In Tristainia, capital of Tristain, inside a workroom, a seventeen year-old queen closed her eyes in silent prayer. It was fairly cold in the workroom, where all useless decoration were taken away, giving it a feeling very like that of a mausoleum. In the center of the room, wrapped up in a black dress and covered with a thick veil, Henrietta was kneeling. In front of her stood a small altar, decorated with a small image of Founder Brimir inside. Founder Brimir's image looked like it was a mold for Halkeginia's advent. His hands extended wide as if opening the door, an abstract image. It was not easy to see him as merely a person. The drawing the Founder's traits in detail was considered disrespectful, therefore none truly knew what he looked like now. While she was silently praying, she heard someone knocking on the door.
"Your Majesty, it's me." It was Cardinal Mazarin's voice.
At first she went to grab the wand and recite the "Unlock" spell… but then Henrietta shook her head, placed the wand on the table, stood up and unlocked the door.
Mazarin, entered Henrietta's workroom, and apologized as she puckered up her brows. "Were you in the middle of work? Forgive my impoliteness."
"It is all right," Henrietta answered sullenly.
"I'm not so sure about that. You were praying from dawn till evening. Even if I go somewhere or come back, it's still the same." Mazarin watched her coolly. The rumors that, after the Albion invasion, Henrietta prayed all day long were true.
Henrietta tried to explain herself. "This powerless Queen can do nothing but offer her prayers."
"Why you are dressed up in black? White suits Your Majesty much better."
"It's a war. Many officers and men have fallen. I'm mourning their loss." Henrietta replied sadly.
Mazarin, shifting his eyes in embarrassment, reported to Henrietta. "Yesterday, our allied forces captured Saxe-Gotha. This way, our positions in Londinium were secured."
"Please send my congratulations to General de Poitiers." She replied in a dead voice.
After a moment's pause, Mazarin replied,"Certainly. Although there is one more thing..."
"Bad news?" She guessed.
"That's right. The allied forces demand the replenishment of their food stocks. It is necessary to send more at once."
"But, based on the calculations, it will take another 3 weeks to do so. Should they not have replenished themselves of Saxe-Gotha's granaries?" The princess asked confused at the turn of event.
Mazarin looked at the report in his hand, then said in a grave voice, "Saxe-Gotha's resources were emptied. Our army even had to provide food for the local residents."
"Are our enemies worried about the food as well?" Henrietta asked, looking worried.
"No. The purpose behind this action is to make our army worried. They foresaw our food shortage and took all the food from the residents to make it harder on our army. They understand all too well what an offensive war takes, and just how hard it is to ship materials to their nation. They know the weaknesses and advantages of their own land after all."
"That was cruel." Henrietta replied, wondering if the nobles had thought of their own people when they took their food? Not that she was one to cast judgement.
"It is a war my Queen. They are ugly by nature."
Henrietta nodded. "Please make the arrangements."
"Certainly. However… the state of our treasury is making us more and more worried." the Cardinal stated.
"And the Minister of Finances?" Henrietta asked
"He is conferring with the Gallia ambassador."
"Gallia?" she asked, some surprise in her voice.
"A debt application. It takes a lot of money to fight like this. This is why I had pushed for sanctions..." the Cardinal answered cautiously.
Henrietta watched her own hand. Then she said in strained voice. "We have to win. So, we only to have to win. We will return money from Albion's purse then."
"Though the day when that purse is obtained seems to be drifting away a little."
"What?" Henrietta's face became cloudy. Bad news seemed to favor this side.
"An enemy request for a truce came."
"Truce? For how long?" Henrietta demanded "Until they choose to attack us without warning?"
"From the day after tomorrow, until the end of the Advent Festival. It is custom that between Advent Festivals the war also takes a break." The cardinal replied.
The Advent Festival continues till the tenth, the biggest festival in Halkeginia. Because the Advent Festival starts during the first day of the new year… it would start after another week or less.
