"The age of Jeanne d'Arc," Romani added, his face grave. "A pivotal moment in European history."
"Not just European history," Ayanokouji corrected, stepping forward to study the display. "A moment when faith became power. When divine intervention manifested through human will."
Romani cast him a suspicious glance. "And how exactly would you know that?"
"Oh, give it a rest, Romani," Da Vinci interjected with a knowing smile. "Our mysterious friend here simply has good historical knowledge. Don't you, Ayanokouji?"
The corner of Ayanokouji's mouth twitched in what might have been the ghost of a smile. "Something like that."
Fujimaru approached the display, his expression determined despite the dark circles under his eyes. "So what's happening in this Singularity? Another corrupted Grail?"
"Most likely," Olga Marie's spectral form flickered. "But this one appears more severe than Fuyuki. The timeline distortion is deeper, more entrenched."
"Makes sense," Ayanokouji observed. "Fuyuki was recent history. This is reaching nearly six hundred years into the past."
"The deeper we go, the harder the correction," Da Vinci agreed. "And the more resistance we'll face from whatever's causing these Singularities."
Mash stepped forward, her shield materialized but resting at her side. "Do we know what form the distortion is taking?"
"Reports from our temporal analysis suggest the Hundred Years' War has been... extended," Romani explained, pulling up additional data. "France is being systematically destroyed by what appear to be dragons."
"Dragons?" Fujimaru echoed in disbelief. "That definitely wasn't in the history books."
"Hence, Singularity," Da Vinci quipped. "History's being rewritten, and not for the better."
Olga Marie's form drifted closer to the display. "Our mission is clear—you must Rayshift to France, locate the Holy Grail corrupting that era, and neutralize it." She fixed her ghostly gaze on each of them in turn. "This time, however, we're better prepared. We've stabilized enough systems to maintain clearer communication and provide support."
"What about additional Servants?" Mash asked. "In Fuyuki, we had temporary aid from Caster, but..."
"We're working on that," Romani sighed. "The summoning system is partially operational, but without proper catalysts, it's unpredictable at best."
Ayanokouji's interface flickered in his vision:
[SINGULARITY ANALYSIS]
▸ Era: Age of Faith
▸ Divine Presence: Significant
▸ Potential Thread Resonance: [Saint], [Dragon], [King]
▸ Recommended Thread Acquisition: Any of the Above
"We'll need to summon allies on-site," Ayanokouji stated. "The historical distortion will have attracted Servants naturally."
Romani frowned. "That's... actually correct. How did you—"
"Enough questions, Doctor," Olga Marie interrupted impatiently. "We're wasting time. Prepare the Rayshift immediately."
As the staff bustled to prepare the system, BB suddenly appeared on one of the side monitors, her digital form flickering into existence with a mischievous smile.
"Well, well! Off on another suicide mission, are we?" she chirped, her eyes scanning the room before landing on Ayanokouji. "Oh my, what do we have here? System-kun is looking more interesting than ever!"
"BB," Romani groaned. "This is not the time for your games."
"Games? Me?" BB pressed a hand to her chest in mock offense. "I'm hurt, Doctor! I'm simply offering my expert analysis of our mysterious friend here." Her eyes gleamed with an unnerving intelligence as she leaned closer to the screen. "You're changing, aren't you, System-kun? Becoming something... delicious."
Ayanokouji met her digital gaze steadily. "Your curiosity is showing, BB."
"Of course it is!" she laughed. "You're the most interesting thing to happen to Chaldea in... well, ever! A human with divine circuits? A system that can weave mythic threads? How could I not be curious?"
The room fell silent as everyone turned to stare at BB, then at Ayanokouji.
"How does she know that?" Romani demanded.
BB twirled playfully on screen. "Oh, did I say something I shouldn't have? Silly me! But when you live in the digital infrastructure, you pick up all sorts of interesting bits of data."
"You've been monitoring my room," Ayanokouji stated. It wasn't a question.
"Monitoring is such an ugly word," BB pouted. "I prefer 'taking an academic interest in unprecedented metaphysical phenomena.'"
Da Vinci sighed. "BB, we've discussed boundaries before."
"Boundaries are for boring people," BB countered with a wink. "And nobody here is boring! Especially not System-kun with his fancy divine threads."
Mash stepped protectively closer to Ayanokouji. "That's enough, BB."
"Ooh, protective already, Shielder?" BB's grin widened. "Interesting development!"
"BB," Olga Marie's spectral form flared with irritation. "Either contribute something useful or disconnect from this briefing!"
"Fine, fine," BB sighed dramatically. "Useful contribution: there's a major temporal distortion around Orleans specifically. And the corruption signature matches what we saw in Fuyuki, but stronger. Happy now?"
Despite her frivolous demeanor, the information was precise and relevant. Romani grudgingly nodded.
"Thank you, BB. That actually helps narrow our Rayshift coordinates."
"You're welcome, Doctor!" BB's eyes slid back to Ayanokouji. "Just remember, System-kun, I've got my eye on you. All those delicious divine circuits... so tempting to probe and poke!"
With that unsettling farewell, her image vanished from the screen.
"I apologize for BB," Romani said, turning to Ayanokouji. "She's... well, she's BB."
"No need," Ayanokouji replied. "She's operating according to her nature."
"And what exactly did she mean about 'divine circuits'?" Olga Marie demanded.
Da Vinci smoothly intervened. "I think that's a discussion for after the mission, Director. The Rayshift is ready."
Olga Marie looked far from satisfied but nodded reluctantly. "Fine. Prepare for deployment."
As the team moved toward the Rayshift chamber, Fujimaru fell into step beside Ayanokouji.
"So, divine circuits, huh?" he asked with surprising directness. "Is that why you were so... different in Fuyuki?"
"Part of it," Ayanokouji acknowledged.
"And you can control it? This system?"
"It's not about control. It's symbiosis."
Fujimaru considered this. "Is it dangerous?"
"All power is dangerous," Ayanokouji replied. "The question is direction."
"And which direction are you headed?" Fujimaru pressed, showing an unexpected perceptiveness.
Ayanokouji studied the young man who, despite his ordinary appearance, had demonstrated remarkable adaptability during the Fuyuki crisis.
"Forward," he answered simply. "The same as you."
Fujimaru grinned unexpectedly. "Good enough for me. As long as 'forward' includes saving humanity, we're on the same page."
Their conversation was interrupted as they reached the Rayshift chamber. Mash was already inside, her shield at the ready.
"Fujimaru-senpai, Ayanokouji-san, please take your positions," she called.
As they entered the chamber, Romani's voice came over the intercom. "We've locked onto Orleans, circa 1431. The temporal coordinates show the height of the Hundred Years' War, but with the anomalous dragon activity. Brace yourselves—we have no idea what you're going to land in."
"Just make sure you bring us back," Fujimaru quipped.
"That's the plan," Romani assured him. "Initiating Rayshift in three... two... one..."
