Chapter 8: The Thief and the Gandalfr
"That's bullshit! You want them to catch the thief, old man?"
Saito asked on Headmaster Osmond, and he was not very happy about that.
"No, not exactly, THEY volunteered to catch the thief."
Earlier that day.
The day after Fouquet's break in the school was in an uproar, the classes were suspended, the security was more tightened, and it was fucking boring as hell.
"*Yawn* this sucks" Saito murmured.
At least for him, everyone seems to forget the exhibition and the topic is always Fouquet, and the only thing he wants is to continue what left unfinished.
He was just outside the classroom, sitting on the balcony, Louise was on her class.
"This is boring; I hope something nice would happen".
His thoughts were broken when he heard something running, and entered the room, he announced something and came out….and following him is Louise, Tabitha, and Kirche.
"Hey where the hell are you going?" Saito asked, and he stood up and jumped to the floor.
The group stopped and Louise answered his question "We are going to the Headmaster's office; they want to ask some questions from us."
"Oh…O.K, see you later then." Saito answered, then he turned his back and he plans to go again the kitchen, he was really waiting for what Marteu said to him "Special Dish that he never cooks unless special."
"Wait."
Mr. Colbert stopped Saito, and the he continued, "Well Mr. Hiraga, I would like to ask you also to come with us, the Headmaster would also like to ask something from you.
"What the hell? Me? Why you would like me to go to a noble chit-chat, I am just a lowly commoner; I don't like to meddle on your tea party conversations."
Mr. Colbert did not seem to mind what Saito said and then he replied, "I assure you that we would not take your time so much, please, could you go with us?"
"Whoa, he said please to me? That a bit…..odd for a noble, Fine, fine I would go now."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Hiraga."
The three girls except Tabitha showed a mild surprise, Saito agreed to go with them considering his rebellious and nasty attitude.
They continued to walk to the Headmaster's office, and Derflinger rose up to his scabbard, he commented something that made Saito irritated.
"You know Master, Even you act like a dick sometimes, you can be really a nice guy."
Saito did not reply; instead, he grabbed the handle and slammed Derflinger back inside the scabbard.
Saito just leaned outside the wall of the office, even though he agreed to go with them, didn't say that he would stick to the meeting.
He was deep on his thoughts, and then he was distracted by footsteps, he glanced at that direction and he saw Ms. Longueville running and she entered the room, and then she closed it.
Saito did not still have a care, and then a teacher opened the door and beckoned him to enter.
He complied and entered the door, everyone was looking at him, then Mr. Osmond raised his hand and pointed it at his direction, and here was Mr. Saito Hiraga, Mr. Valliere's familiar. Although his reputation of defeating Mr. de Garmont's son in rather a savage way, he was the greatest asset for this mission,
Colbert added, "Because he is the Legendary Gan-"
Old Osman hastily covered Mr. Colbert's mouth before he could finish his sentence. "A.. Hahaha… He's talking nonsense! Haha!... Please don't mind him."
Saito had no idea on what they are saying, "What the hell is this? Could you give me some idea?"
Osmond cleared his throat, and then answered him. "Well we are doing necessary actions to defeat Fouquet of the Crumbling dirt, I would like to take part on defeating him, but I can't leave the school in this state, while others….." all the teacher hung their head in shame." So three of them would take action on our behalf."
The three people that the headmaster mentioned are no other than Louise, Tabitha and Kirche.
"That's bullshit! You want them to catch the thief, old man?"
Saito asked on Headmaster Osmond, and he was not very happy about that.
"No, not exactly, THEY volunteered to catch the thief."
"Let me guess? Because you are fucking afraid that your asses would be kicked or missing your tea breaks?, Ha didn't expect that people here are fucking pussies, pushing their shit on younger expendable people."
"Saito!" Louise was surprised by what he said, knowing that Saito would not apologize, she bowed and said "Please forgive my familiar! I will take responsibility for his actions!"
Saito expected that someone would point a wand on him and would try to make pay on what he said, but instead no one spoke and Mr. Osmond just sighed and replied, "Perhaps you are right, we are useless, making student's clear up the mess, We are responsible for this mess, I think I would…."
"NO!"
They all turned at the source, and it was no other than Louise.
"Why, Miss Valliere?"
"I will not turn back and stop the mission! I swore to my wand and my family's name that I would take on that thief and return the Staff of Destruction!"
