"..."
Faced with Jeanne's confident words, Shirou was a bit speechless. He indeed knew about the abnormalities behind this Holy Grail War. Currently, the Master of Red Assassin, Shirou Kotomine, was using a pseudonym. His true name was Shirou Amakusa Tokisada, and he was the Ruler of the Third Holy Grail War. He materialized during the Third Holy Grail War by coming into contact with the Greater Grail, and thus remained in the world.
Now, for a certain purpose, he secretly controlled the Red Faction's Masters, gaining control over all Servants except Red Saber. And his existence and wish were the reasons for Jeanne's descent as a Ruler.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Miss Jeanne!" If he couldn't lie, he'd play dumb. Shirou wouldn't tell Jeanne anything. If he told Jeanne the truth now, she would definitely use Command Spells to manipulate the Servants to kill Shirou Amakusa Tokisada. In that case, before Amakusa gained ownership of all Heroic Spirits, the other Masters would definitely be released. If it came to a direct confrontation then, the Black Faction might not necessarily win against the Red Faction. After all, before Red and Black decided a victor, the Masters on both sides were still of one mind.
Seeing Shirou stubbornly refusing to say anything, Jeanne's brow furrowed. The other party clearly knew something but was unwilling to tell her. This greatly troubled Jeanne. It made her ponder how to pry open the other party's mouth. Looking at Jeanne's thoughtful expression, Shirou, realizing her intention, quickly said,
"If you want to know something, go investigate it yourself. Don't expect to learn anything from me."
"Why?" Shirou's stance greatly puzzled Jeanne. Why wouldn't he say anything?
"Although I know what you want to know, our missions are different. If I tell you, it will definitely affect my mission, so don't even think about it!" Knowing he couldn't lie in front of this woman, Shirou began to use the art of language to mislead her. Sure enough, after hearing Shirou's explanation, Jeanne stopped asking.
After all, given Jeanne's personality, she wasn't someone who would force others. If it weren't for her mission, she wouldn't have been so aggressive in questioning Shirou earlier.
"So, since we met by chance at the airport, it must be a special fate. At a time like this, don't worry about those troublesome things anymore, Miss Jeanne."
"I don't think I ever said my name was Jeanne, did I?"
Jeanne only found the Black Assassin in front of her very mysterious. Although she could know his True Name and relevant information, she couldn't see his specific life experiences; she only knew that he was a Guardian from the future. How did he know her True Name then?
"That's because we're old acquaintances, of course! I've had quite a lot of dealings with Miss Jeanne in the past!"
That's right, just in FGO.
"Is that so?" Although Jeanne vaguely felt that things weren't that simple, she didn't detect any signs of him lying. After all, Heroic Spirits are Heroic Spirits, and Servants are Servants. Servants cannot possess the memories of other Servants.
"So, as an old friend, I'll still give you a reminder, Miss Jeanne."
"You will definitely be attacked by a Red Faction Heroic Spirit on your journey later, so please be very careful!"
"Attack?"
"Why would Servants attack a Ruler?" Shirou's reminder made Jeanne even more confused; her mind felt like a fog.
But facing her puzzled expression, Shirou just wagged his finger at her, then lay down in the car and closed his eyes, enjoying the moment. As for why he reminded Jeanne, besides being a riddle-man, it was, of course, to deepen her impression. Since Jeanne thought he was here on a special mission, then it was better to make her believe it even more. Anyway, in a few hours, Karna's attack would come. If Jeanne truly believed his identity, then he might be able to use her identity later. After all, she was the Ruler, the judge of the Holy Grail War.
Although openly one couldn't win over the judge, it wasn't impossible secretly. After all, "Fair Jeanne" had a record.
Just like that, Shirou and Jeanne rode in the same car, heading towards Trifas. Along the way, they no longer talked about the Holy Grail War but chatted about trivial matters.
"So you're really obsessed with mathematics?" Lying in the back of the car, looking at Jeanne, who was constantly shaking her head and reading a math book, Shirou complained helplessly, "I feel like your level isn't very good!"
"Who, who said that! My math is fine!" Seeing the other party underestimate her math skills, Jeanne quickly defended herself.
"Then can you understand the textbook in your hand?"
"..." Jeanne's current incarnation was a French girl. Based on her age, she should be a high school student. Asking a French country girl who had never been to school to read a high school math textbook, wasn't that asking for too much? Looking at the silent Jeanne, Shirou couldn't help but smile. This made Jeanne feel a little ashamed.
Just as she was about to organize her words for a counterattack, she suddenly sensed the location of another Servant within her warning range. This made her face change drastically, remembering Shirou's earlier reminder.
"Old man, please stop the car, we'll get off here!"
"Huh? How can I do that?"
"It's fine, we've arrived. Also, please don't go any further; depart after daybreak tomorrow!" After using suggestion to stop the old man driving, Jeanne jumped out of the car and rushed forward.
"It seems the other party set up a human-repelling barrier. In this vicinity, let alone humans, there aren't even any animals," Shirou gently reminded, following behind Jeanne.
"You also sensed their presence?"
"Of course not. Just by looking at your movements, I could roughly guess."
"I see!" Dropping her bag, Jeanne immediately changed her attire back to her original combat gear. Armor woven from magic power enveloped her entire body. It seemed the situation was more urgent than she had imagined. As a summoned Ruler, Jeanne's fighting spirit gradually ignited.
"So you are the Ruler?" A voice came from above. Jeanne looked up and saw a huge highway sign, and a young man sitting above it, waiting. His hair grew freely, maintaining a clear white. His gaze was as sharp as a polished blade, and the red gem embedded in his exposed chest shimmered in harmony, exuding a radiant, seductive glow. But what was most striking was the golden armor that seemed to be one with his body, rather than merely wrapped around it, emitting a divine light.
Jeanne cautiously and carefully stared at his figure and softly said: "You are the Red Faction's Lancer, aren't you?"
"Hah, I haven't even revealed my weapon, and you can see through me?" With some interest, Red Lancer nodded.
"Yes, I know. And I also know your name! Heroic Spirit
Karna."
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