13 – Princess of Tristain

On the sixth day after the duel, just a day before Void Day, Osmond informed me that the Crown princess would be coming to the school for an inspection of the school and the vault, and that he had arranged for her to meet me to see if there was anything the Crown could do to help my situation.

The princess' entourage was small, but the procession of knights, Griffons, and musketeers still awed the students.

Saito, in particular, seemed entranced by the princess' beauty, to Louise' consternation, but after I'd interfered a couple of times to tone down her 'punishments', she let Saito off the hook this time.

Once classes resumed while the real inspection work was being done by the Crown's agents, I met Princess Henrietta, who was only a seventeen year old girl, in her guest room, which was much larger and more opulent than mine.

Her musketeers stood guard outside while Osmond and I were called to enter. The princess Henrietta de Tristain sat holding her crystal staff with unknown anxieties on her face that she quickly calmed as we came in. A handmaiden set the tea for us before exiting.

"Your highness," Osmond said with a deep bow.

"A pleasure to meet you, princess," I said with a simple nod.

A kind smile was returned to me. "The pleasure is mine, Sir Axion. I have heard great things about you. They say you are a renowned hero in your homeland, who has achieved feats of a sort similar to those I only read about in stories, growing up. And you have been a tremendous inspiration to the students here, who are the precious future of this Kingdom. Even battling Fouquet and returning the Staff of Destruction, you have proven that you live up to your reputation."

"Your words are too kind, princess. I merely did what was necessary. When there is evil afoot, someone must step up to stop it. I simply happened to be the one with the right skills to accomplish the deed. I imagine there are many such courageous men and women in Tristain as well."

"I wish it were so, Sir Axion…in my grandfather's day such chivalry was common, but in these dark times…" she said sadly, then sighed. "I ought not burden you with these matters. Please, tell me of your troubles so that I may assist. I am told you are from another world entirely?" She asked with a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes.

"That is true, princess. I was summoned by Louise Vallière together with a boy who came from yet another world still," I said.

She blinked with astonishment. "Louise Vallière, truly? Sir Osmond, you did not mention it was my dear friend who had done the summoning!"

"Your highness, I had no idea she was your friend," said Osmond.

"You're right of course, you could not have known. Yes, we were close friends when we were younger. What a coincidence…or perhaps, a sign from the Founder…but what does it mean?" She murmured to herself, before shaking her head. "No, I shouldn't get distracted. We were speaking of you, Sir Axion, and how I can help."

Her tone and expression were fraught with genuine sympathy. "If you are from another world and stranded in Tristain, I can only imagine how it must feel to have lost your home. Although we have no way to send you back, if there is anything else I can do to help you, please ask."

I nodded appreciatively. "Thank you for your concern, princess Henrietta. I have some ideas on how I might return on my own, so it is not hopeless. In the meantime, the opportunity to explore a new land is a joy of its own."

"Please, just Ann is fine when we are in private. I would not ask a great hero such as yourself to address me so formally, especially as you are not my subject. Though perhaps, that can change if you find Tristain to your liking…?"

Young as she was, she was very good at projecting warmth and kindness, though that may have just been her nature.

"Very well, Ann, but only if you call me Kaleidus. And none of that sir business, either, if we're doing away with titles."

She nodded pleasantly. "Kaleidus, that is a strange name but somehow I feel it suits you. Then, have you thought about what you would like to do? For your role in preventing the theft of the Staff of Destruction, you would be more than qualified to receive a title of peerage."

I smiled back but shook my head. "That is a kind offer, and perhaps I might take it up in the future, Ann, but for now I must decline. Though I'm still unfamiliar with the customs of this land, I am not unfamiliar with the burden of ruling. I'm sure you understand what I mean, taking on such a heavy responsibility at such a young age for yourself."

She looked at me with a mix of seriousness and surprise.

My expression turned melancholic. "The people may admire us, but unless we are tyrants the position of a ruler is not wholly enviable. It is a duty that never ends. I have seen how the people look at you, Henrietta, and heard their praise of you on the streets of Tristania. For them to love you so, you must have sacrificed much, and for that, I have only respect for you. So please believe me when I say that I have nothing against being your subject. But over the past few days I have come to realize more and more that the summoning has not trapped me on this world. Rather, it has given me a new kind of freedom, and I would not be so quick to shackle myself in duty again."

There was a pregnant pause as the purple haired girl digested my words, and Osmond looked at me in a new light.

"Freedom…?" She cautiously drew the word out with an intense gaze at me.

"Before I was summoned, I had already established a robust system and trained successors to rule in my place in the event that something happened to me. I have the utmost confidence that my people will be fine without me. I won't deny that I'd like to go back at some point, but here, I am free. There are no grand quests to undertake, no world-ending threats to face, no mountain of paperwork…there is nothing. There is just me, my wand and sword, and whatever adventures I find in this fascinating new world," I gestured grandly to the window that showed the endless plains outside.

In that moment, the princess's refined expression broke and what replaced it was a picture of longing and awe.

