Zero the Monster Hunter

ESKK: Well, a new chapter is here, let's get things started.

(Begin Des Orielles the Hunters)

The journey to Des Orielles for the Carvan was a long one and upon arrival they were met with the servants in the vineyard. Louise had to of course come clean that this was the world of her birth and Saito and his master both confirmed her story. Thankfully, Louise's reputation covered for her, and this also made her more valuable to the Commission then before. The Servants had of course informed the arrivals of the lands and with this in mind they got to work.

Three days had past and constructions have been well ahead of schedule. They had started off constructing the Forge and the Canteen followed by the Gathering Hub. They needed to feed and supply their hunters after all so those were the main things to build. Following it up was the Resource Department and the trade center so they can send and receive goods more effectively and efficiently use them. Housing came at the end which thankfully the local commoners were willing to house the Hunters if or when asked until they sorted out housing.

The Main Estate however was one to consider. It was something of a debate whether to use it as their main headquarters in this region or some other thing. Louise ended up stepping in so as to compromise. She received a map of the mansion and started delegating both tasks and rooms. She marked most if not all of the lower rooms for the Hunters to use as both a meeting hall and a Gathering Hub. Mainly for official business and what not. The next floor was to act as housing for the officers and offices for the Human Resource unit.

The fact Louise had easily delegated the tasks was a testament of her origins… that and no one wanted to get Bakuretsu Zero Louise upset. Another thing to consider was the fact that the Hunters had gotten something of a daycare made for those with families and small children. Now most of the Hunters had a spouse who was not a Hunter but in the case of Louise and Saito where both spouses were Hunters it made the use of the day care desirable.

Blast Damage was Louise's strongest attack many noted her gift with it. So, any and all of her weapons were equipped for Blast Damage and with this in mind Louise had a great deal of weapons with it. Louise had been noted to favor the Light Bowgun, the Heavy Bow, the sword and shield, and the Insect Glaive. Saito her husband however was another story. He was given his name because he seemed capable of mastering just about any Hunting Weapon, he puts his hands on. This made him exceptionally dangerous to Wyverns because if one weapon fails Saito had an arsenal he can fall back on.

Currently though the new Commission was having its first of many meetings at the estate. A meeting area was set up outside the main estate with a new building constructed on the property to boot. Say what you will about doing it by hand, the builders knew to work fast with little materials.

"Alright we may begin." The Headhunter said crossing his arms to the group. "Now as I'm sure most of you are aware the Guild has been requested to send Hunters to this world in order to help stem the Monster situation as well as give the locals the tools needed to effectively hunt them." The man said telling them what they knew. "For lack of better terms, we're here to help establish a Hunting Guild in these lands." He said which everyone agreed to this.

"Now then introductions are in order." He said knowing that they each came from different parts of their world but had been noted at being the best of their fields. "I'm the Headhunter of this commission, Talva." Talva introduced as he stood as the leader of this commission. "Here we have the head of the Blacksmiths Brok." Talva said gesturing to a short bald man with an outfit showing he was in fact a Blacksmith.

"Don't you worry yer heads I'll keep these shit loads lot armed and ready." Brok said as he spoke with a very vulgar language to those around him.

"Over here is our head researcher herself Kira." Talva said gesturing to a woman wearing a kimono.

"Just bring us subjects to study and we'll keep you all informed." She said before speaking more. "The Guild wants to know how this new environment will affect the Monsters note any variations formed and what not." Kira said as this was an ideal time to study Monsters who get introduced to a new environment.

"We're counting on you." Talva said before he continued with the meeting. "This is the Human Resources head Hera." Talva said introducing a dark-skinned woman at the table.

"It will be a pleasure to work amongst you." Hera said as she would handle their supplies as part of the support crew. "If you need specialty Items just send a request in and I'll see what I can do." Hera said as she would be amongst those working with the locals in keeping the Hunters supplied and battle ready.

"Very good." Talva said before continuing the meeting. "Now then a few things before we get down to it, even though they asked for our aid we are still guests in these lands so exercise caution when hunting." Talva said showing they needed to treat the people with respect. "So, in that regard the local royals have sent in Nobles to both monitor and have some ability to aid us when needed." Talva said as Karin stood there as well.

Karin was part of the first rotation for nobles to watch them. They had requested mainly those with military backgrounds to act as those monitoring the Commission for this job. Karin had actually just arrived several hours ago with her family and a small group of servants to monitor Cattleya's health.

"Hello I am Karin de la Valliere." Karin said and thus with a greeting and nod of acknowledgement from the Hunters Talva spoke.

