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Zero no Tsukaima:Volume17 Chapter3

2013-01-15T22:44:01Z

50.53.151.31:

'''Chapter 3: Meeting and Comrade'''

After about a week, Tristainia's palace gave a reply, at the same time, the Knight Corps of The Water Spirit began to gather together. Saito’s letter "Have you seen Louise?” shocked everyone. Guiche used the dragon’s cage to fly directly from Tristania western end of the Grammont’s territory so he was not late.

In the vestibule of the palace landing, 德杰萨尔who has been promoted to captain for the whole magic guards came out to welcome Guiche.

“Grammont-sama. Great timing.”

“What happened? I heard Louise was missing or something like that……”

"I do not quite understand ... In all, you see, is she not a person related to the state secrets? So we are commanded to start secret investigations ..."

“So you are saying you haven’t found her yet?”

德杰萨尔replied with a nod.

“Speaking of which, where’s Saito”

“This, ah, you’re talking about Vice-captain Saito……He is really giving us a headache”

“What do you mean?”

“He is currently undergoing a strange ceremony in the courtyard. He, himself is muttering “worry” something about yes or no ……”

Guiche wondered. Exactly how, even Saito was not his usual self? In short, in order to be able to understand the incident in detail, Guiche rushed into the garden first.

When Guiche reached the courtyard, he saw Malicorne and Reynald. Their home was not far from here, seems like they arrived here early.

“Yo, you two. What happened to Saito?” After asking, Malicorne pointed with his finger.

On his head wrapped in a white sash, Saito was sitting in the center of the courtyard in a straight position. Surrounding him were a few round standing stakes. A little distance away, Siesta, with a wondrous expression was also sitting.

“What is that guy doing?”

“I also don’t understand. He said it was for ‘exercising the body and mind ‘or something”

Time passed by a little. The observing Guiche and the others felt the tension in the air. The moment Guiche swallowed his saliva ……Saito’s shoulders moved a little, his right hand reaching towards the left flank of the sword.

The moment his hand touched the sword ……Saito upper body was straight, his knees touched the ground. At the same time, his right hand vanished. Whoosh! The sound of air being cut, the four round stakes around Saito trembled. Lastly, "qiang" a clear sound resounded through the surroundings. He thought he had pulled out his sword but the sword remained sheathed.

That really was fast, Guiche who was watching on the sides did not understand what happened.

“What? That”

“That guy took out his sword with a speed the naked eye cannot keep up with and broke the round stakes”

What was surprising is that the upper part of the round wood stakes did not fall to the ground, it was still in the lower half of the above. It is hard to tell from the upper part and the lower half that the four round stakes were severed perfectly.

"He drew his sword? But, the sword is still sheathed?"

Guiche finished with a silly voice, Reynald shook his head.

“He drew the sword out, cut off the stakes and then kept the sword in the scabbard again. It is said that this is the sword skills of his country. ”

Seemingly in the blink of an eye, Saito completed all this. He really is a ‘sword master’,said Guiche, deeply moved.

“Well. It is impressive but what has that sword skill got to do with worrying over Louise’s disappearance?”

“Only God knows.”

Next, Saito resumed the straight position. Siesta stood up, rushes up to Saito's side to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

It’s about time, Guiche walked over to Saito.

Saito did not take a glance at his friends nearby; he just kept staring in front in a daze.

“Yo, Saito. What happened? It is said that Louise is missing?”

“Where is the sword you usually carry? I have never seen that sword on your waist before ...”

Saito bit his lips.

“Derf he……that guy……to protect me……Damn!”

“Protect you? What happened?”

“He……in the battle absorbed too much magic……”

“I beg your pardon! How inharmonious! Exactly who attacked you!”

The boys leaned nearer to Saito.

“Don’t know. Just that they are a duo of magic users”

The boys nodded their heads at Saito’s reply.

"Well, it appears to be a hired assassin. How nerve-racking, you seem to make enemies too much recently ...”

“He is a big celebrity”

“and what has this got to do with Louise’s disappearance?” Gimli asked worriedly。

Everyone looked at Saito with a wondrous expression; Saito slams his fist into the ground. Siesta continued from where her master left off.

“No. Miss Valliere’s disappearance has nothing to do with the incident where Saito-san was attacked”

Siesta thought her words carried some anger. She stole a glance at Saito before squatting down to peep at his face.

“Hey, Saito-san. How do you feel?”

“My mind is destroyed, my worry disappearing My mind is destroyed, my worry disappearing My mind is destroyed, my worry disappearing ……”

Saito grumbled constantly with a mutter.

“Looks like the person wearing pajamas is very powerful. That lady, after all, must be full of sexiness and touching. Her chest is much, much bigger than mine and her figure must be stunning”

Siesta tighten Saito's neck.

“If you want to cheat you can always look for me! I have obviously told you that! We promised! Why does Saito-san only like noble girls! The aroma of the pitiful flowers by the roadside should also be carefully admired!”

“Speaking of which, who is the other person?” Guiche’s seems to suspiciously inquire. Siesta’s eyes turned into a one [一]sign and she started breaking out in cold sweat. If Guiche knew the truth he would most certainly faint.

The two did not answer, Guiche have no choice but to wave his hand.

“Well, whoever it is. You're a hopeless man. You should at least learn from me. At least”

Because Guiche uttered those words, Reynald叹气似的吐他槽。

“If he learns from you, Louise will definitely run away everyday”

Saito helped by Siesta, slowly stood up. Then, 他唰地greeted Guiche.

“Anyway, thanks for specially coming for me.”

Saito expressed a smiling face that looks almost ready to cry out in pain. Making an effort to be happy——his voice revealed this kind of feeling.

“No, Well, I have nothing much to do anyway……”

“Speaking of which, Louise didn’t go over to your side?”

“Nope”

“That means she haven’t been found temporarily……Siesta, Tristinia’s inns have all been searched right?”

“Yes. Including monasteries, I have looked before”

These past seven days，after Saito prepared his practice of exercising his heart, he searched Tristinia’s hotels of hotels again. The team of soldiers who had nothing to do was sent out to search, but they could not even find Louise's shadow. This is obvious, after all, Louise went to Torres Thalia, a completely different direction ...

The letter, ’Have you seen Louise?’, that Saito mailed usually received replies such as ‘have not seen her’.

Cattelya’s letter has also been received. She did not intend to hide anything so she immediately said the truth. Her answer is "She did not come back.

In the letter, she said that she was worried about the safety of Louise; and had reported this matter to her parents, they said that ‘that child will be back soon’ kind of optimistic speech; However, on this matter, she does not think so, she hoped Saito can think of ways to find Louise as soon as possible...

When reading this letter, Saito cried. Nothing written on it blamed Saito.

‘The mistake I made is causing so much trouble to many people’, Saito’s state of mind weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Even though Saito said “it will be okay if we search", he did not find Henrietta to discuss about it. Louise is not just a female officer. Firstly, whether it is Tristain or to Halkeginia, her presence itself is very important, a void user. If she was kidnapped by Romalia, things would be serious. Therefore, Saito put all the nobles who had nothing to do into the search team.

They searched the markets and streets along Tristainia.

Considering Louise’s point of view, she will be more responsible for her own actions but this action of hers is taken too lightly.

Having said that, Saito and Henrietta was not blamed by Louise. He and Henrietta were obviously in the wrong ...

“Okay. If that’s the case, she is not at Tristania ……then, we should search the street along the hotel next. Perhaps the search team missed something……”

After Saito finished speaking, Siesta nodded her head in agreement.

“We will help as well”

Saito held tightly the hand of the friend that said that sentence, who had a look of worry on her face.

"I'm sorry ... really sorry. Then, I’ll be troubling you. I owe you a favour"

At this moment, a soft voice came from the corridor.

“Saito～～～～～～～!”

Turning his head to look behind, Tiffania who was always dressed in a green dress, wearing a wide-brimmed hat on her head ran over.

“Huff huff, I heard that Louise went missing……is that true?”

Tiffania spent her summer holidays at the Tristainia’s orphanage.

“While I was on a picnic with everyone, I received a letter suddenly and almost jumped up in shock. What happened?”

Great, just when everyone was thinking how to answer, Colbert-sensei and Kirche came from the direction of the main entrance.

“Aiya Aiya, I finally found out the use of the" tank "method after reaching Miss (Sheffield)’s house to reform but ... I received your letter of Miss Valliere gone. What happened?"

Saito painfully replied Colbert’s inquiry.

“I……about that, with another girl, that ……lips touching scene, she……”

Colbert, although stunned at that moment , folded his arms and nodded.

“I see what this is all about……You are still young so if you can’t control it’s understandable, but……she is thus wounded in her heart”

Kirche put her hands around separately and said helplessly.

“Really, this is why I told her seriously. I said ‘It’s tough being a woman’ ”

Tiffania looked at Saito with a gaze full of wrath. Malicorne went over and greeted Tiffania politely.

“Girls, regarding this incident please say your feelings”

Tiffania stated reasonably.

“Saito is really bad. Louise is pitiful”

Saito could not help but fall on the spot.

