After Roll had shifted back into her normal clothing, and everyone else had gotten ready for the trip, Kirche came out of the forest with Zero in tow. Some conversation could be heard from them as they drew closer to the group.
"What? I had every right to run! Nobody listens to me, and I know all to well what that black armor can do!" Zero protested.
"I listened, didn't I?" Kirche replied with a smile.
Zero stopped for a moment and looked at the girl. "Well. Yeah, I guess you did." Zero admitted as he looked back at the girl. "Although you won't listen when I try and explain to you why you should find a nice human boy."
"Oh, I do listen to you Zero. And believe me, what you say makes a great deal of sense." Kirche assured Zero with a smile, then said,"But does it matter if I listen to you if my heart does not wish to hear your words? My heart feels what it feels regardless of what my mind should know. So there is nothing I can do. My heart wishes your happiness with another. While you are unattached, I wish that person to be me. But if you choose someone else, I will be content with that. I refuse to allow you to live alone like this, all because of your past. Do you understand?"
Zero just looked at the girl and shook his head. "No Kirche, I don't. You're the one... Nevermind. This is just going in circles..."
"That's right. So just give in and accept it Zero. No matter what, I'll make sure you'll be happy, if we have to force it upon you or not. You won't escape us...Am I clear on this?"
Zero blinked as he processed that statement, then replied in a deadpan,"Ya know... That's... the first time I think I've been threatened with happiness..."
Kirche shrugged and continued walking as Zero followed her back to towards the gathered girls and children.
***Break***
The group made their way through the forest slowly, the children all excited about the trip, with Siesta having explained that it was an adventure with a Hero like Zero. That it was like a storybook type of affair, and that they'd be able to see the world they had been unable to before now... The children were almost unable to contain their excitement, often times encouraging the older girls to move faster much to Zero's amusement. While had expected Siesta to deal well with the children, Kirche's positive attitude with them was a welcome surprise. As they made their way out of the forest a loud cry could be heard and then a shadow passed overhead. As Sylphid landed in front of them the children cried out in fright as the creature stood there making excited "Kyu" sounds.
Tabitha walked up to it lightly tapping it on the head with her staff. In a quiet voice she said,"Careful."
Zero walked up to the dragon and cocked his head to the side. While staring at it his eyes narrowed. "Huh...Hey Tabitha..." Zero trailed off as he noticed Tabitha's already pale complexion turn even whiter.
Tabitha's eyes widened as she watched Zero then murmured,"Secret... Later..."
With a nod Zero let it drop, but he was curious as to why the dragon had so much magic around it. It also seemed somewhat linked to the 'void' magic he felt around Louise and Tiffania... but somehow still different.
Kirche, seeing the children's fear of the wind dragon moved close to it and placed her hand on it's head. "This is Sylphid. She's Tabitha's familiar, and the nicest dragon you'll ever meet. Even if she is a little bit excitable." As Kirche rubbed the ridge above her eyes Sylphid crooned, pushing Kirche a little bit as she leaned into her. Kirche giggled as she commented,"She's rather like a large, flying cat in temperament really."
Watching the girl pet the excited dragon, the children forgot all about their fear and one by one moved over to the dragon who lowered her head to look at them. Soon enough, they seemed to come to an understanding and the trip began, the children riding the dragon while the older girls walked. Tiffania couldn't help but smile at the laughter of the children. Perhaps this wouldn't be such a bad thing for them after all...
***Break***
As the group entered the port city of Rosais, the children's eyes all grew wide as they surveyed the area, and more accurately the giant airships that were there. On the outskirts of the town, Kirche and Tabitha had elected to fly back to Halkeginia by themselves unsure if the ship would have the room to house a dragon... But it turned out that it was an unneeded concern... Most of the ships were lined up near the iron tower of the port, including merchant ships from each of Halkeginia's countries, as well as a number of warships, but only one had the Tristian flag flying, and it was unfortunately a massive ship that stood out among the rest. It was the Varsenda. It's vast size made even the iron tower look paltry in comparison.
"That's our ride, isn't it?" Zero asked with a sigh.
"Good eyes. Yes, that will be the ride for our princess's beloved Knight-Captain Zero. She has missed your presence greatly." Agnes replied with a hint of a smile. She couldn't help but laugh as the children started talking at that. The fact that Zero was a noble was one thing, but that he knew a princess seemed to be a rather large bombshell.
"You're purposely doing that aren't you?" Zero asked her as he glared at her.
"Aww, what makes you think that? You're acting like I'd do something like that."
"Well, you did ask me if I thought it would be funny." Derflinger commented.
"Really? I don't recall that conversation." Agnes said with a smile.
"What a great ship we have!"Kirche said as she admired the large dragon carrier.
The gangway descending from the side of the deck was connected with the pier post of the iron tower.
Agnes muttered to herself."Though it was said that they would send a ship for us...but I did not truly think they would send the Varsenda itself. I had thought the princess had been joking."
"I swear to god if there is a parade or some crap for me when I get back you will not be able to catch me. I can out run you all." Zero said looking at Agnes.
"Don't worry. I wouldn't tell you if there was," Agnes replied with a smile.
"So that ship was really sent just for Zero?" Tiffania asked from under her large hat.
