Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

266: Joan of Arc's 'Correct Understanding' (4k)

What does it mean that a heretical god shouldn't appear? Does it mean I should just... kill him?

The long-lost voice of God that appeared in her heart caused Joan of Arc to fall into a moment of confusion, causing her to blurt out the request without thinking, even though she had originally intended to unite with this sun god.

Although Joan of Arc always trusted her Lord's voice without any fear, at this moment she was a little confused about whether this Lord's voice was the one she knew when she was alive or the one in front of her. It was strange, if it was the same person, why would she say it was a pagan god?

And why does the voice of the Lord have such a... subtle tone, as if it were telling my parents that I'm going to the battlefield?

"So they've come to form an alliance? Well, that's fine, since that's what I'm here for too."

"You actually agreed? Thank you so much!"

Hearing Novia's voice in her ear brought Joan of Arc a sense of relief.

Although I don't know how to complete the task that the master requires to 'not appear', it's better to do it this way for now.

"I'm telling you, saintess, even if it's a request, don't assume the other party will agree."

However, just when Joan of Arc thought she was doing alright, Siegfried's next words left her speechless.

“…Eh…”

The blonde girl looked at the group of people in front of her with some confusion, and noticed that even Siegfried's Master, Gordes, was looking at her with a very subtle expression.

No, "thinking about oneself"... isn't that what this gentleman said? Or am I just imagining things...?

"I never thought that Siegfried would actually contradict someone one day. You've really changed a lot."

Novia looked at Siegfried with some surprise, finding it hard to believe that the great hero who would do anything asked would refute someone like this.

“It’s mainly because Klinshid likes to say that to me, so when I see Avia being treated like that by others, I want to say the same thing to the people who ask you for help.”

The great hero who slayed the dragon said in a serious tone.

His words made Novia feel a little awkward, as if she could see Klinshid biting her finger and looking at Siegfried with resentment, muttering about her.

"Ahem." Novia coughed, looked at the somewhat confused Jeanne, and said with a smile, "Perhaps it's because of my ability as an adjudicator. After all, I do think the same way as you, Jeanne. So let's work together to resolve this Holy Grail War. Lord Gorde, would you allow Siegfried to join us as well?"

He didn't care too much about why Joan of Arc was like this, since he had come for this reason as well, so there was no need for him to refuse Joan of Arc's invitation.

"...Eh." The blond, fat man, Gold, pointed at himself in horror. "...Are you actually asking me?"

In fact, when Novia displayed her strength and seemed familiar with Siegfried, Gordes had already given up hope of becoming the victor of the Holy Grail War. He was content to simply survive under this sun god. But then, unexpectedly, he was asked to make a request…

"After all, you are Siegfried's Master, so I need to ask you, how about it? If you'd like to join us, that's fine too, isn't it?"

"Really? Me, Siegfried, he..."

Perhaps it was because he hadn't felt someone cared about him in a long time that Gold suddenly became somewhat incoherent.

This is natural, given his current situation: "a middle-aged man who has lost his job due to various reasons and is desperately trying to save face in front of his juniors." He had to join the Yggdrasil family because of his family's decline. However, if Gold is not afraid of losing face and can openly admit that his family and magic are based on technology that was lost from the Einzbern family, he will have a chance to revive his family.

“That’s right, Master. Since you are my Master, I will never give up on you easily. Let’s act together.”

Hearing this, Gold took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and shouted:

"Please, please let Siegfried and I assist you! I beg you!"

“Okay, thank you.” Novia smiled again. “Speaking of which, I can tell from my abilities that you, Gold, really want to revive your family, don’t you?”

"Ah, well," Gold scratched his head somewhat awkwardly, "How should I put it? Actually, it's only natural that my family has declined. After all, we acquired the technology after other families had weakened, so it's normal to lack a solid foundation..."

In fact, Gold was always a person with a high opinion of himself. He would never have been so frank if someone else had asked him. But he had a warm feeling about the man in front of him, who was both the sun god of South America and the king of the Huns in Siegfried's words. He felt that no matter what, the man would never look down on him. That's why Gold said it like that.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because it's essentially stolen, no matter how well or how much is made, it's still just scraps..."

"But isn't that also a skill?"

"...Eh...."

Gold was stunned; he seemed to have never thought of this before.

Yes, even though it's remnants of another family, it's still something that belongs to me, something that belongs to the Mujik family...

