=== Jeanne d’Arc ===
Jeanne stood alone in the middle of an empty stretch of countryside, her small suitcase resting beside her.
The wind swept across the barren landscape, tugging gently at her hair and the hem of her dress as she gazed toward the distant horizon.
Somewhere beyond those rolling hills lay Romania, where the Great Holy Grail War would soon begin, and where she had been summoned to fulfill her duty as its impartial overseer.
It was a responsibility she had accepted countless times before, yet this war felt different.
Ever since she had manifested, an uneasy feeling had lingered at the edge of her thoughts, like a whisper she could hear but never quite understand.
Something about this conflict was wrong.
The Greater Grail itself felt…
unsettled.
She could not explain why, nor could she identify the source of the sensation, but her instincts warned her that this war would not follow the course of any that had come before it.
There was, however, one unusual blessing granted to her.
Unlike previous Holy Grail Wars, the Grail had permitted her to fight alongside a Servant of her own, one whose purpose would not be to seek the Grail, but to aid her in maintaining order should events spiral beyond her control.
She would not perform the summoning herself though.
The Greater Grail had already chosen the Heroic Spirit it deemed most suitable for her, and all she needed to do was wait for its arrival.
After searching for a place far removed from roads and villages, Jeanne finally stopped within a wide clearing surrounded by gently swaying trees.
The silence there was almost peaceful, broken only by the rustling leaves and the distant songs of birds.
She placed her suitcase at her feet, and waited.
Several minutes passed before the air suddenly trembled.
A brilliant white summoning circle blossomed across the earth before her, its intricate runes stretching farther than any ordinary summoning ritual should have allowed.
Magical energy poured from it in overwhelming waves, whipping the wind into a frenzy as the ground itself began to crack beneath the sheer pressure.
The surrounding grass flattened instantly, nearby trees groaned under the invisible force, and chunks of earth were torn free as radiant light exploded outward in every direction.
The eruption was so violent that Jeanne instinctively brought her hands up to shield her face.
Gradually, the light began to fade, and at the center of the ruined clearing knelt a lone knight.
He was enormous.
Even on one knee, his armored frame stood slightly smaller than Jeanne herself.
His silver and blue armor bore no heraldry she recognized.
His massive halberd rested beside him, its iron butt planted firmly into the fractured earth while his head remained bowed in silent stillness.
The oppressive aura surrounding him was unlike anything Jeanne had ever felt from a Servant before.
It was not bloodlust, nor arrogance, nor hatred.
It was simply overwhelming resolve, as though no force in Heaven or on Earth could halt his advance once he had chosen a path.
Then, at last, he slowly raised his head.
The moment their eyes met, knowledge flooded Jeanne’s mind.
As the Ruler of the Great Holy Grail War, she possessed authority over every Servant summoned into the conflict.
Their names, classes, parameters, and Noble Phantasms were revealed to her the instant they materialized.
Godrick, The Knight of Ruin.
His parameters immediately caught her attention.
Strength: A+
Endurance: EX
Agility: B
Mana: E
Luck: C
Noble Phantasm: EX
Jeanne’s eyes widened ever so slightly.
His Mana was exceptionally poor by Servant standards, yet every other aspect of his Spirit Origin was extraordinary.
His physical strength rivaled the greatest heroes ever summoned, while his Endurance had reached the impossible rank of EX, a designation reserved for abilities that could no longer be measured by ordinary standards.
Even more astonishing was the Noble Phantasm entrusted to him.
Unlike most Heroic Spirits, whose Noble Phantasms represented singular legendary weapons or techniques, Godrick himself was the vessel of his legend.
The first aspect of his Noble Phantasm was entirely passive.
Whenever struck by another Noble Phantasm or by sufficiently powerful magical attacks, his Spirit Origin absorbed and stored the energy rather than allowing it to dissipate.
That stolen power could then be redirected inward, reinforcing every aspect of his body and allowing him to continue fighting far beyond the limits of even an exceptional Servant.
The longer he endured battle against powerful opponents, the stronger he became.
Its second function was even more terrifying.
At any moment, he could release every fragment of magical energy he had accumulated in a single catastrophic eruption.
There was no known upper limit to how much power he could store.
