They stood locked in a fierce stare. Then, suddenly, the strange woman turned her gaze toward me.
She grinned—and charged straight at me.
As I opened my eyes, I was already flying through the air, leaping between buildings.
It was Sylvia—she was carrying me.
"Hey! Can someone explain what the hell is going on!?"
"Shut up. If you don't want to die, close your eyes and keep quiet!"
"Tch… damn it!"
Just as I turned my head, a spear came flying straight at us. I thought I was done for. But Sylvia swung her sword—the same one she used to threaten me earlier—and deflected it in an instant.
"Whoa! That was amazing! Where did you learn to do that?" I shouted in awe.
"I said shut up!"
"Sorry…"
We ran from the chaos in the city until we arrived in a desolate forest—the same one I'd seen in that photo.
"So you've finally arrived, Jeanne d'Arc. Hahahaha!"
Her laugh was wicked and twisted. Jeanne d'Arc? Wasn't she a legendary heroine from France who once claimed to hear God's voice? She's not supposed to be here…
But wait—why did this woman call Sylvia by that name?
"This is where our battle begins. You won't be running away so easily this time. Or... are you scared? Hahaha. Don't forget, Jeanne, you were the one who started this war!"
"There's no fear in the voices I hear. I was only regaining my strength. And I'm honestly surprised you caused all this destruction just to lure me out."
"Well, whatever. Hmm? And you—pest. Are you a Saint as well?"
"Saint? What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm not a—"
"Don't answer her!!" Sylvia shouted.
"Fine, then. I'll kill you both together. Arise!"
Dark light surged from the woman's left hand.
"I'll end this here as well… Elizabeth Bathory—Arise!"
Elizabeth Bathory!? The infamous Hungarian countess? A serial killer during Hungary's dark past? Could it really be her? Damn, this is too much!
"Run and hide behind the rocks!"
"What? But you—"
"Just do it if you want to live!"
"Damn it! Again with the orders!"
I ran as far as I could and ducked behind a large rock. Sylvia leapt into battle, swinging her massive sword. The woman unleashed a series of strange weapons—torture tools by the look of them.
One weapon burst from the ground and pierced Sylvia's shoulder. She dodged swiftly and kept moving. Then the woman summoned a massive chained hammer. She hurled it, and Sylvia blocked it—but was thrown back from the force, now bruised and bleeding.
"This will end quickly! I'll take your soul and become the strongest Saint! Give it to me, Jeanne d'Arc!"
She charged at Sylvia, but with incredible precision, Sylvia sliced her across the chest. A clean hit!
The woman winced, clearly hurt—but still smiling madly.
"Hahaha! That's more like it!"
She spun the chained hammer again and charged. Sylvia countered—but one of the chains wrapped around her leg.
"What!?"
"Feel this!"
The chain yanked Sylvia violently, slamming her into the ground. Over and over, she was thrown, her body battered.
"Sylvia!!!" I screamed and ran toward her.
The woman summoned a massive spear from the shadows. At the same time, two iron pillars shot from the earth, pinning Sylvia down.
--
Sylvia's Perspective
"Damn it! I can't move!"
"Farewell, Jeanne d'Arc. I'll remember this battle as I gather every servant soul in this world. Goodbye!!!"
"Grandmother… I'm sorry. I couldn't keep my promise…"
The spear hurtled toward me—too fast to dodge.
Then… he appeared.
He stood between me and the spear.
"W-What are you doing, you idiot?!"
The spear pierced straight through him. Blood spilled everywhere—he was dying. I fought with all my strength to break free of the chains.
They finally snapped.
I ran to him. He was lying there, limp… his eyes slowly dimming.
"Hey… are you okay? Hey! Answer me!"
Why…? Why did this happen? I told him to hide.
Tears poured down my cheeks. Suddenly, a warm hand touched my face. I opened my tear-filled eyes.
"Thank God… you're okay."
He smiled softly.
His hand fell. His eyes faded.
He was dead.
I carried him gently and laid him beside the rock—to protect him.
I raised my hand. My holy blade—Pucelle—appeared in my grasp. Rage filled my soul. I charged at Elizabeth with all my strength.
"This is what I've been waiting for, Jeanne! Show me your fury!"
I slashed with everything I had. My vision blurred. I couldn't hear anything anymore—only the roar of my sorrow.
Elizabeth raised her arm, summoning a rain of weapons from the sky. I deflected them as best I could, but I was losing ground.
"Damn it!"
"Goodbye!"
I closed my eyes, ready for the end—
But she was gone. Blasted away.
"What… just happened?"
Then I saw him—standing there.
"You…? What are you doing here?"
His gaze met mine. I felt myself sinking into an abyss just from his eyes.
He stood tall, his school uniform gone. Now, he wore only white pants and a cloth belt tied around his waist. A Saint's mark shimmered on his left arm—a star-shaped emblem.
Golden energy radiated from his body. His light brown hair had transformed into a dazzling golden-white glow.
"Who… are you?"
"Thank God… you're safe," he said, smiling gently.
"Damn you! Who dares strike me—!"
"You…"
"Leave the rest to me."
Andri—no, someone… or something else—moved faster than sight. One moment, he was in front of me. The next, behind Elizabeth.
She spun around—too late.
His punch landed first.
Elizabeth was hurled through the air, crashing violently into the forest wall.
He caught her midair, staring down at her with cold, noble eyes.
"Let me go!"
"As you wish."
He slammed a fist into her stomach. She was launched again, smashing into a stone barrier.
"Now," he said, walking toward her with calm, focused steps, "let's end this."