Kirche then added, "I also agree, we can't just go back, our pride was on stake here."
Tabitha did not answer, and just nodded.
"Hmmm….it seems that your will can't be wavered, what can you say Mr. Hiraga?"
Saito just scratched his head, and just admitted his defeat "Fine, fine, you win. What's the mission anyway?"
Colbert told him "You are to retrieve the Staff of Destruction and if possible the capture of Fouquet of the Crumbling Dirt."
Saito just smiled and declared, "Would you mind if I were to return him dead? On the other hand.., missing an arm or leg?
They were riding at the carriage that the academy supplied to them, but the truth it is just a pathetic wagon.
Ms. Longueville was driving the carriage; on the wagon was Tabitha, who just reading her book. Louise who was angrily looking at Kirche, who was hugging Saito's arm and fawning over him and Saito was just silent and meditating. Earlier he left Derflinger, The sword complained but he lied to it, he said that he doesn't want it to break, upon hearing that the sword cried, or at least stimulated a cry. But Saito had only a reason, he want peace for a while and Derf is not the type to give it.
"Darling you made me worry! Your words are too dangerous!, Even taking on the headmaster himself!"
"You, man-hungry… Get away from him! And don't consent him for what he did!"
Saito just sighed, and continued to meditate
The bickering continued for a while, and then after the wagon stopped, and Ms. Longueville turned to them.
"The cottage where Fouquet is up ahead, we cannot access it from here if we still use this, we are going to walk from here. I will lead the way from here."
They got down from the wagon, and they followed Ms. Longueville.
It took them quite a while, then after some walking, they saw the said cottage where Fouquet was said to be hiding.
briefed them about their mission, "That's where Fouquet's hideout, now let's be careful in dealing with him, we don't if he have any traps on that place, I will go and scout the place, I wish good luck." Then she walked away.
Now only four of them left, it seems that their job would be harder. Three of the girls were about to plan, when they noticed something, Saito wasn't with them and he was now walking casually to the house with a huge sword on his hand.
"Saito!, what are you doing!" Louise shouted.
"Oh, finish the job early. I hate plans. They tend to fuck up when something out of the plan happens, don't worry, I will gonna stop myself from killing him."
"YOU!"
"Wait!"
Both of them stopped, Kirche called their attention.
"Tabitha wants to go with you, she would serve as back-up."
Tabitha agreed by nodding her head.
"Fine."
Saito and Tabitha walked until they were on the entrance, then she waved her wand on the door, searching for traps, but she shook her head. In response, Saito kicked the door; the force of the kick caused the door to throw back and removed from its hinge. He entered as if as if nothing would happen, he scanned the area and then he gave a nod to Tabitha, in turn waved her hand to Kirche and Louise, confirming the area is clear.
After the two arrived in the cottage, they searched the area and Louise stood guard outside. They saw the box where the staff of destruction was placed, Tabitha opened it and showed it to them.
Kirche commented upon seeing it, "Is that the staff of destruction? It looks like it's just a plain cylinder to me."
Tabitha nodded and commented "Nothing special"
Kirche then asked Saito "What can you…..Darling what's the matter? It looks like that you have seen a ghost."
Kirche was right, Saito went suddenly pale, his eyes showed disbelief. Then he muttered, "What the fuck is that thing doing in here?"
"Why Darling? Do you know this thing?"
"That's a…"
"Kyaaaa!"
Their conversation was broken by Louise's shriek, and then the roof suddenly disappeared, it was removed by a golem, looking down on them.
Tabitha casted Whirlwind to distract the golem, and she carried the Staff of Destruction with her, Kirche then backed her friend up by casting Fireball, but it was worthless, the golem was not even scratched by the attacks.
"It was useless!, we are few in numbers!" Kirche lamented.
"Retreat."
Saito then gritted his teeth and shouted, "All of you run away now! I will deal with huge piece of shit!"
They complied by running outside from the house.
Saito looked up and smiled "Now there were no distractions, let's continue-"
KABOOM
He was suddenly cut off when an explosion hit the golem on the back, he ran outside of the house, and he saw Louise, she was chanting another spell.
"You Idiot! What in the blue fuck are you doing?"
"I will defeat this golem! I will prove that I can take it on!"
"Moron! There is a thin line between bravery and foolishness!"
"If I can defeat this….NO ONE WILL CALL ME ZERO ANYMORE!"