"Keep going, I believe you can definitely rebuild your family."

"...Yes, I will. Thank you very much for your answer!"

"No, it mainly depends on your efforts and abilities, Gold."

Gold felt his eyes welling up with tears. For many years, ever since his family fell into decline and he had to join the World Tree family, he had been called the 'Incompetent King' and the 'Super Stupid Magician'. Now, someone believed in him, how could he not be happy from the bottom of his heart?

Gordes' transformation surprised Joan of Arc. She had seen many people like this when she was alive, but very few people had such a strong sense of 'determination'. She thought about it and felt that it was due to the sun god's class ability, or perhaps it was due to his pure temperament.

Indeed, this might be Novia's ability as the Fifth Sun, the EX-level 'Sun's Charm'. Anyone, regardless of their faith or whether they are enemies, will fight or maintain their 'principles' and 'courage' upon seeing him.

Or perhaps, it is also his own simple thoughts about the world.

However, since this group has now joined the alliance of Novia and Jeanne, it means they have given up their plans to compete for the Holy Grail. In other words, the Black faction has now eliminated two groups: the Assassin and the Swordsman.

"But the Red Team didn't come? I seem to remember they were supposed to come."

The next second, Novia's words rang in Joan of Arc's ears again. Only then did she realize that Novia's mouth hadn't moved at all, in other words...

Could this be what he truly thinks?!

Now the girl finally understood where Siegfried and Gold's previous misconception that she had made a request on her own and then agreed to it on behalf of others came from.

This is really unfair to me, but why am I able to hear his inner thoughts?

That's really strange. Could it be some kind of job placement ability?

This shouldn't be happening. I can't hear Siegfried and his Master's inner thoughts either. This is too easy for people to misunderstand.

Joan of Arc was at a loss for words, but to avoid confusing Novia's spoken words with her true thoughts, she decided to keep staring at Novia's mouth to prevent herself from making the same mistake again.

"Now that we've formed an alliance, let's go next—"

"elder brother!"

Before Joan of Arc could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Abigail, who came in through the 'door' and then ran over to Novia in front of everyone, taking his hand.

“This is my Master, Abigail Williams.”

"Yes, yes, I am my brother's sister."

The blonde girl nodded earnestly.

In response, Siegfried and his Master introduced themselves in a friendly manner. However, as Jeanne introduced herself, a question arose in her mind about this girl named Abigail—

Why does that door, which appeared out of nowhere, possess an aura that doesn't belong to this planet, and why do the cracks on it actually have... the aura of a god?!

The saintess pondered to herself that although it was a battle of seven against seven, it was indeed an emergency situation that required the summoning of the Arbitrator.

But she was certain that her true purpose was not like that. Because no matter which side won, as long as they could make the right wish on the Holy Grail, there would be no problem. So she wasn't worried about the battle between the Black and Red factions. After all, the goal of a magician is to reach the Root or something else related to magic.

...Could it be that the reason the Lord told me that heretical gods are not allowed to appear is to imply that my true enemy is this South American sun god named Favia and his master Abigail?

So that's how it is. Now I understand completely. Before, I thought that there was someone on either the black or red side who had to see them, the person who caused their appearance, but now the answer is obvious.

It was a pagan god from Earth who made a deal with a god who did not belong to Earth, attempting to use the Holy Grail War for something. I didn't expect him to be so good at disguising himself; even I was almost fooled... However, unfortunately, before the great Lord, all evil disguises have nowhere to hide.

I suppose the reason I was able to hear his thoughts was because God wanted me to resolve the situation smoothly.

Feeling that she now fully understood what was going on, Joan of Arc looked at Novia and Abigail and said:

"Then let's go to Torifas now and settle everything directly."

Once we reach the battlefield where all the Servants are present, I will command them all to join forces and destroy you.

That's what Joan of Arc thought.

"Okay, let's go."

However, Novia readily agreed. In that instant, Joan of Arc could 'swear to God' that her understanding was correct, but she was also confused. After all, this South American sun god was so powerful, why would she make a deal with an alien god?

But from this moment on, the adjudicator was determined to find his fatal weakness.

"Thank you."

The girl gently patted her cheek, holding the summoned banner in her hand. This was the battle flag that had accompanied her throughout her life, and it was also a sacred banner.

She looked at the crowd behind her and whispered, "It may take quite a while."

