"You've lost!" Zhang Fan knew that shattering Jeanne's confidence was key to her surrender.
The source of her strength? Her ancestral Holy Sword Durandal. Apologies, Jeanne, but next time, I shall return a finer sword to you!
In a burst of dazzling light from his scabbard, Zhang Fan seized the moment of Jeanne's distraction to lunge forward with his Triple Immortal Sword Technique. His successive tri-strike attack targeted Durandal's blade.
What happened? Before Jeanne could react, Durandal's blade began to fracture.
Impossible... In her astonishment, Durandal shattered into four pieces, leaving her with only a lavish hilt. Her Holy Sword, broken just like that?
This was a devastating blow for Jeanne. How could her ancestral Holy Sword shatter so effortlessly? She had been utterly defeated.
"Sorry, Jeanne, but as I said, I must apprehend you this time!" Zhang Fan handcuffed Jeanne, temporarily concluding her saga.
"We did it! We really did!" Aria's excitement was palpable. With Jeanne captured, her mother's sentence could be reduced, maybe even revisited for retrial. The thought of reuniting with her mother filled Aria with immense joy.
"By the way, Aria, El. Watson has arrived. You must be familiar with the name," Zhang Fan mentioned, instantly sobering Aria's expression. El. Watson, a name she had heard before.
"Zhang Fan, I... I..." Aria stumbled, struggling to explain. Why was her heart in such turmoil at the thought of disappointing Zhang Fan?
"It's fine. I think you should meet your fiancé, don't you?" Zhang Fan's smile was strained. Arranged marriages like this were common in the GAGAE universe. Unfortunately, he wasn't the protagonist in this storyline. The bonds between the Holmes and Watson families persisted, but ultimately, it was Aria's decision.
"A fiancé? No, my engagement to Watson was a mere formality decided by my grandmother. Especially after her passing, I never took it seriously. You must believe me," Aria pleaded, clutching Zhang Fan's arm, desperate for him to understand. The engagement was a mere footnote in her life, never seriously considered until Watson's unexpected appearance.
"So, Aria already has a fiancé? To approach Zhang Fan and toy with his emotions is unforgivable!" Bai Xue reacted fiercely, her sword ablaze, a testament to her anger. Her strength, now fully unleashed, exceeded even her performance against Jeanne.
"Hold on, Bai Xue, it's not that serious. Aria and I are merely partners," Zhang Fan tried to defuse the situation, baffled by the sudden escalation to emotional betrayal.
He did have feelings for Aria, admiring her as a beloved character from his favorite anime. Their time together had deepened his fondness for her, a reliable partner in dire moments, yet playful and childish otherwise. But fondness didn't equate to possessiveness.
Relieved by Aria's explanation, Zhang Fan was internally pleased; after all, who would want their companion to suddenly reveal a fiancé, especially a dashing one? Bai Xue's overreaction was a bit much, though.
"Is that so...?" Bai Xue hesitated but retracted her sword, realizing her overreaction. She then became self-conscious about revealing her powers in front of Zhang Fan.
"What's wrong, Bai Xue?" Zhang Fan, about to escort Jeanne, turned to see Bai Xue tearfully looking at him.
"You saw my ability... You must hate it, right?" Bai Xue feared rejection due to her powers, feeling monstrous for wielding such flames.
"How could I? Your flames are beautiful, and I adore them," Zhang Fan reassured her, understanding her concerns. Bai Xue's strength was a boon, an indispensable ally for the future.
"Really?" Bai Xue wiped her tears, smiling at his affirmation.
"Of course. I'll never despise you, Bai Xue. Even if you hate me, my feelings won't change," Zhang Fan said, tenderly caressing her cheek. She was truly endearing.
"Then I'll talk to Watson and annul the engagement," Aria declared, bolstered by Zhang Fan's trust.
"Alright, I'll take your word for it," Zhang Fan replied, believing Aria's intent to resolve the issue with Watson. Bai Xue, reassured, put away her sword, but then realized she had inadvertently revealed her superpower.
"Troublesome, but charming girls," Zhang Fan sighed, appreciating the complexities of his companions.