When Tabitha woke up, she felt like she was in a dream. She was on a bed with a canopy, right at the center of a spacious room. She was dressed in luxurious pajamas that she had never worn before, not even during her times as a princess. Tabitha looked for her glasses, and then noticed a pair of glasses studded with precious stones on a small table beside the bed. They were lying there on the table. Putting that on, she checked her body. She could not feel anything strange at all. Looking around, just like the bed and the accessories, the furniture around her was luxurious as well. It was the furniture of the previous Capet dynasty. The generation during which Gallia had been known to have achieved the peak of it's artistic and military splendor.
"Have you woken up?"
Tabitha turned towards where the voice came from, and there was the tall elf. Sitting on a couch near the entrance to the room, he was reading a book. Instantly, she looked around for her wand, but it could not be found anywhere. If this is the case, she had no way to fight against him. Tabitha got down from the bed slowly. This place was definately not a dream definitely, since the elf who defeated me so easily is here, this is but the prolongation of my punishment.
"Who are you?"
"Member of the Old Council of Nephthys... no, right now, I am but the Bidashal of Sahara."
"Where is this place?"
"Alhambra Castle."
The knowledgeable Tabitha knew the name of this castle. An old castle near the national border with Sahara, the elves' land. Its position was at the direct opposite of Ragdorian Lake. It looked like she had been brought there whilst she was still unconscious.
"Where did you put my mother?"
Tabitha repeated the same question as the other day. The tall elf replied her instantly.
"She's in a room beside here."
Tabitha rushed out. Although she had run up to the door, the elf did not stop her. The room in which Tabitha was sleeping at was apparently a room designed to give shelter to nobles. Opposite the door, there was a small room for servants. Her mother was lying on a bed there.
"Mother."
Whispering that, she rushed up to her. Her mother was snoring softly. Although Tabitha called out to her, she did not wake up. At the mirror stand at the corner of the room, there was the doll Tabitha's mother thought to be her daughter. A doll she once bought for her. During that time, she named that doll "Tabitha". As mentally infirm as her mother was now, she called that doll "Charlotte". Since then, she called herself "Tabitha". The doll which was like her other self, was lying casually on the mirror stand.
With great loathing, Tabitha glared at Bidashal who had peeked in from the door. In a crystal-clear voice, he said to Tabitha. "You're creating a ruckus, please let her sleep."
"What do you plan to do with us?"
As if he was looking at a desert rat he captured for experimental purposes, with eyes that contained little pity, Bidashal gazed at Tabitha. "There are two answers to that."
With Bidashal's words, Tabitha understood that her fate would be different from her mother's."What are you going to do with my mother?"
"Nothing at all. I was only ordered to 'guard' her."
"What about me?"
After hesitating for a moment, Bidashal continued in the same tone as before. "With the power of the Water Spirit, I will let you part with your heart. After that, I am ordered to 'guard' you."
Tabitha understood instantly. This elf was saying that she would be made to be just like her mother. "Now?"
"It is a special drug. Its preparation takes about ten days. You better enjoy the time left for you to the fullest. You normally would not know when your life will be pulled up short... So at least you know that you have until then to make your peace."
"So it was your people that made the drug which drove my mother crazy?"
Bidashal nodded. "That drug which is so strong; we are not able to prepare it easily. Well then, although I pity you, I am also a captive-like being as well. I think this is the will of 'The Great Purpose' too, so give up."
Tabitha stood up, and went towards a window in the room.
Under the radiant sun she could see the collapsed castle walls. Alhambra was supposed to be an abandoned castle, but when she looked at the furnished noble room, she thought that Joseph had probably renovated it for her, as a single painful reminder of all that she had lost because of him. She did not know if her eyes burned with anger or sadness, but it didn't matter. Not anymore. As she surveyed the world outside the window she noticed that her view was blocked by the castle walls. She couldn't see the courtyard until the outside of the castle, but she was able to look down at the huge entrance protruding from the castle keep. Soldiers wielding lances and rifles were standing there. Although she did not know how many armed soldiers they were, since she did not have her wand, it was impossible to escape with her mother. In a hesitant voice Tabitha asked,"My familiar?" when she realized that Sylphid was not anywhere that she could see.
"That rhyme dragon? It escaped."
Apparently, he was able to see through Sylphid's true identity with just a look. It escaped. Tabitha was relieved that she was told that, but... Sylphid would surely inform those people at the Academy of Magic that Tabitha was captured. Tabitha bit her lips. Kirche and Zero's faces came to her mind. She did not want them to think of things like trying their best to save them. Because she did not want to be a bother, she did not tell anyone about her departure at all, even if it meant her lying to Zero again. But... it should be okay not to worry about that. Anyhow, the one who had captured Tabitha was Gallia. Coming to save her would be the same as looking for a battle with the whole country. Kirche or Zero would not think of taking such a risk. Especially Zero, isn't he a knight of the Imperial Guard now...Wasn't he restrained? But, if it was Zero, he probably wouldn't mind taking such risks. But then, she wasn't like Tiffania. She had injured him. She had betrayed him. She had lied to him. Why would he take on the world to protect such a pathetic creature as she? She still could not figure out why he hadn't moved upon her final attack. He had absorbed the dmage she had meant for herself. At her straying thoughts... Tabitha shook her head slightly.
