Hello everyone! Blackhawk571X here! And now I have gotten more review, I'm gonna answer them here like my other stories. Here they are.
Last admiral: I can see that you are eager to see Erik pretty much-become king of three nations, and have Henrietta, Tabitha, Tiffania, and Matilda as potential lovers of our Risen warrior. But! I will have to get more in-depth to finalize that part of his love life. And as for becoming king of anything...he will not be king...but he will be...a leader! :D
OechsnerC: I can see the reviews, and I'm not sure if you're really excited or you like to spam. But either way, thank you! :D
That's all for reviews and don't hesitate to write up more! It fills me with love and hope for my story writing! :D... Sorry I've watched too much of Robbaz on youtube...check him out...he's funny... But anyway! Here is Chapter 6 of the Familiar of Zero: The Risen Familiar!
2 hours later
After the city guards got the orders to prevent any escape from all gates, sewers, and even cargo wagons, Erik continues to search for what he called 'the Goblin Merchant'. He asked anyone who got a look at him to narrow the search area of the city, and so far he got 3 eyewitness cases of the man running as if he was chased by someone. And he got it to near the noble area of the city, as he walked up to a corner. He then saw an abandoned wagon with a cloth cover a foot tall pile, and he went to inspect it. Sure enough, he saw toys that have seen better days, cooking ware that looked fake, and even a cleaning kit for a sword that was mostly empty and that was just from the first glance. He wondered why he would sell junk to the commoners when they could've bought better for the same...and that is when he saw it. He finally realizes what may have been the true reason for the man's selling of his wares...pox. He could see it on a blanket had a spot where a stain of pox infected the cloth big enough to fit a full-size bed. Immediately he looked for a flame to destroy it and found one close in a bar, and he walked in. The bar itself had drunken men, alcohol and...girls wearing skimpy maid outfits...seems legate. He walked past the maid welcoming him, grabbed an oil lamp, and he went outside to throw the lamp at the wagon. The wagon caught on fire as a crowd formed up, and some of the city guards saw what he did, and walked up to him.
"What are you doing commoner?" A city guard said.
"Preventing a pox infection of this city. Spread news of this: Every one that bought from the 'Goblin Merchant' is to immediately remove the items they bought and lit it on fire. It is the only way to destroy items infected with smallpox. Go! Now!" Erik told them, much to their horror of the idea of a plague happening, stand to salute and compiled. As the guards fled to spread the news, he turns his attention to the crowd.
"Everyone listen to me! The items you've bought from the Germania Merchant is infected with smallpox! Take every item you bought and burn it any way you can! Before you do, cover your mouth and wrap your hands with a small cloth to safely take the items out of your house so you can burn them! Afterward, leave the area immediately! All women, take your children away from your homes! Men, put your backs into it and get those items out of your homes! Get it one!" Erik yelled to the crowd and the group of commoners yelled out a yes sir, and they went to work. He saw a group of commoners that stood around to watch the event, and he walked up to them.
"Did you hear everything I said to them?" Erik asked, getting nods from the group.
"How could we not? We heard this from the Fairy Inn and went outside to see what was happening." A man said, getting a nod from Erik.
"Good, then you guys need to tell everyone to do the same. We might have a smallpox epidemic, and right now, we need to take steps to stop it. Go! Tell everyone! If you do so, the drinks are on me!" Erik said, getting yells of approval of free drinks. Erik then ran down the street to see everyone doing as they were told, and it made him wonder. Why did a merchant from Germania have to gain by giving the capital of a nation a pox outbreak? But his thoughts were halted when he saw the man he was after, at the steps of a building that belong to a noble. He then took cover and silently walked to the gate where no guard was watching...weird. He then got close enough to hear a man who seemed to be a noble yell at the merchant.
"Damn commoner! You took too much time for people to find out the truth about your wares! If I didn't have money put into this, you would be dead already!" A nobleman said.
"I didn't mean to make it a long mission. There was a commoner who told me what he thought of my wares and got into a fight with me. I had to use a dagger to get away from him." A man said, who looked like a man that belongs to a coven. The man wore a brown cloak to hide the ugly face of a man who looked like a reverse Quasimodo. Erik got close to see the noble, who had a suit that made him look like an English noble from the 1600s, and he was not happy.
"Well then, that commoner should have kicked you into the dirt, cause now the city knows of what's happening and I'll be damned if the crown finds out." The noble said, getting a smirk from Erik. Time from the unveil.
"They don't know, that's for sure." Erik said, getting the two to look at him. The merchant looked scared cause this is the man responsible for lighting his wagon on fire, and the noble looked mad at the soldier. Erik smirked under his skull mouth bandana.
"But they will know...soon enough." Erik said, seeing the noble smirked at his 'death wish'.
"Really commoner? Do you know who I am?" The noble asked smugly.
"No, and I care less. The only thing that I would care to know...is that how you and this goblin are gonna pay for what you've done." Erik said as he walked slowly towards them, with the rifle in hand. The noble saw it and waved his wand. Erik saw the wind forming to be like blades, and pulled his sword to defend himself. The wind blades came and Erik defends...only to see the wind blade get sliced in half. The noble and the merchant stared in shock at how the commoner sliced through his wind blade, while Erik looked at the blade with a raised brow, but then he smirked at how he was gonna screw this noble into the next jailcell. The noble got over his shock as he heard someone yelling at their location, and that made him chant a quick spell to push his foe away. Erik was busy seeing some guards coming to wonder what the noise was when he was blown back, pushing into the street. He got up to see the noble running out with a low wind spell to escape from his justice...not for long. Erik then ran after him as the noble would use his spell to fling stuff at him at his reach without losing focus on his spell. Erik saw a wagon flung at him and he dodged it by leaping forward into a roll, only to jump out of it and continue his chase after the noble. The noble saw it and stopped in the air to gather his magic to stop him, chanting a few wind blades and small twisters and flung them at him. Erik, with the power of the runes, but all his strength into the strikes of his blade, slicing through the wind blades. Then he charged through the twisters to jump into them, slicing his sword before it. Erik came out a few twisters with some cuts on him, but he did not mind as he was near the noble to swing his sword at him. The noble dodged with some shock at how skilled the commoner was, and with each passing second, the crowd that formed got bigger to watch an epic battle between a mage of Nobility and a Common Man. The noble grew in frustration since the people know what must have happened and he took out his frustration on the man.
