Reims Suburbs – Evening
Zoth holds the pouch of gathered magical gems, counting them like a black market hustler who just struck gold. He snickers, stashing the pouch and his coins in his coat, then turns to look at Kayn with the expression of a thief expecting gratitude.
"Hey, you said you came here to investigate me? So… Clock Tower already knows I exist?" Zoth folds his arms, his gaze deviously gleeful.
Kayn sits shivering on the ground, his eyes blankly staring into space, having quite literally been robbed.
"…Yes, they've heard of some magician causing chaos in France. Targeting the vanguard troops—stealing supplies, treasures… and murdering without mercy during the night." Kayn answers in a voice drained of all spirit.
Zoth shrugs casually, neither confirming nor denying:
"Well, war happens—dying from a stupid decision isn't surprising."
Kayn glances at him with contempt that could carve "Beast" into his forehead.
"That's it? Just like that?" Kayn snaps.
Zoth's face twitches. He really wants to punch the kid, but he's too lazy—doubt in his eyes but no effort forthcoming.
After pondering, Zoth unexpectedly offers his hand:
"Meluastea, right? Do me a favor."
"Why should I help you?"
"Want me to beat you up first before working together, or do it now and save the pain?" Zoth tilts his head, his grin turning predatory. He casually plants Caladbolg into the ground.
Kayn pales and nods like a startled chicken.
"Smart move," Zoth says, sheathing the blade. "Now... check my body."
Kayn frowns. "If you're sick, go to a doctor—why call me?"
"No. This... involves magic." Zoth replies.
"Then why should I help?" Kayn complains, feeling uncomfortable.
[KENG–!!]
Kuraiyami slams into the ground again, radiating lethal intent.
"All right! I'll do it!" Kayn springs up and starts channeling mana.
He places a hand on Zoth's back and begins chanting. A flow of mana runs through Zoth's body… Then Kayn frowns:
"Wait... are you even human?"
Zoth: "What? I'm 100% Homo sapiens! Don't slander me!"
"Well then, explain why your body contains an enormous amount of [True Ether]! What are you?! Did you crawl out from the gap between Heaven and the Tidal Sea?!"
Zoth freezes blankly. He doesn't know his own nature.
"How did you know?" he asks.
"Hehe~ Don't underestimate me! I'm a 'Fes' of the Clock Tower!" Kayn boasts.
"Oh?" Zoth squints, unimpressed.
"Your attitude—what's that about, you insolent—!" Kayn tries to rise and cause a scene, then thinks better of it when reality hits—he can't win—and retreats.
Zoth waves him off and turns serious: "Back to the point. You say there's [True Ether] in me. Where is it? Scattered throughout my body?"
"No. It's concentrated… right in your chest." Kayn points directly at Zoth's heart.
Zoth startles, his pupils shrinking. He slowly places a hand on his chest… and feels it—where the Omni Force resides.
A terrifying thought hits him: Could it be that the Wonder Rider Book is using his [True Ether] to corrode his mind? If that's true... wouldn't that corrupt him like the Lion King!?
---
At the same time, in the city of Reims.
All across the streets surrounding the city, knights were hard at work—calming the citizens, removing the bodies of English soldiers, and cleaning up the bloody aftermath of noon massacre. Despite their lingering shock, many townsfolk volunteered to help, doing their part to restore some semblance of order.
In the midst of that grim scene, Jeanne sat quietly in a corner of the church courtyard. Her eyes closed, lips gently whispering prayers for the souls of the departed. Enemy or not, they were still human—lost children in need of guidance back to the light.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at the sunless, overcast sky, whispering softly:
"Dear Lord... I don't understand… how can people kill one another like this…"
Soft footsteps approached from behind. Gilles placed a hand on her shoulder, his gaze calm and reassuring.
"Jeanne... don't burden yourself with sorrow. War has always been blood and fire... death is inevitable."
Jeanne shook her head, voice hoarse with emotion:
"But the way he killed them… those soldiers, even if they were English, didn't deserve to be slaughtered like that. He… didn't even give them a chance to surrender."
Her fingers tightened around the cross on her chest, her eyes filled with unease.
"I don't know who he really is… but he's lost all sense of mercy."
Gilles slowly sat beside her, speaking in a low, contemplative voice:
"Perhaps… his hatred runs too deep. Maybe… he's lost something so precious that it shattered his soul. If possible, I believe we can help him cleanse himself."
Jeanne turned to Gilles, her eyes shining with conviction:
"Then… can you help me find him? I want to speak with him face to face… ask why he's become like this."
Gilles frowned slightly, nodding silently—though unease stirred in his heart.
That mysterious knight—the one who could annihilate a hundred English soldiers in a single night—was no ordinary man.
"Very well. Once we've restored order here, I'll dispatch men to investigate. Oh, and I've already sent a group of knights to report to the Duke. We should hear back by tomorrow."
"Then… let the soldiers rest. We're all exhausted." Jeanne embraced her flag tightly, letting out a sigh, then stood and began walking toward the city center.
Gilles followed silently, a protective thought echoing in his mind:
That knight… he's not someone we can take lightly.
And if he so much as thinks of laying a hand on Jeanne—
he'll have to step over my corpse first.
Just then, a scout knight from the vanguard rushed over, bowed respectfully, and announced:
"Lady Jeanne d'Arc, we've found traces of the mysterious knight!"
"Oh? You've found something already? Thank you. Ah… and please, don't call me 'Lady'—I'm not used to it." Jeanne smiled gently, slightly embarrassed by the title.
The knight nodded and corrected himself:
"Understood… Miss Jeanne. According to our investigation, he came from the city of Tours. He had no title, no position. About two or three months ago, Tours was ambushed by the English. At that time, a windstorm of blades swept through the invaders and saved the entire city. After that… he disappeared."
Jeanne furrowed her brow slightly.
Tours… that place was far from here.
If he once saved an entire city—
then why was he now slaughtering without mercy?
"I see. You've done well." Jeanne gently helped the knight to his feet. "Inform everyone—tonight, we rest. Tomorrow, we move out."