Chapter 446: The Crux of the Matter

Chapter 446: The Crux of the Matter

In a corner of the ancient city of Sighișoara, a pair of green eyes and a pair of blue eyes were locked in a silent stare.

"..."

"..."

The green eyes, resembling the cat's eyes, were filled with intense dissatisfaction.

The blue eyes, as clear as the sky after a rain, were full of confusion.

This staring contest lasted for a good minute until the owner of the blue eyes, Jeanne d'Arc, could no longer endure the silence.

"Um, Red Saber, why are you looking at me like that?"

"It's because of your face. Wow, we do look alike. If my Master hadn't told me your true name, I might have thought... Never mind, it's nothing, just a resemblance."

Mordred shook her head, trying to dispel the inexplicable irritation she felt—after all, it could only be a coincidence that a Frenchwoman from over a thousand years ago looked so similar.

Having had a similar experience before, Jeanne quickly caught on.

"With your father, King Arthur, Artoria?"

"You know my true name? Oh, right, you're a Ruler, you have that privilege—so, you've met my father?"

"Yes, she came with me. We're currently in an alliance for some reason."

Jeanne nodded frankly in response to Mordred's inquiry.

"Alliance? I can't pretend I didn't hear that." Sisigou, who had been smoking nearby, interjected. "A Ruler and the Black Lancer forming an alliance? That's not a funny joke."

"It's not a joke."

The sound of leather boots striking the cobblestone street was accompanied by a dignified female voice that stood out in the tranquil night. Artoria, clad in a wool coat, emerged from around a corner of the winding alley. Her emerald eyes, so similar to Mordred's, paused on Sisigou for a moment before moving to Jeanne.

"I'm back. It seems things went smoothly on your end?"

"Yes, everything went smoothly," Jeanne nodded with a smile.

"What about Jack?"

Sisigou watched in speechless disbelief—she looked silly.

Artoria turned to Sisigou, "Is she alright?"

Sisigou almost blurted out—"She's your child, why are you asking me?" But recalling that dream, he swallowed his words. If King Arthur truly knew, Mordred wouldn't be like this now.

It's precisely because she couldn't have what she wanted that she craved it even more, just like himself.

Thinking about his reasons for joining the Holy Grail War, Sisigou took a deep drag of his cigarette and rasped, "She's fine, she'll be okay in a bit. More importantly, I want to propose a deal with you."

"What kind of deal?" Jeanne asked.

"Nothing complicated. You have questions for me, and I have questions for you. How about we trade questions? Don't worry, I won't ask you to do anything against the rules. What do you say?"

Jeanne and Artoria exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

Sisigou continued, "I'll go first. Why did you two form an alliance?"

"Because there are major issues with this Holy Grail War," Jeanne replied, "Artoria and I are investigating the cause."

"What kind of issues?"

"That's the second question. Now it's my turn—have you seen the Master of Red Lancer?"

Thus began their exchange of information, and over the next half hour, there were numerous exclamations.

"What? The Master of Red Lancer wants to kill you?"

"What? You've been acting alone? You've only seen Red Assassin and her Master? And they contacted you later through familiars?"

"What? You said Red Assassin is like a sister?"

"What? They were in Sighișoara earlier?"

...

In summary, amid all the commotion, both sides obtained the information they wanted. Although many questions remain, one thing is clear to all four of them: the key to the problem lies with the Red team, specifically with the Red Assassin and that peculiar priest Shirou.

Find them, and the answers will follow!