Thinking about things like coming and going in such a way, huh...
Perhaps, she did want them to come to rescue her. But even in that case, it was impossible. She was always alone. She knew that now. It was her life, and it was useless to wish for it to be otherwise, no matter what she wanted. That was the truth of reality. The time left for me is only a little. After that, I will lose my heart due to the elf's drug. The Ancient Magic of the elves; humans can't do anything about it. Then, will I be like my mother? Will I finally be able to rid myself of my wand... Of the bloodshed that follows me... Although she was about to lose her heart, Tabitha was strangely calm. No matter how I struggle against this elf, I definitely cannot win. Even when I had my wand, I could not succeed, so being unarmed now... our difference in power is too great. There is nothing that I can do. Having gone through countless battles until then as a Knight of the Northern Parterre, Tabitha excelled in analyzing battle abilities. Her excellent sense as a warrior told her the foolishness of resisting. Tabitha's cold heart was enveloped in a sense of helplessness she had never felt before. That sense of helplessness ripped off even the last bit of emotion she had- Anger.
Wearing this soft, resigned garment in her heart, Tabitha softly bit her lips. "Being controlled by the feeling of such strange things, she could go to the same place as her mother." She felt this small bit of relief.
Then, Bidashal told Tabitha. "If you are bored, read a book. I have brought a few here."
Bidashal pointed at the few books stacked in a row, which was apparently brought from the mansion of Orleans.
"This 'The Hero of Ivaldi' book is really of great interest." Taking the book he had indulged in at the old mansion of Orleans, Bidashal murmured.
The Hero of Ivaldi is the most popular epic tale in Halkeginia. Receiving the divine protection of Founder Brimir, Ivaldi the Hero used swords and spears and defeated various enemies- dragons, demons, demihumans...Because the original script no longer existed, besides the plot and the characters, it had branched off into innumerable variations - folklores, traditions, poems, plays, puppet shows... Because the main character wasn't a noble mage, it was a popular work mainly among commoners.
"We elves have a legend which has a similar hero. Saint 'Anubis'. He is considered to have saved our land, Sahara during the 'great calamity'. According to this book, the hero Ivaldi's left hand could shine. Our 'Anubis' had a sacred left hand as well. Elves and humans are different, but this is a deeply interesting similarity. One wonders what could have caused such a similar thing?"
The tale of "The Hero of Ivaldi", which was meant for the commoners, was not properly accepted in Halkeginia. Those who researched it were labelled "heretics" and "fools", and it could not stand at the public stage of either theology or literature. There was even a period when it went through the painful experience of book burning. After all, this fairy-tale was said to have been made by the commoners who were then not pleased with the nobles' reign. Many considered it a prelude to revolution. One interesting fact of the story through history though, was that not all of the "Hero of Ivaldi" stories which were conveyed had a left hand which could shine. There were some in which the hero was a female, and some, male. There were also times when he was the son of god, or when it was his wife instead. He was also said to be just an ordinary human. It was a group of vague stories.
Bidashal handed "The Hero of Ivaldi" to Tabitha.
Obediently receiving the book, Tabitha sat down at the bed on which her mother was sleeping. Bidashal nodded, and left the room. After gazing at her mother's face... Tabitha recalled her childhood days. To lull the fretful girl that she was to sleep, her mother had read a book to me at the bedside, just like this.
During that time, the book she read most often, wasn't it the "Hero of Ivaldi"? Slowly, Tabitha started flipping the pages of the book. Although this would never be her object of research, "The Hero of Ivaldi" was interesting. Because of that, it was popular and widely read. She would not choose a moral and straightforward story. When she was small, Tabitha had engrossed herself in reading it before as well. Her interest would shift to other things eventually... Although she did not open the book after that, that which had taught her the fun of reading was this "Hero of Ivaldi" book.
The sounds of pages of a book being flipped could be heard in the quiet room. While she flipped the pages, Tabitha read it out just like how her mother did it in the past.
"Ivaldi was stopped by Choment and other villagers. That is because he said he would go to the dragon's cave to save the feudal lord's daughter who had been harassing the villagers."
Casually looking at her mother, she noticed that she had awakened without her realizing it. And yet she had not awoken when she called out to her just now. Tabitha tried to go and get the doll which was on the mirror stand. If her mother did not have the doll, she would be very upset. However... she noticed that her mother's behavior was different from usual.
She was staring at Tabitha with an astonished face. Usually, she would start making a fuss about "Return my daughter to me!" Yet, showing no interest at the doll on the mirror stand, she stared fixedly at Tabitha.
Maybe this passage from "The Hero of Ivaldi" made mother recall a little about the former days. Tabitha had given up, but now, within her heart, a small ray of hope shone through. Perhaps it would just be a hope that would lead to disappointment. But still, that hope was just like a stick of candle in the dark, glowing gently.
Tabitha continued reading out.
Choment asked Ivaldi, "Oh, Ivaldi! Why are you heading towards the dragon's den? That girl had harassed you so much!"
Ivaldi answered, "I don't know. Why? I don't know either. Just that there's something inside me which kept pulling me there steadily."
***Break***
By the time they finally crossed the country frontier and arrived at the old mansion of Orleans, it was well past midnight.
The twin moons could be seen from the openings between the clouds.
The old mansion of Orleans was illuminated by both the mist that drifted from the Ragdorian Lake and the light from the twin moons. It stood out strangely in the night.