"Fighting will stop for as many as two weeks? No! Custom or not, we shall not falter! Zero warned me of this type of action. If threatened they will use a truce so that they can take the option to attack at their leisure just as the broke their previous truce! They tried to attack the Academy of Magic and take all those children hostages! I shall defer to my Knight-Captain's experience… He knows far more of war than either of us!" Henrietta declared vehemently.
"Although it doesn't inspire confidence, we don't have much to choose from. We still need to bring over the food. Until then, the army cannot move." The cardinal pointed out.
"Then attack Londinium for another week! All fleets! All troops! We still have our trump cards! The void and its familiar!" Henrietta pressed Mazarin.
The Prime Minister gave some advice to the enraged Queen, "Your Majesty. Soldiers and generals are also people. Overworking them will not lead you anywhere. Though I understand that you want to reach a conclusion soon… concede on this point, please."
Henrietta held herself back and hung her head."…I said too much. Please forget about it. You are right about it all."
After immediately signing the peace treaty, Mazarin stood up, but stopped at the door and turned around."Your Majesty, when the war ends, take these black clothes off; they do not suit you."
Henrietta did not answer.
Mazarin said in a gentle, father-like voice. "Let it be, you can not handle the grief of the world alone..."
After the Cardinal left, Henrietta let out a sigh."Aah. What I am saying – Louise my trump card? I am far too cruel... Do I truly deserve to be called a princess?" She muttered in a sad, silent voice. "…For this goal, I am changing an important person into a tool."
***Break***
In Saxe-Gotha, the third day after signing, the truce with the Holy Republic of Albion came into being. Inside the room of the inn that the allied forces had taken over, Louise sat in front of the fireplace. In four days the new year would begin. Then, the Founder's Advent festival would start. Though the war had not ended yet, the town was wrapped in strangely restless atmosphere. No, war may be the reason why they wanted to act so loudly. For the people of Albion it could be the only chance to relax. The truce period was like a present from the Founder, and Saxe-Gotha's citizens as well as the Tristain and Germanian soldiers, wanted to enjoy themselves to the fullest. People, dressed up in various colorful clothes, strode cheerfully through the town. Because Albion, the floating continent, was located six-thousand feet in the air winters were sudden and harsh. A skinny person like Louise was exceedingly sensitive to the cold. She experienced Albion's winter for the first time. All wrapped up in a blanket, she trembled in front of the brightly burning fireplace.
Louise called Zero, who was sitting alone, away from her, doing something. "It's cold, isn't it? Why don't you come in front of the fireplace?" There was no answer. Then Louise recalled their recent fight. She was still annoyed at Zero's comments about how foolish the princess had been. Drawing her mind to the present she looked over at her familiar and asked, "Just what are you doing over there?"
Zero looked at her then back down to the map he was looking at in his hand. "Simple, I'm planning my recon. I doubt the Albion forces are going to do anything honorable like stick by a truce."
"But their emperor is a former clergyman. He wouldn't dare break this truce." Louise reasoned.
"If he can twist the thought of 'victory for the founder' or some other stupid justification he can and will. Unfortunately people are just too damned stupid to figure this type of thing out." Zero said as he made a few more marks. "Its alright, I've done solo warfare before. Its not like it is dangerous. And if I'm wrong, it will all equate to a long hike where I get to see more of this place. If I'm right I'll save a good deal of lives" Zero said absently as he finished placing points on the map.
"What about the festival?" Louise asked plaintively.
"Don't care about it. We're at war here, even with the truce. If I let my guard down now people could die." Zero replied coldly.
Louise looked at Zero, and shook her head. When he got like this he was more professional than her mother... She'd never thought she'd meet someone who was a better soldier than that indomitable woman... "You don't need to do this Zero. They have posts and soldiers watching. They have our dragon knights and manticore doing air surveillance. There is no real reason to fear that they will make a surprise attack because it won't be a surprise..."
Zero looked at her and sighed. "Who knows, they might have some trick or something under their sleeves."
