Hello readers this is HIrem. I know it has been so long since the last Chapter, and I apologize. I keep the chapter like this because as much as I love to write sexy harem scenes I know a good story and lore can progress the story and make the lemon taste better. I will admit that one of my inspirations are from the original novel with my spin. I do not own the Familiar of Zero, this is a fanfiction dedicated to one of the oldest isekai harems I experience. Everything here is either an OC or used as a reference.
BEGIN!
Alright. Everything is set.
When Louise Wales and Wardes begin the ceremony, Rider will go and take what is needed from the castle. Although Assassin would be better for this, a simple smash and grab on the castle will be easy for Rider. Every citizen and staff are evacuating to the Eagle or Marie Galante.
The next morning…
Within Newcastle's port inside the cave, Saito stood in a queue to board the Eagle, surrounded by rushing people that were not able to leave with Marie Galante. Even with his plan in motion a part of him couldn't help but wonder if he should have done more.
If I had tried to drag him with me, would she smile at me?
His sorrowful expression held a grain of expectation at the thought.
"Whether it be the Princess or the Bitch Saito," TEST commented with a sigh. "We both know you are in no condition to save him and fulfill your mission at the same time."
In the end, all I'm doing is running away again.
"Stop."
I know your just a figment of my imagination, but no matter what, I still want to say: I 'm sorry Uncle Ryuushi. For Aunt Haruka, Kayo, I'm sorry granny.
"You grieve in self-pity for as long as you need Saito. But remember that it wasn't your fault." The hologram comforted while a large bulky and tall thin individuals in diving gear appear by his with the black armored figure behind them." I have begun calibrating your head for the upcoming shit storm so I'll make this brief. Remember, we will always be with you. For we are… your….family...".
And with that, the illusion faded leaving Saito with his thoughts which were interrupted by his sword comment.
"Because of love, sometimes it is necessary to let go..." Derflinger muttered silently. He was hanging by a string on Saito's back. It was unbearable, during days like these, to have no one to talk to.
"Stop saying it…" Saito requested irritably. He liked the sword but he worried the guy was getting good at pushing people's buttons.
"Why?"
"I feel sick when you say it." It was just emotionally, ever since he ate Louise, there been a nauseating pit in his stomach when the question love popped up. As TEST said, Otto's potion was about to kick in. Being near this country was giving him a stomach ache, depression, irritability, anxiety, and a huge weight of guilt.
"You mean 'Because of love, sometimes it is necessary to let go'…That?"
Again another stomachache. "Why don't you stop saying that?"
"I understand. If my partner is asking, I won't say it anymore. Yet, we have to discuss a few things about our future. Have you decided where to go, since we have lots of free time now?" Derflinger asked, pretending not to know.
"Maybe to the Eastern lands," Saito commented. He had looked at the geography of the Five Great Nations and beyond to have his curiosity awaked and inflamed.
"And there we will look for the way to return to Partner's former world?"
"Why would you be looking for it? I'm the only one who is an alien here, right?" Saito said. A way to return home? Louise said she'll help search for it, but he shouldn't rely on that. Even though leaving Louise's city was something hard to do. BUt hey no bitch, no pain.
"Then you should become a mercenary."
"Mercenary?" He saw the benefits but stashed that thought after seeing the detriments.
"Yes. With a sword on your shoulder, at one battlefield today, and then wandering to another country and battlefield tomorrow. Poor income, but at least your rage would be satisfied, right?"
Saito muttered with a smirk."And with a bad teammate."
"What, without me as a partner, an ordinary guy like you would be left behind instantly."
"Even if your greatest power is rusting." Saito retorted with a smile. He and Derf both knew they were each hiding what they could do, but came to an unwritten understanding to let it be.
"How rude. But I forgive you since you are my partner. By the way, partner, I recalled one thing the other day…"
"What?" Saito raised an eyebrow. Information was an ultimate weapon though quite intangible.
"Partner, you are called Gandálfr?
"Yeah, because that's the name of the legendary familiar. When I first heard it, I was amazed. I-"
"Wait. Wait just a moment, partner. I think I remember the name…"
"Really?" Saito wanted to know more. Maybe it could help with all the other limits of his power and his affliction.
"No, it is an extremely old memory… It was very long ago, I just caught it in a corner of my head…" Derflinger kept on muttering "hm", "aha", and "aah" repeatedly.
"Maybe you are confused since it was a long time ago. Besides, where is the head of a sword anyway?" It was an honest answer. He wondered if his sword was anything like Ashisogi Jizo.
Derflinger thought about it for a while.
"The handle, maybe?" He said, making Saito laugh.
It was finally Saito's time to board the ship. When he rose the gangway, he saw that the refugee ship was everything one could expect it to be – many people squeezed next to each other so that it wasn't possible to find a place to sit on the deck.
Saito looked at the limestone cave from the edge of the gunwale. At that moment, Louise was in the middle of her wedding. Saito shut his eyes tightly at that lonesome thought.
People still kept boarding the ship one after another. It was overcrowded and a mass of people pushed Saito around the deck. Someone's elbow hit against his supposed injured arm, making Saito groan.
Let's just get this over with. Rider, have you gotten the packages?
The proxy sent a single for an affirmative and prepared for phase two.
Good. Once you finish, begin mapping the area and create key points. Once you are done mapping the land, get the hell out of there. Have the guards stay and initiate protocol Peddler until further instructions.
After that Saito left the Eagle to head back to the palace. With each step, the pain and heavy ache he was feeling since coming to this land were growing stronger. He put on his hood and removed Derf while casually strolling back to the castle.
Onlookers fleeing the upcoming battle moved quickly ignoring the sword-wielding youth. None stopped to notice underneath his hood his eyes were a shift from sapphire blue to storm steel gray, in shimmering fashion.
The Chapel- Wales POV
Meanwhile, in a chapel, where the Founder Brimir's portrait hung, Crown Prince Wales was waiting for the bridegroom and the bride to appear. There were no other people around, as everybody was busy preparing for the upcoming battle. Wales also had planned, once the ceremony was over, to prepare for the battle as well.
Wales was dressed in the Crown Prince's formal uniform. He wore a bright purple mantle, the symbol of the royal family, and a hat with seven-colored wings surrounding a white and red rose, his symbol of Albion's royal family.
Normally, to get married one needed government contracts and a priest to make legit. But ever since the Pompous King's era, anyone of Royal blood and a degree of theology would do. That and in times of war, officials were the closest in the pecking order for matrimony in the Church. And Despite Albion's free faith policy they still follow the CHurch.
To be honest, he was a little jealous of the common couple. Even in these bitter times, they were able to admit their love and have it witnessed by the Founder. Not a day goes by how he regrets not doing the same thing. To take Henrietta as his queen and leave everything behind.
But he knew that he couldn't do that. It was wrong to feel such a way today. Acceptable, but wrong. If he fled the kingdom, not only will his people fall to despair and willingly join the rebellion, but Henrietta would be in danger from not only the rebels, but Germania, Gallia, and the Romalian Church.
There's nothing the Chevalier Flor, the Utgard, and Section XIII wouldn't do for their rulers to obtain our Brittania. Given that we were still recovering from that foolish purge.
Even after all this time, Wales still couldn't himself for his weakness. The shame felt ten years ago and the remorse four years ago was still strong in his heart.
Something told him that he was going to die and he has made peace with it. Although he hated what his father had done, he understood that it would have ruined Albion's international standing. The Irony wasn't lost to him. But he could not forgive him and himself and the others for their part or inaction at the Cousland's Deaths.
Maybe if we hadn't tried to destroy them, Albion wouldn't have this bleak future.
Memories of both romantic and fonder familial days quickly appear in his mind. They were forcing him to cry. But he suppressed the urge. What's done is done. He will grieve for it later right he has a wedding to officiate.
Present POV
The door opened, Louise and Wardes had arrived. Louise stood with a dazzled expression on her face, so Wales had to urge her to come and stand in front of him.
Louise was puzzled. Everything happened so suddenly. Wardes barged into her room this morning and brought her here, without even waking her up properly. She was puzzled because desperate feelings were swelling in her mind. She came here without thinking, still half-asleep. Because of the prince who was determined to die and Saito's attitude yesterday, she was very depressed.
