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

11. Shatter the sky and make it double!

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!

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It was a bright day int he tristain Academy of Magic, as Guiche tried to court an another girl. Montmorency grabbed Guiche earlobe with a steady hand. "Didn't I told you don't do that!?"

"B-But… Montmorency my dear…" pleaded Guiche.

"Enough! It seems I had to re-educate you about the feelings of the girls!"

As the blonde freckled girl punishing Guiche. Louise stomped through the courtyard with an angry expression. "Where is that idiot again?!"

She growled under her nose. "Every time I am looking for him, he is just disappearing, but when I don't need anything from him I see him everywhere!" Suddenly everyone looked to the bright sky as they heard a deafening sound above them. Most of the students of the Academy tried to shut out the deafening sound by snapping their hands tightly on their ears. But it is hardly helped anything.

Looking up to the sky they saw a big white bird looking thing what did not flap with its wing, but it was still capable of flying. It seemed it was the same thing what Zero brought with himself a few days ago but strangely it was somehow different.

It had two cylinders attached under its wings what were strangely angled. Louise looked up to the sky. "So it is actually capable of flying, as Zero said. Why am I surprised," he growled.

Colbert looked at the flying machine as he took notes in his little book. "Fascinating! It's speed and maneuverability seemingly better than a wind dragon. And if what Mr. Zero said is true. With his energy source installed into and the modification what we made in its engine, it does not have to land for thousands of years."

Colbert wiped his sweat away from his forehead then smiled. "Truly fascinating what you can achieve if you combine technology with magic."

In the cockpit, Siesta and Zero sat. Zero was already taught Siesta how to fly with the A6M 'Zero' in an undisclosed location what he shielded with anti-detection measurements against unwanted guests.

Zero watched as Siesta driving her grandfather fighter and it seemed she is natural. It did not take her only one day to manage to learn the basic of its control listening only Zero's instructions and practical demonstration.

Of course, firstly Siesta was afraid. But who would not be when the pilot suddenly requests you to change seat with him and drive the plane. The timid girl first was terrified when Zero gave her the fighter joystick amidst the flight.

At first because of her sudden excitement, fear and the numerous things what she had to look out almost make her faint. It was on the second day, and they almost crashed. But thanks to Zero fast reaction and [Massive Teleportation] spell. They managed to avoid the crash with a tree.

But in the same day. Zero convinced Siesta to try again and again. Until she managed to hold the plane in line at least. The white haired young man seeing Siesta inherited her grandfather flying skills. Continued her training. Day after day. They practiced and in the current scene.

The young village girl became a pretty decent pilot compared she did not reach her 100th-hour int the air.

"Very well Siesta. Now make a double spin." The young maid nervously nodded and made a second corkscrew in the air. "Now show me what you learned under our short course. Don't forget this is your exam. If you manage to complete the course. You will be able to fly the fighter alone."

Siesta turned her head to Zero and nodded nervously. She did not have either the time or courage in her current situation to open her mouth. She did as her instructor instructed her and did a few air tricks with the fighter.

Those who watched the whole thing from the ground watched them with awe and surprise. The plane speed and maneuverability put to shame even the best wind dragon riders.

In the cockpit, Zero is overseen Siesta as she did the tricks what they practice for days nodded with a satisfied expression. "Well done Siesta!" he patted the nervous girl shoulder from the back of the cockpit. "You are almost passed there is only one thing remained. Land in the courtyard safely. Don't worry you managed it before. You can do it now."

"T-Thank You Zero. I-I will try." answered the nervous girl.

Siesta gulped and started the landing sequence what she imprinted in her mind. Thanks to Zero and Colbert modifications on the fighter body, wings, and the two jet cílinders what Zero installed under the plane wings. It has a new mode after Zero modified its body and wings. It could function now as a VTOL and fighter at once.

Siesta pushed the button what change the fighter mode into VTOL mode, and the plane solidly started to slow down. Its wings and rudders began to change position. Positioning the jet engines whose was attached under the wings to the adequate position.

Siesta grabbed the driving stick before her and slowly started to descend int he middles of the courtyard. She sweated like never before as she operated the plane. She clicked the switch what released the landing wheels from the VTOL stomach.

As they slowly approached the ground, the VTOL stirred up the dust. There was a moment of hesitation before the machine softly landed on the ground. The young maid made the neccesary steps to turn off the engines and the safety measurements what Zero showed her against possible thieves. Then she sighed in relieve as she wiped away the sweat from her forehead.

"Superb Siesta. You are passed. Now you can operate the 'Zero' alone."

Siesta turned her head to Zero. "B-But… What if I crash with it?"

"Don't worry. You are done just fine under our practice lessons. Besides that, If I am in the academy and you ask me I will gladly help you out when you want to practice with the A6M Until you become a confident pilot. It will be no problem."

Siesta head perked up. "R-Really?"

Zero only nodded.

Tabitha who was on the scene watching the strange machine in work. Used her staff and wind magic to disperse the dust. As the dust settled Siesta and Zero were still int the cockpit. The cockpit slowly opened and from it emerged its two passengers. Louise who was int he scenery nervously patted her folded arm with her index finger.

As Zero Helped Siesta to descend to the ground from the cockpit, Louise marched to him and shouted. "Where were you during the days? I have not seen you for days!"

"Geez... Louise, you made my ears hurt. Do you know your face become grotesque when you are shouting like this?"

"IDIOT!" she screamed, and everyone laughed.

In the next day as Louise woke up she found a note at her desk. "I will be away for a few days. I had a business what I had to attend. Stay safe until that Little Louise and practice. I will know if you slacked off. Signature: Zero."

"Stupid idiot… Don't you see I need you more than ever? And we should have gone tomorrow to the Princess wedding. Do you want me to go alone? Why are you so simple?" murmured Louise under her nose as she went back to her bed in a depressed demeanor.

---

Scene Change: Border of Tristain:

The Germanian king, Albrecht the Third, had arranged for Princess Henrietta's wedding ceremony to take place in Germania's capital, Vindobona. The date of the ceremony: the first day of the month Nyuui.

Currently, the Mercator flagship of the Tristain fleet was to welcome the guests of the New Albion government by leading them to La Rochelle, where they would stay anchored in the skies above it.

The commander in chief of the fleet, Count La Ramée, sat in the quarterdeck in formal attire. Next, to him, Captain Fevisu was stroking his mustache. It was far past the arranged time.

"They sure are late, Captain."

La Ramée replied with an irritated voice.

"Those Albion dogs who killed their king with their own hands are probably still busy acting like dogs."

The sailor on the top deck suddenly informed him of the fleet's approach in a loud voice.

"A fleet! From the left!"

With a large ship leading in front, which could easily be mistaken as a cloud, the Albion fleet had started to descend. The fleet contained fewer ships than the captain of the Mercator.

"So that's the standard of Albion's 'Royal Sovereign' fleet…" said the captain, watching the large ship in awe.

It was the ship that would have had the ambassador on it.

"Something that no one would want to meet on a battlefield, that's for sure."

"I never have seen a ship what has runes on their sides."

The Albion fleet descended until they were level with Tristain's fleet. The Albion ship began sending signaling messages from the mast.

"We thank you for your fleet's welcome. This is the captain of Albion's Lexington."

"We have an admiral on board! Using A response to corresponding… we're being treated like fools" the captain said resentfully while looking over Tristain's weak array of ships.

"They probably think the world is within their grasp now that they have that ship. Reply to them with 'We give you our warmest welcome. This is the commander in chief of the Tristain fleet'"

La Ramée's words were passed on to the sailor who was standing on the mast. The signaling flag for the message was then hoisted up.

The Albion fleet fired their cannons in salute. There were no shells inside the cannon; they had merely let gunpowder explode.

Though the Lexington fleet had done a mere cannon salute, the air around it shook. La Ramée retreated slightly, even though he knew that live ammunition couldn't possibly reach across the distance separating them, the force of the cannons from the Lexington fleet was able to make the experienced admiral retreat.

"Fire our cannons in response."

"How many shells shall we fire? For the top nobles, eleven is required."

The number of shells to be fired depended upon the person's rank and social status.

"Seven will do," ordered La Ramée watching with a grin on his face like a stubborn child.

"Prepare the cannons! Seven shots, one by one! Fire when they're ready!"

On the afterdeck of the Lexington, flagship of the fleet, Bowood was looking at the Tristain fleet. Next to him was Sir Johnston, the commander in chief, responsible for the entire invasion squad. Being a member of the council of nobles, Cromwell trusted him deeply. However, he had no experience. He was a politician after all.

"Captain…" Johnston said to Bowood in a worried voice.

"Sir?"

"Is it alright to go so close to them? We have those new long range cannons equipped right? Put some distance between us. His Excellency has entrusted me with important soldiers."

"Cromwell's puppet, huh…" Bowood whispered coldly to himself.

"Yes we do have the new cannon model, but if we fire from maximum range, they won't hit."

"But I bear his Excellency's task of letting off those soldiers safely in Tristain. We can't have the soldiers scared. Their morale will drop."

"I don't think it's the soldiers that are scared" … Bowood thought.

Ignoring Johnston, he issued a new command. No law governs the sky, after all.

"Prepare the left cannons."

"Yes, sir! Prepare the remaining cannons!"

The sailors on the deck started to load the cannons with gunpowder and shells.

A thunderous roar could be heard from the Tristain fleet, which was aimed at the skies. Tristain was returning the cannon salute.

The battle plan had commenced.

During that moment, Bowood had turned into a soldier. The political details, his human feelings, the cowardice and foul play of this operation were all forgotten. As the captain of the Lexington fleet of The Republic of the Holy Albion, he proceeded to issue orders rapidly.

The crew of the old Hobart ship trailing at the end of the fleet had finished their preparations and started to evacuate via the boats they had made levitate with the "Fly" spell.

A shocking scene unfolded before La Ramée's eyes. The ship was trailing at the end… the oldest and one of the smallest ships had started to blow up as some if the gunpowder inside of them just caught fire.

"What? A fire? Was it an accident?" whispered Fevisu.

The next instant, another startling thing occurred. The ship that was engulfed by flames exploded in the air.

The Albion ship was reduced to ruins and came crashing down to the ground.

"W-What is this? Did the fire reach the ammunition storage?"

The Mercator was in an uproar.

"Calm down! Take it easy!" Fevisu yelled at the sailors.

A signal flag was seen from the Lexington. A sailor started reading the signals with a telescope.