"Now we've already began to set up a defensive perimeter around the main base here." Talva said producing a map of the local areas on the table. "So far everything is running smoothly but an issue has come up, our trade routes have been hit by a large monster in the area." Talva said as he pointed out the trade route on the map. "We need to secure the route so we can receive and send supplies more effectively." Talva said knowing a hunter runs on his or her stomach. "While the Hunters deal with this, I want Kira to speak with the Researchers to see what sort of Monsters we're dealing with out here." Talva said knowing they needed to speak with the nobles. "Karin think you can provide information for us?" Talva asked looking to Karin who nodded.

"I came prepared." Karin said presenting the reports on the sightings, so the Commission knows what to look for.

"Good." Talva said before directing his attention to Louise and Saito. The Guilds Power Couple were a part of this meeting as well and at this point everyone knew who the pair was. Louise did her best to stay professional and ignore her mother's presence here. There were several other nobles who would be staying here as well to keep the crown aware of the Hunter's own activities. "Louise Saito, I want the two of you to deal with this issue." Talva said as they needed those trading routes secured. "Find the monster and take it out." Talva ordered as they had work to do on tracking down this Monster giving them issues.

"We'll get it done as soon as possible." Saito said nodding to Talva in conformation.

"Alright the commission starts today our job is to help these people with the Wyverns, help them learn to deal with them on their own, and find out how their traveling here in mass." Talva said as everyone nodded in confirmation. "Now move out!" He ordered which everyone got it.

"Yes sir!" They all said and thus the meeting dispersed to start their jobs.

(Later)

Louise sighed letting out a breath she had been holding for the entire meeting. Ever since the incident with her mother Louise had been very much on edge. So, seeing her mother at the meeting had thrown Louise off balance. She knew she promised to try and reconnect, but years of struggle and trauma made it very difficult for Louise. She couldn't just let go of all those repressed emotions, but she couldn't just leave this as is either. At the very least Sasha and Tsukasa deserve to meet their relatives that birthed their mother.

Louise sighed as she scratched her hair where her pink locks were prominent. This was becoming more of an issue then she had wanted it to be. Avoiding the issue would be most acceptable for the time being but Louise knew running and hiding was not going to work forever. Eventually she was going to have to face the issue or else it will never be solved.

Louise began to pass by the housing set up for the nobles to observe the situation as it was set up with them in mind. Since they were more use to luxuries of their upbringing the builders took that into account for them. Unfortunately, Louise passed by a familiar carriage that seemed to have a sack of gifts being unloaded. What followed was a situation Louise had hoped to have avoided for a tad bit longer at least until after the coming hunt.

A familiar woman noticed Louise passing by and was wide eyed at her arrival to the scene. As soon as she was in conversational range, she heard a quivering voice ask a question so quietly if Louise had been in the forge, she would have missed it.

"I-is that y-you, l-li-little Louise?" Cattleya asked and thus Louise went wide eyed to it. But before Louise could turn towards the source, she was enveloped in an unyielding hug from her pink-haired sister. It did not take long for Louise to realize who was currently hugging her.

"C-Cattleya?" Louise asked surprised to find her elder sister here.

"Louise thank the founder your alive you're ok your home." Cattleya wept into Louise as the Mage turned Monster Hunter flayed her harms around to find some method to freedom.

"Big Sis Cattleya it's good to see you too please let go." Louise cried as she tried to get free.

"No, I need to punish you for not introducing me to my niece and nephew!" Cattleya scolded as she gave her younger sister a mock glare for hiding this fact.

"Wait how did you?" Louise asked but then recalled her prior meeting with her mother the other day. 'Of course.' Louise mentally cursed while she was trying to keep a scowl off of her face.

"Oh, my baby sister is a mother now." Cattleya gushed as she seemed to be strangling Louise with her hug. "She gave me a nephew and niece to spoil!" Cattleya gushed as Louise was now tapping Cattleya to let go.

"Cattleya need air let go." Louise cried as she was struggling to breath.

"No not until I see my niece and nephew." Cattleya said as Louise was starting to turn blue in the face.

"Mama?" Came a voice Louise knew well and thus she went wide eyed to this.

Cattleya let off Louise and saw Saito there with the twins Sasha and Tsukasa causing Cattleya to put the pieces together. She then let out a loud squeal of joy before charging towards the children and Saito. Louise was unceremoniously dropped as Cattleya went to meet both her niece and her nephew.

"Oh, I can't believe it I'm an auntie!" Cattleya gushed as she brought both children into her famous bear hug.

"Unhand me who is this strange lady!" Tsukasa said and thus Saito sighed to this. But he had a free hand on his hunting kunai just in case Cattleya was a threat to the twins.

"Tsukasa… Sasha." Louise began as she got back on her feet while catching her breath. "Meet your aunt." Louise introduced and in turn Sasha had stars in her eyes here.