Wardes, after telling Louise that it was "Time to do the wedding now", put on a bridal veil borrowed from Albion's royal family on Louise's head. The veil was nicely made, and the flowers, that were eternally fresh due to magic, made it look indescribably beautiful.
Then, Wardes removed Louise's black mantle and replaced it with a white one, that was also borrowed from Albion's royal family. Only brides were allowed to wear it, as it was the mantle of a virgin.
However, even while being dressed up by Wardes' hands, Louise was still unresponsive. But Wardes understood Louise's mood as a sign of her affirmative will.
Neither one was aware of the looming dread approaching them.
Wardes and Louise stood up in front of Wales, who was standing below the image of the Founder Brimir, wearing his official uniform. Wardes, who himself was wearing his usual clothes and a magical mantle, bowed his head.
"Well then, let's start the ceremony."
The Prince's voice reached Louise's ears. However, it sounded like a weak sound of a distant bell. Louise's mind was still lost in the fog of her thoughts.
"Bridegroom, Viscount Jean-Jacques Francis de Wardes. Do you take this girl as your wife, and swear to respect and love her in the name of the Founder Brimir, as witnessed in the realm?"
Wardes nodded solemnly and grasped the cane with his left hand, holding it out in front of his chest.
"I swear."
Wales looked at Louise and smiled encouragingly.
"Bride, the third daughter of the Duke of La Vallière, Louise Françoise le Blanc de La Vallière…"
Wales read the oath in a clear voice.
Just then, Louise noticed that she was in the middle of a wedding ceremony. Her partner – reliable Wardes, for whom she once yearned. A marriage arranged by their fathers. Only now was her childish, absent-minded, distant future starting to turn into reality?
It is not like I hate Wardes. Maybe I even like him. But if it is so, why do I feel such pain? Why do I feel so sad and feeling these pangs of shame and fear?
Is it because I saw a kingdom turning into ruins? Or is it because I faced a prince who deserted his love and hopes, to die?
It's not that. Though those are sad events that hurt, there wouldn't be such a cloud of sadness hanging on my mind just because of that.
It was a deep, melancholic cloud, which was hard to bear.
Louise suddenly remembered the expression on Saito's face when she said "marriage" to him.
Why did I say such a thing to him?
It is because I wanted to be stopped.
By whom?
Because I wanted Saito to stop me.
Why?
Louise started to blush once thinking about the reason. Just like thinking about the reason why the previous night she, though in deep sorrow, so easily jumped into Saito's chest, whom she accidentally met in the corridor. Her body was slowly remembering strange sensations as well.
But are those feelings true ones? I don't know. But isn't it worth it to try to find out?
After all, no matter how excited or sad she had been, she never jumped into a man's chest before.
Back to Saito
Meanwhile…
From the path leading to warship Eagle's deck.
Saito, who was depressingly strolling toward the chapel, stopped as he began to lose focus on everything around him.
"Mmm?" he questioned curiously, his body was steadily increasing in adrenaline and his perception of time was slowing and his visual focus increased in rate.
"What is it, partner?"
Saito's view grew dim. Just like in the heat haze of midsummer, the view in his left eye started swinging.
"My eyes are acting strange," he answered. Inside his head, while he was questioning this strange phenomenon, other parts of his brain were preparing to optimize his body in preparation for what he was seeing.
"It's because you are tired," Derflinger said, pretending not to know the real reason. Saito began focusing on the phenomena and while his sight was changing he resumed his pace quickly.
Back to Louise
"Bride?" Wales looked at her direction. Louise looked up panicking.
She had the expression of a person who didn't know what she was doing there at all. Louise was puzzled. What should she do? What should she do at times like this? No one taught her that. Only Louise's familiar, who was leaving the ground at the moment, might know the answer.
"Are you nervous? That's alright. It's your first time, it is normal to be nervous." Wales smiled while talking.
"Oh dear, we still have to hold to the etiquette," Wales exclaimed with understanding. "Doing this would have meaning only if we are to follow etiquette. Then, let me repeat. Do you take this man as your husband, and swear to respect and love him in the name of the Founder Brimir…"
Louise realized. She shouldn't hesitate with the answer, waiting for someone to tell her what to do.
She had to make decisions for herself.
Determined Louise took a deep, deep breath.
And, before Wales finished his words, Louise shook her head.
"Bride?"
"Louise?"
Two people suspiciously looked into Louise's face. She looked at Wardes with a sad expression on her face and once again shook her head.
"By all means, Louise. Are you feeling poorly?"
"No, that's not it. I am sorry…"
"If today is bad, then another time…"
"That's not it, that's not it. I'm sorry Wardes, I cannot marry you."
Wales looked doubtful at the sudden change of events. Something was wrong. His senses were warning him of some hidden tension.
"Bride, is this marriage not what you want?"
"Yes, that's how it is. I want to apologize to both of you, for my rudeness. It was a painful decision to make, but I do not want to marry."
An angry red blush quickly spread on Wardes' face.
Wales turned to him and said in an embarrassed, doubtful, and regretful voice. "Viscount, I am sorry, but the bride doesn't wish for this ceremony to continue."
However, Wardes didn't pay any attention to Wales and took Louise's hand. "…You are just nervous. Dear Louise. You cannot be seriously refusing my offer."
"I'm sorry, Wardes. I yearned for you. Maybe… maybe even loved you once. However, it is different now." Louise said calmly.
Then, Wardes gripped Louise's shoulder. The expression in his eyes changed. Gone was the usual kindness from his face, replaced with the chilly coldness of a reptile.
"The world, Louise!" Wardes shouted in a feverish tone. "I will rule the world! You are necessary for that!"
"…I, I am not needed for that." Frightened by the sudden change in Wardes, Louise kept on shaking her head.
"You are necessary for me! Your ability! Your power!" Wardes extended both his hands, drawing Louise closer.
Wales sensing the mania in Wardes' voice subtlely chanted Flash gale until later. Louise meanwhile was trembling more in fear.
This Wardes was frightening Louise more and more. Not even in her wildest dreams did she imagine the gentle Wardes frowning or shouting like this. Louise tried to turn away.
"Louise, have you forgotten what I once told you! You are not inferior to even the Founder Brimir, you will grow up as an excellent mage someday! You just do not know about it yet! That talent!"
"Wardes, you…" Louise's voice was trembling with fear. It was not the Wardes that Louise knew. What had changed him into such a person?
Halfway to the Chapel
Halfway to making it, Saito rubbed his eyes again.
"What is it, partner?"
"My left eye is acting strange." the modification his brain was making was aiding in deciphering this phenomenon while he ran and increased his pace. His instincts were screaming at him to hurry.
"That's because you are tired," Derf commented rationally. Something in the sword's voice made Saito question the sword's omission.
However, Saito buried those concerns until later and focused as the view of his left eye was getting distorted more and more.
"I can see something!" Saito shouted. That was someone's view. Saito's left and the right eye felt like completely separate parts.
His right was viewing the path to the Chapel where he was rapidly approaching.
However his left eye...
"I can see…"
"What can you see, partner?"
"Maybe, this is Louise's view." Saito hypothesized. He soon recalled what Louise said some time ago. "A familiar is the eyes and ears of its master, that's their ability."
However, Louise said she couldn't see anything through my eyes... It must be, there must be cases when the rules are reversed.
But why can I see Louise's view all of sudden?
Saito looked at his left hand. The rune carved there was shining brightly, even though he wasn't holding any weapon. Indeed, his guess must be correct.
Could it be that certain conditions were fulfilled and this power activated? But why would I be seeing Louise's vision?
This was part of his ability. Truly, it must be another ability of the legendary familiar Gandálfr.
Unless…
"Uh-oh."
What? Do you know something TEST?
"Kid, I suggest you keep looking while you run. Pick up the pace."
You don't have to tell me twice. Just what the hell is Louise doing? While thinking so, Saito's natural curiosity took the lead and he increased his pace, unaware of his hair changing and horns growing.
In Saito's mental world, TEST and the Armored Spector were watching their host increase his pace with contemplation.
Inside the Chapel
Wales, who couldn't stand Wardes' threatening attitude towards Louise any longer, stepped in. "Viscount…, that's enough. Behave like a gentleman…"
However, Wardes struck away Wales' extended hand.
"Shut up!"
Wales stood still, surprised by Wardes' words. Wardes clasped Louise's hand with his and she felt as if it was a snake twining around it.
