Fate/Legion

The Badge of Sainthood

"But Jeanne! My former master approved!"

"Then your former master is an idiot!"

The French saint scolded her companion long and hard. Gilles de Rais could do little but comfort the damage inflicted on his eyes. He was confounded as to why Jeanne would oppose his summoned creature. In his eyes, it had so much potential for cool. Despite knowing her so well, he was deep in utter madness and could only create abominations. Jeanne hated to see him broken by her scolding, but she couldn't allow him to remain so twisted. So on she continued, in full view of the servants of Yggdmillenia.

While Jeanne de Arc verbally tore through Caster's worldview, the cursed arm Hassan, hundred faced Hassan, and Genghis Khan spoke amongst themselves on whether Jeanne, a servant of another master, should be treated as friend or foe.

"Her master has yet to swear allegiance to Yggdmillenia. She must be eliminated, or at the very least captured", Genghis Khan argued.

He spoke with conviction, fully believing that his was the right and clear path. The French saint is either an ally or an enemy to crush, there is no in between. Such is the way of the conqueror of Asia.

"And let's say you do kill her", began the venomous hiss of hundred face Hassan,"How will you explain to our master that you've turned both Emiya and Gilles de Rais against him? She is not just some faceless peasant, she is a servant and a saint at that. You'd do nothing but bring us ruin."

The Khan sneered with derision at the assassin. Never had someone had the gall to spit upon his opinion in such a way. Tempted though he was, he hadn't his army with him in which to enforce his will. Rather, the encampment of Yggdmillenia was bustling with the movement of Hassans. For the first time in ages, he would have to press his will using the tongue that gathered the tribes of the Mongols all those years ago.

"It's better to deal with a whelp then give him free information on our position. Every time she comes here she has another chance to gather up to date info on us to her master! Which obviously, unless you're just that stupid, would mean disaster should Emiya side with our enemy", he barked.

Clearly, the tongue that gathered the tribes of the Mongols is a tongue made of rocks.

"Actually", the cursed arm Hassan intervened,"I have followed her back to the Emiya residence several times. She seems far too preoccupied with Jack and Gilles to do any spy work."

Genghis Khan bit his lip. Never had he faced such opposition on a subject.

"Regardless of her distractions, she is a Christian. They are not to be trusted", he pressed using their discrimination.

This statement, though weak in logical reasoning, brought pause to the twin Hassans. Their tale is well known for their discriminate slaughter of any and all members of the Christian faith. To refute the Khan's words is to condemn the righteousness of their cause.

"True as that may be, Yggdmillenia has ordered us to remain passive with any neutral parties. I myself approve of this course of action", cursed arm Hassan retorted.

Genghis Khan glared horribly at cursed arm Hassan. Though he had always approved of blind loyalty, said loyalty had often been directed towards him. No matter how obvious the threat Jeanne posed to him, no one seemed to comprehend the urgency of her silencing.

"Whether we are passive or aggressive, she does calm Gilles", the Hassan continued,"So she does have a use as a sort of drug. Keeps him happy."

Hundred faced Hassan huffed a breath of fresh air as though a tenseness had passed, allowing her to steer the conversation her way. She began,"I wouldn't say Jeanne is a drug. A drug is a hated yet craved thing. The drug taker is fully aware of its effects. This is not feeding an addiction. I believe her visits are a rehabilitation."

She paused. Perhaps to allow her audience a chance to comment. The two servants looked on in interest and did not speak.

Hassan continued,"He devoted his life to following that girl as though she was the incarnation of a god. After she was killed, he must have lost the only moral compass he had. Gilles de Rais was, in no small way, a broken man. Now that she is back, however, something inside him is rekindling. His conscience is reforming, his bloodthirst has ceased..."

Smack!! "Ow! But Jeanne, Ryunosuke said it was cool!" Smack!!! Smack!!

"Mostly. I was there in the forth Grail War along with him. He is not how he usually is. I truly believe she is his humanity", she finished.

"Close, by incorrect."

The trio of servants were startled by the sudden statement. It's speaker came from Darius III, who stood at the entrance of Yggdmillenia's quarters. It appeared to the Hassans that Darius had been listening in for much of the conversation. Being the right hand of Yggdmillenia, Darius could easily claim the authority to dispose of them as was demanded in dealing with treasonous soldiers. The behemoth of a man strode powerfully towards them. Even Genghis Khan, conqueror of Asia, acknowledged the kingly presence of the last Persian King.

"I'll tell you why you're wrong", he announced with conviction,"It is true that Gilles de Rais is devoted to Jeanne de Arc, but she is neither his drug nor his humanity. Rather, she is salvation itself."

Darius crossed his arms with a sour expression. He continued with Gilles' tragedy,"Before Jeanne came, Gilles de Rais only knew defeat. Every offensive, every campaign, he would have to live with sending men to their deaths. The brutally effective military of the English used tactics that burned away the wealth and prosperity of his beloved France. Again and again he'd watch peasants and knights alike killed by an enemy who cared not for nobility or honor. France itself was a doomed kingdom, and he knew it. But then she came, a peasant girl who claimed to have heard the voice of God. As though God himself had intervened, France won battle after battle with Jeanne at the head. Before long, Gilles became close to the savior of France. She spoke to him of God and he saw what he knew as nothing short of a saint. Then she was captured and accused of witchcraft. A devoted servant to God practicing witchcraft? How laughable! Despite its absurdity, she was burned. No divine intervention, no great push by the French to rescue her. Just a wooden pole and some fire."

The cruelty of the tale seeped into the atmosphere as multiple Hassans overheard the speech of Darius. Many moved a little slower than before. Only Jeanne and Gilles failed to hear the discussion.

"Understandably, Gilles was broken by what he considered a divine betrayal. He spent the rest of his days spitting in the face of God himself. It was only by Jeanne's resurrection as a servant that he feels any remorse for his sins. Only when she herself reminded him of God's mercy. Both in life and the life after, Jeanne is his salvation. His one and only hope at finding forgiveness for his transgressions."

"You speak as though you're a Christian", Genghis Khan glared.

Darius returned his glare with a venomous hiss,"I am Zoroastrian, Mongol. In the cosmological scale, Zoroastrianism is not that different from Christianity."

He turned to leave. With the mood soured, there was nothing more for him there. Cursed arm Hassan stopped him with a question.

"Darius, answer me this. What does Yggdmillenia look like?", Hassan shot out.

Darius turned to the trio once more. He opened his mouth to say something but bit back the urge. He paused to find the words. Finally, he relented.

"I haven't the slightest idea. I've never directly seen him."
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The silence in the room was quickly becoming unbearable. Sasuke and Emily sat across from Edelfelt. He had barged into the Emiya residence only a little while ago. Trailing behind him were his servants Emiya and Gawain. The two servants entertained themselves by intermingling with Sasuke and Emily's servants. Edelfelt sat patiently waiting for Emiya to answer his question.

Emiya quietly asked for clarification,"Why come to me?"

Edelfelt grinned merrily.

Edelfelt began,"Because, Emiya, Erickson here has stated clearly that she won't join unless you do. So let me ask you again: Will you join my alliance?"