Chapitre 9: Chapter 8: Finding the Dragon Slayer!
"(I've heard that, but..)"
We waited as Marie was getting information from the villagers of this small village. It seems that her naturally high charisma and cheery attitude makes it easy.
"(I see, I see. I understand. Interesting. Veeeery interesting! I give you my thanks, good sir. Now then, let us meet another day!)"
"(Y-yes! Um, by the way, may I ask what your venerable lady's name is—)"
"(My name is Marie Antoinette! Fufufu, it wouldn't hurt to remember would it?)" Marie giggled. "(...if you pass it along in about three hundred and sixty years, someone'll be very surprised, fufufu.)"
After waving to the villager, she came over to the group.
"Everyone~! I got some information~!" Marie said cheerfully as she approached us.
"I'm sorry, Marie. If I had went into town, I'd only cause an uproar...." Jeanne apologised.
"Don't mind it, Jeanne. We Servants should help each other out, right?" Marie smiled before getting somewhat serious. "Now, listen to this. What Saint Martha was talking about that's in the city Lyon. From what I gather, Lyon was where all the refugees in the city fled from before the town perished."
"Hmmm...none of my clones went to Lyon so I can't confirm."
The clones I sent out to scout either dispelled after getting some information from small villages, or was attacked by large amounts of monsters.
*Sigh* The problems of an unlucky person...
"That's stupid." Shirou said, crossing his arms.
"Why's that, archer?" Arturia asked.
"Where do you think all the monsters will go?"
Jeanne gasped while I frowned sadly. Marie's expression dimmed as well.
"Yes. The town as it is now; it's a hellish place teeming with monsters." Marie then gained a lighter expression. "The important thing is what happened before that. As I've heard, Lyon had guardians of some sort."
"....guardians?" Mashu tilted her head.
"A knight with greatsword in hand as he is cleaving Wyverns and Skeletons alike, fighting alongside a black haired man using his fists and some kind of magic, or so I'm told."
Everyone turned to me while I just facepalmed. "Why would he do that!? He should have dispelled! That idiot! Wait, if he's an idiot, that would make me one too! Damn it!"
Haah...clones are annoying to deal with.
"I see. If that's the case, then a Servant such as Martha would surely have been notified." Jeanne hummed.
"Yes. However, just a while ago some formidable people were said to have gone in.This knight is probably a Servant. Pursued by multiple Servants, they've since gone missing. And then, the city of Lyon was destroyed..."
"Huh?"
I saw Jeanne go pale while I'm simply confused. Why didn't the clone dispell if that's the case?
"It'd be great if they're still alive but... no, I want to believe in Saint Martha's words."
"No, I know that my clone is still alive as I didn't receive his memories. It is likely that the Dragon Slayer is as well." I interjected, placing a hand on Mashu's shoulder.
"I see...then that's good then!" Lily cheered.
"Oh yes, and King Charles VII has dispatched the Marshal Gilles de Rais and his forces to quell the city's chaos." Marie suddenly said.
"Gilles is...!?" Jeanne looked surprised.
Hmm, I suppose that makes sense. From what I remember, they were close friends. Though Gilles was driven mad after her death and murdered children, becoming known as Blue Beard.
"In order to reclaim Lyon, we will need to meet up with them." Marie stated.
I grimaced along with majority of the others. "That would be a bit difficult."
"Why would that be? Gilles de Rais was Jeanne's follower, was he not? Would he not surely lend us his aid if it was by Jeanne's request?"
"...that would be because, well. Right now I am recognized as the 'Dragon Witch'. It's likely that man would not receive me well."
"....I see. And yet, somehow I don't feel that's quite right. But still, we can't dally here with just one Nay. It would be bad if we didn't hurry. With the city of Lyon infested with monsters, ordinary soldiers don't stand much of a chance..."
"That is certainly the case. We should be going to defeat them." Jeanne nodded.
"Yeah, let's win this. If we destroy this singularity, then everything will be restored to normal. All the dead will return."
Yes, I have to remind myself that so I don't fly into a rage like before.
"Issen-Kun...Yes, you're right! This much is nothing, we will save the country!"
There she is, the charismatic and brave girl that left her peaceful life to save her country.
"Right." I smiled softly.
