A bit late, but happy new year everyone! Hope 2022 is not as bad as 2021!
To both Exodus12345 and duked: Mysteries are what makes people interested in a story, isn't it?
A week later
Due to the main ship being destroyed, the other Reconquista airships were basically headless snakes that they didn't know what to do next, so when the Griffin Knights started having the upper hands, they made a retreat out of Tristain. The army of the defending country started capturing any alive enemies scattering around the battlefield while pulling any injured soldiers back for treating. The army suffered a few deaths due to the help of a certain duo, so at this battle they could technically call it a win.
When the news spread around the country, the people cheered and celebrating parties happened here and there. While some mourned the loss of the brave knights, they quickly turned it into a smile and joined with the others.
That didn't happen to a few people…
…
"As expected." Matilda laughs dryly as she sits in her cell, playing with her hair while talking to herself after listening to the conversation between guards. "That familiar sure has a lot of tricks under his sleeves. He could have conquered a nation by himself if he really tried." She then remembers a certain captive being brought in the previous day. "Though I'm surprised he let him live… or he survived his attacks. Who knows?"
The door to her cell suddenly unlocks, and she turns to see what she needs to…
"Come." Sweats instantly appear on her forehead when she hears the voice, knowing whose it belongs to. With her skills as a thief, Matilda knows what counts as a danger she should avoid. The one before her is the one that she can't, unfortunately.
Reluctantly, the Earth mage stands up and heads out of her cell. When she sees the robed figure, her fear turns tenfold, thinking that it's the end of her life. However, the robed figure just closes the door of the cell that's once her capture, and heads to another cell. The current feeling slightly dies down a bit as she's relieved to not die yet, though that's her guessing…
And it returns when she sees the robed figure forcefully opens another door, unlike how the figure quickly but gently did to her cell, and what follows next are three shots of flintlock right into the cell. She quickly heads to check the cell, without touching the figure, and sees the now dead body of the Leader of the Reconquista with two holes on his chest area and one at his forehead. She then turns her head to the stairs when she hears sets of footsteps…
"Come." Matilda turns back to the figure and sees a waiting hand, inviting her to grab it.
At this moment, she has no wand to perform any spells. She has two options:
Stay behind, only to be convicted of escaping her cell and killing another prisoner, possibly leading to a death sentence.
Or
Following the figure before her, getting into even more dangerous situations, but at least she might be alive if she doesn't piss her off.
She turns back for a moment to see the guards already standing behind her as they shout to them and point their weapons to the duo. Matilda turns back to the figure and still sees the waiting hand. "…Don't kill me after this." Knowing now that it's the only way out, the thief grabs the waiting hand…
And the moment she blinks, she's nowhere in the prison. She looks around to see a very familiar room where she discussed the plan to infiltrate the school where she once was the old fool's assistant with the former Griffin Knight Leader and the Reconquista leader. She blinks a few more times to make sure that she's not hallucinating, then feels the hand that she grabbed retracts back. The thief watches the figure sitting in an empty chair in the group, and gestures her to do the same to the other. Matilda turns to the chair then to the figure twice before following the order.
Once she's in the chair, the former thief watches the figure puts another hand on the table, and she's terrified to see the Ring of Andvari in the person's finger. However, the person just pulls the ring out and puts it on the table freely, giving a sense of relief to her that it's not going to be used on her… yet.
"Your desire?" The figure speaks up, catching the thief's attention.
"…Does it really matter?" Matilda replies, not seeing the point of the question. "You are going to use me for your work anyway."
"Correct." The figure doesn't even bother to hide it.
And that's what she finds the two being suspiciously alike.
This mysterious assassin. And a certain familiar.
Though, what makes her fear of this woman more than the man is because the former is straight-forward to the point and always does just as she says with no problems. One decision, one action.
Matilda watches the figure pulls out a rectangle thing and places it on the table. She leans forward… and sees a certain Elf doing her normal chores. She looks back to the figure with a feared yet hateful glare. "You… leave her alone."
"Wrong assumption." The figure then pulls out a bag of coins with a few sealed scrolls and places them to the thing's left. She then points to the group of things and says: "Jobs and money." And back to the 'moving picture' of the Elf. "Protection."
"…And if I say no?"
"No protection, but no harm from us."
"Excluding the people…"
"Include. Coincidences exception."
"…How many people have known for her existence?"
"Me."
Looking back and forth between the items and the robed figure, her mind starts making some predictions for the situation...
After a minute of complete silence, she reluctantly nods and reaches for the scrolls…
"Not now." To her surprise, the assassin pulls them back, then pushes the coin bag to her. "Three days. Meet at dawn, here."