"So this is Tabitha's home..." Zero murmured.
Louise hid behind Zero's back, and peeked at the mansion.
Guiche gulped, and grasped his artificial flower-like wand tightly.
Montmorency was checking Sylphid's condition, on whom they were sitting. Sylphid, whose injury had not fully recovered but had flown them there anyway, was gasping for breath. Montmorency cast a Water spell on her..
"Sylphid, are you all right?"
"Kyui!"
From the gate, the driveway that was as wide as a horse carriage led directly towards the entrance hall. Trees grew luxuriantly on both sides, causing the darkened mansion to further emanate an ominous feeling.
"Well then, look out..."
Guiche said that, and Kirche stepped out quickly.
"O-Oi Kirche! Isn't it dangerous! We've got to start off with a strategy!"
"If the enemy comes out, then that would be convenient. If the enemy had laid a trap, the strategy would not work!"
"the girl has a point" Derflinger said.
Kirche headed straight towards the entrance hall, and opened the door wide. Making a heavy sound, the door opened. The cold silence drifted about the hall. "Nobody is here."
With their respective weapons readied, the group searched carefully through the mansion. While walking down the corridor, Guiche noticed the wound on the wall.
"There was a fight here..."
A broken gargoyle rolled over. Kirche approached and examined the gargoyle that looked like a fencer.
"What's wrong?"
Louise asked, and Kirche snorted.
"That girl's Wind magic... did not have it's usual power."
"What do you mean?"
"Such destructive power is not from Triangle magic. It's the power of a Square-class."
"Yeah, I know. I wondered why she was hiding that." Zero said much to everyone's surprise.
Louise peered at the gargoyle Kirche pointed at. It was completely sliced into half by wind blades or something else. Although she said that this was of a Square-class, Louise still did not understand. Tabitha's footprints were under the broken gargoyle. Lying deep within the place, there was a room. Opening the door, the group went in. That place was in horrible condition. As if a tempest had broken out, the inside of the room was a complete mess. The furniture that was originally a bed was ripped apart, becoming feathers, wood, cloth, and fine fragments, scattered all about the room. Many cuts were on the wall. The windows at the wall opposite the entrance were blown out; the outside could be seen.
Kirche meticulously started to examine the bed.
Pointing at a section of the bed, she called them together.
"Look here. At this point on the bed, looks like Tabitha had chanted a tornado-like spell."
Indeed. With that point as its center, hurricane-like cuts were inflicted outwards all the way to the wall.
"Oh, wow... What if the devastation of this room is..."Saying that, Guiche gazed at the desolate room.
"Yep. It is caused by that magic. Or rather, that has to be it."
Guiche and Malicorne gulped. They imagined the power of that spell. Kirche whispered in a cheerful-like voice. "Releasing such a strong magic, that girl still can lose? What on earth was her opponent like? Besides..."
Unnoticed, Sylphid had poked her head into the hole of the wall. The size of the hole was about the same as Sylphid's head.
"You opened that hole? Sylphid?" Zero asked
Sylphid nodded.
"What was Tabitha's enemy?"
Sylphid extended her front leg out on top of her head. At that gesture, Kirche recognized a certain word, and muttered a curse.
"Elf?" Zero asked.
Sylphid nodded vigorously.
The whole group held their breath.
"Elf!" Guiche's eyes bulged, and he trembled all over from fear.
"It's a hard enemy!" Malicorne shouted.
"No way! Elf..." As expected, Kirche bit her lips. Louise hugged her shoulders, worried.
"Why are you all so afraid of elves? Are elves that dangerous? Seriously, if there isn't a reason for this I'm gonna work you all into the ground when we get back..." When it came to elves, Zero had known none other than Tiffania. He could not think of her being as dangerous as they said.
"Ask your sword. He should probably tell you how powerful elves are." Kirche said hesitantly.
Zero unsheathed Derflinger. "Hey Derf!"
"What? You have a question and you ask? You know you've been ignoring me lately, and now you want to talk?" Derflinger answered in a sulky voice.
"I don't buy it Derf. Try harder on your acting. Anyhow, are they really that dangerous?"
"Yep! Especially the female ones." Derflinger answered readily.
"How-How could this be..." Malicorne muttered.
"If the opponent is an elf, the odds are still against a Square Mage." Montmorency muttered with a troubled face.
Kirche spoke clearly after that,"Their power lies in the magic they use. The 'Ancient Magic,' I haven't witnessed it, but it is said that they could recite spells without even holding a wand. It is also said that the elves are more skillful than any other race at handling the Ancient Magic."
"Hey Derf. What's this 'Ancient Magic' crap? The thing the Water Spirit is said to use right? It's made of ancient magic, so why should we be worried if it was so afraid of me? Besides, didn't you also say that you can talk because of some 'Ancient magic'?"
"More or less. Ancient Magic is an art that existed long before the magic elements were being created; magic that controls the 'power of life'. The magic elements you people recite are displaying the effects of changing the 'logic' according to the power of each individual's will, but... Ancient Magic runs alongside the 'logic'."
"Explain in simpler terms."
"The point is, the utilization of the power of nature which exists everywhere. Life force, wind, fire, water... every possible energy source. An individual's will, or the power of nature - you don't have to imagine which one is stronger."
