Chapter 9: Wandering

The woman, now known as Jeanne D'Arc, gazed upon the terrified and shocked faces of the people before her. She couldn't help but feel confused, her mind racing to make sense of the situation. However, her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the panicked words of a French soldier.

"C-C'EST H-ELLE! LA 'SORCIÈRE DRAGON'! RETRAITE!" the soldier exclaimed, his fear palpable.

In an instant, chaos erupted. The battalion of soldiers scattered, fleeing from Jeanne in terror. She stood there, momentarily taken aback by their reaction, unsure of what had just transpired.

Meanwhile, Ritsuka was also overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events. He never expected to encounter a potential enemy within the first few hours. Gathering his wits, he cautiously approached Jeanne.

"S-sorry, did you just say that you are Jeanne D'Arc? As in the Dragon Witch?" Ritsuka stammered, trying to comprehend the situation.

Jeanne looked at him, then glanced at his companions-a young maiden, a supposed monarch and two Knights. She struggled to regain her composure, her mind still reeling from the chaos that had ensued.

She took a deep breath, attempting to steady her nerves, though it was clear she hadn't fully regained her composure.

"W-wait! L-let me explain!" Jeanne pleaded, her voice trembling.

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Ritsuka took a moment to gather his thoughts, trying to make sense of the information Jeanne D'Arc had just revealed. It had left him feeling overwhelmed, and he could see a similar expression of confusion on Mash's face.

While Ritsuka was struggling to process everything, Ruler simply stared at Jeanne, Sheo kept his gaze fixed on the sky, and Stheno amused herself by playing with Sheo's hair. It seemed the other Servants weren't as affected by the revelation.

Clearing his throat, Ritsuka began to ask for clarification. "So, if I understand correctly, this 'Dragon Witch' is essentially another version of you?"

Jeanne nodded in affirmation. "Yes, that is correct."

Ritsuka continued, his brow furrowing. "And she's considered evil?"

Jeanne pondered for a moment before responding. "I don't believe in absolute evil, but her actions can certainly be seen as morally questionable."

"And you're certain that you have no affiliation with her?"

"I actually arrived in this timeline as a Servant some time ago," Jeanne explained. "My presence here is unrelated to her."

Ruler, who had been silently observing the conversation, couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "And yet, despite being a Ruler yourself, you seem to be struggling with your powers."

Jeanne met Ruler's gaze, nodding in acknowledgment. "That is correct, my abilities are more restricted. It seems you are also a Ruler, then?"

Ruler silently nodded, confirming Jeanne's assumption.

Ritsuka suddenly realized his oversight and turned nervously towards his Servants before facing Jeanne.

"U-uh, I just remembered something. We completely forgot to introduce ourselves properly. I apologize," Ritsuka mumbled, feeling a twinge of embarrassment.

Jeanne offered a comforting smile, immediately putting Ritsuka at ease. "No need to worry. So, what are your names?"

One by one, they introduced themselves.

Ritsuka took the initiative. "I'm Ritsuka Fujimaru, a Master of Chaldea." Jeanne couldn't help but notice his pristine, futuristic attire, coupled with the unmistakable expression of youthful inexperience on his face.

Next in line was Mash. "I'm Mash Kyrielight, a demi-servant. It's a pleasure to meet you, Jeanne-san!" Mash's demeanor exuded formality as she gracefully bowed, a clear display of respect.

Sheo stepped forward afterward. "I'm Sheo, no known last name. But you can call me Nailmaster if you prefer." Standing tall, he possessed an imposing stature, his armor concealed by a flowing blue cloak. Jeanne's gaze was drawn to his eyes, obscured by a peculiar masquerade mask.

Stheno followed suit. "I am the beautiful and magnificent goddess Stheno!" Jeanne, firmly rooted in her faith in the Lord, couldn't fully embrace the idea of other gods. However, she understood the mechanics of Servants and accepted Stheno's declaration. Adorned in an enchanting white and black dress, her liliac hair tied up in playful pigtails, Stheno emanated a captivating charm.

Lastly, Ruler stepped up. "I have no name, but you can address me as Ruler." His words were direct and devoid of unnecessary embellishments. A white mask, featuring shadowed holes for his eyes, concealed both his emotions and his gaze. Draped in a striped white cloak, his platinum-colored armor peeking from beneath, Ruler exuded an air of authority and intrigue. Jeanne could see the tall white crown at the top of his head, indicating that he is a monarch of some sorts.

After the introductions were out of the way, they began their journey towards the fortress. Ruler took the lead and explained the situation to the soldiers, who let out a sigh of relief upon hearing the details.

As night fell quickly, they decided to set up camp in a nearby forest. Currently, Ritsuka was preparing a meal using the resources provided by Dr. Romani through Rayshift.

