Now that takes things taken care of, here is the chapter. Sorry for the delay, been dealing with the Mott scene. I hope this chapter goes to your liking. Enjoy.
Chapter 5:
Three days later
Afternoon
Staff Kitchen
Saito is eating a bowl of hot stew and decent bread which are provided by Chef Marteau from the leftovers at the large cooking pot.
Saito had placed his helmet beside him over the table in order for him to eat the generous meal properly.
At the other side of the table, Chef Marteau watches him eat with satisfaction that he enjoys his cooking and appreciates them. He has never seen anyone eat like Saito who eats the meal with more discipline than most nobles he had encountered.
Saito later finishes the meal and drinks a glass of water. He then arranges the dishes before giving it to one of the staff who accepts it wholeheartedly.
"Thank you for the wonderful meal, Chef. It is delicious as always." Saito politely said to Chef Marteau.
"Of course. Anything for you, Our Sword." Chef Marteau replied and smiled.
Saito the picks up his helmet then places it around his and seals it tight. The HUD quickly lights up as the helmet starts up. After this, Saito notices the absence of Miss Siesta who usually watches him eat.
"Chef Marteau, did Miss Siesta have a different shift today?"
Chef Marteau's face sulks as he lost his smile from Saito's question.
"Siesta won't work here anymore. A noble had taken her earlier with him to his mansion." Chef Marteau said sadly. "Damn nobles, they always do as they please."
Saito didn't take it lightly, the first person he befriended in this world have been taken away. And judging on how Chef Marteau said it, it doesn't look good.
"Who is this noble?" Saito asked.
"His name is Count Mott, the palace's royal messenger. An arrogant noble at that."
"Do you know where he resides?"
"Sorry about that, Saito. I know you want to help her but I don't where the count lives."
"I see. I'll find a way to get her back. Don't worry."
Saito leaves the kitchen and walks towards the academy building. He looks over his mind for persons he can ask.
Louise won't be an option since she will possibly try to stop him. Kirche isn't an option either since she will ask for some favors to return to her. He can't ask the headmaster since he will probably stop him too.
He looks over a number of persons in his memory and found one that he can ask. He then formulates a plan on how to rescue Siesta without causing too much trouble since he will be dealing with a high-ranking noble.
Early Evening
Alviss Dining Hall
Louise is waiting for Saito to arrive after had asked her for him to check his inventory at his metal wagon. She then sighs as she waits for him.
On the floor, a tray of rather decent meal had placed over the flooring. The meal consisted of one steak, bread and a glass of water.
As she waits, Kirche passes by her chair with a cart full of hot meals smirking at her. This is much to Louise's irritation as Kriche's presence makes her wish she can turn her into a frog.
Kirche laughs at her menacingly as she places her back hand before her mouth. She then proceeds on teasing Louise.
"So your familiar has decided to leave you for good, Louise." She then looked at the cart she pushed along with her. "How am I supposed to give this to him?"
"Are you trying to bribe my familiar with food now, Kirche?" Louse looked at Kirche angrily.
"Oohh... Ho... Ho... What will you do, Louise? Can't accept that your familiar had left you?"
A nerve twitches on Louise's left temple from anger. She then glares at Kirche angrily who looks at her back as she puffs up her breasts. Louise repeats the posture as she has a glaring match with Kirche.
At the other table, Guiche overhears their conversation. He then looks at them and tells them where Saito is.
"If you're looking for Saito, he asked me where Count Mott lives earlier. He must be there now."
Louise looks at Guiche with both confusion and annoyance.
"What is Saito going to do over there?"
Count Mott's Mansion
Saito is currently passing through an empty corridor inside the mansion. As he reaches a T-junction at the end of the corridor, he hears voices from one of the junctions.
He activates his active camouflage and pushes himself into the left wall. At his HUD, he can see two red diamonds coming from the left junction getting closer to his position.
As they get near his position, he can hear their conversation.
"Did you hear? The count got himself another young maid." One of them said.
"Pft... No doubt he will be using her to satisfy himself later."
"I also hear she has rather large pair of melons. I would like to get my hands on her."
Saito silently snorts in disgust at the person's statement. He didn't like it and not one bit.
He is now more determined to get Siesta out of this mansion before she get herself into more troubling situations.
