Shinji was unaware of Altria's wild thoughts. He continued to lie on the sofa for a while to recover some of his strength. Then he sat back at his desk and continued to work hard.
I had just made two strokes when the footsteps sounded again.
Shinji didn't take it seriously and said it casually.
"What's wrong? Artoria, did you drop something?"
"No, it's not."
"Eh?"
The brush in her hand paused, and the voice coming from behind was equally familiar, but it did not belong to Altria, but to someone who was very similar to her.
"It's Jeanne, what's wrong with her tonight, why are they coming over here one after another..."
Shinji sighed as he left the chair that wasn't even warm yet and returned to the sofa that wasn't cold yet.
Joan of Arc asked curiously, "Has anyone else been here besides me?"
"Yes, first Jack and Reika came to bring me midnight snacks, then Altria came and left just a few minutes before you came."
"Because they are worried about you and afraid that you will get tired."
"So, you came to see me because you were worried about me?"
"I am worried about you, but not only for this reason - Black Assassin, no, Matou Shinji, I want to talk to you."
Looking at Jeanne's serious expression and earnest eyes, Shinji restrained his relaxed mentality and sat up straight.
"What?"
"Talk about your existence itself."
"Is there something wrong with my existence?"
"Yes. Honestly, I am confused - your existence, your actions, and whether your participation in the Holy Grail War itself is a violation."
"You are still struggling with this now."
"It is true that I was summoned in this form because of Amakusa Shiro Tokisada, but since I am the ruler, I must fulfill my duties as a judge."
Shinji showed a helpless look on his face: "I see, that's your style. Tell me, what did I do that made you feel violated?"
"It's the 'Winter Saint'. You are not a Heroic Spirit, but you became a Servant. This must have been arranged by her."
"Yes."
"The Heroic Spirit descends and becomes a Servant. This is a necessary step in the Holy Grail War. Your appearance has caused the Heroic Spirit that was supposed to appear as an assassin to have no job. The job you occupied should belong to Jack. Even if your goal is to resolve the distortion of this Holy Grail War, such behavior itself is a distortion. Using distortion to resolve distortion—"
With eyes wide open and a stern look, the upright saint expressed her persistence.
"—I don't think that's right."
"However, the entire Holy Grail system was built by Yustisa, and Yustisa herself sacrificed herself to become the core of the Greater Holy Grail, and thus gained the authority to interfere with the system."
"That's what confuses me."
Joan of Arc's high-pitched voice gradually faded away.
"'Winter Saint' has legitimate authority, but the result of exercising legitimate authority has caused distortion. As a judge, I should uphold the rules and resolve the distortion..."
It's equivalent to an endless loop with no solution.
"So what are you going to do?"
"I don't know, so I want you to give me an answer."
"I?"
Shinji scratched his head and looked at Jeanne without blinking, who nodded vigorously.
"Yes."
"Are you serious?"
Shinji was both angry and amused.
"Are you afraid that I, the client, will deliberately say something that is favorable to me?"
In response, Joan of Arc just said very calmly.
"Because I trust you, I trust my partner, and the final judgment is made by myself, so I will accept whatever the result is."
The determination revealed in those eyes that were as clear as the sky made Shinji admire her and feel a little surprised at the same time.
"I can't help you, but that's what makes you so lovable."
"But, cute or whatever... please don't make fun of me."
"How can this be considered a joke? I'm just stating the facts. If you don't believe me, you can go out and ask anyone. I can't say 100%, but 90% of people will definitely say you're cute."
"I, how could I possibly ask that kind of question!!!"
A blush appeared on Joan of Arc's cheeks, and only at this moment did she look like a girl.
"Then I'll have to ask."
"Black Assassin!!!"
Seeing Jeanne getting anxious, Shinji quickly stopped her.
"Okay, I won't say any more. Let's continue with the previous topic. Before I tell you my answer, I have two things to tell you. First, this answer is just my personal opinion. You need to judge whether it is correct or not. Second, if your judgment will hinder my next action, I will decide whether to use force to resist depending on the situation. You have your persistence, and I have mine. I agree with your persistence, but it doesn't mean I will accept it."
"Yeah, I see."
"The problem you are struggling with is actually a problem of process and result. Between process and result, Yustisa and I value the result more. As long as the result is good, it doesn't matter if the process is flawed. For the Holy Grail War, my existence will not only not hinder the progress of the Holy Grail War, but will also do my best to ensure it, which is a good result. As for the current situation, my existence can better help you solve the biggest distortion. Although you don't agree with using distortion to solve a bigger distortion, when two distortions have already occurred, then solving the big distortion must be the top priority, and then it will be my turn as a small distortion. Maybe, I, a small distortion, will die directly at the hands of the big distortion, and you won't have to worry about it."
Shinji laughed at himself and winked at Jeanne, but to his surprise the latter shook her head seriously.
"That won't work. Maybe it's just like what you said. I care more about the process. Because I believe that a good process will lead to a good result. And the process of your death is definitely not a good process. Black Assassin, I don't want you to die in such an unclear and irresponsible way!"
"So what do you want from me?"
"Defeat Amakusa Shiro Tokisada and survive, and I will judge you afterwards, even if it will cause us to conflict."
"Deferred judgment... Is this your judgment as a ruler?"
"Not only as a ruler, but also as Jeanne d'Arc. Matou Shinji, I hope you can survive."
Shinji was looking at Jeanne, and Jeanne was also looking at him, the two pairs of blue eyes stared at each other without blinking.
"Then can you promise me one thing? Don't use the treasure that was sublimated from the end of your life."
"I'm... sorry."
Although she didn't know how Shinji knew her secret second treasure, she really couldn't guarantee it.
"So I can't guarantee anything, I can only say that we are working hard, and everything we are doing now is for the best result."
"Let me help, too."
"You? You can draw?"
"I won't, but Leticia will."
"Wait, who are you talking about?"
Shinji felt that the name sounded familiar, but he couldn't remember who it was.
"Leticia, the owner of this body."
Jeanne pressed her chest and awakened the girl hidden deep in her consciousness.