"Zero, its fine. Your best use could be to stay here..." Louise said as she searched for a reason..."Because if they do spot something, you and Axl could ride his wind dragon to wherever you need to be with no delay. The wind dragon is faster than you..."
Zero looked at the girl and nodded,"Okay, you got me there. let the others scout, I'm the artillery."
"Stop doing that! You're not just the weapon for people to use! I'm going to hit you if you don't stop saying that," Louise pouted as she yelled at Zero and walked up to him batting him upside the head a few times with her fists.
"Alright, alright," Zero said laughing. He didn't even know it was possible to pout and yell at the same time, yet here his summoner managed to do both perfectly.
"Now, come to the fire! Its cold out!" Louise said imperiously as she turned, swirling her blanket around her as she returned to sit in front of the warming flames.
"In a bit. I'm going to go for a walk." Zero said as he stood up. "I'll be back soon." he said as he walked to the door and closed it behind him.
Eventually Louise became restless. She took up a piece of firewood which was placed near the fireplace and started to peel it apart.
"Gloomy way of killing time." Derflinger spoke up from where he was propped up against the bed.
"Shut up! If you don't want me to be gloomy, tell me how I can get his attention!" Louise demanded.
"Love." the sword replied in a sing-song tone.
"What?" Louise asked, her face blank.
"Say, 'I am in love with Zero'!"
"I can't say such things! He ignores it when I do manage to anyhow..." Louise spoke hesitantly.
"So you're just going to give up?"
"I-it's not that…" Louise hesitated.
"Well, then, aren't you in love?"
"I know I am! Anyway, I am saying that I want to say, that I am not saying that I am saying..." She trailed off as she awkwardly finished. Even she didn't know what she was saying at this point. She wanted to pull out her hair in frustration. "Idiot! Worn-out sword!" she yelled at Derflinger.
"If you are like that, then pushing him down is out of the question, right?"
"That's a splendid idea." Louise grated out between her clenched teeth.
"Really?" Derflinger asked, sounding hopeful.
"Splendid. Stop joking! What kind of idea is that, for a master to push down! Seriously…" Louise grated out as her hands balled into fists.
"You won't push him down?"
"It's out of the question! Stupid!"
"Aah, but being pushed down by a loving partner, and then embraced tightly... I could tell how much you enjoyed being carried around by him in the battle, even if he couldn't" Derflinger commented.
With a scarlet blush on her cheeks, Louise cast her eyes down, and said in a tiny voice. "…That, c-could you talk about something else?" she asked.
"Then push him down." Derflinger countered.
"I-I don't want to do that! Seriously! I'll only embarrass myself. Besides it would be hard to push Zero down."
"So you say." Derflinger replied knowingly.
"Anyway, I am La Vallière's third daughter. I can't be the only one saying such foolish things! Really. He is the one who should love me! I admit, it would feel nice, though. Do you understand?"
"I understand… you are troubled by obstacles…"
"Anyway, faster, teach me of another way!"
"Make love."
Louise slowly stood up, and started to cast a spell. "I won't blow you up. I'll melt you. Answer now, without joking. Do you have anything else to offer?"
Derflinger trembled.
"What?"
"It's very hard for me to think. I'm just a sword. Legendary." Derflinger replied.
"Because you are legendary, you should be more attentive to remarks."
"No words are good enough, if your unbreakable pride obscures the true depths of your feelings." Derflinger said sagely.
Louise stepped back, thought for a while, and nodded. "…What you said, is probably true. Though you are a sword you can understand a human's inner thoughts."
"It's because I lived so many years among them. And worked with them. It comes naturally. Now then, speaking of your situation…"
Louise and Derflinger discussed for a while… deciding upon a sure strategy.
***Break***
Zero sat down on a bench in a central plaza of Saxe-Gotha, watching people passing the road. Soldiers of Tristain and Germania, and citizens of Saxe-Gotha all passed with lamplights. The allied forces that occupied the streets walked proudly thrusting out their chests. As it was a truce period, they got drunk, cut loose, and ran after young girls, and ended up being shouted at by noble officers.
