Type-Moon: Root Seiko

"Hehehe~, thank you for the compliment, Master. I'm going to put on my stockings now~€€"

The saintess happily accepted the praise, humming a little tune as she returned to the dressing room.

This left Orange speechless, and she really wanted to strangle the inexplicably proud man in front of her.

Even Rin and Sakura exchanged very subtle glances with Arisu.

Now that Rin already knew Jeanne's true identity, she couldn't help but ask, "Is that saintess older sister getting more and more shameless?... Was she always this type?"

"I think it's Luo Zhen's fault?" Sakura, who understands people better, tilted her head cutely: "It's all because Luo Zhen is too good at praising people. He can always see other people's strengths and always knows how to praise them to their heart's content. So that saintly older sister, who was actually suspected by people in her previous life, quickly became less and less resistant... just like a big dog that's been petted too much?"

Yu-zhu: "To put it bluntly, she's an easy-going, cheap woman. After all, she's a country girl, that's about all she can do."

Orange: "I think anyone has the right to say that, but you don't have the right to say that, Miss, who has been living with this man for only a month and is so innocent and easy to win over."

Why are all my girls so weak...? Completely unaware that she was the first to fall for Luo Zhen, this philandering scumbag, Orange didn't say much in the end.

She nudged Luo Zhen in the waist to vent her frustration, then pointed her thumb outside: "So, are you going or not?"

“Yes, of course I’ll go.” Luo Zhen replied immediately. “After waiting for so long, we’ve finally met the next pair of Masters and Servants, and they’re the pair I’ve been most looking forward to seeing. Although there is still a bit of a problem with the timing… but at this point, this little thing doesn’t matter.”

At this moment, the Greater Grail has not yet officially entered its activated state, and theoretically, it cannot assist Servants in supplying magic power.

This always puzzled Luo Zhen: it was too slow.

This doesn't mean the Greater Grail is slow to open; in terms of time, it's true that we haven't reached the sixty-year deadline since the last Holy Grail War.

The problem is that Jeanne d'Arc, summoned by Ryougi, and the assassin whose whereabouts are still unknown, have both been clearly present for over a month.

The Greater Grail did not respond to this anomaly, not even by trying to summon Ruler again, which was something the Greater Grail should have done.

This can only be explained by the fact that the Greater Grail has indeed been corrupted, and its functions are likely no longer complete.

Therefore, Ryougi intends to do things his own way. In any case, his ultimate goal is to win the Holy Grail War and then safely dismantle the Greater Grail. Nothing he has done has changed.

Joan of Arc: "Master, I'm ready! Let's go!"

Joan of Arc changed into a denim jacket, wide-leg shorts, and stockings, looking quite adept at modern, fashionable style... and even a tomboyish one at that!

The term "tomboy" refers to someone who seems somewhat boyish in appearance, but is physically more feminine than any woman! Only the most feminine woman can be called a tomboy!

Luo Zhen gave a firm thumbs-up, prompting his four other girls to shake their heads in unison.

-----------------

About an hour later, Luo Zhen and Jeanne arrived at the harbor area north of Fuyuki City.

This place had long been chosen by Luo Zhen as the designated battlefield, and Orange had set up a barrier to repel people around this open space where containers were placed.

After a period of cleaning, the containers here have long been cleared away. In the public's mind, this area has been undergoing maintenance, and the goods entering and leaving the port are piled up on the other half.

Although this will cause some disruption to port freight, we can only ask the logistics companies to be more accommodating; it's better than a real conflict affecting the goods.

Rōjin instructed Jeanne to unleash her magical power without restraint, ensuring that Masters and Servants entering Fuyuki City would be able to detect her.

Just as Luo Zhen had predicted, the silver luxury sports car that Orange was monitoring was indeed heading towards the port along the main road of Fuyuki City, and there was nothing along the way except for traffic lights that made them stop.

...Fortunately, he still knew to look at the traffic lights, and good citizen Luo Zhen was quite happy.

Soon after, in the afterglow of dusk.

Luo Zhen did indeed see that elfin woman.

Her translucent silver hair echoed Joan of Arc's golden hair, and her bright red eyes were so vivid that they seemed impossible for human blood to reflect.

And then there are those perfectly symmetrical features, an incredible silver beauty with an artificial aesthetic.

She walked over from the other end of the pier, her car parked there. She gently gathered her ponytail, which was being blown about by the sea breeze, with one hand. Even this gesture was so artistic that it made you want to capture it on camera.

...Hmm? A ponytail?

Before Luo Zhen could even think, her crimson eyes quickly captured his and Joan of Arc's gaze.

