Chapter 7 Justice
It had been a day since the incident with Fouquet. Zero sat looking up at the night sky. The stars were different. In all his life, he had thought the night sky would be a constant. Looking up at the twin moons that seemed to demand his attention. He lifted his left hand and inspected it. When he'd attempted to switch his armor back from the ball, his left gauntlet had changed. He'd never had this happen before. For some reason, the back of the gauntlet had shifted, and the rune that was inscribed below it was easily viewable, and the excess material had seemingly been put into the the red bracer that had connected to his gauntleted hand, forming a sort of half guard. He wondered if this was the rune's doing. As he pondered this, a sound behind him alerted him. He turned to face it, to see Siesta standing looking hesitant. He smiled and greeted her,"Hey Siesta. Nice night, huh?"
"Yes. Its so peaceful out here at night. It lets you think calmly. Don't you agree?" she said, a sort of melancholy seemed to surround her.
"Yeah..." Zero agreed, "So what thoughts are you having that bring you out here?"
"Nothing too important." She replied evasively. After a pause she looked at Zero directly, "Zero, how do you do it?"
"Do what?" Zero wasn't sure what she was referring to.
"Well you have fought against a powerful mage. You've done dangerous things. Its like you're one of those heroes in the stories. How do you find the courage? I just don't understand."
"Well its not so much courage, its just there are some things that have to be done. No use complaining about em. I just do what I feel needs to be done. It has nothing to do with being a hero." Zero responded after thinking a moment.
"Just do what needs to be done, huh?" Siesta said, nodding to herself, as if affirming something. "Thank you Zero. Good bye"
Zero watched her leave, then went back to gazing at the night sky.
***Break***
After escorting Louise to the dining hall, Zero made his way to the kitchen as normal. Marteau greeted him vigorously. "Good morning, Our Sword!"
"Good morning, Marteau, where's Siesta. She's normally the first to greet me." Zero asked him politely.
Marteau looked away. After a pause, "She didn't tell you?"
Zero looked at Marteau, "Tell me what?"
"She has moved on from her service here. She was requested quite specifically by the Count Mott" he spat out the name, full of contempt.
"For what?" Zero asked.
"To be his maid. But as we all know, when a pretty girl is asked for in such a way..." Marteau left the insinuation hanging in the air.
"What? Why would she do that?" Zero demanded.
"She works here because her family needed the money. If they didn't rely on her, its likely she wouldn't even have worked here." the cook said sadly.
Zero's eyes widened at the conversation last night. And her thanks. And the good bye. "Where is this Count Mott's property" Zero asked quietly.
"I don't know. I've never been there before. I simply know him by his reputation, and when he comes to the academy with dispatches directly from the palace. He's quite impressed with his job" he replied, his voice full of contempt,"He's just the voice of someone else, doing the leg work they don't wanna do. What's so proud about that?"
"Thank you. I'll be leaving now" Zero said as he walked out. He had to calm himself. His body was burning up suddenly. He looked down, his rune was glowing.
"Wait, you haven't had anything to eat yet, Our sword!" Mart yelled after him.
Zero was livid. So this is how nobles were, huh? As he waited for Louise, Zero began to roll some things over in his mind. He was now committed. He would take action. But he needed to wait, and do this calmly. He had to stay collected or he might not be able to act at all.
"Zero, are you okay?" Louise asked as she walked up to him. "You look upset."
"What do you know of a Count Mott?" Zero asked in a deadly voice.
Louise paused for a moment, feeling uneasy. "Not much. I know he's a messenger for the Royal Palace, but not much more than that. I don't like him at all though. He's always so full of himself." Louise finished, making a face as she described her feelings for him. "Why, did something happen with you?"
"No, its just a name I had heard. Figured you might know more about the nobles around here than the regular commoners" Zero said, his tone changing on the word nobles.
"Ah, ok. Are you coming to class with me?"
"Hmm. No, I was asked to help a friend" Zero lied. He wasn't asked to. But he'd promised.
"A friend?"