"Well then, the elf who captured Tabitha is someone who manipulates this strong Ancient Magic. Tell us of this power!"
"Perhaps the wind dragon knows more than me."
Zero gently stroked Sylphid's snout. In a happy voice, Kyui!, Sylphid purred.
"It's alright. Show them a little of the greatness of Ancient Magic." In a mischievous voice, Derflinger asked Sylphid.
"We don't call it 'Ancient'. I want you to call it the 'power of the spirits'. We have only borrowed it for a while. And I can not do so in front of others. Big sister said that without fail I must not change in front of others!"
"They already know! It doesn't matter if they know. It might even help them save your sister if they understand! So show them a little of this 'Power of the spirits' thing without running off like you did last time. Even if your master told you not to reveal the spell in front of the others, Zero already saw through it so it's not your fault."
Sylphid sighed, and began chanting. Instead of runes, spoken incantations could be heard from her. "O wind which clothes me, change my shape!"
Wind coiled about Sylphid, and turned into a blue swirl. Taken aback, everyone stared at Sylphid. The blue swirl shone, and vanished in the blink of an eye. She stood in her human form. "Oh well, it's more or less that feeling. If I borrow the power of the spirits, it is a piece of cake to even take your human forms." Magnificently... she had turned into a human's form. As expected, she could not transfigure her clothes as well, so her figure was unclothed again, causing Guiche and Malicorne to stare dumbly at her until Zero smacked them both in the haed.
"Ah... so that's how you did it." Zero said, having seen some of the patterns involved, but knowing it was too complex a form for him to even attempt to accomplish. Noticing the stupid looks and actions of the two young men next to him he slapped them both upside the head again and said,"Hey, eyes up!"
Quickly, Louise spread the outer coat of her unfashionable dark green dress on Sylphid. "Wear this."
"It's stiff, I don't want! Kyui. I don't want! Kyui kyui!" she complained loudly.
"Don't 'kyui' with me. Wear it." Louise scolded the girl.
Being glared at by Louise's demon-like eyes, Sylphid put it on reluctantly. Because Louise's size was small, her breasts became lively, wobbling about, displaying their fine quality.
"I now know how great 'Ancient Magic' is." Kirche murmured as she watched. Even she was somewhat jealous of the girl's figure.
Montmorency nodded as well. "Uh-huh. For such a big body to become so small. Moreover, no matter how I look at her, what a fine human being indeed. What a great achievement. Something impossible even by a water element user, regardless of how powerful she is."
Triumphantly, Sylphid purred, "Kyui kyui!" Anyway, Sylphid's explanation was simple in it's own way. There was an elf here. Tabitha recited a super cool snowstorm spell. The markings on the wall and the bed were made at that time. With a ridiculously composed attitude, the elf did not even try to avoid it. Then an amazing event occurred next. The instant the snowstorm appeared to have wrapped around him, it was repelled, and attacked Tabitha instead. Tabitha had fallen by her own magic. In a fit of rage, Sylphid broke through the wall and attacked him, but she was quickly defeated too. She did not really know why. That's about it..."As if saying "what to do next", she turned her breasts away. It was quite crude a report, but, oh well, they could understand the general picture.
"Which is to say, whether he used the Ancient Magic or something else- even this itself is fishy." Louise commented, and Kirche nodded too.
"Coming from you, that is quite a good analysis."
"What do you mean!"
At Louise who glared at her, pointing at the bed and the wall, Kirche said.
"Apart from Tabitha's magic, no other offensive magic was used here. What Ancient Magic did that elf actually use, I wonder. Was that really being used?"
Everyone present fell silent. It was as if the reasonless terror crushed them. Using unknown magic, an unknown enemy... A dread different from that of the Albion army. If the enemies are mages, there should be a counter attack against them. If the enemy is an army, there is also some room for negotiations. But... elves are different.
"Hey, who took Tabitha away? We know how he fought, defeated and captured her, but we must find a clue to their destination otherwise this is a dead end and then I have to go and attack Gallia's royal capitol. So let's get moving!" Saying that, Zero tried to leave the room, but no one else apart from Kirche moved. "What's with you guys?"
"The e-elf is... umm, a really serious problem, I think." Guiche lowered his head and muttered.
"It is said that those people eat the humans they capture! Killing women and children without mercy! They're not just cruel, but also terribly strong. Apparently, they can destroy a small country overnight with only 10 people." Montmorency said
"Seriously? We've come this far and you're going to chicken out like this? Honestly, look at Tiffania. You're going to tell me that just because they're elves that they're going to do those horrible things? that's just stupid. Use your brains, all we know is he has some way to negate attacks. I've had a capability like that in the past before, but it was way too inefficient for me to keep."
Despite that, Guiche, Malicorne and Montmorency still did not move. With troubled faces, they were just fidgeting.
At that instant.
From the gap of the door to which the corridor led, a shadow appeared.
Zero quickly grasped Derflinger and readied it. Next, Kirche released her magic without any restrain.
A huge fireball struck the door, which flared up showily.
"Please stop! Please stop!" The shrieks of the person down the corridor could be heard.
As if the voice was familiar, Kirche's eyes became round."Percerin? Aren't you Percerin?"
"Oh my oh my, isn't that the voice of the young miss Zerbst?"
