Honourable Stupid - Chapter 4
Authors Note
Warning, Spoilers for Familia of Zero ahead.
Returning to normal schedule. For those reading on , I've realised that I've gotten into a bad habit of not responding to reviews. I'll be changing this in the near future.
/-v-\
\-v-/
Yared followed as Colbert and Louise both climbed the steps ahead of him, admiring the stone stairways.
It was like no other castle he'd seen before.
Every step was perfectly even and regular.
Of course, out of shape as he was, he was a little breathless anyways, his legs beginning to burn from the long trek.
He considered what might happen next.
With his bag he had all his possessions.
His evidence of what had happened to him, his tools for the future.
So why did he feel so nervous about what would happen next? He just had to ask Osmond about the staff of destruction. He didn't have any pictures of a... What was it? An M72 LAW? It was definitely called a Law rocket launcher at least.
So lost in thought, he barely noticed when Louise stopped, and bumped into her.
"Familiar!" Louise scowled at him.
"Ah, my bad. I got lost in thought." He shrugged, apologising a little awkwardly.
"Hmph. See that it doesn't happen again." The petite pinkette turned and stomped off with a huff.
Ahead, Colbert opened the door for them both, smiling at their antics.
"Thank you." Yared nodded out of politeness.
He was a bit shocked that Louise didn't, but remembering the girls upbringing, it was hardly surprising.
Inside, was the head of the tower.
It was picturesque. A clean, large room, with well stocked bookcases and large windows overlooking the entire academy. At the other side of the room sat a large desk, with an elderly man whose white beard nearly reached the floor. His eyes appeared gentle and yet sharp, and Yared couldn't help but think of a certain wizard from the Harry Potter books he had read as a child.
At the sight of nobody else in the room, Yared felt something was missing, but knowing the seriousness of the situation, he ignored it.
"Ahem.. Welcome to my office Miss Valliere and Mr Scott. I did not expect to see you two today. Perhaps the dear Professor could shed some light on why." He raised an eyebrow at Colbert, smiling gently.
Colbert coughed. "Headmaster, these two, or rather Yared, have some important information to share today. I felt that it would be best it was reported to you in person."
At this, Osmond's eyes widened at this, his eyebrows climbing to his head in consternation. He nodded simply, and then closed his eyes. He waved his wand, casting a spell of some sort. The doors and windows closed, and glowed a slight blue. Then...
At the sight of a scurrying mouse in the corner of his eye, Yared considered telling Louise what else the esteemed Headmaster was doing before enjoying the fireworks.
Unfortunately, he didn't have the time, or more importantly, popcorn for such a thing. He shook his head and focused.
Suddenly Osmond's eyes shot open. "I am ready. Now tell me..." His eyes passed over each of them.
At this, Yared was reminded that Osmond was a Square Class Mage. The pinnacle of all Wizards, and a master of wind to boot. The same element as Wardes, and Karin...
He gulped slightly, then steeled himself.
"It might be easier to show you first sir. There's a lot to say, so it's better we get the easy bits out of the way." He explained.
Osmond nodded. "So, what is it? Go ahead."
He brought out his phone, and moving slowly, brought it to the Headmasters task.
As he unlocked it, and went to the video, Osmond hummed in curiosity.
"Oh, I saw this yesterday. You and Malicorne used it no?" He questioned.
"Ah yes Headmaster. Wait how did you see it from up here? Oh right, you have a crystal ball right?" He suddenly remembered, the image coming to his mind from dozens of fanfics he had read over the years.
"I do, how did you know young man?" Osmond took it in stride.
"Lets just say it was a lucky guess." Yared smirked at his inside joke.
"It's ready, I'll start it, make sure to watch closely." He instructed the Headmaster.
The video played, and the old wizard watched in interest, listening to Yareds commentary.
After it finished, he sighed.
"It seems you really have come from another world. However, I sense there is something more young man?" Osmond raised an eyebrow.
"Yes Headmaster. A lot more. Before I explain, let me ask you a question."
