Ritsuka Fujimaru decided to stay in this city.
It was an unexpected decision, one even Jeanne Alter hadn't anticipated... that she could actually keep the "final savior" chosen by the world.
"Senpai!"
"Ritsuka... "
Mash and the Doctor's voices rang out simultaneously, calling her name in urgency, as if trying to sway her resolve.
... But that was nearly impossible.
Ritsuka Fujimaru, for all her flaws, had one unyielding trait: once she deemed something right, she'd stick to it, unshaken by others' words.
And now, she believed this was right.
"It's not hard to understand, is it?"
"Mash, Doctor, and Da Vinci-chan."
"Though our ultimate goal is to save history… as an ordinary person, my perspective might differ from yours."
Ritsuka Fujimaru spoke lightly.
She suddenly turned, looking at Kiyohime. In the monster's puzzled expression, she patted her shoulder:
"Take Kiyohime, for example."
"Ancient people would've feared her actions, branding her a terrifying monster, right?"
"But I think her behavior is perfectly normal… when it comes to someone you love, you should pursue them boldly like that!"
"Besides, wasn't it that monk Anchin who broke his promise first?"
Ritsuka Fujimaru declared with conviction.
It was an affirmation Kiyohime had never heard before... leaving the monster born of love speechless, unable to express her surging emotions.
Unaware she'd maxed out Kiyohime's affection, Ritsuka Fujimaru continued to Jeanne Alter:
"As for Jeanne's story, we know it well."
"One thing: if I were in her place, I'd have been even more extreme!"
"Destroying a mere nation? A quick death is a mercy for those traitors... only eternal torment would make them realize their sins!!"
Ritsuka Fujimaru vowed with certainty.
In that moment, her face radiated a pure, almost innocent malice.
Jeanne Alter was stunned.
She began to wonder if this girl was truly the heaven-chosen savior or some embodiment of Humanity's Evil.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, was expectant.
"What about me, what about me?"
She looked at Ritsuka Fujimaru with eager eyes... Kiyohime and Jeanne Alter had been evaluated; now it was her turn, right?
However.
"Uh… sorry."
"Who are you, pretty lady?"
"Elizabeth Báthory?"
"Huh, never heard of you… are you famous?"
"Argh, I'll kill you!!!"
Elizabeth stormed off, ranting about holding a concert that night to "make you remember me."
"Is she mad?"
Watching Elizabeth's retreating figure, Mash was curious yet worried.
She'd accepted Ritsuka Fujimaru's choice to temporarily ally with these Servants bent on destroying human history. But admitting they were comrades felt… off.
So, watching the loud, departing Elizabeth, she wasn't sure how to feel.
"Hoping she's okay but also hoping she doesn't come back"... something like that?
But, alas.
"No."
"She's not mad at all."
"In fact, she's thrilled."
Though often at odds with Elizabeth, Kiyohime, who understood her well, spoke up.
"She's happy she wasn't recognized."
"Because it means she can remain Elizabeth Báthory... not the Blood Countess feared by the world."
Kiyohime stated with certainty, then looked at the oblivious orange-haired girl with admiration.
"Ritsuka Fujimaru."
She committed the name and the girl to memory.
A few simple words had won over all three "monsters."
If anyone could… no, surely, this girl who accepted even villains like them could save this world!
...
Kingdom of France, Lyon.
Three months had passed since the war to defeat the evil dragon.
Three months of calm.
The dragon was banished, the undead eradicated. The ruined city was gradually rebuilt, fields and pastures outside tended again... under the perfect king's leadership, life and prosperity returned.
The city's residents burst with enthusiasm. Whether for daily life or the potential wars ahead, they maintained an optimistic outlook.
"We are invincible!"
It was no longer a slogan but a belief rooted deep in their hearts.
They had an ever-victorious king, an undefeated saint, mighty dragon-slaying heroes, and a saint who walked with the Messiah... what reason could they have to lose?
"Everyone's morale seems high."
"They're clamoring to defeat that witch, to root out the source of chaos."
Martha promptly reported this to Artoria and her companions.
The Servants' reactions varied.
Saint George supported swiftly defeating the witch to restore the world's order.
Siegfried, the dragon-slaying hero, was less enthusiastic... burdened by his heroic name, he was reluctant to raise a hand against a woman.
Jeanne, the saint, fell into thought… though she didn't say it, Martha knew she was pondering the same thing they all were.
"Redemption."
This war's purpose shouldn't be just to defeat the witch.
It should be to help the Dragon Witch achieve self-redemption before the final moment.
But now… what was Jeanne Alter's situation?
Martha looked up, her gaze searching Artoria.
Artoria shook her head, then nodded.
... Since that day, Alaric hadn't contacted her, even cutting off all communication.
... But she trusted Alaric. If he chose to handle this alone, he'd surely succeed.
"So, everyone, this will be our final battle!"
"Let's give it our all!"
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