Shinji Matou at Your Service

Artoria's musings were unknown to Shinji. After lying on the sofa for a bit longer to regain some strength, he returned to his desk to continue working intensely.

Just as he sketched a couple of lines, he heard footsteps again.

Shinji didn't think much of it and casually spoke up.

"What's up, Artoria? Did you forget something?"

"No, it's not that."

"Huh?"

The paintbrush in his hand paused. The voice behind him was just as familiar, but it didn't belong to Artoria. Instead, it belonged to someone very similar to her.

"Oh, it's Jeanne. What's going on tonight? Everyone's coming one after another..."

Shinji sighed as he got up from the chair he had barely warmed and returned to the still-warm sofa.

Jeanne curiously asked, "Has anyone else come by besides me?"

"Yeah, first Jack and Reika came by to bring me a late-night snack, and then Artoria. She left just a few minutes before you arrived."

"Because they're worried about you, afraid you'll overwork yourself."

"So, are you here because you're worried about me too?"

"I am concerned about you, but that's not the only reason—Black Assassin, no, Matou Shinji, I want to talk with you."

Seeing Jeanne's serious expression and earnest eyes, Shinji set aside his relaxed demeanor and sat up properly.

"What do you want to talk about?"

"About your very existence."

"Is there a problem with my existence?"

"Yes. To be honest, I'm very confused—your existence, your actions, and your participation in the Holy Grail War, all of it. Does it count as a violation?"

"You're still hung up on this even now..."

"I was summoned in this way because of Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, but as a Ruler, I have to fulfill my duties as an adjudicator."

A helpless smile appeared on Shinji's face.

"I see, that's so like you. Tell me, what about me makes you think I'm in violation?"

"It's that Saint of Winter. You're not a Heroic Spirit, yet you became a Servant. This must be her doing, right?"

"Yes."

"The summoning of Heroic Spirits and their role as Servants is a necessary part of the Holy Grail War. Your presence means the Heroic Spirit who should have manifested as an Assassin didn't get that role. The position you occupy should belong to Jack—although your goal is to resolve the distortions of this Holy Grail War, the act itself is a distortion. Using a distortion to solve a distortion—"

With wide eyes and a stern expression, the righteous saint expressed her convictions.

"—I believe this is wrong."

"However, the entire Holy Grail system was constructed by Justeaze, who sacrificed herself to become the core of the Greater Grail. This gave her the authority to interfere with the system."

"That's precisely what confuses me."

Jeanne's previously strong voice gradually softened.

"The Saint of Winter has the legitimate authority, but the exercise of this legitimate authority has resulted in a distortion. As an adjudicator, I should uphold the rules and resolve this distortion..."

It's akin to an unsolvable paradox.

"So what do you plan to do?"

"I don't know, which is why I'm hoping you can give me an answer."

"Me?"

Shinji scratched his head and looked at Jeanne without blinking. She nodded firmly.

"Yes."

"Are you serious?"

Shinji was both amused and exasperated.

"You're asking me, the person involved, aren't you afraid I'll intentionally skew the answer in my favor?"

Jeanne replied calmly.

"Because I trust you, I trust my companions, and the final judgment will be made by me. So, no matter the outcome, I'll accept it."

The determination in her eyes, as clear as the washed sky, made Shinji feel both admiration and a hint of astonishment.

"I really can't handle you, but that's also what makes you so lovable."

"Lo-lovable... Please don't tease me!"

"How is that teasing? I'm just stating a fact. If you don't believe me, you can go out and ask anyone. Even if not 100%, 90% of people would say you're lovable."

"I-I could never ask such a question!!!"

A blush spread across Jeanne's cheeks, making her look like a young girl for the first time.

"Then I'll have to ask for you."

"Black Assassin!!!"

Seeing Jeanne getting upset, Shinji quickly stopped.

"Alright, I'll stop. Let's get back to the topic. Before I give you my answer, there are two things I need to tell you. First, this answer is just my personal opinion; you'll have to judge for yourself whether it's right. Second, if your judgment interferes with my subsequent actions, I will decide whether to resist with force depending on the situation. You have your principles, and I have mine. I respect your principles, but that doesn't mean I'll accept them."

"Understood."

"The issue you're struggling with is a matter of process versus result. In the process and result, Justeaze and I value the result more. As long as the result is good, the process can have flaws. Regarding the Holy Grail War, my existence not only doesn't hinder its progress but also ensures it proceeds smoothly, which is a good result. Given the current situation, my presence can better help you resolve the larger distortion. Although you don't agree with using distortion to resolve a greater distortion, when two distortions have already occurred, the priority must be to resolve the greater one, and then deal with the smaller one like me. Who knows, maybe this smaller distortion will be eliminated by the larger one, and you won't have to worry about it anymore."

Shinji gave a self-deprecating smile and winked at Jeanne, who shook her head seriously.

"That's not acceptable. Perhaps as you said, I value the process more because I believe that a good process leads to a good result. And the process of just dying is not a good one. Black Assassin, I don't want you to die irresponsibly and without clarity!"

"Then what do you want me to do?"

"Defeat Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, then survive. After that, I will make my judgment about you, even if it leads to conflict between us."

"Postponed judgment... Is that your decision as a Ruler?"

"Not just as a Ruler, but also as Jeanne d'Arc. Matou Shinji, I want you to survive."

Shinji looked at Jeanne, and Jeanne looked back at him. Their blue eyes met, unblinking.

"Can you promise me something?—Don't use that Noble Phantasm that comes from the culmination of your life."

"This... I'm sorry."

Although Shinji didn't know how he learned about her hidden second Noble Phantasm, she couldn't promise this.

"So I can't guarantee anything either. I can only say we'll try our best. Everything we're doing now is for the best possible outcome."

"Let me help then."

"You? Can you draw?"

"I can't, but Laeticia can."

"Wait, who did you say?"

Shinji found the name familiar but couldn't recall who it was.

"Laeticia, the owner of this body."

Jeanne pressed her hand to her chest, awakening the girl deeply hidden in her consciousness.