“Ah, AhAhAhAhAhAh……AhAhAh……”

“Use language to whip him again. Unpopular guy with the occasional set of achievements became slightly popular then degenerate into this kind of junk. A moment proud fool disclosing such a big basket！Hey buddy, don’t forget what position you’re in now…… You upstart jerk ……”

Malicorne lifted his eyebrows, trampling on Saito non-stop. Malicorne was picky towards popular topics. sob, sob……Saito cried in shame. Saito is 一头栽到底的 when he is depressed。
<center>[[Image:ZnT17-057.jpg|thumb|"Girls, regarding this incident please say your feelings"]]</center>

Kirche said with a tilted head.

“But……who is the rival?”

“This guy would not talk about that” Malicorne said while stepping on Saito’s back.

“Ah, but that Louise ran away from home – it is said so, 不过和女仆卿卿我我地还不至于让她生气成那样吧。. That’s why I am very concerned about it. It is possible that the other party is quite close to him ... sort of?”

At this moment, Guiche and Reynald’s eyes had a sudden change.

“You, the other person couldn’t be Montmorency right?”

“Can’t be (Brigitte) right?”

“N-not Miss (Janice), right?”

(Gimli) interrupted Reynald.

“So you like that type of girl”

“No! That’s not it! I’m only asking!”

Reynald whose face flushed red shouted. In such a commotion, Saito shook his head.

“……Not any of them”

“Then who is it! You’re making people care more about this～～～～～!”

Seeing Guiche and the others surrounding Saito, Kirche tilted her head.

“What’s wrong?”

Colbert, who was beside her, asked Kirche.

“No……Don’t tell me. Even though this is my girl’s instinct”

“Your instincts are pretty accurate. Let’s hear it”

Kirche whispered the name she thought of into Colbert’s ear.

“How can that be?”

“No……Because, if Louise can do this kind of thing, the other party must be a reliable person, no wonder I can think this up”

After Kirche used the sound of chewing something bitter to point this out, Colbert should not be beginning to think that it is not to be true right? But, it can’t be ……

She is also this country's Her Highness the Queen, how could this be possible!

But looking at Saito’s popularity that is not completely impossible. Although she is a queen, Henrietta is also just an eighteen year old pretty girl. If she steals the heart of the most popular of knights, we can’t blame her.

Also……aren’t Louise and Henrietta really close together? If that is the case, why would Louise run away from her home, Saito not mentioning the other party’s name can be understood. After all, that name is not easy to say out.

Colbert felt the back of his head breaking out in cold sweat as he realized he might be witnessing a historic scandal.

If this incident is made public, someone will die. This so-called royal scandal cannot be overlooked.

Who is it! Say it! Watching the fired up boys, Colbert pretended to be calm while clapping his hands and saying,

“Ah——everyone. Right now the other party is not important, finding Miss Valliere is our most important task at hand. Don’t you think so too?”

Well, that makes sense; the boys nodded and went towards the stables. Guiche was scratching his head while talking to Saito who was dusting dirt off his knees,

“Hey Saito”

“What?”

“We can search for her. If we find her, what do you plan——to do?”

“What do you mean?”

“No, it’s nothing. Louise has her own way of thinking. If she says she doesn’t want to be with you, what do you plan to do?”

Saito considered this for a while. Then he said in a voice filled with loneliness,

“When that time comes, We’ll see. Anyway, I want to see and apologise to her now”

Although Guiche was silent for a moment, he said with a not interested expression later that,

“Well, okay”

A change of view, at this time Louise was at修尔毕斯的『陆之白鲸』亭with Jeanette, waiting for her brother. Although『陆之白鲸』亭was not classy, it was also not a cheap inn, it was very suitable for hiding. They rented one of the rooms.

While Louise drank wine，将牢骚对嘉内特倾泻而空。Like a burst dam, Louise flooded all her thoughts to her. Jeanette, too, looked happy as she listened to Louise speaking her mind.

“Then? Are you listening, Jeanette?”

Louise's voice had loosened up long ago. In two days’ time, with the boost of wine, Louise had exhausted all her tension and suspicion.

“I’m listening”

“That guy, told me in this way. That the one I love is you! Like that! Numerous times! With an expression like this! It obviously is like that! Of all things, he kissed with my close friend, What——is——the meaning of this! Right!”

“Geez, that kind of cheater might as well die”

Jeanette giggled while Louise nodded.

“You also——think this way? A-a-a-about that pervert dog! When f-facing me, p-put on t-this kind of expression, w-wanting to say to do ‘It’! Hey…hey!”

Louise was so angry that she choked and thus, coughed straight away.。Jeanette passed a wine bottle to her. After Louise drank finished, her eyes faint, she fell.

After about 5 minutes of being motionless, she suddenly leap up.

“He did the same thing with o-other women～～～～～! He said he would only do that with me! If I think about it now, I would have an earth-shaking headache! That liar～～～～～!”

Then she fell down again. Jeanette got up and took the water jug on the table, pouring the water over Louise’s face. Thus, Louise leaped up once more and stared blankly at Jeanette.

“Hey Jeanette, why do I feel like I said a lot of embarrassing stuff”

“You did not” Jeanette’s expression was candid.

“Then never mind”

After Louise deeply sighed，

“When are your brothers coming. I’m tired of waiting”

The siblings of Jeanette know a place to "live in seclusion ",so Louise waited. It was almost past two days.

“What’s wrong? Let’s just wait patiently”

A slightly drunk Louise told Jeanette her doubts truthfully.

“But, why would you be so affectionate to me who you never met before?”

“Because I like you”

On Jeanette’s face appeared a smile. A pretty face like a doll. Also, like a doll, a feeling of coldness ……

Then, Jeanette lifted Louise’s chin with her hand.

“Because, you are so cute. Arrogant but easily hurt, as for those pair of straight forward eyes……you’re not just cute, you also give people the feeling of wanting to violate you”

“Eh? Eh? Eh?”

Seeing Louise’s wide round eyes, Jeanette grabbed a handful of Louise’s hair, using it to itch her own nose.

“and this fine……beautiful hair. Just like a doll. A child like you should be called a real maiden”

The person just like a doll should be you, Louise wanted to say ……but she did not say it.

The doubt Louise felt before began to swell.

This girl……is really the girl that has a special interest in other girls foretold in the legend?

Obviously a girl and yet she likes girls. That kind of special character exists, Louise know. In the Magic Academy, such rumors can be heard more than once.

Hence that’s why she is so affectionate towards me, isn’t that so?

Well, she does not look like a Romalia minion ……the feeling surrounding Jeanette give people the impression that she puts her faith in god in the furthest position.

Obviously is like that, she also treats me affectionately.

If that is the case……as expected……she is a person with this special interest?

“…………”

Louise looked at Jeanette with 撇 eyes. Snow white skin like the dessert during late at night. Those two slender emerald eyes, like a moonlit oasis under the moonlight.

How beautiful, Louise was mesmerized for a moment. So Jeanette put on a serious expression.

“What can I enjoy??”

She asked something. Due to saying out her overly naive “What snacks can I enjoy?” feeling so Louise almost inadvertently nodded her head.

“No! Cannot! What are you saying!”

Jeanette laughed with a ‘Hahahahaha!’.

“Ah——what a pity! To you, I would really do it! Well, You really are the type that does not rely on strategies. I like you more and more now”

Looks like she’s playing with me. Louise argued,

“I’m naive anyway” she mumbled.

At this moment, there was a knock at the door. Jeanette’s expression quickly switched to one that was alert.

“……your brother?”

Jeanette shook her head and without hesitation; put a hand on the wand that was on the pillar.

“We’re the country’s military patrol! Open the door!”

That voice made Jeanette stole a glance at Louise. Her expression showed that she had woken from her drunken state. With a smile on her lips, Jeanette opened the door.

Standing over there are two nobles with non-commissioned officers identities.

A noble “two groups, huh……” she whispered to herself.

“What’s happening?”

Jeanette inquired,

“Noting much……we are just searching for someone important”

From the wands in their hands, Jeanette guessed they were nobles so she used an elegant conduct to talk to these men.

“Someone important? (There really is discord in a troubled world) ”

“Lady, what are you doing here?”

“I am waiting for the arrival of my brothers with my maid”

She said with a pretended expression that she knew nothing. The patrol looked at Louise. Then after comparing with a portrait,

“……in the portrait is a peach blonde haired noble girl”

“And the looks of a person. This lady with the maid”

Based on appearances, they deduce that this person what not what they were searching for.

After the “excuse me” and greetings, the noble patrol left the room. Louise was so assured that she cannot help but sigh.

That’s right, those nobles from before were looking for me. Looks like dyeing my hair, doing such a degrading dress-up was not wasted. Sure enough……alas, Henrietta seemingly mobilized the search patrol to look for me.

Thinking this, Louise’s built up cold anger began to increase.

If I had known this earlier……why would I think of striking him. At this time, are Henrietta and Saito regretting their actions?

I estimate that they are desperately searching for me, she imagined the two of them. Even so, as expected…… I still don’t want to go back.

“Looks like you’re not an easy person”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

Jeanette muttered while playing with Louise's hair.

“You dyed before. The original color, what is it ……blonde? Red? or ……is it peach blonde?”

“……T-that is”

“Those people are looking for you, right? You ought to thank me. I helped you to smooth things over!”

