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Zero no Tsukaima:Volume5 Story3 - MTL

2008-07-12T10:41:58Z

86.88.203.49:

===Chapter Three: Tristania's Holiday===

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'''1'''
　

The bell of San Rami‘s temple rang eleven o‘clock.

Saito was running towards a central plaza of the De Chikutonn street.

As to why he was running... well, that‘s because he was late for a date. He elbowed his way through the mass of people, barely making it to the central plaza, and saw the one who was waiting for him pouting.

“H-hey.”

Seeing Saito, Louise, who was sitting at the fountain, puffed out her cheeks.

“What‘s up with you?! You're late!”

“No...when I was about to leave I was caught by Scarron.”

“Just ignore him!”

“I can‘t, for the time being, he is my employer...“

Nagging, Louise urged Saito. ''Aah, I should have saved my head and not came to the date if she is angry like this.''

Louise was dressed for the occasion. She was embarrassed, because even though she looked gorgeous, her clothes were still not suitable for a noble… She was dressed in a recent trend, popular between town girls – black beret and black dress with a plunging neckline. The pendant that Saito gave her was hanging on her neck. In these clothes she really looked like a true town girl. As one would expect from a girl in her pubescence, it was hard for Louise to acquire a suitable dress in town.

Aah, when silent, she really looks pretty charming. With her arms folded and tilted chin… the young girl looked across the street intensely. Her pink-blond hair shined vividly in the rays of the sun. Her big hazel eyes were an obvious sign that she was from another world. Aah, his lovely master looked very cute right now, furiously tapping her feet.

“Hey, lets go! Before the play starts.”

Louise said, still sounding little shy.

Saito nodded and started to walk. However, Louise remained standing in her place.

“What is it?”

“Muu! Escort me properly!”

“Escort?”

“Right. Hey!”

Louise pulled Saito's arm.

[[Image:ZnT05-173.jpg|thumb]]

“Kuh?” He looked dumbfounded at their united arms.

Holding hands! It made Saito very awkward. Though she had used his hands as pillows to sleep on lately, he still wasn’t used to them walking while holding hands in the middle of town. Saito felt nervous. Then she stepped on his foot.

“W-what?!”

“During our Void day off you should lead me. Why won’t you say something? Uuuuh!”

Louise groaned.

“W-well, this is our Void day. H-how about going to the t-theater?”

Louise shook her head while sighing, and then pulled his arm dragging him after her.

“Muu! Useless escort! This way! Here!”

And so, walking in a way that it still wasn’t clear who escorted whom, the pair went down the streets of Tristain, bathing in the sunlight of the summer.

<center>* * *</center>

Well, as to why the couple went to see a play…　

Toady was the day of Rag and the inn was closed. “I want to go to the play,” Louise had said early in the morning, when she was having her breakfast (though it actually was a dinner, because they went to sleep late yesterday) with Saito in the attic.

“Play?”

“That’s right.”

Louise muttered somewhat ashamed.

“You like things like plays?"

“I don't like them, but I want to see one.”

“See it?”

Louise nodded. When you think about it, she grew up in a different environment. Louise was strictly disciplined at home, so she probably never went to the town’s theater.

Thinking this way, Saito suddenly felt pity for Louise.

“All right, but why do you want to see a play now?”

“Jessica told me that today there is a very popular play on stage.”

Louise was a girl, after all and fashionable things attract her just like any other.

And…

Louise for some reason insisted this to be a date.

“It doesn’t feel right just going there. The mood is important! Therefore let’s meet each other!”

“Meet?”

“All right? Meet me in front of the fountain, in the central plaza.”

“Bothersome.”

“Not bothersome. Hence, lets go to Royal Tanaijiiru Theater.”

“Fuu~n.”

And so, they met.

<center>* * *</center>
　

Royal Tanaijiiru Theater was indeed majestic, a splendid theater of gorgeous stonework. The lined up columns made it look like a temple.

Gentlemen and ladies fashionably dressed up gathered up in the theater.

Saito followed them as well.

After buying a surprisingly cheap ticket from the box office, Saito headed towards the seat. A thick curtain was dropped over the stage, and it was gloomy around it… indeed, Saito was getting excited by the mysterious atmosphere.

Seats were marked by the numbers and it was written on a ticket where one should sit, however agitated, Saito, without noticing, sat down in a different seat.

When he and Louise waited for the play to start, a good looking middle-aged noble with beautiful silver hair tapped his shoulder.

“Listen, pal.”

“Y-yes?”

“This is the seat I have had reserved for some time. Isn’t your seat different?”

This being said, the number of the seat was confirmed. It was as the man said. Hastily Saito, being urged by Louise, stood up.

“Muu! You have no shame!”

Louise complained shaking her head. Searching for the seat, Saito asked Louise.

“What was the play again?”

“…Tristania’s Holiday.”

“What’s the plot?”

“Princess of a certain country and the prince of a certain country come to Tristania secretly. The pair meet each other hiding their identities, however once they fall in love… they learn each other’s identities and separate. Sad story.”

Such a story shared a great popularity among the young girls. And indeed, the theater was crowded with young women.

After he found his seat, with much effort, the curtain rose. The play started. Music played and… it sounded beautiful in the theater.

“Amazing.”

Louise watched the stage with absorbed interest.

Saito, who saw a Helkeginia play for the first time, at first, gazed at it attentively as well. However… he got tired soon.

The scenario wasn’t so bad – he thought. Yet, the actors were unskilled. Though Saito was not very interested in plays, he still saw various movies back on earth and saw some school plays as well.

Compared to that… these guys were ham actors. Occasionally the voice turned inside out and singing scenes were executed in tone-deaf manner. Was that really a royal opera?

Yet Louise was still deeply moved by it, laughing ‘Ha!’ and sighing weakly. ''Waa, I should just enjoy the play like them,'' Saito thought.

However… the play still seemed to be no good. He looked around yawning, watching the visitors. There seemed to be some well known faces of society there. However, only young women were intensively gazing at the actors. Guess some things do not change even compared to Saito’s different world.

Saito became sleepy while watching.

Not being able to bare it anymore, he started to snore slightly.

Louise threw an angry look at the sleeping Saito.

''Wh-what?! This fellow…though it is such a special play! I invited him!''

For Louise this was a date. This should have been her memorable first date. Therefore she was so picky about such details as meeting, yet this familiar didn’t notice that.

''More so, he didn't escort me!''

''Did not know where the theater was!''

''I had to buy the tickets!''

''Furthermore, he shamefully mixed the seats!''

''Moreover, he fell asleep!''

Though she chose him to be her long-awaited first date companion, this familiar was reluctant to be his masters date! Reluctantly he chose to do so! Un-for-gi-va-ble! Louise restrained her feelings that she wanted to shout out and stared at Saito, who had started a journey to the dream land.

But… the play was long… and Louise has gotten tired in the course of time too. Then sleepiness took over her and she slowly closed her eyelids.

It was not possible to endure after all and…she leant her head against Saito's shoulder… she started to watch another play in the dream land… Louise began to row the boat

<center>* * *</center>

There was another visitor who wasn’t looking at the play as well. It was the same middle-aged noble whose seat Saito took by mistake. He was sitting next to a merchant and was having a secret talk with him.

This talk's content… were the things they heard from Tristain generals. The extremely secret Tristain’s military was the object of the gossip.

“F-fleet’s construction?”

The merchant asked.

“It will take half a year at least.”

The noble answered.

There were more whispers throughout the talk… In exchange for such secret information regarding Royal matters, the merchant passed a small bag to the noble. The noble peeked inside and saw it was tightly packed with golden coins.

The merchant whispered

“However… why contact each other in the theater?”

“What? To have a secret talk among the crowd of people. It is natural to tell a whispering story here. Therefore – a theater. If you would do that in a small room, one would get suspicious that you are plotting something not good.”

“Haha. I am sure that His Highness Emperor will be greatly interested in lord’s information. He might even give you a medal if you would come above the clouds.”

“This Albion’s person has a cold heart.”

“What, this whole land will be called by this name, sooner or later. Thank you for your cooperation."

Saying so, the merchant tried to stand up. The nobleman stopped him.

“What more?”

“Why don’t you act slowly? Wait till the last minute of the play.”

<center>* * *</center>

Tristain’s Royal palace stony floor echoed the sound of boots as a lone young woman knight walked. She had shortly cut blond hair and clear blue eyes. A protective chain hemp garment with sheet metal parts was wrapped around her body, in addition to a robe with a lily coat of arms painted on it.

Yet there was no wand at her lower waist… but a long, thin sword.

Coming and going nobles mage bodyguards halted and stared at her surprised, as it was unusual to see a fencer in the royal palace.

Mages saw a sword at her waist and the chain-mail that she wore, and started whispering among themselves.

“Fuun! Commoner woman!”

“She needs to have some grand permission to walk in palace dressed up like that… oh dear, different times!”

“Moreover, this woman is a Protestant! Giving Chevalier's title for such an harmful insect… I feel ashamed for our young majesty!”

Despite the impudent glances and rude talks about her, the young woman kept on walking straight, without sparing a single look at them.

At the end of the passage… she headed towards Henrietta’s office. She was stopped at the door by a magical guard member with a royal crest on his chest, not allowing her to visit her majesty.

“Her Majesty is in the middle of a conference right now. Come again later.”

The mage guard declared coldly, not even trying to hide his contempt for the woman knight.
　
“Please tell her that Agnes came. I have permission to visit Her Majesty anytime.”

The guard scowled then opened the door and disappeared into the office. After that, he came back, granting Agnes permission to enter the room.

When Agnes went into the office, Henrietta was in the middle of conference with Richmon from the High Court of Justice.

What is the High Court of Justice? That’s the organization that rules the administration of justice in the kingdom. Whenever the privileged class disagreed… judgement is brought in. They inspected literature works, operas or plays in theaters, or supervised commoner’s markets and frequently took care of conflicts within the monarchic government prefecture administration.

Henrietta who noticed Agnes, smiled with the edge of her lips, and told Richmon to break off the conference.

“But Your Highness…Rising taxes any further will make commoners resentment grow. This will cause disorder. Other countries may use it against us.”

“It’s an emergency. Despite our citizen's poverty…”

“Construction of 50 warships! 20,000 mercenaries! 15,000 expanses on equipping lords army-men! Food expenses to feed officers and men and our allied forces! Where can you get so much money? Building of a scout army and so on, just give it up, please.”

“The overthrow of Albion is now a national priority of Tristain.”

“But Your Majesty, though former Kings of Halkeginia with united forces attacked Albion on countless occasions… they were always defeated. Going into a campaign across the sky has more difficulties than one can imagine.”

Richmon declared, adding a hoity-toity gesture.

“I know. However I also know that finances minister reported that ‘The procurement of these war expenditures is not impossible’. Are you dissatisfied that you won’t be able to enjoy your former luxuries? As a matter of fact, I wonder how much you've saved since you started working?”

Henrietta said, sarcastically looking at the gorgeous clothes that Richmon was wearing.

“I myself prohibited imperial guard knights to wear the chain of silver that decorated the cane to show an example to others. There are no nobles, commoners nor royal family members. We are united now, Richmon.”

Henrietta watched Richmon. He bowed his head.

“You got me with this. I know, Your Majesty. However, the council of High Court of Justice consist of many people and it is not possible that they would agree with this campaign. I would like you to acknowledge it as a reality.”

“We will reach consensus, with the cardinal’s and my own work. I have the confidence that we will be able to persuade the council.”

Richmon watched Henrietta, who declared this with dazzling eyes.

“…Something wrong?”

“No… I just admired.”

“Admired?”

“That’s right. This Richmon, served ten years for Philip the Great, thirty years ago. By the time you were born, I knew more about Your Majesty than Your Majesty yourself.”

“Oh, well.”

“Though you might not remember, but the Emperor and Empress were really happy about Your Majesty’s birth! Though it was scary to lift your tiny body in one’s arms, I was still honored to rock and bath Your Majesty once or twice.”

“My mother said you served well.”

Henrietta said smiling.

“You are too kind. Just a while ago I was giving rude comments not thinking about the mother country.”

“You are a real patriot, I know that very well.”

“Anyway, I’ll say no more. Though Your Highness was such a crybaby before, she became a splendid woman now. There’s nothing for me to regret.”

“I am still…a crybaby. Please lend your power for the mother country, Richmon.”

Richmon bowed, asking for permission to leave the room. Henrietta nodded.

Agnes, who stood next to the door, watched Richmon leave.

Finally Agnes turned to Henrietta, who sat in her chair, and kneeled down, bowing her head.

“Agnes Chevalier Do Milan, welcome.”

Looking up, Henrietta urged.

“Did you finish the investigation?”

“Yes.”

Then Agnes took a letter out of her cleavage and gave it to Henrietta. The Queen took it and looked inside.

This was… Henrietta ordered to this female knight to investigate that ominous night's events. The night where an abductor from Albion…a revived Wales, snuck into the royal palace following someone’s written plan.

“So the guide wasn’t guided alone…as I take.”

“Exactly, he had help getting inside, the bolt was pulled up, and he could go unnoticed into the royal palace as he was alone.”

“To hide, once the group that tried to entice me entered.”

Henrietta said with painful look in her eyes.

“Yes. In only five minutes, Your Majesty.”

“Once found out, he insisted that it was a coincidence. However, he could not explain from where he had the money…”

The man whose name was written there, was the one that she gave a position to herself, and assumed him to be faithful, but was bribed by the sum of…

“70,000 ecu… This amount of gold is higher than the total amount of his pension.”

“It is as you say.”

Kneeling down, Agnes agreed.

“Though we were able to capture the informant who worked for the money… The number of people going over to Albion’s side has increased recently.”

“That employee…”

“I could not contact him yesterday. Perhaps, he sensed that he was found out.”

Henrietta sighed.

“Snake on one’s chest.”

“Reconquista’s nobles reach and hear beyond the national borders.”

“Might of money. A man with dreams turned into a man with gold lust. For the money… he tried to sell me and the country.”

Agnes kept silent. Henrietta gently put her hand on her shoulder.

“You did well. Thank you.”

Agnes looked at the crest on her surcoat. Crest… lily, the sign of the Royal family.

“I dedicat myself to Your Majesty. Your Majesty gave me the family name and the position.”

“I cannot trust people that use magic anymore. Except for a few old friends…”

Henrietta said in a sad voice.

“In Tarbes, nobles are similar to military. Therefore, this is what makes you a real noble.”

“You are too kind.”

Henrietta shook her head gently.

“You… had it tough in royal court, Agnes.”

“I was born the way I was born. And no sneers matter.”

“Though you are not noble by birth, you are a noble by soul. Foolish people.”

Agnes muttered a question.

“And what will you do about that man’s case?”

“Not enough evidence. It is hard to prove a crime.”

“Then…” Agnes continued in low voice.

“I am just newly established Queen… I will leave everything to the ‘Musketeer Corps’.”

After commander Wardes' betrayal, war of Tarbes and the recent annihilation of the Griffon corps, magic guard, that ought to protect the royalty, crumbled. The griffon corps were under the command of the Mantei Koa troops now, thus only one unit was still on duty.

To supplement the lack of guard, Henrietta newly established the ‘Musketeer Corps’ led by Agnes. As its name suggests, it uses new force of musket and sword, instead of magic. Because of mage shortage, the only members are commoners… For the sake of the personal safety of Henrietta, who is a woman, the guard is also made of women.

Because it interferes to negotiate with other corps when the commander is not an aristocrat, Agnes was exceptionally awarded a noble title. She became a ‘Chevalier’ and a fictional family name was given.

Henrietta’s exception made the national military power increase due to numbers of joining commoners. Though, nobles were naturally repulsed by this idea, Henrietta suppressed it.
Though it looked like the way they allied Germania, it was actually different. Henrietta, thanks to the kidnapping that deeply damaged her confidence… was unable to trust mages anymore.

“We are the way the royal court says – born without fineness. After all, it is impossible to become a noble.”

Henrietta shook her head.

“Who said that you are not a noble? You are a commander of the corps of the imperial guard knights that I myself admitted. The commander of imperial guards is different, as your position can only be rivaled to that of a field marshal.”

Agnes deeply bowed.

“Have pride. Walk tall. ‘I am an aristocrat’ – tell that to yourself in front of the mirror. If you do so, you will gain the fineness eventually.”

“As you say.”

“You just follow our former plan and watch over the man’s actions. If we are correct, the criminals will surely expose themselves tomorrow.”

“We won’t let them go free?”

“Surely. I won’t forgive anyone who is related to that night’s incident…Countries… People… Anyone. Yes. “

Then Agnes deeply bowed and left the room.

She was eternally grateful to Henrietta. Not because of the position or family name... No, because she was given a chance for revenge.

'''2'''

　
Saito was lying on the floor. Towering above him stood a roughly breathing Louise. It was the kitchen of the 'Charming Fairies' Inn. the inn just opened, but it was already noisy inside. Louise, with her arms crossed, looked down at Saito.

“Tell me, big brother.”

Louise still called him big brother. In here, Saito pretended to be Louise’s elder brother. No one believed it, as everyone in the inn already knew that Louise was a noble, yet she continued calling him ‘Big Brother’ anyway. Really stubborn character.

“What, little sister?”

Saito asked in a voice feeble and strained from Louise’s harsh beating.

“What were you doing before I called you?”

“Cleaning dishes.”

“Don’t lie. You were looking away.”

“A little.”

“Not a little.”

Louise pointed inside of the inn.

“You were ogling that girl’s thighs, this girl’s breasts and that girl’s bottom…”

Then, Louise angrily pointed at Jessica.

“You were watching the valley of Jessica’s breasts too.”

“A little.”

“Hey, big brother...”

Louise stomped on Saito’s face with her feet.

“Yes?”

“Isn’t it bad for you not to look at me? Isn’t your master gathering information from drunkards? If your cute master is endangered, you ought to protect her, right?”

“I'm sorry.”

“Sorry is not enough. You looked at me only twice. Yet I counted. You looked at this girl and at that girl four times. You looked at Jessica’s cleavage twelve times. You looked away, ignoring your Master. I c-c-c-cannot p-p-permit that!”

“Hey, I wasn’t looking!”

''Pardon me. I’m seeing Louise everyday. Her sleeping face too. It is love. Aah, master is cute. However, I want you to permit looking at other girl’s. It is man's nature. You cannot fight it even if looking away. Therefore, it is not necessary to get angry so much…'' Saito misunderstood her anger.

But, he would never say aloud such an excuse. Saito had learnt how to deal with Louise already.

“What if the moment when you look away, I am attacked by a strange man? Do you understand? You are willing to put me in such danger?"

“No… Wouldn’t that be alright? Ugh!”

“Why?”

“Master is not that appealing really. A tiny body has tiny popularity.”

Saito said what he was thinking. Louise spread her hands, sighed ‘Fuuh’, and started warming-up for another physical exercise.

“Really? I see. The dog can only be taught physically. Nnshotto.”

She went back to her vigor exercise.

While Louise was warming-up, Saito quietly slipped towards the back door. He had enough punishment a little while ago. Ten minutes. He needed to run away and have some rest.

Saito gripped Derflinger, who was rolled up in a cloth. Due to the recent accident, he was always carrying Derflinger with him. Reluctantly, he decided to carry it around, even though he knew how obstructive it could be.

The moment when he opened the back door and stepped out into the alley, he saw a hooded woman running in short steps in his direction.

Don! The woman knocked up against Saito, who just opened the door and fell on the ground. This made Saito flurried.

“S-sorry...Are you all right?”

The woman hid her face with her hood and said in panic,

“…That, is there a 'Charming Fairies' inn somewhere around here?”

[[Image:ZnT05-193.jpg|thumb]]

“Eh? That’s here…”

Muttering Saito noticed that woman’s voice sounded familiar. The woman became aware of the same thing at the same time as well. Quietly, she lifted an edge of her hood and stole a quick glance at Saito's face.

“Princess!”

“Shh!” she said, covering his mouth. Henrietta, wrapped in the lobes of gray hood, hid herself behind Saito, to avoid being seen from the Main Street.

“Search there!”

“Maybe she headed to Bourdonne Street!”

From the Main Street the rough voices of soldiers could be heard. Henrietta put the hood back on again.

“…Is there a place where I could hide?”

Henrietta looked so tiny.

“There is attic here where we live…”

“Please guide me there.”

<center>* * *</center>

Saito quietly brought Henrietta to the attic. She sat down on the bed and breathed out deeply.　

“…Safe for now.”

“It is not safe. What was that about?”

“I just sneaked away for a minute…and such uproar happened.”

“Huh? Weren’t you kidnapped the other day? No wonder it turned into a fuss!”

Henrietta became silent.

“Princess, aren’t you a ruler now? And you still act so selfish?”

“That not it. It’s because I have important business… And I heard from reports that Louise is here… I’m glad I could meet you at once.”

“A-anyway, I’ll call Louise.”

Louise after noticing that Saito disappeared would surely go ballistic, but this might help to ease her up a bit. Louise’s behavior was easy to predict. Like always.

“Don’t.”

Henrietta stopped Saito.

“W-why?”

“..I do not want to speak with Louise.”

“What?”

“I do not want to disappoint that girl.”

Saito sat on the chair and stared at Henrietta.

“Then, what else? Sneaking out of the castle without permission is not a good thing to do.”

Then Saito realized.

“But, if you didn’t come here to meet Louise, then what did you come here for?”

“I came to borrow your power.”

“M-me?”

“If it’s all right, I want you to guard me till tomorrow.”

“W-why me? Aren’t you the Queen? You have many soldiers and mages to guard you...”

“For today and tomorrow, I want to blend in with commoners. And, naturally, I do not want anyone from the palace to know that. So…”

“What?”

“I trust only you.”

“That’s… don’t you have anyone else?”

“Yes. I know you are good, and I, myself, am almost lonely in the palace. Many people there do not like me as a young queen…”

And after a moment of hasitation added,

“… and as a traitor.”

Saito recalled Wardes. Asking Louise, who is her best friend after all, to travel incognito – there might be something that cannot be spoken even to Louise.

“I see. Only because it is princess' request I will do it, but…”

After that Seito watched Henrietta’s face.

“It’s dangerous isn’t it?”

Henrietta veiled her eyes down.

“Yes.”

“Really? Then princess, do not tell that to Louise about going through danger. Please promise me.”

“All right.”

She nodded.

“Then it is good, but…”

“Then, let's leave. I cannot stay around here forever.”

“Where are we going?”

“We won’t be leaving town. Please calm down. For the time being, I want to change clothes…”

Henrietta looked at the dress under the robe. It was a white, clean and elegant dress, hiding behind the robe would be too noticeable. Even a noble couldn’t complain about this attire.

“These are Louise’s clothes but… She bought them to make her look as a commoner.”

“Please, lend them to me.”

Saito pulled the box from under the bed and took out Louise's clothes. Then Henrietta turned her back to Saito, not worrying about him looking! Saito started to panic once she took off her dress. He accidentally caught a glimpse of Henrietta’s chest from behind. Though it was not as big as Kirche’s, it was still bigger than Siesta’s. After all, she was a queen, so her breasts must be Queen-like as well. But then he realized.

''Can she wear Louise’s shirt?''

It was just like he thought.

“The shirt… is rather tight.”

Not ‘rather’. The shirt was bought following Louise’s size, and it could not match Henrietta’s breasts. The more she strained, the more buttons flew off.

“Mhm. Very.”

Saito said while holding his nose.

“Mh, good?”

Good! Nothing else one could expect from the queen. Henrietta should not worry about that. “I hope it won’t be too flashy if I do this,” she muttered as she unfastened her top two buttons.

It only emphasized  the valley of her breasts - this was as if there were no shirt at all to begin with. Though it may be embarrassing walking next to a man in such attire, this also made one forget that she was queen for once and made her look like a woman.

“Let’s go.” Henrietta urged Saito.

“We cannot go yet.”

“Eh? Really?”

“You should at least change your hairstyle.”

“Then, change it.”

''Henrietta is similar to Louise after all, what an inexperienced princess,'' Saito thought while fiddling with Henrietta's hair. Even changing clothes could not mask that…

He lifted her hair up into a ponytail, the way that he occasionally did for Louise too.

This changed the atmosphere a lot. Then, Saito put some light make-up on Henrietta, using Louise’s cosmetics.

Wouldn’t they need make-up in the inn? Saying so Saito bought it… But because Louise did not use it, there was plenty of it left.

“Fufu, this way you look like a town woman.”

With a light make-up and in the front open shirt… She certainly looked like a cheerful town woman.

Because she came forth to the attic, it seemed like they would not inform Louise about anything. Saito felt uneasy for a moment. He guessed he’d have to talk with her later. It couldn’t be helped, as it was the Queen’s wish.

Saito and Henrietta quietly sneaked through the back door to the alley.

The alerted state about the Queen’s disappearance seemed to have increased… The exit to Chikutonne was heavily guarded again.

“They placed a cordon.”

Saito reported things that seemed like a police drama in his world. Somehow understanding the meaning, Henrietta nodded.

“What now? Would it be all right not having your face covered?"

“Hiding it would be even more suspicious. Drop your hand over my shoulder.”

Saito held Henrietta’s shoulder as he was told. They approached the place where the guards stood. The tension rose and thier pulse quickened. Henrietta muttered in a hard tone,

“Pretend to lean into me. Like a lover.”

Eh? Giving him no time to think, Henrietta clasped Saito’s hand that he was holding her shoulder with, and led it to the crevice of her open shirt. Feeling Henrietta’s soft and smooth hills of flesh along his finger, Saito panicked.

“Don’t squirm.”

Henrietta drew her mouth next to Saito’s ear and muttered tenderly, with a fake smile on her lips.

Saito passed through the guards doubly nervous.

Though the guard accidentally saw the couple… But he had only seen the Queen's face at a distance. Besides even in his wildest dreams he could not imagine the Queen walking with a commoner, allowing his hand to touch her skin in such way. He turned his eyes away at once and called another woman to stop.

Henrietta, walking out to the Main Street, laughed

“Princess?”

“No… I'm sorry. Because it was such a funny moment. However, a pleasant one.”

“…Eh?”

“I put on rough clothes, changed my hairstyle… put on only a light make-up and no one could recognize me. “

Certainly… Henrietta seemed to merge with the scenery of this night. Saito felt that she was a different woman.

“However, we were seen by a person who barely knows your face, Princess.” 

“Shh!”

“Eh? Eeeh?”

“Don’t call me princess in public. Call me ‘Ann’ in short.”

“Ann, then.”

“Yes.”

Then, Henrietta inclined her head to the side in doubt.

“Tell me your name.”

Being unknown to the Princess, Saito answered sadly.

“Saito.”

“Saito, unusual name.”

At that moment, Henrietta muttered leaning to Saito in a town woman’s way.

“Y-yeah, Ann, it’s unusual.”

“Be more rough.”

“Understood, Ann.”

Smiling, Henrietta entwined her arm around Saito’s.

<center>* * *</center>

Because night came slowly, the couple went a hotel for the time being. It was a plain, cheap lodging house. They were led to a worn-out room on the second floor that made even the attic at “Charming Fairies” inn look heavenly.

The futon of the bed was strangely damp, though it was unclear for how many days it has been left to dry, and a small mushroom was growing at the corner of the room. The lamp, even after wiping off the soot, was still really black.

“Well, for so much money, it's not that great a room.”

But Henrietta said while sitting on the bed.

“No, the room is fantastic.”

“Is that so…”

“Yes. Here at least you do not have to worry… about venomous snakes sleeping on your chest.”

“And no weird bugs either.”

“Right.”

Henrietta smiled.

Saito sat on the chair standing in the room. The chair, as if protesting, made a strange, creaky sound. For some reason, he wanted to keep the distance between him and his honorable partner as far as possible. Finding it difficult to keep talking, Saito asked.

“Is it really such a nice room?”

“Yes. It is exciting. Because it has the taste of the imprudent, ordinary life of citizens…”

She empathized that by a cute gesture. Henrietta acting like that, created a slight feeling of intimacy.

Because the room was pitch dark, they decided to light up the sooted lamp. He could not find any matches, though he looked around carefully.

“They don’t have matches here… I’ll go down and bring them.”

Henrietta shook her head and took out a crystal wand from her bag. She swung it and ‘Posh!’ the lamp's wick set alight.

Henrietta sat gazing at the lamplight, holding her chin with her hand.

Saito, feeling dazzled somehow, turned his eyes away.

Seeing Henrietta relaxed like that… though she still had that sense of intimacy around her, she was still a princess. No, she was a queen now… a very young queen still. The word princess suited her more. Unrivaled grace and dignity. Though it was a similar feeling with Louise… but Louise could be so childish when unhappy, while Henrietta was still calm and composed. She had an aura of a grown up adult around her. Even through the gaps of her shirt one could smell her womanly charm.

This was an indescribable charm of mixed noble pride and danger.

“What now?”

She asked Saito in an innocent voice. Such a princess was really beautiful, thought Saito while mumbling something.

“Is Louise all right?”

Henrietta asked Saito from the other side of the lamp. Mysteriously, Henrietta’s presence made this worn-out place look like a royal palace bedroom. Henrietta had the power to change the surrounding air that way. Even at night time it felt like it was a bright day.

“Yeah. Well, she, that, she said she would accomplish her job for the Princess…”

As for Louise, she always scolded Saito for failing to gather information.

“She is all right from that aspect.”

“Eh?”

“That child has sent me a precise report through the carrier owl everyday.”

“Is that so?”

If you think about it, she probably wrote those while Saito was sleeping. What a serious fellow.

"Yes… She exactly informed me everyday about every rumor… Every single one. Without a single complaint. She certainly blended with commoners, not worrying when it will end. Because that child is highborn… Thus, I worry if her health is all right.”

“She is all right. She does everything energetically.”

Saito nodded.

“I'm so glad.”

“But, is the information that Louise gathers really useful?”

“Yes. It is useful.”

Henrietta smiled.

“I myself want to hear citizens' real intentions. I want to hear the true opinion about the politics I do. If they inform me directly, they change some things. They would not be comfortable for me to hear… as they are with others. I want to know the truth. Even the things I don’t like.”

A sad smile appeared on Henrietta’s face.

“Princess?’

“No…It’s just that knowing the truth is sometimes difficult. Though I am called a ‘Holy Woman’, there are harsher names I heard. I am looked down as a greenhorn trying to attack Albion, abusing her power to organize an invasion army, and I am suspected of being Germania’s puppet… Really, not queen-like...’

“Seriously?”

“Is your world also the same?”

“Eh?”

Saito looked blankly.

“Excuse my impoliteness. I asked the Magic academy director Osman. I was surprised to learn that you came from a different world. I could hardly ever imagine that such world existed. So in your world, at war… is the government spoken ill about?”

Saito remembered. Newspapers were flooded with everyday news about the corruption of the politicians at war…

“There is not much difference.”

“It is the same there as well.”

Henrietta muttered, relieved.

“Wars… do you have them?”

“Our country is in a middle of one.”

“No… I mean, besides attacking that flying continent?”

“Why would you say so?”

“A little while ago, you said an invasion army. Did similar invasions happen here, too?”

“Oh well. In that case, this war is endless…These are the things that should be left unsaid. It’s not a thing to talk with you about. Please forget it.”

Still, hearing Saito being silent, Henrietta looked up.

“Do you hate war?”

“I guess I do not love it.”

“But, you saved a king at Tarbes.”

“I did so to defend an important person.”

“Then, that night…”

Henrietta turned her face away and muttered hesitatingly. Then Saito… recalled that ominous night.

The night that Wales, who was thought to be dead, revived and tried to kidnap Henrietta. He remembered seeing his corpse. But he couldn’t recall much.

“I am sorry.”

Henrietta said in a tiny voice.

And then…

It started raining. As small raindrops beat against the window. They could hear people in the streets shouting “Che! Rain!”, “Out of nowhere!”.

Henrietta started to tremble.

“Princess?”

Henrietta muttered in a tiny voice. In a voice that seemed to vanish.

“…can you do something for me?”

“W-what?”

“Hold my shoulders tightly.”

The wand fell from the trembling hand of Henrietta and made a dry sound hitting the floor.

“What's wrong?”

“I’m afraid of rain.”

After those words… Saito remembered that on that night it started to rain as well. Henrietta and the revived Wales used that rain to create …… a huge tornado that tried to swallow Saito and the others.

[[Image:ZnT05-209.jpg|thumb]]

Saito silently sat down next to Henrietta and held her shoulders. Henrietta kept on shaking.

“Princess…”

“Because of me…everyone died… I killed them. I don’t understand. I do not understand. Can I ever be forgiven?”

Saito thought for a while and said.

“No one can forgive that. Indeed…”

“That’s right. I…I have no forgiveness for what I did to you or other people… When I hear the rain, I can only think about such things.”

Henrietta closed her eyes and drew her cheek to Saito’s chest. Her hand firmly gripped Saito’s. At the sound of the rainfall, her shivering grew stronger. She was not a queen, not even a princess… she was just a lonely, weak girl now. A girl who fell in love with a prince from a foreign country. Maybe this person, was weaker than anyone. She cannot do a thing, without someone next to her. Yet she was forced to put on a crown. She was forced to grip the scepter that commands the war.

He thought unhappy thoughts.

'''3'''

Louise was watching the falling rain and pouting. Where had Saito gone to in a middle of such rain? Louise finished warming-up a while ago and when she turned around to her familiar for some chastisement… Saito was gone.

Though she searched the inn inside out, he was nowhere to be found. Though at first she thought he went back to attic and hid himself there, but no one was there. However… her commoner clothes, that she had bought to blend in, had disappeared as well.

Feeling somewhat uneasy, Louise left the attic. When she returned back to the inn, Scarron and others looked worried.

“No good, rain… Customers will stop coming because of this rain.”

“However, it's quite noisy outside. Did something happen?”

Indeed, as said, one could hear outside the sound of rainfall mixing with the roar of palace guards. Louise opened the door and stepped outside. She approached a soldier with a sword and called him out.

“Hey, what happened?”

The soldier shot a short glance at Louise’s camisole and declared in annoyed voice.

“Eei! Shut up! It is not bar woman’s business! Return back to your inn!”

“Wait.”

Louise still called him to stop and took Henrietta's authorization papers out of her cleavage.

“Though I look like this, I am Her Majesty's court lady.”

Popeyed, the soldier looked at Louise then at her authorization papers and then back at Louise again, and stood upright.

“F-f-forgive my rudeness!”

“Just speak.”

The soldier in a tiny voice explained Louise.

“…We finished inspecting Champ de Mars, but when we returned back to the royal palace, Her Majesty disappeared.”

“Is it Reconquista again?”

“The criminal’s objective is unknown, but he was certainly skillful… Suddenly a mist came out of her carriage…”

“Were you on guarding duty at that time?”

“It was a newly organized corps.”

“I see. Thank you. Do you have a horse?”

The soldier shook his head.

“Useless!”

Louise began running towards the royal palace through the rain. At such a time, where the heck Saito has gone to? She clicked her tongue angrily. ''Really, just when you need him the most he is not there!''

<center>* * *</center>

Agnes pulled the horse that she was riding on to a stop in front of a certain large residence. It was the Richmon’s residence… here, during the day, she conferred with Henrietta.

It was the corner of an upscale residential area where often lords reside. Agnes looked at a huge and wide two-storied residence and crooked her lips. She painfully well knew that Richmon lived here for 20 years and used any possible method to build this luxurious mansion.

She knocked against the gate, loudly announcing her visit. The gate window opened and a page stuck out his head.

“Who’s there?”

“Please tell Richmon that Her Majesty’s Musketeer Agnes arrived.”

“At such hour?”

The page said in a suspicious voice.

Indeed, it was around midnight.

“Urgent message. I need to convey it by all means.”

Inclining his head, the page disappeared inside. After a while, he returned and removed the bolt of the gate.

Agnes gave the bridle to the page and headed towards the residence.

After a while, when she passed the living room, she finally saw Richmon sitting at the fireplace, dressed in his nightclothes.

“An urgent message, huh? It better be good to wake me up so abruptly.”

Richmon muttered, not trying to hide his lofty contempt towards Agnes.

“Her Majesty disappeared.”

Pikun! - Richmon’s eyebrows shot up.

“Kidnapped?”

“It’s under investigation.”

Richmon looked doubtful.

“Big incident indeed. However, is it similar to the other day’s kidnap case? Is Albion involved again?”

“It’s under investigation.”

