Forgotten Deeds and the Prologue of a New Beginning

"I am now a general of France." A certain man stood atop a small building, clutching a silver cross as he gazed down at the soldiers training below.

"Sir, the army has assembled. We are ready to begin the war once more," an officer said, entering the room after knocking.

"Very well, you may go. This may be our final battle for the homeland, I need not repeat what is expected." For some reason, he spoke those words out of habit.

When he finished, the man vanished into the room.

"My saint, will I ever see you again?" The man silently stroked the cross, looking out at the sky beyond the window.

…

"General, those English devils are advancing! We must retreat!" The man at his side urged his leader ceaselessly.

"What are you saying? As your commander, do you expect me to desert? Enough nonsense—tell every soldier to prepare for a fight to the death! I will stand beside you all the way." He fixed his subordinate with a gaze as if looking at a madman, grasped his shoulder, and shouted at him.

"Yes, sir!" The man said nothing more, choosing instead to shout loudly before running downstairs. He knew there was no need to argue; he understood his commander's habits, and having such a leader—was it not their fortune?

No sooner had the man left than a commotion erupted below.

"What's happening?" Puzzled, the commander opened the door and descended to see who was causing unrest at such a crucial moment.

"Sir." A soldier standing there saw his commander and stepped aside.

"What is going on?"

"Report! A young man claims to know you and wishes to join the army."

"Who is he?" He approached, curious, and saw a youth in simple clothing surrounded by the crowd.

"Could it be…"

"Sir! Sir! It's me, Ryunosuke!"

"Impossible. Shouldn't you be…"

"Sir! No matter what you do, I will follow you."

"But…"

---

Before meeting you, I realized I had already lost myself, and in the end, I was seduced by your darkness. I only wish to follow behind you," the boy continued, searching for reasons.

"Think carefully, Ryunosuke. Why have I returned to this world? I cannot again—"

"I understand, sir. Last time, you gave me the last joy of my life. Whether right or wrong, I have no regrets. Let me follow you again and help you this time!" Gazing at the boy before him, the commander remained silent. It was not disbelief; he knew Ryunosuke well. This young man's nature was not evil, not like himself, who had ultimately fallen. Ryunosuke was truly 'pure,' untouched by emotion—even when killing, he smiled. Perhaps he would prove to be a crucial ally in saving the saint one last time.

"Very well, I accept. From now on, you are my adjutant."

"Thank you, sir." Ryunosuke flashed that flawless smile again, but this time, it was met not by faces twisted in fear, but by smiling ones.

"Haha, welcome aboard, kid!"

"Oh-ho-ho, didn't expect we'd gain another member before the final battle."

"Idiot, what are you talking about? How could this be the last battle?"

"Sorry, sorry. With the general here, we'll surely win."

…

Ryunosuke found that this was not so bad after all.

Similar words echoed through the ranks. In this final hour, every soldier had cast aside their fear. Why? Because their commander still stood with them. They had nothing left to fear.

At that moment, shouts came from outside.

"Sir! The Church's reinforcements have arrived!"

"Ohohohohohohohohohoho~~!!"

Seeing the arriving volunteer troops, everyone's spirits soared anew.

"Who would have thought to see you again, Saint." Gilles de Rais touched the pendant at his chest and strode forward with a smile.

------------------- Divider -------------------

Listening to his friends talk about how God would lead them to heaven, the boy trembled slightly. He knew what that meant: heaven, and also hell. He shrank inward, wrapping his body tightly in tattered cloth.

"Child, do you wish to go to heaven? To leave this hopeless world?" Without any warning, an old man appeared at his side.

---

"No, I don't think so. Even in this world, I still have hope to find. I don't wish to leave." Knowing the old man's identity, he chose differently this time. Though he had lost his usual body, his soul had not changed. The disguise would not be discovered, even with the same name—Hassan.

"I see. Then, forget it." For a youth without resolve, he had no use. In this era, orphans were everywhere; there was no need to waste effort on a child without destiny. Wrapping his cloak tightly, he vanished before the boy, searching for his next successor.

------------------- Holy Grail Divider -------------------

After taking a deep drag, he stubbed out the cigarette at the door and pressed the bell.

"Haha, you've arrived? You're earlier this time than before."

"Haha, am I? Something's come up." Though hailed by his colleagues as the strongest of his generation, though he was dominant before others, in front of the old man he was shy—or perhaps this was the real him.

The old man glanced at the still-smoking stub on the trash can by the door and shook his head, helpless.

"If work is troublesome, take some rest. Smoking is bad, after all."

"Got it, Grandpa. By the way, it's been ages since I had Grandma's cooking."

"Hehe, if your grandmother hears that she'd be glad. But this time, she didn't know you'd be back, so nothing's prepared."

"No need—anything Grandma cooks tastes great." The man in the red coat helped the old man inside and closed the door behind them.

After the meal, the man stood on the balcony, staring intently in one direction.

"It's almost time, nearly here. This time, I must make you appear again." He caressed the red markings on the back of his hand, a smile playing on his lips.

"I wonder what the King would think of me now." He laughed, shook his head, and stopped pondering, stretching lazily before heading to bed.

"Ah, I forgot to buy gifts for Sakura and Rin… Well, for the King's sake, these little things don't matter." Without considering any connection between these matters, he simply chose to escape society and sleep.

(A calm note—does no one read my book? The review section is still empty. Not even a single complaint…)