A trace of doubt flickered across the flawless face of the Dark Saint.
Clearly a national leader from France, yet now speaking perfect japanese language—especially when she emphasized the words "Sanjiro."
Because...
That name was pronounced exactly the same as another name she was familiar with.
"Yes, I was lucky enough to be chosen as a student representative. I'm extremely humbled,"
Sanjiro replied, cold sweat forming on his forehead as his body slightly trembled, as if completely unable to withstand the majesty of the French Emperor.
Seeing the young man in such a sorry state—Jeanne's golden eyes filled with disappointment.
"Oh."
So, you really aren't him.
That man had always been impossibly dominant before her.
He was feared as the "Crimson Knight" by countless people.
Every time he appeared on the battlefield, slaughter followed.
With his protection, Jeanne had united all factions in France and assembled an army that finally liberated Orléans.
Only to be betrayed by French nobles who sold her out to the English.
To this day, Jeanne hadn't forgotten the hand that reached out to her in the flames of the stake.
Unfortunately, all of it became nothing but a memory.
Since then, she had never seen him again...
Sanjiro noticed the faint change in her expression and finally breathed a small sigh of relief.
The Dark Saint was still as gullible as ever—
So easy to fool!
However, the once illiterate village girl could now fluently speak multiple languages.
That gave Sanjiro a strange sense of accomplishment.
Back then, he had personally tutored her through countless sleepless nights.
It hadn't been easy at all.
While others enjoyed romantic candlelit study nights, he had been painstakingly educating her.
Jeanne's gaze briefly swept past him.
Sanjiro walked toward another group and immediately saw that annoying little brat standing obediently behind Artoria. The golden twin tails drooped lifelessly, her little head lowered, eyes filled with confusion and inner conflict.
Huh? The brat's acting so quiet—what happened?
Could it be that two Heroic Spirits were fighting over adopting her?
If that's the case, Sanjiro honestly wanted to hand her off.
She had promised to sacrifice everything so he could live a peaceful, retired life—
And instead, she became a ticking nuclear bomb, one he could only seal with all his power.
While he was thinking that—
Artoria's holy blue eyes stared into him,
"Sanjiro, I read your personal profile. A child who helps others quietly without expecting anything in return."
The enormous People's Heart she carried on her chest made her all the more striking.
"I only did what I should've done,"
Sanjiro responded humbly, nervous and respectful.
Deep inside, he was getting more and more frustrated.
Good grief—why are all of them suspicious of his name?
He really should've been more thorough back then when he changed his name.
If only he had renamed himself to Tom, Dick, and Harry, none of this would be happening.
Problem is—
Who could've guessed that even after sacrificing his existence and being erased from everyone's memory, Alaya would still leak footage of him?
Damn you, Alaya!
"Not bad. You're starting to resemble that person."
Artoria looked at the youthful boy before her and sighed softly.
"Please lead me around next."
"Of course."
Sanjiro felt even more pressure but had no choice but to nod.
Staying close to her like this—who knows what she might discover?
Worst of all, that cursed brat was tagging along too. Who knew when she'd accidentally reveal his identity?
Screw it, better let her wear the green hat—
No, the Cap of Hades.
As long as she wore that, she could hide from the Heroic Spirits!
At that moment—
Jeanne suddenly walked over with a faint smile, "Since fate has brought us together, let this child guide me too."
As always, no matter what this woman wanted—
I follow!
Under her slightly disdainful gaze, Artoria nodded calmly, as if she didn't care in the least.
"Fine."
"..."
Sanjiro remained silent.
Heroic Spirits were supposed to choose from among the student representatives someone to guide them during the three-day visit.
As an ordinary human, he stood out like a sore thumb among them.
At this moment, he suddenly felt like the top courtesan at a brothel—
Being picked by wealthy patrons.
Damn it!
The academy city tour began.
Sanjiro was the guide for both Artoria and Jeanne.
Meanwhile, Mordred, who was originally assigned to be guided by Rin Tohsaka, instead actively chose Kirina.
The two of them looked like long-lost sisters, leaving Sanjiro completely dumbfounded.
One was the notorious rebellious knight of Britain, whose betrayal during the Battle of Camlann led to the downfall of an entire nation.
