Don't own Zero no Tsukaima

AN: Politics happening in my life, sorry for the wait, new computer. HERE IS THE NEW CHAPTER!

Saito had left again. But this time he left so much of his stuff behind. She knew it was wrong, she knew it was intrusive and she would be mad if he did the same to her, but Siesta couldn't ignore her curiosity. She looked into his room and realized that if someone caught her she probably couldn't use the excuse that she was cleaning. The staff detested when any of their work was moved, Saito probably also didn't want his work moved around. Every surface but the floor was covered.

She looked at his desk, covered in magic theory book, she didn't know enough about magic to know what the theories were even about. She peaked at his notes, and groaned. She couldn't read any of it; it was in a different language and his handwriting was atrocious. Even when it was in her language she still struggled to read the complex language combined with chicken scratch. Maybe she could learn something from what he was reading. She looked at book after book and saw that none of them could be considered a book one would read for leisure. Everything was either about the Founder or magic.

Siesta sighed, and walked to the hamper. She might as well do his laundry so she had an excuse for sneaking into his room. Saito would be annoyed that others were doing these chores for him, but he should just let her manage the cleaning. That was something she could help with, not the magic or machine stuff. She couldn't force herself to read magic theory, let alone understand it.

She trudged out with his clothes in a basket. Then she looked at the lab Saito frequented, and she realized that if she was being nosey she could be nosey there. She set the clothes basket down, and opened the door. She stepped inside and felt like an idiot.

She didn't know what she expected, it was a lab. The only writing was complex letters and numbers somehow relating to math, or complex books on magic, alchemical, and transmutation theory. She saw diagrams, with designs, a few of them separated into piles. The biggest pile was engine designs.

Then she saw something she recognized. Costs and supplies, Saito was looking at buying iron ore. A lot of it, more than he could possibly need for his motorcycle. He wanted to make more. The deals he was looking at were terrible. At least this was something she could understand, and she was pretty sure that her Grandfather knew a few people who could sell Saito what he needs for much less.

It wasn't much, but it looked like she might be able to help Saito save some money. He needed all the help he could get.

"What the FUCK was that?!" Saito shrieked.

"We need to move, now." Wardes ordered, then pointed at Kirche and Tabitha. "Since you two know about the mission you are coming with us."

"Why did you kill them?!"

"Guiche, leave the horse and get on the dragon with the girls." Wardes said as he mounted Vael and lifted Louise to ride with him.

Louise was still in shock over what Wardes just did. He must have had a reason, but she couldn't figure it out. "Wardes…"

"I apologize for that gruesome display, but the Griffin Knights are definitely infiltrated by whatever was watching Saito."

"Wh-what?" That wasn't possible, the Griffin Knights were all selected by the Captain of the Knights, Wardes himself, then approved by the Queen. They couldn't have missed a traitor in their midst.

"I hate to say it, but I failed. I should have seen something, but the only way a trap could have been set here was if they learned about our mission at the palace."

Louise was petrified. This wasn't supposed to be dangerous. Wardes was making political plays with Guiche. They weren't ready for this to be a real mission. "What should we do?"

"We can trust Saito, he isn't from here, and he caught the mistake the mercenaries made." Louise started trembling.

"What about Kirche and Tabitha?" Louise asked.

"I'm not willing to simply accept that they came all this way just for Gandàlfr. For now don't tell them anything." Wardes ordered. He was right, Louise knew it, they had to be careful, but she could trust Wardes and Saito.

"GET BACK HERE YOU JACKASS!" Saito howled at the Griffin flying away. Tabitha watched him scream and start shouting what she assumed to be profanities in a different language as he paced in the blood and bits of his attackers. It was clear that Wardes was hiding something, though she doubted that it was anything too severe. They were at best mercenaries, and she had eliminated mercenaries under Isabella's direction to conceal actions before. She doubted that Wardes was doing anything that would put them at risk.

Best case and the most likely, Wardes is making it seem more "dangerous" so that Louise will be more renown when everything is done. Worse case, she knew she could keep Kirche safe.

Then Saito slipped on a chunk of flesh, falling face first into the pool of blood. He growled out what she assumed was a few choice expletives in his tongue as he wiped the mercenary off his face. With the blood out of his eyes he froze, the look of rage slowly fading and being replaced with horror, staring at the blood dripping from his sleeve and hands.

Tabitha looked to Kirche, and saw her friend turned away, not even looking at the scene. She was back on Sylphid. She looked over at Guiche, he actually fainted, and was draped across his horse. Tabitha gave a quick chant and a wave of water washed over Saito, taking the blood and the remains with it off the road, then a quick gust to dry him.

