A/N: Let's see, it's been three months huh? The land of gaming has quite the hold on me but I managed to tear myself away to write this so let's hope I will be able to make some significant progress before I am pulled back shall we? Anyway, on to the reviews then.
Reishin Amara: Oh trust me,my angers already boiling at the nobles now… I seriously woulda found the closest decorative flagpole and thrown it like a spear at the bastard's throat if i had been in that situation. If he's dead,the guards won't do crap to me since they don't have a boss anymore.
Depends, they were mercenaries so if he died after he paid them, they would most likely just leave. However, had he not paid them yet, then you would be in a world of trouble.
AznMagicman: I dunno why, but I think it should be best to turn Tristain into a Republic instead of keeping it a monarchy, abolish the monarchy and hell, force a shit load of taxes out of the nobles.
Plus I think it's best to have a Republic because monarchies promote class division between commoner and noble. Hence the Nobles are rich and thus don't need jobs and that they're useless considering the fact they are rich which is why they should lose their titles and get a shit load of taxes forced out of them.
Oh the nobles will be put back into society as equals after they are re-educated to behave more socially acceptable in public.
Sennybee98: Poor Geralt. I hope the Americans give that Rulias a real good taste of Freedom and Democracy!
Don't worry, he'll get his just desserts, as will every other noble who abuses his power.
TheManWhoWatches: When's the fight with "them"?
No idea, probably will happen after the third or second country though no solid plans as of yet.
ATP: First - good chapter, besides you could solve windstone and USA problem by mining wind stones and selling it. USA had monopoly, so why not?.
As for Clinton, it looks that he only molested many womans, but all killing was work of his wife.
Indeed, that is what I had planned with the windstones, though firstly they must secure the area. No need for the church to come banging on their doorstep complaining about the noise right?
ULTRAMARINE59: Wow. That guy is a true a$$hole.
I'll take that as a compliment to my writing skills.
ATP: What about Karin? She was good for her staff, she is Louise mother, and Germannians fear her.
Magic is inherited. So, if you marry noble brats to trusted man, than children would be USA mages.
Machines could take magic from mages, than opposite is soldiers could become mages.
lift Halk fleets, so all USA ships could now go to sky. This means cheap coqer of Mars and other planets.
USA will deal with minotaurs, orcs, vampires, winged human and others? Some could be reasoned/Karin has 2 pet vampires/, but orcs thinks only about killing,torturing and raping.
Elf has republic, USA is republic… What about elven state as part of USA?
Karin recognizes threat of US and surrendered.
Government orders are strictly not to let magic spread to America even when controlled as it will just cause an imbalance of power. Magic crystals can be mass produced to replace mages.
Magic crystals and windstones will be used, though I think only fire crystals will be useful for travel to Mars and other planets since wind crystals are useless in space but they can be used while on Earth.
Probably, though US will try to reason with all of them before resorting to violence.
Elven US State huh? Maybe, we'll see.
ATP: Merry Christmas, and elf from Santa for you!
Thanks!
ATP: Novel was mostly translated at Baka tsuki-main projects-zero no tsukaima, few mangas are partially translated at mangahere/winged people could marry humans in some/
Good to know about the winged people, thanks.
ATP: Sorry, somebody changed my reviev
with Karin? she is strong, and commoners like her.
stones USA navy flying ships.
noble girls to loyal american, and children will be mages.
space ships Mars for USA
about orks, minotaurs,vampires and winged people?
tsuki-main projects-zero no tsukaima - novel is mostly translated there
Damn this is a mess, um, I think I already addressed these though so I guess it's fine.
ATP: Again.
Baka-tsuki novel main projects zero no tsukaima
Mangahere-3 mangas
Okay, noted.
Guest: Manifest destiny.
Nice, though things will be more political than military for a while sadly.
TheManWhowatches: P.S.: Don't put this up. Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle yeah!
P.S.S: I'm weird :D
I put up what I want lol!
TheManWhowatches: P.S.S.: Don't judge me!
I won't.
Guest: More.
Real late, but here is more.
TheManWhoWatches: Though I haven't said this in more than a month, I will ask you again. Update the story! (Please)
Ask more often, seriously, it gets me more motivated to write knowing people want to see more. If you never wrote this, next chapter might have been months away lol.
As a condition of the negotiations, Henrietta was to immediately relinquish all power to the American Government and surrender herself, along with all the other Tristain mages, to the Americans at the magic academy. Most of the nobles obeyed the royal decree but some accused her of heresy for surrendering to commoners and revolted against the Americans, only to be swiftly put down and captured.