The other was a world-ending brat Sanjiro had been painstakingly babysitting, who brought Gilgamesh into his home despite his desire for a peaceful life.
Tch, the two of them were on par in their dad-screwing abilities.
Could it be that chaotic brats are attracted to each other?
Sanjiro had serious doubts.
Otherwise, how could he explain why the two of them bonded so quickly?
Well, from a certain perspective, they could be considered sisters!
The more he thought about it, the darker Sanjiro's future seemed.
It's over!
Two chaotic kids bonding meant double the disasters!
Moving on—
Sanjiro became the tour guide, smoothly reciting the prepared lines to introduce the facilities and people to the two Heroic Spirits.
The entire Academy City was divided into zones, ranging from elementary to university.
It was essentially a city made entirely of students.
Here, magical tools and tech hybrids were commonplace.
Ever since the world changed, magic surged endlessly from the Leylines, allowing magi to openly use magic without hiding.
Having two top-tier Heroic Spirits walking through campus became the most dazzling sight.
Though everyone had been warned in advance, many still couldn't resist peeking from windows with phones—or straight up using binoculars.
One was a proud, dominant Dark Saint.
The other, a flawless king who carried the hearts of the people.
Their opposing auras created a combined charisma greater than the sum of its parts—
So breathtaking it stunned everyone watching.
Countless students envied Sanjiro's position between the two.
But standing between them, Sanjiro felt like he was caught between two roaring flames.
Both Heroic Spirits were regal and untouchable—but they weren't hiding their hostility at all.
If his identity were exposed, he'd definitely be attacked by both sides.
Jeanne, walking beside them with a faint smile, said,
"Artoria, after you led Britain out of Europa, your economy plummeted. If you kneel and beg me, I'll let you come back."
After the referendum, many Britons believed they were returning to their golden "sun-never-sets" era.
Too bad—they were fools.
Post-exit, every industry suffered. Oil, coal, food—all daily essentials became uncertain.
Artoria's approval rating crashed hard.
Because ultimately, people need to live.
A king who couldn't provide a happy future would inevitably be rejected by the people.
"No need."
Artoria flatly refused.
As king, she had to consider her citizens' well-being.
This trip to Japan wasn't just to look for "Nameless."
She had come with genuine intentions—to sign massive deals with the empire. If the First Emperor approved, she could instantly resolve Britain's livelihood crisis.
Artoria snorted coldly,
"On the other hand, your country's protests are rising. Do you really think you can rule all of Europe?"
The two of them went at each other like blades.
Stuck between them, Sanjiro just wanted to dig a hole and hide.
Damn it, was the brat's dazed expression earlier because of these two's mutual hostility?
At that moment—
Jeanne suddenly asked with interest:
"This Academy City… is it your emperor's idea, or Nameless's?"
"Huh? Of course it's the emperor."
Sanjiro looked at her strangely.
"Nameless once said he wanted to create a world where everyone could become strong—where everyone could grow strong."
Jeanne's silver hair danced lightly as memories shone in her golden eyes.
"Sorry, I don't know anything about that."
Sanjiro shook his head without hesitation.
Back in his most chuuni days, he did want something like that.
A world where everyone could learn magic and evolve humanity to the next stage.
After he rebooted the world, magical energy overflowed from the land and sky, allowing even ordinary people to learn and wield it openly.
It was like a return to the Age of Gods.
Could it be...
That this was also a subconscious wish fulfilled when he sacrificed everything to the Holy Grail of the Stars during the final battle?
Or maybe, the First Emperor remembered that conversation and made it reality for him?
The two Heroic Spirits said no more and returned to the square where the other spirits were gathering.
As they were leaving...
Jeanne suddenly looked at him with a nostalgic sigh. "On the pyre, an unknown man reached out to me. I held his hand, thinking I had grasped the whole world."
There was no particular reason—she simply wanted to confide in the boy before her.
"Then... you...?"
Sanjiro felt the words were too heavy, unsure how to respond.
"In the end, I suddenly realized—he was only passing through my entire world, leaving behind no trace at all."
Jeanne looked at the distant back of Artoria walking toward Mordred.
