"Hah!" called a familiar voice as David stepped through the door into what was to be his bedroom for the next couple days, and he froze where he stood as the tip of Derf's blade stopped in the air right in front of his face. The Gandalfr's eyes went wide as Agnes blinked, the swordswoman raising the sword and allowing him to step inside as Derf let out a laugh.
"Almost cleaved him in two!" the weapon commented joyfully to its wielder. "If it was anyone less skilled, I'd be down yet another partner!"
Agnes avoided meeting David's gaze as he moved to sit on the queen-sized bed and observe the unusual sight. For the first time since coming here, the woman was wearing the outfit she had in the canon, with its lax defenses and chainmail dress as opposed to her usual light armor. Seeing it in person, the less conservative outfit suited her just as well as her actual combat-ready suit, though it was almost unsettling seeing her fingerless gloves and bared legs where normally she was completely covered up. "The idea of Agnes wielding the best sword in the world is terrifying. Aren't we not supposed to draw weapons right now?"
The woman coughed into her palm to clear her throat as she sheathed the sword, moving it to lean on the nightstand across the room from the bed as she shook her head. "Yes, well, though I too am bound by that law, it is still allowed until the Eternal Will is cast...and in private when no one else is present. I apologize, I came expecting you to have arrived and was unable to resist a practice swing with Derflinger."
"It's been five centuries since I last had a wielder who was so proficient, and a Milan at that! That man's blood truly hasn't thinned after all these years. Almost makes me feel like the wrong person got summoned."
David frowned as Agnes sweatdropped. "I don't have the time to be running around with a void mage, especially not that Valliere child."
"It was a joke, a joke! You two both carry the same will that Sasha and Gunther had, I would be happy with either one, but I've grown attached to this young man. I've always preferred partners who learn to fight with me at their side. I don't like those Gandalfrs who are already skilled, they tend to ignore my advice because they believe they know better."
"Well, you are an old weapon with spotty memory. Still, I can't deny that I'm still at my best when I'm wielding you." David stated, and the sword laughed in response.
"Aye, Partner! You're still rough around the edges, but in just a month, you've become a fine Gandalfr. I'm quite excited to be swung in true combat once again, it's been so long since you used me against a real opponent."
Agnes coughed again to get their attention as she stood straight, hardening her gaze to her normal neutral expression. "I have yet to see the results of the Duchess' spartan training, but it would be best if it is not seen so soon. Perhaps we can have a sparring match after the coronation ceremony ends."
David blinked, before smirking at the statement. "The great Agnes de Milan against a random commoner who only recently started properly training. I made a promise to spar with Cheri first, so I can't accept yet." He sighed, before crossing his arms. "Anyway, Marianne told me you asked for my help here. What's that about? Given your rank and fame, I feel pretty special to be asked for by name."
An odd expression crossed her face before vanishing like a shadow as she nodded, turning to take a seat in a chair placed next to a writing desk. "Considering how little you care for nobility and castes, I'm surprised you acknowledged how unusual this is. Before you came here, it was rare for a Chevalier of my stature and a commoner with little renown to meet in private like this, and even more so for it to be business-related rather than a personal rendezvous. There are other factors, but the primary one is that I'm well aware of your close connection with Lady Henrietta, both as part of New Divide and simply as friends."
David hummed at the statement, looking up at the ceiling in thought. "Yeah, you're the one who monitors our messages, aren't you? Though New Divide hasn't been very active recently, I've been taking the last month to reevaluate my goals. Also, I don't know if Henrietta told you, but Louise knows the full story now. She figured it out on her own terms, and I thought I'd tell her everything to prevent problems later on."
Agnes frowned at the revelation, sighing as she reached to press her fingers against her forehead. "Even the truth about Familiar of Zero that even I don't fully understand?"
"Well, I did tell her that I used to think of this world as fiction, but it would have been too complicated to explain why. As far as she knows, I just have a very weak form of clairvoyance that is unreliable at best. I figured with magic being so broad, there was some form that could do that."
"Mm. The magic of the Vanir is capable of reading into the future, but it isn't well understood. They have remained quiet for centuries and it's a magic that can't be awoken naturally, after all." She reached to rummage in her Musketeer Squad cloak, bearing the same insignia as the chanting guards outside, before pulling out a phial of orange liquid, holding it by the lip at the corked opening to his direction. "Take this, you may find yourself needing it if your Gandalfr fails you."
