Mercenary of Zero

by oblivon2991

He was a mercenary. He was ruthless without mercy. He always fulfilled his contracts conditions. He never backed down from anything in YGGDRASIL if he decided to fulfil it. And lastly, he was a lone wolf who never took long-term contracts or guild invitations. Will Louise manage to break his lone wolf play style and make him cooperate, or she will fail?(abandoned, rewrite will come

10. Calm before the storm? I blow your mind!

Thank you for reading my fanfic!

My mother language is not English, so please be patient about the grammatical issues.

I don't own the Overlord(オーバーロードŌbārōdo?) novel or anime series created by Kugane Maruyama.

I don't own Zero no Tsukaima, or as many people call it The Familiar of Zero created by Noboru Yamaguchi

Please review it I know I will make mistakes what I will intend to correct and try to learn from my mistakes and improve myself.

Thank you!

Please enjoy the story!

---

Outside Louise's room window, Tabitha's Sylphid was floating. On top of which, as usual, Kirche's and Tabitha's figures were sitting. Tabitha was reading a book in the moonlight. Kirche was staring into Louise's room from the crevice of the window.

Kirche snorted.

"After all, it is not looking good."

She remembered the blush on Louise's face as she kissed Zero back on the Fortress of Whitecastle before they returned from Albion. Louise seemed not to be her usual self.

"He doesn't treat me seriously? Every time I approach him, I get rejected in the strangest ways, it makes me worried against my will."

Until now, no man would refuse to court her. It was Kirche's pride. Honestly, Kirche felt forgotten like an embarrassing thing.

Kirche was irritated. She was ignored and two-timed. Kirche's pride was shaken. Louise defeated her; she was defeated by a peasant girl, this made her name of "Ardent" cry. She had to plunder Zero from Louise, by any means possible. Snatching away La Valliere's lovers was an old Zerbst tradition.

"Yes, though plotting isn't my specialty, I can still think of some strategy. Right, Tabitha?"

Tabitha shut a book and pointed at Kirche.

"Jealousy."

Kirche blushed. And then she shook her head at Tabitha's words.

"D-don't say that! I'm not jealous! I cannot feel jealousy! A game! This is just a game of love! My hearth is just beating faster when I am beside my dear!"

Nevertheless, Tabitha was not convinced. She repeated the same word again.

"Jealousy."

Kirche turned her head away and puffed her cheeks. "You speak nonsense, Tabitha…"

Tabitha just flipped a page in her book and continued to read the writing what Zero gave her.

---

Scene Change: Tristain Academy of Magic: Next Morning:

Louise was seated in the east courtyard of the Academy of Magic, commonly known as Austri, and frantically knitting. The spring weather was beginning to change as summer approached, but Louise could still be seen in her spring clothing. Even during the summer, it was quite dry instead of humid.

Ten days had passed since they had returned from Albion. Today was a day off. Without even eating dessert, Louise came to the courtyard after her meal to knit. This was also a day off from her endless torture from Zero's training. Yesterday they started to implement what they learned in Zero's theoretical lessons to the practice.

Flashback:

The three girl. Kirche, Tabitha, and Louise waited for Zero in the forest to start their private lesson. It was already afternoon, so their regular lessons in the academy already ended.

Louise arrived at the last in the location where they discussed their private lesson.

The pink haired girl galloped amongst the trees with her borrowed horse.

"Where are Vallière and Zero? We discussed our meeting here at 13 Pm, and now it is 14 Pm. Where are they?" asked Kirche impatiently.

Sylphid was noticing Louise from a distance with her sharp dragon eyes. Signed to her adopted sister from her coming. "Sister Tabitha! The tasty looking girl is coming in our way." Said Sylphid through their mental link. What the master and the familiar shared amongst each other.

Approximately one minute later. Louise and her horse appeared amongst the woods. She hastily stopped her borrowed horse before the blue haired brunet and the exotic beauty.

As she quickly dismounted her horse she was out of breath. No matter how easy it seems. Riding a horse require some kind of condition from the person to keep him/herself in the saddle.

"Well, well Vallière. You finally arrive. I thought you would be the first considering the fact. Zero is your familiar…" Kirche said sarcastically as she played with her hair.

Louise tried to control her rage, but in the end, it just burst out from her. "S-Shut up Zerbst! I had many responsibilities unlike some light headed woman!"

Kirche wanted to say a witty report. But as she opened her mouth they heard Zero's voice. "Ladies, ladies. Do not waste your powers on such little things. Because at the end of the day you will be glad if you can stand."

The two girl turned in the direction of the voice and gulped because of their sudden fear and realization. It seems their first practice will be more torturous than the physical conditioning before. Tabitha just nodded.

Despite her appearance, she was already a veteran who completed many missions what seemed impossible to the others.

"Well then, the first thing is. I am sorry for my late appearance. I had an important meeting what I could not be postponed for later. But don't worry I we will make up for the time." Zero forced a sadistic smile on his face.

"Where were you?!" asked Louise in an angered tone.

"As I said I had a meeting with someone who you don't know. If you know this much. That's enough."

"As your master, I command you tell me!" Louise pouted her lips.

"No, no, no Louise. There is nothing in the contract about I had to report everything to you."

"You was with that maid, isn't you? What's is so good about her? Her face? Her commoner origin? Or her assets? Answer me!" said the infuriated Louise.

Kirche never saw Louise this pissed off. She turned to Zero and asked. "I am curious too dear. Where were you?"

Zero expression changed back to its original emotionless blank state. "As I said. I had a meeting with an another possible customer. The client wished to remain anonymous. And I always withhold my end of the bargain."

Louise wanted to say her retort, but Zero raised his left hand. "Enough Louise. We came here today for our…" the girls stare intensified. Even Tabitha looked up from her book to pay attention. Zero looked through them.

"… Our first practice lesson in the theme of tier based magic. I taught many things you about the tier based magic, the world and the magic physic since we started. Doesn't I?"

"Yes. What with it?" asked the huffish Louise.

"Well. I hope you learned everything that I taught you in the theory lessons because what we will practice now is based on that. So, it's most advised to know such things if you even want to cast the simplest to the spells."

"Well then. First practice question before we start. What's the base of the tier based magic?"

Zero remained silent for a moment. Then asked. "Anyone?"

Seeing neither Louise and Kirche is answering Zero. Tabitha took the mantle and answered. "Knowledge."

"Splendid Tabitha. You deserve a star. But as I said, smile more." Zero forced a smile on his face. Then continued. "Yes. Tier based magic is knowledge based. Anyone can practice who has the appropriate knowledge and has the proper job to use it. At least, this is what the book said."

Everyone nodded.

Tabitha smiled, and she blushed a little bit. "Second question. How many know tiers are in the tier based magic?"

Kirche signed with her hand. "Ten. Dear."

Zero nodded. "Excellent Kirche."

"Of course, there is a plus tier what called Super Tiered Magic. But that's more than a special ability than an actual spell. And it does not consume any resource. So it cannot be considered real magic. It never actually used in an open battle because of its overly long cast time but that can be eliminated with cash shop items, however, it's shared cool down amongst party members are not. Besides that, the caster is completely vulnerable to the attacks while he or she prepares the ability. But it's effect completely dwarf even the tenth tier of the magic system. For this reason, it's almost only used in player versus environment situations. Very rarely in player versus player. " Murmured in his head Zero.

"However, there is an important tot." the Three girls stare intensified.

"If the caster is strong enough, he or she could even manage to reach the effect of the tenth tier with a simple tier one spell. For example, if anyone with the experience of Louise or Kirche cast a simple tier one spell. The magic remains weak. They need to practice and train more to collect experience and strengthen themselves to strengthen the spell power what they cast. But if an experienced spell caster uses it, for example, me…" Zero raised his hand and cast a simple tier one spell. He did not have many from them because in YGGDRASIL. They only used high tiered spells to fight each other at higher levels. (Tier 8-10).

Zero raised his hand and cast a simple tier one spell. He did not have many from them. Because in YGGDRASIL. They only used high tiered spells to fight each other at higher levels. (Tier 8-10).

"[Wind Blades]" as Zero swung his hand lazily. Multiple wind blades appeared, cut down a significant portion of trees and diced them into tiny pieces.

Louise and Kirche looked at each other with wide eyes. Tabitha's eyes widened too seeing the destruction what a simple as Zero called Tier 1 spell is capable of if used by a strong magic caster. This reaction was completely out of her character.

Zero continued shaking the three girls out from their awe. "Last question before we start. How we use this 'knowledge' and 'job class' to manipulate and control our surrounding?"

Louise raised her hand in a trembling manner. Zero looked at her while stood before them in a few meter high in the air. "Yes, Louise we are listening."

Louise gulped. She did not want to ashamed herself in their first practice lesson and wanted to impress Zero. What Zero taught for them was a routing quantity of information. But according to him. It was unnecessary for even to cast the most basic spells in the tier base system.

For in her opinion, it was too much work to cast weak spells what Zero introduced them as the first tier. But seeing what it is capable if used by a strong magic caster. It changed her opinion completely.

Beside this. According to Zero. The magical system effect and strength what he is using was accelerating exponentially. Becoming stronger and more efficient with each tier. Even if a casual mage casting the third tier spell. That was on par with a square mage spell and it was less exhausting to use than their element-based magic system. Beside this, it was more versatile. And it was only the third tier from the ten.

They asked what is capable of the tenth level and what tier spell he used when he summoned the meteor and the elemental dragon in the familiar show. Back one of his theoretical lessons.

First, he answered he only used tier eight; he didn't say the fact held himself back. For the question; what is capable the tenth tier of the tier based magic. Zero only said one word in a language what they did not understand. But from his tone. They know it does not mean a pleasant thing. The word was. 'Sō hakai.' After this, he said to do not want to know too much too early because it will eventually cause their disappearance from the face of the earth and if they fly too close to the sun. The may lose their wings.

After this. They stopped asking.

Louise looked up to Zero. "W-We use this knowledge to harness and control our inner energies or even the power in our surrounding to make our will appear and affect to outside or inside world," Louise answered firmly.

"Splendid Louise. Very good." Zero praised her. He clapped his hands together. "Well then. Everyone brought with themselves the book what I gave?"

