Shinji Matou at Your Service

This power was enough to purify Angra Mainyu, though it might take some time. However, Shinji wasn't in a hurry at all. He had already waited ten years—what was a little longer?

After leaving the void and successfully incarnating, Angra Mainyu was no longer as infinite, immortal, or indestructible as before.

His eternity was no longer eternal, and his power would weaken over time. But this was not the case for Shinji. His ties to the outside world remained intact, as did the support he received. As long as his heart remained steadfast, he could continue to fight—within this world of souls.

It wasn't long before the curse and darkness enveloping his soul crumbled away, and Shinji regained his perception of the outside world.

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

This purification ritual had been meticulously planned for a long time, with every detail carefully calculated. Even if there were deviations, they wouldn't be significant, which was why Shinji had been able to suppress Angra Mainyu, giving no opportunity for a counterattack.

However, at this final, most critical step, something had gone awry.

It wasn't too slow—it was too fast!

This was Angra Mainyu's last stand. How could it collapse so easily? Shinji wasn't even a Third Magician! Something must have gone wrong.

Shinji's soul form became hyper-alert, and he carefully disperses his mental energy to sense any changes around him.

Then, he "saw" it.

Light.

Another light.

It was a light different from his own soul's light or the light of Justeaze's soul.

Though different, it was equally steadfast, equally brilliant, and even more sacred.

It was the purest light of faith, shining with its radiance.

It was, without a doubt, Holy Light!

At the very center of the Holy Light, a unique flag bearing the fleur-de-lis fluttered in the air. Wherever it passed, darkness and curses alike retreated as if meeting their nemesis.

Under the flag stood a girl clad in blue armor, her posture solemn. Her face turned towards the curse and was full of compassion, but when she looked at Shinji, her eyes held a warm smile.

In that instant, Shinji could hardly believe his eyes—no, his senses!

"Long time no see, Black Assassin!"

Jeanne spoke, her tone as familiar as ever.

It wasn't just her tone and appearance; under the authority of the Master's privilege, her Spirit Origin was unmistakably revealed.

Shinji finally confirmed the reality: "Ah, long time no see, Jeanne."

"No, it's not just Jeanne—it's me as well."

For a moment, the blue in her eyes receded, replaced by a serene, watery hue that only one person in Shinji's memory possessed.

"Long time no see, my Servant."

"Huh? You're Fiore? How are you…? Wait, what did you call me? Does that mean you—"

"Yes, it's exactly what you think!"

"What the hell is going on?"

Shinji was truly bewildered. Not even Angra Mainyu had confused him this much.

And it wasn't just him. The other onlookers were equally puzzled, completely unable to grasp what was happening.

Initially, when Shinji entered and didn't come out for a long time, everyone was worried, discussing what to do.

At that moment, Justeaze had returned to her body after piercing through the fleshy mass and had carried Shinji's body back from the reservoir's edge, assuring everyone that there was no need to worry and that everything was going according to plan.

All that was left was for Shinji to clear the curse, and the ritual would be complete, restoring the Greater Grail to its original form.

Those who were concerned about Shinji, such as Sakura, weren't willing to just wait around and asked if there was any way to speed up the process. That fleshy mass didn't look like anything good, and they weren't comfortable with Shinji being inside it.

Artoria, more aggressive than the others, was even prepared to unleash Excalibur and obliterate that disgusting thing—after all, she had already done it once ten years ago, so she was experienced.

Of course, Justeaze stopped her. If it could be solved that easily, why would Shinji have gone through so much effort? The most troublesome aspect of Angra Mainyu was how difficult he was to eradicate. As long as even a shred of his remains were left, there was always the chance he could rise again—this applied not only to his physical form but also to his malice.

"So, what should we do?"

"I'll handle it. I have a way."

Just as everyone was discussing, someone stepped forward.

"Fiore?"

"Sister?"

Caren, Ciel, Reisbyfe, and Caules all turned their heads in unison. None of them had expected Fiore to step up at this moment.

"Yes, this is my duty."

As she spoke, Fiore began walking toward the core of the curse.

"You—"

Justeaze looked puzzled. She had thought long and hard about a solution, but what could Fiore possibly do?

Furthermore, when everyone had been attacking the fleshy giant, Fiore hadn't participated, quietly observing from the sidelines. She had always seemed calm, composed, and even a bit cold—a neutral observer.

"You are!!!"

Justeaze reacted to the changes in Fiore.

Her once-white clothes had been replaced by deep blue armor, and her flaxen hair had transformed into golden braids. In her once-empty hands, particles of spirit coalesced into a holy flag.

Seeing this, Artoria was both shocked and delighted: "Jeanne!"

Everyone knew of Jeanne d'Arc, one of Europe's most famous heroes, the savior of France—though no one could ignore her uncanny resemblance to King Arthur.

"It's me, Artoria," Jeanne responded with a smile, then addressed everyone.

"I am Servant Ruler, and my true name is Jeanne d'Arc. I must uphold the rules of the Holy Grail War, and Angra Mainyu's existence is in violation. It is my responsibility to remove him."

The Church trio stood dumbfounded. They had always thought Fiore seemed saintly, but they never imagined she was the Saint Jeanne d'Arc.

At that moment, Jeanne turned and raised the holy flag high, stepping into the cursed, polluted area.

What is a saint?

Different faiths have different definitions.

But there is one thing all faiths agree on: a person of pure character, high virtue, impervious to evil thoughts, and unaffected by malice.

Jeanne was such a person. Only someone like her could purify the impure, and only someone like her could resist being tainted by the evils of the world.

The pure ruler, the innocent saint, raised her holy flag and walked into the core of the curse. She reached Shinji's side and pulled him out.

Then, she handed the holy flag to Shinji: "Buy us a few minutes."

"What… what are you going to do?"

Shinji was growing more and more confused.

"I… am going to pray."

Jeanne knelt, a sword now in her hands.