Authors rant…
If you're wondering if this tale will continue… It'll still live on… I haven't started yet to unravel the plot. : P
If I'm writing to get credits, I'd should've been writing to earn instead of fanfics, then again I have no talent in producing moneymaking stories…
Sigh….
Dammit, I need a new and better job. Help ! XD
I'm trying to write and patch the story in skit-like, light novel-ish form, so sorry for suddenly instantaneously shifting scenes and the unevenness of the scenes, leaving you guys being stared down by a cute puppy emoticon… : P
As for the mail measurement... dammit, just imagine it as meters, well, I might be shifting it to the metric system once and a while, in the chronicler's P.O.V.
I'm keeping it…for novelty's sake : )
To avoid confusion : if the measurement is from a Halkeginian P.O.V, it's mail, if the contrary it's meters. Say it with me, a mail is a Hakeginian meter.
Maybe later, I'll just forego it... who knows.
I'm still learning this shit, so there…
Currently rip-roaring on towards the uncertain future,
zaberfang, GO!
And now time for something a bit mellow,
Let's begin,
／人◕ .◕人＼
Mission 9 : A Cool Bribe and a Mission
Excerpts from Brimmiere's chronicles;
In one of their battles, the Swords of Halkeginia and Sparda found themselves allies from the darkness in which… A woman clothed with the sun appears.
／人◕ .◕人＼
Fantasy Pic: Dante stand in a pose, hands in his pockets, wearing something similar to Saito Hiiraga's clothes from ZNT series, a Blue hooded parka, white sports shoes and blue jeans.
／人◕ .◕人＼
In an era indeterminate, a tall, handsome young man with icy blue eyes and slicked back white hair contemplatively leans on a tree trunk in a forest as he stares up into the starlit skies. The light of the twin moons of Hakeginia bathes the forest with a soft and dreamlike hue. He wears a purple Victorian outfit with white cravat, a large red jewel around his neck and a loose monocle on his left eye.
Leaning beside him is sheathed long sabre like weapon.
Louise then wondered, who this man is and why does he look like Dante…
Could he be?
Louise slept serenely that morning as she felt like the summer breeze is caressing her entire body.
'Myuh?'
Louise lazily opens her eyes into the glowing rising sun that is seen peeking from behind the Tristainian mountain range..
"Mnyah?"
'A grand view,' the pinkette thought, as she surveyed the scenery, as wisps of clouds pass through her as she goes up, and up, and up. She thought she could even see her home from up here.
Though one may be thinking that Louise may be dreaming of flying.
She isn't.
And fact of the matter is; a breeze will actually be blowing through you especially if you're being hurtling at more than 80 kilometers per hour upwards into the clouds….
She's launched up by the devil hunter into the sky in her nighties, as she won't wake up from her slumber in a normal way. Besides that, just to get back at her for the 'punishment 'she dealt with him a few days back... How she managed to sleep through most of the event remains a mystery.
Dante scanned for his victim into the sky as he counted,
"Three, two, one, and…."
"DAAAAANTEEEEEEEEEEE!" Louise half-angrily half- scared; screamed out as she realized the reality of the situation, she is at least a thousand mails up.
And that she reached the apex of her flight, after which she will be falling shortly…
"Yup. She's already awake." Dante said, who couldn't help but smirk at his deed.
'That's what you get for messing with me earlier.' Dante thought, as he remembered the pounding he received some time ago.
But then again, his mature self felt the act is stupid.
Derflinger moved from his scabbard and comments,
"Partner, you have issues…."
Yes, there's no denying it, it was pretty dumb idea. Dante contemplates this as he quickly rushed up to catch the rapidly falling Louise, in mid-air.
／人◕ . ◕人＼
Later that morning...
"….."
A totally nervous-wrecked Louise just glared at the devil hunter as two walked through the corridors
"If you have something to say, just say it." Dante began,
"Humph."
"So I was a bit overboard with the..." Dante tries to explain,
Louise turns her face away from the Dante and walks off to class without another word, leaving Dante alone in the corridor.
Dante felt like an ass...
"What's wrong with M'selle Vallierre today?"
A female voice asks Dante from behind him, making look at the speaker.
It was Siesta, walking towards him as she holds a big basket, and by the looks of it, she's dressed in her simpler dark green work dress common among the city girls of Tristain.
"Let's just say she woke up from the wrong side of the bed today…" the sword Derflinger answered, and gave a snicker as it did.
Knowing Dante's recent bed rousing methods as of late, Siesta just shakes her head.
"No matter what she did to you, you shouldn't pick on her that much, M'sieu Dante. She's still a girl."
Siesta lectures the much older Dante on how to treat people and especially little girls better, the devil hunter actually felt awkward at the scene as he seem to be unable to give a witty comeback…
But it felt rather nostalgic in a way for some reason…
"Anyway, by the looks of it, you seem quite busy." Dante comments, as he tries to steer the subject clear from the berating he is receiving from the young maid.
"But before that, please apologize to Louise later, Okay?"
She didn't take the bait…
Dante will never hear the end of this unless…
"Alright, alright already, I'll apologize to her later." Dante surrendered, raising both his hands in resignation.
Siesta gave one of the loveliest smiles she had seen her do.
"Good. You go do that." She said, as she turns on her heels and go.
"So, going somewhere?" Dante asked.
"Yes. I'm tasked to go shopping for ingredients today."
Dante gets an idea, "Want an extra hand with that?"
That certainly surprised the maid, as she suddenly blushed at the idea.
"I-I- I don't mind the company. But how about your 'Master'?" She stutters,
"She needs to cool off, for now. And I might just have an idea how..." as Dante spied a piece of paper in her basket.
A Shopping List.
Channelling Sparda's translating monocle, Dante reads the list...
His eyes widened upon seeing one particular set of things listed therein.
"Nice." He grins.
'I believe I just found the best bribe.'
／人◕ . ◕人＼
Dante loved desserts and junk food, and during his sojourns before going to Dumary Island, he travelled a lot and tries a hand at whipping them up, just for the hell of it.
He never got to do it again as he was inadvertedly trapped in hell later.
He might have forgotten a lot of stuff, but a particular pair of dishes stayed in his mind...