Everyone pulled out the thick and cumbersome book what Zero gave them. On its cover, there was a Japan title and a Roman one inside of a pentagram. It resembled their own magic study book, but it was strangely different and much more cumbersome and thick.

Beside this, there were strange runes around and inside of the circle what Louise and the other could not decipher. It was the [Compendium of The Tier One Magic]. It contained all tier one spells from the game what Zero could collect and record in the game. It was a trash item for him.

But Zero had multiple volumes from each tiered book. From volume one to ten. The first volume was just a junk item for him. But from the last eleventh what Zero had only five tomes and contained all Super Tiered spells in the game. Was expensive in game cash shop items.

He always carried these tomes with himself because if he needed to replace one of his ability or spell. They come in handy. From volume one to ten. The books were the results of his hard collecting work through countless hours and the contribution one of his friend who had the [Master Scribe] job class and helped him in the creation of the books.

In the game YGGDRASILL. Information was the most precious treasure, weapon, and defensive tool. You started with a blank state. And you had to collect every piece of information, lore, spell etcetera. Piece by piece.

So, it was really rare to someone has all the possible spells in the game recorded to tomes like Zero had. You could say that. It indicated a serious addiction. In the game YGGDRASIL. There were more than six thousand actual spells. Not counting the effect what the players can get with their combination.

While so, those spells are separated into four categories of spells. And from these types, they are further divided into systems into defensive-type, necromancy-type, elemental-type, movement-type, and so on.

"Splendid." Said Zero. "Everyone used the item what I gave you to be able to read the text and chosen a sympathetic spell what want to practice?"

All three girls nodded. "Well then, open the book to the page where that spell is and show me. Then I will tell you how to start to learn it, and you will try it. Easy isn't it?"

"What if we are not capable of using it?" asked Louise.

Zero thought for a moment. "Then. You had the wrong mindset and had to look things from another perspective, or you need more conditioning to use the spell."

Zero clapped his hands together. "Who want to be the first?" inquired Zero.

Tabitha stretched her hand high. "Oh, Tabitha. Then let's see you first." Zero lowered himself to their level and walked beside Tabitha.

"Hmm. Very interesting choice. You chose the [Cure Minor Disease] spell. Interesting choice indeed." Zero nodded.

"Unfortunately I am not overly familiar with the lower ranked healing and anti debuff spells so I can only give you advice. The others you had to figure out yourself. But with the help of the book. You can learn it yourself after it easily."

Tabitha nodded silently. "Living beings use positive energy to fuel themselves and can be crippled by every effect what corrupt this positive energy. "

"Undead beings use the opposite of it. Negative energy, If you want to heal or cure a living being. Concentrate your internal positive energy. Search the source of the problem by scanning the body. Use your knowledge. Shape it to your will. And radiate it towards yourself or to those who you want to cure."

Tabitha nodded again. "Thank you."

"No problem. Study the spell and practice it. Don't forget. We do not hurry anywhere. If you are not sure about something, just ask."

"Ok," Tabitha replied.

"Well then. Next Miss Zerbst." She walked to Kirche who eagerly watched the two of them.

"Ye,s dear. I am waiting for you." She said seductively.

"What do you choose Kirche?" inquired Zero.

"I am sure you will like it really suits me." She throws backward her fiery red hair.

"Let's see… Oh, a mind-affecting spell. Very crafty Miss Zerbst. [Charm Person]. You want to charm me?" Zero chuckled. "Very crafty."

"Free to try dear," Kirche said proudly, and she puffed her chest.

"You can't teach her that spell Zero. She will use it against people!" shouted Louise from the background.

"You speak nonsense, Louise," Kirche said in a sarcastically angry tone.

"Don't worry Louise. I have immunity against low tiered mind-affecting spells." Zero assured Louise.

"Hm. Fine. Your funeral." She looked away like an angry child.

"Louise? You are jealous?" teased her Zero.

Louise's face turned red as the tomato.

"It does not matter. Only with the World Item [Downfall of Castle and Country] could break the total mental resistance what my automaton race providing me. With it, the user can mind control even those with absolute mental resistances. I have a few precautions against those cases, but you can't be too sure."

"Well, Miss Zerbst, If you want to use mental based attacks. You had to use the knowledge what I taught you about the basic function of the mind. Of course, the higher the target resistance against mental based attacks the greater the chance you will experience backlash or fail the spell. So it is a two-way street. My advice is to know your enemy before you use mental based attacks against it. Use the teachings what I taught you and the book. And you will succeed."

Kirche nodded happily. "I will dear. Don't worry."

"Well then. I leave you to practice." With that Zero left to help his last apprentice.

Louise read the spell description with the enchanted glass what Zero gave her. To understand the foreign language what the text was written. "Well Louise what did you chose?" inquired Zero.

Louise pointed to the page where the spell was. Zero leaned closer and inspected it. It was the [Clairvoyance]. It was a spell from the Divination branch. It was a simple yet very useful spell to track down someone or something who did not have any anti-divination spell up.

Zero looked at Louise. "Hm. Fascinating. May I ask why do you choose this? Do you want to track me?" he teased her.

"N-No…" she shuttered in red face.

Zero leaned closer to Louise's ears and whispered to her. "Don't worry. I will tell no one."

Louise had enough. "S-Stupid dog!" She almost yelled and tried to hit Zero just to Zero simply sidestep from her. She started to pursue Zero. But he simply stepped out from her way.

After this, Zero stepped to Louise. "Now if you are calmed down. Could I possibly start the explanation?"

Louise panted, gulped her pride then nodded. "If you want to use divination magic. Firstly, you had to imagine the thing before you what you want to find or observe. Using your knowledge project your inner eyes to the place what you want to find. And track it. Of course, all divination magic is easily counter-able. But with smart solutions its effectiveness could be improved significantly."

"What solutions?" inquired Louise.

"That material is too advanced for you for now, and it's not for today. I will teach you I promise how you can counter detection spells and mask your presence when you are ready."

Louise nodded uneasily. "Now use your knowledge and notes what I taught you and the description of the book and try to figure out."

"You did not even show us how to cast our spell! How can you expect from us to learn them?"

In truth, Zero was not sure how he could teach the girls. He knew the theory, how to use his abilities. But he had no idea how he could teach the girls. According to his books and the game lore. Tier based magic is knowledge based. And everyone can learn it who had the appropriate experience in the theme. So he just answered the next.

"As I Louise. With the method of trial and error. I learned every spell, every ability what I had by my own hard work. Through many trials and many fails. What do you think how many limbs I lost while I experienced with magic?"

"Bull shit..." thought Zero in himself.

"L-Limbs…?" Louise's eyes widened in terror, hearing this both Kirche and Tabitha looked up.

"But you have all of them." Louise pointed out the fact Zero had all of his limbs.

"How can you explain that?"

Zero forced a smirk on his face. "Higher tiered healing magic."

"What?" Louise and Kirche were wonder-stricken. Tabitha widened her eyes. It was a very unusual expression from the blue haired brunette. "Tier based magic can do that? I need to learn more. Maybe one day I can even cure my mother poisoned mind." Tabitha thought back her mother who went insane because of poison when she was younger. From that day. Her life became a living hell.

After this, she imagined her as she recovers from her sorrowful state with the help of Tabitha. It was a really heart-warming picture. Maybe, she could ask Zero to save her mother's mind. But she already owed him so much. She was in debt. And she could not possibly ask more from him.

"Yes. High ranked healing magic can do that and much more." Answered Zero.

"B-But you said you are not as experience in healing magic. Then how could you grow back limbs?" Louise pointed to Zero.

Zero was silent for a moment and sighed. While he closed his eyes. The three girl looked at him with a nervously curious expression. He opened his eye suddenly and said in an almost shouting tone. "I am like a lizard. I can grow back separated limbs."

All three girls sweat dropped. "IDIOT!" Louise grabbed her heavy bag where she kept her food and throw towards Zero.

Zero caught it effortlessly inspected it for a moment and smiled. "Thank you for your generous contribution. I will take this bag of food as payment for our today lesson. Sylphid needs to eat something too after all. She is still a growing girl. And dragons need to consume a lot of food while they are at this age."

Hearing this the blue wind dragon happily roared. "Kyuuuu."

"Give it back! That's all of my food! What do you think what will I eat while I will be here?"

Zero tilted his head. "Nothing I suppose. And if anyone even gave you a morsel. I will confiscate that person food too."

Louise gritted her teeth. "Stupid dog! Give me back my food!" she tried to catch Zero but Zero, just levitated from the ground using his [Fly] spell.

"Give it back!"

"No, it is mine and Sylphid food from now on."

Kirche only laughed in this scene. "Do not waste your strength Louise. You will need it. You know what? If you show a small development at the end of the day. Maybe, I will give you something. So, chop-chop. Let's get to work." noted Zero.

In the end, Louise gave up and went back to practice while grumbled under her nose. "Stupid familiar. Why could I not summon something useful instead of this idiot…"

The day passed like the wind. And it was already midnight when all of them passed because of the exhaustion. "Well, it seems they are starting to catch it. Tabitha managed to cast a tier one spell before she passed out, and I feel Louise and Kirche are very close too." Zero forced a smile on his face. "The experiment was a success."

Sylphid was already asleep near her adopted sister. Zero did not want to wake the four girls up used his spell. "[Silent Cast: Tag Targets]" he tagged the four girls. "[Silent Cast: Multi-location Teleportation]"

With this, he teleported the four girls to their beds in their rooms and Sylphid to her sleeping place amongst the other familiars. For bonus before he teleported Sylphid. He hinged on her arm the remaining food. So she had some treat after she woke up.

"Well, then. I and you pal." He said to the horse as he patted the horse side. "Let's take you back to your stable before Louise had to pay a late fee, and I have to listen to her constant complaining. That would be not good."

The horse whinnied in agreement.

"That's my boy." With that Zero mounted the horse and with a distinct move he urged him to move.

Next morning all four girls awakened in their place.

Flashback end:

This was both a pleasant and a horrible experience for Louise, but after she thinks back the empty book what Old Osman Gave her.

She would give her hands a rest and stare at the white pages of the Founder's Prayer book while thinking of a fitting edict for the Princess's ceremony.

Around her, students were enjoying themselves. There was a group playing with a ball. Using magic, they would throw the ball into a basket without using their hands and try to score the most points. Staring at the group of people, Louise sighed heavily and looked at what she had started to knit.