Osmond nodded.
"I believe you have something called a staff of destruction in the academy vaults. This object, if I am correct is the weapon of a foreign soldier from my world."
At this, Osmond's eyes crinkled in nostalgia.
He has asked shortly afterwards.
"What makes you believe that? While his garb was as otherworldly as yours, you've never met him right?"
"Did he have a flag on him. Perhaps with 50 stars and striped?"
"Yes, he did, now answer me young man, how did you know that?"
"To tell the truth sir, I read it in a book."
Osmond gestured to go on.
"Before I came here, I had read a book about a very similar place. It was called, 'The Familiar of Zero'. In that book, a boy named Saito was summoned as the Gandalfr to Miss Valliere over here." He nodded at the girl, before continuing.
"Later in the story, they encountered Fouquet, who was hired by Reconquista to steal the Staff of Destruction. When Saito encountered it, he recognised it as a rocket launcher. If I remember my military stuff right, it should be the M72 Law, a fire a forget weapon designed for destroying vehicles and fortifications. After apprehending Fouquet, he asked you about, and you revealed how a man carrying several had saved you from a twin headed dragon, before dying of previous wounds. Apparently you couldn't understand a word he said."
Osmond nodded. "I see, interesting."
"In the story it's implied he was American, especially since the M72 is one of their pieces of equipment, commonly used by infantry."
"That is fascinating indeed. Who are these Americans exactly?" Osmond seemed to be thinking deeply.
"One of my countries allies. They were a colony of the British Empire a long, long time ago. That didn't end well, but we're pretty close allies now. They are probably one of if not the most powerful nations on my world. They control most sea routes with a massive Navy, and often interfere in conflicts around the globe."
"Do you know about their funeral rites?" Osmond asked gravely.
Understanding immediately, Yared responded confidently.
"I do. Just like Britain, they are predominantly a Christian country, though I can't say for sure what religion he had. That said, if such a thing does stress you so, I have a better idea."
"A better idea? What could possibly be better than giving the man the funeral rites of his home, so that his soul may be left to rest?" Osmond asked curiously.
"Americans are famous for not leaving their wounded behind. They bring everyone home, dead or alive. That's their pride. If you brought his body home, perhaps his remaining family could be consoled. I'm sure the lack of a body to bury hurt them severely." Yared explained, deliberately ignoring recent events that contradicted his words. Politics back home would only matter when he returned home.
A glint in Osmond's eye was his only warning.
"Then I assume this book you read showed you a path back home." Osmond casually stated, picking up his pipe.
Yared blinked rapidly in surprise, as Osmond blew rings of smoke.
"Yes actually, how did you work that out?"
"The Professor wouldn't have felt it so dire as to bring to me without notice, if there was nothing important in this book you read. I assume you have more?"
Calming down, Yared nodded.
"There is a lot more, I can only remember a fraction unfortunately. That said, are you sure you believe me?" Yared couldn't understand the cause of Osmond's confidence. It felt baseless, but surely he had a reason?
"It's only logical. You are the Gandalfr after all."
At this Louise finally spoke up. "What! Sir, how is that logical?"
At this Osmond paused for a moment, as he inhaled from his pipe. Then as he blew smoke rings out, his eyes sharpened.
"The power of Void is not to be underestimated. I regret that you both already know of it, but you do nonetheless. Perhaps this knowledge of Mr Scott is false. Towards that potentiality, we will have him checked over by Miss Agatha, in case he has been stricken by madness. Until then, we shall presume that the information he has is mostly accurate, until it is proven otherwise. To do anything less would be foolish." He nodded at Colbert, he seemed almost relieved.
Yared himself sighed in relief, he had been a little worried, but it seemed they would be trusting him for now.
He only hoped he could live up to that trust.
/-v-\
\-v-/
As Yared explained the plot of the story, he felt like he had forgotten something.