／人◕ . ◕人＼
Minutes later,
Dante accompanies Siesta to the market in Tristain. And was pretty pleased that no matter how medieval this world is, but most of the things he required are available.
Strangely, even the produce of this world is nearly similar to the human world... but who cares, right?
Dante found his new treasures.
Later, Dante and Siesta walked through the city square as they proceed to return to the Academy, with Dante ending up having to carry the shopping bags and basket. Not that it bothered him the slightest, but it was a good feeling helping out, whenever he felt like doing so.
Dante also bought a lot of stuff enough to feed an army. Where he put it away to, is a mystery to the maid. And the maid also learned that the devil hunter is well off, possibly wealthier than his master, as she saw him pay the shopkeeper with an exquisite honest-to-goodness ruby the size of a large goose egg, with him appearing to consider it just trifle change.
Thus, Dante get a lifetime VIP treatment by the shops around Tristain.
Dante whistled as they walked, looking actually happy for the first time Siesta ever remembered seeing him.
Passing by an outdoor snack bar the shoppers stopped by for a break.
While waiting for their orders to arrive, Dante, inavertedly checked out the maid's features, who is currently looking at the activities of a nearby Street Dancer. Unlike most of the Tristanians in general, Siesta is the closest person Dante could find in similarity in features to one his former world's inhabitants. Sporting an elegant, Asian look, and a body to die for, if not for the dark hair color she could actually pass off as a noble. Then his attention goes to her pendant, which she always wore either at work or just taking her day-offs. It is an archaic in design, a silver medallion with a red jewel embedded in it, making it the silver medallion look like a crescent moon. I reminded of Dante of his heirloom, which he now wore in his person, the perfect amulet.
"Say, Siesta? Can I ask you a personal question?"
The maid suddenly gets pulled out of her thoughts and flustered into a blushing fit,
"What is it M'sieu Dante?"
"Well, it seems like you don't look like everyone else around here, so..."
Siesta looked hesitant at the question, but says it anyway.
"My...ancestors are said to have come from a far away country,"
"I see, sorry. Just forget I asked." Dante decided to not push the subject any further as he saw the maid being uncomfortable with it.
Luckily, their refreshments arrived in time to break the tense mood.
／人◕ . ◕人＼
In Siesta's thoughts...
The maid felt like telling him the details but it deemed the place to be inappropriate for the subject. Still, she decides to tell him all about it in the near future when the time is right.
／人◕ . ◕人＼
Sometime later,
After morning classes, Louise sulks as she sat at the tea table in the veranda of her dorm, "Stupid, Dante," she mutters as remembered that harrowing experience earlier that morning.
'I might have been a bit too violent at him when we were with the princess, but that doesn't mean that he could do just that.' She thought.
But there are sometimes that only through violence one could learn stuff.
Though, it is not an excuse.
Then she realized something when her eyes looked at a pendant on her chest, a prize for winning the familiar presentation night it is called the Blue Tear. It is once a part of the royal treasury which Henrietta had to force Louise to receive in until the pinkette finally acquiesces. Yes, she loves the Princess to the point that she thought she doesn't deserve her friendship or the things Her Majesty gives to her.
"You really deserve this." Henrietta assured her that night, as she gives a kiss on the devil hunter's cheek.
In the beginning, all she's thinking about is to be able to do something right for once; as such she strives to be able to attain that goal of becoming a great mage. She did everything she could muster just to get at least even a measly spell right. But she always ended up in failure.
It all changed, the day she summoned Dante. Sure, he isn't what she expected her familiar to be. He is one scary guy if you get across him wrong, and there's something about him beneath that quirky personality of his that makes anyone who saw him a mystery.
Still, a strange person he may be, no matter how easy it is just to leave her behind, and go off, he stuck with her no matter how crazy her mood swings could get. He even helped her solve the true nature of her magic, made her a bit more confident of herself and even express herself even more than she ever did. He acts like a big brother to her, a rather scary, stupid, but fun older brother.
The question remains in her head, why did he help her. Though her familiar, Dante seems to be an exception to the laws that usually entails of being a familiar to a magician. He doesn't follow orders, but is in fact clearly more powerful than she could imagine. Just who the heck Dante is?
She still hasn't asked him about her dream about him. Was he really fighting those unholy creatures she saw in her dream?
She only succeeded in getting a headache whenever she thought or enumerate what those maybe.
'I guess I'll talk with him once he returns…' she murmured as she falls asleep on the table…
She wakes up an hour or so later, as the sun rose to its zenith. The weather is bit hot for springtime today.
But for some reason, she's still relatively cool. Looking up she sees a large parasol propped up next to her, shielding her from the sun.
'Who…did this?'
As her eyes scanned the surroundings, she spied something on the table.
A freshly poured tea, sweets and a slice of freshly baked chiffon cake are neatly placed.
Something else stood out in particular from the served food.
It looked like small frozen mountain of cream with red syrup splashed over it, and below the frozen cream are some chopped strawberries, and as garnishing on the topmost is the small strawberry, it is artfully served in a tulip shaped, footed glass vase.
The forming condensation on the outside the glass even made the dessert sparkle like a jewel in the light of the midday sun.
Meet Dante's favorite dessert, no prize for guessing what it is.
Though it was the first time Louise ever saw the dish, her eyes sparkled with interest.
"So-so, beautiful" She stutters as her hands unconsciously reached for the glass, and held it like something precious…
She held the moistening glass next to her cheeks…
"It's cold." She sighed at the comfortable manner, like a kid gaining a new toy.
"You know, the best way to appreciate that is to eat it." A voice emanated from within her room,
Dante comes out of the room without his red coat. Wearing only his simple black shirt and the usual pants, he goes over to the tea table and sits across Louise.
"But-but…" Louise looked at the dessert with worry, holding it like it was something precious.
'Oi, it's just an ice cream dessert, you don't have to regret eating it.' Dante thought, as he remained straight faced at the scene.
"Just eat it before it melts away." Dante advised as he hands her a small spoon.
Louise is now left facing the apparently sparkling confection. Slowly but surely, she scoops up from the dish and puts it in her mouth.
A cool, refreshing feeling came over her as she took her time savoring the ice cream for the first time in her life. The taste was an exquisite combination of the natural sweetness of the strawberries, vanilla essence, the crushed nuts and the frozen cream.
