Three days had passed since returning from Louise's place. When they returned to the academy, it was basically the same daily life as usual, although Zero and Roll had both been surprised at the amount of effort Rock had placed into their research while they were gone. As Zero and Roll reviewed what he had done they took to the sealed room immediately.
"Can you believe it? We were struggling so much with this and here he got so much done while we were gone? Why didn't we just make him do it from the start?" Zero asked with a frown.
"Because, he has only a limited amount of time per day in my old body. It wouldn't be fair to make him work during his only chance at freedom." Roll commented. "But really, this helps."
"Yeah... Now, we just need to find a water mage who isn't going to freak out easily, and we need to get Colbert to alchemy up some stuff for us." Zero replied
"Alchemy up?" Roll asked her eyebrow raised as Zero's odd term.
"Hell, can you think of a better term for it? It's like oh hey I need fuel for an aircraft. And the next thing I know he's alchemied up plenty. Need fuel for the lab. Alchemied up."
"I...see. That still doesn't sound right." Roll replied with the shake of her head. "Although asking him to fabricate the materials we'll need will be much simpler than procuring them..."
"Alchemied! It's gonna catch on." Zero replied as he started to write a list of things that they would need.
"No, Zero. I don't think it will..." Roll replied with the shake of her head, laughing lightly.
"Well, whatever. I need to take this list to Colbert and then see to my troops. You have fun with Rock and Mathilda." Zero said with a smile as he finished.
"Thanks, have fun with them and... Don't push them too hard." Roll replied seriously.
"I won't, I won't." Zero replied with a grin.
***Break***
Zero knocked on the door of Colbert's lab and walked in, startling the man from a nap. "Yo." he said as the older man blinked himself to awareness.
"Ah, Zero sorry, I was up all night working on the plans for something. I must have fallen asleep without realizing it." The balding man said sheepishly.
"Hey, no problem. I got some stuff I need you to make for us though." Zero replied as he handed him a list.
As the man looked at the list his eyes widened,"This... This looks like the materials needed for-"
"Yep. It is. Don't go voicing around about it, alright?" Zero said cutting off Colbert before he could finish his sentence.
"I see... Yes, I can get these for you and turn them into the material you're asking... It should take roughly a week though, even though you've given me the base materials to research from the extra stock in that wonderful Laboratory of yours."
"It's not mine." Zero replied,"It's Roll's. I just help from time to time."
"I see. Well, still, it's amazing even if I still can't understand anything in it. I must say, I'm interested in learning the language of your world just so I could interact with those 'computers' that are so impressive." Colbert said with a sigh.
"Maybe Roll will give you some lessons if you ask nicely. In exchange for your silence on this matter, especially if you can get the stuff to us fairly quickly." Zero reasoned.
"Ah, yes, yes! I'll get started right away." Colbert replied, rushing out of the lab to acquire the base materials needed, having all the motivation in the world at that point.
"Huh. He's certainly easy enough to bribe." Zero said to nobody in particular in the empty lab, then shrugged as he too walked out the door.
***Break***
Soon Zero found himself at the makeshift headquarters of the Koga Corps, a small building that had been erected in the Vestri Courtyard.
"Tsk… He's clearly a bad guy, we can't just stand around and do nothing." Guiche declared angrily as he stared at the map that was color coded to show estimated troop strength and nationality.
"When did you become so belligerent?"Zero asked as he looked at the blond young man.
"Because it's strange. Gallia... It's a really big country. If they wanted to, they could attack Louise and you, and Tabitha and her mother, but for some reason they haven't done it. That means they're scared or nervous!"
"They're just that kind of people. It wouldn't be too hard to get you in the cover of night. That's why we need to be vigilant. It is how we attacked before, and we already understand what it means to fight Zero one on one. I doubt that any of their forces would be willing to after he crushed an elf single handedly." Offered Leviathan as she tapped her chin with a finger.
"I want to do something about Tabitha's mother…"Zero said finally.
"Well, it's nice and all, but what can we do about elven medicine? We're at a dead end." Guiche said hopelessly.
"There has to be something..." Zero shook his head,"It's magic, so there has to be a counter to it."
"I wonder. We could try and treat with the elves. They were working with Joseph only because they were attempting to prevent war and the power of the void from being misused. It is too bad they never realized that he was the Void mage or they would have killed him already." Leviathan commented with a huff.
"Anyhow, the fact that Gallia's not sending an official protest is most satisfying. Isn't it strange when war doesn't break out when it usually should? The opponent is the king of the large country of Gallia."Guiche said with relief
"Well, we removed his trump card, and he's probably scared as hell of what's going to happen when I do come for him." Zero said seriously. "But that doesn't matter... Right now I'm more concerned about Tabitha's mother." Zero absentmindedly looked up into the sky. Zero began trying to figure out a course of action. However, nothing came to his mind.
"Yeah, considering I told him only the bare minimum about you, and that still unnerved him a little. I wonder how he would have reacted had I told him everything I had known about you." Leviathan said with a giggle as she moved to lay in a corner of the room where a small pool of water had been set up for her, her armor gleaming as she entered it.
"Anyway! It is necessary for brave men like us to rest. Wouldn't it be a grave loss to not enjoy life? Cheers, have a drink. Wasn't it tough for you at Louise's home?"
"Guiche, you know I can't get drunk. And you're on duty." Zero replied seriously.
"O-oh right." Guiche murmured as he put down his drink nervously.
Without him there, those fellows cut their classes, and were indulging themselves to binge for as long as three days and three nights. Zero's smile when he had returned had sobered the fools up and the 'training' he provided them with ensured that they would never pull a stunt like that again. Zero chuckled slightly as he remembered how many of them had to stop and relieve their stomachs of their contents.
"But sir, I have a question. Because we invaded Gallia, Tabitha,wasn't she a member of Gallia's royal family? And we helped her. How exactly will this effect things?" Montmorency asked quite suddenly, as if she had been working up the nerve to ask her question.