"Louise! You are necessary for me!"
"I don't have any talent as a mage."
"I told you many times already! You are just not aware of your power, Louise!"
Louise tried to shake off Wardes' hand, but the incredible strength with which he was holding on to her prevented it. Grimacing in pain, Louise spoke.
"I would rather die than marry you. I understand now, you never loved me. You only loved a magical power in me that you foolishly think I have. It is cruel, to marry someone just because of such a reason. It's an insult!"
Louise raged. Wales put a hand on Wardes' shoulder, trying to pull him away, but Wardes pushed Wales instead, who fell on the ground. Thankfully, Flash Gale only activates from getting a critical blow. But really?!
"You, what impoliteness! It's an insult!", Wales's face turned red, and, after standing up again, he pulled out his cane. A black iron stick with intricate runes in a serpentine pattern, the head was capped with an iron crow holding a ruby in an embrace with its wings. He was certain now the Wardes was growing hostile. If only his familiar was here he could deal with this peacefully. "Viscount, move your hands away from la Vallière right now! Or else my magical blade will tear you up!"
Only then Wardes' hand finally let Louise go. A kind smile spread on his lips. However, the smile was forced and fake.
"Even if I ask you this way you won't do it? Louise. My Louise."
Louise spoke while trembling from anger. "No, there is no doubt left that you are not the one whom I would ever marry."
Wardes looked up at the sky.
"And I made such great efforts, to capture your feelings during this journey…"Wardes spread his hands widely while throwing his head backward."Well, it can't be helped. I guess I will have to give up on this goal."
"Goal?" Louise looked doubtful. What was he thinking about?
The corners of Wardes' lips went up, forming an ill-looking smile. "That's right. There were three goals for me to achieve during this travel. Sadly, I achieved only two of them."
"Achieve? Two? What are you talking about?" Louise asked, feeling the shivers of uneasiness travel down her spine. Her mind was working at full power, trying to figure out what was happening.
Wardes put out his right hand in front holding up three fingers and bent his forefinger.
"The first one was you, Louise. I had to get you. However, it seems that I won't be able to accomplish that."
"Not!"
Wardes smiled, bending his middle finger.
"The second goal, Louise, is in your pocket - Henrietta's letter."
Louise was startled."Wardes, you…"
"And, the third…"
After hearing Wardes saying "Henrietta's letter", Wales understood everything, pulled out his cane, and started to chant a spell."GRAn-!"
However, Wardes had already prepared two complete spells before.
Wardes aimed his wind cane that had started shining and with the tip pierced Wales's chest.
"D-damn you…' Reconquista'…" Blood suddenly gushed out of Wales's mouth and Louise screamed.
Wardes muttered while piercing his shining cane deeper into Wales's chest. "The third, is your damned life, Wales."
With that, Wales fell to the ground.
Or did he?
"What?!"
Before Wardes could react he felt a powerful blow like a sledgehammer hit from the side. In his haste to recover mid-air, he barely noticed and narrowly dodged several wind blades that were attacking in a barrage.
Despite some minor lacerations, Wardes had recovered enough to stand regally. However, his expression was grim. He knew he had stabbed Wales with that spell. So, how?!
"Flash gale," Wales stood in front of Louise as a precaution as he lectured. "Normally, it is a spell designed to be wind blinding capabilities. BUt in the hand of a master, especially one who has practiced and research the subtleties of magic..."
"Then it creates believable decoys," Wardes finished."Even more elegant and efficient than the Wind Clone. Impressive, as expected of Crown Prince."
Wardes stared at battle-ready Wales hatefully. This was the worst-case scenario. If he fought Wales, he would win but it would buy Louise time to flee. He couldn't go after Louise because Wales was in front of him.
"A noble! Are you an Albionian noble as well!? Wardes!" Louise shouted while trembling. Wardes was a traitor.
"That's right. I am a member of Albion's noble faction, 'Reconquista'" Wardes replied in a cold, emotionless voice.
"Why! Why, would you, Tristain nobility, do such thing?" Louise asked is distraught confusion.
"We are the first heralds of Halkeginia's future – a union of nobles that has no national borders. We are borderless."Wardes raised the cane again before continuing. "Halkeginia will be reunited into one by our hands, we will restore the Founder Brimir's 'Sacred Land' once again."
"Before... you were not like this before. What changed you so much? Wardes..."
"Years, accidents, and destiny. Though it changed me from whom you knew, it didn't change my nature that you are talking about. And you are talking too much."
"It matters not," Wales said resolutely. He raised his cane rapier for the next attack. "The only reason that now is that you are a traitor to not only to the Tyrant Kingdom but to all Brittania. And for that, you must be eliminated."
"Hmph, I'm surprised that a Royal would still call this country Britania," Wardes spat back in disdain. "Tell me. Is it because you cling to the old ways so fervently, or are you just trying to recover some nationalistic pride?"
"Neither," Wales answered firmly. Before Wardes could anything, his instincts flared and years of combat training told him to dodge. Right where he was standing, the ground was sliced like an invisible blade. And what was worse. Wales was in front of him ready to strike again. "I'm merely trying to remember what we used to be, before our failures. Unlike you Reconquista who plunged this entire Kingdom into your madness."
And with that, both mages battled in a violent maelstrom of blows. The fighting was so intense Louise could practically see the air moving around them. The former Griffon Knight-Captain cast lightning spells with both power and precision. His attacks intending to incapacitated and finish sword strikes. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince casually strolled toward the attacks. Taking them head-on, using his cane as a lightning rod and magic to redirect it right back at Wardes. Whenever one tried to close the distance to strike, the other would use a spell to counter and evade.
To Louise's untrained eyes, it appeared the Wardes and Crown Prince Wales were evenly matched. However, the more competent observer reality was much crueler.
Wardes was the captain of Tristan's Griffon Knight Corps. He had power, skill, and experience from years of battles. This gave him an obvious edge over the Crown prince in terms of magical and martial skill. But somehow he just couldn't deal the killing blow. At first, he was toying with the Prince letting some spells succeed and others fail. But as they fought, every time Warde went for the kill, Wales had the appropriate counter. Such childish tricks were wearing on Wales' stamina and they both knew it, but Wales though fiercely focused on the fight had a mischievous glint in his eye. As if he was winning.
Wales, in contrast, was trained in Royal sword arts, was a pirate captain since this blasted civil war began, and was extensively taught magic from the best tutors and fighting dirty from an old friend at a young age. He knew he couldn't defeat Wardes in a straight-up duel, and that honor bound him to chivalry. But the Code also stated honor does not preclude tactics. If you are going to die all bets are off. Wardes was stronger than him, so he had to use his knowledge of magic and lessons as a pirate and from his brother in arms to compensate for the lack of control with his larger magical power. Luckily they both were wind mages and Wardes specialized in Lightning. Hence the stalemate.
Well, if he failed, then Wardes would enjoy a short victory.
Seeing no end to this Stalemate Wardes decided to cast his next spell. At Louise.
"No!" Wales yelled in desperation as he cast multiple wind barriers to block the powerful blow. However, this left him completely drained of magic and perfect for Wardes to pierce his heart.
"Damn… You…!" Wales groan as he bled out from his wound. Wardes stared impassively expecting a gaze of regret and hate.
He wasn't expecting to see triumph…
And…
Peace?
As the Crown Prince's body fell in a pool his blood. His thoughts were to those he held dear in his heart.
His people, whom he knew will not surrender without a fight...
His surrogate brothers whom he knew would protect the country...
His cousin whom he is sorry for what his father had done…
And finally, the love of his life, whom he knew would try to avenge him, but how he longed for her to live happily…
Everyone, I'm sorry…. I leave...it...up...to...you…
Thus Ends the life of Crown Prince Wales. Runic name: Storm Eye.
At the same time…(D gray man End of master)
Unknown to Wardes, Louise and Saito, something was Happening around the Kingdom of Albion.
In the North of Albion, fierce lightning storms where striking everything as if heaven raged at the Earth for its insolence. The winds howling with sorrow sharp to the heart.
In the lands of Ulster, Destruction spread like wildfire. The Earth itself shakes and mountain rise and fall while seas surge with ice and rising tides. The rebels stationed there were all slaughtered and had their hearts and innards gored as if by a wild beast. The land itself twisted and turned aching in rage and sorrow.