Louise had her eyes closed at the time, squealing at the richness of the confection as the taste spreads through her being as it melted in her mouth. A strange happiness came over her. She then took another scoop, and another and another, each time reveling at the pleasure at consuming the dessert….
And then before she knew it, she utterly finished the entire thing, (the glass is not included by the way, : D )
But the happiness never quite left her. She takes a deep breath as she realized, Dante has been there all along with her.
"What do you think of it?" Dante asked, keeping a stoic façade as he did.
Inside, he was enjoying every moment looking at Louise like that.
He reminded him of little Patty before, who shared the same love of sweets as he did.
"It was heavenly. What is it?" Louise dreamily asked the devil hunter.
"It's a confectionary from my world called a Strawberry Sundae."
"I see. Who made it?"
"I did."
That shocked Louise. For someone like Dante to have created such a lovely and delicious masterpiece, seemed so unlike him. She just stared at him unbelievingly.
"What, do I really look that I'm joking?"
Someone then steps into the veranda, Siesta brought a cool jug of water, glasses and some white bread on a tea cart.
"M'sieu Dante made that, believe it or not, M'selle Valliere." She vouched, "I never thought that something like that could be made from what we bought."
"I see…"
"So, before we go further. May I say sorry, about this morning?" Dante grins as holds out his hand to the diminutive mage.
As a matter of fact, the memory of that 'flight' was already washed away by the sundae…
She then takes Dante's hand in a gesture of resolution of their enmity, while saying "It's not that I fully forgive you or anything. It's a bother if a mage and her magical partner have a fight like this. So let's leave it like that."
Her words reminded him of a certain rocket launcher bearing girl and a one-time ward of his. Not the same words but the attitude.
Something the Japanese coined as 'Tsundere'.
The school bell rings, telling them that the next class will be in session.
／人◕ . ◕人＼
While, Louise is at class….
Dante covered the large dishes of iced vanilla-cream mixture with heated strawberry syrup, crushed nuts and candied strawberries as he remembered them from his memory, traditionally served in tulip-shaped, footed glass vases.
While the rest of the kitchen staff looked on in awe…
"Amazing! How did you manage to make such works of art?" the head cook asked.
"Practice."
Truth be told, it was the only ice cream dish he knows how to make by heart.
"Well, have a taste then." Dante steps back with his arms akimbo, smiling at his accomplishment.
And taste they, did. As moments later, expressions of elation and endless praises echoed through the Kitchen.
The Sherbet Age has arrived in Halkeginia.
"Why is it called a Sundae?" Siesta asks, amid the cheers of the staff as they promised to bring the joy of the dessert to the world.
"It was believed to have been first made to serve customers during Sundays, something equivalent to your Day of the Void here."
Dante left out a little detail about why it was made in the first place...Why bother explaining the rest of its history for people with an alien culture anyway.
So there.
"Hmm.." Siesta hummed as she looked at the revelry of the very first Sundae party.
／人◕ .◕人＼
Meanwhile… at Louise's class…
The teacher's door opened, and Professor Zefyr appeared.
The usual clamor of the students vanished.
The students sat in their seats. Professor Zefyr was the one who scolded Professor Chevreuse, who fell asleep on guard duty during the Fouquet incident, and was told by Osman 'You're pretty easy to anger'. Sporting long, jet black hair, and a pitch black cape, his every move gave an unfriendly, uncomfortable feel. Although he was quite young, his unfriendly manner and cold look earned him ill repute from the students.
"Let's start the class. As everyone knows, my runic name is 'gust'. Zefyr the Gust." He was enveloped with shocked stares, and satisfied by that, he continued. "Do you know what the most powerful element is, Zerbst?"
"Isn't that the 'Void' element?"
"I'm not asking for something of the legends. I want something realistic."
Kirche then confidently answered, "Then it has to be the fire element, Professor Zefyr," along with her irresistible smile.
"Oh? Why do you think that?"
"Heat and passion can burn anything and everything, isn't that so?"
"I'm afraid that is not so."Zefyr said as he pulled out his wand from his waist. "Let's give that a try. Attack me with your best fire elemental attack."
Kirche stood still in surprise. What is this teacher doing?
"What is it? I recall that you work best with fire elemental spells, am I right?" Zefyr challenged.
"It won't be a simple scald." Kirche winked.
"No problem. Give me your best shot. Don't tell me the flaming red hair of the Zerbst family is there just for looks?"
Kirche's usual brisk smile disappeared. She retrieved her wand from her cleavage, her fiery, crimson long hair stood on their ends and crackled as if flames were erupting from them. She waved her wand, and from her extended right hand appeared a small fireball. As Kirche chanted her spell, the fireball expanded, resulting in a huge flaming sphere of a meter in diameter. The students ducked under their desks in panic. Her wrist turned and spiraled towards her chest, and released the fireball.
Zefyr made no attempt to dodge the giant sphere of fire heading towards him. He raised his wand, and made sweeping waves as if swinging a sword. A raging gale suddenly began, and instantly scattered the huge fireball. It even knocked down Kirche, who was standing on the far other side of the room. "Everyone, I now tell you why the wind element is the strongest. It is quite easy. Wind can sweep up everything. Fire, water, and dirt alike cannot find footing when faced against strong enough winds." Zefyr briskly announced. "Unfortunately, reality does not let me experiment this, but even Void would probably not stand. That is the wind element."
Kirche stood, displeased, and locked her arms. Zefyr paid her no attention, and continued. "The unseen wind shall be the shield that protects everyone, and if needed, the lance that scatters enemies. And one more reason that wind is the most powerful is..." He raised his wand, "YOBIKISUTA DERU WIND..." as he chanted his spell.
However, at this very moment, the door to the classroom opened, and a nervous Colbert entered. He dressed strangely, a huge, golden wig over his head. In close examination, his suit had the most intricate borders and decorations. Why is he dressed like that? Everyone thought.
"Professor Colbert?" Zefyr raised a brow.
"Ahhh! I'm sorry, please excuse the intrusion, Professor Zefyr."
"Class is in session." Zefyr tersely replied, staring at Colbert.
"Today's classes are henceforth canceled." Colbert sternly announced. Cheers emanated from the classroom. To stop them, Colbert waved with both arms, and continued. "I have something to tell everyone." Colbert exaggeratively tilted his head back, causing his wig to slide off to the ground. The tense mood Zefyr built suddenly collapsed, as laughter enveloped the classroom.