"Now look what you've done, peasant! Because of you, my nobility will be tarnished!" The noble yelled at him as he chants more blades at him, which in turn Erik sliced them down and dodge the ones he can't.
"Your nobility was tarnished the moment you treated this folk like your toys to ruin!" Erik yelled out, not seeing some commoners gaping at how he was standing up to the noble. And they weren't the only ones, as some low-class nobles were watching in interest at how a commoner was going toe to toe with a high class noble, especially the one of this city that looked down at both commoners and low births like trash. But now, they watched something that they will remember for the rest of their lives as the noble yelled out again.
"Who cares for these low lives?! The only thing they're good for is being our servants and slaves! What reason do you have to care if I decided to cull a few of them for disrespecting their betters!?" The noble said as he waved his wand again, this time some water came around to form figures with water weapons. Erik got his rifle again, twirling it to quickly form the staff weapon, much to the shock of some of the crowd.
"The same reason I protect the weak! Because people like you are nothing but animals, wanting to see others suffer for your amusement! You have no reason to even call yourself a noble anymore! And I'll rip it out of you today if I have too!" Erik yelled as he charged into the water soldiers with both his staff and sword. The crowd was stunned at the words Erik spoke. Someone actually cares for them and he was putting his words into action. The noble growled as he watched Erik sliced his soldier with both staff and sword in sync.
"You have no right to take what's mine! My nobility is something I was born with! My title! My magic! My blessing from the founder himself! What can a meer commoner do against me?!" The noble yelled as he chants more wind blades. Erik saw them as he fought against a soldier and pull it to block a blade from taking his head. The noble was getting angry as Erik fought the last of his soldiers while dodging his wind blades.
"Where I come from, nobility isn't something given to you, it is earned! Humility! Patience! Selflessness! Courage! Generosity! Integrity! Respect! Honesty! And Kindness! You have none of these values, and that is why... you'll fail!" Erik yelled as he sliced through the last wind blade, much to the growing fear of the noble. The noble backed away as he saw from the crowd, the once frightful stares of the commoners have now hardened stares like they weren't afraid of him anymore. The noble growled as he chants his spell to get away from the man. Erik sees that he was trying to get away and chased after him again, not paying attention to the cheers of the crowd that formed earlier. Erik didn't see the few people cheering him on as the noble was thrown a few items by the populous, much to his anger. Erik then sees him turned around a corner, disappearing before he rounded to it, only to see the noble float over a fancy looking carriage. Erik didn't see the blonde woman on a horse next to it shouting orders to defend the occupants, but he didn't care as the carriage was too high to jump over it. And so, much to the shock of the blond woman and a few female guards that saw him too late, Erik leap through the door, not seeing a purple-haired girl and an old man looking shocked at the way a man came through the doors of the carriage like it was nothing. Erik, shaking the rumble of the doors he burst through, rolled out of his leap and continue his chase, not realizing the female guards behind him. The noble looked back to see not only Erik but the Royal musketeer squad behind him on horses, shocked that the man can run nearly faster than a horse. The noble did not see Erik pulled a blade that looked like a WWII German knife with a few exceptions as he tossed it at the man. The noble yelled in pain as he felt a blade pierced his left shoulder, stopping his spell and rolled onto the ground. Erik nearly stopped to a jog, seeing the knife did its job, only to hear a clamor of hooves as horses surrounded him. Erik looked around as a blond woman pulled out a flintlock pistol and aimed at him.
"In the name of the royal princess, you are under arrest!" The woman said, not seeing the noble chanting a spell and flung it at them. Erik saw it and yelled out.
"Look out!" Erik said, getting the majority of the female corp to see the spell too late as it blasted them off their blond woman was caught by Erik as he turned his back into the next blade he knew was coming, and felt the sting of it. The woman stared at him as Erik put the woman down and turned to his target, seeing that the blades cut into the horses, giving them wounds. Erik ran towards him as the noble cast more blades at him.
"Now look what you've done, peasant! Because of you, the queen's personal guard is now involved! I shall kill you and that failure of a guard to remind the lowly masses who the real masters are!" The noble said as he cast more magic of wind blades and water soldiers, ignoring the first signs of overuse of magic. Erik saw the noble faltering slightly and pressed on.
"The only thing you will remind the masses is how far you have fallen as they drag your ass to a cell for you to rot in!" Erik yelled, ignoring the others staring at the battle before them. The blond-haired woman was impressed at the fighting style of the man fighting the noble as he sliced through a few soldiers while dodging a few wind blades. She did not see the carriage that she was protecting earlier as a young woman stepped out to see the fight happen in her mother's capitol. The noble fighting Erik yelled out again.
"I like to see you try, peasant! The only thing that will be dragged is your corpse when I slice every limb off you!" The noble said, not caring for the crowd watching him, but he did see the princess of this country watching them. Realizing that he may not come not of this unscathed, he focused a wind blade to her direction, hoping that the shock of her death by buying him time to escape. Erik saw that the direction of his cast was different, and he looked back to see a purple-haired woman dressed in royal garb with a scepter. Realizing the noble's target has changed, he ran towards her, seeing the wind blade is faster than the others he called upon whatever power the runes had and ran while the world around him slowed. He did not care as he ran in front of the blade, taking it in the chest. The world resumed to a normal crawl as most of the people stared in shock of what happened. The woman who came to see what was going on with the man that burst through her carriage, seeing a noble chant a wind blade towards her and she turned to run before she heard the blade hit something, or by the sound of a pained grunt, someone. She looked back, only to gasp in shock as the man fighting the noble took the wind blade to the chest, standing tall. Erik stood there to let the pain course through before he did any more moves, raising his head to see the shocked looks of everyone there, only caring to see the noble staring in shock of what he did. Erik walked slowly towards him, seeing the noble got out of his shock to throw more blades at him. Erik, not realizing that he had the power of the runes and his tenet, effortlessly sliced the blades with one hand stokes of his sword while the rifle he had was on the ground after he ran to save the woman from death. The noble's fear grew in the response of Erik parrying against all of his blades and saw that he was getting closer as he did so. Erik continued to march towards him, stating his piece.
"Where is all your talk now, noble?! How does it feel to helplessly watching a commoner, a peasant, a person of a people who you have looked down on as your inferiors, as trash, taking all the magic that you can throw at him, and still stand tall to kick! your! ASS?!" Erik yelled out, not seeing a few blushes at how cool he was being. He did not care as the noble was casting a spell he knew was gonna be big due to his silence. The noble was fuming and decided to end it all with a spell that he knows that will kill this commoner!