Louise's feelings immediately surfaced on her face, she bit her lip and lowered her head.

“Forget it. Who you are doesn’t matter to me. In any case, you escaped. Isn’t that good. What I mean is, you need not bother. You don’t have to care about what I mean”

She has no idea what to say up to this point. Louise weakly thanked her,

“Thank you”

Looking at such a straightforward Louise, Jeanette smiled.

“Geez, with such a natural girl like you还要出轨，I can’t believe that man”

“I say, I'm not natural. Do not look at this, but I am the Vanessa who has experienced a lot of things...”

"I said it before; do not mention those trivial things. But, why do you want to escape? You’re such a cute lady; any man will come back soon. Just like just now, didn’t he put in a lot of effort in searching for you? "

Louise bent her head, closed her eyes and said in a lonely voice.

“……that person, her charm is better than mine by several times. So I admit it. Also, she has too many enemies. That person……can have many more superb means of protecting him than me”

Jeanette stared at Louise with sympathy.

“You really like him. Exactly what kind of person is he? I am very concerned ...”

Louise grabbed a bottle of wine, and poured its contents into a cup. Listlessly she supported her arm and elbow on the table, muttering

“I don’t like him. Really, I don’t like him one bit”

Tears welled up in Louise's eyes. Flowing down from the eyes of Louise.

“I don’t like him. Don’t……”

Jeanette hugged Louise’s shoulder as she was sobbing.

“Such a weird child. Why do you have no confidence in yourself? Obviously so cute…and…”

Jeanette’s lips neared Louise’s neck. Then, she licked gently.

“... With taste I know. You really have an unimaginable power, no wonder I like you from the start”

However, Jeanette’s words did not reach the crying Louise’s ears.

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| Back to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume17_Chapter2|Chapter2]]
| Return to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume17_Chapter4|Chapter4]]
|-
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Zero no Tsukaima:Volume17 Chapter2 - MTL

2013-01-15T02:18:43Z

50.53.151.31: /* Chapter 2: Flight */

===Chapter 2: Flight===

Louise walked lifelessly on the street. She left the mansion on a horse but after leaving the Des Ornières mansion, she hid in a nearby farm so now she was on foot.

Louise had some hesitation at the fork leading to Tristainia and '''(西夏尔的贝鲁艾尔)'''. Even though it’ll be easier to hide in the capital, there is no way to guarantee who she would encounter. If she goes in the opposite direction, she would be more visible but the worry of being exposed is smaller. In the end, Louise headed in the direction of '''(西夏尔的贝鲁艾尔)'''.

Saito and the others are heading towards the direction of Tristainia to give chase, so this fork in the road can be described as the turning point of fate.

She hurried through the night. When the sun rises, Louise rested under the shade of a tree along the street. She woke up exactly at noon. Looking at the bright sun, a burst of intense sadness suddenly hit Louise.

“There is already no place for me to return to”

Whether it’s Saito or Henrietta, I don’t need anyone.

“Of course.”

Louise thought to herself.

“Although I’m treated as a void user, I’ve done nothing to match up to it. I’m always holding back and bringing trouble to Saito. I’m tired, of course”

Even though there couldn’t be a situation like this virtually but after watching the look on Saito and Henrietta together, Louise could not believe herself.

There is only a huge sense of powerlessness and sadness surrounding the whole body of Louise.

She bowed her head, her tears dropping one by one constantly. “Are you alright, miss?” a passing farmer asked but Louise did not respond and continued crying.

Many passing farmers and travelers looked at Louise with surprise as they walked past her.

How long have I cried?

By evening, her sadness turned into a deep emptiness.

“So, what do I do now?”

There is no place to return to and there is no place she wants to go. Returning back home is also not an option. Might as well say that she doesn’t want to meet anyone she knows.

Having said that, staying around here would not help. With an absent-minded expression, Louise started walking again. In order to stay away from the Des Ornières mansion......

That night Louise reached a village inn and stayed there. Even though it was an old inn, it at least had a private room. For three consecutive days, Louise cried there. Gradually, her tears dried up.

On the morning of the third day, Louise washed her face with cold water. Finally, her head became clearer. Searching all her pockets, she found only about 100 ECU. The other things she brought with her are some change of clothes and daily necessities. Then there was the wand, prayer book and the ruby of water.

This hotel charges me a half ECU a day. If I save on meals, that’s half of the amount. If I calculate it this way, I can stay here for another 4 months but I cannot always live in one place. Maybe hiding in a monastery is the best after all?

“But I’ll be discovered quickly.”

Louise whispered with a deep sigh.

I do not have the experience of earning money for a living. Even though I ran away from home, what am I to live on?

Thinking of that, Louise shook her head.

“Doesn’t matter”

Yes. It doesn’t matter anymore. Next, she’ll take one step at a time. Louise pulled out a small mirror from the luggage and gazed into it. Cloudy dull dark brown eyes, dry tears sticking onto her face. Her hair was messy, because she did not comb during these days. Her lips lost their color and the shirt she had been wearing all this time was crumpled. This look is a far cry from the world-famous girl image.

“不成样子啊。Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière”

Louise sighed deeply.

“This face, isn’t it the same as your nickname? Zero. Louise the zero……. Yes, I was originally a ‘zero’. I don’t have anything. From the start, it was like that. The void users of legend, Aquileia's saint, the me who is suddenly raised to such a high position is only a woman”

Haha, Louise laughed to herself.

“Speaking of which, Saito and the Princess are also very welcomed by the people.”

Murmuring, she felt a big empty hole surrounding her heart. Although she felt lonely, there was a feeling that her heart had already completely stopped beating.

“Anyway, I'll go get a drink first”

Louise went downstairs and decided to go to the pub to drink. This is indeed a small hotel. The floor made crunching sounds; the table was full of dust and food leftovers. Mice scuttled across chairs. One look and the rumor about how ‘a noble like Louise can stay in an inn like this’ seems to be already exposed. The travelers there looked straight at Louise with faces of curiosity.

完全没有在意这样的视线，露易丝向有些上了年纪的酒糟鼻店主点了葡萄酒。The shopkeeper stared suspiciously at Louise,

“Although I have been living here for three days already, this inn is not a place a noble should live in”

Louise looked around her. Faces full of curiosity; men with ill intent seemed to be staring at her.

If she gets drunk here, it will only be a matter of time before it gets out……this is the same as announcing that she is here.

Ah, drinking wine is also troublesome……muttering that, Louise left the inn.

The next place to go is a town called '''(修尔毕)''', from '''(托里斯塔利亚)''' it is a two day trip. The伯爵治理of this town, is connected with many streets, it was a big village. It is an ideal place to hide one’s identity temporarily.

In this town, Louise prepared a program.

After settling down in the inn, she took the most beautiful clothes from among the clothes she brought. Then, using the makeup she once bought in the ‘Charming Fairies Inn’, she put on a heavy makeup. From the bottom of her makeup props, she noticed the magic dye she used to rescue Tabitha. Louise dyed her striking pink wavy hair brown.

“With this, I will also become the perfect woman of the night”

Her clothes and her makeup were completely disproportionate but Louise was very satisfied. With this, no one would think I am a noble.

When evening came, Louise 矫揉造作地扭着腰来到酒场(might mean something like,"walked haughtily/proudly into a bar",not sure though) and ordered wine. Although the shopkeeper looked at Louise suspiciously, he still passed the things she ordered to her.

Louise wanted to pour the red wine into the cup but changed her mind. She was currently not a noble. If she wants to drink quietly, she must act appropriately.

“That’s right. An idling person like me should just drink straight from the wine bottle”

Louise grabbed the wine bottle and put her mouth on it, gulping down the contents. After drinking one-third of it in one breath, she started coughing intensely.

“Cough! Cough, Cough!”

Her face turned red all of a sudden. Louise who was not really good with wine, stared with hate at the wine bottle. Look, look, look, look……Saito’s face appeared on the wine’s surface.

“I hate you”

With squinted eyes, Louise muttered while she drank another mouthful of wine. But, with her drunken trance, she remembered the happy days she spent together with Saito……

The day when he got called out ... being rescued from the hands of a golem ... Dancing together for the first time ... and, the first time when their lips met.

The feelings in her chest，一个接一个鲜明地苏醒，made Louise become sad。

“Forget. Must forget. People who idle don’t get bound to longing”

Louise drank a mouthful of wine again. From the deep within the pub, a young drunkard stood up and went closer towards Louise’s direction. Looking up, his face was not welcoming.

“Miss, that’s a really bold way of drinking. Can I have a cup too?”

Louise lifted her eyes at the voice laced with alcohol.

“Move aside”

Well, don’t say that……the man reaching out to touch her shoulder was kicked by Louise and sent flying.

“Who do you think I am? You dare to touch the Duke!”

Louise stops speaking up to here. She cannot expose her noble identity. The man that was sent flying stares angrily at Louise.

“胆敢啥”

“I-I’m just a hostess. Idling away. Err, Cough. “

Louise put her hand up to lean against her chin, desperately pretending to be a hostess.

“That’s why I want to drink with you” Well, there’s nothing wrong with that.

“Don’t joke. Who wants to drink something with you……Ah!”

