Chapter 12
"So, what now?" Zero asked as he surveyed the battle scarred inn.
"We should probably move. We need to get that airship moving now, or we'll likely be open to another attack" Wardes said with a simple finality
"Makes sense. Lets go then" Zero said
"Zero, I'm thinking we should split our group. The larger a group, the easier we will draw attention from the nobles of Albion. Having a Dragon familiar along with us will also be something to attract attention. In our current situation that is not what we really wish for." Wardes said.
Zero looked at him, thinking over the logic the man had used. It made sense.
"No! I'm not going to let my beloved go alone into a war!" Kirche said, her shoulders square.
"You must see the logic behind this. The mission we are on has the very security of both Tristian and Germania at stake." Wardes said, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"I'll take care of this" Zero murmured to Wardes. "Kirche, Tabitha, Guiche, can I talk to you for a moment?" Zero said, as he walked to the other side of the bar. When they were surrounding him, he spoke softly. "I'm about to hold two conversations. Sound suitably shocked and or outraged when you should." He then continued louder,"You three, while capable, would probably slow us down. Louise, myself, and Wardes were given this mission specifically. Our skill sets as it were, are the ones that are required for this. Unfortunately, your skills while impressive in some ways, just aren't good enough for what we might run into." Zero appeared to be silent for a moment.
"What! How can you say that my darling! I love you, I truly do, so how can you speak so!" Kirche shouted, large unshed tears in her eyes.
"I suppose that was unkind of me. I suppose you would be useful if you were to perhaps keep an eye out here, and perhaps delay any that would seek to follow us. With the three of you, I'm sure you can do that without endangering yourselves. At least I would hope so" Zero said doubtfully. He looked down as he paused again.
"Rear guard?" Tabitha asked with an inclination of her heard.
"Exactly. I know you all want to help, but honestly, we need to move swiftly and with minimal attention. And delaying any attacks from the rear could be far more helpful than having us get involved in larger conflict because we draw too much attention," Zero stated.
"I see..." Guiche said, sounding disappointed, then perked up for a moment, "At least I will not be separated from my beautiful Beldandy!"
"Will you truly leave me behind?" Kirche said as she latched on to Zero's arm.
"Yeah." Zero said simply, with no emotion. "We have to get going before another group of mercenaries gets here. Without us here, they won't be looking for any of you either. I'll see you all when we return. I'm counting on you" he removed his arm from Kirche's grip and gave a knowing smirk. He walked up to Wardes who was standing with Louise, and said simply," And that's how you head off an argument"
"What?" Louise asked, bewildered at the reactions from the other three. While she hadn't heard much of the conversation except for the outbursts from Kirche and Guiche, She hadn't thought the three of them would leave so easily.
"I simply gave them another task. I made it seem very important. This way they don't fight staying behind, and in the off chance another mercenary group does show up, we'll have at least some extra breathing room" Zero responded.
"Very well done, familiar. That is exactly how we handle the upstart rookies from the highest of noble families," Wardes said laughing, "We should leave, before anything else comes"
***Break***
Zero looked at the supposed harbor. It was a huge tree, branching out in every direction. It had the size of a mountain. How tall was it? Zero wondered how old a tree like that had to be. As Zero took a closer look between the branches, the tree seemed to be holding something even larger. A huge fruit? He was wrong. It was a ship. It looked like a zeppelin, stuck between the trees.
"This is the 'harbor'? And... that's the 'ship'?" Zero asked in shock. Was this whole world really that backwards?
Louise replied in surprise. "Yeah... isn't your world like that?"
"Harbors and ships all stay on water in my world. We use more practical things for air transportation" Zero said simply.
"If there are ships that sail on water, there are ships that sail in the air." Louise said matter-of-factly.
Wardes ran to the tree's roots, which were as big and spacious as a skyscraper's lobby. They probably dug the middle out of a dead tree to make this.
It was night, so they couldn't see anyone. Between each flight of stairs were metal panels, with writing of some sort on them. Maybe station signs or something, Zero thought. At least these people figured out how to do something right.
Wardes began climbing the stairs in front of him.
One flight of wooden stairs was connected to another. There were scaffolding and supports on them, but they still looked worryingly dangerous. One could see La Rochelle's lights in the spaces between each flight of stairs.
In a rest stop midway, Zero heard footsteps behind them. He turned around, and a shadow jumped, flying over him and landed behind Louise.
It was the white-masked man on Fouquet's golem.
Zero pulled out his Buster and cried, "Louise!"
Louise turned around. The man picked her up the next instant.
"Ahhhh-!" Louise screamed. Zero raised his buster. But if I just shoot like that, I might hit Louise. And humans can't be repaired that easily. The man carried Louise and jumped much like a acrobat would, his body moving wherever he wished.
Zero stood still, waiting for the moment that he could take the shot. Beside him, Wardes waved his staff. The masked man was blown away, hit by Wardes' air hammer, and let Louise go. He held on to a support, but Louise fell towards the ground.
In an instant, Wardes jumped off from the platform, and dove towards Louise. He caught up with her and floated in the air while carrying her.
The masked man bent around, jumped on the platform, and faced Zero. He already had his staff out and was chanting. Zero released a bolt of Plasma into his face, dispersing the form before him, but not before he finished a familiar spell.
"'Lightning Cloud'!" Derflinger cried, recognizing the spell this time.
Zero pulled the sword out, attempting to guard too late, only managing to absorb a minimal amount into the blade. The rest hit his left hand, shocking him.
"Damn it!" Zero cried in pain. His left wrist felt like it was scorched and burned. After the shock subsided, he took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. The amount of damage that spell had caused was at least a third generation reploid! It might have been able to do some significant damage if he'd been hit more directly with it. All he had was some minor damage that would be repaired in only a short period of time. But damned if it didn't hurt.
"Zero!" Louise cried, watching her familiar take such a powerful magic attack. .
Louise struggled out of Wardes' grip and ran to Zero.
Derflinger spoke in concern, "That was 'Lightning Cloud'. Very strong wind magic. I blocked most of it last time, but you were too slow to use my partner."
"That hurt," Zero said, as he tried to flex his wrist.
Wardes looked to Zero's condition. "You were lucky to survive with just your wrist injured. That spell usually kills. Hmm... looks like your sword neutralized some of the current, but I'm not sure why. Isn't the sword made of metal?"
"No idea. I forget." Derflinger replied.
