Interlude : Maiden of Orleans and Dragon Slayer
Week after battle with Kokabiel, France 10:30PM
France was one of Nation that have it native believe in Bible religion. There countless Church in that Nation, though most of them known as "Cathedral" as a mark of distinction or historical importance. It also perhaps because number of Roman Catholic cathedrals is bigger than Non-Roman Catholic, indicating the people in there is Catholic rather than Christian
Among those countless Cathedral, few of them is used as secret base of Church Organization. The base of Church actually was never known, either it to common people or supernatural one in order to protect the important people or sacred artifact that Church possess
One of those Cathedral that not used for secret base is known as Lille Cathedral, a Cathedral that just completed in 1999.
Unlike most of Church in Asian, the one in Europe was large. Comparing them will make the one in Asian looks like house rather than building, many of them even larger than Mall and business building
Lille Cathedral also like that, despite it counted as one of the youngest Cathedral in France, it size was big. Bigger than the most Church or Cathedral from East continent
In this late, most Cathedral already closed to public. No people come to pray anymore at this hour seeing most of them already sleep perhaps or went to club and hang out with their friends or family
One person, apparently not
A figure could be seen inside the Cathedral chapel, kneeling in front of the altar with clenched fist and head facing the red carpet in ground
It not take genius to know this person in middle of praying
The person is a woman, a woman in her early twenties. With long pale blonde hair that tied into braid, clad in dark purple uniform with closed eyes. This woman is one of the best fighter have, a woman who have blessing from Holy Spirit of Joan of Arc, Jeanne d'Maillart
It just been a week after her battle with Kokabiel and few days after she return to her homeland. After make report to higher in France she asked permission to take small break
The higher gladly grant it, despite how Issei see them as 'bad' people but they not reasonable. Their warrior just went and fight with one of Angel that known as Seraph in past and also one of leader of Grigori, asking for a break was not big things
Jeanne not too care about their opinion though. She sure that Irina also asking same things in her place at Italy, they need time to think how they will start their move to make Church become better place, add the fact they also need time to think about people around them
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." She murmured as she slowly open her eyes, finishing her prayer. She give force to her legs, giving them strength and she push herself from her kneeling position
In last few days Jeanne really spin the gear on her head, trying to find the way how to make the Church into better place. The first was obviously to increase her rank, gaining many allies and supporter. After that, be visible, make Church pay attention to her and see her
There problem with the latter though
As woman who inherit the spirit Joan of Arc through Holy Ritual, people often see her as soldier or fighter rather than person who lead
True originally Jeanne d'arc was a woman who lead man in battle but sadly, the one who inherit her spirit was not.
According to the data she read they all mostly spend time as warrior, many of them actually stop from Exorcist and decide to spend time as lover, becoming wife, sheath and hang their sword by becoming Evocati
And yes, there something amiss with the data. Jeanne obviously notice it and she not surprise somehow after have her eyes opened and find the truth about death of her Lord
'They don't want us becoming some higher or retire... They want us as warrior... They need us.'
Jeanne held back sigh as she recall the data she found. That was the only thing she could conclude after reading them. It obvious why they did that though. They need soldier to support the Church, to support Heaven who in dying state
On one hand the higher behavior was unfair and could be said inhumane, but on other hand it also important and right. If the Heaven fall, the effect would be tremendous and dangerous, many innocence would die
But she don't like it... Despite knew it right, she not like it. Not at all...
'Issei-san... I wonder... Does you already knew about things like this in first place when you talk to us?' Jeanne asked in her mind as she began to ponder about the white-brown haired young man.
Thinking about him make Jeanne smile slightly, the young man despite younger than her but he more mature than her. He also better person than her in first place before she almost loss her faith. She maybe only knew him for short time but just judging by his character, perhaps Issei indeed already know
"Finished already?"
A familiar masculine voice echoed in chapel. Hearing that Jeanne smile set into thin line for second before resumed back to her usual smile
"I am..." She answered as she turn around to meet her guest "It not polite to staring at people who pray Sig-kun."
Sig-kun, or rather known as Siegfried, is a man that appear to be in his early twenties, same age like Jeanne. Not just that, both of them actually had meet in young age before they become soldier of Church
He have pale white short spiky hair that cut in shaggy style, blue-green eyes, handsome face, tanned healthy skin, and slim muscular body. He wearing dark gray colored priest coat that cover most of his figure
"Sorry for that, it just unusual to find you at this late in Cathedral." Siegfried said in apologetic manner, followed by small sheepish smile "What bother you so you come to Cathedral at this late?"
