Chapter 440: [440] The Holy Maiden’s Bedside Service
"Obtained so quickly?"
The images of Reika and the others projected into the small grove. Through the pathway established by displacement magecraft, Sakatsuki effortlessly transmitted the data, infusing it into the blank displacement card in Reika’s hand.
After completing this task, the Assassin’s magical energy was once again drained dry—not a single drop remained.
"The spiritual information of the Holy Maiden Jeanne d’Arc, including her spiritual attire and body measurements, personally verified without error." Sakatsuki spoke rapidly before the communication magecraft’s energy was fully depleted. "Make sure to find an opportunity to relay this information to the Black Faction before noon today."
As soon as he finished speaking, the magical energy of the communication card was completely exhausted, cutting off the transmission. Reika picked up the displacement card, now etched with patterns, from the shelf and handed it to Artoria.
"It’s up to you now, Miss Artoria."
Sakatsuki’s plan was simple—exploit Artoria’s resemblance to Jeanne in appearance, demeanor, and the same class to have her disguise herself as the Ruler and deliver information to the Black Faction.
Artoria didn’t take the card immediately, still pondering the implications of Sakatsuki’s words. "The spiritual attire makes sense, but body measurements? Personally verified without error?"
The image of Jeanne lying unconscious on Sakatsuki’s bed flashed through her mind, making the Saber uneasy. "Reika, do you think something might have happened between them?"
"Who knows?" Compared to the cross-dressing, fake-wife-and-son King Arthur, Reika was a seasoned veteran. "A man and a woman alone in a room, with the man knowing every detail of the woman’s figure... Hmm~"
Hearing this, Artoria’s eyes widened, her fair cheeks instantly flushing red. "Y-you mean, Lord Sakatsuki he..."
"Now, now, Miss Artoria. If you want to know what happened, why not just ask Lord Sakatsuki directly next time?"
After giving Sakatsuki an unintentional assist, Reika chuckled lightly and nudged the flustered Saber forward. "For now, let’s test whether the card works properly. Honestly, I’m quite curious about what the Holy Maiden, disguised by you, will look like~~"
As Reika and Artoria went to test the card, Sakatsuki, having recovered a bit of magical energy in the grove near the village, retraced his steps and soon found his target.
"Coo, coo, coo..." A snow-white pigeon circled among the trees, its black eyes reflecting a gaze both clear and foolish.
We’re good buddies, why would I ever bail on you.
The moment Sakatsuki saw the pigeon, a series of culinary ideas flashed through his mind—pigeon soup, roasted pigeon, crispy-skinned squab, pigeon stewed with chestnuts... and so on.
If I make these, one portion for my King, one for Jeanne, one for the Empress... They’d surely be delighted, right?
Clearing his throat to dismiss the inexplicable thoughts, Sakatsuki appeared behind the pigeon and seized the startled bird mid-flight, forcing it to meet his gaze.
Magical energy condensed by the Third Magic pierced into the pigeon, effortlessly locating the simple ancient magecraft formula. After reverse-analyzing it, he established a connection with a distant Servant.
At that moment, Empress Semiramis was discussing future plans with Amakusa when she suddenly let out a startled cry, clutching her left eye—yet unable to conceal the surging platinum radiance.
The light of the Third Magic projected outward, outlining the figure of a black-robed young man.
"Lord Sakatsuki?!" Amakusa rose with a grave expression, first grasping the Empress’s hand and gently moving it aside to confirm her eye was unharmed before turning to the projected figure.
"Contacting us in such a peculiar manner—what has happened?"
"Don’t overthink it. It’s simply that neither of us has a phone, nor have we established a causality link, making this the most cost-effective method." Sakatsuki calmly explained, utterly unaware of how earth-shattering his casual modification of an Age of Gods magecraft would appear to modern magi.
"I bring news: the Black Faction seems poised to head to Sighișoara, though their reasons remain unclear."
"What did you say?" Amakusa was startled, instinctively glancing at his Servant. Semiramis, still covering her controlled left eye, snapped irritably, "Have you not been by my side this entire time? With all efforts focused on constructing the Hanging Gardens these past days, neglecting intelligence networks is only natural, is it not?"
They had no reason to doubt Sakatsuki’s message. For one, spreading false information would bring no benefit to him as a fellow Red Faction member. Secondly, if Sakatsuki were lying, the Black Faction wouldn’t be able to act in accordance with his claims.
"In that case, let the Saber pair handle this," Amakusa concluded after some thought. "This presents an ideal opportunity to gauge the true capabilities of that rebellious knight."
