Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

After a while, he led Vlad III and Siegfried to Fafnir, the place where Novia was located.

"Ahem, what a wonderful encounter! I actually witnessed the manifestation of two saints of the Church and the Shield of God. My name is Georges. It's nice to meet you all. That guy over there looks pretty good. Would you like to take a picture with me? Just the two of us."

"Thank you so much, Georgios."

Novia exchanged a glance with the calm Giorgios, but didn't ask any further questions, simply declining the offer.

Although neither of them said it, they were both aware of each other's identities.

As for Novia, he could sense a familiar power within Giorgios, and in terms of its manifestation, it was just like the one he had seen in Special F, which was actually Odin's Cú Chulainn.

Whose proxy was Giorgios, the renowned dragon-slaying saint of the Church?

The answer to this question is actually quite simple: it is Michael the Godlike.

Therefore, Novia couldn't understand why this godlike being would appear in the singularity of France in this way. After all, logically speaking, from the perspective of a godlike being who could theoretically beat a first-class planetary 'Draco', the Burning of Humanity was just a trivial human disaster, and there should have been no need for him to intervene.

In fact, for the gods who have already withdrawn from the world stage, the burning of humanity is just a disaster and there is no need to care too much about it. Moreover, due to limitations, they cannot personally intervene except for a few individuals.

Therefore, they might be watching everything happening here from the inside right now, which would be similar to watching a live TV drama.

After thinking about it, Novia felt he understood that the godlike figure probably had a very simple mentality: "If I can be on TV, it's not a bad thing to have the chance to be on TV." He also thought about how Michael had single-handedly blocked the Roman gods, but the ancestor of the gods had managed to appear by chance. It could only be said to be a very coincidental coincidence... probably.

In fact, Saint George was also puzzled as to why Novia had appeared and why she had to conceal her identity by claiming to be a demigod. The source of his confusion was the same as Novia's.

But then he stopped thinking about it. After all, he was working so hard, so there shouldn't be any major problems... Taking a photo of him alone was also a good idea.

And so, in their gazes, they found a shared understanding.

Compared to Saint George, who was trying to keep his expression calm, Siegfried and Vlad III openly displayed their uncontrollable joy.

After all, not long ago, they had participated in a Holy Grail War together in another world, so naturally, Vlad recognized Novia at a glance. If it weren't for the fact that Novia didn't directly reveal her identity, and he was wondering if there was some reason, Vlad would have shouted out.

After learning that it was Novia and the little Jeanne d'Arc on her neck who had made Fafnir obey, Siegfried felt at ease and began to have a friendly conversation with his old rival. Fafnir, out of respect for Novia, could only smile apologetically, but it had gotten used to it. In the past few days, it felt that its duty was to do nothing more than to light the fire for that green-haired little girl and lie down.

Normally, or even when facing an opponent she couldn't possibly defeat, Fafnir wouldn't necessarily act this way. But what could she do? It was the aura of Typhon, the progenitor of the Western dragons, so profound, it felt as if they were already intertwined. So there was nothing she could do about it.

In short, based on the information available at this moment, the only Servants under the Dragon Witch's command are Bluebeard, Sanson, and Carmilla. As for the Phantom of the Opera, he was eliminated when Siegfried fought against all of his followers. Now even Fafnir has joined their side, making this the perfect time to launch a decisive battle against the Dragon Witch.

The Cake Queen did indeed inquire why Fafnir, who should have been the leader of the Dragon Fang Soldiers under the Dragon Witch, was so compliant. To this, Jeanne Alter (Lily) preemptively offered an explanation—

"Because Novia is my dragon husband."

Upon hearing this, the crowd showed the same confused expression Novia had when she first learned that Jeanne Alter addressed her that way. Then they realized that it was because a chariot is a coachman, a horse is a groom, and a dragon is a dragon groom—it was that simple, yet perfectly aligned with a child's understanding.

