Disclaimer: Fate series and Persona series belong to their awesome owner. I do not own anything. Also credits to the fanfiction titled "The Demon Among Devils." created by The Crimson Lord, I copy a portion of it for this chapter and want to address where it came.
"Yes. Before that happens, we will take this country!"
- Akira Kurusu / Ren Amamiya (Persona 5)
The celebration continues in France. Everyone is outside of their houses, feasting on the foods that the royalty prepared. Marie Antoinette the Queen of France, manage to pull a big celebration within a few days to prepare. The opening of the residential park homes and the arrival of the people who will be going to live there is an occurrence that the queen wanted to celebrates. Knowing that this will be the start of her dreams to make France a safe haven, not only for her people but also for everyone living in Seraph. She could not help herself but to smile and feel satisfied with their efforts.
"This party is much bigger than what you prepared on the ball, Your majesty." Marie heard a soothing voice approaching her. She looks to see whose voice it was and got greeted by the gentle smile coming from the beautiful saint, Jeanne d'Arc. "Double the effort to double the fun, yes?" The queen replied in a cheerful manner. "Also, please just call me Marie, Jeanne." She requested to the saint. "Won't that be disrespectful, you are the queen of France after all?" Jeanne questioned.
"My position is nothing compared from the likes of you, king Charlemagne, and the sovereign of Seraph. I believe that everyone is equal, especially if their friends." Marie said to the saint. "Besides, Ren is calling me by my name. Without me asking for it." Jeanne watches the queen letting out a giggle after that. "He really does not see a person in their state of life." She remarked and the two giggled knowing that it was true. "He's a very strange man. Mysterious yet charming, courageous but has a kind heart to help. That feeling his giving will make people pull themselves towards him." said the Queen.
"If there is news about him being famous among the females, then it won't surprise me at this point." The queen of France commented with a troubled look on her face. "Don't you agree, Jeanne?" Marie looks beside her and saw the beautiful saint body startled after hearing her question. "Do-does he? I have no idea about it." Jeanne answered and somewhat puzzled about it. "Are you really clueless about it?" The idol queen asks in doubt. "Well, I do hearing talks about him from a large number of females back on our town at Lundy." Jeanne playfully pressed her index finger together as she tried to answer. "They are giggling and fantasizing about him."
"So it's already starting, huh?" Marie stated before she pouted and crossed her arms in a bit of annoyance. "Whether or not he's doing it on purpose. He needed to be stopped from playing around too much." After hearing what the idol queen statement, Jeanne d'Arc the saint of Orleans could only stare at her in bewilderment. "Us having the titles of queen and saints, us who are also females. We must act and protect the hearts of innocent maidens that he unknowingly played!" Marie declared in all seriousness. "Are you with me, Jeanne d'Arc? Will you join me on a mission against him? Will you help me and stop his playful manner around the beautiful maidens' hearts like us?!"
The blond saint listened thoughtfully on what the queen of France said. She been with Ren Amamiya for a while now and knew that what the queen said is true. Her friend does have that personality and charm that will attract any woman to lay an eye on him. Which led her to the question, that whether or not Ren Amamiya is aware of it? Regardless of the answer, that fact itself may become the source of the problem. Because of that, Jeanne d'Arc settled to a decision.
"You're right, Marie. We need to act now before something terrible happened, which is why that I, Jeanne d'Arc the saint of Orleans will help you to stop him and his flirtatious manners." The blond-haired saint replied in a dignified attitude and was hoping for the two of them to have a common ground. But her composure slowly crumbles, when Marie slowly break into a laugh. "Wh-why are you laughing?! are you not serious about what you said, Marie?!" Jeanne asks as she felt embarrassed by falling into her act. The idol queen covered her mouth in amusement as she watches the saint blushing face. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh at you, Jeanne." Marie softly gives into a smile as she apologizes to Jeanne who's pouting at her.
"I'm now serious about what I said earlier," Marie said and made the saint sigh. "So you weren't serious about it and I just unknowingly fell into your act." Jeanne looks downcast to expressed her disbelief on the queen. "Well, I just wanted to make the idea sound like a joke at first. But seeing you serious about it, it lights up the bulb on my head that this idea will work!" said the queen of lilies.
"I don't know if I can still trust you." Jeanne replied in a deadpan tone. "You need to trust your teammate if you want to succeed!" Marie said and sent a smile toward the saint. Her infectious smile soon appeared into Jeanne's face and felt amuse by Marie's charming personality. The two enjoyed each other company and made some casual conversation while watching the city engaging in the festival and bloom with joy and happiness. "Ren sure is late on this festival." Jeanne suddenly commented while staring at the new citizen of France enjoying the party. "Archer and Medusa already arrive after escorting the caravan on the west. But Ren still isn't."
"That is true." said the queen with a hint of concern on her voice. "But I'm sure they are fine. I sent Gilles to help him at escorting that caravan." Marie informed Jeanne and try to reassure her. "You sent Gilles to help him even after the accusation he did?" The queen of France nods her head to answer the saint question. "Gilles said that he's feeling sorry and guilty about what he did that night. I wanted to suspend his position due to that, but his very eager to make sure that everyone will make it here. Also hearing that Ren is going to help on escorting, Gilles becomes more eager to go, not only to help but also to apologize to Ren."