The woman narrowed her eyes with a smile:

"You must be the Servants and Masters who issued the invitation. To be honest, I was quite surprised. I didn't expect anyone to summon a Heroic Spirit so early and to issue such a blatant challenge."

"To be able to do something like this in Fuyuki City, are you descendants of the Tohsaka family?"

“Unfortunately, that’s not it,” Ryougi continued. “My name is Ryougi, just a magician passing through who wants to obtain the Holy Grail. But I know you, young lady of the Einzbern family. Can you tell me your name?”

"Of course, it's also a matter of reciprocity."

The snow-white girl's smile was dignified and composed, even revealing an innocence that belied her mature appearance and age, doubling her charm!

She lifted her long skirt and performed an elegant gesture:

"I am Irisviel von Einzbern, the Master who is fighting on behalf of my family."

"And then, this is my servant—Lancer."

Da da, da.

Accompanied by the sound of warhorses' hooves, Luo Zhen saw the holy knight in silver armor who had appeared beside Irisviel.

Her helmet, modeled after a lion, features a majestic and imposing golden mane extending to her back, showcasing her regal bearing.

Sure enough.

To some extent, Luo Zhen wasn't surprised at all; on the contrary, he felt quite relieved.

After Jeanne d'Arc took the Saber class, Rōjin guessed that the Einzbern family might summon her.

King Arthur of the Lancer class, Artoria Pendragon wielding the Holy Lance of the End.

(This is what happens when you take off your helmet)

Chapter 44 Holy Lance vs. Holy Banner

"..."

Joan of Arc and Ryozen exchanged a glance.

After confirming his nod, the saintess bravely stepped forward and unfurled her battle flag:

"Spear Spirit, it is an honor to meet such a heroic and magnificent figure as you. You must be a king or king of some era or country."

"I am Saber. For the victory of our respective Masters, let us have a fair and square duel without any regrets."

"Hmm... Saber? You mean Saber, the one who occupies the most superior class among the Seven Riders?"

A voice, tinged with amusement, emanated from beneath the lion's helmet, suggesting a sense of ease and confidence.

And she wasn't in a hurry to fight at all; instead, she asked with great interest:

"As a Heroic Spirit, Saber, isn't your clothing a bit too loose? If that's your battle armor, it's fine, but it is... quite unique."

"Oh right, I forgot to ask!"

Reminded by her own Heroic Spirit, the youthful and beautiful Irisviel, with her ponytail, blinked brightly:

“Saber, your outfit is so beautiful! Although, to my opinion, it seems like you're showing too much leg, it's definitely very practical for movement. It's stylish, lightweight, and very modern... Ah! Is it possible that all Servants should wear modern outfits to participate in this Holy Grail War? What should we do? Shall we go shopping and buy one now?”

“Master…?”

King Arthur, riding on horseback, was getting a little anxious, seriously doubting that his master could actually drag him to buy clothes on short notice.

Who seems more relaxed here? Luo Zhen tried hard to suppress a laugh:

"No, no, there's no such rule. Of course, if you two are interested, I'd be happy to take you shopping as your host."

“But there’s really no need for that now. Saber, why don’t you use your Spirit Dress?”

"I know how to use it now! I just forgot!"

The saint blushed slightly and quickly used her magic to conjure up combat equipment, with the holy banner in her hand and the sword at her waist appearing as promised.

The spearman's gaze shifted noticeably, lingering on Joan of Arc's weapon for a moment longer.

"‘She's clearly Saber, yet she's using a spear? No, that's a flag?’"

"And you are one too, clearly a Lancer, yet riding a horse?"

Joan of Arc retorted with neither arrogance nor servility, which made the knight king on the other side nod in agreement.

The white-clad spearman held the reins of his warhorse in his left hand, while his right hand was clenched into a fist, and the holy spear, with its countless spiraling bands of light, appeared in his palm.

She slowly raised the holy lance, and this single movement attracted a surge of air currents, triggering a magical resonance in the atmosphere:

"'Then I have come, Saber, holding the battle flag—take this!'"

Sensing the overwhelming force of the spearmen, Joan of Arc almost instinctively waved her battle flag, her protective intuition foreshadowing the future.

A spiraling current of air, exceeding the limits of sound, suddenly traversed a distance of over thirty meters between the two, striking Joan of Arc's flagpole with such force that she held her breath for a moment.

The next moment, the paladin arrived as promised!

The sound of the spearman's warhorse's hooves was like thunder, arriving almost simultaneously with the spiraling energy, already targeting the opening Joan of Arc had made to disperse the energy!

“€€€€!”