Saito pulled himself up, "Thanks for that Tabitha. I needed that. I'm surprised I didn't throw up." He finished with a clearly forced laugh.

"Grab Guiche." Tabitha ordered. She walked back to Sylphid, sat in front of Kirche, and leaned into her friend. "Let's go."

They took off, leaving Guiche to Saito. She kept her eyes on the disappearing form of Wardes and his Griffin. Whatever Wardes was doing probably wasn't doing anything that bad, but she would be ready to protect Kirche if needed.

Saito pulled up, glaring at Wardes. He kicked down the kickstand, and walked over. There was a THUMP behind him and looked back to see Guiche on the ground, moaning about the pain his legs were in.

Tabitha and Kirche were with Louise, sitting outside enjoying dinner in front of Tavern on the side of the road. Their flying mounts were much faster than his motorcycle, and Saito also had to replace the wheels and fill up the gas tank. He should have more than enough to get back.

"Is Guiche alright?" Louise asked.

"Probably not." Saito shrugged. His legs were starting to get sore, he needed to figure out some way to absorb the shock. Good, durable springs that still had a good range of motion were surprisingly hard to make.

"Saito, I need to speak with you. Privately." Wardes interjected, marching forward and into the woods.

Saito stopped. He wasn't expecting that. He looked at Louise, eating something that looked fairly bland. Judging by the look on her face it was very bland. Saito followed Wardes, right hand resting on Derflinger, left hand resting on his Beretta. They would soon be far enough away that Wardes could attack and the others would be none the wiser. Saito pulled Derflinger out as quietly as he could and turned off the safety on his Beretta as he pulled it.

"I hired the bandits." Wardes breathed out, turning around and his eyes widening. He leapt back, pulling his rapier-wand and pointing it at Saito. The two stared at each other, Wardes calm and confident, and Saito was sure his mouth was hanging open.

"Partner, I think you need to talk with him." Derflinger broke the tension.

"Yeah, that sounds good." Saito said as he holstered his gun.

"Could we drop our weapons on three?" Wardes asked, Saito nodded. "Together."

"One. Two. Three." They said together. Wardes dropped his wand. "Really?"

"I was not expecting that." Saito said, still holding Derflinger. He sheathed Derflinger, and Wardes picked up and sheathed his rapier-wand. "Sorry for not dropping Derf, but he's alive… So… Yeah."

"Don't use me as an excuse." Derflinger muttered.

"Why did you bring… Why did you hire… Why?" Saito incoherently asked.

"The Princess and I want Louise to live at the Palace. There are still people skeptical that she's Void. She thought that another success would help. I thought it would be better if there was an illusion of danger."

"If I wasn't wearing armor then there would be three arrows in my chest. You had people watching me!"

"Of course I had people watching you. You're a man who appeared out of nowhere, and you spend all your time with my betrothed. For all I knew you were using her to get to the Princess. You stole Mott's wand and beat him to a pulp. It would be irresponsible if no one was watching you." Wardes stated simply.

Those were all very good points, in fact there were probably others monitoring him. "Why attack me?"

"Your transport is identifiable and unique. There's no risk that the mercenaries would mistake someone else for you. Besides, you defeated two mages at the same time by yourself, what could a few commoners do?" While Saito did find it annoying that Wardes clearly looked down on non-mages and didn't know that Mical helped him beat the two mages, he had a point.

Saito hated it. The entire explanation Wardes had given. He hated that it made sense. Stealing a wand was enough to make Mott lose everything and was worth sending people to try and kill him. "You did all of that, killed those people, specifically put my life in danger, over political bullshit?"

"It was necessary to help Louise." Wardes said, not a bit of doubt in his voice.

Saito stared at Wardes. He was absurd. "Why are you telling me all this?"

"We are going to Albion. We won't be near the fighting so I doubt that we will be attacked there, but if it happens I don't want you looking to be stabbed in the back. I want you ready for a real enemy, should it happen."

Saito groaned and started pacing. He wasn't expecting this. He definitely shouldn't trust Wardes, he was seen as a pawn to advance Louise at best or a competitor for her affection at worst in Wardes's eyes. "Alright, let's go and join up with the others." Saito didn't trust Wardes, but he was at least certain that Wardes cared for Louise. Even if it was too much.

"Please don't tell Louise about this. She would be… upset if she knew about this."

"Sure." Saito said as he walked up and rested a hand on Wardes's shoulder. "I won't tell the others either. One more thing." Saito grabbed Derf with his free hand, slammed the pommel into Wardes's gut, causing him to double over and fall to his hands and knees.

"Why?" He wheezed.