“That’s not the way guardians should talk! Under investigation! Under investigation! Yet you cannot do a thing. You always bring trouble to the law academy. What units were on duty?”

“Us, musketeers.”

Richmon stared at Agnes unpleasantly.

“It just proves your incompetence as a newly established unit.”

Richmon declared in a voice loaded with sarcasm.

“To clear our name, we are doing the best we can at investigating.”

“That’s why I said! Swords and guns are children toys against magical wands! A whole unit of commoners cannot replace a single mage!”

Agnes watched Richmon quietly.

“Grant the permission of military acts… I would like to get the permission to block highways and ports.”

Richmon rejected the cane. He grabbed a pen that flew towards him through the air, wrote something on a parchment and handed it to Agnes.

“Do your best to find Her Majesty. If you are not able to find her, all members of musketeers will be hanged by the war tribunal. Think about it.”

Agnes turned to leave but halted in front of the door.

“What? Is there anything else?”

“Your Excellency…”

In a low, anger filled, stifled voice, Agnes began to squeeze out words.
　
“What?”

“There is hearsay about the incident you were involved in 20 years ago.”

Hauling the string of memory, Richmon closed his eyes. Twenty years ago… a revolt that shook up the country and he remembered the suppression.

“Aah, so?”

“Your Excellency was involved in the ‘Slaughter of Dangle Tail’.”

“Slaughter? Don’t call it so ill. Weren’t the commoners in distant provinces planning to overthrow the nation? That was a rightful duty of repression. Anyway, it’s mostly a legend.”

Agnes left.

Richmon watched the closed door for a while… Would he be given the pen and the parchment again, he might change his decision, as he felt that a vicious force had been unleashed just now.

<center>* * *</center>

Agnes, who left the residence, took the horse from the page. She took out of her saddle bag a black robe and put it over the chain hemp garment, placing the hood over her head. Then she took out two pistols and carefully reloaded them, watching that the gunpowder would not get wet from the rain. Then she checked the fire grate, percussion hammer and shut the gun barrel. It was a new, flint type gun.

Then she placed her sword in a sheath and straddled the horse, finishing up the battle preparations. But then… someone ran out through the rain. The girl could be seen coming from the Chikutonne Street, who, after noticing Agnes straddling the horse, ran up to the female knight. Because she was running through the rain she looked poorly. Her white camisole was dirty due to mud and barefooted as she had taken off her shoes since they were too uncomfortable to run with.

“Wait! Wait! Please wait!”

Wondering, Agnes turned around.

“Lend me your horse! Hurry!”

“I refuse.”

Saying that Agnes tried to turn her horse away but the girl blocked the way.

“Move aside.”

She said but the girl did not listen. She took out some parchment and pointed it in front of Agnes.

“I am Her Majesty's court lady! I have the authority to use police powers! Your horse is requisitioned in Her Majesty's name! Dismount it at once!”

“Her Majesty's court lady?”

Agnes looked doubtful. The girl looked like a woman from the bar. However, though she was all dirty from running in the rain, her noble features could still be recognized. Agnes hesitated for the moment.

Louise, finally losing her temper because Agnes didn’t dismount her horse, pulled out her wand. Mimicking Louise’s movements, Agnes pulled out her pistol at once.

Two people went still aiming wand and gun at each other.

Louise said in a trembling low voice.

“…Though I am still not well accustomed to my magic. Yet, it is still more powerful. Give up.”

Agnes replied, with her finger on pistol’s percussion hammer.

“…from such distance, a pistol will be more accurate.”

Silence settled over.

“Introduce yourself. You have a wand, thus you must be a noble.”

Agnes said.

“Court lady, directly accountable to Her Majesty, De La Valliere.”

La Valliere? That was a familiar name. In the conversations with Henrietta, she heard that name on countless occasions.

“Then, you…”

Agnes withdrew the gun. This trembling girl with her wand set up… is rumored to be Her Majesty’s best friend. This young girl with disheveled pink hair…

“You know me?”

Louise, with a blank expression on her face, put down her wand as well.

“I often heard about you. I am very honored to meet you at last. You can share a horse with me. Let me explain the circumstances for you. If you were shot, it would cause her Majesty’s to hold a grudge.”

Agnes stretched forth her hands to Louise. Agnes easily pulled up Louise with a strength that was hard to imagine for such a delicate woman to posses.

“Who are you?”

Louise straddled behind Agnes.

“Her Majesty's musketeer. Commander Agnes.”

This made Louise, who heard about the ‘Musketeers’ from the soldier before, enrage.

“What on earth were you doing?! Were you sleeping while forgetting your guard?! Her Majesty was shamelessly kidnapped!”

“Therefore I said, let me explain the situation. Anyway, Her Majesty is safe.”

“Whaat?!”

Agnes spurred on the horse and it started to run. With the rain falling hard the two people disappeared within the darkness of the night.

<center>* * *</center>

On the bed of the cheap lodging house, Henrietta was sitting with her eyes tightly shut and Saito’s arms around her, trembling. Saito couldn’t find words… so he just sat and held Henrietta’s shoulders.

When the rain finally changed into drizzle, Henrietta calmed down a little and forced a smile.

“I am sorry.”

“No…”

“I brought you to this useless place. Yet, I was helped by you again in the end.”

“Again?”

“It is so. On that night, I… I could not think straight, I was manipulated and tried to leave with Wales… You stopped me…”

“Yeah.”

“You said at that time. If you go I will cut you. I cannot permit you to lie to yourself even if you are madly in love, you said.”

“I s-said so.”

Embarrassed, Saito turned down his face.

“Still, the foolish me did not awake. I tried to kill you. However, you stopped the foolish tornado that I myself unleashed.”

Henrietta closed her eyes.

“By the way, at that time… I felt relieved.”

“Relieved?”

“That’s right. Even I noticed that it wasn’t the same Wales whom I loved. The truth was different. I... in the bottom of my heart, wanted for someone to say those words and stop the foolish me.”

Taking a deep as if painful sigh, Henrietta continued to talk. In a withdrawn voice.

“Therefore, I ask you, Familiar-san. If I were to do something foolish again… if I were instigated again… Would you stop me with your sword?”

“Why?”

“At that time, I was ready to kill, not holding back. Even though I was asked by Louise, that gentle child, I could not stop. Therefore…”

Saito said in a surprised voice.

“I can’t do it! Really… you can’t be weak. You are the queen. Everyone obeys your will. Don’t talk like this, Princess. You would not be alive after all this if you were not brave. Was that all a lie?”

Henrietta looked down.

Then…

Don, don, don!

Someone battered against the door.

“Open up! Open the door! It is royal police! We are searching for run away criminals hiding in this inn! Open up now!”

Saito and Henrietta looked at each other.

“They do not seem to be searching for me.”

“…Let them go away. Stay silent.”

Henrietta nodded in agreement…

Meanwhile, the knob began to turn. However… it was not possible to open because of the lock. Clank-clank! The knob shook violently.

"Open up now! It’s an emergency! Or I will break it!”

Bam! One could hear the sounds of sword against the door knob, trying to open it.

“Not good.”

Henrietta, with determined face, unfastened the buttons of her shirt.

“Princess?”

His surprised voice was cut short as Henrietta captured Saito’s lips with her own. The kiss was sudden and intense. Locking her arms around Saito’s neck, Henrietta pushed him down to the bed. Seemingly undisturbed, Henrietta had her eyes closed and with a deep sigh, pushed her tongue into Saito’s mouth. It could take one’s consciousness away, so intense was the kiss.

Simultaneously with Henrietta pushing Saito down to the bed, the soldier, who was trying to break the door knob, kicked the door open.

What the pair of solders saw… was a young woman, lying on top of a man, intensively kissing his lips. The woman did not pay any attention to the soldiers and kept on going crazy. Sighs of affection were escaping from the opening of the pair of lips.
　
The soldiers watched the spectacle for a while… then one murmured to the other.

“…T-they seem to be just sheltering from the rain, and enjoying it a lot.”

“Damn, lets finish up checking the others.”

Thud! The door was closed and they disappeared down the stairs. Since the doorknob was broken, the door opened up, slightly squeaking.

Henrietta separated herself from his lips… but, even though the soldiers were already outside the hotel, she still kept on watching Saito with moist eyes.

Saito was completely surprised by Henrietta’s behavior at that moment. When the time comes, she could sacrifice her own body, like tonight, just to keep the secret. She was really strong.

With flushing cheeks, Henrietta kept quietly watching Saito.

“…Princess.”

Henrietta said in a strained voice.

“I already told you to call me Ann.”

“But…”

Not waiting for him to finish, she pressed her lips against his again. This time, it was a gentle… emotional kiss. In the dingy lamplight… he could see Henrietta’s white shoulders that he held just a while ago.

With Saito strongly confused, Henrietta’s lips started to trace the shape of his face.

“Do you have… a lover?”

In a hot voice Henrietta whispered into his ear. He felt like melting from that sound. Then, Louise’s face popped up in Saito’s head. Louise was not his lover. But…

“I don’t, however…”

Henrietta started to nibble Saito’s earlobe.

“Then, treat me as your lover.”

“W-what?!”

“It’s all right, only for tonight. I am not telling you to be my lover. But, please, hug me… and kiss me.”

That moment - time stopped… this way, a few minutes passed.

Moisture filled the room thanks to the rain. The mixed smell of futon and bodies drifted in the air.

Saito watched Henrietta's eyes. Even in such dirty room… Henrietta’s beautiful face was dazzling. No, maybe it dazzled because of this dirty room.

He was almost inadvertently drowned in these charms. But… he could not go beyond Henrietta’s kiss… Louise would never forgive Saito. Not only would she never forgive him but also she would be saddened, because Louise respected Henrietta the most.

He could not do such a thing.

He could not pretend to be lovers and kiss with a person… that his important person held important. Henrietta was just lonely. There must be another way to comfort her.

Therefore, Saito lightly patted Henrietta's chestnut hair.

“I cannot become a prince.”

“I’m not asking to do such thing.”

“Remember? I am not a person from this world, I am from a different world. I can't… substitute someone.”

Henrietta closed her eyes and drew her cheek to Saito's chest.

After that… when the heat gradually vanished… Henrietta muttered, embarrassed.

“…You must think I am a shameless woman. Even though I am called a queen… I am still a woman. And at night I still miss someone’s warmth. "

For a while ……, Henrietta didn't say a word and just laid there, pressing her cheek against Saito's chest. Inside a cheap lodging house, that might be the cheapest in town, the noblest woman of the country trembled like a child in his arms. Saito smiled wryly at this somewhat absurd situation.

And… felt uneasy.

“Princess.”

“What?”

“Please explain to me slowly. What on earth are we doing here? Secrets… everyone looking hard for you. And… you are trying so hard to hide yourself. It cannot be just one of those capricious things, right?”

“…Oh well. I guess I need to tell the full story.”

Henrietta voice regained her usual dignity.

“It’s a fox hunt.”

“Fox hunt?”

“Yes, you know that clever animal, the fox? Even with dogs at it, even with beaters, it is not easy to capture one’s tail. Therefore… I set a trap.”

“Trap?”

“Yes, and the bait is me. Come tomorrow… the fox will leave its nesting hole.”

Saito looked at her.

“And who is the fox?”

“Albion’s spy.”

<center>* * *</center>

Agnes and Louise were riding the horse down the alley leading to Richmon’s mansion. Though the rain eventually turned into drizzle… it was still cold. Agnes gave Louise her own mantle to wear.

“W-what are the circumstances?”

“Rat hunt.”

“Rat hunt?”

“Yeah, they not only damage a kingdom's granary… but also try to betray the master in the middle of the hunt.”

Uncomprehending, Louise stared at her

“Explain it in full detail.”

“There is no time to explain it any further now. Nha! We arrived.”

The gate of Richmon's residence opened and a young page appeared before Agnes’s horse. It was a 12 or 13 year old boy with red cheeks. Holding a torch, he looked around restlessly before starting to lead his horse again. The page started to gallop while holding a torch. Agnes smiled thinly and began to chase after the horse, following the light of the torch.

“…What’s going on?”

“It has started.”

Agnes answered briefly.

In the night air, the page continued galloping the horse at full speed. Seems he was told beforehand by his master to hurry. The boy was surveying his surroundings while desperately clinging to the horse's back.

Agnes, keeping the distance, followed him.

The page's horse passed the upscale residential area and stoppped at a suspicious district. In the surroundings of the night one could hear the Queen's search party drinking and having fun.

Omitting going through Chikutonne street, the horse disappeared into a secluded alley.

When he disappeared at the entrance of the alley, Agnes descended the horse and looked into the alley.

Leaving the horse at the stables, Agnes turned to the hotel once she made sure that the page entered there. Jumping off the horse, Louise asked while running after her.

“What, what is happening?”

Agnes did not answer any more.

She entered hotel and elbowed her way through the mass of people at the bar in the front till she saw the page going up to the second floor. She followed.

From the staircase, Agnes confirmed the door through which the page had entered.

Two people had expected visitors for a while there.

Agnes whispered to Louise.

“Take off the mantle. Start leaning over me in a bar woman's way.”

Not understanding, Louise did as Agnes said and took off her mantle. Then she pretended to be a fizgig flirting with the knight. She saw such scenes often during the hustle at the bar and had them imprinted in her mind.

“Good.”

Agnes said to Louise without averting her glance from the second floor. Though her voice was still womanly, when keeping silent she left an impression of an honorable knight, probably because of her short hair. Louise’s cheeks started to blush inadvertently.

The page walked out of the room at once.

Then Agnes drew Louise to her. Ah, and snatched a kiss.

Though Louise tried to wriggle out in rage, Agnes suppressed her with strong power, and she could not move..

The page gave a short glance at Agnes and Louise kissing, and turned his eyes away at once.

A kiss between a knight and a bar woman. Just like in the painting that hangs on the wall of the residence, an ordinary spectacle.

Then the page went out through the exit, straddled a horse just like the time he came here, and disappeared into the town of the night.

Agnes finally let Louise free.

“W-what are you doing?!”

Blushing Louise shouted. If her partner were a man, she would have pulled out her wand and blown off this place already.

“Relax. I do not have such a hobby. This is duty.”

“Neither do I!”

Then Louise recalled the page who left.

“You won’t follow him?”

“It is does not matter anymore. That boy doesn't know anything at all. His role was only carrying the letter.”

Agnes not making a sound with her footsteps, silently approached the front of the door in the guest room that the page entered. Louise asked whispering.

“…You aren’t a mage, right? You can’t blow this door off.”

“…you still can break it with enough strength.”

“… it is surely locked. There is nothing you can do. With all that rattle he might run away.”

Louise pulled out the wand that was attached to her thigh, took a deep breath, and muttered the spell of 'Void', aiming the wand at the door. Explosion … the door exploded and was blown off into the room. In no time, Agnes pulled out a sword and jumped inside.

A merchant was there, standing near the bed with a surprised expression on his face. He was holding a wand in one hand. A mage.

The man seemed to be a considerably good magic user, as he quickly pointed his wand at Agnes, who had jumped in, and muttered a spell. A mass of air blew Agnes away. When he uttered another spell and threw Agnes into the wall… Louise entered.

Louise's explosion hit him. The explosion hit straight in front of him, the man fell on the ground holding his face

Agnes stood up and hit the wand out of the man’s hands with her sword. Louise picked up the wand that lay on the floor.

Agnes pointed at the man's throat with the tip of her sword. It was a middle aged man. Though he looked like a merchant, the light in his eyes was different. He probably was an aristocrat.

“Do not move!”

Still pointing her sword, Agnes pulled out handcuffs from her waist and locked the iron circles on the man’s wrists. Then put a gag of torn sheet in his mouth.

What is happening at such time? – visitors of the hotel started gathering and looking into the room.

“Do not make any noise! Just arresting a sneaky thief! ”

The scared hotel people withdrew their faces.

A letter that page gave to the man must be somewhere inside, Agnes thought. With a smile on her lips she rummaged through the man’s desk drawers. She found lots of letters and documents and began to slowly read them one by one.

“Who is this man?”

“Albion’s rat. He pretended to be a merchant and lurked in Tristania, gathering information for Albion.”

“Then, this fellow… is an enemy spy. Isn’t it great?! We caught him!”

“It is not finished yet.”

“Why?”

“The parent rats still remain.”

Then Agnes found one sheet of paper, she gazed at it quietly. That was the rough sketch in the building. Notes written at some places.

“So that’s how it is… you damned ones must have planned to contact in the theater, right? This letter arrived some time ago, saying to meet at the same place as usual tomorrow. As it looks from this rough sketch, the place must be a theater, huh? I am sure of it.”

The man did not answer. He became silent and quietly looked the other way.

“Answer me… Noble’s pride.” 

With a cold smile on her lips, Agnes pinned the man's foot to the floor with her sword. With the mouth gag still on, the man writhed in agony.

Agnes pulled out a pistol from her belt and pointed it at his face.

“I’ll count to two. Choose. Pride or life.”

The man’s brow started to sweat. Gachink… The sound of Agnes lifting the percussion hammer echoed in the room.

'''4'''

Dawn was breaking, morning. Central plaza, San Remi's temple of Confucius rang the bell. 11 o'clock.

A single carriage stopped in front of Royal Tanaijiiru Theater. Richmon stepped out from it. He looked up at the theatre proudly. The page who sat on the driver's box, tried to come down and follow him.

“It’s all right. Wait with the carriage.”

Richmon shook his head and entered into the theater. The ticket salesman bowed once he noticed the noble. Not buying a ticket, Richmon went forward. It was because play inspection was one of his duties as a censorship director, this place was like his personal villa.

The theater visitors were only young women, who had started to arrive six minutes ago. At first it was a popular repertoire, but because the acting of actors was horrible it was severely criticized by critics. It was likely they had lost business as a result.

Richmon sat down in his private seat and quietly waited for the curtain to rise.

<center>* * *</center>

Agnes and Louise had arrived at the front of the theater just a while ago. Louise could not understand why they had to stalk in the alley near the theater all this time. Only when a certain carriage showed up did Agnes let them leave their hideout. 　

Louise was tired and spent.  She hadn’t slept last night. Besides, Agnes did not explain a thing. She said it was a rat hunt, all right, but whenever she asked who was that rat… Agnes became silent and stopped talking.

Before Louise’s eyes, who was patiently waiting in front of a theater, dearly known figures passed.

It was Henrietta escorted by Saito, who had bags under his eyes from lack of sleep. Though Henrietta put on a robe and commoner clothes, those Louise had bought earlier, and wore her hair in a town-woman’s way... Louise was certain she was not mistaken.

Agnes spotted the two people earlier as she had sent a report with the mail owl and kept her eyes open for them coming.

“…Princess. Saito!”

What started as a small mutter turned into a loud yell as she ran up to the pair.

“Louise…”

Henrietta embraced her tiny body closely.

“I was so worried! Where had you disappeared to?”

“I borrowed gentle familiar–san…and hid myself in town. Forgive me for not telling you. I did not want to drag you into this. So, when I was informed this morning by Agnes that you were acting together, I was surprised. Yet, you are my best friend, so I guess we were destined to run into each other sooner or later.”

Then, Agnes who stood silently nearby, knelt down.

“Everything is ready, waiting for your orders.”

“Thank you. You really did well.”

And the last spectators that arrived in front of the theater…

Were Mantei Koa unit, Mage Guards.

Everyone watched surprised as their commander, who had a fantasy beast with a lion's head and snake's body on his coat of arms, approached in an angry manner.

“Hey! What’s the big idea, Agnes-dono?! I came here flying after receiving your letter, but Her Majesty is not here!”

Then Mantei Koa commander noticed Henrietta and ran up to her in panic.

“Your Majesty! We were worried! Where were you? We were searching for you all night!”

On the verge of tears, commander raised his voice.

What was with these magic guard units? Spectators started to gather, wondering. Because of such an uproar, Henrietta pulled down the hood of her robe again.

"I am sorry for causing anxiety. I will explain later. For now, Commander, just follow my orders.”

“What are they?”

“With the corps under your command, please encircle Royal Tanaijiiru Theater. Do not let even a single ant out.”

The commander, though he had a suspicious expression on his face, bowed at once.

“As you wish.”

“Then, I’ll go in.”

“I’ll follow.”

Louise shouted. However, Henrietta shook her head.

“No, you must wait here. This is something I should finish myself.”

“But-“

“It’s an order.”

Hearing such decisive words, Louise bowed with bad grace.

Henrietta, alone, disappeared within the theater. Agnes, having some other secret things to do, mounted her horse and rode off somewhere.

So… only two people, Saito and Louise, left.

Louise pulled Saito’s, who watched Henrietta leave with a blush on his cheeks, sleeve.

“Hey.”

“What?”

“What, what happened?”

“I was told this is a fox hunt.”

“I heard it was a rat hunt.”

“It’s the same, anyway.”

After that, they both stared blankly at each other.

“Somewhat, it is a duty…”

“Yeah.”

“Guess we both were just supporting role fillers.”

Saito nodded.

Louise noticed a certain smell and brought her nose close to Saito's body.

“Wh-what-”

With a dangerous expression on her face, *sniff sniff* Louise started sniffing Saito’s body smell with her nose.　

“H-hey, what the-“

“This smell… It’s the smell of the princess' perfume!”

“Eh?”

Saito was startled.

“You… you didn’t do anything strange to princess right?"

Louse stared at Saito menacingly. Saito turned pale. Surely… he could not tell her about the kiss. He could not betray Henrietta. For the honor of the princess, he must not tell this. Besides, even if he told, Louise would not believe him anyways.

“Idiot! I didn't do anything!”

“Really?”

Louise kept staring at Saito.

“It must have attached from the escort a while ago.”

Louise grabbed Saito’s ear and pulled him closer. Then she buried her nose in the scruff of his neck.

“Sniff, sniff. Sniff, sniff. Then why does it smell in such place? Why there is perfume on the scruff of your neck just from being an escort? Hmm? What kind of perfume is that?!”

“No, that… that must be from turning in bed while sleeping. Faces must have gotten close. Nothing else.”

“It’s all right. I’ll hear everything from your body!”

Louise, still holding Saito’s ear, dragged him into the side alley.

Saito’s scream echoed in the empty lane.

<center>* * *</center>

The curtains rose…the play started. 　

Because the play was for women, the spectators were only young females. Surrounded by loud cheers, on the stage, gorgeously dressed actors started to play a story of sad love.

It was the play that Louise saw before… ‘Tristania's Holiday’.

Richmon puckered up his brows. But it wasn’t because of the actors laughter or posing, not because of impudent and jarring cheers of young women. It was because an expected visitor did not show up at a promised time.

In his head, various questions turned round and round.

Was the queen’s disappearance an Albion plot that I was not informed of? If so, what is the reason? If not, then maybe a third power exists inside Tristania that he was not aware of? Either way, it was troublesome - Richmon muttered to himself.

Then… a spectator sat next to him. Was it the expected visitor? He threw a side glance. That wasn’t him. It was a young woman with a hood on her head.

Richmon whispered.

“Excuse me. This seat is already taken. Please sit in another place.”

However, the woman did not try to stand up.

This young woman… With an angry expression Richmon turned to face her.

“Haven’t you heard me, Mademoiselle?”

“Spectators should watch the play, Richmon-domo.”

Richmon’s eyes popped out once he recognized the hooded face. It was a person he was sure to have disappeared… Henrietta.

Henrietta, looking straight at the stage, asked Richmon.

“This is the play for women. Are they having fun watching it?"

Richmon settled down, regained his composure and leaned back into the seat.

“I am looking over such a trivial play only because of work. Anyways, Your Majesty, there is a rumor that you have hidden yourself…Is it for safety reasons?”

“Indeed. I am discreet with my contacts. It’s a good place to secretly meet with my mistress, right?"

Richmon laughed. Yet, Henrietta did not laugh. She squinted like a hunter.

“If one can get everything, it is useless to wait. I was standing in the ticket line. You went watching a play without buying a ticket, such an act is a violation of the law. I would like a royal palace judge to follow the law.”

“Ho! When did ticket sales became the royal family's jurisdiction?”

Henrietta sighed, breaking the string of the tension.

“Now, let's stop with this nonsense. The secret messenger of Albion, whom you came to contact today, was arrested last night. He talked about everything. Right now he is in Cherunboog prison.“

Henrietta drove Richmon into a corner.

However, as if knowing everything should be this way, Richmon didn't loose his composure. He smiled broadly in a fearless manner.

“Hoho! My relation is well hidden, you can’t beat this strategy of mine!”

“That’s right, royal palace judge.”

“I won’t dance on Your Majesty’s palms!”

“I really did not want it to turn…this way.”

Richmon never showed a malice behind his smile. He never showed a bad attitude, Henrietta remembered in a sore displeasure

“Because of my disappearance, you decided to come into contact with the secret messenger. ‘The queen was enticed by hands, other than ours.’ For you this was nothing more than just an affair. You are calm and did not panic. A careful fox, that doesn’t show his tail…”

“Well, since when did you start suspecting?”

“I was not sure. Besides you, there were many suspects. However, the person who was to inform about my disappearance that night, must have been the criminal. And that person was you.”

Henrietta continued in a sad, tired voice.

“I did not want to believe. You were such… Royal Palace Judge, who should defend the authority and the fineness of the kingdom, assisted a plot of such treason. During childhood you were always the one who cherished me… and now sold me to the enemy.”

“Your Majesty, for me you are still a girl who doesn't know a thing. Being ruled by Albion is still better than by an ignorant girl on the throne.”

“Was your love for me a lie? You looked like such a gentle person. Was it a lie too?”

“Affability for lord’s daughter does not descend to vassal.  You can’t understand that. Because you are such a child, that’s why I did it.”

Henrietta shut her eyes. Whom should I believe? Why it is so hard to be betrayed by a person whom you trusted? No… I was not betrayed. This man cheated me only for the sake of his career. I cannot understand such a thing, maybe I am, as Richmon says, still a child.

But, I cannot be a child any longer.

I should gain… eyes that see the truth.

To see the truth despite the heart.

Henrietta said in a decisive tone.

“In the name of the Queen, you are stripped off the title, Royal Palace Judge. Surrender yourself quietly.”

Richmon didn't move at all. Moreover, he pointed to the stage and declared in a tone as if Henrietta would be a little idiot.

“Do not say such inelegancy. Let the play continue. It just started. Leaving before the play is over is an impoliteness towards the actors.”

Henrietta shook her head.

“At this moment, outside, the Magic Guard has encircled the building. Now, show the nobles bravery and hand me your cane.”

“Really… such an inexperienced lass… Whom do you think you are arresting?”

“What are you saying?”

“I am only saying that you are 100 years too early to set a trap on me, that’s all.”

*Pon* Richmon clapped.

Then, actors who had been performing the play up till now…, about six men and women, pulled out their wands hidden in their trousers or jackets, and aimed them at Henrietta.

Young women started causing an uproar.

"Silence! Watch the play silently!”

The angry voice of Richmon… revealing his true nature, resounded within the theater.

“Anyone who makes a noise will be killed. This is not a play.”

Suddenly, the whole building was wrapped up in silence.

“You were really unlucky coming here, Your Majesty.”

Henrietta… muttered quietly.

“Actors… were your partners.”

“Yes. This is not a bluff. They are first class casters.”

“And terrible actors as it seems.”

Richmon clasped Henrietta's hand. Henrietta got goosebumps from his repulsive touch.

“My scenario is far reaching. Your majesty, I am going to take you as a hostage. Then, I’ll arrange a ship to Albion. Your persona will be my emigration gift to Albion. The end.”

“Indeed. This play’s scenario is yours. The stage is Tristain and the actor is Albion…”

“And you’ll be the heroine. So, take part in this comedy.”

“Unfortunately, only tragedy suits my taste. I can’t take part in such a monkey show.”

“Sadly, in this life, no one acts against my scenario.”

Henrietta shook her head. Her eyes shone with confidence.

“No, today’s play scenario belongs to me.”

“Your management is bad. Sadly, as a chairman, I can’t allow you to destroy the play.”

Henrietta, not loosing her composure… pointed her wand towards the mages, impersonating actors.

“The bad ones are the actors. They are ham actors. One cannot help but notice.”

“Don’t say such extravagant things. Sooner or later they will be celebrated actors in Albion."

“Now, leave the stage.”

Up till now, noisy and frightened women….

After Henrietta’s words, they changed their looks completely and pulled out their guns at the same time

Richmon’s subordinate mages, who were pointing wands at Henrietta, surprised by the spectacle, delayed their movements.

Doon! Sounds of tens of gun shots melted into one big sound.

Because inside of the theater the sound was multiplied, it felt like a thunder roar.

When the dark thick smoke cleared up… Albion mages who were impersonating actors were riddled with bullets, all of them were killed on the stage before casting a single spell.

All theater spectators… were members of the musketeers. Naturally, even suspicious Richmon could not see this through.

All the musketeers were young commoners…moreover – women.

Henrietta informed her neighbor spectator in an icy tone,

“Please stand up, Richmon. The play is over.”

<center>* * *</center>

Richmon stood up with much effort.

He laughed loudly and pulled out the dagger at the same time.

Continuing to laugh loudly like a madman, not afraid of the swords pointed at him, Richmon went up to the stage slowly. The musketeers surrounded him. They were prepared to skewer him if he were to make even one suspicious movement.

“Know when to give up! Richmon!”

“I am glad with the success! Cannot become a splendid scenario written by Her Majesty! So much for my play scenario…”

Richmon watched the surrounding musketeers in a hoity-toity way.

“Your Majesty… The last advice from someone who served Your Majesty since the day of your birth.”

“Speak.”

“Though it started a long time ago, Your Majesty…”

When Richmon stood up in the corner of the stage… and *Don* hit the floor with his foot. Then, just like pitfall, the floor opened.

“It ends up short here.”

Richmon fell straight through it. Though the musketeers ran up hastily …the floor shut and did not open though they pushed or pulled. Apparently, it was controlled by magic.

“Your Majesty…”

All members watched Henrietta anxiously. Mortified, after biting her fingernails, Henrietta looked up and bellowed,

“Search for him at the front gates! Move it!”

<center>* * *</center>

The hole led to an underground passageway. Richmon made this loophole for a rainy day.

To stop from falling Richmon used ‘Levitation’ and, putting a light spell on his wand, began to walk through the underground passageway while illuminating the ground under his feet. The passage ran to Richmon's residence. He needed to return there. He was going to escape to Albion after collecting his money.

“However… the one that led to this was the princess…”

On the day of his escape, he was going to apply to the Cromwell for one troop regiment. Then he’ll return to Tristain again, catch Henrietta, and after repaying for today’s humiliation many times over, he’ll rape and kill her.

While walking and imagining such things… he saw a shadow in the light.

A moment passed.

The face that surfaced from the darkness was… the face of Agness, the musketeer.

“Oh my, it’s Richmon-dono. Taking another way home?”

Agnes said with a smile. Her voice echoed in the narrow, gloomy and damp passage.

“You…”

Smiling in relief, Richmon answered. Indeed, they might have found out about this secret passage and might have seen his theater plans… but this was not a mage, just a fencer who ambushed him, this should not be hard. He, like most mages, looked down on fencers.

[[Image:ZnT05-249.jpg|thumb]]

“Move out of the way. There is no time to play with you. It’s too bothersome to kill you in a place like this.”

After Richmon’s words, Agnes pulled out her pistol.

“Checkmate. I have already uttered an incantation. I’ll only have to release it on you. Bullets can’t get past my twenty layer mail. Your obligation to Henrietta doesn’t include giving your life. Because you are a commoner.”

Richmon continued talking in a bored tone.

“An insect's pay is not worth going against a noble’s spell. Leave.”

Agnes squeezed out the words.

“I will kill you not for the loyalty to Her Majesty, but for my personal revenge.”

“Personal revenge?”

“Dangle Tail (angle province).”

Richmon smiled. Come to think of it, the other day, before leaving my residence…this fellow asked me about it. That was why, Richmon, finally understanding the reason, laughed.

“I see! So you are that village’s survivor!”

“You were responsible for that crime… my hometown was destroyed without even knowing why.”

Agnes declared, biting her lips. A stream of blood ran down her lips.

“Romalia’s heresy, ‘Protestant Hunt’. You blamed ‘Protestantism’ to be a rebellion and crushed my town. How much did you earn from Romalia’s religion agency in return, Richmon?”

The edges of Richmon’s lips turned up.

“Amount of money you ask? You want to know? I’d like to tell, but I cannot remember the sum of the bribe.”

“Is money all you believe in? Miserable man.”

“The way you trust in god, I trust in my money, is there any difference? The way you regret about relatives that passed away, I yearn for money, is there any difference? Tell me. I would like to know.”

“I’ll kill you. Spend your savings in hell.”

“Though it is wasteful to use a noble’s spell on the likes like you… this is the fate.”

Richmon muttered releasing the spell.

A huge ball of fire appeared on the tip of the wand and flew towards Agnes.

He expected for Agnes to shoot the pistol that she was gripping in her hand… yet, she threw it away.

“What?”

She covered herself with the mantle and received the fireball. Though the mantle blazed up in a moment… the water bag beneath it evaporated absorbing the impact of the fireball. However, it did not disappear completely. It knocked against Agnes body, incandescing her chain hemp garment

“Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

However, Agnes endured it not falling down. Fearsome willpower. Enduring the pain of having all her body burned, pulling out her sword, she rushed towards Richmon.

Richmon, in haste, shot another spell trying to counterattack. The blade of wind attacked Agnes. Though it tore through the chain hemp garment and sheet metal armor, it prevented her from suffering a mortal wound. While receiving innumerable cuts on her body, Agnes still rushed on.

The moment when Richmon tried to recite another spell, Agnes crashed into his chest.

“Uoo…”

Not the spell escaped Richmon’s mouth…but his red blood. Agnes pushed her handle plunging the sword deeper into Richmon’s chest.

“M…mage to a commoner…a noble like me…to a fencer like you…”

“…tell me, are a sword and gun still toys for you?”

While having her whole body burnt and cut, Agnes twisted the sword slowly scooping Richmon's chest out.

“They are not toys. They are weapons. Unlike you nobles, we have at least polished fangs. Die from those fangs, Richmon.”

*Gop* Richmon vomited especially large amount of blood.

And slowly crumbled down.

Silence returned to the vicinity.

Agnes picked up the lantern that she dropped earlier, and, supporting her shoulder with the wall, staggeringly started to walk. The cuts on top of burns hurt so much that Agnes could fall down at any moment.

Still, Agnes walked.

“…Cannot die here. Still, still…I need to kill.”

Slowly, step by step, using her sword as a cane, and still bleeding, Agnes headed towards the exit.

The nearest exit of the secret passage going under Tristania’s soil was…the drainage trench on the Chikutonne street. As Agnes crept out of there, pulling her body through , townspeople started to scream. Looking up at the dazzling sun… feeling lucky to be alive, Agnes fainted.

<center>* * *</center>

Three days later…

In the kitchen, Saito was washing plates as usual. *Don* Louise bumped against his back. Almost dropping the plate, Saito complained.

“Be more careful! Don’t make me break the plates!”

Grrr, Louise glared at him. Feeling relieved, Saito turned his head. Since that day… Louise hadn’t talked to him.

Louise criticized him, as eventually Saito told her everything that happened while hiding with Henrietta in that cheap lodging house. Except one thing…the kiss.

She was only pouting now, but she would get really serious if she were to find out about the kiss. Anyhow, Louise’s desire to monopolize was very strong. She raged whenever her familiar Saito got distracted by other girls, the kiss with her highly valued Henrietta would be even worse.

She would kill him if she knew.

Therefore, no matter what, Saito has to make sure she doesn’t find out.

“…D-don’t be so angry.”

“I am not angry.”

“So why are you not talking? The princess and I embraced each other because we had no choice. We didn’t want to be found out…”

“…You didn’t do anything else?”

“O-of course not!”

Saito started to whistle while washing the plates.

Though from the side it looked like a quarrel between lovers… they both thought otherwise. Saito viewed Louise’s jealousy as a desire to monopolize her familiar. And Louise being Louise did not admit her feelings to herself. So altogether, both their relationship were still going in parallel lines. Would it stay so all the time? Yet for now, they were parallel lines.

Then, in the place where two people’s relationships were complicated as usual, the door opened and two visitors showed up. They were wearing hoods.

“Hello. Can I help you?”

When Louise went to take an order, one of the guests quietly lifted the hood and showed their face to Louise.