In Branwen, the air was filled with dread as old magics were melding together and the air grew heavy. The setting sun, although appearing normal, people noticed the color transform into a hellish fireball. The moons and stars were glowing darker or spiraling around the sky.
Finally, Dunwall through already bleak seemed darker than ever. The land, though still prosperous was plague with a gentle fog of sorrow and midnight longing. People lived their lives as best they could after the tragedy. But now? It was as is the land was becoming one with the shadows.
In a small cottage on the outskirts of Highever, a large cottage was hidden in the woods. Living there were two people. An old man and a young boy. The old man was 60-70 years old with bulging muscle and 7ft physique of three MMA fighters. He had iron-gray hair but his grandson had coal-black hair that he used to have, but not his amber eyes. Instead, his grandson had the same emerald eyes of both his wife and daughter, both of whom died along with his son-in-law during that Tragedy. Both felt the pain of loss that day, but at present, they were feeling what all of Albion felt.
"Grampa, I feel terrible," A young boy of ten hugged his Grandfather who was standing tall and well built for a 70-year-old. "I feel sad and angry, and I want to cry." The old man could do nothing more but embrace his grandson to ease him from his feelings.
"Why?" The boy looked up to his grandfather's face as tears streamed out his eyes as the sorrow, rage, and pain grew and shook the boy's body.
"Pup, what you are feeling is natural." the grandfather comforted. His eyes were also folwing tears, but he controlled his heart to explain. "It just means that something terrible has happened."
"What?" the child wept. These were swelling waiting for release.
"It means," the grandfather looked at his grandson, before holding him in a shaky embrace. "That a descendant of Arthur has fallen."
At these words all over the Kingdom of Albion, everyone felt the pain of the death of their fallen King.
End of master ost end
At the Chapel
After the end, Wales' life Warde quickly cast his next spell at Louise."Since you will no join my ambitions, you are useless to me."
With those last words, Warde cast the spell gale slice at her.
Louise tried to duck when Wardes moved the cane, however, his spell still hit her with ease, throwing her to the floor. Or more accurately the involuntary air pressure of the wind blade that missed her.
"Help..." Louise's face turned pale. She tried to stand up, but her legs stopped obeying her.
Wardes threw back his head.
"For this! For this, you rejected my offer to rule the world together!"
He started to cast another wind spell. "Breaking Wind". And Louise was blown away like a piece of paper.
"No…Help…"
"Even the smallest bird can't hear you, it seems like you will have to bow your head in defeat, huh, Louise?" Wardes gloated. He was feeling tense at the moment, even while he toyed with Louise.
Something was wrong.
He didn't feel triumph over Wales' death. No, quite the opposite. But he squashed those feeling to hit Louise again with another "Break Wind".
She was thrown against the wall and left lying on the floor, groaning in pain. Tears started rolling down her face.
She still asked for the help of her familiar that wasn't there. "Help me…please…"
Louise repeated the words like chanting a spell. Enjoying himself, Wardes slowly started chanting.
"Lightning Cloud"
"It is regrettable… That your life will be taken by this hand…" Wardes said somberly. His expression from sadistic to stoic and heartless. He at prepared to turn her corpse to ash with Lightning.
If even Saito's arm was scorched by this blitz spell, there was no chance of survival if she was hit by it directly.
From shock her breath was rough and her whole body was in pain. Louise scared like a child, cried –
"Saito! Help!"
At that moment, Wardes finished the spell and lowered his cane, aiming towards Louise and...
Stream of light slice the Chapel wall, which collapsed with a roaring sound, and a strong gust of wind blew in from the outside. Wardes' Lightning Cloud seemed to vanish instantly from contact with the wind.
That was what happen in 2 seconds. The final second was enough for the hero to counter.
CLASH!
"Damn you…" Wardes muttered. Even with the hood on, Wardes could tell the identity of the interloper that blocked his cane. Staring at his sapphire and steel eyes somehow Wardes knew who this person was.
Yes. After breaking the wall, Saito had jumped in with Derflinger in his hand and stopped Wardes' cane. He had also neutralized the Lightning cloud for nourishment, but that can wait later.
"You…" The fury and burden were intense now. But Saito was capable enough to break the deadlock and swing the sword sidewise to slice Wardes' stomach. However, Wardes dodged it by jumping back. The sword pressure of the cut bare sliced his outfit.
Accidentally, Saito was given a chance to scan his surroundings and wished he didn't for two reasons.
First, he saw Louise out of the corner of his eye. After screaming her last words, Louise had fainted and hadn't moved since.
Second, he saw Wales' bleeding corpse lying
With raging anger in his eyes, Saito glared at Wardes. Lust for killing Wardes was boiling in his body. Saito groaned while biting his lip hard.
"Unforgivable!" he spat out. The word seemed too appropriate as feelings of regret, anger, self-loathing, pain, and sorrow were bubbling in him waiting to burst from his iron will.
"Why are you here, Gandálfr?" Wardes asked with a cruel smile on his lips.
Not answering, Saito angrily swung the sword. However, the sword only crushed the floor. Wardes flew up high into the air, successfully dodging the attack.
"That's right, you must have sensed that your master was in danger."
Wardes crossed his hands while floating next to the Founder Brimir's portrait. Looking confident and self-sure.
"You betrayed Louise!" Saito shouted while thrusting the sword forwards. Yet, Wardes flew up, dodged it, and landed gracefully on the floor. He moved around like a feather.
"To accomplish a goal, you can't be selective with the means."
Despite agreeing with the dick and struggling with his heart, Saito argued with some difficulty. "Louise believed in you! You were her fiancé… She yearned for you when she was young…"
"Such a selfish belief."
Again Saito agreed with the bastard at the same time he slashed sideways. He was so close but Wardes kept dodging.
Wardes dodged the next several sword strikes while floating. Then he swung the cane and fired another spell. Though Saito tried to hold it down with the sword, his lack of focus allowed the spell "Breaking Wind" to blow him away.
Saito groaned in pain as he hit the wall. His mind was surging with all the stress he had accumulated since coming to this Kingdom and mission and it was taking all he could not to let Wardes know. Yet.
"That's it? Gandálfr. Your movements are too slow. At least try and make it entertaining." A cruel smile floated on Wardes' lips. Watching Saito struggle (seemingly) made him confident to approach him.
At that moment, Derflinger shouted. "I remember!"
"What are you talking about, at a time like this?", Saito was going through several plans on how to pulverize this fraud and any option Derf could provide would aid in his choice.
"Right…Gandálfr!"
"What!", Great if Derf is going to give him a Deus Ex Machina now would be a good time!
"No, from my older times, the hand that held me. Gandálfr. But I forgot. It was 600 years ago, old times."
"Don't talk nonsense!"Wardes released "Breaking Wind" again. Saito decided on getting by the spell and blown away again. After all, pain amplifies rage, and rage is a hell of an anesthetic.
"It's so nostalgic. I could cry. Right, no, that's what I was missing. My partner – that 'Gandálfr'!"
"Cut it out!" Saito complained.
Come on, Derf! Show me that trump card. I want to kill this fucker!
"I'm glad! Now no one can ignore me! I will show how cool I am!" Derflinger shouted as his blade started to shine.
Saito was taken aback for a moment and watched Derflinger in amazement.
"Derf? Yes?"
Wardes recited "Breaking Wind" again.
The raging wind flew out aiming at Saito as he put out the shining Derflinger in front of himself.
"It's useless! A sword cannot stop it!" Wardes shouted.
Yet, the wind, instead of blowing Saito away, was sucked into Derflinger's blade. And…
"Could it be energy conversion? If so then… "
The light coming out of Derflinger intensified.
"Derf? You…"
"This is my true form! Partner! No, I forgot it! My tired body changed itself! Anyhow, it's a pretty interesting story, partner!"
"Make it short!" Saito retorted. TEST mention energy conversion and that thought his mind working quickly to see where it as going.
"Impatient. I forgot. But, don't worry, partner. I suck in all magic around me! That's me, Gandálfr's left hand – the Great Derflinger!"
Wardes watched with interest at the sword that Saito was holding.
"Indeed… You are not an ordinary sword. I should have noticed that when you reduced my "Lightning Cloud".
So that's how Wardes couldn't notice
Still, Wardes did not lose his confidence.
He smiled thinly when setting out the cane.
"Now, then, let's get serious, shall we? It is time to teach you why this magic is called the strongest."