The familiar sensation of reality dissolving enveloped them. As the Rayshift activated, Ayanokouji's interface flashed:
[RAYSHIFT INTERFERENCE DETECTED]
▸ Divine Threads Resonating with Temporal Shift
▸ [Wisdom] + [War] Activation: Automatic
▸ Note: Historical Era Highly Compatible with System
▸ Prepare for Enhanced Functionality Upon Arrival
The world blurred, spun, and disappeared—hurling them across time toward a France that never should have been.
CHAPTER 5: THE DRAGON WITCH
France, 1431. But not the France of proper history.
They materialized on a hillside overlooking a burning village. The sky above was unnaturally dark, streaked with red like wounds in the fabric of reality itself. In the distance, massive winged shapes circled a city—dragons, their roars carrying even across miles.
"My God," Fujimaru whispered, taking in the devastation.
"God has little to do with this," Ayanokouji observed, his [Wisdom] Thread already analyzing the corruption patterns in the air.
Mash raised her shield, scanning for immediate threats. "I'm detecting multiple magical signatures. Servants and... something else."
"Dragons," Romani's voice crackled through their comms. "We're reading dozens of them throughout the region. This is... this is impossible."
"Clearly not," Ayanokouji replied dryly. His interface was buzzing with information:
[ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS]
▸ Divine Corruption Level: Extreme
▸ Era Resonance with [War]: Enhanced (+30%)
▸ Dragon Essence: Pervasive
▸ Saint Essence: Suppressed but Present
▸ King Essence: Conflicted/Fractured
▸ Thread Acquisition Potential: Maximal
"We need to understand the situation before rushing in," Fujimaru said, showing a surprising tactical awareness. "Find out who's responsible for... all this."
"The Dragonfire signature is centered on Orleans," Da Vinci's voice added through the comms. "But be careful—those readings suggest these aren't normal mythical dragons. They're... corrupted. Weaponized."
As they absorbed this information, the sound of combat reached them from the other side of the hill—steel on steel, shouts and inhuman screeches.
"Someone's fighting," Mash said, already moving toward the sound. "It could be survivors!"
They crested the hill to find an extraordinary sight—a lone warrior in gleaming armor, her silver banner fluttering despite the sulfurous air, fighting against three smaller dragons. Her blade flashed with holy light as she cut through scaled flesh, moving with the grace and power of a true Heroic Spirit.
"A Servant!" Mash exclaimed.
The warrior dispatched the last dragon with a powerful thrust, then turned toward them, her blade still raised. Her face, framed by short blonde hair, was both beautiful and stern.
"Who approaches?" she called, her voice carrying the weight of command. "Be you friend or foe to France?"
Fujimaru stepped forward cautiously. "Friends. We're here to help."
The warrior's eyes narrowed, evaluating them. Her gaze lingered longest on Ayanokouji, something like recognition flickering across her features.
"You bear strange magics," she observed. "But I sense no malice." She lowered her sword slightly. "I am Jeanne d'Arc, or so I should be. But something is... wrong."
Ayanokouji's interface immediately identified her:
[SERVANT IDENTIFIED]
▸ True Name: Jeanne d'Arc
▸ Class: Ruler
▸ Corruption Level: None
▸ Threat Assessment: Ally
▸ Compatibility with System: High (Saint Thread)
"You're the real Jeanne," he stated with certainty. "But you're confused about your identity."
Her eyes widened. "How could you know this? Yes, my memories are... fragmented. I know who I should be, but much is missing."
"It's the Singularity," Mash explained, stepping forward. "History is being distorted, and you've been summoned incompletely."
"Singularity?" Jeanne frowned. "I do not understand this term. But I know France burns, and dragons roam where none should be. And worse..." She hesitated, pain crossing her features.
"There's another you," Ayanokouji stated, piecing together the pattern.
Jeanne looked at him sharply. "Yes. How could you possibly—"
"The [Wisdom] Thread," he explained simply. "I see patterns."
"Another you?" Fujimaru asked. "Like an evil twin?"
"She calls herself the Dragon Witch," Jeanne said grimly. "She wears my face, speaks with my voice, but preaches only destruction. She commands the dragons and an army of corrupted Servants."
"The Grail," Ayanokouji deduced. "She's using a corrupted Grail to manifest the dragons and control Servants."
Jeanne nodded slowly. "This... makes sense of what I have witnessed. This false version of myself wields power no mortal should possess. She has declared herself France's judgment—its destroyer."
"And you've been fighting her alone?" Mash asked, impressed.
"Not entirely alone," Jeanne admitted. "There are others who resist. Good people of France, and..." She hesitated again. "There is another Servant who aids me when he can. A Rider."
"Can you take us to him?" Fujimaru asked.
"To my camp, yes," Jeanne agreed. "It is not far. But we must move quickly. The Dragon Witch's patrols grow more frequent."
As they prepared to follow her, Romani's voice came through their comms. "Be careful! We're detecting multiple Servant signatures converging on your location. And something else... something massive approaching from the east."
"The Dragon Witch sends her hunters," Jeanne confirmed grimly. "We must hurry."
They set off at a swift pace, keeping to forested areas where possible. As they traveled, Ayanokouji studied Jeanne closely. Her presence was resonating with his system in an unexpected way:
[SAINT THREAD RESONANCE]
▸ Proximity to True Saint: Activating Mythic Echo
▸ Divine Faith Circuit: Recognizing Pattern
▸ Thread Acquisition Prerequisite: Faith-Based Action
▸ Note: Subject Must Demonstrate Faith in Something Greater Than Self
"You're watching me very intently," Jeanne observed as they navigated a dense thicket. "What do you see?"
"Potential," Ayanokouji replied honestly.
Jeanne smiled faintly. "A cryptic answer. Yet I sense truth in it." Her expression turned thoughtful. "You are not like other mages I have encountered. There is something... divine about your magic."
"Not divine," he corrected. "The echo of divinity."
"A significant distinction," she acknowledged. "Yet one that matters little to those burned by the same fire."
Their philosophical exchange was interrupted as they emerged from the forest into a small clearing where a modest camp had been established. A handful of French soldiers stood guard, looking haggard but determined. And in their midst, a tall, flamboyantly dressed man with flowing red hair lounged against a tree.
"Ah, the Maid returns!" he announced dramatically, pushing himself upright with theatrical flair. "And with guests, no less! How exciting!"
"This is Rider," Jeanne introduced him with a hint of exasperation in her voice. "My... ally."
The man swept into an elaborate bow. "Astolfo, at your service! Knight of Charlemagne and the most beautiful Rider in all of history!"
Ayanokouji's interface identified him immediately:
[SERVANT IDENTIFIED]
▸ True Name: Astolfo
▸ Class: Rider
▸ Corruption Level: None
▸ Threat Assessment: Ally (Erratic)
▸ Note: Chaotic Good Alignment
"A pleasure," Fujimaru replied with a bemused smile. "I'm Ritsuka Fujimaru. This is Mash Kyrielight and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. We're from Chaldea, here to help fix this Singularity."
"Chaldea? Singularity?" Astolfo's eyes widened with excitement. "How delightfully mysterious! Time travelers, perhaps? Or dimension hoppers?"
"Something like that," Mash replied cautiously.
Astolfo bounded over to examine them more closely, circling each in turn. When he reached Ayanokouji, he paused, his usually carefree expression turning momentarily serious.