"Even after everything that happened, especially at the sewer. He still wanted to help and knew that he makes a mistake and wanted to apologize for it personally. I kinda admire that dedication of him, it makes me proud that I pick the right person on that position." Marie said and look very pleased about it. "I knew that it makes you upset about what he did that night. But I'm hoping that you understand the situation he's in. Heroic spirit we may be, we still are making mistakes after acquiring all of the things that made us heroic spirit."
"I understand all the stresses that made him do those unnecessary actions." said the queen of lilies in an apologetic voice. "I'm not mad at him, I'm just disappointed to him. He of all people should have to know what false accusation does to someone's life." Jeanne d'Arc crestfallen said to the queen. "But if he's going to apologize to Ren. Then I will leave everything happened behind me." Hearing that made Marie satisfied. "I'm sure the two of them are having fun while here we are concerned about them." The idol queen commented and the two of them let out a giggle.
Marie looks at the sky above and lets herself not concern about the two anymore, knowing that they make it here safe. "Did you know, I didn't expect that I will get summoned as a servant here on Seraph. I'm not here to help a master to win the Grail war, but I'm here to become the queen of France once more. I actually wanted to become something else besides being a queen, but seeing France grew into a country I knew. It made me very happy, knowing everyone is working hard to make France a great country. In a queen view, it's a very touching scene to watch. Which makes me satisfied to become it's queen once more."
"I felt like France will grow much further than what I remembered and that feeling itself makes me excited to see." said the cheerful queen as she gives Jeanne a gentle look. "Especially after your group arrival. We may not able to talk this much before, but I'm sure we all getting along since we're part of your alliance now." It took a moment for Jeanne to process what Marie just said to her, and when she did, the saint smiles brightly from hearing the news. "I'm sure Kishinami-san will be happy to hear that."
"Maybe you can accompany me when I said it?" The queen offered to the beautiful saint which she immediately accepts. "Let's go! I'm sure she watching the play that Astolfo doing." Jeanne said and was about to lead the way until a shouting voice interrupts her. The two of them saw Gilles and a group of soldiers approaching them in a hurry. "Your majesty, I have something to report." Gilles's scowling voice greeted the two. "It's about the caravan we're escorting."
"What happened!?" Marie immediately asks in concern. "Tell me what happened?" She asks the appointed general of France. "Ren Amamiya set us up." Gilles blurted out to the queen. "It looks like he made Vlad III minions work under him. That demon uses those creatures to kill everyone in the caravan, by making them hatch inside their body."
"Impossible!" Jeanne's shouting voice got everyone's attention. She ignored her sudden burst and sent Gilles a piercing gaze. "Stop with this false accusation toward him and tell us the truth, Gilles!" The provoke tone from the saint of Orleans gather a group of people and make a commotion around them. Gilles looks at the very important person in his life in shock. That piercing gaze toward him and that tone his hearing. He did not expect it to end up like this, never in his whole life, he wanted Jeanne d'Arc to be angry at him.
"All because of him?" Gilles murmured to himself as he keeps himself under the gaze of the saint. "Gilles!" His body startled after hearing Jeanne's voice calling him out. 'Why? Why are you acting this way, Jeanne? You should be angry at that demon, you should be angry at the people that end your life, you should be! After all the things they have done to you!' The marshal of France furiously thought, then he clutches his fist due to the rage his feeling. 'No, no, no, no! Don't let your anger mislead you on your plan.' He reminds himself and slowly Gilles regained his composure and look at the soldiers behind him. "Tell them what you saw." The general commanded. While there is still a hint of anger in his voice, the soldiers followed his command and pulled out a piece of bloody clothing and showed it at everyone.
"This is the only left to those people that got eaten completely by those horrid creatures." One of the soldiers said. "While the other bodies are left into a frightening state." The crestfallen soldier revealed to everyone and leave them in shock. "I already sent some of our men to recover their bodies, a proper burial is the least we can do for them," Gilles informed Marie who is staring in a disturbance at the bloody clothing. "I'm sorry if I didn't say it sooner. If only I act much faster, then perhaps I could stop that demon from murdering those innocent people." He then shifted his attention to the crowd. "Forgive me people of France for not stopping Ren Amamiya and his demonic desire for blood."
The crowd soon show their sympathy and voice their kind words toward the marshal of France. Gilles smiled softly after hearing the voices of the masses around him. "I don't deserve any of those words you have given to me. But I swear that I'll make him pay for the crimes he did. He took the life of those innocent people who just wanted to find a place to live. Ren Amamiya will pay the same price for his crime." His declaration makes the crowd voices their agreement to him. Gilles de Rais is now full of conviction as he looks at the queen of France. "Allow me, your highness, to serve justice at that demon. Allow me and the army of France to hunt him down."