"Bother?" Jeanne blinked "I just come to pray." She said in bubbly manner. In response Siegfried only quirked his eyebrow and she pouted "Oh fine! Was I that obvious?"
"Who in right mind would come to Cathedral in this late and pray? Unless that person have something in their mind they won't come." Siegfried pointed simply "So what is it? You could tell me you know."
Jeanne smiled hearing the last statement, while true they not talk and meet often due to their job being different they still could be considered as friend.
While Jeanne working as Exorcist, Siegfried meanwhile not. He work in special division of the Church that handle beast or dark creature that threatening people, and while its true their job was same, to slay dark monster but Exorcist more focused to handle Stray Devil, Fallen Angel or such things while Siegfried handle dark monster that unaffected by Holy and Light element such as Youkai or Europe Monster. Simply, it could be said that Siegfried job is something that similar like Burial Agency
"It nothing..." Jeanne sighed heavily "I appreciate your help Sig-kun, but this is my own problem..." She can't tell her friend that Lord is death. She afraid it will broke him, she still remember that the man in front of him quite devoted as well in first place
"Well... If you say so..." Siegfried nodded, apparently he give the woman respect to keep her secret and don't want to pry
"Anyway, you looking for me right?" Jeanne asked as she changed the topic quickly "Is there something you wish to talk Sig-kun? A lover problem perhaps?" She said in teasing manner
"You do know well that married was quite frowned for us right?" Siegfried asked while quirked his eyebrow
"Oh please!" Jeanne huffed while rolling her eyes "It was frowned for people like us, however it not forbidden." She said while making point with gesture of her index finger that waving in bubbly manner
"You got the point." Siegfried let out small chuckle "Anyway, I do have something I wish to talk with you." He said, his tone turned to serious and it make Jeanne body stiffened slightly
"What is it?" She asked, hearing the serious tone was make her unease for moment. What her friend wish to said?
Siegfried closed his eyes, his expression looks like he was in pain but it quickly crushed and replaced by stoic face as he open his eyes once again "It about our Lord."
Jeanne heart skipped a bit at that
"He... I knew it sounds absurd Jeanne but our Lord is death..." Siegfried declared as his eyes locked to the woman
He knew...
Jeanne bit her lip inwardly, how Siegfried could know this information? "I already knew..." She said, her tone was bitter and her eyes represent sadness
Siegfried face confronted to surprise. The white haired man clearly not expect that answer so he instant asked "How?"
"Kokabiel blurt it out during the battle." Jeanne told him "After defeating us he declared that he hated us." She let out hollow chuckle as her mind drifted to the battle "He hate the Church almost like he hated Devils. Saying that we hypocrite, something that worse than Devils since we deny that we commit atrocities unlike them."
"Jeanne..." Siegfried muttered, his voice filled with pity and sadness hearing that. He could understand what she went through seeing he had similar reaction
"I... I'm fine... It take a lot of me but I'm fine..." Jeanne said as she trying to reassure her friend, not wishing for him to worry
"I... I see..." Siegfried commented as he stare at Jeanne for moment before he tilt his head up, his gaze fell to the figure of Jesus that crucified in the cross above the altar "Do you think Kokabiel right?"
"Yes." Jeanne nodded while staring at the white haired man "Yes, he's right." Jeanne admitted as she also turned to see the sight of Son of God like her friend "What Kokabiel said not wrong... Not a bit... The higher in Church that know this was hypocrite, the Pope is hypocrite..."
"I also think same like you.." Siegfried muttered bitterly "Do you hate them?"
Jeanne let out another laugh that was filled with hollowness hearing the question "Sig-kun, I once encounter woman who pregnant with unborn Devil baby. That woman formerly was member of Church that got exiled due to make contact with Devil. I remember she cried and begging me to not kill her, she said kill her after her baby born
"And I did, I give her last wish. However as member of Church I can't abandon my mission, there even few Exorcist outside who waiting for me. So I decide to ask their permission to allow the woman live until she give birth or at least have her baby killed and the woman saved.
"But you know what? The moment I report it one of senior Exorcist rise his gun and shoot the woman, killing her instantly... I remember what he said that time it was "For the Greater Good, the baby Devil can't be allowed to born. It too dangerous and risky, we already have one that could be considered as Monster, there not need to add another one."