Watching the scene from the side, it was much like a painting. Sitting there quietly, Louise seemed like a beautiful girl. Louise's hobby was knitting. When she was small, her mother told her that if she had no talent for magic, she should at least have something she was good at, and so her mother had taught her how to knit.

But it seemed like the heavens did not give Louise any talent in knitting. Louise had planned to knit a sweater for Zero. However, regardless of how favorably she looked upon it, it looked more like a distorted muffler. Actually, it was more like an object complicatedly entangled with wool. Louise stared bitterly at the object and let out another sigh.

"He always wearing that coat and shirt. Ever since he arrived, I did not even see him change it. Is he changing it when I was sleeping.? I wonder how his body is looking under it..." She wondered. Then her face reddened suddenly because of her own dirty thoughts. "Stop it! Stupid mind! He is my familiar! Stupid Zero!" She swore inwardly.

After this face of the maid working in the kitchen resurfaced in her mind. Louise knew that she was making food for Zero. Zero maybe thought Louise didn't know, but it was not completely oblivious he did not really care if Louise knows or not.

"That girl can cook well. Kirche has good looks. What do I have? How could I have held on Zero beside his contract?" Harboring these thoughts, she decided to try her hobby, knitting, but it seems like it wasn't such a good choice.

Just as she was becoming slightly depressed from staring at the thing she was knitting, someone tapped her on the shoulder. It was Kirche. Panicking, Louise quickly hid what she was knitting with the Founder's Prayer Book.

"What are you doing Louise?"

Kirche gave her usual smile that seemed like she was looking down on her, and sat next to Louise.

"C-Can't you see? I'm reading."

"But, that book is blank, isn't it?"

"This book is a national treasure called the Founder's Prayer Book, you know?", flustered Louise

"Why do you have a national treasure?"

Louise explained to Kirche that at Henrietta's wedding ceremony, she was to read out the edict and how she was to use the Founder's Prayer Book, and so on.

"I see. I guess that the Princess's wedding ceremony has something to do with the journey to Albion?"

Louise considered whether to answer Kirche truthfully or not, but since Kirche had acted as a decoy so that they could go on ahead, she nodded.

"We risked our lives so that the Princess's wedding could proceed smoothly? Not a very prestigious task… So, basically, it has something to do with the alliance between Tristain and Germania announced the other day?"

Kirche was quite sharp.

"Don't say anything to anyone about it," said Louise with a slightly discouraged expression.

"Of course I won't. I'm not Guiche you know. Our two native countries have become allies. We should try and get along from now on. Right, La Vallière?"

Kirche put her hands on Louise's shoulders and smiled, almost purposefully.

"Did you hear? Albion's new government proposed a non-aggression treaty. Cheers to the peace that we brought about."

Louise replied half-heartedly. For the sake of this peace, Henrietta had to marry a prince whom she didn't even love. You could say that she had no choice, but it wasn't something to be happy about. Wales was alive. Yes. But because of this forced marriage, the relationship between the Princess and Wales may fade in time.

"By the way, what were you knitting?"

Louise blushed deeply.

"I-I wasn't knitting anything."

"You were. It's here, right?"

Kirche grabbed it from under the Founder's Prayer Book.

"Hey, give it back!"

Louise was trying to take it back, but Kirche easily restrained her.

"What is it?" asked Kirche, dumbfounded while looking at the object.

"I-It's a sweater."

"A sweater? It looks more like a starfish. And a new species at that."

"As if I would knit something like that!"

Louise finally snatched her knitting back, and looked downwards, embarrassed.

"Why are you knitting a sweater?"

"None of your business." Her face reddened.

"That's ok. I know why anyway." Kirche started to smirk

The exotic beauty put her hands on Louise's shoulders again and approached her face.

"You were knitting it for your familiar weren't you?"

"N-No! I would never do such a thing!" cried Louise, with a bright red face.

"You're really easy to understand you know. You like him, right? Why?", asked Kirche while looking into Louise's eyes.

"I-I don't like him. You're the one who likes him. That idiot doesn't have any good qualities besides his magic."

"You know Louise when you lie, your earlobes shake. Did you know that?"

Louise quickly grabbed her earlobes. Realizing that it was a lie, she returned her hands to her knees in a flustered manner.

"A-Anyhow, I won't give him to you. He's my familiar anyway. He is contracted with me."

Kirche laughed and said, "It's good that you want him for yourself. But I'm not the only one you are worried about, I think."

"What do you mean?"

"Um… perhaps that kitchen maid or Tabitha?"

Louise's eyes shifted.

"Heh, so I was right?"

"N-Not really… But Tabitha?" Louise tilted her head curiously.

Kirche smirked and nodded. "Yes. Don't you see how Tabitha act when she is beside him? Like she is a completely another girl."

Louise stood up quickly.

"I thought you didn't like him?" Said Kirche in a playful tone.

"I only forgot something!" cried Louise while dashing off.

---

Scene Change: Two days' later night:

By the time, it was late at night already. Zero was laid on the green fields of Vestry court observing the beautiful night sky with the numerous stars and the two big moon. In the modern Earth, he could not see such natural beautiful sight like this.

Flame's Kirche's fire salamander was laid beside him. You could have heard his voice. "Kyuru kyuru" He must have come here to play when she had gone out to the streets.

Kirche noticing Zero laying form on the field walked over him. She searched him for many hours.

The scenery was truly magnificent if you looked up to the sky. So Kirche could understand why Zero is doing this in each night.

As she walked up to Zero, she asked. "What are you doing Dear?"

"I am watching the beautiful night sky." Answered Zero blandly.

"It's really beautiful isn't it?" Kirche looked to the sky.

Zero nodded and continued his star gazing.

"Looks fun, can I join?" Said Kirche, with a smile on her face.

"Help yourself." Answered Zero.

Kirche laid beside Zero and started to watch the night sky with him. "How do you found me?" he asked curiously.

Kirche thought for a moment. "It was an accident."

"Of course, an accident…" Zero rolled his eye.

"Tomorrow we will leave. So, get ready."

"Get ready to leave? Where? "asked Zero. "You want to hire me?"

"Maybe. Or maybe I just invite you to a little adventure." They both laid on the ground in silence.

"Hey, Zero," Kirche called him by his name instead of darling.

"What is it Kirche?" asked Zero in an uncaring tone. He was completely immersed by the shining stars in the night sky.

"Do you plan on living as a mercenary in the rest of your life?"

"Yes… Or until I don't get bored and do a different thing instead of it. Why do you ask?" Zero asked.

"Does not get bored?" Kirche looked to Zero who laid beside her.

"Do you really born in Rub' al Khali?"

"You could say that." Zero placed a blade of grass in his mouth like it was some kind of cigar.

Kirche nodded. "What is like?" inquired Kirche.

"Sandy and warm." Zero replied blandly.

"I don't mean that. What're the people like?"

Zero closed his eye for a moment. "Like here. They live. They struggle. They succeed. They fail and in the end they die. Nothing special."

Kirche thought for a moment, "Don't you want to become a noble?"

"A noble? Not really, why do you ask?"

"In Tristain that is. By law, commoners are strictly forbidden to purchase land or become nobles."

"I know that." Replied Zero.

"But, in Germania it's different. If you have money, even if you're a commoner, you can buy land and become a noble, or buy the rights to a position and become a tax collector or a commander.

"Your country has an impressive system Kirche. It's like home. If you have wealth, you can do almost anything. It certainly has its flaws and advantages like in Tristain. Every system has its own fault points and benefits."

Kirche looked at the night sky. "So, you like the Germanian way. I know you will like it!" she smiled.

"You know I don't really have that kind of money." That was a lie. In truth, Zero had enough gold in his dimensional pockets and mobile vault what the game developers gave him. To buy Tristain and Germania five times and he still had half of his money in his pocket dimension. Not counting the gold and items was in his possession in his mobile vault.

"Then earn some."

Kirche tapped Zero's face with a bundle of parchment.

"What's that?"

Zero sat up and looked at the bundle. They seemed like maps.

"They're treasure maps."

"Treasure? I love treasure hunting." Zero smiled.

"Yes, we're going to go treasure hunting and sell the treasure we find. Zero… you can do whatever you want then."

Zero looked at the stars. Kirche was embracing Zero sitting from, with her breasts pushing against him. Zero sat firmly.

"When you become a noble… Can you propose to me ok? I like guys like you. I don't care if you're a commoner or a noble. People who can overcome their difficulties and obtain things beyond people's imagination… I like people like that." Said Kirche, who was smiling seductively.

Zero inspected the maps, "These maps look a little bit suspicious… Where do you get them Kirche?" asked Zero

"I got them from various places like magic shops, stalls, general stores…"

"It's not the most reliable source of information. I know a few people who just sell false information and call it worthwhile investment when they sell their information A lot of people even became bankrupt or killed because of this kind of business."

"That attitude won't do dear!" Said Kirche, as she still embraced Zero tightly.

"Most of them might be scrap, but there might be a real one hidden inside there. Without you believing it. It will not work."

"Huh. Then it's like gummy bears."

"Gummi bears?" asked Kirche releasing Zero from her grip.

"Yes. Gummi bears. Magical bear like creatures. If you don't believe them. You will not see them." Said Zero sarcastically.

"Are they here? Do you see them Zero?" inquired Kirche.

"Yes. The gummy bears are everywhere. They are all around us. Even now, in this very moment. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work... when you go to church... "

"Really?" Kirche asked dumbfounded. "I never saw them."

"Because you don't believe them." Replied Zero

Kirche thought for a moment then continued. "Back to the topic. Zero, let's go. Let's find treasure and abandon Louise… and then you'll propose to me, ok?"

Abandoning Louise… that did have a nice ring to it. Nobles… they are always so proud, and they even forget about the people who have saved them before. But Zero had a contract what he to withhold. Beside that. He really doesn't want to be noble. That would limit his opportunities in his business.

"I will go. But not because of the money. But because of the adventure."

Kirche hugged Zero tightly. Suddenly someone burst into the scene.

"Nononono, you can't do that!"

"Hello, Siesta. How is it going?" Zero turned his head towards the maid.

Before them was Siesta in her maid outfit.

"You can't marry, Zero!"

Siesta pulled on Zero.

"Don't you wish the man you love to be happy?" both of them held Zero two arms tightly between their cleavage.

