EDIT: OMG TSS!!! I have such horrible timing... T_T But yeah that's the gist of it.
But I can't keep my mouth shut in the end. Especially after being unjustiably torn to shreds.
COMPLETE REDUX OF THE EARLIER POST:
Crap this little outburst made me forgot that I was writing this for. If you guys are worried that Karlheim is going to be a Sue, then BE. I remember why the redesign was like this; it was created using the exact same rules that the other Aces used. Don't want to break the mould really.
But don’t forget the forest for the trees; Karlheim is only one character in the massive ensemble (dead, to die and will live included) that I’ve assembled to flesh out my vision of the vast multiverse of Nanoha. If you will, he is the token Sue I am obliged to create.
I will prove that this fanon spanning everyone's work can exist, as wild and as imaginative as it may be, within the rules of canon. Dropping OCs for CCs gives me greater credibility and better anchors for me to write around. The named characters and their backgrounds may change, since the ownership of the character is returned to Tsuzuki, but the multiverse that I craft from his scant but liberating words will not. That has survived the Ion Canon time again again, and it is the full reason why my characters both in the past and in the present keep getting shot!
That multiverse, that whole package, that is what I am selling, and it will be continued.
Not for your taste? Your loss.
Waiting eagerly? Sorry to keep you waiting.
Either way, I do hope you'll enjoy Magical Lyrical ViVid. It was written for comedy rather than hardcore worldbuilding, and so avoids much of the perceived problems of Saint King Story and the Magic Soldier Bhalkad series. Even I use it as a break from the brain-bending task of juggling an entire multiverse through the ages in my mortal head.
Saint King Story, Magic Soldier Bhalkad -Leviticus- and Magical Lyrical ViVid. 3 tales that span past, present and future.
With this, I truly begin!
This post has been made unabashedly arrogant, as with all marketing gimmicks. ^^;;;
I do know that I should be grateful for any backing. The slow pace is because I just decided to give myself a 3 chapter (120,000 word?) head-start before posting the first one. Have to get so many things right so letting it simmer for now...
Why else am I window-dressing with 50-min-a-scene ViVid fic that I do with my spare time?
Allow me to introduce you to B-1BM Alpha Foxtrot One Five Delta:
"Deep Sky"
(At approximately 100,000 feet... going, I have no idea how fast. The instruments said 123 knots indicated airspeed. But at 100k feet, you know that's not your ground speed.)
**EDIT: Dammit! I've spent the last six hours working on it, and thanks to forgetting to adjust trim, it was nose-dropping non-stop. Now I can't even look at the image without a freaky optical illusion of the nose trying to drop getting at me.
I do not own any of the creative properties used in the creation of this work of fan fiction. On the other hand, any specific author created characters I created for this fic (despite how unoriginal they may be at times) are mine. So without further ado, let's get on with the show!
The Surgeon General's Warning:
Read at your own risk. Suspension of Disbelief is required.
---
Mahou Enforcer RebellionS: The Calamity Trigger
Entry 1-0:
Prelude to The Calamity
An AU fanfic by James "Ray" Edwards
---
Mid-Childa Calendar 075, a year that many historians would describe as ominous, the year when the peoples of the dimensional sea began to wake from a long, fitful dream. They had been promised a peace that would for all time, in the wake of the mother of all wars, and the ensuing descent into violent anarchy. Glory and legend had been wrest from the ironclad jaws of fate into the hands of the supreme victors, blessed with fortune, courage, and power beyond imagination. The dimensional seas calmed, and under the guidance of its eminent stewards, an unprecedented renaissance in the arts, culture, and values flourished with a handsome economic boom to match.
It appeared as if all previous barriers had been torn down, and the "World" as the people understood now existed in harmony of a more perfect union, an endless frontier without borders, beholding a horizon of infinite possibilities. So much hope, however, could only lead to disappointment; for Man is not chattel who will be satisfied with merely eking out a simple living in the shadows of their progenitors. Grateful they may be for the benevolence of those who came before, but any would wish for a land to call their own and the right to make decisions for themselves, whether it lead to ruin or glory.
Such ambition had been gestating steadily for years, and when the mad genius, Jail Scagatelli, struck right into the heart of the stars, they knew their time had come. Seventy-five solar cycles of victory, an infallible armor of tradition and glory, had all gone to nothing in a single day. Cranagan had been sacked, the Bureau in disarray, and the Mid-Childan Union humiliated all because of the obsession of a single man, a product of their own hubris.
Their once incorrigible parent had blundered badly, and the young lions all gathered around in conspiracy: ministers, ambassadors, senators, representatives, and kings and queens to be. Indeed, it was high time to spread their wings, and if need be, they would carve their names in history straight from the ailing body of their parent. Too long has the old order been allowed to wallow fat and happy on their high throne, watching over all as they would be gods.
The time for revolution, a paradigm shift, had arrived.
Mid-Childa Calendar 082, in light of growing dissent due to the use of MagiTechnology in nearly every facet of society, and the widening socioeconomic gap between those who could and could not use Magic, a motion is put forth in Parliament calling for the succession of thirty dimensions from the Union. The proposal was struck down. Opponents cited a Supreme Court of the Union decision that shows that the Mid-Childan Union "was intended to be perpetual", while arguing such heated rhetoric as the threat of anarchy, national defense, solidarity, and the protection of legitimate expectations of citizens residing within those territories.
Mid-Childa Calendar 083, one year after the failed secession bill and six months into the new administration of Prime Minster Aktavit Ray Leonard, thirty-seven dimensions declare independence, flying the flag of the Ikaruga Union (abbr. IU), in open rebellion against the Mid-Childan Union. Peace talks break down after just two months when explosive footage of an alleged TSAB black-ops "intervention" against key IU military assets is leaked on the ExtraNet. Inflammatory accusations and indignant denials fly from both sides, feeding an increasingly frenzied air of suspicion and hatred, as demands are made for the arrest of the "war criminals".
The war is on.
Mid-Childan Calendar 086, after three solar cycles of heavy fighting, the complete destruction of ten dimensions, casualties in the hundreds of millions, and near countless displaced refugees, the TSAB launches Operation Barbarossa. Considering the loss of men, material, and the mounting astronomical war debt, it was surmised that the Mid-Childan Union could only continue to fight for another three months. Doubtless both sides were severely exhausted and the apocalyptic scale of devastation would be felt for generations to come, but even so, the fighting was more desperate than ever.
Thus, it fell to then Fleet Admiral Chrono C. Harlaown, commanding the Bureau Navy's recently reconstituted 47th Expeditionary Taskforce, to lead a daring raid on the capital world of the Ikaruga Union and score a decisive victory. Many lives were lost and the valiant admiral was wounded irreversibly in the final apocalyptic battle above the heart of the IU, Shinra Bansho. In the ferocious fighting that ensued, many key IU political leaders are killed, including High Minister Lord Takafumi Touha and the visionary, spiritual leader, High Priestess Lady Tenjouin Hourai, and worse yet, Field Marshall Leonhardt, Admiral of the Left Cabracan, and IU Navy Ace, The Terrible Empress, Captain Mary Shelly are also killed in action.
On December 25th, the Ikaruga Civil War ends at last with the signing of the Solont Accords, though some scattered elements refuse to lay down their arms and continue to fight on.
Mid-Childan Calendar 089, September, a major base of operations, belonging to the Time Space Administration Bureau on the recently annexed world of Terra, was utterly destroyed by a rogue mage, calling himself "The Grim Reaper". Within an hour of the attack, over three-hundred Bureau mages and security personnel were slaughtered wholesale by a single man, including the base commander, Rear Admiral Cavallino Rampante. And at high noon, exactly one hour into the attack, the unthinkable happened. A massive dimensional-fold fault opened at New Yokohama Naval Base that would expand to engulf Yokohama, its nearby sister-city of Uminari City, and annihilate parts of the nearby Tokyo Metropolitan Bay area.
Later investigation of backup records pointed out to a recent receiving of dangerous Lost Logia that was to be shipped off world as a likely impetus for the appalling tragedy, which would forever be known as Black September. The instigator was thought to have been killed in the catastrophe, but exactly one month later, he resurfaced in a live broadcast on the ExtraNet to declare war against the Mid-Childan Union. Anyone who sides with the Mid-Childans would not be safe, and those who would stand in his way shall face his judgment, whether they be "Angels or Demons". That was all, and so, the greatest manhunt in history was put into motion, with an appropriately ridiculous bounty leading to the capture or death of the SS-class rebel.
Death had become the most "popular" man in the universe.
Mid-Childan Calendar 089, December 24th, Commander Tiana Lanstar, a veteran Enforcer, arrives in Arkham City on the special administered world of Pandora-7 in the Fimbulvetr System. Under the auspices of the Office of Naval Intelligence, she is in pursuit of a possible solid tipoff to the Grim Reaper's location...
---
To be continued...
Spoiler for 1-1:
---
Mahou Enforcer RebellionS: The Calamity Trigger
Entry 1-1:
Savage Thoughts
An AU fanfic by James "Ray" Edwards
---
Most people of the romantic persuasion would be pleased to greet a White December, but as far as Commander Tiana Lanstar was concerned, she would rather not be reminded of the simpler joys in life she had failed to grasp with her own two hands. Just the mere sight of passing amorous couples and happy families being reunited outside the bustling arrival terminal at Arkham-Vallius Spaceport pushed her buttons in a bad way. Her effort at romantic love had lead to disappointment, which soon after blossomed into bitter resentment that she vented as a relentless drive to push forward in her career.
Aye, Tiana would have others believe that she had grown into a fine adult, but the truth was another matter altogether. The rejection had been a massive blow to her ego, gouging open all manner ugly scars and inferiorities she had left to be forgotten at the mercy of time. How shameful that after all she had lived through, she had been left behind again.
Was it fate that things would turn out rotten for her? the enforcer wondered onerously, a self-depreciating grin tugging at her cheeks.
Orphaned as a child, Tiana Lanstar had been denied even the unconditional love of family, and had spent much of her youth fighting off those who spit at her name. Many would have nothing to do with her, so the young firebrand had been happy to reject the company of such brainless sheep. Deeds not words would clear the slandered name of her family and to that goal she had pursued without rest, never allowing anyone else to come between her and success.
Others would only bungle around half-heartedly and drag her down, so Tiana believed. Those narrow-minded runts around her were just plain nuisances. With big brother Tiida gone, she had to rely on herself only to stand on her own two feet. Who knew when she would be betrayed like he had been, made the convenient scapegoat for the failures of his supposed comrades?
No; never again, the young trainee had sworn to herself. How ironic then that by chance Subaru Nakajima recklessly forced her way into Tiana's world? Thus, she was delivered from isolation back into the arms of humans and their company, which she had grown to despise and reject. Maybe bonds were more than just blood, after all.
Knowing she had a "Family" to go back to had helped curb the shocking pain, but Tiana being Tiana, proud and intense, she bottled her feelings up inside and used that negative force to power her own stellar rise. It had been her private hope that by burying herself in her duty, she would forget everything eventually---but the wound in her heart never went away, nor did her reopened scars heal over. On the contrary, the rejection dogged her like a chronic disease, hounding her wherever she traveled and fought in the name of "justice".
So Tiana Lanstar did what she did best, she fought on stubbornly and coolly, pretending everything was right as rain. This pain, this feeling was her cross to bear and she would have no part of anyone else carrying it for her, especially not her dear ones. Alas, even her surrogate family, her last refuge had been ravaged by the trauma of recent events. No one ever expected to become a statistic, least of all those talented individuals who earn the title of "prodigy", but Black September proved that even such reputed geniuses did not possess the devil's own luck, and tragedy could touch any household.
Thank goodness that all these civilians, being unknowing, unthinking, unseeing, and blissfully ignorant sheep they were, would not care to know her story, much less what an undercover TSAB operative was doing out here in their sleepy city. If they knew the latter, Tiana grinned grimly, pulling her drab trenchcoat tighter around herself against the frigid air, she had a strong suspicion they would drag her away to be burned at the stake in a heartbeat. The peoples amongst the stars were well aware, even the lowliest moisture farmer on the farthest corner of the rim knew that the greatest manhunt in the history of the galaxy was under way!
Some years ago, one of her mentors, an old graying Enforcer in his fifties that Tiana had the honor of serving under for a time during her rise to prominence, once advised her that it was bad business to have a personal stake in an investigation. The probability of things going south in a case skyrocket astronomically because some blood-brained idiots let their little heads think for their big heads, instead of what was the proper course of action. Tiana thought it had been good advice, a maxim worth living by that she had followed leaving his charge, yet here she was ignoring those very same words.
Isn't it funny? the enforcer scanned the lively scene about her with passing interest. Out of everyone who was touched by that absurd saint of a woman... I got the invitation from ONI, a chance to go hunt down that arrogant, cold-blooded bastard and bring him to justice for all the world. Me. They picked me! ...but why don't I feel good... Why don't I feel---anything---about getting this chance?
Tiana thought that the normal reaction would be bittersweet elation to be given the privilege of helping hunt down the mass murderer who had brought such heartbreak to her loved ones. She should be enraged with indignation that the selfish mad ambition of a single man had visited such horrors upon her family, and rightly so! ...But the enforcer turned spook felt nothing. Could it be that her humanity had been robbed by her battles as an Enforcer, one who must face down the depravity of wretched scum of society in the name of justice?
True, Tiana had seen people die, innocent and guilty, even before the atrocities of the Ikaruga Civil War. The ghastly, scornful face of a certain man, her first kill, still haunted the dark recesses of her memories. It was self-defense on the books officially, justifiable within her rights, but murder was murder, a sin she had never confessed to anyone in her family. How could they understand? Their magic and conduct was above reproach, and never had they been forced to take a life, much less extinguish it with their own two hands.
Then again, Tiana had always been different from everyone else, blinded easily by greed, envy, wrath, and pride just to name a few. No assignment had been too "hot" for her, and as a result, she made powerful contacts who helped propel her higher and higher. Soon, Tiana Lanstar eclipsed even the achievements of her first mentor, Fate T. Harlaown, another child prodigy, despite her later start.
Maybe it was because of those very shortcomings she had given the chance to join in on the hunt, in spite of her close ties with the victims of Black September: Tiana was abnormal, a beast. She did not bat an eye at personal tragedy anymore; it only spurned her onwards, fighting against the unreasonable hand fate had given her. Indeed, those sweet halcyon days she had spent with Subaru and everyone, no matter how precious, was but a pleasant daydream, deluding her from her true strength.
No more tears; no more regrets, thought the auburn-haired enforcer as she stood, spotting a particular black sedan pulling up to curb---right beside her. The model, color, plates, and the driver inside checked out at a glance. Her escort was right on schedule. How punctual...
If this mission is my last... Then I'll be sure to bring that Grim Reaper's head on a silver platter as a present to everyone who accepted someone as savage as me into the embrace of their hearts.
Oh well. I did it in a day with no editing. Hooah.
Spoiler for Interview:
“A research project?” Noland asked as he leaned against the doorway. Once again he had taken
up the mantle of babysitter, but tonight would not be as hectic as before. Rather, Vivio and Syn
had to spend their time with their heads buried in textbooks and papers. After hours of exhaustive
search, the girls found a much-appreciated break in the form of their guardian for the night, coming just to check up on them.
“Yep! We need to do a report on some famous person or group in Ancient Belka,” Syn answered
without looking up.
“There is some irony in you having to complete this project,” Noland smirked at the thought, his
words directed at the blonde girl.
“Yeah, tell me about it,” Vivio spared the knight a look and a wry grin. “I feel like it’s almost
expected of me to research Ingwalde or Olivie.”
“What are you thinking of researching, then?”
“That’s the annoying part! We have this gigantic pile of papers of potential topics, but nothing
interests me at all!” Syn thumped a notebook with dozens of colored tabs sticking out of the top
and side. “Corona and Lio are doing something about the evolution of Belkan economics
“Why not ask lady Kaon? She knows, and remembers, far more than I can ever hope to.”
“That would be the easy way out, but…”
“She’s boring as hell. She can put our teacher to sleep,” the blue-haired girl shook her head. “No
way. She’s nice an’ all, but I would rather read a book.”
“Lady Kaon is not that bad…”
She shrugged. “I mean, unless she could tell us something about, like, the Knights of the Round
or something like that…”
Vivio suddenly brightened up at those words. “Wait, that’s a great idea!”
“What, talking to Inspector Kaon?”
“No! I mean, she’d be nice, but the Knights of the Round!”
“Um… Not that I disagree, but where would we get the primary and secondary sources for that?
There really isn’t much literature about those guys.”
“We have one right here!” Vivio pointed at Noland.
“…You lost me. I know he’s a knight, but…”
“No! He’s a Knight of the Round!”
What in the world has gotten into her friend…? “You’ve gone crazy, Viv. He has to be at least
four hundred years old if he was one, and he doesn’t even look forty!”
“Err…”
Noland’s interruption drew the two girls to look at him, the knight scratching the back of his head
as he continued on.
“It is a secret to most people, similar to lady Vivio’s stance as the clone of the Saint Kaiser Olivie.
However, since she seems willing to share, I suppose I can follow. She speaks the truth: I am the
Knight of Two from the Round.”
“No way! You’re messing with me. I mean, you got the look down, but you can’t be from that
age,” Syn grinned widely. “That was pretty good though! If I hadn’t known better, you would’ve
totally fooled me, heh.”
She looked to her friend and the knight and saw neither of them sharing her humor. Rather, Vivio
looked somewhat guilty, while Noland looked… detached?
“Oh come on. You can’t expect me to believe that, would you?”
“We have no reason to lie to you, but if you wish to see proof, then I can try. May I have a black
piece of paper and a pen?”
Supplied with the aforementioned, Noland began to sketch out an insignia of sorts. A shield, a
winged sword, strange supernatural creatures that seemed to guard it; the emblem became
progressively more and more complicated as the seconds ticked by.
“I have been blind for some time, however I can never forget that which is burned into my soul.
As a Knight of the Round, this was our heraldry. As the Knight of two, this was mine.”
The insignia then changed, becoming more reflective of the man that drew it. Watching the knight
draw, both Vivio and Syn could see the minute details that symbolized him and his service. In
spite of his lack of sight, Noland had completed his personal Knight’s Crest with unbelievable
detail. He presented it to Syn, her eyes wide in disbelief.
“This is all I can offer you. Whether or not you believe it is up to you.”
The blue-haired girl stared at the paper, then at Noland, her mouth open in a small o.
“You… you’re the real deal, aren’t you?”
“I am what I am. Nothing can change that.”
For a moment, Syn spoke nothing, instead staring at Noland with wide eyes. The knight felt a
twinge of nervousness at the silence, while Vivio grew slightly worried. She was just about to tap
her friend on the shoulder when the blue-haired girl suddenly leapt out of her seat.
“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE~!”
Vivio recoiled from the squeal, just as Noland stepped back in surprise. Their shock doubled
when Syn abruptly and literally flew out of her chain and capturing the knight in a great bone-
creaking glomp.
“Omigodomigodomigodomigodomigooood~!”
“Forgive me if I do not understand your excitement, lady Syn.”
“Heee~! You called me lady! It’s doubly-awesome now! And are you kidding me?! You’re
only like one of the most popular fairy tales known in Cranagan! Oh jeez, mom is going to flip if
she hears about this… Wait, do Lio and Corona know?!”
“No…”
“Oh maaan~!” releasing Noland, Syn then whirled around to confront her friend. “What the hell,
Vivio!? You had the real life Knight of Tragedy as your friend?!”
Vivio looked at Syn, then at Noland, then back to Syn. “What?”
“Oh tragic knight, betrayed by your allies and abandoned by your king. You struggled and
fought your former friends, even sacrificing your sanity for the power to break the Kaiser free
from her bloodline’s eternal cycle of war,” Syn clasped her hands together, as if reciting lines
from a play. “Oh, terrible knight, to slay your king with your own hands and bring a dying nation
to its end. Alas, your forbidden love was not to be…”
“W-wow, Syn, I never figured you to be a romantic…” Vivio stared at the girl.
“Hey! I’m a girl too, you know! I grew up on that!”
“You grew into a total ham.”
“Hey!”
Noland coughed politely into his hand, “That… is quite the embellishment, but we can discuss
that later. I will help however I can, should you need it.”
“Hmmm,” Syn smirked a knowing smirk. “This gives me an idea…”
--
The girls were rather excited over this idea, to have an “interview” with an “authentic” knight of
the time. They could easily just make Noland to be a performer reenacting the role of, well,
Noland Reiniger the Knight of Two. This way, they could do the work by just asking questions,
then hunt down the references later. Easy, simple, but far more interesting than typing up the
paper then forcing themselves up to the front of the class and presenting.
Vivio’s room was rapidly converted into a make-shift interviewing room, with black drapes in the
background (a length of fabric that Fate had left in the house) and some lamps to create the
atmosphere. The finished product was a little slapdash, but it work.
Turning on the camera, the girls situated themselves outside of the camera’s picture, with Noland
sitting in full knight’s uniform (not that he looked any different than usual).
“Good day. This is Vivio Takamachi—”
“—And Syn Virage.”
“We will be interviewing a member of Belkan society during the time before the civilization’s
collapse. With us here is a knight under the direct command of the Saint Kaiser, a formidable
warrior whose skills elevated him into the Knights of the Round. Good evening, Sir Knight.
Could you introduce yourself?”
“I greet you, lady Vivio Takamachi, lady Syn Virage. I am Noland Reiniger, Knight of Two,
serving under the Saint Kaiser Olivie. Please pardon the bandages. I was injured, and I am still
healing.”
“Very well, sir. Could you tell us about the Knights of the Round?”
“The Knights of the Round is a group of knights selected by the Kaiser to serve directly. A
Knight of the Round does not answer to anyone but the Kaiser, however they do not possess
any command rights unless granted. In short, we are the Kaiser’s Knights. Our missions would
vary, depending on the duty required and demanded of us from the Kaiser, but they always
pertained to matters that needed a strong but careful hand. We were the elite of the elite, the best
knights of Belka.”
“Could you tell us about the command structure? Or your fellow members?”
“There were thirteen chairs of the Round, to which the lower the number the higher the Knight.
Seat number thirteen was usually the newest member of the Round, whilst seat number one was
the highest and most veteran. The seat numbers were not ranks, however. We stood as equals,
though we also respected each other’s strengths. More important that status were our skills and
abilities, the very reasons we were chosen. Everyone had a specialization, a unique skill.
Unfortunately, I cannot divulge sensitive information pertaining to my fellow knights. Understand
that we were a very diverse group, however.
“We have some art here; could you tell us about that?”
“I apologize. The nature of my injury robs me of sight for the moment. If you could describe the
image for me, I may recognize it.”
“Of course. For the viewers, here is the image in question.”
Spoiler for Image 01:
Vivio’s voice described the image as best she could, and with Noland’s nod, he continued.
“It seems you managed to recover Knight of Nine Chidori’s drawings, a rare find indeed,” a light
smile formed on his face. “She loved to draw when off-duty, though very little of it was ever seen
by the public eye. Only her partner would see them. In the image, the one on the right is the
Knight of One, before conflict stole away one of his eyes. Below him is the Knight of Twelve,
though her hair eventually grew much longer. The one on the left is me. We had finished a parade,
and we were resting whilst the rest continued on. The flag had little meaning.”
“And this one?”
Spoiler for Image 02:
Another description followed, inciting a quiet chuckle from Noland.
“Another one from Chidori. The left knight is me again, and the one on the right, Chidori’s
partner and fellow Knight of Nine.”
“I thought you said Chidori was the Knight of Nine?”
“She is, but so is her partner. They were lovers, you see, and together they possessed a synergy
that no single knight could replicate. One their own, they were formidable, but together, incredible.
As I said earlier, skill and ability were the most important attributes of a Knight of the Round. As
such, sharing a seat is not uncommon. The Knight of Eleven is a similar case.”
“I see. And about the picture…”
“We were observing an exercise conducted by the regular army. In particular, we were the
opposing force that held the castle, while the regular army practiced siege warfare and attack.”
“And lastly…”
Spoiler for Image 03:
As Vivio described the image, Noland seemed surprised. A moment passed without any response
from the blind knight, his visage one of deep thought.
“Sir?”
The knight snapped back to attention. “Oh, my apologies. I had not expected for Lady Alistina’s
image to be found.”
“Lady Alistina?” both Syn and Vivio voiced their question.
“Yes. Lady Alistina Carter. A noble and a knight, she was actually our superior. Whereas we
knights served under the Kaiser, Lady Alistina served at the Kaiser’s side. The difference there
is immense. While she did not have any true authority over us, we followed her orders out of
respect. She was the Guardian Knight of the Saint Kaiser, her personal bodyguard. No one was
closer than she.”
“Could you tell us about Lady Alistina?
“Lady Alistina… was an amazing person. She was the knight that all knights stove to be. When I
first met her, I was a mere infantry soldier in the Saint Kaiser’s army. She was awe inspiring,
almost as famous as Kaiser Olivie herself. An amazing soldier, master of a thousand devices and
armors, and a kind noble who refused to see us as mere tools; a combination that endeared her
to all her troops. We did not serve because of her rank, but because of her. And through her, we
served the Saint Kaiser.
“When I became what I was… what I am, a knight of Belka, Lady Alistina was there to
congratulate me. She did not seem all that surprised either, when I was inducted into the Knights
of the Round.
“Wouldn’t Lady Carter be the more appropriate address?”
“It is, by court standards. However among us, her friends, she requested a more casual address.
It took us some time to get used to her, but her presence was never unwelcomed.
“She was maelstrom of righteousness on the battlefield, her hundred swords flashing in the sun
and the moon. Magic and spears bounced harmlessly off her armor, and right next to her the
mighty Kaiser herself lead the holy army to victory.
“Any secrets you could indulge about her?”
“Madams, that would be incredibly rude of me,” Noland frowned at first, though it quickly turned
into a smile. “Though I suppose some harmless secrets would not hurt. She loves parties, and she
loves to dance. A master of war and the dance floor, I still remember the dizzying steps she put
me through to learn the Belkan Waltz, and I remember how beautiful she was in those dresses.”
“You had to be taught?”
“Ahaha, I was quite ignorant of courtly behaviors, to be honest. I came from a rustic
background, so the finer aspects of noble society had to be taught to me as I became a knight.
Upon becoming a Knight of the Round, you also became a minor noble, with all the benefits and
bonuses that entail: Land, prestige, access to elite schools, wealth, a greater range of rights; it
could elevate a man from pauper to prince, though not that literally. I managed to give my parents
and sisters an education, and a life they deserved.”
“From your words, you hold Lady Carter in high regards.”
“Indeed, I do. While my loyalty is completely dedicated to Kaiser Olivie, I would have great
respect for Lady Alistina. She had a light about her, a shining gem amidst the darkness. Any
soldier would have given their lives for either of them, myself included.”
The interview continued on for a while longer, the topic returning to the Knights of the Round and
their role in the Belkan military, the Court, and in the public. By the time they had finished, the
girls had more than enough to work with.
--
One week later, an ecstatic cluster of guys and girls burst out from the St. Hilde Academy of
Magic, elementary and middle school building. Free at last! Especially for students who just got
out of history class. The time spent in there a few days was a nightmarish stream of presentations
and lectures that drained the soul… well, except for one presentation. Those girls, Vivio and Syn,
had made an awesome video that pretty much did all the work for them, and with a simple sheet
of paper of collected resources, their grade was an A to be sure.
So interesting, in fact, that the “actor” was summoned to the school and asked to repeat the
interview, but to the questions of the teacher and students. Throughout it all, Vivio and Syn hid
gleeful smiles.
As such, the form of Noland Reiniger in his Knight’s Coat was an additional sight as he escaped
the school along with the kids. His throat ached from speaking and his head was still a little dizzy
from all the questions, but overall he was pleased to have contributed to the children’s education.
With Vivio and Syn dashing off to meet their friends, Noland had nothing else to do but head home…
At the academy’s gates, he gave the institution a final “look.”
“What would you do, Lady, if you were here instead of me? If you were to see Olivie live once
more, but liberated from the shackles of the Cradle?” he sighed and shook his head. “No… she
is not Olivie. She is Vivio, a bright, cheery, wonderful girl. And she is free, Lady Alistina. You
can see her, right…?”
A question he knew he would not get an answer, but, somehow he knew it already.
“Haha. Of course, I am a fool. You would be the same as I; her knight; her confidant; her friend.
But, perhaps, if you could be reborn like she, you could be her friend, and only that. You would
not need to be Vivio’s sword or her shield, but the unshakable foundation upon which she stands.
Let me take your place, Lady. You have worked hard enough.”
Spoiler for Bonus Omake Ending:
“Haha. Of course, I am a fool. You would be the same as I; her knight; her confidant; her friend.
But, perhaps, if you could be reborn like she, you could be her friend, and only that. You would
not need to be Vivio’s sword or her shield, but the unshakable foundation upon which she stands.
Let me take your place, Lady. You have worked hard enough.”
He turned around to take a step, only to stop and halt his leg. Just barely centimeters away from
kicking a young girl in front of him, Noland managed to avoid hurting her. Taking a step back, he
bowed in apology.
“I am terribly sorry, young lady. I nearly knocked you over. Are you unharmed?”
Startled but uninjured, she gave him a nod he could not see and answered him shyly, “Yes, I’m
okay.”
A familiar voice.
“That is good. I would feel guilty if I had harmed a student of this place.”
“Um… I’m not a student, yet. I just moved here. But, um, I’ll be coming here soon!”
“Is that so? Then allow me to welcome you, Miss…?”
“Allie.”
Allie. Somehow… Somehow he imagined her to have red hair. Scarlet.
“Nice to meet you, Allie. I am Noland Reiniger, a presenter here. What do you hope to study here?”
“I want to learn magic,” she sounded much more confident, suddenly. “I want to be a hero!”
She was there, no taller than his waist, yet she had a presence that he had not felt in many years.
Even in the darkness of his mind, he thought he could see a light right in front of him. Impossible!
But…
She wanted to be a hero. Such a childish dream, yet by the tone of her voice, Noland could feel
the conviction behind it. But… to be a hero, she would have to sacrifice. And the greatest heroes
would give the greatest sacrifice. Like the Lady…
“No. You need not be a hero,” Noland shook his head slowly, but still gave the girl a smile.
“You just need to grow, learn, live, and be happy.”
Was he hallucinating? Or was he just hoping for something that did not exist? Perhaps he truly
was becoming insane, or maybe in his blindness he could see more than he thought possible. The
World works in mysterious ways. Be in coincidence or providence…
Let them find happiness again.
“There is a student I know that attends that school. She is about your age. Would you like to be
her friend?.”
“R-really?”
“Yes. She would be happy to meet you. Her name is Vivio, and she is an amazing girl…”
Oh well. I did it in a day with no editing. Hooah.
Spoiler for Interview:
“A research project?” Noland asked as he leaned against the doorway. Once again he had taken
up the mantle of babysitter, but tonight would not be as hectic as before. Rather, Vivio and Syn
had to spend their time with their heads buried in textbooks and papers. After hours of exhaustive
search, the girls found a much-appreciated break in the form of their guardian for the night, coming just to check up on them.
“Yep! We need to do a report on some famous person or group in Ancient Belka,” Syn answered
without looking up.
“There is some irony in you having to complete this project,” Noland smirked at the thought, his
words directed at the blonde girl.
“Yeah, tell me about it,” Vivio spared the knight a look and a wry grin. “I feel like it’s almost
expected of me to research Ingwalde or Olivie.”
“What are you thinking of researching, then?”
“That’s the annoying part! We have this gigantic pile of papers of potential topics, but nothing
interests me at all!” Syn thumped a notebook with dozens of colored tabs sticking out of the top
and side. “Corona and Lio are doing something about the evolution of Belkan economics
“Why not ask lady Kaon? She knows, and remembers, far more than I can ever hope to.”
“That would be the easy way out, but…”
“She’s boring as hell. She can put our teacher to sleep,” the blue-haired girl shook her head. “No
way. She’s nice an’ all, but I would rather read a book.”
“Lady Kaon is not that bad…”
She shrugged. “I mean, unless she could tell us something about, like, the Knights of the Round
or something like that…”
Vivio suddenly brightened up at those words. “Wait, that’s a great idea!”
“What, talking to Inspector Kaon?”
“No! I mean, she’d be nice, but the Knights of the Round!”
“Um… Not that I disagree, but where would we get the primary and secondary sources for that?
There really isn’t much literature about those guys.”
“We have one right here!” Vivio pointed at Noland.
“…You lost me. I know he’s a knight, but…”
“No! He’s a Knight of the Round!”
What in the world has gotten into her friend…? “You’ve gone crazy, Viv. He has to be at least
four hundred years old if he was one, and he doesn’t even look forty!”
“Err…”
Noland’s interruption drew the two girls to look at him, the knight scratching the back of his head
as he continued on.
“It is a secret to most people, similar to lady Vivio’s stance as the clone of the Saint Kaiser Olivie.
However, since she seems willing to share, I suppose I can follow. She speaks the truth: I am the
Knight of Two from the Round.”
“No way! You’re messing with me. I mean, you got the look down, but you can’t be from that
age,” Syn grinned widely. “That was pretty good though! If I hadn’t known better, you would’ve
totally fooled me, heh.”
She looked to her friend and the knight and saw neither of them sharing her humor. Rather, Vivio
looked somewhat guilty, while Noland looked… detached?
“Oh come on. You can’t expect me to believe that, would you?”
“We have no reason to lie to you, but if you wish to see proof, then I can try. May I have a black
piece of paper and a pen?”
Supplied with the aforementioned, Noland began to sketch out an insignia of sorts. A shield, a
winged sword, strange supernatural creatures that seemed to guard it; the emblem became
progressively more and more complicated as the seconds ticked by.
“I have been blind for some time, however I can never forget that which is burned into my soul.
As a Knight of the Round, this was our heraldry. As the Knight of two, this was mine.”
The insignia then changed, becoming more reflective of the man that drew it. Watching the knight
draw, both Vivio and Syn could see the minute details that symbolized him and his service. In
spite of his lack of sight, Noland had completed his personal Knight’s Crest with unbelievable
detail. He presented it to Syn, her eyes wide in disbelief.
“This is all I can offer you. Whether or not you believe it is up to you.”
The blue-haired girl stared at the paper, then at Noland, her mouth open in a small o.
“You… you’re the real deal, aren’t you?”
“I am what I am. Nothing can change that.”
For a moment, Syn spoke nothing, instead staring at Noland with wide eyes. The knight felt a
twinge of nervousness at the silence, while Vivio grew slightly worried. She was just about to tap
her friend on the shoulder when the blue-haired girl suddenly leapt out of her seat.
“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE~!”
Vivio recoiled from the squeal, just as Noland stepped back in surprise. Their shock doubled
when Syn abruptly and literally flew out of her chain and capturing the knight in a great bone-
creaking glomp.
“Omigodomigodomigodomigodomigooood~!”
“Forgive me if I do not understand your excitement, lady Syn.”
“Heee~! You called me lady! It’s doubly-awesome now! And are you kidding me?! You’re
only like one of the most popular fairy tales known in Cranagan! Oh jeez, mom is going to flip if
she hears about this… Wait, do Lio and Corona know?!”
“No…”
“Oh maaan~!” releasing Noland, Syn then whirled around to confront her friend. “What the hell,
Vivio!? You had the real life Knight of Tragedy as your friend?!”
Vivio looked at Syn, then at Noland, then back to Syn. “What?”
“Oh tragic knight, betrayed by your allies and abandoned by your king. You struggled and
fought your former friends, even sacrificing your sanity for the power to break the Kaiser free
from her bloodline’s eternal cycle of war,” Syn clasped her hands together, as if reciting lines
from a play. “Oh, terrible knight, to slay your king with your own hands and bring a dying nation
to its end. Alas, your forbidden love was not to be…”
“W-wow, Syn, I never figured you to be a romantic…” Vivio stared at the girl.
“Hey! I’m a girl too, you know! I grew up on that!”
“You grew into a total ham.”
“Hey!”
Noland coughed politely into his hand, “That… is quite the embellishment, but we can discuss
that later. I will help however I can, should you need it.”
“Hmmm,” Syn smirked a knowing smirk. “This gives me an idea…”
--
The girls were rather excited over this idea, to have an “interview” with an “authentic” knight of
the time. They could easily just make Noland to be a performer reenacting the role of, well,
Noland Reiniger the Knight of Two. This way, they could do the work by just asking questions,
then hunt down the references later. Easy, simple, but far more interesting than typing up the
paper then forcing themselves up to the front of the class and presenting.
Vivio’s room was rapidly converted into a make-shift interviewing room, with black drapes in the
background (a length of fabric that Fate had left in the house) and some lamps to create the
atmosphere. The finished product was a little slapdash, but it work.
Turning on the camera, the girls situated themselves outside of the camera’s picture, with Noland
sitting in full knight’s uniform (not that he looked any different than usual).
“Good day. This is Vivio Takamachi—”
“—And Syn Virage.”
“We will be interviewing a member of Belkan society during the time before the civilization’s
collapse. With us here is a knight under the direct command of the Saint Kaiser, a formidable
warrior whose skills elevated him into the Knights of the Round. Good evening, Sir Knight.
Could you introduce yourself?”
“I greet you, lady Vivio Takamachi, lady Syn Virage. I am Noland Reiniger, Knight of Two,
serving under the Saint Kaiser Olivie. Please pardon the bandages. I was injured, and I am still
healing.”
“Very well, sir. Could you tell us about the Knights of the Round?”
“The Knights of the Round is a group of knights selected by the Kaiser to serve directly. A
Knight of the Round does not answer to anyone but the Kaiser, however they do not possess
any command rights unless granted. In short, we are the Kaiser’s Knights. Our missions would
vary, depending on the duty required and demanded of us from the Kaiser, but they always
pertained to matters that needed a strong but careful hand. We were the elite of the elite, the best
knights of Belka.”
“Could you tell us about the command structure? Or your fellow members?”
“There were thirteen chairs of the Round, to which the lower the number the higher the Knight.
Seat number thirteen was usually the newest member of the Round, whilst seat number one was
the highest and most veteran. The seat numbers were not ranks, however. We stood as equals,
though we also respected each other’s strengths. More important that status were our skills and
abilities, the very reasons we were chosen. Everyone had a specialization, a unique skill.
Unfortunately, I cannot divulge sensitive information pertaining to my fellow knights. Understand
that we were a very diverse group, however.
“We have some art here; could you tell us about that?”
“I apologize. The nature of my injury robs me of sight for the moment. If you could describe the
image for me, I may recognize it.”
“Of course. For the viewers, here is the image in question.”
Spoiler for Image 01:
Vivio’s voice described the image as best she could, and with Noland’s nod, he continued.
“It seems you managed to recover Knight of Nine Chidori’s drawings, a rare find indeed,” a light
smile formed on his face. “She loved to draw when off-duty, though very little of it was ever seen
by the public eye. Only her partner would see them. In the image, the one on the right is the
Knight of One, before conflict stole away one of his eyes. Below him is the Knight of Twelve,
though her hair eventually grew much longer. The one on the left is me. We had finished a parade,
and we were resting whilst the rest continued on. The flag had little meaning.”
“And this one?”
Spoiler for Image 02:
Another description followed, inciting a quiet chuckle from Noland.
“Another one from Chidori. The left knight is me again, and the one on the right, Chidori’s
partner and fellow Knight of Nine.”
“I thought you said Chidori was the Knight of Nine?”
“She is, but so is her partner. They were lovers, you see, and together they possessed a synergy
that no single knight could replicate. One their own, they were formidable, but together, incredible.
As I said earlier, skill and ability were the most important attributes of a Knight of the Round. As
such, sharing a seat is not uncommon. The Knight of Eleven is a similar case.”
“I see. And about the picture…”
“We were observing an exercise conducted by the regular army. In particular, we were the
opposing force that held the castle, while the regular army practiced siege warfare and attack.”
“And lastly…”
Spoiler for Image 03:
As Vivio described the image, Noland seemed surprised. A moment passed without any response
from the blind knight, his visage one of deep thought.
“Sir?”
The knight snapped back to attention. “Oh, my apologies. I had not expected for Lady Alistina’s
image to be found.”
“Lady Alistina?” both Syn and Vivio voiced their question.
“Yes. Lady Alistina Carter. A noble and a knight, she was actually our superior. Whereas we
knights served under the Kaiser, Lady Alistina served at the Kaiser’s side. The difference there
is immense. While she did not have any true authority over us, we followed her orders out of
respect. She was the Guardian Knight of the Saint Kaiser, her personal bodyguard. No one was
closer than she.”
“Could you tell us about Lady Alistina?
“Lady Alistina… was an amazing person. She was the knight that all knights stove to be. When I
first met her, I was a mere infantry soldier in the Saint Kaiser’s army. She was awe inspiring,
almost as famous as Kaiser Olivie herself. An amazing soldier, master of a thousand devices and
armors, and a kind noble who refused to see us as mere tools; a combination that endeared her
to all her troops. We did not serve because of her rank, but because of her. And through her, we
served the Saint Kaiser.
“When I became what I was… what I am, a knight of Belka, Lady Alistina was there to
congratulate me. She did not seem all that surprised either, when I was inducted into the Knights
of the Round.
“Wouldn’t Lady Carter be the more appropriate address?”
“It is, by court standards. However among us, her friends, she requested a more casual address.
It took us some time to get used to her, but her presence was never unwelcomed.
“She was maelstrom of righteousness on the battlefield, her hundred swords flashing in the sun
and the moon. Magic and spears bounced harmlessly off her armor, and right next to her the
mighty Kaiser herself lead the holy army to victory.
“Any secrets you could indulge about her?”
“Madams, that would be incredibly rude of me,” Noland frowned at first, though it quickly turned
into a smile. “Though I suppose some harmless secrets would not hurt. She loves parties, and she
loves to dance. A master of war and the dance floor, I still remember the dizzying steps she put
me through to learn the Belkan Waltz, and I remember how beautiful she was in those dresses.”
“You had to be taught?”
“Ahaha, I was quite ignorant of courtly behaviors, to be honest. I came from a rustic
background, so the finer aspects of noble society had to be taught to me as I became a knight.
Upon becoming a Knight of the Round, you also became a minor noble, with all the benefits and
bonuses that entail: Land, prestige, access to elite schools, wealth, a greater range of rights; it
could elevate a man from pauper to prince, though not that literally. I managed to give my parents
and sisters an education, and a life they deserved.”
“From your words, you hold Lady Carter in high regards.”
“Indeed, I do. While my loyalty is completely dedicated to Kaiser Olivie, I would have great
respect for Lady Alistina. She had a light about her, a shining gem amidst the darkness. Any
soldier would have given their lives for either of them, myself included.”
The interview continued on for a while longer, the topic returning to the Knights of the Round and
their role in the Belkan military, the Court, and in the public. By the time they had finished, the
girls had more than enough to work with.
--
One week later, an ecstatic cluster of guys and girls burst out from the St. Hilde Academy of
Magic, elementary and middle school building. Free at last! Especially for students who just got
out of history class. The time spent in there a few days was a nightmarish stream of presentations
and lectures that drained the soul… well, except for one presentation. Those girls, Vivio and Syn,
had made an awesome video that pretty much did all the work for them, and with a simple sheet
of paper of collected resources, their grade was an A to be sure.
So interesting, in fact, that the “actor” was summoned to the school and asked to repeat the
interview, but to the questions of the teacher and students. Throughout it all, Vivio and Syn hid
gleeful smiles.
As such, the form of Noland Reiniger in his Knight’s Coat was an additional sight as he escaped
the school along with the kids. His throat ached from speaking and his head was still a little dizzy
from all the questions, but overall he was pleased to have contributed to the children’s education.
With Vivio and Syn dashing off to meet their friends, Noland had nothing else to do but head home…
At the academy’s gates, he gave the institution a final “look.”
“What would you do, Lady, if you were here instead of me? If you were to see Olivie live once
more, but liberated from the shackles of the Cradle?” he sighed and shook his head. “No… she
is not Olivie. She is Vivio, a bright, cheery, wonderful girl. And she is free, Lady Alistina. You
can see her, right…?”
A question he knew he would not get an answer, but, somehow he knew it already.
“Haha. Of course, I am a fool. You would be the same as I; her knight; her confidant; her friend.
But, perhaps, if you could be reborn like she, you could be her friend, and only that. You would
not need to be Vivio’s sword or her shield, but the unshakable foundation upon which she stands.
Let me take your place, Lady. You have worked hard enough.”
Spoiler for Bonus Omake Ending:
“Haha. Of course, I am a fool. You would be the same as I; her knight; her confidant; her friend.
But, perhaps, if you could be reborn like she, you could be her friend, and only that. You would
not need to be Vivio’s sword or her shield, but the unshakable foundation upon which she stands.
Let me take your place, Lady. You have worked hard enough.”
He turned around to take a step, only to stop and halt his leg. Just barely centimeters away from
kicking a young girl in front of him, Noland managed to avoid hurting her. Taking a step back, he
bowed in apology.
“I am terribly sorry, young lady. I nearly knocked you over. Are you unharmed?”
Startled but uninjured, she gave him a nod he could not see and answered him shyly, “Yes, I’m
okay.”
A familiar voice.
“That is good. I would feel guilty if I had harmed a student of this place.”
“Um… I’m not a student, yet. I just moved here. But, um, I’ll be coming here soon!”
“Is that so? Then allow me to welcome you, Miss…?”
“Allie.”
Allie. Somehow… Somehow he imagined her to have red hair. Scarlet.
“Nice to meet you, Allie. I am Noland Reiniger, a presenter here. What do you hope to study here?”
“I want to learn magic,” she sounded much more confident, suddenly. “I want to be a hero!”
She was there, no taller than his waist, yet she had a presence that he had not felt in many years.
Even in the darkness of his mind, he thought he could see a light right in front of him. Impossible!
But…
She wanted to be a hero. Such a childish dream, yet by the tone of her voice, Noland could feel
the conviction behind it. But… to be a hero, she would have to sacrifice. And the greatest heroes
would give the greatest sacrifice. Like the Lady…
“No. You need not be a hero,” Noland shook his head slowly, but still gave the girl a smile.
“You just need to grow, learn, live, and be happy.”
Was he hallucinating? Or was he just hoping for something that did not exist? Perhaps he truly
was becoming insane, or maybe in his blindness he could see more than he thought possible. The
World works in mysterious ways. Be in coincidence or providence…
Let them find happiness again.
“There is a student I know that attends that school. She is about your age. Would you like to be
her friend?.”
“R-really?”
“Yes. She would be happy to meet you. Her name is Vivio, and she is an amazing girl…”
Ah, quite touching. This makes me wonder though, what would Lady Carter make of, "Swing Dancing?"
No problems at all, Alistina loves dance in all forms.
This calls for some peasant style country dancing, something you cannot find in courts and castles. I bet she'd have a great time blending in with the common folk and learning folk dances.
Who knows, maybe it'd be more fun than those stuffy waltzes.
This calls for some peasant style country dancing, something you cannot find in courts and castles. I bet she'd have a great time blending in with the common folk and learning folk dances.
Definitely. And considering the army she was in before becoming Olivie's bodyguard was filled with common people, she already is familiar with quite a few.
2009-12-03, 20:46
Author
ZE AU Fanfiction at Last