"Then Wardes attempts to brainwash Louise with, I'm not sure entirely. I remember it as being the water spirits ring used by Cromwell in one continuity, and something else like a potion in the books. You see, the whole time Wardes was a member of Reconquista..." As Yared searched his memory for answers, Louise paled.
"Wardes! Wardes is a traitor." Yared realised his mistake but it was too late.
He caught the girl by the shoulders before she could collapse, but she beat his chest as him the revelation was his fault. In a way, it was.
So he hugged her.
"Calm down Louise." He spoke gently.
"No! I refuse! How could my Wardes be a traitor!" The girl was on the brink of tears.
At this, Osmond spoke up.
"Miss Valliere, how about a break, I think you need some rest before we continue." He looked at her with a gaze of sympathy.
Colbert put his head on Louise's shoulder, and locked eyes with her.
After that, Louise calmed down a bit. Suddenly, she seemed almost tired.
Yared felt a spark of guilt.
"I apologise Louise, I should have broached that more..." He trailed off.
"No it's fine. I apologise for acting so unreasonably." The girl shook her head.
Osmond looked around. "Hmmm, I was going to ask Longueville to fetch tea, but she's not back yet..."
At this, Yared pales.
Colbert immediately notices this and raises his staff.
"What is it Yared, is there something you forgot?" He asked promptly, scanning the room.
"Yes. I forget to tell you, Longueville is Fouquet! She might be listening in!" Yared shot up, but without a weapon...
He grabbed his flask and the torch in his bag.
Osmond waved his wand once more, yet without a word the door swung open, and suddenly, the sound of footsteps racing down the stairs filled the room.
Colbert glanced at Yareds impromptu weapons in bemusement before catching himself.
He waved his staff and cast a spell.
A simple spear rose from the floor. Made of pure iron, it was a solid weapon.
As Colbert cast another unknown spell, Yared dropped his metal flask, and holding a torch in one hand, and grasping the spear in the other, drew the spear from the ground.
His runes flared.
His body was light. Light than it had ever been before. It felt right. The world seemed to slow before him.
His limbs felt limber and yet strong in a way he hadn't felt like in years.
Knowledge of Spearmanship seemed to flow right into his head, and he realised then as he imagined the various ways he could subdue Fouquet with an alien ease, that this was the combined knowledge of every warrior in Halkeginia...
Yet, he could only contemplate for so long before time ran out, even with his thoughts racing so quickly.
He dashed forth as Colbert finished his spell, and behind him, he heard the Professor follow, easily keeping up with his nigh superhuman pace.
Yared thought, he thought of what would happen if Wardes was told he had revealed him as a traitor. If Wardes was told he was the Gandalfr. Of what Wardes would do to Louise with him dead.
His eyes narrowed, and his runes glow brightened to a searing blue glare.
His legs shifted into a blur and he moved yet faster, leaving the Professor behind him.
He caught up to Longueville. At the sight of him, she leapt into the corridor, the floor shifting around her as she turned it into a shield with silent spells.
He merely barrelled through the fragile shield of stone with his shoulder. He felt spark of pain from the impact, but it quickly faded.
Quickly stepping backwards, she fired stone projectiles at him.
Time seemed to slow as the projectiles drew closer. The first he batted out the air with his spear. As his spear struck the stone bolt, the shell was cracked by the impact, a spiderweb of cracks formed over it. At the apex of his swing, his spear stopped and the shell spun mid-air like a spinning top, before shattering against the walls behind him.
The next projectile he batted over him, using the movement to draw even closer.
Then she somehow fired two at the same time.
He managed to deflect both by smashing them together from the left.
The next, he leaped over, kicking it down into the ground, where it smashed through the floor.
Finally he approached.
He switched on his flashlight with deft fingers.
The sudden red light distracted Longueville, and her next shot missed.
He dropped the flashlight.
Shifting his grip on his spear so he held it just beneath the tip, he sprung forth.
He grabbed the green haired women's collar and held her up before pointing his borrowed spear at her throat.
He had won. For a moment, he exalted at the sheer power the runes had granted him.
But it was not over.
