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Zero no Tsukaima:Volume3 Chapter5

2007-11-14T04:48:34Z

66.245.26.128:

The Albion air force’s arsenal, situated in the town of Rosyth, was located in the outskirts its capital, Londinium. Before the Revolutionary War (which is what the Reconquista call the civil war that had just ended recently), that place used to be the Royal air force’s arsenal. And thus, there were all sorts of buildings. The numerous buildings with massive chimneys were used for manufacturing iron. Next to them, were piles and piles of timber used for ship constructions and repairs.

The large building with red bricks was the control centre. The three coloured flag of Reconquista could be seen fluttering proudly. But the thing that stood out most were the large battleships which seemed to reach the skies.

To protect it against rain, a cloth, similar to a large tent, was covered over the anchored flagship fleet, Lexington. The battle ships stretched across two hundred metres, and were placed on top of a large wooden board so that they could be remodelled as soon as possible.

The king of Albion, Oliver Cromwell, was observing the construction along with some attendants.

“What big dependable looking ships. With these kind of ships, doesn’t it feel like we can rule the world, chief rigger?”

“You speak too highly of me”

The chief rigger appointed to the Lexington fleet, Sir Henry Bowood, replied half heartedly. He was on the Reconquista’s side and was the captain of the cruisers in the revolutionary war. Credited for destroying two enemy ships during that time, he was made the chief rigger of the Lexington ships. He was to assume the position of captain when the remodelling was completed. It was one of the customs of the Albion air force.

“Look at those big cannons!”

Cromwell pointed at the cannons on the side of a ship.

“These new weapons are like the symbol of trust I have placed upon you. These were made by gathering Albion’s alchemists. They have an extended body, which according to the calculations…”

The longhaired woman next to Cromwell replied, “They have a firing range of approximately 1.5 times that of the cannons used on the Tristain and Germania war ships.”

“Thank you, Miss Sheffield”

Bowood looked at the woman called Sheffield. She emitted a somewhat cold atmosphere. She was around her mid-twenties and wore a neat, thin black coat. He had never seen such a weird appearance. She wasn’t wearing a mantle… is she even a mage?

Cromwell nodded with satisfaction and patted Bowood on the back.

“She’s from Roba aru kariie. She designed these cannons from the technology she learnt from the elves. The knowledge of technology she possesses… does not follow our magic arts. She possesses knowledge of technology of which many are new to us. You should get to know each other.”

Bowood nodded in a bored manner. He was actually a royalist, but he strongly believed that soldiers should not be involved with politics. In other words, he was a purely militaristic person. The commander of fleet, who was higher ranked than him, had joined the rebel army, and so he had no choice but to participate in the revolutionary war as the captain of the Reconquista fleet. For him, who had exerted his utmost for the sake of fulfilling the tradition of Albion - Noblesse oblige, a noble duty, Albion was still a mere kingdom. Cromwell was someone despicable who had just seized power to the throne.

“There probably exists no fleet on Halkeginia that can match the power of our Royal Sovereign fleet now” Bowood had purposefully called the fleet by its old name. Noticing his cynicism, Cromwell smiled.

“Mr Bowood. The Royal Sovereign no longer exists in Albion.”

“True. However, if you attend the wedding ceremony with these new cannons, I’m afraid it will probably be seen as a vulgar demonstration of power.”

Cromwell, the first holy king and president of the council of nobles, and the cabinet ministers of The Republic of the Holy Albion (Albion’s new name) were to attend the wedding ceremony of the Tristain princess and the prince of Germania. They were to travel by the Lexington fleet.

Bringing new models of weapons for a visit of good will would be seen as something along the lines of gunboat diplomacy.

Cromwell replied casually, “Ah yes, I haven’t explained the scheme for this 'good willed visit' to you, have I?”

“Scheme?”

Another conspiracy? Bowood felt a headache coming.

Cromwell softly whispered in Bowood’s ears.

“What?! I haven’t heard of such a disgraceful act in all my life!”

“It’s all a part of military movements” Said Cromwell, uncaringly.

“Didn’t we only just recently sign a non-aggression treaty with Tristain! In Albion’s long history, we haven’t broken a single treaty before!” shouted an enraged Bowood.

“Mr. Bowood. I shall not forgive you for any further politically criticisms. This is something that the council has decided and approved upon. Do you plan on going against the council? Since when did you become a politician?”