"Let's go. It doesn't matter now. I"ll be fine." Zero said, as he motioned for Wardes to lead the way.
Behind the last flight of stairs was a branch. On that branch, a ship... just docked there. It was shaped more like a yacht, perhaps to let it fly. The branch they were standing on extended all the way to the ship's deck.
They stepped on board, and a sailor sleeping on the deck climbed up. "Hey you! What are you doing?"
"Where's the captain?" Wardes asked.
"He's sleeping. Come back in the morning." The man replied frostily.
Wardes did not answer, and pulled his staff out. "You want a noble to repeat what he just said? I said get the captain!"
"A n-noble!" The sailor stood up immediately and ran for the captain's quarters.
After a while, he brought back a sleepy, fifty-something old man with a hat on. He seemed to be the captain. "What do you want?" He looked at Wardes suspiciously.
"Leader of Her Majesty's Mage Guard, Captain Wardes."
The captain's eyes bulged, and he switched to more formal words after learning his identity as a noble of high caliber. "Oh, uh... then, what services may this ship perform for you..."
"Take us to Albion. Depart now."
"Madness!"
"This is upon Her Majesty's orders. Are you going against the Royal Court?"
"I don't know what you're going to Albion for, but we can't depart until morning!"
"Why?"
"Albion's the closest to Tristainia in the morning! We don't have enough wind stones to get there from here right now."
"Wind stones?" asked Zero.
The captain gave him a weird look and answered, "Stones that store wind magic. This ship can't fly without them." He then turned to Wardes. "Your Excellency, this ship only has enough wind stones in store to travel the shortest distance to Albion. If we had more, we could have gone earlier. But for now, we cannot depart. We'll drop out of the sky while halfway there."
"I'll make up for however much you lack in wind stones. I'm a square wind mage."
The captain and his sailors looked at each other. The captain then turned to Wardes and nodded. "Then that's fine. You will have to pay, though."
"What's the cargo?"
"Sulfur. Right now, it's worth its weight in gold. The nobles have increased the price in desperation for security. To have that, gunpowder and fire elements are a must."
"Sell all of that to me at that price." Wardes said simply.
The captain nodded, perhaps with a devious smile. With the deal done, the captain made one order after another. "Leave port! Untie anchors! Set sail!"
The sailors followed orders, all the while complaining under their breath, expertly removing the ropes from the branches, climbing to the securing ropes on both sides, and released the sails.
Without the ties, the ship suddenly sank, and then floated again with the power of the wind stones.
"When can we reach Albion?" Wardes asked.
"We'll arrive at Scarborough Port tomorrow at noon." The captain replied.
Zero looked at the ground from the port side. The "harbor" could be seen between the huge tree's branches. La Rochelle's lights soon faded into darkness.
Louise approached Zero, and put a hand on his shoulder. "Zero, are you okay?" She worriedly looked at him.
"Just fine." He pushed her hand away. Louise's face reddened.
"What? But that was a powerful spell! You should be dead!" Louise shouted, seeing as Zero wouldn't even look at her. "And I got all worried about you..."
"You waste your worry on me. Derflinger saved my life. Told ya he was the right buy" Zero said, looking at her finally. "I'm sorry that I wasn't able to protect you. I let my guard down. It won't happen again."
Wardes approached them. "From what I heard from the captain, the Albion Royal Army near Newcastle was completely surrounded and is fighting an uphill battle."
Louise, clearly scared, asked, "What about Prince Wales?"
Wardes shook his head. "I'm not sure. He seems to be alive..."
"Wait... isn't the harbor completely taken over by the rebels?"
"Yeah."
"Then how can we contact the Royal Family?"
"We'll just have to fight our way out. It takes only a day on horseback from Scarborough to Newcastle."
"Fight our way out of the rebels?"
"Right. That's the only choice we have. They can't really openly attack the Tristainian nobility, I think. We'll have to find a chance to break out of their circle and run straight for Newcastle. All we have to think about then is riding in the dark."
Louise anxiously nodded, and asked, "Speaking of which, Wardes, where's your griffin?"
Wardes smiled. He leaned out portside, and whistled. From right under the ship came the sound of the griffin's wings. It landed onto the deck, scaring some of the sailors.
"Can't we just get to Albion on the griffin instead of the ship?" asked Zero.
"It's not a dragon. It can't fly that far." Louise answered. She wondered why Zero smirked when she said that.
Zero sat near the mast and closed his eyes. As he ran diagnostics, he finally realized something. His diagnostics were giving him readings about the encrypted data that it had always passed over before. This was the data that made both him and X the unique beings that they were. It wasn't all of it, but damn it. He wondered what effects this new information could have on him as he looked up at the night sky. After a few moments, he remembered something he told X once. There are things that can't be analyzed correctly as data. We have to feel. There are things that we can only feel... Was that still true? He shook his head, and closed his eyes once again.
***Break***
"Albion in sight!" the lookout bellowed.
Zero looked down again. All there was were clouds. Ground was nowhere to be seen.
Louise, who seemed to have been sleeping beside him, stood up.
"I can't see ground anywhere." Zero said.
"There?" She pointed up towards the sky.
"Huh?" He followed where she pointed, and gasped in shock. And here he thought he wouldn't be surprised again by this world he was in.
From between the clouds he could see dark land. It continued to expand under them. Mountains carved the landscape, and rivers flowed down them.
"Did that frighten you?" Louise asked him.
"Ah... I've... never seen anything quite like this before." Zero responded. He'd seen Sky Lagoon, but he doubted this thing actually was based on anything he could understand.
"Albion, the floating island. It floats in the air, just like that, usually over oceans. However, it passes by over the Halkeginian continent a few times every month. It's about the size of Tristainia, and it's nicknamed 'The White Country'."
"Why 'The White Country'?"
Louise pointed towards the island. "The water from the rivers flow off the island into the air, and while doing so become white fog, covering the bottom part of the island. The fog turn into clouds, which give Halkeginia its rainfall," Louise explained.
"If the water is always running off, how the hell does it replenish itself? I mean the water tables... Ya know what, no. I'm not even gonna try and figure that out. This is not going to make any sense in any sort of logical way I can think of." Zero said, sounding annoyed at how little it all made sense.
The lookout yelled again, "Ship approaching starboard side!"
Zero looked towards that direction. A ship was, as he said, approaching, and it was many measures larger than the one they're on. Cannons jutted out of holes on its port side.
"Ah... they even have cannons." Zero spoke his thoughts.
Louise frowned.