Faced with the teasing looks from the crowd, Joan of Arc could only cover her face with her hands to hide her embarrassment.

To be honest, she never realized how naive she used to be. She felt she was more rational than other children her age when playing in the fields...

"Joan of Arc."

As night fell, Novia called out these words, causing the saintess, who was deeply surprised by how young she had become, to tremble slightly.

The silver-haired youth's smile lingered in the corner of Alter Jeanne Lily's field of vision, and at that moment Alter Jeanne Lily and Jeanne d'Arc's eyes met.

She had to admit that, at least in the current situation, she was already doomed to lose. After all, the difference in numbers between the Servants was too great. Alter Jeanne Lily had already prepared to reveal her true identity when everyone met Gilles.

Although I'm a little reluctant to part with Ryufu, Gil has been very good to me, so I can't just stand by and watch him go... So it's still Ryufu's fault!

He keeps favoring Fujimaru Ritsuka, how annoying! And Jeanne d'Arc, she's really so perfect! Why can't I be like that when I grow up? I keep acting like a child, retorting nonchalantly, charging around recklessly, not even knowing what's in front of me, making a mess of things...

But why is this the kind of person I am as I grow up? It's so disappointing...

So it's all Longfu's fault! He spoiled 'me' too much, how awful! Couldn't he be a little more serious?!

Speaking of which, besides that biased Fujimaru Ritsuka and Jeanne d'Arc, that brat Kiyohime seems to have this aura that she'll act once she's made a decision... How annoying, she's not that much older than me... I'm working hard to improve my writing too... If only I had Tatsuo's Command Seals, it's really... wrong to have a Servant without Command Seals... What a close call, I can't think like that, I can't...

Jeanne d'Arc, who was looking directly at Novia, naturally noticed the change in Jeanne d'Arc's gaze as she rode on Novia's neck; there was a look of disdain in her eyes.

This was a devastating blow to Joan of Arc, who, despite not having much interaction with her, already considered her a younger sister. For her, it wouldn't have been bad to consider her past self as a younger sister, since their personalities were indeed very similar.

But because Novia was there, she could only force a smile despite her inner grief, and then Novia's next words left her speechless—

"I've already discussed it with Ritsuka and the others. We'll head to Orleans the day after tomorrow to meet the Dragon Witch Jeanne. But before that, I'm taking you two to La Salite tomorrow because there's a mother there waiting to see her departed daughter."

Jeanne Alter.jpg.

Chapter 357 So, I'm off, Mom.

On May 30, 1431, Isabella Dac lost her child Joan of Arc forever in Rouen.

Those who mocked her, those who looked at her with pity, those who wept as they watched her go, and those who mourned her execution in the old market square of Rouen—most of them were ordinary citizens. Of course, there were also quite a few who ridiculed her as a witch.

Isabella learned from those who returned from Rouen that her child had been burned at the stake twice, and to prevent anyone from collecting her ashes, the English eventually threw the remaining ashes into the Seine.

However, just three days later, a dragon that only appeared in legends and the power of people who displayed what could be called miracles swept across all of France, burning the French land with overwhelming force.

The survivors learned from those 'demons' who had caused this tragedy—

Jeanne d'Arc, the Dragon Witch.

Therefore, in the cities attacked by the dragons, the roars of the already desperate people would echo:

"Serves us right! It's all because we stood by and watched the Holy Maiden die! That person has become the Dragon Witch! She's going to destroy us and this country!"

Such sounds are heard from time to time throughout France, and of course, there are also curses.

"Joan of Arc was not a saint at all; she was a demon in disguise, and she came here to destroy us!"

If curses are like songs from a distant land, then sorrow is the cradle of a mother's love.

"...I don't know how well you know that child, but I absolutely will not allow you to talk about someone else's daughter like that! That child would never do such a thing!"

On Ritsuka's very first day in La Salle, France, before meeting Joan of Arc, Isabella was already refuting those who cursed or believed that the Dragon Witch was a resurrected Joan of Arc who came to destroy France, and even threw punches at them.

