Malzeno/Grand Order

Back From The Dead

"Fou!"

"Huh? Fou, you came along as well?" Mash looked toward her left shoulder to see the cute and cuddly-looking creature known as Fou.
Malzeno glanced at it for a moment before smirking.

"That thing is strong, but it's currently in a weakened state."

Malzeno looked up, and his crimson irises saw a large ring of light in the sky. It reminded Malzeno of stories of the moon in his world being expanded by an unknown force, and of course, this led to the Humans believing that Fatalis was the cause, at least in ancient times. It was nothing more than a fairy tale.

"That's ominous," Malzeno muttered, catching the attention of Ritsuka and Mash, who followed his gaze.

"A ring of light? No, that can't be," Romani spoke through a transmission, his tone in disbelief at the sight he was seeing. "It's some sort of Magecraft ritual."

"Is it possibly related to the destruction of Humanity?" Malzeno inquired with slight indifference. He kept his composure, but even he was amazed by such a feat.

"It might be. That was never recorded in official history," Romani answered tiredly.
Malzeno was going to speak, but he caught the smell of smoke in the air, causing him to turn his head to the right. Thanks to his keen eyesight, he could see the sparks of fires fluttering in the distance.

"Malzeno, Mash...is that...."

"....Most likely Domremy Village," Mash answered, as Malzeno remained silent.
"Someone burned down a whole village,"

Ritsuka tightly clenched her fist as she stared in the direction of Doremy Village. "It has to be the Dragons!"

"My senses never failed. I do believe those were dragons," Malzeno said, feeling excitement bubbling within him. He wondered how strong he would compare to the Dragons of this world.

"This certainly has no records of happening in 1431 A.D," Whispered Romani. "Furthermore, if it was truly Dragons...."

"We should get going," Asserted Ritsuka as she slapped her face to get out of her funk. Malzeno nodded at her resolve while Mash smiled.

"Wise decision! I would fly us there, but I'm sure I'd traumatize the Humans in the village further," Malzeno wanted to fly, but he didn't wish for any survivors to freak out.

"As much as I would like to see how you originally looked, that is the best course of action," Mash strictly agreed. "We should gather information first and foremost."

"Agreed! Fujimaru, Mash, and Malzeno discover what happened in this Hundred Years' War! The restoration of Humanity rests on your shoulders!"
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Malzeno had discarded his armor, as it was quite restricting for him. Now, he was wearing something known as a kimono, whose color was pale gray, with black edges, a red scarf, and red sandals. Overall, he looked like he was strolling through a forest of sakura trees. The Qurio above his head now wrapped around his waist like a belt, as their appearance would unsettle the residents.

His unbothered face to the carnage around him was a bit unsettling for Ritsuka, but underneath the crimson eyes, he told her everything she needed to know.

He despised this.

It made her curious to know more about his past, but it wasn't the right time for it. She hoped he could tell her more about it, even if it was just some story. Anything to learn about his past was something she wanted to learn.

"You find anything, Young Knight?" Asked Malzeno, blinking at the saddened look on the Sheilders' face.

"Yes, but it's a little disturbing," Mash answered with a shake. "The Saint, Jeanne D'Arc, supposedly came back from the dead and is now terrorizing France."

Ritsuka looked a bit lost, getting Mash to sigh.

"She was a national hero of France and the world's most famous Saint."

Ritsuka nodded as she tucked the information into her mind. Although Malzeno didn't show interest, this was also a learning experience for him. His curiosity has been enhanced thanks to possessing a Human body.

"She stood up to the English Invasion during the later parts of the Hundred Years' War and saved France. However, in 1430, she was taken prisoner by the English Forces. She suffered torture and humiliation, and in the end, she was burnt at the stake."

Malzeno's eyes widened at this. His red pupils burned. "Why would Humans kill someone who saved them? Better yet, why was she taken prisoner by the very people she sent back to their homes?"

"She was labeled a witch and, as such, betrayed by her own country," Mash answered. The one thing causing Malzeno's head to itch was finally gone, and despite learning about this, he felt his anger rise.

"How stupid. I've seen witches, and they don't go out of their way to save an entire country," Malzeno rubbed his chin. "To come back from the dead and wreak havoc. Revenge?"

Mash nodded. "That seems to be the case. Jeanne D'Arc's attacks forced the English to retreat from France. The King of France, Charles VII, has been killed, leaving the country unable to function properly."

"Do you know where Jeanne D'Arc is located?" Ritsuka asked, her mind racing with the prospect of someone like a Hero returning from the dead to destroy an entire Country.

"She is occupying Orleans, using it as a base to attack other towns."

A brush of wind pushed against the trio, but its smell shrank Malzeno's pupils. The heavy scent of iron undoubtedly was from the blood of the victims of Jeanne D'Arc.

"My Qurio, go feast. The battles ahead will require me to exert some effort," Malzeno ordered, his tone filled with authority and anger.

"F-Feast?"

Malzeno looked at the baffled looks on Ritsuka and Mash's faces and closed his eyes. "If I were to use the terms humans use to describe blood drinkers, it would be Vampires, right?"

"You're a...."

"I was never like this before the Qurio afflicted me. I learned to control my need to drink blood, but it was an excruciating process. Don't worry. The Qurio will only feed on those who have died. It'll be weaker than those alive but still enough for me to hold my own."
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Ritsuka clenched her fists. "Malzeno."

"Hm?"

"Promise me that you will never drink the blood of those who're alive."

"I can't promise something like that," Malzeno answered, making Ritsuka flinch.
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"Why!"

"....."

"I know you come from a world where survival is the most important, but you're no longer there. We have rules. We need to follow them," Snapped Ritsuka, which raised Malzeno's ruby irises.

"I see...." Malzeno cupped his chin, looking at the Humanity's Last Hope in a new light. "That's good. You're starting to issue demands. I was worried you would let me roam freely."

"Eh?" Was the thought of everyone, even Romani.

"You're indeed correct. My world is far worse. I've seen worse than this. Remember this: if you wish to tame a Dragon, you must be strong and assertive, not kind. Kindness can lead to betrayal, but leaving your enemies under pressure will surely work in the long run. If you're strong, you can expect betrayal. If you're kind, you can't."

These weren't just words to help with the situation but a reminder for Ritsuka that she must always be two steps ahead, even to her friends and Servants. Yet, when he said these words, Ritsuka could see the hurt in Malzeno's burning gaze.

"Was he...betrayed?"
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AN: I actually got up to chapter 9 uploaded on Webnovel, as Wattpad isn't my priority.

However, I'm making a Wattpad only story which will be up this weekend. Its Fate related, but with a twist.