"Host body detected. Confirming descent."
"Detecting own magical energy. Reconstruction complete."
"Detecting Spirit Origin's composition. Search successful."
"Spirit Origin upgrade completed. Grand-level limit reached."
"Transferring modern knowledge... Transfer complete."
"Ruler… Jeanne d'Arc, will carry out the Lord's command."
Three days before the activation of Snowfield City's ley lines for the Holy Grail War, in an unnamed village in France.
With the descent of the golden-haired maiden, the saint named Jeanne d'Arc was summoned into the present world by Alaya to act as the Ruler for this war.
Ruler, a Servant summoned by the Holy Grail War itself, has the duty of properly overseeing the Holy Grail War.
At certain specific times, when the unpredictability of the Holy Grail War expands beyond the Counter Force's control, Alaya chooses its representative to manage the Holy Grail War from the perspective of the Human Order.
For this Holy Grail War, due to the involvement of the Life Simulator System, the entire world of Snowfield City was thrown into chaos.
To regain control over the Holy Grail War, Alaya selected the most suitable Servant to become the Ruler and personally enhanced the Servant's fame, magical energy, Spirit Origin, etc.
And Jeanne d'Arc was to be this war's Ruler... one of them!
"Hmph, just after descending, you speak of carrying out the Lord's command? When did you, my other half, become the Counter Force's lapdog?"
Possessing an appearance identical to Jeanne's, were they sisters? No, judging by externals alone, they could be considered the same person.
Apart from differing hair and eye color, their faces were truly identical. Even sisters like Artoria and Morgan, or Arcueid and Altrouge, couldn't compare to these two in terms of resemblance.
But those familiar with them knew they were originally one person, merely different outcomes, manifestations of Jeanne's different inner selves.
"Lapdog? I have never been the Counter Force's lapdog. What I strive for is the peace of the world and the happiness of the people."
"To achieve my wish, I can sacrifice everything of mine."
Gently placing a hand on her chest, her expression resolute as she looked at her other self, Jeanne Alter, but here distinguished as Jeanne remained steadfast, even facing her dark counterpart.
"Peace? Hope? Utterly ridiculous."
Different from Jeanne's golden hair and blue eyes, Jalter was the Dragon Witch born from despair towards everything, filled with rage and hatred.
Her silver hair, under the sunlight, possessed an ethereal quality seemingly outside of time. But starkly contrasting this were Jalter's eyes.
What kind of eyes were they?
Rage, revenge, resentment, refusal, confusion, hatred... Ultimately, all of it converged, becoming a shimmering gold that seemed intent on burning everything to ashes, proclaiming her enmity.
Hearing Jeanne speak of wanting human happiness and preventing the uncontrollable factors of the Holy Grail War, Jalter was filled with disdain.
"Other me, have you forgotten that it was the very people you believed in and protected who utterly abandoned you?"
"Have you forgotten that it was the very world you trusted that betrayed you?"
Mockingly looking at Jeanne, Jalter wanted to say more, but now was evidently not the time.
As information about the participating Servants and their locations for this Holy Grail War appeared in their minds, they received the rules of engagement for this war… rules proposed by the Counter Force, unheard of before, brand new rules.
"You are..."
Looking at the third Ruler holding the artifact representing the Holy Grail War, both Jeanne and Jalter were stunned.
Inside the Einzbern Castle.
"Hey, hey, Gil, is this the food you made?"
Black hair flowing in the wind, eyes like rubies shining brightly.
In the kitchen, looking at the blackened mass of food produced by Female Gil, Ishtar voiced her question.
"Hmph, Ishtar, are you looking down on me?"
Her proud posture always so confident, holding the food she prepared, called 'biscuits', Female Gil had been diligently practicing her culinary skills all these years!
"Hey, King of Knights, try my biscuits."
"Sorry, I don't eat black food."
Looking at the 'biscuits' Female Gil presented, if they could be called that, Artoria's face drastically changed.
"Tch. Then, other King of Knights, you try?"
"I don't like eating burnt things."
Similarly shaking her head, 'Blue' Artoria politely declined.
"Witch of Britain, surely you won't refuse me too, will you?"
Rejected by both Artorias in succession, Female Gil's pride was taking a hit...
"Me?"
Sitting seductively on the chaise lounge, accepting the black tea handed by a homunculus maid, glancing at Hope who remained silent like a robot, Morgan turned her head, revealing a hint of her pure white teeth, "Sorry, King of Heroes, I don't like eating chocolate."
"!!!"
'Chocolate!'
Never having felt so insulted, looking at Morgan, Female Gil finally understood a truth.
'It's the quiet dog that bites.'
Taking a deep breath, Female Gil didn't say more… persisting would only make her lose more face.
Throwing away the biscuits she made, Female Gil began a new creation.
"Irisviel, during your last competition, the King of Heroes failed in cooking, right?"
Beside the Servants, Sola was chatting with Irisviel.
Inadvertently hearing Irisviel mention the various competitions they had as a large group twenty years ago, Sola hadn't participated in those past events. She just listened to Irisviel recount those times, her beautiful eyes showing interest.
Discussing matters related to Gilgamesh and the others from before, Sola showed a puzzled expression, "Speaking of which, Irisviel, I wanted to ask you, when will Ryuya return?"
Having chosen to stay at the Einzbern Castle after the Holy Grail War began, Sola's own home wasn't far from it anyway.
Plus, she had often stayed over before, so she seamlessly entered the castle without any sense of incongruity.
Wanting to know about Ryuya's return, Sola asked.
"Ah? When will he return? I'm not too sure either."
"But if it's the Master, he must have his own plans. I believe we only need to wait quietly."
Smiling and shaking her head to indicate she didn't know, a nostalgic expression appeared on Irisviel's face.
Meanwhile, outside the Einzbern Castle.
"Mordred, we're almost home."
Bringing Mordred back to the Einzbern Castle, Ryuya looked somewhat helplessly at Mordred, who was tightly hugging his waist, and sighed.
This girl seemed to have become quite silent after learning Ryuya was her father, even now, as they were about to return to the Einzbern Castle.
Looking at the Einzbern Castle not far away, Ryuya suspected that quite an interesting scene was about to unfold.