Miracle Summoner

The Jeanne d'Arc that Artoria [Alter] mentioned was completely different from the Jeanne Rozen knew.

This led Rozen to suspect that Artoria [Alter] might have encountered a Servant impersonating Jeanne's identity.

It wouldn't be such a surprising thing. Even Serenity, with her ability to change her appearance in countless ways, could transform into anyone with a similar build. It wouldn't be too hard to imagine a Servant capable of mimicking Jeanne's appearance and pretending to be her, right?

Regardless, Rozen was absolutely unwilling to believe that the Jeanne mentioned by Artoria [Alter] and the Jeanne he knew were the same person.

Therefore...

"No matter what, let's go confirm it first," Rozen said.

"I'll personally judge whether that person is worth saving or not."

This statement from Rozen seemed to reassure Artoria [Alter].

Otherwise, this King of Knights would have surely left without hesitation and shown no attachment.

As expected...

"...If that's the case, then let's take a look, even though I'm very reluctant."

Saying this, Artoria [Alter] finally abandoned the idea of leaving.

Only then did Rozen turn his gaze to Serenity, who had been quietly nestled in his arms. For some reason, her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she looked faintly happy.

"You know where Jeanne's cell is, right? Can you guide us?" Rozen asked.

"Yes, of course, no problem," Serenity responded.

Serenity was as obedient as ever to Rozen's words—far more so than she was to Artoria [Alter], her supposed liege. This raised the question of who Serenity truly served: Artoria [Alter] or Rozen.

But no matter what, having a compliant Servant was far better than dealing with one who was overly self-willed and unruly.

With that, the group followed behind Serenity, heading toward another section of the underground dungeon.

Later, Rozen learned the reason for Serenity's behavior from Artoria [Alter].

"In her lifetime, to carry out assassination missions, she often formed romantic or even betrothal relationships with her targets. In other words, she repeatedly constructed a 'false happiness' that would inevitably end in tragedy and personally destroyed it. This led to her spirit gradually becoming distorted. She ended her life after a general, suspicious of her because he wouldn't even let her touch him, beheaded her upon her confession of her identity as an assassin. She begged him to kill her.

"She was a straightforward and self-effacing assassin, a girl who mechanically carried out assassinations in life. As a Heroic Spirit, little has changed. However, she places great importance on whether the person she touches will live or die because her poison is uncontrollable. Anyone she touches will be poisoned—no exceptions—even those close to her.

"So, if someone appears who can touch her without dying, she will offer them her absolute loyalty and a calm yet fervent devotion. For her, such a person is a source of supreme joy."

This explained Serenity's attitude toward Rozen.

From the moment Rozen hugged her and calmly asked if she was okay, this girl had been unable to leave his side.

This laid the foundation for the bond between Rozen and Serenity.

...

Under Serenity's guidance, the group left the interrogation room and ventured deeper into the dungeon.

Along the way, magical creatures continued to attack in droves but were effortlessly dispatched by Mash and Artoria [Alter].

Rozen, however, refrained from using his jujutsu.

The reason? Serenity clung to him incessantly, unwilling to leave his side.

This girl seemed to crave physical contact with Rozen, practically sticking to him. Her body constantly brushed against Rozen's arm, evoking an indescribable sensation that was difficult to ignore.

The sensation was so tantalizing that Rozen found himself tempted to swallow hard.

In the past, Rozen might have been able to force himself to remain calm. But ever since he had tasted the pleasures of intimacy, his desires had been unrestrained. The intensity of his longing was so strong that even Asuna had often complained and fretted about it.

In this situation, Rozen didn't dare imagine what would happen if he and Serenity were left alone.

He would surely explode on the spot and make the same mistakes any man might.

Rozen could only lament his misfortune.

When Rozen asked Serenity to keep her distance, she looked as if the world had ended—devastated, heartbroken, and utterly despondent. If she had a blade, she might have ended her own life right then and there.

With no other choice, Rozen let her be, which earned him frequent sorrowful glances from Mash. This only made Rozen more frustrated, leaving him wishing he could shout and proclaim his innocence to everyone.

"I'm having such a hard time," Rozen muttered, swallowing his grievances.

During this time, Serenity did make one notable move.

When a vengeful spirit slipped through Mash and Artoria [Alter]'s defenses and lunged at Rozen, screaming, Rozen—caught off guard—reacted a bit slower than usual.

Serenity, however, seemed to switch into alert mode and stepped forward immediately.

Without hesitation, she cut her palm open with a kunai-like weapon, letting her blood spill onto the vengeful spirit.

The spirit screamed in agony as if drenched in acid, dissolving instantly into nothingness.

Serenity's poison was so potent that it could kill even the undead.

Then she eagerly turned to Rozen, looking as if she was seeking praise. Her hopeful expression left Rozen momentarily speechless.

As for the Chaldean team, they were utterly dumbfounded.

"This girl is really terrifying..." Roman exclaimed.

Thankfully, their journey did not last long.

Finally, the group arrived at the deepest part of the dungeon, stopping before a particular cell.

"This is the place," Serenity said, pointing to the cell.

Inside, a girl leaned against the wall, bound in chains that restricted her freedom.

"Hmm?"

The girl seemed to notice the commotion and opened her eyes.

"Huh?"

Rozen and Mash were stunned as they looked into the cell, their faces filled with shock.

"She... She's...!?"

The Chaldean team also saw the figure clearly and were equally astonished.

Rozen, Mash, and the girl inside the cell exchanged glances before all widened their eyes.

A second later...

"Huhhhhh?!"

A chorus of startled cries echoed through the dungeon, reverberating within the cell.