"Who the hell knows. This whole situation is stupidly convoluted. We have the elves, a void user, and probably a new summoned reploid that I don't know. It's kind of a crap shoot to try and figure out what's happening now until we get more information." Zero said calmly.
"He's probably doing his best to recover from the situation, but he's probably got a new mind of god or something similar. I just hope it's not someone we know...Although..." Leviathan trailed off.
"What?" Zero asked.
"I would not mind were it one of my brothers... If one of them survived... You could free them as well, right?" Leviathan asked seriously.
"Yeah, now that I know what I'm doing. I'm just hoping he doesn't summon a reploid that agrees with his plans. Then it might get a little more difficult. I know your brothers wouldn't willing go along with him, but..." Zero said with a shrug as he leafed through a book he had taken to writing plans and information in. He resolved to go and input it into one of the free data pads in the lab, but he needed a hard copy here that he could use to explain to the other knights. Due to being written in a combination of Japanese, English and in some spots Chinese, he doubted that any spy that the opposition could get into here would be able to make heads or tails of it even if they WERE from his world.
***Break***
Kirche placed an arm on Louise's shoulder as they walked along with Montmorency."So, I heard about your little scuffle with Zero in your sister's room."
Louise's face turned crimson as she shook her head,"It was a misunderstanding!"
"Hmm. A misunderstanding that you attacked Zero over. You're pushing him away again." Kirche commented harshly. "And not just from you." When Louise looked away Kirche nodded. "Because you are so helpless, let me help you with your romance too. Take it as gratitude for the whole Gallia operation. I could give it to you. If you learn the tricks of love, you could be even more attractive, right?"
"There is no need to!"
"Ah, I see. Then I won't give it to you." Kirche replied throwing her hair back in a somewhat offended manner.
After these words, Louise's curiosity rose."G-give what? I mean, I could at least hear you out."
"Excuse me Louise, but you are asking the Ardent for adult woman's advice? Understood?"
Advice. That word revived a lot of failures in her mind. The black cat suit jumped to her mind immediately. "No good. Others' advice always fails. That's how it usually turns out."
"Whose advice?" Kirche pressed, a smile on her face.
"S-Sword's." Louise stammered out as her face turned red.
"That talking sword of Zero's? You don't really mean to treat that iron board's advice on the same level as veteran in romance do you?" Kirche's asked in disbelief.
Honesty, she did not like this woman - Kirche von Zerbst, although she didn't dislike her either... However she certainly had to recognize her arts and wiles in love. After all, the La Valliere lovers had been stolen away by Kirche's clan throughout their entire lineage's history... Louise said in a shaky voice, still struggling to maintain her dignity: "W-Well, since I have nothing to do, I could keep you company for a short while."
"Great. It will be fun!"
"M-Me too – it won't hurt to listen."
Montmorency said with a blush on her cheeks.
"Alright then. I'll take good care of you."
Louise and Montmorency went into Kirche's room. As usual, it was a very gorgeous room. There were two wardrobes by the west wall, each larger than a bed, reaching from the floor to ceiling, which had a giant mirror in between. Lacy curtains hung from the ceilings; sculptures, paintings, and various works of art were placed all over the room.
Kirche, looking very eager, sat on the bed and ordered them both, "Alright, take them off."
"What?" replied Louise and Montmorency with vacant expressions.
"Take them off. Now, I'm telling you to show the Ardent what kind of undergarments you wear." Kirche said strictly, in an almost militant tone.
The two pupils blushed hard and protested
"Hey Kirche, I clearly said that I have no interest in such hobbies!"
"Me neither!"
"I cannot teach you about love otherwise. I am the teacher; you are my pupils, so be completely obedient."
"Stop joking!" The two girls trembled with anger and shouted.
"What about you? If your lover sways in another direction, how will you stop him from swaying in that direction? Indeed, I understand Guiche and Zero's feelings. When you are both so temperamental, it's no wonder why they both spend so much time with other girls."
Montmorency and Louise clenched their fists.
"Quickly, take off your shirt and skirt and show me what underwear you wear."
In a determined way, Montmorency took off her shirt. Under it appeared the skinny body of Montmorency.
"Take it off!"
Seeing her like that, Louise stripped off her shirt as well.
"Skirts too." Hands crossed, Kirche ordered with a happy-from-the-bottom-of-her-heart voice. With a "Haaa!" shout, Louise unfastened her skirt, allowing it to pool down on the floor in a circle around her feet.
Looking back and forth from Montmorency to Louise, Kirche began commenting. "You really are children."
"W-W-W-Whyyy?" Montmorency demanded, her face red.
"Do you really show such underwear to your lover?"
"I don't show it! I just wear it!" Montmorency yelled at the taller girl.
Louise and Montmorency weren't wearing particularly eccentric underwear. They were white and neat, but they both had similar camisoles. Though they had lacy decorations around the edges and quite detailed texture, they indeed looked childish.
"Well, you..." Kirche started to speak then stop.
"What?" Louise demanded.
"A woman, who doesn't value her underwear won't be valued by a man either." Kirche replied sagely, nodding her head.
The two groaned at their 'teacher' when she said that.
"You bought those from shops under recommendations of coming and going merchants, didn't you? Those people, because you are students, naturally, only chose the ones with such childish designs."Kirche asked before she ordered the salamander, which was lying down in the corner of a room,"Flame, please bring us the parents' family baggage from back then."
With quick movements the salamander moved to the closet and disappeared from sight. A thud followed the salamander dragged the old baggage from the closet. Kirche pointed at two of them with her chin.
"Why don't you open it?"
Louise and Montmorency looked at each other, and together opened the baggage.
"Wha-!" Montmorency shouted
"W-What's this! Lewd! So lewd!" Louise stated, her face red just from seeing them.
Seeing the undergarments inside - they were both shocked. Then, instinctively, they covered their faces with their hands. Kirche finished, proudly swirling her hair. "These are the ones I used to wear as a child. They should be suitable sizes for you, right?" Though the words damaged their pride, or maybe because of that, the two girls did not reply with anything. "Remember, underwear is a woman's weapon. It's the spell that captures men's minds. Showing them gives you a mature woman's aura."