In theory, if allowed to survive long enough against sufficiently powerful enemies, he could unleash an attack capable of eclipsing multiple Noble Phantasms simultaneously.
Jeanne stared at the silent knight before her, unable to hide her astonishment.
She had overseen many Holy Grail Wars and witnessed countless legendary heroes summoned from across human history, yet none of them possessed an ability quite like this.
He was not designed to overwhelm his enemies with impossible speed or unmatched technique.
He was a fortress given human form, a warrior whose legend centered upon enduring the impossible until he alone remained standing.
As the final traces of magical light vanished into the wind, Godrick slowly rose to his full height, towering over Jeanne by nearly three feet.
He rested both gauntleted hands upon the shaft of his enormous halberd and waited in complete silence, saying nothing, asking nothing, simply awaiting the orders of the one he had been summoned to protect.
=== Godrick ===
“Hello, Juggernaut. I am Jeanne d’Arc, the Ruler of this Holy Grail War.”
The young woman’s voice was calm and welcoming as it broke the silence.
Godrick looked down at her, studying the one who had become his charge.
She wore garments unlike any he had ever seen, tailored in a fashion that bore little resemblance to the clothing of Camelot or any kingdom he had known.
Beside her rested a strange rectangular case with a handle.
He assumed it carried clothing or supplies for the journey ahead, another reminder that the world he now walked was centuries removed from the one he had left behind.
Alaya had already filled his mind with the knowledge he required to fulfill his duty.
He knew who Jeanne d’Arc was, what a Ruler represented within the Great Holy Grail War, and that his purpose now revolved around one simple command.
Protect her.
Nothing else mattered.
She was his charge, his responsibility, and until this war reached its conclusion, no enemy would lay a hand upon her while he still drew breath.
Jeanne continued to stare at him with curiosity.
Information about his Spirit Origin had undoubtedly been revealed to her, yet even knowing his parameters could not have prepared her for the sight of him standing in full armor.
Towering more than eight feet tall, he resembled less a man than a fortress forged into human shape.
“You’re a big one, aren’t you?” she remarked with a small smile.
Godrick simply looked back at her.
His silence lingered for several moments before Jeanne tilted her head.
“Not much of a talker?”
He answered with nothing more than a slow shake of his head.
The response earned a thoughtful hum from Jeanne before she glanced around the clearing.
Deciding she could learn more about her companion later, Jeanne adjusted the grip on her suitcase and smiled once again.
“We need to get to Romania.”
Turning toward the nearest road, she began walking.
Godrick silently fell into step behind her, leaving the crater that marked his first appearance in this era.
“I’m not exactly sure how we’re going to get there,” Jeanne admitted with an embarrassed laugh, “but I’m sure we’ll figure something out.”
After several moments, another thought occurred to her.
“Would you mind traveling in Spirit Form? I’m afraid the local people might panic if they saw an eight-foot-tall knight walking down the road in full plate armor.”
Godrick nodded once.
His body dissolved into shimmering blue particles before fading completely from sight.
The sensation was unlike anything he had experienced while alive.
Physical sensation all but vanished, leaving only his awareness and sight as he drifted effortlessly beside Jeanne, moving wherever his thoughts carried him.
“Perfect,” Jeanne said cheerfully.
Only a few minutes later she managed to flag down an aging cargo truck traveling along the road.
The driver, a kindly old man, seemed puzzled by the lone young woman standing in the middle of nowhere with a suitcase, but after hearing she needed a ride, he happily agreed to help.
Jeanne climbed into the bed of the truck, thanked him warmly, and soon they were rumbling down the highway toward Romania while Godrick remained beside her in his incorporeal form.
Throughout the journey Jeanne made several attempts at conversation, asking simple questions about him and commenting on the scenery whenever the silence lingered too long.
Each time she received no response.
Eventually she sighed softly, folding her hands in her lap.
“I suppose you’re just very quiet.”
Alaya had left him without a voice entirely, deeming it unnecessaryto fulfill his task.
If he wished to explain himself, he would have to wait until he discovered another means of communication.
After several hours the truck slowed to a stop near a crossroads.
Jeanne climbed down from the cargo bed and thanked the driver once again before watching him disappear down the road.
“So… you’re the Ruler.”
The unfamiliar voice cut through the stillness like a blade.
Jeanne immediately turned.