"You old bastard—"

The man who had been punched was about to retaliate when the Dragon Fang Soldier, who had rushed over, grabbed his head and smashed it. The Dragon Fang Soldier then headed towards Isabella. Isabella was quite far away from Ritsuka and Mash, so Ritsuka wanted to help her, but felt it was too late.

It was at that moment that Joan of Arc, wearing a cloak, appeared and saved her mother.

Afterwards, she retreated to the outskirts with Ritsuka and the others. Even when Isabella attacked, Joan of Arc resolutely did not stop, leaving only her back view in Isabella's eyes. Although Isabella did not see Joan of Arc's face, how could a mother not recognize her own child?

Moreover, in later history, Joan of Arc's retrial was largely due to the efforts of her mother.

"Joan of Arc..."

Somewhere in La Salleh, Isabella sat with her hands on her knees, gazing into the distance and murmuring to herself.

She still remembered what Joan of Arc looked like when she was alive.

Beneath her naturally curly, smooth hair lay an incredibly healthy face. Unlike her own slender frame, her body was much larger. Born in a rural village, she was a Catholic. Her giggling laughter and smiling face made her seem like an ordinary farm girl to anyone who saw her.

Therefore, Isabella would never forget the day the girl left home.

After finishing her chores at home, Joan sat quietly instead of running off to play as usual. Isabella assumed she was just excited about going to the beach the next day.

"What, aren't you going out to have some fun?"

"Tomorrow, I'll probably have to go out by myself."

"Didn't we agree that I would take you to the beach? If you miss this opportunity, there won't be another one!"

For the young Joan of Arc, the boundless ocean was a dream she had to witness with her own eyes, because even if the vast wheat fields were compared to the ocean, one could not hear the sound of waves crashing against the shore.

"Let's talk about this wish later."

The following day, Joan of Arc embarked alone on the path of becoming a 'saint,' which marked her short life, her fleeting glory, and her tragic end.

Back in the present, Isabella, who was taking refuge in Lasarita, still firmly believed that the person who saved her that day was her child Joan of Arc, and that the Dragon Witch was definitely not Joan of Arc... She was so blindly convinced of her child's character.

Then, as always, Isabella, basking in the warm spring sunshine in La Salleh, saw three figures approaching from afar by the roadside where flowers swayed gently in the breeze. This made her widen her aged eyes, her pupils seemingly about to pop out.

After all, Isabella was sitting alone in a quiet place with few people around, surrounded by many trees, far from the bustling streets, so she could be noticed immediately when someone appeared.

"What... is going on?"

Isabella shifted her gaze from Joan of Arc, who was walking towards her bathed in sunlight, and looked at Novia beside Joan and Black Joan Lily riding on his neck. The scene gave Isabella the illusion that Joan of Arc had married, had children, and brought them back to visit her.

At the same time, Isabella also came to the three of them. Because of her old age, she was already panting after only a few steps.

Joan of Arc gazed at her mother, who was so close to her. The conflict between her initial reluctance to see her mother and Novia's demands vanished instantly, leaving only one thought—

My mother seems to be even thinner and weaker than before.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the leaves, illuminating smiling faces, but revealing far more wrinkles than I remembered.

Joan of Arc felt a sharp pain in her heart, as if pierced by needles.

"mom--"

"Grandma, why are you crying..."

Just as Joan of Arc was about to reach out her hand, she noticed from Black Jeanne Lily's words that her mother's eyes were filled with tears. At the same time, she stared at Black Jeanne Lily with wide eyes, feeling somewhat uneasy, not because of joy.

Jeanne naturally understood the reason for her mother's weeping, but she was somewhat surprised by Black Jeanne Lily's words, because no matter what, she could not possibly not recognize her mother, even as a child. So why...

She doesn't recognize my mother? Could it be that she's not me? If she's not me, then why does she look exactly like me and know about my abandoned wishes?

