[FMMIKA] Chapter 259: Carmilla and Chevalier d'Eon

'I need to meet that woman in person first, and then...'

Within Carmilla's mind, an 'if' began to take root.

If she could defeat that woman called Fujimaru Ritsuka, and if she could take down Chaldea's group, would that finally earn her recognition from the Dragon Emperor?

'Yes, that's it for sure.'

'In that case, my standing in the harem will also rise. By then, fufufu...'

Thinking about the success she might achieve, Carmilla imagined the Dragon Emperor looked at her with gentle eyes and said—"Carmilla, you're amazing, even stronger than Jalter. From today, you're my most special."

It made her happy just thinking about it, but there was a problem.

'The problem is, no matter how you look at Fujimaru Ritsuka, she's just an ordinary human. She can be a bit clever, but it shouldn't matter much. That Austrian woman is also just a decoration, her combat ability may be on a Servant level, but her mind is filled with cake, utterly useless. So, it's not a big deal.'

'But that Saber and Ruler, they are different...'

The Saber mentioned by Carmilla wasn't anyone else, it was naturally Mash, and the Ruler was none other than Jeanne herself.

One had undergone the Dragon Emperor's intensive training, and the other was already a top-tier Servant from the start. Even in a one-on-one fight, Carmilla was afraid she wouldn't be a match for either of them.

Despite gaining certain privileges through her service to the Dragon Emperor, including command over a battalion of steam-powered hunters, mechanical wyverns, and space skeletons, she realized that these forces combined still couldn't take on Chaldea.

"..."

With those thoughts in mind, Carmilla eagerly hoped to be summoned to the Dragon Emperor's bed chamber that evening. Unfortunately, the summon never came.

On one hand, Carmilla felt quite disappointed; on the other hand, she heaved a sigh of relief. Without anything to do, she then happily proceeded to her colleague's room to discuss matters.

Obviously, it was the room of Chevalier d'Eon.

Although their relationship was mediocre, they were at least contemporaries. With that kind of connection, Carmilla thought they could at least have a conversation.

However, her request was turned down.

"Is it really okay to take action without orders like this?" d'Eon asked with a skeptical look. "His Majesty has not given any orders."

Even when Carmilla tried to persuade them, saying it could enhance their reputation with the Dragon Emperor and elevate their status, d'Eon still shook their head and firmly rejected her.

"Perhaps. If you succeed, it might improve your standing slightly. But if you fail, you'll suffer even greater losses." d'Eon said their reason calmly, but their next words had a considerable impact on Carmilla. "More importantly, I don't think you stand much of a chance at victory."

"You?!"

Hearing that, Carmilla felt a sense of urgency.

"Wanting to prove yourself in front of His Majesty is not wrong. But you have to do it in the right way. There's a limit to how much you can do."

After saying this, d'Eon bowed to Carmilla.

"Then, excuse me."

Without waiting for Carmilla to respond, d'Eon turned and left.

As Carmilla watched d'Eon's retreating figure, her expression shifted unpredictably, leaving anyone unsure of what she was thinking. In any case, it didn't seem to bode well.

After d'Eon had left, Carmilla stomped her foot in frustration and muttered, "That androgynous troublemaker, thinking I can't manage without your help?!"

After saying that, Carmilla stomped her foot once more and started making her way to her room. After a few steps, she paused briefly, then turned around and headed in the direction of Jalter's room.

Although she couldn't deny that she couldn't face Chaldea alone. The Dragon Emperor may be invincible in battle, with thousands of fierce generals and millions of elite soldiers under his command.

But when it came to people she was confident in convincing, aside from the Dragon Emperor's millions of elite soldiers, there were only two people from her time who fit the bill.

d'Eon couldn't do it, so she hoped that Jalter would be more cooperative. But this time, she couldn't use the pretext of achieving great feats. Jalter didn't care about that after all.

So, what reason should she come up with?

As Carmilla pondered that, she found herself at a loss. She wasn't particularly intelligent, and her education had been lacking. She was the kind of noblewoman who hadn't received enough education and didn't enjoy reading.

Although becoming a Servant had provided some automatic education through the Heroic Spirit system, her instinctual thought process remained largely unchanged. Now, she needed to use her brain a bit, and that was a struggle.

"I can't just say 'For His Majesty, you must strive' can I? She doesn't seem like the type to be devoted to His Majesty above all else."

Carmilla mumbled while pondering what she should do.

"In fact, it's quite the opposite. Despite His Majesty's exceptional qualities, she completely ignores him. She's just stupid."

"But this is also an opportunity for me... no, I shouldn't be thinking about this right now. Damn, what should I do?!"

At the same time, d'Eon, who had already walked a fair distance, couldn't help but chuckle.

"Such a naive lady."

d'Eon gave their assessment of Carmilla.

"His Majesty has already said to just do what you're good at. In other words, as long as you act as a decoration to please His Majesty in the palace, it's enough. But she's trying too hard to win His Majesty's favor."

Unlike her, d'Eon was a versatile individual, skilled in finance, military affairs, espionage, and diplomacy. They were an indispensable talent under the rule of the Dragon Emperor in this soon-to-be steampunk world. They had also undertaken a significant amount of intelligence and diplomatic work.

Furthermore, even before Carmilla had received the Dragon Emperor's promise, he had already expressed an intention to recruit d'Eon and established a master-servant relationship that surpassed the 'Holy Grail War'.

After the conclusion of this Singularity, d'Eon would follow the Dragon Emperor to his world, serving in the intelligence department of the empire. As long as they worked hard, they had no reason to worry about not achieving success.

Carmilla, on the other hand, was a foolish woman who only knew how to serve through seduction with that body of hers. Although they didn't say it outright, deep down, d'Eon couldn't help but look down on her.

'She's going to make a fool of herself.'

d'Eon thought with ridicule.

'However... if I just watch her make a fool of herself without doing anything, I'll only take pleasure in her misfortune. I don't think His Majesty would be pleased with that. So, what should I do?'

d'Eon contemplated the best course of action among several potential solutions.

'Let's just report to His Majesty. Anyway, that's the most sensible thing to do. Besides, maybe I should lend that woman a hand. Even if it's for His Majesty's sake.'

With that in mind, d'Eon remembered their life before becoming a Servant.

Originally a highly active courtier in the French court, serving under Louis XV, they were an excellent knight with plenty of accomplishments and honors. However, they fell into misfortune due to the jealousy of the queen, the famous Madame du Barry, and the abandonment by the incompetent Louis XVI.

This taught d'Eon two things.

First, don't easily offend foolish women in the royal harem. The power of pillow talk is frightening.

Second, choosing the right monarch to serve is crucial. Anyone who isn't used by a wise monarch will meet a tragic end.

With that in mind, d'Eon's steps became more resolute.