Chapter 30

One of the authorities of the [Rama] avatar, the divine implements granted by the Triad's blessings, allowed the user to materialize all the weapons Rama had once wielded. The very authority that had previously injured the little wildcat Kuroka was this one. Rama himself was an avatar of Vishnu, incarnated to save the world. Throughout his growth, he received gifts from Shiva, Brahma, and countless other gods and Buddhas. To fulfill his divine mission, they bestowed upon him numerous divine implements.

At this moment, one of the most powerful among them, the Brahmastra Bow, appeared before Jeanne. However, its current power was not on par with Est’s, as Est's strength was fixed, while these divine implements scaled with Shoyo's growth.

"This… are you really Rama?" Jeanne looked at the divine weapon, puzzled by its unique aura. She hesitated. How would I know that?! I don’t even have much education… Her shoulders slumped. Oh... yeah, I really wouldn’t know.

But she was Saint of Orleans! Her ancestor was an illiterate village girl, so what if she wasn’t highly educated? She could still stand proud. Using history to justify herself among acquaintances might work, but unfortunately, the person in front of her wasn’t one.

“Of course I am,” Shoyo replied confidently. “You say you're the inheritor of Saint of Orleans. Can you show me her battle standard?”

"Uh… well… everyone there is a hero, and I am Saint of Orleans, but the banner you mentioned… I don't know where it is." Jeanne deflated a little. How was I supposed to know the damn thing might only have a pole left?! If she brought just the pole, she'd be laughed at! She believed Shoyo’s words, but being questioned by someone she'd just met made her feel awkward.

“Everyone there is a hero?” Shoyo asked, feigning surprise.

“Hmph! That’s right!” Jeanne puffed out her chest. “Not just descendants of Heracles, we’ve even got descendants of Cao Cao and Leonardo da Vinci!”

“Could you tell me more?” Though Shoyo already knew the main plot, he wanted to hear her side. She might reveal something new the original story hadn't covered.

“Oh! Let me tell you, one of the users of the strongest Longinus is with us, and also…”

Under Amano Yuuma’s bewildered gaze, Jeanne rambled on and on. Doesn’t this girl have a brain? The same thought popped into Amano Yuuma’s mind.

…

A few minutes later.

“And that’s how it is! So… do you want to join the Hero Faction and become our comrade?” Jeanne finally finished, a little out of breath. Cough, cough… using other people’s accomplishments to brag, huh?

“Hm, I’ll consider it,” Shoyo said. “You must be thirsty, here.” He casually handed Jeanne a bottle of water.

“Oh, thank you.” Jeanne gratefully accepted it and took a long drink.

“I’ve thought it over. What you said… I agree with it. But I still have some things to deal with,” Shoyo added with a smile.

[No way… teasing Saint of Orleans is way too fun. She’s probably the type who’d help you count the money after being tricked. System, oh system, how sinful of you to awaken this kind of hobby in me.]

“You’re going to become our comrade?!” Jeanne lit up. All that talking wasn’t in vain! She took another big gulp. Amano Yuuma looked at Shoyo strangely. Is he really the descendant of a hero?

“Yeah, that’s how it is. But I’ve got my own business to wrap up. Could I trouble you to wait outside Kuoh Town for me? Just three hours.”

“Okay! No problem!” Jeanne gave him a thumbs-up, her answer equally enthusiastic.

“Oh…” Amano Yuuma finally caught on. So Shoyo-san was just teasing this airheaded Jeanne… or maybe he’s tricking her for some greater reason? Her heart skipped. If he really is a hero’s descendant… maybe I can lure him back to the fallen angel side. Lord Azazel is very interested in Sacred Gear users with heroic bloodlines. At this point, Amano Yuuma still fully believed in Azazel.

“Then I’ll go ahead and wait for you there!” Jeanne waved and turned to leave, but just as she was about to go, a realization struck her.

“Shoyo… if you really inherited Rama’s power… what are you doing with a fallen angel?”

Jeanne suddenly turned back, her expression sharp. Shoyo smiled. If I can’t even fool you, how will I survive in the future?

“Oh… she’s actually my girlfriend.”

“Hm? Hm? HMMM?!” Jeanne’s expression went from confused to subtly conflicted. “A fallen angel girlfriend?” Why would someone with heroic blood pick a fallen angel as a girlfriend? There are plenty of beautiful human women, right? Like… cough, cough… like me! Jeanne’s thoughts ran wild. Strong, good personality, promising future, handsome…

“If you want a girlfriend, why not choose a human?” she asked seriously.

Shoyo had expected this. “Actually, I don’t think it’s ideal either. So how about… you be my girlfriend instead?”

“Huh? HUH? HUH?!” Now it was Amano Yuuma’s turn to choke. Wait… am I his girlfriend, or ex-girlfriend now? Even knowing he was teasing Jeanne, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.

Meanwhile, Jeanne’s mind went blank. Steam practically rose from her head, Steam Jeanne had arrived. Overcome with shyness, she stepped back slightly, cheeks blazing, eyelashes trembling.

“T-this… it’s not impossible… but there’s a proper order! Order is very important! Very, very important!” she stammered. “But… if you want to pursue me, then first eliminate the fallen angel beside you. You two are not on the same path!”

Jeanne was a girl of firm principles.

“No, no, no, Jeanne. Have you ever considered something?”

“What is it?”

“If I could abandon her for you, wouldn’t I also abandon you someday for someone else? I’m sorry, I don’t do heartless things like that.”

“Y-you’re right, I suppose…”

Jeanne, a very simple girl at heart, was once again left speechless. Seeing her expression, Shoyo smiled again.

“Since I’m going to become one of you, it’s not unreasonable for you to let my ex-girlfriend go, right? After all, heroes aren’t heartless.”

“How could we be heartless? We exist to bring out the full potential of humanity!” Jeanne replied earnestly.

“Great. Then Jeanne, please wait for me there. I’ll come after I finish things here.”

“Okay! Do you have a lot to deal with? Should I ask Georg to come help you move your stuff?” Jeanne offered cheerfully.

Georg, wielder of the Longinus [Dimension Lost], was about to become a glorified taxi driver, all thanks to Saint Jeanne.


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