However, faces of citizens of Saxe-Gotha, unlike people of defeated countries, did not seem very sad. Sure, they were not pleased by the fact that their town was flooded by additional people. Yet, the aristocratic faction of Reconquista, the present political power in Albion, was not in particularly good standing at the moment. Because they delivered food, the allied forces seemed to be accepted as a liberation army of sorts.
Though the rampart was partially destroyed, damage to the urban area was avoided as much as possible, so there were hardly any loses for the town and citizens. Considering the war's end and the start of the anticipated Advent Festival, citizens were smiling broadly.
Zero looked at the people around him and thought 'In this happy town, the only dark face is mine.' Then he stared at the rune on his left hand. Suddenly thoughts of a certain blond haired girl filled his thoughts. Somehow he wanted to show this place to Ciel... She would have loved the way the children ran and played, the overall plenty that there was... The nature, the homes, everything. Thinking this way, he seemed to grow even more lonely. The nostalgia hit him again as he thought of how Allouette would react to having other children around to play with. The closest thing she had to playmates were the cyber elves... Zero recalled the various trials she had been forced to cope with in his world. In this alien world… in the foreign town of this foreign country that he had not gotten used to, nostalgia filled him suddenly.
Distracted by these thoughts a voice called him from behind,"Zero!"
Zero turned to the voice and noticed Kirche, who was wearing her characteristic clothing. "Aren't you cold?" he asked as he wondered how she could stand wearing her normal clothing when it was this near freezing.
"Of course not, my passion for you forever warms me, but if you would share your warmth with me..." She let that trail off as she wrapped her arms around Zero's neck and leaned into him.
"Hey, cut it out Kirche." Zero said as he gently tried to remove her.
"No, I'll not lose to Louise. For she has already had you in her bed, I must triumph here as well! And during this brief time of truce it is the best of times!" She replied as she pressed her assets against his back nuzzling him.
"Hey, what are you talking about?" Zero demanded in surprise.
"Don't play coy with me. She talked all about how much you hate when she sucks on your skin. Apparently you don't like having yourself marred like that, although you're the warm and gentle kind of lover..." Kirche murmured.
"Seriously, what the hell are you talking about. The only time anything even remotely like that happened was with that whole incident with Monmon and that potion!" Zero said, almost shouting.
Kirche stopped nuzzling Zero and then lifted her head,"Oh? Really? Why would Louise lie about it then?" Then after that she laughed,"I suppose what she said wasn't really a lie... Just a selective telling of the truth... A clever and cunning rival indeed..."
Zero sighed as he felt Kirche continue her nuzzling. "You can stop that now..."
"Don't want to..." She replied
"Hey Zero, charming the ladies as usual hmm?" Axl said as he happened on to the scene.
"Axl, prybar please." Zero struggled out.
"Oh no. No no, this is far too hilarious watching you suffer like this." Axl said with a grin on his face.
"Hate you... Hate you both..." Zero said as he felt even his face start to heat as Kirche's assets came into his view.
"Hate is but one side of love. If you hate me that much, you can take it out on my body!" Kirche said as she pressed his face into her chest.
"What is going on here?" Another familiar voice wondered.
"Ah hey Roll. I'm watching Zero get molested by a school girl. Isn't that just so backwards having the school girl molest the old man?" Axl asked with a laugh.
"Kill you, kill you so hard." came a muffled reply from Zero.
"Oh, keep talking, that feels wonderful darling!" Kirche replied in a teasing manner.
"Kirche I think you should let go before I retrieve my broom..." Roll said in an even voice.
"Is that the one you managed to beat the hell out Zero with?" Axl asked curiously.
"One in the same, yes." Roll replied sweetly.
Kirche reluctantly let go at that. "You wouldn't do anything like that, right? I'm trying to simply get Zero to understand my true feelings for him!"
