Rozen stayed by Bedivere's side, witnessing him release all his emotions in a desperate attempt to shape his own fate.
Meanwhile, Artoria [Alter] felt reassured and left, walking through the dark alley toward her chambers, unnoticed by anyone.
However, before she could reach her destination, Artoria [Alter] encountered someone she wasn't eager to see.
At the corner of the alley, two figures in black clothing unexpectedly met and caught each other's gaze.
"..."
Artoria [Alter] immediately stopped in her tracks.
"..."
Jeanne [Alter] also halted.
The two stared at each other.
Then...
"...Tch."
Both servants, in their altered states, clicked their tongues at the same time, as if expressing disdain for something.
Artoria [Alter] was the first to speak.
"It's quite expected for someone like you to appear in a place like this, gloomy witch."
Artoria [Alter] wasn't shy about expressing her opinion.
"You're no different. Cold-blooded knight."
Jeanne [Alter] retorted without backing down.
"I'm merely inspecting. As a king, I must look after my people, but they'd be too terrified to see me, so this is also out of consideration for them. Do you understand, Dragon-riding woman?"
Artoria [Alter] spoke as if it were an obvious point.
"Well, I happened to take care of the dragons that will be put to use tomorrow. Compared to the stupid people under the stupid king, the dragons certainly seem more pleasing, don't you think? Stupid king?"
Jeanne [Alter] said, her tone full of mockery.
"I don't hate dragons, but I dislike dragons that are as one-dimensional as you, only knowing how to breathe fire. Don't you think the dragons you've taken care of are just like you? Fire-breathing woman?"
Artoria [Alter] responded, looking at the witch in disdain.
"That's just how it is. As long as they can obediently breathe fire and burn those idiots who only talk about glory and order, but have no real ability, that's already good enough, don't you think? Big-mouthed woman?"
Jeanne [Alter] smiled with an evil grin.
Artoria [Alter] finally couldn't hold back.
"Your mouth's the one that's big! Assault maniac!"
Artoria [Alter]'s eyes flashed with killing intent.
"Aren't you the one with the big mouth? Cold-blooded woman!"
Jeanne [Alter] shot back, her eyes full of malice.
"Seems like you don't want to participate in tomorrow's battle. Should I help you report your absence?"
Artoria [Alter] suddenly drew her pitch-black sword.
"Good, I was just thinking of saying the same thing."
Jeanne [Alter] drew the cursed flag in her hand.
The two locked eyes, both exuding killing intent, their weapons brimming with magical energy, slowly burning like fire.
But apart from that, neither of them moved.
"Tch..."
Not long after, both clicked their tongues again, putting away their weapons.
Clearly, both understood that while they might exchange harsh words, it was impossible to actually fight.
Not to mention the issues of tomorrow's battle and the potential for mutual annihilation, just the magical energy that would be generated in combat would immediately attract the attention of others.
At the very least, their master, who had made a contract with both of them, would notice.
If they drew his attention, it would be unnecessary.
So, neither of them could do anything beyond exchanging verbal barbs.
"What a pity, it was such a good opportunity."
Artoria [Alter] said, not the least bit upset.
"Yeah, almost could have gotten rid of something annoying."
Jeanne [Alter] didn't hold back in her response.
The two were like natural enemies, every time they met, as expected, they'd start arguing just like this.
There was no particular reason for it—just mutual dislike.
But there was a subtle truth between them.
That is...
"Make sure to perform well tomorrow and help me out, Fire lunatic."
Artoria [Alter] said with a commanding tone.
"Who's going to help you out? Sword idiot!"
Jeanne [Alter] retorted, visibly displeased.
"Then why are you fighting?" Artoria [Alter] stared into Jeanne [Alter]'s eyes and asked, "When we first met, I extended an olive branch to you, but you rejected it and even insulted me. Now you stand on this side, what is your true reason?"
"...What else is there to say?" Jeanne [Alter] suddenly fell silent, but then, with a dismissive tone, added, "I simply can't stand the Round Table Knights or the Lion King."
"Is that so?" Artoria [Alter] spoke lightly. "Is that really all there is to it?"
"Tch..." Jeanne [Alter]'s tone grew irritated as she glared at Artoria [Alter]. "Say what you want, no need to provoke me."
"Well, I'll say it directly." Artoria [Alter] raised her gaze and spoke plainly. "You lost everything, or perhaps you never had anything to begin with. You think nothing here is worth caring about, so you remain indifferent to everything in this singularity. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been wandering this land, doing nothing."
"And then?" Jeanne [Alter] sneered, "You're trying to say that now I have something to care about, so that's why I'm here?"
Jeanne [Alter]'s expression turned mocking, as if she had heard a joke.
But Artoria [Alter] remained undeterred.
"You really have nothing, do you?" Artoria [Alter] said, her tone implying something. "That's not true, is it?"
Once a fake creation with everything built on false dreams, Jeanne [Alter] had once possessed something.
"At the end of the First Singularity, when you sought vengeance on the Demon Pillar, your Master fought beside you, didn't he?"
Artoria [Alter] mentioned this event.
"Even though you were trapped in false hatred, burning down everything in France, committing evil deeds as a witch, at the very end, when you sought revenge, your Master believed in you and chose to fight beside you, allowing you to achieve your revenge."
Artoria [Alter]'s voice slowly reached Jeanne [Alter]'s ears.
"Meaning, the only thing you gained from this fake life of yours was the trust of that Master."
"Even if it was only temporary trust forced by the situation, at the end of your fake life, he still gave you that."
"So, when he asked you to contract with him, to join him here, you reached out, didn't you?"
Artoria [Alter]'s pointed questions left Jeanne [Alter] speechless.
This attitude spoke volumes.