He let the guards pass him and ignores his urge to hit them. Once they are at some distance from him, he moves into the corridor and works his way around the mansion.
After passing through a few more corridors, Saito found a well-dressed noble wielding a staff talking to a sort of head maid at a large entrance hall before a large staircase. Saito observes them first and listens to their conversation.
"Has the girl arrived yet?" the noble asked.
The noble has a long thin mustache pointed sideways that matches his flat hair. He wears a blue top with bulbous shoulder pads and red drape by his shoulders along with his white bulbous pants. He carries himself with great authority which allows Saito to deduce him to Count Mott.
"She arrived over an hour ago, Count Mott." The head maid answered. "We are currently preparing her to perform her duties here in the mansion."
"Good. Get her ready and bring her to my private quarters." Count Mott replied.
Count Mott then dismisses the head maid who then walks up the stairs. He then adjusts his collar before going up the stairs.
As he reached a few steps up the staircase, he heard heavy metal steps which are then followed a strange crackle.
"So you're noble named Count Mott?" a strong voice said behind him.
Count Mott quickly turns around and found a strange armored person standing at the floor before him.
He is surprised with the armored person's presence. Even more so is that he didn't noticed his presence before.
"I demand that you introduce yourself, intruder!" Count Mott pointed his staff at him. "Who are you? And how dare you enter the house of the palace's royal messenger uninvited?"
"I am Sergeant Major Spartan-B241 of the UNSC Army. Now where is Miss Siesta?" Saito said in a military fashion.
Six guards enters the hall way and found themselves surprised to see the intruder's strange armor and weapons.
"You're from an army? What is your relation with my servant?"
"She is a dear friend of mine and I want her back." Saito replied with some hint of disgust.
"You want to take my possession. You're out of your mind if you attempt to steal from noble." Count Mott then gestured to his guards. "Apprehend him."
The guards draw out their swords and two of them charge towards the Spartan. To their surprise, the Spartan sprints towards them and knocks them out with 'light' punches to their abdomens. They gasp out their breaths before falling to the ground unconscious.
The Spartan's near instant movements surprises Count Mott and the rest of the guards as they didn't expect anyone wearing such heavy armor to move so fast. Count Mott quickly orders the remaining four to attack the Spartan but they didn't as they only stand their ground before the Spartan. The guards are fearful of the Spartan and are not willing to fight him. This angers Count Mott and shouts at them.
"You cowards! What am I paying you all for?"
Saito smirks behind his visor as he looks at their flabbergasted faces but he can't blame them. He then straightens himself and faces the count straight in the face.
"It is either you want to settle this quietly and give me Miss Siesta…" Saito then draws out Derflinger. "Or I'll have to do it by force."
To his surprise, the arrogant count merely laughs at is threat before walking down the staircase.
"You dare to draw out a sword inside a noble's house. Alright I accept your challenge." Count Mott readies his staff.
"If I win this duel, you will give me Miss Siesta." Saito assumes battle stance.
"Very well but let me introduce myself. I am Count Mott, a triangle mage." He said confidently. "I am also known as Mott the Wave."
The noble then points his staff to vase that causes it to wobble before falling to the floor and spills its water content. He then casts another spell that morphs three water snakes from the puddle and sends them towards the Spartan.
The remaining guards quickly flee from the hall before the battle starts. As they didn't want to be get caught in the middle of the battle between a triangle mage and a very strong Spartan.
During those times, Saito had already timed the mage's spell time interval. He then remembered something from the Tristain Academy of Magic.
Saito quickly performs three quick slices against the water snakes in which Derflinger's blade cuts through their whole length. Saito uses enough force in each strike that the water snakes shatter and their water content disperses into the air.
Count Mott didn't like it and decides to use another spell as he forces more willpower into the spell to speed it up. Large amounts of icicle spears start to form in mid-air before him as casts the spell.
Saito notices this and decides to disrupt the spell. He quickly pulls out one of his combat knives and throws it towards Count Mott with great accuracy and speed.
The count has little time to react when the knife pierces one of his hands. He winces from the pain and screams as his hands jerks and drops the staff to the floor.
As soon as the count drops his staff, the icicle spears fall to the floor and shatter on impact. Saito quickly sprints to the count and presses Derflinger's blade against the count's neck.
When the blade comes in contact with the count's neck, he quickly grimaces in his position.