"From the Lexington, fleet captain. Explain the meaning behind sinking Hobart."

"Sinking? What is he saying?! It exploded by itself!"

La Ramée was panicking.

"Send a reply. 'The fire from my ship was a response to your salute. The salvo didn't contain any live shells'"

A reply was sent promptly by the Lexington.

"Your ship's attack used live ammunition. We shall return your intent of war."

"What nonsense!" La Ramée's cry was drowned by the bombardment from the Lexington.

Impact. The mast of the Mercator broke off, and a few holes were made in the deck.

"How can their cannons reach from such a distance?!" said a surprised Fevisu on the shaking deck.

The shock of the impact had thrown Fevisu onto the floor. He suddenly realized that the attack was all planned. They never had any intention of a "good-willed visit" at all. They had all been deceived by Albion.

The ship started to go up in flames, and the injured sailors groaned in pain. Shaking his head while standing up, Fevisu yelled, "The commander in chief is dead! The flagship captain will now take control of the fleet! Damage report! Full speed ahead! Prepare the right cannons!"

"Send a message to the other ships! Full barrage!" but as he said this their whole ship exploded to chunks from inside to outside. It seemed the Lexington used some kind of magic delayed the explosion.

The Tristain fleet realizing their command ship was no more started their rapid retreat, but it was too late. They were in the ranges of their cannons, and there was no way for them to reach the safe zone in time.

The Lexington's fire showed no signs of stopping.

"So they've finally realized." Said Rollo, who was standing next to Bowood, as he leisurely watched the Tristain fleet. Rollo also believed the commander in chief, Johnston, didn't deserve the title and would be unable to do anything. Rollo was in effect, the commanding officer appointed by Cromwell himself.

"Seems like it, Commanding Officer. However, it seems we will win soon enough."

The Albion fleet, which had superior mobility, had already taken action to suppress and intercept the retreating Tristain fleet.

The hidden Albion fleet kept a fixed distance as they appeared from behind the clouds surprising the remaining Tristain fleet. Their fleet numbered twice that of Tristain's and also, they had the enormous Lexington, which had the new cannon and armor model. There was no contest in firepower.

As if they were tormenting the Tristain fleet, the Albion fleet continued their fire. The Mercator, which was already scattered on the ground below them. But as said before the Mercator. Tristain flagship was already destroyed, and without it, the retreating Tristain fleet was fallen into chaos. It was like a turkey hunting. The Tristain fleet had no chance against the organized attacking fleet.

Destroying them was only a matter of time now. Ships could be seen flying their white flags already.

On the Lexington, cries of "Long live Albion! Long live the holy king Cromwell!" could be heard. Bowood knitted his eyebrows. During the days of the Royal Air Force, no one used to say things like "Long live so and so" during battle. Even the commander in chief, Johnston had joined in.

"Captain, a new page in history has begun." Said Rollo, as he smiled beside Bowood.

As if mourning for his enemies, who didn't even have a chance to cry out in pain, Bowood whispered, "No, only a war has begun."

---

Scene Change: Undisclosed Location:

Zero used his [Greater Teleporation] spell and appeared in the middle of the forest. He teleported a few thousand meters away from his goal because he does not want to teleport in a middle of a possible trap. That would be pretty unpleasant.

He reached into his duster and pulled out from his personal storage the letter what Tiberius Magnus the werewolf handed him back in Whitecastle.

As he inspected the envelope content. He wondered. "I wonder how long are you here 'Stalker'? Maybe you arranged my transportation. Maybe you are just coming here because of a lucky accident as I am. But what is luck if not when an opportunity knocks at your door, and you answer it."

After approximately two minutes strolling he arrived into a clearing. He already sensed the various presences around him long before he reached the meeting point. Thanks to his [Sensor] job class passives.

He looked around and analyzed his surroundings searching the possible vantage points and escape routes in the chase he had to flee from a potential stronger enemy.

As he looked around, he said a calm tone. "You can come out now. I know you are here."

Five Eight Edges Assassin's canceled their invisibility and came out from their hiding place. The creatures were magical beings with a human-like body shape that wear a black spider ninja costume which has eight legs that are like sharp blades.

They bowed before Zero. "Master Zero. The mistress was awaited your coming. But I must ask you wait a few minutes until one of us announce your arrival to the master." It seemed the one who spoke was the leader of the small assassin squad.

Zero nodded. "Of course, do your work. I have time." The leader of the assassin squad bowed deeply then disappeared in an instant amongst the shadows.

"Partner why we are here?" inquired Derf.

"We doing business Derf. What else."

"I do not like the look of those guys even a bit. You are not afraid, partner? This maybe a trap directly made to you."

Zero chuckled. "This is why we walk straight into it. Don't worry it will be fun." Explained Zero.

"Our concepts of 'fun' drastically different partner."

"Don't be like an old man. Enjoy the moment. Live like there is no tomorrow without regret."

Zero waited approximately five minutes. After the fifth minute ended an oval shaped black [Gate] appeared not far before Zero. The [Gate] was the highest tiered teleportation spell what has zero chance to end you elsewhere where you wanted to go, and its range was almost limitless.

Of course, it was in the game. Zero did not know it is true or not in this world. He only tried lower and mid-tiered teleportation spells after his transportation to Halkeginia.

From the black of nothingness, a butler looking middle-aged man stepped out. It seemed the [Gate] behind him lead in a long corridor. But of course, it could be an illusion too. Something scrambled Zero sensor capabilities. It could be either a Super Tiered spell, strong items or a World Class item. But the last was very unlikely.

The middle aged looking butler bowed. He wore butler uniform. With white butler gloves and a monocle one of his eyes. He had black hair and violet colored eyes. "Welcome, Zero-sama. I am Cavendish. The Milady personal servant. If you would please come with me. The Milady was eagerly awaiting your arrival." Zero nodded

"What could go wrong? In the worst scenario, they manage to restrain me, and she uses me for her own desires. Albeit, death is the preferable option." He thought this he already stepped across the borders of the oval-shaped [Gate].

As he arrived on the other side. The scenery changed. He was right. The long corridor was an illusion all along. In truth, he arrived some kind of receiving room. The room was adorned with gold. It seemed it's floor made from marble and an expensive looking carpet laid above it. On the cellar, a crystal chandelier hanged. "I wonder how much cash this cost the guild."

As Cavendish arrived from the [Gate] behind him the doorway to the outside world closed.

The middle-aged butler started to walk towards the closed door and opened it. "If you follow me Zero-sama."

Zero only nodded and headed after the butler. As they walked through the long, wide corridor what was adorned with various paintings and several full armors with Halberd stood beside the walls. It was no question they would come to life and the numerous traps activating what was hidden through the long corridor when there was an invader in the facility.

After a few minute silent march. Zero asked a few question from the head butler.

"Could you answer me a few question?"

"Of course, Zero-sama." Nodded the head butler as he led Zero to the destination.

"Could you tell me when the guild transported to this world?"

"Approximately one year ago. Our Milady noticed the disturbance between the planes and sent us out to investigate the disturbance." Answered the butler honestly.

"Second question. When your master realize I am here too?"

"We had a few spies amongst the nobles in the familiar show. They reported the lady your appearance."

"I see…" Zero thought about a moment. "It was a stupid act. I should have predicted not only I transported. Bad Zero. Bad… You are too reckless sometimes. But this is why the girls like you. Doesn't it?" He smirked in himself.

After this, he continued with his next question. "Why she decided she only contact me in the Fortress of Whitecastle?"

"I don't know the Milady intentions or plans. If Zero-sama asks my opinion. She was busy planning her next move."

"Next move…?" murmured Zero. But at that moment they arrived at their destination. Before they entered the throne room, there was an another waiting room similar to the previous one. It seemed that one was just a bait littered with traps to the unlucky players who manage to breach to the last floor.

The last double door before the throne room was huge. It seemed an angel, and a demonic looking figure was engraved into the surface of the door. The two engraved figure tried to open the door from the two sides.

The multiple seemingly motionless headless golem around the room was sensing one of the officers approaching straightened themselves and saluted slapping their right hand to the place where their heart should be.

No, they were no golems. But armored Dullahans with huge halberds. Multiple gargoyles rested in the upper region of the large cellar. Guarding the room against the possible intruders. It seemed they were the last line of defense before the throne room.

As Zero and Cavendish approached the massive double door, it started to open before them slowly. Showing the way towards the throne chamber. Multiple columns and a red carpet led to the throne what was made from various metals. Beside each column multiple Dragonoid looking creature guarded the sanctity of the room and before them in a straight row, there was numerous heteromorphic, demihuman and humanoid looking being kneeled. Insectoids, angels, demons, undead, vampire, goblins, minotaurs, elves, dwarves, humans, elves. Hell at the end of the rows there was even two huge crystal-skinned dragon. One of them was blue, and the other was red.

It was most likely the Guild won them from Gucci machine.

If you looked up to the cellar you seen nothing else just the cloudy night sky and multiple floating candles.

It was an illusion. But it required immeasurable wealth to create such illusion inside of a guild base. "Just how much they spent?" wondered Zero.

Behind the seat at the end of the room hang a large crest. It seemed it was the guild crest. On it was a Phoenix what was strangled with two snakes from the two sides as it spits fire in its death struggle. The crest base was red, and the symbol on it and the border were pure gold.

It was the symbol of the guild of the 'Phoenix Fall.' It was an infamous guild among the players from its PK and guild raids. They hired Zero's help against other guilds often.

But when the guild master of it started to stalking Zero and sent him unpleasant messages he begun to avoid the contact with them. The guild master stalked him most likely because he often helped her when she was only a beginner and saved her from numerous times when others PK-ed her.

But Zero did not really care about this. Of course, her real money donations towards him when he played in the live feed was nice. But even Zero patience has his limits.

Around the throne two sides, there were five Heteromorphic looking beings, and two humanoids stood.

One of them was an armored Demon with horns what sprouted from under the two sides of his helmet forehead and wore dark armor. He held a huge two handed Claymore on his back. The other was a white armored Angel who held a scepter in her hand. You could clearly say she was an angel from her white wings and the floating halo above her head. She was either a priest or a paladin.

The third was a pale looking young girl, with red eyes and ball gown. She seemed to be in her fourteens. She seemed to be a higher ranked vampire. Maybe, a True Vampire.

The fourth heteromorphic being who stood beside the throne was a figure who wore black pants and blue hooded fur-lined jacket. His bare skull was covered with the hood, and a bright blue flame dimmed in his left eye socket while his hands were in his pockets.