"Let me show you, commoner! For once I'm done with you, your head will decorate my hall! And what's left of your corpse will paint this town! In your blood!" The noble said as a twister the size of a two-story building formed in front of him. Erik saw the twister with no fear as he then looked at his rifle by his feet and pick it up. Then he 'chant' his own magic, the power of his belief in his commanders.
"Lord Shakazala, please give me the clarity to see through my enemies. Lordess Natalya, please give me the love to understand and forgive my enemies. Lord Zaodin, please give me the zen to see the world around me, and feel the aura of my foes. Lord Edmund, please give me the wisdom to outthink and outmatch my opponents. Lord Vulken, please give me the willpower to crush my opponent's will to fight me." Erik chanted as he felt his power grow inside him, not seeing the awe of the crowd before him as the tattoo behind his back glowed as he prepared his staff and sword in a crossguard over his chest. Erik then stood still as the twister overcame him, much to the shock of the crowd and the smug look on the noble's face. But then they see the twister slowing in its rotation, much to the confusion of the noble since he didn't end it, in fact, he felt a growing resistance inside his twister. Then to everyone's greater shock, the twister collapsed as a small twister was seen inside the bigger one as it dissipated, but that wasn't what shocked them, it was who made it so. Erik, in a fashion that would make the cartoon, the Tasmanian devil proud, twirled as fast as he could to counteract the noble's small tornado with the power of the runes, feeling the cutting winds dying down in place of a normal torrent of wind. He then stopped his spin, holding still to let the spinning effect end, ending his twister as it too joined its opponent in the air. The noble at this point was too shocked to think about how impossible this was, and the crowd was in such awe that some started cheering for him, which grew into a roar, even the princess was in awe. Erik stood up straight, feeling the spiral effect no longer plaguing him, and then ran towards him, dropping his weapons. The noble could only watch as Erik came close to knock his wand out of his hand, and felt the real pain only he can give. After Erik knocked the wand from the noble's hand, he began to lay the smackdown on him. The crowd watched as Erik beat the ever-living crap at the high born noble as he was defenseless to even counter Erik's brutal assault. It would go on for a few seconds before he suddenly uppercut him and then jumps into a flip over the noble, hearing the words of their champion as the noble begin to fall headfirst.
"Risen Arts: Grenadine Drop Kick!" Erik yelled out as he kicked the noble's head midair to plant it into the ground..hard. The noble went still as he slumped into sleep, unaware that the next time he would wake up, he would be in a dungeon cell. Erik stilled himself as nothing was said or done for a few moments. But then someone clapped softly as Erik saw who did it. He saw that it was the woman he saved earlier as soon everyone joined in. Erik stood there as yells of cheer and claps dominated the would-be silence of the night as he looked around. He then grabbed his weapons, sheathed his sword and twirled his staff to rifle form as the female guard went to pull the noble's head out of the ground and arrest him, seeing the woman walking to him. Erik got a better look at her as she walked regally, seeing the short purple hair, heart-shaped face and teal blue eyes, wearing a white dress and purple cloak and a crown on her head. Erik then realized that he had to save either a queen or a princess, but he stood tall as she came close to him.
"Hello, dear sir. May I ask what happened here?" The woman asked, getting a nod from Erik.
"Not at all your grace. This noble that I have fought against hired a merchant to distribute pox infected goods to the commoners of this city, to cull them for showing disrespect to him. The merchant is from Germania, hoping to scapegoat him if his plan was found out. Hopefully, you'll forgive me for enacting justice against him." Erik said, seeing the shocked looks of the purple-haired and the blond-haired woman. The purple-haired woman turned to her guard.
"Agnes, please escort the noble to the dungeons where his punishment will be decided by the court tomorrow morning." The woman asked, getting a bow from the armored guard named Agnes.
"Yes your highness, I'll see to it at once." Agnes said, before giving a side stare at Erik as she passed. Erik ignored her to give more attention to the highness before him.
"May I ask your name, kind sir?" The princess asked.
"No." Erik said, not seeing the shocked looks from everyone around them.
"But I will tell you the identity I now possess. I am The Hessian Soldier. Champion of the Commoners." Erik said, seeing a shocked oh from her. Erik didn't see the shock on the faces of the princess's guard as the two talked. Champion of the Commoners? There's no way...right?
"Very well then, Hessian sir. Since you did a great service to the Kingdom of Tristan, what may you ask for a reward?" The princess asked, getting a shake from the man.
"No reward is necessary ma'am. Only the gratitude of the people in serving them is the greatest reward I ever wish to receive from them. Anything else..is a matter of bonuses for a job well done, your majesty." Erik said, giving a low bow to her. The princess felt her new admiration for the man to grow more as he was being selfless in being rewarded for what he has done. But she was wondered why he did it.
"Besides...your court of nobles will be very mad by trying to reward me to put one of their own in their place because of their pride. So when the day comes when they beg to reward me for my service is the day I will humor them so. So I'm not looking for anything else then what I'm about to request today out of necessity." Erik said, getting a nod from the princess.
"Very well sir. What is your request?" The princess asked, ignoring the mad looks from some the nobles that were there for the battle and the old man almost yelled at him.
"How dare you request someone of royalty with such disrespect?! I demand that you apologize and learn your pl.." The old man said, putting a finger on Erik before he grabs the hand and twisted it, making him kneel in pain. Erik saw that the princess looked in shock of his action, and he put hold on hand to make her see what he was gonna do.
"If you think I am being disrespectful to her majesty, then you are sorely mistaken. So far from what I have seen, her majesty holds an air of kindness and respect to all her subjects, unlike you or the rest of your kind. So the only one being disrespectful now is you, old geezer. Maybe you should apologize to your princess of overstepping your authority of her highness ability to stand up for herself rather than have someone over parent her actions." Erik said, seeing the shocked looks of both the royalty and the old man. He then let go of the man's arm to see the old man look at her highness with fear. Erik was smirking internally at how easy it was to prod at the man's sense of honor, by making it seem that he was overstepping his boundaries of addressing certain things she can do herself. The man then bowed to her in fear.
"Forgive me your highness! I didn't mean to overstep! That man was being disrespectful towards you and I wanted to remind him so." The man said, not seeing Erik in a noble haughty laugh stance, which made the princess softly giggle at his antics.