"I have an auntie!" Sasha gushed as Cattleya let them go so, they can speak.

"Oh, your both so adorable!" Cattleya gushed back as she pinched Tsukasa's cheeks causing him to cringe.

"Stop it." He said while freeing himself from the dreaded cheek pinch.

"So, what are your names?" Cattleya asked wanting to know everything about the pair of twins.

"I'm Sasha and this is Tsukasa." Sasha said as Cattleya smiled at the twins and their eyes full of wonder.

"Hi." Tsukasa greeted to his apparent aunt.

"Oh, I'll be your favorite aunt in no time yes I will yes I will." Cattleya said as she began pinching Tsukasa's cheeks again, much to the boys annoyance.

"Stop it." He cringed not liking his cheeks being pinched all the while Sasha just laughed at the scene.

"Uh hi." Saito spoke as he got the groups attention. "Sorry am I chopped liver?" Saito asked waving to the group.

"Oh, you must be their sitter." Cattleya said only for Louise to step up.

"No that their father my husband." Louise said calmly as she walked over to the scene.

Realizing her error Cattleya changed gears fast. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry I didn't mean to assume and." Cattleya apologized as she was mentally kicking herself for ignoring the family resemblance between Saito and Tsukasa.

"It's fine don't worry." Saito said assuring his sister-in-law that he wasn't offended by her. "Anyway, Louise if you want, I can watch the kids while you go and handle the job." Saito said as he was more than willing to stay home and keep an eye on the twins.

"Watch the kids?" Cattleya said as the gears in her head had begun to turn.

"Yeah, as you can guess Louise and I can't both be out on the hunt." Saito said walking over to the twins and Cattleya. "So, we came up with the plan to have one of us stay behind and watch the twins." Saito said patting Tsukasa and Sasha's heads.

"That way even though we both work someone will be with them." Louise said as she joined the group. "We normally have our Palico, or the Housekeeper watch them but considering construction is still going on we can't do that." Louise said and in turn this gave Cattleya the perfect idea.

"Why don't I watch them?" Cattleya offered to both her younger sister and new brother-in-law.

"Wait what?" Louise asked surprised to hear this from Cattleya.

"Of course, if you both work then I can watch them for you and then they can meet sister Elenore and mother and father." Cattleya said wanting the whole family to meet the youngest Vallieres.

"Cattleya." Louise began and thus Cattleya noted the tone her younger sister was using here.

"Please." Cattleya begged as she hugged Tsukasa and Sasha close wanting to spend time with her adorable niece and nephew.

Louise looked to them and thus Saito put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Might as well." Saito said and thus Louise knew she was cornered.

"I'm going to regret this." Louise said more to herself then anything but conceding to her sisters request regardless.

"YES!" Cattleya cheered happy to finally spend time with her younger sister and her niece and nephew at long last.

(Later at the Vallier Guest House)

There were at most 3 Guest Houses for the Nobles in rotation each with connections to certain areas. Mainly to the Crown and to any resource supplies and for the Hunters to help curve the Wyvern situation. From what was known the Monsters were an invasive species to their world and there was a good news bad news sort of situation.

The chances of finding this leak between worlds that brought the Monsters here may be too late to close. From reports read some of the Monsters seemed to be adapting to their new environment creating a new food chain with them in mind. There had already been sighting of varying herbivores giving the larger carnivores something to eat. While it may be too late to try and force these monsters out there might be time to adapt the world, so their ecosystem doesn't suffer to much damage. So long as a Deviljo doesn't show up then there is a chance to ease things.

That was what Karin had to send over as part of the first set of reports to the Crown. From what she had seen the hunters were quick and efficient despite being similar to barbarians. Karin hadn't considered the damages these monsters could cause at first. But upon reading the reports Karin found that the ecosystem is a very delicate balance, and these larger monsters were threatening this balance by being here. Larger creatures require a larger diet and due to this these monsters threatened to throw off the delicate balance between predators and prey.

But despite this Karin's mind still travelled back to her wayward daughter and her new family. Louise had always been such a stubborn girl and while she understood why she stopped searching for a way home Karin still had her objections for Louise marrying there. Giving up a fool's errand was smart, and Karin's objections mostly stemmed from traditional views. The man had already earned good points for how well he treats Karin's grandchildren. Karin only wanted Louise to be happy and if that meant they could never reconcile then Karin had to accept it.

There was still the longstanding issue with Wardes, but Karin would deal with it when it arrives. The man was still single surprisingly enough as the arranged marriage had the Valliere's covered for Louise vanishing in what was basically an act of god. But it was only a matter of time before he learns of his fiancé's return and would probably fail to realize that she already had children and a husband from her time in the other world.