Siesta was taken aback by Kirche's words and looked at Zero. She suddenly shook her head.

"Just because you're a noble doesn't necessarily mean you're happy. You can stay in my village, and buy a vineyard with that money!"

"A vineyard?" Zero imagined himself as a farmer. It was quite a funny scene.

"In my village, there are a lot of great vineyards! We can make sweet wine together! Its brand name could be Zero Siesta!"

Kirche and Siesta were both pulling on Zero. It was the first time in his life that he was fought over by girls in reality, not his virtual avatar. He just smirked because of the nonsense situation.

"As if you'd find treasure," Guiche said in a bored tone as he stepped into the scene.

"What are you doing here?" asked in an offended tone Kirche.

"Uhh… I-I just wandered around at night. I did nothing suspicious!" Guiche tried to save the situation.

"You courted the first year students again aren't you?" asked Kirche.

Guiche started to sweat. "N-No... Nothing like that. I am changed." he lied of course.

Kirche sighted. "Whatever. But think about it If we find the treasure you can give it to the Princess as a present and perhaps she will see you in a different light."

Guiche straightened himself. Adjusted his clothes is a proper manner.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's go." He announced.

"Take me along please!" Siesta called out. If she didn't go along, there would be no doubt that Kirche would try to seduce Zero.

"No, you can't. Commoners are just a burden."

"Don't treat me like an idiot! Even though I look like this, I'm…"

Siesta was shaking. Both her hands were clenched tightly together.

"Yes? Go on."

"I can cook!"

"As if we didn't know," everyone said except Zero said. Zero only enjoyed this funny little scene.

"But, but, meals are important, right? While we're searching for treasure, we'll be camping right? We can't just rely on the food we bring. I could make good food for everyone."

Well, she was right on that point. Guiche and Kirche were both nobles and couldn't stand eating bad food.

"But you have work to do right? Are you just going to take a break?"

"The cook always lets me leave if I say I'm doing something for Zero."

The head chef really liked Zero; he would probably do exactly as Siesta had said.

Zero interjected. "You can come with us Siesta. Adventuring together is more fun anyway."

"Really?!" asked Siesta, Guiche, and Kirche in unison.

"Really." Zero nodded. "Besides that. According to my opinion, Louise needs some alone time. She really slacked off with her studies. So before we leave I will leave a note in her desk."

And with that, Siesta grabbed Zero's arm, leading the maid to fantasize their life together as farmers.

Kirche nodded and turned to everyone.

"After the preparations are done we're heading off!"

---

Scene Change: Albion:

The Albion air force's arsenal was located on the outskirts of its capital, Londinium, in the town of Rosyth. Before the Revolutionary War (which is what the Reconquista were calling the civil war that had just ended recently), that place used to be called the Royal air force's arsenal. And thus, there were all sorts of buildings. The numerous buildings with massive chimneys were used for manufacturing iron. Next to them were piles and piles of timber used for ship constructions and repairs.

The large red brick building was the control center. The three colored flag of Reconquista could be seen fluttering proudly. But the thing that stood out most was the large battleship which seemed to reach the skies.

The Lexington, the flagship of the fleet, was anchored and covered by a cloth, similar to a large tent, to protect it from rain. The warship stretched across two hundred meters and was placed on top of a large wooden board so that it could be remodeled as soon as possible.

The newly appointed King of Albion, Oliver Cromwell, was observing the construction along with some attendants.

"What a big, dependable-looking ship. With a ship like this, doesn't it feel like we can rule the world, chief rigger?"

"You speak too highly of me."

The chief rigger appointed to the fleet led by the Lexington, Sir Henry Bowood, replied half-heartedly. He was on the Reconquista's side and was the commander of the cruisers during the revolutionary war. Credited with destroying two enemy ships, he was promoted to chief rigger of the Lexington. He was to assume the position of captain when the remodeling was completed. It was one of the customs of the Albion air force.

"Look at those big cannons!"

Cromwell pointed at the cannons on the side of the ship.

"These new weapons are like the symbol of trust I have placed upon you. These were made by gathering Albion's alchemists. They have an extended body, which according to the calculations…"

The longhaired woman next to Cromwell replied, "They have a firing range of approximately 1.5 times that of the cannons used on Tristain and Germania warships, and they are using special magic coated ammunitions what our allies nobly gave us, Further increasing their range and destructive power. Beside that. With the new armor and shield technology, our enemy will be unable to scratch our ships."

"Thank you, Miss Sheffield."

Bowood looked at Sheffield. She emitted a somewhat cold atmosphere. She was around her mid-twenties and wore a beautiful, thin black coat. He had never seen such a weird appearance. She wasn't dressed in a mantle… was she even a mage?

Cromwell nodded with satisfaction and patted Bowood on the back.

"She's from Rub' al Khali. She designed these cannons from the technology she learned from the elves. Her insights into technology… do not follow our magic arts. She possesses knowledge of technology that is new to us. You should get to know each other."

Bowood nodded in a bored manner. He was actually a royalist, but he firmly believed that soldiers should not get involved in politics. In other words, he was a purely militaristic person. The fleet commander, who outranked him, had joined the rebel army, and so he had no choice but to participate in the revolutionary war as a captain of the Reconquista fleet. For him, who had exerted his utmost for the sake of upholding Albion's tradition - Noblesse oblige, a noble duty, Albion was still a mere kingdom. Cromwell was someone despicable who had just seized power and the throne.

"There probably isn't a fleet on Halkeginia that can match the strength of our Royal Sovereign fleet now," Bowood had purposefully called the fleet by its old name. Noticing his cynicism, Cromwell smiled.

"Mr. Bowood. The Royal Sovereign no longer exists in Albion."

"True. However, if you attend the wedding ceremony with these new cannons, I'm afraid it will probably be seen as a vulgar demonstration of power."

Cromwell, the first holy king and president of the council of nobles, and the cabinet ministers of The Republic of the Holy Albion (Albion's new name) were to attend the wedding ceremony of the Tristain princess and the prince of Germania. They were to travel by the Lexington fleet.

Bringing new models of weapons for a visit of good will would be seen as something along the lines of gunboat diplomacy.

Cromwell replied casually, "Ah yes, I haven't explained the scheme for this 'good will visit' to you, have I?"

"Scheme?"

Another conspiracy? Bowood felt a headache coming.

Cromwell softly whispered in Bowood's ears.

"What?! I haven't heard of such a disgraceful act in all my life!"

"It's all a part of military movements," said Cromwell, uncaringly. "We need a victory after that embarrassing defeat."

"Didn't we just recently sign a non-aggression treaty with Tristain! In Albion's long history, we haven't broken a single agreement! If it fails all of our soldiers will rebel against us!" shouted an enraged Bowood.

"Mr. Bowood. I shall not forgive you for any further political criticisms. This is something that the council has decided upon and approved. Do you plan on going to the council? Since when did you become a politician?"

With that, Bowood was speechless. To him, soldiers were swords and shields that did not object. They were the faithful watchdogs of the country and proud ones at that. If it was a decision from someone of higher rank, then they could only follow those orders.

"You will soil our country's name throughout Halkeginia. Our nation will be known for cowardly breaking treaties." Said Bowood, disturbed.

"Soil the country's name? All of the Halkeginia shall be ruled under our Reconquista flag. When we regain the holy lands from the elves, no one will care about such trivial matters." said Cromwell in a boastful manner.

Bowood drew close to Cromwell.

"Breaking a treaty is something trivial? Do you plan on betraying even your own country?!"

A nearby man pulled out his wand and restrained Bowood. Bowood could recognize the face hidden underneath the hood.

"Y-Your highness?" a shocked Bowood whispered.

The face was of the Old King's face, who had died before the battle because of his lung disease.

"Captain, I wonder if you would be able to say those words to your King?"

Bowood dropped down to his knees. The old King who was in his fifties. But died because of a lung disease. Reached out his hands and raised Bowood's head. He became pale. Those hands were as cold as ice.

Cromwell walked out with his attendants. The veteran King also followed suit. The only one left was Bowood, standing still, shocked. The sick King, who had died before the battle, was living and moving. Bowood was a triangular mage in the water arts. Even he, an expert in water magic, which governed the composition of living things, had not heard of a spell that could bring life to someone once dead.

Perhaps it was a golem? No, that body was filled with life unlike the state when he last saw his King. He was quite lively, and his sickness does not seem sick.

Being a user in the water branch, he knew perfectly well the flow of water inside living things, including that of his past King.

It was definitely an unknown form of magic. And Cromwell could control it. He remembered a convincing rumor he had heard and started to shake.

That the holy king Cromwell could control "Void" …

Was that just Void magic?

…The legendary "Zero" branch of magic.

With a shaking voice, Bowood whispered, "…What the hell is he planning to do to Halkeginia?"

Cromwell spoke with the noble walking alongside him.

"Officer Rollo, join the Lexington fleet as the commander of the dragoons."

Rollo saluted to Cromwell respectfully.

"As you wish your majesty. Do you want me to keep my eye on him?"

He shook his head, rejecting Rolo's presumption.

"That man won't betray us. He's too stubborn and straightforward, which is why we can trust him. I'm just lending him your power, considering your military history. Have you ever ridden a dragon before?"

"No. But there is no beast in Halkeginia that I cannot master."

Cromwell smirked in agreement.

Cromwell was originally a clergyman but after his quick ascension between the ranks of the nobles. He gained quite an amount of fame and support from the people.

---

Scene Change: Tristain: Henrietta's Room:

Meanwhile in Henrietta's room, inside the royal palace of Tristain, servants were busy sewing the wedding dress Henrietta was to wear. Marianne, the queen, was also there. She watched with a smile while her daughter was dressed in a pure white dress. However, Henrietta's expression was like that of ice. When the servants sewing asked her things about the sleeves and the position of the waist, she just nodded. Watching her daughter in that state, Marianne dismissed the servants.

"My dear daughter, you don't seem well."

"Mother."

Henrietta buried her face in her mother's knees.

"I understand you don't want this wedding."

"No, it's not that at all. I'm a happy person. I'm able to marry. Didn't you once say that a woman was happy if she got to get married?"

In contrast to her words, Henrietta's beautiful face became miserable, and she started crying in grief. Marianne patted her daughter's head gently.

"You have someone you love?"