"That's bullshit!"
"My pride is at stake here! I am a noble… and Nobles don't turn their back at their enemies!", she waved at her wand, but it only produced a small explosion. The golem then turned at her, it raised its foot and then proceed to stomp her, Louise was frozen at her place, then she closed her eyes and waited for the blow…
"SHIELDSWORD: RIESEN HACKBEIL!"
A loud clank was suddenly heard, Louise opened her eyes, and she saw Saito in front of her, he was kneeling on one knee, and his fist was on the ground, then she looked straight. She was at loss of words, a huge blade with runic inscription on the side suddenly popped out of the ground, and its sharp point was stabbed on the foot of the golem, halting its attack.
Saito rose up, and then turned at Louise, and he gave her a slap on the cheek.
"Stupid, Dying for honor is the most moronic thing to do. It's not bad to die for something, but to die because you want to prove your point was more stupid." Saito lectured on Louise with a cold look.
Tears suddenly welled up on her eyes, and then she cried.
"I...want to prove to them that I still have worth! I do not want to be made a fool all the time!"
"Then live! Prove to them that they were wrong! Stand up and raise your head high! Don't let them tread upon your pride!" Saito declared.
Louise then looked up, Saito was not mad, in fact, he had a gentle look on his face, and then she blushed. They were suddenly disturbed by a skidding sound, the sword that was propped on the golem was now going down.
"Let's save this for later, Hey Tabitha!"
Saito called for the girl, she arrived with Slyphid. Then he looked up, and then looked at Louise, he suddenly picked up Louise on the collar, then he smiled.
"Hey! What are you doing!"
Saito just ignored her, and the he said "CATCH!"
He threw Louise upward on the air, and Louise was not expecting that.
"YOU STUPID DOG!" Louise screamed on while she was soaring upward, and then Tabitha caught her.
"That stupid dog! Always doing things without warning!" Louise angrily ranted while catching her breath.
"Funny." Tabitha inaudibly commented, and then she covered her face with a book, hiding a small smile that formed on her lips.
"FUCK THIS!"
Saito looked up on the golem, since he removed Louise out of the way, he was now ready to kick the golems ass.
"Better make this quick….Rumblesword: Pulso Maximus!"
A sword appeared on his hand, it was a strange one, it was a huge rectangular sword with a flat tip, and on the flat side, it a small window showing numerous cogs and wheels are inside the sword.
"LET THE CARNAGE BEGIN!"
Saito ran on toward the golem, then he dodged the punched that it aimed at him, he ran on the arm and he cut the golem on the shoulder, it didn't go deep.
"Fuck you!"
The sword suddenly vibrated, it slowly dug deep on the shoulder, and it cut the whole arm, the golem suddenly stood up and roared, although it didn't felt the pain, it was more angrier than before. Saito then jumped back, he was about to attack when he noticed the sword has a red line on the window.
"Fuck this, Good timing for times like this!" Then he evaded to the side while the golem aimed another punch at him. He looked up, and then he saw Louise standing on the ground waving the Staff of Destruction like a wand, she was brought down by Tabitha.
"Oh fuck, I don't really wanna do this, I bet he gonna laugh off his ass when he sees this shit. Hey Louise gimme that!"
Saito ran to Louise, then he grabbed the staff.
"Even I saw this things I don't have th….Wait a second." He took out the arming handle, opened the rear cover and pulled out and extended the inner tube.
"I knew how to use this! But I didn't touch this piece of crap in my entire life! Stay back Louise I will gonna kick this son of a bitch down. He ran towards the golem, and then he ran upward with a great speed , then he jumped back from the belly of the golem, he was now on the midair, he aimed the staff and fired it square at the middle of the golem's stomach.
"KABOOM!"
It caused a loud explosion, it destroyed the upper half of the golem, it walked a few steps more, and then it crashed down with a large thud, it crumbled and turned back to dust.
Saito landed down and threw the rocket launcher away, and then Louise suddenly sat on the floor, the tension was eased on her.
Kirche then hugged him. "Darling that was amazing!"
"Well…That was the first and last…Using that goddamn piece of crap."
Sylphid, who was carrying Tabitha, descended. Tabitha looked at the mound of earth and asked, "Where is Miss Longueville?"
"I am right here."
All of them turned at direction of the voice, it was her, except she was carrying the Staff, and she seems to be amused.
