About seven days had passed.
Thanks to the dragon servants working tirelessly, the massive project, originally slated to take a month to complete, entered its final stages in just over a week.
"The next task is to decorate the city."
"And then, I'll personally hold the foundation ceremony for it!"
Black Jeanne, brimming with enthusiasm, announced the final phase's tasks from her grand palace.
At the same time, sets of blueprints were distributed to "idlers" like Kiyohime and Elizabeth.
These blueprints, designed by Black Jeanne herself and printed with the kind assistance of the Chaldeanias Organization, detailed 665 critical magical nodes placed across the city's major buildings, walls, or even inconspicuous corners.
This was what Black Jeanne called "decoration."
Once these magical nodes were set, the city would truly begin to "function."
However, setting the magical nodes was no easy task, far beyond the capabilities of the lower-ranking dragon servants. Black Jeanne had no choice but to delegate this challenging task to these "idlers." partly as repayment for all the free food and lodging they'd enjoyed... or so she said.
But someone, please tell White Jeanne.
Why was she holding one of these blueprints too?
...
At first, White Jeanne suspected it was a trap.
A scheme by Black Jeanne to lure her in and frame her.
But she quickly dismissed the thought... because everyone around her unanimously agreed that the Dragon Witch didn't have the brains for such a plot.
Expect her to scheme against someone? Please, she'd rather burn them with fire!
"Besides, we've tested these magical nodes, and there's nothing wrong with them."
"When combined, they form a complete, large-scale magical circuit. This circuit can connect to the ley lines beneath, turning this cluster of buildings into a true city... You could say that once these nodes are activated, the city will gain dominion over this land."
"The 665 magical nodes, plus the final one she set aside for herself for the [foundation ceremony], just happen to make up the concept of 666."
"She probably wants to imply that this is a city of hell, right?"
Dr. Romani's explanation was thoroughly professional.
But it only made White Jeanne more certain of one thing:
"No."
"Something is absolutely, completely wrong here."
White Jeanne admitted her "sister" lacked the cunning to devise a conspiracy. But at the same time, it was unthinkable that she'd suddenly be so foolish as to forget there was a "spy" from another faction in the city.
"So what exactly is she trying to do?"
White Jeanne studied the highly detailed blueprint in her hands, knowing that with just a little sabotage, she could ruin Black Jeanne's "foundation ceremony."
That had been her original plan.
But when she rushed the critical intelligence back to Lyons overnight, the ever-wise and astute king, after long contemplation, gave her an unexpected answer:
"Don't stop her."
"In fact, you can help her."
...
With no time for further doubts, the bewildered saint returned to the Dragon Kingdom of Guidance overnight, carrying her new mission.
But now, she wasn't the only Heroic Spirit aware of this critical information.
"Why are you letting her go back to help that witch?"
"Did you discover something?"
Martha asked, puzzled.
She wasn't questioning the king's decision; she just felt they couldn't let the witch's plan proceed so smoothly... If they didn't stop her now, it might truly be too late.
A city of the undead standing on the land of the living... what a blasphemy!
But this was exactly what Artoria wanted to say.
"I don't know what she's trying to do."
"But I know what she wants us to do."
Artoria spoke calmly, as if it were no big deal.
Here, she had to admit that her spirited little sister had made some progress... in just a few months, she'd gone from an arrogant fool who didn't know her limits to a girl who could devise a plan.
But... it was still too naive.
If no one had asked, Artoria wouldn't even bother addressing such a rudimentary trick.
"She's waiting."
"She's waiting for us to stop her, to ruin her plan."
"Huh? Why would she do that?"
"I don't know, but I know what she doesn't want to see... and so, I'll make sure she sees it."
The king's decisions were always resolute.
No need to truly understand the enemy's intentions... just do what makes them suffer. The legendary king, worthy of every knight's pursuit, was, at her core, such a ruthless person.
At the same time, Artoria finally understood why Alaric was so fond of that Dragon Witch.
"Twisted sanctity, false nobility."
"Even bearing sins unforgivable by this world, she never seeks redemption. She only hopes to hold on a little longer, just a bit longer."
At least in that regard, the dragon and the witch were truly alike.
...
Another week passed.
Regrettably, the "accident" Black Jeanne had hoped for never came.
With the combined efforts of Mash, Elizabeth, and other Servants, the 665 magical nodes were set at a steady pace... under White Jeanne's careful inspection, they were solid and reliable, with no chance of failure.
"So, the day has finally come."
Black Jeanne stood before her palace, thoroughly satisfied.
In front of the palace was a main road about thirty meters wide, leading to a circular plaza. At the center of the plaza was a small hole... next, she only needed to plant her cursed flag in that hole to declare the city's construction complete.
"Good, very good."
She smiled, waving to the dragon servants lining the road, then raised her flag with a solemn expression and took her first step forward.
... For some reason, watching Black Jeanne, her face grave and even carrying a hint of "sacred solemnity." White Jeanne felt no trace of "joy" from her.
She only sensed an unprecedented sadness.
It was a sadness emanating from Black Jeanne's body, reflected onto her due to their shared origin.
And in that moment, White Jeanne finally understood the source of that "sadness."
"No, this is wrong!"
"This isn't a foundation ceremony."
The pure white saint snapped her head up, staring in shock at the black witch striding forward with confidence.
"This is a funeral... "
"She's planned a funeral for herself!!"
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