"Now you're interesting," he declared, peering intently at Ayanokouji. "You've got something divine swimming around inside you, don't you? I can practically taste it!"
"Your perception is better than expected," Ayanokouji acknowledged.
Astolfo grinned. "I've met gods and monsters, my mysterious friend. I know divine spice when I sense it!"
Jeanne cleared her throat. "If we could focus on the matter at hand... Our new allies need to understand the situation fully."
They gathered around a crude map of the region that had been laid out on a tree stump. Jeanne pointed to several marked locations.
"The Dragon Witch has established her main force here, in Orleans. She's systematically destroying every town and village in the region, using her dragons and corrupted Servants." Her finger moved to a cathedral marked on the map. "She's also desecrating holy sites—churches, monasteries, anything connected to faith."
"Breaking the spiritual anchors of the region," Ayanokouji observed. "Clever."
"And horrific," Fujimaru added with a frown.
"Indeed," Jeanne agreed. "But there's more. She's not just destroying—she's converting. Those who survive the initial attacks are given a choice: worship her as France's new deity or die."
"A god complex," Mash murmured. "Combined with a corrupted Grail..."
"She's not just destroying France," Ayanokouji realized. "She's rewriting its spiritual foundation. Replacing faith with fear."
Astolfo nodded, uncharacteristically serious. "Exactly. And it's working. The people are terrified. Some are beginning to whisper that perhaps she is the true judgment of God—that France deserves this punishment."
"Which weakens the true Jeanne further," Ayanokouji concluded. "As the faith that anchors your legend erodes, so does your power."
Jeanne looked at him with surprise. "You understand the nature of Heroic Spirits well."
"I understand patterns," he repeated.
"So what's our plan?" Fujimaru asked, studying the map. "We can't exactly march on Orleans with just the five of us."
"Six, technically!" Romani's voice interjected through their comms. "We're monitoring from Chaldea!"
"And that helps us fight dragons how, exactly?" Mash asked with uncharacteristic sarcasm.
"Well, we can... provide moral support?" Romani offered weakly.
Da Vinci's voice cut in. "What we can provide is intelligence. Our readings show the Dragon Witch has at least five corrupted Servants under her control, plus dozens of dragons of varying sizes."
"We've identified three of her Servants," Jeanne added. "Carmilla, Lancelot, and..." She hesitated, pain crossing her features.
"And?" Fujimaru prompted gently.
"Gilles de Rais," she finished quietly. "My friend... corrupted beyond recognition."
"We need to gather more allies," Mash said practically. "Other Servants who might join our cause."
"There are rumors," Astolfo offered. "Whispers of a dragonslayer to the north. And a strange musician in the east who fights with sound itself."
"Then we split up and recruit," Fujimaru decided. "Cover more ground, gather our forces, then reconvene for a final assault on Orleans."
"Dangerous," Ayanokouji noted. "But efficient."
Jeanne nodded slowly. "It may be our only choice. The longer we wait, the stronger the Dragon Witch becomes."
"Then it's settled," Fujimaru declared. "Mash and I will head north with Astolfo to find this dragonslayer. Ayanokouji, you go east with Jeanne to locate the musician."
Ayanokouji's interface flashed:
[STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT]
▸ Team Division: Optimal
▸ Mission with Jeanne: 87% Chance of Thread Acquisition
▸ [Saint] Thread Resonance: Preparing
"Agreed," he said simply.
As they prepared to set out, Jeanne approached Ayanokouji while the others were distracted.
"There's something you should know," she said quietly. "The Dragon Witch... she's not just destroying. She's searching."
"For what?"
"For anomalies. For those who don't belong." Her eyes met his directly. "For those like you. She knows something entered this time that shouldn't be here, and it... frightens her."
Ayanokouji processed this information. "She fears what she doesn't understand."
"No," Jeanne corrected. "She fears what she understands all too well. Power that rivals her own."
The implication hung in the air between them, unspoken but clear: the Dragon Witch was looking for him specifically.
"Then let's not disappoint her," Ayanokouji replied, his [War] Thread resonating with the challenge.
Jeanne studied him for a long moment. "You are a strange ally, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. I cannot decide if your presence is providence or peril."
"Perhaps both," he acknowledged.
"Perhaps," she agreed, a ghost of a smile touching her lips. "Faith teaches that God works through unexpected vessels."
"I'm no vessel of God," he clarified.
"No," she agreed, her eyes seeing more than he expected. "You're becoming your own divinity. That is what troubles me."
Before he could respond, Fujimaru called them over. "Time to move out! The sooner we gather allies, the sooner we can end this nightmare."
As they prepared to part ways, Mash approached Ayanokouji.
"Be careful," she said softly. "There's something about this Singularity... it feels like it's resonating with you specifically."
"It is," he confirmed. "The age of faith meets the age of kings. Divine right made manifest through human vessels."
"Just like your system," she realized.
"Just like my system," he agreed.
Mash hesitated, then added, "When we reunite, I want to know more about these 'divine circuits' BB mentioned. No more cryptic answers."
"When we reunite," he promised.
The groups separated, heading in opposite directions across the corrupted French countryside. As Ayanokouji walked alongside Jeanne, he felt his system humming with anticipation:
[MYTH-ENGINE EVOLUTION APPROACHING]
▸ Third Thread Acquisition Imminent
▸ Divine Domain Target: [Saint]
▸ Catalyst: Jeanne d'Arc (True Vessel of Faith)
▸ Preparing Soul Architecture...
The Age of Faith had much to teach him about divinity—and he was ready to learn.
CHAPTER 6: FAITH AND POWER
The journey eastward took Ayanokouji and Jeanne through a landscape transformed by war and supernatural devastation. Villages lay in smoldering ruins, fields were scorched black, and the few survivors they encountered huddled in root cellars and caves, their eyes hollow with horror at what they'd witnessed.
"This destruction..." Jeanne's voice trailed off as they passed yet another abandoned hamlet. "It goes beyond war. It's... erasure."
"The Dragon Witch doesn't want to conquer France," Ayanokouji observed, his [Wisdom] Thread analyzing the pattern of devastation. "She wants to unmake it. To destroy not just its people, but the very idea of France."
"But why?" Jeanne asked, genuine anguish in her voice. "Even if she is some twisted version of me, how could she hate our homeland so deeply?"
Ayanokouji considered the question carefully. "It may not be hate driving her. It could be a perversion of love."
Jeanne looked at him sharply. "Explain."
"Your love for France led you to sacrifice everything to save it," he reasoned. "A corrupted version of that same love might manifest as believing France must be destroyed to be purified. That only through fire can it be reborn."
Jeanne was silent for a long moment, absorbing his words. "A dark reflection," she murmured finally. "My faith twisted into fanaticism."
"The line between saint and zealot has always been thin," Ayanokouji noted.
"You speak as though you've witnessed many such transformations," Jeanne observed.
"I understand patterns," he replied, his standard answer.
"So you've said," Jeanne smiled faintly. "Yet understanding patterns is not the same as understanding hearts. The Dragon Witch may use my face, but her heart is not mine, reflected or otherwise."
"Are you certain?"
