Chapter Thirty Seven

A Queen's Duty

I motioned the citizens of the town towards the exit in a calm and orderly fashion. The Four of us had managed to get everyone to leave their homes and form into a neat orderly line, they were slowly making their way out of the town through the large gate, which was only one of two entrances out of the town. Jeanne had instructed them to seek shelter in the hills while they waited for the French Army to arrive to help them. "I still don't know why we are bothering to save these people. These people are essentially not real, whatever happens to them in this timeline won't affect them in our timeline so long as we fix this singularity. However if it get's Saint George to come with us, I guess it's but a small price to pay." I thought to myself.

"E-Excusez-moi Madame (Excuse me madam)…" A shy voice said and I felt someone tugging on my clothes. I looked down to see a small girl with long light brown curly hair and light brown eyes, she wore a frill dress and tattered clothing with shoes. "Madame, p-pouvez-vous m'aider? J'ai perdu ma Maman (Madam, c-can you help me? I lost my mom)" The little girl asked. I couldn't understand what she was saying, but no doubt she was lost. I leaned down and lifted her up to my chest holding her there. I glanced around and walked around shifting through the crowd holding the girl tight so I didn't lose her. After a few minutes it seemed like I wouldn't be able to find the young girl's parents, however It was then when I overheard a woman calling out in french.

"Quelqu'un a-t-il vu ma fille? S'il vous plaît j'ai perdu ma fille! (Has anyone seen my daughter? Please I lost my daughter!)" An Elderly french woman with greying brown hair called out. I approached her from behind and tapped her on the shoulder she turned around in surprise, but her surprise quickly dissipated when she saw the young girl. "Ma fille! Je ne peux pas vous remercier assez Madame! Vous êtes un vrai Saint! Merci beaucoup! (My daughter! I can not thank you enough Madame! You are a true Saint! Thank you very much!)" The Woman said taking the girl from my hands and hugging her tight. I stared at her blankly and nodded my head. The woman and her daughter fell in line with the other villagers. Before they disappeared from sight the little girl waved at me goodbye and called out something in french.

"Merci m'dame. Je vais prier pour votre sécurité! (Thank you Ma'am. I will pray for your safety!)" The Little French girl called out. I didn't understand what she said, but I can only assume it was some sort of thanks or farewell. I returned my gaze to the crowd and rest my spear upright as I hold it in my hands as I continue shifting people along out of the town, picking up any stragglers and sending them back on their way. My eyes scanned the crowd, most of them were elderly men and younger women and children. All of the men were no doubt away serving in the French Army, or they had been killed by Alter Jeanne. All of a sudden there was an ear splitting roar and everyone held their ears and murmured in worry. I grasped my spear in my other hand and looked up into the sky. There's no doubt who that was…..

I push through the crowds of panicked people as they rushed to get out of the town. I rushed up to Jeanne and Saint George who were standing close to each other. Jeanne had withdrawn her blade and Saint George was looking up into the sky.

"A Wyvern attack? That seems unusual to send Wyverns, for a small town like this." Saint George said looking back down from the sky.

"No, this seems like far different than an ordinary Wyvern attack. This feeling…I sense….!" Jeanne said before I cut her off.

"It's Alter Jeanne!" I exclaimed as I came to a stop in front of them and Jeanne and Saint George looked at me in surprise.

"What did you say…!" Saint George said with widened eyes.

"We need to retreat! NOW!" I said in a commanding voice.

"Yes I agree with Lancer! Saint George, let us withdraw! As we are now, we would be powerless against them!" Jeanne said to Saint George. However Saint George seemed hesitant to agree.

"…. Even if you say that I can't abandon the people of this town." Saint George said after a pause. "Damn it why must these Saints be so damn stubborn." I thought to myself as I gritted my teeth.

"Ah….. I understand." Jeanne replied and I glanced at her with piercing eyes. Jeanne caught whiff of my stare and lowered her head avoiding my glance.

