Zero no Tsukaima:Volume7 Chapter2 - MTL

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Chapter Two: Elf

Today is the third day of the miraculous return of the dragon knights. Rene and Saito, along with the rest, were partying in the tent all this while.

Ever since that party, Rene and the other members of the 2nd Dragon Cavalry Company had been making a fool of themselves at Louise's tent everyday. Them being so-called "guards" was merely an excuse; in reality, they were there for other reasons.

"Cheers! To our miraculous survival!"

Saito lifted a 17th toast of the day, delivered in a half-drunken stupor.

"Cheers! Cheers!"

Slurry voiced dragon knight’s cacophonous chorus joined in. Again, the lot emptied their cups, filled to the brim with grape wine, in one gulp.

"It's great to be alive. You could still drink like this!"

Said Rene's deputy, a crimson-haired youth named Matthew Pennterdon, as he casually waved his wand, creating a mini whirlwind to stir the wine. As the third son of a petty noble family, he always drank in a miserly manner - diluting the wine with water before drinking it. So, he would occasionally use magic in this manner to stir his cup.

That pair of attention-grabbing twin dragon knights, were called Gilbert and Siegfried. With soft, pale golden hair and cute maiden-like faces, these two came from a noble family which had fallen into ill times. They helped each other to fill up the cups with wine, while grinning away.

Besides Louise, the rest were already dead drunk. No.... one of them seemed to have some sort of troubles, and was in deep thought. He's the somewhat taciturn Fernan. When Saito toasted him, he merely shook his head. Looks like he has some kind of worry in his mind.

At this point, the plump Rene showed up, hugging a sack full of stuff.

"Captain of the 2nd Dragon Cavalry Company, Rene Vonke, has returned!"

"Hat's off. It's been hard on you."

Saito, who was sitting in the center seat, burst into laughter, with dragon knight’s following him

Sitting in the nook of the tent and hugging her knees, Louise could only watch such spectacle in frustration.

What is it with this bunch?

Simply put, they are treating the place as if it's their room. Pretending to guard but coming here just to booze, away from the pry eyes of senior officers. Here they could do whatever they wanted.

Louise bit her lip in hatred. Of course, it wasn't easy for them to escape death, a little wine for celebration would still be tolerable.

But...

They were doing this every day! EVERY SINGLE DAY! And it was from dawn to dusk!

And these fellows have absolutely no idea on how to keep a room clean! Louise's grinding of her teeth became very audible. Bottles, bones of fowl and leftover scraps were scattered everywhere; the sight of it all was unbearable.

Whenever she complained, she got a chirpy "Okayyyyy!" in reply, but that was all. No one cleaned up the mess. As a result, the rubbish grew by the day, along with Louise's frustration.

Saito was the most unforgivable one. Initially, she thought that he'd warn them on Louise's behalf. Instead, that idiot began leading the racket, and is now the "highest commander". "An absolute general of fools, how fitting for him," thought Louise, as she sighed.

"Status report!" said Saito, who really thought that he had become a general. Rene noisily opened the sack.

"Smoked ham, dried meats, sausages... and wine!"

Upon seeing all the food that was handily "taken" from the warehouse, everyone cheered at once.

"Now, I shall decorate this officer with a medal..."

But, he has no medals with him. Just as Saito was being troubled by this, someone stuffed something into his hand. It was a light, pure white piece of fabric.

"Wha-what is this?"

Having figured out what that "something" really was, Louise hastily rose to her feet.

"Hey! That's my underwear! What are you guys thinking?!"

"Ah, because it was left there," said Matthew, who was the one who passed it to Saito.

"There...there's plenty over here," hollered the trembling Gilbert and Siegfried, as they opened Louise's wardrobe.

"This's the best medal ever!" One by one, the knights laughed.

“Lowest! You truly are the lowest!”

Blushing Louise hit Gilbert’s head and Siegfried’s chest with the wine bottle, threw out poultry bone at rolling Renes, and all other drunken dragon knights were kicked and hit.

Lastly, she kicked flustered Saito between the groins, and sat riding on his neck.

“Constantly making noise! Habit of a familiar! That’s the status of the familiar! D-d-dogs status! Dogs! Suiting status!”

Turning around the social standings. Irresponsible thoughts.

“Can’t be, so you are her familiar!” Rene and others watched Louise’s and Saito’s flustered faces and started laughing out loudly again.

“Person – a familiar, weird story!”

Rene and others summoned “Pon!”. And many familiars jumped into the tent. Because they were wind system mages, most of their familiars were winged… Owl, taka, flying fox…small griffon and hippogriffon, even phantom beast’s figure could be seen.

“These are the familiars! Aahahaha!”

“Don’t think I l-love this guy or anything! This idiot came on his own!”

“Well, Summon servant doesn't let you choose the partner!”

Rene, while laughing, approached Louise and said.

“However, you, Miss Valliere, summoned a boyfriend. The familiar and the lover in one, might be ideal for a mage!”