“Agnes!”

Agnes whispered to Louise.

“Please prepare the room on the second floor.”

“If it’s you, then…the other…”

“…is me.”

Henrietta’s voice.

Louise nodded and prepared the guest room on the second floor.

<center>* * *</center>

“Now then…Louise. First of all, let me express my gratitude to you...”

Henrietta said looking at everyone who sat around the table.

Louise, Saito, Agnes…

Though Agnes was badly injured, with Henrietta’s, who was a water user, ‘Recovery’ spell help, she was almost completely healed. However, she still couldn’t wear armor. Therefore today she was wearing a padded undershirt and plain trousers with boots.

“The information that you collected is really useful.”

“I-is it really useful for you?”

It wasn’t only political topics that the town’s gossips were about. It was also citizen’s opinions and criticisms. Even though she couldn’t think all of them through, they were useful for Henrietta…

“This way I can see without pretending myself how I really look to others. I want to hear the true words. Even if they are painful for the ear…”

Anyway, there are a lot of criticisms regarding Henrietta. Though Louise did not agree, she reported everything as it was. That’s why she was glad.

“I am still a greenhorn, thus I should accept the criticism, because it is necessary for future improvement.”

Louise bowed.

“I also need to apologize. I am sorry for borrowing your familiar-san without permission and not explaining the circumstances.”

“Indeed. It was cruel to ignore me.”

Louise said dully.

“I did not want you to get too much involved. I needed to do a dirty job of setting traps… for the betrayer…”

“The Royal Palace Judge was the betrayer…”

Though Henrietta tried keep it a secret…such secrets always seemed to leak somewhere. Richmon being an Albion’s spy was already a popular rumor in town.

Louise reared her head.

“However, I am not a child anymore. I can keep princess–sama’s secrets. From now on, all ways tell me.”

Henrietta nodded.

"I see. Let's do it that way. Anyway, the only the people whom I am able to trust from the bottom of the heart… are the ones in this room.”

“Familiar too?”

Louise wondered. Henrietta and Saito's eyes met for a moment. After that, a light blush appeared on both their cheeks, and they mutually looked down.

“Y-yes… Naturally. Ah! That’s right! We still have not had a formal introduction!”

Henrietta, trying to change the topic, held out her hand towards Agnes.

“This is my trustful Musketeer Commander, Agnes Chevalier De Milan. Though she is a woman, she uses a sword and gun as skillfully as a man. She also punished splendidly the betrayer who was trying to run away. Without fear she stood against a mage with just a sword… A hero.”

“I am not a hero.”

Agnes brushed off the statement and returned to her cheerful expression again. Then she said in a smooth voice.

“Her Majesty, we don’t need the introduction. With Miss La Valliere, we already had a relationship overnight.”

Louise blushed, remembering the kiss.

“I-it wasn’t like that!”

“That was an unforgettable night, right, Miss La Valliere?”

Agnes said laughingly. Which made Louise blush even more.

“Unforgettable night?” Henrietta asked.

“Nothing, to trick the enemy's eyes we pretended to be lovers. We kissed! That was so funny! Ahahahaha!”

Agnes laughed happily.

Louise blushed more and more. She expected Saito to start making fun from her that she was kissed by a woman. However, he did not laugh.

Somehow awkwardly, he averted his eyes.

Louise glanced up at Henrietta. She as well was twining her fingers hesitatingly.

Besides, a little while ago when the eyes of these two met, they turned their faces down. A strange doubt… crept inside Louise.

“W-well then, since there are a few more things to do, we should get ready to leave, Agnes.”

Henrietta stood up.

“Eh? I thought we were going to have toasts all night long?"

“I’m worried about your wounds… Well then, Louise, I ask you to continue.”

Henrietta hurriedly left the room. Agnes, who seemed to be completely lost, followed.

Saito also stood up and tried to go out.

“There is no need to rush.”

Louise detained him. Feeling a dreadful premonition, Saito’s face turned pale.

“No, well, dish-washing…”

Saito said looking straight ahead. His voice trembled.

Louise smiled, however.

“Mm, sit. It is alright. Stay here until morning.”

She pointed to the bed. Slowly, Saito sat down. What happened, did she find out? Princess’s kiss… No, surely not… She would not be so calm, right?

T-that’s right. If she were aware, Louise would not take such an attitude. She would be countless times trampling on Saito’s face and saying,

‘You kissed the princess didn’t you?’

Yet she was smiling. Maybe she really, without any ulterior motive, wanted to show appreciation to Saito’s misery.

“W-what is it? You are strangely gentle.”

“No, thank you for your hard work lately. I just want to express my gratitude. Really.”

Louise gave Saito a cup and poured in some wine.

“T-thank you.”

“Look, I…was just upset that the princess did not need me. These two, no, three days I was in a bad mood…over this and that. But now I am back in high spirits! It’s alright again!”

Seeing that, Saito felt relieved.

Aaah, he just worried too much... I'm so glad…She really seems to have recovered her good humor.

“Was it hard to guard the princess?”

Louise grasped Saito's hand.

“T-to some extent.”

Why is Louise so gentle? Aah, who cares, I haven’t felt so good in ages.

“As one would expect from my familiar! I am so proud!”

Saito started to boast.

“T-that was… a piece of cake. But we did it together…"

"Still, it was wonderful. The way that no one was able to find you, you must have really tricked the chasers, right?"

“T-that’s right.”

“Drink, drink. I’ll be doing the duty of a caring master today. I’ll be the waitress.”

Saying so she refilled the cup with wine. Being flattered by Louise in such a way, Saito’s confidence gradually grew.

“Saito is so wonderful! When he was suddenly walked in, he quick wittedly pretended to be the lovers and deceived them, right? You should have become an actor! You could have been Royal Tanaijiiru Theater’s main performer!”

“That’s right! Easy victory!”

Louise continued in the same way.

"Saito’s wonderful! Did he kiss the princess?”

“That’s right!”

At that moment, the air froze.

Saito noticed that he was splendidly tricked. If you want to draw something out from the partner, first of all, you need to make him feel relaxed. The technique that Louise picked up in the bar! She used it!

Louise was using it every day, so her skills grew.

“L-Louise, this… Y-you…that…”

The tension in the room rose.

Then Louise stood up and locked the door.

Turning back, Louise said in a bright, even voice.

“Hey, dog.”

Dog.

In one breath the giddiness from the wine was gone.

Saito began to tremble.

Why is that dark aura emanating from Louise’s shoulders?

What is this dark aura?

“Dog, what’s wrong? Answer me!”

“W-woof!”

Tonight, ‘Dog’ surely sounded different. It was different. The presentiment of doom pierced through Saito's numb body. The taste of bitter despair filled his mouth.

“Excuse me. With magic or foot, which?"

“E-either seem painfuuuuul.”

“Sorry, it has to be painful. Now, make your decision, hurry.”

''And so… it was going to be a long night.

Really long. And a long daybreak.

Assuming, that I can survive tonight…''

''And I should beware of all girls serving alcohol from now on'', Saito thought.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume4 Chapter2 - MTL

2008-04-16T08:07:11Z

86.88.203.49:

Wardes woke up. He tries to get up and frowns. Wondering he looked at the bandage that was rolled up around his body. Where am I? I am sure… I was hit by the magic from the flying machine that Gandalfr piloted and lost consciousness.

He looked around. Wooden floor and walls, plain room. Bed and one desk. There is a pendant on the desk, that I was carrying on the neck. Seeing a pitcher he reached out for it... but he could not reach it as his body still ached. At that moment, the door opened up and he saw a familiar face.

“Oh, you regained consciousness.”

“Dirt Crumb? You”

Fouquet placed the plate of soup on the desk. Wardes tried to get up again and frowned.

“Tst..”

“You still cannot move. Your body has been pierced by bullets in many places. It took all water element mages to keep casting ‘Recovery’ spell for three days and three nights.”

“Bullet?”

Wardes made a suspicious face.

“Was I shot by a 'Gun'? Is this the power of a ‘Gun’?”

Gun is a weapon that commoners use. The pressure of the gunpowder, ignited by the spark of the flint, pushes a round bullet out of the weapon. Though power in the short distance is superior to the bow, the need to load the bullet and gunpowder separately, makes it hard to fire quickly. The hit accuracy is not better than bow’s either. Bow’s great advantage is that you don’t need any additional practice to use it. It isn’t a great weapon for mage

“Really? You didn’t even know the weapon that defeated you? What a careless man”

Saying so, Fouquet scooped soup with the spoon and carried it to Wardes's mouth.

Wardes thought. It must be that strange flying machine that Gandalfr used…

Not only it could fly very quickly, but it also was equipped with such 'Gun' that could fire in rapid succession.

And then, in an instant, the consciousness was broken by the whirlpool of light…

Whole fleet of Albion has been burned in a moment by that light…

What was the might I saw.

Still, something must have happened in Halkeginia.

I could take advantage of the change, as this event might be connected in some way with that…

My desire to get Louise’s abilities.

And, Sacred emperor Cromwell manipulation of strange magic…

Even if going to ‘secret ground’, following Cromwell, some clues might left be unknown, as his plan might not work out, remembering that just one person managed to put whole battleship flotilla aflame.

“Hey, soup will cool down”

Fouquet in an exasperated tone said to Wardes, who was lost in his own thought’s.

“Where is this place?”

Wardes said not looking at the soup.

“Albion. The temple near Rondei Niumu. That place from ancient times. It was possible to return safely. And you have to thank me the most for that.”

“Albion? And what about the military invasion?

“Aah, I guess you don’t know that, as you were unconscious, it failed big time. After fleet annihilation Albion’s army was routed. Indeed ‘A certain victory without a doubt’. Is this how you defeat inferior in numbers Tristain and recapture the ‘Sacred Ground’?

“Why haven’t you joined the invasion troops too. Tell me about it.”

Fouquet was amazed.

“Don’t talk so rudely with me! Because Albion army was ignorant about the foreign country geography, I was sent with the scout unit! Seems like you are not interested in it, to be so forgetful!”

“Is that so? Aah, that’s right. Sorry.”

Then Wardes muttered “Give soup. Hungry” urging Fouquet.

Though Fouquet made an ugly and unpleasant face, still, the soup was carried to Wardes's mouth.

“Is hungry all you can say, when I hurriedly nursed you after seeing you fall. I emergently treated you with my ‘Water’ spell. After that, using my illegal connections as a thief, I somehow got the ship leaving to Albion, and escaped safely. Really, such ungratefulness shouldn’t have been saved!”

Wardes pointed at the table.

“Please take the pendant from there.”

The pendant was a silver locket. Wardes took it from Fouquet and put it on his neck.

“Is it your most important treasure?”

“Well, it calms me up.”

“She is a very beautiful person.”

When Fouquet watched Wardes with a smile on her face, Wardes cheeks became tingled with red.

“You saw?”

“Accidentally so. While unconscious, you were gripping it tightly in your hand. Don’t worry.”

“As expected from a thief.”

“Hey, that, is who? Lover?”

Fouquet asked Wardes while bending herself forward. Wardes said in an unpleasant voice.

“Mother”

“Mother? You have been living with her?”

“Not any longer. Either way, it is not your business.”

“Pardon me, you-san this you-san that, what san!”

(T.N. - when Wardes talks to Fouquet he does so in a special manner calling her “you” in a formal and rather cold way.)

At that moment, the room door opened with a clank. It was Cromwell, accompanied by Sheffield.

Seeing Wardes, he smiled thinly. The smile that never change. Like a doll, Wardes thought.

Such defeat. All ambitions concerning Albion were crushed. Yet, Cromwell doesn’t seem to be shaken. Either he is a truly strong man or a carefree optimist, it is hard to tell.

“Looks like you regained consciousness, Viscount.”

“I am sorry, Your Excellency. I failed you not once but twice.”

“But it seems that it wasn’t because of your failure.”

Sheffield who had kept on standing by the side nodded. Then read the parchment scroll, that seemed to be the report, and muttered.

“A sphere of light appeared in the sky and blew off our fleet.”

“In a word, enemy had an unknown magician with them. This was a miscalculation. It is no one’s fault. If anything… it was a our leadership fault that enemy’s war potential was not scouted. One soldier, most of all you, should not be blamed for that. Just heal your wounds, Viscount.”

Cromwell offered his hand to Wardes. Wardes kissed it.

“I thank for your Excellency’s kindness”

Wardes remembered Louise’s long, pinkish blond hair. Louise was in that flying machine. Such magic never…

Wardes saw through Louise’s talent. Therefore, he wanted to have it in his own hands.

…The element that Founder Brimir used, the lost ‘Void’.

He shook his head. Cromwell said that ‘Void’ is an element controlling life. But can it create such light that would defeat whole fleet?

Even if it is really powerful magic… It is hard to imagine Louise having control over it.

“ Was the ‘void’ the source of that light? But the ‘Void’ that your Excellency talked about and that light seems to be completely different.”

“No one can assume say that they have a full knowledge about what ‘Void’ is. ‘Void’ is a great mystery.”

Sheffield stepped in.

“It is wrapped up on the other side of an ancient, dark history.”

“History. Many interesting things the history hides. I accidentally read a book. According to biography’s chapter one of Founder’s shield was called Saint Aegis. It has a very little information regarding ‘Void’.”
　
Cromwell spoke as if reciting a poem.

“Founder created sun, to shine upon the ground”

“Indeed. There was no light within that small sun.”

“Mystery upon the mystery, I feel ill. Awaking is also bad. It is so, Viscount.

“As You say.”

“It is said that Tristain’s army was lead by Henrietta. What for an inexperienced princess-sama fought. That princess made a use of ‘Founder’s Prayer Book’, maube she sniffed out the sleeping secret of Royal family.”

What is the sleeping secret of the royal family?”

“Royal family of Albion, Royal family of Tristain, and, royal family of Gallia…were one branch in the beginning. And Founder's secret was split to each. Isn’t so, Miss Sheffield?”

Cromwell urged the woman at his side.

“It is as Your Excellency says. The treasure that was given to Albion’s royal family was 'Ruby of the wind'… However, where the ruby of the wind disappeared is yet to be found. Since the investigation has not ended so far.”

Wardes watched the woman with dubious feeling. Because her face was hid by the deep lobe, it is not possible to see her expression. Though one could think she was Cromwell's secretary… why she didn’t give an impression to be just a secretary. I do not feel strong magic. However, because she was promoted here by Cromwell, she might have some a special ability.

“Now, Henreitta, a worshipped ‘Holy Woman’, enthroned to a queen.”

Cromwell muttered. Sheffield answered.

“The ruler of the kingdom. The queen with the country will also get Royal family’s secret.”

Cromwell smiled.

“Wales-san”

Wales, who was revived by Cromwell, entered the room from the corridor.

“You called, Your Excellency?”

“I want to offer congratulations for your lover’s… Holy woman’s coronation. I want her to come to my Rondei Niumu castle. However, the journey seems to be very tedious so keep her company to dispel the boredom.”

Wales muttered “Certainly” in monotone voice.

“Then, Wardes-san. Take care of yourself. I will leave it up to you to invite the ‘Holy Woman’ to the dinner party and ensure her safe arrival.”

Wardes bowed.

Cromwell and others left from the room. Fouquet muttered absent-mindedly.

“Disgusting man. Baiting one lover with dead lover is not a way an noble should act.”

Fouquet added, though she herself hated nobles.

“That man is not a noble. Haven’t you heard? He was a mere bishop at first.”

Then Wardes snuffled loudly.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just cannot stay calm. If only the wound would not be healing… I could do my work instead of playing corpse…”

After that, Wardes, regrettably buried the face in his hands.

“Damn! I… Am I incapable? Didn’t ‘Sacred Ground’ slipped away again…”

Fouquet laughed with a smile, and placed her hand on Wardes's shoulder.

“You are a weak man… Yet, I knew that from the beginning”

And then, Fouquet brought her face close to Wardes’s and placed her lips on his.

Slowly pulling her lips back, Fouquet muttered.

“Rest for now. I do not know what you are hiding… Yet once in a while you need to rest as well.”

**

In the Tristain’s royal palace, Henrietta was waiting for the guest. Even though she is a queen, she never sits in the throne. She mostly did king’s work.

After the coronation was finished and she became a queen, the number of things to do in domestic and foreign area increased greatly. Some were demanding loans, some were asking it in a good nature, and Henrietta from morning till night, was always meeting someone. Moreover, because of the war, there are more guests than usual.

Because of always straining to show her dignity, she became very tired. Even though Mazarini assisted, she had to strain with the answers herself. It was too late for Henreitta to revert back to being princess.

However… for a new guest, she neither showed particularly made expressions nor attitude.

The refrained voice called outside the room, informing Henrietta about the guest's arrival.

Right after that the door opened.

Louise stood there, reverentially bowing her head. Next to her Saito’s figure could be seen. Even now, a restraining device used to tame wild creatures was attached to his miserable body.

“Louise, aah, Louise!”

Henrietta ran up and embraced Louise closely. Looking up, Louise muttered.

“Princess-sama… No, I have to call thee Your Majesty now.”

“I don’t like it when you say it so formality. Louise Francoise. Aren’t you my beloved friend?”

“Then, I will call thee princess –sama, as usual.”

“Please do it for me. Aah Louise, I didn’t want to be a queen. It is twice as boring. It is three times more straining. And ten times more worrisome.”

Henreitta muttered, looking bored.

After that, Louise became silent waiting for Henreitta’s words. This morning the messenger from Henrietta came to Academy of Magic. Two people, missing the lessons, boarded the carriage that Henrietta prepared and came here

I guess I was called for a specific reason. I think, it is about ‘Void”? However, she seems hesitating to ask about that.

Henrietta just looked into her eyes, not talking. Reluctantly Louise said “I ought to give my congratulations on the victory”. Louise tried to find a harmless topic to talk about with Henrietta.

“This victory was all thanks to you, Louise.”

Louise watched Henrietta’s face with a startled expression.

“You can’t hide such great secret from me, Louise.”

“I did what…”

Louise still tried to pretend not to know.

Henrietta smiled and handed a report, written on parchment, to Louise. After reading it, Louise sighted.

“You scouted even that?”

“To some extend it is war results, so it is better not to hide anything.”

After that Henrietta faced Saito who was left out up till now. Saito, who on the way here heard from Louise that Henrietta became a queen, felt nervous.

“For controlling the foreign country flight machine that destroyed enemy’s dragon knight corps, I express my greatest gratitude.”

“No… it’s not like that”

“You are the hero of this country. So now I am giving you a noble’s title…

“That’s so wrong! Turning dog into a noble!”

“Dog?”

“N-no… it doesn’t matter” Louise murmured with a blush.

“Thus, I grant you a peer’s title”

When Henrietta said this, Saito muttered ‘Haa’. Then he remembered Kirche;s words a while ago. That in Tristain, if you are not a mage from the birth then you cannot become a noble.

But despite his thoughts about the peerage, he didn’t open his mouth. Either way, when returning to Japan, all tittles will lose their meaning.

“Great… a really great war outcome. Louise Francoise. The way war ended is thanks to you and your familiar, not talking about Tristain, there is no match for this in the whole Halkeginia’s history. By all means, Louise, you should be given a territory with a size of a small country and a title of duchess for this. And, respectively, your familiar awarded with peers title.”

„I d-don‘t need anything... this deed was my familiar‘s...“

Louise muttered hesitatingly.

„Weren‘t you the cause of that light, Louise ? The light that was called a miracle of the castle, yet I do not believe in miracles. The light came from the flying machine that you were flying in. Aren‘t you the cause of it?“

Henrietta watched Louise, it was impossible to hide anything this way.

And what about Saito? Even though he constantly pulled Louise’s shirt sleeve, trying to cut in with “By the way…”, she slowly began talking about Founder’s prayer book. She could not consult with anyone else, it was too insecure.

Slowly… Louise talked to Henrietta.

She took Henrietta’s ‘Water Ruby’ and placed it on the pages of Founder’s Prayer Book and an ancient script appeared. Reading it out back then… created a spell of the light.

“Founder's prayer book was written using element of 'Void'. Princess -sama, is it true?”

Henrietta stared over Louise’s shoulder.

“You knew, Louise? Founder Brimir gave rings to three children from three royal families to keep as a treasure. Tristain got, now yours, ‘Water Ruby’ and Founder’s Prayer Book.”

“Err…”

“It has been handed down like this among the royal families. Royal families were the ones that inherited Founder’s power

“I am not from a royal family.”

“What are you saying, Louise. The ancestor of La Valliere duke family, was king’s illegitimate child. And you are the duke’s child.

Louise was startled.

“You too have Tristain’s royal family blood. And this is good enough.”

After that, Henrietta took Saito’s hand. Seeing the runes she nodded.

[[Image:ZnT04-068.jpg|thumb]]

"This is the sign, the sign of 'Gandalfr'? Sign of Familiar that Founder Brimir used for protection while casting spells."

Saito nodded. Sir Osmond also said the same thing.

“Then… I am really a supporter of 'Void'?”

“I think it really is so”

Louise sighed.

“That’s why you understand that I cannot reward you that way, right Louise?”

Saito, who couldn’t follow it, asked why.

“Why?”

Henrietta answered with a clouded face.

If I were to give the reward, Louise's secret services would be exposed in the daylight. That would be dangerous. Louise's power is too big. Even one country could not manage such power. If enemy would learn about Louise's secret…they would become frantic about it and would do anything to get it. I alone should be enemy’s target.”

After that, Henrietta sighed.

“Enemy’s are not the only ones to be interested in void. Even inside the palace… those who will know about that power, will always try to use it for their own purposes.”

Louise nodded with a scared look.

“Therefore, Louise, you should not talk to anyone about that power. Your secret is safe with me.”

Then Louise thought for a while…

And in a slowly determined way she opened her mouth.

“Don’t worry princess –sama I want to dedicate my 'Void' to thee.”

“No… it is all right. You must forget that power as soon as possible. And never use it again.”

“God… princess-sama I want to help thee with the powers I was granted with!”

However, Henrietta shook her head.

“Mother said – great power drives people mad. Who could be sure that I, after gaining the power of ‘Void’, would not turn out the same way?”

Louise lifted proudly her face. It was a face of a person who decided her mission. However, such face was somewhat dangerous.

“I was always wanted to dedicate my power and body for the princess-sama and the mother country. I was taught so, I believed so, and I grew up with that. However, my magic always failed. As you know, I was nicknamed 'Zero'. Behind of sneer and contempt, I was always shaken with regret.”

Louise clearly asserted.

“However, god gave such power to me. I myself believe in using this power. Still, if you say that Your Majesty will not need it, then it is necessary to return Your Majesty the wand.”

Henrietta was touched by Louise’s speech.

“Louise, understand. You are still… my best friend. From the times when you helped me on Ragdorian’s lake. You took the blame for me…”

“Princess–sama”

Louise and Henrietta tightly embraced each other. Saito, who as always was left out, swung his head absentmindedly. Louise is too eager to promise without thinking…he thought, though he didn’t say that.

Though it is nice to help Henrietta… but what about the travel to the east to find a way to return me home…

By helping Henrietta, seems like they will not go there.

“After this, I will help Louise too.”

“Naturally, Princess-sama”

“Then I give 'Founder's prayer book' to you. However, Louise promise me. Don’t tell anyone that you are a ‘Void’ user. And do not use it recklessly too.”

“Certainly.”

“After this, you will become my court lady and will obey only me.”

Then Henrietta takes out the quill pen and smooth parchment. After that, she put out the quill pen and signed the document.

“Take this. This is my formal permission. With this, whether in the royal palace, or inside or outside the country, you will have an supreme authority over everything, even over the police. If there is no freedom, one cannot work well.”

Louise reverently received the permission with an expression of gratitude. Henrietta's authorization. This meant that Louise was granted with the right to act in queen’s name.

“If I will face a problem that only you can solve, I will, surely, consult you. Officially, please act as a student of Academy of Magic like you did up to date. Since it is you, you will, without a doubt, do well.”

After that, Henrietta turned towards Saito. Having an idea, she fumbled within the pocket of the dress. When she took out golden coins, Saito gasped audibly.

“I ask you to look after Louise…my important friend, kind Familiar-san.”

“T-that’s… I cannot take it.”

Saito looked amazed at the golden and silver coins in the hand.

“By all means, please accept it. Giving you this as a sign of “Chevalier” is the least what this powerless queen can do. You showed your loyalty to me and to the mother country. This should not be unrewarded.”

Henrietta said with sincere eyes.

When seeing such eyes… it becomes impossible to refuse. After accepting this, he cannot refuse helping Louise, as it seems… Because Saito is not from this world, he isn’t Henrietta’s vassal either, but even if he doesn’t have to feel responsible, Saito felt a strong sense of obligation this way.

Aah, it might be the fate, he thought.

No, it was his personality rather than fate. When such beautiful woman like Henrietta, said please, I could not find a heart to refuse. What a light-hearted fellow I am. Haa…

He wasn’t so welcomed in Japan of his time.

Anyway, I should search for the way to return home, Saito thought, putting golden coins into his pocket.

**

Saito and Louise went out of the royal palace in line.　

“Really… you are too eager to give promises…”

“What do you mean”

Louise stared up at Saito.

“Because you said that you will help princess -sama, but then it will be impossible to go east.”

Saito said in a disappointed voice.

“Don’t leave without permission. Everyone remains here, so stop asking.”

Louise averted her face and started walking leaving Saito behind. Saito ran after her panicking.

“How can you say that? Release me from this!”

Saito pointed at the restraining device used to tame wild creatures that was attached to his body.

“Do not argue!”

“If familiar is acting on its own, it is master’s duty to put a chain on him.”

Louise answered nonchalantly.

Saito, trying to get attention, suddenly gripped Louise’s shoulder.

They were in Bourdonne's Street already, right in front of royal palace. The Main Street. And what about passers-by? They all were staring.

“Hey! People are looking! Let go!”

Saito said in a lowered voice.

“You…are you thinking I should not return.”

Louise went ‘Huu!’ at these words and changed her expression.

“So that’s it, isn’t it? You are worried about me leaving, right? It would be hard to help princess-sama otherwise.”

It is different, Louise wanted to say but shut her mouth. That’s not the reason why I do not want for Saito to return to his former world. However, by saying this, she would reveal her hazy feelings for Saito. Louise's pride cannot permit such thing.

In that sort of division, Louise nodded reluctantly.

“T-that’s right! No one would worry for a familiar like you otherwise!”

“Lovely. So that’s how it is”

Saito muttered, and began walking again.

What he really thought. She didn’t have to say ‘because I love you’. But she could have said ‘I would be lonely’ or at least ‘I want you to be near’, if she would have said that he would not have minded helping her and would have searched for the way to return later.

When Henrietta asked for his help a while ago, though he thought it was bothersome, he also was glad for a moment. No one really needed him in Japan. The earth keeps on spinning, even with the Saito gone. However, is different about this world. Siesta and Henrietta… there were some people that needed him.

Yet he wanted to feel needed by Louise more. However, judging from her words earlier, all that she cared about were only his ‘Gandalfr’ powers.”

Saito pouted. He was sulky.

Determined, he started to push his way through crowd. The town is still crowded from the victory celebration. A drunken groups were yelling out toasts while hanging out their cups filled with wine!

Louise, still in shock from Saito’s words ‘Lovely’, was petrified for a while. With face down, she bit her lower lip. When she looked up after a while, Saito was already gone in the crowd and could not be seen. Louise ran out panicking.

“Moove!”

Louise bumped hard into a man. A man, who looked like a mercenary, collapsed. In his hand he had a bottle of sake, that he was gulping down vigorously. He seemed to be completely drunk.

Though Louise tried to pass that man sidewards, he grasped her hand.

“Wait, Miss. You ought to apologize for bumping into a person in the middle of the street.”

Then a man, who seemed to be a mercenary, noticed Louise’s mantle and muttered “A noble huh”.

However, a man who was clasping Louise's arm doesn't move.

“Today it is the festival celebrating the victory at Tarbes. Putting aside the rank. Today nobles. Mercenaries and salesmen are equal. Hey. Miss Noble, how about sharing one drink with me as an apology for bumping.”

Saying so, man thrust out his jar of wine.

“Let me go! You brute!“

Louise shouted. Man's face became brutally distorted at once.

“What did you call me. Hey! Who do you think attacked Albion army in Tarbes! ‘Holy Woman’ or nobles like you, no, us – soldiers!”

A man grasped Louise's hair. However, his hand was stopped.

Saito, who showed up right before one’s eyes, firmly gripped man’s hand.

“What. Go away kid!”

“Let go”

Saito said in a quiet voice. If it were old days… his legs would be shaking while threatening such scary looking man. However, now it is Saito who went through many battles. Thus he gained courage. Now he only has to grip Derflinger who hung on his back when the time comes. Not pulling it out , just grasping it would be enough to knock all those soldiers out.

The man looked at the sword on Saito’s shoulder, with the similar look. The experience that he gained through battlefields in many years, told him that Saito’s attitude wasn’t just a bluff. Then a man spitted nonchalantly and, urging his companions, left.

Saito silently took Louise's hand. And began to walk.

Louise tried to say something to Saito. However, being all flustered, she could not find the words. Saito walks rapidly, pushing through the crowd.

"Are you angry?" Louise asked in a small voice.

“Not really” Saito answered snappishly.

The clasp of his hand made Louise flurried for a moment. Does Saito feel the same? However, because Saito walks straight ahead, she couldn’t see his facial expression.

Louise walks while being dragged.

It was chilly just as much as pleasant feeling, that Louise could not understand or explain.

**

Louise, while walking joined hands with Saito, cheered up. The town was filled with colorful festivals, joyful shows, food carts and stalls were unusual goods were sold were stretched all way down the street.

Being a local lord’s daughter, Louise never walked in a lively town this way. More so, she never walked in a town joined hands with someone of an opposite sex. Those two things combined, made Louise’s head light and dizzy.

“So very noisy” Saito said.

“True” Louise muttered happily.

“Feels like my world’s festival.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. The showy street stalls line up just like this… Gold fish catching, yo-yo fishing, okonomiyaki shops, and food carts queuing in line…”

While saying so, Saito’s eyes turned distant. Louise tightened her grasp on Saito’s hand. Somehow, thought about Saito suddenly leaving to someplace, made her feel bad.

Sometime… the day when Saito leaves will surely come.

However, when walking together this way, the one that I want you to see is me, Louise thought. Just for now. And nothing else matters.

And at the same time she was angry on herself for thinking that way.

Because of love? That’s not it. It was her pride’s problem.

After convincing so herself, Louise looked around blankly.

And then, shouting “Waa”, stopped still.

“What is it?”

Saito turned around. Louise was looking at jewelry shop. There, on a cloth, various rings and necklaces were displayed.

“Do you want to take a look?” Saito asked, and Louise, with a blush on her cheeks, nodded.

Seeing two people approaching, a merchant with a turban on the head rubbed his hands together.

“My! Please come in! I see you are a noble miss. We have a rare goods to offer. This is made from “Wrought gold” and its not a sham.”

The presented jewels, were suited for nobles to wear beautifully ornamented to satisfy the most various tastes.

Louise took a pendant. It was a pure-white pendant, craved in a shape of a shell. There were a lot of big jewels placed around. However, at the closer look, the jewels were nothing but cheap crystals.

Still, Louise liked this shiny pendant. Within the atmosphere of noisy festival, filled quality goods, such showy one attracts attention.

“Do you want it?”

Louise shook her head embarrassed.

“Don’t have the money”

“Well then I will cheapen it. It will be only four ecus.

Merchant sweetly smiled.

“Too expensive!”

Louise shouted.

“You don’t have that much?”

Saito asked amazed, Louise puffed her lips nonchalantly.

“I would if I haven’t bought that impertinent sword the other day. I spent all my month’s pocket money on that.”

Saito reluctantly fumbled in his pocket. He tightly gripped the golden coins that he got from Henrietta a little while ago.

Holding the golden coins, that was approximately of the size of one yen coin, on a palm, Saito asked.

“How much is this worth?”

Merchant was surprised that it was Saito who was carrying money.

“T-this is! Hii, fuu, hmm…This is splendid.”

Taking up four gold coins on which old king’s portrait was carved, the merchant passed the pendant to Louise.

Louise was taken aback with surprise, her cheeks unintentionally loosened up a bit. First thing that Saito did with the money given by Henrietta was shopping for me. She was very happy. After it with a hand for a while, she cheerfully put it on her neck. It suits you well, gracefully said merchant

I want Saito to have a look, she thought while pulling his sleeve. However Saito, whose attention is on the stall near sides, doesn’t move. What on earth is he staring at.

Saito's was gazing at the loot, taken from the Albion army, displayed on the ground.

Things that soldier captured were taken to merchants.

It was articles taken from the enemy…Swords, armors, clothes and clocks. Saito took one of the clothes.

I want him to look at me, Louise pouted lips sulkily. However, Saito’s full attention is on the clothing. It is not unreasonable to want new clothes after all.

“What, you want clothes? But it is not a good idea to wear a second-handed middle ages clothes that enemy used to wear, there are much better ones.”

However, Saito doesn't answer. He reached out for one piece of clothing, his hands shaking.

“Dear customer, you have an excellent eye. This is seamen uniform from Albion. Though it is cheaply made, it is also convenient. Turning a collar this way up, protects neck from the wind.”

Seamen uniform? Indeed!

B-but in Saito’s world it is called sailor uniform…

Saito’s head started working at full power.

Though the size is too big, it could still be modified for Siesta to wear…

He imagined Siesta wearing this.

It looked good.

The enjoyment increases. No, that’s not it. Not personal enjoyment. Gratitude. It was a gratitude for the muffler! He still felt slightly guilty though.

That’s right, Saito cooled down. Money, he absolutely should use them on such thing.

“How much?” Saito asked in an overcome with emotion voice.

“Three ecus would be fine.”

Louise was amazed. Paying such money for an second-handed clothing was too much.

However, Saito paid the asked price.

**

Louise, who returned back to her room, was lying on the bed, listing the Founder's prayer book while humming. Seems like she was in a good mood. Saito tried to slip out of the room quietly, he wanted to go to Siesta to deliver the goods he bought today, but the lock was locked by Louise who rejected the wand the and put the 'Lock' spell on it.　

“Are you going somewhere in the middle of the night?”

“Eh? No…”

Surely he cannot tell that he was going to Siesta’s place to deliver the sailor uniform that he bought today.　

“J-just wanted to take some night’s air! Wah! Wahhahha!”

Louise scowled at Saito. Then, determined, she walked up to Saito and started eagerly taking his parka off.

“Wh-what are you!”

“Taking it off”

“Taking off! Wild creatures restraining device is in the way!

When Saito shouted so, Louise removed the lock of the restraining device, looking down for a moment. Because he bought a pendant in town toady, she thought she had forgiven him. Yet she could not forgive him taking a bath together with a girl so easily.

Louise unfastened the restraining device and took off Saito’s parka. Her face was like always angry. She chewed her lower lip hard.

Then Louise went back to bed, hugging the taken off parka tightly.

And said - “Face that way”.

With all clothes taken off, Louise ,wearing only Saito’s parka, pouted.

“Still want to go for a walk?”

Won’t be giving it to Siesta for now, will wait for tomorrow night, Saito, who was wearing only T-shirt, thought. Even though it was an early summer, the climate in Halkeginia is very different from Japan. Walking this way, he would catch cold. Without a doubt, Louise knew that too.

“There are more important things than the night wind, don’t you agreeee. And a partner who doesn’t serve his master is no good, don’t you agreeee”

Louise said, while laying down on her stomach and swinging her foot

Reluctantly, Saito sat on the bed.

“Understood.”

Louise, lying down on the bed, began to read Founder's prayer book.

“Isn’t it all blank?”

“I can read it”

Louise showed “The ruby of water” on her finger to Saito and explained its relation to Founder’s prayer book.

“Hee, element of void…”

Saito remembered the magical light, which blew off the fleet that day.

‘Void’. The legendary element that Founder Brimir used…

And, I am a Familiar that Founder Brimir is said to have used - 'Gandalfr'.

The legendary Familiar that has the ability to master all kinds of weapons, in order to protect the Founder, while he casts aria…

“Then you are the strongest wizard in this world? Cool! Destroying with one swing”

“I wouldn’t say so. I haven’t said this to princess-sama as I didn’t want to disappoint her…”

With a sigh Louise took the wand.

“Wh-what”

After that, Louise slowly began uttering an incantation.

