Ever Since Bai Ming Punched Jalter Into the Ground, She Learned to Use Her Brain / Lancelot Ban, the Winner Is Me, Jocelyn Brando!

"Yes, I was low on mana, so I was using Nine Breaths Qi Regulation."

"Ah, that?" Roman's voice came through at that moment. "In Chinese terms, it's a technique that converts the primordial energy of heaven and earth into magical power without consuming mana. In other words, it draws mana from the Greater Source, converts it, and replenishes one's own reserves. Bai Ming, you really are an outstanding Magus. A truly outstanding Magus excels at drawing mana from the Greater Source."

Bai Ming let out a long sigh. "Roman, sometimes I really think I should tie you up and punish you properly. Don't compare me to those arrogant, self-important, selfish Magi."

Akuta Hinako's voice came through. "When it comes to being self-important, Bai Ming, I don't think you're in any position to lecture others."

"Hah? Are you picking a fight?" Bai Ming immediately sat up. "I am a peerless genius, crushing two generations beneath me. You, an old relic over two thousand two hundred years old, can't even beat me. What's wrong with being proud? Even if Solomon showed up, I'd leave my fistprint on his face."

In the control room, Roman coughed incessantly, while Akuta Hinako instantly turned red with rage. "That... that's because I'm not good at fighting!"

"You've wasted two thousand two hundred years of your life. If I had your two thousand two hundred years, I swear King Solomon's corpse would already have been turned into excellent Magic Material. Even Chaldeas wouldn't exist."

Roman finally could not help but complain, "So what kind of grudge do you have against King Solomon? Don't tell me you hate him because he used Clairvoyance to peek at you once?"

After Marisbury died, Bai Ming had directly dragged Roman into exposing the issues with Chaldeas and Marisbury's schemes. Thus, no matter what, the existence known as King Solomon, who had established the foundation of Western magecraft, could not disappear completely. They could not lose one of their own combatants just because of a Beast whose goals were essentially similar to Chaldea's.

So at this moment, Roman was merely making snide remarks about King Solomon's life before he became Romani Archaman.

Bai Ming sat cross-legged on the grass. "Aren't you already well aware of it? All right, next comes Bai Ming's enlightening explanation."

"Yes! Senpai, I wanted to ask before. What is that enormous band of light in the sky? And why do you always fight so desperately?"

"Simply put, that was created by Humanity Foundation incineration." Bai Ming looked at the enormous band of light in the sky, let out a long breath, and slowly said, "As for why I fight so desperately, on the grand scale, we're fighting to reclaim humanity. On the smaller scale, I simply don't want to die, so every time I fight, I put myself in a position where I can only survive by risking death."

That was why Bai Ming kept striving, kept fighting, and kept growing stronger. Even now, his thinking had never changed. Otherwise, he could have simply stayed inside Team A's frame, waited to be blown half to death, then waited for his dear captain to come rescue him.

But... without question, placing one's hopes in others was incredibly foolish. Like that foolish Olga Marie. Bai Ming had never placed his hopes in anyone. He knew that from the moment he appeared, from the moment he began acting to survive, certain things had already changed.

Of course, if he were running simulations in the simulator system and replacing or rewriting history, then Bai Ming could do whatever he wanted.

In reality, he advanced carefully step by step. In simulations, he struck with all his might.

Thoughtful Mash translated Bai Ming's words throughout so Jeanne would not feel awkward standing beside them. Jeanne fell into thought, then finally asked, "The other me is merely a counterfeit created based on the true mastermind's personal prejudice, isn't she?"

Through Mash's translation, Jeanne received an affirmative answer. The tension in her heart finally eased. "She is a pitiful person too. I don't mind sharing a name with her. Mr. Bai Ming truly is a gentle person. Once he learned that she was someone pitiful, he chose to let her go."

"Don't use a disgusting word like 'gentle' to describe me—don't translate that. Think whatever you want. I just didn't want to kill someone who couldn't even see who she was."

After taking several deep breaths, Bai Ming rose to his feet. "Wait a little longer. The commotion from my fight with Fafnir was huge. If there are any allied Servants, they should arrive here before long to join us."

After Bai Ming Punched Jeanne Alter into the Ground Several Times, She Learned to Think

While Bai Ming's group waited for their allied Servants to arrive, Jeanne Alter confronted Gilles de Rais within Orléans.

