who looked exactly like her but whom she had never met.

Defeating the Dragon Witch wreaks havoc in France and saving her homeland is a given, but what kind of expression should she wear when facing the Dragon Witch?

How should we confront our dark side?

Although, in theory, Jeanne d'Arc Fate had already accepted her tragic fate and there shouldn't have been any other side to it, the facts were undeniable, and she had no choice but to accept them.

In fact, after seeing that the young Jeanne d'Arc, accompanied by Novia, did not recognize her mother, she wondered if this Joan of Jeanne d'Arc Lily was the Dragon Witch. But upon closer inspection, it seemed unlikely, since people claimed to be herself, and this was undoubtedly a smaller version; people would surely recognize her. Therefore, she could only say that there might be some connection.

"Don't worry, Jeanne d'Arc."

Bluebeard smiled and opened his arms wide. "She's sleeping peacefully now and won't be coming back."

Looking at the people before him, especially Novia, Bluebeard truly realized what he lacked. He had no intention of admitting defeat; his opponent was too powerful and great. Such thoughts should have seemed Pride, but they were perfectly suited to Novia.

The reason he didn't point out that the Jeanne d'Arc Alter Lily, still riding on Novia's neck, was the Dragon Witch Answer simple for him.

Even though she was supposedly a 'Saintess' created by the Holy Grail according to her own wishes, it would be completely unreasonable to suddenly put her in a bad situation. After all, she was not a replacement for Jeanne d'Arc, but an undisputed Saintess to her.

That's why Bluebeard spoke so ambiguously, leading people to mistakenly believe that he might have betrayed the Dragon Witch and caused her to disappear.

"... I should leave. After finding out I was Fake, I felt that Gilles probably looked down on me behind my back..."

Novia listened quietly to the girl beside her.

"But he has feelings for you that surpass those of a true Jeanne d'Arc; he cares about you deeply and harbors affection for you."

"That's right, so now I have to go help Gilles. Sorry..."

As Jeanne d'Arc Alter Lily spoke to Novia, she glanced around at everyone.

I wish I could go to the sea with everyone someday. The ordinary ocean that I've always dreamed of is the most precious scenery for me at this stage.

"You, burning with the flames of Revenge, can simply unleash that 'evil' power and become an anti-hero or something else entirely."

Novia looked up and saw a clear blue sky without a single cloud.

"In this way, you, who possess that memory, can be summoned again, can't you?"

As Novia said, someone has already accepted this Servant who shouldn't exist, so she will reappear in the future.

"... Although I wouldn't say it myself, I'll say it for her anyway--"

Jeanne d'Arc Alter Lily nodded, then leaped off Novia's neck, jumped in front of Bluebeard, opened her arms to the Future Jeanne d'Arc and the others, and coldly shouted.

"I lost."

"... Huh?!"

"I never imagined you could unite so many people to deal with me. Even my secret deception of that idiot couldn't stop you."

Perhaps finding it particularly funny, Jeanne d'Arc Alter Lily's shoulders trembled violently, but quickly, she wiped the corner of her eye with her fingertip and raised her head, looking refreshed.

"Aside from one thing, I admit I lost. I admit I feel I'm no match for Saintess Jeanne d'Arc. I admit that Gilles and I are no match for you. I admit there are more people who believe you. At the same time, I also admit that my heart is still filled with hatred, because Gilles and I are both irredeemable Avenger who have committed various crimes, beings who wave the Banner of hatred."

She paused for a moment, then continued.

"Let the battle begin, Master of Chaldea, and Jeanne d'Arc' Arc! As the Ling Xiu of the Evil Dragon, this is the one thing I will never back down on. I will fight with all my might; I will not retreat an inch. I am an extremely evil being. Do you really think I would let an opponent who dares to defy me off easily? Absolutely not! Besides, I am not the real Jeanne d'Arc; I am merely Fake!"

As she spoke, without her noticing, her appearance gradually reverted to that of an adult, and finally, the moment she finished speaking, she returned to being the Dragon Witch.

"Oh, Jeanne d'Arc!"

Bluebeard unsurprisingly let out a shout, which Jeanne d'Arc Alter took for granted.

"Hmph, Gilles, I've come here—"

As she spoke, she noticed that Bluebeard, whom she used to have to look up at, no longer needed to. So Jeanne d'Arc Alter subconsciously lowered her head and immediately realized that she had returned to her original state. Realizing this, Jeanne d'Arc Alter suddenly raised her head and looked at Novia in front of her, her face instantly turning an indescribable Crimson.

Well, since she's turned back, every little thing she did to Novia when she was still a child has come flooding back to Jeanne d'Arc Alter's memories. What used to seem like normal behavior suddenly makes Jeanne d'Arc Alter feel incredibly ashamed. How could she have been riding on Novia's neck all the time?!

How could I possibly do that? I could never be that kind of brat! It must be because Novia gave me the drug!

Taking advantage of the time when Jeanne d'Arc Alter was silent due to shyness, she was only slightly surprised to see Jeanne d'Arc reveal her 'true form' before quickly recovering.

"I understand, Gilles. You only wanted me to be resurrected in the first place, right?"

"Of course, that's my wish."

"But you're wrong, Gilles. Even if I were resurrected, I could never become this Dragon Witch."

Jeanne d'Arc's words may have meant that she would never want to destroy France like Jeanne d'Arc Alter, but to Jeanne d'Arc Alter, it sounded like an insult, so she immediately changed her expression and stared at Jeanne d'Arc with displeasure.

"Heh, you boring Saintess, who cares if you turn into me or not? I don't want you to become me! Just wait until I burn you to ashes!"

"..."

Jeanne d'Arc did not reply to Jeanne d'Arc Alter, but continued speaking to Bluebeard, "I have indeed been betrayed and mocked. My end might be described as dying with regrets, but I do not hate my country, I cannot hate it, because you are still here in this country."

"Jeanne d'Arc, you are so kind; your words are full of goodwill."

Bluebeard nodded gently. "And it is precisely because of your kindness that you have forgotten one thing. Even if you don't harbor hatred, I do. You can forgive them, but I cannot. 'I want to kill everything' is one of the wishes I place in the Holy Grail."

During the conversation, tens of millions of tentacles suddenly gathered around Bluebeard's body, intertwining and merging to form a large mass of flesh. Bluebeard's face was visible only within this mass of flesh, which was larger than Fafnir's.

"Wow, not bad, pretty handsome, Gilles."

Jeanne d'Arc Alter commented with a smile.

That is, Bluebeard's Noble Phantasm [The Prelati's Spellbook] summoned and fused with the 'Sea Demon'.

Originally, Bluebeard was prepared not to use this move against Novia and was ready to die. However, after hearing Jeanne d'Arc Alter's words, he decided to fight with all his might, just like her, regardless of the outcome... However, if Novia were to make a move, Bluebeard would never retaliate, but only against Novia.