"There are better ways than that..." Roll muttered.
"Yeah. But you can't do that outdoors, at least not if there are people around!" Kirche replied, as if explaining to a child.
Axl just looked at the girl for a few moments before realizing that she was serious. "Zero I hate you, words can't express how much I hate you... I just want you to know that right now."
"You're acting like I asked for this!" Zero replied heatedly
"It doesn't matter. We're all here, so how about we go and enjoy the festival?" Axl said happily, "Ya know what they say, you live only once! Except you Zero."
"Ha ha, very funny," Zero replied.
"What does he mean by that?" Kirche asked Zero who just smirked and shook his head.
"You're not gonna tell them?" Axl wondered.
"No more than you're going to tell them about that embarassing incident in Giga city." Zero replied simply.
"Righto, lets go get some good food and totally forget about any of the things mentioned!" Axl laughed nervously as he tried to shift the subject gently.
"Well, if we're going to do that, we should go grab Louise." Zero said, knowing that his summoner would be angry if they all went out without her.
***break***
Meanwhile, Louise, under the guidance of Derflinger, developed operation "Win Zero's Heart".
Following Derflinger's instructions, Louise bought various materials from the inn's shop.
"This! You must be joking!" Louise screamed at the sword.
"It's not a joke. It's a proper strategy for my partner."Derflinger said in a serious voice.
"But why as an animal? I'm a noble, a noble! Understand?"
"Because of your high-handed status, how else you are going to do this?" The sword asked reasonably.
"So you think turning into a familiar helps?"
"That's right. It's a great strategy. 'Zero, I'm sorry for my how I've treated you at times... For today, I'll be your familiar, you can do whatever you wish!'" Derflinger said, imitating Louise's voice. "If you were to say 'Please' in such state, then maybe partner, as he is rather simple in these regards, would finally push you down?"
Louise shook her head and said. "But not looking like this animal. Why a black cat?"
"A black cat is the most popular familiar. Therefore, a black cat is fitting. It is a comprehensible. What is important is comprehension."
Louise's cheeks blushed, while she stared at the black cat costume material, lined up in front of her. "Well at least I will make these parts by myself." Louise took out the sewing set that she borrowed from the inn, and some fur, leather, and strings started making "black cat's clothes", as Derflinger said. While grappling with the fur for a while…she completed the black cat's clothes, not that there was much to them. Though Louise had zero talent in sewing, somehow she still managed to make such simplistic shapes. In fairly short order the clothes were completed, and Louise went near the mirror, to witness the destructive power of the black cat's costume."W-what's this? With such clothes I would embarrass myself before everyone!" Louise cried out as she felt her face heat.
"It suits you well," Derflinger said in a composed voice. "Besides I don't think you'd only wear them before everyone. Just partner, right?"
"Why ears?" Louise shouted while pointing to the object on her head, which imitated cat's ears. It was also cut out from black fur and attached to the top of her head.
"It looks nice."
"But what about these clothes! Lewd! It's lewd!" Trembling, Louise pointed at her image in the mirror. In short, only the key parts of her body were covered with black fur.
Tight black-fur cloth was rolled around her breasts. She wore furry panties too. And, like socks, bits of fur were placed around her ankles. The tail, made from similar materials trailed behind her.
"No, every part of your black cat costume is splendid." Derflinger said in a proud voice. "I can't believe it, but somehow it has transformed you! I doubt partner can ignore this no matter what he says!"
"What? Just a look at it makes one's head boil!" Louise said in a painful voice. She now regretted listening to the sword.
"Exactly! If you wear this then his head will boil and you'll easily capture him. Your body is young, it starting to originate a wild charm with that costume. Partner will be trounced."
Louise suddenly stopped.
"This is flirty attire, right? Partner will instantly jump on it."
"N-not of that sort. Stop joking." While saying so, Louise began making poses in front of the mirror. Not fully convinced. Fidgeting her fingers hesitatingly, she bent over tilting her head, then, with both hands on the floor, she turned around and tried out a sobbing pose.