He is force to remain standing as he held his bleeding hand where the knife is still present.
Saito then faces Count Mott, face to visor, as he holds the blade in place against the count's neck before speaking.
"I have won, Count Mott. Now hand Miss Siesta over."
Count Mott's tries to retort but he is thwarted when the Spartan presses the blade against his neck more forcefully and speaks again.
"I won the fight fair and square, Count."
Count Mott surrenders and orders the guards nearby to bring the girl. The guards then leave to fetch the new girl. During this time, the Spartan removes the blade from his neck and places it back into his sheath behind him.
"Give me your hand." The Spartan said and the count obliged.
The Spartan then grips his hand, where the knife is embedded, in place before holding the knife's grip. Before the count could react, the Spartan pulls out the blade. Count Mott screech in pain as he tries to pull his hand out of the Spartan's grip.
"Hold still. This is going to hurt a bit." Saito told him.
The Spartan then takes a can-like object with a nozzle at the top. He then presses it against his deep wound and injects the biofoam.
The count winces from the pain before his hands feel numb and relaxes. The Spartan then releases his hand and the Count holds his numb hand.
This is the time when Siesta appears with her luggage and wears a normal dress. Saito's presence surprises Siesta and is about to call out to him when Saito gestures the universal silence sign. Siesta quickly closes her mouth and approaches him.
"Alright, Count Mott. The foam will only last for a few hours so you better heal it and seal it." Saito told the Count. "I will be taking my leave now."
Saito then gestures to Siesta to follow him out of the mansion. Count Mott leaves them alone and attends to his hand. He takes one last look at the Spartan as he exits the main door.
Outside the Mansion
Saito is guiding Siesta through the forest which is much to Siesta's confusion. Siesta is starting to have other ideas about Saito's intentions.
As Siesta follows Saito through the forest, she decides to talk to him.
"Umm… Why did you save me earlier, Saito?" She then fidgeted. "Why did you do it?"
Saito stops in his tracks then faces Siesta. He then depolarizes his visor showing his concerned face.
"Do I need a reason to save my friend, Miss Siesta?" Saito said. "Beside, out of all the people I met here."
Saito then looks up into skies and faces the twin moons.
"You are the first one who becomes my friend. And I value all my friends and those who I hold dear." He then faced Siesta with a smile.
Siesta feels guilty for suspecting Saito but she is very happy that he values their friendship and is concerned for her.
"We better move, time is short." Saito told Siesta as he polarized his visor.
Siesta nods and follows him through the forest. After a few minutes, they reach a clearing where a strange metallic wagon that Siesta recognizes as the same wagon that is beside a shed at the academy. She wonders what is it doing here until Saito tells her to take her seat.
She obliges and makes her way to the seat as Saito moves to the other side. They then take their seats with Siesta still wondering how it got here. She gets her answer when see suddenly hears a rumble then a hum at the front.
This catches her surprised as she didn't expect it to be alive. She then faces Saito to ask him.
"I didn't know this is living creature, Saito. I thought this is just a wagon." She asked with surprise all over her face.
"It's not alive. It is the Warthog, a standard military transport in the UNSC." Saito then thought of another explanation. "It is a very complicated piece of machinery that allows it to move without aid."
This surprises Siesta, the warthog is a one piece of machinery capable of moving without the aid of horses or other beings.
"Please do hold on to your seat, Miss Siesta." Saito told her.
Saito then steps on the pedal and the warthog speeds though the bushes until they are out of the forest. Siesta initially holds on to her seat as the warthog jumps out of the forest. She then relaxes as the warthog speeds through the dirt path heading towards the academy.
She then enjoys the cold breeze flowing around her and looks out to the countryside. She also founds the ride to be comfortable which is due to the advance shock absorbers installed in the warthog.
Later
Tristain Academy of Magic
Main Gate
The warthog passes through the gate with its engine humming quietly and the lights off. Saito then parks the warthog by the shed and turns off the engine. Saito then mounts off the warthog as Siesta mounts off the other side. Siesta then picks up her luggage from her side as moves Saito walks towards her.
"Thank you for the ride, Saito. And thank you for earlier."
"No problem, Miss Siesta." Saito nodded. "I better get back to Miss Louise. She must be very worried about my absence."
