Inside a grand palace or perhaps a cathedral somewhere in France.
Before Chaldea initiated its quantum transfer, within this luxurious building that should have been reserved only for bishops or nobility, two figures stood on the highest floor, at the very center of the structure.
One of them, seemingly the leader, was a woman. Judging by her appearance and demeanor, she was stunningly beautiful. Yet, in stark contrast to her beauty, her expression was cold—filled with what seemed like hatred. Her face resembled a quietly burning flame.
Beside her stood a man with such a sharply gaunt face that he appeared terrifying. If someone encountered him at night, they'd surely believe he was a demon or devil. His presence was chilling and sinister, further accentuated by his oddly colored garments, making him look like an evil sorcerer.
"What a luxurious place." The woman sneered, glancing around the room.
"While we fought desperately on the front lines for this nation, these so-called elites lived comfortably in places like this, indulging in debauched lives, deciding life and death with mere words... Ah, the more I think about it, the angrier and more disgusted I become. I want to burn it all."
"Hehehe, if you wish to do so, then do it, my Saintess. Whatever you do, it will always have meaning."
The sorcerer beside her tried his best to soften his expression.
"But before that, don't forget what we must do first, Jeanne."
—Jeanne.
If a third person had heard the man address the woman before him by that name, they would have been utterly shocked—perhaps even terrified.
Jeanne, or Joan of Arc, the saintly girl revered as a hero by the French people during the war, was supposed to have died three days ago, burned alive in a massive fire witnessed by many.
Saintess Jeanne had been executed by burning.
That was news every local should have known. Therefore, Jeanne should no longer exist in this world.
Hearing her companion speak, the woman called Jeanne let out a cruel smile and raised the object she had been holding all along.
It was a golden vessel, a chalice radiating a dazzling golden light.
The Holy Grail—the crystallization of magic capable of granting its master's wishes, the embodiment of immense magical energy.
"—With this, I declare."
Holding the Holy Grail, Jeanne stood at the center of the room and began chanting a spell in a cold, emotionless voice.
"Your body is under my command, your fate lies in my sword. In answer to the call of the Holy Grail, if you are willing to follow this justice, then respond to my summons."
"With this, I shall show that I am the one who spreads all evil in the world. Yet, you must serve me with your eyes clouded by chaos. You are the one trapped within the cage of madness, and I am the master of the chains that bind you."
"You, bound by three Geis, come forth from the Wheel of Restriction, guardian of the Scales—!"
As Jeanne's chant concluded, the Holy Grail in her hand emitted a blinding light, so intense it nearly obscured her entire vision.
And when the light faded, seven figures suddenly appeared in the room, which had previously held only two people.
"Oh oh oh~~~~ This is a Servant summoning!"
Seeing the scene before him, the man in sorcerer's robes cried out joyfully, like a devout pilgrim who had just received divine grace from the god he worshipped.
Jeanne, too, was deeply satisfied with her work. "You've finally arrived, my fellow warriors. As you can see, I am your Master. And I trust you understand why you've been summoned here."
"Destroy and kill. That is my command to you. Prosperous villages, bustling streets—crush and trample them all. Do not worry about anything. No matter what we do, God will surely forgive us."
"Ah, yes, yes. And besides, the clergymen now fleeing through this city, or hiding in every corner—my lowly Servants, if you wish, you may eat them as food. As your Master, Jeanne permits it all."
In Jeanne's eyes, if everyone in the world were innocent, then only the clergy were certainly filled with sin.
Devouring their souls or sucking their blood—such fates were well-deserved, even for the relatively virtuous. In this country and in the land across the sea, the Church was something that needed to be destroyed.
"Let us begin our cleansing, Servants."
"With the dragon's banner as our symbol, let us purify this nation, cleanse this so-called France of its sins."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At the same time, on the opposite side of France, far from where Jeanne stood.
In a vast grassy field.
At a spot where the city was faintly visible in the distance, a glowing gate appeared—and from it, a figure carrying a suitcase leapt out lightly.
"Hmm, landed safely, landed safely."
Looking around, the adult woman with beautiful red hair—Aozaki Aoko—stretched her arms and legs. "Ugh~ Hmm! The air outside is truly refreshing. Though Avalon's scenery is beautiful too, staying there too long gets boring. Especially when I'm cooped up indoors all the time. If I didn't come out, I'd probably die of boredom."
"Though I said I wanted to leave, the journey from Avalon to this Singularity was exhausting. If only Merlin had prepared some transportation for me."
Even as Aoko said that, knowing how that Incubus operated, he'd probably only move if Artoria forced him. These days, Merlin was practically busy full-time playing the role of a virtual idol named Magical Merry.
"Well then… I need to find a place to stay, and wait there to meet them."
Aoko was still looking forward to meeting her little man. After all, their last meeting had been over half a year ago. Of course she missed him.