"I don't know what he mean by that but it was clear there hybrid of Human and Devil that born before and he/she become so powerful that even the Heaven fear him/her." Jeanne stated as she let out another hollow chuckle as she remember the memory "Technically, what he did was right... To prevent born of the monster but the way he deal with it was wrong.
"We are Church, we supposed to be people who protect Humanity... We supposed to be the good people, the one who give hope to Lost Lamb and yet..."
Siegfried only silence listening to the woman finished her tale, his face was stoic but one could see there sadness in his eyes. He knew well what Jeanne mean, he also thinking same line and similar things.
He about to talk, offering comfort words in order to make the woman back to be strong, to be cheerful like usual but before he able to, Jeanne cut him
"But it was already in the past..." Jeanne muttered as she turned back to him, the white haired man could see single tears fell from her eyes, proof that she really sad due to the memory and way of Church handle things "I can't do anything about it... But in future... I will... I will do something to prevent thing like that happen..."
Siegfried eyes widened in small margin and Jeanne statement, despite her voice sounded sad but it also filled with determination. There firm steel and iron in there that held her faith and feeling
'You are strong person Jean...' Siegfried thought bitterly
"Let change the topic..." Jeanne sighed as she not wish to continue the talk further "Sig-kun, do you heard the rumor about some organization?"
"Organization?" Siegfried asked, his face morphed to small curiosity
"Yeah... It was only rumor, the higher whispering about it but I able to caught part of it... Some organization called Khaos Brigade..." Jeanne said as she recall the memory, her face scrunched to thoughtful and she dig her mind further to find the information "And one of Exorcist... Ivan I recall his name, he one of Senior Exorcist, he offer me to work to some organization. He didn't said anything though, only said it good things and I should come with him if wish to learn more and..."
Jeanne was too deep on her thought, she missed Siegfried face that morphed from curious to stoic, his whole body also stiffened for moment and his fingers twitched under his priest garment, his bright blue-green eyes also changed to blank as he staring at Jeanne
"Perhaps I should report this to higher, if this organization good then I could ask Ivan to tell about it to the higher but if it not..." Jeanne who about to continue finally notice Siegfried posture and strange behavior, her eyes narrowed in small concern "Sig-kun? What's wrong?"
Siegfried stare at Jeanne, the woman could see there regret, shame and also small terror in his eyes. However above that all, there another emotion, anger "Oh Jean..." He groaned out as he held his forehead "You really talk too much for your own good."
"Eh?" Jeanne blinked in confusion "Sig-kun what are you-"
(She know too much already...)
A new feminine voice echoed in the chapel at that instant, cutting Jeanne question and the blond haired woman body stiffened at that, she spun and her eyes immediately searching for the owner of the voice
"Who's there?!" She demanded instantly, her voice was strong and echoed in the whole chapel "Sig-kun, do you hear-" Jeanne paused as she spot small bird on Siegfried shoulder, she immediately know that bird was not normal. A familiar, the one that people often use as spying or observing
Realization immediately downed to her, the words that Siegfried spoke before... It not need to take genius to figure it out that Siegfried was one of them
"Why?" Jeanne rasped out, her voice sounded dry and pained "Why Sig-kun?" Her eyes was shimmering from the unshed tears that merged as she stare at her friend
"Why you ask..." Siegfried snorted before he let out chuckle, Jeanne immediately notice the chuckle was the same one she let out when she spend her time alone after finding out God demise "The Church abandon me, the Heaven abandoning me. No, not just me, but whole Humanity. I kill in their names, you not the only one who taint innocent with your hand Jeanne... And why I should be at side of hypocrite people like them?"
"It hypocrite but it the right thing!" Jeanne shouted, her voice almost like plea "Yes, the way they handle it wrong but we now know the reason! We not in dark anymore! Our eyes already open! We could change the Church! We only need people and we could change the Church! Turning it back like when Lord live! Sig-kun! Please!" She begged to her friend, not wishing to fight him. Her heart beating and pray that his friend could see the error of his way
"I'm sorry Jean..." Siegfried said, instantly shattering the hope she held. His eyes closed and lone tear fell from it "But my eyes no longer open..." He stated before he slowly open it again, the warmth blue-green eyes gone and replaced by cold look
"Because the things I seek only lie in darkness."
Siegfried finished coldly while grab side of his priest robe, clenching it tightly in preparation
Jeanne heart was screaming and yelling in pain inside, to see one of his friend like this hurt her so much. Add the fact she forced to fight him was make the wound rubbed by salt...