Tabitha, who sat in front, pointed at his balded head and suddenly said, "Shiny."
The laughter grew more intense. Kirche laughed while rapping Tabitha's shoulder, "You can really talk when you speak up once in a while!"
Colbert blushed, and loudly yelled. "SILENCE! Only commoners laugh out loud! Nobles only covertly snicker with their heads down even if they find something funny! Otherwise, the royal court will question our school's educational results!" The classroom finally quieted to those words.
"All right. Everyone, today would be the most important day for Tristain Magical Academy. This is our great Founder Brimir's birthday, a very celebratory day." Colbert's face straightened, and he placed his arms behind his back.
"His Majesty's daughter, the beautiful flower that we Tristainians can proudly boast to the rest of Halkeginia, Princess Henrietta, will, to our great fortune, will come to the Academy to honor the heroes who captured the thief Fouquet."
Whispers and chatter filled the room as some of the students stole a look at the three girls who are said to have bested the notorious outlaw.
"Therefore, we must not allow any slack. As this is very sudden news, we have begun preparations to receive her to the best of our abilities. Due to this, today's classes are hereby cancelled. All students, please put on your formal wear, and assemble at the main entrance." The students anxiously nodded in unison. Colbert severely nodded in return, and loudly announced, "This is an excellent opportunity to let Her Majesty the Princess know that everyone has matured as model nobles. Everyone must prepare to their best to let Her Majesty witness this fact! Dismissed!"
／人◕ .◕人＼
Minutes later...
At the Academy entrance….
Four golden-helmeted stallions led a carriage quietly on the road to 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.
One can find, upon closer examination, that the stallions drawing the carriage were not normal horses. They were unicorns like the one on the Royal Seal. Unicorns, which, by legend, would only allow the purest girls ride them, were the best for leading the Princess's carriage.
The carriage's windows had ivy borders and coverings, as if disallowing the outside from looking in. Behind the Princess's carriage is Cardinal Mazarin, who has held all Tristain political authority with an iron grip since His Majesty passed away. His carriage's splendor does not lose to Her Majesty the Queen's. In fact, his was even more embellished. The difference of these two carriages on the road clearly shows who currently holds the top authority in Tristain.
Around the two carriages was the Imperial Guard, a division of mage guards. Composed of the most prominent noble families, the Magic Imperial Guard is the pride of all nobles in the country. Every noble male dreams of wearing the black cape of the Magic Imperial Guard, and every noble female dreams of being their brides. This Imperial Guard is Tristain's symbol of prosperity.
The road is paved with flowers as commoners cheered from the roadside. Every time the carriages passed them, one can hear "Long live Tristain! Long live Princess Henrietta!" and sometimes even "Long live Cardinal Mazarin!" though that pales in comparison to the Princess. He is not well-regarded as he is rumored to be of commoner blood. Some say it's jealousy to his position. As the carriage's curtains opened, and as the crowds see the young Princess, the cheers get ever more passionate. She also returned a genial smile to the people.
As the Princess went through the Academy gates, rows of students raised their staffs in unison, silent and serious. After the main gates were the doors to the central tower. Osman stood at attention there to receive the Princess. As the carriages stopped, servants rushed to lay down red carpet to its door. Guards tensely announced her arrival.
"Her Royal Highness of the Kingdom of Tristain, Princess Henrietta has arrived."
The first out the door, however, was Cardinal Mazarin.
The students grunted, but Mazarin paid no attention, standing at the side of the carriage, holding the Princess's hand as she alighted. The students finally applauded. A youthful, flowery smile emerged from the Princess's face as she elegantly waved.
"That's the Princess of Tristain? Heh... I'm better looking than that." Kirche mumbled. "Oh my dear, who do you think is prettier?" She turned to Dante, standing just behind the Germanian.
"Well, She has her own charm, and you have yours." Dante smoothly praised and smiled at her, causing the girl to go weak in the knees…
Oh, how she she's tempted to just rip off his clothes and do him right there…
Dante looked towards Louise, who was attentively looking at the Princess. If only she could stay quiet like that, she is a very pure, moving, and quite beautiful. No matter how mad she gets, how she treats him like a monster at times, this soft look and such a stunning appearance can put any guy in a trance.
For Lolicons that is.
Louise suddenly blushed, which Dante saw. What is this about? He turned towards whatever she was facing. A hat-wearing, rather cool-looking noble, riding on a magical beast with an eagle's head and a lion's body.
The creature reminded him of that one honourable being he once fought.
Louise was watching the man, enthralled.
Dante found it weird. That noble seems like a nice guy, but that's no reason to look at him so deeply and even blush like that. 'But there seems to be something quite off with him.' He thought. 'That can't be. But then again, I might be just be thinking too hard.' He rebutted himself.
No matter what Dante thought otherwise, there's something about this man that set some alarms ringing.
And as his luck goes, he might be on to something...
'No matter, Dante thought. For now I can still play with Kirche. A brunette with a well-endowed cleavage. A passionate beauty. If it turns out like that, I might as well go for it. He thought rather excitedly. But Kirche was blushing and watching that noble as well. Dante frowned, suddenly feeling of wanting to just run the man through with Rebellion.
'Is my charm actually wearing off?' he couldn't help but ask.
Tabitha simply read her book as if the Princess's arrival meant nothing to her.
"And you just stay like that." He said to Tabitha. She raised her head and looked at what Louise and Kirche saw, looked at Dante again, and simply mumbled, "Nothing else to do."
／人◕ .◕人＼
The ball and honouring ceremony proceeded without a hitch and went to the point of boredom that Dante actually caught forty winks standing up.
Now Louise has become a chevalier, as well as Kirche, much to the pinkette's annoyance.
Tabitha, meanwhile receives a medal for her trouble.
But at least she got to at least consume an entire roast boar all by herself,
After seeing that particular feat, the devil hunter now wonders if Tabitha actually has ability similar to his Infinity Armory in her stomach.
Dante also noticed that during the ceremony, Louise kept looking at the noble with the huge feathered hat and blushed as she did.
／人◕ .◕人＼
Let us go somewhere else.
Later into the night….