She was brought to the rehabilitation facility via air-lift, similar to how she was brought to Tristania and the last thing she remembered after that was feeling very sleepy. After what felt like a weightless trip to some deep area, she found herself awake in a rather modest bed in a strange room. Opposite her in the room was a bed with a blonde haired man with his head hung low.
Henrietta recognized him as General Gramont, the one who had caused Tristain to be on the desperate end of the negotiations. She held little hatred against him but was not appreciative of his lack of foresight in the matter simply because the attackers were commoners. She had hoped his time as General would have changed his view on commoners as they were the main fighters in wars but sadly it appeared she was wrong.
Just as she was about to question him on her new surroundings, a cheery and playful voice echoed through the room. The source appeared to be a speaker above the door. Judging from the background noise, the message was likely broadcast throughout the building. Knowing the information would be essential to their next step, the ex-princess hung on to every word.
"Hello people! My name is Professor Emirah and I'll be your overseer for the de-noblization training!"
"De-noblization?"
"The seminar is aimed to make you guys act less like assholes and more like civilized people."
"How dare you insult our noble way! It was taught to us by the sacred Founder!"
It seemed the General had overcome his slight depression and did not take to the insult too kindly.
"Only those who pass the course will be allowed back to society while those who fail will have to retake it. If any of you display too much misconduct however, I will have you sent to my office for me to deal with you personally…"
This was followed by a sadistic laugh in the background complementing the sound of detached scissor blades scraping against each other like cutlery. The effect produced sent shivers down the spines of the nobles at the thought of what she was implying.
"Classes start tomorrow so take today to familiarize yourself with the building. A map and schedule have been provided to each of you in the nightstand next to your beds."
Henrietta reached into the small drawer of the wooden furnishing and found a folded map with an arrow pointing at the 'Special Dorms' which said 'Your Dorms'.
"Also, fights aren't allowed so play nice. I'll come and check on you guys tonight, toodles!"
Henrietta looked at the map carefully and found that the nobles were split into five different sections, Newborn, Young, Adult, Old and Special, where she was held.
'I guess the nobles were split up based on the degree of rehabilitation we needed according to our age groups. I wonder how Louise is doing, she should be in the 'Young' section along with the other academy students if my guess is right…'
The then looked more thoroughly at her surroundings and found that it was truly rather plain but uniform and organized.
'I guess the nobles important enough to be at the castle were deemed to require special treatment and put into the 'Special' section of the facility. I wonder where mother is, she should be here as well should she not?'
And so Henrietta's thoughts wandered as she studied her room. After some time, she noticed that the General was done with his self-blame over their current situation and kneeling in front of her. Upon noticing her eyes on him, he looked back down in shame.
"Forgive me Princess, I have reduced us to such a pathetic state with my actions."
"Rise General for what's done is done, and besides, I am Princess no longer."
"Please do not say such things your highness, you would not be in such a dire state if not for me."
"I need people I can trust in such a time General and your loyalty to the crown is unmatched by most, so rise, for there are many who would blame me for causing them to be reduced to such meager dwellings."
"I… I understand, your highness…"
Thus the once proud General rose again, though now with a heavy heart from the burden of his sins.
"Then I shall be your shield in this foreign place and protect you from those who mean you harm, as I have in the past."
A tender smile graced his aged face for a brief moment as he remembered the times of old when Marianne still ruled and Henrietta was but a child, playing in the flower garden. He quickly dismissed the thought and focused on the task at hand. He would be her royal guard in the absence of his men. The overseer warned them not to fight but that did not mean Henrietta would be safe from all harm.
"Come General, we should get to know the area since we will likely be staying here for awhile."
"Of course, your highness…"
Henrietta exited the small room she awoke in with the General close behind her and used the map to explore the building. It seems her instincts took over unconsciously as she had unknowingly wandered into the cafeteria. Others besides her had the same idea as her and were seated at the tables. There were some with untouched food in front of them and others with their tables empty looking rather frustrated.
The ex-princess pondered the reason for this briefly before she noticed there was a queue for what looked like the food counter. She joined the queue behind them and looked up at the menu above the store while she waited her turn. The menu featured many strange dishes but was luckily accompanied by pictures to allow them to get a look at just what they were ordering.
When she had decided on what to order, she looked back down to see the queue parting for her to go first, it seemed the other nobles had noticed her, She thanked them and moved ahead. now standing before the counter assistant. Somewhat nervous, the princess pointed to the smaller menu on the counter and told the cashier what she wanted.