"Not good. A rebel... or is that a noble vessel?" Behind deck, Wardes and the captain looked at where the lookout was pointing.
Black paint signaled that the ship was made for war. Twenty or so cannons aimed at them.
"Albionian nobility? Tell us if they ship cargo like we do."
The lookout hoisted the signal flags as the captain told. The black ship did not respond.
The co-captain entered running, his face pale, and reported to the captain, "That ship doesn't have any nationality flags!"
"Then... are they pirates?"
"Can't be wrong! I heard they got really active after the rebellion began..."
"Run! Full speed!" The captain wanted to run from them as quickly as possible, but they were too late. The black ship began to sail parallel to them, and fired a shot directly ahead of them. The black ship's mast then hoisted a four-color signal.
"They're ordering us to stop, captain."
The captain winced in his decision. It's not like his ship was completely unarmed, but all they had were three movable cannons on deck, which were no more useful than decorations when up against a full broadside of over twenty pointed at them. The captain looked at Wardes for help.
"All my magic's used on the ship. We can only do what they say." Wardes answered calmly.
The captain mouthed, "There goes my fortune," and gave the order.
"Wrap sails. Stop the ship."
Louise, seeing the black ship fire a shot, closing in on them, and their ship stopping, held close to Zero, who only uneasily watched the black ship. Why couldn't anything ever just go right?
"We are pirates! Do not resist!" a man on board the black ship yelled with a horn.
"Pirates?" Louise was shocked.
On the black ship's port, men lined up with bows and rifles. They aimed and shot hooked lines, grabbing onto their ship's starboard. More strong men, about ten of them wielding axes and curved sabers, slid over the ropes and onto the ship.
"Zero..." Louise said silently. He heard her, and gripped the handle of his saber. The marks on the back of his left hand glowed. However, Wardes, who somehow appeared behind him, put his hand on his shoulder.
"They're not just armed barbarians, Zero. They have a lot of cannons pointed at us. If you want to live on the battlefield, you've got to accurately measure their strength and yours. They might even have mages on their side."
Wardes' griffin, which was sitting on front of the deck, was also frightened of the pirates and growled. Its head was then covered with blue-white smoke, and it fell onto the deck, fast asleep.
"A sleeping spell... so they do have mages." Wardes affirmed.
At an order, the pirates landed on their ship. One of them was dressed quite exquisitely. He wore a shirt that looked like it used to be white, but was dirtied black from sweat and lubricant. One could see his strong and well-tanned chest muscles in the shirt's openings. A patch covered his left eye. This man seemed to be the pirates' leader.
"Where's the captain?" He commanded in a rough tone, looking around him.
"Me." The captain, shaking but still trying to keep composure, raised his hand.
The leader walked to him in large steps, took out his saber and rapped it at the captain's face. "What's the ship's name and what does it carry?"
"Tristainia's Marie Galante. The cargo is sulfur."
A gasp came from the pirates. The leader laughed, picking up the captain's hat and putting it on his head.
"I'm buying everything on this ship then... the price being your lives!"
The captain shook in shame. Then, the leader noticed Louise and Wardes standing on deck.
"Oho, we have noble guests!" The leader approached Louise and raised her chin with his hand. "We have a beauty here. Would you like to be our dishwasher?"
The men made rough, low laughs. Louise slapped his hand, and glared at him like she was about to explode into flames. "Get off me, you low-life!"
"Oh, she called us low-lives! I'm so scared now!" The men laughed loudly.
Zero wanted to draw his sword, but Wardes stopped him, whispering, "Hey, familiar. You look like you just can't quiet down."
"I've killed more than them before," Zero said coolly.
"What's the use in raising a racket now? Their cannons and arrows would just kill us all." He paused, when Zero still looked as if he would attack the leader of the pirates, then said, "Don't you care about Louise's safety one bit?"
"Alright, boys, take them all away. We can get a hell lot of ransom for this!"
Zero was caught and imprisoned by the pirates. It seemed like the Marie Galante's crew had helped to take over the ship.
Since Zero's sword and Wardes and Louise's wands had been taken, they were allowed to keep their hands and feet unrestrained. Without their wands, mages, just like the weaponless Zero, were harmless, or so they thought.
In the background, one could see wine barrels, cereal sacks and gunpowder casks disorderly thrown around. Heavy cannonballs were piled up in the corner of the room.
Wardes explored the cargo with a great interest.
Zero sat down in the corner of the hold, frowning because of the pain in his injured arm. It was almost healed, but damn this was the worst part of it. Auto repairing electrical damage always sucked, because his body had to rebuild the fried connections, and he and he had to feel each one rebuilding.
Louise looked at Zero with a worried expression after seeing him in such a state. "...What? Just as I thought, the injury hurts after all."
"It's nothing." Zero said snappishly.
"It's not nothing - show me!" Louise forcefully gripped Zero's arm, and looked at his hand. She gasped in shock at how little damage she saw. "How? I was sure it looked worse than this before."
"I heal fast" Zero said simply.
"Oh..." Louise said. "I'm glad. But why make that face?"
"Its actually kinda hard to explain, actually. It hurts a lot, but that's because of the healing," Zero said to her. "I appreciate the concern."
An hour or so later, a stocky man came to the door, and passed a bowl through it, saying, "Rice."
When Zero, who was near the door, tried to take the plate of soup the man suddenly lifted the plate up.
"Only after you have answered a few questions"
Louise, whose eyes looked puffy, stood up.
"Ask."
"What business do you have in Albion?"
"Traveling." Louise said.
"You are a Tristain noble, why would you travel to Albion? Why would you be sightseeing in such place?"
"I do not have to tell you such things."
"Still pretending to be tough, despite being scared and crying?"
Louise turned her face away as the pirate started laughing. She grabbed a plate with soup and water to throw at him, but...
Zero took it from her. "Hey!"
"I cannot eat a soup made by such people!"Louise turned her face away again.
"It's not healthy to stay hungry." When Wardes said so, Louise took the plate of soup with a pouting face.
Two people ate the same soup from one plate, though in normal circumstances that would never happen.
"Zero, you need to eat too," Louise said.
"Actually we both know I don't really need to eat that often. You both need your strength more than I do." Zero said in a tone that she couldn't argue with. He thanked the two who were responsible for creating him for making him mostly solar powered, not that he couldn't tap into his micro fusion generator, but why waste it when he had no idea when or even if he'd be able to replace the fuel.
