Author's rant:
Hello there, I was have been reading the reviews as of late, and a lot of them contains the "Rape" scene comments, I must tell you guys, that was not "Rape", its a surprise intimate interaction between two consenting adults, species aside.
SURPRISE!
It is a part of the plot so to those who were shocked… this is just a beginning of possible horrors…
Maybe,
To be honest I still have no idea how this story will turn out…review or I'll have a certain famous mercenary in a box sneak up on ya!
I guess that most of you are probably shocked at the sudden turn of events, since I set it up to be that way; a mostly fun story, uh, mostly.
Anybody else guess who our late comer in the last chapter was?
If not, then you = Mission Failed… : D
Just a special guest who has no relevance to the plot whatsoever, so there.
Please read the scene again if you don't get it.
Complacency… :D
Well, no time like the present as we go through a mostly boring chapter.
For healing moments of boredom.
Let's Begin…
Mission 19 : Subtle Foreshadowing
／人◕ . ◕人＼
Fantasy Pic: Cobalt plays with a string puppet version of Louise on his left, and another puppet that looks strangely like Saito Hiiraga on his right hand, looking rather crisply burnt for some reason. Dante looks confused at the scene as he looks on from the background.
／人◕ . ◕人＼
On the Bourdonné Street in the town below the Tristain castle, a magnificent parade was being held in commemoration of their victory. The parade was led by Princess Henrietta's chariot, which was pulled along by the legendary beasts known as unicorns. Renowned nobles in their chariots followed after her. Around them, the magical defence squad served as their bodyguards.
The narrow road was filled with spectators. People cheered as they watched from the windows and roofs of the buildings as the chariots passed by.
"Long live Princess Henrietta!"
"Long live Tristain!"
The crowd was extremely enthusiastic. Princess Henrietta had led the Tristain forces to victory at the Plains of Tarbes the other day against the Albion forces who had broken their treaty. Princess Henrietta, who had defeated the enemy which outnumbered them, was praised as a 'saint' and was as popular as could be.
After the parade was over, a coronation was awaiting Henrietta, in which she was to assume the throne. This was proposed by Cardinal Mazarin, with most of the court's nobles and cabinet ministers agreeing.
The marriage of the prince of the neighboring country, Germania, with Henrietta was canceled, much to their disappointment. After all, they could not afford to be unyielding to a country that defeated the invading forces of Albion.
Of course, cancellation of the alliance was out of the question. Tristain was a strong country that Germania, who was frightened of the wrath of Albion, could not afford to be without.
In other words, Henrietta had gained her freedom through her own hands.
A party of the defeated Albion soldiers were watching the triumphant return in the corner of the plaza. They were the nobles of the Albion forces who were taken as prisoners. Even though they were prisoners, they were treated fairly well. Their wands were confiscated, but they were not tied up, and could freely stand. Guards were placed around them, but none of them were thinking of escaping. When nobles are captured as prisoners, they undergo an oath. If they were to break that oath, then their honour and name would turn into ashes. For nobles, who valued honour very highly, it was the equivalent of death.
Within that party of people, there was a scorched man with a bold face. It was Sir Bowood, who was the captain of the Lexington warship, which Louise sunk by engulfing it in flames with her Void magic. He nudged at the noble beside him and spoke to him.
"Look Horatio, It's the 'saint' who defeated us"
The noble called Horatio turned his fat figure and replied.
"Hm… There hasn't been an enthronement of a princess in Halkeginia before. Even though they defeated us, the war still isn't over. Furthermore, isn't she a bit young?"
"Horatio, you should study some history. There's been one instance in Gallia and two in Tristain where the princess has been enthroned."
Horatio scratched his head.
"History you say? If so, we're just a ribbon decorating the first page of Saint Henrietta's brillant history. That light! Not only did it annihilate my ship but yours as well!"
Bowood nodded. That ball of light which shone above the Lexington expanded to a huge size in just a matter of seconds. Not only did it cause the fleet to be engulfed in flames but it also destroyed the 'wind stones' on board the ships, causing them to sink towards the ground.
What was even more surprising, was that the light did not kill a single person. The light destroyed the fleet, but had no effect on the people. They managed to glide down onto the ground with what little control they had left. The flames did injure many people but there were no casualties.
"A miraculous light… I can't believe it. I haven't even heard or seen that kind of magic before. Our country has chosen a fearsome enemy." Bowood whispered.
He called out to a soldier who was holding a large halberd.
"You. Yes, you."
Raising his eyebrows the soldier approached Bowood.
"Did you call for me, Your Excellency?"
No matter if the person was an enemy or ally, nobles are treated with respect. The soldier waited for Bowood's words in a polite manner.
"My subordinates aren't locked up are they? Are they being fed properly?"
"The soldiers who were captured are being gathered and are being invited into the Tristain forces. There is compulsory labour imposed on them but most of them should be aspiring to join our forces. After all, it was a big victory. Don't worry about their stomachs, Tristain is not such a poor country as to be considering whether or not to give prisoners food."
"Here's a cup to celebrate the 'saint's' victory."
The soldier laughed.
"Allow me to offer a cup to Your Excellency's health."
Feeling cheerful, Bowood whispered while he watched the soldier leave.
"If this annoying war ends and you go back home, what would you do, Horatio?"
"I'm going to retire from the army. I wouldn't even mind if I gave up my wand, after seeing that light."
Bowood laughed loudly.
"We think alike! I feel exactly the same"
A smile arose on Cardinal Mazarin's face while he sat next to Henrietta. It was a smile that he had not shown for ten years, a smile without worry. Opening the carriage windows, he waved his hands in response to the deafening cheer of the crowd. He was glad that the two weights on his shoulders were lightened. Internal administration and diplomacy.
He was considering leaving them to Henrietta and acting as an advisor himself.
Mazarin noticed that his new lord had a sad expression on her face. Tweaking his moustache, he asked her, "It seems that you are not feeling happy. I haven't seen you cheerful since you've stepped in this carriage."
"Why must I take the throne? Mother is here isn't she?"
"She won't even respond if we call her 'Your Majesty the Queen.' She said that she is not a king, merely the king's wife and your mother and would definitely not accept the crown."
"Why did my mother refuse to accept?"
A sad expression came over Mazarin's face.
"The queen is still mourning. She still longs for your late father."
Henrietta sighed.
"Then I'll just be like my mother. The throne can remain empty. The coronation won't proceed."
"Don't say such selfish things! Your coronation is something your mother has hoped for as well. Tristain cannot be a weak country right now. The nobles and citizens of Tristain, our allied countries as well, are hoping for you to take the throne."
Henrietta sighed again. She looked at the wind ruby on her left ring finger. It was the ring which Dante had brought back to her, a memento of Wales'. The victory that ascended her to the throne… was in a sense Wales' victory. The ring gave Henrietta courage to face the enemy.
If mother left the throne empty because she was longing for father… then I want to do the same. I don't want to become a queen.
But she could hear the crowd's cheers. As if admonishing, Mazarin quietly whispered.