She thought about it for a long time, but in the end only managed to force out one sentence. "Gilles, tell me. Am I Jeanne? Who do you think is the real Jeanne, me or her?"

"Ahhh! Of course! Of course you are! It is unquestionably you, Jeanne! How could you have such an unrealistic thought?" The Magus called Gilles de Rais, whose eyes bulged from their sockets, cried out excitedly. "You are undoubtedly a perfect existence now, Jeanne! Jeanne! Even martial fortune is completely unnecessary to you! You only lost this time because you did not possess an advantage in information!"

"Listen, Jeanne. You were executed by fire, and everyone betrayed you. Not a single person was willing to bravely stand forth to save you. Everyone betrayed you. Why?! Why did such a thing happen?! Because of God! It was the mockery of the God we believed in! That is why we must deny the gods! Please, ravage those rebels to your heart's content! Show them the flames of your rage and vengeance!"

"Hmph..." Jeanne Alter gave a contemptuous snort. "That is only natural, Gilles. You don't need to tell me that. I have already lost everything."

With that, Jeanne Alter summoned two more warriors through the Holy Grail: Berserker Lancelot and Assassin Sanson. She immediately set out with the two Servants.

Jeanne Alter's cold and hate-filled expression thrilled Gilles de Rais beyond measure.

Yes! This was it. This was the Jeanne in his heart. Burn every last person who betrayed you, burn this entire country to ashes.

After leaving Orléans, Jeanne Alter's mood was far from pleasant. She was merely uneducated and slow-witted; that did not mean there was something wrong with her mind.

The person who could easily beat her to death had chosen to let her go, yet the person who summoned her repeatedly emphasized that she had been burned at the stake and that no one had saved her. But she only knew that she had saved her country in life. She only knew that saving her country had been wrong. She lacked most of her memories from life, while being continuously fed concepts like betrayal, hatred, fury, and vengeance.

And that other Jeanne... no matter how she looked at her, she did not seem like someone capable of such emotions.

Jeanne Alter pondered it over and over—after Bai Ming had punched her flying, then embedded her into the ground with several more punches, she had learned to use her brain.

Though between Gilles de Rais and Bai Ming, she ought to have chosen to trust Gilles.

But Bai Ming's words truly bothered her. In particular, she had firmly remembered Gilles's claim that "everyone" had betrayed her. She really had nothing left, and Gilles was unquestionably deceiving her.

Then where could she go?

After thinking it over, Jeanne Alter decided to find Chaldea's group and get a clear answer.

Whether it was that man or that woman, even that Jeanne who looked as fragile as a mouse did not seem like the type to lie.

At worst, she would get beaten to death.

Jeanne Alter set off.

On Chaldea's Side

The commotion Bai Ming caused truly had been enormous. Moreover, because Bai Ming's group had immediately defeated all four Servants they encountered, Siegfried had not suffered persecution at the hands of numerous Servants. He made his way smoothly toward the site of the huge disturbance Bai Ming had caused.

Thus, after not waiting long, Siegfried, Marie Antoinette, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and even St. George gathered there.

"You who come from the distant future, you also bear the curse of an evil dragon."

Upon seeing Bai Ming, Siegfried said, "So I was summoned because of Fafnir. But it seems it has already died by your hand. Are you a dragon slayer as well?"

"Britain's last White Dragon, Vortigern, and its final Red Dragon, King Arthur, both died by my hand. Now add Fafnir to the list."

Bai Ming was utterly frank. Any identity he hid would be exposed one day. Better to be honest and exchange sincerity for sincerity.

"Ah, are you the legendary Duke Joslyn?" The dignified, luxurious young woman with a neck as white as a swan's asked joyfully. "But no matter how I look at you, you're human rather than a Servant—are you also a Master?"

When Marie Antoinette noticed the Command Spells on the back of Bai Ming's hand, she found the situation surreal. Duke Joslyn from King Arthur's era had not only survived, but lived until now. After Mozart made a remark of amazement, he merely hummed a tune as he watched from the side.

"That would be inconvenient to explain." Bai Ming said, "Considering that the Pruning Phenomenon does not distinguish between past, present, and future, there may be legends of me in many places. My name just might not be Joscelin Brando."