"Yes, Issen-San is quite right! So, here's a little present for you!"
I blinked as Marie was suddenly in front of me.
*CHUUU*
"W-what the hell!?"
I hastily backed away while holding my cheek, my face burning.
"Wha-!?" Look, Jeanne's also shocked!"
"Issen..." Arturia looked at me with a betrayed glare.
Why!? It wasn't me though!?
"Well, did you like it?" Marie smiled cutely.
"..." I couldn't find it in me to respond, my mouth hanging open.
"Senpai, get a hold of yourself... oh, come on!" Mashu started to shake me.
"Ahh, everyone's here I see. Please excuse my tardiness. It's always been Maria's bad habit to smooch others. The court has often descended into chaos due to this habit. Would you believe it? That this lady's faction would not even be able to function without her smooching?"
...What? What type of bull shit is that!?
"The monarchy had been destroying itself long before the poor's revolution; even folktellers and playwrights couldn't make up such absurd foolishness."
"Master, hurry up and snap out of it already! Snap out of it!"
SLAP
"Ow! What the hell!? You didn't need to slap me!" I held my other cheek, glaring at Mashu.
"Eh? Doesn't everyone do the smooch? That way, peoples' hearts would go 'hnnnnng' would they not? Right, Jeanne?" Marie asked Jeanne who gained a flustered look.
"Th-they wouldn't, they wouldn't! That sort of thing should only be done with the promise of marriage!"
I decided to tease her and dropped to my knees in defeat. "So I can't get married anymore..."
"N-no! That's not what I meant!" Jeanne panicked.
After some more commotion, we started to make our way to Lyon, only to see an odd group of soldiers.
"..Hm? Wait, something is amiss. The soldiers standing over there, are they not terribly ready to fight? They're blocking the way we came." Amadues pointed out.
"It seems they couldn't handle what's happening and deserted." Scathath scoffed.
"...But that is no excuse to resort to the banditry of this town. Let's arrest them." Jeanne stated before bursting off.
"Understood. Proceeding, with the back of the shield!" Mashu soon followed after with Cu and Shirou.
"....so exactly what difference does using the back of a shield make?"
"It's a joke that's been going on for a while now..." I rolled my eyes before flickering to a soldier and chopping him at the back of his neck.
/0\
After taking care of the bandits, we resumed our walk to the town.
"I wonder if we'll be there soon." Marie said.
"Yes, we'll be there soon.…to see a city I once knew in ruins, it saddens me but..."
I wanted to console her, but I know that sometimes it's better to just give someone their peace.
...once again the town was destroyed. The once beautiful city is now in ruins.
"…there's no one here anymore, is there." Jeanne's voice was shaky so I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder while suppressing any anger.
To my surprise, she grabbed my hand and held it for support.
...Despite the situation, I couldn't help but feel my face burn slightly.
"Doctor, are there any sign of life?" Mashu asked.
"..." There was no response.
"Doctor?" When there was no response again, Mashu looked up apologetically. "My apologies. It seems the communication signal is weak here. Let's split up; the 'Dragon Slayer' that Saint Martha was talking about should be around here."
I nodded my head. "Very well. Marie, Amadues, Arturia, and Cu will search the west while the rest of go east."
Arturia looked hesitant to leave my side, but nodded her head. I'll have to make it up to her later.
After splitting up, we looked all over for any clues on the Dragon Slayer as well as any survivors. I held Jeanne's hand for the majority of the time, making sure she was alright.
"This was once a beautiful city. So why did this 'Dragon Witch' do such a—"
"She isn't you." I cut her off, squeezing her hand.
"It'd be nice if that was the case…huh? Just now, did you hear voices?" Jeanne let go of my hand and strained her ears alongside the rest of us.
"Yes, faintly. It might be survivors, let's go see."
We ran over to the sound and the sight caused my blood to boil.
"Undead." Shirou stated, Kanshou and Bakuya appearing in his hands.
"The people of this city, they've been turned into monsters... this is too much!" Jeanne cried out.
"...Lets put them to rest." I unsheathed Kusanagi, Scathath and Lily nodded their heads as they too took their weapons out.
The battle was quick, fire style jutsu did wonders to them...but it was mentally draining. To see these people get used after an unfair death...it's both infuriating and depressing.
