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Chapter One: Lineage of Zero
Tristain's Royal Palace was situated at the end of Bourdonne Street. Members of the Mage Guards patrolled the area in front of the Royal Palace gates atop their magical steeds. The rumor that war was looming had begun spreading through the town two or three days ago. It was said that “Reconquista”, the aristocrat faction that had conquered Albion, was poised to invade Tristain.
As a result, the mood of the soldiers who guarded the surroundings grew tense. In the skies above the Royal Palace, magical beasts and ships alike were banned from flying, and people who passed the gates were thoroughly checked.
Even tailors, confectionery shop employers, and traders were stopped and inspected thoroughly at the gates in order to prevent mages disguised through illusion or people under the control of charming magic from getting through.
Due to such circumstances, when a wind dragon appeared in the skies above the Royal Palace, the garrison of Mage Guards grew alarmed.
The Mage Guards was composed of three corps, and each guarded the Royal Palace, one at a time. While one was on duty, the other two either rested or trained. Today, the Manticore Corps was on duty. Riding atop their manticores, the nobles flew up and headed towards the wind dragon that had appeared above the Royal Palace. There were five figures on the wind dragon's back, as well as a huge mole that was held in between the dragon’s mouth.
The Mage Guards warned them that this was a prohibited flight zone, yet the wind dragon, ignoring the warning, landed in the palace courtyards.
Atop the dragon was a beautiful blondish pink-haired girl, a tall lady with burning red hair, a blond boy, a small, petite girl with glasses and a boy with black hair. The boy carried a long sword over his shoulder.
The manticore guardsmen quickly surrounded the wind dragon and drew their rapier-shaped wands, assuming a stance with spells at the ready. A strongly-built, rough-mustached commander bellowed a warning at the suspicious intruders.
“Drop your wands!”
Instantly, the expressions of the intruders grew hostile, but the short blue-haired girl amongst them shook her head.
“Royal Palace.”
The party nodded reluctantly and, as ordered, threw their wands on the ground.
“Flying above the Royal Palace is currently prohibited. Didn’t you know that?”
A girl with blondish pink hair lightly jumped off the dragon, and introduced herself in a firm voice:
“I am Duke of La Vallière’s third daughter, Louise Françoise, not someone suspicious. I request an audience with her Highness, the princess.”
The commander twisted his moustache as he watched the girl intently. He knew about the Vallière Duchy. After all, they were a very renowned noble family.
The commander lowered his wand.
“You are Duke of La Vallière’s third daughter?”
“Indeed.”
Louise raised herself and stared straight into the commander’s eyes.
“I see... you have your mother’s eyes. Well, what is your purpose here?”
“I’m afraid I cannot tell you. It’s a secret.”
“Then I’ll have to deny your request. I cannot grant you an audience with her Highness without knowing your purpose. I could lose my head over something like that!” the commander replied worriedly.
“It's not like we can reveal our secret either!” yelled Saito as he jumped off the wind dragon.
As Saito interjected, the commander glanced over at him. He had a young face. Clothes that he had never seen before. A low nose. Yellow skin. A large sword draped over his shoulders.
Though it wasn’t clear what country he was from, one thing was certain – he wasn’t a noble.
“What a rude commoner. That’s not how a servant should speak to a noble. Stay silent.”
Saito narrowed his eyes, and turned to Louise. It was too much for him. True, he wasn’t even a servant. In fact, he was just a familiar, but it was the commander's disdainful tone that infuriated him. Gripping the handle of Derf over his shoulder, Saito turned to Louise and asked,
“Hey, Louise. Can I take care of this guy?”
“Quit boasting. Just because you beat Wardes doesn’t mean you can act so arrogantly.”
Overhearing their conversation, the commander’s eyes widened. Wardes? Wardes, as in Viscount Wardes, the commander of the Griffin Corps? Defeated? What's the meaning of this?
Shaking away his concern, the commander raised his magic wand again.
“Who the hell are you people? Regardless, I cannot allow you to see Her Highness.”
The commander spoke in a stern tone. The situation was quickly getting out of hand. Louise stared at Saito.
“W-what?”
“It's because of you and your blabbering that they think we're suspicious!”
“It’s all because of that bearded man and his damn attitude!”
“Shut up. You should have just kept your mouth shut!”
Watching the strange scene ahead of him, the commander quickly seized opportunity of the situation. The Mage Guards that had surrounded the party quickly raised their wands.
“Arrest them!”
Under the commander’s order, the mage guardsmen were about to begin their incantations when suddenly...
A person clad in a purple mantle appeared from the palace gates. Seeing Louise surrounded by the Mage Guards, she frantically ran over.
“Louise!”
Seeing the figure of Henrietta rushing over, Louise’s face shined like a rose.
“Princess!”
Under the gazes of the Mage guards, the two embraced one another in a hug.
“Aah, you came back safely. I’m glad. Louise, Louise Françoise…”
“Princess...”
Louise’s eyes began watering with tears.
“The letter... it is safe.”
Reaching into her breast pocket, Louise gently pulled out the letter. Henrietta nodded and firmly grasped Louise’s hands.
“You really are my best friend.”
“Your words are too kind, Princess.”
However, upon noticing the absence of Wales in the midst of the party, Henrietta’s expression grew somber.
“As I thought... Prince Wales sacrificed himself for his kingdom.”
Louise closed her eyes and nodded quietly.
“... But what about Viscount Wardes? I don’t see him, did he take another route? Or did he... perhaps... fall by the hands of the enemy? But if it was the Viscount, shouldn’t...”
Louise's face turned grim. With much difficulty, Saito explained to Henrietta.
“Wardes was a traitor, Princess.”
“Traitor?”
A shadow crept upon Henrietta’s face. Then, noticing the intent stares of the Mage Guards around them, Henrietta quickly explained.
“They are my guests, commander.”
“I see.”
Upon hearing this, the commander withdrew his wand, somewhat unwillingly, and told his troops to do the same.
Henrietta turned to Louise again.
“What exactly happened on your trip? .... Anyway, let’s withdraw to my room before we continue. The rest of you, please get some rest in the other rooms.”
Leaving Kirche, Tabitha and Guiche in the waiting room, Henrietta brought Saito and Louise to her own room. Henrietta sat down on a small and delicate chair, her elbows placed upon the desk.
Louise explained the entire situation to Henrietta.
How Kirche and the others joined them en route.
How they took a ship to Albion and were subsequently attacked by pirates.
How they found out that the pirate leader was Crown Prince Wales.
How Prince Wales refused to escape, even when he had the chance.
How they missed the ship because of the wedding with Wardes.