"When you put it that way…it really does sound wonderful. To go wherever you want, seeking excitement and adventure…I…"

Her youth and royal upbringing was now showing itself. Someone who had lived in a palace all her life, surrounded by guards and nobles whenever she traveled, the idea of simple freedom and adventure had a glamour to it that was grossly distorted by imagination and bard's tales.

Osmond seemed to notice the princess's stupor too, and quickly said, "Ah, your highness, I'm sure you'll be able to go on an adventure when the kingdom is safe. When the crisis in Albion is over and the line of succession is secure."

A shadow of disappointment flitted across Henrietta's face. "Yes, you're right. I must put the needs of the kingdom first. Alas, Kaleidus, I wish that I could help you some other way, if you'll not consider peerage."

I had already read between the lines and understood the real purpose of this meeting. Henrietta herself might have genuinely wanted to help me, but tying myself down with some kind of real position would only be an inconvenience in the long-run when I needed to disappear for unknown periods of time offworld. The general status of being a noble wasn't such a big deal when people assumed I was noble just by the way I dressed anyway.

"Well, there is one thing," I said. "Not for myself though…Ann, is it really true that you are Louise's friend?"

"Louise de la Vallière? Yes, of course. She was my playmate but a few years ago, and my dearest friend still. Though it has been some time so I'm not sure that she still thinks the same way of me…" She said hesitantly.

"I assure you, Ann, she has never forgotten and loves you just as much, even if she is too shy to show it because of your station. I have taken her as a student this past week, and would therefore ask you a great favor on her behalf. However, this is a very private matter…" I said, turning to Osmond.

Henrietta and Osmond both understood my intent and Osmond offered to withdraw on his own. "That is a very honorable thing to do, Sir Axion, to think of your student even now. I will of course allow you to converse in privacy."

He bowed to Henrietta again. "Your highness, I shall be in my office if you need my presence."

When he left, Henrietta stood up and gave me a short bow of her own.

"What's this? Why are you bowing to me, princess?"

"I must thank you for teaching my friend. I have heard of her difficulties in magic, and to know that such a great mage as yourself is so earnestly helping her sets my heart at ease," she said before returning elegantly to her seat.

"No need to thank me, Ann. I only recognized the potential where others did not, and knew how to bring it out. In fact, that is precisely what I need your help with."

"Whatever I can do, please ask."

"In truth, I am reaching the limit of what I can teach her personally, and I must also leave the school for a time. She has a very special kind of magic, you see, and there is nobody else that can teach her. I do not wish to leave her to return to failing pointlessly at her regular studies, which are not suitable to her."

The young princess listened patiently to my explanation.

"Simply put, Louise is a Void mage, like the Founder Brimir was recorded to be in history," I declared with complete confidence.

"A V-Void mage?! Truly?" Her hand flew to her chest as her face turned to shock.

"This is the real reason she cannot cast regular magic, her affinity to Void is overpowering and she cannot use any other element until she gains a degree of control over it."

"That is most remarkable! But, how do you know this? For her to have the legendary element…"

"It is unbelievable, yes. I could easily recognize it because I too have a special relationship to the Void, though that is surely just as difficult to believe, so I point to another piece of evidence. Louise completed the familiar binding ritual with the other boy that was summoned with me. The runes that formed on him are those of the legendary Gandalfr, and he has in fact acquired the power of Gandalfr to wield any weapon with such strength and speed as to be impossible for any normal man. You can easily verify this yourself."

"I see. No need for that, I believe you, Kaleidus. I understand now why you wished to speak of this to me in private, and I thank you for your discretion. For Louise's own safety, it is best that nobody learns of this. But, what is it that you need my help with?"

"Now this next part is only a speculation, but I believe there may be something in your possession that could be of use to her. It is said that the Founder was a user of Void, and he left behind certain artifacts. I believe the Tristainian family has a particularly interesting Founder's Prayer Book? One that is famed to be blank, where all the other supposed originals have varying versions of scripture?"

Henrietta's eyes shimmered in understanding. "Yes, that's right. Without a doubt, the one that belongs to our family is genuine. Though we don't know why it's blank either. But if Louise is a Void mage, then maybe she could discover its secrets."

"So, would you lend it to her?"

She nodded. "I will make the arrangements. In fact, it is right here at the academy vault, and it is one reason I came so quickly for an inspection."

I smiled. "Thank you, Ann, for listening to my request. Please accept this small token of my appreciation."

I retrieved a small metallic object from my utility belt.

"Oh, there's no need for a gift, Kaleidus. I've not even had a chance to reward you your assistance with the Staff of Destruction yet, and it is hardly fair that your only request I can fulfill is one that I would have done for Louise anyway. If anything, I ought to be the one preparing a gift for you." She gestured for me to stop.

"Please don't misunderstand. This is a different sort of gift. If you'd like, you may consider listening to my performance my reward. After all, it is not everyday that one can play a melody for a princess."

"A melody?" She looked at the instrument in my hands curiously.

I did not explain further and simply put the harmonica to my lips.

What followed was a simple, slow, and relaxing tune. Her eyes widened as I played, but soon she relaxed alongside the music.