At first glance, he seemed to be an ordinary skeleton. But if you know the races in YGGDRASIL. You could easily make a difference between and ordinary skeleton and an Overlord. The highest ranked undead amongst the skeletal type undead.

The final heteromorphic being was the suited werewolf. Tiberius Magnus. Thanks to Zero [Sensor] levels. He could easily distinct the level difference between the ones in the throne room.

He was lower level than the others beside the throne. But aside that. He could have some particular race or job class what could make up for the level difference easily. Zero had to be varied.

The two humanoid was two elf girl and wore fine looking leather armor. One of them was a Dark Elf with a distinct darker skin tone the other was a simple elf. They wore the same attire. But if there was not their skin complexity you could easily mix them.

And finally on the throne sat a world class beauty. She wore unnecessary revealing attire. Zero did not know why. Maybe because of his appearance.

Her vertically split blue and red heteromorphic eyes seemingly looked deep into Zero's soul. If he still had one under the electronics of his. She had a quite buxom good figure and two curled horn sprouted out from the two side of her head under her two colored hair. Her double colored hair one side was blue the other was blood red. Opposite as her eyes colored. From her back, two seemingly black wings sprouted.

"I have a bad feeling partner…" said Derf as he hanged in Zero's waist.

"Fun isn't it?" replied Zero.

As Cavendish and Zero approached the throne, her wings seemingly started to tremble because of her excitement. "Splendid work Cavendish! You can go now." She dismissed the head butler with her sweet tone. With that, he bowed deeply and stood in the row beside the other subordinates.

"Welcome in my humble sanctuary Zero-sama. I see you got my invitation."

Zero nodded. "Yes, thanks to Tiberius hard work. You should give that guy a raise Lilith-san."

Tiberius the werewolf bowed deeply. "I only doing the task what my mistress entrust me." Bowed the blue-eyed werewolf servant deeply as he smirked like a predator.

Ardath Lilith the Succubus raced player looked to Tiberius and smiled with a satisfied expression. Then turned her head back to Zero. "Don't worry. He will get his reward."

"Back to the business, why do you called me here? Do you want to hire me?" inquired Zero.

She smiled to Zero lustfully. "Why do I called you here? Of course, to offer you the place beside me. To offer you myself for the exchange of yourself. Think about it, you could be the King, and I will be your Queen."

Zero thought for a moment. "It would be quite troublesome to fight me out from the seventh floor of the Phoenix Lair. In their peak, they were in the 11th place on the server, and their defenses were quite solid not speaking about their enormous Treasury what filled with wealth, reserves and the two World Item what was in their possession. Their defenses were not as reliable as Nazarick of course but robust enough to repel many attackers."

"I said those idiots who organized the raid that it is futile to attack Nazarick with such random scrappy group. Yes, there was more than 1500 player and mercenary NPC. But quantity not always equal to quality. They even asked me, but I was not suicidal and refused it. Beside that. Momonga-san and the others were my friends. I don't actually attack friends without a good reason or appropriate payment. But they listened to me? No. Why should you listen to the person who has more experience attacking guild bases? I know Momonga-san and the other guild member of the Ainz Ooal Gown. They were not idiots when they make their guild headquarters." Zero rolled his inner eyes.

The Automaton player hummed. "Hmm. Tempting offer. Could I get some time to think?"

Lilith nodded. "Of course, take your time. It is an important decision after all." She tilted her head while smiled. Then looked to the black-clad demon and nodded. The demon what armor resembled the Chaos Warriors from the Warhammer-verse disappeared from the side of the demoness player.

"Then I will be off. Could someone escort me out?" Zero felt as the black-clad demon appeared behind his back.

"This is bad… Is he behind me doesn't he…?" Thought Zero sarcastically as he felt the black-clad warrior appeared behind his back.

"I am afraid I can't let you go however I want Zero-sama until you give me a solid answer." Smiled Lilith seductively.

"How comforting… and when I thought she had been changed. Huh... Why are the women are so troublesome..." Zero rolled his inner eyes.

The white haired young looking man sighed. "Lilith-san. Please don't make me hurt your subordinates or you. Given our past business arrangements and our relationship, it would be pretty unfavorable for both sides. Besides that, I really hate unnecessary violence…" Zero looked to the demoness with half closed eye. It seemed he was bored because of the situation.

Lilith started to tremble because of her excitement and grabbed her two sides with crossed arms. "Y-You just said our relationship..." she shuttered.

"Great... Very clever from you dumbass. You just warranted your own death sentence or long time prison time under her supervision..." Zero rolled his inner eyes as he said sarcastically.

The porcelain-skinned demoness just looked at him seductively and bit her lower lip with an excited manner.

The black clad warrior equipped his massive Claymore and raised above his head preparing for a downward strike.

Zero sighed again as he closed his uncovered eye and looked to Lilith with and expressionless bored manner. "It is so annoying. But so be it…"

---

Scene Change: Tristain Palace:

Soon after the news that the entire Tristain fleet in La Rochelle had been wiped out arrived, a declaration of war was issued by Albion. It blamed Tristain for breaking the non-aggression treaty by attacking their fleet without reason, and stated: "As an act of self-defense, The Holy Republic of Albion shall declare war on the Kingdom of Tristain."

The palace, which had been busily occupied with Henrietta's departure for Germania, was thrown into a state of confusion from the turn of events.

The generals, cabinet ministers and other officials immediately held a meeting. But the meeting was little more than a disordered ramble. Opinions that they should inquire Albion about the circumstances of the events, or that they should dispatch messengers requesting aid were thrown about.

Sitting in the meeting's seat of honor was a shocked Henrietta. She was wearing her beautiful wedding dress that had just been finished. She had originally planned to head to Germania by carriage after the dress was finished.

She was like a blooming flower in the meeting room. But no one even noticed.

"Albion states that our fleet attacked them first! However, our fleet says they only did a cannon salute."

"Accidents can cause misunderstandings." Said Cardinal Mazarini.

"Let's hold a meeting in Albion to sort this out! Perhaps there is still a chance to mend this misunderstanding!"

While the powerful nobles stated their opinions, the Cardinal Mazarini nodded.

"Right. Dispatch a special envoy to Albion. We will approach this cautiously before it turns into a total war over a mere misunderstanding."

At that moment, an urgent report arrived.

The messenger carrying the letter from the carrier owl rushed into the meeting room.

"It's a critical report! After landing, the Albion fleet has started capturing land! And it seems the Germanian fleet appeared near the borders."

"Where did they land?"

"The outskirts of La Rochelle! It seems like in the field of Tarbes! The Germanian fleet did not change their position it seems they are only guarding their own borders. But better be cautious than regretting later."

"It is possible the Germanian Navy wants to capture the capital city while we fight with Albion. Brimir what should we do in a situation like this?" Murmured the Cardinal in his head.

---

Scene Change: Village of Tarbes:

An explosion had been heard not long before in the direction of La Rochelle. Surprised, the farmers in the field looked up to the sky and saw the dreadful scene in it. Numerous ships were on fire and sinking, crashing onto the mountain's surface and dropping into the middle of the forest.

The village was in a state of confusion. A short while later, a large ship had descended from the sky. The ship, so large that it could be easily mistaken for a cloud, dropped its anchor on the field in the village.

Numerous dragons flew out of it.

"Father, what's happening?" asked his children's.

Siesta father gritted his teeth as he tried to convert his fear into rage. "Let's get in the house," urged them.

Inside the house, he looked out of the window with an angrily confused expression.

"Isn't that Albion's fleet?" Siesta father said, looking at the ship anchored in the field.

"Could it be … A war?" Said Siesta's mother.

Siesta father shook his head.

"That's not possible. We have a non-aggression treaty with Albion. The Lord proclaimed it recently."

"Then why is the sky full of sinking ships?" said one of Siesta's sibling.

The dragons flying above the ship headed towards the village. He grasped his wife and stepped away from the window. With loud cries, the dragons descended upon the village and set the houses on fire.

Siesta's mother screamed because of her fear. The house was alight and the glass from the windows scattered everywhere. The village was saturated in the blazing flames, roaring of the dragons and the shrieking of the people. Carrying his wife. Siesta's father turned to the oldest present sibling of Siesta.

"Take your siblings and run to the forest!" Siesta father shouted to the oldest from their child. Because Siesta was not present due to her duties.

From the direction of the field, dozens of the neighboring lord's troops were charging forward. The Tristainian troops could pose a significant threat to the soldiers disembarking onto the field. Rollo signaled his underlings to crush the small opposition force. A barrage of fire magic flew from the dragons, but still, the Tristainians ferociously charged forward. The reckless force was utterly devastated by the dragon's flames.

---

Scene Change: Conference Room:

It was past noon. Reports of the events came bursting in the meeting room.

"The Lord of Tarbes has died in battle!" Murmurs could be heard from amongst the nobles in the chamber.

"The scout sent to investigate the dragoons has not returned!"

"We still haven't received a reply from Albion regarding our inquiries!"

Meaningless discussions repeated themselves in the conference room.

"We should request aid from Germania!"

"Aggravating the matter like that would not help! Besides that, it seems their forces were just waiting the right moment to invade Tristain! According to our border patrol. Their fleet was just waiting near the borders."

"How about attacking them with our whole dragon force?"

"Round up the remaining ships! All of them! No matter how old or small!"

"Let's dispatch a special envoy! Attacking them will only give them an excuse to engage in a total war!"

The meeting could not reach an agreement. Mazarini was having difficulty coming to a conclusion himself. He was still hoping for a way to settle things diplomatically. Amongst the heated debate, Henrietta looked at Wales who sat not far from her.

Wales nodded to her strengthening her resolve and giving her courage to speak out.

"If Zero died courageously… I too should live boldly."

"Tarbes is up in flames!" She spoke up. Everyone silenced at that moment and looked at her with wide eyes.

She was surprised at her own voice but quickly regained her composure. With a deep breath, she stood up. Everyone looked at her. Henrietta spoke in a trembling voice.

"Aren't you all ashamed of yourselves?" she scolded to the leader figures of her own country.

"Princess?"

"Our lands are being captured by enemies. There are things we need to do before bickering about alliances and special envoys, isn't there?"

"But… princess… It's just some tension caused by a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding? How can you still say that? Sinking a ship during a cannon salute is a bit extreme isn't it?"

"We have signed a non-aggression treaty. It was an accident."