The question hung in the air between them, heavier than intended. Jeanne stopped walking, her expression troubled.
"You question my understanding of myself?"
"I question certainty," Ayanokouji clarified. "Especially regarding the human heart."
Jeanne studied him intently. "For someone who carries divinity within them, you have remarkably little faith."
The observation was surprisingly insightful. His interface flickered with a response:
[PERSONAL ASSESSMENT]
▸ Faith Quotient: Low
▸ [Saint] Thread Acquisition: Requires Faith Development
▸ Query: What Does Subject Believe In?
▸ Answer: [ANALYZING...]
"Faith requires certainty," Ayanokouji replied. "I deal in probabilities."
"Faith is not certainty," Jeanne countered. "Faith is hope despite uncertainty. It is trust in something greater than what can be calculated."
Before Ayanokouji could respond, Romani's voice crackled through their comms.
"We've got movement ahead of you—about two kilometers east. A magical signature consistent with a Servant, but it's... unusual."
"The musician Astolfo mentioned?" Jeanne wondered.
"Possibly," Ayanokouji agreed. "But we should approach with caution."
They continued eastward, now moving more carefully through the devastated countryside. As they neared a small river crossing, the sound of music reached them—a haunting melody played on some stringed instrument.
"Beautiful," Jeanne whispered, her face softening at the unexpected beauty amid so much destruction.
Ayanokouji's interface immediately alerted him:
[SERVANT DETECTED]
▸ Class: Unconfirmed (Caster-Adjacent)
▸ Musical Signature: Ancient Greek
▸ Threat Assessment: Indeterminate
▸ Recommend: Observe Before Approach
They crested a small hill to find an extraordinary sight—a lone figure seated on a boulder by the river, playing a lyre. Around him, the scorched earth was gradually turning green again, flowers sprouting from blackened soil as the music continued.
The musician was a handsome young man with flowing silver-blonde hair, dressed in elegant robes that shimmered with an almost supernatural light. Most striking of all was the golden laurel crown upon his head, marking him clearly as someone of significance.
"Who is that?" Jeanne whispered, seemingly entranced by the figure.
Ayanokouji's interface identified him instantly:
[SERVANT IDENTIFIED]
▸ True Name: Orpheus
▸ Class: Non-Standard (Musician)
▸ Corruption Level: None
▸ Domain: Arts, Music, Healing
▸ Compatibility with System: Moderate
"Orpheus," Ayanokouji murmured. "The legendary musician who journeyed to the Underworld."
As if hearing his name, the musician looked up, his fingers stilling on the lyre. His eyes—a startling violet—found them immediately.
"Visitors," he called, his voice musical even in speech. "One a Saint, the other..." He frowned slightly, studying Ayanokouji. "Something I have not encountered before."
"We mean you no harm," Jeanne called back, stepping forward with her hands open to show peaceful intent. "We seek allies against the Dragon Witch."
"The false Maiden of Orleans," Orpheus nodded, setting aside his lyre. "Her dragons destroyed a village nearby. I've been... attempting to heal what I can."
As they approached, Ayanokouji observed the musician more closely. Despite his serene appearance, there was a profound sadness in his eyes—the look of someone who had lost everything and continued only through sheer force of will.
"You're a long way from Ancient Greece," Ayanokouji observed.
Orpheus smiled wryly. "As are you from your proper time, traveler. We are all displaced in this twisted fragment of history."
"You know we're from another time?" Jeanne asked, surprised.
"Music reveals truths that eyes cannot see," Orpheus replied enigmatically. "And you both resonate with frequencies not native to this era." He looked directly at Ayanokouji. "Particularly you. Your song is... complex. Layered with divinity yet fundamentally human."
"We need your help," Ayanokouji stated directly, ignoring the observation. "There's a corrupted Holy Grail creating this Singularity. The Dragon Witch uses it to maintain her power."
"Ah, directness," Orpheus smiled. "Refreshing, if unpoetic." The musician stood, retrieving his lyre. "I will aid you. My music can heal allies, confuse enemies, and occasionally work small miracles. Will that suffice?"
"It will," Jeanne nodded gratefully. "Thank you."
Orpheus's expression turned more serious. "Before we proceed, I should warn you—I am not at my full strength. My legend is... incomplete in this summoning."
"How so?" Ayanokouji asked.
A shadow of profound grief crossed the musician's face. "I am summoned without Eurydice. Without my purpose for descending to the Underworld. It leaves a... gap in my Saint Graph."
Jeanne's expression softened with compassion. "I understand. My own summoning is similarly incomplete."
"Then we are kindred spirits," Orpheus said with a sad smile. "Broken legends trying to save a broken world."
Their conversation was interrupted by Romani's urgent voice. "Movement! Multiple signatures approaching fast from the north! Dragons—at least three of them!"
As if on cue, dark shapes appeared in the sky, their massive wings casting shadows across the landscape as they descended toward the group.
"They've found us," Jeanne said grimly, drawing her sword.
"No," Ayanokouji corrected, his [Wisdom] Thread analyzing the dragons' flight pattern. "They're patrolling. They haven't spotted us specifically yet."
"Then we have surprise on our side," Orpheus noted, his fingers testing the strings of his lyre. "I can confuse them briefly with music, but it won't last long against corrupted beasts."
"I'll engage them directly," Jeanne decided, raising her banner. "My blessed sword is effective against dragon-kind."
Ayanokouji assessed the situation, his [War] Thread providing tactical options:
[COMBAT ASSESSMENT]
▸ Dragons: 3 Medium-Class
▸ Optimal Strategy: Divide and Conquer
▸ Jeanne: Primary Attacker
▸ Orpheus: Support/Confusion
▸ Self: Strategic Strike When Opportunity Presents
▸ Note: Potential [Saint] Catalyst if Protected Through Faith
"Attack the leader first," he advised Jeanne. "The one with the scarred wing. The others will falter momentarily if it falls."
"How could you possibly—" she began, then shook her head. "Never mind. Your pattern recognition."
As the dragons circled lower, clearly having spotted them now, Orpheus began to play—a strange, discordant melody that seemed to bend the air itself. The dragons faltered, their flight patterns becoming erratic as the music affected their senses.
"Now!" Ayanokouji commanded.
Jeanne charged forward, her banner blazing with holy light as she leapt with supernatural strength toward the lead dragon. Her blessed sword struck true, piercing the beast's chest in a spray of corrupted blood.
The other dragons screeched in confusion as their leader fell, just as Ayanokouji had predicted. In that moment of hesitation, Orpheus's music changed—becoming sharp, aggressive, painful to hear. The dragons roared in distress, their scaled bodies contorting as the sound penetrated their magical defenses.
Ayanokouji moved with the fluid precision granted by his [War] Thread, targeting the weakest dragon while it was disoriented. Unlike the brutal force of Fuyuki, his combat style had evolved—more strategic, more precise
—his movements calculated to maximize damage while expending minimal energy. His hands glowed with the dual light of [Wisdom] and [War] as he struck the dragon's vulnerable points with unerring accuracy.
The creature thrashed in pain, its corrupted breath spraying wildly as Ayanokouji dodged with preternatural grace. Each movement was a lesson in efficiency—no wasted motion, no unnecessary force.