"Do not apologize, Cardinal Mazarin. I understand that it's your duty to a minister, but Mr. Hessian is right. I can stand up for myself as a princess of this nation. But I thank you for your loyalty, cardinal." The woman said, seeing the man bowed again at the princess's kindness. Erik coughed in his hand to grab their attention.
"Not that I'm being disrespectful or anything, but can we hurry this up? My friends must be worried about why I am gone for so long and I need to hurry back." Erik said, getting a nod from the princess.
"Yes, Mr. Hessian. What was it that you wanted to request?" The princess asked, the old man standing to be at her side again, while the blond-haired guard, Anges return to her side as well.
"I request that a blacksmith, goes by the name of Rubin Taulfet, to be free of a charge of selling a sword made of weak metal. As well as reverse the order of his shop being closed by a noble that was unsatisfied by his work, because of the metal he purchased from the merchant, which was hired by that arrested noble." Erik asked, getting some looks of confusion from the three.
"I may sir, but may I ask why?" The princess asked.
"Not at all, your majesty. I was gonna request some items for a project I was gonna work on. But since Rubin was 'fired' so to speak, I decided to hire him for his services in exchange for protection and money for his family. I'm sure you understand right?" Erik said, getting a sad nod from the princess.
"I do Mr. Hessian. Ever since the King passed away, most of the nobles have become somewhat unruly, and the Queen hasn't stop mourning to rule the country. So the rule of this country has fallen onto me, but most of the nobles don't trust me. So yes, you may have the blacksmith for your efforts sir." The princess said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, and you have my condolences of the tragedy of your family. May you be a wise and kind Queen for this country." Erik said with a bow and turned to walk away. The princess saw her guard/friend beside her.
"What a strange man. What do you think Agnes?" The princess asked.
"Indeed he is, your Majesty. He has a real sense of honor despite the lack of respect towards you." Anges said.
"Maybe, but I believe it's because he doesn't know me well enough to give the same respect he finds worthy. Almost like some of the war veterans of this country." The princess said.
"But princess Henrietta! He should show respect regardless of what he feels!" Agnes said, getting a giggle from her.
"Don't worry Agnes. I'm not worried about his ways of living. Besides, he saved the city so it's not a problem for me. I'm actually curious though. He acted like he doesn't know me by name but by the way, I dressed. So I think he is new here." Henrietta said, getting a confused look from Anges. But she turned to head for her carriage, wondering about the strange man, not realizing the faint blush on her cheeks.
An Hour Later/ City Gate
Erik walked up the gate to see the blacksmith and his wife and kids in the wagon. The man saw the man and waved at him.
"Mister Roland! Did you succeed in your quest?" The man asked.
"Indeed I did, Rubin. You are free from any trouble caused by the merchant. And you are permitted to be my personal blacksmith for the coming years. But that can be discussed after we get to where we are heading. So let us get going, yes?" Erik asked as he removed his helmet. The man said yes as Erik walked to the gate to meet the first two guards he met earlier.
"Ah, the Hessian soldier! Where you successful?" The city guard asked.
"Indeed I was. The merchant is still amok in the city, but his sponsor is jailed for his crime. It was a noble of high birth that wanted petty revenge for not giving him what he thought was 'proper respect' by the masses. So the man was arrested and the goblin is being hunted down as we speak." Erik said as he removed his mask, feeling that he could trust them with his face revealed for helping them. The guard nodded.
"Thank the founder. When my captain told me that we didn't have enough evidence on the man to arrest him, I felt hopeless. But you have given me a sense of hope now, and I hope you will continue to do so." The guard said, putting a handout.
"Not at all, sir. I did what I know was right and punished the wrongful for what they've done. You and your family can rest easy knowing that this is over." Erik said, shaking his hand.
"I guess you want to head out, yes?" The guard said, getting a nod from Erik.
"Indeed, I and my company need to head out to their new homes and lives. And I need to escort them so. Oh, and I hope you don't reveal my identity to the others, I like to be mysterious to the public until they know my actions are genuine. Can I trust you two with it for now?" Erik asked, getting nods from the two.
"You can trust us, sir. We own you for helping us and you can have faith in us with your secret." The guard said, getting a nod from Erik.
"Thank you two for this. I hope you two have a good night and keep up the good work." Erik said as he shook their hands and walk off.
"Yes sir, Mr. Hessian! We will do so!" The guards said as they continue their work. Erik walked back to the wagon on his horse as he moved his horse to walk to the wagon, but he noticed a figure in the shadows.
"It's not nice to spy on others, you know. Especially after I saved the city and the princess from harm." Erik said seeing the figure come out, revealing Agnes with a pistol towards him.
"I can't let you go. Not without questioning your motives. You may have saved the princess and this city, yes, but it may have been for evil reasons. So I need to find out why." Anges said, getting a smile from Erik.
"Would you believe me when I say I'm from another world?" Erik asked, getting a wide-eyed look from the woman. Erik stepped off from his horse to face her.
"And you're not gonna kill me." Erik said. Anges was shocked at the words from this strange man, another world? Impossible, she thought. And now he said she was told that she was not gonna kill him.
"How?" She said with some feistiness in her voice, causing Erik smirk at her.
"Well...for one, your princess will be disappointed in killing her savior. If I really had evil intentions, I would not take that wind blade for her, and even one for you if you wish to remember. I may have been in this world for a week now, but I know the structure of a highborn society when I see one." Erik said, getting another shocked look from her.
"How do you know?" She asked. Erik walked to her slowly.
"Because of my dear, all of this, in my world...is all history to me. Where I came from, no kings or queens or even nobles have power over the masses. Freedom of the people and the choice of leaders is the norm. Everything from technology to science is a thousand years ahead of this time, and magic is nothing more than party tricks or entertainment." Erik said as he got within feet of her. Anges could not believe what she was hearing until he went to grab something, which made her quicken the aim of her flintlock pistol. Erik saw this and smile.
"I assume you wanted hard proof. Well, I'm about to anyway, so please don't shoot me, for it will be a waste of ammo." Erik said, getting a look of confusion from her. But nothing could prepare her for the thing Erik grabbed. In his hand, a black colt 1911 with a red hawk and shield symbol on the grip rested in his hand, making her go wide-eyed in shock.