"You used me as a pawn, and I'll get you for those 14 people you murdered after this mission. We need to get moving soon if we want to get to La Rochelle before morning."

Maria rubbed the burn scar covering her face. It ached whenever she saw that man, and ever since he ended up here her brother had her working to ruin him. Standing at the World Tree port in La Rochelle was always incredible, staring out over the city as the lights die out every night.

"Skins?"

"Lieutenant." She smiled despite the pain it caused from stretching the scars.

"You know I hate being called that. I deserve better than this nothing position."

"Take the Sulphur and put it on the ship at dock 12. I trust you enjoyed your payment?" She wheezed.

"Of course."

Maria took her leave. She took the wind lift down, glad to be done with that man for now. As she walked through the empty dark streets. She never had to deal with harassment with half her face burnt off. She stepped into a bar, and wordlessly made her way upstairs through the empty establishment. She opened the door to where she was living, and she couldn't help but smile through the pain.

"Luc! When did you get here?" She asked hugging her older brother.

"Our employer needed me to get him and some others a couple rooms at, ugh, the Goddess's Temple." At hearing the name she shared his disgust. That place was absurdly fancy, even for nobles. "Anyway, just wanted to see you before I go watch them arrive from a safe distance."

"I'll join you." It'd be nice to spend some more time with her brother.

"Let's go." Luc said as he led her back out. They made their way, climbing higher to the nicer and nicer areas. Then she saw it, the Goddess's Temple. Some over decorated solid marble building carved out of the mountain. They could barely see the entrance from here. Luc pulled out a spyglass. "They'll arrive on a Griffin. I trust the Sulphur smuggling is going well?"

"The Reconquista is paying double what we thought we could get."

Then they waited. They saw the stars disappear with dawn when they heard a dull roar. Luc Stood up, looked through the spyglass, and muttered, "That's the bike. They're early, very early."

"I, what?"

"Right, I didn't send you a description. You'll see." He said as he handed her the spyglass. Maria looked through with her good eye. She saw the Griffin and Wind Dragon first, rare but not unique. Behind them was a man and a woman on a metal contraption on wheels. That was where the roar came from. She heard her brother give a quick chant, and the wind subtly changed to hide their scent from the familiars.

"That thing is loud."

"Non-magic, and it came here from the Academy. I want one." The wind picked up, and Maria saw a slip of paper drift from the group, flitter close to the ground towards her and Luc, stopping at her brother's feet.

"…That he knew we were here is probably more impressive than that non-magic thing." Maria muttered.

Luc picked it up, "We have our orders. Let's go."

Guiche's eyes' snapped open, images of the dead mercenaries waking him. He pulled himself up, his entire body protesting. He had never traveled so far in one day. He barely slept. The image of the mercenaries being torn apart by a single spell was terrifying, and it seemed to refuse to leave him. He saw that Kirche was still sleeping.

He didn't realize he was sharing a room, or that he got into a bed either. He got up and limped out of the room. He made his way through the marble halls, wincing and holding himself against the handrail down the stairs. He staggered into the dining hall, and collapsed into a chair.

Immediately he was given a plate of fresh fruit, eggs with a dollop of caviar on top each yolk, and prime rib. It was nicer than what the Academy had to offer. Guiche started with the eggs, adoring the way the caviar complemented it.

"Good morning." He heard muttered across the table. Guiche looked up and saw a few clean plates and Saito sitting across from him, reading his journal. It seemed Saito had sloppily stitched the holes in his signature blue sweater shut.

Guiche stared at him, thinking for a moment. All those mercenaries ambushed him, and he came out with only a few holes in his clothes that have since be closed. Guiche wouldn't have lasted past the first blow. He hadn't even been expecting trouble, yet Saito wasn't only ready for conflict, but ready to mend damage to his clothes. "How are you ready for everything?"

"I assume that shit will go wrong, and I've been lucky enough to bring and know the right shit to deal with it."

"But the ambush?"

"I was looking for trouble, though it was luck that I saw them"

"I thought it would be easy."

"Guiche, that's almost as stupid as trying to get back together with Montmorency."

At that, Guiche felt his blood boil. He pulled himself up, and hissed, "What's that supposed to mean?" He would not take insults on her.

"She tried to love potion you, dumbass." He sounded so bored as he said it. He wasn't putting any thought into it.

"I forgave her."

"Yet she can't forgive you."

"I hurt her!" He had, his flirting with Katie was a betrayal. Saito pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly annoyed as Tabitha walked in and had her breakfast instantly set in front of her.

