King Arthur Won't Die by Accident

It turns out Jeanne Alter is quite easy to coax.

Yesterday, she was shy, wore a cold expression, and silently avoided Arthur. But today, as if she'd forgotten everything, she came over of her own accord.

In truth, there was little choice. The Roman camp was thick with an odd atmosphere. Everyone treated Jeanne Alter like a plague or a beast. Vigilant eyes followed her wherever she went—except Arthur, who showed the only somewhat normal attitude toward her.

So no matter how shy she was, it wouldn't last long.

Though still a bit awkward around Arthur, she obediently sat beside him and listened to his story.

"A long time ago, in a British village, a father and daughter lived together. One day, the little girl suddenly wanted to eat stew, but her father wanted barbecue. They argued."

"Wait! Why a British village?" Jeanne Alter interrupted.

"Don't interrupt. It's a story I heard from nearby British civilians," Arthur snapped at her with a glare.

Well, never mind why a magician in the Roman camp could see British civilians in a war-torn zone and hear their stories.

This bewitching woman had no time for such questions.

"Anyway, due to their difference in status, the father gave in. So they went out together to buy stew. But when passing through an alley, they heard a quarrel ahead. They hid, and saw a notorious villain of the village. If spotted, not only would they be robbed, but their safety would be at risk."

"Tsk, scum exists in every era. Scum like that should be burned at the stake!"

"Ahem, keep listening. To keep the little girl safe, the father said: Let's play a game. You count silently to ten thousand, then open your eyes and find me. The girl agreed, closed her eyes, and crouched to count. But fear made her open her eyes at five thousand—only to see blood everywhere. Terrified, she ran, calling her father's name."

"Is her father dead?" Jeanne Alter's eyes welled with tears, poised to burst and dramatize the moment.

I'm moved.

"No. Eventually she found her father in a barbecue restaurant, happily eating with some villains."

"???"

Ignoring Jeanne Alter's stunned silence, Arthur asked, "So, do you understand the moral?"

Reason?

Jeanne Alter only felt the cold, beastly mentality of the scumbag father.

She imagined the little girl's despair.

Arthur chuckled.

This story tells us: even children living in a dangerous world will face beatings. Reality doesn't show mercy just because you're young. If you don't realize you've been deceived, you bear the consequences.

Like the girl—crying while eating meat beside her father.

So, Jalter, when your time comes, don't complain about people's evil hearts.

Understand that Heaven and Earth aren't benevolent—they treat all as straw dogs.

"Umm, no particular reason. Just a simple little story."

"Hmph! What a terrible story—very British style." Jeanne Alter angrily looked away. "By the way, I didn't come to listen to your stories. You're a magician, right? Do you know how to break a contract with a familiar?"

Oh? That excites me.

Arthur brightened. He hadn't expected Jeanne of Arc's attitude to turn so quickly.

"That depends on the type. Low-level familiars are best traded with other magicians. High-level familiars with self-awareness… I have a contract here. The familiar just signs it, and a new contract is formed."

He pulled out a black document.

Created by the highest-level magician Merlin, even crown servants are bound once they sign it.

As for the details—

It's probably crueler than selling one's soul into indentured servitude.

But shouldn't Jeanne of Arc know these procedures well?

When discussing saints and words, we must mention a certain person named Jeanne.

During the Anglo-French War, whether or not France promoted traditional arts, Jeanne of Arc's story is interesting. She was sent to court as a prisoner of war, but that court was illegitimate, set up by the British to try her politically.

It was neither lawful nor just, and the Church didn't recognize it.

Even the judge feared that if Jeanne appealed to the Vatican, everyone involved, including himself, would be held accountable—and might have to admit she was innocent.

Yet Jeanne was illiterate and never knew she had this right until her death.

Frankly, Jeanne's death was largely due to her illiteracy.

Even in her final trial, she was sentenced to the stake because she couldn't read or write, and ended up signing a coerced confession.

Generally, all Servants gain the common sense of their era upon appearing—including literacy. But because Jeanne d'Arc's end was so dramatic and well-known, it was widely believed she was illiterate. So Jeanne d'Arc Alter was the only one not given writing skills after appearing.

Since Jeanne Alter's spiritual foundation derives from Jeanne d'Arc to some extent, she is naturally illiterate.

So...

Jalter, look—here's a contract of sale. Doesn't it seem familiar?

Maybe Arthur's gaze was too explicit, or the contract bruised Jeanne Alter's pride.

She snatched it angrily but accepted it, though she didn't sign immediately. "I'm talking about a familiar—a familiar, not me! It's not me who signed this!"

With that, she dashed out of the tent, leaving Arthur secretly pitying her.

——————

Meanwhile, in Rome—

Three days ago, they witnessed Sword Emperor Lucius's departure. After the ceremony, citizens brimmed with expectation and glory for the future, ready to wait for his triumphant return.

But the magicians directly under Lucius awaited bad news.

"You want to defeat Britain and block our path to magic?" the magicians said skeptically.

"Fools. Even if confident in this war, we British magicians in Rome place all hope on you."

"My lord, Lucius has departed. Should we begin our own moves?" A magician approached the white-haired succubus, kneeling with a flattering smile.

Meanwhile, Merry ignored her disciple's repeated wand taps on her head and seriously wondered why her Majesty lingered in Rome instead of returning.

This can't be right. My beauty can't even impress my king. Where does that black servant's charm come from?

"Disciple, perhaps I have found a chance for you to conquer my king~☆."

Arturia paused her wand's wave.

Remember last time Merry said this, Manaka almost chopped her.

-End Chapter-

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