Section 6: Counterfeit "The Valkyrie Moving Towards The Day After Tomorrow"

...Quiet. I heard voices.

It seems she hasn't noticed us. Since she's a counterfeit, she's probably weaker at detecting Servants.

...We might have a chance to ambush her. Let's move in slowly.

R-Right.

Oh I'm sick of this! How!? How did you end up like this!?

Ahhh, I'm so happy... To think... To think you would care about me this much!

Enough! Get off of me!

(We go on 3, 2, 1.)

(Got it.)

(3, 2)

(1!)

Don't move!

Just get away from...me...

Oh, oh... My love! My Sigurd! Please, please yell at me some more!

... ...

... ...

... ...

... ...

... ...

I would appreciate it if you did!

Wait, Master! It's hard to switch into battle mode after witnessing that!

Yes, you're right. Let's try to talk it out first.

？！

Hmph. I'm surprised you made it this far.

I suppose you picked up the limited traces left behind by the counterfeits and they led you here.

Hahhh... Hahhh...

？！

Ta gueule! ...Hiyah!

She flew out into the distance...

She really put everything behind that kick.

A-All right, let's get back on track. ...Hm? I'm sorry. What's that sound?

...Don't tell me.

!!!

Brynhild is crawling back here like a scene from a horror movie!

Eeeeeek!

Hey, calm down, Brynhild!

Aren't you supposed to be the type that whispers in a beautiful melancholic voice and charges forward!?

What would your Loved One think if he saw you like this!?

What are you talking about?

Eep.

...Pardon me for that weird sound. Seeing her up close sure is impactful.

She's the only one I love... I accept her love with all of my body.

What is wrong with that?

...You heard her. So was your kick an expression of love?

Of course not! Not even close! Dammit, why is this happening to me!?

All I did was make a simple wish: "Among my seven followers, it would be nice to have a woman."

How did that get twisted into me getting a woman straight out of horror movies calling me "Big Sister" instead of Master!?

Love... It's love... Everything is love... Hahhhh...

I told you! I AM NOT! LOOKING! FOR THAT KIND OF LOVE!

Ahhh, this pain...this impact... It sends a tingling sensation down my spine! I see, love can be painful!

Well, that has some truth in it.

Sigh... Fine, please ignore this for now.

Hahh... Hahh... Hahh...

？！

Hmph. I figured you would sniff me out.

But you came faster than I expected. As always, that nose of yours works like a dog, Fujimaru.

We haven't seen you since Orleans, eh, Jeanne Alter?

...I thought you were gone for good.

Ha!

It doesn't matter how twisted my birth was. Once I exist as a concept, it's impossible to get rid of me.

...True. Even if something born into this world gets destroyed and disappears...

The fact that it was born will never be erased.

As expected, Faker.

However, that alone shouldn't be enough.

Gilles de Rais wished for your existence and the Holy Grail made it happen.

The Holy Grail was recovered and Gilles de Rais was defeated. There was almost zero possibility that you could be summoned again.

Ahahahaha! Yes, you're right, you're absolutely right! The possibility of me being summoned again was infinitesimal.

After all, nobody wanted me! The one hero who wished for me was dead!

Except for him, I ruled by brute force, so no one wanted me brought back!

So I inverted the idea.

The one woman who would never wish for me, the other half of me whom I hate and despise...

I managed to flip that idiot's wish inside-out, and somehow that's how I was reborn.

So forceful... It's like a fictional villain materializing into reality.

It's a rule-breaking technique made possible by the fact that the Heroic Spirit Jeanne d'Arc is unbelievably popular.

...Yes, I accept that. I am without a doubt a counterfeit. An abysmal possibility born out of her mercy.

But this world is full of lies. The world approves of the existence of counterfeits. No one says "a counterfeit must not surpass the original!"

Alter... You're dissatisfied as a counterfeit, and want to surpass the original?

That's right. I won't repeat the same mistake made in Orleans.

At the time, I was no more than a machine, made to reject her.

I'm a counterfeit So what!? Want me to hide in the shadows? HAH! Like I would ever do that!

Even if I'm a counterfeit, there are no rules saying I can't make a name for myself in this world!

I am Jeanne d'Arc.

Many people imagined that a death like mine warranted vengeance. I'm a witch who fell on account of that.

I am, beyond a shred of doubt, one aspect of Jeanne d'Arc!

I am an Anti-Hero born from the dark abyss of murderous intent and hatred... An Avenger-class Servant!

...Avenger, you say?

She's right. She doesn't fit into any of the seven classes... She's also different than Jeanne's Ruler class!

...Get up now, you pervert!

Yes! Hahh, hahh, hahh... I've had my fill...

And now, I am going to kill you. Prepare yourselves.

This spear will not overlook the fact that you're Big Sister's enemy... Oh, it's also good for giving her acupuncture.

I'll never let you give me a massage again! Look! Look what you did to me!

That's... Hm. I was going to keep my mouth shut, but let me correct you.

Listen, Holy Maiden of Vengeance.

Wh-What do you want? Talking like that, you must be a womanizer.

Hahaha. All right, now I won't hold anything back.

You summoned seven counterfeit Heroic Spirits. No, you made them.

That was revenge for Orleans, yes? But this time, your wishes are mixed in there.

Why are most of the counterfeit Heroic Spirits handsome men? Why didn't you rely on your general, Gilles?

The answer is clear. You just haven't realized it yourself. Deep inside that consciousness is a desire to be the protagonist!

Nonsense! If that's the case, how do you explain this perverted woman!?

What... Perverted? What a passionate comment... (Blush)

Die of dehydration!

Aaah! Love is painfully hot!

Um... Even I understand.

I'm sure you just wanted "an honest friend who's the same sex as you" right?

!

...Annoying. You people are truly annoying.

I am a lone Avenger. The counterfeits are only pawns. If I don't like them, I will crush them without a second thought.

Come at me. I will show you even a counterfeit can surpass the original!

Here she comes. Your orders, please, Master!

Somehow we managed to take down Brynhild, but...

Right. Jeanne Alter is still a threat!

We just need one more push. You can do it, Master!

...I failed. Master, sorry I couldn't be of use to you...

Don't worry about it. I could tell from watching your struggle up close.

Your lack of ability is my responsibility. I wasn't able to summon you into a proper form.

Why don't you blame me before you die, like the others?

Well, heh-heh. You still don't get it, do you, Master?

I enjoyed myself. I had so much fun.

We're counterfeit Heroic Spirits. We've been able to indulge in the vice, masochism, and folly that our true personalities never could.

Thanks to you, Master, I've had a ridiculously good time.

You gave us so much pleasure. Why would we blame you?

The emotions you gave us, the fictional backstory... they're no more than a starting point.

We began there, and fell in love with you along the way.

It pains me to say it, but this is the end for me. Goodbye, Big Sister

So one left, huh?

Fujimaru, how do you think we should solve this commotion?

Think about that.