"And that treaty is broken as easily as paper. They had no intention of keeping that treaty. It was just a lie to gain time. Albion's actions clearly show that they have an intention to war."

"But…"

Henrietta hit the table and started yelling.

"The blood of our people is being spilled while we are doing this! Is it not the duty of nobles to protect them? For what reason do we bear royal and noble names? Have they not let us reign over them so we can protect them in times of need like this?"

"Henrietta is right. They will not stop until Tristain is in flames." Wales stood up and started to speak. Then he turned to Henrietta and bowed slightly before her. "I would like to offer my and my remaining knights help to repel the invaders."

Henrietta nodded while smiled to Wales with a bright expression. "Thank you, King Wales. Your help is appreciated."

Everyone was speechless. Then Henrietta turned to the others and continued with a cold voice.

"You're all scared, aren't you? Albion is a large country after all. If we counterattack our chances of winning are slim. Is it because you think you will be held responsible as one of the leaders of the counter attack after the battle is lost? You all plan to cover here to lengthen your lives?"

"Princess," interjected Mazarini.

"However," Henrietta continued.

"I will ride forth. You can keep your meeting here."

Henrietta burst out of the conference room Wales followed her. Mazarini and numerous nobles tried to hold her back.

"Princess! You should rest before your wedding!"

"Ugh! It's so hard to run in this!"

Henrietta tore her wedding dress so that it was above her knees and threw the torn piece at Mazarini's face.

"Perhaps you can go get married."

"My carriage and my guards! Come!" she yelled when she reached the courtyard with Wales.

Wales turned to her. "I will rally my men. Don't worry. You can count on us." He said softly.

Henrietta nodded. "I know… I can always count on you. My dear Wales…" a tear run down on her cheek.

Wales nodded and headed to the nearest barn to borrow a horse and rally his remained knights.

After this Henrietta carriage was brought, led by the holy beasts, unicorns. The remaining magical defense squad in the courtyard assembled at once on Henrietta's call.

She unfastened one unicorn and straddled it.

"I shall command the troops! Regiments, assemble!" she yelled. Aware of the situation, every soldier saluted simultaneously. Henrietta hit the unicorn's stomach with her spur.

The unicorn magnificently raised its hooves up high under the bright sun and set off.

"Follow the princess!" cried the soldiers while following Henrietta, mounted on the beasts.

"Follow! A delay brings shame to the family name!" The nobles in the courtyard dashed out. The word spread through the regiments scattered about the town.

Watching this absent-mindedly, Mazarini looked up at the skies.

"I knew we would go to war with Albion someday, despite my efforts, but… our country is not prepared."

He was not concerned about his own life. He bore the worries of his country in his own way, and for the sake of the people, he had made his decision. Even if it meant a small sacrifice, he didn't want to engage in a lost battle.

But, it was as the princess said. His efforts and devotion to diplomacy had been boiled away. Of what use is clinging to it? There are things to be taken care of first.

One of the high-class nobles whispered in Mazarini's ear.

"Cardinal, about the special envoy…"

Mazarini slapped the nobles face with his cap. He coiled the torn piece from the wedding dress, which Henrietta had thrown at him, on his head.

"All of you! To your horses! If we let the princess go alone, we will be forever cast in shame!" yelled the Cardinal as he looked through the nobles behind him.

---

Scene Change: Tristain Academy of Magic:

News of the declaration of war had reached the Tristain Academy of Magic the following day. Contact had been delayed due to the chaos in the palace.

Louise was waiting at the entrance of the Academy of Magic for a carriage from the palace. The carriage was to take her and her chosen plus one person to Germania. She wanted to bring her familiar but she nowhere to found him.

"Where are you, idiot!? There is almost time…" she murmured in an almost crying manner.

However, only a breathless messenger arrived at the academy that misty morning.

The messenger asked her where Osman's room was, and dashed away quickly after receiving the answer. The unusual scene caused Louise look after the agent with a surprised manner. Sensing something had happened in the palace, she rushed after him.

Osman was occupied with the preparations for the wedding ceremony. He would be leaving the academy for a week, and so he was organizing various documents and packing his luggage.

A loud knock came at the door.

"Who is it?" asked Osmond as he continued his organizing work.

The messenger from the palace had burst into the room before Osman had finished talking.

"Reporting from the palace! Albion has declared war on Tristain! The princess' wedding has been postponed until further notice! Soldiers are currently heading towards La Rochelle! For safety reasons an order was issued stating that all students and staff are to be confined to the castle!"

Osman's face grew pale. "A declaration of war? There's going to be a battle?"

"Yes! Enemy forces have set up camp in the fields of Tarbes and are glaring at our troops nearby La Rochelle."

"The Albion forces must be adamant."

The messenger replied sorrowfully. "The enemy forces are a dozen in number led by a massive warship called the Lexington. The total number of troops is estimated to be around twenty thousand. Our main fleet has already been destroyed and counting all our troops; we only have around two thousand. We weren't prepared for war, so that was all we could field. However, the worst is that they have complete aerial dominance. Their cannons will surely decimate our troops."

"What's the current situation?" inquired Old Osman.

"The enemy dragoons are setting fire to the village of Tarbes… We requested aid from Germania, but they said they did not want to interfere with the internal matters of the country and they station many warships in our borders…"

Osman sighed and said, "… They're planning to abandon us then take over the country from the weakened army. During that period, Tristain's towns will fall readily into the hands of the enemy."

Louise who glued her ear on Osman door. Her face had become pale at the mention of war, and Siesta, the maid who snake beside her without she recognizing it and likewise heard the murmurs behind the door dashed off.

Louise who just came back from her sudden confused state followed her with a quick manner. Siesta reached the courtyard and jumped into the 'Zero's' cockpit and started to change into the pilot uniform what her grandfather left behind. "Where are you going?!" Louise yelled after her. "Do you even know how to drive that thing without Zero?!"

Even then, Siesta sat in the cockpit and performed the necessary operations to start the engine. The engine began to heat up with a loud noise, and the propellers began to spin.

Then Siesta looked to Louise with an expression what Louise never saw from her. There was no fear only determination on her face. "My siblings in Tarbes! I need to save them!" she said this as she operated the machine and started the takeoff sequence.

Louise grabbed Siesta's arm in the cockpit. "You can't! It's a war! Even if you went, it wouldn't make a difference!"

She checked the gauges, then the machine gun in front of her. The bullets were loaded. The machine guns on the wings were also charged. Zero did not upgrade the weapon system of the plane because of obvious reasons. But he and Colbert made the plane more reliable, lighter, improved its engine and the machine body. Increasing its maneuverability and speed.

"Zero taught me how to fly with my grandfather 'Dragon's Raiment'. With this, I can save my family! This can fly and fight too. I'll figure something out." Siesta looked back to the operation table before her. "I had to…" she murmured.

"What can you do with a toy like this?!" yelled Louise.

"Zero said it is a weapon. It isn't a toy." Siesta shouted back as the jet cylinders under the wings came to life.

"Regardless, whether this is a weapon from Zero's world or not, there's no way you can win against those large warships and dragons! Don't you understand? You can't make a difference! Just leave it to the soldiers!" shouted Louise as she glared angrily to Siesta. "As a noble I command you come down here! Right away!"

"This girl… this reckless maid doesn't know anything about war. Zero where are you when we need you?"

Louise thought. This was different from the journey they took to Albion. The battlefield was a place filled with death and destruction. If a simple maid went, it would result only in her death. And as she knows the timid village girl never killed anyone in her life.

"No! I have to save my village!" said Siesta as she almost takes off.

Louise gritted her teeth in her anger and frustration. "What will Zero said when he came back, and he finds Siesta dead because I did not protect her?"

As she gritted her teeth, she twisted her tongue and said. "Grrr. Fine. Then I will be going with you! That idiot surely would be sad If you'd be dead when he returns."

Siesta nodded firmly as she turned back to the dashboard. Then she reached towards Louise to help her get in into the cockpit.

"Seat your belt." Said Siesta as she grabbed the joystick and started to ascend from the ground.

"What seat belt?"

Siesta motioned it near Louise. "Zero said it prevent to fall out from the plane."

Louise nodded. First, she did not know what to do with it. But she was a quick learner and not a stupid child. "Where is that idiot…" she murmured as she seated her five-point seatbelt.

The upgraded A6M take off from the ground slowly.

Colbert hearing the humming engines woke up and ran into the courtyard from his makeshift workshop. "Stop! Louise! Siesta! Where are you going?" he shouted from the ground.

"We are going to the village of Tarbes." Shouted Louise.

"I forbid it! Without Zero overseeing it, you can't fly with the machine!"

But before Louise could retort. Siesta closed the cockpit with a sharp move and took off from the school. When the plane reached the adequate speed and height, Siesta changed to fighter mode.

Colbert sighed. "Why no one is listening to me…"

Under the flight, Louise asked a question from Siesta. "Siesta, why are you really going to Tarbes? Aren't you scared?"

Siesta concentrated. On her face, there was no fear just a high-minded expression. "I am scared. I'm even reluctant to do this. But if there is a little chance to save my family I will face even the worst of my fear! Zero once said. 'The bravest is not the one who never fear. But the one who can conquer his/her own fear.' I think he's right. I need to face my fear to overcome it!"

"What are you saying? You're just a commoner. You aren't a gallant knight or anything!"

"It does not matter Louise! Think about Zero. Do you ever see fear in his face?"

Louise's looked in herself for a moment. "That's right. I never saw fear in Zero's face not even once. Just his annoying, always motionless mocking expression. Even when we left him to face with that army alone. Maybe, Siesta is right. If a commoner can do this. I will be able too! I am the third daughter of the La Valiére family after all." a look of determination moved to her face.

"You are right. Step on it!"

Siesta nodded and increased the speed. Thanks to the sudden adrenalin rush she felt no fear or any regret. Her senses sharpened, and it seemed the many hour practices paid off. She only felt determination.

"I won't die! I will protect my family, and in the end, we will have a vineyard with Zero in Tarbes!"

Under the bright sun, the zero fighters split the winds and rose up into the sky of another world.

---

Scene Change: Village of Tarbes:

The fire consuming Tarbes had calmed, but the area had turned into a cruel battlefield. Battalions had been assembled in the field and were awaiting the moment they would clash with Tristain troops in the port city La Rochelle. Protecting them above were the Lexington's dragons. The Tristain dragons would attack sporadically, but they had all been forced to retreat.

Before the battle, Albion's command decided that they would use the cannons of the warships to deal with the Tristain troops. And so, the fleet prepared its cannons.