"Just someone from the kitchen"
"But I'll be the only person who's familiar is absent" she murmured, "You promised that you'd help me look better in front of everyone"
Zero sighed. "Okay, I guess it will have to wait till after classes are through."
"Thanks Zero!" Louise chirped, as they headed off towards classes.
***Break***
It was evening now. Louise had just gone into the dining hall for dinner.
Zero wandered around a bit, until he found Mr Colbert exiting his small Laboratory.
"Ah, Zero. How are you doing today?" the kindly teacher asked
"I'm fine. Mr. Colbert, can I ask a few questions of you?"
"Of course. You might not be a student here, but I'm not one to deny knowledge from someone just because they're not a noble"
Zero smiled despite himself."I was just wondering if you knew where the property of a Count Mott is"
"Oh, of course. He's a rather prominent figure. Might I ask why you want to know?"
"Just trying to get the lay of the land. I'd heard he might have something from my home. I'm willing to follow any possible leads." Zero lied to the larger teacher. He felt bad about it, but didn't think that he'd want to be involved. He seemed too gentle for this sort of work.
"Ah, I see!" Professor Colbert motioned for him to follow him into his lab, "Here is a map I had for one of my previous assistants. Its got all the different alchemy and potion shops i deal with frequently marked" His hand picked up a wax pencil, and a few marks were made on the map. "This is the Academy here, and this mark here is the Count's estates"
"Thank you. Sir. I just needed to look at the map. No reason to give it to me" Zero said, not wanting any evidence leading back to the gentle teacher if things went badly.
"Tell me how it goes Zero." Colbert said kindly as the young man left.
***Break***
Louise sat eating. Something was troubling her. Zero had been acting strangely all day. He'd been like an entirely different person. It reminded her of the time she had pushed him too far.
"Did you hear about the maid?" said one of the young men to Guiche
"What maid?" He asked disinterestedly.
"The pretty busty one"
"What about her?"
"Apparently old man Mott got his hands on her." he said "Too bad, she really was pretty. Even if she was just a commoner..." The rest of the sentence was in tones too low for Louise to hear.
Suddenly it clicked. She knew the maid that they were talking about. There was only one like that, and she was Zero's friend. He'd been angry all day, and asking about Count Mott. She stood up and ran out of the dining hall suddenly. As she ran out the large double doors, she ran into Mr Colbert
"Are you alright miss Vallière?" Mr. Colbert asked, noticing the look of distress on her face.
"No! Have you seen Zero!" she asked, panic in her voice.
"Oh, yes. I just finished talking to him"
"Where is he?"
"He should be on his way to Count Mott's estate by now. He said that there was an item there that might be related to his home! Isn't that exciting?" Mr. Colbert replied, his gentle face smiling.
"Oh no!" She got up started to run
Mr. Colbert chanted a spell of levitation to stop her. Something was wrong "Oh no, what? Is something the matter?"
"One of Zero's friend has been taken by Count Mott as his new personal maid. I think Zero's going to take her back!" she shouted struggling futilely against the spell.
"Ah. That would seem like something that boy would do. Well I suppose we should stop him. If we go by the sky we can get there faster than he can by foot"
Louise looked at the older man, and nodded "Thank you"
***Break***
Zero sped across the roofs. Houses flew by beneath his feet. He knew he was probably drawing some attention. He didn't really care though. He had the information he needed now, and he would be finishing this unpleasant business soon enough.
"Hey Partner. You're goin quite a bit out of your way for this girl. She must be something real special to ya huh?" He heard Derf say from his back.
"She's someone I will protect" Zero stated with a deadly finality.
"If I didn't know better, I would think you're willing to kill in this matter" Derflinger said slowly. When he got no response he said more seriously, "Well, I have to respect a partner with a good heart, and the ideals to go with it. I've taken a liking to the girl too, so use me instead of that other weapon you have! I'll do my part too."
"Thanks" Zero said to the sword, patting the hilt. He supposed he had a partner this time around, even if it wasn't quite the same.