'Was I... Was I going to become like him? If... If I didn't listen to Issei-san words... Was I going to join him?' She thought with horror, part of her mind knew she would. She will join with this organization, openly betraying the Church and God will. That's why she feel terror in her heart, she could see herself become cold and uncaring person, abandoning all her friend and everyone due to her anger for Church
"Draw your sword! Inheritor Maid of Orleans!" Siegfried barked strongly as he remove his robe, revealing gray templar armor beneath it and long falchion in his hand "For this Siegfried, the descendant of Norse Hero Siegfried and slayer of Fafnir will strike you like enemy he will kill." Siegfried declared coldly as he raise his weapon and taking stance
(It was either she join us or die, but she will prefer the second.) The bird on his shoulder spoke (Finish it with swift and clean Siegfried, the Boundary Field had been set.) The bird told before it flew away, sensing the battle will began soon
Jeanne clench her fist, her face was still expressing pain as she close her eyes. Then the pained look gone, her lip set to thin line before she open her purple colored eyes again and show the same coldness in Siegfried eyes. She remove her priest robe, revealing the armor that clad in purple coat beneath her as steel gauntlet formed around her hand in instant
"Brave words, Dragon Slayer." Jeanne responded as single rapier appear on her hand, raised and poised to the man in front of her "But could you back it up? In my life I only could list few people who have skills matching mine, one of them is Kokabiel of Grigori."
"And in my life I only bleed few times during my job." Siegfried replied with sharp look
'Blood Armor of the Dragon huh?' Jeanne thought while keep her eyes sharp. Siegfried was not bluffing nor he merely boasting, the numbers when he bleed was less than fingers could count, she even heard it from people that work with him
It was hereditary ability that Siegfried gain from his ancestor. At first he didn't possess such skin and body that like Dragon, but there times when he subdued low-class Dragon and kill it in pure luck, having his whole body bathed in blood of the Dragon
And in that moment, like his ancestor, his body gained the same durability like Dragon he slay. How is that happen the Church researcher couldn't explain it, they only have guess that it happen because the original Siegfried ability apparently seems potent enough that it was inheritable
And right now the Siegfried that stand in front of her was the only descendant of original Siegfried that alive
"Your skin not tough like the original Dragon Slayer." Jeanne stated in brave tone
"We will find it out in battle." Siegfried replied as he taking stance "Prepare yourself Holy Maiden!" He barked before he launch himself with speed that surpassing normal Human and any famous athlete
The distance between them at least was four meters, and yet, Siegfried able to cover it in instant with only one kick, one strong step forward that launching himself like cannon. His falchion swinged down with force that would strong enough to slice pillar of most building with clean
CLAANG!
Jeanne block the attack without much problem, the moment Siegfried launched himself, she already pivoted her leg, manipulating the force of the ground and use her rapier to block the attack
Or at least, that was what supposed to happen
The moment Jeanne see Siegfried falchion, she have feeling it was not a mere sword, it not a mere weapon that people often made. After spending time with Issei for short time she familiar with weapon that possess power, and that experience was what saving her
Instead blocking it, she spun when the sword swinged down only few centimeters away to cleave her face. That was impossible, no Human or mortal should able to do that, to dodge attack that so close with such speed was something that impossible
And yet, Jeanne dodge it, completely, not even single strand of her hair got sliced by the attack
It not just Siegfried that spew out boast with power, Jeanne herself too. Her sword skills was unmatched, few only able to. Even Ewald Cristaldi the wielder of Excalibur Fragments and said as second coming King Arthur in his sword skill won't be able to match Jeanne in battle of single sword
This was blessing that she got from inheriting spirit of Joan of Arc, the Saint of Orleans. The blessing that made Jeanne instinct, reflex, and speed that beyond reach of men, common people and otherwise. It was this blessing that made her able to stand against Kokabiel, Angel of Stars and Lord of Grigori in match of swords battle
Three slash immediately performed, they all not at same time but close enough that it even going to fool men eyes to believe it was three strike in one time as the moment the first slash launched, the next instantly followed less than second
The first aimed to Siegfried cheeks, with intent to cut his face. The second aimed to his the hole that appear between his collar armor and his bare neck, small it is but her strike still hit the target. The last strike aimed to his hip, where there small distance between the armor that covering it.