"The third one!" Jeanne called, already engaging her second dragon. "It's breaking free of the music's effect!"
Indeed, the largest dragon had shaken off Orpheus's disorienting melody and was diving directly toward the musician, talons extended for the kill.
Orpheus remained remarkably calm, shifting his playing to a new tune—one that caused the very earth to tremble. Roots and vines erupted from the ground, entangling the dragon's legs and wings, slowing its descent just enough for Jeanne to disengage from her opponent and leap to intercept.
"For France!" she cried, her sword blazing with holy light as she drove it into the dragon's throat.
The battle raged for several more minutes—a deadly dance of blade, music, and calculated strikes. When the final dragon fell, its corrupted essence dissolving into acrid smoke, the three stood in momentary silence, assessing one another with new respect.
"You fight... unusually," Orpheus observed, eyeing Ayanokouji. "Not like a mage, nor like a warrior. Something in between."
"The [Strategist] embraces both," Ayanokouji replied simply.
Jeanne wiped black ichor from her blade. "Whatever your method, it's effective." She smiled at Orpheus. "As is your music. I've never seen anything quite like it."
"Music is the oldest magic," the musician replied with a modest nod. "It shaped creation itself, if the ancient myths are to be believed."
A crackling came through Ayanokouji's communication link. "Amazing work!" Romani's voice exclaimed. "Those dragons were at least B-rank phantasmals. You took them down like they were nothing!"
"Not nothing," Jeanne corrected, wincing slightly at a wound on her shoulder. "They're growing stronger. These were more resilient than those I fought previously."
"The corruption is evolving," Ayanokouji noted, his [Wisdom] Thread analyzing the dissolving remains. "Adapting."
"Which means the Dragon Witch is aware of resistance," Orpheus concluded grimly. "She's strengthening her forces deliberately."
Jeanne nodded. "We must move quickly then. Where is this musician you seek?"
"I believe," Orpheus said with a small smile, "that would be me."
"One ally secured," Ayanokouji confirmed, his interface updating:
[MISSION UPDATE]
▸ Ally Acquired: Orpheus (Musician)
▸ Combat Value: Support Class
▸ Unique Abilities: Sound Manipulation, Limited Reality Alteration Through Music
▸ Next Objective: Rendezvous with Fujimaru's Team
▸ Saint Thread Progress: 46% → 52% (Faith Action Observed)
"We should reunite with the others," Jeanne suggested, glancing at the darkening sky. "Night in this corrupted France is... dangerous."
"I know a place," Orpheus offered. "An old monastery about an hour's journey from here. The dragons burned it, but the underground chambers remain intact. I've been using it as shelter."
"Lead the way," Ayanokouji agreed.
As they traveled, Orpheus played softly—a protective melody that seemed to bend light and sound around them, making their passage more difficult to detect. Jeanne walked beside Ayanokouji, her expression thoughtful.
"You mentioned faith earlier," she said quietly. "That I have it and you do not."
"A simplification," Ayanokouji acknowledged.
"Faith doesn't require religion," she continued. "It only requires belief in something greater than oneself."
"I believe in patterns," he replied. "In systems."
Jeanne smiled. "That's not belief. That's observation. What do you trust when observation fails? When patterns break? That is where faith begins."
The question resonated unexpectedly with Ayanokouji's evolving system:
[SAINT THREAD RESONANCE]
▸ Faith Catalyst: Dialogue Activating
▸ Core Question Identified: What Does Subject Trust Beyond Proof?
▸ Thread Acquisition: 52% → 58%
▸ Note: Subject Must Answer Authentically for Further Progress
After a moment of genuine reflection, Ayanokouji answered: "I trust in adaptation. In evolution."
Jeanne considered this. "That's... surprisingly faithful. To believe the unknown can be navigated through transformation." She studied him with new interest. "Perhaps you have more saint in you than you realize."
As she moved ahead to speak with Orpheus, Ayanokouji found himself contemplating her words. His interface responded to the introspection:
[PERSONAL ASSESSMENT]
▸ Faith Concept: Evolution as Trust
▸ [Saint] Thread Compatibility: Increasing
▸ Evolution Path: Potential Bridge Between [Strategist] and [Saint]
▸ Note: Faith in System is Still Faith
The monastery, when they reached it, was indeed largely destroyed—its stone walls blackened by dragonfire, the beautiful stained glass windows reduced to colored fragments crunching beneath their feet. Yet something of its sanctity remained, a lingering sense of peace amid the destruction.
Orpheus led them to a concealed entrance that descended into the earth. "The catacombs," he explained. "Even the dragons' fire couldn't reach here."
The underground chambers were surprisingly extensive—a network of corridors and small rooms that had once housed relics and served as meditation spaces for the monks. Orpheus had made one of the larger chambers habitable, with simple bedding and provisions.
"It's not luxurious," he apologized, "but it's safe."
"It's perfect," Jeanne assured him, her eyes lingering on the religious symbols that adorned the walls. "A fitting shelter."
As they settled in, Romani's voice came through their comms again. "We've made contact with Fujimaru's team. They've successfully recruited the dragonslayer—Siegfried, the hero of the Nibelungenlied. They're heading toward your position and should arrive by morning."
"Good news," Jeanne said with relief. "Siegfried's dragon-slaying abilities will be invaluable against the Dragon Witch's forces."
"There's more," Romani continued. "They encountered another Servant along the way—Marie Antoinette."
"The Queen of France?" Jeanne asked, surprised. "But she's from centuries after my time."
"The Singularity is drawing Servants connected to France from across its entire history," Ayanokouji explained. "The concept of 'France' transcends any specific era."
"Fascinating theory," Da Vinci's voice chimed in. "The Singularity isn't just distorting a moment in time—it's distorting the entire conceptual foundation of French history."
As night fell, they took turns keeping watch. During his shift, Ayanokouji sat cross-legged in the center of the chamber, allowing his system to process the day's experiences and the evolving [Saint] Thread resonance.
[MEDITATION MODE ACTIVATED]
▸ Analyzing [Saint] Domain
▸ Core Concepts: Faith, Sacrifice, Transcendence, Blessing
▸ Current Resonance: 58%
▸ Preliminary Abilities Upon Acquisition:
• Blessing of Belief: Empower Allies Through Faith
• Sacrifice Enhancement: Convert Damage to Strength
• Domain Sanctification: Create Zones of Purification
▸ Compatibility Analysis: [Strategist] + [Saint] = Path of Righteous Leadership
His contemplation was interrupted as Jeanne approached silently, taking a seat beside him.
"You don't sleep?" she asked softly.
"I process," he replied. "Similar, but different."
She smiled. "Another pattern?"
"Yes."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Jeanne spoke again. "I sense something growing within you. Something luminous. It reminds me of..." She hesitated.
"Divine grace," Ayanokouji completed her thought.
"Yes," she admitted. "Though that seems presumptuous to say. Divine grace is God's to bestow, not mine to recognize."
"Yet you were chosen to receive it," he pointed out. "Which means you can identify it."