"Hey, its the least I can do. Ya cleaned me up as best ya could, and ya don't ignore me. So why shouldn't I stand with my partner?" Derflinger said happily.
Zero stopped on the roof he landed on as he noticed a large Manor coming into view. He paused a moment to look at the splendor of the house and its estate. The carefully sculpted landscape, the beautiful and stately fountain babbling in the evening were both stately and beautiful, speaking of wealth and elegance. He wondered how many girls the man had lured in like this, taking advantage of their situations. Zero shook his head as he jumped down into an alley and walked out normally, drawing some strange stares from the people who had heard and seen him jumping along the roofs. Paying no mind he walked toward the house.
"Who are you?" one of the guards demanded.
"I"m just a messenger from the academy. I was sent here with an important message for Count Mott."
The older guard walked up to him, "What message?"
"I was told to only tell it to Count Mott" Zero stated meeting his eyes with an intimidating stare.
The older guard recognized the gaze of a killer. The nobles didn't pay enough for him to deal with this. "Alright, this way"
***Break***
Louise and Mr Colbert landed at the gate to the manor
"Ah, Excuse me ma'am, sir. Is there something I can do for you?"
Mr. Colbert stepped forward and spoke,"We're here to warn you, about a blond familiar commoner wearing red and black armor. He's likely to arrive soon and wish to speak to Count Mott"
"What? We already had a messenger who could fit that description. He said he had a message for Count Mott!"
"Where is he now?" Louise demanded
"He's on his way to meet him now" The young guard said uncertainly.
"We have to catch up to him. Your count is in danger!" Louise said. She was more worried that Zero would fight him. Fighting someone like Guiche, or Fouquet was one thing, but a real noble, one who was affiliated with the palace would be something else. He would die no matter how strong he was.
"What!" the yelled in shock,"What do you mean danger?"
"We need to get to the Count now!" Mr. Colbert said. Even if he was just a familiar, he was still part of the academy. It was his responsibility to get him back safely.
"Alright, follow me!" The younger guard said, and ran off with them following.
***Break***
"So, young commoner, what is the message you would deliver only to me?" The Count Mott asked of Zero, his tone full of superiority.
"Its simple. Release Siesta from your service and allow her to go back to the academy." Zero stated, with a calm that none would expect from a commoner in the presence of a noble who was tied to the Royal family.
"What? What did you say?" The count couldn't believe his ears.
"Do I need to repeat myself, sir? I've noticed you nobles are a little bit on the slow side, so I have no problem repeating the message if you couldn't understand the first time." Zero responded coldly.
"You would dare speak to a noble like that?"
"I do" Zero glared at him defiantly.
"Arrest this boy and get him out of here" Count Mott stated with an air of authority.
"Try" was Zero's only response as he drew his blade.
"Ha! You drew your blade in the presence of a noble. Now there can be no complaints at your death!" The count drew out his wand.
"Then shall we have some fun and put a wager on this?" Zero asked lightly.
"What?"
"Let us make this a duel. If I win, your life is forfeit. Your fortune is mine. If I lose, you may have my Saber and my life" he pulled out his Z-Saber, and put a rather large gash into the floor before returning it.
"What is that?" The count demanded.
"A powerful weapon" Zero said truthfully.
"Why do you use that rusty sword if you have something like that?" Demanded the count. Something seemed to be wrong about this situation. Was that rusty sword more than he thought it was?
"A simple promise to a friend. He asked that I use this sword to protect Siesta. That way he could do his part to save her. And what can you do, when you make a promise you must follow through. Not that i would expect garbage like you to understand that sentiment" Zero stated, hoping that he could goad the Count into agreeing by insulting his noble pride.
The count laughed at him,"Fine, very well. I accept your challenge. I will make you rue the day you thought yourself good enough to challenge a noble you common dog!"
The door slammed open at that moment to reveal Mr. Colbert, Louise and the younger guard.
"Zero stop!" Louise shouted
"Sorry. This young man has already challenged me to a duel. It is too late for forgiveness" the count said as he gestured with his wand and one of the vase tipped over, its water draining onto the floor.