One dragon on the lookout above Tarbes noticed an enemy dragon was approaching from above, about two thousand five hundred meters away. The dragon had the dragon cry out, alerting the others that an enemy was approaching.

Siesta looked out from the windshield and saw Tarbes below her. There was no trace of that simple, beautiful village what her home was before. The houses were scorched with black smoke rising from them. She clenched her teeth in her sudden anger. She remembered how recently she and Zero were looking out at the field. Zero's words replayed in his head.

"Weird people moving the world. I always withhold my end of the bargain." She tightened her grip on the joystick and started to maneuver.

A dragoon unit breathed fire at the forest located on the outskirts of the village. The forest was instantly set ablaze.

Siesta bit her lip, and she felt the blood in her mouth. "Father, mother, sisters, brothers… Please be alive!" she pleaded in her heart.

Siesta pushed the control stick to the bottom left while pressing the throttle firmly. The Zero fighter started to swoop down towards Tarbes.

"What could one dragon possibly do?" muttered the ascending dragon rider as they prepared to attack.

However, it had an unusual figure. It had two horizontal wings stretched out as if the wings were fixed and didn't flap. Under its wings, there were two cylinders. It also made a thunderous roar they had never heard of before.

"Did such a dragon exist in Halkeginia?" muttered one of the dragon rider.

However… no matter what dragon it was, it would be finished off with a single breath from the Albion Fire dragons, just like the rest. When its wings were burnt, it would probably go down. Using this strategy, they had already killed two of Tristain's dragoons.

"This is the third," said a dragon rider awaiting the descending enemy, with the corner of his mouth bending into a smile.

He was surprised. It was fast. Quicker than any dragon. It seemed so fast they barely could track with their eyes.

Panicking, the dragon rider made the dragon breathe fire. At that moment, the wing of the descending enemy flashed. Countless numbers of shining white things were flying towards him.

Large holes appeared on the wings and the body of the dragon. A 20mm bullet entered the dragon's mouth. A fire dragon has pockets of oil for intense combustion in its throat. The autocannon shell caught one of the oil pockets. The fire dragon exploded. Slipping by the dragon that had exploded in midair.

Siesta continued to descend while she made aerial evasion moves what could humiliate even the professional pilots. As the theory said about genetic inheritance. Unique, skills talents could have inherited through your genes. And Siesta was the descendant of a Japanese veteran pilot who survived numerous battle in his time. It was in her blood.

The fighter's machine gun range was tens of times than that of the dragon's breaths. After she had seen her village in ruins she let her rage take control of her; she fired the 20mm autocannon shells and the 7.7mm machine gun on both wings at the dragoons.

Four more dragons fluttered in the skies above the village. They had seen the dragon which exploded from the enemy's attack. The attack wasn't breath. Which meant that it was probably a magic-based attack. Whatever attack it may have been, one dragoon alone can't do anything. Three dragons ascended to attack.

As Louise inspected the battle with wide eyes while sat behind Siesta, she murmured under her nose. "By Brimir's name… How could something like this exist? She is completely dominating the Albion Fire Dragons."

Then she spotted the fire dragons trying to intercept them from the left. "Three more are coming from the bottom left," she said in a panicked tone.

Three dragons were spread out below them and ascending.

Siesta nodded. She used the function button and changed the fighter mode to VTOL mode suddenly lowering the flying machine speed. Allowing the dragons to get past them. By the time the panicking dragons had turned around, they had already been clearly targeted. Siesta readied the pointer on the glass pane of the sighting device and pressed the throttle lever's fire button. Raining death to the dragon's and their riders in the form of hot lead.

In the end, the dragons and their riders looked like the Swiss cheese. The momentarily confused dragons were an easy to target to Siesta and her machine.

With a dull sound followed by the shaking of the plane, the autocannons on both wings opened fire. The wings of the fire dragons broke, and they went spiraling down. In the next instant. Siesta increased the VTOL speed and changed back to fighter mode by pressing the adequate button.

Siesta had put her foot down on the right foot bar and glided the modified 'A6M' fighter, taking aim at the next dragon. Siesta fired again while boiled in rage. Taking numerous hits from the autocannon on its torso, the fire dragon shrieked in pain and dropped towards the ground.

Then she went after the other from the many fire dragons what ruled the skies.

Siesta quickly made the airplane ascend, controlling the plane naturally thanks to her heritage. She switched the velocity level to high. Against dragons, the Zero fighter which had a reciprocating and jet engines had the most advantage at those speeds.

As the Zero fighter descended, the velocity would increase. The first thing to do was to control the area above the enemy. Thanks to her heritage and the numerous practice hours she flies with the plane like a veteran. Of course, Louise almost passed out because of the sudden G force. But Siesta was already got used to it under their flights with Zero.

"T-T-T-That's incredible! These Albion dragons are reputed to be unrivaled, yet they're dropping like flies!" shuttered Louise.

Behind the seat was originally a stupidly big radio, but since this world didn't have anyone who could contact them through the radio, Zero had removed it while he was adjusting the plane. After taking that off, he replaced it with a comfortable seat what Colbert borrowed him.

Louise's hands held the Founder's Prayer Book. It seemed like she didn't go anywhere like she had thought and instead slipped inside the plane.

Siesta continued her maneuvering through the clouds and headed towards one of the Albion warships. She scattered its sides with the 20mm cannon's what was installed to the plane wings. It seemed she aimed to the right spot because moments after it the warship seemed to catch fire and multiple explosions could be heard from the inside of it.

As the engine drowned out her voice, she shouted in his ears.

"Ten dragons from the right have just arrived," Louise warned Siesta.

The fire dragon's breath came flying to them. At that instant, she pushed the control stick quickly to the left. The plane rolled and dodged the breath of the dragon. Louise felt her stomach could not really take anymore and she went white because of her sudden nausea.

As she regained control over her tempestuous stomach, she shouted to Siesta. "Control it more elegantly!"

Siesta gritted her teeth, "There are too many of them…"

She made the plane descend. The dragoons couldn't follow her movements. Taking advantage of this moment, she made the plane ascend, and at its peak, she turned it around. With the sun behind her, she descended again. Aiming at the dragoons who were chasing them before, she fired the autocannons and the machine guns at them.

Louise, who had only held down in the plane because of the seat belt, was about to cry from the terror. "Perhaps I really shouldn't have come?"She trembled in fear. She bit her lip and grasped the Founder's Prayer Book tightly.

"Didn't I volunteer to come with Siesta because I could not expect from Zero to always protect me and fight for me? Hey, don't pretend as if you're fighting alone, I'm also fighting!"

Even so, she couldn't do anything. It was always like this, but this time she felt a tinge of regret. But nevertheless, losing to your fear won't accomplish anything.

She reached into her pocket and started to fondle the item what Zero gave her.

"Princess, Brimir, please protect us…" she whispered. She patted the Founder's Prayer Book in her right hand softly.

In the end, she hadn't finished the edict. She cursed her own lack of poetic talent. She was hoping to think of the decree on the carriage to Germania.

"That's right. I was going to go to Henrietta's wedding ceremony. I was waiting outside the academy's gates for the carriage to arrive. I then learned war had broken out. Destiny is a cynical thing."

She opened the Founder's Prayer Book while muttering to herself. She was planning to pray to the Founder for their safety. She opened the book and flipped to a random page. The Water, the item in her hand, started to shine.

On the board of Lexington:

"They got… wiped out? In only twelve minutes they got wiped out?"

Sir Johnston, the supreme commander of the invasion force, who was on the afterdeck of the flagship, Lexington, looking over the preparations for the bombardment attack with the ship's cannons, turned pale at the report.

"How many enemy units were there? A hundred? Tristain has that many dragons left?"

"Sir. A-According to the report, only one."

"A single unit?" Johnston stood motionless with a dumbfounded expression. He threw his hat to the ground.

"Nonsense! Twenty dragoons and a warship took out by a single enemy unit? Surely you jest!"

Frightened at the supreme commander's attitude, the messenger took a step back.

"According to the report, the enemy dragon had incredible speed and agility, and also had strong, long ranged, magic based attacks. Our units were killed one by one…"

Johnston grabbed the messenger.

"What about Rollo?! Rollo, who was given command of the dragoons, what about him?! What happened to that cocky bastard?! Was he also killed?!"

"His wind dragon was not included in the list of casualties. But… it seems like he wasn't seen around…"

"So he betrayed us! Or otherwise, he was too much of a coward! Whichever it was, we can't trust him…"

Quietly reaching out his hands, Bowood said, "Reacting like that in front of all the soldiers will lower their morale, commander in chief."

Enraged, Johnston took his anger out on Bowood.

"What are you saying? It's your fault that the dragoons got wiped out! Your lack of competence was just asking for our precious dragoons to be destroyed! I will report this to His Excellency. I will report it!" Johnston yelled as he reached out to grab Bowood.

Bowood drew his wand and jabbed Johnston's stomach. The white of his eyes is showing, Johnston fainted to the ground. He ordered the soldiers to carry him away.

"Should have just made him sleep in the first place," Bowood thought.

Noise apart from that of explosions and cannons only agitated the troops. A single decision could be the difference between victory and defeat, especially during battle.

Bowood turned to the messenger who was staring at him with a worried expression. He spoke with a calm, composed voice.

"Even though the dragon force has been wiped out, the Lexington is still undamaged. Also, Cromwell has probably devised a plan. Don't worry about it, just put an effort in what you're doing."

"A single unit killing twenty units? A hero, eh…" Bowood whispered.

But at most a hero. And thus only an individual. No matter how much power an individual hold, there'll be things he can change and things he can't change.

"And this ship is the latter," Bowood whispered.

He issued orders.

"Advance the entire fleet. Prepare the left cannons." His navigator saluted and passed the message to the appropriate staff.

After a while, far away, at the other end of the field of Tarbes, the battle array of Tristain's troops, situated in La Rochelle, which was a natural stronghold due to the mountains around it, could be seen.

"All fleets advance slowly. Ship to starboard."

The fleet turned so that the Tristain forces would be facing their left side.

"Fire the remaining cannons. Continue firing until further orders."

"Upper part and the lower part, prepare the right cannons. Use grapeshot."

---

Scene Change: Other Side of the Battlefield:

Five hundred meters in front of the Tristain troops crowded within La Rochelle; the huge enemy force could be seen. It had the three colored Reconquista flag and was approaching quietly. Having never actually seen an enemy before, Henrietta, mounted on a unicorn, was shaking. She closed her eyes to offer a prayer so that the soldiers around her wouldn't see her shaking in fear.