"If you are wondering if it is, then yes it is. This is a standard Colt 1911 issued to the rebellion I served in my world. Go ahead." Erik said, handing her the pistol. Anges put away her flintlock pistol to grab the strange yet familiar weapon in her hand. It felt a little heavier in her hand and yet it was a welcoming feeling, but she wondered why he handed her his sidearm when she heard Erik speak.
"Don't worry about reloading it for now. Just aim and squeeze the trigger at any target in sight. You will find that this pistol is far more advanced than your common flintlock. Go ahead, match the single tab at the end in the middle of the aim sight of the pistol and fire when ready." Erik said, walking back to let her get comfortable with his pistol. Agnes stared at the pistol in wonder before aiming it, putting the tab at the front in the two tabs near her to aim at a jar that she sees near the wall. She aimed and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The Colt 1911 fired with ease, shocking Agnes at how loud it was and the kickback. But she sees that she missed and was wondering how to reload when Erik caught her attention.
"You don't have to worry about reloading after one shot. There are already 14 rounds in it, with the one you fired already. So...you have 13 tries to shoot that jar." Erik said, getting a shocked look from her. 14 rounds? He's saying that this pistol can fire fourteen bullets before reloading! That's insane she thought. But she saw no lie in his eyes and so she aimed again with some hesitance. She aimed with some minor correction and fired again.
Bang! *Glass shattered*
Agnes stared in shock as she hit the jar this time, she then looked at Erik, which made a motion to go ahead. She then found more targets and shoot more with some enthusiasm at the thrill of the shooting multiple times. She then hears the click of the pistol and wondered why the top of the pistol was slid back. She then saw Erik walk up to her with a handout.
"Let me see that." Erik said and she gives it to him. Erik then pressed the magazine release to pull out the used mag and pulled out another one to put it in the pistol and slide the pistol slide back to load a round. Agnes was watching with interest at the way Erik reloaded his weapon in under five seconds, while it took her pistol about a minute to reload it. Erik then put it on safety, put it away and face the woman with a smirk.
"Do you believe me now?" Erik asked, getting a nod from her.
"I do. That pistol of your is impressive in terms of firing and reloading it. I say that you can easily stand a chance against all my musketeers at once. It still doesn't ease my fears of how you can harm the royal family." Agnes said, making a shocked look as she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"I do not plan to do any harm to her highness or anyone else you swore to protect. The only ones that need to fear me are those who shared that noble's view that I laid the smackdown on, and the very one you arrested today. As long as the highness doesn't share their view, then you have nothing to worry about." Erik said, seeing Agnes nod her head in understanding. She knew that Princess Henrietta is a kind spirit, which was something she wasn't prepared for when she was assigned to be her guard. But she wanted to believe that he had some motives and she pressed on.
"Her highness is nothing of the sort. She is kind and generous, nothing like most nobles in the regal court, and some others out of it. But it still doesn't make me feel at ease, knowing what you can do. So what is your motive?" Agnes asked, getting a look from Erik.
"Can you keep a secret?" Erik asked, getting a wide-eyed look from Agnes. So he did have a motive!
"Humor me." Agnes said, crossing her arms with a glare, making Erik smile.
"One of the students at the Tristan Academy of Magic...is a void mage." Erik said, and that made Agnes mouth, if it was possible, fell to the floor. A void..mage. Agnes could not believe it! A void mage in the last 6000 years! But she was pulled out from her musings by Erik.
"I know what you are thinking, but know that she is learning the best I can teach her right now. She can be a better void mage than Brimir can hope to be with my teachings. All that I need is time to teach her, and you and her highness are the only ones that can give that to me right now. So please...don't let the others know, for she had lived a hard life as a magicless mage." Erik said, getting a wide-eyed look from Agnes. Is he...talking...about...her? Her highness's...friend? Agnes stared at him for a bit before closing her eyes and then opening them.
"I promise, Hessian warrior. Only me and her highness will know the truth. Thank you for giving a good reason to trust you." Agnes said, getting a raised eyebrow at the strange reply but he nodded anyway. He then walked away to mount his horse, which afterward turns to Agnes to give another sentence.
"There is something you can tell everyone though, but I like it to spread as a rumor if you don't mind of course." Erik said, getting a look of confusion from Agnes.
"Such as?" Agnes asked, getting a stern look from Erik.
"Tell them as said by me: The Champion of the Commoners shall no longer tolerate the mistreatment of the Tristanain masses. Should any noble fail to understand this and heed this warning, then they will, regardless of status or title, be met with the righteous fury and justice ...of the Hessian Soldier." Erik said, slapping the reins to make the horse gloop to a sprint, hoping to catch up to the blacksmith and his wagon since they left before his talk with Agnes. Said woman meanwhile, had a feeling of budding admiration for the man. He was a commoner, and yet he went toe to toe with a powerful line mage and defeated him soundly. If he was capable to do that with just his first battle with a noble, she could not imagine the possibility of beating even a square mage in time. She walked away to let the rumor spread like wildfire since once it reaches their ears, it will be chaos. And yet it filled her with a sense of happiness since she hated most nobles for their overreliance of magic made her sick, but now that a commoner is able to fight and win against them, they will cry for this head on a spike. She smirked as how things are gonna being interesting in the next few years, not realizing that she was too right. Things will be interesting as, because of Erik, the fate of the country and the continent will change forever.
Morning after
After slowly trekking through the roads leading to the Tristan Academy, Erik saw it in sight as the blacksmith asked him something.
"The Tristan Academy? Do you live here, sir?" Rubin asked.
"Indeed I do. I was summoned here as a familiar by one of its students. She must be so worried about me now. I hope she did as I asked of her, otherwise, you guys may have to sleep with the servants." Erik said. The man was about to ask before he saw some people at the gate, one of them running towards them.
"Erik!" Louise yelled as Erik stepped off his horse to grab her in a hug. Erik patted her head as she sniffled as she was tearing up at the sight of Erik returning. He patted her head and ended the hug.
"Hello, my adorable master. Did you sleep well?" Erik asked with a smirk. But he chuckled as he felt her fists pounding at his chest.
"Idiot! Baka! Stupid! You said not to worry, and yet you're hurt! What did you do?!" Louise yelled as she cutely hit him. Erik patted her head again, stopping her 'attack' but made a cute pout. Erik smiled at her.
"I know Louise, but my mission turned from recon to a battle with a mage." Erik said, getting a wide-eyed look from her.