"We have a wager. If I win this duel, his life and fortune are mine. If he wins, he can have my Saber and my life." He held Derflinger in a guard position, and the runes on his hand began to glow. Unknown to him, his helmet started to glow at the same time. As the count lifted his wand to cast a spell, Zero moved. There was no art to this. No impressions to be made.
Count Mott howled in pain, "My hand! My hand! What did you do! What are you!"
Zero held the hand still clutching the wand in his left hand, as he stood behind the count. Zero ignored his questions. "So, Count Mott... how many lives have you destroyed. How many people have been trampled under your power? What gives you the right to treat people as you do?" Zero tossed the hand over his shoulder. He hears it land with a thud, and a retching sound follows from Louise.
"I'm a noble, damn you" he said, clutching the stub in his hand.
"So that makes it okay to do as you wish to the people below you?"
"She's just a commoner! What does it matter?" Count Mott demanded. "Why is it so important to you!"
"Hmm. It seems you're rotten to the core if you can't see it, even now." Zero said looking at the man in front of him. "I'd say I've won this unless you have another wand to use in your left hand. If you do, I'll let you try it"
"Zero!" Louise yelled, "Stop!"
"No" Zero stated flatly.
"Please! You've won, why are you doing this?" Louise had tears in her eyes. She'd been worried for Zero, but this was too much. She'd never seen him this angry. 'He's really going to kill him. He's really going to kill him with that sword!' she thought
"Because nobody in this world understands. Nobody here seems to even care. Noble this. Commoner that. To me you're all just humans! Why the hell does something like that give you the right to treat people this way!" he shouted, pointing the sword at the count again. "Your toys, your animals. It is wrong. You said that nobody would complain if you took my life..." He stepped slowly towards Count Mott, until he felt himself lift off the ground.
"Zero, stop. There is no reason to kill him." Mr Colbert said sadly.
"Oh, there isn't?" Zero demanded. He quickly grabbed his buster, pointing it at Mr Colbert, and it started to glow slightly. "Tell me. We protect Siesta, what happens to the next common girl that he decides he wishes to possess. How do we protect them? Who will stand up for them, and ensure their safety? Will it be you? Is there someone else besides me who gives a damn about these people? Tell me Colbert, and I won't fire." Zero shouted at him, his body still in the levitation spell, his hand steady.
Mr Colbert just looked at him, unable to come up with an answer.
"We can't. And nobody in this rotten world will. I will not stand by for this. I will end it here and now. This man is no better than a maverick. Except he does this out of his own will!" he finished, and pointed the buster at Count Mott who cowered.
"Partner, you do realize that you've taken everything from him. He's down a hand, and his fortune. He's a ruined noble at best. No better than a commoner" Derflinger said. "It would be a more just punishment for one like him to live on as a commoner. But if you're going to kill him, I know you can throw me. We're partners so lets share the blame."
Zero looked at his sword. He sighed after a few moments. "Alright Derflinger. Good points." He wouldn't bloody the hands of someone else.
"Of course, I'm a sword! We always make great points!" Derflinger said, with the sound of barely contained laughter.
Pointing his buster at the ground he let go of the charged shot, blasting a small crater in the ground where the marble floor seemed to melt. "You can let me down now Colbert. This fight is over."
"Alright" Mr. Colbert said reluctantly, and complied.
Zero pointed his sword at the count, "Where is Siesta?"
"She's taking a bath, I ordered her to prepare for tonight" the count said with what dignity he could.
"Very well." Zero said, and turned to the guards "Have someone get her and her belongings." He then turned back to the count "Your fortune is mine. You will put that into writing so that you can't try and deny it later,"
"What?" the count demanded.
"You will write down the terms of this duel, and its results. Once that is done, I want you out of here. You can have the clothes on your back, what you can carry, and whatever you can take from the kitchen"
"But my hand!" the count cried
"Won't kill you. Its an extremity, and it was sheered off pretty well. If you refuse..." He moved Derflinger to rest on his shoulder.