"The citizens are all hoping for the coronation. Your Excellency's body is already something that is not yours."
With a cough, he continued.
"I'll explain the procedures of the coronation. So that you won't make any mistakes."
"It's only wearing a crown… Why is it such a big fuss?"
"Don't say such things. It's a holy ritual. It's a ritual where you bear the power bestowed by the founders and declare it to the world. The procedures are all a tradition."
In an air of importance, Mazarin explained the procedures.
"…Then, when the ritual is finished, your excellency will approach the queen at the altar. You will state the written vow to the founders and the gods and your mother will place the crown on you. Then everyone in Halkeginia, including me, will be addressing you as 'Your Majesty'."
A vow…
'Pledging something that I didn't really hold true in my heart… isn't that blasphemy?' thought Henrietta.
'I just can't think of myself as queen. That victory… the victory at Tarbes that ascended me to the throne was not through my leadership, but by the abundant experience and wit of the generals and Mazarin. I was only leading, I didn't do anything else. If Wales were alive right now, what would he say to me? Me, who's been given the duty of rising to the apex of power…
Wales.'
'My dearest Wales.'
The only person she had ever loved…
'Before that or even after that, the only time I have truly vowed with the words ringing true with my heart has been that one time in the Ragdorian Lake.'
The great victory and the brilliance of the coronation did not lighten Henrietta's heart from such thoughts.
She blankly stared at the parchment in her hands.
It was the report that had been delivered to Henrietta the other day. Recorded there was the interrogation of the prisoners done by a guard. There was something written about Dante's Biplane shooting down the dragoons.
A prisoner who had been a dragoon said that it flew with great agility and used powerful magic based attacks, shooting down his allies one by one. But, such a dragoon did not exist in the Tristain forces.
Puzzled by this, the guard had investigated further in the matter. A report from the village of Tarbes continued.
The 'dragon' the dragoon was using was in fact a magical item called the Dragon's Raiment belonging to the Village of Tarbes. But it seems like it wasn't a magical item, but instead an unknown machinery.
But then again, it is a magical item, posing as a machine…confusing isn't it?
Dammit, make up your mind.
The one who was controlling it was the summoned being of her friend, La Vallière. And… there was a slight hint of information regarding the light which destroyed the enemy fleet as well. That light had appeared near the flying machine.
The guard had made quite a hypothesis, that La Vallière and Dante were the source of that light. However, the guard seemed troubled whether to directly contact the two. The report ended with a request for further directions regarding the investigation.
The light which brought me victory.
The intense light that resembled the sun.
Even by thinking about the light her body grew warm.
"Was it you, Louise?" Whispered Henrietta quietly.
／人◕ . ◕人＼
Meanwhile, in contrast to the excitement on Bourdonné street, the same old repetitive days continued on for the Academy of Magic. The headmaster of the academy, Osman, had praised the victory of the Kingdom's forces at Tarbes, but other than that, nothing else had happened.
But then again, they were in a school, an environment that had no place for things like politics. Even in the midst of war, the students were off somewhere doing their own things. For the nobles of Halkeginia, war was something that occurred every year. There was always some quarrel somewhere in the world. And when things got more serious, there would be an uproar, but when the battles had settled, things would be like always.
Within this process, another little war had been set in motion in the quiet Vestri courtyard.
On a bench under the warm sun, Dante opened the package in his hands.
A grin appeared on his face.
"Wow! That's great! A muffler!"
A blushing Siesta sat next to him.
"Well, um, what was it called… an aeroplane? It's cold when you're riding that right?"
It was three hours past noon. Since Siesta had something to give him, she had told him to go to the Vestri courtyard. And the present was a muffler. A muffler as white as snow.
It was warm like Siesta's soft skin.
Trust him with that comment, he's been to her after all.
"Yeah, It does get quite cold when I open the windshield."
Dante wrapped it around his neck to try it on. It was the start of summer, but the skies were cold and all the more cold when the windshield was open. During takeoff and landing he needed to stretch his head outside of the windshield to check below him. It was different from the modern airplanes were they could do everything with the windshield closed.
On the white muffler, words were written with black knitting wool. At first they looked with letters from the alphabet but on closer inspection they were Halkeginian characters, quite different from the alphabet.
"What does this say?"
"Hm? Ah, you can't read our words because you're from another world. Um, your name is written there."
"I see."Dante then channels Sparda's magic monocle and manages to read the characters written….
Dante was moved. "Ah, so that's how my name is written in this world's characters" he thought while looking at it with fascination. Five characters were grouped together, which was probably pronounced "Dante". Close to that group of characters was another group of six.
Dante already knew of it, but couldn't help but ask…
"How about this?"
"Eheh… that's my name. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. You don't like it?"
"It's cool."
Dante smiled at the maid, as he graciously lifted her chin so she could look at him in the eyes.
"I'm really happy that you knit a muffler for me." He said honestly.
It has been a while that he had received a present from a girl he was close to. He remembered the tragedies that had happened in the course of his life.
His life was a total nightmare. He hadn't had a single girlfriend to remain with him in his younger days.
Since most of them tend to end up dead…in one way or another….
Though in his later life he made girl friends (Not girlfriends, in case you're thinking it was a typo.), sex friends and the like, but he chose not to get too close to them, in fear that they will become targets of his enemies, the devils.
Besides that, he also worries of how the girl would react to him once she saw him transform to his other persona.
And so, receiving a present from a girl was enough to make him uncharacteristically teary. The fact that it was hand made raised Siesta's charm by 120%. The usual cute Siesta had been elevated to the status of an angel.
Kind of ironic since Dante is a half-devil…who inavertedly tempted the said angel.
Which she willingly succumbed.
"But is it really alright to give this to me? It must have been a lot of work to knit this." Dante said quietly.
"It's ok. You know, when the Albion forces attacked I was so scared. But when I heard the battle had ended and came out of the forest, you had already landed with that airplane right?"
Dante nodded.
"I was really, really happy. Which is why I…"
The Siesta found herself blushing. As she remembered that she had hugged Dante and kissed him on the lips passionately during that time.
The village people came out of the forest soon after. Many of them had been intently watching Dante defeat the enemy dragoons with his Biplane. They had praised Dante and Louise as heroes for crushing the enemies. Celebrations were held for three days and three nights, and both of them received treatment as fine as royalty. They had also restored Siesta's grandmother's honour, as they proved the Biplane could really fly.
During the feast, Siesta had diligently attended to Dante and drew closer to him.
Just like now, her body was leaning lightly against him.
Silently, Dante fiddled with the muffler around his neck.
"Huh?"
He noticed something.
"Siesta, the muffler is quite long…"
"Hehe… that's because it's made for doing this."
Siesta took the end of the muffler and wrapped it around her own neck. When she did that, the muffler's length was just right.
"It's made for two people?"
"Yep. You don't like it?"
There was an incredible charm as Siesta looked into his eyes after saying that. It was as if she had the eyes of a loving puppy.
How she draws the devil hunter to her charms is a mystery.
'A muffler made for two… what are you, the perfect girl? A maid like you would be a treasure in my world.'