With that, Bowood was speechless. To him, soldiers were swords and shields that did not object. They were the faithful watchdogs of the country. And proud ones at that. If it was a decision from a higher ranked being, then they could only follow those orders.

“You will soil our country’s name throughout Halkeginia. Our country will be known for cowardly breaking treaties.” Said Bowood, disturbed.

“Soil the country’s name? All of Halkeginia shall be ruled under our Reconquista flag. When we regain the holy lands from the elves, no one will care about such trivial matters.”

Bowood drew close to Cromwell.

“Breaking a treaty is something trivial? Do you plan on betraying even your own country?!”

A nearby man pulled out his wand and restrained Bowood. Bowood could recognise the face hidden underneath the hood.

“Y-Your highness?” a shocked Bowood whispered.

The face was of Prince Wales, who had apparently died in a battle.

“Captain, I wonder if you would be able to say those words to your once superior officer?”

Bowood dropped down to his knees. Wales reached out his hands and kissed Bowood. He became pale. Those hands were as cold as ice.

Cromwell walked out with his attendants. Wales also followed suit. The only one left was Bowood, standing still, shocked. Wales, who had died, was living and moving. Bowood was a triangular mage in the water arts. Even him, an expert in the water magic branch, which governed the composition of living things, had not heard of a magic that could bring life to someone once dead.

Perhaps it was a golem? No, that body was filled with life. Being a user in the water branch, he knew perfectly well the flow of water inside living things, including that of Wales.

It was definitely an unknown form of magic. And Cromwell could control it. He remembered a convincing rumour he had heard, and started to shake.

That the holy king Cromwell could control “Void”…

Was that just Void magic?

… The legendary “Zero” branch of magic.

With a shaking voice, Bowood whispered, “…What the hell is he planning to do with Halkeginia?”

Cromwell spoke with the noble walking alongside him.

“Viscount, as the commander of the dragoons, join the Lexington fleet.”

Under a feathered hat, Waldo’s eyes gleamed.

“Are you telling me to keep an eye on him?”

He shook his head, rejecting Waldo’s presumption.

“That man won’t betray us. He’s too stubborn and straightforward, which is why we can trust him. I’m just lending him your power, seeing as you lead the magic defence squad once. Have you ever ridden a dragon before?”

“No. But there is no beast in Halkeginia that I can not master.”

Cromwell smirked in agreement. He suddenly turned to Waldo.

“Viscount, why do you obey me?”

“Are you doubting my loyalty?”

“Not at all. You yield such fine results yet you have no requests.”

Waldo laughed lightly. He touched the artificial hand that was put on him recently.

“I only want to see the thing your excellency will show me”

“The holy lands?”

Waldo nodded.

“I believe what I’m searching for lies there.”

“You ‘believe’? You really don’t have any desires do you.” Said Cromwell.

Originally he was a clergyman, but he didn’t have a speck of faith in him. Waldo cast him eyes downwards on an old silver locket. Inside was a drawn portrait of a beautiful woman. His heart, which always appeared cold to people around him, started to warm up. After looking at the small portrait, he whispered, “No, your excellency. I’m a man who desires the most in this world.”

Meanwhile in Henrietta’s room inside royal palace of Tristain, the servants were busy sewing the wedding dress Henrietta was to wear. The queen Marianne was also there. She watched with a smile while her daughter was dressed in a pure white dress. However, Henrietta's expression was like that of ice. When the servants sewing asked her things about the sleeves and the position of the waist, she simple nodded. Watching her daughter in that state, she dismissed the servants.

“My dear daughter, you don’t seem well.”

“Mother.”

Henrietta buried her face in her mother's knees.

“I understand you don’t want this wedding.”

“No, it’s not that at all. I’m a happy person. I’m able to marry. Didn’t you once say that a woman was happy if she got to marry?”

In contrast to her words, Henrietta’s beautiful face became miserable and she started crying in grief. Marianna patted her daughter’s head gently.

“You have someone you love?”

“I had someone I loved. It’s like I’m flowing in a very fast river. Everything has passed by me. Love, kind words… nothing remains now.”

Marianne shook her head.

“Love is like the measles. If you cool down, you will forget about it.”

“How can I possibly forget…”

“You are a princess. You must to forget what you must forget. With that face, even the people will be uneasy.” Said Marianne in an admonishing tone.