"Good job people, now you can disappear now, by the way I was the one controlling the golem.", and then she removed her glasses, and her face suddenly turned into a smug look, then she aimed the Staff of Destruction at them, the same that Saito used. In response, Tabitha waved her staff and began chanting.
"All of you don't move! I have the Staff of Destruction pointed towards you. Drop your wands now."
Knowing that they are in at disadvantage, they dropped their wand.
"And you Mr. Familiar raise your hands up. Don't you dare to try to use your strange magic."
Saito just shrugged his shoulders and complied lazily.
"Good, before I finish you, in return for demonstrating me how to use this wonderful weapon. As you can see, I don't have any idea how to use this, I tried everything but it didn't worked. So I tried another one, It was a big gamble though…"
Saito then spoke up "You used us right?"
"You are right."
"Anyway, My idea is to use students from the academy, if you fail then I will send another one, easy right? But anyway the talk is over, Even though the time spent with you all was short, I'm really happy. Goodbye."
Everyone closed their eyes except for Saito, who was just staring at Fouquet.
"Hmm final show of bravery?"
"Nope, just watching a stupid spectacle, be sure to hit me at least."
"You!", and then she pressed the trigger, but nothing happened.
"What? What is this?"
"HmhmhmhmhmHAHAHAHAH!", Fouquet looked at Saito who was holding his belly with laughter.
"That was great! HAHAHAHAHA!, Ain't that fuckin funny! Hahahaha!."
"What is the meaning of this?"
"If you want try it again! C'mon! I will not even move away! Hahahahahaah!"
She tried to press the trigger again, but nothing happened.
Saito then stopped laughing, and then he grinned like a madman, "That's no magic staff, you little bitch. That thing fires only one shot, by the way, why don't you draw your wand?"
"Silence!", and then she draw out her wand, only to be sliced in half by a sword that flew upward out from nowhere, then three swords appear above her, and pinned her cloak to the ground. She was so surprised by what happened that she just noticed Saito lowered his hand, and then he summoned a tsurugi on his left hand and started walking, his sword grating on the ground.
"Whats the matter? Helpless? Can't do anything? Huh? Of course, you cannot do anything! Hahahahahaahahahahaahahaha!"
Fouquet suddenly felt unusual, as if she want to run away, then Saito continued, he purposely walked slow to make Fouquet feel despair.
"Remember what I said on that old fart's room? Good thing he agreed, now what will I do first? Cut your arm or maybe your wand arm? Nah, too typical, maybe your foot? Or the whole leg."
Fouquet was now crying, she was now on the edge of despair. Meanwhile everyone was frozen again by Saito's actions.
"Nah I think I will kill you, If I cut slowly, might be too noisy….HmhmhahahahHAHAHAH!, let's finish this shit!" and then he ran toward her like a rabid dog, he raised his sword and then was about to cut her, then he noticed something. She was looking at him, even though she has tears on her eyes, it was full of resolution and will to live.
"Boring."
Instead of cutting her, he punched her in the gut, causing her to faint and fall to the ground, He picked up the staff, and sighed, and then he noticed the girls were looking at him as if he was a ghost.
"What the hell, I was just shitting around with her, I don't hurt women!, besides that was the payment because she disturbed my meal just to make us test her toy!...Anyway, We captured Fouquet and the retrieve the staff."
Louise, Kirche and Tabitha looked at each other, and then ran towards Saito.
Saito, with mixed feelings, hugged the three of them together.
"For the love of Brimir, Saito don't do that again!" Louise complained.
"Sorry, it's just a habit."
"So Ms. Longueville is Fouquet? Too bad, her buttocks were soft and supple….Ahem anyway, Good job for capturing her and retrieving the staff of destruction." Osmond congratulated the trio, while Saito was just leaning on the wall.
Gently caressing each of the trio's heads, Osman said, "I have requested the imperial court to confer upon you the title of Chevalier, I believe that we should have news of it soon. And since Tabitha already has the title of chevalier, I have requested that she be given the Elven Medallion."
The trio's faces brightened up, but it was short lived.
"How about Saito?"
"I am sorry, but he is not a noble.."
"But he was the one who did all the work!"
Saito replied, "I don't need anything, just give me the best food for this evening and some information. That was more than enough for me."
"Then I will see to it that it will be done, anyway Tonight's Ball of Frigg will resume as planned since we have gotten back the Staff of Destruction, Oh you will be the main attractions of this evening so dress up!"