But as she looked to her side she saw Wales fully armored form. Behind him, his 300 remained loyal knights stood proudly. Wales smiled at her. This calmed her down and gave her the necessary courage.

Henrietta looked up at the large enemy fleet with a unfaltering expression. It was Albion's fleet. The side of the fleet flashed. It was enemy fire. The cannon shells accelerated by gravity were flying towards Tristain's troops.

Impact.

Hundreds of cannon shells dropped down on the troops in La Rochelle. Rocks, horses, and people were thrown together, sent flying through the air. The forces were trying to flee from the overwhelming might before them. The place was drowned by the sound of thunderous roars.

"Calm down! Everyone settle down!" Henrietta shouted in a commanding tone.

Wales veteran Knights did not move in an inch just stood behind their king. They had looked eye to eye to certain death before. They were veterans after all. The horrors of the battlefield were not stranger to them.

"Don't worry Henrietta. We will win the battle." Wales said firmly.

Henrietta knew this existed only Wales mind. But she relieved hearing her love comforting words.

Mazarini quickly whispered to the generals nearby. While Tristain was a small country, it was one filled with history. Its history included many righteous nobles. Of all the Halkaganian nations, the Tristain army had the highest percentage of mages within its ranks.

By Mazarini's command, the nobles created barriers of air within the openings of the mountains. The shells would hit them and break. Wales also ordered his remained mage knights to do the same. They all raised their wand-sword and started their incantations.

But despite this, some of the shells got through. Screams could be heard with rocks and blood scattering.

"As soon as the enemy stops their bombardment, they will most likely stage an all-out assault. There's no other way but to face them," whispered Mazarini.

The barrier was failing with quick rate soon it will cease to exist.

"Is there a chance of being victorious?" Henrietta turned to Mazarin who was not stranger from the battlefield despite his peace-seeking nature.

Mazarini noticed that the soldiers were starting to tremble before the enemy bombardment. They had advanced with great vigor but… there are limits to people's courage. He did not want, to tell the truth to the Princess who had made him remember something he had forgotten.

"We're evenly matched." Henrietta knew it was a lie of course. They were outmatched ten by one. Impact. The ground below them shook like an earthquake. Marzarini sorrowfully understood the situation.

Twenty thousand strong troops formed the enemy's numbers, while their forces, crumbling from the bombardment, only numbered two and thirty hundred and failing.

They had no chance.

---

Scene Change: Battlefield: In the air:

Louise looked at the letters that appeared in the light.

It was… written in ancient runes. As Louise took lessons seriously, she could read the ancient language.

Louise chased the letters in the light.

Foreword.

Henceforth, I shall record the truth I know. All materials in the world are comprised of fine grains. The four branches intervene with these fine grains and apply an influence, which transforms them into spells. This was how "Fire," "Water," "Wind" and "Earth" were formed.

Louise was filled with curiosity. With an impatient feeling, she turned the page.

The gods bestowed upon me a greater strength. The fine grains, which the four branches bore influence over, are comprised of even finer grains. The power bestowed upon me by the gods. Does not belong to any of the four. The branch I wield intervenes with even finer grains and applies an influence, transforming them into spells. A Zero that belongs to neither of the four. This so-called Zero is "Void." I name the Zero the gods have bestowed upon me "Void." May it's power serve my descendants as well as me."

"The branch of Void… Isn't that a legend? Isn't that the legendary branch?!" Whispering to herself, Louise turned the page. Her pulse was racing.

Siesta, who had wiped out the dragon fleet, looked over the sky. Above the fields, she spotted the large and many smaller warship between the gaps of the clouds, far away. Below that ship was the port city, La Rochelle. The biggest ship was the Lexington.

"It is useless if we don't take that big warship down…" she gritted her teeth and increased their speed.

Then she remained silent and opened the throttle of the zero fighters. It was at full boost. The zero plane ascended towards the large warship by a large speed.

Louise who was still read the book in the second seat did not watch what Siesta is doing.

The right side of the ship shone. Aimed at Siesta's Zero fighters, something was flying towards her. They were countless numbers blinking of lead bullets. They pierced the plane with holes while shaking it. Breaking the windshield, a shard grazing Siesta side in the process. Siesta cough blood.

Louise realizes this yelled. "Are you alright Siesta?!".

Siesta gritted her teeth and numbed the pain with her anger. She made the Zero fighter do a sudden dive, avoiding the second round of fire.

"They put small bullets in those large cannons!" Siesta bit her lip in her pain.

She couldn't even get close to the ship, much less sink it.

On the Lexington deck, Cromwell watched the battle with a satisfied expression. A messenger ran near him. The new 'King' of Albion turned to him while he still smirked. "Your Majesty! The Dragon Riders request assistance! They are failing quickly."

Cromwell smirked. "Then we will show them the wrath of the heavens!"

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a strange looking whistle. He took a deep breath and blew it. The messenger heard nothing. But a few second later angel looking creatures descended into the deck from the hiding of the clouds.

"Destroy that creature!" he pointed Louise and Siesta's airplane. The angels bowed then take off from the ground and headed towards the rapid flying machine.

Back in the modified 'A6M' Behind the seat, Louise had lost herself in reading the Founder's Prayer book. The thunderous noises did not reach her ears. She could only hear her own pulse getting louder and louder.

The one who can read this will inherit my deeds, thoughts, and objectives. They will become the bearer of this power.

Be mindful, wielder of this power. For my brethren and I, who have died unfulfilled, you should strive towards retaking the "Holy Lands" stolen by heathens. "Void" is powerful. Yet, the incantations are of great length and consume much energy. Take heed, incantation. At times, your life will diminish depending on the power.

Thus, I choose the reader of this book. Even when one not qualified wears the item, they cannot open this book. Only when the chosen reader wears the item of "Zero" can they open this book.

Brimir Ru Rumiru Yuru Viri Vee Varutori.

Following, are my recordings of the "Void" spells I used. The first step of the very beginning. "Explosion."

A spell in the ancient language followed after that. Dumbfounded, Louise whispered, "Founder Brimir, aren't you forgetting something? If I weren't carrying the item, I wouldn't be able to read the Founder's Prayer Book right? The stuff about the chosen reader… and the "take heed" section has no meaning then."

And then she realized. Chosen reader… that means…

"I'm the chosen reader?" she thought.

"I don't really understand but… I can read the words. If I can read it, I can probably perform this spell written here." Louise remembered how every time she recited an incantation, an explosion would result. That's… in other words, that's the "Void" written about here? Of course, this not happening that often since Zero training her. Still, it happens sometimes. Her tier based magic not strong enough yet. So their only choice is the Founder Prayer book.

When she thought about it, no one could tell her the reason why she made things explode. Her parents, her sisters, her teachers… her friends as well… they only laughed at her for being a "failure." They didn't think anything of the explosions.

"Perhaps I really am the chosen reader. I can't really believe it, but I perhaps am the chosen reader. This might be worth trying out. And also… There's nothing else to fall back on now. "

She was calm and relaxed. The runes she had just looked at were on the tip of her tongue as if they had greeted one another many time.

Like the lullabies she had heard in the past, the spell's tune was somewhat similar.

Meanwhile, the injured Siesta tried to evade the attacking angels what's appeared from the nowhere. It seems their speed almost matched the upgraded 'Zero's' speed. No matter the jet engines under its wing.

"I'm going to try it. "murmured Louise.

She looked to Siesta. "Siesta! Open the cockpit when I say!"

"W-What are you doing Miss Valiére? You will fall out!"

Louise glared at the injured Siesta. "Just trust me and keep this thing out of harm until I recite the spell." Siesta had no other choice nodded and tried to maintain the plane out of harm way.

"Fly near the warship. It might just be a hoax… but trying it out is better than not doing anything. Besides, there's no other way to sink that warship…. The only way is for me to do it."

"I understand. I'll try it." Siesta nodded and turned the plane control rod into the direction of the Lexington.

"…I can't believe it but… I can't honestly say it but… I might have been chosen. This could be some mistake, though." Louise muttered.

The grapeshot flew towards them. Going around to the left side would probably have the same result. The ship also had cannons sticking out from the bottom as well. The Lexington was like a porcupine with cannons. Thanks to Siesta agile maneuvers she managed to dodge a grapeshot what hit an angel hindering its movement heavily injuring it.

"What are you doing?!" Louise shouted to Siesta.

Siesta gritted her teeth. She was tired. Drained from the blood loss and the pain. The adrenalin what carried her forward started to leave her system "I-I can't. It's impossible! I can't get near it!" Her vision began to blur. Then an idea came into her mind as an another rush of adrenaline rushed through her veins. "Miss Valiére hold on. I will ascend to greater heights" she pulled backward the rod, and the fighter started to descend.

Siesta rose above the Lexington.

"Open the canopy!" Louise urged Siesta. Siesta being exhausted and numb did not care anymore why she needed a paved the canopy of the 'A6M'. She just opened it. A strong wind blew across their face.

"Until I give you the signal, keep circling here. And maneuver out those things."

Louise took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

Then, as if she were flaring up, she opened her eyes and started to read the runes written in the Founder's Prayer Book. She read the spell amongst the roar of the engine. Siesta was circling above the Lexington in the Zero fighter like she was told as she tried to outmaneuver the attacking angels.

A quick wind shock unbalances the plane from the rear. Siesta almost lost her control over the fighter, but she managed to recover it.

Quickly looking behind, a dragon could be seen flying towards them like a gale. It was Rollo. Cromwell bootlicker.

Mounted on top of the wind dragon, Rollo grinned. He had been hidden amongst the clouds above the Lexington, waiting for his chance to strike. So this was the mysterious dragon who had crushed all of his subordinates. He knew he didn't have much chance of winning if he faced it front on. Which is why he had to aim for a weak spot.

His plan hinged on the warship. The enemy's aim would definitely be this warship. And if he were a skilled enemy, he would be able to find its blind spot with the help of the distraction. Thus, hiding nearby and waiting was the best option. Wardes' prediction was right.

His target started to dive.

The dragon rider steadily shortened the distance separating them. With deep interest, he looked at the Zero fighter.

"It's not a dragon. That's… not something made from Halkeginia's logic… the "Holy Lands"? " he muttered.

The fainting Siesta couldn't lose the dragon and the angels that were following them. With Louise who was outside of the cockpit, she could not make any normal maneuvers without risking her falling out. She started to feel this will be her last ride.