Louise moaned. The man grabbed Louise's hand.

“Let go! Let go of me quickly!”

She wanted to chant a spell but realized that she left her wand in her room. 虽然手舞足蹈地挣扎着，但毕竟无法与身强力壮的男人相抗衡。

“Even though I don’t know where you come from, you stubborn chick, but let me teach you a lesson”

The man dragged Louise towards the outside of the pub. The shopkeepers and the other customers turned a blind eye for fear they might be implicated. In the end, Louise got dragged outside the pub.

“Let go of my hand!”

As Louise cried, she bit the hand of the man bitterly. The sweaty hand made her feel like vomiting.

“That hurts! What are you doing!”

The man jumped up and brandished his fist towards Louise.

“Help! Sai-“

Louise was filled with anger when she almost called out Saito’s name without realizing it.

“I hate this kind of ‘you’”

“Very good!”

The man lowered his fist, Louise stood proudly. But before the man’s fist can touch Louise, he was knocked to the ground by an invisible bullet.

“I really can’t stand it I really can’t stand it I really can’t stand it”

From the darkness, a girl appeared, her chant like a whisper. Her body was dressed in a black dress wrapped with layers of white hemming. Inside the black headscarf was a doll-like fair face and shining green eyes.
<center>[[Image:ZnT17-002-003.jpg|thumb|""]]</center>

“W-what are you doing! You jerk!”

The man who was standing was in a rage but when he noticed the short stick in the hand of the girl, his face was drained of color.

“N-noble”

“Huh? I'm not a noble. However, because I am a magician I am able to use magic. Of course, to you, both sides are the same”

The girl smiled. At the same time, a strange formidable boldness from that upright face surfaced. "Darn," the man cursed, and then left.

Louise was temporary frozen on the spot; she hurriedly bent her head down to the girl.

“T-thank you for your help during that dangerous moment……”

“Nothing! It does not matter, right? Not injured are you?”

Louise shook her head.

“You are drinking here?”

The girl pointed at the pub. Louise nodded her head,

“Then, I’ll drink a little too. Can you accompany me? If it’s one person drinking, don’t you think its boring”

“Eh?”

For a moment, Louise was confused but before she could answer, the girl walked carelessly into the shop and she had to chase after her.

“I’m called Jeanette. What’s your name?”

干杯之后，叫做嘉内特的少女向露易丝如此询问。露易丝目不转睛地盯着嘉内特。就好像没有血在其中流淌一样的雪白肌肤。如人偶般的面容，以及服装。年龄、看起来和自己没有多大差别。

However……she can use magic but is not a noble. Mercenary or something.

But, looking at how she dresses up, she does not look like a mercenary. Who is she?

Noticing that Louise was staring at her suspiciously, Jeanette smiled.

“Relax. I’m not going to do anything to you. I am only trying to find someone to spend my time with”

Although suspicious ... but it seems she really had no other motives. In short, she doesn’t seem to look like she knows Louise's own identity.

而且露易丝对从这少女身上隐隐散发出的危险的空气感到在意。虽然看上去年纪和自己相仿，但就算是在这种可疑的酒场中也丝毫不见惧色处之泰然。周围的客人们也不时地偷眼望向这里，但却不见像刚才那样过来纠缠的人。看样子是被嘉内特所拥有的气势所压倒了的样子。

“I’m called……Vanessa”

不管怎样还是没有说出真名, Louise gave a fake name. This is the name of a popular actress in the past. It just happened that the actress’s photo was posted on the wall.

Jeanette looked at Louise’s face.

”I keep feeling that I’ve seen you before……must be an illusion”

Five days earlier, Louise and Jeanette past by each other at the street of德奥鲁尼艾鲁. 作为目标的才人所追赶的女子，正是眼前的Louise。

But，to已经终止委托的人，早已从嘉内特的头脑中消失，而且因为几乎只记得头发的颜色，眼前用魔法染料染成茶色头发的少女，完全不会让她想起与那时的女子是同一人物。

Louise , on the other hand was, at that point of time not in the mood to pay attention to these details so it is impossible to remember. You might say that she did not even notice that she passed by Jeanette.

“I think so. I have no impression of you”

Is it because of some reason come to find her? Louise secretly thought. Is she a Romalian spy or a detective that Saito hired to find her? She gave herself this answer.

But if that is the case, she would not say "seems to have seen you before", that kind of words. It should be that she is pretending not to have any relationship.

This sentence of Jeanette won over Louise’s trust.

And ...... Louise wanted to find someone to talk to. If this goes on she would only feel more and more lonely, drinking alone was also boring. The hearty mysterious girl in front of her is the suitable candidates to chat with.
“Can you say your name one more time?”

“V-Vanessa”

“Fake, right? You’re not really good at lying”

“N-no, it isn’t a fake name……I am the idling Vanessa. The notorious Vanessa. I just arrived here!”

Louise sips the wine with a guilty expression.

“You are not a noble?”

Pu! Louise spit her drink out.

“No. I’m a bad woman. Bad! Woman!”

“I completely couldn’t tell. Because you…… “

Jeanette licked Louise’s cheek suddenly.
<center>[[Image:ZnT17-041.jpg|thumb|"That one did not know it right? Taste and smell can understand. You’re giving off the taste only a noble’s daughter of the 深闺 can have"]]</center>

"That one did not know it right? Taste and smell can understand. You’re giving off the taste only a noble’s daughter of the 深闺 can have”

Louise’s face turned red. Taste can understand……What’s going on? Although对于这种mysterious的敏锐感到叹服，但对于这种质问的羞耻感却更凌驾于其上。

“O-of course I know! Every day we sleep and talk together!”

“But, did he hug you before?”

Jeanette moved her face closer again.

“A noble like you is actually drinking alone in a place like this with weird dressing. In other words, you were dumped by that person. Or, you witnessed an affair scene? Oh, Oh, don’t tell me it is only a one-sided love? You felt restless and in the heat of the moment, you ran away from home. In order to prevent the search party to find your whereabouts, you dressed up like this. Is that the case?”

Her words hit a raw nerve; Louise's mind became blank despite a desperate attempt to cover up.

“D- don’t be stupid. If you want to be a fortune teller, you still have time. Go do it somewhere else”

“There is no need to hide it. There are two reasons for a young lady of your age to run away from their home. Falling out of love or had a fight with her parents. Only one of two. But, if it’s a fight with parents, you would not be drinking wine. It’s falling out of love, right?”

Jeanette laughed. Looks like this girl dressed in black and white is sharp. Louise turned her head to the side slowly.

“So what do you want? The thick-skinned Vanessa is very busy. I have no time to chat nonsense with a person like you. Just now, thank you. Now then, I’ll be leaving”

Louise kept feeling a sense of uneasiness, she wanted to stand.

Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed by Jeanette. Jeanette only stared intently at Louise. This tight gaze made Louise felt oppressed.

“You, I’m fond of you”

She could not help but feel her chest thumping hard. Louise tried very hard to suppress the strong heartbeats. W-what……the other party is a girl……

Nevertheless, Jeanette still exudes a certain charm. In this danger, she felt like she remembered something. It was her first time to encounter such a person, Louise was interested in her again.

“The risk of whatever and something whatever, does not matter. It already does not matter” Louise sat back in her chair.

“Well, cheers”

Jeanette touched the cup。

“Eh，is it so. As the best friend of a friend ……This really is a big blow”

“Yes. That kind of woman ……only色相is enough to see. Obviously her work is not something fantastic but she still has an arrogant look! Then that idiot……did not have any resistance to that dangerous 色相. Well, that idiot had no idea”

Louise poured out all her complaints without thinking. She had already referred to Henrietta as ’That kind of woman’.

“Hug L-like this on the bed. Like this! Tightly! Don’t joke! W-Who does she think she is～～～～～～!”

Louise stomped on the floor angrily.

“Then he place his lips L-like this...... what exactly are they doing~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~! So enchanted ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~! Incredible! T-that woman actually ... said 'best friend' ... what kind of best friend! If stealing someone else's boyfriend is necessary to be a best friend why don’t you say you’re desperately releasing hormones here and there? To tell you the truth, it’s just trouble. If you have so much time, go do your job properly! This kind of thing- do it when you’re alone in the room, release as much as you like there.”

Her anger rose higher. Once she has spoken it out, Louise could not stop. One sentence followed by another, curses were spat out.

Then as if to quell her anger, Louise poured wine into her throat. Of course, although she cannot stop talking, she was not so foolish as to say the name of the duo.

Jeanette smiled at Louise who was venting her anger,

“The friendship between women is not reliable”

“Yes……it really is like that”

“But that’s okay. Let me be your friend”

Jeanette went closer to Louise. Louise winced slightly. This girl……don’t tell me, is not the same?

Didn’t I hear this before?

Obviously a girl, yet she likes girls……

“W-what are you doing?”

Wanting to change the subject, Louise inquired. Indeed, she cared about this.

“That……how should I put it. Well, something close to a House of everything?”

“House of everything?”

“Hehe, Yes. As long as it is commissioned, it is basically acceptable”

Jeanette smiled as if she was implying something. House of everything? What is that? What kind of person?

“Only one person doing it?”