***Break***
Zero was done for the day with his "troops" and found himself standing in front of the library. The library was located in a tower. At the entrance, a librarian wearing glasses sat and checked the students and teachers who went in and out. Books were heavily guarded it seemed, probably because knowledge was power, and the control of power here was far more stringent than back home. He couldn't help but think that they'd hate seeing such 'power' in the hands of a commoner.
A young librarian girl glanced at Zero and confirmed his mantle, then returned to reading a book.
"Huh, maybe knighthood is useful after all." Zero murmured as he entered. As he looked around he found it to be overwhelming. While he knew that the library in the lab had as many if not more books in it, it was all condensed into data. Seeing all the books in physical form was incredible. Many of the shelves were over thirty feet tall. Apparently, the library occupied the larger part of this tower. After a few minutes he walked around and found a book that took his interest and he grabbed it. In it was the unusual script of this world. His eyes stared at it glassy and unmoving as he turned page after page. Suddenly he felt a presence watching him. Turning to face the presence he saw a familiar person. Tabitha. It was the girl with short blue hair. Since the rescue, they had hardly talked. She had spent much of her time with her mother."Yo." was his only greeting.
Tabitha shut the book she was reading and walked over to Zero."Yes?"Tabitha answered looking at Zero with round, puppy-like eyes. Zero was somewhat at a loss by such a surprising attitude."It's not like it's my business, but are you alright...?"
"I'm alright."
"How is your mother doing?"
"Her mind is at peace when I read to her, and when I am not there."
"I see. Has anyone come up with an idea as to how to remove the effects?"
"No..." Tabitha said shaking her head.
"So what do you intend to do now? I mean, you're a princess, if a renegade one."
"It does not matter now. I do not mind." Tabitha said as a matter-of-fact.
"I see, understood. Sorry for disturbing your reading."
He turned to leave while laughing.
"Do you read as well?"She asked.
"Ah... No, no I do not. I was just... Looking at the... Pictures. The pictures."
As Tabitha picked up the book Zero had been reading she read the title outloud,"Wars of the first age. There are no pictures here except for maps that are no longer current and border on useless."
"Eh?" Zero couldn't help but sound stupid. He instinctively asked back."Did you also come to read?"Hoping that this would distract her from asking any more questoins.
"I did. But so did you. But I must wonder, why you were flipping the pages so fast..." Tabitha said as she looked at Zero. "To pick out a book that is based on war in random in such a large library where topics such as that are the rarity, is fairly unlikely. Then to flip through the pages while concentrating so much..."
"What are you getting at?"
"You can read, can't you?" Tabitha asked gently.
"Maybe." Zero replied with a blush.
"Why hide it?"
Zero laughed, causing Tabitha to blush. "Because I hate paper work. If I don't know how to read I can't do paperwork."
"That is..." Tabitha struggled to find a word.
"Brilliant?" Zero asked hopefully.
"Stupid..." Tabitha deadpanned.
"Yeah, well... Either way I'm not the one saddled with the paperwork this time. Let Guiche deal with it till someone figures it out. It's a relief to not have to do that type of thing." Zero replied with a smile.
"Do you want to go home?" Tabitha asked suddenly.
"What? Why do you ask something like that?" Zero wondered as he looked at the girl.
"I want to know. Do you you wish to return home?"
Zero was silent for a few minutes, then he shrugged. "Who knows. I do not know what is going on at home, nor do I know what will happen if I go back..."
"You shouldn't go back." Tabitha said simply.
"Huh?" Was Zero's only response
After a paused, Tabitha murmured,"You are a hero of this land."
"What did you say?" Zero asked, not knowing why she would say that.
Tabitha lowered her eyes and shook her head."Nothing."
Silence settled in. Somehow, the atmosphere became awkward. The librarian stuck her head into the reading room, and informed them that the library would soon be closing. Zero happily stood up.
"See ya around."He said with a wave as he left the room, pausing only to turn and smile. "And don't ever mistake me for a hero. I'm nothing close." as he strode out
Tabitha shook her head. He was stubborn. But then, so was she. With a nod she hurried after him.
***Break***
Siesta was wandering the grounds looking for Zero. She hadn't seen him much since he had come back and she had wanted him to try some desserts she had baked for him. Finally, she found her steps taking her to the room he shared with Miss Valliere. "Miss Valliere?" Siesta looked at the pink-haired girl who was Zero's summoner. No, the girl in there was... "A bad imitation of Madam Butterfly?"
Louise walked towards Siesta with her hands crossed in front. For some reason she was swaying her hips with each step. Noticing Siesta, she let her arms drop to her sides - though she looked like the usual Louise, something was amiss. "Who are you calling a bad imitation?"
"S-Sorry! But why are you dressed like that — is this some kind of costume party? But I haven't heard of one"
"Why a costume party?"
Louise stared intensely at Siesta.
"B-Because, for Miss Valliere to wear that…"
Shocked, Siesta looked at Louise's clothes. Usually Louise would wear a long, cute camisole.
Yet, what Louise wore today was a black baby doll. Louise, with a composed expression on her face, sat down on the bed and crossed her legs.
Siesta tried hard to suppress her laughter. Louise quickly stood up and glared at the maid.
"Tell me. What are you laughing for?"
"I'm n-not laughing at all!"
Louise, as if remembering something, moved away from Siesta. "I should not. A mature woman wouldn't be angered this easily."
"For an adult, your chest pretty much still falls behind"Said Siesta pointing at the chest area of the babydoll. Louise's cheek started to twitch.
But Louise shook her head and said"Breast size is unrelated to the charm of a lady. The important part is behavior, education, and..."
"And?" Pressed the maid.
"Atmosphere." She said lazily, curling her hair with her fingers.
Hah, seems like someone convinced Louise to wear another strange outfit. Black cat, maidand now a mature woman Siesta guessed.
"However, somehow I think it should be a much stronger atmosphere"
After hearing what was said, Louise turned around.
"It is different. You are mistaken. Don't you know? Zero is crazy about me. He just doesn't want to hurt me!" Louise replied.