The strike was hit their targets, and yet, none of them cause damage or cut their targets
Jeanne instantly jumped back, creating distance in instant between her and Siegfried who have his falchion struck down the ground with enough force to split the floor, creating crater on it that large enough to slip adult men in there
There no scars, no wound or even scratch on part where she just struck. Siegfried was also not show any small sign of being hurt. Briefly, she glanced to her rapier and found it cracked in small part of it edge
'A simple sword like this won't even able to scratch Twice Critical...' She thought bitterly. Her eyes then focused to weapon his enemy held, for the first time she see it with more clear
A falchion was on his hand, it was long enough to match double handed sword, it pommel and guard was dark gold while it edge dark steel gray while have few gold lines on it.
"That sword of yours... It not normal right?" She asked as her eyes shifted back to Siegfried who turned to her
"A gift from my organization..." Siegfried stated as he swing his falchion "One of my ancestor treasure that he find in his hunt in facing Fafnir." He said while taking stance once again
"I see..." Jeanne replied as she brace herself once again "It appear mundane weapon even made from my Sacred Gear would be useless against you..." She let the rapier she create disperse, turning it back into particles of light
Siegfried didn't talk or responded. He replied by launching himself once again to Jeanne, raising his falchion once again and deliver horizontal strike with intent to cut the woman down
But when his sword launched, a light interrupt it
Siegfried have to force himself to not shut his eyes at sudden light that appear on Jeanne hands, blocking his strike and made a voice that sounds like metal meet another metal
The moment the light appear, the instant it gone, revealing a slim western style sword with black hilt, silver pommel and guard while it edge bathed in yellow light
'What the-'
Then Jeanne struck
A fast and unseen by mundane eyes swift slash launched to Siegfried chest, the white haired man spin his falchion, blocking the strike in instant. But the moment the first strike blocked, a second coming with fast, aimed to his neck and this time Siegfried can't block it
SLING!
Hot!
The moment the sword edge touch his neck he feel high temperature touch his skin. It was very fortunate for him since he couldn't block the second, his legs in instant push the ground beneath him and the hot sword only graze his neck
He immediately make distance, like a lion that suddenly aware the being in front of it threat, he stare at Jeanne with wary look while touching his neck. He found there burning sensation in there, it wasn't hot like boiling water, but it hot enough to be considered close as one
His eyes locked to the sword that Jeanne held, the edge was covered by yellow light before, but now it covered by yellow flame. It was sight to behold as he staring at the yellow flame that latched to the sword and licking the air as if it wood rather than steel
"It seems..." His eyes shifted back to Jeanne, before switching back to the sword "I'm not the only one who have new toy..."
"This is old toy..." Jeanne said with smirk "I always have it, however only few who know it. People who fighting Kokabiel with me are one of those." She stated as she brought her flaming sword "It maybe can't slice you, but it strong enough to burn your inside." She declared while pointing her sword, flashing smirk to her enemy
Siegfried only smirked back in response, raising his falchion in air and retake his fighting stance. Despite aware there threat in front of him he can't help but feel excited at the incoming battle "We will see about that..." He said in confident manner
There no more words between them, at same time, they kick the grounds and sounds of metal clashing against metal echoed in chapel of Lille Cathedral
Hello! Hello you all! Before I write the note, let me say congratulation! RoH finally reach 800+ I'm so proud of this story! The review also near thousand and probably going to reach it after this! Thank you all for your love and support! :')
This is not chapter but it small interlude about what happen to Jeanne! I made it because apparently many people ask about her and her fighting ability, I don't know there many of her fans, hopefully this will satisfy you all!
And yeahh! Khaos Brigade made a move! Siegfried still included to the members! How about it?! Do you all like him? The Canon in Light Novel not show much about his personality so I decide to made one for him and I hope you all like it!
And yess! There mysterious bird who watching! Who is it?! Judging by it sounds, it was female! But who?! Does this woman members of Hero Faction?! Or it just man who disguise his voice?! Hahaha that was mystery my friend!
As you can see, I make Siegfried stronger than in Canon, giving him some ability. Same thing will be occur to other members of Hero Faction perhaps, because seriously, it will be needed. An organization as large as Khaos Brigade and filled with bad guy! There no way normal Human could enter without becoming Pawn!
Anyway, this is only small Interlude! Next chapter would be come out in monday or tuesday, we will began the meeting of Three Faction in that chapter!
Okay! This is it for now, I hope you love this Interlude! Please Favorite, Follow, and Review!
Ja Ne! XD