Though Saito jumped at him, Wardes dodged it like an acrobat and uttered the spell.
"Ubiquitous Dell Wind…"
When the spell was completed, Wardes' body suddenly doubled.
One… Two… Three… Four… Wardes' doubles, together with the real body, surrounded Saito.
"Doubles!"
"It is not only "Double", Wardes lectured arrogantly. " It's "Ubiquitous Wind", uneven distribution of wind in the area. The wind is unevenly distributed. The place where it blows is not just a matter of appearance, but it has a substantial power too."
One of Wardes' doubles suddenly pulled a white mask from the cloak and wore it.
Saito's body trembled. He was shivering with anger and fear at his growing bloodlust. The masked man was Wardes! Standing next to Fouquet. Ambushing them at the docks.
He hated being right.
"The masked man… You…", Saito deduced while he focused his mind. "Then it must be you who helped Fouquet to escape too. What a treacherous and useful spell. You can appear anywhere."
"Indeed. More so, each one has the power of the original. I told you, right? 'Wind' is unevenly distributed!"
One of the Wardes clones jumped on Saito, while the other uttered the spell, making the cane shine.
"Air Needle", the same spell that pierced Wales' heart before.
"The cane is surrounded by a magical whirlpool, so the sword cannot suck it in!" Wardes said as he charged.
The cane was shaking as the whirlpool was rotating around it forming a blade, of which tip was aimed at Saito's body during the attack. Derflinger blocked it, but the impact of the blow still hit Saito's (supposed) injured hand and he fell.
"Not bad for a commoner." Wardes laughed. "After all you are the legendary Gandálfr. However, this is where it ends. You are no match for my "Ubiquitous Wind" spell!"
Gradually, Wardeses surrounded the fallen Saito.
"Hey, legendary sword! The one that 'Gandálfr' used! Derf!" Saito yelled at Derf in a panic with a hint of casual banter.
"That's what I am. What is it?" Derflinger responded curiously at its partner's minute change in tone.
"If you are so legendary, then do something or else we will be killed."
"Well, I am shining and sucking in enemies' magic, am I not?"
Yeah, but at this rate, Warde will just surround wind these wind clones and kill us. I need a few minutes to complete the preparations. And this prick is not going to be fooled for long.
"No, not that, something more? Like some special attack? Like blowing the enemy away with a single hit…" Maybe like 'Form blazing sword!'Fire is a good counter for wind.
"What? I'm just a sword."
One of the Wardes flew up and tried to hit Saito with his cane.
I call bullshit, Derf! Bullshit! Saito internally screamed as he jumped up, defending his body with his sword and dodging the attack. While blocking the Wardes in front of him Saito complained to his sword "Useless! What kind of legend is this!"
"But not to this extent!" Derf defended. It honestly was trying to drain Wardes magic, but it sensed two things keep it from showing off.
Saito's reluctance to go all out, thus limiting the efficiency of the Gandalfr battle intuition.
And… His denial and rejection of his feelings.
Both of which Derf understood were limiting Saito, confidence in his tactics against Wardes, and why he's been fighting defensively. It got so bad that the Wardes clone kept on attacking violently, but because Saito's back was supported by the wall, only three of them could attack at the same time. Trapping him in a corner!
They surrounded him with three covering his front, left, and right while the last Wardes was at the back ready to cast more spells.
"At this rate, I'll be defeated! And killed!" Saito complains as he parried all three foes with near-perfect timing. Using each attacker's blow to enhance and redirect it towards the next.
"Good grief, my deepest sympathy!" Derf apologizes for matching Saito's mockery. It was pretty sure its partner was enjoying this scenario from all the times Saito was counter the clones' barrage perfectly.
While relaxing one of his hands!
However, the battle's slowly stagnating pace was noticed by Wardes.
What's going on here? Wardes thought as he observed his clones brutally attack the familiar. I know I set them to half my power and toy with him but he should be dead by now.
Saito struggles to deflect three more attacks, yet he still succeeded.
It couldn't be….
Meanwhile… 15 feet from the place where Saito was fighting, Louise woke up. When Louise saw Saito fighting hard, her face was momentarily blank with surprise, but then she grasped her wand.
Damnit! Saito as he glared at Louise"s direction.
"Runaway while you can! Idiot!" He shouted urging Louise not to do anything stupid, but Louise didn't stop. The spell was uttered and the wand was aimed. She chanted the 'Fire Ball' spell. The spell aimed at Wardes exploded hitting the floor beneath him.
Boom! With that loud sound, Wardes disappeared while Louise watched amazed.
"Eh? Disappeared? Because of my magic?"
The remaining Wardes tried to jump on decided it was pointless fighting a weak commoner when his main target was close.
"Runaway!" Saito shouted angrily with a twinge of fear, but Louise stubbornly started to chant the same spell again. However, she was blown away by Wardes' cane this time.
BAdump…
Why?...
Saito stared with astonishment.
Ba-dump…
She's just a toy. Easily replaceable. Fuck, she not even a good toy!
He started shaking with anger. His muscles tensed. He couldn't breathe.
Ba-dump… Ba-dump… Ba-dump…
She's selfish, mean, arrogant, cruel…
Yet his body calmly moved on its own. As it put up his hood to cover his eyes.
Ba -dump..ba-dump..ba-dump ba-dump ba-dump, ba-dump!
Her attributes as a woman, hell as a person are also Zero! For all justification, I should have killed her by now!
When Louise's body hit the wall right before his eyes, a beast-like roar escaped his mouth."How dare you do that to Louise…!"
Ba-dump!
Once Louise's body was blown off again, the remaining Wardes clones concentrated on Saito trying to press him further. However, Saito's movement gradually increased in speed. His sword strike became fiercer more precise and accurate in defending as well as pressuring all three of them.
BA-dump!
All of the Wardeses' breathing became irregular and rough. Still, even then, their expression didn't change. The sudden increase in speed and power was shocking, but it was still within manageable levels for him to kill the commoner boy.
BA-Dump!
While blocking the sword, Wardes asked."Why did you come back to die? To risk your life for Louise who despises you? I can't understand how a commoner's mind works!"
"I don't know either! ," Saito shouted while swinging the sword. " I knew you were shit the moment I saw you next to the Princess. Your in league with the idiots destroying this country! Louise may have been your fiancée, but she's also an easy target for you to get close enough to destabilize Tristan. It's a mystery why I'm protecting her at all!"
"Hahaha, you are still in love with Louise?"Wardes mocked for all three sides. "A servant's hopeless love for his master! That's funny! That arrogant Louise will never turn to you! Mere compassion that's mistaken for love! Fool!"
"Weren't you listening, dipshit? ," Saito asked under his hood in a tone that was full of disdain. "While you were mentioning and trying to torment with my supposed feeling for Louise, you didn't hear a damn word I said right now."
BA-DUmp!
A puzzled expression floated on Wardes' face. That's right. Something said sounded off.
"You knew," Wardes widened his eyes. "You knew I was a spy and yet you let me get this close to completing my mission. Why? How?!"
"It 's that hard when attacking escaped convicts from Genoa prison." Saito laughed mockingly to suppress the pressure and rage. "I was just monitoring Fouquet for an experiment. It was just coincidence that I was able to obtain your Mana signature."
Mana Signature? Wardes had no idea what the term meant, but he knew that that was how Saito figured him out!
"You were that spearman in Anderson's Forest."
"Hah! It took you 3.7 seconds to reach that conclusion. I'm disappointed Viscount. I thought you were a premiere Mage Knight but it seems your all smoke and mirrors."
BA-DUMp!
"If you knew I was a traitor, "Wardes and conjured three more wind clones. He was running low on willpower and although he could crush this familiar something told him to be cautious. "Why let stay close to you and Louise? Why allow us to kill the Crown Prince? Why come back to save Louise?!"
"I admit it is illogical," Saito agreed before countering and slicing the head off of a Wardes clone. His voice filled with sorrow. "I let Wales deal with you because of favor to someone and I was too far away to save him."
Way of Yasha; Striking flash step!
Instantaneously Saito appears before another clone and sliced it three times before continuing."What point would it be to expose you? You're popular among the nobility. These idiots wouldn't listen to me even if I had proof. Louise had such faith in your skill and demeanor that I look crappy by comparison" Saito pulled up his sleeve showing his supposed injured hand that looked as if it wasn't injured t all. "It pissed me off how I had to make myself look bad in front of this bitch just to achieve victory. But this strategy was worth it."
