[Altair Miller]
I looked at Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, who was staring at Jeanne Alter with a serious gaze.
"Silence!" Jeanne shouted furiously at the queen. "You have no right to interfere in this battle."
"Oh? And why not?" retorted Marie Antoinette, tilting her head to the side with an innocently sweet expression on her beautiful face.
Seeing that innocent look on the woman's face, Jeanne couldn't help but smile with disgust and contempt.
"You lived a life of luxury in a palace and died without even understanding what was happening! And now you're trying to claim you understand our hatred?" Jeanne snapped, practically spitting the words in bitterness.
In a way, she had a point. Although some historians argue that Marie Antoinette wasn't the monster French history often paints her to be, it was undeniable that her life had been one of pure luxury.
Curious, I turned my gaze to the queen, who merely shrugged in response.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. And that's exactly why I want to know more! What I don't know, I learn—that's my philosophy. And that's also why I can't stand seeing you like this, oh beloved Saint. You insist on harming innocents driven by misguided hatred, and I don't understand why. But one thing I do know: at the side of the true Jeanne d'Arc, I will make your heart and body surrender to me." With that, she spread her arms as if celebrating an imminent victory.
Hmm… I didn't see that coming. And judging by the others' faces, neither did they see it coming.
"…"
"What?" Mash asked, visibly confused.
"What the hell is going on?" exclaimed Artoria, frowning.
"She sort of reminds me of you, my retainer," said Nobunaga, giving a mischievous smile.
"Please. I have much more class than that," I retorted, still slung over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
"Uh… huh?" Jeanne, not knowing how to react, froze, her face turning red with embarrassment as she stared at Marie with a mix of confusion and flustered disbelief.
As for our enemy… I'd rather not describe her expression, to preserve her image as a villain.
Sensing the awkward tension in the air, Marie parted her pink lips and, with a shy smile, tried to clear up the misunderstanding. "Oh my… don't get me wrong. I only meant that, as a queen, I'll make you bow before me." Despite the light tone and her smile, a slight blush tinged her cheeks from the misunderstanding.
This can't be serious, can it? Nobunaga, if you compare me to her again, I'll take it personally. I thought, letting a faint grin appear. But apparently, a certain Servant wasn't willing to take the eccentric queen's words with the same humor.
"Enough of this nonsense!" shouted Jeanne Alter, and I couldn't help but agree with her once again. "Fine then," she declared, pointing her weapon at the French queen. "You're an enemy to be destroyed as well. And as for you…" Her piercing gaze shifted to Nobunaga. "Get your hands off what's mine. I'll crush him myself."
"Bold words," Nobunaga shot back firmly. "But he's my retainer, so that's not happening." Raising her hand, she summoned a row of arquebuses that instantly opened fire on Jeanne Alter, who swung her banner covered in black flames.
Amid the gunfire, Nobunaga leapt onto one of the arquebuses, emerging from the crater alongside Okita, while I clung to her shoulder.
"Well, I guess now's as good a time as any," Marie Antoinette sighed, watching the advancing Servants. Her eyes flicked briefly toward me, and beside me, she gave a slight smile before turning her gaze back to the crater. "Thank you for your patience, Amadeus. Now, crush them like insects!"
"Leave it to me," said a figure who suddenly appeared in front of us.
He had a slightly devilish air, contrasting with his vibrant clothes in shades of purple, black, and green. In his right hand, he held a baton, like a conductor about to lead a symphony.
"Noble Phantasm—Requiem for Death!" With a precise flick of his baton, a host of ghostly figures emerged, beginning to play a dark melody aimed at the enemy Servants.
"Good morning, everyone!" exclaimed Marie Antoinette with radiant joy, offering a simple yet elegant curtsey. "Au revoir," she added as she rose, giving us a glance. "Come on, this will only hold them off for a moment. Follow me," she said in a gentler tone.
At her signal, though a bit reluctant, we retreated from the battlefield. As we fled, Ritsuka kept glancing sideways at me. It seemed she couldn't hide her amusement at seeing me in the same situation as her—being carried, in my case, by Artoria.
"First time, huh?" she teased, a wide grin on her lips. I rolled my eyes at that cheeky mage.
Lucky for you, my body's a bit stiff right now, otherwise I'd flip up your skirt and smack that cute little ass of yours. I thought, smiling faintly.
Noticing my smile, Ritsuka shivered as if she sensed something bad coming. As we were quickly carried away from the battlefield, I could still hear Jeanne Alter's frustrated growls echoing behind us.
•••
Our group, now joined by Marie and another peculiar Servant, entered a dense forest.
"Let me get this straight," Ritsuka said, now back on her feet, pointing at Marie. "You're Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, right?" Marie tilted her head from side to side with a gentle smile, confirming it. "And you," Ritsuka continued, turning to the other Servant, "are Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of history's greatest musical geniuses."
She really was world-famous—even someone with a terrible ear for music knew that.
"The very same," he replied, bowing in a theatrical flourish.
"I didn't think a musician could become a Servant," I commented, somewhat surprised, leaning on Okita. Beside me, Jeanne watched me with worried eyes.
"A musician always has to surprise," he declared, opening his arms dramatically.
"Master…" While I was observing the musician Servant, I felt Jeanne's hand gently grab the Monkey King's Robe. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice full of concern.
"Yes, perfectly fine," I answered with a smile, feeling only a slight weakness in my body.
"I don't believe you," she shot back. Her blue eyes fixed on the stain of dried blood on my lips. Without another word, she raised her hand and, with a gentle, subtle motion, wiped it away, her fingers brushing softly against my skin.
"Ah! Youth really is wonderful, isn't it, Amadeus?" Marie chimed in, lively. "Nothing's more romantic than young love blossoming on the battlefield. It's a rare sight, but absolutely delightful!" Her words made Jeanne flush even redder, quickly pulling her hand away in embarrassment. I merely smiled at the energetic Servant.
"Don't you realize you're making them uncomfortable, Marie?" sighed Amadeus, in a tone that suggested he was quite used to her eccentricities.
"Oh! Really? Then I must apologize to you both," she said, though the bright gleam in her eyes didn't match the supposed remorse.
I didn't mind at all and met her gaze, noticing how intently she was looking at me. "Either way, it's a pleasure to meet you," I said politely.
"Lovely to meet you too! I'm Marie," she replied, overflowing with enthusiasm. "I adore gentlemen who are so understanding. Let me guess," she added, a mischievous smile curling her lips. "I bet you're quite popular with the ladies, aren't you? I'll have to be careful around you—my maiden's heart might be in danger!"
Marie's words only made Jeanne blush even harder, while Artoria, preferring silence over exchanging a single word with that Servant, merely frowned. Before the mood could grow any stranger, Dr. Romani's voice suddenly echoed, interrupting the moment.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I've detected a leyline close to your location."
"All right," Mash replied, nodding. "We'd like to go there and set up camp. Is that okay with you?" she asked, in her usual shy and polite way. Marie nodded with a smile.
"Of course, that's perfect. And you, Amadeus?" she asked, turning to her companion, who remained silent. He simply shrugged, closing his eyes and giving a faint smile.
"There's no point asking me," he said, unconcerned. "Do whatever you wish, Marie," he added, in a tone that made it clear his opinion didn't matter.
"Well, seems like we've got unanimous agreement," I said, noticing no one objected. "Let's get moving. We'll be able to rest properly once the camp is set up." With that, we began to advance through the forest. As we walked, I noticed Jeanne staying close to me, her face still red.
Seeing a saint's face completely blushing red was quite a beautiful sight.
••• ••• •••
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