Jeanne considered this. "Perhaps. What I sense in you is similar, yet different. Not bestowed, but... cultivated. Grown from within rather than granted from above."
"An accurate assessment," Ayanokouji acknowledged. "The divine circuits don't receive divinity. They synthesize it."
"A dangerous path," Jeanne warned. "Many who sought to grow divinity within themselves have fallen to hubris."
"I'm not seeking godhood," he clarified. "Only understanding."
"Understanding divinity may be the same as becoming it," she countered. "That is the warning in every sacred text—to know the divine completely is to become it."
The insight was surprisingly profound, resonating with his system in unexpected ways:
[FUNDAMENTAL INSIGHT DETECTED]
▸ "To know the divine completely is to become it"
▸ Core Truth of Myth-Engine Identified
▸ System Purpose Clarification: Not Godhood But Understanding
▸ Warning: Understanding At Completion May Still Result In Transformation
▸ [Saint] Thread Resonance: 58% → 67% (Truth Recognition)
"You understand more than you should," Ayanokouji observed.
Jeanne smiled enigmatically. "Saints often do. It's both our blessing and our burden."
Their conversation was interrupted by Orpheus, who entered the chamber with an expression of concern.
"Something approaches," he warned. "Not dragons. Something... human, yet not."
Ayanokouji was immediately alert, his [War] Thread activating. "How many?"
"Just one, I think. But powerful. The very air resonates with their presence."
They moved cautiously to the entrance of the catacombs, peering out into the moonlit ruins of the monastery above. A figure stood amid the devastation—tall, regal, clad in armor that gleamed silver in the moonlight. Long blonde hair flowed in the night breeze, and a sword of incredible power rested in her hand.
"Artoria Pendragon," Ayanokouji identified immediately, his interface confirming:
[SERVANT IDENTIFIED]
▸ True Name: Artoria Pendragon
▸ Class: Saber
▸ Corruption Level: None
▸ Threat Assessment: Potential Ally
▸ Note: Not Alter Form (Different from Fuyuki)
"The King of Knights," Jeanne whispered. "But how...?"
"I seek the anomaly," Artoria called out, her voice carrying effortlessly through the night. "The one who weaves divinity. Show yourself."
Jeanne and Orpheus looked at Ayanokouji, who nodded once. "She means me."
"It could be a trap," Jeanne warned.
"It isn't," he replied with certainty. "My [Wisdom] Thread detects no deception."
He stepped out of the concealed entrance, walking calmly toward the waiting king. Jeanne and Orpheus followed cautiously, ready to intervene if necessary.
Artoria's eyes—a piercing emerald green—fixed on Ayanokouji the moment he appeared. "So," she said, "you are the one. The thread-weaver."
"And you are far from Camelot," Ayanokouji replied evenly. "Why are you here, King of Knights?"
"I felt your awakening," she answered, surprising him. "In Fuyuki, when you faced my altered self. Even across Singularities, the resonance was... unmistakable."
This was unexpected information. His interface processed it:
[CROSS-SINGULARITY DETECTION]
▸ Implication: System Effects Transcend Individual Timelines
▸ Higher-Order Entities Can Track System Activation
▸ Security Concern: Medium
▸ Countermeasure: None Currently Available
"You've been tracking me," Ayanokouji realized.
"Observing," Artoria corrected. "There is a difference." She studied him with the calculating eyes of a monarch assessing both ally and threat. "You are becoming something this world has not seen before. Neither Heroic Spirit nor Divine Spirit, but something in between."
"And this concerns you?"
"It intrigues me," she replied. "In my time, I wielded a divine weapon but remained human. You are becoming a divine weapon while remaining human. The symmetry is... noteworthy."
Jeanne stepped forward. "You haven't answered his question, King of Knights. Why are you here, in this Singularity?"
Artoria's gaze shifted to Jeanne, recognition and respect evident. "Maiden of Orleans. Your counterpart tears this nation apart, much as mine once threatened Camelot." Her attention returned to Ayanokouji. "I am here because balance must be maintained. Divine power, whether wielded or embodied, requires counterweight."
"You see yourself as that counterweight," Ayanokouji deduced.
"I see myself as a witness," Artoria corrected. "And perhaps, if necessary, an arbiter."
"We don't have time for riddles," Orpheus interjected with uncharacteristic impatience. "Are you here to help us against the Dragon Witch or not?"
Artoria's expression remained impassive. "I will fight alongside you against this corruption. But know this," her eyes locked with Ayanokouji's, "I am also watching you, thread-weaver. Power such as yours has consequences beyond your understanding."
"I seek understanding precisely because of those consequences," Ayanokouji replied.
Something like approval flickered in Artoria's eyes. "A wise approach. Let us hope wisdom prevails over ambition as your power grows."
She extended her hand in a formal gesture. "Until this Singularity is resolved, I offer my sword to your cause."
Ayanokouji accepted the gesture, clasping her forearm in the warrior's grip. As they touched, a strange resonance passed between them—king to strategist, legend to anomaly. His interface flickered:
[KING THREAD DETECTED]
▸ Resonance with Artoria Pendragon: Strong
▸ Potential Future Thread Acquisition
▸ Note: [King] Thread Would Require Leadership Catalyst
▸ Current Priority: Complete [Saint] Thread First
"We accept your aid with gratitude," Jeanne said formally. "Our other allies will arrive by morning. Then we plan our assault on Orleans."
Artoria nodded. "The Dragon Witch grows stronger each day. Her corruption spreads like a cancer through the land. We cannot afford delay."
As they returned to the catacomb shelter, Ayanokouji found himself pondering Artoria's arrival and her cryptic warnings. The [Wisdom] Thread analyzed the implications:
[STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT]
▸ Artoria's Arrival: Not Coincidental
▸ Higher Powers: Aware of System
▸ Counterbalance Theory: Valid
▸ Hypothesis: System Activation Has Cosmic Implications
▸ Recommended Action: Proceed with Increased Caution
That night, as the others rested, Ayanokouji continued his meditation, now with new understanding of the far-reaching effects of his evolving system. The [Saint] Thread continued to resonate within him, growing stronger as he contemplated Jeanne's words about faith and understanding.
By morning, when Fujimaru's group arrived with Siegfried and Marie Antoinette in tow, something had shifted within Ayanokouji. A newfound clarity of purpose that even Mash noticed immediately.
"You've changed again," she observed quietly as they greeted one another. "Your eyes... they have a different light now."
"Evolution continues," he replied simply.
Their growing band of allies gathered in the main chamber of the catacombs—Jeanne, Orpheus, Artoria, Siegfried, Marie, Astolfo, Mash, Fujimaru, and Ayanokouji. A formidable force, yet still outnumbered by the Dragon Witch's corrupted army.
"We need a plan," Fujimaru stated, looking to Ayanokouji. "The direct approach won't work against so many dragons and corrupted Servants."
All eyes turned to Ayanokouji expectantly. His [Strategist] Origin activated fully, analyzing every variable, every possibility. His interface displayed multiple scenarios, calculating probabilities of success for each.