Dante's thoughts had started to not make sense. Siesta's maid-like manner had landed a critical hit in his mind.
Siesta launched another attack. Closing her eyes she pouted her lips and leaned towards him.
Dante sighed silently.
His reaction would make him press his lips against hers.
But… the memory of her father's words during the banquet resurfaced in his mind. He had approached Dante when Siesta had left her seat for a while. He praised Dante as the hero of the village, as he had defeated the dragoons from Albion.
His smiling face however quickly wore a much more sinister expression as he directed a bloodcurdling glare at Dante.
"You're the saviour of this village, and the hero that protected Tristain from Albion. I love you for that. But…"
"But, what?"
"If you make my daughter cry, I will kill you."
Dante would never forget her father's face as he said that. It was more daunting than orcs, dragoons, even Louise's magic that destroyed the enemy fleet.
He was reminded of a work partner he had in his early days as a mercenary…
How the old snake doted and defended his daughters is rather similar to how Siesta's Father did just now…
'Grue…this one's for you. You old bastard.' Dante thought as he downed a shot of concentrated wine before facing Siesta's Father's glare with a serious glare of his own.
The old man, could not help but gulp in fear, for once in his life.
"Don't worry, sir. I won't do that to your daughter. About killing me, believe me when I say, many tried, all of them failed." Dante honestly replied,
After that the old man warmed up to the devil hunter, as he became his unofficial drinking partner for the night.
He, after all have already made a move on Siesta. Although he was someone who belonged in another world, she remained steadfastly devoted to him, even when he mentioned his situation, she said that she will wait…
As Siesta's lips approached even closer, his reflections had started to fade away.
Since Dante wasn't moving any closer, it seemed Siesta was planning to close the distance between them herself. Grabbing Dante's head, she daringly drew him in. Siesta was a girl who was unbelievably daring when she was daring.
Dante couldn't resist.
And with loud thud, a large rock was thrown at his head.
For some reason, the rock seemed charged with magic, as Dante fainted from the hit.
A box with eyeholes moved impossibly fast away from the scene and into a…
About 15 metres behind the bench where Siesta and Dante were seated, was a gaping hole in the ground. In it, was a girl catching her breath as she popped out of the box she was hiding in earlier.
It was none other than Louise.
Louise stamped her feet. Beside her, was the large mole that had dug the hole, Verdandi and the intelligent sword, Derflinger. After making Guische's mole dig the hole, Louise hid in it, popping her head up to quietly watch over Dante and Siesta. She had brought Derflinger along since she had things she wanted to ask him.
As if she was not satisfied, she also sneaked closer to them, while hiding under a light wooden box with eyeholes to see through.
"What's with that man?"
Grumbling, as she hit the wall of the hole with her fist.
"Don't die Dante!" could be heard from the bench, as Siesta tended to Dante. Louise had thrown the rock that hit Dante in the head. It was unforgivable to kiss another girl since he was her guardian being.
"Hey, noble girl." said Derflinger with an expressionless voice.
"What? Start remembering my name already."
"Who cares about that? Moreover, has it become popular to dig holes and hide in boxes to watch over their guardians?"
"Why would it be popular?"
"Then why are you doing this?"
"If I'm seen I'm going to look bad." Louise said while glaring at the sword.
"Then isn't it better to just stop peeping at him? It's okay to leave him to do whatever he likes right?"
"No it's not okay. That idiot Dante, without even consulting me, would spend a whole day f-f-f-flirting with that girl."
Louise's voice had started to shake when she reached the word "flirting." She was quite angry.
"I might even be the legendary 'Void' mage yet I can't even find anyone to talk it over with. I was even going to find that useless, incompetent fool Dante is but he was off somewhere f-f-f-flir…"
"F-f-f-flir-"the sword spoke mockingly.
"Don't copy me!"
"But, wasn't throwing a rock a bit too much? It was even charged with Void Magic. My partner could have even died."
Louise crossed her arms while sitting in the hole.
"He won't die with a hit like that; he's too hard to kill!"
The sword sighed, as if the blade has lungs to sigh to begin with…
"Jealousy."
"No. You're wrong."
As Louise turned her blushing face away, Derflinger imitated Louise's tone of speech.
"Why would he not spend time with me?"
"Be quiet."
"I was even being nice to him. I'll cry you know."
"If you say that again, I will melt you with my 'Void' magic. I swear, I will melt you."
Derflinger shook uncontrollably with laughter.
Eyeing it with great distaste, Louise asked Derflinger.
"Hey, I guess there's no one else to ask but you. A fine noble like me, is asking a rusty sword like you a question, be grateful."
"What?"
Louise gave a slight cough. With a blushing face, she asked Derflinger in a tone of voice that desperately tried to savour any dignity she had.
"State in which areas that maid is better than me, in a concise and easily understandable way."
"What use is it in asking?"
"That's none of your business. Just answer the question."
"Jealousy."
"I said that wasn't it didn't I?"
"Why Big Brother? why are you leaving me now… I'll cry you know."
"Right. Now for my next trick, to melt you rusty ass."
Louise firmly held her wand while muttering an incantation. Derflinger quickly answered in a panic. He couldn't possibly withstand an explosion of magical light.
"O-Ok I understand! There's no helping you is there? Well firstly, that girl can cook."
"I guess so. But so what? I can cook pizza for him."
"You do realize, man can't live on pizza alone. Guys like girls like that. She also seems to be good at sewing." Derflinger said
If they only knew, Dante has been living in almost nothing but pizza, sundaes and beer for most of his life, and some tomato juice during lean days.
"I can also do that. I was taught by my mother you know."
Truth be told, with her sewing, she had made countless monstrosities that a dressmaker would have nightmares on for months.
"You are like a baby lizard, and she is an ancient dragon if one were to compare you two in sewing."
"Next."
"Well, the face… I guess it's a matter of preference. You're quite good in this area but that girl also has her own charm. But that girl has a weapon you don't have."
"What would that be?"
"Breasts."
"People grow you know."
Louise says as she stuck out her chest.
A magnificently flat chest.
"How old are you?"
"Sixteen."
"Oh. Grown up already. No hope left."
Louise started muttering an incantation.
"But then again, why is the little sister afraid of his big brother having a relationship?"
Derflinger said, as fury started to fill Louise's eyes.
"What? What did you say just now?"
Just to make it clear, Louise never had a family of sorts the likes of Dante, and lately, it seems like that she always felt like she always wanted to be close to her summoned being.
At the moment, Louise had been deeply inhaling and exhaling. She was shaking uncontrollably with anger.
Derflinger decided to keep quiet after being scared by her, something rare for a sword like him to feel.
Meanwhile the mole had popped its head up from the hole. It had seen the glad figure of its master who had been searching for it. Kneeling down, Guiche put his arms around his familiar and rubbed his cheek against its.
"Ah! I was looking for you Verdandi! You cute hairy thing! What on Halkeginia have you been doing, digging a hole here like this? Hm? Eh, Louise?"