Perched effortlessly atop a nearby road sign sat a man clad in magnificent golden armor trimmed with black.
Flowing crimson cloth hung from his shoulders without so much as stirring in the breeze, while an enormous crimson jewel rested within the center of his chest, surrounded by intricate golden ornamentation.
Resting casually across one shoulder was a spear of radiant gold whose mere presence caused the surrounding mana to tremble.
“Prepare yourself,” the armored warrior said calmly.
He vanished.
The instant Karna launched himself forward, Godrick materialized between them.
His armored shoulder slammed into the charging Lancer, the impact echoed across the countryside like a thunderclap.
Caught completely off guard by the appearance of an unseen Servant, Karna was hurled sideways through the air before landing dozens of yards away.
His boots carved long trenches into the earth as he slid to a stop, disappearing into Spirit Form for only an instant before materializing once more, this time with considerably more caution.
Jeanne stepped forward, her expression composed despite the sudden attack.
“Lancer of Red,” she said firmly.
“You must be the Heroic Spirit Karna.”
The legendary hero offered neither confirmation nor denial.
His crimson eyes shifted between Jeanne and the towering knight standing protectively before her.
“I see you’ve already allied yourself with one of the Black Servants,” he observed.
“Is he Berserker? Where is his Master?”
Jeanne gently shook her head.
“You misunderstand. He does not belong to either faction. He is neither Red nor Black.” She gestured toward the silent giant standing before her.
“He is my partner and protector for this Holy Grail War. His is the Juggernaut.”
For the first time since arriving, Karna’s calm expression showed the faintest hint of surprise.
“…Juggernaut?”
The unfamiliar class name clearly meant nothing to him.
“It changes nothing,” Karna replied after a brief pause, lowering his spear into a ready stance.
“You understand the meaning behind this encounter.”
Jeanne’s expression hardened.
“I do.”
“My mere presence,” Karna declared, magical energy gathering around his divine spear, “is a declaration of war.”
The atmosphere instantly became suffocating.
Golden prana rippled around Karna like flames, while Godrick lowered his center of gravity, his massive halberd coming effortlessly into both hands.
Neither warrior moved.
Both simply watched the other, waiting for the first strike.
Then, just as Karna’s spear began to blaze with divine light—
“Saber! Get him!”
The shout rang out across the countryside, shattering the tension before either legendary warrior could make the opening move.
Karna spun with incredible speed, his golden spear rising just in time to intercept a massive sword descending toward his head.
Steel collided with divine metal in a shower of sparks, the force of the impact exploding outward in a violent shockwave that flattened the surrounding grass and sent loose stones tumbling across the road.
The two Servants slid apart, and a new figure stepped between Karna and the duo standing behind him.
The newcomer was clad in dark armor that seemed almost black beneath the midnight sky, his greatsword resting calmly in both hands as he stood before Jeanne and Godrick.
Though his face remained stoic, his posture spoke of absolute readiness.
A few moments later, the thunder of hurried footsteps broke the silence.
A portly man came huffing up the road, sweat streaming down his face as he struggled to catch his breath.
His expensive clothes were already disheveled from the frantic run, and by the time he finally reached Jeanne, he doubled over with his hands on his knees, gasping for air before forcing himself upright with an exaggerated smile.
“That… was… a close one,” he wheezed between breaths.
“Good thing I arrived in time to help the two of you.”
Godrick regarded the man silently before shifting his gaze toward Jeanne.
Though he said nothing, she could almost feel the skepticism behind the visor of his helmet.
“That is kind of you,” Jeanne replied politely, “but we are capable of handling ourselves.”
The man’s smile twitched for only an instant before returning, though the slight offense he felt was obvious.
“Ahem… yes, of course. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Gordes Musik Yggdmillennia. I’ve come to escort you to our stronghold.”
Before Jeanne could answer, Gordes dramatically turned toward Karna and thrust an accusing finger in his direction.
“You dare attack the Ruler?” he shouted, his voice echoing across the ruined countryside.
“Lancer of Red! Have you truly stooped so low as to attempt her murder? Have you no shame?”
Karna regarded him with the same calm expression he had worn since the battle began.
“I will not deny your accusation,” he answered evenly.