"Alright..." the defeated count said as it finally sunk in, "I'll have to go to my office though..."
"Colbert, I trust you to follow him."
"Ah, yes"
"If he needs it, burn the wound shut to keep him from bleeding out." Zero said with an indifference that chilled all present.
"Ah..." Mr. Colbert nodded. as he followed the count who was still clutching his stub in pain.
"Zero..." Louise could only stare at her familiar, terrified. She had her first glimpse of his power. Is this what he had talked about? The power to kill without mercy?
"It shouldn't have come to this" Zero stated without looking at Louise.
"What?" Louise was startled by her familiar's statement.
"If he'd simply released Siesta it would have been fine. I would have left"
"But you said..." Louise couldn't understand it. Zero had wanted to kill the man, and she had no doubts that if Derflinger hadn't spoken he would have.
"I did. But that was only after the casual way he referred to killing me. It showed he has no respect for the lives of others. To use and throw away people, to kill because they do not bow to what your whim is. That makes you a monster no matter your station. The last monster I met I killed. That was the battle I had faced before you summoned me. I was willing to give my life to protect the people I cared for from him. In the end, none of them even knew, but to me they were my precious family. The people I believed in. The people i would die for." Zero said, looking away from his summoner.
"Zero..." Louise said, biting her lip. It finally hit her, just what he had lost, "I'm sorry for taking you from your world."
"Its alright. Its not like you meant to. Its not like I was gonna survive the reentry into the atmosphere anyhow. I should have died. It might have been better that way." Zero said, knowing that in all reality the action would have likely meant his death, but then one of the most powerful weapons in history would have been disposed of.
"It would not! If that's what would have happened, then I'm not sorry I summoned you! Summoning you might have been a mistake, but its the best mistake I've ever made, and I've made a lot of them to get the name The Zero!" Louise shouted at him, her fists balled at her sides. "Don't you dare say that it would have been better if you died!"
Zero looked at her, surprised at her sudden outburst. Smiling he shook his head as he leaned up against the wall, arms crossed.
"So, what are you going to do with his money and property?" Louise asked after a few minutes had passed. She examined the room they were in. Aside from the damage Zero had caused, it was exquisitely expensive. Marble floors that were polished to a near mirror finish, beautiful oil paintings in golden frames, what appeared to be a crystal chandelier. Everything about this mansion seemed to declare "Wealth".
"I'm gonna sell the property. I'll give some to Siesta, and the rest I suppose will go to whatever establishments around here that help people. Not really sure what you people have in the way of clinics or the like"
"What?" Louise hadn't expected that.
"This house, this fortune, was built on the backs of the commoners. I'm simply returning what they worked for to them. Isn't that justice?" Zero asked her.
"But... but... Don't you realize how much money you're giving away?" Louise didn't think Zero understood. This man worked directly for the palace. Wasn't that why he had challenged him for his fortune as well as his life?
"I don't really care. Its not mine, though. All I came here for, was to help a friend" Zero said deprecatingly.
Siesta gasped behind them. "Zero? What are you doing here?"
"I came to save you. That's what the hero is supposed to do right? And as the hero, I just did what had to be done" Zero smirked at her.
"Why? I didn't tell you..." Her voice trailed off.
"Does that matter?" Zero asked. "I said if you ever needed help, I'd be there. I'm fairly certain I did"
"But I came here because my family needed the money!" She said, crying. "I had finally worked up the courage after I had talked to you. I can't let my family down!"
"Its fine. With this your family will be fine. You won't even have to work at the academy anymore. You can go home" Zero comforted her.
"What?" Siesta didn't understand what he was talking about.
"Myself and the count had... Words. His fortune is mine. I knew why you had come. I know you needed the money. Marteau even told me why you worked at the academy. I'll give you what you need so that you never have to be in this type of situation again."
Louise glared at Zero. She wouldn't admit it, but she was jealous. Zero had done all this for that maid. She shook her head. He'd do the same for anyone wouldn't he? She told herself that had to be it. When the golem nearly stomped on her, he'd saved her. That was it. She came to the conclusion that he just had a hero complex. That had to be it, she told herself.