"Lady Vallier." Came a servant as the maid entered the room. Young Siesta was a welcome addition to her household. Karin had purchased the girls contract after seeing how she comforted Cattleya when they visited the school she used to work at. While Cattleya was distraught Siesta was the one to help her through the grief… she helped Karin as well.

"Yes, Siesta what is it?" Karin asked putting down some of the papers she had been working on.

"Your daughter had returned she said she brought guests." Siesta said and thus Karin sighed to this. "She asks that you come to greet them." Siesta added and thus Karin knew she might as well, she could use a break from her work.

"Very well then." Karin said and thus she got up, filed away the parchments, and made her way to the entrance of this house. Whatever surprise Cattleya had brought was a good excuse to take a small break. After all what could her sickly daughter have brought in to demand her attention right now.

(Later in the Entrance Hall)

Of course, one can only imagine Karin's sudden surprise when she got word that Cattleya had arrived with four guests. Karin had come in expecting that her daughter had made a new friend or some other trivial thing to appear. Instead, her daughter had for all intents and purposes brought her wayward daughter to the house. Louise was standing there with a slightly annoyed look in her eyes but kept it hidden by a neutral face. Next to her was her husband one Saito of the Monster Hunters as near them were the twin children Sasha and Tsukasa who were looking around the big house with eyes full of wonder.

"Mother look who I brought over." Cattleya said with a big smile on her face. Of course, Karin saw and was doing her best to not be rude by showing how surprised she was here.

"I see." Karin said trying to find the right words to say on this confrontation.

"We were finishing up preparations for a hunt and we needed a sitter to mind the children." Saito said opting to be the one to break the ice. "The original plan was that either me or Louise would stay to do so but then Cattleya offered to watch them." Saito said giving his in-laws a rundown of what had happened. "I hope its won't be much trouble." Saito said hoping that the Valliers won't mind watching the kids for them.

"Ah I see." Karin said as this was turning very awkward for everyone currently here. "Would you both care to join us for a meal before departing?" Karin offered as this might give her a chance to get a read on her youngest daughters husband.

"Mother I appreciate the offer but with the monster attacking trade routes we shouldn't." Louise began but was cut off by Cattleya.

"Oh, I insist little Louise no need to go out on an empty stomach." Cattleya said which got Luz's attention on her now.

"I appreciate it Cattleya but." Louise began but was promptly ignored by her elder sister.

"Come on Auntie lets go play!" Sasha called as she took Cattleya's hand next.

"Oh of course, I have so many pets who would just be a joy for you two to be around." Cattleya said with a smile on her face towards her niece and her nephew.

"Guess we don't have a choice." Saito said with a smile on his face as Louise saw she was effectively vetoed here. "Of course, a word of warning, Hunters have a large diet." Saito said warning Karin of what to expect.

"How large can it be?" Karin asked as she didn't see how bad it would be.

(Later in the dining room)

Karin was quickly regretting her words as she saw Saito, Louise, Tsukasa, and even Sasha eating large helping of food. Now while the children's food was smaller more akin to a grown adults meal Karin was still in shock there. Louise saw her father was not in attendance for the meal which Louise decided to voice.

"I see that Lord Vallier is not in attendance." Louise said with a calm tone showing she was still not forgiving of her parents actions for her growing up.

"Yes, some issues had come up that required his immediate attention." Karin said as she knew exactly where her husband had gone. "It should not take him long to return." Karin said and thus Louise took it in stride.

"Perhaps he lost the nerve to face me." Louise grumbled as Karin was about to scold her daughter but then stopped as Tsukasa then spoke.

"Mama why does the mean looking lady look like you?" Tsukasa spoke but had said it with his mouth full.

"Tsukasa swallow your food first." Saito said and thus Tsukasa quickly did as his father commanded.

"As for your question, Tsukasa." Louise began as she then gave a glare at her mother. "This is your grandmother… she's, my mother." Louise said but sent one last glare at Karin as she sent her mother a message with it.

"She's, our granny?" Sasha asked as she looked at Karin with curiosity and wonder.

"I prefer Grandmother." Karin began only for a chill to come from her daughter. Clearly that was not the right thing to say but before Louise could voice it Tsukasa cut in.

"Granny!" Tsukasa cheered as clearly, he and Sasha were on the same wavelength. So, it was no surprise that the children had decided to dub Karin as Granny instead of grandmother as a normal respectable noble child would. But Karin had to remind herself that Tsukasa and Sasha were raised as commoners unknown to their noble Vallier Blood.

"So, Saito." Karin began as she opted to change the subject while the Children seemed to be hound her now. "If you might humor me for but a moment." Karin spoke as she looked to Saito.