Guiche looked perplexed as he peered in the hole to find Louise.
"Why are you in this hole?"
With a troubled expression, Verdandi looked at both Guiche and Louise. Guiche gave a slight nod and started to speak in a convinced manner.
"I understand Louise. You let Verdandi dig the hole, so that you could go looking for earthworms? In the mood for concocting beauty serums I see. And your familiar seems to be occupied with that maid from the dining hall as well…"
Guiche said, as he glanced over at the scene of Seista nursing Dante.
At the moment, our invincible Dante was unconscious. Seista clings to his chest and make a big fuss.
"Ahaha! You'll have to work hard on your beauty to win back Master Dante! Being taken by a peasant girl…your honour will surely be ruined!" the blond fop laughed, then falls silent as he noticed a dark aura emanating from the pinkette.
"Crap." Derflinger muttered.
Louise grabbed onto Guiche's ankles and pulled him into the hole. In a mere two seconds she finished him off. The mole worryingly prodded its nose against Guiche's unconscious face. Clenching her fists, she muttered in a low voice.
"Next up is him."
"Seems like this 'zero' is a hundred times more scary than the previous ones." Derflinger said to himself.
Rubbing his sore head, Dante returned back to Louise's room, to find Louise simply sitting cross-legged on the bed staring at the window.
The room was dim. It was already evening but Louise hadn't turned any lights on.
Dante sighed.
As he suspected…
"Is anything wrong Louise? Isn't the room a bit dark?" Dante asked anyway.
Louise didn't reply. She simply kept her back to Dante. She seemed to be in a bad mood. What could she be angry about? Dante wondered.
"Quite a late time to return isn't it? What have you been doing?" Louise asked without moving an inch. Her tone of voice was cold, but it didn't seem like she was angry. Dante gave a sigh of relief and replied.
"I met up with Siesta in the Vestri courtyard. She said she had something to give me. And then a rock from nowhere hit my head…."
"Really. Must have been divine punishment."
／人◕ . ◕人＼
Somewhere else…
A young man battles fiercely in the battlefield of long ago.
A pile of dead bodies of man, animal and monster alike, all met their fate with the young man's blade.
Displaced, forgotten and alone, he continually fought not for his survival, but he looks for someone who could end it.
But no matter how many times he sought sweet silent oblivion, he still lived on.
He already lost the reason to live. So why was he still alive?
Cobalt woke up, and finds himself surrounded by dead bodies.
But these bodies belong to creatures not of this world.
Misshapen, and extremely elongated eyeless heads bearing mouths filled with countless fangs, wrongfully wrought lean bodies, long bone-thin arms that ended up in bony, long six fingered claws, and the lower body, that could only be described as an insect's that learned to walk like a man, but overall were much larger than any man. These inky black creatures are born only to be of service to their masters, always at the mercy of their whim. Yet they remain steadfastly loyal to their lords. These creatures are only having one desire, the wish to serve their betters, a twisted, rewardless service, and a mockery of loyal servitude among humans.
Their true names are not to be spoken by human tongues, so at this time let us call them, Servitors.
He looked around. It was a darkened room with an organic thing like carapace as floor and walls.
Cobalt looks at the pendant, which he hung around his neck.
Seeing that there is no one left alive in the room, he reached out in his cloak for a drink.
Normally, he never drank wine as his body aches whenever he drinks. But as of late he finds himself drinking way too much, and whenever he gets too drunk, bloodlust overcomes him.
Thus, he keeps a battalion of Servitors handy for this sole purpose.
His personal cannon fodder to vent his frustrations on,
At that moment, the door opened up and he saw a familiar face. Or rather, mask.
This one is a vermillion-cloaked, hooded and shapely figure that wears a porcelain mask of a beautiful doll…
"Oh, you've regained consciousness."
"Sangyne? You..."
The masked woman pushed a small cart with a plate of soup and a pitcher of water and glass. Cobalt takes a swig from his canteen and once more felt a jolt of pain throughout his body.
"Tch..."
"You should still feel the pain. Your body has been pushed to the limits when you used all your powers at once, breaking your body in numerous places. It took a lot of these Servitors' life force to induce a 'Recovery' spell strong enough to heal you, and after you wake up, you just up and went here to kill them. I have no idea whether you're insane or suicidal at times."
"Why do you care?"
Cobalt made a deadly glare with his eyes,
"I'm just concerned about you. Ever since you met this Dante and his master, you seem to more…emotional"
.
'Emotional huh?' Cobalt thought,
"Concern? Since when did this group have any concern to each other?" Cobalt said coldly to the masked woman.
"I just…" Sangyne began.
Cobalt just ignored the crimson hooded female, taking a swig from his wine canteen.
"I say you take a bed rest, NOW!" The masked woman orders after a few moments of silence.
"Guh!" Cobalt grunts,
She takes the surprised assassin by the hand, punches him in the gut, causing the weakened assassin the go limp as she creates a bloody mist around them…
After the mist disappeared, they were gone along with the cart of food, leaving the bodies of these unspeakable creatures deteriorate to red orbs then those too disappear into the air after a while.
／人◕ . ◕人＼
A few hours later,
At that moment, Cobalt went to the Reconquista headquarters in Albion, the door opened with a clank. In the receiving room was Cromwell, accompanied by blonde Sheffield.
Seeing Cobalt, he smiled thinly.
'That smile never changes. Just like a doll,' Cobalt thought beholding the smiling Cromwell.
They have just experienced defeat. An unthinkable stumble at the first step of Albion's ambition.
Yet the fact didn't seem to unnerve Cromwell. He was either a very strong man, a carefree optimist, or just a plain idiot. It was hard to tell.
"Looks like you regained consciousness, Master Cobalt."
Cobalt has earlier awakened in the Magical Recovery tank, mostly healed thanks to Sangyne's attention.
"I beseech your forgiveness, Your Excellency. I failed you not once, but twice."
"But it seemed your failure was immaterial."
Sheffield, who was standing by Cromwell's side, nodded, then read the parchment scroll that seemed to be the report, and muttered,
"A sphere of light appeared in the sky and blew off our fleet."
"In other words, the enemy used an unknown magic against us. This was a miscalculation and it's no one's fault. If there was anyone to blame… it was our leadership's fault for not properly analyzing the enemy's war potential. A mere assassin like you should not be blamed for that. You should just focus on recovering your health."
Cromwell offered his hand to Cobalt. Cobalt kissed it.
With much contempt.
"I thank your Excellency's kindness"
Cobalt remembered Louise's long, pinkish blond hair. Louise was in that flying machine.
Such magic never…
Cobalt for some reason, wanted to have it in his own hands.
For some reason, he seemed familiar with it,
…The element that Founder Brimierre used. The lost element, 'Void'.
He shook his head. Cromwell said that 'Void' is an element controlling life.
As he already knew, Cromwell's powers never came from the 'Void'
But power could and can it create such a light that would defeat an entire fleet?
Even if it is really powerful magic, it was hard to imagine the small pinkette having control over it.
"Was the 'Void' the source of that light? But the 'Void' that your Excellency talked about and that light seems to be completely different."
