Shamal’s origins, along with the rest of the Wolkenritters’ own personal life stories, are currently unknown, even to the Knight of the Lake herself. To this date, nobody knows whether the Wolkenritter, sans Zafira, were originally humans prior to becoming a part of the Tome of the Night Sky, or if the Wolkenritter themselves existed as computer programs right from the very start, and the only person who would know is currently playing a nice casual game of chess with the Belkan equivalent of the Grim Reaper.
When the Wolkenritter were brought about into their current incarnation as a result of the then-named Book of Darkness activating Hayate Yagami’s Linker Core, Shamal was the one who made the easiest transition into behaving like a normal human being or, if one were to believe the words of the Blaze Commander, the Iron Knight, and the Guardian Beast, behaving too much like a human, if it was possible to call it by that phrase. The purple-eyed blonde would eventually share Hayate’s love for cosplaying, and did not seem to mind the brunette’s highly-physical fondness for, for the lack of a more polite term at the cost of being repetitive, the well-endowed female body.
As time goes by, however, things do change. Somewhere along the line, as Hayate grew up and blossomed into a stunningly beautiful woman, Shamal had started shifting away from being the brunette’s adoptive mother, and had become more of a close personal friend. However, as Hayate began to cut back on the bathroom groping sessions, the knight could not help but start noticing the brunette in yet another way. While Hayate tended to be pretty rough and enthusiastic at times, the groping was usually done in either a playful or curious manner, compared to the maliciousness that Shamal’s previous masters would display. Upon building a tolerance for the groping sessions, Shamal grew to appreciate her mistress’ playfulness, and welcomed it with open arms. As such, when the brunette eventually cut back on the girl-to-girl bonding sessions, the blonde could not help but feel there was something missing in her heart.
While Shamal was still unsure whether she was starting to see Hayate as a woman or if she simply missed the gropings, she had sworn to protect her mistress, be it on the battlefield or off it. That was the main thought that was going through the knight’s mind as Mr Bennet beckoned the quartet to follow him downstairs to the sitting room. However, upon entering the room, all cohesive thought was thrown out of the window as the head of the Bennet household attempted to prevent Hayate from sitting down.
The Knight of the Lake was definitely older than the one person who created Mr Bennet by at least centuries, but there was no doubt that someone was about to give early 19th-century England and its values a thorough 21st-century shakedown.
***************
“Pardon me for asking, Mr Bennet,” Shamal spoke up, “but may I ask what you are doing to my friend?”
Mr Bennet was confused. “I am afraid, my lady, that I will have to answer your question with yet another question, but what business do you have calling a person of her stature your friend?”
If it were not for the fact that Hayate Yagami had taught the Wolkenritter the value of human life and how to be compassionate for a fellow human being, the Knight of the Lake would have been eager to show how Klarer Wind can be used to hurt and maim others despite a lack of true offensive capabilities. In the end, it was Shamal’s growing feelings for her mistress that won out – yes, she was, and still is, a healer, and she was genuinely regarded as the kindest of the Wolkenritter, but those factors did not play a part in her decision to avoid violence.
Hayate, the Knight thought out to the brunette,
I’m sorry for what I am about to say. Please remember that you will always be my mistress to the very end, but I will need to play against Mr Bennet at his own game.
My dear Shamal, Hayate thought back,
I have complete faith in you. I will confer with Teana and Subaru regarding any further actions while you deal with our host over here.
Thank you, my mistress… With that, the blonde looked back at the Bennet patriarch. “Tell me, then, Mr Bennet, what do you think of the present economic situation of England?”
“I’d say, my lady, that we are doing very well,” Mr Bennet replied with a pompous tone, “with the recent emergence of machinery that run on steam power, productivity in towns around the country have never been higher! But, I fail to see the connection between this, and why you would call
her your friend.”
“Tell me, then, Mr Bennet, would you like to know how to further improve the country’s economy?” Seeing the man nod, Shamal suppressed a grin. “What would you think of me if I were to offer the idea of treating everybody, from the Africans to the Asians, equally as your fellow white man?”
“That’s preposterous,” Mr Bennet snapped, “such an idea would be absurd!”
“Why, that’s too bad, Mr Bennet,” Shamal smiled, “but I do believe that if you were to treat them as equals, they will feel obliged to start working to repay the favor. If they work after receiving the correct training, they can boost productivity, and will get paid in proportion to their output. If they get paid, they have the means to buy goods, which means someone will need to increase supply of said goods.”
Watching as the gears in Mr Bennet’s head started to click into place, Hayate had to refrain herself from smiling as she walked over to where Teana and Subaru were standing.
Hayate, Subaru sent a thought out to the brunette,
what’s going on?
She’s trying to use psychology on Mr Bennet to get him to treat us properly, Hayate thought back,
and I think it’s working.
I’m not sure if Mr Bennet would appreciate getting a lesson from Shamal.
Relax, Teana, knowing Shamal, as much as she would like to give him a proper lecture as to why discrimination is wrong on many levels, she knows that he would be insulted if she were to do so, and just jumped right into giving him the financial incentives, and what better way is there to tempt a person than money?
Looks like Mr Bennet has gotten the grasp of what Shamal has just said. Should we just activate our barrier jackets to give a bit of an impression?
“… I see, because increased demand will lead to an increase in supply, productivity increases, and the cycle repeats,” Mr Bennet mused, “I must ask myself why I have never thought of this myself.”
“With all due respect, Mr Bennet,” Hayate responded, causing the Bennet patriarch to turn around and see the brunette, Teana, and Subaru dressed smartly in what he perceived as smart-looking, if revealing, combat outfits, "it is about time that you need to reassess some of your views.”
“That is right,” Shamal stated, having activated her Knight armor, “Hayate, Subaru, and Teana are all very skilled at their professions, and are all highly respected for what they do, regardless of their age, gender, and race. The brunette you attempted to prevent from sitting down earlier, she saved me from an evil force far greater you can ever imagine, and has taught me how to live as a human.”
“I see.” Letting what had just transpired set in, the Bennet patriarch swallowed his pride and held out a hand to Hayate. “I apologize for my behavior towards you, and I hope I can make amends, Miss…”
“Colonel Hayate,” the brunette said as she shook Mr Bennet’s hand firmly. “I am a commanding officer in the army that I am in, and my three associates are not just my subordinates, but are also among my closest friends. I must also apologize for our sudden appearance here, and I can only say that it was completely accidental.”
“Indeed, Colonel Hayate,” Mr Bennet acknowledged, with a hint of a smile on his face, “there is the matter of explaining to Mrs Bennet about who you are.”
“You could say that we are temporary bodyguards.” Four pair of eyes turned to face Subaru. “We will not get in your way, just as long as you understand that we will be following our own values, most of which will be in contrast to what you have been taught.”
As Hayate and Shamal nodded thoughtfully at the combat cyborg’s suggestion, Teana sighed. “I suppose we do have no other choice… Mr Bennet, we will be bodyguards for your daughters. As my colleague, Private Subaru Nakajima, stated, we will not interfere with your lives, but we will not look too kindly if your associates attempt to look down on us.”
“Very well,” Mr Bennet sighed, “I will see what I can do. If you excuse me now, I will be going to my chambers now. I trust that you will be sleeping in this room for the night?”
“Yes, we will be sleeping in here,” Hayate confirmed, “and I pray that you have a good night’s rest.”
“I shall lock this door tonight so that you shall not be disturbed,” the Bennet patriarch said as he was about to leave, “and I shall wake early so that I can introduce you to Mrs Bennet and my daughters. I bid you all a good night.”
***************
Later that night, Shamal was staring at the ceiling after several failed attempts to sleep. Looking over at Teana and Subaru, the blonde could not help chuckling to herself as she saw the two huddled together in their regular clothing.
So, Hayate suddenly thought out to the blonde,
how are the two closeted lovebirds?
My goodness, Hayate! Shamal nearly sat up in fright.
Don’t scare me like that!
Whoops, my bad! I’m sorry about that, Shamal!
The blonde could not help but chuckle.
It’s alright, Hayate, just don’t do it again the next time. It wouldn’t be good if a medic died from an equivalent of a fright-induced heart attack. Both Teana and Subaru look cute while sleeping together.
Oh?
Yeah… I mean, I don’t think they have confessed to each other yet but, having known each other for so long, they probably do this from time to time.
Still, you’re right, they do look cute like that. There was a brief telepathic silence before Hayate thought out again.
Hey, Shamal, what was it that you were about to say before we were interrupted earlier?
I… Shamal had to ponder her words.
I’ve been thinking a lot about you recently, Hayate.
Hmmm?
I’ve been thinking about how you have changed me for the better, how you taught me to be human, especially about having a sense of compassion for a fellow human being. It’s just that… Silence reigned for a few more seconds.
I’m sorry Hayate, but I just can’t tell you now.
I see. With that, the brunette got up from where she was sleeping, and carefully made her way towards Shamal before lying down next to her.
Hayate? What are you doing?
You look as though you have a bit of a problem sleeping, so I’m here to help you with that. Besides, as for what you wanted to tell me, I’ll wait until you are ready to speak.
Hayate…
Shifting her position a bit, Hayate kissed Shamal lightly on the cheek.
Good night, Shamal. I feel safe just by having you around. May you have sweet dreams tonight, my Knight of the Lake.
***************
Shamal would go on to sleep soundly that night.