"I have someone I love. It's like I'm flowing in a very fast river. Everything has passed by me. Love, kind words… nothing remains now."

Marianne shook her head.

"Love is like the measles. If you cool down, you will forget about it."

"How can I possibly forget…" Henrietta looked up to her mother with tearful eyes.

"You are a princess. You must forget what you must forget. The people will be uneasy if they see you like this." Said Marianne in an admonishing tone.

"What am I marrying for?" Henrietta asked sadly.

"For the future."

"For the future of…the country and the people?"

Marianne shook her head.

"It's also for your future as well. Cromwell of the Reconquista, who's in control of Albion, is an ambitious man. According to what I've heard, he has control over 'Void.' There is a minuscule amount of chance Wales will be able to take back Albion from the traitors."

"Isn't that the legendary branch of magic?" Henrietta's eyes widened.

"Yes. If it is the truth, then it would be dreadful, Henrietta. Having too much power corrupts people. Even though we have a non-aggression treaty, a man like him won't just look down at Halkeginia from the skies obediently. It's better for you to be in a powerful country, like Germania."

Henrietta embraced her mother.

"…Forgive me Mother for being so selfish. I know the chances are against him, but If I abandon this little hope what remained me. I will be lost…"

"It's alright. Love is everything at your age. It's not like I don't understand."

They embraced each other tightly.

---

Scene Change: The adventure:

Tabitha hid beside a tree with her breath held. In front of her was a temple that had been reduced to ruins. Columns that once boasted magnificence had collapsed and fences had rusted away. Bright stained glass windows had been shattered, and weeds filled the garden. It was the temple of a pioneering village that had been abandoned decades ago. It was utterly desolate; no one was close by. However, when the sunlight shone upon it, there was a somewhat rustic atmosphere to the place. The place would probably be where travelers would set up for lunch or the like.

A loud explosion suddenly broke the calm atmosphere. Kirche had set a tree next to the gatepost on fire. Tabitha, in the shade of the trees, gripped her wand. The reason why the pioneering village had been abandoned came dashing out. It was an orc. It was two meters tall and weighed about five times that of an average human. Its fat ugly body was covered by skin peeled off from animals. With a large nose on its face, it looked much like a pig. In fact, you could say that it was a pig that stood on two legs.

There were around fifteen of them. Orcs liked human children, and being attacked by a group of creatures with such troublesome tastes, the villagers abandoned the village and fled from it. The villagers told the lord of the area, but the Lord disliked dispatching soldiers in forests, and so ignored their requests. This village was one of the many villages in Halkeginia that had had this happen.

The orc conversed with the others through sounds similar to that of a pig, while pointing at the fire blazing around the gatepost. It then yelled angrily at every one of them.

"Fugii! Pigii! Agii! Nguiiii!"

Waving the clubs in their hands, the orcs were obviously angry. There was a fire, which meant humans were nearby. They were enemies, and the fire was bait. Watching this, Tabitha considered which spell she would use. There were more enemies than she had expected. She couldn't continuously fire spells out. If they didn't carry everything out smoothly, they could quickly lose the advantage of their surprise attack.

Just then, the air around the orcs shimmered, and seven bronze maidens appeared before them. They were Guiche's golems. Tabitha knitted her eyebrows. That wasn't what they had decided on. Guiche must have gotten impatient.

Guiche's seven valkyries charged at the head orc. They thrust their short spears at it. The tip of the spears sank into the orc's stomach, and the orc was knocked back onto the ground. However, the wound was shallow. Its thick skin and fat had acted as its shield, protecting its internal organs from damage. It quickly stood back up and waved its club, ignoring its small wound. The other orcs rushed over with their clubs, swinging them at the bronze maidens. The clubs the orcs were swinging, were about the size of a human. One hit on the delicate golems and they were sent flying, broken on the ground.

Tabitha started reciting an incantation while waving her wand. Water, wind, wind. One water and two winds. The two elements intertwined with each other and the spell was complete. The vapor in the air froze and became several icicles. They skewered the wounded orc from all directions. It was one of Tabitha's strongest attacks, 'Windy Icicle.' The wounded orc fell to the ground at once.

Kirche, who was watching on top of a tree that was separated by a fair distance from Tabitha's hiding spot, waved her wand. Fire, Fire. Two fires. A ball of fire, larger than a standard fireball spell, attacked the orcs. It was the 'Flame Ball' spell. With rapid movements that didn't seem possible for their size, they tried avoiding the ball of fire. However, as if it were attached to a string, the ball of fire was homing. It shot inside an orc's howling mouth, and its head burst into flames. However, that was the end of such effective spells. They couldn't keep using such strong spells.

The orcs were scared, but they realized they were being attacked by only a few mages. After realizing this, they remembered a long battle they had with humans once. If they lost, they would lose in an instant. However, only two of them were killed by magic so far, which meant that the humans' attack had failed.

Their anger overcame their fear. Their sharp noses twitched, trying to find the people. A young person. They felt no life from him. It was like he was not even a living being. As they drew closer to the human looking young man. They started to feel it is not such good idea. And they rather turn back and flee. But their hunger overcame their fear and attacked despite their instinct.

"Let me play with them okay?" said Zero to his companion.

The fire flickered from the tip of the mouth of the fiery lizard, and it nodded with a "kyuru kyuru." The large pigs formed groups to attack. They were trying to intimidate them. Zero only turned in their direction with an uncaring expression.

The orc was wearing a necklace. After a better glance, it could be seen that it was a necklace made from a straw rope and human skulls. The beast's horrible stench could be smelt.

As they leaped towards the white haired young men, he just disappeared before their club could collide with his head. Then they felt a feeling of dread what they did not felt in their life ever. Behind their back, something appeared. Don't really want to find out who is it the pig like creatures gulped. One of them gathered enough courage to turn around slowly while trembled.

Behind them, the smirking Zero stood triumphant with a satisfied expression. Zero hit the orc in his head lately destroying the orc head completely. After this, the orc collapsed immediately. The other orcs seeing their fallen comrade turned to their enemy quickly preparing to attack, but before they could even move. A sword had beheaded all of stood for a moment. Struggling to stood straight until their veins and organics fabric detached from each other. After that, their heads rolled on the ground for a few flips after the decapitation.

All twelve orc body collapsed to the ground a moment after their rolling heads reached the ground. It was a clean cut. Derf does not even get stained by the filthy blood of the pig-like creatures.

"That was kind of brutal partner. At least I am not stained." Said Derf in a sarcastic manner.

"Well, animals remain animals after all."

Tabitha's dragon landed on the ground. If the wind dragon had been hurt, it would mean that they had to ask Zero to transport them home. But that was very unlikely. Knowing Zero's habit's and his love of long walks. This was very unlikely.

The three mages came out from the woods. "Everyone alright?" asked Zero.

"Yes, dear we are fine." Said Kirche. Tabitha just nodded.

"I am fine," said Guiche in the back.

"Well everyone is all ok, so it's fine," said Zero.

"Well then, it was a good exercise for you. Doesn't it?" Zero clasped his hands together.

All three of them nodded.

Siesta, who was hiding and shaking, rushed over to Zero and hugged him, overcome with emotion.

"That was incredible! Killing those violent orcs with only one strike! You 'are amazing Zero!"

Siesta then timidly glanced at the headless corpses of the orcs uneasily.

"With these around, I guess you can't really go calmly pick mushrooms in the forest."

Noticing Zero's hands were in his pockets; Siesta firmly grasped them. "Are you ok?" Her eyes seemed to ask. Zero forced a smile and nodded. Siesta was worried about Zero uncaring attitude to kill things.

"You were incredible… but I guess such dangerous things are bad…" whispered Siesta.

Meanwhile, despite the battle, Kirche acted as if nothing had happened. Looking at the map, she said, "Um, within the temple there's an altar… and beneath that altar, there's a hidden chest."

"And within that chest…"

Guiche gulped.

"Lies the gold and silver and legendary treasure 'Brisingamen that the priest hid when he abandoned the temple, apparently." Kirche brushed her hair triumphantly.

"What's a Brisingamen?" asked Guiche.

Kirche read the notes on the map.

"Umm, it seems like it's a necklace made of gold. It's made from 'blazing gold'! Wow, even the name makes me excited. When you wear it, you will be protected from any disaster and…"

That night… they crowded around a bonfire in the garden of the temple. Everyone had a weary face except Zero who only came because of the adventure. Guiche said bitterly, "So the so called treasure was that?"

Guiche pointed at a color faded accessory and a few dirty copper coins. Underneath the altar, there was a chest. However, it was full of junk that they didn't even consider taking back home.

"This is made of brass. These cheap necklaces and earrings, these aren't that 'Brisingamen' right?"

Kirche didn't reply. She just filed her nails with a bored look. Tabitha and Zero were reading a book as usual.

"Hey Kirche, that's the seventh one already! We followed those maps with such effort and yet all we get are a few copper coins! The treasures aren't even close to what the notes of the maps say! Those maps are all hoaxes!" yelled Guiche.

"Shut up. I said it before, there -might- be a real map within that bundle."

"It's too mean! Monsters and beasts dwell in ruins and caves after all! Only getting this in return for defeating monsters is far from enough!"

Guiche held the artificial rose in his mouth and lay down on a spread out a blanket.

"Well yeah. If you could get treasure by just simply killing monsters, then no one would be poor."

A gloomy atmosphere drifted amongst them. But Siesta's cheerful voice drove it away.

"Everyone, dinner's ready!"

Siesta started dividing the stew for everyone from the pot on the bonfire. It smelled good.

"This is good! Wow, it's superb. What kind of meat did you use?" Guiche asked while stuffing his mouth full.

Everyone else tasted it and started to say how delicious it was. Siesta smiled and said, "Orc's meat."

Guiche suddenly spat out the stew. Everyone stared slack-jawed at Siesta.

"I-It was a joke! I made it from a wild rabbit. I caught it in a trap."

Siesta went on to explain how she had set up traps to catch rabbits and partridges, and collected herbs and vegetables for the stew, while everyone else was hunting for treasure.

"Excellent Siesta. You had some skills If you were a mercenary. You could be a decent one with a little training." Said Zero promisingly.

"I-It is really nothing. It comes from living in a village," said Siesta shyly as her face is reddened.

