Welcome to the Holy Maiden's Dream, Fleeting as a Bubble (Part 2)
Thus, a white-haired eccentric calling himself Sakatsuki, a half-naked loli wrapped in a red bedsheet, and an amnesiac girl suspected to be Jeanne d'Arc… This bizarre trio set off on their journey.
"Though I'm supposed to be the guide… Fuyuki isn't that big, and I already know it well enough to navigate blindfolded." Scratching his temple as he looked at the tourist map bought from the convenience store, the young Sakatsuki sighed in frustration. "Any thoughts from our lovely Miss Draco?"
"Nope. Can't be helped. Just die already." The red-clad little girl referred to as Draco shut her eyes and leaned comfortably against Sakatsuki, completely uninterested in his guiding plans.
Meanwhile, Jeanne d'Arc stared at the swaying dragon tail behind Draco and the delicate face where even the faintest hint of scales could be seen, her gaze filled with curiosity.
Draco… Dragon?
Almost instinctively, she tightened her grip on her flag-spear. The banner, embroidered with dark patterns, unfurled under the sunlight, reflecting an ominous glow.
Faintly, the roar of an evil dragon echoed from afar, like a stone cast into a lake, sending ripples through the air.
"Hmm."
"Oh?"
Two soft exclamations sounded simultaneously. Not only did Draco snap her eyes open, hostility flashing within them, but Sakatsuki also turned his gaze toward Jeanne—his golden, slit pupils exuding an overwhelming, regal authority.
The aura of high-ranking Phantasmal Species exploded outward, instantly clearing a wide stretch of the street. Even the shopkeeper inside the convenience store collapsed to her knees, sitting frozen on the cold floor, trembling uncontrollably.
"So you're also…" Jeanne glanced between Sakatsuki and Draco, surprised. "A pair of dragons hiding their identities?"
"Wow, 'dragon couple'—that's such a cute name." The white-haired boy clapped his hands. "Thanks, I like it."
"Thou." Draco stared at the holy banner in Jeanne's hands, her expression shifting from cold fury to wary uncertainty. "Changed thy flag?"
The moment the words left her lips, she realized she had asked a foolish question and turned her face away, refusing to speak further.
As projections of Heroic Spirits, how could Servants casually alter their armaments?
Yet, Jeanne d'Arc's banner was supposed to be a symbol of radiance and faith. Yet in that instant, Draco had unmistakably sensed a forced summoning contract—one specifically targeting… dragons!
How could the Maiden of Orleans be connected to dragons? Draco pondered silently. Just then, Sakatsuki raised his hand and suggested, "Let's hit a clothing store first—at least get Jeanne out of that Spiritron Dress!"
Though Neo-Gaia Earth Ι was extremely tolerant of fashion due to its convergence of people from different eras and regions (even allowing little girls to run around in revealing outfits—Jack the Ripper: ?), Jeanne's full battle attire—as if she were about to charge into war—was still a rare sight… unless it was during the annual Phantasm Carnival.
Despite feeling somewhat uncomfortable with Sakatsuki's sparkling gaze, Jeanne d'Arc had clearly also had enough of her mismatched attire. Thus, she half-reluctantly allowed herself to be led onto the magic circle and transported to the classical-style commercial district floating ten thousand meters above.
Then, the moment they stepped into the clothing store, they encountered someone unexpected.
"Ugh, why you?" The white-haired young priest showed undisguised disdain the moment he laid eyes on Sakatsuki.
"Amakusa, ditch that outdated suit and wear this one I picked for you..." The hem of a black dress swayed as an empress with elven-like pointed ears and a stunning yet haughty appearance emerged from behind the clothing racks, holding up a Tang suit. Upon spotting the trio standing at the entrance, she clicked her tongue and immediately bristled with hostility.
"So you dare to step into my garden? Do you intend to raze it to the ground again?"
"That's hardly important," Draco retorted arrogantly, meeting her hostility head-on. "After all, they're just inferior goods beneath my notice."
Jeanne silently observed their confrontation, curious as to why they hadn't immediately resorted to violence.