"This is a complete bull! Ren would not do anything of that nonsense you just said!" Astolfo cried out in anger. "He's not that kind of person you're labeling him, Sir Gilles." Charlemagne said to the marshal. The king of paladin manages to hide his annoyance toward Gilles, after hearing the things he said toward his friend. "Also, you're already sentencing his death without any solid evidence that he did it."
"You're telling me that the statement of this man isn't enough evidence for his crime?" Gilles replied at the king of the paladin. "Then what kind of evidence you want us to show? Do you wish for us to bring one of the corpses here and see for yourself, the horrid state that demon leaves them?" He said while sending an intimidating look at Charlemagne. "No, but it doesn't make sense for him to do all the things you've said. He helps around France without any complains leave his mouth, and now you're telling us that he murders everyone on that caravan?" The king looks straight into Gilles's eyes and shows no fear on him.
"He could be just lying all along, He's a demon after all." Gilles replied and matching the same stare that Charlemagne is giving. "Stop calling him a demon, Gilles. I'm giving you the last warning." Jeanne said coldly at Gilles. Her body is shaking not in anger, but due to the amount of disappointment, she feeling inside her. "I must warn you the same, Sir Gilles." Charlemagne said and the two paladins behind him agreed. "I cannot stand this claims your saying toward him anymore." Hakuno Kishinami commented with her servants also agreeing to her.
Gilles felt alarmed after seeing the whole group against him. But the marshal did his best to hide it and stand strongly on his ground. "Where are you going, Jeanne?" He called the saint who's about to walk away. "I'm going to look for him." Jeanne d'Arc dejectedly replied. "Are you siding with him?" She heard the skepticism voice of Gilles. "I'm going to find out which one is saying the truth."
"I'm sorry, Gilles. But seeing you acting this way, it's hurt me. I hope you realize your actions and the pain you've given to me." The saint of Orleans gives a final look at her friend before walking away. Gilles, on the other hand, stared in shock after seeing that upset look from Jeanne. "Why, why, why?" The marshal repeated like a broken tape. "It's because of you, it's all because of you!" He then pointed at Hakuno's group. "It's all because of all of you!" The group stared at him in confusion.
"What are you talking about?" Astolfo asks the servant that giving him a creep. "Shut up!" Gilles sudden outburst surprise everyone. "I should have known that all of you are working together. You all probably under his demonic control as well!" His accusation made the crowd around Hakuno's group wary about them. "You're being delusional at this point!" Nero angrily said to Gilles. "Men, capture them!" Gilles suddenly commanded the soldiers behind him.
"Mikon!? Are you crazy?!" Tamamo let out in disbelief. "Shut up, fox!" Gilles said and Tamamo didn't take the insult lightly. "Excuse me?! only selected people are allowed to live after calling me a fox!" The fox shrine maiden said and prepared her talismans after getting surrounded by French soldiers. "Spend your time in the prison and wait for your punish-!" Gilles then got interrupted by Marie's voice. "Enough!" She shouted. "Put down your weapons." The queen ordered at the soldiers surrounding Hakuno's group. "Hakuno, please return to the hotel for now." Marie said at Hakuno, she then faces the marshal. "Wait for me in the mansion." She fearlessly said and leave no opportunity for Gilles to protest.
"Marie?" Hakuno called the queen and notice how distress she is. "I'm sorry for everything. For now, just return to the hotel, I'll ask for your presence as soon as possible." Marie said and give her one last smile before walking away to make a statement on the crowd. "We should follow her advice for now." Nero said to her praetor. "Let's talk about it at the hotel. We might as well try to pinpoint Ren location." Hakuno a bit upset about everything, she took her servant advice and promptly returned to the hotel.
"Thank you, Sandman." said the exhausted leader of the phantom thief at the moon headed fairy-persona. The persona nodded his head and disappears in azure-colored flame and returned to the sea of souls inside the thief. "This going to be a long night." Ren Amamiya said to himself after finding the ground comfortable to seat into. Looking at the now sleeping children beside him, the thief remembers the sobbing noises that these children make during their escape on Gilles earlier.
"I'm sorry." Ren softly said at the sleeping children, his voice is full of pity as the memories of their escape played inside his mind, and remembers how his body wanted to stop from running due to the sympathy his feeling toward these children, how his mind wants him to tell these children that everything is going to be okay, he felt his soul is boiling in anger and wanted him to go back and take revenge for what Gilles did. Those mixed and conflicted emotions that the thief felt, he forces himself to ignore his anger and make the safety of these children his priority.
Ren almost hurt himself from doing it. The thief cannot believe that it's all happening again, he been accused of something he didn't do, just like what Shido did. His encounter with that man change his life entirely, that accusation he said that push him to live a life of a delinquent. But what Gilles did is different from Shido, he's now accused of murdering numerous people and the trust of France on him is now in severe.
He also broke his promise with Marie, that he will keep everyone safe from danger. The queen trusted him, but his failure will put that trust in doubt. The mutual trust between him and Hakuno Kishinami and her group will be put in questioned as well. He wonders what they think of him now, Specially Charlemagne, Astolfo, Roland, and most important Jeanne. "Are they going to believe what Gilles said or not?" He looks at the ceiling of the cave and wondered.