"But...why?" Louise asked, hoping it wasn't something selfish of him. How wrong she was.
"He hired a fraudulent merchant to distribute pox infected goods to the masses because he felt they didn't respect him well enough. And I brought him to justice." Erik said, seeing the wide-eyed look from Louise. He saw the worry in her eyes and he went to ease it.
"Don't worry about me Louise. The royalty knows of my deed and has approved of it. She was happy to know that I saved her people from an epidemic" Erik said, seeing a look of awe from Louise. But he patted her shoulder and stood up.
"But let's not dwell on it. I have to lead my personal blacksmith to his new home. Did you do as I asked of you?" Erik asked, getting a nod from Louise.
"Yeah, I did. Mr. Colbert, Guiche, and a few others helped make the house for the man and his family. Now I get why you wanted a house." Louise said, seeing Erik nod his head as she saw the family getting out of the wagons.
"Good, now let's show these folks their new home. Afterwards, let's head to the courtyard, I have something to discuss with you." Erik said, getting an ok from Louise. After walking to a nearby forest where the circle resides and leads the blacksmith and his family to their new home. A two story wooden cabin with a brick house for the blacksmiths shop on the left and even a garden at right for the wife to grow any food she wants. The family was in shock and awe as their old house was nothing like this one. The blacksmith, as well as his wife, were in tears and hugged each other in joy before they walked up to Erik who was smiling at them.
"Lord Erik, thank you for helping us common folk. How can we truly repay you, sir?" Rubin said, getting a chuckle from Erik.
"First off, don't call me lord or any honorifics. I haven't earned it yet and even if I did, I would prefer you to call me Erik. All my friends do so Rubin." Erik said, getting a nod from both of them.
"And two, you and your wife will do jobs for me for decent prices and with high quality. At some points of time, I'll give you guys better tools, materials and other supplies to craft better items for me or my friend's use. You no longer answer to the queen or any nobles in Tristan, only me since I will protect you and give you guys better living and work conditions and decent pay. Furthermore, if you really wish it, I can have someone come during the weekends to teach your children the current level of education according to their age." Erik said, seeing the wide-eyed looks from the two commoners and Louise. Erik smiled more as he heard the children scream in joy running out of the house to their parents.
"Mommy! Daddy, look! Mr. Roland left us some toys for us to play with!" A girl said gleefully, holding some dolls in her hands.
"And not just that, he left some practice swords and a bow!" A boy said, making the parents look at him as if he was a godsend. Erik patted the girl's head and ruffled the boy's head as he said his next piece.
"I'll let you all get acquainted with your new home for today, for it is the start of our homestead." Erik said as he and Louise walked away, leaving a very tearful family to celebrate a new and wonderful chapter in their lives, the first of many in Erik's plan to break the evil of this world's caste system. Louise stared at Erik for some time, wondering about what he was trying to do, but Erik caught it.
"You know, with all that staring you're sending my way, I thought I had something on my face and you won't tell me." Erik said with a smirk, causing Louise to sputter a denial at her being caught. But after a few ramblings, she asked the real question.
"Why did you help him? You could've hired anyone to be your personal blacksmith." Louise said, getting a nod from Erik.
"Your right Louise, I could have hired someone to be my personal blacksmith. Hell, I could've drag anyone good with a hammer and made him work for me. Want to know why I didn't?" Erik asked, getting a nod from Louise
"It's because they needed my help more than I needed theirs." Erik said, getting a shocked look from Louise.
"They...needed your help?" Louise asked, getting a nod from Erik.
"Yes, they did. They may not have asked for it, but I knew I could help them out of their trouble caused by someone else's misguided view of the world. And in return, I've been indebted by them and they would help me any way they can because I helped them. Because I saved them from a terrible fate should I let them be. And that...should be the goal of all humans, to lift each other up, for United, we stand tall, strong and free, but Divided, we will knell low, weak and oppressed." Erik said, not seeing the wide eyed look from Louise. Was the nobility system really that bad? The way that he said it was….like the system was a crime against themselves. But she didn't think more as Erik said his next piece.
"And that Louise, you must learn the true meaning of those words and the wisdom of the actions I did on this day. Once you do, your training… will be complete." Erik said, seeing her nod as they entered the gate of the school. After entering the school grounds, Erik felt eyes on him from some of the students, most likely because he looked beat up. But he didn't mind it since he saw Reginald still trying to pull his wand from the ground, and he still failed to do so. Erik shook his head at the way Reginald refuses to let go of his old nature to embrace the ways of a humble man, and he went to one of the tables. Some of the maids looked at him with some worry or lust at how hot he was thanks to the latest battle scars he got. Despite most of the wounds dried up, they were still visible to everyone, so they all saw the wounds he got from the noble from last night. Those wind blades hurt like a bitch even if he sliced them with his Ki-Fen katana sword. He pondered more when he saw the usual entourage of his and Louise's circle of trust. And some of them looked at Erik with worry...and by some...he meant most of them.
"Mister Roland! Are you okay?" Siesta said with worry, not minding the stares of jealousy from Kirche, and Katie. Erik smiled at the way Siesta was worrying about him.
"I'm ok Siesta. I've faced worse injuries before and still kicked tyrant asses like it's nothing. Just some wraps, meds, and a few hours of sleep and I'll be light as rain." Erik said, trying to convince others not to worry. Siesta didn't seem convinced but she didn't press the issue, for she knew that the others will help him if needed.
"Ok, mister Roland, but you better get yourself looked at after this." Siesta said with a cute pout, getting a chuckle from Erik.
"Don't worry, once I'm done talking to Louise, I'll head to the nurse to have her check me up." Erik said with a smile, which made Siesta breath easy at the antics of Erik. She then went to grab snacks for the group, when Saito asked the question.
"So how did you get those wounds? Did you face off a noble?" Saito asked, getting a nod from Erik.
"Indeed I did. The noble hired a merchant to sell bad wares to the public" Erik said, getting some confusion from the group.
"Wait. Why does that lead to you being hurt?" Katie asked.
"Because the wares were infected with strains of smallpox, and I brought him to justice." Erik said, getting looks of shock from everyone.
"What? Why?! Why did he do that?!" Montmorency asked, wondering why a noble would allow it.
"Because the noble felt that the 'servants' and 'slaves' are nothing but disrespectful lower masses and he felt the need to put them in there place. But the only one who learns their place today is that noble, in the dungeon where he belongs for what he did." Erik said, seeing them shocked even further. Erik then said his next piece.