“However, now that the Black faction has revealed itself, I simply have another opponent to eliminate.”
“What insolence!” Gordes bellowed, his jowls quivering with indignation.
“You will obey the Ruler, and you will submit to my Saber immediately!”
“No.”
Jeanne’s single word cut through Gordes’ tirade before he could continue.
She turned toward him, her expression calm but unyielding.
“I have no intention of stopping this battle. This is the Holy Grail War, and Servants are expected to fight. Unless circumstances demand my intervention, neither I nor my Juggernaut will interfere with battles between the two factions.”
Gordes blinked in surprise before remembering the colossal knight standing silently behind her.
Slowly, he craned his neck upward.
Even standing several paces away, Godrick’s towering frame forced Gordes to tilt his head almost completely back.
Encased in immense silver armor and carrying a halberd large enough to rival most lances, he looked less like a Heroic Spirit and more like a siege engine given human form.
“I’m… afraid I don’t understand,” Gordes admitted cautiously.
“Who exactly is… he?”
“I am the Ruler of this Holy Grail War,” Jeanne answered patiently, sounding as though she had repeated the explanation many times already.
“And this is my Juggernaut, my assigned protector and partner throughout the war.”
“…Juggernaut,” Gordes repeated uncertainly, clearly unfamiliar with the class.
His confusion lasted only a moment before he dismissed it with a shrug and turned back toward the battlefield.
“Saber!” he shouted, pointing dramatically toward Karna.
“Destroy him! Show the Red faction the might of Yggdmillennia!”
The black-armored knight gave only a silent nod.
“I am Karna,” the Lancer announced, lowering his divine spear into a combat stance.
The swordsman answered with a respectful inclination of his head.
“I am Siegfried, a wandering knight. Forgive my intrusion.”
Without another word, the two legendary heroes launched themselves forward.
Their weapons met with a deafening explosion.
The impact shattered the earth beneath their feet, blasting apart the road as torrents of magical energy erupted outward in every direction.
Trees bent violently beneath the pressure, boulders cracked apart, and another shockwave raced across the countryside with enough force that even Jeanne and the others had to brace themselves against it.
Again and again the two Servants exchanged blows.
Karna’s spear became streaks of golden light that struck with divine precision, while Siegfried’s enormous sword answered every thrust with unwavering defense before retaliating with crushing swings powerful enough to split the earth.
Each collision echoed like thunder, leaving fresh craters across the landscape as the battlefield rapidly transformed into a wasteland.
Godrick watched without moving.
His eyes tracked every exchange, carefully judging the strength of both heroes.
Karna’s speed bordered on unbelievable, yet Siegfried met every strike without hesitation, his immense experience allowing him to survive exchanges that would have annihilated lesser Servants.
Beside him, Gordes grew increasingly pale.
His confidence evaporated as he watched the two legendary warriors tear apart the landscape.
He turned desperately toward Jeanne.
“Please!” he pleaded.
“Surely Lancer of Red is your enemy as well! If you and your Juggernaut join Saber, the three of you could overwhelm him immediately!”
Jeanne never took her eyes off the battle.
“I refuse,” she answered without hesitation.
“My duty is to oversee the Holy Grail War, not determine its victor. Unless the laws of the war are violated or intervention becomes absolutely necessary, we will remain observers.”
Gordes stared at her in disbelief before frustration finally overwhelmed him.
“You!” he shouted toward the empty countryside.
“Master of Lancer! Show yourself! Face me if you have any courage!”
Only silence answered him.
Somewhere nearby, Karna’s Master was undoubtedly watching the battle unfold, but whoever they were, they had no intention of revealing themselves.
The battle gradually slowed until, almost without either warrior realizing it, their furious exchange settled into a tense standstill.
Karna and Siegfried stood several yards apart with their weapons still raised, neither willing to lower their guard, yet neither pressing the attack.
The ruined landscape surrounding them bore witness to the brief but devastating clash.
Karna regarded his opponent with quiet respect before lowering the tip of his divine spear ever so slightly.
“It seems my Master can no longer tolerate this delay,” he said calmly.
“I am being ordered to withdraw. I am glad my first battle in this war was against you, Saber of Black.”
Siegfried returned the sentiment with a small nod as he rested Balmung at his side.