Peeking timidly was the old butler of the Orleans mansion - Percerin. Upon seeing Kirche, he started shedding tears. "It is an honor to be able to meet you again."
"What on earth has happened?" Kirche asked.
Crying, Percerin began his story."The day the good-for-nothing king's army turned up was that night, three days ago. Ah, I was a coward. Right after seeing the commissioned officer bearing his wand, and scary wand-bearing troops, I was frightened immediately. Forgetting even to protect Madame, I hid in a small room on the other side of the wall. Even after the king's troops left, I was still afraid, and did not leave the small room. That's because the scary elf was in this room."
"Madame is Tabitha's mother", Kirche explained to the others.
"The king's troops made Madame fall asleep with a weird spell, and took her with them. I was terrified and hid inside the small room the whole time. The next day, Miss Charlotte turned up, and confronted that elf. Aah! Charlotte-sama's magic at that time! Its power was something I have not seen nor heard in the 10 years I have been serving here! Even I, who was hiding on the other side of the wall, was practically frozen. The force of the wind seemed to be blowing the entire mansion off! And yet, whether the elf received Charlotte-sama's scary magic..."
"We know. That elf took Tabitha away, right?"
"Yes. I am sure of it. The wind dragon had fallen as well. Carrying Tabitha in his arms, he took her away. Aah, if only these old bones of mine could use magic! No, if I were at least of an age when I could wield a sword! I would never have handed Madame and Miss over to the king's army!"
"Do you know where Tabitha was brought to?"
Percerin shook his head.
"I do not know..."
"I see, that's a shame."
Kirche and Louise dropped their shoulders.
"Great. So we can only look for her on foot?"
"Let's proceed to Lutéce and look for every informer."
Percerin then spoke to the two who were discussing.
"But I know the place Madame was taken to. The troops who kidnapped Madame talked about it. "Carry her all the way to Alhambra Castle, huh? Geez, isn't that on the other side of the kingdom?""
Kirche grinned from ear to ear, and shook Percerin's hands.
"Miss Zerbst?"
"That's very helpful! There's nothing to be ashamed of. You couldn't be a knight, but you have brought us some great information!"
"But... Miss Charlotte location is..."
"The same. No reason for it to be different. My guess is he doesn't have access to a whole bunch of supposedly unbeatable opponents so why would he try and defend two spots instead of just one. Also, considering that Tabitha would likely die in defense of her mother, that would be a better deterrent for running away than a locked steel door and chains." Zero replied.
"What's this 'Alhambra Castle'?"
"A castle located at the far east of the Kingdom of Gallia. Isn't that a famous old battlefield?"
"Is it that plot of land over which there were formerly countless quarrels with the elves? My ancestors who joined the holy land liberation army were killed by elves there." Guiche said in a frightened voice. Continuing, with the same tone,
"My ancestors were the same. Joining the last holy land liberation troops, they were defeated badly by the elves, and retreated. My ancestors told us: "Even if you make the nobles in Halkeginia your foes, never make the elves your enemy."" Frowning, Montmorency started speaking as well,
"Well, there were a few cases when the Halkeginia nobles had won the war against the elves... An example would be the Battle of Toule . Gallia and Tristain combined forces, clashed into the elven army at the east side of Sahara and won. However, during that time, their army numbered 70,000."
"Didn't the elven troops number only 2,000?"
"Apparently, the real figure was 500. They were too anxious, so the figure reported increased a few times," Guiche corrected Malicorne's words.
"In other words, to defeat the elves, an army with 10 times their might is necessary."
Amazed, Kirche asked,"Wasn't it already decided that we're going to confront the elf?"
"Exactly. It is just as Kirche said. We already know the location... Let's get going!" Zero barked.
The other four stared motionlessly at Zero and Kirche who had stepped out... and then helplessly chased after them. In a delighted tone, Sylphid purred Kyui, kyui as she well, following them.
Percerin gave a full bow at all of them and called out,"Please! My lords and ladies! I beg of you, please save Madame and Miss!"
Being entrusted with that, Kirche waved her hand.
Louise gazed anxiously at Zero who had stepped out quickly.
If it's Kirche, I can understand. Aren't those two close friends? But, Zero was not like that. Although Tabitha saved us from danger for countless times...' Putting that aside, Zero's courage... Although the others said how scary elves are, he did not show even a tinge of fear. Even though he had all that power, and could take on mages with no problem, a real elf seemed to have a great deal of power as well, and he didn't care.
Noticing Louise's slowed pace, Zero turned back."What's wrong, Louise? Let's go."
Shaking her head, Louise shook off her uneasiness, and went after Zero who was already walking out of the manor. Because of this, she had the perfect view for what happened next. Out of the sky dropped black armored Roll, landing directly on Zero, slamming him into the ground. Soon after, a familiar white dragon with an equally familiar reploid riding it landed.
"Why?" Zero struggled out as he tried to pick himself up off the ground while Roll was standing ontop of him.
Her response was to jump up and down until he stopped moving. "Because you left without saying anything!" Roll said hotly as she jumped on his back.
"Holy crap." Axl said waith a laugh,"I didn't think she'd actually do it. I can't say i'm unhappy about it though."
"I told you to stop rushing off like that."
Zero struggled to get up again, with similiar results. "I couldn't take everyone, besides we left in a hurry. We had a thousand gold apiece bounty on all of us!"