"That is right. Zero is such an important person. The privileges of rank surely are impressive aren't they?" Agnes replied easily, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
"I never asked for this title. As a matter of fact I objected fairly strongly." Zero said sourly. After a moment he turned to his summoner and asked,"Hey Louise, you're a court lady, right? Maybe she sent this thing for you?"
"No. I haven't told the Princess about going to Albion. In truth, I've not talked to her since i've returned from the war... Anyhow for me alone, such a ship would have never been used. Just think how much it would cost just to move such a thing?"
"Damn it, I was afraid of that." Zero replied as he sighed. "I swear to god if there is a parade or some sort of stupid new 'order' of knights or some crap that I'm supposed to command... None of you can catch me. I'll jump out a window if I have to."
"What on earth was Henrietta thinking about? Doing all this for my lazy familiar?" Louise muttered darkly at Zero's attitude.
"I have no idea. But at least the kids will all fit comfortably on something that big." Zero replied, trying not to laugh at the glorious understatement he had just made, as he looked at the ship as they started drawing closer to the tower.
Agnes, the girls, and the children followed Zero up to the base of the tower, at which point Zero knelt down and picked Mathilda up out of her chair and proceeded to carry her up the tower, eventually reaching the docking commander of the warship met him as he stepped forward."Are you Zero?"the man asked with some distaste.
"The one and only."Zero replied with a shrug.
The commander of a warship looked at Zero suspiciously. He couldn't figure out why the Varsenda was sent to pick up such a commoner. While he wore fine armor, the young man didn't have any visible wands nor a cloak. Though Zero had been on the ship before, he had not met with this captain, who replaced the previous one who had left to fill one of the many positions on the general staff for the military with the loss of all of the generals in the ill fated campaign, therefore the captain was unaware who Zero was, nor his reputation. He did not recognize him in his current armor which looked nothing like the one that was said to be worn by the man who defended the fleet. Eventually the commander of the warship could do nothing but salute Zero, who was Her Majesty's guest. "On behalf of this warship, I welcome you. The safety of your cruise is assured." The officer said stiffly, before he guided Zero and the others to a luxurious suite, likely one of the ones used for the former generals. Then, the commander of the warship gave out a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"We're going to need a few rooms." Zero stated as he looked back at the man.
"We weren't told of any additional guests. We do not have the accommodations ready for such a group." The man said disdainfully, looking at the rabble that he was being forced to transport.
"And? I know the layout of this ship. I was on it before as part of the damned general staff. I know you have the facilities for them, so you WILL find rooms for them." Zero said coldly, as he glared at the man.
"You forget yourself, guest or not!" The captain said hotly, angry that such a commoner would be honored by the princess, and talk to him in such a way. It was completely unforgivable.
Louise stepped forward and flashed a familiar document to the captain. "This is my identification. The young man is Zero Wily, Knight Captain under the direct order of her Majesty. He is also the man responsible for the destruction of two armies. I advise against you provoking him when he is simply trying to act in an honorable fashion, else I shall be forced to report to my dear princess that the captain of this fine ship need be replaced."
The captain paled at that. He knew exactly what that document implied. While it was unsaid, this girl before him could either take command of the ship from him as if she were the queen herself, or that the young man would remove him from his station quite permanently! "Yes ma'am." he muttered, backing down immediately.
"Mathilda, Tiffania settle in in this room. You too Louise." Zero said as he surveyed the room.
"But... But there is only one bed..." Louise objected.
"It's three times the size of the one in the village, and since I won't be sleeping in it, it will be fine. But considering what you and Tiffania are, and who Mathilda is I'm not letting any of you out of my sight until everything gets sorted out."
"Sir, it really shouldn't matter. The flight will take less than half a day to reach Tristian. It is the optimal time for travel after all." The captain put in, hoping to stop the bickering so he could get this all over with.
Louise wanted to object but couldn't think of any acceptable reason after what the captain had said.
"Well, lets go take everyone else to where they need to be Captain. Oh, and captain, there is a wheeled chair at the base of the tower, we need someone to bring it up here." Zero said too politely as he followed the captain with the ten children and the other girls.
And so they were guided to a room where the rest of their luggage was placed.
"Such a commanding presence. Even if you weren't a noble, people would probably listen to you." Agnes noted.
"Yeah, well, I've had experience making stupid people listen to me. And those that don't, normally end up doing what I say anyhow." Zero replied nonchalantly.
The group was taken to a small row of rooms on the port side of the ship, with some small circular windows that the children did their best to look through. Agnes flopped onto one of the seats and closed her eyes. When everyone was settled in Zero made his way back to his room. As he walked in Tiffania ran up to him, crying. Looking up at him, she asked in a desperate voice,"I'm... I'm not a freak am I? Am I really so different?" Zero looked at her, puzzled, unsure what she was talking about. When Zero didn't reply Tiffania grasped his hands and placed them on her breasts. "They're not that wierd are they? They're not unusual right?"
"I-uh..." Zero's mind shut down momentarily. The girl who he had been saved by, that had reminded him so much of someone else was holding his hands to her chest. To her very large chest. He tried to focus his thoughts, but found himself distracted by them. A low growl alerted him too late as a chair was thrown from where Louise had been seated a moment ago... As Zero turned to face her as he stood up and couldn't help but mutter,"Half a day... not even a whole day... I can survive this..."
***Author's notes***
And I'm back with a short chapter. This is the official end to the search for Zero. chapters 50-60 are almost done so should have regularish updates.