Ritsuka Fujimaru's guess was spot-on.
Alaric was indeed discussing "unspeakable" Things with Fou.
... But these matters had nothing to do with "conspiracies."
"Hmm, you say Mash's trait is being soft like a marshmallow, a top-tier quality, so 95 points?"
"Ritsuka Fujimaru, her outgoing personality is a plus for some, a minus for others... let's give her 87."
"Elizabeth… a carnivorous love-brain, not my type, 85 points."
"Kiyohime's a bit too scary; I'll pass on rating her."
"That ahoge girl? 95 points? Too high, too high... she's got no feminine charm, 80 points in my book."
"Jeanne Alter, though. That girl's a bit stubborn… but tsundere is a plus, got it! A gullible, lovable dummy who likes you. Full marks, absolutely full marks!"
This was the daily banter between Alaric and Fou.
Critiquing every woman here, occasionally throwing shade at Merlin and Romani Archaman... when Fou saw that virtual idol claiming to be [Magical Girl Mari #27], it nearly threw up last night's meal.
Notably, despite these two beasts chatting and lazing about all day, their power... especially Fou's... was growing daily.
Cath Palug.
The Beast IV, feeding on human competition, growth, jealousy, and regret, was reaping vast energy from Jeanne Alter.
This was proof of Jeanne Alter's growth during this time.
"She's becoming more human."
Alaric could sense the increasingly solid flame within Jeanne Alter.
Born from wrath, she was now adept at suppressing her emotions... though she'd still snap or curse now and then, she no longer lost control or went berserk.
This showed she could master that power, her emotions.
But it wasn't enough.
"Control alone isn't enough."
"She needs to learn how to use that power correctly."
"She needs a trial, a true awakening."
Alaric mused, glancing westward toward Lyon.
"Talk about perfect timing."
... Was it because they grew up together? Even after cutting contact, that ahoge sister was still so in sync with him.
...
Moments later.
"What? They're coming to attack?!"
"Good! I haven't settled the score with those traitors, and they dare come for me?"
"I'll take them all down in one go!"
Learning of the enemy's movements from Alaric, Jeanne Alter immediately erupted into curses.
But cursing didn't stop her from getting to work.
"You, keep watch here... make sure this canopy is up before dark."
"You, you, and you... each take a hundred people and build three temporary shelters outside the city, far out. It's top priority, so move fast."
"Everyone else, with me!"
With a grave expression, Jeanne Alter convened a pre-battle meeting.
Perhaps this was part of her growth.
After that crushing defeat, she'd learned to take her enemies seriously, no longer blindly arrogant, believing herself invincible.
Moreover, Jeanne Alter knew... they were the underdogs this time, and by a wide margin.
"Based on known intel, the enemy has five Servants."
"And our side's combat-ready forces… only count as two and a half."
Jeanne Alter counted as one, the enthusiastic Elizabeth as another.
Kiyohime was half... she might contribute, but expecting her to fight to the death was impossible.
As for Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash… Jeanne Alter never counted on them to fight... not turning against her was already cause for celebration.
"And that's not the worst of it."
"Worse still, most of those Servants have anti-Dragon traits."
As the saying goes, "counter trumps all, anti-traits slay gods."
A dragon-slaying hero's advantage over Dragons went far beyond double damage.
"Sounds terrifying."
"Maybe we should run... "
Elizabeth's suggestion.
Better to live and fight another day... facing two was bad enough, let alone two Servants with type advantages against her.
"I don't think we can win either."
"The gap's just too big."
"But I can hold one Servant off."
Kiyohime shared her view.
She didn't mention "running"... it wasn't in her nature.
Beneath her delicate, refined exterior burned a spirit fiercer than any warrior. Her dictionary had no word for "surrender"... win or die, that was her creed.
At this moment, she was likely already planning to take an enemy down with her.
... But Jeanne Alter shot down the idea.
"Can't win? I don't understand that!"
"No one's dying... not you, not anyone!"
"So what if they have numbers? Does that make them special?!"
"They're coming for me… you don't need to join this fight. Just watch me crush them!"
Jeanne Alter declared with unwavering confidence.
Everyone, including Alaric, stared at her, searching for a hint of her usual "stubborn bravado."
As everyone knew, she loved to talk tough. Even if she knew something was impossible, her mouth would never admit defeat.
But there was none.
Her eyes gleamed with confidence, as if she'd already seen that "impossible" victory. Her lips curled into a smirk, and in mere seconds, that confident smile spread to everyone around.
... Though no one knew where her confidence came from, in that moment, they genuinely believed she could do it.
"Kiyohime, you can start preparing the victory feast."
"And me, and me? Can I prep a victory concert?"
"Hmm… I'll let you hold a concert for the prisoners... stick with them when the time comes!"
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