“Eor Sun Fuir…”

“S-stop! Idiot!”

It’s no good if such explosion would happen in a place like this. However, Louise doesn't try to stop chanting.

“Yarunsakusa..”

Finishing the chant uninterrupted. Louise put out the wand. Saito dig himself into his pile of hay, scattering the straws all around.

And then Louise’s eyes rolled back and she crumbled to the bed suddenly.

“L-L-L-Louise? Louise!”

Saito shook Louise in panic. After being shaken for a while, Louise opened her eyes.

“Auuu…”

“Wh-what! What’s wrong!”

Shaking her head Louise got up abruptly.

“Stop making such fuss. I only fainted for a moment.”

“Eh? Eeeh?!”

“Been chanting 'Explosion' till the last minute, but nothing… After that time, no matter how much I chant, I faint in the middle of it. The explosion only happened once.”

“What kind of thing?”

“I think the reason may be that the willpower is insufficient.”

“Willpower?”

“Right. Willpower is consumed when the magic is chanted. Didn’t you know?”

“How could I know such thing”

Then, Louise sat up straight demurely, put out the finger and started explaining, proud as a peacock.

“Listen, the number of elements that mage uses can be increased, and his class changes accordingly. Mage who can use only one element is a dot. Ability to have two – makes one a line. Being able to use three - triangle. Spells are also applied to the class. The spells from three elements are called 'Triangle spells'. Each time the spell class rises, the consumption of willpower doubles.”

“Haa”

“For instance, the line spell would cost for a mage eight willpower, but when that mage decides to use the dot spell, only four of his willpower will be consumed. The cost depends on each person individually, however the same rule applies to all. “

“Haa”

“The main point is that mage could chant two ‘Dot’ spells instead. Eight divided by four is two. Therefore, you could strike and stop chant the spell twice. But when you chant a line spell only once, because twice of the willpower consumed, and eight divided by eight is one.”

“Haa”

“When the line mage grows up to a triangular mage, consumption in the willpower spent on dot spells decreases by half. Therefore, eight divided by two - four, he can use the dot spell four times. The line spell can be used twice. Triangular spell – one time. That’s because mage grows up.”

“Haa. In other words, the low class spells can be chanted many times, while the high class spells cannot be chanted so many times.”

“Right. So now you understand the relation between spells and willpower?”

“Somehow. Then, you fainting a little while ago…”

“Yeah. I fainted a while ago because I overworked and used up my willpower. The spell was too strong and my willpower was insufficient.”

“Then, why you were able to chant it the other day?”

“Well… Really why… I wonder myself…”

“How does willpower recover?”

“Basically, it recovers while sleeping.”

Saito thought while folding his arms together.

“Ummm… Well, up till now, you haven’t chanted many spells correctly?

“Well yes”

“Therefore you collected a lot of willpower, right? And that time you used it all up at once.”

Louise made a startled face.

“For instance, lets assume that your willpower is 100. The ‘Explosion', consumed all 100 at once. While usually the willpower is a recovered while sleeping at night, yet an amount needed is too large for you…as its 100…you cannot collect that much just with one night sleep.”

Saito plainly stated his hypothesis.

“What! To me it seems that it might be the end of your magic”

However, Louise face is serious.

“It might be so..”

“Eh? Eeeh?”

“Adding to “Earh” spell a square class spell ‘Wrough gold’, a gold can be created. But know why the world still uses money?”

“Feh?”

“It is said the square mage’s simply cannot chant the square spells many times. It’s too unreliable, one time the recovery might take one week, the other – one month. Besides, the amount gold you could convert this way is too little. Therefore money are used instead of gold.”

“Fmmm…”

“In other words, powerful spells use up more willpower and take more time to recover. For me, it might be so as well.”

“Then…when would you be able to chant again.....”

“Don’t know. I…One month or maybe one year…”

Louise pondered.

“Ten years.”

“Don’t say such scary thing”

“But, it was successful it was successful.”

“Oh well. ‘No one can understand ‘Void’ fully. Anyways, the aria’s spell affect was demonstrated. There are no more spells like this.”

“It’s too little now. Uuu, my hay…”

Saito said while watching the scattered around pieces of straws.

“Isn’t it all right. Even if there is no pile of hey.”

Louise muttered, blushing for some reason.

Haa, Saito held his breath once he noticed something. What! He became crazy from the view that Louise gave him not aware of it herself. Parka’s hem rolled up Louise’s buttocks, just a little more, mooore, he peeked.

Saito instinctively held his nose. Due to this Saito’s gesture, Louise finally became aware that the parka rolled up. Instantly she sprung to her feet and held down Parka’s hem while blushing.

“Na! You saw! You saw, you saw! You saaaaaw!”

“I-it’s your fault for not wearing panties!”

Saito shouted as well.

“I cannot sleep with them! It was always that way!”

“Always huh!”

Then Louise bit her lower lip and, with some rusting, slipped under the futon.

“Sleep.”

Saito reluctantly slipped behind the blanket’s edge. He heard a voice of sulky Louise within the futon.

“Sleep in a pile of hey, peeping familiar.”

“It was scattered.”

Though he heard Louise groaning few times within the futon, she calmed down after a while. Aah, thinking about the sailor uniform, that he will deliver to Siesta tomorrow night, Saito fell asleep.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume4 Chapter2 - MTL

2008-04-16T08:05:28Z

86.88.203.49:

Wardes woke up. He tries to get up and frowns. Wondering he looked at the bandage that was rolled up around his body. Where am I? I am sure… I was hit by the magic from the flying machine that Gandalfr piloted and lost consciousness.

He looked around. Wooden floor and walls, plain room. Bed and one desk. There is a pendant on the desk, that I was carrying on the neck. Seeing a pitcher he reached out for it... but he could not reach it as his body still ached. At that moment, the door opened up and he saw a familiar face.

“Oh, you regained consciousness.”

“Dirt Crumb? You”

Fouquet placed the plate of soup on the desk. Wardes tried to get up again and frowned.

“Tst..”

“You still cannot move. Your body has been pierced by bullets in many places. It took all water element mages to keep casting ‘Recovery’ spell for three days and three nights.”

“Bullet?”

Wardes made a suspicious face.

“Was I shot by a 'Gun'? Is this the power of a ‘Gun’?”

Gun is a weapon that commoners use. The pressure of the gunpowder, ignited by the spark of the flint, pushes a round bullet out of the weapon. Though power in the short distance is superior to the bow, the need to load the bullet and gunpowder separately, makes it hard to fire quickly. The hit accuracy is not better than bow’s either. Bow’s great advantage is that you don’t need any additional practice to use it. It isn’t a great weapon for mage

“Really? You didn’t even know the weapon that defeated you? What a careless man”

Saying so, Fouquet scooped soup with the spoon and carried it to Wardes's mouth.

Wardes thought. It must be that strange flying machine that Gandalfr used…

Not only it could fly very quickly, but it also was equipped with such 'Gun' that could fire in rapid succession.

And then, in an instant, the consciousness was broken by the whirlpool of light…

Whole fleet of Albion has been burned in a moment by that light…

What was the might I saw.

Still, something must have happened in Halkeginia.

I could take advantage of the change, as this event might be connected in some way with that…

My desire to get Louise’s abilities.

And, Sacred emperor Cromwell manipulation of strange magic…

Even if going to ‘secret ground’, following Cromwell, some clues might left be unknown, as his plan might not work out, remembering that just one person managed to put whole battleship flotilla aflame.

“Hey, soup will cool down”

Fouquet in an exasperated tone said to Wardes, who was lost in his own thought’s.

“Where is this place?”

Wardes said not looking at the soup.

“Albion. The temple near Rondei Niumu. That place from ancient times. It was possible to return safely. And you have to thank me the most for that.”

“Albion? And what about the military invasion?

“Aah, I guess you don’t know that, as you were unconscious, it failed big time. After fleet annihilation Albion’s army was routed. Indeed ‘A certain victory without a doubt’. Is this how you defeat inferior in numbers Tristain and recapture the ‘Sacred Ground’?

“Why haven’t you joined the invasion troops too. Tell me about it.”

Fouquet was amazed.

“Don’t talk so rudely with me! Because Albion army was ignorant about the foreign country geography, I was sent with the scout unit! Seems like you are not interested in it, to be so forgetful!”

“Is that so? Aah, that’s right. Sorry.”

Then Wardes muttered “Give soup. Hungry” urging Fouquet.

Though Fouquet made an ugly and unpleasant face, still, the soup was carried to Wardes's mouth.

“Is hungry all you can say, when I hurriedly nursed you after seeing you fall. I emergently treated you with my ‘Water’ spell. After that, using my illegal connections as a thief, I somehow got the ship leaving to Albion, and escaped safely. Really, such ungratefulness shouldn’t have been saved!”

Wardes pointed at the table.

“Please take the pendant from there.”

The pendant was a silver locket. Wardes took it from Fouquet and put it on his neck.

“Is it your most important treasure?”

“Well, it calms me up.”

“She is a very beautiful person.”

When Fouquet watched Wardes with a smile on her face, Wardes cheeks became tingled with red.

“You saw?”

“Accidentally so. While unconscious, you were gripping it tightly in your hand. Don’t worry.”

“As expected from a thief.”

“Hey, that, is who? Lover?”

Fouquet asked Wardes while bending herself forward. Wardes said in an unpleasant voice.

“Mother”

“Mother? You have been living with her?”

“Not any longer. Either way, it is not your business.”

“Pardon me, you-san this you-san that, what san!”

(T.N. - when Wardes talks to Fouquet he does so in a special manner calling her “you” in a formal and rather cold way.)

At that moment, the room door opened with a clank. It was Cromwell, accompanied by Sheffield.

Seeing Wardes, he smiled thinly. The smile that never change. Like a doll, Wardes thought.

Such defeat. All ambitions concerning Albion were crushed. Yet, Cromwell doesn’t seem to be shaken. Either he is a truly strong man or a carefree optimist, it is hard to tell.

“Looks like you regained consciousness, Viscount.”

“I am sorry, Your Excellency. I failed you not once but twice.”

“But it seems that it wasn’t because of your failure.”

Sheffield who had kept on standing by the side nodded. Then read the parchment scroll, that seemed to be the report, and muttered.

“A sphere of light appeared in the sky and blew off our fleet.”

“In a word, enemy had an unknown magician with them. This was a miscalculation. It is no one’s fault. If anything… it was a our leadership fault that enemy’s war potential was not scouted. One soldier, most of all you, should not be blamed for that. Just heal your wounds, Viscount.”

Cromwell offered his hand to Wardes. Wardes kissed it.

“I thank for your Excellency’s kindness”

Wardes remembered Louise’s long, pinkish blond hair. Louise was in that flying machine. Such magic never…

Wardes saw through Louise’s talent. Therefore, he wanted to have it in his own hands.

…The element that Founder Brimir used, the lost ‘Void’.

He shook his head. Cromwell said that ‘Void’ is an element controlling life. But can it create such light that would defeat whole fleet?

Even if it is really powerful magic… It is hard to imagine Louise having control over it.

“ Was the ‘void’ the source of that light? But the ‘Void’ that your Excellency talked about and that light seems to be completely different.”

“No one can assume say that they have a full knowledge about what ‘Void’ is. ‘Void’ is a great mystery.”

Sheffield stepped in.

“It is wrapped up on the other side of an ancient, dark history.”

“History. Many interesting things the history hides. I accidentally read a book. According to biography’s chapter one of Founder’s shield was called Saint Aegis. It has a very little information regarding ‘Void’.”
　
Cromwell spoke as if reciting a poem.

“Founder created sun, to shine upon the ground”

“Indeed. There was no light within that small sun.”

“Mystery upon the mystery, I feel ill. Awaking is also bad. It is so, Viscount.

“As You say.”

“It is said that Tristain’s army was lead by Henrietta. What for an inexperienced princess-sama fought. That princess made a use of ‘Founder’s Prayer Book’, maube she sniffed out the sleeping secret of Royal family.”

What is the sleeping secret of the royal family?”

“Royal family of Albion, Royal family of Tristain, and, royal family of Gallia…were one branch in the beginning. And Founder's secret was split to each. Isn’t so, Miss Sheffield?”

Cromwell urged the woman at his side.

“It is as Your Excellency says. The treasure that was given to Albion’s royal family was 'Ruby of the wind'… However, where the ruby of the wind disappeared is yet to be found. Since the investigation has not ended so far.”

Wardes watched the woman with dubious feeling. Because her face was hid by the deep lobe, it is not possible to see her expression. Though one could think she was Cromwell's secretary… why she didn’t give an impression to be just a secretary. I do not feel strong magic. However, because she was promoted here by Cromwell, she might have some a special ability.

“Now, Henreitta, a worshipped ‘Holy Woman’, enthroned to a queen.”

Cromwell muttered. Sheffield answered.

“The ruler of the kingdom. The queen with the country will also get Royal family’s secret.”

Cromwell smiled.

“Wales-san”

Wales, who was revived by Cromwell, entered the room from the corridor.

“You called, Your Excellency?”

“I want to offer congratulations for your lover’s… Holy woman’s coronation. I want her to come to my Rondei Niumu castle. However, the journey seems to be very tedious so keep her company to dispel the boredom.”

Wales muttered “Certainly” in monotone voice.

“Then, Wardes-san. Take care of yourself. I will leave it up to you to invite the ‘Holy Woman’ to the dinner party and ensure her safe arrival.”

Wardes bowed.

Cromwell and others left from the room. Fouquet muttered absent-mindedly.

“Disgusting man. Baiting one lover with dead lover is not a way an noble should act.”

Fouquet added, though she herself hated nobles.

“That man is not a noble. Haven’t you heard? He was a mere bishop at first.”

Then Wardes snuffled loudly.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just cannot stay calm. If only the wound would not be healing… I could do my work instead of playing corpse…”

After that, Wardes, regrettably buried the face in his hands.

“Damn! I… Am I incapable? Didn’t ‘Sacred Ground’ slipped away again…”

Fouquet laughed with a smile, and placed her hand on Wardes's shoulder.

“You are a weak man… Yet, I knew that from the beginning”

And then, Fouquet brought her face close to Wardes’s and placed her lips on his.

Slowly pulling her lips back, Fouquet muttered.

“Rest for now. I do not know what you are hiding… Yet once in a while you need to rest as well.”

**

In the Tristain’s royal palace, Henrietta was waiting for the guest. Even though she is a queen, she never sits in the throne. She mostly did king’s work.

After the coronation was finished and she became a queen, the number of things to do in domestic and foreign area increased greatly. Some were demanding loans, some were asking it in a good nature, and Henrietta from morning till night, was always meeting someone. Moreover, because of the war, there are more guests than usual.

Because of always straining to show her dignity, she became very tired. Even though Mazarini assisted, she had to strain with the answers herself. It was too late for Henreitta to revert back to being princess.

However… for a new guest, she neither showed particularly made expressions nor attitude.

The refrained voice called outside the room, informing Henrietta about the guest's arrival.

Right after that the door opened.

Louise stood there, reverentially bowing her head. Next to her Saito’s figure could be seen. Even now, a restraining device used to tame wild creatures was attached to his miserable body.

“Louise, aah, Louise!”

Henrietta ran up and embraced Louise closely. Looking up, Louise muttered.

“Princess-sama… No, I have to call thee Your Majesty now.”

“I don’t like it when you say it so formality. Louise Francoise. Aren’t you my beloved friend?”

“Then, I will call thee princess –sama, as usual.”

“Please do it for me. Aah Louise, I didn’t want to be a queen. It is twice as boring. It is three times more straining. And ten times more worrisome.”

Henreitta muttered, looking bored.

After that, Louise became silent waiting for Henreitta’s words. This morning the messenger from Henrietta came to Academy of Magic. Two people, missing the lessons, boarded the carriage that Henrietta prepared and came here

I guess I was called for a specific reason. I think, it is about ‘Void”? However, she seems hesitating to ask about that.

Henrietta just looked into her eyes, not talking. Reluctantly Louise said “I ought to give my congratulations on the victory”. Louise tried to find a harmless topic to talk about with Henrietta.

“This victory was all thanks to you, Louise.”

Louise watched Henrietta’s face with a startled expression.

“You can’t hide such great secret from me, Louise.”

“I did what…”

Louise still tried to pretend not to know.

Henrietta smiled and handed a report, written on parchment, to Louise. After reading it, Louise sighted.

“You scouted even that?”

“To some extend it is war results, so it is better not to hide anything.”

After that Henrietta faced Saito who was left out up till now. Saito, who on the way here heard from Louise that Henrietta became a queen, felt nervous.

“For controlling the foreign country flight machine that destroyed enemy’s dragon knight corps, I express my greatest gratitude.”

“No… it’s not like that”

“You are the hero of this country. So now I am giving you a noble’s title…

“That’s so wrong! Turning dog into a noble!”

“Dog?”

“N-no… it doesn’t matter” Louise murmured with a blush.

“Thus, I grant you a peer’s title”

When Henrietta said this, Saito muttered ‘Haa’. Then he remembered Kirche;s words a while ago. That in Tristain, if you are not a mage from the birth then you cannot become a noble.

But despite his thoughts about the peerage, he didn’t open his mouth. Either way, when returning to Japan, all tittles will lose their meaning.

“Great… a really great war outcome. Louise Francoise. The way war ended is thanks to you and your familiar, not talking about Tristain, there is no match for this in the whole Halkeginia’s history. By all means, Louise, you should be given a territory with a size of a small country and a title of duchess for this. And, respectively, your familiar awarded with peers title.”

„I d-don‘t need anything... this deed was my familiar‘s...“

Louise muttered hesitatingly.

„Weren‘t you the cause of that light, Louise ? The light that was called a miracle of the castle, yet I do not believe in miracles. The light came from the flying machine that you were flying in. Aren‘t you the cause of it?“

Henrietta watched Louise, it was impossible to hide anything this way.

And what about Saito? Even though he constantly pulled Louise’s shirt sleeve, trying to cut in with “By the way…”, she slowly began talking about Founder’s prayer book. She could not consult with anyone else, it was too insecure.

Slowly… Louise talked to Henrietta.

She took Henrietta’s ‘Water Ruby’ and placed it on the pages of Founder’s Prayer Book and an ancient script appeared. Reading it out back then… created a spell of the light.

“Founder's prayer book was written using element of 'Void'. Princess -sama, is it true?”

Henrietta stared over Louise’s shoulder.

“You knew, Louise? Founder Brimir gave rings to three children from three royal families to keep as a treasure. Tristain got, now yours, ‘Water Ruby’ and Founder’s Prayer Book.”

“Err…”

“It has been handed down like this among the royal families. Royal families were the ones that inherited Founder’s power

“I am not from a royal family.”

“What are you saying, Louise. The ancestor of La Valliere duke family, was king’s illegitimate child. And you are the duke’s child.

Louise was startled.

“You too have Tristain’s royal family blood. And this is good enough.”

After that, Henrietta took Saito’s hand. Seeing the runes she nodded.

[[Image:ZnT04-068.jpg|thumb]]

"This is the sign, the sign of 'Gandalfr'? Sign of Familiar that Founder Brimir used for protection while casting spells."

Saito nodded. Sir Osmond also said the same thing.

“Then… I am really a supporter of 'Void'?”

“I think it really is so”

Louise sighed.

“That’s why you understand that I cannot reward you that way, right Louise?”

Saito, who couldn’t follow it, asked why.

“Why?”

Henrietta answered with a clouded face.

If I were to give the reward, Louise's secret services would be exposed in the daylight. That would be dangerous. Louise's power is too big. Even one country could not manage such power. If enemy would learn about Louise's secret…they would become frantic about it and would do anything to get it. I alone should be enemy’s target.”

After that, Henrietta sighed.

“Enemy’s are not the only ones to be interested in void. Even inside the palace… those who will know about that power, will always try to use it for their own purposes.”

Louise nodded with a scared look.

“Therefore, Louise, you should not talk to anyone about that power. Your secret is safe with me.”

Then Louise thought for a while…

And in a slowly determined way she opened her mouth.

“Don’t worry princess –sama I want to dedicate my 'Void' to thee.”

“No… it is all right. You must forget that power as soon as possible. And never use it again.”

“God… princess-sama I want to help thee with the powers I was granted with!”

However, Henrietta shook her head.

“Mother said – great power drives people mad. Who could be sure that I, after gaining the power of ‘Void’, would not turn out the same way?”

Louise lifted proudly her face. It was a face of a person who decided her mission. However, such face was somewhat dangerous.

“I was always wanted to dedicate my power and body for the princess-sama and the mother country. I was taught so, I believed so, and I grew up with that. However, my magic always failed. As you know, I was nicknamed 'Zero'. Behind of sneer and contempt, I was always shaken with regret.”

Louise clearly asserted.

“However, god gave such power to me. I myself believe in using this power. Still, if you say that Your Majesty will not need it, then it is necessary to return Your Majesty the wand.”

Henrietta was touched by Louise’s speech.

“Louise, understand. You are still… my best friend. From the times when you helped me on Ragdorian’s lake. You took the blame for me…”

“Princess–sama”

Louise and Henrietta tightly embraced each other. Saito, who as always was left out, swung his head absentmindedly. Louise is too eager to promise without thinking…he thought, though he didn’t say that.

Though it is nice to help Henrietta… but what about the travel to the east to find a way to return me home…

By helping Henrietta, seems like they will not go there.

“After this, I will help Louise too.”

“Naturally, Princess-sama”

“Then I give 'Founder's prayer book' to you. However, Louise promise me. Don’t tell anyone that you are a ‘Void’ user. And do not use it recklessly too.”

“Certainly.”

“After this, you will become my court lady and will obey only me.”

Then Henrietta takes out the quill pen and smooth parchment. After that, she put out the quill pen and signed the document.

“Take this. This is my formal permission. With this whether in royal palace, or inside or outside the country, you will have an supreme authority even over everything even police. If there is no freedom, one cannot work well.”

Louise reverently received the permission with an expression of gratitude. Henrietta's authorization. This meant that Louise was granted with the right to act in queen’s name.

“If I will face a problem that only you can solve, I will, surely, consult you. Officially, please act as a student of Academy of Magic like you did up to date. Since it is you, you will, without a doubt, do well.”

After that, Henrietta turned towards Saito. Having an idea, she fumbled within the pocket of the dress. When she took out golden coins, Saito gasped audibly.

“I ask you to look after Louise…my important friend, kind Familiar-san.”

“T-that’s… I cannot take it.”

Saito looked amazed at the golden and silver coins in the hand.

“By all means, please accept it. Giving you this as a sign of “Chevalier” is the least what this powerless queen can do. You showed your loyalty to me and to the mother country. This should not be unrewarded.”

Henrietta said with sincere eyes.

When seeing such eyes… it becomes impossible to refuse. After accepting this, he cannot refuse helping Louise, as it seems… Because Saito is not from this world, he isn’t Henrietta’s vassal either, but even if he doesn’t have to feel responsible, Saito felt a strong sense of obligation this way.

Aah, it might be the fate, he thought.

No, it was his personality rather than fate. When such beautiful woman like Henrietta, said please, I could not find a heart to refuse. What a light-hearted fellow I am. Haa…

He wasn’t so welcomed in Japan of his time.

Anyway, I should search for the way to return home, Saito thought, putting golden coins into his pocket.

**

Saito and Louise went out of the royal palace in line.　

“Really… you are too eager to give promises…”

“What do you mean”

Louise stared up at Saito.

“Because you said that you will help princess -sama, but then it will be impossible to go east.”

Saito said in a disappointed voice.

“Don’t leave without permission. Everyone remains here, so stop asking.”

Louise averted her face and started walking leaving Saito behind. Saito ran after her panicking.

“How can you say that? Release me from this!”

Saito pointed at the restraining device used to tame wild creatures that was attached to his body.

“Do not argue!”

“If familiar is acting on its own, it is master’s duty to put a chain on him.”

Louise answered nonchalantly.

Saito, trying to get attention, suddenly gripped Louise’s shoulder.

They were in Bourdonne's Street already, right in front of royal palace. The Main Street. And what about passers-by? They all were staring.

“Hey! People are looking! Let go!”

Saito said in a lowered voice.

“You…are you thinking I should not return.”

Louise went ‘Huu!’ at these words and changed her expression.

“So that’s it, isn’t it? You are worried about me leaving, right? It would be hard to help princess-sama otherwise.”

It is different, Louise wanted to say but shut her mouth. That’s not the reason why I do not want for Saito to return to his former world. However, by saying this, she would reveal her hazy feelings for Saito. Louise's pride cannot permit such thing.

In that sort of division, Louise nodded reluctantly.

“T-that’s right! No one would worry for a familiar like you otherwise!”

“Lovely. So that’s how it is”

Saito muttered, and began walking again.

What he really thought. She didn’t have to say ‘because I love you’. But she could have said ‘I would be lonely’ or at least ‘I want you to be near’, if she would have said that he would not have minded helping her and would have searched for the way to return later.

When Henrietta asked for his help a while ago, though he thought it was bothersome, he also was glad for a moment. No one really needed him in Japan. The earth keeps on spinning, even with the Saito gone. However, is different about this world. Siesta and Henrietta… there were some people that needed him.

Yet he wanted to feel needed by Louise more. However, judging from her words earlier, all that she cared about were only his ‘Gandalfr’ powers.”

Saito pouted. He was sulky.

Determined, he started to push his way through crowd. The town is still crowded from the victory celebration. A drunken groups were yelling out toasts while hanging out their cups filled with wine!

Louise, still in shock from Saito’s words ‘Lovely’, was petrified for a while. With face down, she bit her lower lip. When she looked up after a while, Saito was already gone in the crowd and could not be seen. Louise ran out panicking.

“Moove!”

Louise bumped hard into a man. A man, who looked like a mercenary, collapsed. In his hand he had a bottle of sake, that he was gulping down vigorously. He seemed to be completely drunk.

Though Louise tried to pass that man sidewards, he grasped her hand.

“Wait, Miss. You ought to apologize for bumping into a person in the middle of the street.”

Then a man, who seemed to be a mercenary, noticed Louise’s mantle and muttered “A noble huh”.

However, a man who was clasping Louise's arm doesn't move.

“Today it is the festival celebrating the victory at Tarbes. Putting aside the rank. Today nobles. Mercenaries and salesmen are equal. Hey. Miss Noble, how about sharing one drink with me as an apology for bumping.”

Saying so, man thrust out his jar of wine.

“Let me go! You brute!“

Louise shouted. Man's face became brutally distorted at once.

“What did you call me. Hey! Who do you think attacked Albion army in Tarbes! ‘Holy Woman’ or nobles like you, no, us – soldiers!”

A man grasped Louise's hair. However, his hand was stopped.

Saito, who showed up right before one’s eyes, firmly gripped man’s hand.

“What. Go away kid!”

“Let go”

Saito said in a quiet voice. If it were old days… his legs would be shaking while threatening such scary looking man. However, now it is Saito who went through many battles. Thus he gained courage. Now he only has to grip Derflinger who hung on his back when the time comes. Not pulling it out , just grasping it would be enough to knock all those soldiers out.

The man looked at the sword on Saito’s shoulder, with the similar look. The experience that he gained through battlefields in many years, told him that Saito’s attitude wasn’t just a bluff. Then a man spitted nonchalantly and, urging his companions, left.

Saito silently took Louise's hand. And began to walk.

Louise tried to say something to Saito. However, being all flustered, she could not find the words. Saito walks rapidly, pushing through the crowd.

"Are you angry?" Louise asked in a small voice.

“Not really” Saito answered snappishly.

The clasp of his hand made Louise flurried for a moment. Does Saito feel the same? However, because Saito walks straight ahead, she couldn’t see his facial expression.

Louise walks while being dragged.

It was chilly just as much as pleasant feeling, that Louise could not understand or explain.

**

Louise, while walking joined hands with Saito, cheered up. The town was filled with colorful festivals, joyful shows, food carts and stalls were unusual goods were sold were stretched all way down the street.

Being a local lord’s daughter, Louise never walked in a lively town this way. More so, she never walked in a town joined hands with someone of an opposite sex. Those two things combined, made Louise’s head light and dizzy.

“So very noisy” Saito said.

“True” Louise muttered happily.

“Feels like my world’s festival.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. The showy street stalls line up just like this… Gold fish catching, yo-yo fishing, okonomiyaki shops, and food carts queuing in line…”

While saying so, Saito’s eyes turned distant. Louise tightened her grasp on Saito’s hand. Somehow, thought about Saito suddenly leaving to someplace, made her feel bad.

Sometime… the day when Saito leaves will surely come.

However, when walking together this way, the one that I want you to see is me, Louise thought. Just for now. And nothing else matters.

And at the same time she was angry on herself for thinking that way.

Because of love? That’s not it. It was her pride’s problem.

After convincing so herself, Louise looked around blankly.

And then, shouting “Waa”, stopped still.

“What is it?”

Saito turned around. Louise was looking at jewelry shop. There, on a cloth, various rings and necklaces were displayed.

“Do you want to take a look?” Saito asked, and Louise, with a blush on her cheeks, nodded.

Seeing two people approaching, a merchant with a turban on the head rubbed his hands together.

“My! Please come in! I see you are a noble miss. We have a rare goods to offer. This is made from “Wrought gold” and its not a sham.”

The presented jewels, were suited for nobles to wear beautifully ornamented to satisfy the most various tastes.

Louise took a pendant. It was a pure-white pendant, craved in a shape of a shell. There were a lot of big jewels placed around. However, at the closer look, the jewels were nothing but cheap crystals.

Still, Louise liked this shiny pendant. Within the atmosphere of noisy festival, filled quality goods, such showy one attracts attention.

“Do you want it?”

Louise shook her head embarrassed.

“Don’t have the money”

“Well then I will cheapen it. It will be only four ecus.

Merchant sweetly smiled.

“Too expensive!”

Louise shouted.

“You don’t have that much?”

Saito asked amazed, Louise puffed her lips nonchalantly.

“I would if I haven’t bought that impertinent sword the other day. I spent all my month’s pocket money on that.”

Saito reluctantly fumbled in his pocket. He tightly gripped the golden coins that he got from Henrietta a little while ago.

Holding the golden coins, that was approximately of the size of one yen coin, on a palm, Saito asked.

“How much is this worth?”

Merchant was surprised that it was Saito who was carrying money.

“T-this is! Hii, fuu, hmm…This is splendid.”

Taking up four gold coins on which old king’s portrait was carved, the merchant passed the pendant to Louise.

Louise was taken aback with surprise, her cheeks unintentionally loosened up a bit. First thing that Saito did with the money given by Henrietta was shopping for me. She was very happy. After it with a hand for a while, she cheerfully put it on her neck. It suits you well, gracefully said merchant

I want Saito to have a look, she thought while pulling his sleeve. However Saito, whose attention is on the stall near sides, doesn’t move. What on earth is he staring at.

Saito's was gazing at the loot, taken from the Albion army, displayed on the ground.

Things that soldier captured were taken to merchants.

It was articles taken from the enemy…Swords, armors, clothes and clocks. Saito took one of the clothes.

I want him to look at me, Louise pouted lips sulkily. However, Saito’s full attention is on the clothing. It is not unreasonable to want new clothes after all.

“What, you want clothes? But it is not a good idea to wear a second-handed middle ages clothes that enemy used to wear, there are much better ones.”

However, Saito doesn't answer. He reached out for one piece of clothing, his hands shaking.

“Dear customer, you have an excellent eye. This is seamen uniform from Albion. Though it is cheaply made, it is also convenient. Turning a collar this way up, protects neck from the wind.”

Seamen uniform? Indeed!

B-but in Saito’s world it is called sailor uniform…

Saito’s head started working at full power.

Though the size is too big, it could still be modified for Siesta to wear…

He imagined Siesta wearing this.

It looked good.

The enjoyment increases. No, that’s not it. Not personal enjoyment. Gratitude. It was a gratitude for the muffler! He still felt slightly guilty though.

That’s right, Saito cooled down. Money, he absolutely should use them on such thing.

“How much?” Saito asked in an overcome with emotion voice.

“Three ecus would be fine.”

Louise was amazed. Paying such money for an second-handed clothing was too much.

However, Saito paid the asked price.

**

Louise, who returned back to her room, was lying on the bed, listing the Founder's prayer book while humming. Seems like she was in a good mood. Saito tried to slip out of the room quietly, he wanted to go to Siesta to deliver the goods he bought today, but the lock was locked by Louise who rejected the wand the and put the 'Lock' spell on it.　

“Are you going somewhere in the middle of the night?”

“Eh? No…”

Surely he cannot tell that he was going to Siesta’s place to deliver the sailor uniform that he bought today.　

“J-just wanted to take some night’s air! Wah! Wahhahha!”

Louise scowled at Saito. Then, determined, she walked up to Saito and started eagerly taking his parka off.

“Wh-what are you!”

“Taking it off”

“Taking off! Wild creatures restraining device is in the way!

When Saito shouted so, Louise removed the lock of the restraining device, looking down for a moment. Because he bought a pendant in town toady, she thought she had forgiven him. Yet she could not forgive him taking a bath together with a girl so easily.

Louise unfastened the restraining device and took off Saito’s parka. Her face was like always angry. She chewed her lower lip hard.

Then Louise went back to bed, hugging the taken off parka tightly.

And said - “Face that way”.

With all clothes taken off, Louise ,wearing only Saito’s parka, pouted.

“Still want to go for a walk?”

Won’t be giving it to Siesta for now, will wait for tomorrow night, Saito, who was wearing only T-shirt, thought. Even though it was an early summer, the climate in Halkeginia is very different from Japan. Walking this way, he would catch cold. Without a doubt, Louise knew that too.

“There are more important things than the night wind, don’t you agreeee. And a partner who doesn’t serve his master is no good, don’t you agreeee”

Louise said, while laying down on her stomach and swinging her foot

Reluctantly, Saito sat on the bed.

“Understood.”

Louise, lying down on the bed, began to read Founder's prayer book.

“Isn’t it all blank?”

“I can read it”

Louise showed “The ruby of water” on her finger to Saito and explained its relation to Founder’s prayer book.

“Hee, element of void…”

Saito remembered the magical light, which blew off the fleet that day.

‘Void’. The legendary element that Founder Brimir used…

And, I am a Familiar that Founder Brimir is said to have used - 'Gandalfr'.

The legendary Familiar that has the ability to master all kinds of weapons, in order to protect the Founder, while he casts aria…

“Then you are the strongest wizard in this world? Cool! Destroying with one swing”

“I wouldn’t say so. I haven’t said this to princess-sama as I didn’t want to disappoint her…”

With a sigh Louise took the wand.

“Wh-what”

After that, Louise slowly began uttering an incantation.

“Eor Sun Fuir…”

“S-stop! Idiot!”

It’s no good if such explosion would happen in a place like this. However, Louise doesn't try to stop chanting.

“Yarunsakusa..”

Finishing the chant uninterrupted. Louise put out the wand. Saito dig himself into his pile of hay, scattering the straws all around.

And then Louise’s eyes rolled back and she crumbled to the bed suddenly.

“L-L-L-Louise? Louise!”

Saito shook Louise in panic. After being shaken for a while, Louise opened her eyes.

“Auuu…”

“Wh-what! What’s wrong!”

Shaking her head Louise got up abruptly.

“Stop making such fuss. I only fainted for a moment.”

“Eh? Eeeh?!”

“Been chanting 'Explosion' till the last minute, but nothing… After that time, no matter how much I chant, I faint in the middle of it. The explosion only happened once.”

“What kind of thing?”

“I think the reason may be that the willpower is insufficient.”

“Willpower?”

“Right. Willpower is consumed when the magic is chanted. Didn’t you know?”

“How could I know such thing”

Then, Louise sat up straight demurely, put out the finger and started explaining, proud as a peacock.

“Listen, the number of elements that mage uses can be increased, and his class changes accordingly. Mage who can use only one element is a dot. Ability to have two – makes one a line. Being able to use three - triangle. Spells are also applied to the class. The spells from three elements are called 'Triangle spells'. Each time the spell class rises, the consumption of willpower doubles.”

“Haa”

“For instance, the line spell would cost for a mage eight willpower, but when that mage decides to use the dot spell, only four of his willpower will be consumed. The cost depends on each person individually, however the same rule applies to all. “

“Haa”

“The main point is that mage could chant two ‘Dot’ spells instead. Eight divided by four is two. Therefore, you could strike and stop chant the spell twice. But when you chant a line spell only once, because twice of the willpower consumed, and eight divided by eight is one.”