"What do you think?" Ren immediately stands up after hearing someone else voice. He looks at the entrance and saw a familiar blond-haired beauty standing with a concerned and teary eye at him. "Jeanne." Was all the thief manage to say after seeing the saint in relief. "How did you find me?" Ren asks the saint that is standing strong even with the emotion dwelling inside her. She wipes her tears and put up a brave front before showing the talisman on her hand. "They help me to find you." She said and Ren remembered the same talisman that Tamamo give them for communication.
The raven-haired boy searches on his coat and saw the same talisman glowing in bright blue. "I see." He smiled softly after realizing that they were picking up his location due to it. "What happened?" Jeanne slowly speaks up and asks. "Tell me what happened." Tears started to flow once again on her face. "I don't know whom to believe." Her voice started to break as she tries to wipe the tears on her eyes. "He's telling everyone that you're a demon, his telling everyone that you murdered those people, his telling me that you did all of those things!"
Ren could not watch his friend crying in front of him, he slowly approaches the saint and put her in his arm. "I don't know who's saying the truth." Jeanne said as she sobs in his shoulder. "Please, tell me what happened." Ren petted the saint gently to calm her down. "I will, but please don't cry." The thief kindly told the saint, She nodded and slowly calm herself from the sudden burst, and the two stayed in that position for a while. "Are you okay now?" Ren asks as release the girl on his embrace. "Yes, I am." Jeanne d'Arc replied.
"We better talk somewhere else, we don't want to wake the children from their sleep." The thief said and look beside them, Jeanne followed his gaze and saw several children sleeping near the campfire. "Who are they?" She asks in surprise. "Come on, We'll talk at the entrance," Ren said and waited for Jeanne to reply before going on the cave entrance. The two felt the cold evening wind and they are now under the light from the virtual moon. "I think it's better if everyone going to hear this." He said before pulling out the communication talisman on his pocket and activate it by saying the keyword 'Mikon'. "Ren?!" Astolfo's voice has been heard coming from his talisman. "You made us worried you know!" Even though he cannot see Astolfo, he can tell by his voice that the paladin is on tears.
"I'm glad to hear you speaking, Ren. Reading the coordinate it looks like you and Jeanne are with each other right now." Ren then heard Hakuno's voice in relief. "I'm sorry about what happened." The raven-haired boy voices his apology on his talisman. "But I'm glad everyone is fine." He said and heard Nero chuckling behind the line. "You're glad that everyone is fine, even though your the one that is getting drown in trouble right now?"
"What happened, Ren? Gilles is claiming that you murdered everyone at the caravan." Charlemagne's voice has been heard next. "I want everyone to listen carefully." The thief said before making a pause to think where to begin, he then took a deep breath before continuing. "Gilles de Rais set me up." He revealed. "I think I know the reason why. But for now let me tell what actually happened, and other things I picked up about him."
"It started around my conversation with Vlad III, the lord impaler himself at his castle during the raid." Ren then started his story and tell everything he learned from Vlad III. "Gilles has been sending soldiers at Vlad III castle, he claimed that these soldiers appeared on his castle in pain on their chest. He wanted to do something about it but these creatures that under Gilles control burst out on their chest and attack him. The process continues but Vlad III could not stand seeing these soldiers slowly dying due to Gilles, he mercy killing them and impaled their bodies. Perhaps to send a warning at Gilles or maybe that just Vlad III nature."
"But the lord impaler already become France enemy, and it's people supported Gilles and drive the castle ruler away from his home. We are also part of the reason why it becomes successful." Ren felt sympathy at Vlad III but decide that this isn't the time to dwell in it. "Remember the bodies impaled around Vlad III castle? Those bodies that have opened chest and have nothing inside? Those are the soldiers that he mercy killed."
"Yeah, I remember that." Jeanne answered beside him. "But if this creature came inside them, then why we haven't seen one around his castle?" She asks and the people who in that operation, voice their agreement at it. "Well, the answer to that also lead to Gilles reason why he set up Vlad III." Ren looks at Jeanne and answered. "Gilles built these creature nest at the place where Vlad III castle is. This creature is causing terror at any place that has a large body of water, and Gilles is sending his soldiers not to fight them, but to feed these creatures with human lives."
"One of the soldiers told me that one day, Gilles decided to lead a large number of soldiers to get rid of this creature. You can imagine his real goal as to why, but that day also is his first encounter with Vlad III. The two fought each other and the lord impaler won, and force Gilles to retreat and abandoning his goal. Vlad III built his castle at that place and drove these creatures away on his land. Because of that, Gilles decided to have his revenge at Vlad III by using France against him."
"Then where are these creatures that Vlad III drove away?" The king of the paladin asks. "He said that this creature likes to live near the water, I also think that Gilles at that point wanted a place where he can hide these creatures. The only place where he can do that is the sewer under France. I heard that there is an operation that happened on the sewer that other day, many lives have been taken and only Gilles manage to live."