Roll looked at Zero with her eyebrows arched. "What?"
"I might have given up my noble title and threatened to level half the royal palace..." Zero said sheepishly.
"Zero, do you know anything about moderation? Or tact?" Axl asked.
"No, he doesn't!" Louise stated sourly.
"Oh come on. It wouldn't have been half. I would have needed to take out about four walls. The rest of it would have been doors. I already memorized the layout of the building and how to get out." Zero replied.
"Yeah, i figured as much. It's not like you're not always in combat mode anyhow." Axl replied laughing.
"Besides, I couldn't leave Tiffania without some kind of defense!" Zero said.
"You still could have told us!" Roll said angrily.
"It's fine. I'll protect her while you're gone. I suppose it's the least I can do for my involvement in the ball." Axl said easily. "You kids go have fun storming the castle and saving the princess."
Zero looked at Axl and said,"Thank you. I appreciate it. But I still owe you a hell of a beating for that stunt."
"Yeah yeah, lets go Pallette!" Axl yelled as he jumped on to his dragon's back. With a word the dragon launched itself into the sky.
"So are you going to get off me Roll?" Zero asked when the silver haired girl didn't move.
"I'm thinking about it." Roll said, still standing on Zero's back.
***Break***
Alhambra Castle was a citadel the elves built on top of a small hill in the desert.
The incident of the Halkeginia Holy Land Recovery Allied Forces who regained it at the price of countless sacrifices, could be traced back to thousands of years ago.
During that time, the Holy Land Recovery Allied Forces fixed the country border, and told the elves, "This is our land." Consequently, that became the country's borders.
The elves who had formerly lived in the desert did not have any concept of "country borders." Just that, the elves knew that humans are living beings who would greedily treat anywhere as their land and fight for it, if "country borders" were not established. So, they reluctantly recognized the line those humans drew as the country border.
Because that citadel became the point from which the elves' land was attacked from many times, they received the elves' attacks many times as well. Every time, this process of trying to remove and being removed repeated...until that battle hundreds of years ago, in which the Holy Land Recovery Allied Forces became its present master. Since the citadel was small, it was left aside as a military base and became an abandoned castle... because of which, it conversely flourished.
At the foot of the hill on which Alhambra Castle was built, an oasis was formed. A small inn town started growing from around that oasis... Because the area surrounding Alhambra Castle was a military base, travelers who passed through the desert would stop by, and it became a small trading area.
With the skills of the elves, the walls of Alhambra Castle were exquisitely constructed, adorned with a fine engraving of geometric patterns. Reflecting the moonlight from the twin moons, the walls shone brightly, providing a fantastic view to the desert travellers.
To the Halkeginians, the area surrounding Alhambra Castle was an exotically beautiful place.
Well then, in a small pub called "Father Joseph's Desert Doors" Inn, in that beautiful inn town, the hot topic was a recent rumor about Alhambra Castle.
A unit of the king's army arrived, and was stationed in the castle.
The merchants who bought ceramics and porcelains in Sahara said to the shop owner in a whisper.
"The troops came to Alhambra Castle lately... but do you know why those guys came, Father?"
Travelling from one place to another, the wise father who had set up a pub here, tasted the stew whilst shaking his head.
"Dunno."
""Didn't those guys come to this area to dig up some treasure?" There was a rumor like that, but... I feel that the truth is different."
"Is it?"
The father reacted indifferently. He knew that not poking his head in unnecessary affairs was the secret to longevity.
"Hey. I'll treat you a drink, so tell me more about that rumor?"
"Not interested."
Missing out on getting some wine? The male merchant snorted. Beside him, a lady clothed in sand-warding robe with a hood sat down.
"Isn't that a wonderful conversation?"
The brown skin and red lips peeking out from the openings of the robe gave the impression of a befitting beauty. The merchant gulped nervously.
"Dear, shall we offer up a cup for this man?"
The man's cup was filled with ale to the brim.
"Thanks!"
"Well then, can you tell me more about it?"
The whole group greeted Kirche who returned to the table with applause. On top of their street performer costumes, everyone was wearing the same robe used in the desert.
The group had finally arrived at this Alhambra place the previous night.
It took them a week of transferring between stagecoaches travelling through footpaths and highways to reach there from the Orleans mansion. Apparently, Tristain did not issue any warning to Gallia, and the performers were not suspected by any people as they walked down the road. No. On their journey, they were suspected by the patrolling knights several times, but managed to escape by the tactfulness of Kirche who knew the area very well.
"Geez, you guys...always letting me get information by myself, what's your intention?"
"But aren't you the best? Just the person for the job."
Guiche nodded solemnly too.
"Better you than me. The only way I know to get information is through intimidation or physical force. You already told me no on both counts," Zero said matter of factly..
"Really, just do it. Guys, if you all are still Tristain nobles, with a high pride- no wonder you can't gather information."
Montmorency turned her face aside in embarrassment, but Louise lifted up her eyes in anger.
"So, did you get anything?" Roll asked softly.
The merchant to whom Kirche gave an extravagant treat had told her everything he knew, after which, he became drunk and wasted, lying down on the counter, and fell asleep.
They changed their strategy meeting location to a second floor room. That's because there were people there.
After entering the room, Kirche started telling the news she heard.
"As I thought, looks like it really is this city."
"That's all the intel we have?" Zero asked.