A host of questions arose in Joan of Arc's mind. Unable to find answers for the moment, she could only look up at Novia. In that instant, their eyes met. Novia simply nodded slightly without saying anything, but this gesture alone was enough to reassure Joan of Arc.

The reason for this is that Novia did it intentionally, because Jeanne Alter is unaware that she was born from Bluebeard's resentment and is not another side of Jeanne d'Arc. Therefore, after meeting Isabella, she will probably wonder why she doesn't recognize her mother and try to find the answer.

If it were the adult version of Jeanne Alter, Isabella might have been killed outright. But it is precisely because it is the Lily version of Jeanne Alter that she is considering this issue, and this is also the way to allow Jeanne Alter to be summoned again.

Although Novia's ability could forcibly inscribe it onto the seat, a mother's sincere love for her child is also an undeniable miracle.

Thus, this memory came to be, along with the memory of my mother.

She can then continue to exist as a Servant.

……

"So, even if someone is brought back to life, they can only exist for a few days...?"

After a brief explanation to Isabella, the mother understood that Joan of Arc was indeed dead, but had been resurrected for some special reason and could only exist for a few days...

Of course, as a believer, she could have discussed many matters of faith, such as the name of this silver-haired youth. In other words, wouldn't a different version sound like the Pope recreating the story of saving the saint? But because it was her daughter whom she hadn't seen for a long time, she overlooked that.

"Then why didn't you see me, Joan of Arc?"

"Because at that time, I was also very confused, and I was afraid that you would be scared, Mom..."

Even though she was an adult, Joan of Arc acted like a child in front of her mother.

"I never expected to see Joan of Arc as a child again. You're still so adorable..."

Isabella reached out and stroked the head of Black Jeanne Lily, who was riding on Novia's neck.

Upon learning that the person in front of her was Jeanne d'Arc's mother, Black Jeanne Lily fell silent; perhaps due to nervousness, her expression was stiff.

When Isabella's hands touched Black Jeanne Lily's head, this gentle gesture eased her stiffness somewhat. At the same time, she subconsciously raised the corners of her mouth slightly. Realizing this, she forced herself to calm down and not pout.

"I probably wasn't very cute in the past..."

Joan of Arc said somewhat embarrassedly.

"You do have self-awareness. You're always running around playing, either playing in the mud or mingling with the sheep. I used to worry about how you would get married in the future. But you're still like that at your age. Maybe I didn't raise you well."

Isabella shook her head helplessly. "But little Joan of Arc is indeed much cuter than you. Really, is it just because of the difference in age?"

"This one……"

Joan of Arc hesitated to speak.

Previously, she could have joked openly, but now that this Joan of Arc Lily was very likely not her, she had some reservations.

"Joan of Arc in her childhood must have been a child who celebrated a peaceful life."

Just then, Novia spoke up, and Isabella, upon hearing his words, laughed as if she had suddenly realized something.

"Indeed, that's right. This little Joan of Arc listens to me very well, unlike Joan of Arc, who doesn't listen to me. That's how it is, isn't it?"

At this point, Isabella opened her arms and said, "Little Joan, would you like me to hug you? I haven't been able to hug you like this in so long. And why are you so shy now that you're small? You would call me when you were big, but you won't when you're small. It hurts me a lot."

Isabella did this for a simple reason: as a mother, she had noticed an inexplicable difference between the little Joan of Arc and the real Joan of Arc, and besides, the little Joan of Arc didn't even recognize her.

Therefore, theoretically speaking, it's fine to consider him as a child who looks very much like Joan of Arc.

But Isabella sensed a certain emotion in her, the same weight that Joan of Arc carried in her past desire to see the sea. That's why she spoke and acted in this way. Or, to put it another way, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she had already accepted the child.

"Really...is it okay...?"

Black Jeanne Lily's body trembled slightly.

Now, she has the answer to the question of why she didn't even recognize her own mother.