"Eh, then you don't think Zero is drawn towards the Queen? Do you know Zero so well? Can Miss Valliere reach his deepest feelings? I think it's a difficult thing to know." Siesta commented as she stared at the girl.
Louise stopped triumphantly curling her hair."What a bother! For me, even though it's love, it is t-troublesome. Well, I feel sorry for everything that has happened to him, so I go along with those feelings of mine, though he is my familiar." Louise said with glee, striking a pose in front of the mirror.
Siesta coldly watched Louise. "You look awfully happy about that, though."
"But it would be hard to be valued when you don't dress well. It's not just big breasts and the empty head of the maid, it's different here. How about that? Does it suit me?"
Calmly, Siesta said,"Poorly."
After a long silence, Louise took out her wand, and started poking Siesta with it. "What was that? What was that? What was that?"
"Because! Miss Valliere's body is far from an adult's in every respect. So, only cute clothes suit her body!" Siesta said with a smile. "You should stick with what will work for your body type. You can do cute, you know."
Then Louise stood up and turned her back towards Siesta, dismissing her advice. "Sooner or later, the atmosphere will come out."
"Come out?"
"Come out. It's what I said. Mood is important."
"B-Being an adult is nice but...as promised before, could you loan me something to wear for one day?"
"Something you like? I don't mind."
"Really? Is it alright?"
"It's alright. Can't break a promise that's made by a mature woman. I'll diligently keep the promise."
"If that's so, I'll take it then. I wonder what dress to wear. Hmm."
"If you like, I can lend you any of these clothes."
"Truly?" Then Siesta danced with joy and opened the closet. "I can actually wear them, how about this dress? Hey, this!"
Louise had once worn it — it was a black dress. The neckline was pretty deep and it was sleeveless.
"You like something this plain? Hm, I have a lot that are similar to that one."
Siesta gladly put on the black dress. "Great! And this fabric stretches too."
Siesta, wearing Louise's dress, struck a happy pose in front of the mirror.
"Wow, it shows the body lines well. No, it is perfect. Don't say this dress is plain. A bit embarrassing though... This..."the maid almost sang as she admired the dress
While saying so, with a smirk on her face, Siesta bent over. Certainly, the black dress emphasized the wonderful chest of Siesta that threatened to burst out at any moment, and with each movement it sunk lower.
The white valley between her breasts, stretching the opening further, seemed to empathize her words.
Siesta displayed her arsenal to Louise.
"How about it? Do you get a mature atmosphere from this?"
"It is different. He likes tiny girls like me. Therefore, the Princess and you should not have false hopes."
"But he sure watches cleavage with a great interest. I've seen him peaking at times." Siesta said with a teasing smile.
"Only because they are unnaturally big. Surely it's just a biological curiosity. Alright? I do not need clothes to make a mature atmosphere. I, myself, am a small lady who has a mature atmosphere around her. Moreover, that's why I am generously not getting angry. Yeah, because I am unrivaled."
"Is that so?"
"It is so."
Louise hit another pose while humming. Siesta, on the other hand, did not look convinced by Louise's performance...and when she glanced over the window, she shouted,
"Zero!"
"Zero? The door is still closed."
"Not there, outside the window!"
"Yes?"
Louise pushed her head out of the window. "W-What's the meaning of this!"
It was Zero and Tabitha, who was leading him by the hand, walking together up the moonlit stairs to Tabitha's room. In an instant, Louise dashed out of the room, stormed up the stairs, jumping two steps at once, and, with a loud slam tore Tabitha's room's door open. The small, dark figure of Tabitha sat at her desk and Zero stood beside her. They both turned around at the same time.
"What, Louise? What's the matter?"Zero asked with a blank look on his face. She had wanted to show him her favorite book... And had threatened that if he wouldn't read it with her, she would let his secret be known. Damn blackmail...
Louise was boiling with anger. However, she firmly held that anger yourself, control yourself.A mature woman would not be getting , it's still not clear if he had an affair to begin around the room, Louise started curling her hair.
"Um, you. What are you doing in here?"
Thinking fast on his feet, damning his fate he said,"Well, learning the words in these books."
"Words?"
"Yep. Wouldn't it be convenient to read the words of this world?"
It seemed like Zero was learning to read from Tabitha. Louise's cheek twitched. Why you couldn't you tell me? Why didn't you ask me if you wanted to learn how to read? However, Louise swallowed the pain. 'Today I am an adult. Today I am a lady.' she told herself repeatedly. Louise touched the place of her palm where she had written "lady." In her mind, the mature Louise calmed down the raging child Louise. Alright? Child Louise. You are a mature woman, right, so do not forget that attitude. Pretending to be all cool and calm, Louise asked Zero, "You didn't consider asking someone else to teach you?"
Realizing that he was on dangerous ground Zero said quickly,"Tabitha offered to teach me. I was kind of indifferent about it really."
This reticent girl started a conversation by herself? Louise stole a glance at Tabitha. However, Tabitha seemed to be expressionless as usual. No feelings could be read from her eyes. But...her holding a romantic interest in Zero still seemed impossible. Maybe she was just expressing her gratitude for the help they had given. Feeling relieved, confidence boiled up again. At any rate, the current me emits a lot of charm. Louise saw Zero averting his eyes in embarrassment. The sudden realization that she had run through the halls and burst into the room in just her underwear hit her. She had run into someone's room like this. She was almost ready to die from shame, after she killed Kirche. After she killed Kirche and that stupid maid... Then she could die of shame! For something trivial like learning how to read, I have done such a thing...I have to appear like the mature me again. Seeing her entering the room like this would have a big impact, wouldn't it? Especially if she were relaxed? Hmm, her mind started to work furiously. Whatever, I'll just use this mature attraction to completely turn him into my slave forever — Louise finally decided triumphantly. Louise nonchalantly placed her hand against the wall and thrust her hips to the side.