"No one can say that they have a full knowledge about what 'Void' is. 'Void' is a great mystery."
Sheffield stepped in.
"It is wrapped up on the other side of an ancient, dark history."
"History hides many interesting things. Once, I happened to come across a book that named one of the Founder's shields as Saint Aegis. It has a fairly small amount of information regarding 'Void'."
Cromwell spoke as if reciting a poem.
"Founder created the sun, to shine upon the ground."
"Indeed. There was no light within that small sun."
"Mystery upon the mystery, I feel ill. Awakening is also bad. Is it so, Master Cobalt?"
"It is as you say."
"It is said that Tristain's army was led by Henrietta. For what reason has an inexperienced princess fought? That princess made use of the 'Founder's Prayer Book'. Maybe she sniffed out the sleeping secret of Royal Family."
"What is the sleeping secret of the Royal Family?"
"The Royal Family of Albion, Royal Family of Tristain, and Royal Family of Gallia… were one branch in the beginning. And the Founder's secret was split between them. Isn't that so, Miss Sheffield?"
Cromwell urged the woman at his side.
"It is as Your Excellency says. The treasure that was given to Albion's royal family was the 'Ruby of the Wind'… However, where the Ruby of the Wind disappeared to is yet to be found. Since the investigation has not ended so far."
Cobalt watched the woman with a dubious feeling. Because her face was hidden by the deep robe, it was not possible to see her expression. Though one could think she was Cromwell's secretary… she didn't give an impression of being just a secretary. No strong magic was sensed from her. However, because she was promoted here by Cromwell, she might have some special ability.
"Now, Henrietta, a worshiped 'Holy Woman', enthroned to a queen." Cromwell muttered.
Sheffield said. "The ruler of the kingdom. The queen of the country will also get the Royal Families' secret."
Cromwell smiled.
"M'seiu Wales."
Wales, who was revived by Cromwell, entered the room from the corridor.
"You called, Your Excellency?"
"I want to offer congratulations for your lover's… the Holy Woman's coronation. I want her to come to my castle of Londinium. However, the journey seems to be very tedious so keep her company to dispel the boredom."
Wales muttered, "Certainly" in a monotone voice.
"Then, Master Cobalt. Take care of yourself." Then Cromwell said to the reanimated noble, "I will leave it up to you to invite the 'Holy Woman' to the dinner party and ensure her safe arrival."
Cobalt bowed.
Cromwell and others left from the room. The red hooded woman, Sangyne has been monitoring the conversation just as instructed by the Eye; muttered absent-mindedly.
"Disgusting man. Baiting one lover with their dead lover is not a way a noble should act."
The hooded woman added, though she herself hated nobles, actually humans in general as of late.
Except one.
"That man is not a noble. Haven't you heard? He was a mere bishop at first."
Then Cobalt grunted loudly as he tried to stand up.
His body is still recuperating from overexertion.
"What's wrong?"
"I just cannot stay calm. If only my body would be done healing… I could do my work instead of playing with corpses…"
After that, Cobalt regrettably buried his face in his hands.
"Damn! I… Am I powerless? Has my goal slipped away again…"
The hooded woman laughed with a smile, and placed her hand on Cobalt's shoulder.
"You are a weak man… Yet, I knew that from the beginning."
She said, removing her mask.
A beautiful lady's face appeared, similar to the porcelain mask, framed by wavy locks of blue.
And then, the hooded woman brought her unmasked face close to Cobalt's and placed her lips on his.
Slowly pulling her lips back, the hooded woman muttered.
"Rest for now. I do not know what you are hiding… Yet once in a while you need to rest as well."
／人◕ . ◕人＼
Next up is the …
In Tristain's royal palace, Henrietta was waiting for her guest. Even though she was a queen, she never sat on the throne. She mostly did the king's work.
After the coronation was finished and she became queen, the number of things to do in the domestic and foreign areas greatly increased. Some were demanding loans, some were asking it in a good nature, and Henrietta, from morning till night, was always meeting someone. And, because of the war, there are more guests than usual.
Because she was always straining to show her dignity, she became very tired. Even though Mazarin assisted, she had to come up with the answers herself. It was too late for Henrietta to revert back to being a princess.
However… for the new guest, she neither showed nor made such expressions or attitude.
A refrained voice called outside the room, informing Henrietta about the guest's arrival.
Right after, that the door opened.
Louise stood there, reverentially bowing her head. Next to her, Dante's figure could be seen.
Dante looked rather bored, but is glad to wander off with Louise to the royal palace.
"Louise, aah, Louise!"
Henrietta ran up and embraced Louise closely. Looking up, Louise muttered.
"Your Highness … No, I have to call you Your Majesty now."
"I don't like it when you say it so formally. Louise Francoise. Aren't you my beloved friend?"
"Then, I will call you princess, as usual."
"Please do it for me. Aah Louise, I didn't want to be a queen. It is twice as boring. It is three times more straining. And ten times more worrisome."
Henrietta muttered, looking bored.
'I'd feel the same in her shoes,' Dante reflects, as he remailed stoically silent, observing the conversation between the two close friends.
After that, Louise became silent, waiting for Henrietta's words. This morning, the messenger from Henrietta came to the Academy of Magic. They boarded the carriage that Henrietta prepared and came here.
I guess I was called for a specific reason thought Louise. Is it about the 'Void' spell? However, she seems hesitant to talk about that.
Henrietta just looked into her eyes, not talking. Reluctantly, Louise said "I ought to give my congratulations on the victory". Louise tried to find a harmless topic to talk about with Henrietta.
"This victory was all thanks to you, Louise."
'We've been found?' Dante thought, rather surprised at the newly crowned queen's deduction.
This girl is good.
Louise watched Henrietta's face with a startled expression.
"You can't hide such a great secret from me, Louise."
"B-but I didn't do anything…"
Louise still tried to pretend not to know.
Henrietta smiled and handed a report, written on parchment, to Louise. After reading it, Louise sighed.
"You scouted even that?"
"Well, since it is the war results, it is better not to overlook anything."
After that, Henrietta faced Dante who was left out up till now. On the way there, he heard from Louise that Henrietta became a queen, so he felt happy for the young royal.
But then, he also realized that this is a rather stupid move done by the Nobles, but then since this is how they run things here, he knew he had no right to stick his nose to these affairs.
Unless it seriously involves his loved ones, he will not hold back,
But then again, his world's government has been handling things worse anyway…
….
"For controlling the foreign country flight machine that destroyed enemy's dragon knight corps, I express my greatest gratitude."
"No… it's not like that."
"You are the hero of this country. So now I am giving you a noble's title… "
"That's so wrong! Turning him into a noble!"
"Why?"
"N-no… it doesn't matter" Louise murmured with a blush.
"Then, I will grant you a peer's title."
When Henrietta said this,
Dante muttered, 'Huh?'.
Then he remembered Kirche's words a while ago. That in Tristain, if you are not a mage from birth then you cannot become a noble.