At some point the other group came over, bringing a group of zombies with them. Not long after did a bunch of Wyverns join in. attacking the zombies and us.
"Whew... I think we've cleared them out. May their souls rest in peace—"
Before Jeanne could finish, a new enemy servant appeared.
"Peace... wishing for peace... that's a rather naïve thing to say. Their souls may rest without peace. Such certainty doesn't exist for us Servants, this world had stagnated long ago..."
The Servant had half then face of a handsome man and another of a creepy, grinning mask like thing. His hands were large black claws.
"…a Servant!" Mashu informed, everyone getting ready for combat.
"Just who are you?" Jeanne asked.
"Let me see. People call me—the Phantom of the Opera. By order of the 'Dragon Witch', this city is under my absolute control. So you lot, what will you do?"
"Isn't it obvious?" I asked, my voice cold. "Crush you."
And crush him we did...literally. After some fighting, I summoned susanoo and crushed him into a bloody mess like Sasuke did to Danzo.
"Kuh... however, my task is done. Thankless; truly thankless a task if I do say so myself."
"How the hell are you even talking?" Seriously, what are servants made of?
"My song stops here. Be that as it may, true hell starts here. Cheers, Lady Saint! Your evil, your greater has grown."
"Silence. You're fading; to speak will only cause you more pain." Jeanne's voice is stern as she sent a glare towards the phantom.
"These are not words, but song. Lament thy path, and know despair. Give up on the 'Dragon Slayer'. And then run, run to the end of ends. With good fortune, you may yet escape. It comes. The dragon comes. The devil comes. The likes of which none of you have ever seen, the evil dragon!"
Amadues cuts the phantom off there, sending out an attack that pierced the enemies chest.
"Tenacious, aren't you. The coda is over, quietly withdraw from the stage."
"An evil dragon...?" Mashu was tense, ready for any attack.
"Ahh, it finally connected!! Everyone, get out of there!"
"Roman? What's wrong?" I asked, a bit annoyed at his sudden appearance.
"A being stronger than Servants—life reaction is over the maximum levels!! It's heading straight for you at ridiculous speed!!"
Oh...well, shit.
"…Stronger than Servants!? Such a thing really exists in this world!?" Mashu gasped.
"They do exist in different places! The world is wide after all! Look at Issen! He's a human and strong enough to take down servants."
Well, that's true. Though it's not really relevant now!
"Roman, focus!" I yelled.
"Oh, sorry, we can talk later! That's not the only problem, three Servants are in pursuit!"
I frowned at hearing that.
"No, we need to find the dragon slayer. Now more then ever. My clone hasn't dispelled for some reason and we know it was with this servant. He's still alive!"
"Nowaynowaynoway. There's no time, no time at all!"
"But if we abandon this Servant, there won't be another chance like this again...!" Jeanne retorted.
Tensions are high, some are wanting to flee while others are saying to fight. In the end, they all turn to me.
"....We're going." I can't just let the only chance we have slip through our fingers. Not to mention the fact that the dragon slayer could be wounded.
"Amadeus, let's prepare to intercept them... that is, to fight together?" Marie turned to the musician.
"Just now, that was a good as an order, you know. As always, now is the time to prop up a smile. I say, you need not worry about me. It would shame me to run alone from danger!"
"You're right. As I would expect of Amadeus. It's all right, let's buy some time. I will not die. Not yet, not here."
Cu was smiling in excitement while Scathath was smiling softly at me for some reason. Arturia was clutching her invisible sword and waiting for tbe order to set off. Shirou is tense, and alert.
I turned to Lily, her fave scrunched up slightly and her posture indicates that she's nervous.
"Right. Don't worry, I won't let any of you die, it's a promise. Though I won't die either, there's too much riding on this." I said, patting Lily on the head to ease her nerves.
I won't die here! I have an entire other world that needs to be saved after this one!
"Doctor! Aren't there any other Servant reactions?" Mashu asked.
"I'm searching right now, so please wait a bit...!" There was brief pause. "Got it. There's a slightly weak reaction, it's coming from the castle up ahead!"
"Lets go!" Jeanne exclaimed with confidence as we took off for our only hope.