“What am I marrying for?” Henrietta asked sadly.

“For the future.”

“For the future of…the country and the people?”

Marianne shook her head.

“It’s also for your future as well. Cromwell of the Reconquista, who’s in control of Albion, is an ambitious man. According to what I’ve heard, he has control over ‘Void’”.

“Isn’t that the legendary branch of magic?”

“Yes. If it is the truth, then it would be dreadful, Henrietta. Having too much power corrupts people. Even though we have made a non-aggression treaty, a man like him won’t just look down at Halkeginia from the skies obediently. It’s better for you to be in a powerful country, like Germania.

Henrietta embraced her mother.

“…Forgive me Mother for being so selfish.”

“It’s alright. Love is everything at your age. It’s not like your mother has no idea.”

They embraced each other tightly.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume3 Chapter6

2007-11-14T04:44:31Z

66.245.26.128: Modified La Rochere into La Rochelle.

Tabitha hid beside a tree with her breath held. In front of her was the temple that had been reduced to ruins. The columns that once boasted magnificence had collapsed and the fences had rusted away. The bright stained glass window had been shattered, and weeds filled the garden. It was the temple of a pioneering village that had been abandoned tens of years ago. It was completely desolated; no one was close by. However, with the sunlight shone upon it, there was a somewhat pastoral atmosphere to the place. The place would probably be where travellers would set up for lunch or the like.

In such a calm atmosphere, a loud explosion could suddenly be heard. Kirche had set a tree next to the gatepost on fire. Tabitha, in the shade of the trees, gripped her wand. The reason why the pioneering village had been abandoned came dashing out. It was an orc. It was as tall as two metres and their weight was probably five times that of an average human. Its fat ugly body was covered by skin peeled off from animals. With a large nose on its face, it was much like a pig. Infact, you could say that it was a pig that stood on two legs.

There were around ten of them. Orcs liked the children of humans, and being attacked by a group of creatures with such troublesome tastes, the village people abandoned the village and fled from it. The village people told the lord of the area, but the lord disliked dispatching soldiers in forests, and so ignored their requests. This village was one of the many villages in Halkeginia that had had this happen.

The orc conversed with the others through sounds similar to that of a pig, while pointing at the fire blazing around the gatepost. It then yelled angrily at every one of them.

“Fugii! Pigii! Agii! Nguiiii!”

Waving the clubs in their hands, the orcs were obviously angry. There was a fire, which meant humans were nearby. They were enemies, and the fire was a bait. Watching this, Tabitha considered which spell she would use. There were more enemies than she had expected. She couldn’t continuously fire spells out. If they didn’t carry everything out smoothly, they could lose their advantage easily by a surprise attack.

Just as the air around the orcs was shimmering, seven bronze maidens appeared before them. They were Guiche’s golems. Tabitha knitted her eyebrows. It was different from what they had decided on. Guiche must have gotten impatient.

Guiche’s seven valkyries charged at the head orc. They thrust their short spears at it. The tip of the spears sank into the orc’s stomach. The orc was knocked back onto the ground. However, the wound was shallow. Its thick skin and fat had acted as its shield, protecting its internal organs from damage. It quickly stood back up, and waved its club, ignoring its small wound. The other orcs rushed over with their clubs, swinging them at the bronze maidens. The clubs the orcs were swinging, were about the size of a human. One hit on the delicate golems, and they would be sent flying, broken on the ground.

Tabitha started reciting an incantation while waving her wand. Water, wind, wind. One water and two winds. The two elements intertwined with each other and the spell was complete. The vapour in the air froze and became several icicles. They skewered the wounded orc from all directions. It was one of Tabitha’s strongest attacks, Windy Icicle. The wounded orc fell to the ground at once.

Kirche, who was watching on top of a tree that was separated by a fair distance from Tabitha’s hiding spot, waved her wand. Fire, Fire. Two fires. A ball of fire, larger than a normal fireball spell, attacked the orcs. It was the Flame Ball spell. With agile movements that didn’t seem possible for their size, they tried avoiding the ball of fire. However, as if it were attacked to a string, the ball of fire was homing. It shot inside a howling mouth, and its head burst into flames. However, that was the end of such effective spells. They couldn’t keep using such a strong spells.