“There’s no need for that.” Abigail waved her sleeve at Joan of Arc. “Use Abigail’s door, then we can get to Trifas in no time.”

"No, no! Absolutely not!"

Joan of Arc instinctively retorted. In her view, Abigail was already a mastermind or something similar. After all, the door had been cracked by God, which was clearly heresy. For a believer like her to use something heretical was an insult to her faith.

"Ah, why? Could it be that you, Sister Jeanne, dislike Abby?"

Not understanding why Joan of Arc reacted so strongly, Abigail asked somewhat dejectedly.

Realizing her reaction was indeed a bit excessive, Joan of Arc quickly shook her head, frantically searching her mind for an explanation:

"It's because... because if we go without intelligence, something unexpected might happen. We need to assess the situation first..."

As Joan of Arc spoke, she took out the holy water she had drawn from the church and sprinkled it into the air. The water droplets emitted a faint glow and quickly drew a three-dimensional map of the town. This was one of the privileges possessed only by the Arbiters, allowing them to explore the functions of the servants.

Exploration results – Four Red faction Servants are located within the Trifas range.

"Joan of Arc seems a bit strange. Could it be... that she heard some kind of revelation?"

Joan of Arc's hand trembled as she heard Novia's voice again, almost canceling the privilege.

She forced herself to remain calm and expanded her search area, discovering that Black also had five units within the Tolifas area.

This indicates that the two sides have already begun to engage in a chaotic battle.

"Phew, look, there are nine Servants in total, and we only have three. This might be a bit troublesome, so it's better to observe first. Walking there will make it easier to analyze the information..."

"Leave the observation to me."

"what?"

Before Joan of Arc could even rejoice that she wouldn't have to go through that heretical gate, a bronze sun wheel the size of a mirror appeared in Novia's hand.

This bronze sun disc reveals a solemn mirror-like surface polished from obsidian, its eternally black surface seemingly reflecting the end and future of this world.

The power of the First Sun, the Black Sun, is the sun reflected in obsidian. It knows the future and manipulates the flow of all things. It is the power of an omnipotent god, and the Fifth Sun, who commands the four suns, can naturally use it.

Next, Joan of Arc noticed the sun god frowning slightly, and out of curiosity, she moved closer and naturally witnessed the same scene.

In the pitch-black forest, a man wearing a golden mask, attempting a sneak attack, plunged his hand into the heart of a muscular man, who was being protected by the muscular man. The pink-haired girl was wielding a large hammer.

267: O Sun! Witness the Rebellion! (5k)

Earlier in time, in the forest east of Torifas.

A man with muscular build, over two meters tall, and countless scars etched on his pale skin, casually walks here, wielding a Roman dagger.

Spartacus, the berserker of the Red side, a swordsman of ancient Rome, who hates all those who rule with oppression, and a warrior who protects, sympathizes with, and heals the weak.

"Spartacus, stop!"

A girl dressed in emerald green, with a wild face, like a human-shaped beast, shouted.

The Red Archer is Atalanta, a female hunter in Greek mythology.

Sparta did not answer, but simply smiled and continued onward.

"Big sister, that's a berserker after all; you can't communicate with it."

A voice responded to Ata shortly after, belonging to a young man with a cheerful smile.

The Red Rider, the Greek demigod Achilles.

"Furthermore, I don't believe that the three of us can break into a castle guarded by seven Servants and still win."

"is it?"

Upon hearing this, Ata subconsciously glanced to the north.

Indeed, what Achilles said is true. The Servants in the Black Faction are heroes who can fight against thousands. It's hard to imagine that Atalanta and the others only have three of them.

However, when Achilles spoke to her like that, she subconsciously recalled the figure who had recently made no attempt to conceal his aura—a great god from a distant land across the sea, revered as the fifth sun god in that land called America. Leaving aside why such a being would appear in the world, he must be someone of equal caliber to challenge, like Zeus, the Greek king of gods, or Odin, the Norse god…

Speaking of Zeus, Ata even felt that she exuded some of the aura of the Greek gods in that sun god, and even the aura of Artemis, the moon goddess she worshipped. With so many gods in her body, she almost mistook it for Zeus creating a human form for his future, but later she realized that it was a god-king equivalent to Zeus on a global scale.

Could it be that the kings of gods across different pantheons share some commonalities? But Odin, the Norse god, doesn't seem to have any...