Welcome to the Holy Maiden's Dream, Fleeting as a Bubble (Part 1)
War, betrayal, sacrifice—that was the first time she opened her eyes.
Birth, slaughter, vengeance—that was her second funeral.
And then, something ignited in her chest once more, as all the past events, like yellowed old photographs, were reduced to ashes by the violet-black flames of hatred.
In a world of pure white, the girl opened her eyes.
Like a shimmering, iridescent soap bubble blown from a wand, she found herself adrift in this vast world, helplessly adjusting to the forces of gravity and buoyancy, carried along by the currents.
"Where is this?"
Her shoulder-length bob swayed as she instantly tensed, her right hand raising the banner-spear across her chest while her left drew the sword at her waist. Like a bristling cat, she scanned her surroundings, poised for battle.
But the moment she took in the buildings around her, her gaze quickly turned bewildered.
"This is… a street?"
Bright lights, bustling crowds, neon signs flashing tirelessly—people thronged the avenues and alleys, traffic lights guiding travelers from all directions. As the bell rang, the crowd instinctively parted, watching as the tram leisurely rolled through.
Cherry blossoms drifted down like rain, kissing the hair and shoulders of passersby—so romantic, so tender.
Even though her attire stood out starkly against the crowd, and she had even drawn a gleaming, razor-sharp sword, no one screamed or tried to flee. Instead, they regarded her with tolerant, understanding smiles—even a hint of pity—as they took in the breathtakingly beautiful, buxom maiden. Then their eyes fell on the sharp, aggressive-looking spiked chainmail she wore, murmuring in admiration.
Not a single person seemed concerned that this girl might suddenly go berserk and burn the entire street to cinders.
If anything, it was the girl who grew flustered. She sheathed her holy sword and banner-spear, pulling up the black velvet of her cloak to cover half her face before hastily slipping into a nearby alley. From the shadows, a pair of golden eyes peered out, watching the brilliance and vibrancy just steps away.
A 21st-century street, brimming with extravagance and prosperity—so utterly different from the scenes in her memories.
…Though she had no idea why her mind held memories of this hyper-futuristic world centuries ahead.
Still, if this wasn't wartime, then these people must be much weaker, right? If she could just grab someone alone, knock them out, drag them into a corner, and interrogate them, she could figure out where she was.
As dangerous thoughts swirled in her mind, she instinctively turned, scanning the dim alley for a suitable spot to carry out her plan. But the moment she turned around, she froze as if struck by lightning, her soft pink lips parting slightly, her mind blank.
There, in the gloom of the alley, was the only vivid splash of color—a dress as red as blood.
The imperial princess, her golden hair coiled into a bun and a dazzling golden crown adorning her forehead, pressed a figure against the wall with her slender yet forceful arms. Her face, adorned with dragon scales, was flushed with desire and cruelty. With heavy breaths, she leaned in like a poppy in full bloom, fiercely sealing the lips before her. As seductive sounds filled the air, her ruby-like crimson eyes were already brimming with exhilaration.
Despite her petite and delicate appearance, she was as savage as a beast, seemingly intent on pinning her lover down and devouring them whole before she could be satisfied.
The young girl stared blankly at this provocative scene, her mind drifting to the legendary blood-sucking vampires... No, this unapologetic display of nobility and ferocity was more akin to a demonic empress.
"What are you staring at?" As if finally sated for the moment, the little girl in the red dress callously pulled her lips away from the other person, leaving behind a glistening thread that shimmered mesmerizingly. The young girl instinctively shrank back, only to glare back twice as fiercely when she regained her composure.
"Shameless and still so self-righteous! Disgusting, vile!"
"Hah?!" The red-clad girl seemed taken aback by the words, leaning back slightly as she scrutinized the young girl. Her gaze lingered on the drastically altered armor before her brows furrowed sharply. "You... After losing the fight for favor last time, have you finally given up on yourself?"
"Fight for favor? Me?" The young girl was stunned, never imagining such words could be associated with her. "Have you lost your mind to lust? Are you spouting nonsense now?"
"As expected, you never fail to infuriate me..." A sharp killing intent flashed in the red-clad girl's eyes. A luxurious golden goblet had somehow appeared in her hand, and the moment her aura flared, the young girl involuntarily took a step back, horrified to realize she was being suppressed by this little girl in red!
How could this be? Even though I'm... I'm...
Wait.
The young girl finally realized belatedly.
Who... am I?
"My, what a familiar voice."
Just as the red-clad girl's expression darkened and her magic began to gather, a gentle voice interjected like a spring breeze, dissipating the tension. It was the figure who had been pinned against the wall and 'gnawed on' by the red-clad girl. When he finally stood up from the corner and revealed his true appearance, the young girl was surprised to find him unexpectedly handsome.