"Something terrifying like that happened just beneath us. But then, I don't really see the reason why he's doing it." Jeanne said in crestfallen while staring on the ground. "This is still a hypothesis, but I think Gilles de Rais is working under Karl der Große." Ren said and called the sovereign on the other line. "Do you remember our suspicion about him? After seeing those creatures in much closer, I notice that they are similar to what I fought at the cave. It probably because that person who summoned it is also Gilles."
"But the question is, how did he change himself? I could only guess that Karl der Große has something to do with it." said the thief. "Remember that they are going to fight against the sovereign, which means they need an army to use against us. I think what Gilles's goal is to support Karl der Große with an army of those creatures."
"Which makes me wonder, he uses this egg to feed everyone with it and use their unsuspected body for them to hatch. And perhaps the whole of France is now under Gilles control, and now just waiting for Gilles order to hatch inside their body." Due to what he said, almost everyone releases a gasp from hearing it. "Does this mean everyone in France has these creatures inside them?" Astolfo cried out in panic.
"Only those who eaten those transparent eggs, but I can only assume that most of France soldiers have one or perhaps more of these creatures inside them." said the thief. "Added those who already hatch and now hiding at the sewer, Gilles with a snap-on his finger, he can destroy the whole city on France." This causes everyone to be aware of what may happen in France. "We need to do something about it, right now!" Astolfo shouted but yelp in pain "What that for!?" He whimper and Ren could only imagine the paladin getting a smack on his head from shouting.
"Don't shout, someone might hear you." Charlemagne said at the other line. "I agree, Gilles probably sent his men to check up on you," Ren said and everyone agrees. "But Astolfo is right, we need to do something about it." The sovereign commented. "Do you have any plan on your mind, Ren?" She asks and the thief immediately answered. "I do, but considering that France may turn against us, we better be cautious and wait. For now, try and talk to Marie, see if she still willing to talk and listen to us."
"What about you?" Astolfo asks. "I'll find a place to hide, Gilles will probably make his moves soon against me. Also, I need to keep the children safe from him." Everyone picks up what he said and asks about it. "There are the only survivors left, I need to keep them safe. I cannot risk anything when it comes to them." Ren answered, and a bit melancholic about it. "It's the least I can do for them and my promise to Marie."
"Will this really help you to clean up your name? By the time you find a place, Gilles already tarnishes your name at everyone." Tamamo asks in doubt. "I know, this will also affect our goal in France. But to be honest, I don't really care what other people think of me, all that matters to me is to make sure these children are safe, and also to personally apologize to Marie. I probably put her trust in me in doubt."
"I don't want that, I don't want to betray someone trust on me, especially someone I've become friendly with." He then looks at the saint who's staring at him. "Which is why I think it's time to tell everyone who I'm really is. For all you knew, I'm Ren Amamiya known as Joker and the leader of the rebellious phantom thieves of heart. We fight against the corrupt society that I and my friends live in, by entering into their cognition and forcefully changing the heart of our target. We make them confess and change the way they live their lives, I don't personally believe that we should be called heroes, but I know we did the right thing."
"We fight against what we think is not right, and we change it for the better. It a selfish goal, and I know it. Even though, I will not stand against what I believe. The justice we fought for against the society is for us to decide, and for me, the phantom thieves did the right thing." Ren said while giving the saint a soft smile. "I also wanted to say about what Gilles said is true. I really did summon a demon when I fought Vlad III."
Ren heard different reactions coming from the talisman. But his attention focus at Jeanne d'Arc, the saint stared at him in shock and disbelief. He understands why, saints are always known for doing miracles and fighting against evil, which includes any type of demon. "I summoned a demon not because I'm a demon as well. But because of my abilities, the power to summon beings born from human consciousness."
"The ability I used is called a persona. I've got it from signing a contract that I wasn't very aware of when or where it happened. I become a trickster, a moniker that is meant for someone that can change the world. I wasn't aware of it, not until I've been forcefully thrust into a game that decides the fate of the world, made by two entities. Since my awakening, I've become know as Joker, and become the leader of the Phantom thieves of heart."
"My power is different compared to my team. I've had the power to summon multiple personas, while my teammates can only have one. I have the power of the wildcard and become a trickster." Ren watches the unchanged expression of the saint, the thief knew it still not enough of an explanation so he continued. "Even though persona is born from human consciousness, they are just replicas of the real one. Personas are what humans think of them, for example when they think of Nero Claudius they think of a male emperor. Those are the beings that I summoned, they are literally what we think they are."
"The demon I summoned is Asmodeus, a prince of the demon. I called him against Vlad III. But trust me, even though they came humanity consciousness, I didn't let him influence me on my actions. The lord impaler is still alive even when he fought the prince of the demon, himself." Ren stated. "Even if I summon one, believe me when I said that they hold no influence at me." Jeanne after hearing that look straight into his eyes.
"Summon one then." The saint said in firm at the thief. "If what you said is true, then summon a demon right now. Summon one that is much more powerful than what you summoned against Vlad III." Ren stared at her in disbelief. He asks himself if the saint is serious about it. "If you wanted me to believe in you, then summon one. Show me a person who's not influenced by a powerful demon. Prove it to me, Ren."