"I'll have a hamburger please."
The person was a woman, roughly in her mid forties. She smiled and turned around to grab the food from a cart behind her and put it on a tray which she then gave to Henrietta who picked it up, thanked the lady, and moved, rather unsteadily, towards an open table like the other nobles. Now with the real thing, she took a good look at her meal.
It seemed to look like a very strange sandwich. It consisted of two thick spherical pieces of bread which held together a slice of cheese, a couple of pickles, some lettuce and a slab of meat. There seemed to be some red sauce applied atop the meat which oozed over the edge. After taking notice of the sauce, she noticed strange grain like seeds pressed into the top piece of bread.
'How peculiar…'
It honestly looked delicious despite how much like peasant food it seemed. The red sauce was especially appealing with the way it seemed to almost drip off the meat and coat the other parts of the sandwich. She examined the foreign sandwich for a few more moments before hesitantly bringing it to her mouth and taking a bite.
Her eyes widened in surprise, it was heavenly! The different parts of the sandwich all melded together and were complimented by the savory salty sauce. The lettuce and pickles added a refreshing feeling to the food while the half melted cheese gave it a sense of chewiness. The meat was well cooked and not at all tough, rather it was soft and easy to bite through. The taste of the sauce renewed itself each time she chewed and served only to increase her appetite. Henrietta, in a manner completely unfitting of a Princess, greedily devoured the food, appalling even General Gramont who was watching over her with a mouth wide open.
Eventually coming down from her food induced high, she felt something on her chin and noticed some of the sauce had been smudged on her face while she was eating. She scooped it up with her finger and put it in her mouth, letting its pure flavor dance atop her taste buds.
Satisfied, she slumped back into her seat.
"This food is amazing..."
Persuaded by the words of their ex-princess, the nobles who had refused to eat their food before dug into their different meals. Some had the same hamburger the Princess had and others had different items ranging from a bowl of rice with side dishes to steak. Those who were not in the queue rushed to get their own food upon seeing all the satisfied faces.
They all were absorbed into their meals and the pleasant looks on their faces were almost always obscured by more food as they stuffed themselves silly with their sumptuous meals. Henrietta felt relief when she saw that they were being treated better than she had expected. Feeling rather parched, she noticed a huge water jug flipped upside-down onto a strange contraption.
At its side, the machine had a metal tube with something white protruding from the bottom. Wondering what it was and wanting to access the water, she pulled on it and a cup was extracted. She looked back to the machine with the cup in hand and saw a faucet in the middle. Putting two and two together, she put the cup below the tap and turned it to allow water to flow. Now with her cup full, she took a sip of the water and was again surprised by the quality of the beverage.
Before she could properly describe the taste, she heard a cry of outrage erupt behind her. She turned around to see one of the nobles shouting at the counter lady in anger. She was about to cry out and intervene when a strong arm held her back. She looked to the source of the obstacle and saw General Gramont shaking his head solemnly. She stepped back and took the General's advice to just observe the scene.
"I demand that you bring me more food this instant!"
The store server looked with an expectant face and told him that it was strictly one meal per person.
"Do you know who I am?! I am the Duke of House Bonnaire!"
"No, you are but a commoner now, we all are, that is the point of this facility, to help you accept that fact and act properly in public."
"Insolent little… If I had my wand right now…"
The lady let out a chuckle when he mentioned his wand, having been informed that they were stripped of their magic with the newer, less painful, process which could do it while they were unconscious.
'They must not have felt any different or realized it yet I guess. Let's see, what was the procedure for something like this?''
She was interrupted from her thoughts when the ex-noble's anger exploded in a loud yell.
"How dare you laugh at me! I'll put you in your place!"
The man raised his hand high and brought it down on her face. Behind him, Henrietta could no longer stand and watch. She called out to him to stop, though to no avail. The ex-duke's hand was caught right before he made contact with her face. He turned towards the source of the interference in anger but paled when he realized who it was. It was one of those agents. Dressed in full black with shades, the man pulled out a book and turned to a specific page to begin reading.
"In accordance with page 12, subsection b, paragraph 21, line 4, nobles stripped of their titles who attempt to use violence during the rehabilitation process will be dealt with at the discretion of the United States temporary peacekeeping force, the Men in Black. Please come with me now before I have to apprehend you forcefully."