“Haa”

“When the line mage grows up to a triangular mage, consumption in the willpower spent on dot spells decreases by half. Therefore, eight divided by two - four, he can use the dot spell four times. The line spell can be used twice. Triangular spell – one time. That’s because mage grows up.”

“Haa. In other words, the low class spells can be chanted many times, while the high class spells cannot be chanted so many times.”

“Right. So now you understand the relation between spells and willpower?”

“Somehow. Then, you fainting a little while ago…”

“Yeah. I fainted a while ago because I overworked and used up my willpower. The spell was too strong and my willpower was insufficient.”

“Then, why you were able to chant it the other day?”

“Well… Really why… I wonder myself…”

“How does willpower recover?”

“Basically, it recovers while sleeping.”

Saito thought while folding his arms together.

“Ummm… Well, up till now, you haven’t chanted many spells correctly?

“Well yes”

“Therefore you collected a lot of willpower, right? And that time you used it all up at once.”

Louise made a startled face.

“For instance, lets assume that your willpower is 100. The ‘Explosion', consumed all 100 at once. While usually the willpower is a recovered while sleeping at night, yet an amount needed is too large for you…as its 100…you cannot collect that much just with one night sleep.”

Saito plainly stated his hypothesis.

“What! To me it seems that it might be the end of your magic”

However, Louise face is serious.

“It might be so..”

“Eh? Eeeh?”

“Adding to “Earh” spell a square class spell ‘Wrough gold’, a gold can be created. But know why the world still uses money?”

“Feh?”

“It is said the square mage’s simply cannot chant the square spells many times. It’s too unreliable, one time the recovery might take one week, the other – one month. Besides, the amount gold you could convert this way is too little. Therefore money are used instead of gold.”

“Fmmm…”

“In other words, powerful spells use up more willpower and take more time to recover. For me, it might be so as well.”

“Then…when would you be able to chant again.....”

“Don’t know. I…One month or maybe one year…”

Louise pondered.

“Ten years.”

“Don’t say such scary thing”

“But, it was successful it was successful.”

“Oh well. ‘No one can understand ‘Void’ fully. Anyways, the aria’s spell affect was demonstrated. There are no more spells like this.”

“It’s too little now. Uuu, my hay…”

Saito said while watching the scattered around pieces of straws.

“Isn’t it all right. Even if there is no pile of hey.”

Louise muttered, blushing for some reason.

Haa, Saito held his breath once he noticed something. What! He became crazy from the view that Louise gave him not aware of it herself. Parka’s hem rolled up Louise’s buttocks, just a little more, mooore, he peeked.

Saito instinctively held his nose. Due to this Saito’s gesture, Louise finally became aware that the parka rolled up. Instantly she sprung to her feet and held down Parka’s hem while blushing.

“Na! You saw! You saw, you saw! You saaaaaw!”

“I-it’s your fault for not wearing panties!”

Saito shouted as well.

“I cannot sleep with them! It was always that way!”

“Always huh!”

Then Louise bit her lower lip and, with some rusting, slipped under the futon.

“Sleep.”

Saito reluctantly slipped behind the blanket’s edge. He heard a voice of sulky Louise within the futon.

“Sleep in a pile of hey, peeping familiar.”

“It was scattered.”

Though he heard Louise groaning few times within the futon, she calmed down after a while. Aah, thinking about the sailor uniform, that he will deliver to Siesta tomorrow night, Saito fell asleep.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume4 Chapter2 - MTL

2008-04-16T08:03:54Z

86.88.203.49:

Wardes woke up. He tries to get up and frowns. Wondering he looked at the bandage that was rolled up around his body. Where am I? I am sure… I was hit by the magic from the flying machine that Gandalfr piloted and lost consciousness.

He looked around. Wooden floor and walls, plain room. Bed and one desk. There is a pendant on the desk, that I was carrying on the neck. Seeing a pitcher he reached out for it... but he could not reach it as his body still ached. At that moment, the door opened up and he saw a familiar face.

“Oh, you regained consciousness.”

“Dirt Crumb? You”

Fouquet placed the plate of soup on the desk. Wardes tried to get up again and frowned.

“Tst..”

“You still cannot move. Your body has been pierced by bullets in many places. It took all water element mages to keep casting ‘Recovery’ spell for three days and three nights.”

“Bullet?”

Wardes made a suspicious face.

“Was I shot by a 'Gun'? Is this the power of a ‘Gun’?”

Gun is a weapon that commoners use. The pressure of the gunpowder, ignited by the spark of the flint, pushes a round bullet out of the weapon. Though power in the short distance is superior to the bow, the need to load the bullet and gunpowder separately, makes it hard to fire quickly. The hit accuracy is not better than bow’s either. Bow’s great advantage is that you don’t need any additional practice to use it. It isn’t a great weapon for mage

“Really? You didn’t even know the weapon that defeated you? What a careless man”

Saying so, Fouquet scooped soup with the spoon and carried it to Wardes's mouth.

Wardes thought. It must be that strange flying machine that Gandalfr used…

Not only it could fly very quickly, but it also was equipped with such 'Gun' that could fire in rapid succession.

And then, in an instant, the consciousness was broken by the whirlpool of light…

Whole fleet of Albion has been burned in a moment by that light…

What was the might I saw.

Still, something must have happened in Halkeginia.

I could take advantage of the change, as this event might be connected in some way with that…

My desire to get Louise’s abilities.

And, Sacred emperor Cromwell manipulation of strange magic…

Even if going to ‘secret ground’, following Cromwell, some clues might left be unknown, as his plan might not work out, remembering that just one person managed to put whole battleship flotilla aflame.

“Hey, soup will cool down”

Fouquet in an exasperated tone said to Wardes, who was lost in his own thought’s.

“Where is this place?”

Wardes said not looking at the soup.

“Albion. The temple near Rondei Niumu. That place from ancient times. It was possible to return safely. And you have to thank me the most for that.”

“Albion? And what about the military invasion?

“Aah, I guess you don’t know that, as you were unconscious, it failed big time. After fleet annihilation Albion’s army was routed. Indeed ‘A certain victory without a doubt’. Is this how you defeat inferior in numbers Tristain and recapture the ‘Sacred Ground’?

“Why haven’t you joined the invasion troops too. Tell me about it.”

Fouquet was amazed.

“Don’t talk so rudely with me! Because Albion army was ignorant about the foreign country geography, I was sent with the scout unit! Seems like you are not interested in it, to be so forgetful!”

“Is that so? Aah, that’s right. Sorry.”

Then Wardes muttered “Give soup. Hungry” urging Fouquet.

Though Fouquet made an ugly and unpleasant face, still, the soup was carried to Wardes's mouth.

“Is hungry all you can say, when I hurriedly nursed you after seeing you fall. I emergently treated you with my ‘Water’ spell. After that, using my illegal connections as a thief, I somehow got the ship leaving to Albion, and escaped safely. Really, such ungratefulness shouldn’t have been saved!”

Wardes pointed at the table.

“Please take the pendant from there.”

The pendant was a silver locket. Wardes took it from Fouquet and put it on his neck.

“Is it your most important treasure?”

“Well, it calms me up.”

“She is a very beautiful person.”

When Fouquet watched Wardes with a smile on her face, Wardes cheeks became tingled with red.

“You saw?”

“Accidentally so. While unconscious, you were gripping it tightly in your hand. Don’t worry.”

“As expected from a thief.”

“Hey, that, is who? Lover?”

Fouquet asked Wardes while bending herself forward. Wardes said in an unpleasant voice.

“Mother”

“Mother? You have been living with her?”

“Not any longer. Either way, it is not your business.”

“Pardon me, you-san this you-san that, what san!”

(T.N. - when Wardes talks to Fouquet he does so in a special manner calling her “you” in a formal and rather cold way.)

At that moment, the room door opened with a clank. It was Cromwell, accompanied by Sheffield.

Seeing Wardes, he smiled thinly. The smile that never change. Like a doll, Wardes thought.

Such defeat. All ambitions concerning Albion were crushed. Yet, Cromwell doesn’t seem to be shaken. Either he is a truly strong man or a carefree optimist, it is hard to tell.

“Looks like you regained consciousness, Viscount.”

“I am sorry, Your Excellency. I failed you not once but twice.”

“But it seems that it wasn’t because of your failure.”

Sheffield who had kept on standing by the side nodded. Then read the parchment scroll, that seemed to be the report, and muttered.

“A sphere of light appeared in the sky and blew off our fleet.”

“In a word, enemy had an unknown magician with them. This was a miscalculation. It is no one’s fault. If anything… it was a our leadership fault that enemy’s war potential was not scouted. One soldier, most of all you, should not be blamed for that. Just heal your wounds, Viscount.”

Cromwell offered his hand to Wardes. Wardes kissed it.

“I thank for your Excellency’s kindness”

Wardes remembered Louise’s long, pinkish blond hair. Louise was in that flying machine. Such magic never…

Wardes saw through Louise’s talent. Therefore, he wanted to have it in his own hands.

…The element that Founder Brimir used, the lost ‘Void’.

He shook his head. Cromwell said that ‘Void’ is an element controlling life. But can it create such light that would defeat whole fleet?

Even if it is really powerful magic… It is hard to imagine Louise having control over it.

“ Was the ‘void’ the source of that light? But the ‘Void’ that your Excellency talked about and that light seems to be completely different.”

“No one can assume say that they have a full knowledge about what ‘Void’ is. ‘Void’ is a great mystery.”

Sheffield stepped in.

“It is wrapped up on the other side of an ancient, dark history.”

“History. Many interesting things the history hides. I accidentally read a book. According to biography’s chapter one of Founder’s shield was called Saint Aegis. It has a very little information regarding ‘Void’.”
　
Cromwell spoke as if reciting a poem.

“Founder created sun, to shine upon the ground”

“Indeed. There was no light within that small sun.”

“Mystery upon the mystery, I feel ill. Awaking is also bad. It is so, Viscount.

“As You say.”

“It is said that Tristain’s army was lead by Henrietta. What for an inexperienced princess-sama fought. That princess made a use of ‘Founder’s Prayer Book’, maube she sniffed out the sleeping secret of Royal family.”

What is the sleeping secret of the royal family?”

“Royal family of Albion, Royal family of Tristain, and, royal family of Gallia…were one branch in the beginning. And Founder's secret was split to each. Isn’t so, Miss Sheffield?”

Cromwell urged the woman at his side.

“It is as Your Excellency says. The treasure that was given to Albion’s royal family was 'Ruby of the wind'… However, where the ruby of the wind disappeared is yet to be found. Since the investigation has not ended so far.”

Wardes watched the woman with dubious feeling. Because her face was hid by the deep lobe, it is not possible to see her expression. Though one could think she was Cromwell's secretary… why she didn’t give an impression to be just a secretary. I do not feel strong magic. However, because she was promoted here by Cromwell, she might have some a special ability.

“Now, Henreitta, a worshipped ‘Holy Woman’, enthroned to a queen.”

Cromwell muttered. Sheffield answered.

“The ruler of the kingdom. The queen with the country will also get Royal family’s secret.”

Cromwell smiled.

“Wales-san”

Wales, who was revived by Cromwell, entered the room from the corridor.

“You called, Your Excellency?”

“I want to offer congratulations for your lover’s… Holy woman’s coronation. I want her to come to my Rondei Niumu castle. However, the journey seems to be very tedious so keep her company to dispel the boredom.”

Wales muttered “Certainly” in monotone voice.

“Then, Wardes-san. Take care of yourself. I will leave it up to you to invite the ‘Holy Woman’ to the dinner party and ensure her safe arrival.”

Wardes bowed.

Cromwell and others left from the room. Fouquet muttered absent-mindedly.

“Disgusting man. Baiting one lover with dead lover is not a way an noble should act.”

Fouquet added, though she herself hated nobles.

“That man is not a noble. Haven’t you heard? He was a mere bishop at first.”

Then Wardes snuffled loudly.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just cannot stay calm. If only the wound would not be healing… I could do my work instead of playing corpse…”

After that, Wardes, regrettably buried the face in his hands.

“Damn! I… Am I incapable? Didn’t ‘Sacred Ground’ slipped away again…”

Fouquet laughed with a smile, and placed her hand on Wardes's shoulder.

“You are a weak man… Yet, I knew that from the beginning”

And then, Fouquet brought her face close to Wardes’s and placed her lips on his.

Slowly pulling her lips back, Fouquet muttered.

“Rest for now. I do not know what you are hiding… Yet once in a while you need to rest as well.”

**

In the Tristain’s royal palace, Henrietta was waiting for the guest. Even though she is a queen, she never sits in the throne. She mostly did king’s work.

After the coronation was finished and she became a queen, the number of things to do in domestic and foreign area increased greatly. Some were demanding loans, some were asking it in a good nature, and Henrietta from morning till night, was always meeting someone. Moreover, because of the war, there are more guests than usual.

Because of always straining to show her dignity, she became very tired. Even though Mazarini assisted, she had to strain with the answers herself. It was too late for Henreitta to revert back to being princess.

However… for a new guest, she neither showed particularly made expressions nor attitude.

The refrained voice called outside the room, informing Henrietta about the guest's arrival.

Right after that the door opened.

Louise stood there, reverentially bowing her head. Next to her Saito’s figure could be seen. Even now, a restraining device used to tame wild creatures was attached to his miserable body.

“Louise, aah, Louise!”

Henrietta ran up and embraced Louise closely. Looking up, Louise muttered.

“Princess-sama… No, I have to call thee Your Majesty now.”

“I don’t like it when you say it so formality. Louise Francoise. Aren’t you my beloved friend?”

“Then, I will call thee princess –sama, as usual.”

“Please do it for me. Aah Louise, I didn’t want to be a queen. It is twice as boring. It is three times more straining. And ten times more worrisome.”

Henreitta muttered, looking bored.

After that, Louise became silent waiting for Henreitta’s words. This morning the messenger from Henrietta came to Academy of Magic. Two people, missing the lessons, boarded the carriage that Henrietta prepared and came here

I guess I was called for a specific reason. I think, it is about ‘Void”? However, she seems hesitating to ask about that.

Henrietta just looked into her eyes, not talking. Reluctantly Louise said “I ought to give my congratulations on the victory”. Louise tried to find a harmless topic to talk about with Henrietta.

“This victory was all thanks to you, Louise.”

Louise watched Henrietta’s face with a startled expression.

“You can’t hide such great secret from me, Louise.”

“I did what…”

Louise still tried to pretend not to know.

Henrietta smiled and handed a report, written on parchment, to Louise. After reading it, Louise sighted.

“You scouted even that?”

“To some extend it is war results, so it is better not to hide anything.”

After that Henrietta faced Saito who was left out up till now. Saito, who on the way here heard from Louise that Henrietta became a queen, felt nervous.

“For controlling the foreign country flight machine that destroyed enemy’s dragon knight corps, I express my greatest gratitude.”

“No… it’s not like that”

“You are the hero of this country. So now I am giving you a noble’s title…

“That’s so wrong! Turning dog into a noble!”

“Dog?”

“N-no… it doesn’t matter” Louise murmured with a blush.

“Thus, I grant you a peer’s title”

When Henrietta said this, Saito muttered ‘Haa’. Then he remembered Kirche;s words a while ago. That in Tristain, if you are not a mage from the birth then you cannot become a noble.

But despite his thoughts about the peerage, he didn’t open his mouth. Either way, when returning to Japan, all tittles will lose their meaning.

“Great… a really great war outcome. Louise Francoise. The way war ended is thanks to you and your familiar, not talking about Tristain, there is no match for this in the whole Halkeginia’s history. By all means, Louise, you should be given a territory with a size of a small country and a title of duchess for this. And, respectively, your familiar awarded with peers title.”

„I d-don‘t need anything... this deed was my familiar‘s...“

Louise muttered hesitatingly.

„Weren‘t you the cause of that light, Louise ? The light that was called a miracle of the castle, yet I do not believe in miracles. The light came from the flying machine that you were flying in. Aren‘t you the cause of it?“

Henrietta watched Louise, it was impossible to hide anything this way.

And what about Saito? Even though he constantly pulled Louise’s shirt sleeve, trying to cut in with “By the way…”, she slowly began talking about Founder’s prayer book. She could not consult with anyone else, it was too insecure.

Slowly… Louise talked to Henrietta.

She took Henrietta’s ‘Water Ruby’ and placed it on the pages of Founder’s Prayer Book and an ancient script appeared. Reading it out back then… created a spell of the light.

“Founder's prayer book was written using element of 'Void'. Princess -sama, is it true?”

Henrietta stared over Louise’s shoulder.

“You knew, Louise? Founder Brimir gave rings to three children from three royal families to keep as a treasure. Tristain got, now yours, ‘Water Ruby’ and Founder’s Prayer Book.”

“Err…”

“It has been handed down like this among the royal families. Royal families were the ones that inherited Founder’s power

“I am not from a royal family.”

“What are you saying, Louise. The ancestor of La Valliere duke family, was king’s illegitimate child. And you are the duke’s child.

Louise was startled.

“You too have Tristain’s royal family blood. And this is good enough.”

After that, Henrietta took Saito’s hand. Seeing the runes she nodded.

[[Image:ZnT04-068.jpg|thumb]]

"This is the sign, the sign of 'Gandalfr'? Sign of Familiar that Founder Brimir used for protection while casting spells."

Saito nodded. Sir Osmond also said the same thing.

“Then… I am really a supporter of 'Void'?”

“I think it really is so”

Louise sighed.

“That’s why you understand that I cannot reward you that way, right Louise?”

Saito, who couldn’t follow it, asked why.

“Why?”

Henrietta answered with a clouded face.

If I were to give the reward, Louise's secret services would be exposed in the daylight. That would be dangerous. Louise's power is too big. Even one country could not manage such power. If enemy would learn about Louise's secret…they would become frantic about it and would do anything to get it. I alone should be enemy’s target.”

After that, Henrietta sighed.

“Enemy’s are not the only ones to be interested in void. Even inside the palace… those who will know about that power, will always try to use it for their own purposes.”

Louise nodded with a scared look.

“Therefore, Louise, you should not talk to anyone about that power. Your secret is safe with me.”

Then Louise thought for a while…

And in a slowly determined way she opened her mouth.

“Don’t worry princess –sama I want to dedicate my 'Void' to thee.”

“No… it is all right. You must forget that power as soon as possible. And never use it again.”

“God… princess-sama I want to help thee with the powers I was granted with!”

However, Henrietta shook her head.

“Mother said – great power drives people mad. Who could be sure that I, after gaining the power of ‘Void’, would not turn out the same way?”

Louise lifted proudly her face. It was a face of a person who decided her mission. However, such face was somewhat dangerous.

“I was always wanted to dedicate my power and body for the princess-sama and the mother country. I was taught so, I believed so, and I grew up with that. However, my magic always failed. As you know, I was nicknamed 'Zero'. Behind of sneer and contempt, I was always shaken with regret.”

Louise clearly asserted.

“However, god gave such power to me. I myself believe in using this power. Still, if you say that Your Majesty will not need it, then it is necessary to return Your Majesty the wand.”

Henrietta was touched by Louise’s speech.

“Louise, understand. You are still… my best friend. From the times when you helped me on Ragdorian’s lake. You took the blame for me…”

“Princess–sama”

Louise and Henrietta tightly embraced each other. Saito, who as always was left out, swung his head absentmindedly. Louise is too eager to promise without thinking…he thought, though he didn’t say that.

Though it is nice to help Henrietta… but what about the travel to the east to find a way to return me home…

By helping Henrietta, seems like they will not go there.

“After this, I will help Louise too.”

“Naturally, Princess-sama”

“Then I give 'Founder's prayer book' to you. However, Louise promise me. Don’t tell anyone that you are a ‘Void’ user. And do not use it recklessly too.”

“Certainly.”

“After this, you will become my court lady and will obey only me.”

Then Henrietta takes out the quill pen and smooth parchment. After that, she put out the quill pen and signed the document.

“Take this. This is my formal permission. With this wether in royal palace, or inside or outside the country, you will have an supreme authority even over everything even police. If there is no freedom, one cannot work well.”

Louise reverently received the permission with an expression of gratitude. Henrietta's authorization. This meant that Louise was granted with the right to act in queen’s name.

“If I will face a problem that only you can solve, I will, surely, consult you. Officially, please act as a student of Academy of Magic like you did up to date. Since it is you, you will, without a doubt, do well.”

After that, Henrietta turned towards Saito. Having an idea, she fumbled within the pocket of the dress. When she took out golden coins, Saito gasped audibly.

“I ask you to look after Louise…my important friend, kind Familiar-san.”

“T-that’s… I cannot take it.”

Saito looked amazed at the golden and silver coins in the hand.

“By all means, please accept it. Giving you this as a sign of “Chevalier” is the least what this powerless queen can do. You showed your loyalty to me and to the mother country. This should not be unrewarded.”

Henrietta said with sincere eyes.

When seeing such eyes… it becomes impossible to refuse. After accepting this, he cannot refuse helping Louise, as it seems… Because Saito is not from this world, he isn’t Henrietta’s vassal either, but even if he doesn’t have to feel responsible, Saito felt a strong sense of obligation this way.

Aah, it might be the fate, he thought.

No, it was his personality rather than fate. When such beautiful woman like Henrietta, said please, I could not find a heart to refuse. What a light-hearted fellow I am. Haa…

He wasn’t so welcomed in Japan of his time.

Anyway, I should search for the way to return home, Saito thought, putting golden coins into his pocket.

**

Saito and Louise went out of the royal palace in line.　

“Really… you are too eager to give promises…”

“What do you mean”

Louise stared up at Saito.

“Because you said that you will help princess -sama, but then it will be impossible to go east.”

Saito said in a disappointed voice.

“Don’t leave without permission. Everyone remains here, so stop asking.”

Louise averted her face and started walking leaving Saito behind. Saito ran after her panicking.

“How can you say that? Release me from this!”

Saito pointed at the restraining device used to tame wild creatures that was attached to his body.

“Do not argue!”

“If familiar is acting on its own, it is master’s duty to put a chain on him.”

Louise answered nonchalantly.

Saito, trying to get attention, suddenly gripped Louise’s shoulder.

They were in Bourdonne's Street already, right in front of royal palace. The Main Street. And what about passers-by? They all were staring.

“Hey! People are looking! Let go!”

Saito said in a lowered voice.

“You…are you thinking I should not return.”

Louise went ‘Huu!’ at these words and changed her expression.

“So that’s it, isn’t it? You are worried about me leaving, right? It would be hard to help princess-sama otherwise.”

It is different, Louise wanted to say but shut her mouth. That’s not the reason why I do not want for Saito to return to his former world. However, by saying this, she would reveal her hazy feelings for Saito. Louise's pride cannot permit such thing.

In that sort of division, Louise nodded reluctantly.

“T-that’s right! No one would worry for a familiar like you otherwise!”

“Lovely. So that’s how it is”

Saito muttered, and began walking again.

What he really thought. She didn’t have to say ‘because I love you’. But she could have said ‘I would be lonely’ or at least ‘I want you to be near’, if she would have said that he would not have minded helping her and would have searched for the way to return later.

When Henrietta asked for his help a while ago, though he thought it was bothersome, he also was glad for a moment. No one really needed him in Japan. The earth keeps on spinning, even with the Saito gone. However, is different about this world. Siesta and Henrietta… there were some people that needed him.

Yet he wanted to feel needed by Louise more. However, judging from her words earlier, all that she cared about were only his ‘Gandalfr’ powers.”

Saito pouted. He was sulky.

Determined, he started to push his way through crowd. The town is still crowded from the victory celebration. A drunken groups were yelling out toasts while hanging out their cups filled with wine!

Louise, still in shock from Saito’s words ‘Lovely’, was petrified for a while. With face down, she bit her lower lip. When she looked up after a while, Saito was already gone in the crowd and could not be seen. Louise ran out panicking.

“Moove!”

Louise bumped hard into a man. A man, who looked like a mercenary, collapsed. In his hand he had a bottle of sake, that he was gulping down vigorously. He seemed to be completely drunk.

Though Louise tried to pass that man sidewards, he grasped her hand.

“Wait, Miss. You ought to apologize for bumping into a person in the middle of the street.”

Then a man, who seemed to be a mercenary, noticed Louise’s mantle and muttered “A noble huh”.

However, a man who was clasping Louise's arm doesn't move.

“Today it is the festival celebrating the victory at Tarbes. Putting aside the rank. Today nobles. Mercenaries and salesmen are equal. Hey. Miss Noble, how about sharing one drink with me as an apology for bumping.”

Saying so, man thrust out his jar of wine.

“Let me go! You brute!“

Louise shouted. Man's face became brutally distorted at once.

“What did you call me. Hey! Who do you think attacked Albion army in Tarbes! ‘Holy Woman’ or nobles like you, no, us – soldiers!”

A man grasped Louise's hair. However, his hand was stopped.

Saito, who showed up right before one’s eyes, firmly gripped man’s hand.

“What. Go away kid!”

“Let go”

Saito said in a quiet voice. If it were old days… his legs would be shaking while threatening such scary looking man. However, now it is Saito who went through many battles. Thus he gained courage. Now he only has to grip Derflinger who hung on his back when the time comes. Not pulling it out , just grasping it would be enough to knock all those soldiers out.

The man looked at the sword on Saito’s shoulder, with the similar look. The experience that he gained through battlefields in many years, told him that Saito’s attitude wasn’t just a bluff. Then a man spitted nonchalantly and, urging his companions, left.

Saito silently took Louise's hand. And began to walk.

Louise tried to say something to Saito. However, being all flustered, she could not find the words. Saito walks rapidly, pushing through the crowd.

"Are you angry?" Louise asked in a small voice.

“Not really” Saito answered snappishly.

The clasp of his hand made Louise flurried for a moment. Does Saito feel the same? However, because Saito walks straight ahead, she couldn’t see his facial expression.

Louise walks while being dragged.

It was chilly just as much as pleasant feeling, that Louise could not understand or explain.

**

Louise, while walking joined hands with Saito, cheered up. The town was filled with colorful festivals, joyful shows, food carts and stalls were unusual goods were sold were stretched all way down the street.

Being a local lord’s daughter, Louise never walked in a lively town this way. More so, she never walked in a town joined hands with someone of an opposite sex. Those two things combined, made Louise’s head light and dizzy.

“So very noisy” Saito said.

“True” Louise muttered happily.

“Feels like my world’s festival.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. The showy street stalls line up just like this… Gold fish catching, yo-yo fishing, okonomiyaki shops, and food carts queuing in line…”

While saying so, Saito’s eyes turned distant. Louise tightened her grasp on Saito’s hand. Somehow, thought about Saito suddenly leaving to someplace, made her feel bad.

Sometime… the day when Saito leaves will surely come.

However, when walking together this way, the one that I want you to see is me, Louise thought. Just for now. And nothing else matters.

And at the same time she was angry on herself for thinking that way.

Because of love? That’s not it. It was her pride’s problem.

After convincing so herself, Louise looked around blankly.

And then, shouting “Waa”, stopped still.

“What is it?”

Saito turned around. Louise was looking at jewelry shop. There, on a cloth, various rings and necklaces were displayed.

“Do you want to take a look?” Saito asked, and Louise, with a blush on her cheeks, nodded.

Seeing two people approaching, a merchant with a turban on the head rubbed his hands together.

“My! Please come in! I see you are a noble miss. We have a rare goods to offer. This is made from “Wrought gold” and its not a sham.”

The presented jewels, were suited for nobles to wear beautifully ornamented to satisfy the most various tastes.

Louise took a pendant. It was a pure-white pendant, craved in a shape of a shell. There were a lot of big jewels placed around. However, at the closer look, the jewels were nothing but cheap crystals.

Still, Louise liked this shiny pendant. Within the atmosphere of noisy festival, filled quality goods, such showy one attracts attention.

“Do you want it?”

Louise shook her head embarrassed.

“Don’t have the money”

“Well then I will cheapen it. It will be only four ecus.

Merchant sweetly smiled.

“Too expensive!”

Louise shouted.

“You don’t have that much?”

Saito asked amazed, Louise puffed her lips nonchalantly.

“I would if I haven’t bought that impertinent sword the other day. I spent all my month’s pocket money on that.”

Saito reluctantly fumbled in his pocket. He tightly gripped the golden coins that he got from Henrietta a little while ago.

Holding the golden coins, that was approximately of the size of one yen coin, on a palm, Saito asked.

“How much is this worth?”

Merchant was surprised that it was Saito who was carrying money.

“T-this is! Hii, fuu, hmm…This is splendid.”

Taking up four gold coins on which old king’s portrait was carved, the merchant passed the pendant to Louise.

Louise was taken aback with surprise, her cheeks unintentionally loosened up a bit. First thing that Saito did with the money given by Henrietta was shopping for me. She was very happy. After it with a hand for a while, she cheerfully put it on her neck. It suits you well, gracefully said merchant

I want Saito to have a look, she thought while pulling his sleeve. However Saito, whose attention is on the stall near sides, doesn’t move. What on earth is he staring at.

Saito's was gazing at the loot, taken from the Albion army, displayed on the ground.

Things that soldier captured were taken to merchants.

It was articles taken from the enemy…Swords, armors, clothes and clocks. Saito took one of the clothes.

I want him to look at me, Louise pouted lips sulkily. However, Saito’s full attention is on the clothing. It is not unreasonable to want new clothes after all.

“What, you want clothes? But it is not a good idea to wear a second-handed middle ages clothes that enemy used to wear, there are much better ones.”

However, Saito doesn't answer. He reached out for one piece of clothing, his hands shaking.

“Dear customer, you have an excellent eye. This is seamen uniform from Albion. Though it is cheaply made, it is also convenient. Turning a collar this way up, protects neck from the wind.”

Seamen uniform? Indeed!

B-but in Saito’s world it is called sailor uniform…

Saito’s head started working at full power.

Though the size is too big, it could still be modified for Siesta to wear…

He imagined Siesta wearing this.

It looked good.

The enjoyment increases. No, that’s not it. Not personal enjoyment. Gratitude. It was a gratitude for the muffler! He still felt slightly guilty though.

That’s right, Saito cooled down. Money, he absolutely should use them on such thing.

“How much?” Saito asked in an overcome with emotion voice.

“Three ecus would be fine.”

Louise was amazed. Paying such money for an second-handed clothing was too much.

However, Saito paid the asked price.

**

Louise, who returned back to her room, was lying on the bed, listing the Founder's prayer book while humming. Seems like she was in a good mood. Saito tried to slip out of the room quietly, he wanted to go to Siesta to deliver the goods he bought today, but the lock was locked by Louise who rejected the wand the and put the 'Lock' spell on it.　

“Are you going somewhere in the middle of the night?”

“Eh? No…”

Surely he cannot tell that he was going to Siesta’s place to deliver the sailor uniform that he bought today.　

“J-just wanted to take some night’s air! Wah! Wahhahha!”

Louise scowled at Saito. Then, determined, she walked up to Saito and started eagerly taking his parka off.

“Wh-what are you!”

“Taking it off”

“Taking off! Wild creatures restraining device is in the way!

When Saito shouted so, Louise removed the lock of the restraining device, looking down for a moment. Because he bought a pendant in town toady, she thought she had forgiven him. Yet she could not forgive him taking a bath together with a girl so easily.

Louise unfastened the restraining device and took off Saito’s parka. Her face was like always angry. She chewed her lower lip hard.

Then Louise went back to bed, hugging the taken off parka tightly.

And said - “Face that way”.

With all clothes taken off, Louise ,wearing only Saito’s parka, pouted.

“Still want to go for a walk?”

Won’t be giving it to Siesta for now, will wait for tomorrow night, Saito, who was wearing only T-shirt, thought. Even though it was an early summer, the climate in Halkeginia is very different from Japan. Walking this way, he would catch cold. Without a doubt, Louise knew that too.

“There are more important things than the night wind, don’t you agreeee. And a partner who doesn’t serve his master is no good, don’t you agreeee”

Louise said, while laying down on her stomach and swinging her foot

Reluctantly, Saito sat on the bed.

“Understood.”

Louise, lying down on the bed, began to read Founder's prayer book.

“Isn’t it all blank?”

“I can read it”

Louise showed “The ruby of water” on her finger to Saito and explained its relation to Founder’s prayer book.

“Hee, element of void…”

Saito remembered the magical light, which blew off the fleet that day.

‘Void’. The legendary element that Founder Brimir used…

And, I am a Familiar that Founder Brimir is said to have used - 'Gandalfr'.

The legendary Familiar that has the ability to master all kinds of weapons, in order to protect the Founder, while he casts aria…

“Then you are the strongest wizard in this world? Cool! Destroying with one swing”

“I wouldn’t say so. I haven’t said this to princess-sama as I didn’t want to disappoint her…”

With a sigh Louise took the wand.

“Wh-what”

After that, Louise slowly began uttering an incantation.

“Eor Sun Fuir…”

“S-stop! Idiot!”

It’s no good if such explosion would happen in a place like this. However, Louise doesn't try to stop chanting.

“Yarunsakusa..”

Finishing the chant uninterrupted. Louise put out the wand. Saito dig himself into his pile of hay, scattering the straws all around.

And then Louise’s eyes rolled back and she crumbled to the bed suddenly.

“L-L-L-Louise? Louise!”

Saito shook Louise in panic. After being shaken for a while, Louise opened her eyes.

“Auuu…”

“Wh-what! What’s wrong!”

Shaking her head Louise got up abruptly.

“Stop making such fuss. I only fainted for a moment.”

“Eh? Eeeh?!”

“Been chanting 'Explosion' till the last minute, but nothing… After that time, no matter how much I chant, I faint in the middle of it. The explosion only happened once.”

“What kind of thing?”

“I think the reason may be that the willpower is insufficient.”

“Willpower?”

“Right. Willpower is consumed when the magic is chanted. Didn’t you know?”

“How could I know such thing”

Then, Louise sat up straight demurely, put out the finger and started explaining, proud as a peacock.

“Listen, the number of elements that mage uses can be increased, and his class changes accordingly. Mage who can use only one element is a dot. Ability to have two – makes one a line. Being able to use three - triangle. Spells are also applied to the class. The spells from three elements are called 'Triangle spells'. Each time the spell class rises, the consumption of willpower doubles.”

“Haa”

“For instance, the line spell would cost for a mage eight willpower, but when that mage decides to use the dot spell, only four of his willpower will be consumed. The cost depends on each person individually, however the same rule applies to all. “

“Haa”

“The main point is that mage could chant two ‘Dot’ spells instead. Eight divided by four is two. Therefore, you could strike and stop chant the spell twice. But when you chant a line spell only once, because twice of the willpower consumed, and eight divided by eight is one.”

“Haa”

“When the line mage grows up to a triangular mage, consumption in the willpower spent on dot spells decreases by half. Therefore, eight divided by two - four, he can use the dot spell four times. The line spell can be used twice. Triangular spell – one time. That’s because mage grows up.”

“Haa. In other words, the low class spells can be chanted many times, while the high class spells cannot be chanted so many times.”

“Right. So now you understand the relation between spells and willpower?”

“Somehow. Then, you fainting a little while ago…”

“Yeah. I fainted a while ago because I overworked and used up my willpower. The spell was too strong and my willpower was insufficient.”

“Then, why you were able to chant it the other day?”

“Well… Really why… I wonder myself…”

“How does willpower recover?”

“Basically, it recovers while sleeping.”

Saito thought while folding his arms together.

“Ummm… Well, up till now, you haven’t chanted many spells correctly?

“Well yes”

“Therefore you collected a lot of willpower, right? And that time you used it all up at once.”

Louise made a startled face.

“For instance, lets assume that your willpower is 100. The ‘Explosion', consumed all 100 at once. While usually the willpower is a recovered while sleeping at night, yet an amount needed is too large for you…as its 100…you cannot collect that much just with one night sleep.”

Saito plainly stated his hypothesis.

“What! To me it seems that it might be the end of your magic”

However, Louise face is serious.

“It might be so..”

“Eh? Eeeh?”

“Adding to “Earh” spell a square class spell ‘Wrough gold’, a gold can be created. But know why the world still uses money?”

“Feh?”

“It is said the square mage’s simply cannot chant the square spells many times. It’s too unreliable, one time the recovery might take one week, the other – one month. Besides, the amount gold you could convert this way is too little. Therefore money are used instead of gold.”