Wardes leaned onto the wall with a tired expression on his face.
After they had eaten, the door opened again. This time it was a thin pirate standing before them. The pirate looked at the three with piercing eyes and asked.
"Good evening, are you the aristocrats going to Albion?"
Louise did not answer.
"Oi oi, judging from your silence it's true. Although we do not look like that we respect nobles, thanks to the aristocrats our business goes well."
"But, isn't this a warship of rebels?"
"No no, though we are employed, we are involved in the fifty-fifty relationship with both sides. We are related to both factions. So how is it? Are you nobles? If it is true, then you will be let go free in the closest port."
Zero felt relieved. Escapes were always so damned annoying. Since Louise was an aristocrat everything could be settled peacefully then.
Louise, however, did not nod her head in agreement and kept on glaring at the pirate's forehead instead.
"How dare you have anything to do with those dirty rebels? Do not disregard Albion nobles. I myself am one of the noble families. Albion is still a kingdom, as the royal family is still a legitimate government in Albion. Because I am an aristocrat who comes here on behalf of Tristain, I am, in other words, an ambassador. Therefore, I demand an ambassador's treatment from you."
The pirate laughed after her little speech. "I'll go to report to the Boss then."
The pirate left laughing.
The door opened again, it was the same thin pirate.
"The boss calls."
The aisle passed up the narrow stairs and took the three to a splendid room built on the upper part of the deck.
The Boss... apparently, the chief of the pirates.
As the door opened, one could see a gorgeous dinner table and a pirate sitting at its end, playing with a cane that had big crystal attached on top of it. Seemingly, he was a mage himself. The Boss' room was very different from what one would expect from a pirate.
He looked intensively at Louise who entered the room. The thin pirate who had brought her there poked her slightly from behind. "Hey, you, you are standing in front of the Boss, so greet him properly." However, Louise just stood there glaring at the Boss as he smiled at her.
"Ah, I like a strong willed woman, you are not a child at all."
"I demand the treatment of an ambassador."
Louise, not paying attention to the Boss' words, repeated her demand.
"And what would be that message you are trying to give?"Asked the Boss as he ignored Louise's words."And did you say royal?"
"Yes, I did."
"Are you going to Newcastle? They will be gone tomorrow." The pirate said with a cold air of indifference.
"I won't tell you."
But the Boss spoke to Louise in a joyful voice. "Are you willing to betray the nobles? Otherwise, even if you are a mage I might not guarantee your safety even for considerable fee."
"I'd rather die."
"I'll ask you again. Are you willing to betray the nobles?"
Louise looked straight ahead. She crossed her arms, and put out her chest. However, Zero interrupted her before she could open her mouth."She told her answer already."
"And who are you?"
The Boss looked at Zero with a piercing glare. But Zero looked straight at the Boss, just like Louise did. "A familiar."
"Familiar?" the boss looked bewildered. "A human?"
"Seems so." Zero said nonchalantly.
The Boss started laughing. He laughed loudly.
"I knew that Tristainan nobles were weird but not so helplessly. Oh my, my stomach hurts." Said the Boss as he stood up laughing. Zero and the others were puzzled by the sudden change of atmosphere and looked at each other.
"Oh, I am sorry. As a noble I should properly introduce myself as well."
The pirate who was laughing loudly suddenly stood up straight.
He removed his black curly hair from his head. It seemed to be a wig. He also took off the black eye patch, and also removed his fake beard. Before them now was standing a young person with blond hair.
"I am a general of the Albion Royal Air Force and also the commander of our country fleet. Though to tell the truth this warship named "Eagle" is the only ship in our fleet. A powerless fleet. Oh dear, even people from the street could easily beat it." The young person bowed while introducing himself. "I am the prince of the Albion's Kingdom, Wales Tudor."
Louise's mouth opened wide and Zero couldn't take his eyes from the surprising appearance of the young prince of Albion. Zero had never had a good reveal like this. Whenever someone did this, it was usually an ally about to try and kill him. Wardes watched the prince with great interest.
Wales smiled with a charming smile and moved a chair for Louise to sit.
"Welcome to Albion, Ambassador. Now, let's talk about your message."
However, Louise was still speechless. She just stood there dumbfounded, unable to move.
"Why do I dress up as a pirate? To hide myself? No, the rich rebels sent a lot of support to the rebellion, and it is a basic war tactic to cut enemy's supply line. It was necessary so I had to dress myself like an undignified dirty pirate."Wales said laughing. "No, it was really impolite to treat an ambassador like that. But you have to admit you don't look much like a royal messenger yourself. And I never thought about support from other country's nobles. Yet I still should apologize." Even after Wales' words, Louise's mouth still kept opening and closing without uttering a single sound. She hadn't been mentally prepared to meet the prince so suddenly.
"We brought a secret letter from Her Highness Princess Henrietta." Wardes said while gracefully bowing.
"Ohh, from Her Highness. And you are?"
"Captain of Tristain's Griffin Knights, Viscount Wardes." After that, Wardes introduced Louise to Wales. "And this is the ambassador sent by Her Highness from the Vallière family and her familiar, Your Highness."
"Indeed! Such a splendid noble. And I only have my ten bodyguards to greet you, such a miserable greeting. Then, do you still have the secret letter?"
Louise panicking took out Henrietta's letter from her clothes. However, she stopped before giving it to Wales. After a few moments of hesitation she opened her mouth.
"B-but..."
"What?"
"Excuse me, but are you really a prince?"
Wales laughed. "Oh dear, you won't believe me even if I showed you my true face. I am Wales. And I am really a prince. I will show evidence then." Wales said after seeing the water ruby ring shining on Louise's finger.
Louise's hand was taken and the ring that shone on a finger was removed. The prince brought it close to his ruby ring. The two rings reacted to each other, shining with a bright light.
"This ring belongs to the Albion royal family, the ruby of the Wind, while that one belongs to Henrietta from Tristain royal family and is the ruby of the Water. Am I right?"
Louise nodded.
"Water and the wind make the rainbow. A rainbow which is formed between royal families."
"True, I am sorry for my impoliteness."
"Ya know, rainbows are based more on refractions of light. Just saying," Zero said, and was looked at oddly by all in the room. God damned backwards world he thought.
Louise handed Wales the letter and bowed.
After looking at the letter lovingly, Wales kissed the signature. Then, the seal was carefully removed, the paper inside was taken out, and Wales began to read.
For some time he kept on reading it with serious expression.
