章 364: Chapter 364: The Red Lancer
The man was, of course, Shinji, who had transformed into an Assassin, while the woman was Jeanne d'Arc, manifesting as a Ruler-class Servant.
Shinji was a modern man, a university graduate who had attempted the graduate school entrance exam twice. He failed the first time but passed the second, yet opted to forego his studies due to a job promotion. His learning ability, even if not top-tier, was certainly above average. Despite having crossed over many years ago and having returned most of what he'd learned to his Shishou, he was more than capable of teaching Jeanne.
Jeanne was born in 1412, a time when the aristocratic system was far from its end, and the general populace was largely uneducated. Education was a privilege mostly reserved for the nobility. As a shepherdess from a poor family, Jeanne reportedly couldn't even write her name. During her military campaigns, administrative tasks were often handled by her ally and protector, Gilles de Rais, while she focused on strategy and leading the charge.
It was precisely for this reason that when she raised the Luminosité Eternelle and led the militia to victory time and again, people believed she was truly divinely inspired, as it was nothing short of a miracle.
Because of this, Jeanne was often teased as a fool, an illiterate, and a poor girl—though it's worth noting that Shinji never supported this view. He preferred to believe in an alternate-world scenario where Jeanne came from a family of strategists, and everything was a calculated plan to boost morale.
Unfortunately, this was just wishful thinking on Shinji's part. After spending some time conducting simple tests, Shinji could almost confirm that Jeanne was, if not illiterate, very close to it—even considering the knowledge granted by the Holy Grail, otherwise, she would undoubtedly be illiterate.
As for being a fool and a poor girl, those were true as well. To be fair, Jeanne was not stupid, but she was severely unbalanced in her skills, with all her intellectual talents focused on combat, leaving her woefully inadequate in other areas.
Shinji had taught her for a full three hours, and she still hadn't grasped vertical calculations—not that she couldn't do it at all, but she just couldn't handle large numbers.
"You are the worst student I've ever taught!"
Shinji almost screamed this in frustration, though he didn't actually say it out loud because of Jeanne's eyes—those blue eyes filled with distress and confusion, yet deep within, they harbored an unwavering thirst for knowledge. This determination moved Shinji, making him swallow his words and patiently explain again.
"Five digits too much? Let's reduce it to four digits first. Take it slow, no need to rush."
Jeanne nodded and continued to write and draw in Laeticia's notebook.
Just as she finished the tenth problem, she suddenly stood up, putting away the paper and pen.
Shinji asked, "Are you tired? Let's take a fifteen-minute break."
"No, there's a Servant from the Red faction in that direction. It seems they're waiting for us."
Upon hearing Jeanne's words, Shinji also stood up. His casual clothes instantly vanished, replaced by the spiritual garment set by his Servant body.
"I knew it."
Then, a thunderous roar.
"Stop the car!"
Though the noise of the old truck was loud, it couldn't cover up Shinji's shout.
It implies that the teachings of Buddha (or Bodhisattva) are like a lion's roar which subdues all creatures, capable of taming all beings (including those outside the faith). From a magical perspective, it uses the voice to trigger psychological suggestions, a type of hypnosis magecraft.
With just one shout, the old man was forced to stop the truck.
"Please wait until dawn to continue driving. We can walk from here, it's no problem," Jeanne explained with the authority granted by her class, forcibly convincing the old man. After he nodded and bid them farewell, she grabbed her bag and sprinted away at full speed.
Shinji dissolved his physical form and silently followed Jeanne.
After taking just a few steps, he sensed something unusual. Someone had set up a bounded field here; within its scope, not only were there no vehicles, but even the presence of animals had vanished.
Silence enveloped this isolated space, and the air carried an indescribable oppression as if foreshadowing an imminent great battle.
A storm is brewing.
The alarms in Jeanne's heart grew louder.
Danger, great danger! That Servant is extremely dangerous!
At this moment, she finally believed Shinji's judgment—the Red faction truly intended to harm her.
Glancing back at Assassin, who had entered "Presence Concealment" mode, Jeanne put down her bag and assumed a combat stance.
Clad in a deep blue spiritual garment that covered her whole body, her arms, elbows, calves, knees, and waist were wrapped in magic-woven armor. Her face now sported a metallic decoration extending from her forehead to her cheek, an inexplicable yet harmonious adornment. Overall, aside from the mysterious headpiece, her attire was fairly standard.
Jeanne, now donned in this spiritual garment, seemed less pure and more valiant, akin to a Valkyrie—bearing a striking resemblance to Artoria. With such an aura, it was no wonder that a maddened Caster might mistake her.
Summoned as a Ruler, her fighting spirit gradually ignited.
"It seems you are the Servant Ruler!" A voice called from above.
Ruler looked up to see a massive highway sign and a young man sitting atop it, waiting.
His hair grew freely, maintaining a pristine white. His gaze was as sharp as a polished blade, complemented by the red stone embedded in his exposed chest, exuding a radiant and enchanting hue. But most striking of all was the golden armor, emitting a divine brilliance, seemingly fused with his body rather than merely wrapped around it.
Though each part was beautiful, together, the young man left an impression that surpassed mere beauty.
Ruler watched him intently, without any carelessness, and said:
"Red Lancer."
"I haven't even shown my weapon, and you can already see through me."
With a hint of interest, the young man—Red Lancer—nodded in acknowledgment.
"Yes, I know. Of course, I also know your true name." She refrained from revealing Red Lancer's true name because of Shinji's presence.
"…"
This statement seemed powerful enough to make Red Lancer stand up.
"I see, you truly are Ruler. The fact that you could discern my true name even before I drew my spear is the best proof of that."
"Indeed. So, Red Lancer, why are you here?"
"Speaking obvious truths isn't exactly wise. Why I'm here should be taken as a clear declaration of war."
Though she had already suspected it, being told again still made Ruler feel disheartened.
"Your Master is foolish. Does eliminating me here have any meaning?"
"Whether it has meaning or not is irrelevant to me."
The concise reply strongly rejected any form of ideological communication. Red Lancer continued:
"My Master ordered me to kill you here. I am merely following my Master's command."
In an instant, a pale light seemed to pierce through Lancer's right hand, revealing the object that should have been in his grasp in this realm.
In his hand appeared a massive spear. Its length far surpassed the tall, burly young man, making it unimaginable that such a weapon could be wielded by a human. Its intricate design was nothing short of a work of art. This was an armament "bestowed by the gods," and no other words could describe it.
"Lancer!!"
"Apologies, but I don't have the leisure to consider your privileges and show mercy. Let's settle this with just a parting blow!"
These words, coupled with the sudden surge of magical power, left Ruler speechless.
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