“A few brothers working together. Right now, big brother is negotiating the commissioned work. Only I am asked to wait on this street. Really! My brothers always treat me like a child! How rude!”

Jeanette sulked. This expression made Louise felt a sense of closeness. She remembered being treated as a child too including having anger issues……

However, this kind of feeling seems to have been a very long time ago. After shedding tears, memories like this ... it feels like someone else's story.

To the Louise who was dwelling in her past memories, Jeanette said in a pleasant voice.

“Do you have something you want to do?”

“Eh?”

“For example, revenge……I especially like you so I’m giving you a special discount”

“What are you saying? Don’t joke”

“I’m not joking……Anyway, what are you going to do next?”

Louise whispered with a sigh.

“Yes……I would like to go to a place where no one knows who I am, no one is to disturb my quiet days. But, this is difficult”

“Wait a while” , after Jeanette finished saying that, she looked thoughtful。

“Erm——，In fact，I remember such a place……where is it?”

“R-really?”

Louise cannot help but ask.

“In the past, there was once an illegitimate child who was sent there. It will definitely adhere to your /I would like a life/condition of a place”

“Where?”

“Erm--，It’s over there……I don’t quite remember. I would like to ask my brothers, to know. They will come within two to three days, let’s wait here”

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| Back to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume17_Chapter1|Chapter1]]
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| Forward to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume17_Chapter3|Chapter3]]
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</noinclude>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume17 Chapter4

2013-01-12T23:41:25Z

50.53.151.31:

===Chapter 4: Sulpice===

Saito and company divided into three groups, each heading towards the three paths leading away from Tristain to search for Louise.

First was Rolan Street from La Vallière to Germania. The other path was Gryphon Street, forking out to La Rochelle.

The last route was Vell-El Street along the shoreline to Gallia.

Kirche and Colbert went along Rolan Street to Germania while Gimli and Reynald walked along Gryphon Street.

On the other hand, the path through Des Ornières was thought to the most likely path that was taken, so Saito, Siesta, Guiche, Malicorne and Tiffania took it. If Louise did not want to go to Tristain......Everyone thought that she might be on this street.

Henrietta expressed her hopes that they return in a fortnight. If they failed......they must hurry back to Tristain.

On the morning of the eighth day after losing Louise's trail, Saito and company had already ridden out to search. Since they rode out at full speed, they went past Des Ornières and reached the first town past it with an inn by afternoon. Of course, it was also where Louise had stayed before, but Saito and co did not know that.

It was a tiny town so they were able to find a suitable place to stay immediately. However, there was not any news of Louise there.

"Louise didn't come here, did she......?"

While Guiche was saying that, Tiffania pointed to an inn and said, "There's another inn there."

It was a dilapidated wooden hut made out as an inn. Siesta shook her head and said, " I can't imagine how Miss Louise would want to stay in such a place."

"Yeah, it's easy to see why," while saying that, Malicorne stretched his hands towards Tiffania's breasts. Shrieking in surprise, Tiffania jumped back and glared maliciously at Malicorne.

"Y-You'll get scolded by your girlfriend!"

"That's fine, let her rant all she wants, she already takes me as a sand bag anyway. Piggy, piggy, that's how she calls me. Piggy, piggy, hovering forwardly......"

Malicorne approached Tiffania slowly. Tiffania looked as if she wanted to cry.

Siesta used a frying pan to whack Malicorne's head. Bam, bam, bam......until Malicorne laid on the ground rolling his eyes.

Zoning all of those out, Saito just looked at the wooden hut. If it was the normal Louise, she couldn't have lived there, right. But the Louise now......isn't the "normal" Louise.

"Hey, hey!" Seeing Saito advancing slowly towards that inn, Guiche tried to stop him.

"Let's just give it a shot."

Seeing the mantle-wearing Saito, the customers in the inn bar turned to look at him. The scent of cheap beer, burnt meat and the odor of men mixed around the bar so much that it was a little revolting. Apart from those, there was a hint of cigarettes and pipe around.

The innkeeper, who was heating a tea-colored beer, glanced at Saito for a while before turning away.

"I'd like to ask if there was a petite noble girl who came here just a few days ago?"

However, the innkeeper answered with a shake of his head.

"Saito, let's go," Guiche was saying, but Saito sat on a chair and placed one gold coin on the counter. Glancing at the gold coin, the innkeeper said,"What would you like?"

"No......I'm just saying that if you know anything, this thing's yours." Saito said, troubled.

The innkeeper silently put down a beer bottle and said, "My job doesn't include being a tourist guide and finding missing people."

Saying that, the bar was filled with laughter. Saito sighed, took the bottle and finished the beer in one gulp.

"Let's go." Saito stood.

"Wait." The innkeeper called out to Saito who was leaving.

"The girl you're looking for. Is she this tall, a pink-hair-amber-eye petite noble girl?"

"Yes! That's her!" Saito unconsciously moved towards the counter.

"If that was her, she stayed here for a while before."

"Is this true?"

"Lying doesn't pay."

"Did she say anything?"

"Nothing. Everyday she locks herself up in the room. Even I can't stand it anymore. She left when I told her that this wasn't a place for nobles to say. That was about 3 or 4 days ago."

"Do you know where did she go?"

"This, I have no idea."

Saito thanked the innkeeper. Just as he was about to leave the inn, the innkeeper's voice carried from behind.

"You're the first noble to drink my beer, you know."

Saito turned back and said while clutching his mantle, "Even with this, I still can't look like a noble. I guess that's why she left."

Everybody gathered around Saito who just exited the inn.

"Louise seems to have stayed here before."

"Oh! However, why would it be such a horrible place......"

"Maybe she ran out of money." Even if he was saying like that, but he still can understand how Louise felt. The shock that she experienced was enough to let her think that the place that she was living in does not matter at all.

"It seems that choosing this route was right after all, let's continue quickly. Ah, right, use your owl to notify the others."

It was originally discussed that once one of them found Louise's trails, they should immediately use an owl to tell the others about it. They prepared an carrier owl that can carry messages to people with the corresponding magic talisman. Saito roughly outlined their situation in the letter and sent it to Kirche and Colbert. He tied the letter to the owl's leg and let go of it. The owl flew away with a flap of its wings.

"Riding from here for half a day, there will be a town called Sulpice," said Malicorne.

"It's quite a big town." Guiche nodded.

"Okay, let's go there next."

Along the way, they changed many horses. By the time they reached Sulpice at 3.00 a.m., they were already exhausted. It's no wonder that they are so tired as they barely slept during the two-day journey.

"Let's just sleep first. No one can go too long without any sleep."

Sulpice is located on a street commonly found in Halkeginia filled with inns and thousands of people. Not only hotels, all kinds of goods gather here from around the land. There is a market in the town square everyday, making it a very lively place. However, at this time around, there is not much people on the streets.

There were burning torches everywhere, illuminating streets that look quite unsafe.

Even though there were about 20 hotels on the street, along with smaller residential houses, and wooden inns in the alleys, there were quite a large amount of hotels in the town. Nights in Tristain were always pitch-black, but this town has completely immersed itself in the shadows.

This darkness really does not help in finding Louise.

"You're right. Let's take a rest first. We'll search the hotels for Louise in the morning."

Saito and company rushed to the nearest hotel. Even though it has the exaggerating name "Noble Feathers Inn", it was quite small inside and there was not much grandeur. However, as everybody was dead beat, they just simply chose two rooms, separating the males and females, before falling asleep soundly.

Even though he has climbed into his bed, Saito still can't fall asleep. Despite being extremely happy as he has found a clue about Louise whereabouts, can he really find her?

Putting that aside, once he found her, what if Louise doesn't want to forgive him?

Until now, even if she was extremely angry, she has never left his side.

What should I do if she doesn't forgive me?

Saito just couldn't sleep no matter what, so he walked downstairs. There was no one in the bar, only light from the candles illuminating the surroundings. Taking a beer bottle from the rack, he placed one gold coin on the counter.

Saito started to drink beer gloomily alone.

As he was drinking, there was footsteps upstairs. Lifting his head, it was Guiche. He took a glass from the rack and started drinking himself.

"Can't sleep?" Asked Guiche. Saito nodded.

"Yup."

"However, what was Louise trying to do? Really, that willful Louise wanting to live alone is impossible. Maybe she went to some monastery, sneaked into some rich guy's place or even become some other guy's lover?"

Saito's face darkened. He muttered,"Stop it. You really are a hypocrite! Having affairs yourself but can't stand the notion of others doing the same thing."

Hearing this, Guiche put on a troubled face.

"I'm just joking. Anyhow, what really happened?"

"Hey, Guiche......really what kind of person am I?......I really like Louise very much, but I just can't resist the charms of other girls......"

Seeing Saito saying that while holding his head in his hands, Guiche just simply said,"Isn't that normal?"

"That's for you to say......"

"Not only me, aren't you the same? That's why you kissed some noble girl right? This isn't wrong or right, you're just someone like that. What are you so upset about?"

Saito, hearing this, still shook his head.

"I-if it was like that, didn't I become a liar......so many times that I've said that I only like you(Louise)......"

"You're supposed to think like that when you're saying that. I'm the same, it's not a lie. No matter the time, I always felt that I was true to heart then. It's something like 'You're the most important!'."