"What's this stew called? The herbs you've used are quite different from usual. I've never even seen some of these vegetables." Said Kirche while spinning one of the vegetables on her fork.

"It's a stew that's made in my village, called Yosenabe." Explained Siesta while stirring the pot.

"My father taught me how to make it. From edible wild plants, roots of plants… My father learned it from my grandfather. It's a specialty in my village."

Thanks to the delicious food, they felt more relaxed. Ten days had passed since they had left the school. As Zero gazed up at the sky, under his eye patch he monitored what Louise is doing.

"Is it good, Zero?"

Next to him, Siesta smiled warmly. Stuffing his food calmly, he smiled back. Siesta's smile, the taste of the stew, they both reminded him of something. He had no idea how long he had been away, but Zero remembered his own dead world.

In his world actually, he often took similar soups in the local vending machines. There was no more human service staff in the stores. Just machines whose helped you if you did not fund something. But most of the people just ordered their food from the internet and the fast post service just delivered to their home instantly. So, they don't even need to go out to buy something.

So this experience was certainly a positive one to Zero.

After dinner, Kirche spread out the map again.

"Let's just give up and return to school," urged Guiche, but Kirche did not budge.

"Just one more. One more." pleaded Kirche.

As if she was obsessed, Kirche's eyes gleamed over the maps. Picking one map, she placed it on the ground.

"Ok, this one! If this one is also a hoax we're going back to school!"

"What's the treasure?"

Arms crossed, Kirche replied, "Dragon's Raiment."

Siesta, who was eating stew after everyone had finished, choked slightly on her food.

"R-Really?"

"What about it? Do you know something about it? It's close to a village called Tarbes. Now where's Tarbes…"

Siesta replied quickly, "It's in the direction of La Rochelle. There's a big field… It's my home town."

The next morning, while they were riding the wind dragon, and Zero used his hover board to fly beside them, Siesta explained to everyone. There wasn't much to tell. There was a temple near the village, and in that temple, there was something called the Dragon's Raiment.

"Why is it called 'Dragon's Raiment'?"

"Apparently you can fly when you put it on," said Siesta, weakly.

"Fly? So it's a wind type item?"

"It's really not that important of a thing…" said Siesta, looking troubled.

"Why?"

"It's a hoax. It's one of those 'treasures' you can find anywhere. It's all just the name. Yet the locals are grateful… they decorate the temple, worship it…"

"Really?"

Siesta then proceeded to say nervously.

"Actually… the owner of it was my grandfather. One day, my grandfather appeared in the village. Apparently, he told everyone that he came from the east with the Dragon's Raiment."

"Wow…" said Guiche with a surprised expression.

"But no one believed him. Everyone says that my grandfather was weird." Siesta expressed in a shameful tone.

"Why?"

"Someone told him to fly with it, but he told them it couldn't. He made a lot of excuses, but no one had a reason to believe him. After that, he said that it 'couldn't fly anymore' and settled down in the village. He worked really hard, and gave his money to nobles, asking them to put a spell of permanence on the 'Dragon's Raiment.' He treated it with a lot of care."

"What a strange person. It must have been hard in your family?" said Kirche

"No, apart from the Dragon's Raiment, he was a nice, hard working person. Everyone liked him."

"It's something famous within the village right? Just like that Yosenabe… Then we can't take it back with us."

"Siesta. Did you know? Weird people move the world." Zero smiled to Siesta while he rides on his black hover board.

Siesta reddened because of the praise. "T-Thank you Zero."

Then she continued. "But… It's like our family property… If Zero wanted to, I could ask my dad to show it to you," Siesta said in a shaky voice.

Kirche remarked, "Even if it is a hoax, there are ways to sell hoaxes. There are many people with different tastes in this world."

"You're a horrible woman," Guiche said, in a shocked tone.

The wind dragon flapped its wings and headed towards Tarbes.

---

Scene Change: Tristain Academy of Magic: Louise's room:

Meanwhile, at school, Louise was still skipping lessons. She didn't want to meet anyone in her current mood. She only left her room to eat in the dining hall and when she went to take a bath. She knew that Zero was always wandering around in the schoolyard. She went down there to his usual stargazing location a few days ago to see how he was doing, but no one was there.

When she asked Montmorency, who was passing by when she was in his nightly snack tour, she found out that Zero, Guiche, Kirche and Tabitha had been skipping lessons to go treasure hunting. The teachers were apparently mad and were going to make them clean the whole auditorium when they got back. She felt even sadder when she thought about how much fun they must be having. She felt as though she was the only one being left out.

Louise cried in her bed again. Whenever she saw the empty place near herself, tears would come to her eyes. A knock came from the door. The door opened with a clank as soon as Louise replied that it wasn't locked. The school headmaster Old Osman was at the door, which surprised Louise. Louise quickly put on her gown and got off her bed.

"How have you been feeling?"

Feeling down, Louise replied, "I'm sorry I've made you worry. It's really nothing. I just don't feel very well…"

Osman pulled out a chair and sat down.

"You've rested for quite a long time. I was worried, but it seems you're alright."

Louise nodded and sat down on a chair. With a weary face, she stared out the window.

"Have you finished the edict?"

Louise gasped and hung her head. With a sorry expression, she shook her head.

"Seems like you haven't from the looks of it."

"I'm sorry."

"There's still two weeks. Think about it slowly. It's your important friend's wedding after all. Make sure you choose your words carefully."

Louise nodded. She was ashamed that she had forgotten about the edict because she was so absorbed with her own thoughts. "I'm terrible, aren't I. She considers me as a friend, and even gave me the role of being the maiden."

Osman stood up.

"By the way, where's that familiar of yours?"

She averted her eyes and kept silent. Osman smiled.

"Did you two have a fight?" Louise did not respond. She did not know why Zero left her out whatever he is doing. But she was worried. She was worried not because of something happening her familiar. But because she feared he would have left her.

"When you're young, you fight about trivial things. It's because young people don't know how to compromise. Sometimes, these cracks will develop into something irreparable. You should be careful."

Laughing, Osman left the room. After the door had shut behind him, Louise whispered, "It's not something small…"

Louise went to her desk. She ignored everything else and opened the Founder's Prayer Book. And as if clearing her thoughts, she closed her eyes. She concentrated, trying to think of an edict. I must think of a great edict for Henrietta.

Louise kept her eyes closed. Eh? There was a bright light. Suddenly she could see letters on the pages. Louise's eyes froze. However, in the next moment, they faded from the pages like mist. What was that? She thought while looking at the pages.

"I can't see it anymore. My eyes are probably just tired," she thought.

"It's all that idiot fault" she whispered.

---

Scene Change: Village of Tarbes:

Zero inspected the machine as he walked around it. It was as the villagers called the "Dragon's Raiment." They were in the temple built close to Tarbes, Siesta's hometown. That was where the "Dragon's Raiment" lay. Actually, it would be correct to say that the temple had been built to cover the Dragon's Raiment.

The shape which Siesta's grandfather had built the temple into made Zero remember things from his old history book. The temple was constructed in the corner of a field. Its door was made by logs joined, and its walls were made of planks and mortar instead of stone.

On top of an area of the wooden floor that was painted dark green, lay the Dragon's Raiment. Perhaps it was due to the permanency spell… but there were no signs of rusting. It was as if it had just been made.

Kirche and Guiche looked at the Dragon's Raiment, dispirited. As if struck by curiosity, Tabitha looked at it with interest. Zero inspecting at the Dragon's Raiment intensified.

"Zero, are you ok? If I showed you anything to make you feel bad…" said Siesta in a worried voice.

Zero didn't reply for a moment. He continued to inspect the Dragon's Raiment.

"Of course this thing can't fly," said Kirche.

Guiche nodded.

"This is some sort of canoe right? And look at the wings, they can't even move. It's like toy bird or something, not to mention that even the wings of small dragons are the size of these wings. Dragons and wyverns can only fly because they can flap their wings. So much for 'Dragon's Raiment.'"

Guiche pointed at the Dragon's Raiment and nodded, convinced that he was right.

"Zero… Are you really alright? You did not say anything in a long time."

Zero turned back to them and forced a smile on his face.

"Siesta."

"Y-Yes?"

"Did your grandfather leave behind anything else?" he asked suspiciously.

"Um… the only noteworthy things are his grave and a few of his belongings."

"Could you please show them to me?"

The grave of Siesta's grandfather was located in the village cemetery. The tombstones were made from large white stones. Among them there was a tombstone made from a black stone, creating a clear contrast with the others.

Words were inscribed on the tombstone.

"My grandfather made this monument before he died. It's written in a language from a different country, so no one has been able to read it. I wonder what it says…" said Siesta.

Zero read it out loud in a respectful tone as he saluted.

"Navy Ensign, Sasaki Takeo, rests in another world."

"What?"

Zero glanced at Siesta.

"Stop… If you look at me like that…"

Black hair, black pupils… If you consider that. She looks quite like an average Japanese.… So that's why, Zero thought, realizing why he was feeling nostalgic.

"Siesta, you were told that your hair and eyes were similar to your grandfather's right?" pointed out Zero much to Siesta's surprise.

"Y-Yes! How did you know that?"

Returning to the temple, Zero touched the "Dragon's Raiment." When he did, the runes on the back of his left hand started to shine under his white glove. "I see, so this must also be considered a "weapon. Fascinating.", Zero thought as he looked at the machine guns sticking out from the wings when he touched the aircraft. All of the information about it downloaded to his brain. How to use, service builds a new one the blueprints. It's full-service manual. Even it's possible capabilities. Everything.

If he were not an Automaton with total mental resistance, he would have fainted because of the overwhelming information what he gained in a short period.

Zero walked to the plane side. He found the fuel tank and opened it. Just as he expected, it was empty. No matter how well it was preserved, it still couldn't fly without gasoline.

"I wonder how he had wandered into Halkeginia with this plane… But what if I reconstruct the fuel tank to use one of my energy cells. That would power it easily. Of course, before it could fly it need a serious check. No one want's a plane crash." Waved his plan Zero in his head.

Siesta returned from her parent's home.

"Everyone was really surprised since I'm two weeks earlier than I said I would be."

Siesta excitedly handed over the item in her hands to Zero. They were old goggles, probably the ones her grandfather wore as a Navy ensign. He was the owner of the staff of destruction. A foreigner, like Zero. Just her grandfather come from around the second world war era. And Zero came from the 22nd century. There were almost two centuries between them.

