"Good evening," came a voice, soft yet piercing. "Such a lonely night."
A woman stood before them, her long purple hair cascading, her lithe form radiating a sacred aura despite the scant armor she wore. A Servant, her presence both divine and foreboding.
"—We're in trouble," Amadeus muttered, his voice low. "Surrounded. Damn, I hate this. The sound of malice… it's like a shrill trumpet."
"You can tell?" Rikka asked, wide-eyed.
"Of course," Amadeus smirked. "I'm a hero forged by music alone. Reading the vibrations in the air? It's as easy as reading a page. Mash, Rikka, Jeanne—their breathing, heartbeats, the rustle of clothes, even the sound of underwear shifting—it's all etched in my memory like a phonograph!"
"What—?!"
The trio flushed crimson, mortified.
Incredible. To discern such details—that's why he's a hero of music!
"Fukyurururu! (What a pervert, unforgivable! You, skewer this guy from behind!)" Fou squeaked, bristling.
Shouldn't we be marveling at his skill?
"I'm so sorry, everyone," Olga-Marie interjected, bowing her head. "As the supervisor, I apologize. But please, bear with him—take away his music, and there's nothing left!"
"Hmph," Gilgamesh said, smirking. "So you eavesdropped on my chat with the Queen, did you?"
"Oh, sure," Amadeus replied, grinning. "I'd love to hurl every crude insult I've got, but—"
"Amadeus!" Marie cut in, indignant. "Gorgeous-sama wasn't being improper!"
"I know," Amadeus said, shrugging. "For some reason, the King of Heroes doesn't reek of 'filth.' Just innocent small talk, right?"
"Naturally," Gilgamesh said, his tone lofty. "Purity is a matter of manners."
"Must've been exhausting, keeping up with Marie," Amadeus teased. "Talkers like her wear you out."
"Ugh, Amadeus!" Marie huffed.
"—Fine companions you have," the woman said, her laughter clear as a bell. "So unlike us."
Berserk Rider's voice carried a serene, almost saintly calm.
An enemy? Her aura felt too pure, too pristine.
"Who are you?" Jeanne asked, her voice steady, sensing something deeper.
The woman's gaze softened, yet her words carried weight. "Who am I…? A saint, perhaps, bound to sanctity, driven mad and broken, now a pawn of a fallen saint."
"—A fallen saint…"
No doubt she meant Black Jeanne, the Dragon Witch.
"Hmph," Gilgamesh scoffed. "Losing yourself to mere madness? That's the measure of your vessel. A true hero endures a curse threefold before breaking."
"—One thing, golden one," she said, her voice sharp.
"A confession?" Gilgamesh taunted.
"You called my God a master of oppression," she said, unflinching. "And yes, it's true. Believers, unable to fully grasp the Father's words, committed such acts."
"But," she continued, her voice rising like a prayer, "no matter history's stains, our God seeks neither blood nor iron. If blame falls, it's on us, who failed to heed His words."
Her words, resolute and devout, stood untainted by the ferocity of her Berserk state—a saint's unyielding faith.
"So remember this," she declared. "Reject God all you like—faith will never vanish from human hearts."
"And?" Gilgamesh countered. "With hands that slaughtered the innocent, you'll seek your Father's oil and baptism?"
"—I have no answer," she admitted. "I intend to vanish here, bearing my sins."
"Wait!" Rikka cried, stepping forward.
"Senpai…" Mash murmured.
"You're still yourself!" Rikka pleaded. "Even under madness! That's why you're talking to us, right? Can't we understand each other? Fight the witch together?"
Her voice rang out, a Master's desperate call.
"—Thank you," the woman said, her smile soft. "Offering redemption to someone like me? You're a wonderful Master."
"Then—!"
"It's impossible," she interrupted. "I'm bound by madness. Even now, I'm barely holding back the urge to strike. A Servant who might stab you in the back—can you trust that?"
"No…" Rikka faltered.
"Frustrating, but swallow it," Gilgamesh said. "That's the nature of Servants."
Rikka bit her lip, her regret palpable.
"But—well done," Gilgamesh added.
"Huh?" Rikka blinked.
"Not understanding is different from refusing to try," he said. "You sought to understand her."
"Yes, Senpai," Mash agreed. "Dialogue comes first. It's vital."
Exactly. A lone Servant attacking us feels off.
Could she have something to tell us?
"Then take responsibility for the dialogue you've started," Gilgamesh said. "Queen, musician—clear the surroundings."
"You sure?" Amadeus asked.
"My involvement means someone dies," Gilgamesh replied. "I'd be in the way here. And you lot, unskilled in combat, need watching."