"I know it's a shock to you all, that all your life, the nobility are supposed the guide the masses, only to see some of them act like some of the enemies you heard in the history books. But do not let that make you hate them. For they don't know what it's like to live day by day struggling to have even clean water or decent clothes like commoners do. I know you guys were born with wealth to your hips, but don't that let that blind you, for one day you may lose it, and you'll have nothing to rebuild on. The commoners lived their lives with a sense of freedom of the things nobles have taken for granted. This is why you all need to be humble with what you have...for you will never know that those titles can be stripped away like a piece of paper. Nobility...is not a title...or proof of high birth...it is virtues that all of the people can cherish from you...and truly look up to as heroes." Erik said, getting awe looks from the group. He was right, some of them thought. Nobility was supposed to be something of great importance given by their founder Brimir, but after what they heard, some of them had to take it for granted, becoming greedy and spiteful beings. So some of them will change some of the things that they do to in their everyday lives. But Erik smiled as he saw Siesta came with the snacks in the cart. Siesta stopped at the table to distribute the snacks on the plates when Erik asked her something.
"Siesta, would you be a kind dear and bring us something to drink? It was a long trip last night and my throat feels like gonna dry up." Erik asked, seeing a light blush on her face at the compliment.
"Yes mister Roland, I will grab some drinks for everyone." Siesta said, finishing giving the group the cakes and walk off. Erik shook his head in amusement at how she continued to call him mister when he saw Guiche walking up to them, and he looked surprised.
"Teacher! Are you ok?" Guiche asked, shocking some of the group with how Guiche showed concern for someone other than girls. But Erik smiled at his student and figure it was a good excuse for today's...challenge for Guiche.
"I am, my student. Some noble thought it was a good idea to spread a pox infection in the capitol." Erik said with a grin, shocking Guiche at how calmly he said it. But he continued.
"So I showed him why that wasn't and he tried his best to prove that he was right. But I ended up dropkicking his head into the street and have the royal musketeers haul him off to the dungeons." Erik said, still smirking at Guiche's still shocked face.
"Yep...can't wait to go to town again. I hope it's more fun than the last one." Erik said with a smirk still on his face. Guiche shook his head at how casual he was being. But he then wondered something.
"So are we still training today, teach?" Guiche asked, and Erik shook his head.
"No my student, today is a day off for you. So relax for the day Guiche. But tomorrow I will teach you different stuff, so be very rested and with a calm mind by then cause it will be tough." Erik said, seeing Guiche visibly slump his shoulders in relief, sitting down by Montmorency but did not do any type of interaction like he normally would, and it saddens her. But she felt her hopes rise when Erik sent a wink in her direction and mouthed 'soon', and she smiled and nodded. Some of them saw it and wondered what it was, but they didn't get the chance when Siesta came back with drinks. Erik was handed a cup of water, much to his appreciation, and slowly sipped on it. He then coughed in his hand.
"Ahm, now then. Louise, have you learned all you can from the kitchen?" Erik asked, getting a nod from Louise.
"Yep, I learned most of the basic stuff as of today, and the head chef is ready to teach me advanced recipes." Louse said.
"No need for that now. Tomorrow after I'm done with Guiche, we are gonna start some spell training." Erik said, seeing Louise get excited at the idea.
"Oh, thank the founder. I can't wait to make my own spells!" Louise said happily. It made Erik smile at her eagerness to learn new spells with the void magic. Despite it being different types of explosions, most of them can be very handy in a multitude of situations. Erik nodded as he got up, finished with his drink and cake.
"Well, I'm heading for the nurse's office to get aid and rest up. Last night was long enough for my sleep-depriving so I'll take my leave. Guiche, even though I said you have the day off, you have an assignment tonight. Find me in the courtyard after all your classes today." Erik said, getting a 'yes sir' from his student and he walked off. It took a while to get to the nurse when he meets Colbert in the hallway. Colbert saw Erik and was shocked at how Erik was cut up in multiple places.
"Mister Roland! Are you ok?!" Colbert said, trying to give Erik a hand, which he stopped him and chuckled.
"I'm good Mr. Colbert. A noble was acting too high for his title and I decided to knock him down a few pegs. I'm currently heading to the nurse to get looked at and rest up." Erik said, seeing the worry on Colbert's face. But he nodded acceptance and followed Erik to the nurse just in case.
"So who was it then?" Colbert asked.
"Don't know and don't care to remember his name. But he hired a merchant from Germania to sell pox infection goods to the commoners for not 'learning their place', as he said." Erik said, getting a shocked look from Colbert. But then it changed to a solum sad look.
"How can someone do such things? Nobles are supposed to be the shepherds to the commoner's thanks to their magic." Colbert said sadly.
"Most people take their 'jobs' for granted and expect the 'lessers' to treat them like kings. The only thing truly dividing the two classes is the ability to use a wand." Erik said, getting a nod from Colbert. He was right, without a wand or any focus tool, mages can't use magic, just like commoners. But Erik continued on.
"But...that won't deter us. There are good people out there. We just need to surround ourselves with them, have cared for others, and take responsibility when we need to for our actions and our actions only. Everything else...can be meaniless to us. But there will always be hope where a world where peace is not just the norm, but a very treasured thing and requirement of our race." Erik said with a smile, not seeing the look of awe from Colbert. But he smiled too, for it was his hope and dream likewise of Erik's. They may have some disagreements, but it was ok for Colbert and Erik, for it was the union of their agreements on many things that unite them. Colbert nodded his head and he hopes for the best in years to come. They made it to the nurse, said their laters and went on their day, not realizing at the time what Erik has done last night is already taking Tristan, and soon the rest of the continent by storm. The Risen Soldier has made many enemies of the nobility, but also many allies in both commoners and some nobles for his actions and his warning. The era of The Medieval Brimic Age is over...the era of The Industrialized Imperial Republican Revolution has come...and that...is only the beginning.
Same Time/ Capital of The Kingdom of Tristan, Tistaniana/ Royal Palace
Henrietta could only smile forcefully at the chaos of the regal court today. It appears that The Hessian Soldier has made many nobles shaking in their prideful boots because now they all wanted one thing: The head of the Hessian Soldier.
"How dare that commoner to speak up against us?! We nobility are the shepherds granted with magic by Brimir to guide the masses of his glory. And that commoner dares to raise his hand at us?!" One noble said.