While the three heroes who captured Fouquet were being honoured, the said prisoner was staring idly at the ceiling somewhere far way from the academy in the City of Tristain's Genoa prison. She was the triangle earth mage, who was apprehended by Dante and company. Well, mostly by Dante two days ago for the theft of the "Staff of Destruction". As she was infamous for stealing valuable treasure from various nobles she was placed in Genoa prison, the maximum security prison located in the City of Tristain.
She would be charged in court the following week. As she had caused a great deal of shame to nobles all over the country, she would most probably either be exiled or be given the death sentence. Either way, she wouldn't be allowed in Tristain anymore. At first, she thought of escaping, but she later gave up that thought.
Inside her cell, there was nothing except for shoddy looking bed and a table that was made of wood. Even the utensils she used were made of wood. Things would be quite different if there was just something made of metal… Like a spoon.
She had wanted to turn the prison walls and iron bars into soil using alchemy. Without her wand, which was confiscated, that would not be possible. Magicians were helpless without their wands. Furthermore, the prison walls and iron bars are specially enchanted to resist magic. Even with the use of alchemy, she would not be able to escape.
"It's really mean of them to lock up a feeble female like myself here." Fouquet grumbled to herself. Then she thought about the youth that had apprehended her, That man is quite strong, can't believe that he's an ordinary human. Who exactly is he? Then again, it doesn't concern me anymore.
"Time to sleep..." Fouquet closed her eyes and laid down. Just as she had closed her eyes, she quickly opened them again.
Fouquet heard someone walking down to the dungeon where she was held. She heard peculiar noises that sounded like a spur. She deduced it could not be a warden, as they did not wear spurs on their boots. Fouquet quickly sat up.
A person wearing a cloak appeared next to her cell, his face unseen as it was covered by a white mask. Judging from the long wand visible beneath his cloak, he was a mage.
In a rather scornful manner, Fouquet exclaimed "I'm surprised to see a visitor in the middle of the night!"
The man in the white mask did not reply, and instead gave Fouquet a cold stare.
Fouquet instinctively knew that this person was hired to kill her. Some nobles she had stolen from must have thought that sentencing her in court was too much of a hassle and had decided to hire an assassin to kill her. Some of the items she had stolen from the imperial family were likely stolen goods to begin with, and in order not to let such a truth surface the imperials had probably decided to silence her.
"Well, as you can see, this doesn't look like a place to entertain someone. But I think you're not here just for a cup of tea, right?" Fouquet said.
She began to think, Though I'm without my wand, I will not easily give up without a fight. I'm not only well versed in magic; I'm pretty good in close combat too. However, I'm powerless to stop him should he use magic. Therefore, I must somehow lure him inside my cell.
Just then, the man in the cloak spoke, "Are you Fouquet of the Crumbling Earth?"
His voice sounded strong and youthful.
"I'm not sure who gave me this nickname, but yes, I am Fouquet of the Crumbling Earth."
The man in the cloak raised both of his hands, implying that he did not intend hostility.
"I have something that I would like to tell you."
"What is that?" Fouquet replied in a rather surprised tone. "Don't tell me that you're going to speak on my defense. Are you stupid or something?"
"I'd be happy to speak in your defense, my dear Mathilda of Saxe-Gotha"
Fouquet's face became pale. "That's a name I had forgotten, or rather, was forced to forget. There should be no one in this world that knows that name anymore…"
"Who exactly are you?"
The cloaked man did not answer her question and instead asked, "Mathilda, do you wish to serve Albion again?"
Fouquet, who had lost her cool, replied, "That's impossible! I will never serve those who had murdered my father and annexed my home!"
"Don't be mistaken, no one is asking you to serve the Albion royal family. They're going to be overthrown soon."
"What do you mean?"
"A revolution is taking place. We're going to overthrow the weak and powerless Imperial family, and succeeding them will be more capable nobles like ourselves."
"But aren't you part of Tristain's nobility? What has Albion's revolution got to do with you?"
"We are a consortium of nobles without borders who are worried about Halkeginia's future. We wish to unify Halkeginia and regain the holy land that founder Brimir had once set foot on."
Fouquet smirked, "Please stop talking nonsense. If that's the case, why does your consortium of nobles without borders need me? I'm just a prisoner."
"We need skilled magicians now more than ever. Will you lend us your help, Fouquet of the Crumbing Earth?"
Fouquet waved her hands and replied, "Please stop dreaming…"
"You wish to unify Halkeginia? The Kingdoms of Tristain, Germania, Albion, Gallia, and a number of smaller kingdoms which are constantly at war with each other? Unifying them would be like a midsummer night's dream." ?
"Hmm! Getting the holy land back… how would you fight against the all-powerful elves?"
For hundreds of years, the holy land had been in the possession of the elves living north of Halkeginia. Humans had attempted countless crusades to get back the holy land, but failed miserably each time.
The elves, distinguished by their distinctly pointed ears and unique culture, had long life spans and were highly proficient with magic. As such, they were highly effective warriors. Defeating them would be an uphill battle.
"I have no love for nobles and I have no interest in Halkeginia. As for regaining the Holy land, the elves can stay there for all I care!"
The man in the black cloak took out his wand and replied, "I'll give you a choice, Fouquet of the Crumbling Earth."
"Let's hear it out."
"Either you become our comrade or…"
Fouquet finished the sentence for him, "Or I would immediately perish here? Am I correct?"
"That is correct. Since you already know our secret, I cannot let you live."
"You nobles are really a conceited bunch. You'll never consider other people's feelings," Fouquet said with a chuckle, "To put it nicely, you're inviting me to join you, but in reality there is no other choice, is there?"
The man in the black cloak too replied with a chuckle, "That's correct."
"Let me be a part of your consortium then. I hate people who do not know how to give orders."
"Let's go then."
Fouquet placed both her hands onto her chest and asked, "What's the name of your organization?"
"Do you really wish to join us, or are you just toying with me?"
"I just want to know the name of the organization I will work for from now on."
The man in the black cloak removed a key from his pocket, unlocked Fouquet's cell and answered, "The Reconquistadors."
／人◕ .◕人＼
That same moment… In Louise's room.
