The sound of a zipper being pulled down.
Shen He whirled around, just as Jeanne's tracksuit zipper was halfway undone.
"D-don't... don't look over here..."
Jeanne whispered, her voice trembling. The courage she'd mustered crumbled under Shen He's gaze, her hand halting on the zipper.
But even though she said that, Shen He's eyes couldn't look away.
The Jeanne before him was beyond mere "beauty."
Silver moonlight clung to her body. From her neck to the partially unzipped black tracksuit, every inch of exposed skin was caressed by the moonlight, radiating an incredibly alluring aura. And the bikini that encased her perfect figure boasted a black lace pattern. Coupled with her flushed, intoxicated expression, just one glance sent Shen He's soul reeling, enduring an indescribable shock.
"M-Master..."
Jeanne was almost embarrassed to tears.
It was just a swimsuit, but why did it feel so strange to be seen changing? Her whole body felt like it was on fire.
"I-I'm sorry..." Shen He responded instinctively.
But he didn't even know why he was apologizing. His eyes were wide, as if he wanted to engrave this scene in his mind forever.
Jeanne's expression turned to shame and annoyance. She closed her eyes as if resigned, and at a speed that almost created an illusion, she took off her sportswear.
Until only a black swimsuit remained, the small piece of cloth finally allowing her to breathe a long sigh of relief.
"Je-Jeanne, this is..."
Shen He still hadn't quite recovered.
The perfect body displayed before him, though lacking the extreme allure of the partially concealed form from moments ago, still radiated a breathtaking beauty. From the supple curves, the slender waist that seemed to be held in a single hand, to the long, straight legs and delicate jade feet, every inch of her was a testament to artistry beyond human comprehension.
"It's a swimsuit, I bought it today."
Jeanne clasped her fingers behind her back, stood on her toes in front of Shen He, and looked up at him with her beautiful face.
Although her expression still held an alluring blush, her embarrassment had lessened considerably, as it was only a swimsuit after all.
Shen He was stunned for a long moment before realizing what he should do at this moment.
He gave a thumbs up, offering a sincere compliment. "Absolutely beautiful. My expectations are fulfilled a hundredfold, Jeanne."
"That's too much."
Jeanne's eyes curved into beautiful crescents, her smile evident.
She stepped barefoot to the edge of the reef, then sat down at the seaside, letting the rising tide lap at her feet. From behind, the moonlight spilled over her golden hair and smooth back, casting a soft glow.
In that moment, Shen He felt she was like a fairy, not of this world.
"Master?"
Jeanne turned her head slightly to look at him.
"Oh."
Shen He instinctively answered, walking over to sit beside Jeanne.
His gaze remained fixed on Jeanne, but he found she was staring at the waves below, seemingly lost in thought.
"What are you thinking about?"
"I don't know..."
Jeanne's hands played with her braid, her gaze not meeting Shen He's, as if she were talking to herself.
"This afternoon, Master said he didn't see me as the Saintess, and I was very happy. Truly, because whether I wanted to or not, the fact that I am the Saintess is unchangeable. So, I've always strived to do what a Saintess should do, treating everyone equally... until I was summoned by Master, and everything changed.
"At first, Jeanne didn't realize what was different about this summoning, as long as she could stay by Master's side and fulfill her duties as a Servant.
But since last night, in Master's room, when she was told 'you can be yourself,' she finally realized that everything was completely different.
That young girl, whose life was forever fixed at nineteen, would begin to walk through her twentieth year, her twenty-first year... even longer, a luxury she didn't dare to imagine.
"Jeanne, is this why you've done all of this for me?" Shen He was a little disappointed, but quickly let it go. "I don't know if you can let go of the burden that comes with the title of Saintess, but even if you can only let go a little, and enjoy yourself, it will make me feel that my arrival in this unfamiliar world has meaning."
Sometimes, the satisfaction of giving is greater than receiving in relationships between people.
Moreover, Shen He felt he had already received more than enough; that was sufficient.
"No—it's not like that."
Jeanne suddenly turned her head, her hands tightly gripping Shen He's palms, her pale purple eyes reflecting his form.
"What truly makes me feel incredibly fortunate isn't just being able to stay here as Jeanne instead of the Saintess, but rather, in the long years to come, to remain by Master's side, just like this. That's the answer my heart gives me."
Even though they had only known each other for a little over a month, Jeanne understood Shen He well enough.
Before he came to this unfamiliar world, he was just an ordinary human. But after gaining extraordinary power, he didn't lose himself within it. Instead, he resolutely shouldered the responsibility of protecting Humanity with that power.
Perhaps he didn't even realize it himself, but this figure, standing at the forefront of danger, giving those who followed him endless confidence, was already dazzling like a hero.
Not to mention that sort of heartfelt care and understanding for those close to him.
"Jeanne, um, why do you say that?"
Shen He forced his stiff mouth open, suddenly feeling as though he had no idea what would happen next.
Jeanne revealed a subtle expression, it was difficult to tell whether she was shy or nervous. She held up the hands that were grasping Shen He's, as if she had made some sort of decision, and said:
"I don't know whether the feelings I have for Master are gratitude or affection, but, but—I want to try, this emotion of love that shouldn't belong to a Heroic Spirit, nor to a Saintess, is that alright? Master."
"..."
Shen He finally understood the meaning behind Jeanne's words, and he was consumed by a great surprise.
He knew very well that everyone he had summoned was not just a character defined by the original novel's few hundred words of "character design." They had their own eyes, their own thoughts, their own intelligence to discern the hearts of others. Imitating the disgusting behavior of the original protagonist, deliberately pursuing them, would only lead to trouble.
If Jeanne were to fall in love with him, then the one she would love would only be the man named Shen He.
He reached out, embracing Jeanne's smooth, soft waist, letting her head gently lean against his shoulder, greedily enjoying this new relationship that belonged solely to him.
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)