"Is the princess marrying? That beautiful Henrietta. My beloved... cousin."
Wardes bowed silently, with an affirmative expression. Wales dropped the glance to the letter again and smiled when the last line was read.
"Understood. The princess is informing me with this that she wants you to return that letter. And more importantly, the princess also hopes that I return a letter from her. Seems like it."
Louise's face beamed with pleasure.
"However, it's not in my hands right now. It's in the castle in Newcastle. I didn't want to bring the princess' letter to this pirate ship." Wales said laughingly.
"So, even though it's troublesome, please come with me to Newcastle."
The warship Eagle took Zero to the ragged coastline of Albion. They had been traveling for three hours and could already see the cape, a big castle standing on its very edge.
Wales explained to Zero, who was standing on the front deck, that it was the fortress of Newcastle. However, the Eagle did not head straight to the city, but instead sailed down the coast.
"Why are we going downwards?"
Wales pointed at the sky behind the castle where a huge ship was floating. However, it could not see their ship which was hiding on the other side of the cloud. "Warship of the rebels."
It could be described only as a huge ship - it was twice as long as the Eagle with an incredible number of sails, and it seemed like it was aiming for Newcastle port. With no warning it opened fire aiming at the castle. The first cannonball crashed into the wall and a small fire could be seen. The shock wave from impact could be felt on the deck of the Eagle.
"This ship named "Royal Sovereign" once belonged to the fleet of our country. Yet, when rebels took control over it, they changed the name to "Lexington". It was named in honor of the battlefield where those guys snatched the first victory from us." Wales said with a smile.
"This warship keeps a constant blockade of Newcastle from the sky. It shoots at the castle from time to time, not in order to do some damage, but just to annoy us."
"Hmm. A threat. Should I take it down? We wouldn't want Newcastle to fall before we get there before we can get the letter, do we?" Zero asked simply.
Again, all eyes turned to Zero.
"What did you just say?" Louise
"What do you mean take it down?" The young prince said.
"Eh, with some time to charge, and a little change to my configuration, I could probably punch a twenty foot hole in it. Or a few twenty foot holes in it. Nothing all that special" Zero said sounding as if it was no more arduous a task than simply doing the laundry, or perhaps dressing oneself.
The prince looked at the familiar,"Heh, a good time for humor I suppose. I like you friend, but if you look at it, It has one-hundred and eight cannons and really looks like a fire breathing dragon at times. The whole rebellion started from this ship. We can't match it, so it's better to sail through this cloud and remain unseen. We can reach Newcastle from the other side, as there is a secret port that only we know." Wales said, pointing to the now firing cannons, drawing the attention of both Louise and Wardes.
"Are you sure? We're moving out of my maximum range now," Zero said, and was amused by the gasps as they realized his armor had changed shape, and mass, while turning to a deep blue. It gave him an altogether more armored look, one that was reminiscent of his true partner. "What, is there something on my face?" He smirked even as he held his buster out, he felt it charging to full.
"Your armor, what happened?" Louise demanded.
"Just a small configuration change. A memory and good wishes from an old friend," Zero said, as if that explained anything at all. He released the charge at the airship, and was less than surprised to see the front end of it explode in a shower of wood. He was more surprised at the chain of explosions that followed, crippling the airship. Immediately the ship seemed to be drifting away from the walls, and a frenzied sort of action came over its crew. He had only meant for a warning shot.
"What the hell!" Wardes demanded, as Wales just stared at the damaged flagship that was now listing, with minimal control.
"Its nothing special. When my armor takes this particular shape I basically become walking artillery. Its useful, but not at all my preferred style of fighting. I can't move even a third of my speed in this. But it does offer some additional protection," Zero said as if nothing unusual at all had happened, while all the crew looked on in awe at the condition of the once proud ship.
Louise and Wales both just looked between Zero, and the airship he had just so casually crippled. It suddenly became pitch-dark when the ship went under the continent, as the landmass blocked the sunlight. In addition, they were still surrounded by clouds. They couldn't see a thing. Wales explained that rebels never went under the continent because traveling in such a way was dangerous.
"For Navigators of the royal air force it's easy to navigate by relying on topographical maps, using magic of light and measurements."
Wales laughed, the noble that does not know the sky is not an intelligent person. They sky was where battles were truly won or lost.
They sailed for a while and eventually reached a section which opened into black hole overhead. Illuminated by the magic light from the mast, it was really spectacular, they could see a hole six hundred feet diameter.
"Stop here for now."
"Aye Aye sir, stop here!" Wales' order was given to the still very energetic and lively crew. The sails were taken off and the Eagle started to drift right under the hole.
"Slowly increase speed."
"Aye Aye sir, slowly increase the speed!"
The Eagle rose slowly toward the hole. Following just behind was the Marie Galante that navigators of the Eagle had boarded.
Wardes nodded, "You are definitely not sky pirates, Your Highness."
"We are precisely sky pirates, Viscount."
Light could be seen inside the hole and that's where the Eagle headed to.
The warship had arrived at a secret port of Newcastle. Inside the huge limestone cave was covered with white moss. Many people were waiting on the quay. Ropes were thrown to the sailors to tie down the Eagle and finally the wooden gangway was attached.
Wales hurried Louise and the others to go down the gangway. A tall and aged mage approached them.
"Ha ha, wonderful military results, right, Your Highness?"
The old mage seemed to appear out of nowhere before the Eagle.
"Rejoice, Paris. Sulfur, it is sulfur!"
When Wales shouted so, around him gathered cheering soldiers.
"Ooh! Sulfur! This is for the honor of our guardianship!" The old mage began to cry as he was aging.
"I served for sixty years under the previous king... There won't be such happy days again, Your Highness. After the revolt happened it all turned into sorrow... Even with sulfur we won't make it..."
Wales laughed with a smile. "Even if we'll be defeated, we'll show the revolters the royal family's courage and honor."
"A glorious death. My old bones are trembling with excitement. It was reported that the rebels are going to attack the castle tomorrow. It's really all or nothing now, Your Highness."
"With our last breath we'll put their soldiers to shame!"
Wales and the others were laughing at ease from the bottoms of their hearts. Louise became worried after hearing the word defeat. In other words, they will die. Aren't these people scared of death?
"And who are these people?" The old mage named Paris asked Wales after seeing Louise.
"This is an ambassador from Tristain. She came because of an important business related to the kingdom."
Paris was surprised for a moment, what would the ambassador from another kingdom be searching for in those ruins? But soon a smile returned to his face.