“The feeling is mutual. I only hope fate allows us to meet again, so that we may finish what we started.”
Neither hero smiled, yet the mutual respect between them was unmistakable.
Golden particles began to drift from Karna’s armor as his body slowly dissolved into Spirit Form.
Jeanne, seeing there was nothing more to be done, turned her attention toward the black-clad swordsman instead.
“That was an incredible battle, Saber.”
Siegfried inclined his head respectfully.
“Thank you.”
His gaze drifted toward the towering knight who stood silently a few paces behind Jeanne, halberd resting upright beside him.
“Though I admit,” Siegfried continued thoughtfully, “I cannot help but wonder what would have happened had I not intervened.”
Jeanne followed his gaze until her eyes settled on Godrick.
“So do I.”
For a brief moment, both of them studied the silent giant.
His posture had never changed throughout the encounter.
Even while watching the duel, he had remained planted between Jeanne and every possible threat, his attention divided equally between the battlefield and the protection of his charge.
There had been no hesitation in him when Karna attacked, nor any excitement at the prospect of battle.
He had simply acted because that was his duty.
Gordes finally approached once more, brushing dirt from his expensive clothes as though trying to recover what little dignity the encounter had left him.
“Lady Ruler,” he began, forcing a polite smile, “will you accompany us to Millennia Castle? I believe it would be far more appropriate for you to stay with the Black faction.”
Jeanne considered the request for only a moment before glancing toward Godrick.
He met her gaze and gave the slightest shake of his head.
She understood immediately.
“No,” Jeanne answered firmly.
“As the Ruler of this Holy Grail War, I must remain impartial. Staying with either faction would compromise that neutrality.”
Gordes’ smile became noticeably strained.
“…Very well.”
He bowed stiffly, though the frustration written across his face was impossible to hide.
“Saber.”
At his Master’s call, Siegfried gave Jeanne one final respectful bow before turning toward Godrick and offering him the same courtesy.
Moments later, his body dissolved into Spirit Form as a black automobile rolled to a stop beside the road.
Gordes climbed inside without another word, and the vehicle quickly disappeared into the distance.
Jeanne watched it until it vanished over the horizon.
“There is something strange about this Grail War, my silent companion,” she murmured as she looked at the Juggernaut.
“I could feel it from the moment I was summoned, and after everything we’ve seen today… I’m only more convinced.”
Godrick continued watching the disappearing vehicle.
The horseless carriage fascinated him.
It moved with remarkable speed despite having no visible animals pulling it, and whatever machinery powered it was unlike anything he had encountered during his lifetime.
The modern world was proving stranger than Alaya’s memories alone could have prepared him for.
Then he remembered the realization he had reached during the ride.
Planting the butt of his halberd firmly into the earth, he reached up and removed his helmet.
Cool air brushed across his face as he set the heavy helm aside before lowering himself onto one knee in front of Jeanne.
Reaching to the collar of his armor, he pulled the breastplate down just enough to expose the old scar encircling his throat.
Jeanne blinked.
For the first time since meeting him, she truly saw the face hidden beneath the steel.
His features were strikingly youthful despite his enormous stature, framed by golden hair that caught the afternoon light, while cold blue eyes regarded her with patience.
The contrast between that calm face and the monstrous suit of armor surrounding it was so unexpected that she felt warmth rise to her cheeks before quickly forcing herself to focus on the scar he was showing her.
Her expression slowly shifted from surprise to understanding.
“…You can’t speak?”
Godrick gave a single nod.
“I see.”
A sheepish smile spread across her face.
“I thought you were simply choosing to ignore me this entire time.”
He immediately shook his head.
That earned a quiet laugh from Jeanne.
“Well… that certainly explains a lot.”
She looked thoughtfully at the scar before meeting his eyes again.
“We’ll have to find some way for you to communicate. Writing, perhaps… or maybe there’s a mage capable of creating a Mystic Code that can speak your thoughts aloud.” She smiled reassuringly as he replaced his helmet over his face with a metallic click.
“Whatever the solution is, we’ll figure it out after we reach Trifas.”
Godrick answered with a silent nod before lifting his halberd from the earth.
Without another word, the two of them resumed their journey toward Romania, neither realizing that the strange feeling Jeanne had sensed since her summoning was already beginning to move behind the scenes.