While being suspicious, the thief knows it is best not to question it. Matilda pockets the bag and the figure pockets the rest…
There's a knock on the door, and the thief turns back to see it opening, revealing a certain Wind mage entering the room before closing the door. "You are still alive?"
"Oh, I see you are well, miss Fouquet." Wardes chuckles as he heads to the table and returns his attention to the mysterious assassin and says: "The troops are positioned as you requested. What do you want next?"
"Brief her."
"Brief Fouquet?" A slight move of the hood signals a nod. The Wind mage turns to ask the Earth mage: "She said nothing to you?"
"…Nothing about the current situation, to be exact."
"So it's your personal story, then." She stiffens up, causing Wardes to chuckle and clarifies: "She did the same to me, so I won't pry."
"Dismissed."
"Thanks. Follow me outside, Fouquet." The two mages quickly leave the room before the person before them can find a reason to mow them. While they're walking, Wardes asks: "So, how far have you heard?"
"Only that Reconquista failed completely to take a single village." That causes the Wind mage to laugh. "Is that wrong?"
"No, you are right. It was doomed to fail from the very start. We underestimated what those two could do." The Wind mage bitterly replies.
"That Valliere girl did something?" While the green-hair mage knows the familiar can fight the army, she doesn't see how the girl could fight.
"She destroyed the Lexington while not killing the crew directly. She even managed to annihilate me in the air."
"…Just what kind of things did that familiar teach the girl?"
"Well, I hope that at least the girl won't be able to learn more unless that familiar left something behind for her."
"…Wait." Matilda shakes her head once to try to deny the possibility. "Him? Gone?"
"Who do you think got him?" A second later, the obvious answer of the question in her mind causes her to shiver. "Now you know why we better not mess with her."
"So we all are her pawns now."
"Well… I wouldn't call it that. She did give you the option to walk away, right?" A nod is the answer. "I think she purposely let the fight fail because she didn't like it in the first place."
"…What does she want?"
"Who knows? But, I can tell that we are going to meet our previous 'friends' again. As friend or foe, that's a different matter."
"…About the 'job' you reported to her…"
"Nothing out of ordinary. Just some places not having soldiers positioned properly so I went to help… How about we get some food?"
Meanwhile, back in the Academy of Magic, Tristain
"She's still unconscious?"
"I'm afraid so, madam Valliere. We did not know what exactly caused the problem. Both Her Highness and His Highness were there to witness her knocked out, but none of them saw what really caused it."
Based on what Henrietta and Wales' story, after the Princess saw the Void mage being teleported next to them, everything seemed to be normal albeit that Louise was a little winded. She started asking about where her own familiar, but she stopped for a few seconds. The two then saw her tearing up, and a second later she shouted, causing a slight power-outburst that surprised the others due to the force. It then died down, and the Void mage just dropped to the ground, and her mind shut down till now. The girl's brought back to the Palace and since then being treated and kept safe there. The Princess also sent words to her family that caused all of them to head straight to the Palace without a pause.
"However, we have a suspicion that's related to Wisdom's demise." The previous Water mage who visited the Valliere Mansion voices out what's in her mind. "You said that they can communicate through Telepathy, so there is a chance that both of them could see what happened in other's view. But to knock her down this long…"
"That means the familiar didn't do his work right in teaching her…"
"Don't be rude, Big Sister." Cattleya interrupts. "What would you do if our parents get hurt, much less…" She stops right there, not wanting to say the word. "And Louise is still young…"
"How much longer do you believe she would wake up?" Centurion directs the conversation back to its course.
"That… I do not know, unfortunately. We have never seen this case before…"
Someone then steps into the medical room, and everyone turns to see the Princess and the Prince. They quickly stands up and bows to them, who waves back as a quick response. Wales then asks the Water mage: "Is she still stable?"
"Physically, Your Highness. We have no ways to know if her mind is damaged or not."
"My apology again for not stopping her from joining…"
"It's her choice to assist you, Your Highness. It's her own action." While she's always worried about her daughters' health, Karin won't just let it affect her words and actions. "She's still needed to be taught about not being too reckless."
"I wouldn't call it reckless, madam." Derflinger speaks up. He's been found in the plane and he requested to be near to Louise all the time. "Well, she did once, but that's when everything's totally under control."
"…Who is this person that managed to strike the final blow?" The head of the house, no longer surprised by the sword's intelligence, questions again. He did ask once before, but he never received the straight answer.