"What? You want to be jumped on?"
"N-no! T-trying out, I'm just trying out! Honestly! I just feel uneasy!" Eventually Louise became pleased with the pose. "Ah, it's nice. Cute." She said finally. And received an agreement from Derflinger.
"Good. Stick with it." the sword said calmly.
However, once she finished calming herself down, her embarrassment kicked in again. "I-it's impossible after all! Impossible!"
"That pose is made of victory, I'm sure of it!" Derflinger cried as she slipped to her knees covering her front with her arms, giving her an air of honest modesty and embarrassment.
"Even so, hey… But somewhat, hey… I, a duke's daughter… legendary… As expected… I can't do such a thing." Louise stumbled over her words.
"I tell you, all those other girls are willing to do things like this, but they don't have my wisdom to guide them! This is the only way you'll win!"
Louise made no remark as she continued to look at her form in the mirror.
"Just do it for one single day. Use a woman's important charms for this one day, and you can capture his heart."
"…But."
Derflinger used the trump card. "Do you want to lose to that maid?"
Louise's eyebrows shot up. "What? Lose to whom?"
"No, nothing to worry about! As expected from 'Void'!" Derflinger said quickly.
"It won't happen. That m-maid will be the one to lose." Louise replied hotly.
At that moment. The doorknob of the room turned.
"Aah, partner came back." Derflinger said happily.
Louise breathed deeply, in-and-out, stood up in front of the door.
"Remember, noble's daughter. Leave your pride behind, be charming. All right?"
"I-I know!"
The next moment, the door swung open.
Louise blushed, squeezing her eyes shut, bent, forced herself to not cover her breasts with her hands, placed the thumb of her left hand under her lips, put her right hand on her hips, and screamed out the words previously decided with Derflinger. "Y-y-y-you are my master for today! You can do whatever you wish!" Then Louise waited for her partner's reaction.
However, there was no answer. It felt like eternity. What? Rejected? The heat of anger boiled in Louise's head. "Say something! I won't wait forever!"
Then, Louise opened her eyes… however it wasn't the sight of Zero that greeted her eyes.
"Zero, I don't know how you do it, and I hate you. I hate you so damned much." Axl complained as he threw his hands up and stormed off.
"Ah... My rival! Yes, I see it now, my true rival! So cunning, such a wonderful and beautiful plan! I approve, but don't think I'll lose! My counter to this shall be even greater!" Kirche said as she also left, leaving just Zero and Roll to look in after the other two had left.
"Ah...that's..." Roll couldn't say anything although she knew her face had turned red.
Zero just looked at his summoner in disbelief. He hadn't expected her to do anything like this. He knew that even his face was red. This was just too much...
Louise screamed,"No!" as everything caught up to her and bolted to her bed hiding herself behind the covers.
Although everything calmed down, there was no reply. Confused Zero picked up his sword and asked Derflinger. "Wha-what happened? Why is she a cat girl?"
"Well, that masterpiece…" Derflinger started to respond, but was interrupted as the blanket was thrown up, and Louise, who completely forgot about her black cat's clothes she was wearing, flew out of the bed, slammed the sword noisily back into it's scabbard and silently returned back to the bed.
"I uh... I think I'll be leaving you two alone..." Roll said as she excused herself from the room, closing the door behind her.
Zero could only stare at the girl who was barely peaking out of the covers, her cat ears and her pink hair the only part of her she hadn't covered up with the blanket. Somehow, he could only see Kirche somehow trying to top this...
"Y-you still haven't responded..." Louise said hesitantly from behind the covers.
"What?" Zero asked with some surprise.
"Will you have me as your familiar for the day?" Louise asked quietly.
"Why are you doing this?" Zero asked her calmly.
"Because...You don't understand, you won't listen... I'm trying to get you to understand that I love you... I'm willing to give up everything including my pride as a noble..." Louise answered, her voice almost breaking.