"Is this the only way for you to believe in me?" Ren asks the determined saint. She didn't say anything and stood in front of him while waiting, the determination her eyes is showing, it tells the answer to his question. "Alright, then." He said before taking a deep breath. He called him and he answered. As soon as the being entered his mind, he felt like he's swimming in black miasma, even though he already summoned it before, the sheer weight of its presence still surprised him.
But he already controlled it, but the demon likes to see him struggling and fight against him. When he looks at Jeanne, the demon makes him think things that are magnitude darker by simply existing. He's hearing it's sinister laugh as the image of Jeanne corpse flashing inside his head. Even though Jeanne wanted him to summon one, he cannot let it manifest. It simply going to end up disastrous for it to exist. But still, by merely lurking behind the thin veneer that was the wall separating the mind and reality was enough for its existence to be felt. Like a spilled ink he could sense its essence spreading into the room, drowning everything near him with its presence, eroding their resistance with its black malevolence.
Jeanne felt her leg losing its strength and the buzzing feeling in her head. She can hear voices inside her, telling her to submit. But her faith at the Lord is strong enough to clear her mind from the demon whisper. But it's persistent and didn't give up, it's now changing the things she seeing. The image of Ren is changing into a shapeless monster. It's whispering for her to kill the monster, but Jeanne didn't flinch.
"O' Lord, repel this evil inside of me." Jeanne makes her prayer and slowly banishing the illusion it's making. "Thank you." She whispered and set her eyes at Ren, without the illusion influence of the demon. She saw the thief standing calmly but eyes are closed, in front of her. She slowly walks toward him and every step she makes, the presence of the demon is backing away at her. Jeanne stands in front of Ren and saw him opened his eyes. She touches his forehead and begun to chant her prayers. "Amen." She finishes and saw the raven-haired boy smiling at her.
"You didn't flinch at hearing my prayer. Even though I can still feel its presence around us." Jeanne said in surprise. "You really are saying the truth." She then places her hand onto his cheek. "Do you believe in me now-! Ouch!" Ren cried in pain as the saint pulled his cheek out. "What's that for?!" He asks while caressing his cheek. "Oh, we-well it's a divine pinch that a hundred percent make demons appeared on a possess body." She explains while giving a sheepishly smile at him.
"That hurts," Ren complained while still taking care of his cheek. Seeing the comical reaction of the boy, Jeanne d'Arc let out a giggle at him. The saint after a long day of feeling upset, she finally found herself laughing, while she still upset about Gilles. She can at least tell that the accusation about him being a demon is not true. "I'm sorry." Jeanne said as she wipes the tears on her eyes. "No fair! I feel like I'm missing something! Also, what is that thing we felt just now." Astolfo protested and then asks. "Nothing at all." The saint happily answered.
"That not nothing at all! I felt super terrified from feeling it and then suddenly I heard you laughing. Ren what did you do!?" Ren looks at Jeanne who's making soft giggles before replying. "Nothing at all." He answered and match the same tone that Jeanne use. "Oh, come on!" The pinknette cried out. "Well whatever it is, I'm glad to hear Jeanne genuine laughing after a long day." said the paladin.
"I feel like my body going to feel asleep soon." Ren commented as he yawns. "It's a long day for all of us, I think we deserve to have a little rest. We need to get prepare for Gilles after all." He said and Hakuno's group agreed. "You should return to France tomorrow." The thief said at the saint who nodded in agreement. "Wait you two going to sleep together!?" The loud voice of the paladin earns him another smack on his head. "Lower your voices please." Jeanne told at Astolfo.
"How can I lower my voice from that? Let me just remind you two, this isn't the time for doing something indecent alright?" Jeanne suddenly blushes from hearing that. "Save it after the wedding." Astolfo added and make the saint blush furthermore. On the other hand, Ren has also heard it, he can feel flushed about it. Luckily Jeanne's attention is not on him. "Just go to sleep, Astolfo!" The saint replied and end her line at everyone. "Stupid Astolfo." She murmured and look at Ren. "Are you okay?" The blond maiden asks as she notices Ren look like he's hiding something.
"Oh, it's nothing." The raven-haired boy said almost in a panic. "Anyway your not going to asks who's presence it was?" He smoothly changes the subject. "There is no need." Jeanne then smiled. "You'd summoned a demon, but I now knew that it's still you. I won't judge you because of your power, I'll accept it because in the end. It's still you, the same Ren Amamiya I knew." Ren smiled after hearing that.
'I guess it's for the better if she didn't know that it was Satan's presence.' He thought to himself. "By the way, contact me when you manage to talk with Marie alright?" Ren used his talisman to inform Hakuno. "I will. I'll also find a way to prove your innocence, I believe the Moon Cell can help me with it. Regarding our suspicion about Gilles's identity, whether or not it's true, we need to make him stop."