"But isn't this simply an excuse?"

"Excuse?! Hey,hey, don't say such stupid things. How many charming women are there out there in the world? Our feelings for them are true. You're saying that this is an excuse? No! Facing such powerful charm, we're powerless to resist. It's just that simple."

"B-but......"

Speaking to Saito, who was still hugging his head, Guiche said,"Be more truthful to yourself."

"Hah? I'm very truthful! Truthful enough to be troubled by this!"

"Let me say this straight. You do not get yourself troubled over being powerless to womanly charms. Just guarantee this. All you need to be troubled is only one thing. And that is not wanting to be hated by Louise."

Saito's face turned pasty. He sobered up immediately. Guiche has hit the bull's eye.

"Am I right? Somewhere in your heart is thinking 'oh, that's completely the point' ,yeah? How to justify your actions, and more importantly how to let Louise forgive you, you're thinking hard about these, right?"

"There's nothing like that! How did it turn out this way!" Saito yelled while banging the table. Guiche turned serious.

"That's because I'm like that. Even though I'm a bit strange, but I'm very sensitive towards the charms of women. Once I saw a beautiful woman, I'll lose myself in her......but even it's me, I know that I have a problem. I already have Montmorency, don't I? You may think that I am that daft and carefree, but it isn't so. I'm also very troubled."

Saying this, Guiche finished the beer in one gulp. Like a started engine, he started to speak more forcefully.

"That's why for some time, I stopped associating myself with beautiful women. Of course, I did it perfectly. When was it......it's before I met you, let's leave it at that. At that time, I kept myself to Montmorency......even when there was a beautiful woman walking by, I just thought, "Yeah, she's very pretty." That's it. Nothing said, nothing done. Days gone by just doing that."

Saito adjusted his pose and listened attentively to Guiche.

"However, that is unnatural. The spark in my soul started to wither.....even talking to Montmorency was taken to be granted. At last, she even told me, "You said the same thing yesterday!" I started to think, isn't this something very "unnatural"! The spark in my soul started to disappear."

Guiche placed his hands onto Saito's shoulders.

"Where do you actually feel the "charm"?"

"Eh? eh eh?"

"Where do you think the "charm" you feel in charming women is?"

"I-in the h-heart?"

"Yes! It's your heart! However, who is the one who creates it? It's God! The God in your heart created it! Even the charming women are created by God! What's wrong with praising them? If feeling that something beautiful is beautiful was a crime, then go condemn God! Even if it were so, I'm still a devout Brimir follower. I'll never do anything against the edict of God. And that why I'll follow the edict of God."

"So, you just simply hook yourself up with any girl with charm?"

"Yup."

"I think you can just go kill yourself."

"What are you talking about!"

"Have you ever thought about Montmorency's feelings? For every one time you hit on other girls, she'll get hurt. Isn't this the reason why you got dumped before?"

"Of course. This is just my theory, not hers."

Guiche stopped abruptly and looked at Saito.

"And that's why I treated Montmorency with 10 times more care than other girls. But really, even if it was so, it's not enough. But it's better than doing nothing at all. The Montmorency now will forgive me no matter what I do!"

"What kind of convoluted theory is that!"

"Hey hey, I think that 100 times better than you fretting over something like 'why would I feel the charms of other girls'. This is unavoidable, isn't it? No, even you know it, don't you? Even if it were so, did you treat Louise gently?"

"Y-yeah, I did!" Saito exclaimed.

"Louise sure didn't felt that way. Your "gentleness" didn't make the cut. And that's why she left you."

"Err......"

Saito unconsciously started to curl himself up. Thinking back, wasn't trying to be gentle with her just ended up with him doing some strange things? He just said something like Lemon-chan, little cat......Louise did say that she likes a romantic guy, but what he was doing was......

"Am I a pervert?"

At that time, someone spoke behind him.

"Nope. You're on the level of a "super-pervert."

"Malicorne!"

He came, wearing tidy pajamas and in hand holding a pillow.

"Walking around the hotel canteen with your pajamas." Saito was speaking like some tourist guide,

"What are you talking about? I was woken by your ruckus, you know." Malicorne grunted. "Nn, Guiche seems to be saying that "you didn't be gentle with her" and that's why Louise left your side, right? I don't think so. From what I know, Saito, you did quite well."

"Really? I don't see anything......" Guiche expressed his doubt.

"He did good! You see, Guiche, the girl we're talking about here is Louise. Really, she's quite pretty, I know that. But what does she have? That figure! Slim and thin, she's like a washing board isn't she? She isn't a child anymore, and no 17-year-old girl looks like that, there's no one at all. Even so, if she was a little meek she would be cute. But, what's with her? For every two sentences there's one with 'dog'. No matter how Saito endeavors he's still a dog. Heck, she should look in the mirror before saying those things. I'll just skip describing her personality."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah......" Guiche started to nod.

"Even with that Louise, Saito still treats her with care. Saying sweet things like she's the cutest Lemon-chan. I can swear that Louise doesn't deserve your treatment."

"Say......you talking about another guy's lover like that......"

"I'm just saying! I'm always thinking, where does Louise's attraction lie? Saito, there's nothing to be ashamed of. You're not just any hero.(T/L:I'm assuming there's a mistranslation of Chinese here). No matter which girl she is, you'll easily get her. Even so, you've amazingly set your eyes only on Louise. Or even, unbelievably so. You just slightly looked at someone else and she left the house. That woman, who does she think she is?"

Saito banged the table and stood up, gripping Malicorne's collar.

"Fool! What do you know about Louise's cuteness! You don't know anything!"

"Eh? Where is she cute?"

"Even though normally her temper is really bad......O-o-on the bed, she's really cute. She becomes very meek and docile, she'll hear anything I say." Saito said with a trembling voice.

"Really?"

"A-ah, didn't you hear about that Lemon-chan thing?"

"I did hear about it."

"Normally she wouldn't say it, right?"(T/L: not sure about the "she" there)

"Yeah, she wouldn't say it."

"So, that's the thing."

"Oh."

Saito then spoke dreamily, "Louise, in the morning she's just as you said......arrogant and willful......but, at night she's different......even if she says something like I don't care, her eyes burn with anticipation. She'll cover herself with the sheet until just under the nose and look at me with shaky eyes, waiting for me to do something. Also, even if she looks like a washboard, she has very womanly figure. Her slim waist, the curve of her back is like it's carved by God. Even though all is small, except for her breasts the proportions are still quite perfect. It's hard to describe, but it's amazing. Aaaaaaah! I feel like doing it again and again!"

"You've done it?"

"N-not yet......"

"Pueh, that's a shame."

Because Malicorne leaked out laughter, Saito grabbed his collar again.

"You also haven't done it, have you! In any case, aren't you the one who keeps meddling!"

While making up a ruckus, they felt a cold gaze from behind.

Turning around, Tiffania and Siesta were standing behind them, glaring them with eyes of ice.

Malicorne coughed, and bowed towards Tiffania.

"Ladies, please state your thoughts."

"Saito's useless. Poor Louise," said Siesta coldly. "If you clearly experienced her charms, why did you still have an affair?"

"Ladies, please state the details of your thoughts."

"Saito's a piece of junk."

Saito hugged his head and groaned. Malicorne stepped on his head viciously.

"I say, I'm really a pervert! Louise was sure to leave if I'm like this!"

While being thrown to the rack and stepped by Malicorne, Saito said sadly. To such a cute Louise, what I do to her......

Thinking like this, what he have done will never be forgiven.

Tiffania then said angrily, "Saito, If the Louise you like so much had done the same thing to you, what would you think? What if Louise kissed another man? I think Saito will be really sad!"

It really is so. Saito was at a loss of words.

"Sorry......"

"You’re not supposed to apologize to me, but to Louise!"

Tiffania then turned to Guiche and Malicorne, "The both of you too! Simply stating your theories! What do you take girls to be?!"

Under the scoldings of the normally gentle Tiffania, Guiche and Malicorne started to mumble, "Sorry."

"Tiffania, you’re amazing......" Seeing Tiffania like this makes Siesta's eyes teary.

"......Ah. Even though I’m a little embarrassed, but I can’t just let it past. Because men are just too willful......Saito."

"Here."

Saito sat straight at Tiffania's call.

“Say, Louise listening to whatever you say......accepting those strange words but she didn’t get angry at all right? That prideful Louise actually did that, right? I think that’s because she has trust in you, isn’t it so?"

“Really......?"

His passion doused, Saito lowered his head. He never saw her get angry, but hearing of it from someone else, Louise’s pride and her token of heart popped up in his mind.

"Don’t want to think about how to get her forgiveness anymore."

Looking at the sunlight streaming in from the window, Saito thought so.

"I’ll try my best to apologize. Whether if she would forgive me or not, that’s something to think about later."

He readily put his foot down on this. However, not knowing of his new found determination, Malicorne continued to step on Saito’s head.

"Your face looks like you've understood everything. You’re really a pervert." Always taking advantage of the weak, Malicorne said so.

On the other side, on this morning.

At dawn, two riders appeared at the entrance to Sulpice. With their headscarves and grey robes, they look like monks.

However, their conversation is nothing of the religious sort.