Dante laid in his couch, watching Louise. It seems like she couldn't calm down. She would stand up one moment, and sit down the next, worrying about something while hugging her pillow, ever since she saw that noble that day. After that, she said nothing, returned to her room like a ghost, and since then sat on her bed just like that.
"You're... acting weird." Dante started, but Louise made no answer.
He stood up, and waved in front of her eyes. She didn't move.
"A bit too weird." He then pulled on her hair. Louise's hair was very delicate, very soft, as if even pulling them slightly would break them off, that kind of soft. He put in some force to the pull, and she still made no reaction. Same for when he pulled on her face.
"Helloo, Earth to Louise de la Vallierre." He waved in front of Louise's eyes.
Still, she did not move, as if in a spell.
'Boring... what's wrong with her? Geez...' Dante said to no one in particular,
Then, he thought of something crazy to get her back in gear...
And decided against it.
Screw that, That would be A DISGUSTING ACT.
"I... what am I...HECK! WHAT DID I JUST THOUGHT OF?" After realizing that, he forcefully shook his head, and beat it with his own hands on the wall.
Spider cracks appeared on the ancient wall as he hit it.
He was visibly annoyed that he actually thought of that strange prank.
Whatever that is, it's for his thoughts only…
'Dammit, I was messing around that much, and she never noticed it?'
All he could do now is to just lay on the couch, totally ignored by the girl.
Then, somebody knocked on the door.
"I wonder who could it be?" Dante asked Louise.
The knocks were very orderly. It started with two long knocks, and then three short ones...
Louise suddenly woke up from her trance. She fixes herself, stood up, and opened the door.
Standing there was a girl, covered entirely in a black veil.
She looked around, and then walked in, closing the door behind her.
"...you are?" A shocked Louise barely managed to voice.
The veiled girl made a 'shh' gesture with a finger on her mouth, and took out a staff from her black cape, lightly waving it while chanting a short spell. Glowing powder filled the room.
"A silencing spell?" Louise asked. The veiled girl nodded.
"There might be extra ears and eyes around."
After making sure the room had no magical ears and no peeping holes, she slowly removed her veil.
In front of them is really Princess Henrietta.
Dante smiled disarmingly.
Henrietta, upon noticing Dante, blushed.
'Is she here for round 2?' he joked in his thoughts.
Louise is already very cute, but this Princess can match her in cuteness, and still have this admirable elegance.
Louise frantically went down on her knees. Dante just stood there, well he isn't one who kneels to royalty anyway, but currently he has no idea what was going on.
Henrietta recovered from her blushing fit, coolly and gently spoke. "It has been a while, Vallière."
'Screw that, it's just been two days since you visited.' Dante thought.
There was a profound sadness in her voice.
Dante raised an eyebrow, at the tone but chose to sleep off.
He felt these two needed time to talk alone.
"Princess?"
Louise looked worried as she peered into Henrietta's face.
"How I envy you. Freedom is such a wonderful thing, Louise Françoise."
"What are you saying? You're the royal princess, are you not?"
"A princess born in her kingdom is like a bird being raised in a cage. You go here and there on your master's every whim..."
Henrietta said, looking lonely as she gazed at the moon outside the window. She then held Louise's hands and gave a sweet smile before speaking.
"I... I'm getting married."
"...You have my congratulations."
Louise, who somehow felt the sadness in that tone, spoke in a subdued voice.
It was at that moment that Henrietta noticed Dante, who had been napping on the couch.
"Oh, forgive me. Was I intruding?"
"Intruding? How would that be?"
"Oh no! It seems I was so caught up talking to you that I didn't realize my blunder!"
"Don't change the subject and just tell us what's going on." Dante interrupts, opening one eye to look at the two.
Henrietta gave off another sigh.
Dante thought it best to let the two continue without him butting in and stayed silent.
"Princess, what happened?" Louise aked,
"No, it's nothing. Forgive me, oh, I'm so ashamed of myself. It's not something I should tell you... but I am just so..."
"Please tell me. What troubles are they that cause princess, as cheerful as she is, to sigh like this?"
"...No, I cannot tell you. Please forget I said anything. Louise."
"I will not! Didn't we use to talk about everything? Princess was the one who had called me a friend. Won't you share your worries with your friend?"
After Louise spoke, Henrietta gave off a cheerful-looking smile.
"You've called me a friend, Louise Françoise. That makes me so happy."
Henrietta nodded her head in determination, and began to talk.
"You must not speak to anyone about what I am about to tell you now."
After that, she gave a quick glance in Dante's direction, he cracked an eye open.
"Should I step outside?"
Henrietta shook her head.
"A mage and her summoned being are as one. I see no reason for you to leave."
And with a sad tone, Henrietta started talking.
"I am to marry the Emperor of Germania..."
"Germania, you say?"
Louise, who hated Germania, spoke out in astonishment.
"That country of barbaric upstarts?"
"Yes. But it can't be helped. It must be done to solidify our alliance."
Henrietta explained the political climate of Halkeginia to Louise.
There was an insurrection among the nobles of Albion, and it looked like the Royal Family would soon be overthrown. If the rebels won, then the next thing would be the invasion of Tristain. To defend against this, Tristain was looking to form an alliance with Germania. For the alliance's sake, it was decided that Princess Henrietta would be married into the Germanian Imperial Family...
"So that's why..."
Louise said with a depressed voice. It was clear from Henrietta's tone that she did not desire this wedding.
"It is alright. Louise, I have long since abandoned the notion of marrying the one whom I love."
"Princess..."
"Those two-faced Albion nobles do not want Tristain and Germania to become allies. Two arrows are easier to break when they are not tied together."
Henrietta murmured.
"...Therefore, they have been searching frantically for anything that would interfere with the marriage.
"And they've found something..."
Dante didn't know anything about deeper details of the alliance or Albion, but in any case, it seemed like it was something serious. Yup, as big as another Cold War or something, he thought with a nod.
"Then this is about that thing that could get in the way of princess' wedding?"
Louise asked, her face looking pale, and Henrietta gave a regretful nod.
"Oh, Founder Brimir... please save this unfortunate princess..."
Henrietta covered her face with her hands, and crumbled on the floor. Dante was a little shocked at the dramatic gesture. He'd never seen anything so grandiose in his life, other than his, and a certain stuttering researcher he destroyed.
