In just an instant, Marie's Reality Marble began to crumble.
Actually, Laurent could've defeated her easily using the Eternal Trial of the Lake of Blood, or simply by wielding the Luobishi Divine Sword—but he chose this absolute, crushing method deliberately.
Because he knew, this was the best way to grant her peace.
"You really were hiding a lot of strength, Laurent."
"Yeah."
Laurent nodded quietly. Don't worry, Marie—I'll strike your head first to erase the pain, then devour you quickly.
Blood surged, enveloping both his hands and solidifying into a crimson sword.
"Inside this Reality Marble, I won't merely devour your mana—rather, it will consume everything about you. And then…"
The next instant, an ocean of blood flooded into the Crystal Palace like a torrent.
"…I'm sorry."
His words finished, Laurent vanished, appearing right before Marie the next second.
Marie tried desperately to counterattack with mana, but she wasn't even remotely a match for Laurent. Her mana was obliterated instantly, and the backlash quickly surged toward her body.
Marie struck out instinctively, but Laurent unhesitatingly caught her hand and snapped her wrist.
Blood-colored tendrils emerged from his back, softly covering Marie's head, while Laurent gently embraced her body.
Her pain faded immediately.
All that remained was a slow, gentle consumption.
Blood began enveloping her completely. Marie's senses gradually faded, yet a gentle smile lingered on her lips.
"You really are gentle… Is it because you didn't want me to suffer?"
Laurent's gaze softened.
"Yes. Even now, at the very end, you're still shining. You're weak, Marie—but your heart alone is bright enough to make up for it."
She didn't respond further.
Slowly, the blood enveloped Marie entirely.
Laurent closed his eyes briefly, absorbing her strength.
This… should be enough.
Jeanne Alter stood motionlessly nearby, watching everything unfold. Her fists were clenched, eyes filled with displeasure.
Recalling Laurent's earlier words, her emotions grew increasingly complicated.
What exactly is going on...?
At that moment, Laurent's eyes met hers. Jeanne Alter scoffed mockingly.
"What? Now that you've woken up, you want to join my side after all?"
"No. Actually—I've always been on 'your' side. They should be regrouping soon, so I need to hurry back."
He greeted her simply without adding anything else. Laurent had no idea what to say to this other Jeanne.
His form dissolved gradually into blood, eventually vanishing completely, leaving Jeanne Alter standing alone.
She stood there for a long time, until suddenly she began laughing.
Right… Laurent would never betray me. I shouldn't have doubted him in the first place.
Haha—ahaha…
I always should've believed in him. Even if the entire world betrays me, he never would.
It's only a Sanson. If you want Servants to eat, I'll give you as many as you desire—as long as in the end, I catch that woman.
...
On the other side, Laurent pretended to be exhausted as he rejoined Mash's group.
"Where's Marie-san?" Ritsuka Fujimaru asked worriedly, seeing Laurent return alone.
"That executioner had a special Noble Phantasm that forces you to face death. I survived thanks to my immortality, but Marie, she…"
"I see…"
"But you don't need to feel sad. She knew this might happen when she stayed behind with me. Right now, we should prioritize healing Siegfried's wounds."
"Yes, of course!"
Laurent subtly approached Jeanne, eyeing the two unfamiliar Servants who had appeared alongside Fujimaru's group.
"Who are those two Servants—did you just find them?"
Jeanne nodded. "Yes, we discovered them in this city just now."
"So, does that mean our team is complete now?"
Jeanne glanced around briefly, then nodded again. "It should be."
"Good."
Laurent didn't interrupt further as Jeanne focused on healing Siegfried. His eyes occasionally flicked toward the newly joined Servants: one named Kiyohime, another called Elizabeth Báthory.
Don't know either of them, Laurent thought calmly. But it doesn't matter. They'll die in the end anyway.
Siegfried stood up at last.
"I'm better now—I can move. Sorry for causing you all so much trouble, Fujimaru—No. Master—rather, allow me to thank you sincerely for everything you've done. As thanks, I shall serve you loyally. My true name is Siegfried—I'm just a Servant whose only worth is slaying dragons, but if you'll have me, it will be my honor to lend you my strength."
Roman's voice sounded:
"All right, everyone's assembled. Now we're ready to reclaim Orléans!"
"Yes!" everyone nodded enthusiastically.
Only Laurent remained silent.
Reclaim it? Laurent sneered inwardly. The people of that city would be better off annihilated. Why was Jeanne named a Holy Maiden in France? Just a convenient excuse created to mask their own cowardice and guilt.
Retaking Orléans meant nothing to him.
What he truly needed now was to figure out Jeanne Alter's true identity—and solve Jeanne's current condition.
A Servant's body couldn't conceive children.
No—actually, even if he weren't a Servant, his body was composed entirely of blood. Anything that entered her body would just become energy.
What to do about that? Maybe someday ask the Holy Grail for a child? Laurent thought distractedly, quickly brushing those strange ideas aside.
Jeanne noticed his odd expression and glanced toward him. "Laurent? What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just thinking about important life matters."
"Important life matters?"
Jeanne couldn't immediately understand his meaning, but she moved closer quietly, whispering hesitantly, "Laurent… could you wait for me a little longer?"
Her voice held a pleading tone Laurent couldn't quite grasp.
Jeanne hesitated, then finally confessed softly:
"They told me… if I just help them with a few more things, they'll let me meet you again."
At these words, Laurent's hand clenched so tightly it shook, though Jeanne couldn't see it. Forcing himself to stay calm, he summoned a reassuring smile.
"R-really…? If that's the case, then I'll wait for you, Jeanne."
Believing he had agreed, Jeanne's face brightened immediately.
"I was worried you might say no…"
"Will it take long?"
Jeanne paused briefly, then smiled reassuringly. "Just a little while. Don't worry about it."
The Throne of Heroes has no concept of time. Even if she struggled for a thousand years—or ten thousand—it would pass in an instant for Laurent.
So it's all right, Laurent. It'll just be a little while.
The young girl didn't mind waiting.
---
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