Fate: Livestream in Chaldeas

Chapter 30: How to Correctly Treat Naughty Children

"Your Holiness, do you really intend to leave?"

"Have we been abandoned by God?"

"Please save this country, Your Holiness…"

In the square before the small chapel, countless soldiers knelt before Johanna.

Most of them bore wounds, their armor torn and battered, yet they still prayed with unwavering devotion.

At the mere sight of the girl in her magnificent papal robes, anyone would unconditionally believe she was a high-ranking priestess.

"Everyone, I know things are difficult now, but God is always with us. In the end, we shall overcome these trials."

The holy radiance emanating from her body and the conviction in her words instilled a sense of peace in all who heard them.

"Senpai, so you were here!"

Mash approached from the front.

Then, she too noticed Johanna and the soldiers.

"Ruler-san seems to be deeply beloved by the troops."

"Well, when facing a powerful Dragons Witch, with the country on the brink of destruction, only faith in miracles can bring people hope."

Ethan turned to Mash.

"Is everything ready on our side?"

"Yes, everything has been arranged as per Ruler-san's instructions."

Before leaving, Ethan had decided to set up magical barriers across key locations in the city.

Conveniently, he had leftover magic crystals and runes from Johanna's previous gacha pulls—so now, they were finally being put to good use.

At the very least, this place could function as a makeshift stronghold.

Even if it was just a temporary magical defense zone, it was still far better than launching a risky assault with no fallback option.

"Hey, Master, is it time to move out yet?"

Mordred, sitting atop the city wall, called out in boredom.

"Stuff like this is pointless. Just hurry up and deal with that damn witch already!"

"…You really never consider retreating, do you?"

"Of course not! A king fights by pressing forward, never backward!"

It wasn't just Mordred—many viewers in the livestream chat also found today's broadcast frustratingly dull.

[Host, why has this turned into a camping trip? Where's the Excalibur beam clash? Where's the explosion effects?]

[I came here expecting a 'high-budget battle sequence,' but where's the fight?]

[Yesterday, there were dragons flying around. Now, it's just a bunch of French soldiers praying… Though, I admit Popess Johanna is gorgeous, hehe…]

[Did you run out of money? No budget for special effects?]

[Where's Young Master? Get in here and donate to the Host!]

[Shut up! You're disturbing this young master prayers!]

…

But Ethan had a more pressing concern at the moment.

Even though he knew Jeanne Alter's base, how were they supposed to get there?

The distance was massive, and without trains or planes, would they have to use an ox cart or a horse-drawn carriage?

France wasn't exactly small—by the time he led this group of Servants on foot to Orléans, humanity might already have been reduced to ashes by Gilles the simp…

"Oho? Didn't expect someone to come knocking on death's door."

Mordred, who had been lounging on the city wall, suddenly stood up, gazing into the distant plains.

"Senpai, a Servant is approaching!"

As a Demi-Servant, Mash also sensed it immediately and reported to Ethan.

"Approaching?"

Johanna's barrier should have been able to keep out most Anti-Heroes—one of the very reasons Jeanne Alter found it so troublesome.

Could it be… a Servant dispatched by Alaya to assist them?!

A spark of hope ignited in Ethan's heart.

Better late than never.

"Tch, daring to come here alone… Is this guy insane?"

Just as Mordred was about to leap down from the fortress wall to engage, Ethan called her back.

"Wait a moment, Mordred."

"What is it, Master?"

"The opponent may not be an enemy. We should confirm first."

If the approaching Servant was one summoned by Alaya, then there was no need for unnecessary combat.

"I agree with Master's judgment."

Johanna, still surrounded by soldiers, quickly stepped forward.

"If they could enter this barrier, I believe they are not someone burdened by great evil. Allow me to handle this."

"Tch, just because this is your magical territory doesn't mean you get to decide everything."

Mordred scowled down at Johanna below.

"Besides, if they can break into your barrier so easily, then to ensure Master's safety, of course, I should be the one to fight them first!"

"Mordred."

Sensing that Mordred was about to lose her temper, Ethan immediately intervened.

"You are our main offensive force. You only step in when the situation truly calls for it. Let Johanna handle this first."

"———?!"

Mordred's expression shifted, then she suddenly broke into a broad, understanding grin.

"Haha, when you put it that way, the protagonist always arrives a little late anyway."

With that, she jumped down from the wall. The surrounding soldiers instinctively took several steps back, unwilling to get too close.

Clap, clap.

Mordred chuckled and patted Ethan on the shoulder.

"Master, you really know how to handle people. If you put it that way, I'll wait a little longer."

Ethan finally let out a relieved sigh.

Fortunately, since summoning Mordred, he had worked hard on refining his approach to communicating with her. Otherwise, controlling this reckless child would be nearly impossible.

His handling of the situation sparked lively discussion in the livestream chat.

[Hahaha, Mo-chan is so easy to pacify, just like a child.]

[Mo-chan is adorable, UWU.]

[Host is a master at handling kids! Even the Knight of Treachery listens to him?!]

[If the King of Knights had learned this method, maybe Britannia wouldn't have fallen.]

[Rules for dealing with Mordred: Don't badmouth King Arthur. Don't praise King Arthur. Don't treat her like a woman, but also don't be too blatant in treating her like a man. Don't be too strict, but also don't lose control in front of other Servants. And most importantly, seriously listen to her opinions.]

[Thanks, dude above. I tried it just now, but it's fake! I said both she and King Arthur have A-cups, and I instantly got slashed with Clarent Blood Arthur…]

[Artoria: Yakamashi.]

[It may not be as fun as you guys think. It might be because she craves acknowledgment from her father, which led to psychological struggles. A little bit of recognition makes her happy. That could also be why she rebelled and destroyed Britannia.]

[..... Dude, you really know how to kill the mood...]

…

"Then, I'll leave it to you, Johanna."

"Please rest assured, Master. Leave this to me."

Johanna nodded at Ethan.

"Chirp, chirp———!!!"

A sharp cry echoed from above.

Johanna's white falcon had returned from its reconnaissance mission. After circling in the sky for a moment, it gracefully landed on her hand.

She bowed her head to listen, and in an instant, her expression changed drastically.

"How could this be… It's her… How did she become Berserker…?"