Longueville' s wand too was thrusted at his throat.
/-v-\
\-v-/
"Yared!" Colbert called from behind him. A voice of frustration and barely hidden anger.
Longueville however stared into Yared's eyes, he dared not blink. Knowing it might be his end. Instead, he widened his eyes, staring back, knowing he would win a staring contest.
Colbert appeared in the corner of his eye, tactically positioned to act if Longueville moved.
However, at this distance, even the Flame Snake might not be able to save him.
Morbidly, he realised the man was positioned best to kill Longueville, not to save him. If his injuries weren't immediately fatal, they could probably heal him anyway. Probably.
A grin spread across Yared's face.
"Miss Longueville is it? We haven't met have we? I'm Yared, Yared Scott." He spoke slowly, an undercurrent of rage seeping through his words.
Colbert raised his eyebrows but said nothing, glaring at the women with his own fury.
"Now, now, Mr Gandalfr, there's no need for dancing around words. You already know, so please, call me Fouquet."
At this, Yareds creepy grin grew wider.
"Oh? I would have thought you would prefer Matilda Saxe-Gotha?" He relished the look of panic and fear that spread across the women's face.
"How! How did you know!" The women growled, her face morphing into a scowl, as her wand started to shake.
"Didn't you listen in? You must have missed the beginning. You see, I didn't know." He taunted smugly.
"What. Do. You. Mean?" She spat out, her eyes bulging.
"I mean, that I didn't know until you confirmed it for me. It's just something I read in a story after all."
At that, the women seemed to lose her energy.
"So, of course, I know about everything. Tiffania Westwood, the orphans. Even that if we arrest you, Wardes will just blackmail you into working for him and Reconquista."
"So what? You can't kill me kid. I can see it in your eyes, you don't have the guts." She taunted him back, and really, she was right. He had never been in a real fight before. He had never had to take a life. Coddled by modern life, he knew he would probably hesitate. Fortunately, he didn't need to.
"Who ever said, it would be I that killed you." He nodded his head in Colbert's direction.
At this the girl froze.
"If you will threaten my students, then I'm afraid I will have no choice but to kill you, Miss Longueville." At this, the girl finally looked away from Yared, her expression one he couldn't interpret.
Quick as a flash, he smashed his knee into her gut.
Her eyes bulged as the criminal felt the air leave her lungs.
He deftly tore the wand from her fingers, before kicking her in the same place.
She hit the wall, and rolled over, gasping as she tried to breathe, tears leaving her eyes.
Yared however looked to Colbert, shaking his head at the mans grimace of determination.
"We need her alive." Yared explained to the Professors questioning gaze.
"I understand." The professor nodded, before swinging his staff, stone grew from the ground and tied the women's hands and feet together, leaving her manacled.
She glared at them in impotent rage.
Yared nodded at her.
"While it's true that in that true, you attempted to murder children, I'm not going to judge you for actions you haven't yet taken. Even in that story, you did eventually help the protagonists and Wardes save the world."
The mages both raised eyebrows at that statement.
"So what? You'll just let me go?"
Yared shook his head.
"I can't risk the information I've told you reaching Reconquista, especially since Wardes already knows about the orphanage by now..."
He look turned contemplative.
"Anyhow, Tiffania is a void mage. Unlike Louise, she already has working magic. Leaving her in Albion, where she is under constant threat from Reconquista and their puppet master, King Joseph... Would be beyond foolish."
He locked eyes with the thief once more.
"So, I'm sure we can come to an 'agreement' shall we put it. Yes?" He asked her. She didn't reply.
Yared briefly wondered if this was a mistake.
He sighed, before taking the spear and slamming it into the ground.
The very moment his fingers let go of the iron weapon, he felt his vision blur before going black.
His body felt numb and he collapsed to the ground, barely able to prevent himself from falling head first.
As his consciousness slowly faded beneath a cloudy darkness, he barely heard the good Professor yelling his name.
His last thought was a rather confused 'Did I overdo it?'
/-v-\
\-v-/