"So you are an ambassador. Paris Chamberlain at your service, madam. It's nice that you came all the way to Albion. Though it might not be much, we will have a small feast tonight. Some small hope has been en-kindled in our hearts. We're unsure how, but a bright light consumed the Lexington, and damaged it severely. It was barely able to limp away." he said with excitement.
"That was thanks to our," Wales said, about to point to Zero when he was interrupted by Zero's obvious shake of his head. "Good fortune, and faith in the Founder," the prince said, wondering why Zero didn't wish to be recognized. "Come, I will take you to the resting place of that which you seek."
Louise and the others followed Wales to his room. The prince's room was suited behind the kitchen room and it was rather ordinary looking.
A wooden bed, table and a pair of chairs, as well as a painting on the wall that illustrated a battle scene.
The prince sat on the chair and opened a drawer of the desk, inside of which was a little jewelry box. The prince his necklace off.
A small key was put into the lock of the little box and Wales opened it. Henrietta's portrait was lying in there.
Wales, who had noticed Louise looking at the box, spoke embarrassingly. "Strongbox."
There was one letter inside. It seemed to be from the princess too. Wales took it out with love and read it. That letter looked older than it should from being constantly re-read.
After reading it Wales gently folded it and put it into an envelope, then he handed it to Louise.
"This is the letter I got from the princess. I am returning it as well."
"Thank you."
Louise received the letter while bowing deeply.
"The Eagle will take you back to Tristain tomorrow, as we won't be using it in the battle."
Louise opened her mouth decisively after looking for some time at the letter.
"But, Your Highness... What did you have in mind when you mentioned a glorious defeat?"Louise asked with hesitation.
Wales answered very easily. "It is so. My army has three hundred men while the enemy force has fifty-thousand. There is no chance of victory. So let us at least die in glory."
Zero laughed loudly,"Three hundred. A good number"
"Do you find something about our situation humorous? ," Wales said, an edge to his voice.
"No, simply the numbers. Back home, there was once a battle between the three hundred from Sparta, an ancient city state. They Faced off against the massive host of a man who believed himself a god. I might not be a historian, but I did like some of the histories on battles and war."
"What happened to those three hundred?"
"Though they died to a man, they brought the fear into the opposing army, and saved their country. Something about you all remind me of that old story. Not just the number, but the fact that you're willing to fight on in the face of despair. I believe I'd respect you for just that quality alone," Zero said, with a smile on his face.
Louise looked down."Your Highness, do you truly mean yourself when you talk about dying in battle?"
"Of course. I will die as well."
Louise's shoulders dropped when she bowed deeply to Wales. She had more things to say though. "Your Highness... Forgive my impoliteness, but there are a few more things I have to say."
"What do you want to say?"
"What is the content of the letter?"
"When the princess gave me this task she looked like she was worrying about her lover. And in the box there was a portrait of the princess, and seeing the gloomy face after you kissed and read the letter... Are you and the princess..." Wales smiled. He guessed what Louise wanted to say.
"Do you want to say that cousin Henrietta and I have a love relationship?"
Louise nodded.
"It seems so. Forgive a surprising impoliteness. If so, the content of this letter is..."
After putting his hand to his forehead and making a gesture, as if worried for a moment about what he should and shouldn't say, Wales spoke.
"A love letter. Just like you guessed. Foolishly, if this love letter were to be passed to the imperial household of Germania as Henrietta informed by letter, it might become a great threat. In the letter she is swearing eternal love for me in the name of Founder Brimir. It is like an oath when marrying, love sworn in the name of the founder. If this letter is brought to light, she will be accused of committing the crime of bigamy. The emperor of Germania is sure to break off the engagement with the princess who violated the rules. Then, there would be no alliance. Tristain might be politically ignored by other countries' noble families."
"So princess and Your Highness were in love with each other?"
"It's an old story."
Louise spoke to Wales in a feverish tone. "Your Highness, return! Return to Tristain!"
Wardes abruptly put his hand on her shoulder. However, this did not stop Louise.
"I beg you! Please, come to Tristain with us!"
"It cannot be done." Wales said with a laugh.
"Your Highness, I disagree. Princess Henrietta would think so as well! Didn't it say so in the letter? I have known the princess since our childhood, I know very well how she thinks. My Princess does not desert the people she loves! Your Highness, you didn't say it, but I am sure that the princess told you to run away as well!"
Wales shook his head. "There is not such line written."
"Your Highness!" Louise kept on pressing Wales.
"I am from a royal family. I am not lying. There is no telling by the princess for me to run away in the letter, I swear it by my honor."Wales spoke as if he was in pain. It seemed like Louise's words hit him rather hard.
"Henrietta is a princess. She has to give priority to the country rather than me."
Louise understood what he meant with that. Even if Wales liked Henrietta, it would never be supported by other nobles in his situation.
Wales tapped Louise's shoulder. "You are a honest girl, Vallière. You have honest, clear and kind eyes."
Louise looked down lonesome.
"But let me give you some advice. It's not too good for an ambassador to be honest like that."
Wales smiled with an attractive smile.
"However, you are a perfect ambassador to a ruined country like ours, as the government that will be destroyed tomorrow is more honest than anyone, since it doesn't have anything to defend besides its honor."
After that he pulled something out of his pocket. From the shape and running arrow it seemed to be a clock.
"Ahhaha, it is time for our little party. Since you are the last guests of our kingdom, I would like you to attend it as well."
Zero and Louise went out of the room. Wardes stayed behind and bowed to Wales.
"Oh do you have some more business, Viscount?"
"There is one favor I would like to ask, Milord."
"Ask."
Wardes whispered into the ear of Wales, who smiled.
"Ah such a lovely request, it will be my pleasure."
***Break***
The party was held in the castle's hall. The king of Albion, James I, sat on the throne, and watched the nobles and vassals who had gathered through narrowed eyes.
Though the following day everyone would die, it was still quite a feast and the table was filled with various treats.
Zero and the others were watching this colorful party while standing in the corner of the hall. "They put all the troubles of tomorrow behind and are trying to enjoy the present."
Wardes nodded in response to Zero's words."Yes, they behave joyfully."
When Prince Wales showed up, there were some enthusiastic sighs between the ladies. It seemed like he was popular not only as a prince but as a handsome man as well. When he approached the throne, people started whispering.
James I tried to stand up straight and greet him, but because of his old age he staggered and almost fell down.