"Seriously! brother Damien(T/L:the original is "big bro Damien" not sure which honorifics) is way too greedy. One hundred thousand Ecus! Isn’t that way more than enough? He actually wanted two hundred thousand Ecus......"

The shorter man said, troubled. Under the heavy headscarf was a young man with a face full of curiosity.

It’s actually Bleu who tried to kill Saito a few days ago.(T/L: Bleu original name is 多德)

"Our plan requires money, don’t you know that already?” On his side, the big brother gruffly said. He looks heavily muscled, unlike most mages. Even with the cape, his muscled body looks as if someone stuffed balloons under his skin.

"But, brother Jack, I think Damien rushed things a little. Isn’t just fine before, even if we just got one hundred thousand Ecus it’s still quite exceptional.”

"We just have to get more from those guys, anyways. Brother Damien’s bargaining skills are amazing! How was that target that gave you trouble?"

"Right! That fellow! His unexpected strength really scared me for a bit. He seems to be called Hiragi? Or Hirago......anyway his name is about like that. His sword skills gave me quite a tough time. Even if he was just some hero, but he didn’t seems to be bluffing.”

"That Hiragi is someone we must remove for the client. In any case, the only ones that can kill him is us. Our client will surely be convinced.”

“Is it so......”

Bleu still looked glum. Jack glanced at his brother and said, “let's put that aside now, where’s the inn Josette's staying in?”

“O-oh that......”

“Hey! You didn’t forget the name of the inn, did you? The only person who can read Josette’s letter is you, you know! Think hard!”

“W-wait for a while!”Bleu’s face started to turn pasty.

“N-Nn......this.......I still remembered it on the way here! It’s something with the sea, land, river.......or some name like that.....”

“You! Would anyone ever forget the name of the rendezvous?! If so, why didn’t you let us see it before you threw it!”

“Isn’t brother you the one who asked me to throw away everything that may become information!”

Jack shook his head, shaking Bleu’s head vigorously.

“You try telling this to Damien who’s bargaining in Tristain, let's see what he will do to you.”

Hearing this, Bleu's face turned even more green.

“......L-let me off......”

“So quickly go find out where’s Josette's living in!”

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| Back to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume17_Chapter3|Chapter3]]
| Return to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume17_Chapter5|Chapter5]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume17 Chapter3

2012-09-12T00:34:54Z

50.53.151.31:

'''Chapter 3: Meeting and Comrade'''

After about a week, Tristania's palace gave a reply, at the same time, the Knight Corps of The Water Spirit began to gather together. Saito’s letter "Have you seen Louise?” shocked everyone. Guiche used the dragon’s cage to fly directly fromTristania western end of the Grammont’s territory so he was not late.

In the vestibule of the palace landing, 德杰萨尔who has been promoted to captain for the whole magic guards came out to welcome Guiche.

“Grammont-sama. Great timing.”

“What happened? I heard Louise was missing or something like that……”

"I do not quite understand ... In all, you see, is she not a person related to the state secrets? So we are commanded to start secret investigations ..."

“So you are saying you haven’t found her yet?”

德杰萨尔replied with a nod.

“Speaking of which, where’s Saito”

“This, ah, you’re talking about Vice-captain Saito……He is really giving us a headache”

“What do you mean?”

“He is currently undergoing a strange ceremony in the courtyard. He, himself is muttering “worry” something about yes or no ……”

Guiche wondered. Exactly how, even Saito was not his usual self? In short, in order to be able to understand the incident in detail, Guiche rushed into the garden first.

When Guiche reached the courtyard, he saw Malicorne and Reynald. Their home was not far from here, seems like they arrived here early.

“Yo, you two. What happened to Saito?” After asking, Malicorne pointed with his finger.

On his head wrapped in a white sash, Saito was sitting in the centre of the courtyard in a straight position. Surrounding him were a few round standing stakes. A little distance away, Siesta, with a wondrous expression was also sitting.

“What is that guy doing?”

“I also don’t understand. He said it was for ‘exercising the body and mind ‘or something”

Time passed by a little. The observing Guiche and the others felt the tension in the air. The moment Guiche swallowed his saliva ……Saito’s shoulders moved a little, his right hand reaching towards the left flank of the sword.

The moment his hand touched the sword ……Saito upper body was straight, his knees touched the ground. At the same time, his right hand vanished. Whoosh! The sound of air being cut, the four round stakes around Saito trembled. Lastly, "qiang" a clear sound resounded through the surroundings. He thought he had pulled out his sword but the sword remained sheathed.

That really was fast, Guiche who was watching on the sides did not understand what happened.

“What? That”

“That guy took out his sword with a speed the naked eye cannot keep up with and broke the round stakes”

What was surprising is that the upper part of the round wood stakes did not fall to the ground, it was still in the lower half of the above. It is hard to tell from the upper part and the lower half that the four round stakes were severed perfectly.

"He drew his sword? But, the sword is still sheathed?"

Guiche finished with a silly voice, Reynald shook his head.

“Draw the sword out, cut off the stakes and then keep the sword in the scabbard again. It is said that this is his country's sword skills”

Seemingly in the blink of an eye, Saito completed all this. ‘So, 不愧为用剑的达人’ Guiche 感慨颇深,

“Well. It is impressive but what has that sword skill got to do with worrying over Louise’s disappearance?”

“Only God knows”

Next, Saito resumed the straight position. Siesta stood up, rushes up to Saito's side to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

It’s about time, Guiche walked over to Saito.

Saito did not take a glance at his friends nearby; he just kept staring in front in a daze.

“Yo, Saito. What happened? It is said that Louise is missing?”

“Where is the sword you usually carry? I have never seen that sword on your waist before ...”

Saito bit his lips.

“Delf he……that guy……to protect me……Damn!”

“Protect you? What happened?”

“He……in the battle absorbed too much magic……”

“I beg your pardon! How inharmonious! Exactly who attacked you!”

The boys leaned nearer to Saito.

“Don’t know. Just that they are a duo of magic users”

The boys nodded their heads at Saito’s reply.

"Well, it appears to be a hired assassin. How nerve-racking, you seem to make enemies too much recently ...”

“He is a big celebrity”

“and what has this got to do with Louise’s disappearance?” Gimli asked worriedly。

Everyone looked at Saito with a wondrous expression; Saito slams his fist into the ground. Siesta continued from where her master left off.

“No. Miss Valliere’s disappearance has nothing to do with the incident where Saito-san was attacked”

Siesta thought her words carried some anger. She stole a glance at Saito before squatting down to peep at his face.

“Hey, Saito-san. How do you feel?”

“My mind is destroyed, my worry disappearing My mind is destroyed, my worry disappearing My mind is destroyed, my worry disappearing ……”

Saito grumbled constantly with a mutter.

“Looks like the person wearing pajamas is very powerful. That lady, after all, must be full of sexiness and touching. Her chest is much, much bigger than mine and her figure must be stunning”

Siesta tighten Saito's neck.

“If you want to cheat you can always look for me! I have obviously told you that! We promised! Why does Saito-san only like noble girls! The aroma of the pitiful flowers by the roadside should also be carefully admired!”

“Speaking of which, who is the other person?” Guiche’s seems to suspiciously inquire. Siesta’s eyes turned into a one [一]sign and she started breaking out in cold sweat. If Guiche knew the truth he would most certainly faint.

The two did not answer, Guiche have no choice but to wave his hand.

“Well, whoever it is. You're a hopeless man. You should at least learn from me. At least”

Because Guiche uttered those words, Reynald叹气似的吐他槽。

“If he learns from you, Louise will definitely run away everyday”

Saito helped by Siesta, slowly stood up. Then, 他唰地greeted Guiche.

“Anyway, thanks for coming specially”

Saito expressed asmiling face that looks almost ready to cry out in pain. Making an effort to be happy——his voice revealed this kind of feeling.

“No, Well, I have nothing much to do anyway……”

“Speaking of which, Louise didn’t go over to your side?”

“Nope”

“That means she haven’t been found temporarily……Siesta, Tristinia’s inns have all been searched right?”

“Yes. Including monasteries, I have looked before”

These past seven days，Saito做好练习拔刀术修心的打算后, he search Tristinia’s hotels of hotels again. The team of soldiers who had nothing to do was sent out to search, but they could not even find Louise's shadow. This is obvious, after all, Louise went to Torres Thalia, a completely different direction ...

The letter, ’Have you seen Louise?’, that Saito mailed usually received replies such as ‘have not seen her’.

Cattelya’s letter has also been received. She did not intend to hide anything so she immediately said the truth. Her answer is "She did not come back.

In the letter, she said that she was worried about the safety of Louise; and had reported this matter to her parents, they said that ‘that child will be back soon’ kind of optimistic speech; However, on this matter, she does not think so, she hoped Saito can think of ways to find Louise as soon as possible...

When reading this letter, Saito cried. Nothing written on it blamed Saito.

‘The mistake I made is causing so much trouble to many people’, Saito’s state of mind weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Even though Saito said “it will be okay if we search", he did not find Henrietta to discuss about it. Louise is not just a female officer. Firstly, whether it is Tristain or to Halkeginia, her presence itself is very important, a void user. If she was kidnapped by Romalia, things would be serious. Therefore, Saito put all the nobles who had nothing to do into the search team.