As Servants, wasn't the simplest form of communication through the blades and spears in their hands?
"Now, now, esteemed empresses, please hold on," interjected the store owner, whose face was painted like a clown's. "Could you two perhaps tone down the hostility? This is a job I worked hard to secure, and if possible, I'd like everyone to witness your dignified and noble sides instead."
The owner's words were impeccable—if one ignored the faintly visible "grand artwork" looming behind him, capable of leveling the entire commercial district.
"Well, well~" Sakatsuki whistled in surprise. "So this clothing store is yours, Mephistopheles? Don't tell me you embroidered these outfits yourself!"
"Of course not, Your Excellency," the demonic jester replied cheerfully, retracting his Noble Phantasm. "These were all hand-sewn by Miss Crane. As the slogan says—'Welcome! Our store offers the highest-quality Spiritron Dresses, guaranteed to enhance your elegance~~~'"
Truly a demon who knew how to manipulate hearts. The moment the customers were drawn in by the empresses' confrontation, he dropped this bombshell, instantly stirring up the crowd. Excited murmurs and exclamations filled the air.
"Miss Crane... is that the legendary crane?"
"The celestial crane who came to repay a kindness..."
"The highest-tier fashion designer officially recognized by the Student Council..."
"The pure white stage costume worn by the Saint herself during the Holy Grail Concert..."
"Huh?" Jeanne, who had been hiding behind Sakatsuki, suddenly perked up. "The Saint... who are they talking about?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Sakatsuki's smile carried a hint of resignation. "It's Jeanne d'Arc, of course."
"In other words, you," Draco added, her eyes fixed on the portrait hanging on the wall. The golden-haired Saint, clad in a pristine performance outfit, was captured mid-song on stage, radiating joy. The sight made Draco's chest tighten with envy. "Damn it, if only I hadn't been away on duty back then..."
"Relax, there are always unavoidable moments, Draco," Sakatsuki reassured. "Look at Nero—she got delayed for various reasons too and couldn't make it to the stage, right?"
...In truth, no warrior had ever survived listening to a duet by these two emperors.
Thinking back to the strategists who had racked their brains trying to prevent these two from performing, Sakatsuki couldn't help but chuckle. He intimately took Draco's hand and said, "Alright, since it's mystic attire from Miss Tsuru, you'd better hurry if you want to buy it... There are plenty of beauty-loving and wealthy Servants in Fuyuki, you know?"
"Hmph..." Draco scoffed. For her, even a simple red dress could rival a red-carpet look, but she couldn't resist Sakatsuki's persistent coaxing. Reluctantly, she let him guide her into the fitting room.
"Hey, wait." Jeanne d'Arc instinctively reached out. "Didn't we come here to buy clothes for me?"
"Just pick whatever you like—I'll cover it all, no matter how many pieces," Sakatsuki replied without turning back, his voice fading as he disappeared into the fitting room. "Surely you don't expect me to choose your outfits too? If that's the case, I might as well take you to the swimwear section."
"You—?!" Jeanne froze, then immediately flared up. "I don't need your help! Pervert!"
How shameless—just waltzing into the fitting room with Draco like it was nothing!
Not far away, Semiramis narrowed her eyes, observing the Jeanne d'Arc whose demeanor and aura were utterly different from before. She tilted her head slightly and murmured, "Amakusa, what's the deal with this country girl...?"
"She's no longer the maiden we once knew." As a clergyman, Amakusa had sensed the anomaly in Jeanne long ago. Adjusting his collar, he chuckled softly. "Don't forget, even now, the Throne of Heroes still connects us through the 'bonds' we share... Especially after linking with Chaldea, new Servants appear in Neo-Gaia almost daily."
"Thou meanest—" Semiramis withdrew her gaze in surprise, but the moment she looked back at Amakusa, the original topic slipped her mind. Her eyes narrowed, their depths suddenly swirling like hypnotic whirlpools. "It seems my foresight was not mistaken. After all, thou art the Saint of the Far East, hmm...?"