"As for the curse..." Jeanne said, "A baptismal chant can resolve something like that. Mr. Bai Ming's curse is not particularly severe, so I can perform the baptism by myself—"

Mash translated Jeanne's intentions for Bai Ming, only to receive Bai Ming's refusal.

"It is merely the curse that 'dragon slayers shall eventually become dragons.' I can purge it myself."

"Come to think of it, Senpai and Miss Jeanne do not share the same faith—Senpai, what's wrong?"

"I smell... Lancelot's presence."

Bai Ming looked toward the distant horizon, visibly growing excited. "It seems the ringleader still refuses to give up. She actually summoned Lancelot."

"Ah..." Mash wanted to say something, but ultimately chose silence.

St. George silently watched the excited Bai Ming without speaking. Only after Bai Ming gave the order to head straight for Orléans did St. George speak. "Strong faith can sometimes bring sorrow. One may also gain peace through belief. Then, Master, please tell me: where does your powerful faith come from?"

"Hah... I thought Mr. St. George would be the quiet type. Since you asked, I'll answer."

Bai Ming pointed his thumb at his own chest. "This is the source of my faith. I firmly believe in myself. Even if I were a religious believer, I would not believe in immortals or gods. The only person I can rely on is myself."

As for calling his Grandmaster over to lend a hand—that was not a matter of faith. His Grandmaster himself preached cautious cultivation and self-transcendence, not to mention the principle: "Knowing others is wisdom; knowing oneself is enlightenment. Overcoming others is strength; overcoming oneself is true power."

If one did not believe, his Grandmaster might even favor them more. But if one spent every day praying to gods and immortals, asking Buddha and gods for help—Bai Ming's assessment was that they were beyond saving. They might as well wait to die.

"I understand. Then, Rider, St. George, let us do our best."

Lancelot du Lac, the Victor Is Me, Joscelin Brando!

On the vast grasslands, before Jeanne Alter could react, Lancelot beside her, wreathed in black mist, had already charged toward Chaldea's group with an "ARYYYYYYYY!"

As the Master, Bai Ming also charged toward Lancelot with a "Wryyyyyy!"

Mash had no choice but to charge at Lancelot alongside Bai Ming.

Jeanne and St. George headed straight for Jeanne Alter according to the prior plan. As for Siegfried—he was waiting for St. George to hit the enemy with a "What are you looking at? You're a dragon too," then immediately unleash his Noble Phantasm.

Marie Antoinette and Mozart faced off against the executioner Sanson. It was not that they chose their enemy; their enemy chose them. In life, Sanson had killed Queen Marie, and he wanted to kill Marie once more.

"LANCELOT!!!!!"

Bai Ming first flung a handful of dirt with a wave of his hand. The red glow beneath Lancelot's helmet abruptly vanished, then Bai Ming brought the Jade Purity Supreme Brick down on Lancelot's face.

With that single brick strike, much of the black mist around Lancelot dispersed. Just as he was about to return the blow, Mash, who had rushed in behind Bai Ming, slammed into him with her round shield in a self-sacrificing charge and sent him flying.

Then Lancelot saw the brick flying toward him and roared, "Aryyyyyyyy!"

He immediately dodged the brick and lunged at Bai Ming. Bai Ming lunged at Lancelot as well, casually hooking a finger. At his call, the brick flew back and struck the back of Lancelot's head squarely, then returned to Bai Ming's hand and smashed into Lancelot's face again. Lancelot kicked Bai Ming in the stomach, and the two were sent flying in opposite directions.

"Jo—Joslyn! Joscelin Brando!"

It seemed that after several bricks to the head, Berserker Lancelot had recovered some measure of reason. Seeing Bai Ming, he howled Joscelin Brando's name. Bai Ming did not indulge Lancelot in the slightest. He threw the brick aside and immediately pounced on him, grappling with him. "Your daddy's right here!"

Berserker Lancelot possessed A-ranked Strength and Endurance, while his Agility was A+. Thus, when Bai Ming and Lancelot exchanged blows, both of them struck with lethal force.

As for Lancelot's A++ Knight of Owner, it could not be used against Bai Ming at all.

Though he could use it as long as he grasped something that could be recognized as a weapon, how could Bai Ming possibly give Lancelot that chance?