[STRATEGIC ANALYSIS]
▸ Direct Assault: 12% Success Probability
▸ Stealth Infiltration: 37% Success Probability
▸ Divide and Conquer: 63% Success Probability
▸ Decoy Operation: 58% Success Probability
▸ Optimal Approach: Hybrid Strategy
▸ Recommended: Faith-Based Tactical Initiative (Would Complete [Saint] Thread)
"We don't fight her army," Ayanokouji decided, his voice carrying the weight of absolute conviction. "We fight her faith."
Jeanne tilted her head. "Explain."
"The Dragon Witch draws power from fear and corruption—the opposite of your strength, which comes from faith and purity," he explained. "Her dragons, her corrupted Servants—they're extensions of her will, but they're not her foundation."
"What is her foundation then?" Artoria asked.
"The people's belief in her inevitability," Ayanokouji answered. "Their acceptance of her as France's judgment. We don't need to defeat her army—we need to break her mythic hold on the French psyche."
Understanding dawned on Jeanne's face. "A counter-narrative."
"Exactly," Ayanokouji nodded. "We need to remind France of its true holy maiden. Of its rightful queen." He nodded toward Marie, who blinked in surprise. "Of its legends and protectors."
"A battle for the soul of France," Orpheus mused. "Not just its land."
"But how do we accomplish that?" Mash asked practically. "The people are terrified, hiding. Many believe the Dragon Witch is divine punishment."
"We show them otherwise," Ayanokouji replied. "We create a miracle."
His interface displayed the complete tactical plan:
[OPERATION: MIRACLE OF ORLEANS]
▸ Phase 1: Jeanne Reveals Herself Publicly, Challenges Dragon Witch's Legitimacy
▸ Phase 2: Orpheus Uses Music to Amplify Message Across Region
▸ Phase 3: Marie Antoinette Appeals to French National Pride (Future Connecting to Past)
▸ Phase 4: Siegfried and Artoria Engage Dragon Forces as Visible Heroes
▸ Phase 5: Decoy Operation Draws Main Forces Away from Orleans
▸ Phase 6: Core Team Infiltrates to Confront Dragon Witch Directly
▸ Critical Element: Faith Restoration (Completes [Saint] Thread)
As Ayanokouji outlined the plan in detail, the others listened with growing conviction. Even Artoria, who had been reserved and watchful, nodded in approval.
"It's risky," Fujimaru admitted when Ayanokouji finished. "But it's also brilliant. We're not just fighting her forces—we're undermining her power at its source."
"I'll need to be visible," Jeanne said, understanding her crucial role. "The people must see the true Maid of Orleans standing against the false one."
"And I shall stand with you," Marie declared with surprising fervor. "Past and future queens of France, united for its salvation."
"My music will carry your message beyond what eyes can see," Orpheus promised. "Into hearts and minds across the region."
"And we," Artoria said, indicating herself and Siegfried, "shall demonstrate that even dragons fall before righteous blades."
The plan took shape, each member embracing their role with growing determination. As they prepared to move out, Jeanne approached Ayanokouji one last time.
"This plan of yours," she said quietly. "It's not just strategy. It's faith."
"It's both," he acknowledged. "The [Strategist] and the emerging Saint, working in concert."
Jeanne smiled. "You've found your faith after all. Not in God, perhaps, but in something greater than yourself—in our collective purpose."
The observation resonated deeply, causing his interface to flare with new information:
[SAINT THREAD ACQUISITION IMMINENT]
▸ Faith Catalyst: Identified and Embraced
▸ Final Requirement: Act of Self-Sacrifice in Service to Greater Good
▸ Resonance: 67% → 93%
▸ Awaiting Culminating Event...
"We move at nightfall," Ayanokouji announced to the group. "Rest and prepare. Tomorrow, we reclaim France's soul."
As the others dispersed to make their final preparations, Ayanokouji stood alone for a moment, contemplating the evolution of his system and the path that lay ahead. The acquisition of the [Saint] Thread would fundamentally transform his capabilities again—adding divine blessing to his strategic mind and warrior's skill.
Yet Artoria's warning echoed in his thoughts. Power had consequences. Understanding led to transformation. And the line between human and divine grew thinner with each new thread he wove.
Fujimaru approached, interrupting his contemplation. "You know," he said with his characteristic directness, "when I first met you at Chaldea, I thought you were just... cold. Distant. But now I see you're calculating. Always thinking ten steps ahead."
"Pattern recognition," Ayanokouji replied with what might have been the ghost of a smile.
"Right," Fujimaru chuckled. "Your famous pattern recognition." His expression turned more serious. "Whatever this system of yours is, whatever you're becoming... I'm glad you're on our side."
The simple statement carried genuine trust—something Ayanokouji rarely encountered. His interface noted the significance:
[INTERPERSONAL DEVELOPMENT]
▸ Trust Established: Fujimaru Ritsuka
▸ Potential Command Seal Synchronization Possible
▸ Note: Human Connection Strengthens System Stability
"So am I," Ayanokouji replied honestly.
As night fell over corrupted France, the allies made their final preparations. The battle for Orleans—and for Ayanokouji's evolving divinity—was about to begin.
CHAPTER 7: THE MIRACLE OF ORLEANS
Dawn broke blood-red over the corrupted landscape of France. From the highest tower in Orleans, the Dragon Witch—wearing Jeanne d'Arc's face twisted with malice—gazed out at her domain. Dragons circled overhead, their massive shadows sweeping across the terrified city below.
"Something has changed," she murmured, her corrupted banner rippling in the sulfurous breeze. "I can feel it."
Behind her, Gilles de Rais—once Jeanne's loyal companion, now a corrupted shell of himself—approached cautiously. "My lady?"
"There's a... resonance in the ether," she explained, her golden eyes narrowing. "Divine energy, but not from the Grail. Something else. Something new."
"The anomaly you sensed earlier?" Gilles suggested.
"Perhaps." Her fingers tightened around her dark standard. "Whatever it is, it threatens our great cleansing. France must burn to be reborn. Nothing will prevent that judgment."
Little did she realize that her enemies were already in motion, executing a plan designed to undermine the very foundation of her power.
The village of Domrémy—Jeanne d'Arc's birthplace—had been largely destroyed by dragonfire. Yet its symbolic importance remained, making it the perfect location for the first phase of Ayanokouji's plan.
As surviving villagers cautiously emerged from hiding to forage among the ruins, a sight appeared that made them fall to their knees in awe and fear—Jeanne d'Arc, the true Maid of Orleans, standing atop a small hill with her sacred banner raised high. Beside her stood Marie Antoinette, resplendent in royal regalia, and Orpheus with his golden lyre.
"People of France," Jeanne called, her voice carrying with supernatural clarity. "I am Jeanne d'Arc, true servant of God and defender of France. The creature who bears my face and brings destruction is an impostor—a corruption of all I fought to protect."
As she spoke, Orpheus played—his music amplifying her words, carrying them far beyond what natural sound could achieve. The melody resonated with something primal in the human heart, cutting through fear and despair to kindle hope.
"France has always endured," Marie added, her regal presence lending weight to the message. "From my time to Jeanne's, through darkness and light, the spirit of this great nation survives. This corruption is but a moment in an eternal story!"