The dragon knights burst out laughing.

“He is not my lover! Idiot! All idiots! How can’t you understand!”

Then Matthew said grinning.

“How about the other day, hmm?”

“You very naked under the mantle! What about that!”

Even Louise's neck crimsoned.

“Ribaldry! Lowest! Boys of your age shouldn’t have thoughts like this!”

At last, Louise grabbed the blanked and put it over her head.

Even after calming down she won’t come out. Was pretending to sleep.

“Spicy. I wonder why she is so angry?”

Rene muttered anxiously. After that they all simultaneously looked for Saito's reaction.

And Saito… had a frown of worrying on his face.

Where do we stand?

What is our relationship now?

Familiar and master, however it seemed that their relationship progressed…

But did it really progressed?

However, that time in the shallop, they became close when he called for Louise. But what does Louise really think of me?

He felt uneasy.

“We didn’t mean any harm, sorry buddy.”

“A, aah” With mixed feelings, Saito nodded.

Rene and others exchanged looks.

“Ribaldry has been said.”

“It can't be helped. We are lower class nobles.” Matthew said.

“It happens to peerage as well! But Miss la Valliere called it ribaldry and was annoyed! Aahahaha!” Siegfried and Gilbert laughed into each others faces.

Indeed, thought Saito. Children in Academy of magic are all young nobles and ladies. They are all from high-status families like Louise’s, and even though Guiche’s and Montmorency’s families had financial problems, Guiche’s father was still a field marshal, and a field marshal is very respected within the military, right?

Louise and the others study in a private, prestigious school which is very different from public schools.

Aah, so that’s why I felt so close to these guy's from the beginning, Saito thought.

Then he recalled Rene's words.

He said, that you can only advance in ranks through war field. Feeling sympathy, Saito sobered in a moment.

“Ha, drinking certainly makes me happy, after a great deed! 　 Said Rene.

“That’s right! Dragon knight second unit even wingless will show how great they are!”

“Aahaha” Gilbert and Siegfried neighed.

“Aaah, when will we finally attack Albion’s army in Londonium? It has been ten days since we landed!”

Matthew said impatiently.

That’s right. There were no marching signs from the Allied Forces. Seems like they are waiting for an Albion army to come to Rosais where they could repulse them… But Albion army didn’t seem to move either.

At that time… the dragon knight's wish seemed to come true, as a single child soldier came to the tent.

“Haah, an order from the dragon knight battalion headquarters.”

The boy seemed to be thirteen years old. He had a frighten look on his face seeing vulgar senior nobles with mess all around.

“Battalion headquarters? What good are dragon knights without dragons?

Rene sarcastically asked.

“I do not know. I am just reporting orders…”

What duties could they be given? Gilbert grumbled, and everyone, now with a serious look, started cleaning after themselves.

* * *

But… unfortunately for dragon knights, it was not about getting a chance to prove themselves. Rene, who ran into the tent with his sword ready, after seeing yawning earl Ginnumer, lost any kind of expectations.

“Forget about the report. For now, please tell the story of your returning alive.”

Saito and Louise also came. Mostly because they could not leave without their ‘guards’.

Rene, in an not very motivated voice, began the report. Most of it were the same as the time he spoke the other day.

They were shot, they fell… one week later, they all awoke on the dragon’s back. That’s it.

A certainly mysterious story. However, during the war in magic using Halkeginia, unexpected things happen a lot. Because of war, no one really care about it.

However, Louise quietly listened to that story. Seems it caught her interest.

Well, when it comes to an end...

A single boy started speaking hesitantly.

It was an obedient Fernand. He, after making a thoughtful face, said words.

“T-that…”

“Whats wrong Fernand, do you want to go to the bathroom?”

Matthew teased. Making the boy flustered.

“T-that’s not it! Report! Stop making fun!”

Because always obedient Fernand had a serious look on his face everyone fell silent.

“W-well… I cannot say for sure if it was illusion or reality the other day…but when I calmly think about it, but that…”

“What’s the matter? Give a brief report.” Said Ginnumer.

“Ye-yes! Report! When crashed I was thrown out from the back of the dragon… and laid on the ground for a while. Not moving anything… the body was paralytic. Ha ha, I thought I was about to die… But then, I saw.”

Ginnumer, seemed not to be in a mood for this, and urged him on.

“What?”

The boy, in doubt for a moment weather to say or not, muttered hesitantly.

“It was a fairy.”

“What kind of fairy? Water? Then it was a spirit.”

“It’s different! It was not that flabby! It was… more beautiful! Fairy of the wind!”

“Elf of wind does not exist. Fairies, unlike the spirits of the dead, are legendary living beings.”

“I do not understand myself! But, I know was an fairy…”

“How did it look like?”

“Very beautiful…girl. With beautiful blond hair… her body shone. No doubt, it was a fairy! An ancient fairy!”

Everyone scorned at such Fernend words.

Then.

“Beautiful blond hair, like mine?”

