Chapter 141: Chapter 65. Now... Deny Me with Your Head Held High
Looking for more translated chapters?
Over 30 chapters are available at [patreon.com/kurato6180].
---
I Will Eventually Embark on the Path of No Return Called a Hero [Arc2] - 65. Now... Deny Me with Your Head Held High
---
"Jeanne?"
Cyd stopped, looking somewhat puzzled at the girl sitting on the ground with a flag. Her disheveled blonde hair and confused violet eyes made the saint, who had always appeared strong, look incredibly fragile.
"Cyd, I have a question to ask you," Jeanne said, pursing her lips. "I hope you can swear that this answer is absolutely true."
"What's with the seriousness?" Cyd scratched his face. "Alright, I have nothing to hide anyway."
"Do... do you really not desire the Holy Grail?" Jeanne stared intensely at Cyd.
[Please... deny it.]
"I have no interest in that broken cup," Cyd waved his hand. "I've never believed that a mere vessel with a lot of magical energy could grant any wish."
The crystal representing Hermes' blessing glowed, and at this moment, Cyd was telling the truth.
"Thank you."
However, before Jeanne could breathe a sigh of relief, Cyd's next sentence made her vision go dark.
"But right now, I do need that cup," Cyd bent down and smiled at Jeanne.
"To return to this world!"
"Is this your regret?" Jeanne clutched the holy flag in her arms.
"Regret? Don't act as if I'm already dead. I'm still very much alive, just trapped outside of time. To this world, I don't exist there, and it's no different from being dead," Cyd seemed to ignore Jeanne's action and reached out to smooth the disheveled hair on Jeanne's forehead. "Right now, I just want to come back."
Jeanne was stunned. She had always thought Cyd wanted to use the Holy Grail to resurrect after perishing with Kronos, but the situation was much purer than she had imagined. The Hero of Pure White had successfully defeated the former King of the Gods. He was still alive but just couldn't find his way home. He descended into this Holy Grail War as a Heroic Spirit only to return.
What should she do?
This was not a regret of the deceased but a wish of the living. Cyd was not a dead person; he was very much alive, trapped outside of time, and now he just wanted to come back.
Could she say something as cruel as [Don't come back! This world neither needs nor allows you to return!]?
She had self-awareness; she never claimed to be a saint because her hands were stained with others' blood. She could be ruthless against her enemies, but she couldn't do that to Cyd.
Cyd had never done anything wrong, never killed anyone, never participated in wars. What he fought against were disasters. Even though he held the blessings of the gods, he never used them for his own gain. He even helped famine-stricken people by making the land fertile. He was not wrong; his actions were undoubtedly good!
[Just wanting to go home.]
Such a pure and sad wish—why should she deny it?
"Hey, don't make such a vulnerable face," Cyd pinched Jeanne's cheek. "Aren't you always so resolute? Just say what you need to say, like you did before when you faced me."
"Don't…" Jeanne trembled as she grasped Cyd's hand. "Shouldn't you… shouldn't you…"
"You're almost crying; what do you want me to do?" Cyd sighed, already knowing the remaining few words Jeanne was struggling to say.
"She is an enemy," a distant voice echoed behind Cyd, cold killing intent filling the space. "If you can't do it, then let me handle it."
"Ata, I think there's still room for negotiation," Cyd's mouth twitched. He almost forgot there was another person here.
"There's no more room for negotiation," Atalanta stretched out her hand and grabbed Cyd by the collar, pulling him up. She then glared at Jeanne with a cold, harsh gaze. "Hey, don't use your nonchalant resolve to block us. You don't understand our resolve. Or are you going to hide your incompetence like you did with Jack? Saint! Lady!"
"I… have resolve," Jeanne stood up, and even Atalanta seemed taken aback by her sorrowful expression. "Because the wish I must deny has no error."
"Then let's have a fight!" Atalanta threw Cyd aside, stepped forward, and grabbed Jeanne by the collar. "Prove that you have the resolve to deny us. Let me be clear—I will have no hesitation and will kill you with all my strength!"
"Then let's fight!"
At this moment, Jeanne was also somewhat despairing. She was not as resolute as she appeared, and even now, she was confused about what was right.
For a moment, the thought [Maybe let Atalanta kill her] crossed her mind as an escape.
"Well… what about my opinion?" Cyd scratched his face. "Ata, you seem a bit overly excited. Actually, I think we could…"
"Shut up! At this point, I absolutely will not allow anyone to stand in our way. Or do you want us to keep waiting?" Atalanta growled.
"I'm sorry," Cyd was taken aback and lowered his head.
"Let's go, saint. I will make you understand our resolve," Atalanta pushed Jeanne aside and headed toward the place where Cyd and Karna were fighting.
"I won't… won't lose." Jeanne chased after Atalanta as if fleeing.
She could not bear to stay in front of Cyd any longer because what she said was no different from telling Cyd not to come back.
"Hey," Cyd grabbed Jeanne's braided hair.
"It hurts!" Jeanne, with tears in her eyes, crouched down and covered the back of her head. "What are you thinking!"
She was so conflicted!
"In the end, the Holy Grail War is merely a battle for personal desires. Whether it's to make up for regrets, clear a name, or even save people, it's all driven by personal wishes. You don't need to be confused by personal desires," Cyd shrugged and walked toward Atalanta. "You've never doubted your own beliefs, and you won't in the future. My actions have undoubtedly violated the rules. As a Ruler, I've had thoughts about the Holy Grail. Regardless of the reason, the conclusion won't change. You need to deny me with all your resolve."
"Do you also want me to do something so heartless?" Jeanne bit her lip in reluctance.
"Hmm, because I believe in you, believe that you will come to a just conclusion," Cyd stopped and didn't turn back. "Even if that conclusion hurts many people, even if it includes yourself, you must hold your head high, because that's being responsible to everyone. And…"
Jeanne looked up, staring blankly at Cyd's back.
"I certainly don't want to be denied by someone crying like a flower cat," Cyd turned his head and winked. "I'll end up crying."
"I… I'm not crying!" Jeanne, somewhat flustered, raised her hand and rubbed her eyes.
"Then prove it to me," Cyd chuckled. "Deny me."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone