“That’s correct, Miss Louise. Is your humble familiar really mistaken?”
“You’re definitely mistaken, I have never heard of a familiar climbing into its owner’s bed.”
“I will take note of it the next time.”
Louise gave a sigh and said in a tone that seems to pity Saito, “There won’t be a next time.”
“Master, Look! Look! The twin moons are shining so beautifully tonight!” Saito said in desperation.
“Anyway, it’s too late…” Louise said in a voice trembling in anger. Under the twin moon’s moonlight, Saito’s cries of pain could be heard many miles away…
The same time that Saito was being badly beaten up, Fouquet was staring idly at the ceiling somewhere far way from the academy in the City of Tristain’s Genoa[3] prison. She was the triangle earth mage, who was apprehended by Saito and Co. two days ago for the theft of the “Staff of Destruction”. As she was infamous for stealing valuable treasure from various nobles she was placed in Genoa prison, the maximum security prison located in the City of Tristain.
She would be charged in court the following week. As she had caused a great deal of shame to nobles all over the country, she would most probably either be exiled or be given the death sentence. Either way, she wouldn't be allowed in Tristain anymore. At first, she thought of escaping, but she later gave up that thought.
Inside her cell, there was nothing except for shoddy looking bed and a table that was made of wood. Even the utensils she used were made of wood. Things would be quite different if there was just something made of metal… Like a spoon.
She had wanted to turn the prison walls and iron bars into soil using alchemy. Without her wand, which was confiscated, that would not be possible. Magicians were helpless without their wands. Furthermore, the prison walls and iron bars are specially enchanted to resist magic. Even with the use of alchemy, she would not be able to escape.
“It’s really mean of them to lock up a feeble female like myself here.” Fouquet grumbled to herself. Then she thought about the youth that had apprehended her, That boy is quite strong, can’t believe that he’s an ordinary human. Who exactly is he? Then again, it doesn’t concern me anymore.
“Time to sleep...” Fouquet closed her eyes and laid down. Just as she had closed her eyes, she quickly opened them again.
Fouquet heard someone walking down to the dungeon where she was held. She heard peculiar noises that sounded like a spur. She deduced it could not be a warden, as they did not wear spurs on their boots. Fouquet quickly sat up.
A person wearing a cloak appeared next to her cell, his face unseen as it was covered by a white mask. Judging from the long wand visible beneath his cloak, he was a mage.
In a rather scornful manner, Fouquet exclaimed “I’m surprised to see a visitor in the middle of the night!”
The man in the white mask did not reply, and instead gave Fouquet a cold stare.
Fouquet instinctively knew that this person was hired to kill her. Some nobles she had stolen from must have thought that sentencing her in court was too much of a hassle and had decided to hire an assassin to kill her. Some of the items she had stolen from the imperial family were likely stolen goods to begin with, and in order not to let such a truth surface the imperials had probably decided to silence her.
“Well, as you can see, this doesn’t look like a place to entertain someone. But I think you’re not here just for a cup of tea, right?” Fouquet said.
She began to think, Though I’m without my wand, I will not easily give up without a fight. I’m not only well versed in magic; I’m pretty good in close combat too. However, I’m powerless to stop him should he use magic. Therefore, I must somehow lure him inside my cell.
Just then, the man in the cloak spoke, “Are you Fouquet of the Crumbling Earth?”
His voice sounded strong and youthful.
“I’m not sure who gave me this nickname, but yes, I am Fouquet of the Crumbling Earth.”
The man in the cloak raised both of his hands, implying that he did not intend hostility.
“I have something that I would like to tell you.”
“What is that?” Fouquet replied in a rather surprised tone. “Don’t tell me that you’re going to speak on my defense. What a weirdo.”
“I’d be happy to speak in your defense, my dear Mathilda of Saxe-Gotha[4]”
Fouquet’s face became pale. That’s a name I had forgotten, or rather, was forced to forget, she thought. There should be no one in this world that knows that name anymore…
“Who exactly are you?”
The cloaked man did not answer her question and instead asked, “Mathilda, do you wish to serve Albion again?”
Fouquet, who had lost her cool, replied, “That’s impossible! I will never serve those who had murdered my father and annexed my home!”
“Don’t be mistaken, no one is asking you to serve the Albion royal family. They’re going to be overthrown soon.”
“What do you mean?”
“A revolution is taking place. We’re going to overthrow the weak and powerless Imperial family, and succeeding them will be more capable nobles like ourselves.”
“But aren’t you part of Tristain’s nobility? What has Albion’s revolution got to do with you?”
“We are a consortium of nobles without borders who are worried about Halkeginia’s future. We wish to unify Halkeginia and regain the holy land that founder Brimir had once set foot on.”
Fouquet smirked, “Please stop talking nonsense. If that’s the case, why does your consortium of nobles without borders need me? I’m just a prisoner.”
“We need skilled magicians now more than ever. Will you lend us your help, Fouquet of the Crumbing Earth?”
Fouquet waved her hands and replied, “Please stop dreaming…”
“You wish to unify Halkeginia? The Kingdoms of Tristain, Germania, Albion, Gallia, and a number of smaller kingdoms which are constantly at war with each other? Unifying them would be like a midsummer night's dream.” ↓
“Hmm! Getting the holy land back… how would you fight against the all-powerful elves?”
For hundreds of years, the holy land had been in the possession of the elves living north of Halkeginia. Humans had attempted countless crusades to get back the holy land, but failed miserably each time.
The elves, distinguished by their distinctly pointed ears and unique culture, had long life spans and were highly proficient with magic. As such, they were highly effective warriors. Defeating them would be an uphill battle.
“I have no love for nobles and I have no interest in Halkeginia. As for regaining the Holy land, the elves can stay there for all I care!”
The man in the black cloak took out his wand and replied, “I’ll give you a choice, Fouquet of the Crumbling Earth.”
“Let’s hear it out.”
“Either you become our comrade or…”
Fouquet finished the sentence for him, “Or I would immediately perish here? Am I correct?”
“That is correct. Since you already know our secret, I cannot let you live.”
“You nobles are really a conceited bunch. You’ll never consider other people’s feelings,” Fouquet said with a chuckle, “To put it nicely, you’re inviting me to join you, but in reality there is no other choice, is there?”
The man in the black cloak too replied with a chuckle, “That’s correct.”
“Let me be a part of your consortium then. I hate people who do not know how to give orders.”
“Let’s go then.”
Fouquet placed both her hands onto her chest and asked, “What's the name of your organization?”
3
“Genoa” I'm not sure about the exact translation so if anyone has it please replace it for me. Thanks!