To fascinate Zero, in an act that she herself thought to be sexually charming, she started to lightly suck on her finger. She closed her eyes only and breathed gently as she tried to keep hold of herself. Before she could open her eyes the crashing of glass could be heard as Zero took the quickest and surest route to safety he could manage. The window. During his fall he supposed that he too had failed to open the window before jumping through, but in this case he believed circumstances warranted it.
"W-Wait. W-What's this."
"Too strong..." Was Tabitha's only answer. "Gentle touch, not like Kirche." Tabitha politely coughed."Doesn't suit."
"W-what? You too?" Louise demanded, to which Tabitha smiled shyly and nodded. "What do you see in him?"
"Love." Tabitha said as she looked out the remains of the window and noticed that Zero was now talking to a familiar maid in an altogether too tight dress. She made no mention of this.
"You love him?" Louise demanded,"Just because of what he did?"
"No... I do not love him, yet. But he loves me. He loves all of us, and shows it. He is willing to die for us, willing to end his existence for people as pitiful and hateful as us. What could you call that other than love? What could you call him, other than hero?" Tabitha asked simply.
***Break***
As Zero crashed to the ground, Siesta waited. She had been halted by that little imp who had been prowling the halls and told to wait here as she mumbled,"Mathmatics is your friend. Use it!" After a few minutes of waiting she was about to leave, thinking this another of her pranks, until she was knocked off her feet by the sudden landing of Zero who hadn't noticed anyone around as he jumped out the window into the darkness. As soon as he realized that there was someone in his jump path his arms enveloped them and he rolled with them. When he came to a stop he looked down to see Siesta in a dress that was more than a trifle daring, but also appeared to be at least the cost of her yearly wages here.
"Z-zero?" Siesta asked in shock.
"Ah." Zero could only say, turning his face, with a blush. "S-sorry Siesta. I didn't mean to drop in like this."
"Oh... It's f-fine!" Siesta replied quickly,"I wanted to show Zero this dress!" She couldn't think of a reason about why she was standing here if that was what she wanted.
"It's...A nice dress. B-but isn't it a little..." Zero replied hesitantly as he took a step back.
"I see... Miss Valliere loaned me this dress... I suppose that a commoner like me in this type of dress is ridiculous...Yes..." Siesta said, lower her head, shaking her shoulders a little.
"N-no! That's not what I meant!" Zero cried out,"Don't cry! I just meant, isn't it a little small? I mean, you look pretty in it! But I mean, I mean..."
"Pretty?" Siesta asked, her face turning upwards, a radiant smile on her face. "I'm pretty in this?" With Siesta's reaction her body and more accurately her chest bounced causing Zero to blush again.
"Well... N-not exactly. You see..."
"So... I'm really not pretty?" Siesta asked as she stared at Zero.
"Well, no. I didn't say that! It's just you're pretty the way you are. Why do you have to wear something like half your size to try and show off?" Zero mumbled out.
"Well..." Siesta said as she thought for a moment,"Because it worked?"
"W-what?"
"Well... Zero is effected. Even I can see that." Siesta said as she could moved closer to Zero. "So does Zero see me as a woman when I am like this?"
"I... Siesta, listen to me," Zero said as he held her by the shoulders,keeping her from drawing closer. "I'm not a person. I'm not real. I'm a weapon. You can do better than that. Don't just settle for the mysterious stranger."
"You say that, and while that may have been the case at first, Zero is no longer a stranger. Zero is Zero. Zero is kind, and helpful. Zero cares about my feelings, and treats me well. Zero pulls away because he cares about hurting me. Zero is the person in this world who cares the most about what happens to my heart. That is why Zero is the only one I will entrust my heart to. Even if I am not the first that you choose, I will wait for you. I do not mind being a mistress if that' is what it comes to. I want to be with you. I want to protect your heart the way you wish to protect mine. I do not want to see Zero in pain. I will do everything in my power to see that it is so!" Siesta said boldly as she took a step forward grabbing Zero's hand off her shoulder and placing it against her chest.
Zero was about to speak when suddenly he felt a sudden pulse of power, quickly identified as void, and it was coming from the direction of the palace! His eyes widened as the implications of this made him run through the scenarios in his head as he nodded.
"Zero? Please do not pull away. I Am telling you this from the bottom of my heart. Do not retreat..." Siesta pleaded as she saw Zero's gaze become distant.
"Siesta..." Zero said slowly, looking into her eyes. "I need you to go to Louise and tell her... That there is a mage like her in the direction of the palace... I'm going there now."
"B-but, what about me? Zero? Won't you respond to my feelings?" Siesta asked again.
"We... We can talk later," Zero said as he took his hand back, shifting into his armor, his helmet flickering with power. "I'm serious Siesta. Tell Louise. I'm going ahead." And with that he took off, without a word.
Siesta stared after the suddenly serious Zero. While she wanted to be offended by his dismissal of her, he said that they could talk later! That meant the discussion wasn't closed! She hurried to find Louise and tell her what Zero had said. While that was important she couldn't help but cheer herself on as she thought of the effect she had had on Zero. He had been melting in her hands!
***Break***
Seeing the guest who came to the royal reception room, Henrietta could only stare in blank surprise.
His dark-purple priest robes and high cylindrical hat symbolized the highest authority among all of Halkeginia's priesthood in other words – he was the Pope of Romalia.
Because he held a position higher than any king in Halkeginia, Henrietta invited him to take the most honorable seat.
However, the young man's face did not suit well with the priest clothes that he wore. His gentle eyes, sculptured nose, and well-shaped lips formed into an ever-present smile - beauty that made everyone turn to look. Even if one searched all the theaters in Halkeginia, it would be difficult to find an actor as beautiful as him.
To Henrietta, it seemed that his smile was filled with godlike affection.
"Doing well, Henrietta?"
Ashamed, Henrietta snapped out of her trance.
"I am sorry, Your Holiness. I was deeply moved by your holy power."
His hair, like thin gold threads, shivered as the Pope of Romalia laughed. "Call me Vittorio. I don't like such formal manners. Treat me like a regular priest of the country."
"That is gracious of you. I am very sorry I could not attend the enthronement ceremony."