Hidden nearby, Ayanokouji monitored the people's reactions, his [Wisdom] Thread analyzing the subtle shifts in their expressions. Fear giving way to confusion, then to cautious hope. His interface displayed the effectiveness of the message:
[FAITH RESTORATION]
▸ Initial Impact: Significant
▸ Belief Shift: 32% and Rising
▸ Dragon Witch's Mythic Hold: Weakening
▸ [Saint] Thread Resonance: 93% → 95%
▸ Note: Message Must Spread Beyond This Village
"It's working," he informed Fujimaru through their comms. "But it's just the beginning. We need to expand the effect."
"On it," Fujimaru confirmed. "Phase two ready to launch."
Across the region, carefully positioned teams were ready to amplify the message. Astolfo on his hippogriff carried smaller groups of freed villagers to neighboring communities, spreading word of the true Jeanne's return. Siegfried and Artoria had positioned themselves at strategic points where dragon patrols were heaviest, ready to demonstrate that the beasts could be defeated.
The Dragon Witch's response was swift and predictable—a wave of dragons dispatched to silence the upstart resistance. As the beasts descended on Domrémy, Artoria and Siegfried revealed themselves, their legendary blades gleaming in the morning light.
"Behold!" Marie called to the astonished villagers. "Even dragons fall before France's defenders!"
What followed was a choreographed display of heroism—Artoria's Excalibur slicing through corrupted scales with blinding light, Siegfried's dragon-slaying sword Balmung leaving blue fire in its wake. Each fallen beast was proof that the Dragon Witch's forces were not invincible.
The people watched in growing wonder as creatures that had terrorized them for weeks fell before these legendary heroes. Hope, once extinguished, began to flicker anew in their eyes.
Ayanokouji observed it all, his [Strategist] Origin processing the shifting dynamics of faith and fear across the battlefield. His interface updated constantly:
[OPERATION STATUS]
▸ Phase 1 & 2: Complete (Success)
▸ Phase 3: In Progress (72% Effective)
▸ Dragon Response: As Predicted
▸ Dragon Witch Awareness: Increasing
▸ Strategic Window: Approximately 4 Hours Remaining
▸ [Saint] Thread Resonance: 95% → 97%
"The Dragon Witch will realize soon that this is more than a simple rebellion," he informed the team through their comms. "She'll sense the faith shifting away from her. We need to accelerate."
"Understood," Jeanne replied. "Moving to the next village."
The pattern repeated across several communities—Jeanne's appearance, Orpheus's music, Marie's royal presence, and the dramatic defeat of responding dragons by Artoria and Siegfried. With each demonstration, the message spread wider, carried by villagers now emboldened to emerge from hiding.
By midday, reports were coming in from across the region of people openly defying the Dragon Witch's forces, refusing to cower or worship. The foundation of fear was cracking.
In Orleans, the Dragon Witch felt it happening—a weakening of her control, a diminishing of the terror that fueled her power. In a rage, she summoned her corrupted Servants.
"Find them!" she commanded, her voice distorted with fury. "Find the impostor who claims to be me! Bring me her head, and the heads of all who follow her!"
As Carmilla, Lancelot, and the others departed to do her bidding, Gilles approached his corrupted master.
"My lady," he said carefully, "perhaps we should use the Grail directly. Unleash its full power to crush this resistance completely."
The Dragon Witch's eyes narrowed. "No. The Grail's power must be preserved for the final purification of France. We have more than enough strength to crush these gnats." She turned to the window, watching her dragons mass in the sky above Orleans. "Besides, they must come to us eventually. And when they do..."
Her lips curved in a cruel smile. "I will show them the true meaning of divine punishment."
The core infiltration team—Ayanokouji, Mash, and Fujimaru—used the distraction to approach Orleans from the south, navigating through sewers and forgotten passages that Jeanne's memories had revealed.
"The Grail will be with her," Ayanokouji explained as they moved through the dank tunnels. "Not just near her—part of her. The corruption has likely fused it to her spiritual core."
"Then how do we separate them?" Mash asked, her shield raised to illuminate their path.
"We don't," Ayanokouji replied. "Jeanne does."
Fujimaru glanced at him sharply. "You're counting on some kind of spiritual connection between them? That's a huge gamble."
"Not a gamble. Pattern recognition," Ayanokouji corrected. "The Dragon Witch is a corrupted aspect of Jeanne. When confronted with her true self, empowered by restored faith, the contradiction becomes unsustainable."
"You're talking about ontological rejection," Mash realized. "Two versions of the same entity cannot fully exist in the same conceptual space."
"Precisely," Ayanokouji nodded. "Especially when one is strengthened by legitimate faith while the other is weakened by exposed falsehood."
As they neared the castle, his interface updated with a critical alert:
[WARNING: CRITICAL MOMENT APPROACHING]
▸ [Saint] Thread Acquisition: 97% Complete
▸ Final Catalyst Required: Self-Sacrifice for Greater Good
▸ Moment of Decision: Imminent
▸ Prepare for Transformation
The warning gave him pause. Self-sacrifice. The core essence of sainthood across mythologies—the willingness to give oneself for others. His [Strategist] Origin processed the implications, calculating potential scenarios where such a sacrifice might become necessary.
They emerged into the lower levels of the castle—once a royal residence, now corrupted into a twisted parody of its former glory. Black ichor dripped from walls where tapestries had hung. The air itself felt wrong, saturated with the Grail's malevolent energy.
"We're too late," Mash whispered, pointing ahead.
Guards—human followers of the Dragon Witch driven mad by exposure to the Grail—patrolled the corridors. They moved with jerky, unnatural motions, their eyes glazed and empty.
"They've been exposed to the Grail's corruption directly," Ayanokouji observed. "Their minds are gone."
"Can we... save them?" Fujimaru asked hesitantly.
Ayanokouji's [Wisdom] Thread analyzed their condition. "No. The corruption is total. They're essentially extensions of the Grail's will now."
"Then we'll have to find another way around," Mash suggested.
"No time," Ayanokouji countered. "The others will be engaging the main forces soon. Our window is closing."
His interface calculated options:
[TACTICAL OPTIONS]
▸ Combat: High Risk of Detection
▸ Stealth: Time-Prohibitive
▸ Distraction: 78% Effective
▸ Note: All Options Delay Critical Confrontation
▸ Alternative: [Saint] Thread Could Provide Solution If Acquired
The last option caught his attention. The [Saint] Thread, if acquired, would grant purification abilities that might allow them to pass safely. But the final catalyst—self-sacrifice—remained unfulfilled.
Before he could formulate a new plan, the decision was made for them. One of the corrupted guards turned, sensing their presence. Its mouth opened in a silent scream, alerting the others.
"So much for stealth," Fujimaru muttered.
Mash moved immediately, her shield raised. "Stay behind me, Senpai!"
The guards converged, weapons drawn. Though individually weak, their numbers made them dangerous—and fighting them would alert the entire castle to their presence.
Ayanokouji assessed the situation in milliseconds. His [War] Thread provided combat solutions, but his [Wisdom] Thread identified something deeper—an opportunity. The catalyst he needed.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, placing himself between his companions and the approaching guards.
"Get