With a resigned look, the fiery rage gone from his eyes, he sunk his shoulders and followed quietly, realizing now that his impulsiveness may have just damaged relations between the two countries even further. He looked back and saw the Princess, a sad smile on her face as if wishing him farewell.
The man left through a pair of double doors and was escorted to a separate part of the facility. Curious of the consequences, some of the ex-nobles used the maps and found that he was heading towards the direction of an area marked 'Solitary'. This incident was like a wake up call to the ex-nobles, they had never expected to be removed from power and so were under the illusion they were still superior to everything. Unexpectedly, Henrietta took this opportunity to give a speech.
"As you can see, my fellow nobles, we are no longer in power here. You may not know the full story so I will tell you about it now."
Everyone gathered around the charismatic leader as she spoke.
"As you all know, the main peacekeeping force in this region is the Men in Black. The reason we surrendered to this United States is due to their extreme technological superiority. While engaging in the peace talks, I was told about all their powerful weapons of war. One such weapon was the flying metal machine hovering above me as I addressed the people of the kingdom."
"You mean they have more?!"
It seems that the idea of the strange invaders have even more powerful and intimidating weapons was rather terrifying.
"Indeed, infact, that weapon was designed for the purpose of transporting soldiers rather than attacking. They have numerous other types of weapons such as the strange small muskets they carry on their belts. These are actually called pistols and are extremely deadly. Unlike muskets, these can fire multiple rounds rapidly without the need to reload and even then, the reloading process is compressed to only a few seconds."
"No way…"
"Which is why, my people, I beseech you to please control yourselves from now on, not for my sake, but for your own."
"What of Brimir? Will they force us to forsake him?!"
"Thankfully not, they have allowed us that much."
"Then may the Founder guide us through these tough times.'
"Indeed, let us believe in the Founder and have faith that our devotion will not be for naught."
Thus the ex-nobles all took a moment to pray to the founder while similar incidents happened throughout the compound.
In the cargo hold of a smuggler's ship headed to Albion, two hooded figures were cramped together in a tiny crate and desperately trying to keep from making too much noise to avoid detection.
"Damnit Wardes, couldn't you have used a bigger box?!"
"I had no choice Agnes, the smugglers mark their crates very specifically with a special liquid and this was the only crate I could manage to sneak us into. Be thankful that we even managed to get onto the ship at all!"
"We wouldn't even get a chance to be on the ship if it wasn't for my quick thinking that allowed us to leave the city before those black clad men formed an iron curtain around the city around the clock. Shame I had to leave my squad behind though, I wonder how they are doing…"
"They'll be fine, commoners look out for each other right?"
"I hope you're right. Who is this contact in Albion that will help us retake Tristain anyway?"
"You'll see."
"Could you not withhold essential information from me? We're in this together right?"
"There are some things which cannot be revealed even to the closest of associates."
"Fine, can you at least tell me how they're going to take down that metal bird thing we saw atop the castle on our way out?"
"Do you know what the Eagle is?"
"You mean the capital ship of the Albion loyalists?!"
"Yup, I don't care what that thing is made of, there's nothing that ship can't take down."
"But last I heard it was already captured by Reconquista so that's impossible unless… Wait… Your contact is in Reconquista?"
"Yes, the loyalists are nearly defeated from what my spy tells me, it is now that we must inform the Reconquista leader about the recent surrender of Tristain. This will make him think he will get the upper hand if he attacks now, while the Tristain defenses are down and the enemy troops are weakened, buying time for the loyalists to regroup since he will leave them be while he focuses on Tristain."
"Not a bad plan, though one problem, how are we going to get into contact with the leader of Reconquista?"
"Patience, one step at a time Agnes, for now we should rest as much as we can, we will need it once we are in Albion."
"Fine, though I expect to hear the full plan eventually Wardes."
"All in due time…"
A/N: First off, sorry if anyone thought I went overboard with the food part but I was really hungry when I wrote it and it only served to make me hungrier. Secondly, if there seems to be a quality drop then I apologise, haven't written in a while, as you could probably tell. Also, has anyone been following Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri? It is an amazing Anime, I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the story. For those who don't know, it is about a gateway which suddenly opens in Japan, except unlike in Zero no Tsukaima, the portal stays and guess who goes through it, the Japanese Defense Force! It was so satisfying just seeing them rip through the medieval armies. It is currently in its second twelve episode season as of writing so go and check it out if it seems to catch your interest.
As usual, review, favourite and follow if you've enjoyed. Don't forget to check out my other stories, community and poll as well. Story status information can be found on my profile and you can make suggestions on my forum.