-205- Artificially created situation

"...."

Amid a quietness that seemed to disperse like smoke, the roaring flames that had consumed the audience hall gradually vanished, leaving no trace.

"Gilles..."

Jeanne Alter had stopped using her Noble Phantasm and stared blankly at the caster who had taken the lethal blow for her. He now lay in a pool of blood, but she remained unresponsive for a long while.

Even Mash couldn't react, only gazing in shock as everything unfold.

Rozen also remained transfixed, caught in silence.

As for Jeanne, she looked at caster in the pool of blood, her eyes reflecting a mix of complicated emotions.

"Cough... cough, cough!"

In the silence that enveloped the room, the coughing from the fallen caster sounded surprisingly clear.

But even so, he continued to reach his hand towards Jeanne Alter, his face not displaying regret or pain, but rather satisfaction.

"Ah... Jeanne..."

The caster's voice was as intoxicated and fervent as ever as he called out the name of the saint.

In response, Jeanne's expression grew more complex.

On the other hand, Jeanne Alter, her emotions seemingly stifled, spoke in a bored tone.

"What's the point of doing something so foolish?"

The action of caster who took the attack himself to protect Jeanne Alter from the lethal blow only earned her disdain.

However, at this moment, neither Rozen, Mash, nor Jeanne could harbor any resentment towards the current of Jeanne Alter.

Though her expression and tone could disguise it, the faint hint of pain in her eyes was undeniable.

It remained unknown whether caster realized this or not. He continued to show an affectionate smile, intermittently uttering his words while fixated on the saint he had devoted himself to, both in life and death.

"In the past... I couldn't save you..."

This was Gilles de Rais' greatest regret in his lifetime.

Watching the saint he held in highest esteem being subjected to the flames of execution, the depth of regret for Gilles de Rais would be extremely deep.

Therefore, the expression of Gilles de Rais, was veiled in gloom when he saw himself, still living in this era. He foresaw his descent into darkness, a fate from which he could not escape.

Now, the marshal still alive in this era had yet to reach that point. He could still burn with the passion to save his homeland.

However, was it already predetermined that the man known as Gilles de Rais would ultimately fall.

It was an unchangeable matter.

And now, the man who had experienced all this, manifesting as a caster, had carried his lifetime of regrets into his grave, then into this world.

Now, he was finally able to accomplish what he couldn't in life.

"Our most revered saint..."

The caster strained to reach his hand towards Jeanne Alter, whispering in this manner.

"I hope... you... can..."

These were the final words left by caster.

"Clang..."

Accompanied by the emergence of light, the Servant known as Gilles de Rais finally transformed into particles of light, disappearing from this world.

"..."

Jeanne Alter simply observed this scene in silence, saying nothing.

"..."

Jeanne likewise remained quiet, without a word.

"Miss Jeanne..."

Mash looked worriedly at Jeanne beside her, prompting Jeanne to shake her head.

"I'm fine," Jeanne whispered. "This was his choice, and I will respect it."

In a few words, Jeanne revealed just how deep the bond between her and Gilles was.

However...

"Are you really this composed even at a time like this? Should I say you're a saint who had accepted everything, or should I call you a heartless individual who's devoid of compassion?"

Jeanne Alter finally turned around, her face sporting her customary irony, but her eyes radiated hatred.

Clearly, caster's passing wasn't something the Witch felt indifferent about either. It was precisely due to that, that Jeanne Alter needed to hate.

"You should know, right?" Jeanne Alter spoke in a cold tone. "Gilles took that blow for you, not for me."

Upon hearing this, not just Mash, even Rozen was somewhat taken aback.

"Not for you?"

Rozen was puzzled.

What was this new interpretation?

It was true that caster had taken the blow for Jeanne, due to his dedication to her.

However, how could that be twisted into not being for Jeanne Alter?

Was it because of the difference in their attributes?

Rozen couldn't comprehend.

But Jeanne seemed to understand, looking straight at Jeanne Alter.

"Indeed."

Jeanne spoke, seemingly confirming something.

"You're not my other self."

A shocking revelation escaped from Jeanne's lips.

"What are you saying?"

In that instant, even Rozen was surprised.

"Not... not another Jeanne?"

Mash widened her eyes even more.

Only Jeanne Alter remained indifferent, listening coldly to what Jeanne was saying.

In this situation, Jeanne's voice echoed throughout the transformed, magma-like, red audience hall.

"Even if you claim to be my darker side, I find it hard to believe I could harbor such thoughts. Revenge against France, against my homeland, against the whole world."

Jeanne's words were a mix of sadness and determination.

"I've said it before, I never wanted revenge, nor have I ever hated anyone."

This extended beyond the manifestation of Jeanne with the "Lawful-Good" attribute. It also represented the will of her true self on the Throne of Heroes.

"Therefore, I can't believe that I would ever entertain thoughts of seeking vengeance on France, my homeland, or the world."

Jeanne's assertion was strong.

"Since I don't have that side, it proves that you aren't me."

If Jeanne had truly harbored such feelings, even a trace of them, it would have been enough to alter her attributes.

However, if Jeanne never had that side to begin with, then her attributes couldn't have changed arbitrarily.

So, the question arose.

Since the change in attributes wasn't natural, what did it indicate?

Rozen easily pieced it together.

"It means someone artificially created this situation."

This was the truth behind the appearance of Jeanne Alter.

Jeanne nodded, affirming this truth.

"Everyone believed it was the Jeanne who became the 'Dragon Witch' that used the Holy Grail's wish-granting power, summoning many other Servants, including her closest comrade in life, Gilles de Rais, to ravage all of France."

"But that's incorrect."

"The true recipient of the Holy Grail's wish-granting power wasn't the other me, the 'Dragon Witch,' but the caster Gilles."

"Gilles used the Holy Grail's wish-granting power and wished for the creation of the other me, who became the 'Dragon Witch.'"

"This is the true reason why this country, this era, this singularity turned out the way it did."