/0\
The group arrived at the castle, they spotted both the servant and the clone of Issen.
"Boss! Siegfried here is gravely injured!" The clone approached the original.
"Dispell."
The clone nodded before dispelling, the information of what's going on entering his head.
"Hey, Siegfried, how are you holding up?"
"Urgh...I take it you're the original? Then that must be...your group."
"Anyways, please hurry! A dragon is heading here!" Mashu informed. "Other riders are reinforcing as well. The enemy's forces is overwhelming stronger."
"The…. Dragon…. I see now. That is why I was summoned here. That is my purpose in this battle." Siegfried grunted as Issen helped him up.
"We're here to help you. We need to escape now!" Issen hurriedly put Siegfried on his shoulder.
"Sorry, I'm counting on you!"
The party then left the castle, Issen carrying the injured dragon slayer on his back.
"Hurry Issen-san! We can sense danger approaching!"
"Visible enemies spotted in the distance! This is… no, impossible!"
A giant dragon with a yellow glowing mark on its chest similar to the green one on Siegfrieds hovered in the sky. The group stared at the dragon with awe and some fear, but Issen's eyes hardened as he saw Jeanne Alter come up to the top of the dragons head.
"Look at what I've found, a soon to be dead servant Rider? It's fine though, now, perish!"
Upon saying that, the giant dragon roared before charging up a giant amount of fire.
"They're commencing the assault!" Marie yelle as she prepared her NP.
"It's no use, fall back Marie! Your Noble Phantasm can't stop them…" Amadues pulled Marie back.
"I-I'll use my noble Phantasm!" Mashu stated.
"We'll do it together, Mashu-San!"
"R-right!"
"Luminosité..."
"Noble Phantasm-"
Before the two could finish, a hand pulled them both back.
"Issen-Kun!"
"Leave the defence to me for this one."
The Susanoo formed around the group, the fully muscled formed gaining armour, a cowl like object formed on its head that has tengu like nose and a crystal on the forehead, yellow eyes glaring at the dragon from within the shadow of the 'cowl'. (AN: Look up armoured form of Susanoo. It's really hard to explain!)
The armored form of Susanoo is a lot stronger defensively, but moves slower and is more draining to use. However, for this situation, it's perfect.
"GRRRRROOOOOOAAAARRRRRRRRRRR!!"
Issen's Susanoo raised up its crossbow, using it as a shield as the dragons and wyverns fire slams into it.
Issen grits his teeth in agony, the heat of the flames reaching him slightly. However, he let out his own roar, his EMS spinning wildly before the Susanoo was engulfed in black flames like another layer of armor!
"This is..." Jeanne and the others could only watch in awe as the Susanoo blocks the flames, no one injured.
The Susanoo growls as it throws a ball of black flames at the Dragon, quickly followed by three arrows also engulfed in flames.
Issen's eyes throbbed slightly as his they dripped blood, making it look as if he was crying tears of blood. However, the master doesn't show any reaction. He's used to it by now, conjuring and then controlling Amaterasu usually has thus effect.
"Don't let those arrows touch you!" Jeanne Alter yelled at the dragon who then dodged the attacks.
Issen was about to load more arrows before a hand gripped his shoulder.
"No, you have done enough. Thanks to your assistance, I was able to recover enough mana."
Issen frowned but unsummoned the Susanoo. "Are you sure?"
Siegfried nodded his head before looking at the giant dragon and group of wyverns, his sword releasing an aura that frightens the dragonkin. "It's been a long time hasn't it? Fafnir. Even if revived for the second time, I will stop you a second time…!"
"The Wyverns are becoming frightened…that servant…impossible!" Jeanne Alter yelled in anger.
"Listen to the great blue skies! My true name is Siegfried! Thou shall be defeated in one strike. Noble Phantasm, RELEASE! Illusory Greatsword: Felling of the Sky Demon!"
With one 'strike', the great dragon was plummeting to the ground. However, so did Siegfried who was quickly caught by Issen.
"You have my thanks..."
"Nah, thank you." Issen smiled.
"Ku…! Fafnir, rise!" Jeanne Alter commanded the dragon who just barely missed hitting the ground.
"I'm sorry, but this is my limit. My powers will not return me...please, withdraw…" Siegfried said tiredly.