————
When the saintly maiden, her brow adorned with a headband and holy banner fluttering, appeared at the gates of the Fortress of Millennia, none doubted her Ruler-class aura as she was escorted to the throne room.
"Saintess, have you returned today because you’ve reconsidered joining my ranks and fighting alongside us of the Black Faction?"
Vlad III sat upon his throne, gazing expectantly at the golden-haired maiden before him. Yet Jeanne d’Arc—or rather, the disguised Artoria—merely shook her head, her expression cool and tone resolute:
"I’ve already made myself clear, Lord. I will not interfere in the conflict between the two factions."
But then, following the script Reika had provided, Artoria pivoted sharply:
"However, given that the Red Faction has previously violated the rights of a Ruler, I am exercising my privilege as Ruler to disclose a piece of intelligence to the Black Faction."
Disclose intelligence?!
Darnic and Vlad III exchanged glances, their expressions alight with excitement.
Beyond disparities in strength, wasn’t the essence of the Holy Grail War an information battle?
If the Ruler provided crucial intelligence, even if the Black Faction lagged behind the Reds in raw power, they could gain unimaginable advantages!
Amidst their fervor and anticipation, the two Black Faction leaders heard the Ruler’s voice ring out.
"Today, the Red Faction’s Saber and their Master have secretly departed for Sighișoara."
"Caster!" Darnic instinctively turned to Avicebron, who had just arrived, but the latter shook his head.
"At present, there are no signs of Red Faction movement."
"Meaning the Red Faction employed some unknown means to reach Sighișoara? What could they be planning?"
Not really—it’s just that Sakatsuki only just informed the Red Faction’s leader about this.
Artoria internally sighed.
Cunning as Darnic, valiant (cultivating immortality) as Vlad III—the two leaders of the Black Faction could never have imagined that they were being manipulated like puppets by Sakatsuki, who lurked in the shadows.
Even she, Sakatsuki’s nominal superior and the king he swore loyalty to, often felt her intellect utterly crushed by that young man, leaving her with an overwhelming sense of defeat.
Leaking the Black Faction’s intel to prompt the Red Faction into action.
Disclosing the Red Faction’s intel to force the Black Faction to mobilize.
Though the information was entirely false at the time, in hindsight, it couldn’t have been more accurate.
Lord Sakatsuki, just how did you come up with this move?
————
Unaware of his Servant’s growing admiration for him (+1+1+1), Sakatsuki returned to the village around dawn after delivering the intel.
Having been busy all night without rest—though Servants didn’t need sleep—his human habits weren’t so easily discarded.
Calculating his next moves in his mind, Sakatsuki pushed open the door, removed his black robe, lifted the covers, and slipped inside...
"Mmm~~" A soft murmur came from the bed. Startled, Sakatsuki suddenly remembered—Jeanne d’Arc had taken over his room to catch up on sleep.
Which meant...
Propping himself up, he looked down to see a golden-haired girl, stripped of her armor and wearing a school uniform (Laeticia’s), lying on the bed. Disturbed by his presence, she merely pouted sleepily before dozing off again, a silly smile on her face.
A closer look revealed that, in her half-asleep state, she had loosened the tight school tie and even undone a few buttons of her white blouse, offering a tantalizing glimpse of spring scenery. Coupled with the breathtaking peaks no poster girl could ever rival, the sight was downright dizzying.
"...Guess I’ll rest in the living room for a while." After a long moment of appreciation, Sakatsuki wordlessly rose to leave. But just as he tried to extricate himself from the bed, Jeanne’s brows furrowed. Arms lifting, she accurately—despite her closed eyes—pulled him back into the warm embrace of the blankets.
"No leaving... Zzz..."
Was she asleep or awake?
At first, Sakatsuki instinctively struggled, but as the blouse grew increasingly loose, he promptly ceased all movement. Helpless, he let Jeanne cradle him like an emotionless body pillow.
He had no idea what kind of bizarre development this was, but wasn’t this saint a little too trusting?
A vague realization flickered in his mind, but the legendary "Blanket Seal Technique," which had subdued countless heroes throughout history, lived up to its name. Especially with such fragrant warmth beside him, exhaustion surged. Sakatsuki silently yawned and decided to roll with it, closing his eyes.
Too tired. Let the world burn.
Pushing thoughts of potential future disasters aside, Sakatsuki allowed the saint to hold him, resting his head against the soft "pillow," and drifted into peaceful slumber.
By the time he awoke, the sun was already high in the sky.