"…Hah." The sword lets out a noise close to a sigh. "Based on what partner told me, it's a deep root in his past, which he didn't reveal much. Though, if he told me correctly… they are in a same team of something. And… that one is one level above him in strength."
That revelation drops all noise in the room. They all know too well of what Louise's familiar is capable of, but hearing himself saying that (from other's perspective) there is someone else who outclasses him…
"But… why did they fight? If they are in the same team, they must have similar…"
"It's related to their previous Master. Apparently Partner killed him, and the other declared a fight to decide his fate… he accepted, despite knowing he would lose."
"WHAT?!" Everyone now shouts out loud, clearly not heard of this terrifying story. Centurion then asks in anger: "How long have you kept this secret?! My daughter could be in danger…"
"I already knew, father." Everyone startles at the dry voice speaking up, but when they turn to where the voice comes from, Louise sits up in her bed, her pink hair covering her sides so no one can see her expression yet.
They shout her name in unison and gather around the bed, with Henrietta quickly asks: "Are you okay, Louise? Does your head hurt? Do you feel unwell?" The others also question, but mostly within the same topic.
Though they stop when they see tears again flood out of her eyes. Cattleya acts first and hugs the girl close to her, as everyone stays silent and listens to the girl's whimpers. It must be hard to her knowing what just happened to the person who was the first one to recognize her potentials and help her utilizing them.
After a few minutes, the cry stops, and Louise slowly pushes herself away from her sister and wipes out her tears with her arm. Once she's done, she looks up to see her whole family and the two Royals giving her a sad look. She closes her eyes once more then opens them, and says: "I'm sorry for worrying you all."
"…At least you are still with us." Eleonore says in a low tone, not knowing what to say to her.
"…Can I do a quick check-up on you first, miss Valliere?" The Water mage breaks the ice.
After a few minutes, the woman confirms that Louise is all okay, albeit a bit exhausted in mind. She suggests the Void mage to rest first, but Louise says to stay up a bit to talk with her family and the Royal duo.
Once the Water mage excuses herself and retreats, Henrietta asks with a worried tone: "Louise… what do you remember?"
"…I saw it." The air tenses up. "I saw what happened to him. I'm lucky that I didn't have to feel it, but…" Wiping another tear about to burst, she then asks back: "How long have I been here, Your Highness?"
"About a week, young lady." Wales replies. "If you did see what happened… you saw who mister Wisdom fought, right?"
"…Correct, Your Highness."
"Then who is it? We will put…"
"I couldn't do so… not yet, mother." That causes Karin to stop, and Louise turns her head to the sword and asks: "Did Wisdom ever tell you one of his opponent's power?"
"Eh… Does it actually matter?" Derflinger doesn't see the point.
"Just… please, tell us."
"…It's Mimicking."
"Thank you."
"What? What do you know, dear daughter?" Centurion asks, not understanding the current situation.
"I… will answer, father. When I have all the answers." Louise then plans to get out of the bed, only for Henrietta to stop her. "Your Highness, I'm fine now…"
"You are not, my dear friend." The girl replies, relieved that the girl before her now is mostly okay, but she can't take the risk. "Please, I can't see you just walk away after being depress. Stay here for a few more days, then you can return back to the Academy."
"…If that is your wish, Your Highness." Seeing no point to fight, the Void mage accepts the offer.
"…We will take our leave then." Karin walks up to her youngest daughter and gives her a gentle hug. "Be strong. Don't let this happen again."
"…Yes, mom." The girl hugs back. The two stay like that for a few seconds before releasing each other.
When his wife leaves the room, Centurion raises his hand up and rubs the girl's face while saying in a soft tone: "We will always love you all."
"Thank you father." The two also give each other a hug, and the father follows his wife out. Louise turns to her sisters to see they start sitting next to her on the bed. "I guess you two will leave…"
"With you, Chibi Louise." The girl blinks when she hears her eldest sister speaks. "You really think we could leave you be alone in the Academy after this, especially when you have no fam…" She stops instantly, not finishing the word. "…Also, Her Highness suggested us to do so since you're determined to help her too much."
"…Thank you for your concern, Princess."
"Everything for my best friend, Louise." The girl smiles, feeling a huge weight being lifted out of her shoulder.
"Well, looks like you girls are going to talk more…" Wales decides it's time for him to leave. "I'm going to talk with Mazarin. We're going to make an announcement about my existence here."
"Be careful." The Princess then takes a seat next to the bed as the Prince heads out. "I still have a bit of time before I head out too. Let's cheer you up."