"Good morning Tabitha." Saito said, Guiche now nervous that he seemed to have his attention focused on him. Tabitha gave him a nod as she ate. "Guiche, take a moment to think of how little Montmorency thinks of you to even consider using a love potion."

"She was mad at me…"

Saito let out an exasperated sigh. "Hey Tabitha, would you forgive someone who tried to use a potion on you that fucks up your mind?"

Guiche flinched at Saito's question. "Saito! Don't you know… Well… Don't!"

"What'd I say?" Saito looks at Tabitha. She had stopped eating. Frozen in place.

She broke the silence. "No. Wouldn't forgive." She resumed her breakfast.

"...I'm sorry for bringing… I'm not sure what the bad part was, but sorry?"

"I'm fine."

There's a silence for a moment, Guiche felt ungodly nervous. "Either way my point stands, even you deserve better than Montmorency." Tabitha gave a single nod at Saito's statement.

Louise's eyes fluttered open, still tired from the long trip. She pulled herself out of bed, stretching every tired muscle from the exhausting flight.

"You look magnificent this morning." Louise jumped at Wardes voice. They were sharing a room. What happened?

"Wa-Wardes! Th-thank you… It's great to see you." All she remembered from last night was collapsing into bed once they arrived. "Wh-when are we leaving for Albion?"

"Tomorrow morning when most of the ships set sail. I'll step out so you can change." Wardes said as he left the room. It made sense to leave tomorrow, Albion would be closer on the day of a full moon.

Louise looked at herself in the mirror. She slept in her school uniform. She quickly changed, and stared at the mirror. She shouldn't be here. This was an important mission the Princess requested, and there was actual danger. There was treason being committed. There was no way she was ready to fight against a traitor who infiltrated this high up, someone who worked alongside Wardes.

If this traitor succeeded, if they stopped her, it would mean war with the Reconquista. Thank the Founder that Wardes and Saito were here, they could handle themselves while protecting her and Guiche.

She pulled her wand out, and closed her eyes. She focused on Wardes, his neatly trimmed beard, his sharp, blue uniform, and his compassionate heart. With all her willpower she pulled at her magic, desperately trying to force it out, like shoving a horse through a needle. She opened her eyes, and saw Wardes beside her. She grinned, after so long without improving, she could see herself getting better. She was a real mage.

"So this was what was taking so long." She heard Wardes, and her concentration broke. The illusion burst into blinding light.

"Sorry! I was just practicing." Louise rushed out, rubbing the spots out of her eyes.

"It's alright, it will be easy today. I'll make sure everything is prepared, especially with the threat of the traitor." Wardes said with a chuckle. "All you need to do is keep the Princess's letter and the Ruby of Water safe."

"Of course." Louise said with a smile. They walked down together. "I'll keep them safe."

The pair stepped outside, seeing Guiche and his Familiar. "Ohh Verdante, you followed me!"

Louise almost gaped. She had no idea how Guiche's Familiar got here. "God damn that mole is fast." Saito muttered. "Morning you two."

"Did that thing follow us?" Louise asked.

"Verdante is not a thing! He's my adorable Familiar!" Guiche adamantly shouted.

"But yes, he did follow us." Saito said as he leaned against Tabitha's dragon.

Then the mole turned toward her. It was staring intently at her. "Why is it looking at me like that?" It charged. Louise stepped back and fell through the open doorway. The mole jumped on her and started LICKING HER HAND! A powerful gust of wind threw the mole off her, and Louise was horrified to find that the beast slobbered all over the Ruby of Water that the Princess had entrusted her!

"Gramont! Control your familiar!" Wardes ordered, wand in hand.

Tabitha walked past Louise's fallen form, not sparing a passing glance. "Please, you needn't be rough! Verdante only found a gem he liked!"

"IT TACKLED ME!"

"Yeah, that makes it okay that he tackled Louise, makes sense." Saito sardonically said.

"Well, no but-"

"Then apologize." Saito and Wardes said.

Guiche paused, and Verdante looked scared. Guiche shuffled over to Louise and said, "Terribly sorry for my Familiar's actions."

Louise pulled herself up. "You're forgiven." Louise seethed as she wiped the mole's slobber off on Guiche.

"Well that was fun. Let's go Tabitha!" Saito exclaimed as he jumped on the dragon.

"Wait! Saito you can't-" Slyphid took off, kicking up dust at Louise.

"Where is he off too?"

Tabitha looked out over the city with Saito. They were both staring at the inn they were staying at. While it was nice, it was closed off. Built into a mountain, only the main entrance and the servant entrance built close enough to each other than a small group could cover both. Windows on one side. That was the advantage and the problem, it could only be attacked from one side then they would be trapped. It would be painfully obvious to even an amature that while extravagant, if attacked there would be no escape.