"We will." Ren agreed. "Be cautious around there, goodnight everyone." He said before ending his communication with the group. "Let's go to sleep." Ren offered at the beautiful saint. "Yeah, I'm tired as well," Jeanne replied and begun to stretch her body. The two then returned inside the cave and finally, after a long day, they can finally rest.
Meanwhile at Marie's mansion, on that same evening, the queen asks for Gilles's presence on the throne. Her almost perfect day has been ruined by the horrifying news that the general told her earlier. The people on the caravan coming from the east has been massacred, it was shocking and she didn't believe it at first. The queen sends d'Eon to investigate and confirmed to tell her that it really happened to those innocent people.
Marie Antoinette almost goes into a breakdown, partially because she blamed herself for the lives that been lost. If only she didn't offer a place for these people and let them live their life in the wild, then none of this will ever happen. But that not what people around her think, d'Eon told her that sometimes things won't go along with the plan, Mozart reprimands her that she didn't do anything wrong, and Sanson notably said that she should not blame herself from doing what she thinks is right.
Hearing their kind words and support on her, keep the queen held her head up and face reality. "Sir Gilles, you're telling me that Ren Amamiya is the reason why these people lost their lives?" Marie asks in disbelief, she may not know much about him, but she positively sure that he's not going to commit a crime like that. "Yes, your highness. That demon named Ren Amamiya by the used of Vlad III minions brutally murdered those people. And He got away with children that he kidnapped."
"I'm still having a hard time to believe what you are saying." The queen of lilies said in skeptical. "Ren helps a lot of people while staying here. He even helps me with my distress without any complains, a kind young man like him won't do something like that."
"I agree, mysterious as he may be, I believe that he won't do anything to hurt people." Mozart voices his thoughts and agreement with Marie. "He's not a murderer or an executioner, I can tell that to you." Sanson genuine said away from the cold expression he always makes. "While he did help the queen on her plan to escape here, Marie returned with a smile on her face. He didn't do any harm to her and even help around France to prove his trustworthy. I also find it hard to believe that he brutally kill those people."
"He's great from playing around people trust. Seeing that your having a hard time to believe it, proves that his skill at deceiving. Don't let your blind trust with him stop you from the justice he deserves, remember his a demon and nothing but a filthy demon born from the pits of hell. He killed many people and kidnapped those innocent children, he deserves to die and killed by our hands." Gilles stated with a coldhearted tone. "We must capture him and show our people how his evil life ends here in France."
"Are you planning to execute him?" d'Eon said with a piercing gaze and venom in her tone. "I advice you refrain yourself from the preposterous thoughts coming to your mouth, Sir Gilles." added by the knight of lilies. "What better way to show our justice on a demon like him? It works here in France, why don't we use the same method at him."
"Tu es un animal." d'Eon said in an aggressive tone. "Don't you have any respect for the queen? For our country? How can you say that without any remorse?!" She said and look very agitated at the appointed general. "We must capture him and execute that demon here in France." Gilles ignored the knight and look directly at the queen. "We're not." Marie coldly answered the man. "I guess we won't be in the same opinion. Pity, but I wasn't asking anymore, your highness." He said with a spine-chilling smile on his face.
"What are you-?" Marie was about to asks but get interrupted when the guards fall into their knees and screamed in agony, it's not just the guards, everyone minus the servants fell to the ground in pain. "What's happening?!" d'Eon said and saw the horror of these creature birth, slowly these creatures burst out on the guard's chest and rip them apart. "How amusing," Gilles commented at the four servants. "Seeing them helpless is entertaining, no?" He asks while giving the four a sinister smirk.
"So it was you all along." d'Eon then pulled out her rapier and pointed at Gilles. "This will never happen if you people just agreed to me. He's a demon so why are you hesitant on ending his life." He said in a nonchalant manner. "Blame yourself for their death." With a move of his head, the creatures surround the four servants in large numbers. "Try to resist or I'll summon more. You'll also be going to hear the shout of our people as they came here."
"Why are you doing this?" Marie cried out at the general. "We trusted you to protect our people so why?!" The queen said as her tears started to fall, but the marshal just stood there with the same smirk on his face. "I'm still doing my part, I'll protect France from that demon and have my revenge for humanity. Afterall they took something precious to me."
"I know deep inside she wanted the same. But she cannot do it because of her position, which is why I'll do it for her stead." They look at him in confusion after hearing his reason. "France is now under my control, and the three of you will spend a lot of your time here." Gilles then looks at Sanson. "If you want them to live, then you'll need to cooperate with me. I need an executioner and the guillotine for the show."
"You bastard." said the white-haired assassin servant. "Be smart about this, do you want to see them die because of your defiance?" The wicked servant asks. "I'm not a patience person, Sanson. Don't push it." He said and make the assassin concede. "Very smart." Gilles smiled after seeing the man submit in defeat. "All that left is to capture that demon, and make her happy about it." He then started to laugh hysterically and the four servants could not do anything but to watch.