"Do you not understand the importance of us leaving? We must go! We need to heal Siegfried so we can even stand a chance of defeating Alter Jeanne! Otherwise saving all these people will just be in vain if we don't defeat her!" I exclaimed and Saint George turned his attention to me. "If we don't stop her, poof 8.1 Billion people Dead and Earth Destroyed!" I explained.

"Even if you say that Lancer. Not all of the townspeople have been evacuated yet. I am like this town's mayor, it is my duty to protect them." Saint George said. "It is my duty as a Saint to answer to these wishes, it is not permissible to ignore." Saint George said. "Ugh! These Saints are Insufferable!" I thought to myself and glanced at Jeanne. I grabbed Jeanne by the ear and raised her ear up to my lips. Jeanne gasped in surprise as I held her ear.

"Jeanne talk some sense into your Saint friend. Nothing I say seems to be getting through! If we don't leave now Jeanne Alter will be on top of us and we'll all be dead. Remember what Christopher ordered us to do." I whispered into Jeanne's ear, reminding her of our Master's orders.

"Y-Yes Lancer! I understand." Jeanne whispered back nodding her head. I let go of Jeanne's ear and Jeanne turned to face Saint George.

"Saint George Please Listen to us! If we do not leave now Alter Jeanne will surely…..!" Jeanne said before Saint George cut her off.

"…. I understand. If we stay here we'll probably die." Saint George said and beat his fist against his chest. "But, even so I won't leave anyone behind." Saint George said, and I was about to open my mouth before I heard the footsteps of someone rushing up to us.

"George, your head, heart, and your body are tough aren't they?" Marie said rushing up to us. Saint George turned to face Marie in surprise with a puzzled look on her face.

"Uh Pardon me?" Saint George said raising an eyebrow.

"But, that part about you is very cute. I'm so moved." Marie said and I facepalmed, "Marie I swear you make no sense." I thought to myself.

"For that reason, please pass on that duty to me." Marie said walking up to Saint George and clasping his hands and raising them up.

"What…?" Jeanne exclaimed and I raised an eyebrow.

"I am the Queen of France. Though I exist in the future, the past is also my reality." Marie said. "To defend the townspeople is also my duty. And So I will pass on another great task to you Holy Saint George." Marie said and looked up at Saint George. "Saint George. Please work together with Jeanne D'arc to remove the Dragonslayer's curse." Marie decreed. "By the name of Marie Antoinette. I will certainly protect this town." Marie said.

"Wait! Please Marie don't do this!" Jeanne exclaimed. "Marie, let's fight together! It's no use going alone, if we fought together then…" Jeanne said before Marie ended up interrupting her.

"It makes me very happy to hear you say that but it's no use Jeanne." Marie said facing Jeanne with a bright warm smile. "I'm certain, I was summoned here for this purpose." Marie said. "It wasn't to hate the enemy, or to defeat the enemy. It was my destiny to be summoned to protect my people. This time, I will make sure to protect the ones important to me. For the sake of protecting my precious country. The just thing to do is to stay behind." Marie said with a determined look before her tone turned somber. "Ah, but please apologize to Amadeus for me. I won't be able to listen to his piano after all. He was six years old, I was seven years old. Since that time, we've only kept passing each other, didn't we?" Marie said with a sigh.

"Marie….!" Jeanne gasped.

"George-sama, is this alright with you?" Marie said and turned looking upwards at Saint George. Saint George mused over Marie's words for a few moments before opening his eyes, indicating he had made up his mind.

"…. Yes It's fine, so long as it's what you want. I accept this role with my head bowed down your Majesty." Saint George said kneeling down with his head lowered. Marie smiled down at Saint George and let go of his hands. Saint George stood up and bowed his head once more before walking over to Jeanne and I.

"Marie…." Jeanne said in a somber tone.