Vittorio Serevare St. Aegis the 32nd had been enthroned three years ago. Though it was a custom for each of Halkeginia's royal families to attend the ceremony, Henrietta had caught deathly ill and was not able to be there.
St. Aegis the 32nd the one who succeeded the name of "Founder's Shield," the thirty-second Pope. A very young person who had just passed twenty years of age, and though Henrietta had heard rumors that he was a very handsome person, she didn't think it would be to that degree. "I don't mind. The enthronement is just a ceremony. You still follow God and are the Founder's pious servant; that is enough for me."
It was said that despite his young age, St. Aegis the 32nd received ardent support from the Romalian citizens. The reason for that was because there was a special liberal feeling that surrounded him. To a degree, Henrietta could relate to that, as she could not feel anything haughty in this young Pope either. However though nice, it was a really unexpected visit. St. Aegis the 32nd announced his visit to Tristain just two days before. The palace went in an uproar preparing for the sudden guest. After all, the Pope's visits were very rare. The last time the Pope had come as a guest was for the coronation of the King, her father. So the reason for such a sudden visit of St. Aegis the 32nd was a mystery. During the rushed dinner between the Queen and the Prime Minister Mazarin, Henrietta discussed the problems regarding the reception.
"However, as expected from the rumored Halkeginia's Flower, Queen Henrietta is really beautiful. I am extremely honored to meet you. If I were not the I am priest, I would ask you to dance."
Henrietta kept her features as schooled as possible as she looked at the pope. "Can I ask something?"
"What?"
"Can I learn the reason for such an unexpected visit?"
Surely, he did not come here just to have idle chat.
St. Aegis the 32nd gave a deep sigh."Queen Henrietta, what do you think about our prior campaign?"
The war in Albion. The league of nobles who introduced themselves as Reconquista, the destruction of Albion's royal family, the war started by the union of all nobles who did not rely on a monarchic government and sought the Holy Land The war between Reconquista and the united Tristain-Germania army, the sudden intervention of Gallia, which ended in the victory of the Allied Forces The war that took away Henrietta's beloved. She did not want to recall that difficult war. Henrietta lowered her head in sadness. "It was a sad war. I would not want to repeat such a war a second time, I think."
St. Aegis the 32nd nodded approvingly. In a gentle voice he said,"Seems like Henrietta is my friend."
"What do you mean?" Henrietta asked mystified at such a change of subject.
"It means that I agree. I too was grieved at heart by such a war. I was determined to let the militia participate as well, as soon as possible, because I wanted this useless war to be over with."
"Useless war"... At such words, Henrietta's heart reacted strongly."Is it because it was not profitable?"
St. Aegis the 32nd gave a big nod.
"It is as Queen Henrietta says. Such conflict has no benefit. I am always troubled because of this. We are all Founder Brimir's pious servants, so why should we fight against each other?"
Henrietta answered in a constrained voice."Though I am immature as a politician I think that as long as people have desires, wars will never be over."
"Founder Brimir also acknowledged the existence of desire. When desire captivates a person, he is likely to stray away from the path of righteousness. That's why self-control is beautiful. We, priests, vow celibacy and once a week devote ourselves to vegetarian ration in order to not forget self-control."
"If all people could control themselves like his Holiness, there would be no wars in the world."
"It is so, there would be none. However, I am a realist. Asking Halkeginia's people to have as strong belief as Romalians would be a foolish demand to make, we know that well."
"It is as his Holiness said – true faith sank to the ground because of the nature of the world."
For a moment, the Pope closed his eyes to her words and then looked up.
"This country is a very beautiful one. The colors that decorate the kingdom in spring, rich forests, gorgeous rivers, suiting the name of the water country. Romalia is poor in water. It makes one envious. And when such a beautiful country is involved in a war, I take it as blasphemy to God."
"I think that it is my mission to defend the peace." Said Henrietta. It was slightly disappointing that the Pope of Romalia really had come for simple sightseeing and preaching about pacifism."I wished that Albion had not provoked us, but what could I do? They killed so many of their own people and burned our villages. They planned to attack us... I just wanted to protect my people, but I couldn't even do that! What use is there for a queen who can't shield her subjects her commoners from harm? Isn't that nobility? To take the world and it's burdens so that others do not have to?" However, St. Aegis 32nd didn't stand up.
"Your Holiness?"
"I came today to help Henrietta accomplish her mission."
St. Aegis the 32nd and Henrietta went to the royal courtyard. The courtyard of the palace was bathed with rays of moonlight, and though its magnificence was not as great as Gallia's Palace of Lutece, the flowerbeds were filled with various flowers in full bloom.
While walking through the path between the flowerbeds, St. Aegis the 32nd kept his silence.
"What did you want to show me?"
Breaking the silence, Henrietta asked. St. Aegis the 32nd noticed something in the corner of a flowerbed and squatted down.
"Please look here."
There were ants.
"Aren't those ants?"
"Black ants, red ants – fighting for food." Indeed, small group of insects - the red and black ants - were fighting. The two kinds of ants were desperately competing against each other. "Strife exists even between small creatures." St. Aegis the 32nd placed a hand between the insects, putting a barrier between the opposing parties of black and red ants. Eventually the fight between the two groups ended, and both returned to their nests.
"Splendid arbitration." Henrietta said with a smile, seeing the lack of fighting thanks to the Pope's gesture.
"The ants will not be able to understand that they have been arbitrated. It's because my existence is bigger than they can perceive. A human has full power over the ants. If I wanted to, I could destroy the ant nest. Of course, I do not intend to do such a thing."
"What do you intend to do? Or should I say, what is it you mean to say?" Henrietta asked nervously. Power, great power was something that made her nervous.
"In short - power. For the preservation of peace, a huge power is necessary. A huge power that could arbitrate the two warring factions"
"Where to get such power"
As Henrietta started to say so, her eyes grew wider upon realization.
"That's right. Henrietta also knows about the legendary power"
"I cannot understand, what do you mean?"
Henrietta tried to play dumb. But St. Aegis the 32nd continued to speak.
