Chapter 19: The Little Demon King and the Holy Grail War (8)

"Let's see... it should be around here..."

While Zod was occupied with Frankenstein, Jeanne Alter deactivated her Spirit Form and began searching for someone. She wandered through the woods, guided by the unconscious fragments of memory planted within her by the original Jeanne d’Arc.

She eventually discovered a small cabin. Sensing a presence, she concealed herself just as a boy stepped out from the dwelling.

"Right... that's him, isn't it? Sieg. The homunculus..."

Jeanne Alter, possessing the records of the 'original' Holy Grail War through Jeanne d'Arc’s memories, looked upon the homunculus who had escaped from the Black Faction. She activated her skill, Self-Modification EX, reshaping her appearance and voice until she was a perfect double of the boy named Sieg.

"Ah... like this?"

The transformed Jeanne Alter opened the cabin door and stepped inside. There, she found a woman who bore a striking resemblance to herself.

The only difference was the blonde hair and sapphire eyes; otherwise, they were like identical twins.

"Oh, Sieg... didn't you say you were going down to the village?"

Jeanne d'Arc.

She was the original Saint from whom Jeanne Alter was derived as a counterfeit Heroic Spirit. The Holy Virgin who saved a nation... Jeanne Alter had been summoned to Chaldea before being brought here by Zod, and even before that, she was given life by the obsession of Gilles de Rais. There was no way she wouldn't recognize her.

"Ah, Jean— ahem... Ruler. I realized I left my wallet behind."

"Honestly, Sieg-kun, you can be so clumsy."

Watching Jeanne d’Arc offer a gentle smile, Jeanne Alter felt a twist of irritation in her chest, but she suppressed it and approached the woman.

"Sieg-kun?"

Jeanne Alter found it utterly laughable. This pure white, idiotic Saint didn't even flinch as an 'opposite' approached her. It was precisely because she was so quick to trust that she was used as a tool of war before being cast onto the pyre.

Swallowing the surge of annoyance at an attitude so foreign to her own, she reached out and took Jeanne d'Arc’s hand.

"Ruler..."

"Eh?! Si—Sieg-kun?"

Jeanne d’Arc only then realized a member of the opposite sex was holding her hand. Her face turned crimson as panic took hold.

"Actually... I, to Ruler..."

"Ah... You shouldn't, Sieg-kun! I mean... that is..."

Bang—!

"Sorry, Ruler! I forgot something... huh?"

The door swung open, and the real Sieg walked in. For a moment, Jeanne d’Arc, Jeanne Alter, and Sieg were all frozen in place. The real Sieg immediately drew his sword, activating his Magic Circuits and glaring at Jeanne Alter.

"Who are you?! Get away from Ruler!"

"Tsk! How annoying!"

Jeanne Alter dropped the disguise provided by Self-Modification, returning to her original form. Both Jeanne d'Arc and Sieg were left in a state of shock.

"Is that... me?"

"Two Rulers?"

Jeanne Alter scoffed at their bewilderment.

"What’s with that look? Surprised, Big Sister?"

"Excuse me?"

At the mention of 'Big Sister', Jeanne d’Arc looked at her in confusion.

"I am... your older sister?"

"Oh~ After the way you used to insist I call you that, you’re going to act like you don't know me? I’m Janette... Jeanne's little sister, aren't I?"

Speaking with biting sarcasm, Jeanne Alter paced through the cabin.

"I never had a younger sister. I had brothers and sisters, yes... but who are you?"

"Oh, 'Janette-oneesama'. That’s cold. To not recognize your own flesh and blood... look at our faces. We’re identical."

"You are... me? Impossible... and besides, an Avenger?"

Using her Class Skill, True Name Discernment B, Jeanne d’Arc pierced through to Jeanne Alter’s True Name and Class. The revelation left her utterly confused.

"How can this be... I am an Avenger? That’s impossible..."

"What’s so impossible about it? We were betrayed by France. We threw our lives away for the motherland, and all we got in return was a witch hunt and the stake. Doesn't it make you angry? Don't you resent them?"

"No!"

Jeanne d’Arc flatly denied it.

"I have never once resented them. I did not blame them... I forgave them and placed my life in the hands of the Lord. I harbor no desire for revenge."

Staring at that firm, resolute gaze, Jeanne Alter shrugged, as if she had expected nothing less.

"Right, right... you were always that kind of upright 'Big Sister'. Infuriatingly so. That’s why..."

Schwing—

Jeanne Alter drew the black blade from her waist and unfurled the banner emblazoned with the Dragon of Calamity.

"You’re coming with me!"

"I refuse! I have much to ask regarding your identity, your class, and the Master who summoned you... but first, I will subdue you!"