"Tell me, please! Princess! Just what is it that could interfere with the princess' wedding?"
Louise, like she had also been infected, rattled off with an agitated look. With both hands still on her face, Henrietta looked like she was in pain as she began muttering.
"...It is a letter that I had written some time ago."
"A letter?"
"Yes. If those Albion nobles get their hands on it... they would probably send it forward to the Germanian Imperial Family as soon as they could."
"What kind of letter could that be?"
"...That I cannot tell you. But if the Germanian Imperial Family were to read it... they would never forgive me. The marriage will fall through, and with it, the alliance with Tristain. Then Tristain would stand alone against the strength of Albion."
Louise gave a gasp and seized Henrietta's hands.
"Where would that letter be? The letter that would bring crisis to Tristain!"
Henrietta shook her head.
"It is not with us. The truth of the matter is, it is already in Albion."
"Albion! But then...! Is it already in the enemy's hands?"
"No... the one who holds the letter is not with the rebels of Albion. As the conflict between the rebels and his kinsmen unfolded, Prince Wales of the Royal Family..."
"The Prince Wales? The Prince Valiant?"
Henrietta bent back and laid down on the bed.
"Oh, it's a disaster! Sooner or later, Prince Wales will fall captive to the rebels! And when that happens, the letter will come to light! And everything would be ruined! Ruined! Without an alliance, Tristain would have to take on Albion by itself!"
Louise held her breath.
"Then, Princess, the favor that you're asking of me..."
"Impossible! It's impossible, Louise! How could I be so terrible? It's all confusing! When I think about it, I couldn't ask you to do such a dangerous thing as to go to Albion while this conflict between the nobles and the royalists is unfolding!"
"What are you saying? Be it the kettles of hell, or into the jaws of a dragon, if it's for princess' sake, I'll go anywhere! There is no way the third daughter of the House of la Vallière, Louise Françoise, could overlook such a crisis for princess and Tristain!"
Louise kneeled down and lowered her head reverently.
"Please leave this matter to me, the one who has captured Fouquet the [Crumbling Earth]."
Dante, who had been lying on the couch for a while, turned to look at Louise and spoke.
"Hey, wasn't that me?"
"You're my guardian being."
Dante sighs, and returns to his previous sleeping position.
"A your achievement, is my achievement."
Louise said with perfect confidence.
"And if I make a mistake?"
"That would be your mistake, wouldn't it?"
'What the heck?'
Though he felt somewhat cheated, it was useless to object when Louise got into her usual threatening attitude whenever she is in front of the princess, so he just let the subject drop with a shrug.
'After all, one must look good for a friend…' the devil hunter thought.
Of course, Dante sensed the urgency of the situation and actually listened in,
"So you will help me? Louise Françoise! You are a dear friend!"
"Of course! Princess!"
Louise grasped Henrietta's hands, and as the former spoke heatedly, the latter gave in and started crying.
"Princess! I, Louise, forever friend of the Princess, will be your confidante! Have you forgotten my vow of eternal loyalty?"
"Ah, the loyalty. This loyalty and sincere friendship! I'm deeply moved. I will never forget through life your loyalty and friendship! Louise Françoise!"
Dante stared half amazed at the two. It was like a conversation between two people who were getting drunk with their own words.
'Ah, so this is how it's like for nobles and princesses, it's troublesome,' Dante was strangely drawn to the scene as he watched from where he lay.
"Louise. Sorry to bother you while you're reaffirming your friendship and everything."
"What?"
"Going to Albion in the middle of a war is fine, but are you absolutely sure of this?"
"Of course I am, so at least seriously guard me when we go there."
"Yeah. I'll do my best..."
Dante simply sighed.
Come to think of it, they haven't talked about his true nature or about the legendary rune that had appeared on the back of his right hand yet.
'But even if I say it, it's just going to be a waste,' Dante thought.
Legendary or not, she still has no idea how to treat him as her magical partner.
"Then shall we go to Albion, find the Crown Prince of Wales, and get the letter back, princess?"
"Yes, that is correct. I feel confident that you, the ones who have caught Fouquet the [Crumbling Earth], should be able to accomplish this difficult mission."
"As you wish. How urgent is this task?"
"I've heard that the nobles of Albion have managed to drive the royalists into a corner of the country. It will just be a matter of time before they are defeated."
Louise's face looked serious as she bowed to Henrietta.
"Then tomorrow, we shall depart."
Afterwards, Henrietta turned her gaze towards Dante. Dante's smiled at her, causing the Princess' hear to skip a beat.
Though Louise was also foolishly lovely and neat, Princess Henrietta was so beautiful that normal guys who beheld her would be breathless. Her millet-colored hair, trimmed right above her eyebrows, was swimming gracefully. Her blue eyes shone brilliantly like the southern seas.
White skin, on which floated a feeling of purity, a nose like a priceless and finely shaped sculpture...
Dante himself would be happy to have her, but then again due to his nature…
Dante stared at Henrietta as she also looked into his eyes as if she was in a trance. Louise looked at this with a chilly gaze. It didn't seem like she was in a good mood.
'Why are you looking at me like that, Louise? Ah, is it because the Princess is staring at me with admiration? Could you possibly be getting jealous? But weren't you blushing when you saw that noble with the feathered hat? And weren't you completely out of it after that?'
'It's funny how jealous you're getting, Louise.' Dante shook his head at the thought.
At that time, the door slammed open and someone comes flying in.
"You! The princess! What do you think you're doing?"
It was Guiche de Gramont.
With an ever-present imitation rose in his hand.
"What do you want?"
Dante said from where he lay on the couch as Louise looked at the newcomer.
"Guiche! You! Were you eavesdropping? Did you hear our conversation just now?"
Guiche, however, didn't answer the pair's questions and just stood in a daze.
'My, my, he's cruising for a bruising,'
"For my hunt of the rose-like, lovely princess bringing me to this place... and then hearing her troubles, through the door's keyhole..."
Guiche flourished his imitation rose and cried.
"Screw that!"
Dante suddenly appeared right in front of the fop and drove his fist into Guiche's face.
"Agah!"
"Did't your Master teach you about manners?"
Dante gave Guiche, who had fallen to the floor, a hard kick, then lifted the fool by the neck as he started wringing it on one hand.
"Th-that's not fair! You! Gah!"