What strategy? Wardes thought with concern. All the battles I fought with him, his swordsmanship is terrible. He has no battle experience, and all his ability as a familiar is reliant on a weapon to boost his speed.
Wait. That movement… He's been holding back all this time!
While Wardes raised his guard, Saito butchered another clone while he talked. "Finally, the most fucked up reason is simple: her."
Sito showed the Wardes clones his left hand. "These fucking familiar runes compel me to fall in love and protect her. I call bullshit!"
"Indeed, It is foolish to fight for a love unappreciated. You and Louise are perfectly compatible in that regard."
"How dare you compare me to that bitch?!," Saito roared with a demonic tone. It wasn't time yet "So what if I fell in love!? So what if it's fake?! Right now I want brutally eviscerate and pummel that bitch into paste! And then SMASH HER FACE IN THE WALL AND RAPE HER ASS! "
At the last remark, Wardes kept his calm, but couldn't suppress the feeling of fear and how descriptive Saito hatred was.
"However…", Saito said quietly catching his breath. His body was feeling the weight of that potion Otto gave him diminish greatly for some reason. His instinct somehow feeling sharper and more natural.
"However, what?"
"It is beating"Saito answered with a mixture of sorrow and joy.
"What?"
Saito breathed out in a resigned sigh.
"Aah! I give up!" Saito screamed. " When I see that face, my heart is beating faster! My desire to mate with her grows! MY instinct to dominate and hurt her becomes unbearable! It fucking pisses me off to no end!"
"But to battle, fight, and protect for love isn't such a bad reason" Saito smiled under his hood. "Hell, it might be called a cool reason. Beating the shit out of you is merely a bonus. And those reasons are good enough for me!
"Therefore…"
Saito pulled off his hoodies to reveal his change. Two 2 in. Long iron black horns and two silver dragon coral horns grew on the top of the forehead and above and behind the ears. His hair had turn silvery with some purple highlights. And finally, his eyes were a blend of sapphire and storm gray with catlike pupils.
"IT may be cliche, but I will defend Louise the BItch!"Saito screamed.
The runes started shining.
Matching the light, Derflinger also shone brighter while laughing in glee.
"Hahhahahaahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Good! That's a good partner! Right! That's the key! I remembered! I know the source of Gandálfr's power! Good partner! Fight for love! Fight for glory! Fight for the bitch!"
Finally, like a sudden flash of lightning, Saito's sword cut down another Wardes.
"Wha?" The Wardes clone grimaced in unbearable pain before fading out.
"Gandálfr's source of power is feelings! Anger! Sadness! Pride! Love! Joy! Sloth! Violence! Greed! Anything is good! And now you seem to be shaken, my Gandálfr!"
"I call bullshit!," Saito yelled at the sword while continuously parrying the three Wardes clones. "The true power source of Gandálfr is the heart!? Power of Friendship, Trust, Love and Hate my ass! That can't be right."
"Hey, I'm just the awesome magic sword. I didn't write this crap. On your left."
Saito blocked the incoming blow and rounded up the sword. Because of its terrible speed, technique, and power behind the blow, the closest Wardes clone was not able to react to the sword in time and disappeared. The others were push back towards the Original Wardes.
"D-damn you…" Wardes growled in frustration. He couldn't afford to spend more willpower on more clones or higher tier spell, because he was running out, and Saito skills wouldn't give him more time.
Only three remained now.
"Wow. Even though you hated them for how they picked on you, you still learn that advanced technique. I thought you didn't like the Azumachi."
Haha. We both know I despise the Kihara and disdain the Azumachi"s, but you can't deny that their skills are appropriate for this occasion.
"Still can you pull it off? Out of all the disciplines, this one requires careful control and a tendency to immerse in battle."
Isn't that what we are doing?
"Touche."
Way of Yasha: Twilight Wolf step!
Saito rapidly charged at Wardes slashing the air violently like a madman. Seeing the savage grin form on the boy's face irritated Wardes press on to attack.
"Do not forget, boy! You are fighting against me! You can't surpass my skills!" At that declaration, all three Wardes begin casting while keeping his eye on the advancing beast.
Saito then leaped high up into the air, holding his sword. Wardes also flew.
"The air is my element… Do not forget! Gandálfr!"
Each of the Wardes' canes aimed at Saito, but he brandished Derflinger like a pinwheel.
"That's the way to fight, Gandálfr!" Derflinger shouted. "Swing me in the rhythm of your heart!"
Way of Augus: Pinwheel Snake Sword (Kazaguruma Daken)!
The next moment, all three Wardes were torn up in the blink of an eye.
Saito landed.
With ''Ubiquitous Wind' defeated, the remaining real Wardes' body fell on the floor. He felt some pain on his right eye, but that paled to his left side
His left arm, which had been cut off, landed there after a few seconds.
Saito also landed on the ground, but he stumbled and had to support himself with his knee. His tiredness had reached a critical limit. His body returned to human form.
"Not bad. You succeeded in eviscerating two clones. Yet why did you stop after the first cut on his left arm? Still nice shot on the black eye."
Thanks. Though I was aiming for all his limbs. But I make do with an arm.
Wardes stood up staggering and stared at Saito. "Damn… This 'Flash' really defeated me…"
"Even as skilled as you are, you are still a noble. A fool I can easily beat."Saito laughed cruelly as he tried to stand up and run up to him, but his body stopped obeying him.
"Ku… Damn… Look's like I'm empty. But You still need to die."
Saito only had enough strength to get up and use Derf as a cane.
"Aah, partner. Don't act foolishly now – Gandálfr cannot move after wasting his energy. That's because this familiar was created to defend his master while the master chants the spell." Derflinger explained. "Even with your abilities, you went all out on this wretch. Save your strength and do not forget what your duty is."
Fuck. I'm empty and Wardes still has some fight left. Better finish this quick.
"Oh dear," Wardes said as he gripped his cane with his remaining right hand and floated upwards. "it seems that I managed to accomplish only one of the goals. Anyways, now you are mine 'Gandálfr' – a large army will soon burst in. Hey! Can you hear the sound of horses' hooves and dragons' wings!?"
Indeed, one could hear the noise of cannons and sounds of fire magic explosions outside, as well as the roaring voices of nobles and soldiers mixed up in a battle. Even with all these noises, Saito felt as if the situation was far worse than what even Wardes is describing. After using all of his strength, he felt the burden of Otto's potion coming with and vengeance. It took every ounce of will he had to stay focused.
"You and your foolish master will be turned to ashes! Gandálfr!"
Throwing those last parting words, Wardes disappeared through the hole in the wall.
But he still close enough to hear Saito's shouting.
"BALUS!"
After he yelled that word, Saito stumblingly walked up to Louise, using Derflinger as a temporary crutch for support. He wanted the collect Wardes arm, but he figured he should at least tend to his pathetic bitch master.
"Louise!" Saito shook Louise trying to wake her up to no avail. Saito put his ear to Louise's chest in to sense her vital.
Thump, thump, thump…
Hearing the faint heartbeat, he breathed out a sigh of relief. Louise was worn-out. Her mantle was torn, and her knees and cheek bruised. There are probably more bruises under the clothes, too. Saito decided to open Louise's mouth and drip some of his blood from a scrape to stimulate her healing.
Louise's hand was grasping her chest. Her breast pocket button came off, and one could see Henrietta's letter peeping out from the inside. It seemed that even unconscious, Louise was still protecting the letter.
I can't believe she kept protecting that letter. While I am so glad you are alive, I can't say I came just in time. Saito thought. He looked at Prince Wales' corpse with remorse.
It didn't have to end like this.
"You had no choice. We owed Otto this favor. If we had interfered, that potion he made us drink would have made our battle with Wardes much more difficult."
Still, I didn't want to get another incubator this way.
"So what are going to do?"
Saito looked at Wardes' severed arm. He could call it luck that the traitorous bastard lost the arm without the ring Saito gave him. First, I'm going to preserve and store that prick's arm. Any research on mages' physiology is a boon.
Saito then used his abilities to gather all the blood and created an invisible barrier around the arm as he wrapped it in cloth from the chapel. He then stored the samples of blood in vials into his small box.