"The power given to us by God. The power that like water, has no color. A person's mind can make it either white or black."
"Your Holiness, ooh, Your Holiness,"Henrietta shook her head in sorrow.
"Do you know the Founder's element?"
"The Void." Henrietta replied in a heavy voice.
"Yes. Great Founder Brimir himself divided this powerful power into four – it was entrusted to the treasures and the rings. The Ruby of Water and the Founder's Prayer Book are what Tristain got."
"I know the story behind it, and it's truth..." Henrietta commented, her eyes downcast.
"Again, the people who should bear this power were also divided into four. Perhaps from the fear that the power would concentrate in one person's hands."
Henrietta recalled Louise. And the ones similar to Louise, including the half elf girl. She was Albion's royal treasure, my cousin.
"The Founder said it himself – 'Four treasures, four rings, four familiars and four users – when all four of them are gathered in a single place, my Void will awake.'"
"What a frightening power." Henrietta said solemnly
"Frightening you say? It is power given by God. It depends on the person whether it becomes white or black." The Pope countered.
"Power makes one corrupt. I learned it from my mother. while I do not think that it is always the case as been proven by... Someone important to myself, I would like to leave that power alone. To bring such power to the front could cause much needless death."
"For how many years have we been involved in these useless fights?"
As those words were spoken a humming sound could be heard as a glowing sword appeared next to the young man's head. "Pope. Why the hell do you not have a four foot tall pope hat? Isn't that regulation for popes, or is this world really that different?" Zero asked humorously, although Henrietta knew that when Zero drew weapons that he was serious.
"Well... You see, we had one like that except it was just too easy to hide wine bottles in so they took it away... All I had left was this smaller one they gave me... Which I could only hide small flasks in... But then they took that away too..." Came the smooth, comical reply.
"Right. Now that the mandatory banter is out of the way, any reason a void mage is attempting to get close to my princess and advise her to release her knowledge of her void mage to him? I figured you'd already figured it out. Or do you already know and are trying to push her to force the issue." Zero asked, his voice all business.
"Z-Zero, he's the Pope, you must not draw a weapon on him!" Henrietta objected strongly as she regained her composure.
"He's not my pope. I don't believe in your god. And if he's real, then he'll be fine with me because I don't boil people alive as a form of recreation to prove faith." Zero replied easily. "I'll at least give them the fair... ish. chance to run."
Ignoring the drawn weapon that glowed with an ominous light, St. Aegis the 32nd took out something from his pocket. It was a colorful candy. And threw it at the ants. All the ants became crazy about the sudden blessing. They clung to the big candy. And they were not fighting against each other. Because there was plenty for them all, there was no need to fight.
"Together with the power, a common destination is needed. We already have it."
"Destination?"
"Something like this candy, do you understand?"
"I don't."
"The Holy Land."St. Aegis the 32nd said.
"the Holy Land."
"So, a war with the elves, using the void. How the fuck do you think you are a pacifist? Or does something not being human not make it worth living? IF what's not on that side of the border isn't human does that make it alright?" Zero demanded.
"I spared the ants. Did I not?"
Zero stepped forward, his saber out and ready. "One has to wonder. Will you attempt to stop me." He flipped his saber as he prepared to pierce the mound of red ants. Suddenly he slammed his saber into the ground destroying the small colony of ants. Zero watched the Pope very carefully for a reaction then nodded. "Nothing. I see nothing in your eyes. You are not annoyed, not angered, not aggrieved. Those ants were nothing but a way to show false benevolence to sway her to your cause. The void as it stands is limited to four people. I know all four of them. And at this point I can kill any of the two that I am regarding as a threat as I choose."
"Zero! You are out of line!"
"I"m your knight-commander of your personal guard. This man here is a void user attempting to manipulate you. And should I see even one void spell from him we'll need a broom and mop to clean him up."
Henrietta nodded reluctantly at Zero's reasoning then returned her gaze to the pope. "It was Founder Brimir's promised land guarded by elves. Though all kingdoms of Halkeginia united many times and aimed to recapture the land, it never ended in success! All that we would do is destroy that which the founder gave us, the lives of our people for such a goal."
"You are wrong. With the holy land and the holy element Void to bring about unity, we could at least acheive true peace!" St Aegis argued
"But the elves are strong" Henrietta countered
"They practice Ancient Magic. It is so. The Kings of Halkeginia have been defeated many times. However, they did not have the 'Founder's Void.'"
"Yet another war? This time with elves? But that's not what you said before? You said you wanted it to end!"
"The existence of such strong power would likely be enough to occupy the wise elves. You do not need to actually 'use' it, but rather to 'show' that you have it."
St. Aegis the 32nd gave Henrietta an intense look. In those eyes there was not even a slight shadow of doubt in oneself. However, such absolute confidence in oneself could only be in a clergyman's eyes.
"Is this what you wanted to show me?"
"Indeed. We can have a peaceful 'negotiation' with the elves. For that we need a great power in other words, the Founder's power is necessary."
"No dice. If we need that land, I take it. Elves aren't' anything special. But as it stands, there isn't a damned thing you people can't get from the land around you. This world is rich with life, and there is plenty for people." Zero replied, his saber still out, humming with power.
"It takes on average thirty square mages to take one down! You think too lightly of them." St. Aegis the 32nd stated calmly.
"Hmm. Henrietta. How many square mages were in either of the armies i demolished? And what about that Bishudal fellow who's 'ancient magic' I copied. If I felt the need I could lead a charge to take back the holy land in a war. But if they've held on to it for so long, then they've got good reason for it. If it's as harsh an environment as I've heard then they must have a reason and will not leave without fighting. And with fighting will come death. Axl should have warned you about me and my powers."
"Ah yes. My oh so 'loyal' servant. Always speaking with a mind of his own, and telling me the most outlandish stories about his great hero Zero." St. Aegis said, a gentle smile on his face. "Who can tell just what he says is true when he says so many unlikely things. Now, I believe you should put your sword away before you cause yourself some great trouble."
