Formidable was currently annoyed.
Medieval nights were boring. For now, the whole inn was filled with shipgirls, Heroic Spirits, and Spirits.
Some were restless, some simply stargazing in boredom.
As luck would have it, her room was right next to Setsuna's.
She had been considering whether to invite the Commander out to gaze at the moon and, like a Sakura Empire shipgirl, gently lean on his shoulder and say, "The moon is beautiful."
But someone else had already beaten her to it.
"That guy... is his charm really that strong? It's one thing for the shipgirls, but even the Heroic Spirits keep sneaking into his room?!"
Formidable put away the carefully chosen outfit and grumbled to herself.
Knock knock knock—
Jeanne d'Arc knocked and entered, carrying a basket of bread and looking very much like a country girl.
"Just baked! Super fresh! Want a few? I saw you all didn't eat much at dinner..."
"...Have you fallen in love with farming life or something?"
Formidable sighed with a hand to her forehead.
"The other Jeanne is already sneaking off to visit the Commander, and you're here baking bread?!"
"?"
Jeanne d'Arc looked confused.
"You mean her?"
"Uh-huh, Jeanne Alter just went to find the Commander. She's right next door."
Formidable said while fixing her hair.
"..."
Jeanne d'Arc thought for a moment.
"She probably had something important to discuss with the Commander."
"You can lie to me, but don't lie to yourself too."
Formidable felt Jeanne d'Arc was just a bit too naïve.
"I don't think she has those kinds of thoughts. Probably just wants to quietly stay by his side."
Jeanne d'Arc replied seriously.
She actually didn't dislike Jeanne Alter as much as Jalter assumed—even if she did feel Jeanne Alter tainted the sanctity of her saintly image.
"...Is this what they call a true saint? I feel like you don't understand your other self at all..."
"Wanna make a bet? Let's guess what the Commander's doing."
Formidable waved her over.
"Huh? Isn't that a bit improper?"
Jeanne d'Arc said that, but still sat down, curious.
Formidable put a finger to her lips in a "shh" gesture.
She summoned part of her rigging and activated a sonar receiver.
"The Commander's senses are sharp. He'd notice if we spied directly, but soundwave monitoring should still pick up something..."
They leaned in.
Formidable wasn't sure why she was doing this—a noble lady of the Royal Navy shouldn't be eavesdropping.
But her intense curiosity and concern for the Commander overpowered her sense of propriety.
What if the Commander really was just discussing serious matters with Jeanne Alter?
What if he really was just bored?
Then she might have a chance later!
Zzzzzzz—
White noise buzzed.
Then some very strange sounds came through.
"Huh? You want me to step on you? You really are a pervert. Tch, but I am a witch... not the face?! Huh?!"
"Idiot, I choked! Mmmph—cough cough—"
"Mana recharge? It has that effect too? Are you kidding me?"
"???"
Formidable and Jeanne d'Arc stared at each other.
"Why does it sound like the Commander is teaching Jeanne Alter... some really weird stuff?!"
...
...
The next morning.
Setsuna opened his eyes to find Jeanne Alter lying quietly in his arms.
Her long silver hair spread out behind her, eyes closed, breathing steady and calm.
Her delicate body had a faint rosy glow. Looking down, all he saw was pristine whiteness.
Heroic Spirits, having transcended human limits, didn't need sleep to restore their energy.
But that didn't mean they didn't need rest. Even Heroic Spirits needed meditation to recover from mental and physical fatigue.
"You look pretty cute when you're calm."
Setsuna gently pinched Jeanne Alter's cheek. Despite her usual haughty demeanor, always calling herself the Dragon Witch...
Not long ago, she was blushing furiously while learning all sorts of things.
As a Heroic Spirit born from the Holy Grail, Jeanne Alter's theoretical age was only a few years. She had no real-world experience.
Very easy to fool. She'd do anything you told her. Perfect for all kinds of roleplay.
Her tsundere nature made her even more fun. Mouth said no, body said yes. Absolutely amazing.
Truly the most gacha-bait-worthy girl in Chaldea.
Setsuna couldn't help but sigh internally.
"Nngh..."
Jeanne Alter slowly opened her golden eyes and looked up at him.
"Tch, Master, you really went too far..."
"Just because I said Heroic Spirits don't need sleep doesn't mean you can go that hard, right?"
"What did you expect?"
Setsuna ruffled her hair, and she snuggled closer.
As an Avenger, Jeanne Alter was born from twisted emotions—a manifestation of hatred for France.
She wanted to destroy, to burn her enemies into ashes.
Peaceful lives had nothing to do with her.
So she was always sharp and caustic toward both her Master and others.
But right now, she felt something different inside.
Maybe staying by Master's side wasn't so bad.
Even a fleeting warmth like this made her reluctant to let go.
"Master, you're really interested in someone like me? That's surprising."
"I thought you'd prefer the real Saint."
She looked up at him, as if testing.
"Don't be so edgy."
Setsuna flicked her forehead.
"I like both of you. Hm, maybe one day we can do a black-and-white parfait combo."
"Tch—Scumbag Master."
Jeanne Alter scoffed.
"Don't regret it. I'm a witch, remember? Let me accompany you to the ends of hell."
"No, even if you do regret it, it's too late. You're the one who brought me back from Orléans, so take responsibility!"
"Alright, alright."
Setsuna was used to her tsundere act.
After getting up and freshening up...
Jeanne Alter didn't put her black armor back on. Instead, she changed into her Shinjuku outfit: black tights and a jacket.
She thought for a moment, then pulled out a pair of black stockings.
"Master, do you really like me wearing these?"
"Mm-hmm."
Setsuna nodded.
"Pervert Master."
Jeanne Alter chuckled, placed her foot on the edge of the bed, and gracefully slid the stocking up her leg, all the way to her thigh.
She carefully adjusted it, making sure it fit perfectly.
The contrast between her white skin and the sheer black stockings was dazzling and mysterious.
"Master, want to have a lick?"
She gave him a teasing smile.
"No thanks, we've got breakfast soon."
When the two came downstairs, the shipgirls and Heroic Spirits were already seated in the dining hall, chatting away.
Since medieval cuisine was... questionable, they had brought their own food.
Cakes, fruits, and snacks covered the table.
Seeing Setsuna, Formidable and Jeanne d'Arc had awkward expressions.
They both guiltily buried their faces in their plates.
"Hmm?"
Artoria was the first to notice something different.
She set down her snack and walked over to Jeanne Alter, examining her closely.
"Strange... Why do you feel stronger?"
From her, Saber sensed a massive surge of mana.
More than any Heroic Spirit she had seen.
"Ahem. Mana recharge. Master helped me recharge."
Jeanne Alter coughed twice.
Setsuna hadn't lied—Heroic Spirits really could replenish mana that way.
Even if the taste was... questionable, she did absorb some of his magical energy.
She felt like she might even be able to beat Esdeath now.
"Mana recharge?"
Artoria turned to Setsuna.
"Master, you should treat us all equally. The Heroic Spirit squad are all your subordinates, right?"
"A proper ruler must not play favorites."
"..."
Jeanne d'Arc lowered her head until it nearly dipped into her bowl.
She wanted to say something, but held back.
She thought she was pure enough, but clearly Saber was even more clueless.
Setsuna looked around at the other Heroic Spirits, some confused, others hopeful.
"Recharge? Sure, I can do that."
"From now on, let's all head to the Eternal Snowfall for mana recharging."
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