"Could Guiche's mole dig through the rock?"

Tabitha shook her head before noticing that Saito wasn't even looking at her to see the answer. "Enchanted."

"We have Void. If we're attacked no one would expect that we have an easy escape. The only issue at that point it how far the tree port thing is from the hotel." Saito pointed out. Tabitha hadn't considered the application of Louise's magic. Void is simply so far out of the norm no one would consider preparing for it. She gave a simple nod.

"World Tree, not 'tree port thing.'" Saito's sword corrected.

"Really, that's what it's called? Can we land near it?" Saito asked.

Tabitha led Slyphid down. Saito took off his sweater, revealing an armored chest with a slight mark from yesterday's encounter, a vambrace and rerebrace on his right arm. "What are you doing?"

"I figured I'd blend better without wearing fabric from home. There's nothing here like nylon. I should also probably get cheap pants for blending, what I own is too nice for what a normal person here owns. Shoes too."

"Plan?" Tabitha asked.

"Gather information. Thank you for the lift." They touched down and he dismounted. "I'll be back later."

It seems he looks like a mercenary. It made sense, he was armed and armored. He should have thought of it on his own. Still, wandering around the World Tree and talking to captains and seamen did give him plenty of insight on the situation in Albion. Considering that he was on the Royals side, it didn't look good. The rebels in the Reconquista seemed to be the clear winners in the war, and by the time they reached Albion the Royals may already be crushed.

For now Saito was heading to a bar popular among mercenaries as it grew dark. The Golden Wine Barrel was run down, built into the rock like everything else it still found some way to look rickety. There was a pile of broken chairs next to the door, and two unconscious men on top of the pile. There was a sign on the door.

"Please use the chairs when you fight in here." Saito was starting to have second thoughts about gathering information in this particular bar. Saito glared at the rowdy establishment. He could hear that it was spirited in there. He steeled his resolve, put on a confident facade, opened the door and marched in.

His confidence was immediately replaced with shock. "Fouquet! Is that you?" She was sitting, back to the bar with a twig of a man and a woman with horrific burns covering half her face. She seemed to be talking to a group of mercenaries.

"Saito! You're here…" She sounded nervous.

"Come on over! Have a seat!" The skinny man said. "The name's Luc."

Saito rested a hand a Derflinger. Saito felt perturbed. Something was wrong with the way Luc was staring at him. He walked in on something, he wasn't 100% sure what. If there was going to be a fight, he was better served close to the enemy. Saito walked over, and stood by the offered seat. "So, talking about me? With the luck I've had I assume it's only bad."

"Most people wouldn't make that assumption," Luc grinned as the chair leapt up, wrapping tightly around Saito's armored right side, holding Derflinger in his sheath against Saito's leg. "Good guess. I did not think you would put yourself in such a bad situation. I get to cripple you!"

Luc revealed his wand, and gave it a shake. Nothing happened. A thug swung a chair at Saito, and he jumped back, the chair golem falling apart. "Derf, did you know you could absorb magic through your sheath?"

"No."

"Everyone, five écu each for attacking Saito. If he dies, no one is paid." Fouquet called out confidently.

"Fouquet…" Saito glared at her.

"LET'S DO THIS!" Saito heard behind him.

Saito turned, and saw a hulking man charging at him with a chair overhead. Saito put his right hand on Derf, feeling the rush of power, and pulled Derf hitting him in the solar plexus with the pommel. The man stopped in his tracks, dropping the chair on his own head and falling over wheezing. The rest of the thugs were taken aback at how quickly the man went down. "This won't be difficult." Saito said with what he hoped sounded like nonchalonce.

"Don't worry, if you aren't going for the kill, he won't." Fouquet said with a smile.

"I won't?" Saito bluffed, blade pressed against the throat of the wheezing man. As much as he wanted to deny it, Saito wasn't sure if he was willing to kill him.

"I trust that I know you well, I doubt that you'll disappoint me. Not like I'm trying to kill you." Fouquet stood and started walking out, Luc and the burned woman following.

Saito stepped away from the wheezing man. "I'm not-"

"She's not wrong, you won't try to kill us?" A thug said incredulously.

"This is a fucking easy contract."

Saito paused. He was surrounded.

AN: So yeah, new chapter. Sorry for the weight(Just noticed this error, trying to lose weight so it's on my mind, I'm going to leave it as a reminder to double check authors notes too). Been working on a few separate stories, one a fanfic that I might start putting up. Also if I succeed at getting a job I'm going for I should be leaving the country.

Either way, expect a lot of violence next chapter for everyone.