"Then I'll protect Master," Mash said.
"Don't disgrace yourself," Gilgamesh ordered.
Win safely, Mash.
"Yes!" Mash replied, resolute.
"Amadeus, let's trust my friends," Marie said.
"Got it," Amadeus said. "I'm not so rotten as to mock friendship, hollow or not."
"Good! Follow me!" Gilgamesh commanded.
Believe in them. And don't die, Master.
"You see through everything, golden one…" the woman murmured.
"You are…" Rikka began.
"One thing," she said, her voice firm. "Jeanne d'Arc is the Dragon Witch. Without the power to slay a dragon, you'll never defeat her."
"If you can't overcome me," she added, "you'll never slay her wicked dragon."
"A wicked dragon?" Olga-Marie's voice trembled over the comms. "No way—that's impossible!"
"Director Olga, do you know something?" Mash asked.
"No—it can't be!" Olga stammered. "A Nibelungen dragon… even with Gilgamesh, victory's uncertain!"
"You're…!" Rikka gasped.
"If you can't surpass me," the woman declared, "defeating her is impossible. I'll test you with all I am!"
She raised her staff high, its cross gleaming.
"Let my corpse be your trial—come forth, Great Iron Dragon Tarasque!"
The earth rumbled as the saint's prayer summoned a beast.
A massive shell, six sturdy legs, fearsome fangs, and claws—a dragon of unmatched might.
Once a terror that ravaged cities, preying on the innocent.
"My name, my True Name, is Martha," she declared. "Now, holy saint, ready yourself."
"Saint Martha—!" Jeanne gasped. "You're… I—"
"You must surpass me to fulfill your wish!" Martha cried.
A cross-shaped staff against a sacred flag.
Two souls, bound by fate yet divided, clashed with shared convictions.
"Senpai! Combat preparations complete!" Mash called.
"Right," Rikka said, raising her hand. "If it's a test, we'll meet it with everything we've got!"
Her hand glowed, linking to Chaldea's circuits.
"Come forth—Heracles!"
The ground shattered as the peerless hero materialized, his roar shaking the night.
"—⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛—!"
"Ngh…!" Martha braced herself.
"Mash! Heracles can only be controlled briefly!" Olga warned. "Drag this out, and Rikka's in danger!"
"Support Heracles for a quick victory! Got it!" Rikka shouted.
"Yes! Mash Kyrielight, engaging!" Mash declared.
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛—!"
A battle forged on wishes began—!
😄 Having fun with the story? Come hang out with me on Patreon! You'll get early chapters and some extra goodies too.
👉 pat*eon*com/Greyhounds
Honkai Impact: Reborn with the Heroes Before the Collapse (20 Chapter)
Honkai Impact 3rd: Ascension of the Herrscher (20 Chapter)
From Genshin Impact Creator to World Conqueror (43 Chapter)
Fate/Grand Order: Prologue – Radiant Star of the Human Order (47 Chapter)
I Woke Up as an Uma Musume and Now I'm Racing My Way to the Top (81 Chapter)
I Got Dragged Into SAO and Accidentally Stole Kirito's Girl (104 Chapter)
Transferred to Kivotos, I Solve Everything with My Fists (91 Chapter)
One piece: A Tale Before the Wind (96 Chapter)
The Untouchable of Magic High School – A New God Enters the Game (145 Chapter)
KanColle X Devil May Cry: Devil Trigger Protocol (108 Chapter)
High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor (145 Chapter)
League of Legends (17 Chapter)
Shangri-La Online (41 Chapter)
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (33 Chapter)
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.
😄 Having fun with the story? Come hang out with me on Patreon! You'll get early chapters and some extra goodies too.
👉 pat*eon*com/Greyhounds
Honkai Impact: Reborn with the Heroes Before the Collapse (20 Chapter)
Honkai Impact 3rd: Ascension of the Herrscher (20 Chapter)
From Genshin Impact Creator to World Conqueror (43 Chapter)
Fate/Grand Order: Prologue – Radiant Star of the Human Order (47 Chapter)
I Woke Up as an Uma Musume and Now I'm Racing My Way to the Top (81 Chapter)
I Got Dragged Into SAO and Accidentally Stole Kirito's Girl (104 Chapter)
Transferred to Kivotos, I Solve Everything with My Fists (91 Chapter)
One piece: A Tale Before the Wind (96 Chapter)
The Untouchable of Magic High School – A New God Enters the Game (145 Chapter)
KanColle X Devil May Cry: Devil Trigger Protocol (108 Chapter)
High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor (145 Chapter)
League of Legends (17 Chapter)
Shangri-La Online (41 Chapter)
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (33 Chapter)
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.