"Apparently, that merchant heard about it from the troops stationed there. The reason they came here was to protect a "noble" they brought here. According to the story, they seemed to be fallen royal family members. And then, the crux is that those nobles are 'parent and child.'"
"In other words, Tabitha and her mother?"
"Can't we conclude that?"
Everyone's faces turned solemn.
"I'm back." Opening the door of the room, Malicorne entered. "I used the 'Distant Vision' spell and examined the castle!" Being a Wind element mage, Malicorne had the talent and the skill to examine the castle from a distance without having to use sylphid. Even though he couldn't see inside, he was able to get a great many details that would assist in entry at least.
She had remained in her human form until then, and probably due to tiredness, she was asleep on the bed, snoring. It looked like taking the form of a human consumed her willpower more intensely.
Calmly, Malicorne spread a sketched parchment on the table. On it, a rough sketch of Alhambra Castle could be seen. Obviously, the internal structure of the building was not known, but the courtyard, walls, towers, keeps - all of them were drawn accurately.
"Good job!"
"Splendid..." Guiche praised him.
"The Gallian troops stationed there aren't just one squadron. There are two squadrons there! About 300 soldiers, and 10 noble officers!"
"I see. Thanks. Well then, we've collected all the information we can." Kirche was fully the leader. "Indeed, in such projects, there was no chance for Tristainian nobles who were prideful and only knew how to carry out frontal attacks." she murmured much to Louise's and Guiche's charghin.
"So, how to rescue Tabitha?" Montmorency asked.
"We are mostly mages. A surprise attack against approximately 300 people will work somehow, won't it? At our side, we have Sylphid, Zero who stopped an army..." Guiche said that, but Kirche shook her head.
"No way. If we attack head-on like that, reinforcements would come immediately, and danger might fall onto Tabitha. It's also possible that Tabitha would be carried away to somewhere else." Kirche disagreed.
"So what should we do? Should we try putting all of the soldiers to sleep with magic?" Guiche asked sarcastically.
"That's right." Kirche grinned impishly.
"That's impossible! Aren't we going against 300 people? Even if we were to recite Sleep Cloud, how can we cover them all in one shot?" Guiche demanded.
"To make them sleep, we don't just have to use incantations, right Montmorency?"
"What?"
"Can you mix the 'Sleeping Potion?'"
"I can, but... how to make them drink it? Even if we mix it into their water, it will be discovered immediately!"
"I'm sorry to interrupt..." Malicorne said suddenly,"But am I the only one who noticed Zero walking out the door?"
Everyone looked at each other in panic. Roll was the first one to run out of the room in a panic. When they made it out of the Inn Zero was nowhere to be found...
"I hope he doesn't do anything rash..." Malicorne said.
Louise just looked at him and said,"It's Zero! Of course he's going to do something rash!"
***Break***
"So, why do you want to help Tabitha so much? Is it because she's your master?" Malicorne asked Sylphid.
"Big sister doesn't speak much, so she may seem somewhat cold, but... in reality, she's a very kind person. I love big sister very much, but big sister doesn't lose to me. She loves me very much too. Although she did not say anything, I know something like that."
"Ah... I see..." Malicorne replied.
"Where is that Zero?" Louise demanded, as she paced back and forth furiously. He had left over an hour ago and hadn't even let them know what he was doing!
"I don't know... But there haven't been any explosions... That's a good sign, right?" Guiche asked hesitantly.
"Is it bad that we gauge how well things are going on weather or not there are a large amount of unexplained explosions?" Montmorency asked.
"Probably..." Louise commented.
Soon enough there was a knocking on the door and Louise opened it to find a box. Looking down at the box Louise did the only thing she could. She slammed the door shut and walked to the window, trying to keep her rage in check.
"What was that about Louise?" Roll asked as she heard a knock on the door again.
She walked over to the door and she saw the box. She looked at it curiously, and jumped back as it started moving with a quick "Excuse me." As Zero stood up, taking the box off of himself he had to smirk. "The guards won't be a problem."
"Oh, why's that?" Louise asked,"And why did you have to use that stupid box anyhow?"
"It's not stupid. If it works, then that means it is an effective form of infiltration. That or humans are even more stupid than the stupid box!" Zero countered.
"Who cares about the box, how did you deal with them?" Louise demanded, trying to shift the conversation away from how effective Zero was with his box.
"Oh I went to their commander and I told them I was going to storm the place and deal with the elf and that if he wanted to get in my way he'd face the same demon who demolished all three of Albion's armies. And that I wouldn't be nice this time, since I didn't have to worry about crashing a continent, or collateral damage to my own country." Zero replied easily.
Everyone in the group just looked at Zero. "You... Just... How?" Louise strangled out, her eyes twitching.
"What? It's suicide to fight me, and I let them know. He'd already given the withdraw orders by the time I was leaving." Zero replied with a smile.
"Your plan... Was to go in, announce your intentions and let them know, 'Hey, I'm going to kill everyone who gets in my way'?" Kirche asked.
"Yep. That about sums it up." Zero replied with a thumbs up.
"Zero... Remind me to check your brain when we get back to the academy," Roll said as she stared at him incredulously.
"What?" Zero asked, obviously being the only one to see the flaws in his plan. "Anyhow, let's go!"