Some laughter could be heard from the hall.
"Your Majesty! It's too early to fall!"
"Indeed! Save that for tomorrow!"
James I wasn't insulted by such comments, and smiled. "Don't worry, it's just my legs were numb from sitting for so long."
Wales came closer and supported the king's body with his. There were a few more chuckles.
"You. I will tell all of you brave and loyal vassals, that tomorrow 'Reconquista' is planning to attack our Newcastle with their full force. You followed and fought bravely for this incapable old king, however tomorrow won't be a battle. It is likely to be a one-sided slaughter. Let's endure it and show our bravery for one last time. Perhaps we will be surprised. I'm sure none were as surprised as myself when I saw the Lexington, formerly one of my proudest ships, burst into fire as if smote by the very hand of the founder himself!" The king coughed loudly, after that he continued talking. "But it might be asking too much for all you to die. Thus tomorrow morning the warship Eagle will take all women and children and the ones who chose to leave to a safer place further from this forsaken continent."
However, no one answered. One noble loudly informed the king.
"You Majesty! We are waiting for the order! Whole Army Forward! Whole Army Forward! Whole Army Forward! Since our hearing is so bad tonight I doubt we will be able to hear any other orders!"
All the people in the hall nodded.
"Yeah! What would others say if we were to run away?"
"It's too late to retreat, Your Majesty"
"It's alright! We will continue to serve the king like we did years before! Tonight is a good night! The founder has blessed us with a wonderful moon and warm night! Let's enjoy drinking and dancing for tonight!"
With this everyone returned to the feast. The three guests from Tristain attracted a lot of attention. The nobles didn't seem to be sad or worried, they playfully kept on joking and offering wine or food to the guests.
"Ambassador! Try this wine! Tell us which country's wine is better!"
"Here! Try this! It's Albion's special - chicken with honey, will make you healthy and strong for sure!"
Albion kept on having fun! Even in the end. Zero became melancholic. The people who acted joyfully at the face of death looked more sad than brave. Louise seemed to have felt it more. She couldn't endure the atmosphere, shook her head and ran out of the hall. Wardes followed her.
Zero sighed, as he looked at the moon. Should he fight with them? They would definitely win. But would fifty thousand be too many deaths on his hands? What was it all worth? Wales saw Zero acting this way and came to him from the center of the hall with a few nobles following him.
"This boy is Miss Vallière's familiar. However, it is very unusual for a person to be a familiar. Tristain is really an unusual country. And he is an unusual young man. One could say, a very unusual man," Wales laughed while saying so.
"My situation is unusual in Tristain as well." Said Zero tiredly.
"Feeling down?"
Anxiously, Wales looked into Zero's face. He still felt pain in his arm and seeing people preparing for their death was depressing as well. While he respected their decision, he still had to wonder. Suddenly Zero stood up and asked Wales. "Sorry for asking... But aren't you scared?"
"Scared?" Wales looked blankly at Zero.
"Aren't you scared to die?"
Wales laughed after hearing Zero's words.
"You are worried about us! Us! What a nice boy you are!"
"If you die its over. With death, nothing can be decided. Believe me, I've died more than my share of times. In the end, I've realized living is the hardest thing to do. But you choose death because if you do not, anywhere you go people will be in danger. And I can't figure out what to do." Zero said. Humans couldn't be repaired. They couldn't return from their sacrifices. They only had one life, and once they sacrificed it, that was it.
"Died more than your share of times? No, I won't ask. Instead, I will tell you, I am scared. There is no person who would not be scared to die. It doesn't matter if you are a noble or commoner."
"Then why?"
"It is because I have something to defend. Something that makes me forget the coldness of the grave."
"What do you defend? Honor? Fame? Those are foolish things to die for." Zero said with louder voice.
Wales answered with distant eyes.
"The aristocrat faction 'Reconquista' is our enemy that tries to unite Halkeginia. It hangs to the 'Holy Land' ideal. It's good that people have such ideals, but it shouldn't be brought about with force and blood. All countries would be ruined."
"However, is there no chance of victory any more? What's the point of dying here? Maybe you can find other means to defeat them later... Only once you truly give up does a battle become impossible to win," Zero stated, sounding far older than he looked.
"No, we should at least show off a glimpse of courage and honor to other nobles even if is not possible to win, we can show that Halkeginia's royal families are not a weak enemy. Even though they do not seem like they will throw away the ambitions of 'Union' and 'Recovery of the Holy Land' anytime soon."
"Why?" Zero asked. Damnable religions. Why did they always lead people down this path. Why couldn't people use them for guidance, and not as tools to justify their own ends?
Wales declared decisively. "Why? Easily, it is our obligation. The obligation of those born in the royal family. The obligation imposed on the royal family to defend the kingdom to the very end."
"The princess of Tristain loves you. Did you forgot her letter?" After Zero's words, Wales smiled recalling it.
"Because of love, sometimes it is necessary to pretend not to know. Because of love, sometimes it is necessary to let go. It would only give others an excuse to invade Tristain."
"I understand. Perhaps I shall take to the battle field with you tomorrow. You have seen only a small amount of what I can do." Zero said simply.
Wales gripped Zero's shoulder and looked straight into his eyes."No. You are not of our nobility. There is no need for you to die. No matter how strong you are, against a force that large you would eventually be brought down." He sighed, then looked at Zero, "Don't tell this to Henrietta. No need to worry her pretty face with unnecessary worries. She is like a pretty flower. Don't you think so too?"
Zero nodded. She indeed was a beautiful princess. Her kindness and gentleness made him want to protect the man in front of him. Wales wouldn't change his decision because of that. That's what Wales' eyes said.
"Just tell her that Wales fought bravely and died bravely. That will be enough."
Wales returned to the center of the hall after saying that.
Zero left the feast, and asked the waiter where his room was.
After he was told, someone tapped his shoulder from behind. Zero saw Wardes when he turned around.
"I have to tell you something."
Wardes said in a stony voice.
"And that would be?"
"Louise and I will hold a wedding here tomorrow."
Zero's body froze. She had said that she wasn't going to marry him!"At such a time? Why?"
"Because we want to ask the brave Crown Prince Wales to act as go-between of our marriage. The Crown Prince pleasantly agreed. We will hold a ceremony before the decisive battle."
Zero became silent, and nodded.
"Will you come?" Wardes asked.
Zero shook his head.
"Then you can leave with the ship tomorrow. Louise and I will return with a griffin."
