"Laurent-san… If we don't end this now, thousands of years of human history will vanish, and all the civilizations built—"
"That has nothing to do with me," Laurent interrupted coldly. "I'll only say this once: no one is allowed to harm her today."
He began controlling his blood, aiming to pierce Ritsuka Fujimaru directly.
Hearing Laurent's words, Jeanne Alter's face blossomed into a satisfied smile. She stepped directly in front of Jeanne, bringing their faces uncomfortably close.
"Did you hear that? Did you clearly hear what he said just now? Laurent is mine! He's on my side! From the very beginning, a village girl like you never deserved him!"
This declaration of ownership felt almost childish rather than hurtful. Jeanne, strangely enough, didn't feel angry—in fact, she felt it was rather immature. Ignoring Jeanne Alter's provocations, she directed her gaze at Laurent instead.
"Laurent, the Holy Grail War can't continue forever."
"As long as neither of you dies, it won't end," Laurent answered firmly.
"No, they won't allow such a thing."
"Then I'll make them allow it!" Laurent ignored Jeanne's protests and turned his attention back to Siegfried's group. They were stubbornly resisting his blood attacks, though clearly struggling.
"What a nuisance."
Leaving briefly to deal with the remaining Servants, Laurent didn't immediately move to finish Fujimaru off.
Meanwhile, Jeanne Alter, seeing him leave, smiled triumphantly again and stepped closer to Jeanne.
"Did you see that clearly now? You naive village girl, what do you understand? He belongs to me!"
"Laurent would never do something like this!"
"Still being stubborn?" Jeanne Alter grabbed Jeanne's face roughly, forcing their eyes to meet, a disdainful smile on her lips. "You think you're worthy? I'm the one truly suited for him! Whether it's marriage or—or…!"
"Or?"
"Or even doing that kind of thing!" Jeanne Alter shouted in embarrassed fury, frustrated beyond words at Jeanne's pure, innocent expression. Venting all this anger on someone like her—someone who didn't even understand—was utterly pointless.
"That kind of thing?" Jeanne responded sharply, suddenly matching her wavelength. "I'm his wife!"
"Haha, don't say something so stupid. Aren't you me? Every part of us is exactly the same." Her voice carried suggestive implications.
"You're the one talking nonsense! You're not me! Laurent knows the difference clearly!"
"If that's true, why are you the one tied up right now instead of me?" Jeanne Alter's smile turned wicked. "Do you honestly believe you deserve him? Up to now, you haven't realized anything. Do you think his feelings alone are enough to support you forever? Do you know why I hate you so much?"
Jeanne stared uncertainly into her eyes.
"That's right! I despise your ridiculous dreams, your so-called 'path,' and especially the choices you made back then."
Jeanne Alter caressed Jeanne's face coldly.
"But what I truly loathe is how you have everything and yet don't appreciate any of it. That's why I'll do what you couldn't. You have no reason to exist anymore."
Jeanne Alter raised her hand, a cruel smile curling her lips.
"As long as you die, there'll only be one of me!"
Jeanne's gaze hardened stubbornly.
"You think you understand him better than me? You don't even have our shared childhood memories! I'm working hard now—trying my hardest to be his wife, to fully embrace this role!"
Her eyes grew determined as she stared directly at Jeanne Alter.
"Understand him? The one who truly understands nothing is you! His pain, his thoughts, everything—have you even spent enough time with him to earn the right to talk like this? Give up your twisted delusions! I acknowledge you represent my darkness—but even so, I won't yield an inch to you!"
Jeanne Alter's anger flared again, her clenched fists creaking audibly, voice trembling slightly.
"You think I don't want those things, too!?"
Without hesitation, she swung her fist toward Jeanne's face. If this punch landed without interference, it would undoubtedly inflict severe damage.
"Someone who doesn't appreciate what they have doesn't deserve to keep it!"
BANG!
But in the next instant, Laurent suddenly appeared, blocking Jeanne Alter's fist. He sighed wearily, "I stepped away for a moment to deal with Siegfried's group. How did you two end up fighting again?"
"Laurent..." Jeanne called out pitifully from where she was restrained. Seeing her expression, Laurent loosened her bindings slightly.
Jeanne Alter struggled fiercely, shouting, "I'm going to kill her! I'll absolutely kill her!" She glared intensely at Laurent. "Weren't you supposed to be on my side? Then let go of me! Let me kill her!"
"Sorry, but I have no intention of allowing either of you to harm each other."
"You're still protecting her? That woman who abandoned you before!?"
"It's not about protecting anyone. I already said—neither of you can come to harm."
Jeanne Alter refused to listen, breaking free from Laurent and stumbling backward, a bitter, cold smile forming on her lips.
"You won't let me get hurt?" Her voice cracked slightly, filled with sorrow more than rage. "You act like you care, saying these disgusting things, claiming you don't want anything bad to happen to me? You don't want me to disappear? Your hypocrisy makes me sick!"
"Calm down!"
"Calm down? I'm perfectly calm!" Tears were forming in her reddened eyes. "Laurent, do you think I don't know? I'm nothing but a substitute for her existence! You've known that from the very beginning!"
Her breathing became ragged, voice raw with pain and resentment.
"Is that kind of thing really so important to you? Why does she get to have everything, while I have nothing!? What does that woman have that's so special? She wouldn't even abandon her God for your sake!"
"Are you done?"
"No! I've known from the start—from the moment you acted—I knew you were just terrified I'd disappear and she'd vanish along with this place once it's over. Everything you've done was for her! I have nothing—absolutely nothing! No memories, no feelings, none of those precious things! I'm nothing but a shadow wearing her face!"
Her voice broke as she choked on a sob.
"I swore I wouldn't allow myself to be betrayed again—but forget it. None of that matters anymore. I don't need you! I don't need any of this! I'm going to destroy everything you both cherish. Aren't you doing this all for her? If I die, this whole Singularity ends! I'll never let you have what you want!"
She looked as though she was about to kill herself.
Laurent stared at her, a headache growing rapidly.
Damn it, this girl really matches Jeanne blow-for-blow when it comes to idiocy.