"Oh? So you are the queen of those rats from a fallen nation?"
Cleopatra put down the chopsticks she was awkwardly holding and looked up at Marie's group as they entered the magnificent tent.
"Greetings, esteemed Pharaoh of Egypt! The Queen and Regent of France sends her regards!"
Marie held her skirt and gave a slight bow to Cleopatra. She looked around the tent and quickly identified the person she came to see among the few people dining, relying on her intuition.
"Hello, you must be the Director of Chaldea, Miss Rin Tohsaka!"
Rin nodded calmly. Her expressionless face made it impossible to tell her current mood. Rin's demeanor caused a flash of tension to appear on Jeanne's face behind Marie.
"Oh oh oh! Simply too beautiful! This exquisite goddess! Please allow me to write a hymn for you, but before that, could you please tell me your divine name!"
Marie watched nervously as Shakespeare suddenly rushed out from behind her. She never expected that Shakespeare, who had been foul-mouthed but otherwise followed the rules, would suddenly act on his own and start reciting a hymn in front of Rin.
Marie understood that if it were just a hymn it would be fine, but with Shakespeare's mouth, he would likely offend someone in no time.
Rin was slightly stunned by Shakespeare's words and instinctively uttered the name 'Ishtar'.
"Huh? Ishtar!"
Sure enough, just as Marie was about to cover Shakespeare's mouth, his expression became strange upon hearing the name Ishtar.
"Ishtar? The Great Whore of Mesopotam— Mmph!"
Marie and Jeanne nervously covered Shakespeare's mouth, repeatedly bowing and apologizing to Rin, whose eyes were twitching, hoping not to ruin the meeting.
However, Rin was not that easy to deal with. If it were just herself, her personality would be to play a prank and laugh it off, but if it weren't, she'd squeeze several pounds of oil out of them before letting them go.
At that moment, the struggling Shakespeare felt the hands covering him loosen. Having just recovered, Shakespeare said angrily to Jeanne,
"You damned French village girl, you actually—"
Shakespeare, turning to scold Jeanne, finally remembered what he had just said. Seeing the terrified look on Jeanne's face, he slowly and stiffly turned his head to look at Rin, who was standing before him with a 'kind' smile. He couldn't help but swallow hard.
"If I say I didn't mean it just now, could your merciful Goddess-ship forgive me?"
Rin tilted her head and gave Shakespeare a cute expression.
"You were saying?"
"Ah! I was wrong! Please have mercy and forgive me..."
As Shakespeare's voice gradually faded into the distance, only a message from Rin saying she'd be right back remained in the tent.
Gudako, who hadn't dared to breathe a moment ago, wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and looked out the tent with admiration, saying,
"That gentleman just now was really something, daring to say that to Master! But I guarantee he's dead meat!"
Reines, who had followed Marie into the tent, nodded in agreement.
"Indeed! This guy is practically dancing in the Reaper's house!"
Hearing this, Marie asked with a slightly strange expression,
"Excuse me, what will happen to Mr. Shakespeare?"
Even though Shakespeare was foul-mouthed, he had followed Marie as a competent chronicler for some time. Marie felt compelled to ask out of a sense of camaraderie.
Gudako and Reines didn't even have to think; they both blurted out the same three words simultaneously.
"He's dead meat!" X2
"Is that so? That really is unfortunate!"
However, there seemed to be a hint of inexplicable schadenfreude in her voice. It seemed Shakespeare was unpopular no matter where he went.
Soon, Rin flew back into the tent like a whirlwind. To everyone's surprise, a bruised and weeping Shakespeare actually appeared alive before them.
Returning to her seat, Rin gave the wide-mouthed Gudako a disgruntled pat, then clapped her hands to draw everyone's attention and said,
"Alright, let's not waste time. Marie Antoinette, state your decision!"
Marie, coming to her senses, stepped forward and bowed to Rin.
"I decided to see you because I hope to get a guarantee. If you agree, I would be honored to be your ally."
"What guarantee?"
"A guarantee of our people's independence and freedom, and a guarantee that you will not go back on your word in the future!"
Rin frowned slightly at Marie's words. After all, according to the original plan, she intended to transfer these French survivors to the Spiritron World. If she agreed to Marie's request, the plan might need to be redone. However, facing Marie's determined gaze, Rin felt that if she didn't agree, these French people might choose mutual destruction.
Thinking of this, Rin couldn't help but wonder, 'Do French people really become particularly resilient when led by women or foreigners?'
Rin didn't answer Marie first, but turned to Cleopatra, who was watching the scene, and asked,
"Cleopatra, what do you think of my proposal?"
Cleopatra, who was enjoying the show, was stunned for a moment, then frowned and said,
"Rin! Can you really guarantee that my country will be better off in your divine kingdom, and that I can see Caesar again?"
"Yes! Although you'll still have to grow your own food for now, I can satisfy everything—land, environment, and resources! Even if you want land a hundred times larger than your current territory, you can take it from me. But the price is that your country must change its faith, and you and your army must fight for me when necessary!"
"And Caesar?"
"It might take a bit longer for you to meet Caesar, but I guarantee you will see him sooner or later!"
Hearing this, Cleopatra resumed her languid expression. As the last Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, Cleopatra's main concerns were the survival of Egypt and her own love. Although Rin's proposal seemed a bit difficult, Cleopatra had actually already agreed.
It was just a bit of a pity that Rin couldn't guarantee she would see Marc Antony.
"Rin, I can only say I don't oppose your proposal. As for the rest, let's talk after we solve the problem of these homeless rats."
Rin gave a knowing smile. Although Cleopatra hadn't fully agreed verbally, Rin knew this was just her way of saving face; she had already consented.
Although Cleopatra's Egypt would cause some impact on her plan due to religious issues, since Cleopatra didn't oppose the country changing its faith, it would just take a bit more time. In that case, there was no need to force the French people.
Having finished her calculations, Rin glanced at Jeanne and then nodded to Marie, whose face was starting to show some anxiety.
"I guarantee it!"
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