Blue-Eyes White Dragon: Adopted by the King of Knights [77]

Artoria believed that Jeanne Alter must be redeemed.

Without a doubt, this was her "heart of honor" stirring restlessly again.

As a knight of noble spirit, nothing unsettled her more than seeing a hero fall into villainy—especially after learning of Jeanne’s deeds, and the disgraceful betrayal she’d suffered at the hands of traitors.

“If even earthly justice cannot right her wrongs, then her vengeance becomes noble in its own way.”

That was how Artoria judged Jeanne Alter’s actions.

Even after Bluey explained that this Jeanne Alter was, in truth, a counterfeit—a holy maiden twisted by a magician’s wish—Artoria’s feelings did not change.

It doesn’t matter what she thinks.

What matters is how the world sees her.

Artoria’s voice grew grim.

To burn a hero who saved the nation alive, in the name of heresy… Frankly, Artoria truly wanted to crack open the reigning King of England’s skull and see what sort of brain could come up with that idea.

Did he really think that executing her would inspire his own people, or sap the enemy’s morale?

What a joke.

“It doesn’t matter whether she was a saint.”

“After being betrayed by her own, and then burned at the stake by her enemies…”

“Everyone of this era—English or French alike—has already been nailed to history’s pillar of shame!”

…

Artoria and Bluey left the city called Orléans.

Jeanne Alter had assigned each summoned Heroic Spirit a city to destroy, hoping to bring down the nation as quickly as possible.

Artoria and Bluey were sent to Lyon—an ancient city, settled by tribes since the sixth century BCE, with a population that had once topped two hundred thousand.

“So, what are you going to do about the civilians?”

“I haven’t decided yet…”

Bluey and Artoria traveled to the bustling city on foot, clearly stalling for time.

And it turned out, they weren’t the only ones with that idea.

“Hey, you’re Saber, right?”

“I noticed… you don’t seem to be affected by the madness?”

Suddenly, a crisp, cheerful voice called out from behind them.

It was a woman with purple hair, wielding a cross-shaped staff, dressed in a white habit.

Though black madness churned faintly around her, her eyes were bright and clear—she seemed almost untouched by Mad Enhancement.

“I can’t say I’m unaffected… but I’m holding it back by force.”

“Ah, sorry—my name’s Martha. I was summoned as a Rider in this world.”

“I’m glad to see you’re also resisting the madness.”

Saint Martha, the Iron-Fisted Maiden.

One of the Messiah’s companions—she and her siblings had once hosted the Savior himself, and received the gift of faith from him.

Even after his ascension, she never abandoned her faith. Instead, she journeyed across Europe, and in a town in southern France, subdued a dragon called Tarasque.

Legend says she subdued the dragon while reciting the Lord’s teachings—and showing it the strength of her fists. Whether it was the words or the fists that won, no one knows, but the dragon—said to look like a six-legged turtle—became her steed.

That was why she could be summoned as a Rider.

“Is this your dragon? So cute!”

Martha’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the white dragon by Artoria’s side—at that moment, just three or four meters long, its large white head especially eye-catching.

The dragon was also what had drawn Martha’s attention to Artoria.

Both being “dragon tamers,” it was natural for them to be drawn to each other.

After careful observation, Martha realized that this Heroic Spirit—clad head to toe in white armor—seemed unaffected by madness. She grew even more animated.

“Amazing! Only a true dragon rider could have that kind of presence!”

“By the way, what do you think about that one?”

Driven mad by righteous vengeance, in desperate need of salvation to prove the love of God? Yes, exactly, that’s it!

On the subject of Jeanne Alter, Martha and Artoria quickly reached a consensus.

In fact, Martha’s sympathy for Jeanne Alter might have surpassed even Artoria’s.

“If He were here, He’d surely anoint her head with oil, wouldn’t He?”

“She was the best of children—even burned alive, she never abandoned her faith… Well, enough of that. Let’s focus on saving that child, and dealing with the jobs she’s given us.”

A troubled look crossed Martha’s face.

She clearly faced the same problem as Artoria—neither saint nor knight could ever bring themselves to harm innocent people, or become agents of destruction.

“If only someone could stop us…”

Martha suddenly sighed.

Could anyone stop them? Maybe.

By Martha’s understanding of the Holy Grail, when an apocalypse occurs, the Grail brings forth a matching miracle—summoning Heroic Spirits to oppose the disaster and save the age.

But… was it really wise to place their hopes on unknown heroes?

“Wait—a way to stop us?”

“Hmm… I think I’ve got an idea.”

Artoria fell silent for a moment.

Then, this King of Ideas from Britain suddenly lit up, as if struck by inspiration.

“Do you know who I am?”

She turned to Martha, asking suddenly.

“No, I don’t.”

Martha shook her head in confusion, eyeing the mysterious, fully-armored Heroic Spirit before her.

And that was exactly what Artoria wanted.

You don’t know?

Perfect!

No one knew who hid inside that armor.

Which meant she could be… anyone!

---

T/N: He is capitalized because she's referring to God!

This is a fan translation of 综漫：青眼幼龙，被骑士王捡到了 by 歌冰丽月. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!