Zero looked at her and shook his head. walking up and sitting down next to her he placed his hand on top of her head. "You don't need to do anything like this. I know you care for me, but I also know that you deserve a real person. I mean, you couldn't have a child with me. You couldn't have a normal life... In fifty years, I'll still be who I am now..."
"I don't care!" Louise replied heatedly,"I love Zero anyhow."
Zero shook his head and sighed. "Alright, alright. I'll think about it, alright? That's all I can promise... But war isn't really the best time for this. We need to stay focused on the mission... So that we can make sure we come back at the end..." Zero said, and as soon as the words had left his mouth he had his arms full of an excited Tsundere catgirl...
***Author's notes***
Okay, before the rants, i'm just gonna say. Zero, you poor daft bastard. Not only are they out to get you, but within 2-3 chapters a giant F-U is coming your way. Straight from yours truly. Because I know you did it.
Zero: Didn't do it. You can't prove it.
Both of the rants are things I've covered before, but apparently not well enough. Time to fall back on good old enlisted maintainer tact.
First thing I'd like to say, I'm certainly not trying to be rude, but I'm not taking requests to do stories. I have three active stories I'm working on that are on site, and a few other projects. But yeah. Please stop the PM's with the requests. Also, PM's, please send them in English. Those translator sites make it annoying to try and figure out what you're saying or mean. If you have a story idea you want to bounce off me, I have no problem helping with that, but I tend to think up enough of my own ideas and struggle trying to run with them without attempting to .
The second point I'd like to bring up since a number of people seem to think that having a robot dropped into this story would panic everyone, or that they'd be smart enough to figure out that they're not human. This has nothing to do with intelligence, this has to do with people's view of the world. The very same view of the world that took a rocket launcher and classified it as a staff, while its true build is that of a portable one use artillery weapon. Go look up a rocket launcher image, then a staff image and tell me how easily you can tell the difference. Then consider that these people as a whole obviously could not figure out even the basics of such a "relatively" simple weapon(Osmand, Colbert, Fouquet, Louise, Tabitha, Kirche and likely MANY others). Now, after considering this, look back to ancient times, when you had some of the most brilliant minds of the time figuring things out and relating them as "facts" because they didn't know better. The world was flat, rotten meat gave birth to maggots(But you had to remember to leave air holes if you put the meat in a jar, or else they'd die before birth because of lack of air). Now, you take a humanoid robot that is self sustaining, has intellect and the ability to interact(if not very well in some cases) with humans, as well as a strange rule set... What are you more likely to believe, some sort of warrior with a magical item, or robotic entity with an artificial intelligence that can cause destruction on a scale that nobody in this world can imagine(literally. With probably 25 million people in the whole FoZ world, nobody can imagine that it would take Zero less than 6 days to kill everyone. EVERYONE. ) Throw in the pride and inability of nobles to register or believe that anyone who can't use magic has the ability to be "equal" to a true noble. Looking at how Saito literally destroyed the golems of Guiche, apprehended Fouquet(Triangle mage), and fought Wardes(Square mage) not once, not twice, but three times(Counting the wind Wardes). Saito, a fairly regular commoner showing up nobles left and right, doing crap that's completely impossible, but they still wrote it off by the resident nobles. Zero does the same level of things, if a bit more often, without the aid of the rune. But since the majority(Pretty much everyone including his own summoner) don't know anything about circumstances behind the rune or what it really does until a little later, and it doesn't come out wide spread till after Saito dies. All that amazing crap he did? Written off. At most it was attributed to the rune. Which Zero has. Explaining how they can point at his special capabilities and just dismiss them. And there you have it, this is my explanation for how this all fits together, and I know that it is rather blunt. I'm not going to explain it again, so I wanted to be crystal clear on this.
To those that didn't need to read the rants but did anyhow, and even those that needed to but did anyhow without throwing a hissy fit, Thank you very much for reading and have a good night.