But, despite his thoughts about the peerage, he didn't open his mouth. Either way, when returning to his world, all the titles would lose their meaning.
Not Like he cared for it anyway,
"Great… a really great war outcome. Louise Francoise. The way the war ended is all thanks to you and M'seiu Dante. There has never been such a victory in the whole of Halkeginia's history. By all means, Louise, you should be given a territory the size of a small country and a title of duchess for this. And your familiar awarded with a peer's title."
"I d-don't need anything... this deed was Dante's..."
Louise muttered hesitatingly.
"Weren't you the cause of that light, Louise? That light was called a miracle of the castle, yet I do not believe in miracles. The light came from the flying machine that you were flying in. Aren't you the cause of it?"
Henrietta intently watched Louise. It was impossible to hide anything this way.
And what about Dante?
Even though he constantly tapped his right foot impatiently, trying to cut in with,
"By the way…", she slowly began talking about the Founder's Prayer Book. She could not consult about it with anyone else. It was too risky to do so.
Slowly… Louise talked to Henrietta.
She took Henrietta's 'Water Ruby', placed it on the pages of Founder's Prayer Book and an ancient script appeared. When she read it out back then, she cast a spell of the light.
"The Founder's Prayer Book was written using the element of 'Void'. Is this true, Princess?"
Henrietta stared over Louise's shoulder.
"You knew, Louise? Founder Brimir gave rings to three children from three royal families to keep as a treasure. Tristain got the 'Water Ruby' and Founder's Prayer Book, which are now both in your possession."
"Err…"
"It has been handed down like this among the royal families. Royal families were the ones that inherited the Founder's power."
"I am not from a royal Family."
"What are you saying, Louise? The ancestor of Duke de La Vallière was the king's illegitimate child. And you are the Duke's child."
Louise was startled.
"You, too, have the Tristainian Royal Family's blood. And that is good enough."
After that, Henrietta took Dante's hand. Seeing the runes, she nodded.
"Is this the sign of 'Windálfr'? The sign of the Familiar that Founder Brimir used for attacking while casting spells?"
Dante nodded. Old Osmond also said the same thing.
Louise sighed.
"That's why you understand that I cannot reward you that way, right, Louise?"
Dante, who understood the situation, but for the sake of continuing the conversation, asked,
"Why?"
Henrietta answered with a clouded face.
"If I were to give the reward, Louise's secret services would be exposed in the daylight. That would be dangerous. Louise's power is too big. Even one country could not manage such power. If an enemy learned about Louise's secret, they would become frantic about it and would do anything to get it. I alone should be the enemy's target."
'Looks like this girl has great leadership potential' Dante thought,
Even more so than some certain government officials he knew of.
After that, Henrietta sighed.
"Enemies are not the only ones interested in 'Void'. Even inside the palace… those who know about that power, will always try to use it for their own purposes."
Louise nodded with a scared look.
"Therefore, Louise, you should not talk to anyone about that power. Your secret is safe with me."
Then Louise thought for a while…
And, in a slowly determined way, she opened her mouth.
"Don't worry princess. I want to dedicate my power to you."
"No… it is all right. You must forget that power as soon as possible. And never use it again."
"But… Princess I want to help you with the powers I was granted!"
However, Henrietta shook her head.
"Mother said, great power drives people mad. Who could be sure that you, after gaining the power of 'Void', would not turn out the same way?"
Louise proudly lifted her face. It was the face of a person who had decided her mission. However, such a face was somewhat dangerous.
"I always wanted to dedicate my power and body to princess-sama and the mother country. I was taught so, I believed so, and I grew up with that. However, my magic always failed. As you know, I was nicknamed 'Zero'. Behind sneers and contempt, I was always shaken with regret."
Louise clearly asserted.
"However, God gave such power to me. I, myself, believe in using this power. Still, if you say that Your Majesty will not need it, then it is necessary to return my wand to Your Majesty."
Henrietta was touched by Louise's speech.
"Louise, I understand. You are still… my best friend. From the times when you helped me on Ragdorian's lake. You took the blame for me…"
"My Princess..."
Louise and Henrietta tightly embraced each other. Dante, who was left out, sighed at the dramatics.
'Louise as always is too eager to promise without thinking…' he thought, though he didn't say that out loud.
'Though it was nice to help Henrietta… but she has no idea what trouble awaits her should she really be needed…'
By helping Henrietta, it seemed like they will find out.
"After this, I will help Louise too."
"Naturally, my princess."
"Then I give the 'Founder's Prayer Book' to you. However Louise, promise me. Don't tell anyone that you are a 'Void' user. And do not use it recklessly, either."
"Certainly."
"After this, you will become my court lady and will obey only me."
Henrietta then took out a quill pen and smooth parchment. After that, she signed the document and put down the quill pen.
"Take this. This is my formal permission. With this, whether in the royal palace, or inside or outside the country, you will have supreme authority over everything, even over the police. If there is no freedom, one cannot work well."
Louise reverently received the permission with an expression of gratitude. Henrietta's authorization. This meant that Louise was granted with the right to act in the queen's name.
"If I will face a problem that only you can solve, I will surely consult you. Officially, please act as a student of Academy of Magic like you have up to now. Since it is you, you will, without a doubt, do well."
After that, Henrietta turned towards Dante. Having an idea, she fumbled within the pocket of her dress. When she took out some golden coins, Dante sighed audibly.
"I ask you to look after Louise…my important friend, kind guardian."
"That's… I cannot take it."
Dante tries to refuse, but with the way the new Queen looked at him…
Dante tried to look amazed at the golden and silver coins in her hand, so as not to hurt her feelings.
But then, he has to tell them that he is actually loaded already, there's no need for rewards…
"By all means, please accept it. Giving you this as a sign of "Chevalier" is the least what this powerless queen can do. You showed your loyalty to me and to the mother country. This should not be unrewarded."
Henrietta said with sincere eyes.
'Crap.' Dante thought,
When seeing such eyes… it becomes impossible to refuse. After accepting this, he could not refuse to help Louise, as it seems…
Because Dante was not from this world, he wasn't Henrietta's vassal either, but even if he didn't have to feel responsible,
Dante felt a strong sense of obligation either way.
'Aah, it might be fate,' he thought.
No, it was his personality rather than fate. When such a beautiful woman like Henrietta said 'please', he could not find it in his heart to refuse.
'What a light-hearted fellow I am. '
'Anyway, I should try to resolve this world's situation before things go worse, 'Dante thought, putting the golden coins into his pocket.
Dante and Louise went out of the royal palace in line.
"Really… you are too eager to give promises…"
"What do you mean?"
Louise stared up at Dante.
"Because you said that you will help the princess, but then it will be nearly impossible to further investigate in the east." Dante deadpans.
"Don't leave without permission. Everyone remains here, so stop asking."
Louise averted her face and started walking leaving Dante behind. Dante sighed and walked faster to catch up with the pinkette.
When Henrietta asked for his help a while ago, though he thought it was bothersome, he was also glad for a moment. No one really needed him in his world at the moment since he wiped out the demons at the source.