The dish turned out to be a delicious-looking red soup.

"Senpai, this looks really tasty," Mash expressed her gratitude to Ritsuka, who smiled warmly in response.

"Thank you, Mashu. I used to cook for my sister whenever our parents weren't home."

"You have a sister, Senpai?"

"Yes, just one."

Meanwhile, the other Servants were gathered around a fallen log, engaged in casual conversation.

"Hey Sheo, what kind of weapon is that? I've never seen anything like it," Jeanne asked curiously. The weapon in question resembled a club for smashing, but it also had a sharp edge for quick slashes.

"Oh, this? It's called a 'Nail.' It was a common weapon used in Hallownest," Sheo explained.

Ruler, seated next to him, nodded in agreement. "Knights in particular favored this weapon."

Stheno, who had been playing with Sheo's locks of hair, chimed in with a question. "Does everyone in your Kingdom have soft white hair?"

Ruler glanced at her, his emotions concealed beneath his Mask. "Not all of them, but it's more common among the royal family."

"So, is Sheo part of the Royal Family?" Stheno asked with curiosity.

"No, I'm not," Sheo responded, shaking his head. "I'm not part of the royal family."

Their conversation was abruptly halted by Ritsuka's announcement. "The soup is ready, guys!"

The group of Servants eagerly grabbed bowls of soup and gathered together to eat.

"Mmm, this is quite delicious," Sheo commented, savoring the flavors.

"Hmph. If you insist, I suppose I'll give it a try," Stheno remarked, who had been ignoring her food until now. "Consider yourself fortunate that a goddess like me is indulging in your mortal cuisine."

Ritsuka could only offer an awkward laugh in response.

Jeanne, too, was enjoying her meal. "You're quite skilled in the kitchen, Fujimaru."

A sudden realization struck Ritsuka, and they turned their attention to Ruler, who hadn't touched his soup. Curiosity filled their mind as they wondered what lay beneath the enigmatic white mask.

The entire group, including Sheo, fixated their gaze on Ritsuka, and then collectively turned their attention to Ruler, hoping for a glimpse of his face.

In a surprising turn of events, even the holographic projections of Da Vinci, Dr. Roman and the Chaldea's Staff materialized , all eager to witness Ruler's hidden visage.

Ruler sighed heavily, feeling the weight of everyone's anticipation on his shoulders. He knew he couldn't keep his identity hidden forever, and now seemed as good a time as any to reveal himself. With a resigned expression, he reached up and slowly lifted the mask from his face.

But just as the mask was about to reveal his true identity, a mischievous grin spread across Ruler's lips. He swiftly turned his head to the side, making sure no one caught a glimpse of his face.

"Sorry to disappoint, everyone," Ruler said with a playful tone. "But the great and mysterious Ruler shall remain masked for now. Some secrets are better left unrevealed."

The group let out a collective groan of disappointment, their expressions shifting from excitement to frustration.

"Mysterious till the end, huh?" Sheo chuckled, shaking his head. "You really know how to keep us guessing, your Majesty."

Stheno pouted, clearly dissatisfied. "Oh, come on! I was looking forward to seeing your handsome face, Ruler."

Ritsuka couldn't help but laugh at the playful exchange. "Well, I guess we'll have to live with the mystery for now. Maybe someday Ruler will grace us with his true appearance."

Ruler placed his mask back on, his playful demeanor quickly fading. "Who knows? Perhaps that day will come sooner than you think."

With the soup finished and the group's appetite satisfied, they settled down around the campfire, sharing stories and exchanging laughter. The night sky above them was adorned with countless stars, casting a gentle glow over the forest.

As they sat there, enjoying each other's company, Jeanne couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging. Despite the initial chaos and confusion, she had found herself in the company of kind-hearted and eccentric individuals. They were far from what she had expected, but she couldn't deny the warmth they brought into her life.

With her newfound companions by her side, Jeanne's worries and uncertainties began to fade. Little did she know that their journey together would lead to even greater adventures, absurd mishaps, and unexpected bonds.

And so, under the starlit sky, the group continued their journey, unaware of the hilarious and challenging situations that awaited them. For now, they basked in the camaraderie and the promise of an unforgettable adventure.

A/N :
WOW!?I POSTED A CHAPTER!? IMPOSSIBLE!!!11!1!1

But seriously. Sorry to keep you waiting,but i have to let you know that i am still an highschooler with some complications at school and a lack of Vergil's motivation.
So,in this chapter Ruler decided to be a little troll for a second lol.
Sorry if this chapter was short, but this was a chapter that 'Sort of hanging out and explaining matters' thing.

Also.
Question.

What do you think the pairings will be? Maybe,you will be correct or maybe i will take your ideas.