Issen frowned as he looked back at the staggering dragon.
"Everyone, now is the time to withdraw!"
"Master, we need to escape and recover!" Lily pulled on Issen's shirt who hesitantly nodded his head, the group fleeing the battlefield.
/0\
I could have taken Fafnir down! Though I suppose that Jeanne Alter and the other two servants would have attacked as well...
Not to mention the fact that my chest wound reopened and I'm exhausted from all that's been going on...
"I can't detect the enemy anymore but we can't wait around here. Hurry!" Roman snapped me from my thoughts.
"Senpai, I want a horse!" Mashu complained.
"Hey! You aren't the one carrying a fully grown man with armor and heavy sword!" I retorted.
"Sorry...*cough*!"
"Oi! Don't cough up blood on me!"
Am I going to have to start saying 'Such Misfortune' all the time!?
"This is good training. Make sure to make use of it." Scathath declared as she ran alongside us.
"Are you alright, Issen-Kun?" Jeanne pulled up besides me, her face set in a worried expression.
"Yep! A bit tired and slightly stressed, but otherwise A-ok!" I gave a thumbs up and a smile.
"How about your eyes? They are trailing blood..." Jeanne continued to fuss over me, Arturia joining in.
"Aaahhh! I'm fine, I'm fine! My eyes aren't used to being used so much like that so they bleed. Don't worry, it don't have any real averse effects other then a small throbbing every now and then."
The others watched this in silent amusement as we continued to run along until Jeanne suddenly halted us.
"Please wait. I can see something at the front, it's….the French army!"
"There are wyverns! Those reinforcements aren't for us!" I said upon turning my sharingan back on.
The Wyverns took notice of us and attacked, I had to stay back and met the others take care of them as I supported Siegfried.
"We've finished almost all the wyverns. Finally next is…" Mashu wiped away some sweat, tired from the fighting.
"Oi...you've got to be kidding me." I grunted as I sensed two servants before they jumped out in front of us.
One was a white haired man with blue eyes, dressed in a trench coat. The other was covered in a black mist, but I can make out some armor and a helm with glowing red slits.
"Arrrrrrrrr...!"
"Sir Lancelot...!" Arturia gripped Excalibur as she looked at her knight, Lily gasping in shock at the name.
"...." The other servant simply stared at Marie...no, at her neck?
"...Bastard….!" Amadues growled.
"My, what a coincidence. I haven't forgotten your face." Marie smiled, but it didn't have the same cheer as usual.
"That makes me happy. I haven't forgotten you either, my nostalgic lady. White just like snow. And again, it seems fate has brought us back to reminiscent situation. There must be a special connection between us. Aren't I right? I believe it is destiny for me to be your executioner a second time." The man smiled insanely.
"…. Not just during your original life, but execute Marie a second time? Charles-Henri Sanson. It seems you really have lost your mind haven't you?" Amadues shook his head.
Sanson? So he's the one that executed Marie?
"Such a lowly human, how unpleasant you are to disturb my conversation with me and my destined lady." Sanson sneered at Amadues, causing me to roll my eyes.
"Amadeus. I declare you to be creature of human filth. You see, I'm different. Humans are holy. That is why, I shall give you the honor of being executed. You and I could never see eye to eye. You are a piece of trash incapable of loving humans. You do not understand the preciousness of her, you don't deserve to be by her side." With that said, Sanson raised his giant blade.
"…ARRRRRRRRRR!"
Lancelot roared as he charged at Arturia, who just barely managed to block the attack when Lily burst forward as well.
"Master, allow me to fight Sir Lancelot!"
"I-I'll help!"
I nodded my head. "Yes, I'll leave him to you two then. You can unleash your noble phantasm if you need to."
I can understand of Arturia wished to deal with her maddened friend, as well as Lily helping her future self.
"Look at the sky! There are also wyverns flying around!"
OMFG! When shit hits the fan, it REALLY hits the fan! Give us a break!
I created 15 clones at a moments notice. "Shirou, Marie, Mashu, and Amadues, you three will take on Sanson. Be careful, he js an assassin class servant meaning his NP most likely represents 'death', in other words a one-hit KO!"