"Grandfather only left this behind. He didn't keep a diary or anything like that. But the father said he'd left behind a will."

"A will?"

"Yes. 'If someone who could read the inscription on the tomb appeared, give him the Dragon's Raiment'."

"Meaning it's mine now?" said Zero.

"Yes. Father said it was alright to give it to you. It was a bother to take care of anyway… It's big, and some people worship it… but it's just collecting dust in this village."

"I can't accept it Siesta," said Zero.

Siesta eyes widened. "B-But why…"

"It is your family heritage I did not deserve such thing. Besides that don't you want to learn how to fly with it?"

"You know how to fly with it?" asked Siesta with a bewildered tone.

Zero nodded. "Yes, however, it is damaged and needs some reconstruction to work with my energy source. Your grandfather told the truth when he said it couldn't fly anymore."

"He told the truth?" murmured Siesta.

"Yes, it was out of fuel. Like we humans, it needs to the proper fuel to function."

"So that's why…" mumbled Siesta

"So," Siesta looked to Zero. "Do you want to learn how to fly with it?" inquired Zero.

Siesta thought for a moment. "Yes! I want!" Zero chuckled. "Well then. We can start our first flight lessons after I licked into shape the baby a little bit." Siesta nodded tolerantly then she continued.

"Father also wanted me to tell you something."

"What did he say?"

"He said he wants you to return the Dragon's Raiment to the king. King… I wonder which King he means. We don't even know which country my grandfather is from…"

"He's from a country what I know, but it has no king in a long time," said Zero.

"Really? So that's why you could read the words on the tombstone. Wow! I'm kind of moved. You know the country where my grandfather born. It seems like fate." Siesta said absentmindedly.

"Then grandfather actually did come to Tarbes using the Dragon's Raiment." Asked Zero as he looked the sky.

"This isn't called the Dragon's Raiment."

"What is it called by your country?"

Looking at the "Dragon's Raiment," Zero remembered a virtual model what he often looked when he was a kid. Why would someone call it the "Dragon's Raiment"? Perhaps it was just easier to understand that way. The same way it was with the "staff of destruction."

He looked at the country's symbol drawn on the wings and the body of the place. A red dot. It seemed like it had white colored around it but it was covered by the same dark green paint used on the rest of it. The character for the dragon zodiac sign was written on the black cowling. It was probably the name of the unit he was in.

Zero replied, "This type of fighter called A6M3. Or if you want to call it in its nickname 'Zero.' It was a fighter aircraft used in the past in my country."

"Zero fighter? Fighter aircraft? Zero? That's your name."

Zero nodded. "There are many Zeros in the world. Not just me Siesta." He turned his head towards Siesta timid form.

"I see…" Siesta nodded.

Zero nodded.

That day, they all stayed at Siesta's home. As nobles were staying over, even the village chief came to greet them. Siesta introduced Zero to her family, her father, mother and siblings. Siesta was the eldest daughter of the eight siblings.

Her parents viewed Zero in a harsh light at first, but that was soon broken when Siesta told them that he was looking after her at the Academy and will teach her how to use the plane. They were skeptical at first of course. But after Zero explained why the plane did not work for Siesta's grandfather. They understood it. They were simple farmers. But they understood everything needs to eat to function.

Having not been home for a while, Siesta looked quite happy being surrounded by family. Zero was happy seeing Siesta this happy. She was a good innocent girl. She deserved this much at least.

The pilot who ended up in this world with the zero fighters probably tried to find a way home by flying in the sky… But his fuel ran out, and he landed in this field. The field was flat and wide, so landing here was probably easy. He couldn't fly when he was asked to because he had run out of gasoline.

Siesta came to Zero, who was still gazing at the field, drowned in the memories of his world. She was wearing a brown skirt, wooden shoes, and a dark green cotton shirt, instead of her usual maid outfit. As the field in front of him, her appearance was like that of the smell of sunlight.

"So you were here! Dinner's ready. Father insists we eat together." Said Siesta shyly.

Zero only nodded.

Siesta stretched both her arms out at the vast field before them. The setting sun bathed the field with a beautiful light.

"Isn't this field nice? This is what I wanted to show you, Zero."

"Yeah, it is." Zero replied in the simplest way.

Siesta then cast her eyes downwards and twiddled her fingers.

"My father said that meeting with someone who came from the same country as grandfather must be fate. He asked if you could settle in the village. And then said if you did then I… could stop my work at the academy and return here with you."

Zero didn't reply. He just stared at the sky. He was thinking of how kind Siesta was to him.

If his passive emotion and mind suppression did not activate immediately when he gets closer to the critical point. He would melt immediately.

Siesta looked at Zero who was still staring at the sky and smiled.

"But, it's alright. I know it won't work out. You're like a bird. You're bound to fly away some day."

"Your grandfather said he came from the east, right?" said Zero

"Um…yes," Siesta said, slightly worried.

"Your grandfather, like I, wasn't from this world."

"You were born in Rub' al Khali in the east, right?"

"No. It is much, much further than that." Said Zero in a serious tone. "It's a different world. I'm not from this world."

"You're just playing around with me aren't you? If you don't like me, then just say it." Said Siesta, pouting her lips.

"No, it's not that at all. I did not play with friends only targets."

"Is there someone waiting for you there?"

"No. I have no one. I am a mercenary. Mercenary lifestyle did not mix well with family life." he said in an emotionless tone.

Zero was serious. Siesta knew he wasn't joking around.

"But my grandfather did, didn't he?"

Zero sighed. "You don't want to settle the likes of me Siesta. You deserve better. People often dies or worse things happens to them besides me. And I don't want such fate for you."

"Then… Could you train me? I don't have any qualities, but I am determinant. If you train me I can became stronger and I can go with you…"

Regaining herself from her sudden excitement, Siesta smiled.

"A carrier owl just sent this. It seems like the teachers are infuriated. Miss Zerbst and Mr. Gramont were pale. They mentioned me as well. They said that I could have a holiday for the time being. The princess's wedding is coming soon anyway. So until the holiday ends, I'll be here."

Zero nodded.

"Um… so can you make that Dragon's Raiment fly?"

Zero nodded. "However, as I said it needs some calibration and a new power source."

"Really? If you could get it to fly, then it would be wonderful. The Dragon's Raiment was called a Zero fighter, right? If you get it to fly, then please teach me as you promised."

Zero nodded and turned to Siesta.

"I promised, and I always withhold my end of my bargain." He forced a smile on his face. Siesta smiled back brightly.

The following morning, the white-haired anti-magic specialist used his long range teleportation tether what he placed in the Academy to transport the plane and the others back into the academy.

Guiche initially wondered why they brought back the useless "Dragon's Raiment," but because Zero said so, he simply gave in. He really did not want to make angry the white haired mage.

However, as soon as the Zero fighter appeared in the courtyard of the Academy, amongst the staring crowd, someone appeared in an instant. It wasMr Colbert.

---

Scene Change: Tristain Academy of Magic:

Mr. Colbert was forty-two years old. He had been in the service of the Academy for twenty years. He was a mage whose nickname was "Flame Serpent." His hobby… or more accurately, his life was centered around research and invention. He had rushed down to the courtyard once he had seen the gathering crowd in the courtyard. His curiosity had been set alight.

"You, what's that? Can you explain to me?"

Colbert's face shone as he looked at Zero, who stood beside the fighter looked to Colbert.

"Mr. Colbert. I brought you a new toy."

"Me?"

Colbert was taken aback. Who exactly was this young man? All he knew was that he was the legendary familiar, Gandálfr, summoned by Miss Vallière. Born in Rub' al Khali, he was the only person to have called Colbert's invention "great" and pointed out flaws in its design.

"This is called an airplane. With the help of this people can fly without magic."

"This flies!? Without magic? Wow! Wonderful!"

Colbert started looking at different parts of the Zero fighters with a broad interest.

"Could it be that this is the wing! It seems like it can't flap like regular wings! What about this windmill?"

"That's called a propeller. When it spins, it causes the airplane to go forward." Pointed Zero to the propeller.

Eyes wide in amazement, Colbert drew closer to Zero.

"I see! When it spins, it causes the power of wind! It's well made, isn't it! Could you fly it for me? Look, my hands are shaking from my curiosity!"

Zero nodded with a satisfied expression. He waited for the exact interest from the inventor Colbert.

"Of course, Mr. Colbert. However, first I need to repair it and replace its power source for a more efficient one."

"What is it's the energy source?" asked Colbert curiously.

"Gasoline." Answered Zero.

"Gasoline? What's that?"

"I will answer that in your workshop if it's that appropriate for you."

Colbert nodded. "Of course." With that, they retreated from the prying eyes to Colbert workshop.

Colbert's laboratory was situated in a small area between the central tower and the fire tower. It was much like an old dugout shed.

"At first I conducted experiments in my own room, but noise and bad smells come naturally with research. I was complained to by the people next to me shortly afterward."

The wooden racks were cluttered with bottles of medicine, test tubes, jars containing nostrum and the like. Next to that was a wall of bookshelves, crammed with books. There was a celestial globe made from parchment stuck on a sphere, and other various maps. There were lizards, snakes, and birds that he had never seen before inside cages. A musky smell which was neither from dust nor mold filled the entire room.

"You'll get used to the smell soon. A woman, however, wouldn't, which is the reason why I'm single." said Colbert as he tidied his work desk a little bit.

Zero nodded tolerantly. "I imagine."

"So, what is the gasoline what you spoke about."

"You remember the combustion engine in your class?" asked Zero.

"The joyful snake? Yes." Colbert nodded.

"Well. If you want to explain what is gasoline. I explain it to you. Gasoline is known as an aliphatic hydrocarbon. In other words, gasoline is made up of molecules composed of nothing but hydrogen and carbon arranged in chains. Gasoline molecules have from seven to 11 carbons in each chain."

Colbert looked dumbfounded. "What? Can you explain it in a simpler way?"

Zero sighed then nodded." It is a transparent, petroleum-derived liquid that is used primarily as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives."

Colbert nodded in understanding. "But can you explain to me what the petroleum what are you speak about?"

"Petroleum is an oily flammable bituminous liquid that may vary from almost colourless to black, occurs in many places in the upper strata of the earth, is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons with small amounts of other substances, and is prepared for use as gasoline, naphtha, or other products by various refining processes."

