-214- Heroes from the future

"..."

In the now ruined audience hall, Rozen, Mash, and Jeanne remained silent, watching as Jeanne Alter departed.

Jeanne appeared to be praying, maintaining her posture, offering her devotion to her beliefs.

Rozen and Mash stood side by side, exchanging glances.

"Senpai..." Mash started to ask, seeming somewhat involuntary, "About Jeanne Alter.....?"

Mash didn't finish her sentence, but Rozen understood what she was getting at.

"...She won't appear again."

Rozen spoke softly.

"Her disappearance this time probably means she's truly gone now."

At this, Mash fell silent once more, her eyes revealing a hint of sadness.

Jeanne Alter was fundamentally different from the other Servants.

The other Servants were merely projections of their main bodies from the Throne of Heroes. Even if they died, they would return to the Throne located outside the world, never truly perishing.

But Jeanne Alter was different.

She was merely a replica of Jeanne, a fabricated Heroic Spirit created by the Holy Grail.

In other words, Jeanne Alter's existence wasn't recorded in the Throne of Heroes. She didn't have a main body; she only had this one life, just like a human.

Now, Jeanne Alter had truely vanished.

Naturally, the witch would not reappear.

However...

"This is only in theory."

Rozen suddenly added.

"Just in theory?"

Mash was slightly puzzled.

Rozen nodded in response.

"Although it's logical to assume that Miss 'Dragon Witch' won't appear again, there are plenty of situations in this world that can't be explained by theory alone."

This statement was undoubtedly more convincing when coming from Rozen.

After all...

"While this world may lack salvation, it will never be devoid of miracles."

Rozen spoke confidently, as if he could once again see that witch's annoyed expression.

"If it's her, she must still be somewhere, quietly waiting for a chance to reappear."

At least, that's what Rozen chose to believe.

Even though she was once his enemy.

Even though she was one of the culprits behind the appearance of the seven singularities that brought calamity upon humanity.

Even though she was a wicked witch who killed many innocent people in France.

But based on the contract they formed in their final moments, Rozen was willing to let go of any grievances.

"You feel the same way, don't you, Mash?"

Rozen asked his contracted Servant beside him.

"Yes, Senpai."

Mash's expression finally cleared up, becoming bright once again.

Only now did the third person present interject.

"Please do not forget the feelings you have felt at this moment."

A gentle voice came from the saint who had finished her prayers.

Jeanne stood up from the ground, looking at the young man and girl standing beside her with a smile.

"As long as you haven't forgotten your current feelings, then I believe that in the end, you'll be able to overcome the obstacles ahead, restore all the singularities, and lay the foundation for restoring humanity."

The saint blessed the two of them with these words.

"Go and retrieve the Holy Grail."

Jeanne smiled slightly at Rozen and Mash.

Rozen and Mash both nodded earnestly.

Then, Rozen turned around and looked ahead.

"....."

The Golden Grail still hovered in the air, radiating light.

Rozen glanced at Mash, receiving a nod in return.

Without hesitation, Rozen approached, reaching out his hand to take the Holy Grail down from where it hung.

The source of this singularity, which had caused its appearance, was successfully reclaimed and now lay quietly in Rozen's hand.

In that very instant...

"--------!"

As if the entire universe trembled, a resonating sound descended from the sky.

This startled the group.

"What... What's happening...!?"

Mash grew slightly flustered.

"This is...!"

Jeanne's expression tensed once more.

"Could it be... the same as in Fuyuki City...!?"

Rozen's face also changed.

He remembered that in the singularity of Fuyuki City, when Lev took away the Holy Grail that caused temporal chaos, the singularity had collapsed.

This time, could it be leading to a similar conclusion?

Just as Rozen was thinking this, a communication came from Chaldea.

"Don't... don't worry! This isn't a sign that the singularity is collapsing! It's just the beginning of the era repairing itself! However, once the singularity is repaired, those who don't belong to this era will be rejected. In order to prevent any accidents, Spiritron Transfer preparations have begun. Get ready to return!"

Roman's voice appeared urgently on the projection screen and then disappeared.

It seemed Roman was hurrying to prepare for the Spiritron Transfer.

And that meant...

"So you're going back?"

Jeanne relaxed her expression, addressing Rozen and Mash with an open demeanor.

"Miss Jeanne..."

Mash looked at Jeanne.

Of course, Rozen did too.

"...Thank you, Jeanne."

Rozen met Jeanne's gaze, and after a long while, he chose to speak these words.

"If it weren't for you guys, I definitely..."

Before he could finish the sentence, Jeanne interrupted.

"Even without us, you would still be able to overcome this singularity."

Jeanne affirmed this with utmost certainty.

Because...

"From you, I've seen a variety of possibilities—comparable to a savior, and equal to all the heroes I've witnessed."

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to fight to this extent with my abilities weakened."

"If it weren't for you, the neutral Servants would still be lost in this era, unable to unite."

"If it weren't for you, relying solely on our abilities, it would have been extremely difficult to overcome the power of the 'Dragon Witch' with the Holy Grail."

"If it weren't for you, the demon god piller wouldn't have been successfully defeated, and it would eventually have become a cancer in this era."

Jeanne's beautiful eyes shone, and a smile graced her face.

"I believe in you, the strongest Master of this world."

"If it's you, you'll undoubtedly achieve heroic feats that will amaze the world."

"If one day you need my strength, don't hesitate to summon me."

"By then, just like this time, I'll serve you with all my heart."

Jeanne offered her blessings once again.

"May the Lord bless you, bless all of you, heroes from the future."

This was the final message the saint left for them.

"Thank you, Jeanne."

Mash sincerely expressed her gratitude.

Rozen's eyes flickered slightly, followed by a carefree smile.

"I'll remember that."

A simple farewell, encapsulated in those words.

Not long after, dazzling light enveloped Rozen and Mash.

Slowly, they disappeared within it, seemingly entering a tunnel of light, vanishing completely.

Jeanne gazed at this scene.

For a long time, she couldn't look away.