At the end of it, she clapped lightly with a gentle smile. "Thank you! That was wonderful. That instrument, I've never seen such a thing before, but you are very skilled with it."

"You flatter me, Ann. I am but an amateur."

"No, no! You really are skilled. I daresay you are better than some of the musicians who've performed at the royal court."

"If the princess says so, then I can only accept her praise humbly."

After that, I let her examine the harmonica in detail and spoke briefly of its history on Earth, before attempting to bid her farewell.

"I shall not bother you any longer. You must have much official business to take care of."

"No, not at all! I am quite tired of listening to the Cardinal speak of official matters all the time. Why, he couldn't stop talking about such things even on the carriage when I only wanted some rest!" She said with a sigh. "You were no bother at all, Kaleidus. Your music was quite refreshing. If only all my petitioners were so cultured…"

"Is that so? Perhaps an encore is in order?"

Her face lit up. "I would like that very much, if it isn't too much trouble."

So I played the tune again.

And another one.

Then I just stayed and continued chatting with her until our tea ran out.

It seemed that she was quite eager to have an excuse to keep herself away from the man-shaped knot of stress otherwise known as her Regent.

In the end, she even asked me for advice on love and politics, which I was happy to share. I had no vested interest in influencing the future Queen of Tristain, but I wasn't going to turn down an opportunity to nudge her along a more interesting path.

O O O

When the week of teaching with Louise was up, I informed her and Saito that I would be leaving for a while and returning to check their progress later.

To maintain a line of communications, I brought over a comms node from the AAPV. These 3kg nodes were solar powered super lightweight foldable communications drones that had several functions. They could communicate directly to each other at 8-16 kilobit per second bandwidths over ranges of 1000-3000 km, using Low Angle Skywaves, depending on their positioning. They could also act as hubs for short range radio comms—connecting to mobile devices like phones within a hundred kilometers. Finally, if I had a geostationary satellite in orbit, they'd be capable of much higher bandwidth transmissions. The AAPV had such a satellite on board and it could deploy it by going up to space, but I didn't see a need for it at the moment.

I simply set up a node floating over the school and another on the underside of Albion, with the AAPV itself acting as a node as well, and gave Louise and Saito each a solar powered smartphone. Being from a modern Earth, Saito easily understood how to use it despite the custom operating system. Moreover, he actually still had his laptop computer in his bag when he was summoned, so after installing some new software and giving him a solar panel and adapter to top up his battery, he could use that too.

For her continued studies, Louise received the Prayer Book as I requested and tearfully thanked me after Henrietta told her I "gave up" my own reward for defeating Fouquet to ask this favor for her instead.

I was unsure if she could actually do anything with the blank book, but unlocking the secrets of the Void magic was the only thing I actually cared for her to do.

I left Saito with videos and digital manuals, along with a loan of modern equipment including guns and explosives that he could use as Gandalfr. Nothing that could hurt me, of course, but certainly adequate to take out some unsuspecting mages. Without Derflinger, the boy was less than useless if he didn't have modern weaponry to help him. I wasn't counting on his help anytime soon, but it wouldn't do if Louise got herself killed before I extracted the secrets of Void from her, and he was the best, and only, line of defense at the moment. I made sure he understood how valuable this equipment was, being irreplaceable as long as we were 'trapped' in Halkegenia, and that he'd owe me for it.

Before the dawn on the eighth day of my arrival to Halkegenia, I flew off to Albion carrying Longueville toward the city of Saxe-Gotha.

O O O

A/N: Thanks for reviewing, and some responses below:

Kevin J Rosario Cruz: Thanks for letting me know. Actually, I've been a bit bored of the latest chapters too, so you aren't alone. I'm looking for ways to make it more exciting, but the issue is mainly a result of the world being less dangerous than Worm. There just aren't as many threats or enemies around, and MC is a lot stronger than he was at the beginning of Worm.

Allhailthesith: I adhere to the conditions and restrictions on powers from the original work as closely as possible. Chakra isn't purely physical, it was shown to be used by souls without bodies and was originally "given" by So6P to chakraless people. If a power is hereditary in the source, I will treat it as being hereditary. If there is no canonical evidence that it's based on physical DNA inheritance, then I will treat it as some other non-DNA hereditary mechanism, as I've done with Halkgenian magic. I don't want the MC collecting powers too easily and have massive power creep. But I will develop the inner workings of powers from different worlds such that there is some level of compatibility. A central theme of the story is to discovering which powers and physical laws are "closest to the Root", and therefore universal across worlds. This necessarily means that many powers are FAR from the Root, and cannot be used across worlds or used by foreign entities. Every world can give the MC something. He has already gained a great deal from Worm and Halkegenia.

FerunaLutelou: Thanks. All good ideas.

superpierce: He'll have to visit Nasuverse first.

demzerff1: Actually, the explanation from last chapter was supposed to imply that all mages in Halkegenia have custom wands made of their own blood, and carry their own affinities. So Louise already has an explosion wand because of her Void affinity. There's no such thing as a generic wand-the wandmaking process requires mage's blood.

Quelthias: Haha, but she would be a poor mage if she couldn't distinguish her own wand from another.