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A hooded figure stepped into run down hamlet. The place in itself was uninteresting and mundane, however, its patrons were the ones in charge of Tristain's Academy of Magic, and consequently it was to them that the hamlet paid tribute and sent supplies every two months. It was in this that the hooded figure took interest.

"Three years really is a long time huh?" The figure shook their head, as if to do away with some troublesome thoughts. "Come on Louise, get yourself together . . ."

Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière, third daughter of Karin the Heavy Wind, once citizen of Tristain, and considered 'missing' for three years, only because those close her adamantly insisted that she still lived, and were influential enough to make sure the label stuck.

She had now returned from her time away, a changed woman, and yet much the same; her loyalty was still with the Crown, or perhaps, it would be better to say that it was with Henrietta.

"Alright, think, think – I've been back for three days, and I've just discovered that there's a war going on. Okay, so that's pretty bad, but nothing I shouldn't be able to handle, except Tristain's losing. Obviously, I should be enlisting and offering Henrietta my help, but would she even believe it was me? Argh! I haven't been this lost since that first time Yukari had dropped me in Gensokyo . . ."

Louise gave a small, exasperated sigh. Her mind grew wistful as she thought back to her first and most horrifying experience of her stay in Gensokyo, and would probably remain as one of her most terrifying experiences for life, but it had allowed her to grow strong, and was the opening door to which many opportunities were laid before her.

Deciding that she didn't have the time for indulging in nostalgia, she approached a nearby merchant. With her sure, steady, gait and piercing eyes, it was obvious to the salesman that she was a noble, despite the cloak and hood – the fact that a sword was sticking out from underneath also helped. He thus treated her with the appropriate manner of respect. Back then, Louise would've have thought nothing of this; not so much anymore, though.

"Milord, how may this lowly one do you service on this fine morning?"

"Don't be so stiff, it kills any sense of enjoyment this conversation might have otherwise," responded Louise, her informal tone clashing with her noble stature. It startled the merchant, who quickly shook his head in refusal.

"No no, milord, for one such as I to – it's unseemly, for -"

Louise clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Okay, okay, that's enough groveling. Gods, how have I never noticed how annoying this was?" she said, a lopsided frown on her face. "Maybe it's because I'm used to being looked down on all the time?"

"Milord?" said the merchant, clearly unsure if she was even still talking to him.

"Never mind me, I was talking to myself, and stop that! Why do you keep calling me 'lord'? Can't you see that I'm a woman?"

"E-eh?

"Don't 'eh' me! I'll have you know I am a fully grown woman, despite my more or less handsome face," she boasted without any hint of shame, as she waved a hand over her face. "I've got the chest to prove it to you as well!"

"I . . . see?"

The pinkette paused for a moment, realizing that something sounded off. That last sentence was ground for wonderful misunderstandings, and also served to remind her how off track she was getting.

"O-kay, listen, if you forget that last part of the conversation, I won't have to wipe your memories, deal?" a smiling Louise said half-jokingly. The merchant couldn't tell what the other half of her tone was, but he wasn't willing to take the risk of guessing.

"Yes, milady," he responded quickly.

"Great! Now, unto real business here; I've been in seclusion for a good while now so I'm ill informed as of present. Tell me have you any interesting piece of news as of late? Like something new in the war effort?"

The merchant seemed to like the change of topic, if the quick way he responded was any indication. "Germania is ending its alliance with Albion, it seems. I heard tell of it back in the capital, and the Crown is hoping to persuade Germania back to our side."

"They'd break off their alliance after a mere two years?"

"Albion hasn't proven to be a very good ally. They're supportive of commoners in their propaganda, a trait that that the Germanian's can relate to, to some degree anyway, but . . ."

"Religious differences?"

"Yes, milady; despite their radical way of thinking and the frankly heretical way in which Reconquista took over Albion, they still remain steadfast supporters of the Founder and his teachings, even if not his institution or his descendants. It places them at odds with Germania."

Louise nodded in understanding. Yes, that made sense. Germaina was the only country whose royalty weren't related to the Founder Brimir and consequently a lot more lax about religion in comparison to their neighbors. In turn, this lead them to believe that Germania was a country founded by barbarians and heathens. Louise's mind wandered inevitably to a certain Germanian she knew, and wholeheartedly concluded that they were quite right about that.

"I assume that's not the only reason though."

Even though the differences in their religious viewpoints were vast and pronounced, it shouldn't have caused a wide enough rift between them for Germania to consider breaking their alliance; Germania should have known that Reconquista would loathe their non-secularism.

"Hm, yes, I heard that Albion has been a bit too aggressive around Germania's borders lately. It isn't so obvious now, as they're at war with us, but everyone assumes that they'll be moving against Germania after they're done with us."

Albion is being over ambitious, which could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on whether they can back it up.

Shaking her head, Louise thanked the merchant and left, slightly disappointed. The only thing she'd gleaned from her conversation with the merchant was Germania's dissatisfaction with Albion. Interesting, vital even, but she was still lost on what to do. She sighed again and looked forwards. For now, perhaps she'd visit her old school. She remembered what Reimu had told her when they'd first met, and she was a total mess and unable to explain the situation.

'If you have to start then start at the beginning.'