She set the throttle to the minimum and opened all the flaps. As if something had grabbed the Zero fighter, its speed dropped.

She pushed the button and switched to VTOL mode suddenly. Then gave all of the throttles to reverse movement. The force behind this maneuver almost break out the fortified wings of the plane. Louise lost her balance for a moment.

The pursuing angels and the Dragon speed ahead. In their sudden surprise, they could not realize the maneuver. As they speeded beside the 'A6M' Siesta rained them the hot lead of death.

Being the lowest levels of angels. They could not stand the 20mm cannons and the upfront cannons combined strength. Being summoned creatures, they did not have much intelligence. Yes, they followed the orders. But nothing else. They were dumb as a rock.

However, Rollo sensing the killing intent from behind him turned around, however, just barely dive in a rapid rate. But it was too late. The Zero fighter was smoothly raining death to them down. The machine gun bullets tore through the wind dragon, which had thinner scales than the fire dragons. Rollo was hit in the stomach, and he coughed blood. The wind dragon gave out a shriek. Both of them started to fall towards the ground.

Siesta was sweated and completely pale because of the fever what her blood loss caused. But she managed to ascend the Zero fighter once more. Even while she did those maneuvers, Louise grabbed the cockpit two sides firmly. Then again, Louise was very skilled at horse riding. Louise continued her incantation in a quiet voice.

"Hurry Louise. I don't know how much I can take." She coughed up some blood. It seemed she had internal bleeding.

"Eoruu Suunu Firu Yarunsakusa"

A rhythm had started pulsating through Louise. She felt as though she knew the rhythm from somewhere. With every word of the incantation, the pace grew stronger. It sharpened her senses, while not a single noise around reached her ears. It was as if something within her body was born, and was searching for a destination… Louise remembered what she was told once. When you recite an incantation of your own branch, a feeling similar to what she was feeling would be felt.

"Is it really what I'm feeling? Me, who has always been despised for being a zero. Me, who was said to have no talent in magic by teachers, parents, sisters and students. Is this the real me? "

"Osu Suunu Uryu Ru Rado"

She could feel a wave being born inside of her, slowly swelling.

"Beoozusu Yuru Suvyueru Kano Other"

The wave inside her, searching for a destination, went berserk. Siesta consciousness hung on a thin thread. She knew if she is falling asleep they are most likely die. The Zero fighter began to swoop down at the Lexington below them. Opening her eyes, she timed her incantation.

"Void."

"The legendary branch of magic. I wonder how powerful it is."

"Jera Isa Unjyuu Hagaru Beookun Iru…"

After the long incantation, the spell was complete. At that moment, Louise understood the power of the spell. It would swallow everyone. Every person in her vision would be consumed by her spell. There were two options. Kill, or don't kill. What was she meant to destroy? With the winds blowing against her face, she looked down. A massive warship appeared before her eyes. The Lexington. Following her impulse, she aimed at a single point and swung her wand down.

As Louise finished her incantations. Both girls lost their consciousness and started to rapidly fall towards the ground with rapid rate because Siesta falls into the control joystick and in the last moment she turned the plane into VTOL mode. Lousie was blacked out due to her willpower exhaustion and Siesta due to her high fever and blood loss.

With Henrietta:

An unbelievable scene unfolded before Henrietta's eyes. The warship that had been bombarding them… A ball of light had appeared in the sky. It was like a smaller version of the sun, and it expanded. And… it swallowed it. It had taken the warship in the heavens. The light continued to grow until it was all she could see. There was complete silence. Henrietta and Wales suddenly closed their eyes because of the bright shone what the explosion caused.

The light of the sphere was so intense that anyone would think that their eyes would burn from staring at it. And then… after the light had faded, the fleet was on fire. The fleet led by the Lexington had all their sails and decks burning.

But then they realized something. The Command ship and many other ships were still intact. They were surrounded by some kind of energy barrier.

A tremor in the earth could be felt like the other ships fallen into the ground. A few ships from the fleet had come crashing down. Henrietta was dumbfounded. Complete silence overcame them. Everyone stared at the incredible scene. The Lexington and the remaining ships turned their sides towards them and started to use their special cannons. The Tristain army mages were already exhausted due to their intense element based barrier use. The next barrage inevitably penetrates their shields.

Wales grabbed Henrietta hand and smiled at her. Seeing this Henrietta smiled black. "It seems our story end's now."

Henrietta nodded. She does not felt fear at that moment. Because she knew if she dies. She does not die alone. She will be not alone in the afterlife. But with her love.

The enemy ground units were already in their range to finish the footwork. They had no chance. As the first cannons penetrated the shield. Wales grabbed Henrietta, hand. Pulled her to himself and kissed her. "Nothing to lose…" Henrietta closed her eyes and kissed Wales back. The Cardinal watched them dumbfounded then smiled. "Folly of Youth."

But before the magic coated bullets could reach them… A miracle happened. A magical barrier appeared before the barraged area and a strange white dragon near the Princess and Wales.

Somewhere else a stranger smiled under his mask. "The application of the combination of delay magic and time dilation fields are truly magnificent."

Back with Henrietta and the Tristain army.

Henrietta, Wales, and the Cardinal did not know what to look. They turned their head to the barrier then the strange dragon. The barrier then the strange dragon.

Henrietta walked to the strange white thing and inspected it. In it was the unconscious Louise and the already healed and bandaged Siesta laid. "L-Louise...?" Then she noticed an envelope glued to the cockpit window. A text was written in it. 'To Princess Henrietta' She opened it.

"Greeting's Princess!

It seems I came just in time. If you want me to save your country just sign the attached contract. If not. Pff… Then not. I warn you this will cost you and your country an enormous sum. But let me ask you something? What is worth more than freedom?

I attached a pen if you decide to hire me. I hope you make the right decision.

Tick-tock Princess. Tick-Tock… Time is short.

Signature: Zero."

She smiled. "So you survived after all." she murmured and had no other option she signed the contract with her royal signature.

A projection from a white man in a strange mask appeared in the sky. "Greetings everyone!" Everyone turned to their head to the screening in the heavens suddenly as they heard the masked person distorted voice.

"You attacked a country what hired me. That means I had to decimate you. But as a kind hearted person, I am. I give you a chance to retreat. Most of you should know me from the tales what your friends told about the battle of Whitecastle. How they called me…" he patted the chin of his mask.

The few veterans if the Reconquista army who was in the massacre of Whitecastle but did not give up the fight looked at each other and started to murmur while gulped. "T-The White-Haired Demon…"

"The White-Haired Demon. Correct. There are two choices left. Either you flee, forfeit yourselves to the Tristain army and King Wales or…" he motioned with his hand.

Everyone looked to the projection with wide eyes. "The second. Let just say… I kill everyone who does not give up their arms. Tick-Tock. Time is short." He motioned with his finger.

Who seen the massacre of Whitecastle started to pull back, but the others just mockingly laughed on The White Demon speech.

Cromwell smirked arrogantly in the deck of Lexington. "Hmph. Shoot him down."

The Lexington and the other ships turned to their cannons to the direction of the projection and started to barrage it.

The small part of the army and two ships began to retreat already. But the other's held them firmly.

Their barrage didn't do any damage to the projection. They only flew through it.

Then the White-Haired Demon started to speak again. But this time his already distorted voice turned into terrifyingly twisted metallic one.

"Rudimentary creatures of blood and flesh. You touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding." The troops started to tremble and pray hearing the terrifying metallic voice.

"There is a realm of existence so far beyond your own you cannot even imagine it. I am beyond your comprehension. I am The White Demon!" the soldiers started to look each other uneasily. Incapable of deciding. Flee or fight.

As the barrage continued, the projection said. "Your act as empty as your future… This exchange is over." The projection snapped his fingers then disappeared.

The white haired man disappeared from the forecast, and a counter appeared instead of him what counted from 30 to downward.

In the distance, the figure activated his ability. "[Silent Cast: Maximize Magic: Special Ability Call Titans]"

As the counter reached zero. Everyone heard a huge boom as six magical runes appeared in the sky far above them. From them, six massive metal golems fall out in a crouching position. They destroyed the ground and created a big crater in the impact zone. As they stood up all six of them equipped their weapons and started to march towards the Reconquista army.

They emitted terrifying metallic horn sound from their way. (Imagine distorted Reaper horn sound from Mass Effect.)

They were very well made. The mages of both sides never seen such exquisite work. Their eyes glowed with a bright red, blue and yellow light. Their height reached the 250m. And the ground shattered and trembled under their each step. (Imagine their look like the Jaegers from the Pacific Rim movie.)

(These Automatons was created by Zero's Nanotech job class special ability, and he could only use them once a day. They were level 85 units. With strong, magic and physical defense, physical attack, but weaker magic attack and agility. They were the perfect tool for distraction and in situations like this and each of them controlled by separated advanced AI.)

Three of them carried huge swords on their hands and a strange gun in their back. The other three of them carried some kind of big staff in their hands and a two smaller swords on their back.

Then a song started to play as they marched towards the attacking army and it's lyrics written on the sky.

Insert Music: Seven Nation Army (Glitch Mob Remix):

I'm gonna fight them all
A seven nation army couldn't hold me back
They're gonna rip it off
Taking their time right behind my back
And I'm talking to myself at night
Because I can't forget
Back and forth through my mind
Behind a cigarette
And the message coming from my eyes
Says leave it alone (alone [2x])

Don't want to hear about it
Every single one's got a story to tell
Everyone knows about it
From the Queen of England to the hounds of Hell
And if I catch it coming back my way
I'm gonna sell it to you
That ain't what you want to hear
But that's what I'll do
And the feeling coming from my bones
Says find a home

I'm going to Wichita
Far from this opera forevermore
I'm gonna work the straw
Make the sweat drip out of every pore
And I'm bleeding [3x]
Right before The Lord
Words are going to bleed from me
And I will sing no more
And the stains coming from my blood
Tell me to go back home

One of them just simply sliced one of the ships in the air with its massive sword. Completely ignoring its new magical shields what their allies gave them. The other used its strange magic gun to shot down an another one then turned to the troops on the ground.

It started to march towards them activating its eye lasers. Scorching the ground and shooting down multiple ships in the process. The whole army was paralyzed because of their fear. Beside this they often said quotes. "EMBRACE DEMOCRACY OR YOU WILL BE ERADICATED."