"Well now, go Jeanne and Lancer. To have fought, under your flag, was a grand honor." Marie said with a warm smile looking at us. Jeanne wiped away a tear running down her face.

"Yes…. I'll be waiting for you." Jeanne said before Saint George and her ran off. I walked up to Marie and glared down at her.

"Lancer…. While I know you do not think fondly of me, it was still a great honor to have met someone as noble, wise, and talented as you. Even if I do not know your true name, I think of you as a friend just as I do Jeanne and the others." Marie said and I gritted my teeth. "Please tell Christopher I'm glad to have fought alongside him, he is truly a noble and kind man at heart, but I fear he might be troubled by something so please do take care of him all three of you! He really is a kind Master!" Marie said. I grasped Marie by the collar and picked her up off the ground.

"Tch What the hell are you talking about Marie? You're not going to die, once you see the rest of the townsfolk off I better see you following quickly on our heels. That's an order damn it." I barked poking her in the chest. Marie's expression was one of awe and after a moment she smiled warmly at me and saluted me.

"Yes of course Lancer I'll be right behind you! Don't worry!" Marie exclaimed and I placed her back down on the ground.

"I'll be damned if I have to tell Christopher you went off and got yourself killed so don't you die." I said and Marie giggled.

"Go on Lancer! Don't worry! I'll catch up with you and then all of us will defeat Alter Jeanne and save France once more!" Marie said smiling and I nodded my head at her before taking off. As I jogged to catch up with Jeanne and Saint George I heard Marie murmur. "Yes, I'll catch up in no time…."

Marie rushed to intercept the enemy before they could reach the townsfolk and catch up to Jeanne, Lancer, and Saint George. Marie stopped at a crossroads of several stores and looked around her surroundings.

"Sanson, you've come haven't you?" Marie said glancing around. The White haired man emerged from the side street and faced Marie across from the intersection with his hand on his long black claymore.

"Of course I would. Proper certification is required for execution. In your original life, and here as well. There is no one else more qualified to execute you besides me. That is what you're actually feeling as well aren't you, Marie?" Sanson asked with a wicked smile.

"….. um…. Please wait, Sanson. I know that you are a great executioner." Marie said clasping her hands together. "Because even though you are brutal and relentless, you most definitely despise criminals. I also know that you had deep respect for the guillotine." Marie said trying to reason with the madman. "But, because of that you're the only one who can execute me? Isn't that strange?" Marie inquired tilting her head.

"It isn't strange at all. I was born into an executioner's lineage, I was only taught things surrounding execution." Sanson said shrugging. "So I cannot agree with you. Not just your heartfelt speech, but with your very existence! After all, you dare to refuse my execution." Sanson said slowly withdrawing his sword from its sheath. "It goes without saying that great executioners make sure that criminals suffer in pain. That is what I plan to do to you." Sanson said smiling. "What a great pleasure. Those final moments, how unbelievably good it feels." Sanson said laughing as he held his face. "All my mind can think of is your beheading. The greatest moment in my life was the one grand strike of decapitating you." Sanson said laughing wickedly. Marie remained silent staring down Sanson with a determined expression on her face. "That is why this is fate. No matter what, I had to meet you again and ask you this." Sanson said and lowered his face from his hand. "So Please listen, Marie." Sanson pleaded. "How was my execution? How was it to be welcomed to your death?" Sanson asked with a cocky smirk.

"…. Sanson, I can see you're serious, from the bottom of your heart you are expressing respect towards me." Marie said closing her eyes for a moment, before reopening then. "But sorry, this is a little, impossible. It really is impossible…Unfortunately for you, your perverted hobby doesn't suit me. So Sorry but I'm not giving a second kiss." Marie replied.

"Yes, I already know. But I'm sure you will be happy. Because compared to last time, I've gotten a lot better." Sanson said clenching his hand into a fist. "This is why I was summoned as a servant. Once again, you will grant me the pleasure of killing you." Sanson said and unsheathed his blade, shooting straight towards Marie swinging his sword horizontally.