"I agree! That commoner has caused nothing but trouble for us since last night! The lowly masses are demanding that we punish Lord Coswald for his crimes when the evidence is hardly proof at all! We should demand that this 'Hessian Soldier' should pay for raising a hand against his betters and learn his place!" Another one said.
"Off with his head! Kill the Hessian!" Yet another yelled out. And this continued on as Henrietta, Agnes and Marizen watched the already unruly count droved mad. But someone was not having it as she cast a wind twister in the court. People yelled out in surprise and shock at the sudden twister, as it tore through the court for a bit until it died down. People wondered why it happened...until they saw something that made their blood run cold. It was a woman...but not any woman, for if word of her coming has heard, enemy troops would run with fear. This woman is no other...than Duchess Karin Vallière...or as people had called her by her former war title...Karin The Heavy Wind.
"D...D...Duchess Vallière...why are you here?" One noble said, shaking at the angry look on her face. If anyone who saw her face as such...run...as far and as fast as you can.
"I came to the capitol for some chores needed to be done...but when I got word of how dysfunctional the court has gotten over one commoner...I decided to come here to know why that is. So please...enlighten me." Karin said as she walked to the middle. One of them in a fancy military uniform replied.
"Duchess Karin, the commoner who named himself 'The Hessian Soldier' fought and defeat Count Coswald for allegations of hiring a merchant from Germania and have him sell pox infected goods to the commoners. We spoke to Coswald about it, but he refuses to speak about it, only asking when he is getting out. We don't know if we need to believe the commoner or the count." The general said, and that made Karin a little peeved.
"Was there really no evidence of this case, General Gremont?" Karin said, getting a thoughtful look from the general.
"Well, the merchant that we've caught had admitted to working for the count for some time. He said that the count wanted him to sell infected goods to the public for a 'cleanse' as he said, but no one here wanted to believe it." Gremont said.
"Did anyone investigated his home for answers then?" Karin asked.
"We did, but most of the papers he had were written in a strange language that no one knows how to read. And even if we cast a language spell, it's all foreign to us." Gremont said, making Karin shake her head.
"Papers are only misleading when it needs too. What about hard evidence? Karin asked.
"Well, there is a vial of a liquid. The water mages confirm that it's harmful." Gremont said, which made Karin nod.
"Then the count should be guilty then. He is holding a means to hurt others so it's only reasonable to hold him accountable for what he did." Karin said, which got some nobles to yell out.
"But Duchess Karin, it may be possible that the commoner planted the vial to put blame on him. We should not just put one of our own in the dungeons." One of the nobles said. Karin stared at him and he flinched.
"How long has this 'Hessian Soldier' been in this city, then?" Karin asked, which got an answer from a noble behind her.
"He was seen only last night Duchess Karin. We didn't get a clear look of his face, but he had a tall helmet and a black cloth with a skull mouth on it covering half his face. His uniform looked almost Germanian in nature but at the same time instead of the eagle of the Germanian kingdom, it was a strange eagle on it instead. Here is the drawing of him by one of the artists that watched the fight last night." Gremont said, giving Karin a large piece of paper that had the fight between the Hessian Soldier and Count Coswald. Karin was impressed by the commoner's choice of wear since it was really different than the standard uniforms from the other kingdoms. She then saw the symbol on his shoulder. It may have been a small cloth, but it had a red eagle, red white and blue shield with stars on it, and a golden star above its head and between its wingtips. Karin knows that this symbol is very new to her understanding and wondered what it means.
"Did you know where he left to last night? He must have a means of rest other than the forests around here." Karin asked, but she did not get an answer from anyone for a bit.
"We...do not know Duchess Karin. Agnes was the last one to go after him at my request, but he disappeared quickly before she caught up to him." Cardinal Mazarin said. Karin looked at the woman and she did not flinch at her gaze. She smirks internally since most people will cower at her gaze, but she had some sense of courage from what she saw. Besides...she did not look ashamed at the fact that she didn't catch up to him as ordered. So she either lied about not catching up to him...or it was something else. She will have to find out later since she wanted to get somethings for her daughter. Her health was getting worse by the year and nothing has worked so far, and no one has the answer to it, but try she will.
"Very well then, he may have got away this time. But he may return." Karin said, getting some looks of confusion from the nobles there.
"What do you mean, Duchess Karin?" A fat noble asked.
"You all said that he called himself the Champion of the Commoners, yes?" Karin asked, getting some nods before many were widening their eyes at the gravity of this moment. Karin allowed a small smile to make a point.
"Then he has made many enemies of this court today. The only question is...are you willing to face him...knowing what he can do...and willing to fight for?" Karin asked honestly seeing many with wide eyes.
"In battle, many nobles would fight for 'honor', titles, glory, or a chance to sit in the court. But this commoner? He says that he will fight for the lower masses. And that may inspire...a rebellion." Karin said grimly. This got many to shake in fear. She was right. Many nobles would fight for something only for they would want for themselves. But this commoner will fight for the masses, something above and bigger than himself. And that will cause tension between the nobles and commoners to the point of the war between them. Karin then said her last piece.
"But that may not be what he intended. We need to hear his side of the story before assuming much. For now, he is a normal, unruly commoner. Is that fair your highness?" Karin asked, getting a sad nod from Henrietta.
"We may have to. He may have saved me, but as Agnes and Mazarin have said, he may have done it for bad intentions. So until he has a means of not invoking as rebellion, he is wanted by the court." Henrietta said, getting eager nods from the nobles. Karin then said her goodbye and left, hoping that she wasn't late to get an expensive healing potion rumored to be from the eastern lands beyond the elven lands. She didn't want to get her hopes up, but she'll do what she must to heal her daughter. She wondered why her daughters were having trouble in this life. Her eldest got turned down for marriage by the one she actually liked. Her second eldest is sick with an incurable illness. And her youngest can't cast anything other than explosions. She wondered how they would be able to get through their struggles...not realizing that the answer lies...with her youngest daughter...or more precisely...her familiar ... her Risen familiar….and even more precisely…..The Hessian Soldier.
And it's done! :D I hope you guys like this chapter and oh boy Erik has gotten himself some trouble already, but it's for a reason, and it will be a blessing in disguise for both commoners and nobles. Thank you all for reading and I'll see you in the next chapter! Later!
Blackhawk571X