It finally here, sorry about the wait, I was busy during break and so didn't get the chance to write. I was finally able to do so a few weeks ago after new years and so since then I've been working on it, I finished this chapter last week but held on to posting because let face it, I suck at proof reading my own work. So that said, a few things that should be mentioned first. First as always if you see any mistakes or typos let me know via pm or review and I will fix it.
The second thing, i have found someone to beta read for me however I am having him start from the beginning of this story. The new guy has already beta read the first chapter last week and I should have it up within a week. So yes this chapter hasn't been beta read by someone else only by me so going back to the first point, if you see any mistakes let me know and I will fix it.
Lastly, as you will found out reading this chapter that their is a war in the east, let me say this right now, our pointy ear friends aren't only fighting humans and these of you who have read Zero no familiar, the novel or manga, should know that there is a reason that they own the holy land rather then stay in the west. So you should be able to see what our pointy eared friends are trying and failing to do.
Ok so that is everything out of the way and so please read and enjoy chapter 9. oh right before I forgot, I am also willing to answer any question anyone has in regards to the story just pm me and I will answer them.
Zero War - The Long War version 1.5.
Zero War - The Long War Chapter 9
The sight of the city was no surprise to him, the building were low and barely off the ground as he stared out the back of the wagon/cart or whatever they called it on this world. It was the one thing, he hated, no two worlds within the Imperium ever called an object the same thing especially true in the case of feudal worlds, where it society hadn't been fully integrated with the rest of the Imperium.
The wagon, cart or whatever it was called was an example of this, there were two types of designs which he was familiar with. The first design was a simple four wheeled vehicle while the second design was half the length and had only two wheels. The wagon that they were using was the full length one.
It was a pain at times and in some cases situation dangerous but it also illustrated to him the sheer size of the Imperium of Man.
Moments passed and he did nothing but let his mind wander as his body rocked about to the rhythm of the moving wagon. Up and down, up and down, up and down, he went over and over again in a seemingly endless cycle as the wagon crawl alone at the pace of a crippled man.
It didn't bother him that much since he'd ridden in worst. He'd spent the whole trip more or less asleep and quiet. The maid stayed close to the little boss; however he'd caught her looking at his direction, throughout the trip before quickly looking away.
As for his little master and her future husband, they mostly kept to themselves, mostly being the key word. The little master couldn't stop herself from bothering him nor his need to remind her that he was still recovering was enough to get her to leave him alone. He sigh.
That aside, he had his own problems, like determining whether this magic was some kind of lost technology from the dark age of technology or nothing but heresy.
The fact that only nobles had the ability to use magic meant that it was likely only passed from generation to generation by blood...but was it heresy? It could be, he thought, uncertainty. Everything he'd learnt so far about this planet, screamed dark age of technology level technology however another voice inside answered screaming the word "HERESY"
It was nothing more than heresy that should be crushed, to save these unknowing fools, it scream, as his eyes swept the packed streets before him. These fools don't know anything they walk these streets and let these...these heretics rule over them.
He was almost completely sure that this magic wasn't heresy but he had no proof. No evidences... Frak this shit, he cursed, unable to make up his mind.
The city continued to pass by him painfully slow, as the wagon made its way through the city. People walked by him, busy with their own lives, chatting, going, or whatever they were doing while he watch ideally by from his position within the wagon, going up and down, up and down.
The history of his home was filled with war and death, just as any other world within the enormous domain of the Imperium. It history could be summarized as a story of a strong man been slowly beaten into the ground by everyone else until the only thing left was a paranoid old man.
And paranoid his family and in turn the government of his world was, where once stood an example of human decency now stood a paranoid police state that didn't think twice about killing the very people they were meant to protect. It was not what his ancestors had desired when they found themselves unable to leave the system but it was all justified because since the fall, everything had gone to hell.
The galaxy was no longer at peace, it was at war and there was no sight of it ending anytime soon.
The Eldar Empire, which was mentioned by his family records, was shattered, the orks were now unchecked and spending, chaos infected every inch of the galaxy, and the knowledge which man had gathered and learnt over the millenniums were lost. The little the Imperium had recovered was but a faction of that which had being lost.
He was about to go on with his musing when he was interrupted by the sound of someone gasping in awe at something. It was enough to make him sit up and look at the sight in question. It was an airship with no balloon above it, not the most odd sight that he'd seen, which meant that it was likely flying due to one or more anti-gravity generator on board.
The sight was nothing really surprising to him, as he'd seen nobles and the rare planet use anti-gravity technology to enable seagoing ships to fly. He'd never found the idea that appealing nor understood why anyone would ever build such an abomination.
Siesta gasps once more in awe at the sight of at the airship, moving slowly across the city sky to and from the port atop of the city.
"It your first time here?" he asked the maid, seating up.
"Ah, no my lord..." Siesta paused for a moment, interrupted by pain "It's just that to see them in the air, floating, it...beautiful."
He didn't say anything but simply let her watch while his eyes wandered elsewhere, namely at the sight of his little master back.
The shoulders were held high, as expected of someone of her birth, and her back was straight.
"So where are we going?" he asked, the pair, as the wagon passed people.
"We've heading to a weapon's shop, Louise wants to buy you a sword to go with your short sword before we head to the inn for the night." Wardes said, over his shoulders.
"Huh"
"I can't have my familiar going about protecting me with only a side arm" Louise said, without turning around to look at him.
"So that is why we're here, There's a weapons shop around here, it's on the way to the inn" Wardes said, turning his head sideways to look at him before turning to the front.
"And founders me, look there it is" Wardes said innocently, pointing at the store.
The shop in question was a block ahead of them, made of wood and stone, and only two stories high. On the front he could see a sign hanging on it with whatever the language that this planet used written on them in large black letters with what appeared to be a simple drawing of a sword and shield beside them.
The shop also had a large window, where he could see weapons being displayed. It wasn't hidden away in an alleyway, so that was good count towards the business being legal, he thought, before checking out the rest of the street.
The road was paved with stone, in an uneven pattern of squares, the building built of wood and stone, and all of it primitive expect for the fact that nobles had inhuman ability and the present of anti-gravity technology being used to allow the ships above to fly.
The wagon come to the stop and the captain helped the little master down to the ground while he made his own way off the wagon.
"Stay" said Wardes, kindly, looking at Siesta, "and please look after the wagon, you're still injured" before handing the reins to the horses. She took them with a nod and seat down at where they were sitting only moments before.
Louise stared at her future husband, her eyes knitting together annoyed, before turning away to face the shop and lead the way towards it. Wardes followed behind and he too followed close with a grin at the sight.
The inside of the store was like many which he'd seen across the galaxy, sword and shields were on display on all sides, in one fashion or another, whether they hung on the walls or lay on tables beautifully displayed and arranged.
The shop owner was young and his eyes were glazed with ambition. He saw a smirk cross the boy face for a moment, which leads to him assuming that the boy recognized that the little master was a noble from the clothes she was wearing.
"I'm a noble and I want a sword for my familiar to wield and make sure that it is one fitting for one of his status" Louise said.
He didn't bother standing still and listening to her talk with the owner and took the chance to check out the weapons on display by starting on the front of the shop and slowly made his way to the back of the shop where Louise, Wardes, and the owner was talking.
"What kind of blade do you have in mind, my lady?" the boy said.
"I don't know anything about swords, so just anything appropriate for him will do" she said, bad move little master, he thought, with a chuckle.
"Very well, then my lady, please leave everything to me" the owner said, bowing before he turned around and disappeared through a door into the back of the shop.
The captain and the little master waited while he continued examining the weapons on display. They weren't the most impressive set of swords and shield which he'd ever see. They were repetitive, dull, and of poor quality but he kept looking out of practice.
Shop like these often got lucky and managed to get their hands on some rather unique items, he thought, as he heard the sound of movement to his right.
It could only be the store owner.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, my lady, this here is an exquisitely decorated rapier" the man said.
"It's pretty" Louise said, her eyes glowing in awe at the finely decorated blade, the handle was lined with gold and silver but it was rather thin.
"It's a beautiful blade but it looks rather thin and breakable" Louise said.
"It's a rather popular design with the nobility right now" the owner said.
"Popular?" she said, confused.
"Yes my lady, latently the noblest have been buying them to arm their own servants and these type of swords have been the most popular type that have chosen, not to mention it's a pretty and a well-designed weapon" the owner said, with a smile.
"But why?" she said, still confused.
"According to rumors going around the thief known as the Fouquet the Crumbing Earth has entered the country, and so all the nobles are getting ready just in case."
"They call the thief Fouquet the Crumbing Dirt because whenever she hits a place, she will always turn the walls into dirt allowing her to bypass many of the traditional defenses in place for more normal thieves" the owner said, explaining.
Lin paused at the mentioning of the infamous thief and her ability,
"Really? Than in that case, I want a larger sword?" she declared.
"Larger sword?" the owner said confused.
"Yes, a larger sword, you said that she could turn the walls into dirt right so that means that she much be a noble right?" Louise said, annoyed.
"Right.." the owner said thinking it over carefully before seeing a perfect chance at really earning some extra money "...than I have the perfect blade for you my lady"
The owner turned about to head off once more to the back to get a new blade while Louise waited at the front of the shop.
The mentioning of the thief had almost frozen him into a complete standstill with his hand around his wife weapon tightening until they turned white.
Anymore further thought along this line was derailed as his eyes come to rest on a blade with a symbol that he'd never thought of seeing again. It was the double headed eagle of the Imperium of Man, engraved into the handle of a somewhat rust blade.
That was impossible, he thought. He blinked and opened his eye but there it was still there in front of him.
He reached for the sword and took it from the box of rusted weapons. The blade was about the length of a long sword and fully engraved with the markings of one that belonged to the Imperium.
"This here is the finest blade in my shop" the owner said, presenting the weapon to Louise "The blade was forged by the hands of Germanian Lord Spee and will cut through iron like butter." Said the shop owner, presenting the blade, which he brought from the rear of his shop, to Louise.
For a moment she was amaze at the appearances of the blade but it was quickly replaced with a frown.
"How much is the blade?" she asked, dead pinned with suspense.
"3000 new gold" the owner said, smiling.
She was no fool that was too much. She was about to answer, when it occurred to her that maybe having the input of someone who has more experience with weapons, actually help her. So she turned to face her husband only to see him looking elsewhere, following the direction he was looking. She found herself looking at her familiar, who was studying a rusted sword.
"I think he's found the weapon that he wants." said Wardes, looking down at her with a smile.
"But it a rusted sw..." she never finished.
"I know but rust can be cleaned off with some work so it's not a complete loss." Wardes said.
"Colonel, what are you doing?" she asked.
The question knocked him of his musing and brought him back to reality.
"I'll take this blade." he said, without a thought, turning around to face them and allowing all of them to take a good look at the blade.
She was about to object however she stop herself and reminded herself that he was a swordsman, a soldier from a distance empire. She didn't really know anything about weapons but her future husband did know more about sword then she, she thought, looking at the one that hung loosely on his side.
"We'll take it" she said.
The smile on the owner face dropped by the wayward side. Yes true, he often played nobles for fool so he could make a little extra money but this was an unforeseen development.
Two noblest willing to listen to a commoner and they didn't want even want any of his more decent blade, they wanted one which he was about to throw out.
"It's not worth anything I was about to throw them out alongside with these other blades in the box that you found." the owner said, honestly.
"Then it's free, we'll take it." Louise said, turning around to begun to walk out of the shop, without giving the shop owner a chance to reply.
Lin followed afterwards with no trouble, as for Wardes, he watched his future wife until she'd left the shop completely before turning to the owner and dropping a bag with 300 new gold inside it before following.
The shop owner was left completely in a state of shock at how the situation conclude, but why would they want to buy a worthless blade such as...suddenly he remembered the blade in question. After all, he was a merchant. He made sure that he knew all of his merchandise, even the worthless ones.
And that particular weapon was one that he had brought from a fellow merchant from Germania, who according to him that he'd brought from a friend who was the easternmost borders of Germania. He remembered this because he paid rapid attention to each word since he knew little about that region of Germania. In addition, a little extra knowledge wouldn't hurt right? There was no telling what could happen in the future.
When he'd pressed the man for more detail, he told him, that the region of the Germania border that the merchant had brought the weapon from was its southernmost region where Germania shared it border with the Holy Land, to the east, the foreboding Montagne Sacrée mountain range to the south, and beyond them the nation of Frontière.
The fellow merchant, going on, explain that according to his friend. He'd obtain it by crossing the Montagne Sacrée mountain range to Frontière during the summer, with some help, which was insane the man admitted before warning his friend that freezing wasn't the only thing he and his hired help had to deal with to survive the crossing.
Going on the man explain that Frontière was at war against the elves, when he'd arrived. At which point, his friends finally get to the real meat of the story. With the state of war, that the country, was in it made obtaining the goods he wanted for trade easier. The only problem occurred when the man discovered that the weapons that the Frontière military wasn't exactly the same as these used at home. This, of course, happened for yet another stupid reason, curiosity.
The problem started with a simple question, what weapons were the Frontièren using against the elves? To find the answer, the man managed to get a demonstration of them which ended predictable with the man on his way to meet a contact at the frontlines.
His friend, friend explained, in an attempt to justify his foolishness, that it was risk he felt was acceptable. The muskets and cannons, been used by the Frontièren, had longer range and better accuracy than any weapons he had seen used by the Germania military. Musket and cannon shells actually flew straight so that there was no need for mass volleys fire.
Once more predictable, not long after arriving at the fort and meeting his contact, the elves attacked.
It was madness, the man said descripting the scene, the elves attacked by air. It was a nightmare, there was fire and smoke everywhere, the sky was barely visibly. The sound of cannons going off, followed by the high pitch shrill that rung the man eardrum, each minute the battle went on threaten to drive the man insane as he closed both ears in a vain attempt to drown out the sound.
It didn't help that on top of this, magic from both the elves and the Frontièren mage flew back and forth between the two foes. The roars of the elven dragons were also present adding their voices to the music of the battlefield.
The man admitted, to his friend, that he was so frightened that he hadn't being able to move an inch throughout the fight.
Anyways, to cut the story the battle turned out to be nothing more than a minor skirmish, according to his contact, which left the fort heavily damaged but repairable while the elves managed to pull out leaving behind the corpses of dead dragons.
It was here that the contact explained that, he had free rein to take whatever he could get his hands on and leave before leaving, since they will get replacement shipments in a day or so. The man took anything and everything that he found, which included the sword.
The man ending his story told his friend, that once he was alone that night he tested the weapon and like the muskets and canons. It was no disappointment. The blade cut through wood and stone clean like a babe ass.
If the Frontièren had better weapons than anyone else what the hell were the five nations doing playing with primitive muskets that still needed to fire in mass volleys to even hit anything.
If he had access to any of these types of hardware he would be drowning in new gold, he sigh. He'd been foolish enough to throw the sword out, when he found that it was just a normal sword but he hadn't considered the chance that it was a magic sword. He should have thought of it first, he thought damning himself for the mistake, but he didn't.
It was so clear right now, thinking, about it. It was a magic sword created by a noble. Whoever could have created it...huh luckily for his friend that he'd kept it hidden or else he may not have made it back because clearly belonged to a noble.
He'd never wanted this life but he was good at his job and like other man. He had his own goals and his own desires that he chased after and that sword was the ticket. He just needed back, fit it up, and sell it.
Well no matter, he thought with a grin, there was a few people who own him favors in this city.
A little later as they arrived the inn, where they would be staying they were met with a familiar sight, at the door.
It was the sight of a girl reading a book, a pair of knockers that would turn a man into a child, and a boy holding a rose. Louise immediately felt like turning and going elsewhere but that wouldn't do in front of Wardes, so she continued onwards and doing her best to hide her reaction as the cart got closer to the inn.
"So, so, here you are my little zero." Kirche said, with a cheerful smile and her usual boastful tone, as the cart pulled up to the entrance to the inn.
Louise said, nothing as the Wagon was brought to a stop and she was helped off the wagon by Wardes.
"Louise, if you don't mind could you head into the Inn and book a room for everyone, I'll be in later tonight" Wardes said, looking down at her from atop the wagon.
"Where are you doing?" Louise asked, with slight touch of concern in her tone.
"I'll head to the port and book our tickets for tomorrow after I take the wagon to a stable for the night" Wardes said, sitting down again and taking the reins in his hands again.
"Ok, I'll see you later tonight then" Louise said, with a blush.
Wardes smiled at her before heading in the empty wagon leaving Louise behind with her "friends", handmaid, and her familiar.
"This is the place, where we are staying at?" Lin asked, looking at the two story wooden inn.
"Yes" Louise said, simply, hiding her own disgust at using the same inn as commoners.
"And the reason, why?" Kirche ask, not bothering to show her own disgust at the state of the building. It wasn't the best but it would do.
"Because Captain Wardes said so and this is where we're staying tonight" she said, using her best imitation of her mother voice waiting for anyone to answer, she lead the way into the inn and head towards the front desk to book a room.
As for the peanut gallery, Lin was the first one to follow, who was then followed by the rest shortly. By the time that they caught up with Louise, the rooms were booked, and Louise had turned around to face them.
"Took you long enough" Louise glaring at them "I've asked for food for everyone so follow me"
Louise lead the way and they once more followed her until they were all seated at the same table in the main hall of the inn, alongside other members of the city.
"And now we wait for the food" Guiche said, nervously looking at the colonel.
No one said anything in answer, as Lin once more found himself seating with Kirche, Tabitha reading her book, and Louise staring off into space. Thus leaving him with nothing to do,
nothing to do, he thought, staring at the colonel, and remembering the details of his talk with Kirche. He was noble yet the man didn't appear or look like one. The first sign of a beard could be seen growing on the man chin, giving him a rough appearance, which was equally matched by his outright flirting in public in front of commoners.
The man didn't even pay attention to the fact that others in the room were staring at them. Looking over at Louise, he saw that she was still staring off into space and Tabitha was reading her book.
And he was here doing nothing, true he could always be his usual self, but ever since the fight at the academy courtyard. He'd been finding it hard to even keep the rose with him.
He felt like crushing it but he didn't. He couldn't as would do nothing but leave him unarm.
A commoner noble facing down another noble able to perform magic without any fear in him. It frighten him, no it sent chill down his spine, at the simple thought of it, and it also reminded him of another truth which he never wanted to think about.
He was a coward at heart, despite been born into a family with a long military history.
So why was he here? Why did he insist on coming with Kirche and Tabitha on this journey following Louise, Captain Wardes, the Colonel, and the maid, he thought, looking at each of them before his eyes finally come to rest on the maid, Siesta, if he remember her name right. Who was setting with them at the table, an unusual sight, but it seem that Louise didn't mind.
Nor did he really, to be honest, even his father chased after commoner women, when possible. He just didn't do it in public where people could see him. It was out right shameful but he shouldn't be one talking.
He was simply trying to distract himself from the fact, that he was a coward, he knew it.
So why did he come here?
It was these eyes, he realized, they showed no fear in them, no hesitations, no second thought in them. It was the eyes which could only belong to a soldier. A man who had seen death countless times on the battlefield. These eyes, his father, had told him when he was still a child were eyes he had once thought that he wanted.
He'd been foolish enough back then to idolizes the life of a soldier when in fact; he never had the nervous or the guts to make that dream a reality. He'd realize this simple truth about himself once he'd grown up and started at the academy. .
But after seeing these eyes, he just couldn't bring himself to separate from the familiar, he thought, rolling his free hands into a harden fist that turn white quickly.
Looking up to study the colonel, as he flirted with Kirche, as if nothing happen with any regard to his surroundings.
The man was everything that he was not. A soldier.
"Is there anything wrong?" Louise asked, turning to look at Guiche.
"No...No nothing wrong." Guiche said shaking his hand and turning to look elsewhere but she wasn't fooled. She could see that something was worrying him and it had to with her familiar with the way, he kept looking at him out of the corner of his eyes.
It wasn't her problem, she thought, turning around to check the door and hoping to see Wardes but he wasn't there. She wasn't concerned, she told herself, she wasn't one single bit concerned at all. At all, she thought worried, and turn again and again to stare at the main entrances to the inn.
However she did not see him at all.
"Don't worry" said Tabitha, without looking away from her book.
She turned around immediately and stared at her, waiting for more but it was not forthcoming. She was about to answer when she saw commoners approaching with food and heading for their table. The commoners were two girls, she saw, both with black hair and beauty.
"Good evening my ladies and gentlemen, here is the food that you ordered, its hot roasted Poulet and Pomme de terre and for drinks De cidre de pomme. Both are the best we have in the inn." the commoner said, smiling cheerfully at her "So eat up and enjoy your stay"
"Thanks you,,," Lin said, breaking off from Kirche with ease and looking at the commoner nodding. It was returned right before the girl paused in surprise as she recognized a familiar face.
"Siesta is that you?" Jessica said, looking at the handmaid who was staring at her surprised to see her.
"What are you doing here?" Siesta asked, shocked at the sight.
"I'm working here with father, we moved from Albion as soon as the trouble started and we've been here for half a year now." Jessica said, with a sign "and it's being a busy year setting up shop here and trying to earn a living."
"So this is your place?" Siesta asked, taking a deep breath of pain.
"Yes it is, so tell me what brings you here to our fine establishment" Jessica said, playfully, looking at the rest of the occupants of the table.
"Oh right..." Siesta said, standing up and immediately gasped in pain at the action.
"Sit down, Siesta there no need to be on formal with us here at the table beside you're still injured." said Lin.
Jessica face was immediately overcome with concern at the mentioning of Siesta injury that she placed the plates on the table and move to be by her side.
"It's nothing major, just a broken rib. It will heal in a month or so until then she will have to take it easy." Lin said, reaching for the plates and gave one to each person at the table.
"So she will be fine, then?" Jessica said, from Siesta side.
"Yes, she will be fine." Lin said, nodding at her before turning to his own plate of food and started to eat.
Kirche smiled at the girl before turning to her own food to start eating. She watched from the corner of her eyes as Siesta and Jessica caught up with each other while the other commoner got back to work.
The food pretty good, she thought, the spice was just about right and in addition, it had a layer of honey on top everything bringing a sweet taste to the food. She should keep it in mind.
And to think that she almost missed this! If it wasn't for Tabitha familiar and her talent for using her magic in creative way, she would have never had the chance to follow Louise as she went on her own little mission for the princess.
In addition she would have never gotten this chance to talk with Louise familiar again so soon. The man was the most interesting person that she'd run into latently, no more correctly, he was the most interesting person she'd run into since she'd transferred over from the academy in Germania.
He was a man, no a soldier, with experience to back up his words. And in addition, he known how to flirt with the opposite sex flawlessly without making the same mistake that she often did, which was evident with the her boat load of seekers back at the academy.
He know the art and had plenty of experience at it, despite his rather young age, for a colonel in command of his own regiment. Well, she thought, sadly a former colonel in command of his own regiment, now he was just a colonel with no troops to command and now a familiar of her family traditional enemy.
Of course, there were other reason why she was here but that they wasn't important right now, she thought, turning to look at the colonel, who was just finishing his food.
"That was quick" she said, looking over the familiar empty plate.
"You have to eat quickly on the battlefield to stay alive beside I've never been once to take my time eating." Lin said, pushing his plate to the center of the table.
"So does that mean that you're also quick in bed?" Kirche asked, with an evil laugh at the end, which made everyone turn red expect Lin who grinned in answer and about to answer when he was cut off by Louise.
"This isn't the right place for that kind of talk." Louise said, blushing.
Kirche laughed at the sight before finally turning to face Lin, with no sight of mischief in her eyes.
"I noticed when we arrive that you have a new sword with you." Kirche asked, curiosity looking at the colonel.
"It's a rare sword from home" Lin said, taking hold of the sword.
"Wait but its rusted" Guiche said.
"It doesn't matter" Lin said, taking hold of the hilt and carefully moved it until lay vertically before he begin to examine the blade hilt looking for the power pack on the weapon at the bottom of the weapon. It was well hidden and protected so that it wasn't easily damaged during combat inside the hilt.
He was familiar with the general design and built of a power weapons because his family was one of the few in Domum to own one. As a child, he'd spent time with his father in overseeing the repairs for them and had a chance of seeing up close how to fix them. Well ok, fixing wasn't really what he was but he was able to learn the more basic part to a power weapon and what to check for if it wasn't working right. In this case, it was the power source.
Pulling it out, to the awe of these watching him, and examine it carefully. It was a long thin cylinder shaped piece and from the look of it, it was out of power and hadn't been changed at all. Well that was easily fixed.
And so with that thought, he returned it inside and looked up to see faces that were looking at him surprised and shocked.
"What was that?" Jessica asked, surprised.
"The power pack for the sword." Lin said.
"A...power pack?" Louise said.
"You wouldn't understand your world is still too primitive to have any idea what I'm talking about." Lin said, dismissively.
"Primitive?" Louise said her tone raised.
"Primitive?" Tabitha said, her tone interested at his choice of words.
"Yes primitive, your world still use melee weapons as your main means of combat." Lin said, looking at her.
"What?" Louise said, her tone heated "but with that sword, clearly your empire is just as primitive so you have no right to call us primitive."
Lin stared at her without blinking and slowly repeated one word.
"Primitive"
In response, Louise eyes glowed with anger but she said nothing, considering her surroundings.
"So if you consider sword primitive, what would you consider to be advance?" Kirche said, interested.
"Do you have any autoguns?" Lin asked, turning to look at her.
"Autoguns?" Kirche repeated confused at the term.
"Right sorry, my mistake, I mean weapons that shoot metal balls or bullet?" Lin said.
"Oh I see, you mean muskets?" Kirche said, looking at him.
"I guess if that is what you call it on this world." Lin said.
Jessica face knitted in confusion at his use of the word world rather than land until she made the connection in her mind however none of the nobles noticed her reaction or the look she gave Siesta, who nodded side to side in answer.
"But they worthless" said Guiche, joining into the conversion.
"What?" Guiche answered, as everyone stared at him "Anyways, my family been in the military for generations, I should know that these muskets are worthless."
"Yes, Guiche does have the point" Kirche said "However the Germania military use them in massive numbers in battle because they are still inaccurate and unlikely to hit anything in front of them."
"I can see why your man died, colonel" Guiche said, carelessly without thinking and it was a mistake.
Looking at the colonel, he could saw nothing more than a pair of very cold eyes, lit with murder. A quick look at his hands, showed them turning white with anger and shaking.
Kirche step in before anything happened.
"Hey, come on" she said, grabbing the colonel arm and smiling at him. "Why don't you tell us what makes this sword so special"
Lin looked away from the boy with extreme reluctances and answered the question.
"It's a power weapon, able to cut through anything." Lin said, glaring at the Guiche who did his best hide his own reaction of fear from showing but failed as his eyes betrayed him.
"It can cut through anything?" Louise said, suspense and looking at the weapon on the table before saying. "If it could then why didn't the merchant know about it?"
"That because it didn't have power." Lin said, taking the weapon from the table returning it to his side beside the table.
"Oh ok" Louise said, doubtful, and eating the last bit of her food.
"So I think it's about time that we head to our beds for the night" Lin said, as his eyes scanned everyone present and seeing that they had finished their food.
"Yes, I think so too" Kirche said, pulling on Lin arm and moving closer to whisper in his ear when she was suddenly stopped by Louise.
"What do you think you're planning, you cow?" Louise said, her eyes narrowing.
"Nothing" Kirche said, innocently. "Nothing at all"
"huh...as if I believe you Kirche" Louise said, with a smile as she stood up from the table.
"Really now, booked us into separate rooms? So why is it that you're the only one sharing a room with two men" Kirche said, teasingly at Louise as she stood at the door to her own room for the night.
"Why don't you mind your business" Louise said, annoyed and blushing. Louise open the door, the colonel followed shortly afterwards after saying goodnight to her. She return it in kind before turning to open her own door for her and Tabitha, who had informed her that she didn't want to sleep alone tonight.
The colonel will not been staying with Louise for the night, there would be no way that the Captain Wardes would even approve of another man sleeping in the same room as his future wife, she thought, as she enter the room and saw that it contained a single large bed and barely anything else.
"No that means we can have some fun tonight?" she said, in a joking tone and a hint of mischief in her voice.
She didn't get an answer out of her friends, as she close the door behind and turned around to see Tabitha making her way to the window. She could see the sight of a dragon flying high up in the night sky. She shouldn't have been surprised now that she thought about it.
"I'll be back" her friend said before jumping out the window.
Tabitha really did love her familiar and she shouldn't really be surprised, she thought, making her way to the window and closing it but made sure that it wasn't locked.
It seem that coming here wasn't a bad idea. No it was the right idea.
The colonel wasn't a normal noble, which was for sure, true he was only a commoner noble but something else which she'd found interesting about him was the fact that he didn't act like a noble. He was the kind of man that she had always wanted to find and make her own however the colonel wasn't available.
He was a familiar of Louise and her family had always been rivals with them. It was unlikely that her parents would allow her to marry him.
Maybe things will change if the colonel was no longer Louise familiar but that was never going to change in her lifetime.
That said she was certain that the colonel was telling the truth it in regards to where he was coming from, and with this 'power weapon' that the colonel now had in his possession as proof. True it hadn't been used, so she didn't really have proof, however according to the colonel the sword didn't have 'power."
It was a gut feeling, nothing more, she thought, as she begin to get into bed and pulled the cover over her.
She had enough fun today and more will be had tomorrow, she thought, with a smile.
Later that night, as soon as the door to the inn closed for the night, Jessica checked in with her father to see if he was fine before finally tracking down Siesta, her first cousin. Ever since the time that she'd talk with Siesta during the afternoon, there had been something that man said which had been bugging her.
It was his use of the word 'world" rather than "'land' true it had been used once but she hadn't missed it at all. She was no fool. She had visited Siesta side of the family before and she like them knew of how the family had come to find themselves on Halkeginia.
But while she never believed in the stories completely, in a world with elves and nobles, she learnt to be open minded enough to admit that there may be some truth to them.
She knocked on the door to Siesta room and waited for an answer.
The door opened, bringing a pair of blue eyes, into sight.
"Hey Siesta, how are doing? I've got some food downstairs, want to eat with me?" she said, beaming a wide grin at her...
"Sure" Siesta said, cheerfully, before turning around to face Lin who was sleeping on the wooden floor beside the bed with a blanket over him.
Siesta followed her downstairs in silences until they finally entered the kitchen where two plates on the table and dozens of other plates between them filled with food.
"It's just leftovers, Siesta." she said, pulling out a chair for Siesta.
"Really?" Siesta said, jokingly before she took the first available chair.
"Yes, really." she answered, smiling.
"I'll pray" she said.
Siesta nodded her head in agreement, right before she closed her eyes to pray. She didn't pray often due to the chance that she could be caught by someone else but she still believed in the emperor, just not to the extent that Siesta did.
"Thank you for this food, emperor and please watch over us, always, amen." she said, finishing the prayer, now with the prayer out of the way, The eating started with the two of filling their plates with food which resulted in neither of them saying anything as they gorge everything until there was little left.
She'd forgotten that her cousin could cook.
"You made this yourself, didn't you" Siesta asked, suspense.
"No...Of course not" she said, with a smile.
"Right." Siesta said, grinning at her.
She took another bite of her own cooking.
"So who is that man that was at the table during dinner? Is he your husband?" she asked her tone thick with mischief.
"Oh no" Siesta answered, uneasily, "He's familiar."
"A familiar?" she said, surprised, "but I thought only animals were familiars."
"I thoughts so too but clearly that isn't the case with ." Siesta said.
"Huh, well what I know about familiars." she said, dismissing the thought, however looking at her cousin, she saw that there was more.
"He's...a member of the Imperial Guard..." Siesta said, softly "the armed forces of the Imperium. I was surprised when he first mentioned it and I've been thinking about it on the way here. I wasn't sure until dinner but when he recognized the symbol for the Imperium...It was only then that I was completely sure."
So the man was from the Imperium well it didn't change anything, she thought, unless he brought an army with him nothing was likely to change. One man was not enough to change the world.
"You know, with him been one of the emperor soldiers, the current situation could be taken as..." she begun jokingly.
"Heresy." Siesta said finishing, taking another bite of her food.
"Well, that's a little too strong a word." she said, ignoring the fact that she almost said the same word herself.
Siesta look down at her food, pausing, for moment of pain, as she consider everything that she learnt over the past few day since the colonel had been summoned by her boss.
She took another bite.
"To be honest, Jessica. I know that you know that I'm a firm believer in the god-emperor but I have never wanted the Imperium to ever find Halkeginia." Siesta said quietly, looking down at her food.
"You've heard the stories before; you know what it means once they find us and what they bring. The orks are here already and cause problems everywhere they go, I mean you remember right when we had the ork problem that summer, the nobles had to burn the forests just to make sure that they don't return." Siesta said, looking up at her cousin.
"Yes, yes, I know, I've heard the same stories before" Jessica said "but does it matter? It changes nothing Siesta. Wars happen everywhere, even here on this forgotten little world. You've seen the stars, they're thousands, millions of them alone in the sky above us, what are the chance of the Imperium ever finding Halkeginia?""
"But..." Siesta said.
"I know, I know" Jessica said, with a sigh "Even I wouldn't want to live anyway near the enemies of the Imperium but at least it's built by commoners, right?"
Siesta smiled in reply before she draw another breath in pain. That was true, there was little chance of the Imperium finding Halkeginia any time soon, she thought, finishing the last of her food. The colonel was only one man and one man wasn't enough to change the world.
A new morning started, bringing with it a new sun and day, rising slowly above the city. And with it, it brought more trouble but that didn't matter yet.
All the people, who mattered, for this journey begin to wake from their slumber, first a silence girl who said little, followed by her dark skin friend, a soldier with a debt to repay, a maid who believed in a foreign god, a little master who didn't believe in herself, a man whom heart was filled with hate, and a coward last of all..
And thus the day begun, when each of them had eaten their breakfast before departing for the port as a group on a new cart that was a little too small to fit everyone. The riders had various reactions to the development, to say the least, ranging from downright awkwardness in the case of a certain blonde haired boy, who found himself between two females, his dream situation, unfortunately, one of them was pointing a wand at him, and the other wasn't interested in him at all but rather the man on the other side.
There was nothing that he could do but endure; the awkward situation that he found himself in and that was what he'd been doing for the last 30 minutes of the journey to the port at the top of the city. However endure, as he may, he found the flirting between Kirche and the colonel annoying.
It was like they were teasing him, by putting him here between Kirche and Tabatha, while Kirche chatted away with the colonel. It was annoying that he didn't get to sit next to the maid. What? Did they not trust him?
"Yes" said Tabatha, without looking away from her book.
What? He thought, surprised at her comment and turning to look at her.
"You're an open book" Tabatha said.
"What?" he said still confused and not understanding what she meant.
"Did you say something, Guiche?" Kirche said, looking over to him.
"Nothing" he answered, and before he know it she was back at it, chatting with the colonel as if nothing happened.
This was annoying but at least it was almost over, he thought, as he recognized the street. It was the main street that lead right up to the port entrances; it hadn't changed that much since last year, he thought, when he and his father passed through the city on the way to visit relatives.
The street was lined with people and cargo waiting to board. A few of the waiting passengers looked at the wagon, curios, but the majority didn't care. It was like this until they arrived at the main entrances to the port, which was manned by soldiers, who stared at them suspense scanning them, with their eyes, before turning away to do likewise to those waiting.
"We've here" Wardes said, out loud so that everyone heard them.
"Finally" cried Kirche, in joy, letting go of the colonel arm so that she could get off however the moment her feet touched the ground, she once more took hold of his arm.
Following suit, he found it very gratifying at not having a wand aim at his gut anymore. Wait a minute doesn't Tabitha have a stuff, he thought, looking at her but was unable to see any sign of it. All he could see was the staff. Well he dropped it and got of the cart.
He saw, Louise shot the three of them, a very annoyed pair of eyes but she did not say anything, as Wardes got of the cart and stood by her side.
"So this is the ship that we'll be taking to Albion?" he asked, eyeing the ship.
"Yes it is" Wardes said, looking at him, before turning to Louise.
"I was able to get us all rooms for the whole trip" Wardes said, before turning and lead the way up the plank onto the ship deck only to come to a stop and so did every single person following him.
"Well, well, well, you finally arrived here" a familiar voice said.
Stepping out from behind Wardes, she found herself looking at the shop owner that they brought her familiar weapon from.
What was he doing here? she thought, looking at the man. He wasn't alone; she saw, there was four men behind him, one holding the ship captain hostage, while the other two stood not far them. The last man stood by the helm covering them all with a bow and arrow. On the other side of the ship stood the rest of the ship crew watching.
"What are you doing here?" Wardes said, moving closer to Louise, making sure that he was close enough to protect her in the case that he needed too.
Kirche pulled out her ward while Tabatha simply raised her stuff and pointed it at the shop owner, Guiche didn't really have to do anything but raise his rose.
"Don't take any unnecessary action or else this poor fool is going to get it" the shop owner said.
Seeing the nobles lower their weapons. "Good, now captain if you don't mind ordering your crew to get the ship underway now before we have any unwanted guest interrupt us."
The captain did as was told and without protest the crew got the ship ready to depart without any delay and thus with a soft kick the ship got underway.
"Now if you don't mind, please drop all your wands in front." the shop owner said.
They all did as told and throw them at the man feet.
"Good" said the shop owner stepping forward "now, let me explain the reason why I'm here, I am a businessman, a poor one at that, but it has come to my recent attention that I've recently just parted with a very unique weapon. And I would like it back." the shop owner said.
"It was worthless, you were about to throw it out." Louise said, irritated.
"Be that as it may, I've had a change of mind. You see, I have my own dreams and goals just like anyone else and so while it may never occur to someone like you, a noble, money is what makes this world spin and without it nothing is possible"
"So I would really like that weapon back" the shop owner said, nodding in the general direction where they stood.
Louise was about to answer when she was stop by Wardes.
"I don't suppose a bribe large enough to meet your estimated value of the weapon would do?" Wardes said, looking at the man.
"No" the man answered, "Don't take me for a fool, captain, oh yes did you think I didn't recognize you?" the man said, with a victorious smile.
"I know about your achievements, captain, and the trail of bodies that you've leave behind. I don't trust you,"
"So then there is nothing else we can do but surrender the weapon" Wardes said, turning to look at the colonel.
"Sorry, colonel but there's nothing I can do." Wardes said his tone apologetically.
"Unfortunately..." Lin begun, walking until he stood in front of the group at which point he slowly draw the power sword until it was pointed at the shop owner direction "...I can't do as you ask since this weapon is Imperium property and so you have no right to demand me to hand it over."
The shop owner face, knitted in confusion, for a moment until it was replaced with a pair of suspense eyes.
"Imperium?"
"The Imperium of Man." Lin said, locking eyes with the shop owner.
The shop owner was about to an answer when he noticed something about the man, which he almost missed. The words that were been spoken by the man didn't completely match the movement of his mouth, which was odd, but of course, he thought remembering where he'd seen something similar happening. The man much have a translation spell cast on him.
So he wasn't a local and it also meant that there was some truth to what the man just said. It was also clear that the man was a commoner, judging by his use of a sword.
"So what is a soldier like yourself, from this Imperium of Man, doing here?" he asked, with a touch of a smile. "But I think, we hold off on that for now, I believe introduces are in order about now? So why don't we all introduce ourselves to each other after all this is a business transaction, right?" he finished, barely amused.
"First, I should start with myself, my name is Denis Madeleina, I'm a merchant from nowhere." he said, turning to wave at his man "And these here are my man. Now I believe it's your turn now."
The foreigner held the sword firmly.
"The name is Colonel Marcus Lin, Imperial Guard, of the Imperium of Man." the foreigner said.
"Ahhh, so commoner you much have plenty of experience on the battlefield to be a nobleman." he said.
"A noble?" Louise whispered, confused.
"Yes, a noble" said Wardes, over his shoulder "A colonel is the lowest rank that a noble can hold in the army and is usually given to minor nobles who have proven themselves worthy."
As soon as Wardes finished, Lin was on the attack.
He wasn't aiming for the shop owner, no, that was only to keep him distracted from his real target. The man who held the sword to the captain head, He passed by the shop owner, leaving him behind, the power weapon aimed at his real target.
There was no hum from the power weapon at all, as the blade passed through the man head, who was holding the ship captain hostage. Without pausing, he ripped the blade out and move on towards his next target, two men to his right, who didn't live long, as they were cut down before they even had a chance to react.
He turned around and headed back towards the shop owner, who was facing him, shock clearly on his face. He quickly gained on him and thrust at the man heart, hoping to take him out but it was deflected downwards and barely by the man.
It throw him off slightly but not by much, the next move was simple bring the weapon up and cut through the nearest limb however it never happened as he soon felt something thin and long penetrate his shoulder and almost made him drop the power weapon.
Damn it, he thought, deflecting a blow from the shop owner before retreating to the ship captain side, switching hands at which point, he heard the soft hum but he wasn't sure where it was coming from.
"DON'T MOVE" he bellowed, pisssed, "Just hand over the sword, commoner, or else you'll soon find yourself with another arrow in you." he demanded.
Just hand it over and it will all be over, he thought furies and glaring at the man.
He should have known better.
Another arrow dig into the commoner, as soon as he moved an inch towards the archer but it didn't stop the commoner. It was inhuman, he thought, watching the wounded man change the archer at the ship helm. The commoner must be mad. It was followed by another but it missed, as the madman took off, closing the distance between him and the archer, a white blare.
Another arrow flew past missing. He heard panic escape the archer throat as the madman changed up the stairs to the helm. Another arrow flew past hitting the madman leg. It was followed by another however this time; it wasn't even close to the commoner or even aimed properly. It flew wild, sailing ever so slowly, as the commoner blade cut him in half clean, both half's of the man crushing to the deck bleeding.
It was too fast, he thought, as countless thoughts cruised through his mind, attempting to find a reason for the display of speed which he'd just witnessed. He'd been barely been able to keep up with the commoner movements.
It was inhuman. It was...it had to be magic, he thought, as his legs shook in fear. There was no way a commoner could ever be a noble. Never! Wait, he thought, he couldn't be just a commoner, right? Only nobles could use magic. The commoners much be a noble, not a commoner.
His thoughts were confirmed when his eyes spotted the soft glow emitting from the madman hand.
"You're no commoner, you're a noble." he said, with dread and slowly backing away from the madman, his pace quickening with each step until he run into someone. It was followed quickly with darkness, as he felt someone hit him over the head and so he lost consciousness soon after.
The last sight that he saw was one of the noble descending the stairs from the helm.
It was...she was speechless. She, Louise, didn't know that a commoner could move at such speeds and yet here she was standing speechless after witnessing a commoner do exactly that. She had only heard of it from others, after the fight at the academy, but to see it in person was unbelievable and impossible.
The colonel continued walking towards them, silently, staring at the shop owner unconscious body lying on Wardes feet.
It was here that she finally noticed the light shining from her familiar, right hand, a soft white glow emitting from it. She didn't know what it and it frightened her. What was her familiar? There was no way that he was only a commoner, she thought, anxiety.
"What is that?" she asked, pointing at the white light.
She saw the colonel pause, finally noticing the glow himself. She saw fear slowly creep across her familiar face and finally the man eyes narrowed in anger. She know the problem immediately.
Her anxiety turned into fear and so she freeze for a few seconds as her familiar walked closer bearing a sword wet with blood but it didn't last long as she remembered her mother words "Be like steel." She will not hide. He was her familiar and thus she was responsible for this even if it means her death.
She stepped out from behind Wardes to confront her familiar while he came to a stop opposite her.
"I shouldn't have been surprised" Lin said his voice filled with rage, spitting at Louise feet.
"I wasn't..." she paused, to gather her courage "...I was telling you the truth. That rune is only proof that you're my familiar."
"Really?" Lin answered in a mocking tone. "Then why don't you tell me why I feel stronger now? Why do I feel barely any pain?"
"That's not completely true, Louise." Wardes said.
She wanted to turn around to find out what Wardes meant but she dare not turn away in case the familiar attacked.
"The familiar runes doesn't just significance the familiar and the mage contact but is also designed to protect the mage from the familiar." Wardes said, tieing up the shop owner "You can't harm Louise, no matter what you do."
Lin hands turned white with anger and rage at this revelation.
"Really?" Lin said, changing at Louise.
She didn't move an inch, not a step. She had to be like steel. Strong and able to withstand the pressure, she told herself. She can't run away however it didn't stop the fear creeping into every inch of her as she watched in slow motion as the familiar blood covered blade slowly approached until it come to a rest only inches from her face.
She flinch as she felt warm wet liquid smear against her cheeks. She could tell what it was by the smell alone. She felt sink and her knees weaken shaking in fear and distress.
Recovering, she looked up into the familiar eyes, she saw the hate, rage, and anger within them but she also saw the blade vibrate violently but it moved no closer to her.
"I told you so." Wardes said.
Lin redraw the blade and screamed in rage, his animalistic roar, echoing throughout the boat and into the open air. At the end of which the power sword was withdrawn, by the colonel and aim at his own heart but like before, the sword stopped an inches from his own skin. It refused to move any closer no matter how hard he tried.
In rage, Lin threw the weapon, away at which point, the runes stopped glowing and the pain come rushing back and blood lose forced him into unconsciousness.
"I'm sorry" Louise said softly.
Later that day when all the days excitement was over, the small group of travelers found themselves back inside Louise room aboard the ship. There was no complains nor laughter from each of the travelers that evening, as the memories of the fight was still fresh in each of their minds.
For one flame mage, while she sympathize with the colonel, she'd long come to terms with this reality. It was another reason that she treated her own familiar with care and love. As for her quiet friend, Tabitha, she simply continued with reading her book while listening to everything.