"I understand that, Miss Valliere is probably frustrated by now." Siesta then bowed to Saito. "I'll be returning to the quarters. Thank you again."
"No problem." Saito nodded then headed towards the dormitory.
Next day
Afternoon
Saito is currently at courtyard before the tower, where the girl's dormitory is located, thinking about his 'act' for the academy's Familiar Expedition.
He is grateful that Louise had let him go last night after he explained the situation.
"She acts like a brute in rage." He thought.
She is shocked to learn that her familiar just attacked a noble but not just any noble, he attacked Count Mott who is the palace's royal messenger. Saito managed to calm her down after explaining it to her in a way she can understand. Though the reason he did that pissed her off and punished him not to give him meals for the whole day.
Not that it matters, he can always go to the kitchen for a healthy meal. He then remembers the conversation earlier.
[Flashback]
"Saito, can you tell me more about your… roles as a soldier?" Louise asked.
Saito thinks for the moment as he sits at his usual spot. He then collects his thoughts then answers.
"They are many roles that Spartans take part in. They include Direct Assault, Espionage, Assassinations…"
Chills run down Louise's spine when Saito said assassination. She can't believe that her familiar take part in such activities.
"… and those are among the list of roles that we take part."
"So basically, you're an all-around soldier." Louise said.
Saito nods after that as he attends to his MA5C.
"Do you have any special abilities?"
"We, Spartans, are given special augmentations that give us superior human capabilities. We can lift three times our body weight. I can carry with a total weight of 600 kg. We can run at speeds reaching up to 55 km per hour. We also have heightened sense of sight that even allows us to see much further and even in the dark. Lastly, we have very quick reaction that is measured in 20 milliseconds."
"Kilometers? Hour? Kilograms? Miliseconds? What are you saying?" Louise said since she didn't such measurements.
Saito then explains to her what they mean and how she can understand them. After the explanation, Louise can only gape as she finally understands her familiar's capabilities.
But she isn't prepared for what Saito said later.
"Those abilities are further enhanced by armor."
Louise's eyes widens from revelation that his armor can actually enhances his already superhuman capabilities. She can barely imagine how strong her familiar really is.
Her eyes then glimmers as she smiles ear to ear. She then places her hands over her waist then puffs her chest up before laughing with confidence while facing the sun at the window.
"The Exhibition is now mine for the taking!" She said confidently.
Saito sets his MA5C down as he looks at Louise with confusion during the whole scene. Louise then moves towards him and faces him to his visor with the same grin on her face.
[End of Flashback]
Saito is now sitting by the warthog deciding what to do for the Familiar Exhibition.
He is still unmotivated since Louise just forced him to do so.
A little later, Louise comes running towards him with shock and surprise on her face.
"Saito! Come Quick!" She shouted as she ran towards him.
"What is it Miss Louise?" Saito mounted off the warthog as walks towards the panting Louise.
Louise catches her breath first before speaking.
"Saito we need to hurry, the princess is coming to visit the academy! We need to assemble by the main gate!" Louise practically shouted as she tried to pull one of Saito's arms.
"Got it." Saito then followed Louise towards the student formation.
Later
Four golden-helmeted stallions led a carriage quietly on the path inside the Magic Academy. The carriage was exquisitely adorned with gold, silver, and platinum sculptures. Those sculptures are the Royal Seals. On one of those, a unicorn crossed with a crystal staff signaled that this carriage belongs to Her Majesty the Princess.
The stallions, upon closer inspection, drawing the carriage are actually unicorns like the one on the Royal Seal. Legends have it that the unicorns would only allow the purest girls to ride them. As such, they are the best for leading the Princess's carriage.
The Princess's carriage is surrounded by the Royal Guards and Mage Knights. The Mage Knights are the dream of every male noble to be part of such and the dream of every female noble to marry one of those mages.
As the carriage passes through the path surrounded by the rows of students of the academy, they watch the carriage wishing to see the Princess. Flower petals gently fall from the air as cheers from the Tristanian students erupt among the students.
The curtain then opens revealing the beautiful flower of Tristain, Princess Henrietta, to the students. The cheers among them intensify among the students especially when she gives her rose-like smile to them.
Princess Henrietta is 17 this year. She has a slim figure, light blue eyes, high nose, she is an eye-catching beauty.