If Lancelot had manifested as a Saber, he might have been able to fight Bai Ming for an entire day. But this Berserker Lancelot, while able to display all of Lancelot's martial skill through Eternal Arms Mastership—

Berserker Lancelot lacked rationality. Combined with Bai Ming's incomparably vicious attacks, Bai Ming completely ignored whether he himself was injured. He simply used brute force to smash apart and tear off Lancelot's iron armor, knock Berserker Lancelot's helmet away, while Lancelot shredded Bai Ming's specially made Mystic Code - Chaldea to pieces.

Once Mash realized she could not intervene in their fight, she chose to help Marie and Mozart, who were not skilled in combat.

Of course, Mash desperately wanted to know what kind of grudge Bai Ming had with Lancelot to fight him in such a savage way.

Jeanne Alter made no move as she looked at St. George, Jeanne, and Siegfried, who was waiting nearby for an opportunity.

There was no anger, no mocking words.

Jeanne Alter simply stood in a standoff with the three Servants without making any move. None of them dared act rashly, all worried that Jeanne Alter had laid some sort of trap.

After a long stalemate, Jeanne Alter finally spoke. "I have no desire to fight you. I did not come here to fight."

Jeanne Alter's fighting spirit was at an unprecedented low. St. George aimed his sword at her. "An enemy's words cannot be trusted."

"Then come kill me."

Jeanne Alter spread her hands, signaling for him to drive his blade into her body. "I only came to find an answer, and to give one as well."

Siegfried looked at Jeanne. Jeanne looked at St. George. St. George did not move.

Just as the group was about to act, a black-blue figure flew past and slammed into Jeanne Alter, sending her flying.

Bai Ming's muscular upper body was exposed to the air. Both hands were drenched in blood, and his body bore several bleeding wounds as he rushed toward the Lancelot who had been thrown away.

Lancelot, who had sent Jeanne Alter flying, also roared and charged at Bai Ming.

Bai Ming and Lancelot collided once more, but Bai Ming was not empty-handed this time. He summoned Crocea Mors from his sea of consciousness, drove it straight into Lancelot's body, and tore away Lancelot's Spirit Core.

He kicked Lancelot's nearly dissipating body far away, then let out a long howl.

"Wryyyyy! Lancelot du Lac! The victor is me, Joscelin Brando!!!"

Jeanne Alter lay motionless on the ground. She was tired, truly tired. If bringing these two Servants out had not possibly aroused Gilles's suspicions, then she... sigh, never mind.

St. George asked with concern, "Master, are you all right?"

"I'm so fired up right now!"

Bai Ming walked step by step toward Jeanne Alter, who lay on the ground. Jeanne Alter glanced at him, completely lacking any desire to resist.

"Mr. St. George, Mr. Siegfried, we have already encountered Miss Jeanne Alter before this. She is completely no match for me."

Siegfried nodded. Considering Bai Ming's madman-like fighting style, even if the opponent wanted to chant magecraft or use a Noble Phantasm, it would be difficult for her to find an opportunity.

St. George also nodded. Since she was no match for him, and he had still let her go, then his Master surely had his own considerations.

"I knew you would come looking for me, Miss Jeanne Alter!"

When he beat Jeanne Alter up last time, he had secretly placed a delayed Heart-Cleansing Mantra on her.

Her current salted-fish state was definitely the result of having all her hatred and fury cleansed away in one go.

"I... am not Jeanne, am I?"

"That's right, you aren't. You are only a puppet created when that insane Magus used the Holy Grail to stuff all his evil thoughts and delusions into one body. You are a substitute for that foolish girl over there."

As Bai Ming spoke, he pointed toward Jeanne nearby.

Because of the flaw in this summoning, Jeanne could not understand any language other than French. But when she saw Bai Ming point at her, she could guess that the sharp-tongued, arrogant yet gentle Mr. Bai Ming was saying something bad about her again.

Jeanne immediately walked over.

"Because of her flaw, she cannot understand any language other than French. I suggest you speak with her in French."

Bai Ming reminded Jeanne Alter, then walked toward St. George and Siegfried. After explaining the situation to the two dragon slayers, he joined them in surrounding Sanson.

Marie and Mozart were not skilled at fighting. Since Bai Ming was there to cover for her, Mash was specifically using Sanson to hone her combat skills.

Siegfried, St. George, Bai Ming, Marie Antoinette, and Mozart formed a circle as they watched Mash fight Sanson.

For a moment, this executioner from France's famous family of executioners felt like a circus monkey skilled at performing.