The girls the bowed, then Louise looked at Saito.
"I will follow, go first."
Louise then nodded and exited though the door, Saito then approached Osmond.
"Hey pops, I need answers, could you answer them by the way?"
"Sure, this is the only way at least I could pay you-"
"and the meal."
"Of course the food."
Immediately after, he asked Mr. Colbert to leave the room. Mr. Colbert, who was waiting for Saito to speak, was expressing displeasure as he exited the room.
"That Staff of Destruction was from my world, how in the fuck that thing came here?"
"It was used by my savior."
"How come?"
Osmond sighed and then he continued ""Thirty years ago, while I was strolling inside the forest, I was attacked by a two headed dragon. The one who saved me was the owner of the Staff of Destruction. He used another Staff of Destruction to kill the two headed dragon and then collapsed. He was already injured at that time. I transported him to the academy and treated his wounds. But to no avail…"
"He is dead I presume?"
"You are right, I buried the Staff of Destruction that he had used to save me along with him in his grave, the other one I named the Staff of Destruction and kept it inside the vault in order to commemorate my savior…"
"You told me it was thirty years ago right? I was young that time, there was a war between my country and another…."
"Now you mention it, he has the same symbol on the back of your coat. At least it looks like it."
"Oh….Could you show me at least where he is buried, I can at least pay my respects at him, he was a good soldier of the Yamato."
"Sure sure…I remember, about your runes.."
"Oh these? I was about to ask you that, I just noticed this runes a while ago, they were shining, I didn't felt it when I was using swords, but when I used…..that, I knew how to operate it, not to mention that I never used it all my life!."
Osman pondered for a moment and said, "…That I know. That is the runes of "Gandálfr", the legendary familiar."
"The runes of the legendary familiar?"
"Yes. Gandálfr was a legendary familiar who could use any weapon at will. That is most likely the reason that you could use the Staff of Destruction, but that's a bit odd why didn't you felt it when you use swords?"
Saito pondered for a moment and then he replied "I think it's because of my ability…..and my skills for using any sword type weapon are so perfect, I didn't feel any difference."
"Hmmm….about your ability, you can use magic, but it seems that it doesn't follow any element, you can't make swords on thin air, besides they are enchanted, How can you use it?
"My magic or let's say our magic doesn't need any physical requirements, our magic is attuned for time and space, in short distortion of reality…"
"WHAT! Is that even possible?"
"Tell me pops, could you hide this thing, without destroying or in any way meddling its composition? Mechasword:Nirvana."
Saito summoned a short wide sword with lines along the blade. Osmond was surprised but what he demonstrated, then Saito held the sword front of him and unsummon it.
"See pops, I bet even what you call these wind mages can't do that."
"I see…..I would like to ask more about your world but I am curious, why didn't you ask how to get back?"
"Well…this world interest me, I wonder what hold it for me?."
"This is good! Good thing Marteu pops kept his promise."
Saito was eating the food that Siesta served to him, he was looking up in the two moons, and he didn't enter the hall, because….he just wanted to stare at the moon."
"Hey master, why don't you enter and have some fun?" Derflinger asked him, the sword served as a good company even though it is noisy.
"Well….I just love to stare at the moon, or in this case moons, that's all."
"Saito…."
"Oh it's you Lou-"he was surprised, because in his back, it was not his master, but a beautiful girl.
"Hm?"
"Nothing, Well the party is starting, why don't you dance?"
"I don't have a dance partner.."
"Oh my bad… sorry about that."
"WAIT!"
"What's your problem!"
"I…..You will be my dance partner!"
"Well its seems that many people want to dance with you."
"Well….I could say that, It's payment for saving me back there."
"That was nothing."
"You said that in your country, any kindness must be returned right?"
"Well…I don't know how to dance…"
Louise then reached her hand to Saito, "Then I will guide you."
Saito then held Louise hand, she lead him on the hall, and they started to dance, it was a slow awkward dance at first, then it started to become graceful and beautiful, making everyone clear away on the hall just to watch them both.
"My my, so beautiful, even though he is a commoner he can dance so graceful!"
"Is that Louise? How beautiful."
Derflinger was watching the scene, he commented, "Not only he is good in swordplay, he is also good in the dance floor."
The twin moons continued to shone amidst the beautiful music, drifting into the night in a beautiful melody.
