[FMMIKA] Chapter 262: Gilles and Jalter (II)

"Damn it, damn it, at a time like this, at a time like this, I can't be of any use, it's truly infuriating. AAAHHH!!!"

Gilles pounded his head against the ground, desperately shaking the bars of the cell, shouting and venting his emotions.

"Artorius! Artorius! Dragon Emperor! Where are you?! I'll end it all with you!"

"..."

"What are you talking about?! There's absolutely nothing between me and that guy!"

After blushing with embarrassment, Jalter gave Gilles a look that seemed to express offense.

"Believe me, I would cut you down, I really would, you bastard!" Jalter shouted with anger and embarrassment.

"Ohh... I see...."

Jalter's words didn't seem to faze Gilles much. He wore a gentle smile again and nodded.

"I misspoke. Don't take it too seriously. But... I really wish for your happiness."

"..."

What Gilles said next left Jalter in silence.

"I've truly committed a sin."

"This sin is not just against Jeanne, but against you too."

"I defiled my holy maiden. Then, I created you."

"I failed to fulfill a father's duties."

"I didn't teach you, didn't nurture you, didn't take care of you, only treated you as my tool."

"The problem is, by the time I realized it, it was too late."

"That vile man left me with no chance for atonement."

"..."

After hearing him out, Jalter was silent, then said with a mocking expression, "Is saying this now even of any use? Or do you want me to forgive you?"

"Not at all." Gilles shook his head. "A man like me is doomed to have no resting place. I'm destined for hell even after death... or maybe not, but that's not important. What's important is you, my child."

"I couldn't care less about myself."

"What's important is you."

"My lovely girl, as pure as a newborn baby, what are you going to do after this?"

"I worry for you, I worry for you, I hope to resolve your issues, to redeem you, to help you, to let you have a happy life. But what should I do, what should I do, what should I do?"

Gilles looked earnestly at Jalter, tears in his eyes, his voice choked.

"I can't even redeem myself; I'm just a worthless, useless man..."

"..."

Even though Jalter wanted to deny it, even though she wanted to continue mocking Gilles, she found herself completely unable to utter a word.

Even though he was about to face execution soon, this man didn't seem to care about his own fate. Instead, he kept talking about her.

Although she was a newly born 'baby', although she hadn't been around for long, Jalter wasn't foolish.

Being honest and being foolish were two different things.

She could tell that everything Gilles said was sincere. And precisely because he was sincere, Jalter was now at a loss about what to do.

Did she hate him?

Of course.

Did she pity and sympathize with him?

Certainly.

But even though she knew all of this, what was the point?

She came to this man looking for answers, not to reconcile with him.

Gilles didn't answer any of the questions about what she should do next, how she should live, or where her path lay. Instead, he tearfully reiterated her inner turmoil, deepening her confusion.

Was this helping her or harming her in the end?

"Seriously, you bastard..."

And then, after making sure Gilles had nothing more to say, Jalter turned away, appearing somewhat disoriented as she left, leaving him alone.

'Ahh, Jeanne! what should I do?! What should I do?!'

When all the anger, evil, chaos, and confusion reached its climax, Gilles saw not redemption or suffering but rather distress and sorrow. It was as if punching a wall, the harder he pushed, the stronger the recoil, and the more the pain.

'Artorius Pendragon! Is this what you wanted to see?!' Gilles roared furiously inside his heart towards the Dragon Emperor.

'Is toying with people's hearts such an amusing endeavor?!'

'Is manipulating her like a plaything satisfying enough for you?!'

'If you have the power to redeem humanity, why don't you save that child?!'

Gilles wanted to scream in frustration.

Though Artorius was not by his side, he felt that if Artorius wished, he could hear him.

But Gilles had no reason, no standing to shout at the Dragon Emperor, not even to beg for his help.

This made his emotions once again turn low and frenzied.

This was the silence Gilles faced once more after witnessing the burning and killing of his holy maiden, Jeanne d'Arc.

So Gilles remained silent.

Such silence made Jalter depart without a word.

But as she reached the exit, Gilles shouted one last time from behind.

"Jeanne! No matter what, no matter what, you must find happiness!"

"..."

Naturally, such words failed to resonate with the current Jalter in any way.

===

Meanwhile, inside the palace.

"So, Big Brother, if you step up to that woman at a time like this and say, 'Don't worry, I'm here for you', she would fall right into your arms, wouldn't she? Really, should I praise you or should I call you shameless?"

Speaking those words in front of Artorius, without any fear of him getting angry, the only person who could pull such a death-defying move off besides Mordred was, of course, no one else.

Mordred sat right beside Artorius, dressed in a very modern and tempting attire that made Artorius smile involuntarily—a sleeveless tank top and a red leather jacket for the upper body, and denim shorts for the lower half. It was a look that could easily whet one's appetite.

After her arrival on Artorius's side, without waiting for any back-and-forth with her beloved brother, something happened over on Jalter's side.

After all these years, it was impossible to say that Mordred hadn't grown at all. She was no longer the cheerful, naive girl she used to be.

Whether it was in warfare, domestic politics, or diplomacy, as long as she put in the effort, her potential was at least on par with Artoria. Even if somewhat weakened, she remained an outstanding strategist.

So, although Mordred had just arrived and didn't know the full story, by examining Jalter's face alone, which was similar to her 'father' and herself, and looking at her brother's expression, and considering the context, she pretty much figured everything out.

'Really, Big Brother hasn't forgotten to secure personal benefits while conquering lands.'

'He found a woman who has the same face as me and father.'

'And what's more? The personality is exactly the kind that he likes, all rebellious and stubborn.'

'She might seem tough on the surface, but inside, she's just a fool.'

'Ahh, seriously, Big Brother is always like this...'

Complaining silently in her heart, Mordred spoke inwardly with a sour tone, as if she had just bitten into a lemon.

Her jealous expression brought a smile to Artorius, and he simply pulled her into his arms, holding her waist while caressing her smooth, cool, and soft thighs.

"Aren't you happy?"

"What do you think?"

Even if Artorius's touch brought her great pleasure, Mordred still maintained a displeased expression on the surface as she replied.

"This is all part of the plan." Artorius explained. "This child has gained great fame in human history. She's one of the most extraordinary among all the Heroic Spirits."

"Our empire needs talents like her to conquer the multiverse. So, everything I do is for the empire. Please, don't misunderstand, my dear sister."

"Is that true?"

Although, in her heart, Mordred was thinking that 'this is total nonsense', the person currently enamored with her own thighs was none other than her beloved big brother. So, she didn't speak against her conscience and remained compliant. While at the same time, she felt a bit smug.