"So, what now? This guy overheard princess' story. Shall I tear him apart?"
Dante could be very serious when it comes to personal stuff.
"That might be best... it's really too bad he had to hear our conversation just now..."
Dante sighed, as he drops the half-dead Guiche.
But by miracle, Guiche suddenly recovers and stand up in attention. A feat that even Dante had to be impressed.
Looks like his training of the fop is paying off,
"Your Highness! By all means, please appoint me, Guiche de Gramont, to this difficult mission."
"Oh? You?" the Princess tried to grasp what he's saying.
"You go to sleep."
Dante backhands Guiche, sending the boy spinning and fall down gaudily.
But this guy quickly recovered, as he speedily moves in front of the Princess and Louise, knelt on one knee and declaims,
"Let me join your group!"
Guiche yelped as he collapsed from kneeling.
"Why?" Louise asked,
Guiche's face reddened.
"I wish to be of use to Her Highness..."
Dante was sensing something from Guiche's appearence right then.
"You, are you in love with the princess, right?"
"Don't say such rude things. I, absolutely, just want to be of use to Her Highness."
'Your body screams the contrary, you idiot.' Dante thought
Guiche's face was burning intensely as he stated his devotion. Telling by the passionate look he was giving Henrietta, he was certainly under her charm.
"But you have a girlfriend. Who was that again? Uh, Monmon-something..."
"It's Montmorency."
"So what's going on?"
But Guiche was silent.
'Ah, I see,' Dante thought.
"Did you get dumped? She completely dumped you, I bet?"
"Q-quiet!"
"You be quiet!" Dante stated as he plants a heel kick to the boy's head.
Here are the facts: It was the matter of the perfume in the dining hall. When he was caught two-timing, Guiche was dripping with wine from the top of his head courtesy of Montmorency.
"Gramont? Ah, of General Gramont?"
Henrietta fixed her eyes on Guiche's vacantly looking face.
"I am his son, Your Highness." Guiche answers, who apparently recovered from the kick to the head.
'At least he has tenacity.' Dante contemplated,
Guiche stood up and gave a reverent bow.
"Are you also saying that you wish to help me?"
"It would be an unexpected blessing for me if I were to become a part of that mission."
'Truth be told, you'll just end up being a curse in this mission.' Dante thought,
Henrietta smiled at Guiche's enthusiastic expression.
"Thank you. Your father is a great, brave noble, and it seems you have inherited his blood. Then, please. Would you help this unfortunate princess, Sir Guiche?"
"Her Highness has called my name! Her Highness! Tristain's lovely flower, has smiled her rosy smile at me!"
Guiche, having felt too much excitement, fell on his back in a faint.
"Is he alright?"
Dante poked at Guiche.
"He'll live." He deadpanned.
Louise paid no mind to the disturbance and spoke in a serious voice.
"Well then, tomorrow morning, we shall depart for Albion."
"We have heard that Prince Wales has set up camp somewhere around Newcastle in Albion."
"Understood. I've travelled through Albion with my sisters before, so I'm familiar with the geography."
"It will be a perilous journey. If the nobles of Albion discover your mission, they will do everything in their power to get in your way."
Henrietta sat at the desk and, with Louise's feather quill and some parchment, wrote a letter out.
Henrietta quietly gazed at the letter she had written herself, before she began shaking her head sadly.
"Princess? What's the matter?"
Louise, thinking something was up, called out.
"I-it's nothing."
Henrietta blushed, gave a nod as if she had settled on something, and then added another line at the end. After that, she murmured in a soft voice.
"Founder Brimir... Please forgive this selfish princess. Even though my country is in distress, I cannot help but write this one sentence... I cannot lie about my own feelings..."
Henrietta's facial expression made it seem like she had written a love-letter rather than a secret message. Louise couldn't say anything more, and just looked at Henrietta quietly.
Henrietta rolled up the letter she had written. She waved her staff. Out of nowhere, sealing wax appeared on the rolled-up letter, and a seal pressed down on it. Then she handed the letter over to Louise.
"When you meet the Crown Prince Wales, please pass this letter to him. He should then return the letter in question immediately."
After that, Henrietta removed a ring from the ring finger on her right hand, and gave it to Louise.
"This is the Water Ruby that I had received from my mother. It should work as a good-luck charm, at least. If you have any money concerns, please sell this to get some travel funds."
Louise bowed her head in silence.
"This mission is for the future of Tristain. For that, my mother's ring will protect you from the harsh winds blowing in Albion."
／人◕ .◕人＼
As to how Dante made the Vanilla Ice Cream?
After Dante and Siesta had the vanilla essence, sugar, and cream thoroughly mixed, he brings the huge, 3 meters wide and deep bowl of the mixture to the courtyard for the 'final touch' as Dante stated, and stood at the center of the court.
He takes a deep breath, as he concentrated to the do the task at hand.
Suddenly, Dante suddenly throws the vanilla-cream mixture into the air. Then the area surrounding Dante suddenly turns black and white, and was stuck frozen in place. That includes the mixture he just thrown upwards, that it looked like a floating globe.
Introducing one of Dante's abilities, the Quicksilver style; a power with the ability to control time.
Dante isn't done just yet, as a light emanated from his right hand, and in its place, a crystal-like weapon of 3 interlocking rods, infused with the elemental power of ice, making its techniques "icy-cool to the core".
Meet the Devil Arm Cerberus.
Dante expertly swings the weapon round and around, and performs a kata reminiscent of a certain film/martial arts legend.
"Atatatatatatatatata, Whooo!" His kiai rang through the court.
He then launches himself into the air, and swings the nunchaku and strikes the globe of cream many times in a split of a split second, instantly freezing it in normal time.
With the task done, Dante dispels the frozen time with a snap of his fingers, allowing the now big globe of ice cream drop into the bowl.
"Now that's what I call a whipped cream." He grins at the pun.
／人◕ .◕人＼
Authors note :
The heck just happened?
I'm not sure if I made the damn recipe for his fave dessert…
Dammit, I just can't stop writing….
And it looks like an adventure is waiting for them after all…
Please Review when you can...
Next two chaps might be a bit boring but well, hopefully I will get better in arranging these plot point,
see you guys … : )
: ) 'Credit is good but I need cash.'