Shinji Matou At Your Service

Chapter 415: Because There’s No Partner

Even someone as oblivious as Artoria thought that Jeanne d'Arc and she seemed like sisters, so it was no surprise that others felt the same.

"Are you sure you two aren't sisters?"

This was the first thing Jeanne heard after regaining consciousness.

Opening her eyes, she was no longer on horseback but lying in a warm bed. Above her was not the endless night sky but a wooden ceiling.

"Where is this—?" Her throat felt dry, and her voice was a bit coarse.

"Ah, you're awake." A familiar voice came from beside her.

Turning her head, she saw Artoria, dressed casually, sitting by the bed. Not far away stood an unfamiliar woman, who must have been the one who mentioned "sisters."

Was this their base? Then this unfamiliar woman must be Artoria's Master?

"Good morning, Jeanne."

Sky-colored eyes met emerald ones. Artoria's greeting sounded exceptionally warm as if they were not just newly acquainted but long-time friends or even family.

More surprisingly, Jeanne didn't find it awkward; instead, it felt completely natural.

Was it the unique atmosphere of the farmhouse reminding her of her past home? Or was it the person by the bed making her feel at ease?

Jeanne didn't know, but it didn't affect her response.

"Good morning, Artoria. How long did I sleep?"

"About six hours. It's just past seven now. If you're still tired, you can sleep a bit more."

"No need, my stamina has recovered. I'm just feeling hungry."

"Bear with it for a bit; breakfast will be ready soon. When we came back last night, you were sleeping so soundly that we didn't wake you. How about we make up for the promised midnight snack with breakfast?"

"Sure, that sounds good."

"Ha ha," the laughter of a third person interrupted their conversation. "And you say you're not sisters?"

"Who is this?" Jeanne asked.

"Rikudo Reika, a friend of mine," Artoria introduced them. "This is the adjudicator of this Holy Grail War, Servant Ruler, true name Jeanne d'Arc."

"So, you aren't sisters? Or is there some special connection?"

Reika didn't seem surprised by Jeanne's identity. Taking care of King Arthur's appetite while also raising Jack the Ripper, she could accept any famous figure appearing. Instead, it was the identical looks of the King of Britain and the Saint of France that piqued her curiosity.

King Arthur was active in the sixth century AD, while Jeanne d'Arc was active in the fourteenth century AD. What could have happened in those 800 years?

In the blink of an eye, Reika had already concocted a convoluted story in her mind.

Artoria secretly left descendants back then. Due to the fall of the Arthurian dynasty, they lived under assumed identities, wandering in exile, and eventually settled in France, their glory eroded by time.

And Guinevere and Lancelot's elopement was all part of the plan to protect Artoria's descendants. After all, wasn't Lancelot a Frenchman?

Reika's mind was naturally more active than most people's. She used to see herself as a machine, not considering anything beyond survival. Now moved by Artoria's sincerity, her heart was no longer so cold, and all sorts of strange ideas started to flourish.

"Mm~ I can't help but feel you're thinking about something quite rude." The two who were mistaken for sisters exchanged a glance and spoke in unison. One had A++-rank "Instinct," and the other had A-rank "Revelation." Even if Reika appeared normal on the surface, they could still sense an indescribable chill from her.

Their synchronicity only made Reika more convinced of her speculations. "I'm increasingly sure my guess is right. Never mind, continue with your sisterly bonding. I'll go check on the kitchen."

Before she could leave, the room door opened, and a cute girl in a dress poked her head in.

"Mommy, the pot is boiling and the meat is all cut."

"Oh my, Jack, you're amazing." Reika naturally walked over, gently stroking Jack's hair and speaking softly, "How about we go make some sandwiches together?"

"Yes!" Jack's eyes curved into crescents. "How many sandwiches does Mommytoria want?"

Artoria thought for a moment and then held up two fingers.

Two—Jeanne thought, which seemed appropriate for a woman's standard appetite. However, she was very wrong, terribly wrong.

Jack nodded and said, "Got it, Mommytoria wants twenty."

Twenty! Jeanne was shocked at that moment. This appetite—

Before Jeanne could react, she heard Jack continue to ask, "And the second Mommytoria—"

"Jeanne," Reika corrected in time.

"Mommyjeanne—" Jack didn't call strangers mommy, but in Jack's understanding, Jeanne wasn't a stranger. Would a stranger look so much like Mommytoria? Since she looked so much like Mommytoria, she must be a mommy too.

No wonder they were said to have good compatibility; both Jack and Reika had very unusual thought processes.

"How many does Mommyjeanne want?"

Jeanne blankly held up one finger.

"Okay, Mommyjeanne wants ten. Adding two for us and two for Mommy, that makes thirty-four in total."

"Then let's get started."

"Yes!"

Reika took Jack's hand and left Artoria's bedroom, not forgetting to close the door behind them.

Last night, when Artoria returned, Reika had already gone to bed with Jack. To avoid disturbing them, Artoria had quietly moved Jeanne to her bed, then went to the kitchen, had a midnight snack, and finally fell asleep at the dining table until Reika woke her up to make breakfast, leading to the scene they just witnessed.

The creak of the wooden door slightly cleared Jeanne's chaotic mind. It was only then that she realized what lJack had called her.

"Mommyjeannne? Mommy?"

Oh God, she was 19 when she was burned at the stake. She hadn't even dated, let alone married.

Now—

Now—

Now—

She was called "Mom." Although the person calling her that was a very cute little girl, still—no, that's not the point at all...

Poor Jeanne, the poor saint, was thrown into such confusion by this sudden mental shock that it was even more exhausting than facing the Inquisition. Emotionally drained, even with her devout faith, she was still just a pure young girl, without any experience in such matters.

Fortunately, Jeanne had Artoria by her side. The first time Artoria heard "Mommytoria," her reaction wasn't much better than Jeanne's, and she also wasn't quite sure how to comfort her.

"Don't mind it. Jack calls you that because she likes you. You see, she calls me 'Mommy' too, doesn't she?"

With that, Jeanne was barely pulled out of her confusion.

"Th-this, you— you just let her call you 'Mommy'?"

"I've tried telling her several times, but she just doesn't listen. She's very innocent and stubborn about this. Eventually, I realized it wasn't a big deal. Being called 'Mommy' doesn't change anything, so I just let her."

Not a big deal! Although it indeed doesn't change anything, but still, this isn't right.

"How does Miss Reika educate her child? Doesn't the child's father care?"

"Father?" Artoria was taken aback. "Ah, haven't you realized yet?"

"Realized what?" Jeanne was puzzled.

"Apparently not—calm down and use your class privilege. It should be easy to see."

At Artoria's words, Jeanne quickly focused her attention and let her senses expand. Soon, she felt an aura different from that of ordinary humans.

"This is—!!!"

PS: King Ahoge: "Jeanne, although you can eat a lot, you're still far behind me. You're just an ordinary big eater, while I have an interdimensional stomach!"

PS2: Shinji: "Well done, Jack-chan. Daddy likes you!"

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