The orcs were scared, but they realised they were being attacked by a few mages. After realising this, they remembered a long battle they had with humans once. If they lost, they would lose in an instant. However, only two of them were killed by magic so far. Which means, the human’s attack had failed.

Their anger overcame their fear. Their sharp noses twitched, trying to find the humans. A young delicious smelling human could be smelt from outside the temple’s garden. The orcs ran at once. Suddenly a person with a sword carried on his back appeared. Next to him was Salamander. Without hesitation the orcs continued to charge forward. The salamander would be a strong foe, but with only those numbers, it would be no problem. The human warrior wasn’t even a going to be a problem. It is said that one orc can match five human warriors. And that was skilled warriors as well. A child like that would be disposed of with one swing of the club.

Saito whispered to the salamander next to him.

“I’ll attack them from the right. Stop any of those monsters from reaching Kirche.”

Fire flickered from the tip of the mouth of the fiery lizard, and it nodded with a “kyuru kyuru.” The large pigs formed groups to attack. They were trying to intimidate them. Saito’s hand was shaking. I’m sorry for being well dressed. What the hell is that. Scary.

The orc was wearing a necklace. After a better glance, it could be seen that it was a necklace made from a straw rope and human skulls. My world’s rules really don’t exist in this world. The beast’s horrible stench could be smelt.

With a shaking left hand, he grabbed Derflinger. The runes on the back of his hand shone. The anger and the vigour bursting inside his body made his body hot. He started tapping a rhythm with his index finger on the grip of the sword, allowing him to compose himself. He calculated the timing of his leap.

Tap, tap, tap… The rhythm of his pulse.

Saito opened his eyes, and gazed at the orcs who were roaring towards him.

An orc swung its club at the child. It was a hit… It should have been that is. But its club only hit the ground. It tried raising its head to see its surroundings, but its vision slipped down. Its neck wouldn’t move. Its hands reached desperately for its head only to find that its head was missing.

Saito had jumped faster than the orc’s swing, and had cleaved off its head. How was that! The decapitated orc tumbled to the ground. Saito leapt at a nearby orc. In an instant, he cut down a stunned orc. With the force of his sword he finished it off. To the left, the fiery lizard was battling an orc, scattering fire everywhere. Flame overpowered the orc and sent an blaze of inferno to its head.

Losing three allies already, they surrounded Saito cautiously. With his sword ready, Saito stared at the orcs with a cold gaze. It was as if a dragon was glaring them at. Their instincts told them that he was dangerous. It told them that they couldn’t win against him. The orcs looked at each other.

But, it was a human. They couldn’t possibly lose. It must have just been a mistake just then. Ignoring their instinct, including their experience and common sense, they roared and went in for an all out attack.

And so, they lost their lives. With the help of magic, Saito and Flame decimated them within two minutes.

Tabitha’s dragon landed on the ground. If the wind dragon had been hurt, if would mean that they would have to walk home, so it was decided he wasn’t allowed in the battle. Coming down from the tree, Kirche gave Guiche a shove.

“Ouch! What are you doing?”

“It’s your fault that we got in such a mess!”

The plan was to lure them into a pit, that Belldandy had dug, and light the oil that was prepared in that pit. Then all the orcs would burn to their deaths.

“As if they would just all fall into a pit like that. The first to make a move wins. I only put that into practice.” Grumbled Guiche.

“Your mole dug it right? Have some faith!”

“Well we’re all ok, so it’s fine” Said Saito

Siesta, who was hidden and shaking, rushed over to Saito and hugged him, overcome with emotion.

“That was incredible! Killing those violent orcs in a matter of no time! You’re incredible Saito!”

Siesta then timidly glanced at the corpses of the orcs.

“With these around I guess you can’t really go calmly pick mushrooms in the forest”

Saito wiped off the blood and fat stuck on Derflinger with a leaf. His hands were still shaking. Haven’t gotten used to battle yet I guess, he thought. Even thought they were monsters, they were living things. Things like battles are easily said but they are really living things killing each other. Even if you win, it’s not a good feeling. Although I have powers of a Gandalfr familiar, my body is still made of flesh and blood. If I had slipped and received a blow from one of those clubs… it might be me lying there now.

Noticing Saito’s hands were shaking, Siesta firmly grasped them. Are you ok? Her eyes seemed to ask. Saito forced a smile and nodded.

“You were incredible… but I guess such dangerous things are bad…” whispered Siesta.