David reached to accept what he assumed to be a potion of some form, turning it in his fingers to look at it in the light. "I'm not really that familiar with alchemy, but aren't healing potions normally pink?"
The Chevalier narrowed her eyes as she nodded. "Most alchemists are incapable of producing such a rich color, but the noble who creates those is exceptionally skilled beyond many masters. Be very careful handling that, it's a type of hormonal potion the supplier names 'Serene'."
The boy blinked in surprise, hand wrapping around the phial as he looked at her. "Hormone...aren't those illegal? And I can only think of one person who can make-"
"They are." Agnes replied, cutting his off as she raised her hand. "It seems you already know that Viscountess Montmorency is capable of producing them, and before you ask, yes. The crown and Chevaliers already know about her activities, and allow her to act as normal provided that she sell her highest quality produce to us. The government is not as pure as you may think."
"...I see." It made sense, thinking about it. Why wouldn't they make use of everything they could, especially if it was that easy to get their hands on it? "Monmon's called 'The Fragrance' for a reason, this little amount is probably really potent, isn't it?"
Agnes crossed her arms as she nodded, before sighing. "Unfortunately, it is nearing its expiration date, and she hasn't produced very much over the last month as a result of domestic issues. Running an estate at her age, coupled with dating a member of another important noble family, it's a wonder she's done so well for herself up to this point."
"So...You want me to carry an illegal potion, and, what, use it on some random person if I see them trying to attack Henrietta?" Best to move on from the source, he didn't want the headache of thinking about Montmorency after the Tarbes mission.
Agnes shook her head, leaning back in her seat and humming before speaking. "You should try avoiding combat when you can, and if impossible, then prioritize magic and unarmed fighting. Your weapon should come second, as you would be considered treasonous for doing so. We can't protect you if you are seen swinging a sword during the ceremony. That potion is only in the gravest of situations where even Gandalfr is not enough, and do not throw it with other people around. 'Serene''s effect is to destroy a target's aggression toward the caster, and it's able to recognize your unique magic signature, something only Lady Montmorency's alchemy is able to accomplish. In other words…"
"If I use it, then it doesn't actually stop them from their efforts, it just protects me from being attacked." he finished. So it was similar to Siesta's sleeping potion in the second season...though he really did not want to misuse this one. This was far more dangerous than the canon equivalent.
The woman nodded, moving to press her hand on the seat cushion and pull herself to a standing position to step forward closer to him, pointing a finger at the phial in his hands. "That is enough to turn a platoon to your side, so I'm trusting your honesty quite a bit. You are working on your own, not even my own squad are aware of your presence." She frowned, shaking her head as she held her hand out. The motion started as intending for a handshake, before her fingers closed to a fist. "I'm well aware that you've rejected the Chevalier position multiple times before, but being an honorary knight is not out of the question, is it? This isn't something I was ordered to say, it's my own personal interest that you would be a good fit for my Musketeers."
The Gandalfr blinked, accepting her fist bump before speaking. "I don't know about that, I'm happy to work with you when I can, but an actual title and set job is a little...Also, aren't the Musketeers all female?"
The same odd expression she'd had earlier as she stepped back, a hand on her hip as she shook her head. "My core team have been female-only since I formed it, but the larger group are mixed. Besides, it's not a requirement, it's simply that I happen to have not met any men who were trustworthy and skilled enough to be near my direct subordinates. There are not many nobles who are as chivalrous as you." She reached her hand to cough into her fist again, a small smile forming on her face. "But, if you don't have any desire for a salaried position, that is alright as well. I thought I would ask now, before you became too engrossed in your studies again. The offer still stands, as I know you are acquainted with Cheri, and a few of my subordinates are fans of yours after your actions during Jean-Jacques' ambush at the Academy."
The boy sweatdropped at the statement, laughing hesitantly. "I...see. I don't really know how to feel about that."
Derf, however, was well aware of what it wanted to say as it popped from its sheath as usual. "You've got a fan club now, Partner! Impressive, and just in time for you to cross into adulthood!"
Agnes nodded, crossing her arms in thought. "You may not be noble, but Derflinger is not wrong. Provided you have achievements and notoriety, you are likely to start receiving marriage offers when you turn 18, and I hear you crossed that a month ago. You are not a part of any family and so are not bound to arranged marriage, so be careful not to choose the wrong person. But, that is a conversation for another time, and not one I am particularly experienced with. For now, I must take my leave. Be ready, we will be taking position in two hours."