"You did all this for me?" Siesta asked in wonder.
"Of course. Didn't I say if you ever needed help I'd do anything I could?" Zero said with a confident smirk.
Siesta crashed into Zero, embracing him much to his embarrassment, "Thanks to you I didn't..." her voice trailed off.
"Its okay, like I said. I just came to help a friend" Zero said trying to extract himself from the embrace. After a few moments he had a thought. "Ya know I say I wanna give all this money back to the people, but I don't really know the first thing about this country. What would be the best place to do that?"
Louise thought for a moment, "I believe the headmaster would probably be the best person to ask about that. Of all the nobles I've met, he seems to care the least about rank or status."
"True. I'll do that." Zero looked up the stairs "I wonder when Mr. Colbert will be back with Mott. It shouldn't take this long to write down something"
"Well..." Louise started slowly, "You did kind of remove his primary hand. Its probably a little harder to write without it" she pointed weakly to the hand that Zero had tossed into the corner of the room.
"True, didn't think about that" Zero laughed.
"Is that a hand?" Siesta fainted at seeing the detached limb.
"Huh. Didn't expect that type of reaction," Zero said as he caught her.
"What do you mean? I almost got sick when you tossed it like that! Who wouldn't have a reaction to it!" Louise demanded, to which Zero just held his hand up. She then hit his head with her palm. "Idiot!"
"You sure have a way with people, Partner." Derflinger said. "But its true, most people do react that way to that sort of thing the first few times. I have to wonder though. Who trained you to fight? Your speed and strength are amazing, and your control is so precise. But the way you wield me is so much different than anyone else. Its almost like I can feel you partner. When we cut that bastard noble, all I felt was one word. Protect. At that time all I wanted to do was cut him. It almost hurt, and when i did cut him, i felt so much joy. Looking back, its not what I normally feel. But I also felt angry. And sad. None of my previous users ever bonded like that! To be able to put all that feeling into your weapon strikes... I gotta know, just who trained ya!"
"Well, partner, it would take a lot more time than we have now to even start explaining to you. How about we have this conversation when we have a few days to go through it a bit more in depth?" Zero said after pondering how best to put it.
"We're done" Mr. Colbert said from the top of the stairs.
"I have your damned contract here. You've ruined me!" The man said, his voice almost hysteric.
"You ruined yourself. I just took off your hand. Its in the corner if you still want it, friend" Zero said, noting the rough bandaging of the man's hand. That must have been what took so long.
"Zero, I believe it would be best if you went back to the academy. I need to take this document to the palace and get it officially stamped. After that, this property will be yours" Mr. Colbert said.
"Sure. thing. Can you have Siesta's things sent on back?" Zero asked, to which Mr. Colbert nodded.
Mr. Colbert walked past them, hesitating as he passed. After a few moments he turned to look at Zero and said,"Zero. I must know, how did you get here before myself and Louise. We flew here"
"Simple really. I ran. Right partner?" Zero said nonchalantly
"You mean dashing around like a maniac? I suppose that can technically be called running." Derflinger stated clinically.
"I... See" said the older man, looking even more perplexed at the odd duo. "Please do not run quite so fast this time if you wouldn't mind. Especially since you'll likely be carrying one of the ladies you'll be escorting back" Mr. Colbert said as he noticed the fainted Siesta.
"Whatever you say" Zero said, with a laugh. "Its not like i need to rush back. There isn't anyone to save back at the academy"
"I suppose there are worse things to fight for than to save someone else. Worse things indeed" Mr. Colbert said feeling a pang of guilt. Since the fight he'd been thinking. Zero seemed to be a troubled young man. But even with his willingness to kill, his heart was in the right place.
"We'll be going back. Later" Zero said, picking up Siesta bridal style.