…
Time skip. Nighttime
After her check-out, Louise leaves the Palace and returns back to the Academy with her sisters in the Day of Void so she could join the classes in the next day.
"I need to find a few friends of mine first. We will meet tomorrow."
"Be careful, Louise."
The girl nods and leaves her sisters in their room, which is prepared under Headmaster's order after he heard the situation. With Derf on her back, Louise's pace quickens then stops before a room, and she knocks on the door.
The door opens and the Void mage sees a certain Fire mage answering the call. Kirche is surprised at the appearance of the girl, and she gives her rival a good hug and asks: "Oh Brimir, we're worried about you! Are you okay?"
"I'm… fine." Feeling a bit suffocated, she quickly but gently pushes the girl back. She then asks the Fire mage: "Is Tabitha inside?"
"Of course, it's her room!" Kirche re-enters the room, allowing Louise to follow her into the room and sees the Wind mage sitting in her bed while reading a book. "Hey Tabitha, she returns!"
The girl temporarily puts her book down and she looks up to Louise with a relieved expression. "You are okay."
"I am." While being glad that she can talk with her classmates… seeing her face…
"Hey, how about we have a sleepover? To celebrate…" Kirche is about to continue, but Louise quickly stops her by putting one of her hands over her mouth. When the girl's silent, Louise retracts her hand, and Kirche continues: "Hey, what gives?"
"…Tabitha." The Wind mage herself senses something wrong as the Void mage grabs the chair in the room and faces it to the bed and sits on it. After a few moments, Louise finally asks: "…I remember that you're from Gallia, right?"
"…Yes." Tabitha replies slowly.
"…Do you, or your family, have anything connected with Reconquista?"
"Hey! What kind of question is that!?"
"Kirche, please don't interfere yet." Louise shuts her down while entirely focusing on the Wind mage. "…Do you?"
"…Not me. However, can't say with my family."
"…Which family are you from?"
"Louise, this is privacy…"
"Ah, now I see." Derf now speaks up, slightly surprising Kirche. "You saw her face then."
"Wh… what?"
At this point, Tabitha widens her eyes in shock, knowing what both the sword and the Void mage is talking about. "I… I didn't kill him." She says in a small tone, slightly scared that Louise might do something to her.
"…Wait, don't tell me…" Kirche now connects the dots and grabs Louise's shoulder and shakes her up good. "There's no way she killed Wisdom, okay!? I was with her the entire time, and when we found him he's already gone!"
"I wasn't accusing her… directly, Zerbst." Kirche looks at Louise's eyes to see a small tear as she remembers the moment. "Wisdom has told Derf that his opponent can mimic into anyone. So at his last moment…" She turns her head to the terrified megane. "And that's what angered and shocked me till now…"
Kirche retracts her hands and turns her head to her friend with a surprised look, then back to Louise, not knowing what to say next…
"…Tabitha." The Void mage continues while wiping her tears. "I don't want us to be on different sides. And definitely Wisdom with his own killer… Please, give me a reason to avoid it."
Seeing the saddened eyes of Louise, Tabitha feels a heavy tug in her heart as she turns her head away. "…I can't tell you… not yet."
"I see…"
"…Hey, how about let me do it?" Both petite girls turn to Kirche, who manages to recover from the shock before. "When Tabitha's comfortable enough, she can talk to me, then I can tell you."
"…Can you trust her, Tabitha?" Louise turns back to the girl and asks.
After wielding some options… Tabitha nods.
The Void mage sighs and stands up and heads to the door. "Please don't make it complicated Zerbst."
"That's something I should tell you." Kirche sends out a smirk, causing Louise to roll her eyes and return back to her own room. The Fire mage then turns to her friend and says: "So someone decided to show up with your face and kill him… What's that person's deal to do so?"
"…Later." Seeing that she's out of danger, Tabitha puts her book back on the bookshelf. "You should rest too."
"Yep. Let's do a sleepover!"
So… you are really gone… You idiot familiar.
Why? You told me to fight against the odds, yet you chose to accept your fate.
Why? Why? Why?
Why did you push me away? I could have helped you fighting against that woman… You could have lived!
And why showing me that moment? What's your plan?
Was it something for the future of Tristain's future? Was it just a moment of regret you wanted me to know before leaving me forever?
…Thank you, for giving me a chance to prove my world what I can do.
"So he chose to die…"
"Is it really surprising to you, Chris?"
"Not really. I was surprised that she would just chop his head off like that. I thought she might let him go."
"She is, unfortunately, not someone to change her final objective that easily unless there's a hole in her near-perfect plans. Which is next to none."
"…Should I intervene?"