“Fmmm…”

“In other words, powerful spells use up more willpower and take more time to recover. For me, it might be so as well.”

“Then…when would you be able to chant again.....”

“Don’t know. I…One month or maybe one year…”

Louise pondered.

“Ten years.”

“Don’t say such scary thing”

“But, it was successful it was successful.”

“Oh well. ‘No one can understand ‘Void’ fully. Anyways, the aria’s spell affect was demonstrated. There are no more spells like this.”

“It’s too little now. Uuu, my hay…”

Saito said while watching the scattered around pieces of straws.

“Isn’t it all right. Even if there is no pile of hey.”

Louise muttered, blushing for some reason.

Haa, Saito held his breath once he noticed something. What! He became crazy from the view that Louise gave him not aware of it herself. Parka’s hem rolled up Louise’s buttocks, just a little more, mooore, he peeked.

Saito instinctively held his nose. Due to this Saito’s gesture, Louise finally became aware that the parka rolled up. Instantly she sprung to her feet and held down Parka’s hem while blushing.

“Na! You saw! You saw, you saw! You saaaaaw!”

“I-it’s your fault for not wearing panties!”

Saito shouted as well.

“I cannot sleep with them! It was always that way!”

“Always huh!”

Then Louise bit her lower lip and, with some rusting, slipped under the futon.

“Sleep.”

Saito reluctantly slipped behind the blanket’s edge. He heard a voice of sulky Louise within the futon.

“Sleep in a pile of hey, peeping familiar.”

“It was scattered.”

Though he heard Louise groaning few times within the futon, she calmed down after a while. Aah, thinking about the sailor uniform, that he will deliver to Siesta tomorrow night, Saito fell asleep.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume4 Chapter2 - MTL

2008-04-16T08:00:12Z

86.88.203.49:

Wardes woke up. He tries to get up and frowns. Wondering he looked at the bandage that was rolled up around his body. Where am I? I am sure… I was hit by the magic from the flying machine that Gandalfr piloted and lost consciousness.

He looked around. Wooden floor and walls, plain room. Bed and one desk. There is a pendant on the desk, that I was carrying on the neck. Seeing a pitcher he reached out for it... but he could not reach it as his body still ached. At that moment, the door opened up and he saw a familiar face.

“Oh, you regained consciousness.”

“Dirt Crumb? You”

Fouquet placed the plate of soup on the desk. Wardes tried to get up again and frowned.

“Tst..”

“You still cannot move. Your body has been pierced by bullets in many places. It took all water element mages to keep casting ‘Recovery’ spell for three days and three nights.”

“Bullet?”

Wardes made a suspicious face.

“Was I shot by a 'Gun'? Is this the power of a ‘Gun’?”

Gun is a weapon that commoners use. The pressure of the gunpowder, ignited by the spark of the flint, pushes a round bullet out of the weapon. Though power in the short distance is superior to the bow, the need to load the bullet and gunpowder separately, makes it hard to fire quickly. The hit accuracy is not better than bow’s either. Bow’s great advantage is that you don’t need any additional practice to use it. It isn’t a great weapon for mage

“Really? You didn’t even know the weapon that defeated you? What a careless man”

Saying so, Fouquet scooped soup with the spoon and carried it to Wardes's mouth.

Wardes thought. It must be that strange flying machine that Gandalfr used…

Not only it could fly very quickly, but it also was equipped with such 'Gun' that could fire in rapid succession.

And then, in an instant, the consciousness was broken by the whirlpool of light…

Whole fleet of Albion has been burned in a moment by that light…

What was the might I saw.

Still, something must have happened in Halkeginia.

I could take advantage of the change, as this event might be connected in some way with that…

My desire to get Louise’s abilities.

And, Sacred emperor Cromwell manipulation of strange magic…

Even if going to ‘secret ground’, following Cromwell, some clues might left be unknown, as his plan might not work out, remembering that just one person managed to put whole battleship flotilla aflame.

“Hey, soup will cool down”

Fouquet in an exasperated tone said to Wardes, who was lost in his own thought’s.

“Where is this place?”

Wardes said not looking at the soup.

“Albion. The temple near Rondei Niumu. That place from ancient times. It was possible to return safely. And you have to thank me the most for that.”

“Albion? And what about the military invasion?

“Aah, I guess you don’t know that, as you were unconscious, it failed big time. After fleet annihilation Albion’s army was routed. Indeed ‘A certain victory without a doubt’. Is this how you defeat inferior in numbers Tristain and recapture the ‘Sacred Ground’?

“Why haven’t you joined the invasion troops too. Tell me about it.”

Fouquet was amazed.

“Don’t talk so rudely with me! Because Albion army was ignorant about the foreign country geography, I was sent with the scout unit! Seems like you are not interested in it, to be so forgetful!”

“Is that so? Aah, that’s right. Sorry.”

Then Wardes muttered “Give soup. Hungry” urging Fouquet.

Though Fouquet made an ugly and unpleasant face, still, the soup was carried to Wardes's mouth.

“Is hungry all you can say, when I hurriedly nursed you after seeing you fall. I emergently treated you with my ‘Water’ spell. After that, using my illegal connections as a thief, I somehow got the ship leaving to Albion, and escaped safely. Really, such ungratefulness shouldn’t have been saved!”

Wardes pointed at the table.

“Please take the pendant from there.”

The pendant was a silver locket. Wardes took it from Fouquet and put it on his neck.

“Is it your most important treasure?”

“Well, it calms me up.”

“She is a very beautiful person.”

When Fouquet watched Wardes with a smile on her face, Wardes cheeks became tingled with red.

“You saw?”

“Accidentally so. While unconscious, you were gripping it tightly in your hand. Don’t worry.”

“As expected from a thief.”

“Hey, that, is who? Lover?”

Fouquet asked Wardes while bending herself forward. Wardes said in an unpleasant voice.

“Mother”

“Mother? You have been living with her?”

“Not any longer. Either way, it is not your business.”

“Pardon me, you-san this you-san that, what san!”

(T.N. - when Wardes talks to Fouquet he does so in a special manner calling her “you” in a formal and rather cold way.)

At that moment, the room door opened with a clank. It was Cromwell, accompanied by Sheffield.

Seeing Wardes, he smiled thinly. The smile that never change. Like a doll, Wardes thought.

Such defeat. All ambitions concerning Albion were crushed. Yet, Cromwell doesn’t seem to be shaken. Either he is a truly strong man or a carefree optimist, it is hard to tell.

“Looks like you regained consciousness, Viscount.”

“I am sorry, Your Excellency. I failed you not once but twice.”

“But it seems that it wasn’t because of your failure.”

Sheffield who had kept on standing by the side nodded. Then read the parchment scroll, that seemed to be the report, and muttered.

“A sphere of light appeared in the sky and blew off our fleet.”

“In a word, enemy had an unknown magician with them. This was a miscalculation. It is no one’s fault. If anything… it was a our leadership fault that enemy’s war potential was not scouted. One soldier, most of all you, should not be blamed for that. Just heal your wounds, Viscount.”

Cromwell offered his hand to Wardes. Wardes kissed it.

“I thank for your Excellency’s kindness”

Wardes remembered Louise’s long, pinkish blond hair. Louise was in that flying machine. Such magic never…

Wardes saw through Louise’s talent. Therefore, he wanted to have it in his own hands.

…The element that Founder Brimir used, the lost ‘Void’.

He shook his head. Cromwell said that ‘Void’ is an element controlling life. But can it create such light that would defeat whole fleet?

Even if it is really powerful magic… It is hard to imagine Louise having control over it.

“ Was the ‘void’ the source of that light? But the ‘Void’ that your Excellency talked about and that light seems to be completely different.”

“No one can assume say that they have a full knowledge about what ‘Void’ is. ‘Void’ is a great mystery.”

Sheffield stepped in.

“It is wrapped up on the other side of an ancient, dark history.”

“History. Many interesting things the history hides. I accidentally read a book. According to biography’s chapter one of Founder’s shield was called Saint Aegis. It has a very little information regarding ‘Void’.”
　
Cromwell spoke as if reciting a poem.

“Founder created sun, to shine upon the ground”

“Indeed. There was no light within that small sun.”

“Mystery upon the mystery, I feel ill. Awaking is also bad. It is so, Viscount.

“As You say.”

“It is said that Tristain’s army was lead by Henrietta. What for an inexperienced princess-sama fought. That princess made a use of ‘Founder’s Prayer Book’, maube she sniffed out the sleeping secret of Royal family.”

What is the sleeping secret of the royal family?”

“Royal family of Albion, Royal family of Tristain, and, royal family of Gallia…were one branch in the beginning. And Founder's secret was split to each. Isn’t so, Miss Sheffield?”

Cromwell urged the woman at his side.

“It is as Your Excellency says. The treasure that was given to Albion’s royal family was 'Ruby of the wind'… However, where the ruby of the wind disappeared is yet to be found. Since the investigation has not ended so far.”

Wardes watched the woman with dubious feeling. Because her face was hid by the deep lobe, it is not possible to see her expression. Though one could think she was Cromwell's secretary… why she didn’t give an impression to be just a secretary. I do not feel strong magic. However, because she was promoted here by Cromwell, she might have some a special ability.

“Now, Henreitta, a worshipped ‘Holy Woman’, enthroned to a queen.”

Cromwell muttered. Sheffield answered.

“The ruler of the kingdom. The queen with the country will also get Royal family’s secret.”

Cromwell smiled.

“Wales-san”

Wales, who was revived by Cromwell, entered the room from the corridor.

“You called, Your Excellency?”

“I want to offer congratulations for your lover’s… Holy woman’s coronation. I want her to come to my Rondei Niumu castle. However, the journey seems to be very tedious so keep her company to dispel the boredom.”

Wales muttered “Certainly” in monotone voice.

“Then, Wardes-san. Take care of yourself. I will leave it up to you to invite the ‘Holy Woman’ to the dinner party and ensure her safe arrival.”

Wardes bowed.

Cromwell and others left from the room. Fouquet muttered absent-mindedly.

“Disgusting man. Baiting one lover with dead lover is not a way an noble should act.”

Fouquet added, though she herself hated nobles.

“That man is not a noble. Haven’t you heard? He was a mere bishop at first.”

Then Wardes snuffled loudly.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just cannot stay calm. If only the wound would not be healing… I could do my work instead of playing corpse…”

After that, Wardes, regrettably buried the face in his hands.

“Damn! I… Am I incapable? Didn’t ‘Sacred Ground’ slipped away again…”

Fouquet laughed with a smile, and placed her hand on Wardes's shoulder.

“You are a weak man… Yet, I knew that from the beginning”

And then, Fouquet brought her face close to Wardes’s and placed her lips on his.

Slowly pulling her lips back, Fouquet muttered.

“Rest for now. I do not know what you are hiding… Yet once in a while you need to rest as well.”

**

In the Tristain’s royal palace, Henrietta was waiting for the guest. Even though she is a queen, she never sits in the throne. She mostly did king’s work.

After the coronation was finished and she became a queen, the number of things to do in domestic and foreign area increased greatly. Some were demanding loans, some were asking it in a good nature, and Henrietta from morning till night, was always meeting someone. Moreover, because of the war, there are more guests than usual.

Because of always straining to show her dignity, she became very tired. Even though Mazarini assisted, she had to strain with the answers herself. It was too late for Henreitta to revert back to being princess.

However… for a new guest, she neither showed particularly made expressions nor attitude.

The refrained voice called outside the room, informing Henrietta about the guest's arrival.

Right after that the door opened.

Louise stood there, reverentially bowing her head. Next to her Saito’s figure could be seen. Even now, a restraining device used to tame wild creatures was attached to his miserable body.

“Louise, aah, Louise!”

Henrietta ran up and embraced Louise closely. Looking up, Louise muttered.

“Princess-sama… No, I have to call thee Your Majesty now.”

“I don’t like it when you say it so formality. Louise Francoise. Aren’t you my beloved friend?”

“Then, I will call thee princess –sama, as usual.”

“Please do it for me. Aah Louise, I didn’t want to be a queen. It is twice as boring. It is three times more straining. And ten times more worrisome.”

Henreitta muttered, looking bored.

After that, Louise became silent waiting for Henreitta’s words. This morning the messenger from Henrietta came to Academy of Magic. Two people, missing the lessons, boarded the carriage that Henrietta prepared and came here

I guess I was called for a specific reason. I think, it is about ‘Void”? However, she seems hesitating to ask about that.

Henrietta just looked into her eyes, not talking. Reluctantly Louise said “I ought to give my congratulations on the victory”. Louise tried to find a harmless topic to talk about with Henrietta.

“This victory was all thanks to you, Louise.”

Louise watched Henrietta’s face with a startled expression.

“You can’t hide such great secret from me, Louise.”

“I did what…”

Louise still tried to pretend not to know.

Henrietta smiled and handed a report, written on parchment, to Louise. After reading it, Louise sighted.

“You scouted even that?”

“To some extend it is war results, so it is better not to hide anything.”

After that Henrietta faced Saito who was left out up till now. Saito, who on the way here heard from Louise that Henrietta became a queen, felt nervous.

“For controlling the foreign country flight machine that destroyed enemy’s dragon knight corps, I express my greatest gratitude.”

“No… it’s not like that”

“You are the hero of this country. So now I am giving you a noble’s title…

“That’s so wrong! Turning dog into a noble!”

“Dog?”

“N-no… it doesn’t matter” Louise murmured with a blush.

“Thus, I grant you a peer’s title”

When Henrietta said this, Saito muttered ‘Haa’. Then he remembered Kirche;s words a while ago. That in Tristain, if you are not a mage from the birth then you cannot become a noble.

But despite his thoughts about the peerage, he didn’t open his mouth. Either way, when returning to Japan, all tittles will lose their meaning.

“Great… a really great war outcome. Louise Francoise. The way war ended is thanks to you and your familiar, not talking about Tristain, there is no match for this in the whole Halkeginia’s history. By all means, Louise, you should be given a territory with a size of a small country and a title of duchess for this. And, respectively, your familiar awarded with peers title.”

„I d-don‘t need anything... this deed was my familiar‘s...“

Louise muttered hesitatingly.

„Weren‘t you the cause of that light, Louise ? The light that was called a miracle of the castle, yet I do not believe in miracles. The light came from the flying machine that you were flying in. Aren‘t you the cause of it?“

Henrietta watched Louise, it was impossible to hide anything this way.

And what about Saito? Even though he constantly pulled Louise’s shirt sleeve, trying to cut in with “By the way…”, she slowly began talking about Founder’s prayer book. She could not consult with anyone else, it was too insecure.

Slowly… Louise talked to Henrietta.

She took Henrietta’s ‘Water Ruby’ and placed it on the pages of Founder’s Prayer Book and an ancient script appeared. Reading it out back then… created a spell of the light.

“Founder's prayer book was written using element of 'Void'. Princess -sama, is it true?”

Henrietta stared over Louise’s shoulder.

“You knew, Louise? Founder Brimir gave rings to three children from three royal families to keep as a treasure. Tristain got, now yours, ‘Water Ruby’ and Founder’s Prayer Book.”

“Err…”

“It has been handed down like this among the royal families. Royal families were the ones that inherited Founder’s power

“I am not from a royal family.”

“What are you saying, Louise. The ancestor of La Valliere duke family, was king’s illegitimate child. And you are the duke’s child.

Louise was startled.

“You too have Tristain’s royal family blood. And this is good enough.”

After that, Henrietta took Saito’s hand. Seeing the runes she nodded.

[[Image:ZnT04-068.jpg|thumb]]

"This is the sign, the sign of 'Gandalfr'? Sign of Familiar that Founder Brimir used for protection while casting spells."

Saito nodded. Sir Osmond also said the same thing.

“Then… I am really a supporter of 'Void'?”

“I think it really is so”

Louise sighed.

“That’s why you understand that I cannot reward you that way, right Louise?”

Saito, who couldn’t follow it, asked why.

“Why?”

Henrietta answered with a clouded face.

If I were to give the reward, Louise's secret services would be exposed in the daylight. That would be dangerous. Louise's power is too big. Even one country could not manage such power. If enemy would learn about Louise's secret…they would become frantic about it and would do anything to get it. I alone should be enemy’s target.”

After that, Henrietta sighed.

“Enemy’s are not the only ones to be interested in void. Even inside the palace… those who will know about that power, will always try to use it for their own purposes.”

Louise nodded with a scared look.

“Therefore, Louise, you should not talk to anyone about that power. Your secret is safe with me.”

Then Louise thought for a while…

And in a slowly determined way she opened her mouth.

“Don’t worry princess –sama I want to dedicate my 'Void' to thee.”

“No… it is all right. You must forget that power as soon as possible. And never use it again.”

“God… princess-sama I want to help thee with the powers I was granted with!”

However, Henrietta shook her head.

“Mother said – great power drives people mad. Who could be sure that I, after gaining the power of ‘Void’, would not turn out the same way?”

Louise lifted proudly her face. It was a face of a person who decided her mission. However, such face was somewhat dangerous.

“I was always wanted to dedicate my power and body for the princess-sama and the mother country. I was taught so, I believed so, and I grew up with that. However, my magic always failed. As you know, I was nicknamed 'Zero'. Behind of sneer and contempt, I was always shaken with regret.”

Louise clearly asserted.

“However, god gave such power to me. I myself believe in using this power. Still, if you say that Your Majesty will not need it, then it is necessary to return Your Majesty the wand.”

Henrietta was touched by Louise’s speech.

“Louise, understand. You are still… my best friend. From the times when you helped me on Ragdorian’s lake. You took the blame for me…”

“Princess–sama”

Louise and Henrietta tightly embraced each other. Saito, who as always was left out, swung his head absentmindedly. Louise is too eager to promise without thinking…he thought, though he didn’t say that.

Though it is nice to help Henrietta… but what about the travel to the east to find a way to return me home…

By helping Henrietta, seems like they will not go there.

“After this, I will help Louise too.”

“Naturally, Princess-sama”

“Then I give 'Founder's prayer book' to you. However, Louise promise me. Don’t tell anyone that you are a ‘Void’ user. And do not use it recklessly too.”

“Certainly.”

“After this, you will become my court lady and will obey only me.”

Then Henrietta takes out the quill pen and smooth parchment. After that, she put out the quill pen and signed the document.

“Take this. This is my formal permission. With this weather in royal palace, or inside or outside the country, you will have an supreme authority even over everything even police. If there is no freedom, one cannot work well.”

Louise reverently received the permission with an expression of gratitude. Henrietta's authorization. This meant that Louise was granted with the right to act in queen’s name.

“If I will face a problem that only you can solve, I will, surely, consult you. Officially, please act as a student of Academy of Magic like you did up to date. Since it is you, you will, without a doubt, do well.”

After that, Henrietta turned towards Saito. Having an idea, she fumbled within the pocket of the dress. When she took out golden coins, Saito gasped audibly.

“I ask you to look after Louise…my important friend, kind Familiar-san.”

“T-that’s… I cannot take it.”

Saito looked amazed at the golden and silver coins in the hand.

“By all means, please accept it. Giving you this as a sign of “Chevalier” is the least what this powerless queen can do. You showed your loyalty to me and to the mother country. This should not be unrewarded.”

Henrietta said with sincere eyes.

When seeing such eyes… it becomes impossible to refuse. After accepting this, he cannot refuse helping Louise, as it seems… Because Saito is not from this world, he isn’t Henrietta’s vassal either, but even if he doesn’t have to feel responsible, Saito felt a strong sense of obligation this way.

Aah, it might be the fate, he thought.

No, it was his personality rather than fate. When such beautiful woman like Henrietta, said please, I could not find a heart to refuse. What a light-hearted fellow I am. Haa…

He wasn’t so welcomed in Japan of his time.

Anyway, I should search for the way to return home, Saito thought, putting golden coins into his pocket.

**

Saito and Louise went out of the royal palace in line.　

“Really… you are too eager to give promises…”

“What do you mean”

Louise stared up at Saito.

“Because you said that you will help princess -sama, but then it will be impossible to go east.”

Saito said in a disappointed voice.

“Don’t leave without permission. Everyone remains here, so stop asking.”

Louise averted her face and started walking leaving Saito behind. Saito ran after her panicking.

“How can you say that? Release me from this!”

Saito pointed at the restraining device used to tame wild creatures that was attached to his body.

“Do not argue!”

“If familiar is acting on its own, it is master’s duty to put a chain on him.”

Louise answered nonchalantly.

Saito, trying to get attention, suddenly gripped Louise’s shoulder.

They were in Bourdonne's Street already, right in front of royal palace. The Main Street. And what about passers-by? They all were staring.

“Hey! People are looking! Let go!”

Saito said in a lowered voice.

“You…are you thinking I should not return.”

Louise went ‘Huu!’ at these words and changed her expression.

“So that’s it, isn’t it? You are worried about me leaving, right? It would be hard to help princess-sama otherwise.”

It is different, Louise wanted to say but shut her mouth. That’s not the reason why I do not want for Saito to return to his former world. However, by saying this, she would reveal her hazy feelings for Saito. Louise's pride cannot permit such thing.

In that sort of division, Louise nodded reluctantly.

“T-that’s right! No one would worry for a familiar like you otherwise!”

“Lovely. So that’s how it is”

Saito muttered, and began walking again.

What he really thought. She didn’t have to say ‘because I love you’. But she could have said ‘I would be lonely’ or at least ‘I want you to be near’, if she would have said that he would not have minded helping her and would have searched for the way to return later.

When Henrietta asked for his help a while ago, though he thought it was bothersome, he also was glad for a moment. No one really needed him in Japan. The earth keeps on spinning, even with the Saito gone. However, is different about this world. Siesta and Henrietta… there were some people that needed him.

Yet he wanted to feel needed by Louise more. However, judging from her words earlier, all that she cared about were only his ‘Gandalfr’ powers.”

Saito pouted. He was sulky.

Determined, he started to push his way through crowd. The town is still crowded from the victory celebration. A drunken groups were yelling out toasts while hanging out their cups filled with wine!

Louise, still in shock from Saito’s words ‘Lovely’, was petrified for a while. With face down, she bit her lower lip. When she looked up after a while, Saito was already gone in the crowd and could not be seen. Louise ran out panicking.

“Moove!”

Louise bumped hard into a man. A man, who looked like a mercenary, collapsed. In his hand he had a bottle of sake, that he was gulping down vigorously. He seemed to be completely drunk.

Though Louise tried to pass that man sidewards, he grasped her hand.

“Wait, Miss. You ought to apologize for bumping into a person in the middle of the street.”

Then a man, who seemed to be a mercenary, noticed Louise’s mantle and muttered “A noble huh”.

However, a man who was clasping Louise's arm doesn't move.

“Today it is the festival celebrating the victory at Tarbes. Putting aside the rank. Today nobles. Mercenaries and salesmen are equal. Hey. Miss Noble, how about sharing one drink with me as an apology for bumping.”

Saying so, man thrust out his jar of wine.

“Let me go! You brute!“

Louise shouted. Man's face became brutally distorted at once.

“What did you call me. Hey! Who do you think attacked Albion army in Tarbes! ‘Holy Woman’ or nobles like you, no, us – soldiers!”

A man grasped Louise's hair. However, his hand was stopped.

Saito, who showed up right before one’s eyes, firmly gripped man’s hand.

“What. Go away kid!”

“Let go”

Saito said in a quiet voice. If it were old days… his legs would be shaking while threatening such scary looking man. However, now it is Saito who went through many battles. Thus he gained courage. Now he only has to grip Derflinger who hung on his back when the time comes. Not pulling it out , just grasping it would be enough to knock all those soldiers out.

The man looked at the sword on Saito’s shoulder, with the similar look. The experience that he gained through battlefields in many years, told him that Saito’s attitude wasn’t just a bluff. Then a man spitted nonchalantly and, urging his companions, left.

Saito silently took Louise's hand. And began to walk.

Louise tried to say something to Saito. However, being all flustered, she could not find the words. Saito walks rapidly, pushing through the crowd.

"Are you angry?" Louise asked in a small voice.

“Not really” Saito answered snappishly.

The clasp of his hand made Louise flurried for a moment. Does Saito feel the same? However, because Saito walks straight ahead, she couldn’t see his facial expression.

Louise walks while being dragged.

It was chilly just as much as pleasant feeling, that Louise could not understand or explain.

**

Louise, while walking joined hands with Saito, cheered up. The town was filled with colorful festivals, joyful shows, food carts and stalls were unusual goods were sold were stretched all way down the street.

Being a local lord’s daughter, Louise never walked in a lively town this way. More so, she never walked in a town joined hands with someone of an opposite sex. Those two things combined, made Louise’s head light and dizzy.

“So very noisy” Saito said.

“True” Louise muttered happily.

“Feels like my world’s festival.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. The showy street stalls line up just like this… Gold fish catching, yo-yo fishing, okonomiyaki shops, and food carts queuing in line…”

While saying so, Saito’s eyes turned distant. Louise tightened her grasp on Saito’s hand. Somehow, thought about Saito suddenly leaving to someplace, made her feel bad.

Sometime… the day when Saito leaves will surely come.

However, when walking together this way, the one that I want you to see is me, Louise thought. Just for now. And nothing else matters.

And at the same time she was angry on herself for thinking that way.

Because of love? That’s not it. It was her pride’s problem.

After convincing so herself, Louise looked around blankly.

And then, shouting “Waa”, stopped still.

“What is it?”

Saito turned around. Louise was looking at jewelry shop. There, on a cloth, various rings and necklaces were displayed.

“Do you want to take a look?” Saito asked, and Louise, with a blush on her cheeks, nodded.

Seeing two people approaching, a merchant with a turban on the head rubbed his hands together.

“My! Please come in! I see you are a noble miss. We have a rare goods to offer. This is made from “Wrought gold” and its not a sham.”

The presented jewels, were suited for nobles to wear beautifully ornamented to satisfy the most various tastes.

Louise took a pendant. It was a pure-white pendant, craved in a shape of a shell. There were a lot of big jewels placed around. However, at the closer look, the jewels were nothing but cheap crystals.

Still, Louise liked this shiny pendant. Within the atmosphere of noisy festival, filled quality goods, such showy one attracts attention.

“Do you want it?”

Louise shook her head embarrassed.

“Don’t have the money”

“Well then I will cheapen it. It will be only four ecus.

Merchant sweetly smiled.

“Too expensive!”

Louise shouted.

“You don’t have that much?”

Saito asked amazed, Louise puffed her lips nonchalantly.

“I would if I haven’t bought that impertinent sword the other day. I spent all my month’s pocket money on that.”

Saito reluctantly fumbled in his pocket. He tightly gripped the golden coins that he got from Henrietta a little while ago.

Holding the golden coins, that was approximately of the size of one yen coin, on a palm, Saito asked.

“How much is this worth?”

Merchant was surprised that it was Saito who was carrying money.

“T-this is! Hii, fuu, hmm…This is splendid.”

Taking up four gold coins on which old king’s portrait was carved, the merchant passed the pendant to Louise.

Louise was taken aback with surprise, her cheeks unintentionally loosened up a bit. First thing that Saito did with the money given by Henrietta was shopping for me. She was very happy. After it with a hand for a while, she cheerfully put it on her neck. It suits you well, gracefully said merchant

I want Saito to have a look, she thought while pulling his sleeve. However Saito, whose attention is on the stall near sides, doesn’t move. What on earth is he staring at.

Saito's was gazing at the loot, taken from the Albion army, displayed on the ground.

Things that soldier captured were taken to merchants.

It was articles taken from the enemy…Swords, armors, clothes and clocks. Saito took one of the clothes.

I want him to look at me, Louise pouted lips sulkily. However, Saito’s full attention is on the clothing. It is not unreasonable to want new clothes after all.

“What, you want clothes? But it is not a good idea to wear a second-handed middle ages clothes that enemy used to wear, there are much better ones.”

However, Saito doesn't answer. He reached out for one piece of clothing, his hands shaking.

“Dear customer, you have an excellent eye. This is seamen uniform from Albion. Though it is cheaply made, it is also convenient. Turning a collar this way up, protects neck from the wind.”

Seamen uniform? Indeed!

B-but in Saito’s world it is called sailor uniform…

Saito’s head started working at full power.

Though the size is too big, it could still be modified for Siesta to wear…

He imagined Siesta wearing this.

It looked good.

The enjoyment increases. No, that’s not it. Not personal enjoyment. Gratitude. It was a gratitude for the muffler! He still felt slightly guilty though.

That’s right, Saito cooled down. Money, he absolutely should use them on such thing.

“How much?” Saito asked in an overcome with emotion voice.

“Three ecus would be fine.”

Louise was amazed. Paying such money for an second-handed clothing was too much.

However, Saito paid the asked price.

**

Louise, who returned back to her room, was lying on the bed, listing the Founder's prayer book while humming. Seems like she was in a good mood. Saito tried to slip out of the room quietly, he wanted to go to Siesta to deliver the goods he bought today, but the lock was locked by Louise who rejected the wand the and put the 'Lock' spell on it.　

“Are you going somewhere in the middle of the night?”

“Eh? No…”

Surely he cannot tell that he was going to Siesta’s place to deliver the sailor uniform that he bought today.　

“J-just wanted to take some night’s air! Wah! Wahhahha!”

Louise scowled at Saito. Then, determined, she walked up to Saito and started eagerly taking his parka off.

“Wh-what are you!”

“Taking it off”

“Taking off! Wild creatures restraining device is in the way!

When Saito shouted so, Louise removed the lock of the restraining device, looking down for a moment. Because he bought a pendant in town toady, she thought she had forgiven him. Yet she could not forgive him taking a bath together with a girl so easily.

Louise unfastened the restraining device and took off Saito’s parka. Her face was like always angry. She chewed her lower lip hard.

Then Louise went back to bed, hugging the taken off parka tightly.

And said - “Face that way”.

With all clothes taken off, Louise ,wearing only Saito’s parka, pouted.

“Still want to go for a walk?”

Won’t be giving it to Siesta for now, will wait for tomorrow night, Saito, who was wearing only T-shirt, thought. Even though it was an early summer, the climate in Halkeginia is very different from Japan. Walking this way, he would catch cold. Without a doubt, Louise knew that too.

“There are more important things than the night wind, don’t you agreeee. And a partner who doesn’t serve his master is no good, don’t you agreeee”

Louise said, while laying down on her stomach and swinging her foot

Reluctantly, Saito sat on the bed.

“Understood.”

Louise, lying down on the bed, began to read Founder's prayer book.

“Isn’t it all blank?”

“I can read it”

Louise showed “The ruby of water” on her finger to Saito and explained its relation to Founder’s prayer book.

“Hee, element of void…”

Saito remembered the magical light, which blew off the fleet that day.

‘Void’. The legendary element that Founder Brimir used…

And, I am a Familiar that Founder Brimir is said to have used - 'Gandalfr'.

The legendary Familiar that has the ability to master all kinds of weapons, in order to protect the Founder, while he casts aria…

“Then you are the strongest wizard in this world? Cool! Destroying with one swing”

“I wouldn’t say so. I haven’t said this to princess-sama as I didn’t want to disappoint her…”

With a sigh Louise took the wand.

“Wh-what”

After that, Louise slowly began uttering an incantation.

“Eor Sun Fuir…”

“S-stop! Idiot!”

It’s no good if such explosion would happen in a place like this. However, Louise doesn't try to stop chanting.

“Yarunsakusa..”

Finishing the chant uninterrupted. Louise put out the wand. Saito dig himself into his pile of hay, scattering the straws all around.

And then Louise’s eyes rolled back and she crumbled to the bed suddenly.

“L-L-L-Louise? Louise!”

Saito shook Louise in panic. After being shaken for a while, Louise opened her eyes.

“Auuu…”

“Wh-what! What’s wrong!”

Shaking her head Louise got up abruptly.

“Stop making such fuss. I only fainted for a moment.”

“Eh? Eeeh?!”

“Been chanting 'Explosion' till the last minute, but nothing… After that time, no matter how much I chant, I faint in the middle of it. The explosion only happened once.”

“What kind of thing?”

“I think the reason may be that the willpower is insufficient.”

“Willpower?”

“Right. Willpower is consumed when the magic is chanted. Didn’t you know?”

“How could I know such thing”

Then, Louise sat up straight demurely, put out the finger and started explaining, proud as a peacock.

“Listen, the number of elements that mage uses can be increased, and his class changes accordingly. Mage who can use only one element is a dot. Ability to have two – makes one a line. Being able to use three - triangle. Spells are also applied to the class. The spells from three elements are called 'Triangle spells'. Each time the spell class rises, the consumption of willpower doubles.”

“Haa”

“For instance, the line spell would cost for a mage eight willpower, but when that mage decides to use the dot spell, only four of his willpower will be consumed. The cost depends on each person individually, however the same rule applies to all. “

“Haa”

“The main point is that mage could chant two ‘Dot’ spells instead. Eight divided by four is two. Therefore, you could strike and stop chant the spell twice. But when you chant a line spell only once, because twice of the willpower consumed, and eight divided by eight is one.”

“Haa”

“When the line mage grows up to a triangular mage, consumption in the willpower spent on dot spells decreases by half. Therefore, eight divided by two - four, he can use the dot spell four times. The line spell can be used twice. Triangular spell – one time. That’s because mage grows up.”

“Haa. In other words, the low class spells can be chanted many times, while the high class spells cannot be chanted so many times.”

“Right. So now you understand the relation between spells and willpower?”

“Somehow. Then, you fainting a little while ago…”

“Yeah. I fainted a while ago because I overworked and used up my willpower. The spell was too strong and my willpower was insufficient.”

“Then, why you were able to chant it the other day?”

“Well… Really why… I wonder myself…”

“How does willpower recover?”

“Basically, it recovers while sleeping.”

Saito thought while folding his arms together.

“Ummm… Well, up till now, you haven’t chanted many spells correctly?

“Well yes”

“Therefore you collected a lot of willpower, right? And that time you used it all up at once.”

Louise made a startled face.

“For instance, lets assume that your willpower is 100. The ‘Explosion', consumed all 100 at once. While usually the willpower is a recovered while sleeping at night, yet an amount needed is too large for you…as its 100…you cannot collect that much just with one night sleep.”

Saito plainly stated his hypothesis.

“What! To me it seems that it might be the end of your magic”

However, Louise face is serious.

“It might be so..”

“Eh? Eeeh?”

“Adding to “Earh” spell a square class spell ‘Wrough gold’, a gold can be created. But know why the world still uses money?”

“Feh?”

“It is said the square mage’s simply cannot chant the square spells many times. It’s too unreliable, one time the recovery might take one week, the other – one month. Besides, the amount gold you could convert this way is too little. Therefore money are used instead of gold.”

“Fmmm…”

“In other words, powerful spells use up more willpower and take more time to recover. For me, it might be so as well.”

“Then…when would you be able to chant again.....”

“Don’t know. I…One month or maybe one year…”

Louise pondered.

“Ten years.”

“Don’t say such scary thing”

“But, it was successful it was successful.”

“Oh well. ‘No one can understand ‘Void’ fully. Anyways, the aria’s spell affect was demonstrated. There are no more spells like this.”

“It’s too little now. Uuu, my hay…”

Saito said while watching the scattered around pieces of straws.

“Isn’t it all right. Even if there is no pile of hey.”

Louise muttered, blushing for some reason.

Haa, Saito held his breath once he noticed something. What! He became crazy from the view that Louise gave him not aware of it herself. Parka’s hem rolled up Louise’s buttocks, just a little more, mooore, he peeked.

Saito instinctively held his nose. Due to this Saito’s gesture, Louise finally became aware that the parka rolled up. Instantly she sprung to her feet and held down Parka’s hem while blushing.

“Na! You saw! You saw, you saw! You saaaaaw!”

“I-it’s your fault for not wearing panties!”

Saito shouted as well.

“I cannot sleep with them! It was always that way!”

“Always huh!”

Then Louise bit her lower lip and, with some rusting, slipped under the futon.

“Sleep.”

Saito reluctantly slipped behind the blanket’s edge. He heard a voice of sulky Louise within the futon.

“Sleep in a pile of hey, peeping familiar.”

“It was scattered.”