***Break***
As they walked down the streets back towards the academy, Zero noticed he was getting quite a few strange looks. Ah well, carrying Siesta and walking alongside a young noble would probably be fairly abnormal. After a few more minutes, he noted that Siesta's breathing had changed a bit. He stopped walking a little bit later, and looked down at her,"Well, look who's up" Zero said to her.
Siesta opened her eyes. She had hoped she could pretend for a little while longer. She'd never been held like this before. Neither had anyone cared enough to stand up to a noble for her. It was just like one her books! Sighing, she replied,"I'm sorry."
"Huh?"
"For making you carry me. You had to come save me. You had to fight a noble for me. Then you had to carry me. I must be a pretty big trouble to you, huh?" Siesta said piteously. She hoped that this would get a response from him.
"Nope. You're someone I will protect. I decided that I'd protect you. If Mott hadn't gotten in the way, I wouldn't of have had to fight. Simple as that. Funny though, he didn't apologize for inconveniencing me. That wasn't very polite. Aren't nobles supposed to be polite Louise?" Zero asked in a mock innocent tone.
"Well, that is true. Nobles, especially ones of his station are supposed to know their decorum. I'm unsure if that is expected to remain after losing one of their hands to said person they've inconvenienced" Louise responded. While she didn't like the barb that had been in Zero's statement, she liked that dirty old man even less.
Zero lowered Siesta to the ground, and she let go of him almost reluctantly. "So there you have it. There is absolutely no need for you to apologize. And with the three of us agreeing, you're out voted"
"Hey, you never asked me!" Derflinger said out loud.
"Well you are my partner. You wouldn't have asked to protect her yourself if you didn't agree, right?" Zero shot back.
"That may be true, but you should at least ask!"
"My deepest apologies Lord Derflinger" Zero said in a somewhat sarcastic tone.
Siesta suddenly laughed. "I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks it funny to see a sword and their swordsman arguing like that.
"You get used to it" Louise replied as they continued their trek back to the academy.
***Break***
As they walked through the main gate of the academy, Zero noticed a few people pointing at them, and some whispers. Ah well, he didn't feel like dealing with it. He just wanted to get Louise and Siesta settled in. They both had had a fairly shocking day.
"You! Zero, stop" yelled Guiche at the returning group of people as they passed.
"What, kid?" Zero didn't feel like any more conversations about how he should have been more careful when dealing with nobles.
"I'd like to thank you" Guiche said, with a small bow.
"For what?" Zero wondered. While it hadn't been deep, he didn't think the kid would show any respect to him. Fear, yeah, but not respect.
"Count Mott was a despicable man. My father on many occasions used him as an example as to how not to be a noble. He didn't care about the responsibility of being a noble, just the pleasures. As a noble, I must thank you for your service." Guiche said without his usual egoism.
"Wait, what?" Zero was bewildered by this turn around from Guiche.
"I believe you misunderstand me Zero. I'm a noble. I have power over the commoners. Naturally this comes with privileges. With that power also comes responsibility. It is my duty to protect them. That is why I have my beautiful and noble Valkyrie. With their power, I can form a beautiful shield for the people I must protect!" Guiche had twirled his flower and brought it close to his face as he said that.
"I see" Zero said, looking at the kid again. "Ya know, Guiche, you might not be as much of a lost cause as I thought. But I don't really have time to talk. Louise and Siesta have had a fairly long day."
"Ah, then by all means my friend," Guiche said bowing to the two ladies.
As they walked away, Siesta looked at Zero again. She needed to say something but her mind was blank. She blushed as she walked beside him unsure what to do. Before she knew it, she had been escorted to her Quarters. Gathering her courage, she told herself, 'Do what has to be done!', and walked up to Zero, "Thank you for everything Zero. You really became my hero today. I'll never forget this!" She then pulled his face down to meet hers, kissing him soundly. After that, she fled to her room her face feeling heated.
"Why do people keep doing that?" Zero said, shocked at the sudden action from Siesta.
"Hmm. I wonder, stupid dog" Louise said in a dangerous tone.
