[FMMIKA] Chapter 289: I Want All of You

"Ahhh!"

The shepherdess, just like a shepherdess should, quickly got up and shyly ran off when she realized she was being watched.

"..."

'Do you really have to play the role of a shepherdess so accurately in this situation?!'

Artorius couldn't help but exclaim inwardly as he watched Jeanne running away while hugging her body.

He wanted to call her back, but in the end, he didn't say anything. He just turned his head and gave a displeased look at the figure who had just spoiled his good mood.

"..."

However, he froze.

It was because the one who appeared was indeed Jeanne.

"..."

"What's the matter, Your Majesty? You seem a bit surprised by my presence?" Jeanne, dressed as a shepherdess, tilted her head and looked at Artorius before asking.

Her face still had a blush, the kind of embarrassment that comes from stumbling upon something improper between man and woman.

"..."

"No, it's nothing."

Artorius felt a bit frustrated and, incidentally, realized something.

Upon closer thought, when 'Jeanne' ran off, it seemed that her shyness wasn't just because her secret was discovered.

"No, wait a moment..."

"You-Your Majesty...?"

Jeanne, who was sitting naturally beside Artorius, was slightly embarrassed by his intense gaze.

"Sorry, I apologize."

After Artorius apologized, he took hold of Jeanne's hand.

He had just seen through it. This Jeanne had no traces of magecraft, which meant she was the real Jeanne.

So, if this Jeanne was the real one, then the Jeanne who had run off earlier was...

If it was some ordinary magic trick, it could never have fooled Artorius. Moreover, this seemingly ordinary ranch was actually one of the empire's most heavily monitored areas. Anyone trying to cause trouble here would not escape the empire's punishment.

Thinking of it this way, there were two possibilities.

The first was that the fake 'Jeanne' was one of the Demon God Pillars under Goetia, and they were a powerful one, which allowed them to deceive Artorius's eyes for a short time.

The second possibility was...

'It's Jalter, isn't it?'

That girl did indeed have the capability to move freely in almost every corner of the empire's territory.

During her breaks, Jalter often visited Jeanne's farm and occasionally helped with farm work. The reason Artorius quickly identified the truth was partly that he had seen Jalter cosplay as Jeanne before.

But at that time, Jalter had only changed her clothes. Her skin color and hair color were the same and remained pale. But now, dyeing her hair and whitening her skin to cosplay as Jeanne? That was quite impressive.

"Idiot, shouldn't you be more concerned about the current situation?"

Watching Artorius still sitting there busy contemplating, Jeanne gave him a gentle nudge.

"Go check on that child. We can talk about our matters after you come back."

"Hmm?" Artorius glanced at Jeanne confused.

In saying so, didn't that mean Jeanne half-heartedly accepted his intention to recruit her?

"Your Majesty, let me guess, right now, you might be wondering why I'm easier to handle than you initially expected. You don't have to persuade me forcefully, as I willingly become your subordinate all of a sudden, right? It's not that surprising... after all, I'm human, and of course, I have to work hard for the sake of humanity too."

Jeanne spoke that with a matter-of-fact tone, looking at Artorius, who appeared slightly surprised.

"About before—"

"Before, I want to make sure that Your Majesty's actions match your words."

Jeanne interrupted him and said with a nonchalant smile, making Artorius unable to resist the urge to push her down and relieve the awkward tension and frustration.

After being pushed down by Artorius, Jeanne did not show embarrassment, resistance, or apologize. Instead, she continued, "That child is still waiting for you—"

"Mmm~"

The next moment, Artorius cut her words with a passionate kiss.

After taking advantage of this opportunity, Artorius stood up and adjusted his clothes.

"Alright, I'm leaving."

And then he left without looking back.

"Really..."

Even after being taken advantage of, Jeanne wasn't angry; she just shook her head in resignation. Her gaze on Artorius's departing figure was like that of someone looking at a mischievous child.

However, in the next moment...

"Hmm? Why did you come back?"

Looking at Artorius, who suddenly returned, Jeanne asked in confusion.

"There's something I need to tell you." Artorius looked at Jeanne's eyes seriously. When she shyly tried to avoid eye contact, he spoke with determination, "You and Jalter... I want all of you."

"..."

"Eh...?"

While Jeanne was still puzzled by Artorius's statement, he had already turned around and left again, leaving her standing there, blushing and embarrassed.

"This man, what is he saying?"

Of course, while she felt embarrassed, she couldn't help but feel a little happy.

===

Meanwhile, in the corner of a room, Artorius once again came across Jalter, who was curled up and looking just as closed off as she did two years ago in the Palace of Orleans.

'Ah, shit, here we go again...'

Artorius shook his head in exasperation as he watched her in this state, feeling frustrated with Jalter's stubbornness.

Without hesitation, Artorius approached Jalter and sat down beside her. She shot him a fierce, teary-eyed gaze that was on the verge of crying in the next moment.

"Y-You jerk..."

Jalter, still dressed as Jeanne and not quite out of her Jeanne persona, now wore her usual menacing expression, which made Artorius find the situation rather amusing.

"Get it straight. You're the one who dressed up as Jeanne, wearing Jeanne's clothes, and pretended to be Jeanne."

Artorius reminded Jalter, making it clear that all of this was her own doing, and he was entirely innocent.

But if women were creatures of reason, the world wouldn't be filled with so much tragedy.

Upon hearing Artorius's statement, Jalter didn't resort to the typical response of a young girl like "Why are you so mean to me?" but she didn't seem to have any intention of apologizing to him either. Instead, she continued to gaze at him, her eyes filled with a sense of grievance and tears.

"Okay, okay, you're upset, I get it."

Artorius wasn't about to argue with her. Instead, he reached out and pulled her into his embrace.