"I'll help too, Ruler!"

Jeanne d’Arc brandished her holy flag, creating distance, while Sieg activated his Circuits beside her, determined to help.

"Hehe... how pathetic. Let me tell you... I have traveled through countless Singularities to restore Human Order in a place called Chaldea. Since coming here, I've served as the 'cleaner' for the ruler of the underworld. The Hundred Years' War we knew was child's play compared to what I've seen... No, I've witnessed things far beyond mere war. That's why—"

Fwoosh—!

Jeanne Alter accelerated instantly. She lunged, using her flagpole like a spear to keep Jeanne d’Arc at bay, while simultaneously swinging her sword in a wide arc that severed one of Sieg’s arms.

"AAAAAAAAAAGH!!!"

"Sieg!!"

Mocking Jeanne d’Arc’s distressed expression as she looked at Sieg screaming on the floor, Jeanne Alter focused her onslaught on the Saint.

The twin-weapon dance of flagpole and sword was overwhelming. Jeanne d'Arc was caught off balance.

Her own swordsmanship was merely the basic training she’d received from Gilles de Rais, and her spearwork was nothing more than an amateur imitation of knights she'd seen on the battlefield. She was never a 'warrior'; she was a leader of men.

However, the martial prowess displayed by this other self—perceived through True Name Discernment—was clearly that of a veteran who had survived hundreds of deathmatches. Her movements were professional, optimized for slaughter.

Her swordplay reached the heights of a Saber, and her spearwork could rival any Lancer.

"Urgh... What is this... Who on earth are you?!"

"You're a Ruler, aren't you? You should have seen it with your True Name Discernment! Who I am!"

"Are you... truly me?"

"Whether it’s there or here, you’re still a brainless, stupid Saint!"

As black steel clashed against flagstaff, Jeanne d'Arc found herself pushed back with terrifying ease. Shock turned to fear. She couldn't fathom an 'Avenger' version of herself. She had died without harboring a single doubt or resentment, committing her soul to heaven—which was why she qualified for the Ruler class.

"I have no desire for vengeance!"

"Exactly! The 'original' you wouldn't! And that’s why you're a non-human!"

"......What are you saying?"

"Don't you find it strange? For a normal human, it’s only natural to harbor anger and a desire for revenge when betrayed like that! So why don't you? How could you possibly forgive them?"

"I, as the Lord's..."

"Stop the 'faithful devotee' cosplay and let’s look at this human-to-human, Janette. You’re a mental case lacking basic humanity! You’re just a crazy woman who isn't in her right mind!"

"No! I forgave them with a pure heart and humbly accepted my death! Stop this! Are you insulting my convictions?!"

"Yes! I’m denying all of it! You are abnormal! What human forgives the people throwing stones at them? Especially the ones who burned them alive!"

"The Lord... even He forgave those who nailed Him to the cross! I only followed the Lord's will..."

"Oh? So you're saying you're the Lord now?"

"You are impossible to talk to!"

"From the start, we were different. You’re Ruler, I’m Avenger. You’re Good, I’m Evil! The Saint and the Witch! Don't even think about 'redeeming' me!"

Jeanne Alter’s sword sent Jeanne d'Arc’s weapons flying. The black blade now pointed directly at the Saint's throat.

"......You’re coming with me."

"I will not. I shall lodge a formal protest with your Master."

"Typical 'model student' girl. Every word is like something out of a textbook. It’s sickening."

"By my Command Spell—"

"Too bad, I'm not a Servant of this Holy Grail War. I'm an Extra Class, you should know that, right?"

"Just who... who are you?"

"I told you. I am your Alternative form—your shadow..."

"I never harbored such negativity..."

"This is why I hate you. You’re a non-human, devoid of all impurity..."

Thud!

With a swift knife-hand strike to the neck, Jeanne Alter knocked Jeanne d'Arc unconscious. She slung the Saint over her shoulder and turned to leave the cabin.

"Stop... give Ruler... give her back..."

"My, my... you're still alive? Honestly... you should have just died where you fell..."

"You're a demon... wearing Ruler's skin..."

At Sieg’s words, Jeanne Alter gave a cruel, thin smile.

"That’s right! I’m the Witch. The Dragon Witch... unlike this 'inhuman' dummy saint, I’m the genuine Jeanne d'Arc. Well then, goodbye, Sieg (doll)."

Stab!

Jeanne Alter’s sword pierced Sieg’s heart. Immediately, cursed flames erupted, engulfing and incinerating his body.

"Rest in peace... poor little lizard who couldn't even become a dragon. If you must blame someone, blame your fate."

Carrying the unconscious Jeanne d'Arc, Jeanne Alter stepped out of the burning cabin. Her expression was one of absolute refreshment.

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