Marie leaped over Sanson's head landing behind him and behind her the building she had been standing in front of sliced precisely in half and half the building crumbled to the ground. Sanson turned around with his icy gaze fixed on Marie and leaped at Marie with the unparalleled speed of the Assassin class. Sanson threw his fist punching Marie, Marie rose her hands up in an X making a small shield. However after a few moments Marie's magical shield shattered and Marie gasped as Sanson's fist impacted with her sending her flying backwards. There was a sonic boom as Sanson's fist impacted with Marie and Marie went through several brick walls before coming to a stop inside a shop.

"Oomph Ma tête. (Oomph My head.)" Marie muttered as she stood up from the smashed table she hand landed on. There was a large hole going through several buildings, Sanson had sent Marie through at least two city blocks. Marie walked out of the shop and storm clouds had rolled in over the town and it had begun raining lightly. Marie looked around she was standing in an open square or marketplace. The sounds of footsteps in the rain made Marie turn around to see Sanson emerge from the street they had been on. Sanson dashed towards Marie and Marie raised her arm and pointed at Sanson, shooting several balls of mana out of finger tips. The manaballs buzzed past Sanson, Sanson rose his blade which absorbed three mana balls. The distance between Marie and Sanson closed and Sanson swung his blade downwards toward Marie, Marie jumped backward out of the way as the blade smashed into the ground shooting up stone and dirt. Marie extended her hand out at Sanson as she jumped backwards and five magical circles appeared from the palm of Marie's hand and mana beams shot out impacting with Sanson in a black explosion as Marie landed on her feet a few feet away. Once the black smoke cleared Sanson was standing there using his claymore for support. Sanson was battered and burnt, but he wiped his cheek and took a step forward before he shot forward at Marie. However right before he even reached Marie, a magical circle appeared below his feet and several hundreds of blue ice crystals shot upwards piercing through his clothes and flesh. Sanson fell forward on his knees before Marie still clutching his claymore.

"No, this is impossible…!? How did I lose….!?" Sanson said kneeling in front of Marie as rain ran down his cheeks and blood coated his face, chest, and the ground beneath him. "Since then I've killed so many, why, even though I became many times stronger, why….!?" Sanson murmured staring at his blood stained hands.

"Quite sad isn't it, Charles-Henri Sanson? Despite all of this, I'm glad to have gotten another chance to meet you." Marie said glancing down at Sanson as rain ran trickled down her cheeks and arms. "Last time, our connection ended too quickly." Marie said. "But since then your blade has really rusted." Marie said and Sanson looked up at Marie with wide eyes. "You took advantage of France's perilous troubles and killed many people. That only made you grow sharper as murderer." Marie said. "Being a murderer and executioner are two completely different things, Sanson. You became better at being a murderer. By saving sinners, your executioner's blade has rusted." Marie said. "When you joined the Dragon Witch's side, you no longer were the Sanson I once knew." Marie said looking at Sanson with pitiful eyes.

"You're wrong…." Sanson exclaimed shaking his head. "Yes, that's impossible…! I always believed you would come back! That is why I continued to become stronger. I wanted to see you once more, I wanted to get better at beheading, all for the purpose of that ecstatic feeling of beheading you once more." Sanson raved with a misguided smile. "If I had done so, then I thought you would finally forgive me…!" Sanson exclaimed looking up at Marie, Marie only let out a sigh.

"You silly boy …. Because you are such a pitiful, and cute person. I have no feelings of hatred towards you. From the very beginning, you never had to apologize to me for anything." Marie said and a smile formed on Sanson's face and wave of relief washed over him.

"a….aa, ah." Sanson murmured before he fell forward in front of Marie splattering the stone with his blood. Marie knelt down and ran her fingers down his eyes closing them. It was then when another set of footsteps brought Marie jerking forward.