The earth kept on spinning, even with Dante gone. However, it was different in this world. Siesta and Henrietta… there were some people that needed him.
Yet he wanted to feel needed by Louise more. However, judging from her words earlier, all that she cared about were his 'Windálfr' powers.
He hated being treated as a thing…
Dante frowned. He was feeling sulky.
Determined, he started to push his way through crowd. The town was still crowded from the victory celebration. A drunken group was yelling out toasts while hanging out their cups filled with wine.
Louise, still in deep thought, was still for a while. With face down, she bit her lower lip. When she looked up after a while, Dante was already gone in the crowd and could not be seen. Louise ran out panicking.
"Mooove!"
Louise bumped hard into a man. A man, who looked like a mercenary, collapsed. In his hand he had a bottle of sake, which he was gulping down vigorously. He seemed to be completely drunk.
Though Louise tried to pass that man sideways, he grasped her hand.
"Wait, Miss. You ought to apologize for bumping into a person in the middle of the street."
Then another man, who seemed to be a mercenary, noticed Louise's mantle and muttered "A noble, huh?"
However, the man who was clasping Louise's arm didn't move.
"Today is the festival celebrating the victory at Tarbes. Put aside the rank. Today nobles, mercenaries and salesmen are equal. Hey, Miss Noble, how about sharing one drink with me as an apology for bumping into me?"
Saying so, the man thrust out his jar of wine.
"Let me go! You brute!"
Louise shouted. The man's face became brutally distorted at once.
"What did you call me. Hey! Who do you think attacked Albion's army in Tarbes! 'Holy Woman' or nobles like you, no, us – soldiers!"
The man reached out to grasp Louise's hair. However, his hand was stopped.
Dante, who showed up right before their eyes, firmly gripped the man's hand. Should he have gripped it even harder, it would cause him to break some bones in an instant.
"What? Go find yourself another wench, man!"
"I said, Let go of her."
Dante said in a quiet voice. If it were the old days… this guy would have become an instant Holy Man, filled with bullet holes. However, now this was Dante who went through many battles and Hell itself.
Thus he gained great restraint, and exercised it when needed. No need for further violence.
The man looked at the Rebellion and Derflinger on Dante's back, with a similar look. The experience that he gained through battlefields in many years, told him that Dante's attitude wasn't just a bluff. Then a man spitted nonchalantly and, urging his companions, left.
Dante silently took Louise's hand, and began to walk.
Louise tried to say something to Dante. However, being all flustered, she could not find the words. Dante walked rapidly, pushing through the crowd.
"Are you angry?" Louise asked in a small voice.
"Not really," Dante answered snappishly.
The clasp of his hand made Louise flurried for a moment. Does Dante feel the same? However, because Dante walked straight ahead, she couldn't see his facial expression.
Louise followed while being dragged.
It was chilly just as much as a pleasant feeling that Louise could not understand or explain.
Louise, while walking and holding hands with Dante, cheered up. The town was filled with colorful festivals, joyful shows, food carts and stalls where unusual goods were sold were stretched all the way down the street.
Being a local lord's daughter, Louise never walked in such a lively town this way. More so, she never walked in a town holding hands with someone of the opposite sex. Those two things combined, made Louise's head light and dizzy.
"So very noisy," Dante said.
"True," Louise muttered happily.
"Feels like my world's festivals."
"Really?"
"Yeah. The showy street stalls line up just like this… "
While saying so, Dante's eyes turned distant. Louise tightened her grasp on Dante's hand. Somehow, the thought about Dante suddenly leaving to some place made her feel bad.
Sometime… the day when Dante leaves, will surely come.
However, when walking together this way, the one that I want you to see is me, Louise thought. Just for now. And nothing else matters.
And at the same time she was angry at herself for thinking that way.
Because of love? That's not it. It was her pride that was the problem.
After convincing herself of that, Louise looked around blankly
.
And then, shouting "Waa", stopped still.
"What is it?"
Dante turned around. Louise was looking at a jewelry shop. There, on a cloth, various rings and necklaces were displayed.
"Do you want to take a look?" Dante asked, and Louise, with a blush on her cheeks, nodded.
Seeing two people approaching, a merchant with a turban on the head rubbed his hands together.
"My! Please come in! I see you are a noble miss. We have rare goods to offer. This is made from "Wrought gold" and it is not a sham."
'Yeah, right.' Dante thought, as he scanned the said wares, and found that most actually are.
The presented jewels were suited for nobles to wear; beautifully ornamented to satisfy the most various tastes.
Louise took a pendant. It was a pure-white pendant, carved in a shape of a shell. There were a lot of big jewels placed around. However, upon closer look, the jewels were nothing but cheap crystals.
But then again, it looked nice.
Still, Louise liked this shiny pendant. Within the atmosphere of noisy festival, filled with quality goods, such a showy one attracts attention.
"Do you want it?"
Louise shook her head embarrassed.
"Don't have the money."
"Well then, I will cheapen it. It will be only four écus."
The merchant sweetly smiled.
"Too expensive!"
Louise shouted.
"You don't have that much?"
Dante asked amazed, Louise puffed her lips nonchalantly.
"I would if I hadn't bought that impertinent sword the other day. I spent all my month's pocket money on that."
She is in a word, broke.
Dante shook his head as he fumbled in his pocket. He tightly gripped the golden coins that he got from Henrietta a little while ago. Holding the golden coins that were approximately of the size of a dime on his palm, Dante asked.
"How much is this worth?"
The merchant was surprised that it was Dante who was carrying money.
"T-this is! Hii, fuu, hmm…This is splendid."
Taking up four gold coins on which an old king's portrait was carved, the merchant passed the pendant to Louise.
Louise was taken aback with surprise, her cheeks unintentionally loosened up a bit.
'The first thing that Dante did with the money given by Henrietta was shopping for me.'
She was very happy. After it was in her hand for a while, she cheerfully put it on her neck. "It suits you well", said the merchant gracefully.
Dante nods in agreement.
Louise beams a happy smile to the devil hunter.
It reminded Dante of Patty when he bought, or had him billed that sundress.
Though he might have better necklaces in his infinite treasury, to be honest, but those might not be too rich for the girl.
Or too dangerous,
Dante haven't had the time to sort them out, as there might be cursed items stowed over there.
Dante reminded himself to give this girl some allowance when possible.
／人◕ . ◕人＼
Later….
Then Louise went back to bed, hugging the taken off longcoat tightly.
With all her clothes taken off, Louise, wearing only Dante's longcoat, pouted as she goes to her bed.
For some reason she is a bit restless.
Louise frowned, while lying down on her stomach and swinging her feet.
Dante dozed on the couch.
Louise, lying down on the bed, began to read the Founder's Prayer Book.
Dante cracks open an eye and saw the mini-mage reading the book,
"Isn't it all blank?" he comments,
"I can read it."
Louise showed "The Ruby of Water" on her finger to Dante and explained its relation to the Founder's Prayer Book.
"Hee, Element of Void…"
Dante remembered the magical light, which blew off the fleet that day.