"Oh, uh sure." Saito said as Louise was wide eyed to this.

"I can see that my daughter has been well taken care of the past decade." Karin said calmly keeping her calmed demeanor despite having two children attempting to climb her like a tree. Karin was grateful when Cattleya scooped them up to spend time with their aunt.

"Honestly sometimes it feels like she takes care of me more than me her." Saito laughed a bit as Louise rolled her eyes to this.

"That's only because you take such risks during hunts when we have smarter ways to get the monster." Louise said her tone showing she was scolding Saito for this. Despite Louise scolding him Saito could not help but laugh as it was like the couple were still newlyweds at times.

"I… see." Karin said as she had to admit the scene was sweet, but her daughter was still a noble. More so she needed to make sure her daughter and by extension her grandchildren were being well taken care of. "So, you are aware of your children having our worlds magic, correct?" Karin asked and thus Saito nodded to this.

"Of course, in fact I'm pretty sure Sasha could be considered a triangle wind mage at best." Saito said before Louise cut in noting the shocked look on Karin's face upon the mention of her granddaughters magical strength.

"Yes, Lady Vallier while I was trapped in the other world… Saito and I made the discovery that the Bio Energy surrounding us had given my magic an incredible boost in power and I had to train vigorously to contain and channel it." Louise said as she had learned to channel her magic through her body giving her just as much ability as an average hunter. If magic is controlled by Will Power, then by Will Power alone the magic can be directed to different parts of the body to enhance it.

"Louise you were still causing explosion?" Karin asked but then Saito cut in.

"Yeah, in fact she was given the nickname Bakuretsu Zero or Explosive Zero because any explosions she sets off becomes ground zero." Saito said with pride in his wife as she smiled smugly at it taking pride in her explosive magical prowess.

"I shall… take your word for it." Karin said as she carefully ate her food. "On to important matters this Wyvern you are to hunt." Karin began taking a moment to wipe her mouth some. "I am to understand that it might be a large one?" Karin asked as she had concerns about that.

"Possibly or just a group of smaller ones." Saito said as he did not want there to be a panic here. "We won't know until we actually check out the scene." Saito said knowing that they needed to be ready for anything that might attack them.

"I see." Karin said as she then put her utensils down as did Louise and Saito.

"Anway we should probably get going now." Saito said knowing they had to go deal with this hunt.

"Of course." Karins aid but then Louise stood up and walked over to her mother. Then when Louise got close enough Karin found herself on the receiving end of one of her own glares as Louise was clearly taking no nonsense.

"Listen well, Lady Vallier, if I get one word of your normal antics about you just one. Single. Word." Louise began punctuating the last three words. "Trust me when I say that not even Karin of the Heavy Winds will be able to face the girl who took down Elder Dragons." Louise said making it clear that her mother was being watched. "Do I make myself perfectly clear?" Louise asked her voice threatening to Karin.

For the first time in a long while, Karin felt fear, and this was coming from her daughter. "Transparently." Karin said almost gulping to this before Louise let out a tired sigh and walked off.

(Later with Saito and Louise)

Saito and Louise were leaving the town to begin their hunt and as they did so Saito noted how Louise currently looked. "You ok Louise?" Saito asked knowing how his wife tended to be over anything involving Sasha and Tsukasa.

"Yes, I'm just…." Louise trailed off for a moment before stopping and looking back at the house. "Maybe we should go back just to be safe." She added and in turn Saito simply sighed knowing Louise was worried for Sasha and Tsukasa's wellbeing right now.

"Come on Louise we won't be gone that long." Saito said assuring Louise that the kids will be ok while they are out and about.

"Saito this is my family we're talking about there's no telling what could be happening." Louise said but Saito sighed and gently hugged his wife.

"Don't worry they'll be fine." Saito said and then went on. "And if I'm wrong, we'll do it together." Saito said as Louise sighed and then slammed her faced.

"Alright let's go." Louise said as she then followed Saito to the location of their target.

(Scene Break later that Day)

Elenore had recently returned from an inspection of the local area to ensure the Hunters are honoring their end of the bargain. At the same time, she was also hearing any complaints they had so as a noble she can rectify the reason for it. At the same time, she was trying to find her youngest sister Louise but caught no sight of the girl. Returning to the Noble guest home Elenore had quickly noted something amiss in the house.

First off was her mother who was wondering the house almost aimlessly or from her movements was on patrol. "Mother good to see you." Elenore greeted to her noble mother.

"Ah Elenore welcome back." Karin greeted her eldest daughter who was still to this day unwed nor was expecting children.

"Hello mother I see father had not returned yet." Elenore said as she began to climb the steps and make her way to the study.

"Yes, well travelling is still dangerous with these monsters running about." Karin said as she saw her daughter pass by.