Guiche set quietly cursing himself for his own failing, as the scenes played over and over in his mind, with the single thought echoing in his mind. He would have never had the guts to do anything close to what the colonel had done. It was insane. It was madness. But it had been done by a commoner, a man with no magic. He was a coward.
Louise herself was currently setting not far from her familiar, who had been cleaned up and his wounds wrapped with cloth by Wardes before he left to check on the ship captain and the crew, leaving Louise behind with her familiar and friends.
She found herself in conflict as her family motto echoed repeatedly over and over again in her mind. There was no confusion in the meaning behind the motto but it was easier said than done, she thought, remembering that she'd almost broke at the academy. She hadn't been like steel than but back then she'd been alone, and now she wasn't.
She wasn't alone, she thought, looking up at her rival, her friend, and Guiche. They may not be friends but they were her fellow travelers on this journey and of course, this is without mentioning her one real support of all and that was her future husband but even with his presents. She had difficulty even coming to terms with recent events especially with the latest revelation in regards to the contact between a mage and their family.
It sicken her to think that she had unknowingly enslaved another human to her and even more so since it all made sense to her own mind. A familiar was nothing more than a animals, and even wild animals, would never desire to leave everything behind to be a mage familiar unwillingly so it make sense that the runes which formalities the contact between the two would ensure the mage safety. She felt like throwing up but she held it in.
Louise musing was interrupted, when the door was opened and closed, it was Wardes.
"The crew and captain are fine..." said Wardes, as he approached the familiar to check on him "...and the shop owner is in the brig." After checking Lin, Wardes took the nearest seat available which was next Louise.
"Will he be fine." she asked, concerned.
"He'll be fine, his wounds are healing already." Wardes said, turning to smile reassuringly at her. "It may be due to the familiar runes between the two of you."
She fell quiet at the mentioning of the familiar runes.
Wardes smiled to reassure her again and hugged her. "Louise he'll be fine."
"It's not that" she said, softly from within the safety of his arms.
"It's the contact between you and the familiar, isn't it?" Wardes said.
She nodded.
"No familiar or mage has ever been able to break a contact once it's established, the only way is through death and I doubt that is what you want." Wardes said, releasing her from his hug.
"But..."
"Louise, my dear, why do you think that each and every noble is taught to love and care for their own familiar? Because we, adults, all know the effect of the contact has on a familiar. I know that with a human familiar it only makes this more apparent but there is nothing you can do but treat him with the same respect that you would treat any other commoner." Wardes said, softly.
"No, I have to treat him as a noble, he's a noble right?" she said, remembering Wardes explanation during the fight.
Wardes smiled. "Yes he is indeed."
"Then it settles It." she said, straightening up, wiping the tears from her eyes, and turned to look up at the others in the room.
"I think we all should go to sleep now." she said.
"No wait..." Guiche said "...there is something I want to talk about It."
"And that is?" Kirche said, with a grin.
"I...it's about the colonel. He can't be your familiar; he's out of his mind." Guiche said, finishing firmly.
Louise paused and turned to glare at Guiche.
"'No he's not" every single pair of eyes turned to stare at Wardes. "What he did was necessary and the only potential solution to the whole mass. He had the speed and skill to perform the deed."
"It doesn't change the fact that he was endangering our lives when he choice to take action rather than simply handing over the worthless sword." Guiche said.
"A simple sword?" Wardes said, irritated, "That weapon isn't some simple sword, it's worth more than your pathetic life, boy."
Guiche flinched a little and took a step back away from the captain. However he wasn't the only who did, Louise also did out of surprise at her future husband response.
"Then I take it, you know what that weapon is." Kirche said.
Wardes cursed himself for letting his anger get the better of himself before answering.
"I've seen similar weapon in my travels before." Wardes said, looking at the girl.
It was here that Louise actually realized something; she didn't know much about Wardes her future husband.
"Guiche set down, you too Wardes" she said, using her imitation of mother commanding voice before finally softening her tone. "Where?" she asked, Wardes.
Wardes considered lying but decide against it.
"I assure that you're aware of how I become a knight of the princess?"
They all nodded in answer.
"Then, you'll not be surprised to learn that I was born in the east in the nation of Frontière."
"Frontière" said Kirche, surprised. "First I've met anyone from that nation."
"Frontière?" Tabitha repeated, confused, having never heard of it.
"It's a nation to the south of Germania east most borders, beside Germania, it's the only other human nation to share a border with the Holy Lands." Kirche said, informing her friend and the other two.
"I come east to find a cure for my mother illness but I wasn't able to find any." Wardes said, bitter. "I would have gone back if I hadn't met you Louise." said Wardes, softly, looking at her with care.
She blushed in reply and failed to hide it despite trying.
"It still doesn't explain how you know of the weapon?" Kirche said, pointing it out.
Wardes smirked before answering. "That because unlike the five nations Frontière has stood far longer and still have the records to prove It."
"That's impossible, the fives nation are the only hu..."
"Shut it." Kirche said, glaring at Guiche. "That's interesting but it still doesn't explain where you have seen such a similar weapon before."
"The colonel was telling the truth, when we were in the headmaster office, Louise." Wardes said, with a sigh. "There is indeed an Imperium of Man."
"You lied to the princess." Louise said, angry and almost screaming.
"I didn't, she never asked about my past or cared too." Wardes said.
"You still lied..." Louise begun but was cut off.
"I never lied to her Louise." Wardes repeated firmly and paused for a moment before going on. ""Let me say it again, she never asked me Lo..."
"Don't lie to me, Wardes, you could have just pointed it out and the princess would..." Louise said, her voice on the edge of screaming...
"Believed me?" Wardes said, irritated and almost hissing the word. "Louise do you remember your history lesson on the subjec
t on how the five nations were established?"
"Well yes..." Louise come to a stop as she remembered her history lessons.
"Then you would know of the endless civil wars soon after the five were nations were established and what the church did to end them." Wardes said.
"Wait, you don't mean..." Louise said, swallowing.
"Yes, everything that the colonel has said is heresy and if the church finds out they will most likely take action which means that it will only end badly for each of us." Wardes paused for a moment. "Obviously the princess trusts you with this knowledge and as for your friends..."
"Don't worry about me or Tabitha, we don't have death wishes." said Kirche with a soft and short laugh. It was followed by a nod from Tabitha.
"Me too." said Guiche, after a moment.
"I think it's time that we all go to sleep." Louise said,
"Yes, I think so too." Kirche said, without protesting. As everyone left the room until only Louise and Wardes remained in the room.
"I'm sorry Louise." Wardes said, sighing. "I really am but..."
"There no need to, Wardes, I understand." Louise said, softly before hugging the captain.
"I forgive you," Louise said. Wardes only answer was to hug her a little harder. However it wasn't enough to completely erase the doubt, the first drop, which begin to form in her mind in regards to the world around her.