"OBSTRUCTION DETECTED. COMPOSITION: TITANIUM ALLOY SUPPLEMENTED BY PHOTONIC RESONANCE BARRIER. PROBABILITY OF MISSION HINDRANCE... ZERO PERCENT!"

"THE LAST DOMINO FALLS HERE!"

Cromwell gritted his teeth. "Shoot down those damn things!" he ordered his soldiers.

However, someone appeared on the Lexington; the others did not realize this continued their tasks. He walked to the angry Cromwell who shouted like a lunatic.

"And someone makes this annoying music stop! I have enough of the fools today! …" he turned around as he felt the patting at his shoulder. "What is it! Don't you see I am busy?" His eyes widened. Before him, the Masked Demon stood.

The ships barraged the six Titans without any results. However, this could not be said from the six Titans on the ground. They massacred everyone in their way and destroyed the army slowly.

"Fool. Hmm. That not nice Mr. Cromwell. As a 'King' I expected more from you." He showed quotation marks with his fingers sarcastically.

"S-Stay back! D-Deamon!" Cromwell stepped back in his sudden fear and surprise.

Zero's already distorted voice turned to a metallicly twisted one behind the mask as before. "Demon? A label created by the humans and the elves to give voice to their destruction. In the end, what they choose to call us is irrelevant. We simply are."

Cromwell ran into the other side of the deck. "Kill him!" He pointed to The White Demon.

Everyone started to rain their incantations to the lone stranger. But instead of the numerous spells tore him apart. He came out unscattered. He began to stroll towards Cromwell slowly.

"Organic life is nothing but a genetic mutation, an accident. Your lives are measured in years and decades. You wither and die."

Cromwell reached under his smock-frock and searched something.

"We are eternal. The pinnacle of evolution and existence. Before us, you are nothing. Your extinction is inevitable. We are the end of everything." The white-haired monster spread his hands then clapped them together. A strange wave ran through the mages in the Lexington. After that, they were unable to cast any magic. They all stood dumbfounded.

Cromwell smirked as he found the thing what he searched under his smock-frock. It was a crystal. "You will be striking down by the might of Brimir! Demon! Prepare your end!"

"Confidence born of ignorance. The cycle cannot be broken." He said in his distorted voice.

Cromwell snorted. "Cycle? What Cycle? There is, no Cycle! There is only the might of Brimir!"

"The pattern has repeated itself more times than you can fathom. Organic civilizations rise, evolve, advance. And at the apex of their glory, they are extinguished."

"The humans and the elves were not the first. They did not create the magic. They did not forge and founded the world. They merely found it, the legacy of my kind."

"Lies!" Cromwell gritted his teeth as he shouted. "Prepare to be judged by the angels of the Founder!" He broke the crystal. A bright light shined. The figure stopped for a moment. After the shining ended a great angel looking figure with many wings stood on the deck. He held a long scepter in its hand.

"Seriously? This is all they got? Huh… How disappointing…" Zero sighed under the mask. "And I thought I could put together a decent show to the audience… How disappointing…"

"Destroy that sacrilegious Demon!" Cromwell pointed to the White Demon. The angel floated forward. Raised its scepter and broke it. A pillar of light struck down the white-haired stranger.

Cromwell smirked in satisfaction. "Hah! This will teach you to never stand in the way of the might of Brimir!"

Then his face deformed because of the fear of hearing the distorted metallic sound of the Demon from the middle of the pillar of light. "Your civilization is based on the magic what we developed, our technology our design. By using it, your society develops along the paths we desire."

The pillar of light disappeared, and the stranger stood on the deck. Unscattered. Under him the heavily burned floor. It was a holy based attack what generally did not cause any environmental damage.

But this attack was so powerful it could not be measured as a standard attack. It was a tier seven spell. It was a special attack what the summoned high ranked angel could use only once per summon. It caused heavily increased damage against all negative karma players and NPC-s, undead's, and demons.

Unfortunately for Cromwell Zero was an entirely neutral player. Neither negative or positive. His karma level was equal to zero. Beside that. This attack was not even strong enough to breach his passive nullification and anti-magic measurements.

The masked man raised his open hand slowly.

"Foolish organic…" he raised his hand towards the angel. "[Silent Cast: Black Hole]!" A small black orb appeared in the chest of the huge high ranked angel suddenly swallowing it from inside to outside and sucking all light from the surrounding. Everyone eyes widened in the ship.

"H-How…? How could you defeat the highest ranked angel of Brimir with such ease?"

The White Demon continued his path. "We impose order on the chaos of organic evolution. You exist because we allow it. And you will end because we demand it." Cromwell was reaching the cabin wall behind him and stopped.

"My kind transcends your very understanding. We are each a nation. Independent, free of all weakness. You cannot even grasp the nature of our existence."

Cromwell was fallen into his knees in his desperation. Everyone in the deck already started the evacuation, but Zero did not even bother by their act of desperation.

"We have no beginning. We have no end. We are infinite. Millions of years after your civilization has been eradicated and forgotten; we will endure."

As he reached Cromwell, he looked down to him. "We are legion. The time of our return is coming. Our numbers will darken the sky of every world. You cannot escape your doom."

"P-P-Please! Spare me! You can kill everyone! Just please spare me! Take me to ransom! I am a valuable person! I am the King of Albion…" he pleaded in his fear. As he started to cry and urinated on himself.

"I enjoy the sight of humans on their knees. " thought Zero as he smirked under his mask.

"Your words are as empty as your future. I am the vanguard of your destruction. This exchange is over." He raised his hand and started to close the range between his index finger and Cromwell face slowly.

Cromwell's eyes were still open and twitched because of his fear. But it seemed he fainted before Zero's finger could reach his face.

"Hmm. Fear is indeed a great crowd control tool."

He grabbed Cromwell collar and started to drag him toward's the ship edge. He looked to the battlefield. It was chaos. Practically the people under them stepped on each other to save their lives. The enemy fleet except Lexington was scattered on the ground.

Zero was already commanded his summons through his mental link to spare those who surrendered themselves to the Tristain army or flew away. Fear was a useful tool for breaking people. As the saying goes.

'No matter how much time you beat down a man. He will stand up again and again after each beating stronger and stronger and prouder after each occasion. But if you teach them the true meaning of fear and desperation. If you show them, you can take away something important what they held dear their last light of hope. They will stay on the ground.'

"This was not a battle from the start. This was pest control…" Zero sighed.

"[Teleport]." He disappeared from the deck.

Tristain army still stood dumbfounded because of the events what played before them.

On the ground muttered the Cardinal with a horrified expression. "W-What is this…? A Demon?"

They heard mixed murmurs from the army. Some of them whispered about their destruction. Some of them their salvation.

Henrietta just smiled. "Not a Demon but an Angel…"

Before Cardinal could say anything, the masked man appeared before them. On his shoulder, he held the unconscious Cromwell. "Well, Princess. I think you owe me my payment." He said in his distorted voice as he unmasked himself. Wales's eyes widened.

"Z-Zero?! You did not die on the battlefield?" he could not believe in his eyes.

"Not really. That would be pretty unpleasant King Wales. Doesn't it?"

Wales regained his composure and chuckled. "Indeed that would be pretty unfortunate."

Seeing Zero. King Wales knights smirked and cheered.

"Who is this your Majesty?" asked Cardinal Mazarin,

Henrietta turned to him. "Our guardian angel." She answered.

"Angel? Really? Sush... Not really. I am just a mere mercenary for hire. Nothing else."

"In this case thank you for your services in the name of Tristain." The Cardinal bowed his head in respect.

"No problem. If I may ask this individual is familiar to you King Wales?" Zero dropped the still blacked out Cromwell to the ground. Wales nodded. "Indeed. He is a traitor to the crown."

"I hope I will get some reward for him. You know what I mean." Zero rubbed his thumb, index and middle finger together.

Wales laughed. "I am sure we can find something out."

"Well, then. The enemy flagship is abandoned. You can take it as a bonus from me." Zero turned to the aircraft. "My task here is done. I commanded my guys to patrol the borders for a few days until you manage to organize something instead of them."

"Besides that, according to my estimation, they will disappear in a few days." he said in his inner world.

Zero turned to the modified 'A6M' fighter. "Well, then. I will take back Louise and Siesta to the Academy. They need medical care. You can pay me later Princess." With that Zero walked to the plane and placed his hand on it.

In an instant. They are disappeared.

Shouts of joy could be heard everywhere as they seen the enemy started the scattered retreating enemy.

"Long live Tristain! Long live the Princess! Long live the White Angel!" they shouted.

Cardinal asked Henrietta quietly, "Princess… was it the truth? Is he really just beat a whole army by himself…?"

Henrietta mischievously smiled.

"Yes, as expected from Louise… She summoned an excellent protector for herself."

"Hah…" The Cardinal stood dumbfounded. Then smiled. "In this case… The Founder really looked after us today."

Suddenly a courier arrived. "Princess! The Germanian fleet is retreating from our borders!"

Mazarini peered into the princess's eyes.

"Two victories in one day. But Princess remember this. You must use everything that you can use. It's one of the basics of politics and war. Remember it well. Because from today onwards, you are the ruler of Tristain."

Henrietta nodded. It was just as the Cardinal had said. The thinking… could come later.

"Princess. Shall we go forwards to victory?" asked Wales.

Henrietta nodded strongly once again. She held up her shining crystal wand.

"All troops, charge! Royal troops, follow me!"

Near the Village of Tarbes:

That evening… Siesta's family and the other villagers came out of the forest. News that the Albion troops had been defeated reached the village. The people who had taken shelter in the woods. They were terrified when they heard those metallic horns, sounds and felt the trembling ground under their feet. But in the end, they survived this as everything else, and they were glad for it.

Those strange metal golems crushed Albion's troops, and many had surrendered to the Tristain army. Well, there weren't any Albion soldiers strutting along the village around noon. The angry bellows, the clash of arms and the explosions had ended. Black smoke rose from the field, but the battle had ended. Only one Titanic golem remained on the field. Standing vigilantly. Guarding the village of the borders. Occasionally releasing a terrifying metallic horn sound or saying a quote on his metallic voice.

"FREEDOM... IS THE SOVEREIGN RIGHT OF EVERY LIVING and UNLIVING BEING."

---

A/N

Well, this is for now. I hope every reader enjoyed it.

You don't know how many times had to re-start the checking process because of the crash of the grammar checker.

But in the end, I did it! XD

Until next time readers!

Stay safe until that! To the infinite and forward! Forward unto dawn!