"Didn't you say the distance was too far for a griffin to fly?" Zero, asked, suddenly weary.
"Only if you would fly fast without resting. A griffin can easily rest in flight if its just gliding. Unfortunately, to get here would be almost impossible." Wardes answered. "Well then, I need to go now."
"Alright." Zero's shoulders dropped. Damn it, nothing was going as it should. Was this whole damned world really that rotten, that the only good people he'd met, would die like this?
Zero was walking through a pitch-dark passage. The moon was shining through an open window giving just enough light for his eyes to adjust.
There was a girl who walked alone in the moonlight. She had long pink hair... Tears that looked like pearls were falling down her white cheek. Zero looked quietly admiring her for a while, such a beautiful but sad face.
Louise turned around and noticed Zero, who was standing there looking at her. Her eyes were wet even though she had wiped them.
Her face became sad once again. When Zero walked up to her, she leaned into his body, as if losing all her strength. "You are crying, why..."
Louise didn't answer, but pressed her face into Zero's chest.
He embraced her firmly. Zero, at first, was puzzled by Louise clinging to him. He wasn't used to these kinds of things. However, she sobbed like a girl, and it felt like Louise clung to him very dearly. She was hurt and he felt sorry for her. However, what does this mean? Louise probably clung to me because I was here by chance- like a girl clinging to a stuffed animal. It is not me but Wardes that is really important to her. Still, Zero said nothing and patted Louise's head in an awkward way with his hand. Her head seemed so small that it fit in his palm.
Louise spoke while crying."No... Those people... Why, why did they chose to die? Even though there is the princess... Even if Wales loves her... Why does Crown Prince Wales choose death?"
"He said that it was to defend someone important."
"What is more important in this world than the person you love?"
"I think perhaps, this might be the only way he can protect the person he loves."
"I will persuade him! I will persuade him again! This can't be the only way!"
"Maybe not. but it doesn't matter does it? To him, he knows that they'll only come after him. If he flees, they will follow. If they follow the one he loves will die. Believing this, he will not allow himself to flee." Zero stated sadly. He sighed.
Louise muttered while tears kept on streaming down her cheeks. "...I want to return soon. I want to return back to Tristain. I dislike this country. These foolish people and its unreasonable prince that leaves everything for the sake of honor."
Though Louise sometimes acted tough, she was still a girl. Louise could not understand Wales' world. But Zero understood her as he thought the same way as well.
"Louise," Zero said silently.
"What?"
"Do you have anyone you love? Truly?"
"I... Love Wardes," She said, her eyes turning from Zero's face.
"Hmm. Then, if you knew that you would cause his death, would you stay by his side until you caused that death?" Zero pressed.
"What? What type of question is that?" She demanded.
"Answer. Would you stay by his side, knowing that you would be the cause of his death, the cause of his pain. Would you be that selfish?" He asked silently.
After a long pause, she looked at him, and said softly,"No."
Zero sighed, as he looked at the moon. Nothing at all was going right. What he wouldn't give to see X again. He was the one who was always good at dealing with people and their feelings. He never had a good grip on his feelings. All he ever had was his cool facade. The maverick hunter, the resistance fighter. He'd never taken the time to look below that, even as himself. Because whenever he did...
"I understand. As soon as we return, I will search for a way to send you back to your world." Louise said while hesitating. Apparently, she misunderstood his sadness. However, Zero thought it was good to let it be this way.
"...It's alright even if you don't help."
"What?"
"I mean, you will marry soon, so you shouldn't bother about searching for a way to send me back."
"What? Don't tell me you are worrying about that? You're still thinking about words I said in the La Rochelle hotel? It was an agreement with my father and his father. As a noble, I have no real choice on the matter. Its not like anyone would want a failure of a mage and noble like me anyhow. I should consider myself lucky." Louise turned her face away from Zero.
"It's alright. I will look for the way to return alone, so you should marry, and live a happy life," Zero said simply.
"What a selfish thing to say, you are my familiar! Defend me until we can find a way to send you back!"
Louise said and intensely stared at Zero.
"I cannot defend you. You will be married, and unfortunately, i do not believe you can have things both ways. Wardes should be able to protect you." Zero said quietly.
"Remember what happened on this journey?" Louise asked
"What do you mean?" Zero asked.
"I know you're the one who killed the mercenaries. I don't know why you hid it, but i know it was you. You protected us there, you defeated Fouquet and that other mage twice. You defeated the Mercenaries that had everyone taking cover behind a table. You did that. Nobody else. You're my Zero!" she yelled at him.
"Even if they say I am the legendary familiar 'Gandálfr'. It doesn't matter. Even if I have this power, me being there with you married will simply get in the way of your life."
Louise's palm struck Zero's cheek. "Liar!"
Zero spoke without changing his expression. "Let's separate from here on Louise. You return with the viscount by griffin while I return with the Eagle. When I get back, I'll look for the way to return to my world."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"Idiot!"
Louise shouted. Tears started running from her eyes again. Still, Zero didn't answer. He just watched Louise tremble.
"I hate you! I hate you!"
Zero muttered while veiling his eyes. "I know."
Louise turned on her heels and ran down the dark passage. Zero patted his cheek. While no damage had been done, that blow had hurt him more than his it should. He was less than surprised to feel the tears running down his cheeks.
***Author's Notes***
Well Since WeepingIsis asked so nicely and I'm in a good mood, here is my friday update. I'll probably post another on saturdayish.
When i mention the third generation, i'm going by the different times in the series that they mentioned a "new" type of reploid to replace the old. The third if i recall correctly, was the generation that was based off Axl. So that's actually significant. Zero's training with his normal weapons nearly cost him an arm there since he didn't pull out Derf in time.
Zero used his X armor. I never used it much because i loved his melee, but some levels when stuff swarmed ya while jumping 4 bullets works alot better 3 bullets even if it kills your saber skills..
And holy crap. Did Zero just admit in a round about way that all his suicidal attacks, and sealing away of himself was the "easy" way out? We have a breakthrough.
Also, Wales is officially at least semi retarded for not accepting Zero's help. He saw what he did. Unless he has a reason...
Zero: Why the hell is Louise getting married to that jerk? There's no reason for it! Damn it, am I the only person who's not blinded by stupidity? Damn nobles!
Well, Wardes is purposely goading you. After you took out what is probably the most powerful flagship this world has ever seen. In one shot. Pride comes before the what?
Enjoy the chapter.