Meanwhile, despite such a battle, Kirche acted as if nothing had happened. Looking at the map, she said, “Um, within the temple there’s an altar… and beneath that altar there’s a hidden chest.”

“And within that chest…”

Guiche gulped.

“Lies the gold and silver and legendary treasure ‘Buri-shingameru’ (no idea) that the priest hid when he abandoned the temple, apparently.”

Kirche brushed her hair triumphantly.

“What’s a Buri-shingameru” asked Guiche.

Kirche read the notes on the map.

“Umm, it seems like it’s a necklace made of gold. It’s made from ‘blazing gold’! Wow, even the name makes me excited. When you wear it you will be protected from any disaster and…”

That night…, they crowded around a bonfire in the garden of the temple. Everyone wore a weary face. Guiche said bitterly, “So the so called treasure was that?”

Guiche pointed at a colour faded accessory and a few dirty copper coins. Underneath the altar, there was a chest. However, it was full of junk that they didn’t even consider taking back home.

“This is made of brass. These cheap necklaces and ear rings, these aren’t that ‘Buri-shingameru’ right?”

Kirche didn’t reply. She just filed her nails with a bored look. Tabitha was reading a book as usual. Saito was lying down, gazing at the moon

“Hey Kirche, that’s the seventh one already! We followed those maps with such effort and yet all we get are a few copper coins! The treasures aren’t even close to what the notes of the maps say! Those maps are all hoaxes!”

“Shut up. I said it before, there -might- be a real map within that bundle”

“It’s too mean! Monsters and beasts dwell in ruins and caves after all! Only getting this in return for defeating monsters is far from enough!”

Guiche held the artificial rose in his mouth and lay down on a spread out blanket.

“Well yeah. If you could get treasure by just simply killing monsters, then no one would be poor”

A gloomy atmosphere drifted amongst them. But Siesta’s cheerful voice drove it away.

“Everyone, dinner's ready!”

Siesta started dividing the stew for everyone from the pot on the bonfire. It smelt good.

“This is good! Wow, it’s really good. What kind of meat did you use?” Guiche asked while stuffing his mouth full.

Everyone too, tasted it and started to say how delicious it was. Siesta smiled and said, “Orc’s meat.”

Guiche suddenly spat out the stew. Everyone started slack jawed at Siesta.

“I-It was a joke! I made it from a wild rabbit. I caught it with a trap.”

Siesta went on to explain how she had set up traps to catch rabbits and partridges, and collected herbs and vegetables for the stew, while everyone else was hunting for treasure.

“Don’t scare me like that. But, you’re really handy, being able to make something so nice from things in a forest.” Said Kirche in a relieved tone.

“It comes from living in a village” Said Siesta shyly.

“What’s this stew called? The herbs you’ve used is quite different from usual. I’ve never even seen some of these vegetables.” Said Kirche while spinning one of the vegetable on her fork.

“It’s a stew that’s made in my village, called Yoshenave.” Explained Siesta while stirring the pot.

“My father taught me how to make it. From edible wild plants, roots of plants… My father learnt it from my grandfather. It’s a specialty in my village.”

Thanks to the delicious food, they felt more relaxed. Ten days had passed since they had left the school. As Saito gazed up at the sky, he wondered what Louise was doing.

“Is it nice Saito?”

Next to him, Siesta smiled warmly. Stuffing his mouth full with stew, he smiled back. Siesta’s smile, the taste of the stew, they both reminded him of something. He had no idea how long he had been away but Saito remembered him own world.

After dinner, Kirche spread out the map again.

“Let’s just give up and return to school” urged Guiche, but Kirche did not budge.

“Just one more. One more.”

As if she was obsessed, Kirche’s eyes gleamed over the maps. Picking one map, she placed it on the ground.

“Ok this one! If this one is also a hoax we’re going back to school!”

“What’s the treasure?”

Arms crossed, Kirche replied, “Dragon’s Raiment”

Siesta, who was eating stew after everyone had finished, choked slightly on her food.

“R-Really?”

“What about it? Do you know something about it? It’s close to a village called Tarbes. Now where’s Tarbes…”

Siesta replied quickly, “It’s in the direction of La Rochelle. There’s a big field… It’s my home town.”

The next morning, whilst they were riding the wind dragon, Siesta explained to everyone. There wasn’t much to get. Basically, there was a temple near the village and in that temple there was something called Dragon’s Raiment.