"Dog?" Zero protested,"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Always wagging your tail at other girls!" Louise said
"Huh? What the hell is that even supposed to mean?" Zero couldn't help but laugh. She was sulking, so she shrunk in on herself and her fists were balled at her side. There was something comical about the way her little form almost promised violence when she was like that.
"You jump in, fight for her honor. Save the day. Save her honor and family. Then you carry her around bridal style while she sleeps! She probably was awake for quite a while before you figured it out! Then you announce that she's someone you'll protect! How can someone not fall for that you idiot! Don't you understand a girl's feelings!" Louise shouted, her face red. "You're my familiar! So why don't you do that for me!"
Zero looked at Louise. She was jealous. He recognized it. And he said about the only thing he could to try and defuse the situation, "Well, my 'master' has a little too much common sense to get into too many situations that require me to do so much. If my 'master' would kindly get herself kidnapped or something I would gladly rush to save the day. Although, if my 'master' is feeling quite tired by such a long and arduous day, this humble familiar could carry her to her room, as is her want" Zero said, bowing deeply to her with a flourish. He wasn't sure if this would irritate her, but it was about the only thing he could think of.
"Nevermind" was Louise's response, as they walked back to her room. She was almost tempted to take him up on that offer. But her noble pride would not allow it.
"Have I told you that you have a way with people, partner?" Derflinger mentioned, with a laugh as they followed her back to the room for the night.
"All the time, partner" was Zero's calm response.
"At least I don't have to worry about being bored with you around!" Derflinger said, laughing again.
***Author's Notes***
Yes the time line on this changed a little, but they didn't have the conversation as early as Saito had his in the anime. This was another character that i disliked on principle alone, and i couldn't see Zero being very nice to. The guy is basically a noble who does nothing but take advantage of those below him, and is despised by a bunch of characters. Nobody really does anything about it because he is a noble and his targets are commoners. For Zero to be confronted with the whole commoners can be used as mere chattel thing, yeah. That's not gonna end in a pretty fashion. Mott is lucky Derflinger was there. If he wasn't i don't know if anything anyone had said woulda stopped him. But being talked out of killing by his now "partner" and then demanding that if he did kill that he "Share the blame", Zero isn't the type of person who'd push his actions and blame on others. Zero does what Zero does, and has never tried to force anyoen else to do something. He's the type of person who would bloody his own hands, rather than soil someone else's. And he had agreed to use Derflinger in the fight. Zero saw a very large connection between Wiel and this guy, in that both felt above the "commoners", and didn't feel pity in how they used/discarded them, and that people who went against their "rule" were expendable, just like the caravan of humans headed to ground zero while fleeing Neo Arcadia. Someone like this is easily able to get a spot on Zero's kill list.
Zero is an adaptable person. He's understanding more and more about this world, and in this case uses Mott's "noble pride" against him with the wager. He does this less to get the money, and more to deprive such a wicked person of their life and money. Essentially a robin hood type tactic. But if he had his way, with large amounts more stabbing. As you may notice, he's getting more and more sensitive to the repression by the nobles. Early on in the series you do not see much in the way of good actions by the nobles. Saito didn't really have the power or resolve to stand up to the nobles though. Zero on the other hand does. This attitude will change a bit as more of the better ones are introduced later. The princess, Guiche in his less douche bag moments, and especially Louise once she stops with the insecure lashing out at people thing she does more at the beginning and less once she's The Zero(void), and not the zero(failure) will allow that the nobles aren't all bad. But he's still not gonna like the flaws inherent in the system.
And the reason that Zero blasted the floor is, once you charge your buster, you have to release it. Its pretty much the way it goes. So the charge he was intending to use to wipe Mott from the face of the earth, just created a shiny hole in the marble.
And I'd just like to make one comment on Zero now. Natural ladies man, and naturally oblivious to the fact that he is in fact, a natural ladies man.
I would also like to point out, that Zero has in fact been skipping his anger management classes it would appear. Plus I may have forced him to listen to Nonstop Nyancat for a few hours prior to this chapter.
Ah yes, I also caught two Saito's in this chapter as well. think i got em all this time.