"Calm down, Assassin." Under the empress's unabashed stare, even the saintly Amakusa couldn't help but flush. Before she could coil around him like a serpent, he hastily tossed a card to the shopkeeper, Mephistopheles, and half-dragged Semiramis out of the store in a somewhat flustered retreat.
Though he was somewhat concerned about Jeanne, his former colleague, the immediate priority was clearly placating this overwhelmingly domineering empress.
Not long after Amakusa and Semiramis left, the curtains of two fitting rooms opened simultaneously. Jeanne, now clad in fresh mystic attire, tugged awkwardly at her hem and instinctively glanced to the side—only to freeze in shock.
In just a few minutes, the white-haired boy looked as though he'd survived a brutal battle. Leaning against the wall, his face was pale and strained, utterly spent.
As for the other person clinging to his arm, she appeared radiant. Though she had merely changed into a golden-red dress, her complexion was noticeably rosier, and even her previously prickly demeanor had softened considerably. From time to time, she would even stick out her little tongue to lick her lips, like a cat savoring the aftertaste of stolen dried fish...
Damn it, what exactly did you two do?!
"Oh, not bad taste," Sakatsuki, now dressed in a small suit, remarked under Jeanne d'Arc's accusatory gaze, completely unfazed. "It's actually a noble student uniform designed in collaboration between Tsukihimihara and Chaldea. The youthful energy practically leaps out at you, doesn't it?"
"Hmph." The noble female student crossed her arms and pouted haughtily, utterly ignoring Sakatsuki's attempt at conversation.
But to be fair, the outfit Jeanne had chosen was indeed very fitting. The school uniform, which incorporated elements of a men's suit, accentuated the girl's slender yet well-proportioned figure. The red tie hung snugly against the fullness of her chest, making even the serious black undershirt appear cute. The pleated skirt, which stopped just above the knees, perfectly highlighted her long, pale legs—enough to make a certain seaweed-head spout his famous line, "I could play with these legs for a year."
After removing her cold forehead protector, Jeanne's platinum-blonde hair cascaded smoothly, with a single rebellious strand sticking up, softening the sharpness in her brows. She looked less like the Maiden of Orleans and more like the cool, tough leader of a delinquent girl gang in a classroom, prompting people to exclaim, "Big sister, kill me already!"
If she were to actually attend school, she would undoubtedly become the unattainable flower that sent the entire campus into a frenzy.
Even Draco was momentarily stunned. When she regained her composure, she bit Sakatsuki's ear and whispered in surprise, "What's up with her? Last time, didn't she pick a white shirt with a beige plaid skirt? Did her personality do a complete 180 after losing her memory?"
"Maybe it's the hair dye?" Sakatsuki blinked at Draco, unable to hide his excitement. "Jeanne with golden braids looks sweet and cute, while the white short hair gives off a more heroic vibe... What do I do? I love them both!"
"Mmm." Draco bared her little fangs. "I regret not putting more thought into my outfit."
"Well, you were too busy tormenting me, ha, haha."
"Enough, you two. Cut the lovey-dovey act in front of me." Noticing the admiring gazes of the crowd, Jeanne nonchalantly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and urged Sakatsuki and Draco, "Weren't you supposed to show me around Fuyuki?"
"Understood, Miss Jeanne." Sakatsuki instantly slipped into character, bowing gracefully like a British butler and gesturing forward. "I've already planned the next part of our itinerary. Let's go meet a few more of your acquaintances."
"Oh, my acquaintances?" Jeanne's hand stiffened slightly, though her expression remained neutral. "Who?"
"You'll understand when we get there." Sakatsuki smiled mysteriously, leading her away from the floating commercial district to a gym near the seaside. He pushed the door open.
"If I'm not mistaken, those martial artists should be here... Oh?" The white-haired boy raised an eyebrow as he spotted a familiar figure lying lifeless on a yoga mat, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
"What a rare guest. To what do we owe the pleasure, oh noble lord?"
Hearing this, the emaciated figure on the yoga mat weakly raised an arm before letting it drop limply, motionless once more.
The other party ignored you and withdrew a middle finger.jpg