***Break***
As she surveyed her surroundings, she knew. She had prepared the weapons that she had set to destroy those who were her prey. She smiled evilly as she thought of their expressions when they realized the hopelessness of their situations. She couldn't help but believe that she would be victorious. Her weapons were ready, her abilities were tested... She but had to wait for their arrival. But until then, she would go and explore the area, perhaps have a little fun... With an evil giggle she walked up the dark stairs, towards her perspective secondary targets...
***Author's notes***
... Who could that last little line be? Who knows. We'll probably find out...
On when this story is going to stop... No, I'm not cutting it off anytime soon. It's probably got about 20-30 chapters left to it. I will have 1.5-2 more full 'arcs' to go through. I will not spoil any more than that because my single beta reader told me he's loving it. For good or ill... There will be a conclusion.
Also, Rosario + Vampire Anime? How to say this... FUCKING USELESS. I saw like two episodes before I wanted to be implicated in the murder of everyone who decided the manga should be bastardized like that. Where is the blood? the gore? The dark story lines that pop up? Seriously? They don't even touch Ghoul from what I'm told. Ya know, the thing that nearly makes him go perma berserk/killing person and ends up needing to get sealed himself. Or her crazy murderous older sisters or the other stuff. Do not watch the anime. Grr... Stupid damned things. It would be a manga adaption which is a MUCH different world than that stupid anime.
Also, I was not speaking of GXP. GXP is part of the original Tenchi Storyline and both series reference each other. They're loosely connected and have cameos, and while GXP is far more light in story Tenchi is a little bit more serious(although not THAT much more). Also, I was being vague with the Tenchi thing from Ryo-Ohki since I know most people don't even know it exists, while most people are at least aware of the first Tenchi Muyo.
For people who asked me about the two series, here it is. Apparently Scrapped Princess isn't as appreciated as it should be.
A quick run down on Tenchi Muyo : A young man is actually the great grandson of a galactic emperor. Except that man "hates" humans from earth. This gets confusing and sometimes harmful to his health since the great grandfather is married to a human... from earth. But anyhow, he meets a number of very very VERY powerful women who end up locking on to him for various reasons. Some of them don't start off in the romantic area, but evolve to it instead. Ryoko tries to seduce him to get her gems of power back. Ayeka is the half sister of his grandfather, and looks to be about 18 or so, if that. Mihoshi is an airheaded idiot savant galaxy police officer. Washu is Ryoko's mother who can control her age at will. And by mother I mean creator. She also tends to lock Tenchi up because of his unusual abilities. And then perform experiments on him. Sometimes she wears a nurses out fit and strips him. It is unsaid what she does but they make it clear without saying it out loud. She also created Ryo-ohki, and often times travels through the use of transdimensional portals. Ryo-Ohki is a cabbit. A bunny cat like thing that can turn into a FTL doom spaceship. Can eat metal. or just about anything, but if you have carrots... Give Ryo-Ohki ten minutes... and you won't anymore. She is linked to Ryoko telepathically. She also has a child form that is pretty much guaranteed to raise a diabetic's blood sugar to an incredibly high amount. Go watch it, it's good. Don't wanna give away too many plot points without it being in an actual story.
Scrapped Princess run down : Aliens and humans had a war a long time ago. Humans lost because someone at the highest level betrayed them so that some could survive. This "race of evil" which they never name locked the remnants of humanity into the sealed world which looks to be a part of china and most of japan. The people that watch over the humans are their former weapons, the peacekeepers. The weapons that couldn't be turned against humanity, Dragoons, and the last scientists of the resistance formulated a plan to have the providence breaker come about through selective DNA manipulations. Her ability is to break the system containing the "sealed" world, and the Peacekeepers control. They can not harm her directly because of what she is. Therefore they need to tell humans to do it, which is why they also implanted the "Guardian" gene into people and had it spread so that people would be inclined to save the providence breaker. Fulle is one of these guardians(This doesn't give any special powers at all. It just effects them). He dies covering her escape, taking down multiple archers and stopping their pursuit of her. It's really quite sad and totally unfair. Esp when she is unable to remember him after that. The guy gets no luck, has a crap past, but still manages to be a good all around guy and non emo person. He just loves keeping a straight face and making sarcastic comments.
Also, from what I've got of the rough outline, after the whole wardes deal, they'd be going back to earth with Louise. Also, Little Washu would do something hilarious to the rulers of the world.
On another note, I've gotten an overture of peace from the fangirl army. as well as a rough sketch of how Zero would look in the angel costume... Apparently they're concentrating most of their time and effort on that... And are trying to convince me to put it into the story. As of now, our negotiations are terse. They have offered a generous contribution of Mike and Ike fruit candies though... So...
Zero: Wait, they were supposed to be my defenders! The hell is wrong with these people?
They're fangirls. They're not so much your defenders, as they're the ones that write yaoi fics of you and X, duh. Oh, hey look at this one. In this one you have actual BOOBS in the angel costume and not just your booblights... Rule 63? Apparently not all your fangirls like guys...
Zero: I hate everyone and everything in this world...
Hey look Zero, that same person has another picture. That's rule 63 and rule 34! Look! Don't you love the internet? All we need is a picture of you being built by tony stark in a cave and we'd have rule 64!
Zero: ... I hate you. I hate you so hard.
... Oh yeah? Well it looks like X is... Okay nevermind, that glare is scary...