I, Fujimaru Ritsuka, am back with a max-level character!

That's a complete liar, all he does is deceive people, he's so cunning!

They still had their last Noble Phantasm as a trump card.

Doctor, this time, I will absolutely not give you another chance to use your Noble Phantasm.

Absolutely not.

Even if I have to tie you up, I will never let you leave Chaldea again!

Thinking of this, Fujimaru Ritsuka quickly waved her hand, giving a slightly disdainful sarcastic remark.

"No, no, I was just kidding, Dr. Roman. Your serious expression is hilarious! I'm just an ordinary person, how could I possibly be worth a Grand Magician sacrificing for me?"

Dr. Roman: ? ! !

"Ugh, you're so cunning, Fujimaru-kun!"

It sounds strangely pleasant to hear you say that.

"Eh—! You were actually lying to me! So you're saying we used to be really close...it was all just a joke!!!"

Dr. Roman was startled and put on a very panicked expression.

"That's right. That cowardly Roman is two thousand years too early to even think about sacrificing himself for others!"

"Hey! That's really too much! I never thought you were this kind of Master... trampling on your companions' fragile hearts TAT. I absolutely have to complain to Magical Merry about this!"

"I need comfort!!!"

Dr. Roman underwent an extremely dramatic transformation.

Um... this unserious attitude, to be honest, the change was really quick.

That old liar, he's toying with Dr. Roman's feelings right now.

However, I feel a little more at ease now.

It's so good to see you again, Dr. Roman.

That's really...great.

The time for reunion has come; let us embrace the world from now on.

Roman: You idiot, you're acting so fake. We've definitely met before.

After the examination, the doctor watched Fujimaru Ritsuka leave.

Even without my memories, I'm still so glad to see you again, Fujimaru-kun.

Chapter Nine: Little Mashu Has Grown Up!

Mashu's personal room

The girl snapped out of her daze; this was the second time she had woken up since returning from the singularity.

I have a feeling that I just had a terrible dream.

I dreamt that my senior and a beautiful lady in black were doing something heartbreaking.

It's said that if a boy and a girl kiss, they'll have a baby.

Wouldn't that be...?

For some reason, Mashu imagined a heartwarming scene in her mind: Fujimaru Ritsuka and Jeanne Alter holding little Jeanne Alter.

What a harmonious family... No way!

Jeanne Alter...hehe.jpg

"No, I absolutely don't want a future like this!"

Mashu screamed in panic, her sweat soaking through her clothes, and they felt a sudden chill for no reason.

"Oh, it seems you're awake."

? ? ! !

A white-haired girl in black suddenly appeared in Mashu's line of sight, startling her.

"You, you are—!"

Isn't this the lady in black who did *that* with her senior?

Why am I in the same room as her?!

“This should be our first meeting, Mash. Logically speaking, we should have met much later. But now that I’ve been summoned, this discrepancy probably won’t have any impact.”

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Jeanne d'Arc [Alter], my class is [Avenger], and I am a Servant who came in response to the Master's summons. I am also the [Dragon Witch] whom you will be antagonizing in the Singularity."

Jeanne Alter unceremoniously placed one foot on the chair and gave a very chuunibyou (delusional) self-introduction.

"My purpose in coming here is to steal your predecessor and plunge him into the flames of hatred and hell. That despair must be incredibly sweet and delicious. After all, I am the demon that the Holy Maiden became after her death, hmph~~"

"Eh, you stole your senior?! How could you do this... Wait a minute, what did you just say? You're the famous Joan of Arc from history?!"

Mashu suddenly realized that the person in front of her might be that super famous person, a shining star etched in human history.

The Saintly Girl who single-handedly turned the tide of the Anglo-French War.

Not her.

"Urusai, I'm not her! In fact, just thinking about her makes me want to vomit. That kind of kind-hearted saintess is disgusting and I would never get along, that bastard!"

She was actually a saintly figure materialized from Gilles de Rais's regretful obsession, an unexpected event that should not have occurred.

It was because they squeezed into Joan of Arc's throne of heroes that they were summoned.

Jeanne Alter pursed her lips, feeling a surge of anger at the thought of that guy calling himself her older sister.

"I see," Mashu nodded.

Is this the "tsundere" attribute that Dr. Roman was referring to?

From this perspective, this black-clad Joan of Arc doesn't seem to be a bad person after all.

However, she has a very good relationship with her seniors, so she's a little resentful.

"Um...Miss Joan of Arc~"

Call me Joan of Arc [Alter]!

Mashu was taken aback for a moment, then quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Miss Jeanne Alter."

Then, in a very gentle voice, she said sincerely, "Um, I feel that when Joan of Arc [Alter] mentioned that Joan of Arc, he seemed a bit hesitant. Actually, the two of them should have a very good relationship, right?"

“Hah~~?!”

Black Jeanne raised her eyebrows, her eyes widening as if she had heard the most impossible thing in the world.

"That's absolutely impossible! I'd rather collude with the most wicked devil than call her 'sister'!"

The Dragon Witch said with certainty.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, it is like that."

Jeanne Alter confirmed this once again.

She then shrugged, seemingly pretending not to care.

"Judging from your expression, you actually have a lot of questions you want to ask, especially the most crucial one."

......

Mashu remained silent for a moment.

She recalled that heart-pounding [horrifying] scene in the control room.

"Um, I'd like to ask... Miss Black Jeanne, what exactly is your relationship with your senior?"

She mustered her courage and asked the question that concerned her most.

"Hmph, as expected. Someone with your temperament would definitely insist on asking, right? Fine, then I'll answer you."

Black Jeanne showed an expression that said, "I knew it."

"No matter what changes happen, I'll accompany him to hell... Honestly, saying something like that is so unlike me. To be precise, we're already in a relationship bound by the contract of marriage~~"

"Eh, is that so?! So, Senpai and Jeanne Alter are already..."

Mashu's body trembled slightly, and she suddenly felt her legs go weak as if all her strength had been drained away.

So, it turns out I was the one who interfered?

Was it wishful thinking on my part that I was the senior's first Servant...? Am I too late?

Senior, you're already married?!

"I apologize, Ms. Jeanne Alter. I have intruded upon your relationship. If this has caused you any trouble..."

"But don't worry, I will still do my best as a Servant of my senior."

Jeanne Alter: ......

[Feeling a bit irritable]

Although I am a wicked dragon witch, this kind of joke is really going too far. To wantonly trample on someone's purity—isn't this just like my past self?

Black Jeanne felt some regret and self-blame.

I shouldn't have gone so far.

"That...that was just a lie, Mashu."

With great difficulty, Jeanne Alter finally spoke again, albeit somewhat embarrassed.

"Well, while Master is an idiot and I can't help but worry about him, and the first part of what he said is true, there's really nothing like that between us."

The mention of "marriage" was merely a lighthearted jab at Manjin's complicated relationship.

"Besides, actually, that idiot's actions were actually me cheating by using some tricks."