'Void'. The legendary element that Founder Brimir used…
And, I am a Familiar that Founder Brimir is said to have used - 'Windálfr'.
The legendary Familiar that has the ability to master all kinds of magical creatures, in order to fight for the Founder, while he casts his spells…
'I still haven't had a chance to use it' the devil hunter thought,
"Then you are the strongest wizard in this world? Cool! Destroying with one swing."
"I wouldn't say so. I haven't said this to princess since I didn't want to disappoint her…"
With a sigh Louise took the wand.
"Wait, what the hell are you doing?"
After that, Louise slowly began uttering an incantation.
"Eor Sun Fuir…"
"Stop! You Idiot!"
It would be terrible if such explosion were to happen in a place like this. However, Louise didn't stop chanting.
"Yarunsakusa.."
Finishing the chant uninterrupted. Louise lifted the wand. Dante steeled himself for impact with the Royalguard.
The expected explosion never came.
And then Louise's eyes rolled back and she crumbled to the bed suddenly.
"Louise? Louise!"
Dante shook Louise in panic. After being shaken for a while, Louise opened her eyes.
"Auuu…"
"Wh-what? What's wrong?"
Shaking her head Louise got up abruptly.
"Stop making such a fuss. I only fainted for a moment."
"That is not normal fainting!"
"Been chanting 'Explosion' till the last minute, but nothing… After that time, no matter how much I chant, I faint in the middle of it. The explosion only happened once."
"What kind of thing?"
"I think the reason may be that the willpower is insufficient."
"Willpower, huh?"
"Right. Willpower is consumed when the magic is chanted. Didn't you know?"
"I have a faint idea." Dante smiled, having read most of the magic class books to find out Louise's affinity, but acted a bit naïve just to humor the slightly depressed pinkette.
It worked.
Then, Louise sat up straight demurely, lifted a finger and started explaining, proud as a peacock.
"Listen, the number of elements that a mage uses can be increased, and his class changes accordingly. A mage who can use only one element is a dot. Ability to have two – makes one a line. Being able to use three - triangle. Spells are also applied to the class. The spells from three elements are called 'Triangle spells'. Each time the spell class rises, the consumption of willpower doubles."
"Is that so?" Dante said, remaining rather complacent as he listened to the mini-mage lecture him of what he already knew.
"For instance, the line spell would cost the mage eight willpower, but when that mage decides to use the dot spell, only four of his willpower will be consumed. The cost depends on each person individually, however the same rule applies to all. "
"Hmm." Dante nods,
"The main point is, that mage could cast two 'Dot' spells instead. Eight divided by four is two. Therefore, you could cast the spell twice. But when you cast a line spell only once, because twice of the willpower consumed, and eight divided by eight is one."
"MmHmm." He nods again,
"When the line mage grows up to a triangular mage, consumption of the willpower spent on dot spells decreases by half. Therefore, four divided by two - two, he can use the dot spell four times. The line spell can be used twice. Triangular spell – one time. That's because the mage grows up."
"So, in other words, the low class spells can be chanted many times, while the high class spells can be chanted only so many times."
"Right. So now you understand the relation between spells and willpower?"
"Yup. Then, you fainting a little while ago…"
"Yeah. I fainted a while ago because I overworked and used up my willpower. The spell was too strong and my willpower was insufficient."
"Then, why were you able to cast it the other day?"
"Well… Really why… I wonder myself…"
"How does willpower recover?"
"Basically, it recovers while sleeping."
"Just as I thought." Dante reflected while folding his arms together.
"Ummm… Well, up till now, you haven't used many spells correctly?"
"Well, yes."
"Therefore you collected a lot of willpower, right? And that time you used it all up at once."
Louise made a startled face.
"For instance, let's assume that your willpower is 100. The 'Explosion', consumed all 100 at once. While usually the willpower is recovered while sleeping at night, the amount needed is too large for you… Since it is as much as 100, you cannot store that much just with one night of sleep."
Dante plainly stated his hypothesis.
"What? To me it seems that it might be the end of your magic."
However, Louise's face was serious.
"It might be so.."
Silence…
Louise then cleared her throat before continuing,
"Applying the Earth magic Square Class spell 'Wrought Gold', gold can be created. But do you know why the world still uses money?"
"Well, it is better than barter trade that's for sure."
"It is said the square mages simply cannot chant the square spells many times. It's too unreliable, one time the recovery might take one week, the other – one month. Besides, the amount of gold you could convert this way is too little. Therefore money is used instead of gold."
"Hmmm…"
"In other words, powerful spells use up more willpower and take more time to recover. For me, it might be so as well."
"Then…when would you be able to chant again..."
"Don't know. I… One month or maybe one year…"
Louise pondered.
"Ten years."
"Don't say such scary thing."
"But, it was successful."
"Oh well. No one can understand 'Void' fully. Anyways, the incantation's power was demonstrated. There are no other spells like this one."
"Well, lecture time is over so time to hit the sack…" Dante said while looking at the tired mini-mage.
"Sack? Uhh, what do you mean? What does striking a sack help people to sleep?"
"It's a figure of speech, princess. Now go to sleep"
Louise muttered, blushing for some reason.
"Haa", Dante sighed once he noticed something. What the… He became rather distressed and annoyed from the view that Louise gave him, not aware of it herself. The longcoat's hem had rolled up to Louise's buttocks.
'I'm not a lolicon, Dammit!' Dante shouts inwardly,
Dante instinctively looked away. Due to Dante's gesture, Louise finally became aware that the longcoat rolled up. Instantly she sprang to her feet and held down the Longcoat's hem closed while blushing.
"Na! You saw! You saw, you saw! You saaaaaw!"
"It's your fault for not wearing panties." Dante shrugged.
"I cannot sleep with them! It was always that way!"
"Always, huh?"
Then Louise bit her lower lip and, with some rustling, slipped under the matress.
"Never mind. Go to Sleep."
／人◕ . ◕人＼
Meanwhile, in the outskirts of city of Tristain, a man trembles as he beheld a terrible visage that caused him to be petrified with fear…Literally.
The villager slowly turned to stone, as he tried for one final time to scream.
A single, glowing violet eye hovered in the darkness, savouring the victims final moments of despair.
／人◕ . ◕人＼
Author's notes:
I just thought of putting things together as I am currently distressed at the trend in this site has been deleting stories which had swear words…and lemons.
Feeling rather put out, I only managed to write this chap in its raw form.
And posting it…
So I feel rather not sure if I can write the next chapters without some strange scenes necessary to the plot that I have…
For the record, the first scene in Chap 17 is necessary, as the results of that event will be shown sometime later. So quit whining about it coming out of nowhere, we're talking about ruthless demons here.
*Grins and flashes peace sign*
Hence, I wrote this chapter borefest and to ask for the opinions of you guys…
This is an introduction for a bunch of future foes and other characters alike.
I might be posting a bit slower by this time as the workload from the office might increase, and lessen my time brainstorming and writing.
But the story will continue, whether I like it or love it.
To new readers, please review, or PM.