"So have you managed to meet with Louise at all today?" Elenore asked and thus Karin began slightly to shift.

"Well, you see." Karin began only for a pair of voices to be heard nearby.

"Grandma!" Came Tsukasa as Elenore was surprised to see Tsukasa and Sasha running over to hug Karin's legs. Karin sighed as she knew this was coming but had hoped to ease Elenore into this first.

"Come on tell us another story!" Sasha called out as Karin found herself stuck by her grandchildren's endless list of wants. Before Elenore came, she had been stuck regaling to the twins stories of her youth though censored it for young minds. Cattleya at the moment had to lay down and rest leaving Karin to watch over the youngest Valliers.

"Mother are those…" Elenore trailed off as she was in shock right now.

"Louise's children with her husband?" Karin began as she tried to placate them. "Yes." Karin responded and thus Elenore was surprised by this.

"They seem to lack any etiquette expected of noble children." Elenore spoke and thus Karin had to keep calm.

"Elenore, they had lived their lives as commoners." Karin said as she looked towards her twin grandchildren standing before her.

"I suppose I should not fault them for the failings of their upbringing." Elenore said conceding defeat on this one, but it seem to vex Karin.

"Elenore." Karin said with a dangerous tone of voice. This of course caused Elenore to freeze up realizing that was not the right thing to say. "This is our opportunity to let Louise know that we do care for her, and we feel guilty of our failings to her." Karin scolded making sure the children do not get caught up in it. "I expect you to treat your niece and nephew well… otherwise." Karin trailed off but the threat was clear as day here.

"I… understand mother. I apologize." Elenore said as she did not want to be on the receiving end of Karin of the Heavy Winds wrath.

"Good." Karin said and in turn she looked to her grandchildren.

"Who's the scary looking lady?" Sasha suddenly asked causing Elenore the urge to pinch the girls cheek but held herself back.

"This is your auntie, Elenore." Karin introduced as Elenore saw how the twins tilted their heads at Elenore.

"Auntie?" Tsukasa asked as he looked towards the blond woman. "Why is she so angry?" Tsukasa asked and thus Sasha had a theory on that.

"I think her face is stuck in that angry face." Sasha said to her twin brother as Karin had to resist the urge to giggle at the twin children's bluntness.

Elenore for her part felt like hammers were banging on her head with the children's words. She couldn't fault them, but Louise needed to do better with her children's upbringing and how they should filter out what they were thinking and what they were saying.

"Well why not spend some time with her?" Karin asked as she gestured to Elenore. "I'm sure you can unstick her face." Karin added and thus Tsukasa and Sasha nodded.

"Ok." They said and thus went over towards Elenore and took her hands.

"Wait mother but I have tasks." Elenore began but Karin waved her off.

"Family comes first." Karin said as she left her daughter to the wolves. "Have fun Elenore." Karin said and thus Elenore was dragged away by her niece and her nephew.

"Come on Auntie lets' unstick your face!" Sasha called out as she and her brother dragged their aunt elsewhere. Karin smiled thinking this might inspire Elenore to finally settle down and get married. Louise provided her with a pair of wonderful grandchildren, but she had to admit they had more energy then she could possibly keep up with. Karin sighed suspecting that old age was starting to catch up.

(Meanwhile with Saito and Louise)

Saito and Louise arrived at base camp for the area that the other Palico's had secured for them. Upon their arrival they had already went and retrieved what they would need rations and potions mainly. Once they had all that they needed it was time to hunt their target monster.

At the moment Saito had a Longsword strapped to his back while Louise was utilizing her Kinsect Glaive with her faithful and loyal Kinsect partner, Kiki, attached to her arm. Louise also had her Palico friend, Tako, with her to help her on this hunt. Saito on the other hand currently had his Palimut, Kiba, with him to help him hunt for the target monster.

"So, any idea what we're dealing with?" Louise asked as she looked over to her husband while they left the safety of the base camp.

"Probably a Great Jaggi." Saito guessed as they continued down the path for any tracks. "There's been an influx of Jaggi's in the area so that seems to be the most likely of our suspects." Saito said while using what he knew about those monsters.

"Sounds simple enough." Louise said having experience with the Jaggi's. "Always did hate this things." Louise said saying it on account of a prior bad experience with those particular monsters. Kiki buzzed and clicked as Louise smiled and rubbed the bugs shell causing it to click in pleasure to it.

"Hey look!" Saito called out when he noticed something nearby. Heading over they saw what it was, a footprint. Judging by its shape and size Saito may have been right on the money for what sort of monster they hunted.

"A Great Jaggi just like you said." Louise said as she noticed other footprints belonging to the smaller Jaggi's. The prints lead them towards an abandoned and ransacked wagon that held the supplies they needed.

"Well, that certainly solves that mystery of our supplies." Saito said noting that the Jaggi's and Great Jaggi was the cause of their current problems.

"We got the tracks, and we now got the scents… time to hunt." Louise said and thus they began their hunt for the Great Jaggi.

(Meanwhile elsewhere in the area)

Centurion. Defined as a Rank in the Military, as well as the title of a Commander within the Army. That is what he, Pierre "Centurion" De La Valliere, Duke of the Prestigious Noble Household Name in the country of Tristain, is known as to various Social Circles, big and small, both to the common people and those who stand on top of the Hierarchy, having earned it from an outstanding feat he accomplished in his youth as a member of the Royal Guard, when serving under the mother of Princess Henrietta De Tristain, thwarting a military hostile takeover orchestrated by the now former prime minister, Estashu who filled the role of an advisor to the King at the time, carrying himself in the manner of someone who simply looking out for the best interest of the people.

Far from the truth, as he and his comrades would eventually discover his scheme of trying to privatize numerous confederacies in a bid to weaken the Crown, which was brought to a swift end by both him and his would-be wife, Karin Desiree du Maylliere, though throughout their tenure as the Knights working for the Royal Family, he was not aware that the pink-haired girl was even a girl at all, consequent of the way she acted and dressed. Because no other woman would wear hot pants like her without feeling even the slightest hint of shame, but that is what makes her stand out from the rest.

Over the years, they would then grow close from Comrades to Friends, and in the end as Lovers, forming a family together, with Karin boring three beautiful children for Pierre, one shared the color of his golden blond hair, while the other two would boast the unique bright pink of his wife. For a time, he thought that his life was perfect. He had everything a person could ever want in the world. Fame. Power. Wealth. Not that those three hold much meaning to him, and a loving family to top it all off. But then, complications would soon arise, manifesting as Louise's inability to use magic.

No matter how many tutors they employed, no matter how exceptional Louise's academic talent was, and no matter how much investment they made, all ended in utter failure, with their youngest daughter only able to produce explosion after explosion anytime she tried to use magic. From the perspective of others, it would appear as though he and Karin have given up on her, viewing her with disappointment, a stain to their esteemed Family, and to a degree, they did lose faith in the notion that Louise would ever be able to succeed, but the truth was that deep down, the two of them were afraid, worries plagued their minds when it comes to their youngest child.

Being incapable of wielding the high art, the mark of a Noble, could very well mean that other Houses would target her, be subjected to relentless mockery and humiliation, get treated as even less than a Commoner, and they cannot bear the thought of their beloved daughter being put through such horrid treatment, of the discrimination, disdain, and scorn at the hands of everyone else around her.

Far from optimistic, Both Pierre and his wife are keenly aware of the cruelty the higher class is capable of, ugliness to which they are not blind. It was something they had a personal experience with, particularly at the time of their knighthood under the Crown. Open hatred was nothing new, and neither is the incessant whisper in the back by those who preferred to hide their disdain behind a mask of pleasantry, they could handle it, but they were unsure if the same could be said about their downtrodden daughter, well aware of the self-esteem issues from her problem. Few heartless, inconsiderate words can more than bypass the tough front that the Rule of Steel forced her to put on and strike right where it hurts the most for Louise.

Wishing to avoid having to let their daughter suffer like that, the two of them reached out to Jean-Jacques Francis De Wardes, a long-time friend of theirs, and persuaded him to enter a union with Louise as a way to protect her, allowing her to remain in the Nobility world when she comes of age, which when that happens, would leave her no chance to inherit the name due to her struggle with magic. To their relief, the Viscounts wholeheartedly agreed to their proposal, even swearing in his Honor to shield his fiancée from all harm, be it physical or verbal, as well as doing everything in his power to make her happy.

In their haste, however, they have failed to consider the personal feelings of their daughter and coming across as them trying to get rid of her as quickly as possible by marrying her off to Wardes, thereby inadvertently straining their relationship. This gap only grew wider when she pleaded to them to let her enroll in the Academy as the final chance to prove that she was worthy of the Valliere name, that she would be able to succeed and make them proud of her. Toward the face of her heartfelt pleas, it was met with hesitance and doubts. For all their years, Louise has made little in the way of progress, if anything, her attempt is only getting worse, as did the magnitude of her explosion. How would entering the institution would be any different?

But they did eventually concede, granting her one last chance to dispel all the reservations they have about Louise, praying from the bottom of their heart that they were wrong, sending her off with a shared smile on their faces. But then that fateful letter arrived of their daughters latest and what seemed to be her final explosion. When he and his wife received that letter, they were quick on the uptake dropping everything they went to the academy to demand answers.

The Stages of Grief hit them hard first they tried to deny the evidence. Then they tried to bargain that maybe she may have run off. Despair set in that their daughter may actually be dead. Anger was their most proudest of moments in that situation because they managed to find those who bullied their daughter to no end and saw them dealt with. They also got a new maid out of it in the form of Siesta so that was a bonus. Acceptance was the hardest one for them to achieve and once it was clear their youngest was gone from the world the service and funeral had nearly destroyed his family.

So, when the Wyverns started to appear followed by the portal Pierre could never hope to find that his daughter was still alive and well. The years have certainly been kind to her if what he had heard was true. Her explosions had become her source of pride turning her failures into a weapon certainly would be something he would never consider here.

Though none of that helped his current situation at the moment. The wagon was surrounded by these Monsters, Jaggi's if he recalled. He had accompanied the wagon to deliver the supplies to the Hunters after reports came in of said wagons being attacked by them. It was thought by his people that a Noble travelling with the deliveries would put minds at ease. This had proven to be a mistake and now Pierre was paying for it. With his wand drawn the man was thankful for his military training but he was not as young as he used to be.

He had been able to fight off the smaller ones with his magic, but they were clearly the cannon fodder for the leader of this pack. They had been sent to soften up the prey so their leader can finish it and begin their feast. This was the situation Pierre found himself in as the monster, a Great Jaggi, roared at them no doubt smelling the food in the wagon. The Commoners were of course terrified in the wagon as they had been the ones who had tried to deliver these supplies to the hunters.

Just then from the distance a large bug, a Kinsect, flew in and got in the Great Jaggi's face causing the monster to react. It tried to chomp and swat the smaller creature away, but it was to no avail. This was simply a distraction however as from nearby two hunters had slid down the hill with a large dog and a Palico accompanying them. However, Pierre instantly recognized one of the hunters as Louise as she then used her Glaive to launch herself to the air and land on the monsters back.

The Great Jaggi roared in fury and began its attempts at bucking off his daughter. Louise for her part was stabbing the monster in the back while she was trying to hold on for dear life. Saito, Tako, and Kiba however made short work of the Jaggi's to help clear the path. As the monster was trying to free itself it soon crashed into a wall forcing Louise to jump off it. Doing this though had caused the Great Jaggi to fall over as it began to flail about on the ground.

Moving in the hunters and their animal partners charged at the Great Jaggi and began their attack against the beast. Pierre saw how the couple had worked together no words were needed as they shown signs of working together for a long time. Of course, after the initial assault the Great Jaggi began getting back up and roared at the group. It began its counterattack swiping with its claws, attacking with its tail, and chomping with its fangs. Louise and Saito easily avoided the attacks and responded to it with their own assault. The Great Jaggi was being riddled with wounds as the couple had their Palico Tako and Palimut Kiba assist the power couple.

The Great Jaggi roared at them and attempted to escape but had quickly fallen into a trap. Louise deployed her Kinsect Kiki infusing her with her magic before sending her off. Kiki flew to the Great Jaggi as it tried to escape only for it to be blindsided when Kiki went to the explosive barrels Louise had set up prior. When the barrels went off the Great Jaggi fell down once more as it was caught by surprise by this. Moving in once more the two Hunters got down to it as Saito then jumped up and sent out a bug of sorts and began mounting the Great Jaggi.

Saito had control of the monster as he moved around and slammed it into the nearby trees causing the monster even more damage than before. It fell down and looked very tried and wounded showing it was facing two master hunters. Saito and Louise then charged in with Kiba and Tako and with weapons drawn the pair cleaved through the beast causing it to let out one final death roar before going limp on them.

"Nice job." Saito said smiling over to his lovely wife.

"That was all you love." Louise responded as the pair smiled to their handywork while Tako hugged Louise.

"No, it was all of us." Saito said as he rubbed Kiba's ears. "Now come on lets go make sure the wagon is ok." Saito said and thus they headed over to the wagon to see if they can salvage it.

"Alright but afterwards we're carving this monster." Louise said as she liked to get some armor off of this Great Jaggi's hide.

Of course, Louise did not expect to find a familiar face at the wagon. "Louise?" Pierre gasped when he saw his daughter standing with Saito.

"Father…" Louise spoke as she saw her father standing there. This was certainly going to be an awkward journey back for the extended family. Louise went over to check on the people with her father to ensure that they were ok all the while not giving her father a second glance.

Pierre could not help but feel guilty for that indifference.

(TBC)

ESKK: Sorry for taking so long with this the reunion between Louise and her father had me stumped so I decided to just wing it and see where it goes. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this and will leave a review for me so until we next meet, I will once more say, ja-ne.