They searched the markets and streets along Tristania.

Considering Louise’s point of view, she will be more responsible for her own actions but this action of hers is taken too lightly.

Having said that, Saito and Henrietta was not blamed by Louise. He and Henrietta were obviously in the wrong ...

“Okay. If that’s the case, she is not at Tristania ……then, we should search the street along the hotel next. Perhaps the search team missed something……”

After Saito finished speaking, Siesta nodded her head in agreement.

“We will help as well”

Saito held tightly the hand of the friend that said that sentence, who had a look of worry on her face.

"I'm sorry ... really sorry. Then, I’ll be troubling you. I owe you a favour"

At this moment, a soft voice came from the corridor.

“Saito～～～～～～～!”

Turning his head to look behind, Tiffania who was always dressed in a green dress, wearing a wide-brimmed hat on her head ran over.

“Huff huff, I heard that Louise went missing……is that true?”

Tiffania spent her summer holidays at the Tristinia’s orphanage.

“While I was on a picnic with everyone, I received a letter suddenly and almost jumped up in shock. What happened?”

Great, just when everyone was thinking how to answer, Colbert-sensei and Kirche came from the direction of the main entrance.

“Aiya Aiya, I finally found out the use of the" tank "method after reaching Miss (谢尔冯思特)’s house to reform but ... I received your letter of Miss Valliere gone. What happened?"

Saito painfully replied Colbert’s inquiry.

“I……about that, with another girl, that ……lips touching scene, she……”

Colbert, although stunned at that moment , folded his arms and nodded.

“I see what this is all about……You are still young so if you can’t control it’s understandable, but……she is thus wounded in her heart”

Kirche put her hands around separately and said helplessly.

“Really, this is why I told her seriously. I said ‘It’s tough being a woman’ ”

Tiffania looked at Saito with a gaze full of wrath. Malicorne went over and greeted Tiffania politely.

“Girls, regarding this incident please say your feelings”

Tiffania stated reasonably.

“Saito is really bad. Louise is pitiful”

Saito could not help but fall on the spot.

“Ah, AhAhAhAhAhAh……AhAhAh……”

“Use language to whip him again. Unpopular guy with the occasional set of achievements became slightly popular then degenerate into副德性. A moment proud fool disclosing such a big basket！Hey buddy, don’t forget what position you’re in now…… You upstart jerk ……”

Malicorne lifted his eyebrows, trampling on Saito non-stop. Malicorne was picky towards popular topics. sob, sob……Saito cried in shame. Saito is 一头栽到底的 when he is depressed。

Kirche said with a tilted head.

“But……who is the rival?”

“This guy would not talk about that” Malicorne said while stepping on Saito’s back.

“Ah, but that Louise ran away from home – it is said so, 不过和女仆卿卿我我地还不至于让她生气成那样吧。. That’s why I am very concerned about it. It is possible that the other party is quite close to him ... sort of?”

At this moment, Guiche and Reynald’s eyes had a sudden change.

“You, the other person couldn’t be Montmorency right?”

“Can’t be (Brigitte) right?”

“N-not Miss (Janice), right?”

(Gimli) interrupted Reynald.

“So you like that type of girl”

“No! That’s not it! I’m only asking!”

Reynald whose face flushed red shouted. In such a commotion, Saito shook his head.

“……Not any of them”

“Then who is it! You’re making people care more about this～～～～～!”

Seeing Guiche and the others surrounding Saito, Kirche tilted her head.

“What’s wrong?”

Colbert, who was beside her, asked Kirche.

“No……Don’t tell me. Even though this is my girl’s instinct”

“Your instincts are pretty accurate. Let’s hear it”

Kirche whispered the name she thought of into Colbert’s ear.

“How can that be?”

“No……Because, if Louise can do this kind of thing, the other party must be a reliable person, no wonder I can think this up”

After Kirche used the sound of chewing something bitter to point this out, Colbert should not be beginning to think that it is not to be true right? But, it can’t be ……

She is also this country's Her Highness the Queen, how could this be possible!

But looking at Saito’s popularity that is not completely impossible. Although she is a queen, Henrietta is also just an eighteen year old pretty girl. If she steals the heart of the most popular of knights, we can’t blame her.

Also……aren’t Louise and Henrietta really close together? If that is the case, why would Louise run away from her home, Saito not mentioning the other party’s name can be understood. After all, that name is not easy to say out.

Colbert felt the back of his head breaking out in cold sweat as he realized he might be witnessing a historic scandal.

If this incident is made public, someone will die. This so-called royal scandal cannot be overlooked.

Who is it! Say it! Watching the fired up boys, Colbert pretended to be calm while clapping his hands and saying,

“Ah——everyone. Right now the other party is not important, finding Miss Valliere is our most important task at hand. Don’t you think so too?”

Well, that makes sense; the boys nodded and went towards the stables. Guiche was scratching his head while talking to Saito who was dusting dirt off his knees,

“Hey Saito”

“What?”

“We can search for her. If we find her, what do you plan——to do?”

“What do you mean?”

“No, it’s nothing. Louise has her own way of thinking. If she says she doesn’t want to be with you, what do you plan to do?”

Saito considered this for a while. Then he said in a voice filled with loneliness,

“When that time comes, We’ll see. Anyway, I want to see and apologise to her now”

Although Guiche was silent for a moment, he said with a not interested expression later that,

“Well, okay”

A change of view, at this time Louise was at修尔毕斯的『陆之白鲸』亭with Jeanette, waiting for her brother. Although『陆之白鲸』亭was not classy, it was also not a cheap inn, it was very suitable for hiding. They rented one of the rooms.

While Louise drank wine，将牢骚对嘉内特倾泻而空。Like a burst dam, Louise flooded all her thoughts to her. Jeanette, too, looked happy as she listened to Louise speaking her mind.

“Then? Are you listening, Jeanette?”

Louise's voice had loosened up long ago. In two days’ time, with the boost of wine, Louise had exhausted all her tension and suspicion.

“I’m listening”

“That guy, told me in this way. That the one I love is you! Like that! Numerous times! With an expression like this! It obviously is like that! Of all things, he kissed with my close friend, What——is——the meaning of this! Right!”

“Geez, that kind of cheater might as well die”

Jeanette giggled while Louise nodded.

“You also——think this way? A-a-a-about that pervert dog! When f-facing me, p-put on t-this kind of expression, w-wanting to say to do ‘It’! Hey…hey!”

Louise was so angry that she choked and thus, coughed straight away.。Jeanette passed a wine bottle to her. After Louise drank finished, her eyes faint, she fell.

After about 5 minutes of being motionless, she suddenly leap up.

“He did the same thing with o-other women～～～～～! He said he would only do that with me! If I think about it now, I would have an earth-shaking headache! That liar～～～～～!”

Then she fell down again. Jeanette got up and took the water jug on the table, pouring the water over Louise’s face. Thus, Louise leaped up once more and stared blankly at Jeanette.

“Hey Jeanette, why do I feel like I said a lot of embarrassing stuff”

“You did not” Jeanette’s expression was candid.

“Then nevermind”

After Louise deeply sighed，

“When are your brothers coming. I’m tired of waiting”

The siblings of Jeanette know a place to "live in seclusion ",so Louise waited. It was almost past two days.

“What’s wrong? Let’s just wait patiently”

A slightly drunk Louise told Jeanette her doubts truthfully.

“But, why would you be so affectionate to me who you never met before?”

“Because I like you”

On Jeanette’s face appeared a smile. A pretty face like a doll. Also, like a doll, a feeling of coldness ……

Then, Jeanette lifted Louise’s chin with her hand.

“Because, you are so cute. Arrogant but easily hurt, as for those pair of straight forward eyes……you’re not just cute, you also give people the feeling of wanting to violate you”

“Eh? Eh? Eh?”

Seeing Louise’s wide round eyes, Jeanette grabbed a handful of Louise’s hair, using it to itch her own nose.

“and this fine……beautiful hair. Just like a doll. A child like you should be called a real maiden”

The person just like a doll should be you, Louise wanted to say ……but she did not say it.

The doubt Louise felt before began to swell.

This girl……is really the girl that has a special interest in other girls foretold in the legend?

Obviously a girl and yet she likes girls. That kind of special character exists, Louise know. In the Magic Academy, such rumors can be heard more than once.

Hence that’s why she is so affectionate towards me, isn’t that so?

Well, she does not look like a Romalia minion ……the feeling surrounding Jeanette give people the impression that she puts her faith in god in the furthest position.

Obviously is like that, she also treats me affectionately.

If that is the case……as expected……she is a person with this special interest?

“…………”

Louise looked at Jeanette with 撇 eyes. Snow white skin like the dessert during late at night. Those two slender emerald eyes, like a moonlit oasis under the moonlight.

How beautiful, Louise was mesmerized for a moment. So Jeanette put on a serious expression.

“What can I enjoy??”

She asked something. Due to saying out her overly naïve “What snacks can I enjoy?” feeling so Louise almost inadvertently nodded her head.

“No! Cannot! What are you saying!”

Jeanette laughed with a ‘Hahahahaha!’.