His platinum-blond short hair was neat and soft, and his vertical pupils shone like stars—bright and dazzling. Though meeting his gaze brought a palpable pressure weighing on her heart, when this white-haired boy smiled, the heaviness vanished instantly. It was like encountering the boy next door, stirring up feelings of admiration and longing.
And the moment she remembered how this adorable little boy was being ruthlessly controlled, humiliated, and taken advantage of by the wicked woman in red, she couldn't help but feel... utterly heartbroken.
Damn it, why isn't the one laying hands on him me?
"Hey, hey, snap out of it." The girl winced slightly as someone pinched her cheeks, only to find a white-haired boy standing before her, inexplicably familiar as he squeezed her face. "What, just because I didn't visit for a few days? Fine, I apologize—I couldn't escape that wicked woman's clutches, and even when I finally got away, she caught up... But that's no reason to sprout a dumb ahoge and go all dark mode, right?"
"What are you even talking about?" The girl frowned and waved her hand dismissively, only then noticing the white-haired boy floating in midair, chuckling as he drifted back. "More importantly, who are you people? Where am I?"
"Playing the amnesia trope now?" A little girl in a red dress rested her chin on her hand, her tone icy. "How utterly unrefined."
"Now, now, don't be like that." With a flash of magical light, the white-haired boy landed gracefully, half-joking and half-serious as he asked the girl, "Do you remember your name?"
"...No." She shook her head honestly.
"And where is this place?"
"That's my line!"
"Then..." The white-haired boy exchanged a glance with the red-dressed girl, whose eyes narrowed with sudden interest, crimson pupils glinting. "Allow me to ask—who are we, this hopelessly rotten brat and I?"
Despite the sharp insult, the white-haired boy didn't seem offended at all. Instead, he nodded in agreement. The girl studied the two strangers before her, her head aching from the effort, before finally snapping in frustration, "I don't know!"
"...She's telling the truth." The red-dressed girl murmured, seemingly stunned.
"Damn it, you swore just a while ago you'd never forget each other..." The white-haired boy hung his head in sorrow.
"Hmm?" The red-dressed girl shot him a glare, and he quickly forced a laugh, brushing it off before turning his gaze back to the bewildered and flustered girl. Data-like light flickered through his eyes.
The next moment, his lips curled into an eerily unsettling smile, his eyes gleaming with an irrepressible, dangerous delight.
"Hey, hey..." The red-dressed girl immediately sensed something amiss, her expression darkening. "Thou there, what art thou scheming now?"
"Ew, stay away." The girl was far more direct in her rejection.
Faced with the two bristling girls, the boy clapped his hands together cheerfully. "In that case, we'll be your guides, showing you around this brand-new Gaia-Earth Ι! Who knows, maybe you'll even recover your lost memories!"
"Huh?" The girl tilted her head, unable to hold back her confusion. "Where is this sudden enthusiasm coming from?"
"Anyway, listen up!" The boy leaned in again, slapping his hands heavily onto her shoulders, enunciating each word as if carving them into her heart.
"My name is Sakatsuki! The 'Saka' that eclipses the sun, the 'Tsuki' that wishes upon the moon!"
"From now on, don't you dare forget it again!"
The girl stared at the white-haired boy—no, at Sakatsuki—her pupils trembling slightly. After a pause, she whispered,
"Then... what's my name?"
"Your name? Hmm..." Sakatsuki took a few steps back, his tone suddenly evasive. "Ah, speaking of which, Your Name is a really great movie... Eh, not a funny joke?"
"Childish fool." The crimson-skirted little girl rested her chin on the golden goblet, muttering before turning her gaze to the black-armored, golden-haired maiden. "Your true name is Jeanne d'Arc. The holy maiden Jeanne d'Arc."
"Jeanne d'Arc?" The girl murmured the name, feeling a sharp pain in her heart.
It was as if flames had ignited once more—tireless, roaring, stretching endlessly beyond the boundaries of grudges and vengeance.
Even this body was bathed in the violet-black poison of those flames.
Burning herself, repelling all who dared approach.
It was utterly... incomprehensible.
"A tragic saint who, upon receiving divine signals, unwittingly found motivation only to meet a miserable end." The crimson-skirted girl recited flatly, devoid of emotion. "A character so baffling, I truly don't understand why my contractor would dote on someone like you."
No response came, nor any blissful, dog-like grin. The girl—Jeanne—dazedly touched her chest. Through the ribcage, she felt her heart beating.
So full of resentment. So fiercely.
"My name..." she whispered. "Is Jeanne d'Arc?"