Colbert nodded. "Ah. Then it is some kind of organic oil. The same what I used to the joyful snake."

"You could say that, but you need sophisticated refinery methods to create gasoline from pure oil. This is why I will replace its fuel source to a more efficient one."

"And what do you want to replace it." inquired the bald teacher.

Zero reached under his coat and withdrew from his inventory one of his energy storage unit what he used to fuel his guns. It was a magazine looking item. Multiple lids shined on its side showing its charge level.

"What is that?" asked Colbert curiously.

"This is a power source what I use to fuel my equipment. It's called Singularity Fusion module."

"How does it make energy?"

"Well, it would be too complex to explain the science behind it thoroughly, so I just debrief you a little bit of the basic idea." Zero scratched his head in an embarrassing manner as he looked to the magazine.

Colbert eagerly nodded. Zero started to explain. "Well, there is a thing in the universe what called Quantum Singularity."

"Quantum Singularity?" asked Colbert curiously.

Zero nodded. "But you could call it Black Hole if you like that more."

"What is the Black Hole what are you speaking about?"

"A black hole is a region of space-time exhibiting such strong gravitational effects that nothing—not even particles and electromagnetic radiation such as light—can escape from inside it. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass can deform spacetime to form a black hole. Such singularities can be developed when a massive star reach the end of its life."

Colbert was dumbfounded. He never heard such thing in his life. "B-But. How can stars die?"

"Everything that has a beginning that has an end. And every star what you see in the night sky is a sun. Of course, there are much more stars in the universe what you can imagine."

Colbert looked at him. "Is this true? We are really this meaningless?" he thought. He was a scientist. He dedicated his life to the science. And now he realized how little he knows really.

"Stars are held in perfect balance by two opposing forces. There's the inward pressure of gravity, attempting to collapse the star, counteracted by the outward pressure of the emitted radiation."

"At the core, millions of tons of hydrogen are being converted into helium every second, releasing gamma radiation. This fusion process is an exothermic reaction, meaning it releases more energy than it requires.

"As the star consumes the last of its hydrogen, it switches to the stockpiles of helium that it has built up. After it runs out of helium, it changes to carbon, and then oxygen."

"Since the star continues to pump out radiation, it balances out the gravitational forces trying to compress it."

"Stars with the mass of your Sun pretty much stop there. Not massive enough to continue the fusion reaction, beyond oxygen, they become a white dwarf and cool down." Explained Zero. Colbert was furiously taking notes for a while.

"But for stars with about five times the mass of your Sun, the fusion process continues further up the periodic table to silicon, aluminum, potassium, and so on, all the way to iron. But back to the topic."

Zero raised the energy source. "This little magazine contains two miniature black holes contained in a separate pocket dimension. These black holes in the separate pocket dimension what produce energy through harnessing the gravitation distortion waves what the two produces but with magic stopped by to embrace each other entirely. Providing almost unlimited quantity of energy by letting them eat each other without end."

Colbert nodded uneasily. "It is dangerous?"

"If the reaction goes out of hand yes." Colbert gulped. "But thanks to the numerous safety measurements and magical seals before it could go out of control it simply put out itself with an equally strong but opposite force or simply cancel out the pocket dimension. So it is like they never exist at all."

Colbert sighed in relevance. "Then I am relieved, If you may allow me to ask. How much damage it can do if it goes out of hand?"

Zero thought for a moment. "This is a chain reaction. So, it could cause multiple countries to disappear. But if its reach the critical mass. It could grow infinitely if it has something to eat up."

"Then what possibly we could do against it?" Colbert asked with a worried expression.

"There are two choices. Either we create an equal massive anti-matter black hole and throw the two together. In this chase both of them will consume each other with a giant explosion. Or we simply ignore the anomaly."

"Ignore them?"

Zero nodded. "Yes, if you want to defeat a black hole you simply ignore it. Sooner or later it will run out the things what it can eat in its surrounding and starve itself out. In other words. It simply evaporates in the space."

"I see." Colbert nodded uneasily. "So what do you need me?"

"I just thought you want to help me to rebuilt the plane it would be a great experience for a scientist like you. Don't you think?"

Colbert's face brightened. "Yes. That would be."

"But let me ask you something Mr. Zero? The technology of the lands the elves govern in the east seem to outclass any technology in Halkeginia far what I ever see. It is their technology. They are so advanced?"

Zero felt somewhat sorry for lying to Colbert, who had never done anything against him.

Zero sighed. "Mr. Colbert I'm… not from this world. This airplane, and also the "Staff of Destruction" which destroyed Fouquet's golem and me, are from another world."

Colbert's hand suddenly stopped.

"What did you say?"

"I came from another world. "Zero replied.

Colbert gazed steadily at Zero and then proceeded to nod his head, as though he were already impressed with the things and the explanation what Zero give him, although he did not understand the half of it despite Zero through explanation.

"I see." he whispered.

"Aren't you surprised?"

"Well, of course, I am. But you definitely seem like it and from your knowledge. Your people must be so much ahead of us. I cannot even comprehend the half of the things what you said to me. The way you speak and your behavior has a different feel. Hm, this is becoming more and more interesting."

"You're an interesting person Mr. Colbert." noted Zero.

"I get called strange by many people. But interesting that's new. I haven't even found someone willing to marry me yet. But I have a belief."

"Belief?" inquired Zero.

"Yes. The nobles of Halkeginia treat magic as a mere tool… Like a broom, they only see it as a handy tool. I don't think magic is something like that. Magic could be used for so much more. Instead of simply sticking to the traditional uses of the different branches of magic, we should be experimenting to find different ways to utilize it. And you just showed me it is possible."

The nodding, Colbert continued.

"After seeing you, my belief has grown stronger. Who would have thought there was another world! This shows that the rules of Halkeginia are not absolute! Interesting! Such an interesting topic! I want to see this world. There are probably lots of new things to be discovered! It'll probably add many new pages to my research! If you have any questions at all, just come and talk with me. Colbert, the Flame Serpent, will always help you."

"I say the same, Colbert. Zero Rei the adventurer mercenary at your service if you want to learn something new." Zero forced a smile on his face. "Just come to me anytime."

Colbert smiled. "I might use that service. We, scientist, had to stick together."

Zero nodded. "Although I am just a mere mercenary adventurer. But thank you for the compliment."

"It is no problem." Colbert smiled brightly.

After many hours later. Zero and Colbert managed to rebuild the Zero fighter engine and fuel storage to use his Singular Fusion Module. It was a complete success. They managed to reappear many flaws in the plane design. But Zero did not upgrade its weapon and armor system. Avoiding to causing any trouble.

In the Austri courtyard, Zero was sitting in the cockpit of the A6M fighter and inspecting its parts. When he grasped the control stick, or even if he merely touched a switch, the runes on his left hand shone under his gloves

When he moved the control stick, the ailerons of the wings and the elevator on the tail moved with a clank. The tail rudder moved when he stepped on the rudder bar, and a cross-shaped pointer appeared on the glass pane when he pushed the sight device switch on the instrument board. The engines on either side of the body of the plane were still alive. It was just a routine check before he tried out.

"Partner, can this fly?"

"Yes. It can Derf. And with the new fuel source. Hopefully, it does not even need refueling for a few thousand years."

"Something like this flying… Your world is a strange one."

Numerous students were watching Zero in the Zero fighter, but they quickly lost interest and left. "There are only a few nobles who would be interested in this, like Colbert, they are really stupid. Huh. But they are not to blame. The people narrow-mindedness is the fault..." Zero thought. Suddenly a girl appeared, proudly brushing her pinkish blond hair with her hand.

Louise stared at Zero and the thing he was in. As if she were angry, she pointed her finger at it and said, "What's that?"

Zero jumped out from the open cockpit and landed before Louise "That's dear Louise is an airplane." He pointed to the plane.

"Where were you?" asked Louise in an angered tone.

"Treasure hunting." he answered blandly.

"What were you thinking, going without telling your master?"

Louise crossed her arms and stared at Zero. She was quite adorable with this expression.

"I left a note on your desk. You did not found it?" asked Zero as he scratched his face innocently.

Louise shook her head then cast her eyes downwards and spoke with a voice as if she were about to cry.

"I did not found it. Maybe I mixed it with the failed rubbish what I write to the Princess."

Zero sighed. "I see. Then I am sorry to make you worry."

"You really sorry?" Louise looked him adorable.

Zero nodded with a tired expression. "Yes, Louise. I am really sorry."

"Hm. It's better you sorry." she pouted her face adorably.

"I hope you are not only slacked while I was away and practiced a little. Because tomorrow will be exam," noted Zero

Louise panicked then to escape from Zero's harsh treatment she had jumped to her own conclusions. She was ashamed that she had shut herself in her room and sulked instead of practicing. She drew out the deadly technique she had been saving for situations like this. It was a girl's secret technique, which would sweep away any suspicion, anger, contradiction, and even the fact that Louise wants to embrace by Zero and escape from the failure of her forthcoming exam. She burst into tears.

Buckets of tears came streaming down from her eyes.

"Where did you go all this time! Idiot! I hate you!"

Sniffling, she wiped the streaming tears with the back of her hand.

"Yeah. Yeah. I know you hate me."

Zero know the trick, and he failed to comply.

"I hate you! I hate you!" said the still sobbing Louise.

Kirche approached them, holding a mop and a dust cloth in her hands. Because they had skipped lessons, their punishment was to wipe the academy's windows clean. As Zero was neither a noble nor a student at the college, he didn't have to do anything.

Guiche looked at Zero, who just started to walk away from the crying Louise.

"Yeah. Yeah. I am a horrible person. Get used to it." Zero said in an uncaring tone.

"You can't just make your master cry like that." said Guiche.

Kirche said dully, "Made up already? That's no fun…"

Tabitha directly pointed at the two and said, "After the rain comes fair weather."

In the next chapter: Shatter the sky white demon! Titan of industry built to destroy!

---

A/N: Well I hope you are enjoying it. I managed to finish this chapter earlier than I expected.

I am sorry if you wanted more action in this chapter. But you need some build up to reach the effect what you want. Isn't it? :)

Until next time readers! Farewell, and stay safe!

May the Gummi Bears be with you!