As she looks out of the window, she notices one figure that stands out among the students. It is a tall figure wearing bulky black and green armor and helmet with gold visor. The figures presence intrigues her until someone pulls him down which she didn't see.
As soon as the curtain closes she sighs as she is able to breath out some of her melancholy. She is glad that no one else is with her in the carriage. Cardinal Mazarin is riding the other carriage which is also decorated exquisitely and rivals that of the royal carriage.
Cardinal Mazarin currently has an iron grip in the foreign relations and internal politics ever since His Majesty died. With this much duty placed on his shoulders had aged him considerably. Wearing a hat like that of a priest and a grey formal suit, he was a slim and frail man of forty-some years old. His hair and beard have already grown white, and even his fingers looked like skin on bones, creating an appearance far too old for his age.
When the carriage stops, servants rush to lay down red carpet to its door. The royal guards then tensely announce her arrival.
"Her Royal Highness of the Kingdom of Tristain, Princess Henrietta has arrived."
Princess Henrietta then emerges from her carriage and the students applauds to her presence. At the other carriage, Cardinal Mazarin exits his own carriage unnoticed by the students except for those nearby.
Princess Henrietta and followed by Cardinal Mazarin along with the guards walks down the red carpet as she gently waves her hand towards the students.
Among the crowd, Louise is watching her attentively. This catches Saito's attention, who is watching as he blends among the crowd in his armor.
Louise had forced him to crouch due to his height with the armor.
As Saito glances between Louise and the Princess, he can't remove the gut feeling that the two are related somehow.
"That's the Princess… I'm way better looking than her." Kirche mumbled. "Oh my Knight, who do you think is prettier?"
Saito didn't answer for two reasons. First, he doesn't want to disrespect either the princess or Kirche. Two, he don't want to get in the crossfire between Louise and Kirche.
Louise glares at Kirche angrily as Saito steps aside while Tabitha beside him merely reads her book as usual.
"Shut up, Kirche. There is no way you can be more beautiful than the Princess."
Saito merely sighs silently in his helmet as Tabitha continues to read her book as if the Princess's arrival meant nothing to her.
Early Evening
After dinner, Saito is sitting over his usual position in Louise's room. Louise is currently brushing her pink hair and is wearing her nightgown.
From the looks of her reflection, Saito notices that something is troubling Louise. Saito decides to investigate.
"Is something bothering you Miss Louise?"
Louise merely shakes her head then places down her brush over the desk.
"It's nothing, Saito… You don't have to worry about it." She replied more solemnly.
"Are you sure you-. " Saito stopped as he looked at the door.
"Someone's coming." He gestured Louise to stay quiet.
Saito then quietly approaches one side of the door and takes out one of his combat knives. He then waits for the intruder to enter.
At his HUD, a red diamond is closing in on the door. As soon as the diamond moves behind the door, he for the intruder's next move.
He heard knocks that consist of two long ones and three short ones in a very orderly manner.
Louise's face then shows surprise and motions Saito to set aside as she walks towards the door. Her actions confuse Saito but steps aside from the door with his combat knife ready.
Louise then opens the door to admit the person outside. As soon as she opens the door, a veiled figure barges in and closes the door. The figure then looks around, but not enough to reach Saito, to see that no one is there.
"… You are?" Louise stuttered before the figure used a 'shh' gesture to her.
Louise shuts her mouth, and the veiled figure takes out a staff from her black robe then lightly waves it. Glowing powders then fills the room.
"A silencing spell?" Louise asked. The veiled figure then nodded.
"There may be extra eyes and ears lurking around" The figure said with a gentle girl's voice.
After making sure that there are no hidden eyes or ear in the room that should be exposed due to the glowing powders. She then slowly removes her veil revealing herself to be Her Royal Majesty, Princess Henrietta.
This surprises Saito but it definitely answered his gut feeling. But what really surprises him is that Louise quickly bows down before her. Saito stands there and watches the scene unfolds itself as he keeps his presence undiscovered.
"It has been a while, Valliere." Princess Henrietta said gently. "I missed you."
That wraps it up. The next chapter will be dealing with the continuation of the last scene which will be more exciting with Spartan Saito's presence, the Familiar Exhibition which I need additional suggestions, and if possible Fouquet and the Staff of Destruction.
See you soon.