When the leader of the phantom thieves of heart opened his eyes. He found himself staring once again at the beautiful tower and felt the flowery scent looming around him. The thief felt his body once again disconnected into him, and could only watch himself slowly falling down to the ground. "It's good to see you again, Ren Amamiya." The familiar hooded person standing at the wide window greeted him, He felt his body stop from falling and stayed in that position. "Forgive me for summoning you here once again, I know you rather want to have a peaceful rest after having a rough day, but lend me your ear for a while. I have something important to tell." Ren felt the person smile while hiding their faces under the hood.
"Goodness, I need to watch out about the words that will come to my mouth." The person let out a chuckle before continuing. "I've been watching you since the first time I summoned you here. It does violate your privacy, I know. But I did it because I need to know something about you. We will soon be going to work together to make sure that man's plan won't happen."
"But I must say, you're an honest and kind man, and I respect that. I can tell that working with you won't be hard." Once again the thief felt the person smile at him. "Let's us not talk about who I am, you will know soon enough once we actually meet inside the moon." The person said and then seat at the ledge of the wide window. "Anyway, I better tell the reason why I summoned you here. I actually dreamed about him again."
"I found myself once again kneeling in that man sitting on the throne. He congratulates me for finding you, he commends my work and amused by my skills. To be honest, even he showered me with his genuine compliments, I cannot find myself overjoyed about his words. His words just make me more cautious at him even more, but then again I think that is the best action we should take."
"Regardless, this time he told me about something different and intriguing, it's something about the roles of you two in this "Game" he made." The person paused to recollect the memories of the dream. "I think he personally wanted me to tell you about it immediately, so listen carefully. The role he appointed between the two of you is to become the anchor of beings like servants in this world."
"He wanted the two of you to make an army and compete with each other. In other words, the fate of the world here in the moon and the world we know will be decided by war. That man told me that he'll become the anchor to make Gods and Goddesses exist in this world, and conquer the world with that army of his. Meanwhile, you will become the anchor for Angels and Demons to exist in this world."
"Hearing him laugh after saying that sends shiver on my spine. His violating rules and the balance for this unknown reason of him, his eagerness to see who'll come up at the top between the two of you is absurd. Moon Cell will not take that lightly, and I cannot believe he manages a shut-in like me dragged into this." The hooded person makes a sigh before continuing. "Anyway, I also wanted to tell about something else. After my encounter with him, I got immediately shifted into a different dream."
"I saw this dream in your perspective, this dream is both beautiful and yet frightening at the same time. Warriors residing at heaven will come down to purge all evil down in a city that once peaceful but now lurking with creatures born from wrath. Once these creatures have been expelled by these warriors and peace returned on the ruined city. I heard the sound of a bell ringing from the distance, and felt my entire body shaking from the dreadful wind surrounding me."
"I don't think I can call that a dream at this point, It's more like a vision telling your future. Please be careful, be on guard, the fate of the world is in your hand. So don't die, alright?" He felt himself falling once again and this time his diving straight to the field of flowers on the bottom. "I'm trusting you to make it alive in the angelica cage!" Ren saw the person waving goodbye to him before hitting the bed of flowers on the ground.
Author Notes: Here I am again with the latest chapter and slowly making to the end of this arc (3 Chapters to go!). The wait will soon come to an end, and I actually visualize the ending of this arc and it's going to be awesome. Anyway, this chapter is originally going to be long, but then I realize if I put too much into it then I won't able to end the Arc in number 15. So yeah, I cut it and will put it on the next update. Also there is a reason for that, I know that some parts left unexplained and I'll work into it next chapter so leave a review and write out the parts about this arc that confuses you or wanted an answer. I will greatly help me to think up an explanation about it. Also I wanted to pointed out that Jeanne d'Arc only believes that Ren isn't a demon like what Gilles telling everyone, she still doesn't believe that Gilles would do those things that Ren claims. Hakuno being herself believes in Ren, but her servants may still have doubts, they eventually believe in him once they got more evidence.
Also reading the reviews, Marie will still be going to be a part of Ren 'Unintentionally' harem. I'm glad that most of you like what I did in the last chapter, seeing everyone hating Gilles more, I felt I did a great job XD. Also Tu es un Animal is French for You are an animal (According to google translate)
Lastly for a pointer, at this part of the story, most of you realize that I'm not following the Extella Link lore because I still haven't played it and doesn't want to watch a let's play for it and I think it's to late for me to follow the cannon at this point. So because of that I'm aware that I won't able to put the original role of Charlemagne and Karl on this story. Which going to be hard for me to make him the main villian of this story, so instead I'm slowly letting dropping information about this villian I'm creating (It's not OC character by the way.) But I put some twist around him, and we will know more about him after the second Arc XD. (I also drop some hint about the villian for the next arc at this chapter :3) The meme buster servant for those who are confused appeared first at chapter 2 of this story and make another apperance here. (This servant almost didn't make it here after spending 670 of my F2P SQ for a single copy of his smug portrait.)
Well that is all for now, leave a reviews which I enjoyed reading and gives me idea on what to put on the next chapter, Follow this story if you want to see more of this story and hit favorite as well! that is all for now see you next update! Bye-bye.