“Why is it called ‘Dragon’s Raiment’?”

“Apparently you can fly when you put it on” Said Siesta, weakly.

“Fly? So it’s a wind type item?”

“ It’s really not that big of a thing…” Said Siesta, looking troubled.

“Why?”

“It’s a hoax. It’s one of those ‘treasure’s you can find anywhere. It’s all just the name. Yet the locals are grateful… they decorate the temple, worship it…”

“Really?”

Siesta then proceeded to say nervously.

“Actually… the owner of it was my grandfather. One day, my grandfather appeared at the village. Apparently he told everyone that he came from the east with the Dragon Raiments.”

“Wow…”

“But no one believe him. Everyone says that my grandfather was weird.”

“Why?”

“Someone told him to fly with it, but he told them it couldn’t. He made a lot of excuses, but no one had a reason to believe him. After that, he said that it ‘couldn’t fly anymore’ and settled down in the village. He worked really hard, and gave his money to nobles, asking them to put a spell of permanence on the ‘Dragon's Raiment’. He treated it with a lot of care.”

“What a strange person. It must have been hard on your family?”

“No, apart from the Dragon's Raiment, he was a nice, hard working person. Everyone liked him”

“It’s something famous within the village right? Just like that Yoshenave… Then we can’t take it back with us.”

“But… It’s like our family property… If Saito wanted to, I could ask my dad to show you it” Siesta said in a troubled voice.

Just as Saito thought “hoaxes are useless anyway”, Kirche remarked, “Even if it is a hoax, there are ways to sell hoaxes. There are many people with different tastes in this world.”

“You’re a horrible woman.” Guiche said, shocked.

The wind dragon flapped its wings, headed towards Tarbes.

Meanwhile at school, Louise was still skipping lessons. She didn’t want to meet anyone in her current mood. She only had left her room to eat in the dining hall and when she went to have bath. She knew about Saito living in a tent in the Vestri courtyard so she went down there a few days before to see how he was doing, but no one was there. When she asked Montmorency, who was passing by, she found out that Saito, Guiche, Kirche and Tabitha had been skipping lessons to go treasure hunting. The teachers were apparently mad and would make them clean the whole auditorium when they got back. She felt even sadder when she thought how fun it must have been. She felt as though she was the only one being left out.

Louise cried in her bed again. Whenever she saw the empty haystack, tears would come to her eyes. A knock came at the door. The door opened with a clank as soon as Louise replied that the door wasn’t locked. It was the school principle Old Osman, at the door, which surprised Louise. Louise quickly put on her gown and got off her bed.

“How have you been feeling?”

Feeling down, Louise replied, “I’m sorry I’ve made you worry. It’s really nothing. I just don’t feel very well…”

Osman pulled out a chair and sat down.

“You’ve rested for quite a long time. I was worried, but it seems you’re alright.”

Louise nodded, and sat down on a chair. With a weary face, she stared out the window.

“Have you finished the edict?”

Louise gasped and hung her head. With a sorry expression, she shook her head.

“Seems like you haven’t from the looks of it.”

“I’m sorry.”

“There’s still two weeks. Think about it slowly. It’s your important friend’s wedding after all. Make sure you choose your words carefully.”

Louise nodded. She was ashamed that she had forgotten about the edict because she was so absorbed with her own thoughts. I’m terrible aren’t I. She considers me as a friend, and even gave the role of being the maiden”

Osman stood up.

“By the way, where’s that familiar of yours?”

She adverted her eyes and kept silent. Osman smiled.

“Did you two have a fight?”

“When you’re young, you fight about trivial things. It’s because young people know how to compromise. Sometimes, these cracks will develop into something irreparable. You should be careful.”

Laughing, Osman left the room. After the door shut after him, Louise whispered, “It’s not something small…”

Louise went to her desk. She ignored everything else and opened the Founder’s Prayer book. And as if clearing her thoughts, she closed her eyes. She concentrated, trying to think of a edict. I must think of a great edict for Henrietta.

Louise continued to close her eyes. Eh? There was a bright light. Suddenly she could see letters on the pages. Louise’s eyes froze. However, in the next moment, they faded from the pages like a mist. What was that? She thought, while looking at the pages.

I can’t see it anymore. My eyes are probably just tired, she thought.

“It’s all Saito’s fault” she whispered.