"Hmph, That makes it three people. How ironic for him to be one defeated so quickly." Alter Jeanne said walking up to Marie, her dragon not far behind her. Raindrops ran down her sleek black armor and her black flag waved in the wind.

"Hm, how unexpected, in the end the one left is the one person I hate most, perhaps there are two vampires in actuality." Marie said staring forward at Alter Jeanne with a cold expression. "Good day!" Marie said bowing her head slightly. "How nice of you to make an appearance, "Dragon Witch". You've arrived quite late haven't you?" Marie inquired, Alter Jeanne ignored her question and glanced around.

"Tch The other me ran away didn't she. And her annoying little Master isn't here. How unsightly." Alter Jeanne sneered.

"No, you're wrong. She saw hope and took hold of it and followed it!" Marie exclaimed.

"Ha One Rider servant! Did you really think adding an ally would make your forces stronger? How absurd little girl." Alter Jeanne said laughing mockingly as she placed a hand on her hip. "Speaking of absurdity, how pointless of you to stay behind. Did you come this far, alluded by ideas of protecting the townspeople?" Alter Jeanne asked. "Who were none other than the ones that killed you? The ones that hoisted the guillotine to cut your head off!" Alter Jeanne exclaimed.

"Yes, I'm disillusioned. For a witch, you didn't even know that?" Marie asked tilting her head and Alter Jeanne narrowed her eyes. "Yes You're right, I was executed. I was scorned, I was despised." Marie said. "But even so, the answer isn't by destroying everything around you." Marie said. "I was appointed as queen by the people. Without any citizens, the queen would not have anyone to call her a queen now would they?" Marie pointed out. "That goes without saying isn't it? If they don't wish, then they will leave. That is the fate of those that serve the country. I believe that after my execution, the people were able to be happy once again." Marie said a soft smile formed on her lips. "Always saying Viva La France! As long as the stars shine brightly it'll be alright." Marie said nodding her head satisfied. "I'm confident in my words. Dragon Witch…" Marie said and stared down Alter Jeanne determined. "But that begs the question, what kind of person are you really?" Marie asked and Alter Jeanne sneered.

"Tch Shut up Foolish Girl! Die where you stand!" Alter Jeanne exclaimed unsheathing her black sword.

"Wishing to blossom, visibly in the open! Dancing, to blossom in full glory! Passing through…" Marie chanted as a golden circle appeared at her feet and a blinding light stunned Alter Jeanne. ",,,Guillotine Breaker!" Marie exclaimed and a beautiful living glass horse appeared beneath her, Marie grabbed the reigns of her stallion.

"You really think that will save you foolish girl?" Alter Jeanne exclaimed motioning her sword over her head, her Dragon moved in towards Marie and her Horse.

"…. Goodbye, Jeanne, Mashu, Christopher, Lancer, Siegfried, and Amadeus. Yes, I'm happy to have met you all." Marie said to herself as she closed her eyes. "As long as I was able to help Saint that saved France…. No, as long as I was able to help "my friend"." Marie murmured. "I am happy to perish brightly." Marie exclaimed opening her eyes.

"Fafnir Kill this wench!" Alter Jeanne exclaimed and the Mighty Dragon opened his mouth preparing its attack.

Marie pulled on the reins and the glass horse stood up on two legs before it charged straight towards Alter Jeanne on her glass horse and exclaimed determinedly as loud as possible. "Like the stars, like a flower. Like the wildest dreams. That is the servant, Marie Antoinette's way of life!"

Thank you for Reading Fated Destiny! I hope you enjoyed and as always feel free to leave appropriate feedback and constructive reviews, they really help me out. Fated Destiny has a Discord BTW incase you're interested in talking about Fated Destiny or Fate with other fans, if interested just let me know! Also be sure to tell everyone you know who likes Fate about Fated Destiny! If the next chapter is not available please check back on either Sunday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday.