Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

Wait, what's happening?

All the councilors and knights exchanged utterly bewildered looks.

Flames encircled Jeanne d'Arc, completely igniting the throne.

The temperature in the entire assembly hall soared abruptly.

Even more terrifying—

These weren't ordinary flames.

They were demonic fires fueled by her own and surrounding resentment, capable of devouring souls!

Within the flames, one could almost smell burning flesh and hear the agonized wails of countless deities.

"See? My intuition was right. Just saying, this isn't my fault!"

Astolfo skipped away cheerfully.

He'd warned them beforehand that trouble was coming, and sure enough, it happened!

The other paladins joined forces to shield all the civilians present, their faces filled with disbelief.

Though this Dark Maiden had always been domineering, she'd never lost composure like this before.

What exactly had occurred?

Jeanne d'Arc gazed eastward and sighed softly, "Why did I forget?"

After watching the video, forgotten memories came flooding back.

Scenes of their time together, each instance he'd saved her.

Meeting, understanding, accompanying each other...

She'd been just an illiterate village girl, but after meeting him, she'd transformed like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.

That person had taught her to read and write, imparting vast knowledge.

Countless nights were spent in lessons until dawn.

Memories that should have been crystal clear—why had she forgotten them all?

The Speaker cautiously inquired, "Your Majesty?"

The Maiden's extremely unusual behavior today planted a bold thought in his mind—

Could that person truly exist?

Jeanne d'Arc didn't even glance at him, her gaze distant. "You told me to lay down those burdens, and I did, living the life I wanted."

"But you? Why do you still willingly walk nameless in the shadows?"

"Why won't you let the world know what you've truly done?"

People obsess over the heroic spirits' grandeur and power, worshiping them as guardian deities.

Yet none know of the nameless heroic spirit who silently protects humanity, willing to sacrifice everything.

Jeanne d'Arc absolutely cannot tolerate everyone forgetting him!

Why?

That person walked in darkness, fought in countless battles.

Only through blood-soaked battles did they forge this radiant age of heroic spirits.

But.

No one remembers him.

No one!

Even she, the Emperor of France who was personally saved by that person and admired by countless people, had forgotten about them!

"Awakening the lost memories after Earth's reboot, restoring their existence—is this what you intend to do, Alaya?"

Jeanne d'Arc's expression was indescribably complex.

At this moment, she was certain that the video's publisher was none other than Alaya, the collective consciousness of humanity.

And the Nameless Heroic Spirit was indeed its most favored agent.

A nameless guardian who walked through the river of history, protecting human civilization.

"Your name unknown, your deeds eternal? Heh, this time I will absolutely make sure the world knows just how great you truly are!"

Suddenly, Jeanne d'Arc's face blossomed into a smile—an exceptionally delighted one.

Then.

The Emperor of France issued a command with unshakable authority: "Convene a press conference. I will personally respond to this video!"

"Hell yeah!"

Astolfo, who had been hiding in the distance, came skipping back with a grin.

The other Paladins and council members exchanged bewildered glances.

What exactly was Her Majesty planning to do?

Surely she wasn't going to confess her feelings to that person in front of the whole world?

...

[France to Hold Press Conference—Emperor to Personally Address the Video!]

This news spread across the world as if on wings.

Britain, Prime Minister's Office.

Mordred, dressed in a sharp suit, glanced at the news and scoffed: "Huh, weird. Why aren't the French suspecting us this time?"

"Quite unusual indeed."

Beside her, Gawain wore an equally puzzled expression.

The Hundred Years' War, followed by their rivalry for European dominance, had bred deep-rooted hostility between the two nations' governments and citizens.

Whenever one country committed shady deeds abroad, they would invariably disguise themselves as the other to shift blame.

[Chronicle of the Nameless Heroic Spirit!]

In this video, the so-called Nameless Heroic Spirit had the audacity to declare that God doesn't exist, urging Jeanne d'Arc to play the role of a grand deceiver fooling the world.

To the French, this was nothing short of blasphemy deserving of the stake!

Those people would undoubtedly believe the video was made by the British!

Have they lost their minds this time?

Mordred idly twirled a gilded pen, watching the man with a slight frown. "I can't help but feel like that saint has gotten her hands on some new toy and is flaunting her ownership to the whole world!"

"Uh, is there a chance she's actually showing off her claim over the [Nameless Heroic Spirit], warning off other competitors?" Gawain hinted meaningfully.

"Hah, as if!"

Mordred reached out and clapped the Sun Knight on the shoulder, unable to hold back her laughter. "That Dark Saint wouldn't dare warn my father, would she? Or maybe even me?"

"Pfft—just kidding! Who'd even want some no-name heroic spirit? Take it if you want!"

She laughed heartily, as if she'd just heard the funniest joke in the world.

A completely ordinary Nameless Heroic Spirit, treated like some priceless treasure by the Dark Saint, practically screaming ownership to the world.

You don't actually think we'd fight you for it, do you?

Seriously? Seriously? Seriously?

Gawain's expression suddenly turned a little odd—he had a feeling she'd regret those words later.

…Probably just his imagination, right?

——

Fuyuki Magecraft Academy.

Also known as Academy City.

Located on the Sakura Archipelago, it was the largest magecraft academy in the world, spanning the area of a small city.

The renowned nine-tailed fox, Tamamo-no-Mae, served as its headmaster.

The most prodigious onmyouji of Sakura, Abe-no-Seimei, was the vice-headmaster.

Countless magical geniuses gathered here.

Of course, many others were entirely unsuited for magecraft and could only become researchers or support staff.

Souma was studying in the support division, primarily responsible for maintaining magical tools.

Lunch break, cafeteria.

The moment the bell rang, students flooded in.

After grabbing a serving of mapo tofu and rice, Souma found a corner seat and sat down.

All around him, students were buzzing about the video Alaya had released.

It was giving him a headache.

He'd saved the world and returned to his ordinary life—so why had things turned out like this?

Suddenly, the crowd erupted in excitement.

"It's starting! Her Majesty Jeanne's press conference is starting!"

On the massive projection screen in the cafeteria, the saint—adorned with steel ornaments and draped in a black cloak—stared intently into the camera.

Under her overwhelming gaze, the students grew even more exhilarated.

Whispers of "Please step on me, Your Majesty" floated around.

"Ugh, Sakura's doomed."

Souma rolled his eyes, utterly speechless at these masochistic students.

The press conference began.

A French reporter nervously asked, "Your Majesty, what are your thoughts on this video that slanders you?"

Under countless expectant gazes, the former Catholic saint—now the Emperor of France—flashed a predatory smile.

"Everything in that video is true."

The room fell dead silent.

Everyone froze as if petrified, staring at her in utter disbelief.

Before they could react—

Jeanne d'Arc suddenly extended her hand, smiling as if inviting someone: "Nameless, I'm here. Why haven't you come to find me?"

***

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