Though he heard Louise groaning few times within the futon, she calmed down after a while. Aah, thinking about the sailor uniform, that he will deliver to Siesta tomorrow night, Saito fell asleep.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume4 Chapter2 - MTL

2008-04-16T07:52:45Z

86.88.203.49:

Wardes woke up. He tries to get up and frowns. Wondering he looked at the bandage that was rolled up around his body. Where am I? I am sure… I was hit by the magic from the flying machine that Gandalfr piloted and lost consciousness.

He looked around. Wooden floor and walls, plain room. Bed and one desk. There is a pendant on the desk, that I was carrying on the neck. Seeing a pitcher he reached out for it... but he could not reach it as his body still ached. At that moment, the door opened up and he saw a familiar face.

“Oh, you regained consciousness.”

“Dirt Crumb? You”

Fouquet placed the plate of soup on the desk. Wardes tried to get up again and frowned.

“Tst..”

“You still cannot move. Your body has been pierced by bullets in many places. It took all water element mages to keep casting ‘Recovery’ spell for three days and three nights.”

“Bullet?”

Wardes made a suspicious face.

“Was I shot by a 'Gun'? Is this the power of a ‘Gun’?”

Gun is a weapon that commoners use. The pressure of the gunpowder, ignited by the spark of the flint, pushes a round bullet out of the weapon. Though power in the short distance is superior to the bow, the need to load the bullet and gunpowder separately, makes it hard to fire quickly. The hit accuracy is not better than bow’s either. Bow’s great advantage is that you don’t need any additional practice to use it. It isn’t a great weapon for mage

“Really? You didn’t even know the weapon that defeated you? What a careless man”

Saying so, Fouquet scooped soup with the spoon and carried it to Wardes's mouth.

Wardes thought. It must be that strange flying machine that Gandalfr used…

Not only it could fly very quickly, but it also was equipped with such 'Gun' that could fire in rapid succession.

And then, in an instant, the consciousness was broken by the whirlpool of light…

Whole fleet of Albion has been burned in a moment by that light…

What was the might I saw.

Still, something must have happened in Halkeginia.

I could take advantage of the change, as this event might be connected in some way with that…

My desire to get Louise’s abilities.

And, Sacred emperor Cromwell manipulation of strange magic…

Even if going to ‘secret ground’, following Cromwell, some clues might left be unknown, as his plan might not work out, remembering that just one person managed to put whole battleship flotilla aflame.

“Hey, soup will cool down”

Fouquet in an exasperated tone said to Wardes, who was lost in his own thought’s.

“Where is this place?”

Wardes said not looking at the soup.

“Albion. The temple near Rondei Niumu. That place from ancient times. It was possible to return safely. And you have to thank me the most for that.”

“Albion? And what about the military invasion?

“Aah, I guess you don’t know that, as you were unconscious, it failed big time. After fleet annihilation Albion’s army was routed. Indeed ‘A certain victory without a doubt’. Is this how you defeat inferior in numbers Tristain and recapture the ‘Sacred Ground’?

“Why haven’t you joined the invasion troops too. Tell me about it.”

Fouquet was amazed.

“Don’t talk so rudely with me! Because Albion army was ignorant about the foreign country geography, I was sent with the scout unit! Seems like you are not interested in it, to be so forgetful!”

“Is that so? Aah, that’s right. Sorry.”

Then Wardes muttered “Give soup. Hungry” urging Fouquet.

Though Fouquet made an ugly and unpleasant face, still, the soup was carried to Wardes's mouth.

“Is hungry all you can say, when I hurriedly nursed you after seeing you fall. I emergently treated you with my ‘Water’ spell. After that, using my illegal connections as a thief, I somehow got the ship leaving to Albion, and escaped safely. Really, such ungratefulness shouldn’t have been saved!”

Wardes pointed at the table.

“Please take the pendant from there.”

The pendant was a silver locket. Wardes took it from Fouquet and put it on his neck.

“Is it your most important treasure?”

“Well, it calms me up.”

“She is a very beautiful person.”

When Fouquet watched Wardes with a smile on her face, Wardes cheeks became tingled with red.

“You saw?”

“Accidentally so. While unconscious, you were gripping it tightly in your hand. Don’t worry.”

“As expected from a thief.”

“Hey, that, is who? Lover?”

Fouquet asked Wardes while bending herself forward. Wardes said in an unpleasant voice.

“Mother”

“Mother? You have been living with her?”

“Not any longer. Either way, it is not your business.”

“Pardon me, you-san this you-san that, what san!”

(T.N. - when Wardes talks to Fouquet he does so in a special manner calling her “you” in a formal and rather cold way.)

At that moment, the room door opened with a clank. It was Cromwell, accompanied by Sheffield.

Seeing Wardes, he smiled thinly. The smile that never change. Like a doll, Wardes thought.

Such defeat. All ambitions concerning Albion were crushed. Yet, Cromwell doesn’t seem to be shaken. Either he is a truly strong man or a carefree optimist, it is hard to tell.

“Looks like you regained consciousness, Viscount.”

“I am sorry, Your Excellency. I failed you not once but twice.”

“But it seems that it wasn’t because of your failure.”

Sheffield who had kept on standing by the side nodded. Then read the parchment scroll, that seemed to be the report, and muttered.

“A sphere of light appeared in the sky and blew off our fleet.”

“In a word, enemy had an unknown magician with them. This was a miscalculation. It is no one’s fault. If anything… it was a our leadership fault that enemy’s war potential was not scouted. One soldier, most of all you, should not be blamed for that. Just heal your wounds, Viscount.”

Cromwell offered his hand to Wardes. Wardes kissed it.

“I thank for your Excellency’s kindness”

Wardes remembered Louise’s long, pinkish blond hair. Louise was in that flying machine. Such magic never…

Wardes saw through Louise’s talent. Therefore, he wanted to have it in his own hands.

…The element that Founder Brimir used, the lost ‘Void’.

He shook his head. Cromwell said that ‘Void’ is an element controlling life. But can it create such light that would defeat whole fleet?

Even if it is really powerful magic… It is hard to imagine Louise having control over it.

“ Was the ‘void’ the source of that light? But the ‘Void’ that your Excellency talked about and that light seems to be completely different.”

“No one can assume say that they have a full knowledge about what ‘Void’ is. ‘Void’ is a great mystery.”

Sheffield stepped in.

“It is wrapped up on the other side of an ancient, dark history.”

“History. Many interesting things the history hides. I accidentally read a book. According to biography’s chapter one of Founder’s shield was called Saint Aegis. It has a very little information regarding ‘Void’.”
　
Cromwell spoke as if reciting a poem.

“Founder created sun, to shine upon the ground”

“Indeed. There was no light within that small sun.”

“Mystery upon the mystery, I feel ill. Awaking is also bad. It is so, Viscount.

“As You say.”

“It is said that Tristain’s army was lead by Henrietta. What for an inexperienced princess-sama fought. That princess made a use of ‘Founder’s Prayer Book’, maube she sniffed out the sleeping secret of Royal family.”

What is the sleeping secret of the royal family?”

“Royal family of Albion, Royal family of Tristain, and, royal family of Gallia…were one branch in the beginning. And Founder's secret was split to each. Isn’t so, Miss Sheffield?”

Cromwell urged the woman at his side.

“It is as Your Excellency says. The treasure that was given to Albion’s royal family was 'Ruby of the wind'… However, where the ruby of the wind disappeared is yet to be found. Since the investigation has not ended so far.”

Wardes watched the woman with dubious feeling. Because her face was hid by the deep lobe, it is not possible to see her expression. Though one could think she was Cromwell's secretary… why she didn’t give an impression to be just a secretary. I do not feel strong magic. However, because she was promoted here by Cromwell, she might have some a special ability.

“Now, Henreitta, a worshipped ‘Holy Woman’, enthroned to a queen.”

Cromwell muttered. Sheffield answered.

“The ruler of the kingdom. The queen with the country will also get Royal family’s secret.”

Cromwell smiled.

“Wales-san”

Wales, who was revived by Cromwell, entered the room from the corridor.

“You called, Your Excellency?”

“I want to offer congratulations for your lover’s… Holy woman’s coronation. I want her to come to my Rondei Niumu castle. However, the journey seems to be very tedious so keep her company to dispel the boredom.”

Wales muttered “Certainly” in monotone voice.

“Then, Wardes-san. Take care of yourself. I will leave it up to you to invite the ‘Holy Woman’ to the dinner party and ensure her safe arrival.”

Wardes bowed.

Cromwell and others left from the room. Fouquet muttered absent-mindedly.

“Disgusting man. Baiting one lover with dead lover is not a way an noble should act.”

Fouquet added, though she herself hated nobles.

“That man is not a noble. Haven’t you heard? He was a mere bishop at first.”

Then Wardes snuffled loudly.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just cannot stay calm. If only the wound would not be healing… I could do my work instead of playing corpse…”

After that, Wardes, regrettably buried the face in his hands.

“Damn! I… Am I incapable? Didn’t ‘Sacred Ground’ slipped away again…”

Fouquet laughed with a smile, and placed her hand on Wardes's shoulder.

“You are a weak man… Yet, I knew that from the beginning”

And then, Fouquet brought her face close to Wardes’s and placed her lips on his.

Slowly pulling her lips back, Fouquet muttered.

“Rest for now. I do not know what you are hiding… Yet once in a while you need to rest as well.”

**

In the Tristain’s royal palace, Henrietta was waiting for the guest. Even though she is a queen, she never sits in the throne. She mostly did king’s work.

After the coronation was finished and she became a queen, the number of things to do in domestic and foreign area increased greatly. Some were demanding loans, some were asking it in a good nature, and Henrietta from morning till night, was always meeting someone. Moreover, because of the war, there are more guests than usual.

Because of always straining to show her dignity, she became very tired. Even though Mazarini assisted, she had to strain with the answers herself. It was too late for Henreitta to revert back to being princess.

However… for a new guest, she neither showed particularly made expressions nor attitude.

The refrained voice called outside the room, informing Henrietta about the guest's arrival.

Right after that the door opened.

Louise stood there, reverentially bowing her head. Next to her Saito’s figure could be seen. Even now, a restraining device used to tame wild creatures was attached to his miserable body.

“Louise, aah, Louise!”

Henrietta ran up and embraced Louise closely. Looking up, Louise muttered.

“Princess-sama… No, I have to call thee Your Majesty now.”

“I don’t like it when you say it so formality. Louise Francoise. Aren’t you my beloved friend?”

“Then, I will call thee princess –sama, as usual.”

“Please do it for me. Aah Louise, I didn’t want to be a queen. It is twice as boring. It is three times more straining. And ten times more worrisome.”

Henreitta muttered, looking bored.

After that, Louise became silent waiting for Henreitta’s words. This morning the messenger from Henrietta came to Academy of Magic. Two people, missing the lessons, boarded the carriage that Henrietta prepared and came here

I guess I was called for a specific reason. I think, it is about ‘Void”? However, she seems hesitating to ask about that.

Henrietta just looked into her eyes, not talking. Reluctantly Louise said “I ought to give my congratulations on the victory”. Louise tried to find a harmless topic to talk about with Henrietta.

“This victory was all thanks to you, Louise.”

Louise watched Henrietta’s face with a startled expression.

“You can’t hide such great secret from me, Louise.”

“I did what…”

Louise still tried to pretend not to know.

Henrietta smiled and handed a report, written on parchment, to Louise. After reading it, Louise sighted.

“You scouted even that?”

“To some extend it is war results, so it is better not to hide anything.”

After that Henrietta faced Saito who was left out up till now. Saito, who on the way here heard from Louise that Henrietta became a queen, felt nervous.

“For controlling the foreign country flight machine that destroyed enemy’s dragon knight corps, I express my greatest gratitude.”

“No… it’s not like that”

“You are the hero of this country. So now I am giving you a noble’s title…

“That’s so wrong! Turning dog into a noble!”

“Dog?”

“N-no… it doesn’t matter” Louise murmured with a blush.

“Thus, I grant you a peer’s title”

When Henrietta said this, Saito muttered ‘Haa’. Then he remembered Kirche;s words a while ago. That in Tristain, if you are not a mage from the birth then you cannot become a noble.

But despite his thoughts about the peerage, he didn’t open his mouth. Either way, when returning to Japan, all tittles will lose their meaning.

“Great… a really great war outcome. Louise Francoise. The way war ended is thanks to you and your familiar, not talking about Tristain, there is no match for this in the whole Halkeginia’s history. By all means, Louise, you should be given a territory with a size of a small country and a title of duchess for this. And, respectively, your familiar awarded with peers title.”

„I d-don‘t need anything... this deed was my familiar‘s...“

Louise muttered hesitatingly.

„Weren‘t you the cause of that light, Louise ? The light that was called a miracle of the castle, yet I do not believe in miracles. The light came from the flying machine that you were flying in. Aren‘t you the cause of it?“

Henrietta watched Louise, it was impossible to hide anything this way.

And what about Saito? Even though he constantly pulled Louise’s shirt sleeve, trying to cut in with “By the way…”, she slowly began talking about Founder’s prayer book. She could not consult with anyone else, it was too insecure.

Slowly… Louise talked to Henrietta.

She took Henrietta’s ‘Water Ruby’ and placed it on the pages of Founder’s Prayer Book and an ancient script appeared. Reading it out back then… created a spell of the light.

“Founder's prayer book was written using element of 'Void'. Princess -sama, is it true?”

Henrietta stared over Louise’s shoulder.

“You knew, Louise? Founder Brimir gave rings to three children from three royal families to keep as a treasure. Tristain got, now yours, ‘Water Ruby’ and Founder’s Prayer Book.”

“Err…”

“It has been handed down like this among the royal families. Royal families were the ones that inherited Founder’s power

“I am not from a royal family.”

“What are you saying, Louise. The ancestor of La Valliere duke family, was king’s illegitimate child. And you are the duke’s child.

Louise was startled.

“You too have Tristain’s royal family blood. And this is good enough.”

After that, Henrietta took Saito’s hand. Seeing the runes she nodded.

[[Image:ZnT04-068.jpg|thumb]]

"This is the sign, the sign of 'Gandalfr'? Sign of Familiar that Founder Brimir used for protection while casting spells."

Saito nodded. Sir Osmond also said the same thing.

“Then… I am really a supporter of 'Void'?”

“I think it really is so”

Louise sighed.

“That’s why you understand that I cannot reward you that way, right Louise?”

Saito, who couldn’t follow it, asked why.

“Why?”

Henrietta answered with a clouded face.

If I were to give the reward, Louise's secret services would be exposed in the daylight. That would be dangerous. Louise's power is too big. Even one country could not manage such power. If enemy would learn about Louise's secret…they would become frantic about it and would do anything to get it. I alone should be enemy’s target.”

After that, Henrietta sighed.

“Enemy’s are not the only ones to be interested in void. Even inside the palace… those who will know about that power, will always try to use it for their own purposes.”

Louise nodded with a scared look.

“Therefore, Louise, you should not talk to anyone about that power. Your secret is safe with me.”

Then Louise thought for a while…

And in a slowly determined way she opened her mouth.

“Don’t worry princess –sama I want to dedicate my 'Void' to thee.”

“No… it is all right. You must forget that power as soon as possible. And never use it again.”

“God… princess-sama I want to help thee with the powers I was granted with!”

However, Henrietta shook her head.

“Mother said – great power drives people mad. Who could be sure that I .after gaining the power of ‘Void’, would not turn out the same way?”

Louise lifted proudly her face. It was a face of a person who decided her mission. However, such face was somewhat dangerous.

“I was always wanted to dedicate my power and body for the princess-sama and the mother country. I was taught so, I believed so, and I grew up with that. However, my magic always failed. As you know, I was nicknamed 'Zero'. Behind of sneer and contempt, I was always shaken with regret.”

Louise clearly asserted.

“However, god gave such power to me. I myself believe in using this power. Still, if you say that Your Majesty will not need it, then it is necessary to return Your Majesty the wand.”

Henrietta was touched by Louise’s speech.

“Louise, understand. You are still… my best friend. From the times when you helped me on Ragdorian’s lake. You took the blame for me…”

“Princess–sama”

Louise and Henrietta tightly embraced each other. Saito, who as always was left out, swung his head absentmindedly. Louise is too eager to promise without thinking…he thought, though he didn’t say that.

Though it is nice to help Henrietta… but what about the travel to the east to find a way to return me home…

By helping Henrietta, seems like they will not go there.

“After this, I will help Louise too.”

“Naturally, Princess-sama”

“Then I give 'Founder's prayer book' to you. However, Louise promise me. Don’t tell anyone that you are a ‘Void’ user. And do not use it recklessly too.”

“Certainly.”

“After this, you will become my court lady and will obey only me.”

Then Henrietta takes out the quill pen and smooth parchment. After that, she put out the quill pen and signed the document.

“Take this. This is my formal permission. With this weather in royal palace, or inside or outside the country, you will have an supreme authority even over everything even police. If there is no freedom, one cannot work well.”

Louise reverently received the permission with an expression of gratitude. Henrietta's authorization. This meant that Louise was granted with the right to act in queen’s name.

“If I will face a problem that only you can solve, I will, surely, consult you. Officially, please act as a student of Academy of Magic like you did up to date. Since it is you, you will, without a doubt, do well.”

After that, Henrietta turned towards Saito. Having an idea, she fumbled within the pocket of the dress. When she took out golden coins, Saito gasped audibly.

“I ask you to look after Louise…my important friend, kind Familiar-san.”

“T-that’s… I cannot take it.”

Saito looked amazed at the golden and silver coins in the hand.

“By all means, please accept it. Giving you this as a sign of “Chevalier” is the least what this powerless queen can do. You showed your loyalty to me and to the mother country. This should not be unrewarded.”

Henrietta said with sincere eyes.

When seeing such eyes… it becomes impossible to refuse. After accepting this, he cannot refuse helping Louise, as it seems… Because Saito is not from this world, he isn’t Henrietta’s vassal either, but even if he doesn’t have to feel responsible, Saito felt a strong sense of obligation this way.

Aah, it might be the fate, he thought.

No, it was his personality rather than fate. When such beautiful woman like Henrietta, said please, I could not find a heart to refuse. What a light-hearted fellow I am. Haa…

He wasn’t so welcomed in Japan of his time.

Anyway, I should search for the way to return home, Saito thought, putting golden coins into his pocket.

**

Saito and Louise went out of the royal palace in line.　

“Really… you are too eager to give promises…”

“What do you mean”

Louise stared up at Saito.

“Because you said that you will help princess -sama, but then it will be impossible to go east.”

Saito said in a disappointed voice.

“Don’t leave without permission. Everyone remains here, so stop asking.”

Louise averted her face and started walking leaving Saito behind. Saito ran after her panicking.

“How can you say that? Release me from this!”

Saito pointed at the restraining device used to tame wild creatures that was attached to his body.

“Do not argue!”

“If familiar is acting on its own, it is master’s duty to put a chain on him.”

Louise answered nonchalantly.

Saito, trying to get attention, suddenly gripped Louise’s shoulder.

They were in Bourdonne's Street already, right in front of royal palace. The Main Street. And what about passers-by? They all were staring.

“Hey! People are looking! Let go!”

Saito said in a lowered voice.

“You…are you thinking I should not return.”

Louise went ‘Huu!’ at these words and changed her expression.

“So that’s it, isn’t it? You are worried about me leaving, right? It would be hard to help princess-sama otherwise.”

It is different, Louise wanted to say but shut her mouth. That’s not the reason why I do not want for Saito to return to his former world. However, by saying this, she would reveal her hazy feelings for Saito. Louise's pride cannot permit such thing.

In that sort of division, Louise nodded reluctantly.

“T-that’s right! No one would worry for a familiar like you otherwise!”

“Lovely. So that’s how it is”

Saito muttered, and began walking again.

What he really thought. She didn’t have to say ‘because I love you’. But she could have said ‘I would be lonely’ or at least ‘I want you to be near’, if she would have said that he would not have minded helping her and would have searched for the way to return later.

When Henrietta asked for his help a while ago, though he thought it was bothersome, he also was glad for a moment. No one really needed him in Japan. The earth keeps on spinning, even with the Saito gone. However, is different about this world. Siesta and Henrietta… there were some people that needed him.

Yet he wanted to feel needed by Louise more. However, judging from her words earlier, all that she cared about were only his ‘Gandalfr’ powers.”

Saito pouted. He was sulky.

Determined, he started to push his way through crowd. The town is still crowded from the victory celebration. A drunken groups were yelling out toasts while hanging out their cups filled with wine!

Louise, still in shock from Saito’s words ‘Lovely’, was petrified for a while. With face down, she bit her lower lip. When she looked up after a while, Saito was already gone in the crowd and could not be seen. Louise ran out panicking.

“Moove!”

Louise bumped hard into a man. A man, who looked like a mercenary, collapsed. In his hand he had a bottle of sake, that he was gulping down vigorously. He seemed to be completely drunk.

Though Louise tried to pass that man sidewards, he grasped her hand.

“Wait, Miss. You ought to apologize for bumping into a person in the middle of the street.”

Then a man, who seemed to be a mercenary, noticed Louise’s mantle and muttered “A noble huh”.

However, a man who was clasping Louise's arm doesn't move.

“Today it is the festival celebrating the victory at Tarbes. Putting aside the rank. Today nobles. Mercenaries and salesmen are equal. Hey. Miss Noble, how about sharing one drink with me as an apology for bumping.”

Saying so, man thrust out his jar of wine.

“Let me go! You brute!“

Louise shouted. Man's face became brutally distorted at once.

“What did you call me. Hey! Who do you think attacked Albion army in Tarbes! ‘Holy Woman’ or nobles like you, no, us – soldiers!”

A man grasped Louise's hair. However, his hand was stopped.

Saito, who showed up right before one’s eyes, firmly gripped man’s hand.

“What. Go away kid!”

“Let go”

Saito said in a quiet voice. If it were old days… his legs would be shaking while threatening such scary looking man. However, now it is Saito who went through many battles. Thus he gained courage. Now he only has to grip Derflinger who hung on his back when the time comes. Not pulling it out , just grasping it would be enough to knock all those soldiers out.

The man looked at the sword on Saito’s shoulder, with the similar look. The experience that he gained through battlefields in many years, told him that Saito’s attitude wasn’t just a bluff. Then a man spitted nonchalantly and, urging his companions, left.

Saito silently took Louise's hand. And began to walk.

Louise tried to say something to Saito. However, being all flustered, she could not find the words. Saito walks rapidly, pushing through the crowd.

"Are you angry?" Louise asked in a small voice.

“Not really” Saito answered snappishly.

The clasp of his hand made Louise flurried for a moment. Does Saito feel the same? However, because Saito walks straight ahead, she couldn’t see his facial expression.

Louise walks while being dragged.

It was chilly just as much as pleasant feeling, that Louise could not understand or explain.

**

Louise, while walking joined hands with Saito, cheered up. The town was filled with colorful festivals, joyful shows, food carts and stalls were unusual goods were sold were stretched all way down the street.

Being a local lord’s daughter, Louise never walked in a lively town this way. More so, she never walked in a town joined hands with someone of an opposite sex. Those two things combined, made Louise’s head light and dizzy.

“So very noisy” Saito said.

“True” Louise muttered happily.

“Feels like my world’s festival.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. The showy street stalls line up just like this… Gold fish catching, yo-yo fishing, okonomiyaki shops, and food carts queuing in line…”

While saying so, Saito’s eyes turned distant. Louise tightened her grasp on Saito’s hand. Somehow, thought about Saito suddenly leaving to someplace, made her feel bad.

Sometime… the day when Saito leaves will surely come.

However, when walking together this way, the one that I want you to see is me, Louise thought. Just for now. And nothing else matters.

And at the same time she was angry on herself for thinking that way.

Because of love? That’s not it. It was her pride’s problem.

After convincing so herself, Louise looked around blankly.

And then, shouting “Waa”, stopped still.

“What is it?”

Saito turned around. Louise was looking at jewelry shop. There, on a cloth, various rings and necklaces were displayed.

“Do you want to take a look?” Saito asked, and Louise, with a blush on her cheeks, nodded.

Seeing two people approaching, a merchant with a turban on the head rubbed his hands together.

“My! Please come in! I see you are a noble miss. We have a rare goods to offer. This is made from “Wrought gold” and its not a sham.”

The presented jewels, were suited for nobles to wear beautifully ornamented to satisfy the most various tastes.

Louise took a pendant. It was a pure-white pendant, craved in a shape of a shell. There were a lot of big jewels placed around. However, at the closer look, the jewels were nothing but cheap crystals.

Still, Louise liked this shiny pendant. Within the atmosphere of noisy festival, filled quality goods, such showy one attracts attention.

“Do you want it?”

Louise shook her head embarrassed.

“Don’t have the money”

“Well then I will cheapen it. It will be only four ecus.

Merchant sweetly smiled.

“Too expensive!”

Louise shouted.

“You don’t have that much?”

Saito asked amazed, Louise puffed her lips nonchalantly.

“I would if I haven’t bought that impertinent sword the other day. I spent all my month’s pocket money on that.”

Saito reluctantly fumbled in his pocket. He tightly gripped the golden coins that he got from Henrietta a little while ago.

Holding the golden coins, that was approximately of the size of one yen coin, on a palm, Saito asked.

“How much is this worth?”

Merchant was surprised that it was Saito who was carrying money.

“T-this is! Hii, fuu, hmm…This is splendid.”

Taking up four gold coins on which old king’s portrait was carved, the merchant passed the pendant to Louise.

Louise was taken aback with surprise, her cheeks unintentionally loosened up a bit. First thing that Saito did with the money given by Henrietta was shopping for me. She was very happy. After it with a hand for a while, she cheerfully put it on her neck. It suits you well, gracefully said merchant

I want Saito to have a look, she thought while pulling his sleeve. However Saito, whose attention is on the stall near sides, doesn’t move. What on earth is he staring at.

Saito's was gazing at the loot, taken from the Albion army, displayed on the ground.

Things that soldier captured were taken to merchants.

It was articles taken from the enemy…Swords, armors, clothes and clocks. Saito took one of the clothes.

I want him to look at me, Louise pouted lips sulkily. However, Saito’s full attention is on the clothing. It is not unreasonable to want new clothes after all.

“What, you want clothes? But it is not a good idea to wear a second-handed middle ages clothes that enemy used to wear, there are much better ones.”

However, Saito doesn't answer. He reached out for one piece of clothing, his hands shaking.

“Dear customer, you have an excellent eye. This is seamen uniform from Albion. Though it is cheaply made, it is also convenient. Turning a collar this way up, protects neck from the wind.”

Seamen uniform? Indeed!

B-but in Saito’s world it is called sailor uniform…

Saito’s head started working at full power.

Though the size is too big, it could still be modified for Siesta to wear…

He imagined Siesta wearing this.

It looked good.

The enjoyment increases. No, that’s not it. Not personal enjoyment. Gratitude. It was a gratitude for the muffler! He still felt slightly guilty though.

That’s right, Saito cooled down. Money, he absolutely should use them on such thing.

“How much?” Saito asked in an overcome with emotion voice.

“Three ecus would be fine.”

Louise was amazed. Paying such money for an second-handed clothing was too much.

However, Saito paid the asked price.

**

Louise, who returned back to her room, was lying on the bed, listing the Founder's prayer book while humming. Seems like she was in a good mood. Saito tried to slip out of the room quietly, he wanted to go to Siesta to deliver the goods he bought today, but the lock was locked by Louise who rejected the wand the and put the 'Lock' spell on it.　

“Are you going somewhere in the middle of the night?”

“Eh? No…”

Surely he cannot tell that he was going to Siesta’s place to deliver the sailor uniform that he bought today.　

“J-just wanted to take some night’s air! Wah! Wahhahha!”

Louise scowled at Saito. Then, determined, she walked up to Saito and started eagerly taking his parka off.

“Wh-what are you!”

“Taking it off”

“Taking off! Wild creatures restraining device is in the way!

When Saito shouted so, Louise removed the lock of the restraining device, looking down for a moment. Because he bought a pendant in town toady, she thought she had forgiven him. Yet she could not forgive him taking a bath together with a girl so easily.

Louise unfastened the restraining device and took off Saito’s parka. Her face was like always angry. She chewed her lower lip hard.

Then Louise went back to bed, hugging the taken off parka tightly.

And said - “Face that way”.

With all clothes taken off, Louise ,wearing only Saito’s parka, pouted.

“Still want to go for a walk?”

Won’t be giving it to Siesta for now, will wait for tomorrow night, Saito, who was wearing only T-shirt, thought. Even though it was an early summer, the climate in Halkeginia is very different from Japan. Walking this way, he would catch cold. Without a doubt, Louise knew that too.

“There are more important things than the night wind, don’t you agreeee. And a partner who doesn’t serve his master is no good, don’t you agreeee”

Louise said, while laying down on her stomach and swinging her foot

Reluctantly, Saito sat on the bed.

“Understood.”

Louise, lying down on the bed, began to read Founder's prayer book.

“Isn’t it all blank?”

“I can read it”

Louise showed “The ruby of water” on her finger to Saito and explained its relation to Founder’s prayer book.

“Hee, element of void…”

Saito remembered the magical light, which blew off the fleet that day.

‘Void’. The legendary element that Founder Brimir used…

And, I am a Familiar that Founder Brimir is said to have used - 'Gandalfr'.

The legendary Familiar that has the ability to master all kinds of weapons, in order to protect the Founder, while he casts aria…

“Then you are the strongest wizard in this world? Cool! Destroying with one swing”

“I wouldn’t say so. I haven’t said this to princess-sama as I didn’t want to disappoint her…”

With a sigh Louise took the wand.

“Wh-what”

After that, Louise slowly began uttering an incantation.

“Eor Sun Fuir…”

“S-stop! Idiot!”

It’s no good if such explosion would happen in a place like this. However, Louise doesn't try to stop chanting.

“Yarunsakusa..”

Finishing the chant uninterrupted. Louise put out the wand. Saito dig himself into his pile of hay, scattering the straws all around.

And then Louise’s eyes rolled back and she crumbled to the bed suddenly.

“L-L-L-Louise? Louise!”

Saito shook Louise in panic. After being shaken for a while, Louise opened her eyes.

“Auuu…”

“Wh-what! What’s wrong!”

Shaking her head Louise got up abruptly.

“Stop making such fuss. I only fainted for a moment.”

“Eh? Eeeh?!”

“Been chanting 'Explosion' till the last minute, but nothing… After that time, no matter how much I chant, I faint in the middle of it. The explosion only happened once.”

“What kind of thing?”

“I think the reason may be that the willpower is insufficient.”

“Willpower?”

“Right. Willpower is consumed when the magic is chanted. Didn’t you know?”

“How could I know such thing”

Then, Louise sat up straight demurely, put out the finger and started explaining, proud as a peacock.

“Listen, the number of elements that mage uses can be increased, and his class changes accordingly. Mage who can use only one element is a dot. Ability to have two – makes one a line. Being able to use three - triangle. Spells are also applied to the class. The spells from three elements are called 'Triangle spells'. Each time the spell class rises, the consumption of willpower doubles.”

“Haa”

“For instance, the line spell would cost for a mage eight willpower, but when that mage decides to use the dot spell, only four of his willpower will be consumed. The cost depends on each person individually, however the same rule applies to all. “

“Haa”

“The main point is that mage could chant two ‘Dot’ spells instead. Eight divided by four is two. Therefore, you could strike and stop chant the spell twice. But when you chant a line spell only once, because twice of the willpower consumed, and eight divided by eight is one.”

“Haa”

“When the line mage grows up to a triangular mage, consumption in the willpower spent on dot spells decreases by half. Therefore, eight divided by two - four, he can use the dot spell four times. The line spell can be used twice. Triangular spell – one time. That’s because mage grows up.”

“Haa. In other words, the low class spells can be chanted many times, while the high class spells cannot be chanted so many times.”

“Right. So now you understand the relation between spells and willpower?”

“Somehow. Then, you fainting a little while ago…”

“Yeah. I fainted a while ago because I overworked and used up my willpower. The spell was too strong and my willpower was insufficient.”

“Then, why you were able to chant it the other day?”

“Well… Really why… I wonder myself…”

“How does willpower recover?”

“Basically, it recovers while sleeping.”

Saito thought while folding his arms together.

“Ummm… Well, up till now, you haven’t chanted many spells correctly?

“Well yes”

“Therefore you collected a lot of willpower, right? And that time you used it all up at once.”

Louise made a startled face.

“For instance, lets assume that your willpower is 100. The ‘Explosion', consumed all 100 at once. While usually the willpower is a recovered while sleeping at night, yet an amount needed is too large for you…as its 100…you cannot collect that much just with one night sleep.”

Saito plainly stated his hypothesis.

“What! To me it seems that it might be the end of your magic”

However, Louise face is serious.

“It might be so..”

“Eh? Eeeh?”

“Adding to “Earh” spell a square class spell ‘Wrough gold’, a gold can be created. But know why the world still uses money?”

“Feh?”

“It is said the square mage’s simply cannot chant the square spells many times. It’s too unreliable, one time the recovery might take one week, the other – one month. Besides, the amount gold you could convert this way is too little. Therefore money are used instead of gold.”

“Fmmm…”

“In other words, powerful spells use up more willpower and take more time to recover. For me, it might be so as well.”

“Then…when would you be able to chant again.....”

“Don’t know. I…One month or maybe one year…”

Louise pondered.

“Ten years.”

“Don’t say such scary thing”

“But, it was successful it was successful.”

“Oh well. ‘No one can understand ‘Void’ fully. Anyways, the aria’s spell affect was demonstrated. There are no more spells like this.”

“It’s too little now. Uuu, my hay…”

Saito said while watching the scattered around pieces of straws.

“Isn’t it all right. Even if there is no pile of hey.”

Louise muttered, blushing for some reason.

Haa, Saito held his breath once he noticed something. What! He became crazy from the view that Louise gave him not aware of it herself. Parka’s hem rolled up Louise’s buttocks, just a little more, mooore, he peeked.

Saito instinctively held his nose. Due to this Saito’s gesture, Louise finally became aware that the parka rolled up. Instantly she sprung to her feet and held down Parka’s hem while blushing.

“Na! You saw! You saw, you saw! You saaaaaw!”

“I-it’s your fault for not wearing panties!”

Saito shouted as well.

“I cannot sleep with them! It was always that way!”

“Always huh!”

Then Louise bit her lower lip and, with some rusting, slipped under the futon.

“Sleep.”

Saito reluctantly slipped behind the blanket’s edge. He heard a voice of sulky Louise within the futon.

“Sleep in a pile of hey, peeping familiar.”

“It was scattered.”

Though he heard Louise groaning few times within the futon, she calmed down after a while. Aah, thinking about the sailor uniform, that he will deliver to Siesta tomorrow night, Saito fell asleep.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume4 Chapter2 - MTL

2008-04-16T07:48:32Z

86.88.203.49:

Wardes woke up. He tries to get up and frowns. Wondering he looked at the bandage that was rolled up around his body. Where am I? I am sure… I was hit by the magic from the flying machine that Gandalfr piloted and lost consciousness.

He looked around. Wooden floor and walls, plain room. Bed and one desk. There is a pendant on the desk, that I was carrying on the neck. Seeing a pitcher he reached out for it... but he could not reach it as his body still ached. At that moment, the door opened up and he saw a familiar face.

“Oh, you regained consciousness.”

“Dirt Crumb? You”

Fouquet placed the plate of soup on the desk. Wardes tried to get up again and frowned.

“Tst..”

“You still cannot move. Your body has been pierced by bullets in many places. It took all water element mages to keep casting ‘Recovery’ spell for three days and three nights.”

“Bullet?”

Wardes made a suspicious face.

“Was I shot by a 'Gun'? Is this the power of a ‘Gun’?”

Gun is a weapon that commoners use. The pressure of the gunpowder, ignited by the spark of the flint, pushes a round bullet out of the weapon. Though power in the short distance is superior to the bow, the need to load the bullet and gunpowder separately, makes it hard to fire quickly. The hit accuracy is not better than bow’s either. Bow’s great advantage is that you don’t need any additional practice to use it. It isn’t a great weapon for mage

“Really? You didn’t even know the weapon that defeated you? What a careless man”

Saying so, Fouquet scooped soup with the spoon and carried it to Wardes's mouth.

Wardes thought. It must be that strange flying machine that Gandalfr used…

Not only it could fly very quickly, but it also was equipped with such 'Gun' that could fire in rapid succession.

And then, in an instant, the consciousness was broken by the whirlpool of light…

Whole fleet of Albion has been burned in a moment by that light…

What was the might I saw.