"Scathath, Cu, and Jeanne will be with my clones and I, assisting the army!" One of my clones carried Siegfried in mu stead.
"""""Understood, Master!"""""
With that I, along with the others quickly ran to the army.
"(Please run!)" Jeanne cried out to the army, killing a wyvern.
"(Wh-what?)"
"(Enough, just run now! Do you want to die!?)" I yelled to them in frustration, slicing through the neck of another Wyvern.
"(Don't, don't run away! Over there is the 'Dragon Witch'! Take back our home!)"
"(You fools!)" I roared, rushing forward and striking down another Wyvern.
"Fufufu...it looks like you're having trouble there." The assassin from before, Carmilla, approached with another wave of Wyverns.
I ignored her, for now I simply need to focus on the Wyverns. It seems that around 6 of my clomes have dispelled, each having taken down at least one Wyvern.
I killed Wyvern after Wyvern after Wyvern, using Kusanagi, Jutsu, my Susanoo. They just kept coming! The other two lancers with me were getting tired and annoyed as well.
"Issen-Kun...!" Jeanne gasped out a breath, I sent a chidori spear at a wyvern aiming to bite at the Ruler servant.
"Are you alright?" I asked, trying to get my breathing steady as I stood in front of her.
"I-I'm fine...!"
As we were about to run back into the fray, a male voice suddenly yelled through out the area.
"Artillery, fireeeeee!"
Cannonballs flew through the air and slammed into numerous Wyverns as well as Assassin.
"Ku...!"
"Nows my chance!"
Jeanne dashed forward and slashed Assassin across the chest, sealing away the servants power using her authority as a Ruler.
"Ku… as expected of the Ruler. You've even sealed my powers…! We're retreating. Sanson! Lancelot!" Carmilla backed away, Sanson dropping down besides her.
I looked back and saw that group fighting Sanson is perfectly alright, Arturia however...
"Stop!" Jeanne tried to run after them, but Lily was slammed into her from an attack by Lancelot.
"ARRRRRRRR!!"
"Tch!" I clicked my tounge at seeing the mad knight.
I then saw Arturia and made eye contact with her. She nodded her head as she brought her blade up, silently telling me to leave it to her.
"Allow Arturia to finish this." I held the others back.
"Why!?" Mashu asked.
"Lancelot is Arturia's friend and knight. She wishes to free him from his madness, so allow her."
The fight was what one would expect from two servants. Their attacks are quick and powerful, as well as refined.
I observed the battle with my Sharingan, making sure to remember the technique Lancelot uses. Even as a berserker it seems that he is masterful with the sword.
Finally after a while, Arturia pierced Lancelots chest, ending him.
"My....King...I am...pleased..." Lancelot then vanished.
"Sir Lancelot..." I saw a tear fall from Arturia's eye, one that was hastily wiped.
I walked up to Arturia and placed a hand on her shoulder. "In the end, I believe that he was satisfied with his 'punishment'. Perhaps one day, I will summon him in his true form."
I gave Arturia a quick hug, one that she returned. "Thank you, master. I would very much like that..."
Separating from her, I turned to the group, and blinked when I saw Jeanne half glaring and half pouting at me. Is she...jealous?
"Well, do you want to talk to your old comrades?" I asked her.
She shook her head, a sad smile forming. I pat her on the head and started to walk off with the others following.
"Jeanne! Stop! You are most certainly Jeanne D'arc! Not the 'Dragon Witch', the true Saint!" Gilles called out to Jeanne.
"....."
"… Is it alright for you to not answer?" Marie asked.
"If I answered him, I would put him in a dangerous position. In our current situation, we do not need their assistance. More than anything, it's too unbearable to band with old comrades that now detest me." Jeanne muttered sadly.
"But… do they really detest you?"
"Let's go."
I frowned, but shook my head and sighed before going over to pick up Siegfried.
Unfortunately, the day is not yet over and we have to continue fighting, no matter how tired we are.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Train_Heartnet_0767
Train_Heartnet_0767 And another chapter out! Enjoy!
Issen will get stronger at a fast rate, but right now he is probably around the level of a high ranking servant if he's in sage mode or using Susanoo. By the end of Grand Order, he will be ready for DxD!
Thanks for reading!
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone