Zero no Tsukaima:Volume18 Chapter9

Chapter 9: Chance Meeting

It has been three days since Saito and the others had returned to Des Ornieres. Until then, no important news had been sent from the Royal Palace so Saito and the others just spend their days peacefully. In fact, it was so peaceful that they received a letter from Tiffania who were spending her days with children from their orphanage in Tristain asking, "How is everything?", a relaxing time in sharp contrast from the days before.

Since the first night of the day they returned home, Saito's room became a battlefield during bedtime. Until now, he was already used to sleep where he was always sandwiched between Louise and Siesta, and because of this, you could perceive to some extent, the delicate balance that existed between the three. But now, there was Tabitha to account for.

Whenever night fell, Sylphid would always push Tabitha, who would also bring her pillow, to Saito's room. Anyway, if there were still two persons, each could be accommodated in each side, but as it has increased to three persons, one must be left out of the bed.

Louise claimed the right side for herself as if it was the most natural thing, claiming that, for Saito, she was considered his number one for eternity, and nothing would change that. Since the third daughter of a duke has declared that, there was nothing more to discuss about it.

Siesta also naturally claimed the left side. Since she was the one attending to saito all along. She even said, a serious expression, "If I were to sleep in another room there would be monsters".

After that, Sylphid, representing Tabitha, raised an objection and said, "This girl has always grown up in very sad and lonely environment, you know, so you two should show some consideration for her, you know. And, unlike the both of you, who would flaunt your pheromones whenever Saito is around, she would be content to be able to just stay by his side, you know. That's the kind of good girl who is nearly extinct nowadays for you, you know! Even among rhyme dragons she would be extremely popular, you know!"

While this happened, Saito could only sit outside the mosquito tent quietly, hugging his knees as he watched the chaos of four girls arguing attentively.

"Are you in bliss?" If Saito was asked this, he could only answer, "I think so." It was such a tense and delicate situation. The situation that required him to choose a girl from them, makes me really feel as if his charm has suddenly soared. By the way, in the past, I could not even handle any girl in front of me. During that time, I has been so desperate for chocolates from girls, even the cloddish ones...Reminiscing about this faraway life of his, made him suddenly understood that, life, is really full of surprises.

Finally, Sylphid who had offered to be the peacemaker made her conclusion.

"I know! Then, onee-sama should be on the top!"

"Top?"

Sylphid nodded.

"Yes. As you were on the both sides, there is no other place but the top."

"This doesn't seem really good, does it?"

Saito said, and Tabitha who had been remaining silent up till now, said with an expressionless face,

"Does it?"

Cold sweat began to ran down Saito's back. If he just answered honestly, "It doesn't," then he would hurt her feelings but if he said, "it's good, I guess, " then Louise...

He had no choice. Saito could only nod.

"Okay, top, is okay then..."

"Hey, what's 'okay' supposed to mean. But thank you very much anyway. For a simpleton like you to have the honor of sharing the bed with onee-sama, you should be glad, you know."

Slyphid said that while grumbling to Saito like an old maid.

So, after that was settled, it was finally time for bed.

Suddenly, they heard someone bang at the door impatiently.

"...Who could it be at this hour of the night?"

"Is it someone from the neighborhood?"

Siesta's face became worried the moment Saito said that.

"Could it be...would it be, someone after Saito's life..."

Saito's eyes met with Louise's.

That's right.

The killers, known as the "Elemental Siblings"...not only have they destroyed Derflinger in Des Ornieres, they also attempted to assassinate Saito in Gallia, the mysterious brothers.

One of them, Jack, who had been captured in Gallia, remained stubbornly silent, even under the threat of torture his mouth are sealed.

Saito's eyes grew fierce as he quickly grabbed the katana on the right side of his bed. The rune on his left hand began to shine immediately.

"I shall take my revenge for what they did to Derf!"

Louise's expression turned serious as she also prepared her wand.

"Just watch me finish them off quickly."

Tabitha, without a word, gripped her staff tightly in her hands.

"However, aren't they just underestimating us a little......now Kirche and Colber-sensei are also present in this house too. They won't defeat us that easily."

Upon leaving the room, they found Kirche and Colbert, who had also prepared their wands, standing there.

Saito and others descended downstairs carefully, standing guard on the left and right side of the door.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The door was knocked again.

Saito stretched his hand and removed the bolt.

"Ready?"

Having said that, the door was opened wide, and someone rushed through the opening.

"Attack!"

Magic flew from both sides of the door. The "Air Net" and "Icicle Arrows"...Kirche, in turn, called forth a huge fireball that emerged from the tip of her wand. Louise, preparing the second wave of attacks, chanted the "Explosion" spell.

Saito quickly leaped forward to pin the enemy down, his katana placed on the enemy's throat.

"Admit your defeat!"

"...The lot of you, what are you trying to do to me?"

A shrill voice rang out, obviously upset. Under the light emitted from Kirche's fireball, everyone could finally see the face of the mysterious character lying on the floor.

"Eleonore-neesama!"

Louise cried out, her face pale.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry!"

Saito and Louise stood in front of Eleonore, bowing their heads dejectedly. Eleonore sat cross-legged in front of them. She really had the aura of a queen when she was angry.

After knowing that the intruder was Eleonore, Kirche and Colbert returned to the room, saying that there was none of their business anymore.

"Seriously! Mistaking me for a killer! Ridiculous!"

Facing Eleonore's fury, Louise and Saito just kept bowing.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry."

Against Louise and Saito who had been apologizing profusely, Eleonore watched the two of them for a while before suddenly saying, "I'm hungry".

Siesta immediately ran to the kitchen to prepare a meal frantically.

Watching Eleonore stuff herself with the food hungrily, Louise asked, timidly.

"So, onee-sama, are you here for something important?"

Eleonore's face turned slightly red.

"Well, it's not really a big deal. Just wanted to bother you a bit."

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!"

Louise's eyes grew wide in surprise.

"Um? Why? Onee-sama?"

"As I've said before, I have no reason to be called an 'Onee-sama' by you."

After Eleonore shot Saito a fierce glare,

"Meh, however, I do think that living in the suburbs once in a while is not a bad idea."

"What about work in the Institute?"

"I will go to work from here."

"Eh? How are you going to do that?"

"I will have you know that I brought my own dragon cage. So for the time being, I will be in your care."

Sensing something between the lines from her attitude, Saito asked tentatively,

"Is, is it that...Onee, I mean, Miss Eleonore was scared that......"

Once Saito asked like that, Eleonore shivered and her shoulders began shaking.

Louise also nodded.

"Ah. That's right. The only people who knew about it, was us......"

As the wind stones in Halkegenia began to go ballistic, half of the land may become unlivable, and this piece of knowledge is indeed frightening. After all, the ground beneath their feet now may just rise to the heavens the very next day.

Saito thought before when he used to watch a show called "A Big Earthquake Is About To Hit Tokyo!" on television. Watching such a show does make some people imagine things. Nevertheless, this is not a show on television but something that would really happen.

"There's, there's nothing to be worried about."

Eleonore said, shaking her head. However, her face has turned pale. Her acting not frank and all seem to have stirred up Saito's masochistic heart.

"You're lying. You're very afraid, aren't you."

"I've already told you, I'm not afraid."

"Miss Eleonore is also pretty cute, isn't she?"

After Saito said this brightly, Eleonore lifted her brow.

"Hey you, do you take me as a fool?

"I've always felt that onee-sama is actually a timid person."

Louise added.

"Enough is enough! Go to bed now! Children should have gone to bed by now! Also, I have something to say to you two tomorrow!"

Eleonore yelling made Louise and Saito escape to the second floor in panic.

So, they went into bed and made themselves comfortable. Louise lying on Saito's right side, Siesta on the left, and then Tabitha was put on Saito's body by Slyphid.

After that, Slyphid huddled beside the bed and began snoring, "goo~goo~". Is this really okay, thought Tabitha as she gazed at Saito's face.

"Hmm? What's up?"

"This isn't good, is it?"

Apparently Tabitha still minded the current arrangement. Saito looked at his right, and noticed Louise shooting fierce glares at his direction. And during this tense atmosphere, Eleonore entered Saito's room.

"Louise. Where is my room ... This! This is! You guys! This is!!"

Eleonore screamed upon seeing the four of them sleep on the same bed.

"You, you guys! ......Actually!! ......Men and women before marriage...actually!! ......And!! ......"

Eleonore collapsed to the ground, frothing in her mouth.

Louise and Saito was once again brought to the living room on the first floor. This was, of course, in order for them to receive a sermon from Eleonore.

"Surprise, surprise, you are all actually sleeping together."

Eleonore was now engulfed in her boundless rage.

"There will be no room for negotiation. The schedule has changed. Louise, come back with me to De Valliere tomorrow."

"......Eh?"

Louise's face went pale.

"What are you eh-ing for? Did you really think that the Founder Brimir would forgive the act of man and women sleeping together before marriage? It seems that, you really need mother and father to teach you everything again from scratch."

But Louise suppressed her fears desperately, and said.

"I, I refuse."

"What did you say?"

"After all, I also have unfinished business here."