Miracle Summoner

Rozen never had much resistance to the existence of Jeanne [Alter] to begin with.

Although in the First Singularity, they were mortal enemies, fighting to the death, and Jeanne [Alter] had committed countless atrocities—reducing all of France to ruins and slaughtering an untold number of people—Rozen never felt any repulsion toward her.

Perhaps before her true identity was revealed, he had seen her as an irreconcilable enemy. But after learning that Jeanne [Alter] was merely a counterfeit created by Gilles de Rais, that even her hatred, her life, and her very existence were nothing more than mirages, ephemeral and fleeting, Rozen could only feel recognition toward her.

As the saying goes, "Pitiful people often have their own faults."

But Jeanne [Alter]'s faults were not her own—they were fabricated.

Compared to her, Mash's circumstances were far better.

At the very least, Mash was able to grow healthily in Chaldea. She had inherent value and purpose. Even if her life were to eventually come to an end, it would be a natural passing, without regrets. In contrast, Jeanne [Alter] had no growth, no inherent value or meaning. Her identity was borrowed, her life was borrowed, her hatred was borrowed—even her very existence was borrowed. She was created solely for Gilles de Rais' momentary satisfaction.

In a sense, Jeanne [Alter] was born from nothing but a tragic wish. She was not awaited by anyone, nor did anyone anticipate her arrival. The only person who had ever wished for her existence was the fallen Gilles de Rais.

Yet even Gilles de Rais did not truly wish for Jeanne [Alter]—he only desired for the true Jeanne to become a Avenger, to take vengeance upon the so-called gods and their followers. What he longed for was Jeanne, not Jeanne [Alter].

In other words, he had wanted Jeanne to undergo a reversal like Artoria [Alter], not for another Jeanne to appear in her place.

Unfortunately, as the most famous saint in the world, Jeanne had no darkness to reverse. She was fundamentally a sacred, pure being. Because of this, Gilles de Rais could only use the Holy Grail to fabricate Jeanne [Alter] as a form of comfort—just like someone finding a person who resembles their lost loved one and molding them into what they desire. His true pursuit was always Jeanne herself, while Jeanne [Alter] was nothing more than a stand-in.

Thus, Jeanne [Alter] was nothing and never had anything—a fleeting illusion.

She knew this all too well, which was why she loathed everything around her. It was because nothing in the world accepted her existence, and she had no place to belong.

Under such circumstances, Jeanne [Alter] reached out to Rozen in the Sixth Singularity precisely because he had once chosen to trust her, to fight alongside her, to let her exact her revenge and find meaning in battle.

In truth, she was simply seeking someone to rely on.

And in the end, Rozen took her hand—not just once, but twice—bringing her here.

Though their encounters were not frequent or deep, they confirmed one thing—"Everything begins with the heart."

Rozen never harbored any hostility toward Jeanne [Alter]. Instead, he wanted to reach out and help this girl who bore a fate more tragic than anyone else's.

And for Jeanne [Alter], Rozen's existence had given her meaning and value.

If so...

"Then find your true second life with me, Jeanne."

Rozen spoke with sincerity.

Jeanne [Alter] fell silent.

After a moment...

"Don't joke around," she said, her tone filled with irritation.

"I'm just a meaningless woman who was created for a meaningless reason. I'm unnecessary to anyone and unnecessary to this world. The way I died in the First Singularity—getting run through the stomach and dying miserably—was the end I deserved."

"And you? You're humanity's last Master, someone even the gods favor. Why would you waste your time on someone as insignificant and sinful as me?"

Jeanne [Alter] sneered.

"With your abilities, countless Servants will gladly serve you in the future. Heroes of every kind will bow to your potential and protect you."

"Among them will surely be someone like that fool of a king, wielding a legendary holy sword and charging into battle for you. You even have an indestructible shield by your side."

"So why would you bother contracting with a nameless witch who only knows how to set things on fire?"

Saying this, she cast a cold glance at Rozen.

"Enough. Let me go. Otherwise, you'll get burned."

She tried to pull away and leave.

In response, Rozen simply said one thing:

"If you want to break free, go ahead. But from the moment I took your hand that day, I never planned to let go."

At those words, Jeanne [Alter] froze.

For her, this sentence was devastating.

It was as if Rozen had seen through her entirely.

"You know how Mash was born, don't you?"

Rozen suddenly asked.

"...Yes." Jeanne [Alter] was silent for a long time before answering flatly. "She was a test-tube baby, created to act as a vessel for a Heroic Spirit, wasn't she?"

"That's right," Rozen said calmly. "And do you know how I was born?"

Jeanne [Alter] stiffened.

Then, noticing Rozen's gaze, her expression changed.

"Don't tell me... you too...?"

She finally turned around.

Seeing this, Rozen gave a cold, indifferent smile.

"So don't put me on a pedestal. I'm just like you and Mash—I was only born because someone's need."

Hearing this, Jeanne [Alter] was completely speechless.

Clearly, she had never imagined that Rozen carried such a fate as well.

The only difference was that Rozen had been saved.

Jeanne [Alter] and Mash had not.

"Now, it's my turn to save others."

Rozen looked directly into Jeanne [Alter]'s eyes and spoke each word with clarity.

"So tell me, Jeanne, Dragon Witch—will you form a contract with me?"

It was the second time he had asked.

Yet the second time carried a completely different meaning.

"I..."

Jeanne [Alter] hesitated, unable to find an answer.

But for Rozen, that was enough.

"Do you know?"

Rozen smirked mischievously.

"My Absolute Contract doesn't actually require verbal consent. As long as my target has already accepted me from the depths of their soul and fully opened their heart to me... Then, the moment I grasp their hand while wearing Miracle, the contract is formed."

Jeanne [Alter] understood exactly what that meant.

Unfortunately, it was already too late.