"Hey, hey, hey—I warned you already. Didn't I clearly say, you're not allowed to make my people work for you?"
"But didn't you say he needed training?"
"And this is your method? If he actually decides to storm your Throne of Heroes someday, I'll be on his side."
"For a mere woman? Unless he's gone completely insane."
"Heh. Just don't come crying to me when you're begging for mercy later. I'm standing with him on this. Besides, if someday you need his help again to fix your world's timeline, it won't be so easy."
"If he has the capability to take it himself, I naturally won't interfere. But he'd better think carefully about the consequences. Besides, in his current form, he's merely a Servant—"
Alaya abruptly stopped speaking mid-sentence.
"You noticed?"
"His uniqueness?"
"Yeah. For others, perhaps you could summon different incarnations from different periods—like childhood and adulthood versions. In his case, yes, you could summon him as the king of England or later as the only god. But no matter which you summon, once the original appears, they'll fuse into one unique existence. And you—letting Jeanne work for you—is absolutely your biggest mistake."
"She sought me out herself."
Alaya frowned in displeasure. "Your tone is irritating."
"Oh please, you and I are just conscious embodiments of a type of power. What 'irritation' can you speak of? Anyway, his training's complete, and he's received his power. Now it's just about how he uses it. I can still offer you one piece of advice to salvage this."
"What do you mean?"
"You want him to help, right? Then just talk openly with him. Let him understand his own power. Actually, forget 'working' for you—approach it as a request."
Alaya remained silent.
"Well, no need to rush this time. After all, once this Singularity's resolved, he won't remember a thing. Even if he bears a special grudge against you here, it'll disappear afterward. But when the Holy Grail War comes around, don't be stupid enough to demand Jeanne keep working for you for thousands of years before fulfilling her wish. If that happens, he'll storm the Throne of Heroes…tsk, why am I suddenly looking forward to it?"
"I won't let that happen."
"Suit yourself. Anyway, I won't interfere—unless you dare to force him into servitude. There are countless Heroic Spirits in the Throne of Heroes. Even if he attacks, how could he find the correct Jeanne? Besides, with his current power, he's nothing to fear."
The System said nothing, merely smiling.
The last guy who spoke this confidently ended up having even the feathers on his wings plucked clean by Laurent.
Do you really think Absolute Evil is merely some minor power or petty concept?
It's something we granted him ourselves. If he's adapted this quickly, he'll eventually master its true potential.
Evil is just a matter of perspective.
...
With renewed determination, the group continued toward the prison tower where Jeanne Alter waited.
Still, there was some distance left.
Even by nightfall, they'd only made it halfway. Tomorrow, though, they'd surely reach it.
That night, Laurent once again volunteered for watch duty.
He sat quietly at the outskirts as usual.
Crunch.
A soft sound approached, and Laurent immediately knew who it was without even turning around.
"Now this is surprising—didn't expect you to visit personally. If it'd been Jeanne, I might've been happier."
"Actually, Jeanne-san wanted to come over, but Mash was talking to her."
Fujimaru Ritsuka carried some food as he approached. "Want some, Laurent-san?" He sat casually beside Laurent.
"You're not spending time with your purple-haired kouhai?"
"You mean Mash? No, it's fine."
Fujimaru gazed thoughtfully into the night sky. "Laurent-san... you really love Jeanne-san deeply, don't you?"
Laurent took a bite of the food Fujimaru had offered, replying offhandedly, "I suppose."
"Actually, when I first heard your name, Laurent-san, it shocked me quite a bit. I thought Évigi would be someone with a terrible personality. But after actually meeting you, I realized how wrong I was."
Laurent chuckled lightly. "You really have a way with words, Master. Besides, reputations are just made-up labels until you meet the actual person."
"You think so?" Fujimaru scratched his head with a small laugh. "Doctor Roman told me a lot about your history, Laurent-san—"
"The version of me summoned here is from after I became the only god," Laurent finished for him.
"Haha... yeah, exactly. Laurent-san, if I may ask something directly…"
Laurent had a favorable impression of Fujimaru. The young man's kindness was thoughtful, not naive—built on genuine understanding rather than blind compassion. Laurent could clearly sense the strength of Fujimaru's conviction, pure and unwavering.
No wonder so many trust him.
After a short pause, Fujimaru finally asked, "Laurent-san, what do you think love really is?"
"Oh? That's a good question."
Laurent patted Fujimaru's shoulder. "I can't really describe it—but for Jeanne, I'm willing to sacrifice everything."
"I see..." Fujimaru lowered his head thoughtfully. "When the doctor told me your story, I kept thinking… Back then, Laurent-san, you must have suffered terribly. You gave everything, yet still lost her in the end."
Laurent's eyes widened slightly in shock.
This guy's perception of other people's emotions is terrifyingly sharp.
A gentleness bordering on absurdity.
"Yes, it was terribly painful," Laurent admitted quietly. "But in return, seeing Jeanne again—wearing that ring—my happiness is indescribable."
Fujimaru nodded, smiling warmly. "Then I believe the Laurent-san who loves Jeanne-san will love every part of her, no matter what. Tomorrow's the final battle—let's do our best."
"Yeah. Let's give it our all."
After finishing their conversation, Fujimaru stood up and left.
Laurent quietly watched his back fade into the darkness.
Sorry, Fujimaru. Some things aren't so easily resolved with just a few comforting words.
But then he frowned, sensing something else.
More annoying undead approaching, huh? Well, time to handle them and replenish some energy.