Clear voice said. The voice sounded so sweet that it at first was hard to tell if it belongs to a man or woman.

Tall, blond boy entered the tent. Saito’s and Louise’s eyes were drawn at once to that beautiful boy. The second dragon knight troops made unpleasant faces.

“What do you want to say about your blond hair, Romalian?”

“Please remember my name first – Julio Cesar.”

The name seems manly. A handsome dragon knight, who introduced himself as Julio, after gracefully bowing to Ginnumer, reported.

“The third dragon knight unit, returned from the patrol flight.”

Ginnumer nodded with a smile.

“Was the first unit successful?”

“Yes.”

“Well then, take some rest.”

“Certainly.”

The knight made a soft bow.

Julio looked around the tent. This reminded Saito of the similar antipathy he felt towards Wardes when they first met. Huuh, he really did not like this fellow.

Well anyway, it is not surprising. Though Guiche was lady-killer, he was different. Was he a woman? He looked like one, with those thin and slender, appealing lips. Long eyelashes that created a beautiful shadow. While listlessly rolling the around his thin finger covered with white gloves, he looked around the tent. Seeing Saito, in surprise he stopped playing with his hair.

Though the left eye of the boy who introduced himself as Julio were same color as Louise’s…the right eye that had been mostly hidden by his hair was crystal blue. In other words - the color of his right and left eye was different.

He smiled at Saito

“Is it so weird that the color of eyes is different?”

“N-no…” he blushed instinctively. What was that, he is a man, Saito tried persuade himself

“Then don’t feel so shy looking at it.”

He said not bashfully at all. In fact he was smiling and grinning, seemingly enjoying the reaction of Saito. Foxy guy, Saito thought

“Talking about abnormalities. You are the rumored familiar Saiton-kun, right?

“Saito.”

In a hoity-toity gesture waved it away and introduced himself. He bowed gracefully.

“Sorry! I was being rude! I am Shinto priest of Romalia, Julio Cesar. I was looking forward to meet you… Because human being a familiar is very rare. I wanted to meet you at least once… Ah, and you…”

Noticing Louise, Julio took off his cool mask, and gave a wide smile. It was an innocent smile, like just opened flower.

“And you are Miss Valliere? As rumored! You are very beautiful!”

Louise’s mouth opened agape, while he took her hand and placed to his lips.

Saito trembled.

Just whose hand you think you are kissing? Get away, this is mine. My master.

Saito tried to calm himself down. Louise, having mouth pressed to her hand so suddenly, won’t let it slide. The kick will fly, the punch will fly, and a lot of blood will gush out. Saito stared in anticipation… but nothing flew at all.

Instead

“You shouldn’t.” She cast her eyes down, with a blush on her cheeks, and said shyly.

Saito was in a cold sweat.

What’s with reaction?

He was reminded of Wardes. He remembered that Louise was weak against such charm. Saito felt like throwing up.

“It is inexcusable! To discover such beauty outside Romalia, in the middle of the war! I was born just to meet such beauty! Mavelas!

He was talking rubbish like Guiche. Saito’s shoulders trembled. He was also angry at Louise for not taking offense at this rascal’s actions.

“Is Shinto priest allowed to touch woman like that? Is it common between Romalia people…”

Instead of Saito, it was Matthew who said it with a scowl. Seems like Julio wasn’t very popular among second dragon knight unit members.

“Since I was going into the war, I received a temporary secular life permission from the pope.”

“That’s sophistry.’

“I would call it expedient. Priest's privilege. However, what you said is true. Miss, I am sorry. My body was not contained by my priesthood, and reacted on its own after seeing a charming woman.”

Reverting back to joking tone, he teasingly smiled and bowed to Louise.

“But… though leading our way god is great being, he sometimes mercifully closes his eyes. I am looking forward in seeing you every day.”

Foppish like a fool.

However… the way he acts. Though Guiche is a lady-killer and foppish, he tries to escape the relationship. However, this fellow doesn't have such gap. Compared to Wardes, who felt cold somehow, this fellow was strangely friendly. Saito understood it from the instinct.

This guy was real flirt.

Without weaknesses either.

Then Julio put on a serious face again. Such sudden change of mood, only made him feel more hateful towards the man. Saite chewed on his handkerchief in anger.

“The story before. Were you telling the truth about that fairy?”

Fernand nodded.

“Y-yeah.”

“Can you show where you were shot down?”

Julio pointed at the map of the Albion continent spread on the table and asked.

Rene answered.

“Certainly… about one hour of flight from the continent border…”

He pointed at the corner of the map.

Interested, Julio nodded.

“Hmm, near South Gotha.”

At that time, Ginnumer coughed.

“Maybe it’s time for you to take care of your dragon.” 　 Julio spread his hands, “I envy those who do not have to take care after a dragon”, and after leaving this sarcastic message, he left. Everyone from the second dragon knight division, who lost their dragons in battle, watched Julio’s back in hatred.

* * *