Then…
"Then?"
"Then," Saito thought before he spoke. "Let's get Louise out of here Derf."
"But partner… What do we do now? The Eagle already left the port…"
That's right. To save Louise, Saito jumped down from the departing Eagle's deck.
Hopefully, his backup can get here before the enemy arrives. Rider informed him that the move had been successful. All the sulfur, weapons, treasure, and food have been accounted for and it will take time about 3 days for them to arrive at Tristan Academy now.
"I don't know," Saito confessed honestly. "I have everything I set to do done for today but we still need to get out of here?"
"Really? Can you hear the shouts outside? What do you think Wales' men would think to see his body lying on the floor? They would think we are traitors for sure."
Indeed, explosions and battle roars were getting closer and closer to the walls. It was only a matter of time before they would come bursting in here.
"Well, we technically are traitor for letting Wardes in and allowing him to escape but no matter." Saitocommented as he quietly laid Louise on a chair. "Besides, I have no attachment for suicidal Glory seekers who couldn't bother to flee and fight another day."
When he said that Saito felt a wave of guilt and shame wash over him. Strangely it was a mix of a little of Otto's vial and most of his own heart. Steeling his heart, Saito stood up between Louise and the door, standing guard raising his sword.
"What are you doing?"
"Defending Louise."
When Saito said this, Derflinger trembled while twitching.
"Haha. Other than that. I understand. Partner Gandálfr, it was nice to know you and this noble girl, your master, partner."
"Stop joking around." Saito frowned as he concentrated his Dark vision to see the large mass of mana getting closer.
"Hm?"
"Louise and I, we will both survive."
"Were you listening to the king's speech? There are 50,000 enemies."
"Doesn't matter. I don't care if God or the Devil come through those doors. Nothing is getting in here to harm my bitch."
Saito, with his last remaining strength, grasped the sword. Even 50,000, even 100,000 he felt like he could win. Today he could defeat any mage, even if he was extremely tired. His regeneration was working as best as he could but Otto Potion was somehow slowing an already fast recovery.
Derflinger's shaking became louder and louder with laughter.
"That's right! That's the way I like it. Who cares about 50,000. Let them come to us!"
"Exactly! In about 15 seconds the ground will rise and our survival rate will turn from 0.032% to 100%."
"Really?"
"Yep, just watch."
And Saito, holding Derflinger, stared at the entrance of the chapel.
They waited, for sooner or later an enemy to come…
For the chance, Saito calculated meticulously before coming here...
And then…
The ground, near the place where Louise was laid, rose.
"What?" Saito watched the ground. He had sensed something familiar coming underground, but he still kept his guard up.
"Is it an enemy? Digging under? Or an ally to the rescue."
"I'd say ally Derf", He lowered the sword and stared at the hole, out of which a brown animal soon popped its head.
"Aaaaaaaan?"
And then that brown animal started groping Louise's body that was lying nearside.
Wait. What?
"You… you are the huge mole Verdandi! Guiche's familiar!" Saito shouted, and soon enough from the same hole that Verdandi came out, Guiche's face appeared.
"Hey! Verdandi! You can dig a hole anywhere! Good boy! Gu…." Guiche turned his soil smeared face from Saito and noticed Louise lying nearby, then said pretending not to know. "Ha! You! You are here!"
"W-what are you doing here!?" Saito shouted. Wasn't Tabitha supposed to here with you?
" After winning the battle against Fouquet the Crumbling Earth, and after a short break, we decided to follow you. It is our duty as princess Henrietta's honor depends on it, right?"
"But this place is in the sky! Not to mention the Phantom Boundary and seawater. How did you get here!?"
Then, near Guiche, Kirche's face popped out.
"Tabitha's Sylphid."
"Kirche!"
Sylphid?... Of course!
"After we repelled Fouquet, we were lucky enough to fly and enter the Bedivere Gate, sneaking past the border. We reached Albion successfully, but since it's a foreign country we didn't know where to go. But then, Verdandi started digging a hole all of sudden, so we followed him."
Meanwhile, the huge mole was pressing his nose to the 'Ruby of Water' that was shining on Louise's finger. Guiche nodded.
"Indeed. He followed the smell of the ruby and started digging a tunnel here. My cute Verdandi, because of his love for jewels he was able to follow from La Rochelle and dug a hole to get here.
Saito opened his mouth in amazement. He surely never planned to be saved by a mole. He had been planning to be saved by Tabitha, but this was a good second.
"Are you alright? I almost captured Fouquet again, but she made a narrow escape. That woman, though being a mage, surely does run away a lot. By the way, darling, what are you doing here?" Kirche asked while wiping off the dirt from her face with a handkerchief.
Saito laughed tiredly.
"Ha, ha, haha…"
"Dear? Is something wrong dear?"
"We'll talk about it later! The enemy will burst in soon! Let's run away!" Saito exclaimed as he kept his eyes on the door and Wales.
"Running away, and the mission? What about Viscount Wardes?"
"We have the letter! Wardes was a traitor! Return now!"
"What? Well, I don't understand it, but it seems everything ended already." Kirche said in a nonchalant voice.
With Louise in his arms, Saito slowly made his way through the hole. He left Louise in Guiche's care and hurried back to Wales in the chapel.
However, Wales had already died. But something told him that his corpse still had some dangerous power.
Saito shut his eyes and silently said his prayers.
"Hey! What are you doing there! Come back quickly!" Guiche called Saito back.
Saito looked at Wales' body. He looked for some keepsake to give to Henrietta. He noticed a big ruby on his finger.
The ruby belonged to Albion's royal family.
Saito removed it from the finger and put it in his pocket. He then took out a vial and syringe and injected it into Wales exposed left arm before covering it up and using his abilities to spread the injection around the body and into the brain.
Luckily, he hasn't been dead that long, so the brain can keep the content even if they use magic. Still, I'm sorry.
"Brave prince… You won't be forgotten." Saito muttered. He left Wales' body lying on his back with his arms in an x on his chest. He then closed Wales Eyes before standing up.
"I swear to you that I will also defend the things I believe in," Saito said bowing down and ran back to the hole.
The same moment Saito dove in the hole, the noble soldiers and mages broke through the door and jumped into the chapel.
And make this foolish country mine.
The tunnel Verdandi dug ran right under the port closest to Albion's Bedivere gate. So the moment Saito got out of the hole, Sylphid was ready to successfully fly all four people and a mole.
The mole, let out a protesting cry while in the wind dragon's claws
"Please try to endure it, my cute Verdandi. Bear with it until we get off in Tristan again."
With powerful wing strokes, the wind dragon broke through the surrounding clouds and changed direction to the Magical Academy.
Saito, with Louise in his arms, looked up at the continent of Albion.
Clouded and empty, blue inside, as they entered between two large rocks, the Albion continent disappeared in a ripple of space. Though it was a short stay there, Saito had various things to remember, as the white country faded from view.
Saito watched Louise lying in his arms. Her white cheeks were dirty with blood and soil, yet even in this state, one could see her aristocratic features. There were two stripes from her eyes down her cheeks left by her tears.
Saito wiped Louise's face with his sleeve. He could not bear to see the face of his bitch not dirtied by him.
Louise was still unconscious from the shock. Looking at Louise's face was somehow painful to Saito. "Dear stupid Louise. Pathetic Louise. My Louise…"
Beat beat, his heart was beating loudly. His desirous hunger growing along with his hate.
Now Saito looked only at Louise's face pressed gently to his chest. His gleaming with a predator glow.
Meanwhile, Louise was absent-mindedly wandering in a dream.
The dream in la Vallière's place, in her hometown.
A pond in a forgotten courtyard…
There a small boat was floating… There, Louise was lying down. Whenever she faced difficulties, Louise always hid and slept there. This was her world that no one else intruded in, her secret place…
Louise's heart was in pain.
But Wardes didn't come here anymore. Gentle viscount Wardes, her childhood noble crush, her fiancé of a marriage arranged by their fathers' mutual agreement…
Young Louise sobbed softly, there was no Wardes who would take her from her secret place anymore. He was a dirty betrayer that murdered the courageous prince, those kind hands belonged to a murderer…
Louise cried in her boat.
But then, someone came.
"Is that you, Viscount?"
Louise asked in her dream. But she shook her head at once. No, the viscount didn't come here anymore. Then, who?