The usually imposing and commanding Emperor of France let out a quiet sigh. "Yet he left a child with her, and it made me so jealous I wanted to kill someone."
Her expression remained calm, golden eyes fixed intently on Mordred.
That face, so charming and peerless, was filled with an incomparable sense of loss.
"..."
Sanjiro had no idea what to say.
He had only been used as a tool by Alaya, walking throughout all of human history, avoiding close relationships with any Heroic Spirits.
As for Mordred, she was simply an unexpected accident.
A pitiful tool used by Morgan.
Feeling sorry for her, he had deliberately raised her and taught her from a young age.
But man proposes, heaven disposes.
Even as a nameless Heroic Spirit guarding human history, he had still formed deep ties with all of these people.
It was all Alaya's fault!
Jeanne suddenly reached out and patted the crown of his head, her smile filled with "kindness" as she said,
"I see a trace of him in you, which made me speak all this without thinking. Don't you dare say a word about this. You understand, right?"
Her golden eyes brimmed with imperial pressure—unconcealed, regal, and supreme.
It was a threat that clearly said: if you don't cooperate, I'll end you right here.
"Mm-hmm, I'm tight-lipped! I won't tell anyone!"
Sanjiro broke into a cold sweat.
When he heard her first words, he thought she'd discovered his identity and was so startled he nearly blew his cover.
He never expected it was just a threat—she was afraid her words would leak and embarrass her.
As expected of the Dark Saint!
Too terrifying!
Sanjiro casually glanced around, pretending to be admiring the scenery.
He had the distinct feeling someone was spying on him.
Having walked throughout all of human history—facing Heroic Spirits, gods, and even Beasts of Calamity—he could naturally sense any surveillance.
But unfortunately, with his strength now reduced to barely a fraction, he couldn't pinpoint the source.
Still, he didn't need to guess.
You're the one spying on me, aren't you, Merlin?
That damn son of a bitch was no doubt hiding in some corner, using clairvoyance to observe the area.
Solomon's Clairvoyance focused on the past.
Gilgamesh's Clairvoyance could see the future.
And Merlin's? It could only see the present—as if using a telescope to observe the entire Earth.
A hopelessly sick perverted voyeur!
The most ancient hikikomori!
What came next—
After the Heroic Spirits toured the academy, they would also be in charge of guiding the students, offering gifts to show the magnanimity of Heroic Spirits.
Jeanne directly took out a magical gemstone, acting like money was no object.
Then she cast a slightly provocative look toward Artoria beside her.
As if daring her to show what she had.
"Praise be to Your Majesty!"
Sanjiro happily accepted the gem.
This gemstone was worth at least hundreds of thousands.
And with it being personally gifted by the Emperor of France, it could easily sell for several million!
Total profit—zero loss!
With hopeful eyes, he turned to Artoria, who smiled gently. "Sanjiro, as the King of Knights, I do not give such vulgar things."
…But I need vulgar things, Ria!
Sanjiro screamed in his heart.
Right now, he was seriously strapped for cash—still owing Gilgamesh 105 million!
Feel free to crush me with money!
Unfortunately...
The perfect King of Knights didn't produce any gems or gifts at all.
Under Jeanne's and his gaze, she simply drew her Excalibur and smiled. "Would you like to become a squire knight in name only?"
"Ah???"
Sanjiro froze in shock.
Had she figured out his identity?
Where did he slip up?
Even Jeanne looked at her with confusion.
This was the King of Knights who led the Round Table.
The so-called knightly ceremony was something no ordinary person qualified for!
With both of them stunned—
The ceremony began, and the young man knelt on one knee before her.
Artoria raised her sword toward the sky—not activating any power—and calmly said: "In the name of Artoria, I grant you the title of apprentice knight!"
Then—
She removed her white glove, something she had never taken off, and extended her hand to the young man, smiling.
"..."
Sanjiro paused for a moment, feeling his heart pound furiously.
Had she really figured it out?
He could clearly feel Jeanne's intense stare from the side.
His thoughts were a mess, full of disbelief.
Ria, why are you suddenly so devious, doing this in front of Jeanne?
Jeanne stood slightly dazed, suddenly unable to understand what the King was up to.
Why did this knighthood ceremony suddenly look more like a one-knee marriage proposal?