"First off, I"m not a hero, and second off I've killed over 6 billion people I can account for, probably a hell of a lot more. There isn't enough people on this world to stop me if I get going. You think you threaten me at all? Tristian will do what Tristan must and if you force them into a war, I will take it out on you personally, not on your country, not on your guards or your army. Are we clear? This country is still recovering from a defensive war and are now posed to watch a void mage on the throne of Gallia who seems to be playing a game we can't figure out, and you want to pick a fight with the elves... Your grasp on tactics is amateur at best. And mind numbingly stupid at worst. This conversation is over, get the hell out of here."
"Hold gentle familiar, for I think you misunderstand me, it is not just that which I bring tidings of. Gallia. Sadly, it is a country ruled by a man who has no faith. People's happiness is dominated by his personal desires. Henrietta,we need to ally our ideals together."
In her mind, Henrietta recalled Joseph, King of Gallia. His attitude to take over the other nations in the conference. An ambitious person, who persecuted Louise on a number of occasions. The Duke of Orleans who was the younger brother of the true king was a tyrant. A cruel man who harmed his own niece Tabitha repeatedly...
"You saw how his mind works? "
"Yes."Henrietta nodded. Really, she could do nothing but agree.
"As a Pope, a servant of the god and of all people of Halkeginia, I order you - take the 'Void' from that place, we cannot leave the amulet in the hands of a person who has no faith."
"That's the stupidest thing I've heard. You honestly want Tristian to try and take something from the Royal Gallian palace? That would start a war. Besides it's too late for that. He has the knowledge, and he's already been using it. Thanks in part to you, yes Axl told me about the little music box. We have our counters to him if it comes down to it. You said your word now get the hell out of here. I'll deal with Joseph. He has already summoned a reploid similar to yours. I managed to break that bond so he might have a new one. Whatever happens from here with us doesn't concern you. Just get out of here and go do whatever it is you priests do in this world aside from try and instigate wars in the name of peace."
It was clear the discussion was over, so Henrietta called Agnes with a small gesture.
Agnes kneeled down on one knee when facing the queen.
"Commander, His Holiness, the Pope needs rest. Please guide him to his room."
"As you wish." Standing up, Agnes turned towards the Pope. "Your Holiness, please follow me."
"Thank you very much for your efforts."
Once looking up at St. Aegis the 32nd's face, Agnes lost her tongue. Gone was her usual calm soldier mask, replaced by a pair of wide, glistening eyes.
"Is something the matter?"
Hearing the Pope's gentle words, Agnes lowered her head in panic. "F-Forgive my rudeness."
Agnes, feeling like her heart was torn… started to walk. For a moment, she was reminded of her past, 20 years ago. As they left they could hear Henrietta reprimanding Zero most loudly, bringing a smile to Agnes' face. He was a unique individual if nothing else.
***Author's notes***
What's this? Another chapter? Why yes, yes it is! Not sure when next one is coming out but hey at least this one is out. On note of all the mistakes in this, I'm doing this all alone. Nobody has really volunteered to help beta them and help me fix the typos and stuff and if I do that too much I kinda just walk away or do something else. Then nothing gets done for a few weeks. Also, benefit. that's how you spell the word. Rocks and glass houses and all. Or in Zero's case... Anything and glass houses. Or castles. Or colonies. Also, the enter button thing... I press the enter button but the thing just take sit out. I think it's got something in there to remove extra spaces and it works on things that ARE NOT extra spaces too sometimes.
For the people sticking with the story, thank you.
On Omega vs Zero, here is how it happened. Zero allowed his body to be put under and his mind removed from the shell so that they could attempt to remove the maverick virus that was a core part of him, to see if it was part of his body. During this time, Weil came in, put in a new AI that was totally loyal to him and took the body. He called this false personality Omega. Now, the "power" you see vs Omega is actually original Zero and the Dark elf fused. This is not the same as his Awakened power. There is no Omega protocol. It's just something made up by people who wanted Omega to be more than he was. Omega is nothing more than a loyal AI put into Zero's old body. If Omega had been any part of the original Zero do you think he would have taken commands from the old fool? Not likely. Even if he was in his awakened state he would have just killed the fool, and declared war on the rest of the world with the dark elf by his side. Instead, he followed Weils orders, which Zero has always had a very hard time doing period(following orders that is). So no, Omega is not a part of Zero in any way shape or form.
Zero, Leviathan, Roll and Axl aren't really normal robots. They're synthetic life forms. We actually have in series things showing that reploids and humans can have relationships and as it stands no matter how much Zero wishes it otherwise, a relationship with him WOULD be productive in the way you're talking about.
Oh, and for some clarification for people who keep asking about characterization...
Henrietta has many of X's qualities when it comes to questioning her actions and the power that she has. As the Queen she has a great deal of power, thought it is not the amount of personal power that X had it still causes her much concern and hesitation. This is where his loyalty to her stems from more than anything.
Louise has X's qualities of self doubt from earlier in the series when he didn't think he was powerful or good enough. He grew into the power as she has partially grown into hers.
Tabitha is someone he sees himself in to some extent. She is powerful with a troubled/tragic past. She's not Zero powerful but she's definitely a square mage at a young age who's killed countless powerful beings. She is like the female human Zero right there.
Kirche is Layer. Just WAY stronger on the catch Zero vibe.
Cattelya is very Iris like. Before the whole brother killed thing.
Tiffania is Ciel like. taking it upon herself to take care of others and protect them.
Siesta... She's just herself. Nothing wrong with that.
Roll ... Basically a retooled combination of what little classic Roll there was, and Powered up Roll who is hilarious and awesome. She is also a melee fighter in that game as well as every other game she is a primary character in(fighting games). The first Capcom vs Marvel doesn't count as she was an added in character who in some ways was overpowered when used right she could not be hit because of her hit box. I then add say 20 years of development to this and this is the Roll I see when given the reploid upgrade.
Rock: Trapped in a boy's body for so long, with a 'little sister' for so long he's going to have picked up some habits. While he can be overly serious and do his work like a good lab assistant or go out and save the world, I wanted to have more fun with his character.