It was Saito with his hood over his head. The sword was hanging on his back, when he, without hesitation about getting wet, stepped into the pond and approached Louise's boat.
Louise's heart throbbed.
Saito picked up Louise out of the boat and held her in his arms.
"Have you been crying?" Saito asked. Louise nodded childishly in her dream. Saito laughed cruelly. "Stop crying. Louise. My Bitch Louise."
Louise tried to get angry. This familiar, how dare he call me 'My Bitch Louise' Wait. HOW Dare HE cALL ME a BITCH!?. But when she opened her mouth to scold him, her lips were closed again with a kiss. Something long, rough, slimy, and powerful was binding her tongue and invading her body. Though she wriggled in rage at first, the strength soon left her body. And sensual craving radiated from her inner core and her legs fidgeted impatiently.
Louise woke up on a wind dragon's back, in Saito's arms.
She became aware that she was held in Saito's arms. They were sitting near the wind dragon's tail, and Saito sat there embracing her. She stared at his face from the side as it seemed like he didn't notice that she was awake.
Kirche, Tabitha, Guiche – all three of them, were sitting on the front of the wind dragon's back.
The wind was blowing against her cheeks.
"Aah, this isn't a dream."
Then…
"I survived."
Louise's mind was filled with feverish thoughts.
I was almost killed by that traitor Wardes, but then Saito jumped in. Then I fainted. Then I woke up again and chanted some magic. After that, though, I lost consciousness… maybe Saito won again.
But only we survived, maybe the royal army was still defeated.
Wales died as well.
The happiness of surviving mixed with sadness almost made Louise cry. However, not wanting to cry in front of Saito, she closed her eyes.
She was also ashamed to say thank tiny rational part of her brain called her a fool for how she had act while on this mission. Though she could not understand why, she was comfortable with Kirche, Tabitha, Guiche – with all of them. But thanking Saito before everyone felt embarrassing. Therefore, Louise decided to pretend she was sleeping.
Nevertheless, Louise still secretly watched him from the corner of her half-closed eyes.
Saito looked into her eyes. He looked directly at her. With a mixture of homicidal loathing, rage, lust, and… gentle affection?
Those eyes made Louise recall her last dreams.
Being violently raped by Saito in the boat.
Raped by Saito in her room.
And feel that awful, yet addictive, the dream of Saito raping her until she grew wing and felt powerful yet subservient to him.
Really, when did she become such a pervert?
The air dragon increased speed.
Strong wind hit her cheeks.
But that wind felt pleasant.
That wind and Saito's burning iron -sapphire gaze, aah, Louise couldn't hide her feelings.
Her mind was in turmoil…
Traitor Wardes.
The crown prince's death…
The noble union's 'Reconquista' victory…
Reporting to the Princess…
For various reasons, and while Louise felt sorry for them all, right now all Louise's thoughts were blown away by the wind.
After nearly escaping death, she wanted to savor the feeling of life for a while. Of this desire to feel life closing in on her.
And like that, to savor the feeling of life without limits, she pretended to sleep…
Saito's face moved closer.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Saito's lips overlapped Louise's.
Louise instinctively lifted her hand to push him away…but returned it to her chest instead.
Strong wind hit Louise's cheeks, as Sylphid flew through the sky.
Something warm filled her heart, a heart that was wounded by sad events was healed. IT became a desirous longing for him. Feeling the oppressive allure spread all over her body while she enjoyed the kiss.
Some time ago she was struggling violently against the feeling in her dreams. Of the idea that she had summoned an uncontrollable monster.
But at least for now…
The pleasant wind that blew from a Mad Beast from a different world…
Resting her cheek against his chest, she silently fell asleep. In peace.
Driving Sylphid
Tabitha maintained their flight to the Capital of Tristania by stay close to the clouds. With luck that would arrive at the royal palace by daylight.
Sylphid can fly at a rate for six-days and never tire. It was how she was able to complete her tasks without the Osmond and the Tower Masters noticing.
Taking a break from flying as her familiar rode the air current, she glances behind at her recent patron(lover?). She caught a glance of Saito kissing Louise, and felt a twinge of emotions before they faded. But when she was about to turn back, she was perceptive enough to see Saito stare at her with sapphire eyes.
The message had been clear to her as her face grew pink while she stared forward.
Thank you, I'll reward you later.
Meanwhile
"I see... So… Wales is dead..."
A sad tired voice commented on the news they have been brought as if commenting on the weather. BUt to the messenger speaking from the crystal, they knew they were torturing themselves.
"Yes, it happened at sunset here. Before the rebel took control of the Bedivere Gate. There have been reports of sudden natural phenomena all around Brittania. And I guess you felt it too."
"I had a feeling Wales would have chosen this way. So I sent him some back up to increase his chances more of living."
"You could have come here to rescue him. He didn't have to die." the speaker started with a bit of anger. "I understand that James had to die. Despite being manipulated by them, he was willing if not cruel enough to hide anything that could ruin the Crown's image. But this is Wales. He could have fixed all of James' failure and freed our curse. Britannia would have been whole if he lived. You and he were practically brothers!"
"DO YOU THINK I DO NOT THAT!?" a voice filled with grief and rage yelled. If the room wasn't enchanted with anti-spy runes everyone would have heard them. "Do you I take pleasure letting the son of the man who betrayed my family, myself, and his own family, to die out of spite? Do you think I haven't thought of a way to save Wales from the hatred of the others without letting James live? DO think I enjoy letting that young innocent little boy I helped raise and taught get killed for my country's future? I do not! I take no pleasure in sacrificing the one person who cared for us and respected our input. But you know as well as I know that I couldn't anything. We are bound to Brittania and the one most worthy of the Crown. AND James has proven his lack of worth when aiding Crom in slaughtering innocent lives and forcing me to flee and letting the other region bear the brunt of the people's pain. Should I remind you of other examples of his inadequacy? Cromwell? Mathilda? Montaru? There is far too much sin to let James live in any form besides as a record in history. I don't have to remind you of what happened at Westwood, do I?"
"No, you don't," the speaker responded in resignation. "This is like cutting an infected limb. Cruel but necessary. But are you sure our goals can be accomplished by letting Tristan go to war? We could so much if we freed our people. Didn't the Magna Carta activate? You felt it too. We have the power to stop the Reconquista and unite at last- "
"You do realize that it was Wales who cast the spell, right?"
"Pardon?"
"Magna Carta cannot activate unless three conditions are met."
"I am well aware of them, my friend. You never stopped beat the wisdom into our heads."The voice chuckled at the memory of their colleague acting like an army of governesses. "So, I take it, Prince Wales, in his dying breath invoked the Rite as a signal for our assembly?"
"Correct Wales dying by treachery activated a blood pact that alerts all loyal Britanians of the looming danger, as well alert traitors to the doom."
"Then the civil war, the fall of the Crown, and potential war cleared the second condition."
There was silence as the speaker made a realization. "Wait. How could the final condition be cleared? We all haven't assembled here yet!"
"On the contrary, whether they know it or not, our brothers and sisters have come to Britania. I took my oath as well you and the others did so the spell had activated."
"But that the thing. Excluding the Crown, the condition requires all of us to be active in Britania to be cleared. How can those that haven't count?"
"I believe our ancestors implied the condition be chosen and/or active. And if the Magna Carta is activated them that is proof of our assembling."
"I understand you, me, and the others but we are one member short."
"Not to worry. Because it so happens just recently, I discovered our final brother."
"You mean…?"
"Yes."
"But how? There's no living-"
"They will be ready to fight when the time is right. For now, Jeremiah, get everything ready, I suspect Cromwell will no doubt do something to add in his long list of crimes."
"Understood. Shall inform Optimus of the next step?"
"No, I'll do it. You should rest now. We have a long way to go."
Both colleagues gazed at each other's eyes. Though resolute and strong, they could see the growing tears form in their eyes as they said the words of goodbye.
"ALL HAIL BRITANIA."
END CHAPTER
Well, that was long. I sorry if the battle scenes were shoddy, I often contemplate quality or postings. Am I being crappy in trying to find a reason for Saito to love Louis? But it isn't the Familiar of Zero without the Zero. Now I have another fanfic to do and with both of them, I am not sure the interval of chapters As always review and comment with constructive criticism. I always read the reviews. PM me for further questions. Also if you are a beta reader, I would gladly appreciate it.