I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

Artoria glanced at the darkening sky outside, her brow furrowing slightly.

"It seems… it's time," she murmured.

She hadn't forgotten—they still needed to deal with Jack the Ripper.

However, before standing up, she turned to Jeanne.

"Jeanne, do you have any plans after dinner?"

"Huh? Um…" Jeanne hesitated, contemplating for a moment before speaking softly. "I've been trying to uncover the reason why my manifestation in this world is incomplete. But Artoria, you've already explained it—it's due to Amakusa Shirou Tokisada from the Red faction."

"As for my next steps… I plan to visit the Red faction's base and meet with him. I want to understand his intentions."

For some reason, Jeanne couldn't shake her concern for Amakusa Shirou Tokisada. She felt the need to see him in person.

Thanks to Artoria's detailed explanation (or perhaps persuasion), Jeanne no longer saw Amakusa as a violator of the Grail's rules but as a legitimate Master of the Red faction.

"Let's set the Red faction's business aside for now. For the moment, you'll accompany us to handle another matter," Artoria said. "As a fellow Ruler, this falls under your responsibilities as well."

Artoria hadn't forgotten Jeanne's EX-ranked Magic Resistance, which could nullify Jack the Ripper's Noble Phantasm completely. Having Jeanne along might prove invaluable.

After learning about Jack the Ripper, Jeanne immediately agreed to join the effort. As a Ruler, it was her duty to address such chaos. Moreover, she couldn't stand by while innocent lives were at stake.

The small town retained much of its medieval charm, including its lack of electricity.

This place was decidedly unfriendly to a Servant like Nikola Tesla.

---

As night fell, the streets were dimly lit only by the flickering candlelight emanating from windows. It was better than nothing, but only just.

Kairi Sisigou walked alone down a narrow street, visibly tense.

"Hey! Who are you? What are you doing out so late? Don't tell me… you're involved in those recent murders?"

A young police officer in uniform stopped him, his expression a mixture of suspicion and fear. The officer's inexperience was evident, making it hard to take him seriously.

Ironically, though the officer's reasoning was flawed, his conclusion wasn't entirely wrong. Kairi was connected to the murders. After all, he was out here alone, deliberately drawing attention to lure the killer out.

But this officer was definitely an obstacle.

Sighing internally, Kairi resolved the situation with ease, using a simple suggestion spell to send the nervous policeman on his way.

In the past, Kairi's rugged appearance often got him mistaken for a criminal or terrorist, leading to plenty of unnecessary trouble. He'd grown used to dealing with it.

Lighting a cigarette, he took a deep drag, the ember glowing faintly in the darkness as the cigarette shortened. The nicotine hit cleared his head, sharpening his focus.

Truth be told, Kairi felt uneasy.

Maybe it's the atmosphere… he thought. He couldn't shake the feeling that a pair of eyes were watching him from the shadows, like a venomous snake stalking a helpless rabbit.

"This analogy fits, doesn't it?" he muttered to himself. "Sure, I've got some combat skills… but against a Servant, those might as well be a rabbit's claws."

Talking to himself helped ease his nerves, if only slightly.

It wasn't uncommon for people to chatter more when under pressure. Silence could be suffocating, the weight of the moment crushing without distraction.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Jeanne asked, concern evident in her voice. She glanced at Artoria. "Isn't this too dangerous?"

"This is the best method we have," Artoria replied, her tone cold and detached. "Besides, this is war. Danger is a constant. He should've known the risks before stepping onto the battlefield."

She then turned to Mordred. "Are you ready?"

"Of course! An Assassin like this is nothing—leave it to me!"

Mordred slammed her fists together, grinning with excitement. "If she dares show up, I'll take her head for sure!"

"When the time comes, Jeanne and I will provide support from the sidelines. Mordred, you'll be the main fighter. Don't underestimate her, and be cautious of her Noble Phantasm."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it."

The plan was simple. With three Servants against one ordinary Assassin, their victory was all but assured. Their only concern was preventing her escape.

"Jeanne, have you visited the Black faction yet?" Artoria asked casually as they walked.

Jeanne nodded, taking the question seriously. "Yes, I've been there. Artoria, you must've visited before me, right? I overheard some members of the Black faction mentioning another Ruler. That must've been you?"

"Indeed," Artoria replied. "I thought meeting with the Black faction would help me fulfill my duties as a Ruler."

She paused, a memory surfacing of Astolfo and the homunculus Sieg.

"Did you meet Sieg?" she asked.

"Sieg?" Jeanne tilted her head in confusion before realization dawned. "Oh, you mean the Black faction's Saber? Yes, I met him. I never expected to encounter the legendary hero who slew Fafnir, the evil dragon. He's said to be the origin of the word Saber. Why do you ask?"

She's talking about Siegfried… not the homunculus? Does that mean…

"When you left the Black faction's castle, was he still alive?" Artoria pressed.

"Yes… I think so?"

"And Astolfo?"

"Rider was still active when I left. I saw her just before I departed."

So Siegfried didn't give his heart to Sieg? Has the story changed?

"Is something wrong?" Jeanne asked, her unease growing. She couldn't understand why Artoria was asking such strange questions.

"…It's nothing. Stay close to me for now," Artoria replied curtly.

"???" Jeanne blinked, thoroughly confused.

---

T/N: oooh i wonder what happened