Still, something must have happened in Halkeginia.

I could take advantage of the change, as this event might be connected in some way with that…

My desire to get Louise’s abilities.

And, Sacred emperor Cromwell manipulation of strange magic…

Even if going to ‘secret ground’, following Cromwell, some clues might left be unknown, as his plan might not work out, remembering that just one person managed to put whole battleship flotilla aflame.

“Hey, soup will cool down”

Fouquet in an exasperated tone said to Wardes, who was lost in his own thought’s.

“Where is this place?”

Wardes said not looking at the soup.

“Albion. The temple near Rondei Niumu. That place from ancient times. It was possible to return safely. And you have to thank me the most for that.”

“Albion? And what about the military invasion?

“Aah, I guess you don’t know that, as you were unconscious, it failed big time. After fleet annihilation Albion’s army was routed. Indeed ‘A certain victory without a doubt’. Is this how you defeat inferior in numbers Tristain and recapture the ‘Sacred Ground’?

“Why haven’t you joined the invasion troops too. Tell me about it.”

Fouquet was amazed.

“Don’t talk so rudely with me! Because Albion army was ignorant about the foreign country geography, I was sent with the scout unit! Seems like you are not interested in it, to be so forgetful!”

“Is that so? Aah, that’s right. Sorry.”

Then Wardes muttered “Give soup. Hungry” urging Fouquet.

Though Fouquet made an ugly and unpleasant face, still, the soup was carried to Wardes's mouth.

“Is hungry all you can say, when I hurriedly nursed you after seeing you fall. I emergently treated you with my ‘Water’ spell. After that, using my illegal connections as a thief, I somehow got the ship leaving to Albion, and escaped safely. Really, such ungratefulness shouldn’t have been saved!”

Wardes pointed at the table.

“Please take the pendant from there.”

The pendant was a silver locket. Wardes took it from Fouquet and put it on his neck.

“Is it your most important treasure?”

“Well, it calms me up.”

“She is a very beautiful person.”

When Fouquet watched Wardes with a smile on her face, Wardes cheeks became tingled with red.

“You saw?”

“Accidentally so. While unconscious, you were gripping it tightly in your hand. Don’t worry.”

“As expected from a thief.”

“Hey, that, is who? Lover?”

Fouquet asked Wardes while bending herself forward. Wardes said in an unpleasant voice.

“Mother”

“Mother? You have been living with her?”

“Not any longer. Either way, it is not your business.”

“Pardon me, you-san this you-san that, what san!”

(T.N. - when Wardes talks to Fouquet he does so in a special manner calling her “you” in a formal and rather cold way.)

At that moment, the room door opened with a clank. It was Cromwell, accompanied by Sheffield.

Seeing Wardes, he smiled thinly. The smile that never change. Like a doll, Wardes thought.

Such defeat. All ambitions concerning Albion were crushed. Yet, Cromwell doesn’t seem to be shaken. Either he is a truly strong man or a carefree optimist, it is hard to tell.

“Looks like you regained consciousness, Viscount.”

“I am sorry, Your Excellency. I failed you not once but twice.”

“But it seems that it wasn’t because of your failure.”

Sheffield who had kept on standing by the side nodded. Then read the parchment scroll, that seemed to be the report, and muttered.

“A sphere of light appeared in the sky and blew off our fleet.”

“In a word, enemy had an unknown magician with them. This was a miscalculation. It is no one’s fault. If anything… it was a our leadership fault that enemy’s war potential was not scouted. One soldier, most of all you, should not be blamed for that. Just heal your wounds, Viscount.”

Cromwell offered his hand to Wardes. Wardes kissed it.

“I thank for your Excellency’s kindness”

Wardes remembered Louise’s long, pinkish blond hair. Louise was in that flying machine. Such magic never…

Wardes saw through Louise’s talent. Therefore, he wanted to have it in his own hands.

…The element that Founder Brimir used, the lost ‘Void’.

He shook his head. Cromwell said that ‘Void’ is an element controlling life. But can it create such light that would defeat whole fleet?

Even if it is really powerful magic… It is hard to imagine Louise having control over it.

“ Was the ‘void’ the source of that light? But the ‘Void’ that your Excellency talked about and that light seems to be completely different.”

“No one can assume say that they have a full knowledge about what ‘Void’ is. ‘Void’ is a great mystery.”

Sheffield stepped in.

“It is wrapped up on the other side of an ancient, dark history.”

“History. Many interesting things the history hides. I accidentally read a book. According to biography’s chapter one of Founder’s shield was called Saint Aegis. It has a very little information regarding ‘Void’.”
　
Cromwell spoke as if reciting a poem.

“Founder created sun, to shine upon the ground”

“Indeed. There was no light within that small sun.”

“Mystery upon the mystery, I feel ill. Awaking is also bad. It is so, Viscount.

“As You say.”

“It is said that Tristain’s army was lead by Henrietta. What for an inexperienced princess-sama fought. That princess made a use of ‘Founder’s Prayer Book’, maube she sniffed out the sleeping secret of Royal family.”

What is the sleeping secret of the royal family?”

“Royal family of Albion, Royal family of Tristain, and, royal family of Gallia…were one branch in the beginning. And Founder's secret was split to each. Isn’t so, Miss Sheffield?”

Cromwell urged the woman at his side.

“It is as Your Excellency says. The treasure that was given to Albion’s royal family was 'Ruby of the wind'… However, where the ruby of the wind disappeared is yet to be found. Since the investigation has not ended so far.”

Wardes watched the woman with dubious feeling. Because her face was hid by the deep lobe, it is not possible to see her expression. Though one could think she was Cromwell's secretary… why she didn’t give an impression to be just a secretary. I do not feel strong magic. However, because she was promoted here by Cromwell, she might have some a special ability.

“Now, Henreitta, a worshipped ‘Holy Woman’, enthroned to a queen.”

Cromwell muttered. Sheffield answered.

“The ruler of the kingdom. The queen with the country will also get Royal family’s secret.”

Cromwell smiled.

“Wales-san”

Wales, who was revived by Cromwell, entered the room from the corridor.

“You called, Your Excellency?”

“I want to offer congratulations for your lover’s… Holy woman’s coronation. I want her to come to my Rondei Niumu castle. Howver, the journey seems to be very tedious so keep her company to dispel the boredom.”

Wales muttered “Certainly” in monotone voice.

“Then, Wardes-san. Take care of yourself. I will leave it up to you to invite the ‘Holy Woman’ to the dinner party and ensure her safe arrival.”

Wardes bowed.

Cromwell and others left from the room. Fouquet muttered absent-mindedly.

“Disgusting man. Baiting one lover with dead lover is not a way an noble should act.”

Fouquet added, though she herself hated nobles.

“That man is not a noble. Haven’t you heard? He was a mere bishop at first.”

Then Wardes snuffled loudly.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just cannot stay calm. If only the wound would not be healing… I could do my work instead of playing corpse…”

After that, Wardes, regrettably buried the face in his hands.

“Damn! I… Am I incapable? Didn’t ‘Sacred Ground’ slipped away again…”

Fouquet laughed with a smile, and placed her hand on Wardes's shoulder.

“You are a weak man… Yet, I knew that from the beginning”

And then, Fouquet brought her face close to Wardes’s and placed her lips on his.

Slowly pulling her lips back, Fouquet muttered.

“Rest for now. I do not know what you are hiding… Yet once in a while you need to rest as well.”

**

In the Tristain’s royal palace, Henrietta was waiting for the guest. Even though she is a queen, she never sits in the throne. She mostly did king’s work.

After the coronation was finished and she became a queen, the number of things to do in domestic and foreign area increased greatly. Some were demanding loans, some were asking it in a good nature, and Henrietta from morning till night, was always meeting someone. Moreover, because of the war, there are more guests than usual.

Because of always straining to show her dignity, she became very tired. Even though Mazarini assisted, she had to strain with the answers herself. It was too late for Henreitta to revert back to being princess.

However… for a new guest, she neither showed particularly made expressions nor attitude.

The refrained voice called outside the room, informing Henrietta about the guest's arrival.

Right after that the door opened.

Louise stood there, reverentially bowing her head. Next to her Saito’s figure could be seen. Even now, a restraining device used to tame wild creatures was attached to his miserable body.

“Louise, aah, Louise!”

Henrietta ran up and embraced Louise closely. Looking up, Louise muttered.

“Princess-sama… No, I have to call thee Your Majesty now.”

“I don’t like it when you say it so formality. Louise Francoise. Aren’t you my beloved friend?”

“Then, I will call thee princess –sama, as usual.”

“Please do it for me. Aah Louise, I didn’t want to be a queen. It is twice as boring. It is three times more straining. And ten times more worrisome.”

Henreitta muttered, looking bored.

After that, Louise became silent waiting for Henreitta’s words. This morning the messenger from Henrietta came to Academy of Magic. Two people, missing the lessons, boarded the carriage that Henrietta prepared and came here

I guess I was called for a specific reason. I think, it is about ‘Void”? However, she seems hesitating to ask about that.

Henrietta just looked into her eyes, not talking. Reluctantly Louise said “I ought to give my congratulations on the victory”. Louise tried to find a harmless topic to talk about with Henrietta.

“This victory was all thanks to you, Louise.”

Louise watched Henrietta’s face with a startled expression.

“You can’t hide such great secret from me, Louise.”

“I did what…”

Louise still tried to pretend not to know.

Henrietta smiled and handed a report, written on parchment, to Louise. After reading it, Louise sighted.

“You scouted even that?”

“To some extend it is war results, so it is better not to hide anything.”

After that Henrietta faced Saito who was left out up till now. Saito, who on the way here heard from Louise that Henrietta became a queen, felt nervous.

“For controlling the foreign country flight machine that destroyed enemy’s dragon knight corps, I express my greatest gratitude.”

“No… it’s not like that”

“You are the hero of this country. So now I am giving you a noble’s title…

“That’s so wrong! Turning dog into a noble!”

“Dog?”

“N-no… it doesn’t matter” Louise murmured with a blush.

“Thus, I grant you a peer’s title”

When Henrietta said this, Saito muttered ‘Haa’. Then he remembered Kirche;s words a while ago. That in Tristain, if you are not a mage from the birth then you cannot become a noble.

But despite his thoughts about the peerage, he didn’t open his mouth. Either way, when returning to Japan, all tittles will lose their meaning.

“Great… a really great war outcome. Louise Francoise. The way war ended is thanks to you and your familiar, not talking about Tristain, there is no match for this in the whole Halkeginia’s history. By all means, Louise, you should be given a territory with a size of a small country and a title of duchess for this. And, respectively, your familiar awarded with peers title.”

„I d-don‘t need anything... this deed was my familiar‘s...“

Louise muttered hesitatingly.

„Weren‘t you the cause of that light, Louise ? The light that was called a miracle of the castle, yet I do not believe in miracles. The light came from the flying machine that you were flying in. Aren‘t you the cause of it?“

Henrietta watched Louise, it was impossible to hide anything this way.

And what about Saito? Even though he constantly pulled Louise’s shirt sleeve, trying to cut in with “By the way…”, she slowly began talking about Founder’s prayer book. She could not consult with anyone else, it was too insecure.

Slowly… Louise talked to Henrietta.

She took Henrietta’s ‘Water Ruby’ and placed it on the pages of Founder’s Prayer Book and an ancient script appeared. Reading it out back then… created a spell of the light.

“Founder's prayer book was written using element of 'Void'. Princess -sama, is it true?”

Henrietta stared over Louise’s shoulder.

“You knew, Louise? Founder Brimir gave rings to three children from three royal families to keep as a treasure. Tristain got, now yours, ‘Water Ruby’ and Founder’s Prayer Book.”

“Err…”

“It has been handed down like this among the royal families. Royal families were the ones that inherited Founder’s power

“I am not from a royal family.”

“What are you saying, Louise. The ancestor of La Valliere duke family, was king’s illegitimate child. And you are the duke’s child.

Louise was startled.

“You too have Tristain’s royal family blood. And this is good enough.”

After that, Henrietta took Saito’s hand. Seeing the runes she nodded.

[[Image:ZnT04-068.jpg|thumb]]

"This is the sign, the sign of 'Gandalfr'? Sign of Familiar that Founder Brimir used for protection while casting spells."

Saito nodded. Sir Osmond also said the same thing.

“Then… I am really a supporter of 'Void'?”

“I think it really is so”

Louise sighed.

“That’s why you understand that I cannot reward you that way, right Louise?”

Saito, who couldn’t follow it, asked why.

“Why?”

Henrietta answered with a clouded face.

If I were to give the reward, Louise's secret services would be exposed in the daylight. That would be dangerous. Louise's power is too big. Even one country could not manage such power. If enemy would learn about Louise's secret…they would become frantic about it and would do anything to get it. I alone should be enemy’s target.”

After that, Henrietta sighed.

“Enemy’s are not the only ones to be interested in void. Even inside the palace… those who will know about that power, will always try to use it for their own purposes.”

Louise nodded with a scared look.

“Therefore, Louise, you should not talk to anyone about that power. Your secret is safe with me.”

Then Louise thought for a while…

And in a slowly determined way she opened her mouth.

“Don’t worry princess –sama I want to dedicate my 'Void' to thee.”

“No… it is all right. You must forget that power as soon as possible. And never use it again.”

“God… princess-sama I want to help thee with the powers I was granted with!”

However, Henrietta shook her head.

“Mother said – great power drives people mad. Who could be sure that I .after gaining the power of ‘Void’, would not turn out the same way?”

Louise lifted proudly her face. It was a face of a person who decided her mission. However, such face was somewhat dangerous.

“I was always wanted to dedicate my power and body for the princess-sama and the mother country. I was taught so, I believed so, and I grew up with that. However, my magic always failed. As you know, I was nicknamed 'Zero'. Behind of sneer and contempt, I was always shaken with regret.”

Louise clearly asserted.

“However, god gave such power to me. I myself believe in using this power. Still, if you say that Your Majesty will not need it, then it is necessary to return Your Majesty the wand.”

Henrietta was touched by Louise’s speech.

“Louise, understand. You are still… my best friend. From the times when you helped me on Ragdorian’s lake. You took the blame for me…”

“Princess–sama”

Louise and Henrietta tightly embraced each other. Saito, who as always was left out, swung his head absentmindedly. Louise is too eager to promise without thinking…he thought, though he didn’t say that.

Though it is nice to help Henrietta… but what about the travel to the east to find a way to return me home…

By helping Henrietta, seems like they will not go there.

“After this, I will help Louise too.”

“Naturally, Princess-sama”

“Then I give 'Founder's prayer book' to you. However, Louise promise me. Don’t tell anyone that you are a ‘Void’ user. And do not use it recklessly too.”

“Certainly.”

“After this, you will become my court lady and will obey only me.”

Then Henrietta takes out the quill pen and smooth parchment. After that, she put out the quill pen and signed the document.

“Take this. This is my formal permission. With this weather in royal palace, or inside or outside the country, you will have an supreme authority even over everything even police. If there is no freedom, one cannot work well.”

Louise reverently received the permission with an expression of gratitude. Henrietta's authorization. This meant that Louise was granted with the right to act in queen’s name.

“If I will face a problem that only you can solve, I will, surely, consult you. Officially, please act as a student of Academy of Magic like you did up to date. Since it is you, you will, without a doubt, do well.”

After that, Henrietta turned towards Saito. Having an idea, she fumbled within the pocket of the dress. When she took out golden coins, Saito gasped audibly.

“I ask you to look after Louise…my important friend, kind Familiar-san.”

“T-that’s… I cannot take it.”

Saito looked amazed at the golden and silver coins in the hand.

“By all means, please accept it. Giving you this as a sign of “Chevalier” is the least what this powerless queen can do. You showed your loyalty to me and to the mother country. This should not be unrewarded.”

Henrietta said with sincere eyes.

When seeing such eyes… it becomes impossible to refuse. After accepting this, he cannot refuse helping Louise, as it seems… Because Saito is not from this world, he isn’t Henrietta’s vassal either, but even if he doesn’t have to feel responsible, Saito felt a strong sense of obligation this way.

Aah, it might be the fate, he thought.

No, it was his personality rather than fate. When such beautiful woman like Henrietta, said please, I could not find a heart to refuse. What a light-hearted fellow I am. Haa…

He wasn’t so welcomed in Japan of his time.

Anyway, I should search for the way to return home, Saito thought, putting golden coins into his pocket.

**

Saito and Louise went out of the royal palace in line.　

“Really… you are too eager to give promises…”

“What do you mean”

Louise stared up at Saito.

“Because you said that you will help princess -sama, but then it will be impossible to go east.”

Saito said in a disappointed voice.

“Don’t leave without permission. Everyone remains here, so stop asking.”

Louise averted her face and started walking leaving Saito behind. Saito ran after her panicking.

“How can you say that? Release me from this!”

Saito pointed at the restraining device used to tame wild creatures that was attached to his body.

“Do not argue!”

“If familiar is acting on its own, it is master’s duty to put a chain on him.”

Louise answered nonchalantly.

Saito, trying to get attention, suddenly gripped Louise’s shoulder.

They were in Bourdonne's Street already, right in front of royal palace. The Main Street. And what about passers-by? They all were staring.

“Hey! People are looking! Let go!”

Saito said in a lowered voice.

“You…are you thinking I should not return.”

Louise went ‘Huu!’ at these words and changed her expression.

“So that’s it, isn’t it? You are worried about me leaving, right? It would be hard to help princess-sama otherwise.”

It is different, Louise wanted to say but shut her mouth. That’s not the reason why I do not want for Saito to return to his former world. However, by saying this, she would reveal her hazy feelings for Saito. Louise's pride cannot permit such thing.

In that sort of division, Louise nodded reluctantly.

“T-that’s right! No one would worry for a familiar like you otherwise!”

“Lovely. So that’s how it is”

Saito muttered, and began walking again.

What he really thought. She didn’t have to say ‘because I love you’. But she could have said ‘I would be lonely’ or at least ‘I want you to be near’, if she would have said that he would not have minded helping her and would have searched for the way to return later.

When Henrietta asked for his help a while ago, though he thought it was bothersome, he also was glad for a moment. No one really needed him in Japan. The earth keeps on spinning, even with the Saito gone. However, is different about this world. Siesta and Henrietta… there were some people that needed him.

Yet he wanted to feel needed by Louise more. However, judging from her words earlier, all that she cared about were only his ‘Gandalfr’ powers.”

Saito pouted. He was sulky.

Determined, he started to push his way through crowd. The town is still crowded from the victory celebration. A drunken groups were yelling out toasts while hanging out their cups filled with wine!

Louise, still in shock from Saito’s words ‘Lovely’, was petrified for a while. With face down, she bit her lower lip. When she looked up after a while, Saito was already gone in the crowd and could not be seen. Louise ran out panicking.

“Moove!”

Louise bumped hard into a man. A man, who looked like a mercenary, collapsed. In his hand he had a bottle of sake, that he was gulping down vigorously. He seemed to be completely drunk.

Though Louise tried to pass that man sidewards, he grasped her hand.

“Wait, Miss. You ought to apologize for bumping into a person in the middle of the street.”

Then a man, who seemed to be a mercenary, noticed Louise’s mantle and muttered “A noble huh”.

However, a man who was clasping Louise's arm doesn't move.

“Today it is the festival celebrating the victory at Tarbes. Putting aside the rank. Today nobles. Mercenaries and salesmen are equal. Hey. Miss Noble, how about sharing one drink with me as an apology for bumping.”

Saying so, man thrust out his jar of wine.

“Let me go! You brute!“

Louise shouted. Man's face became brutally distorted at once.

“What did you call me. Hey! Who do you think attacked Albion army in Tarbes! ‘Holy Woman’ or nobles like you, no, us – soldiers!”

A man grasped Louise's hair. However, his hand was stopped.

Saito, who showed up right before one’s eyes, firmly gripped man’s hand.

“What. Go away kid!”

“Let go”

Saito said in a quiet voice. If it were old days… his legs would be shaking while threatening such scary looking man. However, now it is Saito who went through many battles. Thus he gained courage. Now he only has to grip Derflinger who hung on his back when the time comes. Not pulling it out , just grasping it would be enough to knock all those soldiers out.

The man looked at the sword on Saito’s shoulder, with the similar look. The experience that he gained through battlefields in many years, told him that Saito’s attitude wasn’t just a bluff. Then a man spitted nonchalantly and, urging his companions, left.

Saito silently took Louise's hand. And began to walk.

Louise tried to say something to Saito. However, being all flustered, she could not find the words. Saito walks rapidly, pushing through the crowd.

"Are you angry?" Louise asked in a small voice.

“Not really” Saito answered snappishly.

The clasp of his hand made Louise flurried for a moment. Does Saito feel the same? However, because Saito walks straight ahead, she couldn’t see his facial expression.

Louise walks while being dragged.

It was chilly just as much as pleasant feeling, that Louise could not understand or explain.

**

Louise, while walking joined hands with Saito, cheered up. The town was filled with colorful festivals, joyful shows, food carts and stalls were unusual goods were sold were stretched all way down the street.

Being a local lord’s daughter, Louise never walked in a lively town this way. More so, she never walked in a town joined hands with someone of an opposite sex. Those two things combined, made Louise’s head light and dizzy.

“So very noisy” Saito said.

“True” Louise muttered happily.

“Feels like my world’s festival.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. The showy street stalls line up just like this… Gold fish catching, yo-yo fishing, okonomiyaki shops, and food carts queuing in line…”

While saying so, Saito’s eyes turned distant. Louise tightened her grasp on Saito’s hand. Somehow, thought about Saito suddenly leaving to someplace, made her feel bad.

Sometime… the day when Saito leaves will surely come.

However, when walking together this way, the one that I want you to see is me, Louise thought. Just for now. And nothing else matters.

And at the same time she was angry on herself for thinking that way.

Because of love? That’s not it. It was her pride’s problem.

After convincing so herself, Louise looked around blankly.

And then, shouting “Waa”, stopped still.

“What is it?”

Saito turned around. Louise was looking at jewelry shop. There, on a cloth, various rings and necklaces were displayed.

“Do you want to take a look?” Saito asked, and Louise, with a blush on her cheeks, nodded.

Seeing two people approaching, a merchant with a turban on the head rubbed his hands together.

“My! Please come in! I see you are a noble miss. We have a rare goods to offer. This is made from “Wrought gold” and its not a sham.”

The presented jewels, were suited for nobles to wear beautifully ornamented to satisfy the most various tastes.

Louise took a pendant. It was a pure-white pendant, craved in a shape of a shell. There were a lot of big jewels placed around. However, at the closer look, the jewels were nothing but cheap crystals.

Still, Louise liked this shiny pendant. Within the atmosphere of noisy festival, filled quality goods, such showy one attracts attention.

“Do you want it?”

Louise shook her head embarrassed.

“Don’t have the money”

“Well then I will cheapen it. It will be only four ecus.

Merchant sweetly smiled.

“Too expensive!”

Louise shouted.

“You don’t have that much?”

Saito asked amazed, Louise puffed her lips nonchalantly.

“I would if I haven’t bought that impertinent sword the other day. I spent all my month’s pocket money on that.”

Saito reluctantly fumbled in his pocket. He tightly gripped the golden coins that he got from Henrietta a little while ago.

Holding the golden coins, that was approximately of the size of one yen coin, on a palm, Saito asked.

“How much is this worth?”

Merchant was surprised that it was Saito who was carrying money.

“T-this is! Hii, fuu, hmm…This is splendid.”

Taking up four gold coins on which old king’s portrait was carved, the merchant passed the pendant to Louise.

Louise was taken aback with surprise, her cheeks unintentionally loosened up a bit. First thing that Saito did with the money given by Henrietta was shopping for me. She was very happy. After it with a hand for a while, she cheerfully put it on her neck. It suits you well, gracefully said merchant

I want Saito to have a look, she thought while pulling his sleeve. However Saito, whose attention is on the stall near sides, doesn’t move. What on earth is he staring at.

Saito's was gazing at the loot, taken from the Albion army, displayed on the ground.

Things that soldier captured were taken to merchants.

It was articles taken from the enemy…Swords, armors, clothes and clocks. Saito took one of the clothes.

I want him to look at me, Louise pouted lips sulkily. However, Saito’s full attention is on the clothing. It is not unreasonable to want new clothes after all.

“What, you want clothes? But it is not a good idea to wear a second-handed middle ages clothes that enemy used to wear, there are much better ones.”

However, Saito doesn't answer. He reached out for one piece of clothing, his hands shaking.

“Dear customer, you have an excellent eye. This is seamen uniform from Albion. Though it is cheaply made, it is also convenient. Turning a collar this way up, protects neck from the wind.”

Seamen uniform? Indeed!

B-but in Saito’s world it is called sailor uniform…

Saito’s head started working at full power.

Though the size is too big, it could still be modified for Siesta to wear…

He imagined Siesta wearing this.

It looked good.

The enjoyment increases. No, that’s not it. Not personal enjoyment. Gratitude. It was a gratitude for the muffler! He still felt slightly guilty though.

That’s right, Saito cooled down. Money, he absolutely should use them on such thing.

“How much?” Saito asked in an overcome with emotion voice.

“Three ecus would be fine.”

Louise was amazed. Paying such money for an second-handed clothing was too much.

However, Saito paid the asked price.

**

Louise, who returned back to her room, was lying on the bed, listing the Founder's prayer book while humming. Seems like she was in a good mood. Saito tried to slip out of the room quietly, he wanted to go to Siesta to deliver the goods he bought today, but the lock was locked by Louise who rejected the wand the and put the 'Lock' spell on it.　

“Are you going somewhere in the middle of the night?”

“Eh? No…”

Surely he cannot tell that he was going to Siesta’s place to deliver the sailor uniform that he bought today.　

“J-just wanted to take some night’s air! Wah! Wahhahha!”

Louise scowled at Saito. Then, determined, she walked up to Saito and started eagerly taking his parka off.

“Wh-what are you!”

“Taking it off”

“Taking off! Wild creatures restraining device is in the way!

When Saito shouted so, Louise removed the lock of the restraining device, looking down for a moment. Because he bought a pendant in town toady, she thought she had forgiven him. Yet she could not forgive him taking a bath together with a girl so easily.

Louise unfastened the restraining device and took off Saito’s parka. Her face was like always angry. She chewed her lower lip hard.

Then Louise went back to bed, hugging the taken off parka tightly.

And said - “Face that way”.

With all clothes taken off, Louise ,wearing only Saito’s parka, pouted.

“Still want to go for a walk?”

Won’t be giving it to Siesta for now, will wait for tomorrow night, Saito, who was wearing only T-shirt, thought. Even though it was an early summer, the climate in Halkeginia is very different from Japan. Walking this way, he would catch cold. Without a doubt, Louise knew that too.

“There are more important things than the night wind, don’t you agreeee. And a partner who doesn’t serve his master is no good, don’t you agreeee”

Louise said, while laying down on her stomach and swinging her foot

Reluctantly, Saito sat on the bed.

“Understood.”

Louise, lying down on the bed, began to read Founder's prayer book.

“Isn’t it all blank?”

“I can read it”

Louise showed “The ruby of water” on her finger to Saito and explained its relation to Founder’s prayer book.

“Hee, element of void…”

Saito remembered the magical light, which blew off the fleet that day.

‘Void’. The legendary element that Founder Brimir used…

And, I am a Familiar that Founder Brimir is said to have used - 'Gandalfr'.

The legendary Familiar that has the ability to master all kinds of weapons, in order to protect the Founder, while he casts aria…

“Then you are the strongest wizard in this world? Cool! Destroying with one swing”

“I wouldn’t say so. I haven’t said this to princess-sama as I didn’t want to disappoint her…”

With a sigh Louise took the wand.

“Wh-what”

After that, Louise slowly began uttering an incantation.

“Eor Sun Fuir…”

“S-stop! Idiot!”

It’s no good if such explosion would happen in a place like this. However, Louise doesn't try to stop chanting.

“Yarunsakusa..”

Finishing the chant uninterrupted. Louise put out the wand. Saito dig himself into his pile of hay, scattering the straws all around.

And then Louise’s eyes rolled back and she crumbled to the bed suddenly.

“L-L-L-Louise? Louise!”

Saito shook Louise in panic. After being shaken for a while, Louise opened her eyes.

“Auuu…”

“Wh-what! What’s wrong!”

Shaking her head Louise got up abruptly.

“Stop making such fuss. I only fainted for a moment.”

“Eh? Eeeh?!”

“Been chanting 'Explosion' till the last minute, but nothing… After that time, no matter how much I chant, I faint in the middle of it. The explosion only happened once.”

“What kind of thing?”

“I think the reason may be that the willpower is insufficient.”

“Willpower?”

“Right. Willpower is consumed when the magic is chanted. Didn’t you know?”

“How could I know such thing”

Then, Louise sat up straight demurely, put out the finger and started explaining, proud as a peacock.

“Listen, the number of elements that mage uses can be increased, and his class changes accordingly. Mage who can use only one element is a dot. Ability to have two – makes one a line. Being able to use three - triangle. Spells are also applied to the class. The spells from three elements are called 'Triangle spells'. Each time the spell class rises, the consumption of willpower doubles.”

“Haa”

“For instance, the line spell would cost for a mage eight willpower, but when that mage decides to use the dot spell, only four of his willpower will be consumed. The cost depends on each person individually, however the same rule applies to all. “

“Haa”

“The main point is that mage could chant two ‘Dot’ spells instead. Eight divided by four is two. Therefore, you could strike and stop chant the spell twice. But when you chant a line spell only once, because twice of the willpower consumed, and eight divided by eight is one.”

“Haa”

“When the line mage grows up to a triangular mage, consumption in the willpower spent on dot spells decreases by half. Therefore, eight divided by two - four, he can use the dot spell four times. The line spell can be used twice. Triangular spell – one time. That’s because mage grows up.”

“Haa. In other words, the low class spells can be chanted many times, while the high class spells cannot be chanted so many times.”

“Right. So now you understand the relation between spells and willpower?”

“Somehow. Then, you fainting a little while ago…”

“Yeah. I fainted a while ago because I overworked and used up my willpower. The spell was too strong and my willpower was insufficient.”

“Then, why you were able to chant it the other day?”

“Well… Really why… I wonder myself…”

“How does willpower recover?”

“Basically, it recovers while sleeping.”

Saito thought while folding his arms together.

“Ummm… Well, up till now, you haven’t chanted many spells correctly?

“Well yes”

“Therefore you collected a lot of willpower, right? And that time you used it all up at once.”

Louise made a startled face.

“For instance, lets assume that your willpower is 100. The ‘Explosion', consumed all 100 at once. While usually the willpower is a recovered while sleeping at night, yet an amount needed is too large for you…as its 100…you cannot collect that much just with one night sleep.”

Saito plainly stated his hypothesis.

“What! To me it seems that it might be the end of your magic”

However, Louise face is serious.

“It might be so..”

“Eh? Eeeh?”

“Adding to “Earh” spell a square class spell ‘Wrough gold’, a gold can be created. But know why the world still uses money?”

“Feh?”

“It is said the square mage’s simply cannot chant the square spells many times. It’s too unreliable, one time the recovery might take one week, the other – one month. Besides, the amount gold you could convert this way is too little. Therefore money are used instead of gold.”

“Fmmm…”

“In other words, powerful spells use up more willpower and take more time to recover. For me, it might be so as well.”

“Then…when would you be able to chant again.....”

“Don’t know. I…One month or maybe one year…”

Louise pondered.

“Ten years.”

“Don’t say such scary thing”

“But, it was successful it was successful.”

“Oh well. ‘No one can understand ‘Void’ fully. Anyways, the aria’s spell affect was demonstrated. There are no more spells like this.”

“It’s too little now. Uuu, my hay…”

Saito said while watching the scattered around pieces of straws.

“Isn’t it all right. Even if there is no pile of hey.”

Louise muttered, blushing for some reason.

Haa, Saito held his breath once he noticed something. What! He became crazy from the view that Louise gave him not aware of it herself. Parka’s hem rolled up Louise’s buttocks, just a little more, mooore, he peeked.

Saito instinctively held his nose. Due to this Saito’s gesture, Louise finally became aware that the parka rolled up. Instantly she sprung to her feet and held down Parka’s hem while blushing.

“Na! You saw! You saw, you saw! You saaaaaw!”

“I-it’s your fault for not wearing panties!”

Saito shouted as well.

“I cannot sleep with them! It was always that way!”

“Always huh!”

Then Louise bit her lower lip and, with some rusting, slipped under the futon.

“Sleep.”

Saito reluctantly slipped behind the blanket’s edge. He heard a voice of sulky Louise within the futon.

“Sleep in a pile of hey, peeping familiar.”

“It was scattered.”

Though he heard Louise groaning few times within the futon, she calmed down after a while. Aah, thinking about the sailor uniform, that he will deliver to Siesta tomorrow night, Saito fell asleep.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume4 Chapter2 - MTL

2008-04-16T07:11:50Z

86.88.203.49:

Wardes woke up. He tries to get up and frowns. Wondering he looked at the bandage that was rolled up around his body. Where am I? I am sure… I was hit by the magic from the flying machine that Gandalfr piloted and lost consciousness.

He looked around. Wooden floor and walls, plain room. Bed and one desk. There is a pendant on the desk, that I was carrying on the neck. Seeing a pitcher he reached out for it... but he could not reach it as his body still ached. At that moment, the door opened up and he saw a familiar face.

“Oh, you regained consciousness.”

“Dirt Crumb? You”

Fouquet placed the plate of soup on the desk. Wardes tried to get up again and frowned.

“Tst..”

“You still cannot move. Your body has been pierced by bullets in many places. It took all water element mages to keep casting ‘Recovery’ spell for three days and three nights.”

“Bullet?”

Wardes made a suspicious face.

“Was I shot by a 'Gun'? Is this the power of a ‘Gun’?”

Gun is a weapon that commoners use. The pressure of the gunpowder, ignited by the spark of the flint, pushes a round bullet out of the weapon. Though power in the short distance is superior to the bow, the need to load the bullet and gunpowder separately, makes it hard to fire quickly. The hit accuracy is not better than bow’s either. Bow’s great advantage is that you don’t need any additional practice to use it. It isn’t a great weapon for mage

“Really? You didn’t even know the weapon that defeated you? What a careless man”

Saying so, Fouquet scooped soup with the spoon and carried it to Wardes's mouth.

Wardes thought. It must be that strange flying machine that Gandalfr used…

Not only it could fly very quickly, but it also was equipped with such 'Gun' that could fire in rapid succession.

And then, in an instant, the consciousness was broken by the whirlpool of light…

Whole fleet of Albion has been burned in a moment by that light…

What was the might I saw.

Still, something must have happened in Halkeginia.

I could take advantage of the change, as this event might be connected in some way with that…

My desire to get Louise’s abilities.

And, Sacred emperor Cromwell manipulation of strange magic…

Even if going to ‘secret ground’, following Cromwell, some clues might left be unknown, as his plan might not work out, remembering that just one person managed to put whole battleship flotilla aflame.

“Hey, soup will cool down”

Fouquet in an exasperated tone said to Wardes, who was lost in his own thought’s.

“Where is this place?”

Wardes said not looking at the soup.

“Albion. The temple near Rondei Niumu. That place from ancient times. It was possible to return safely. And you have to thank me the most for that.”

“Albion? And what about the military invasion?

“Aah, I guess you don’t know that, as you were unconscious, it failed big time. After fleet annihilation Albion’s army was routed. Indeed ‘A certain victory without a doubt’. Is this how you defeat inferior in numbers Tristain and recapture the ‘Sacred Ground’?

“Why haven’t you joined the invasion troops too. Tell me about it.”

Fouquet was amazed.

“Don’t talk so rudely with me! Because Albion army was ignorant about the foreign country geography, I was sent with the scout unit! Seems like you are not interested in it, to be so forgetful!”

“Is that so? Aah, that’s right. Sorry.”

Then Wardes muttered “Give soup. Hungry” urging Fouquet.

Though Fouquet made an ugly and unpleasant face, still, the soup was carried to Wardes's mouth.

“Is hungry all you can say, when I hurriedly nursed you after seeing you fall. I emergently treated you with my ‘Water’ spell. After that, using my illegal connections as a thief, I somehow got the ship leaving to Albion, and escaped safely. Really, such ungratefulness shouldn’t have been saved!”

Wardes pointed at the table.

“Please take the pendant from there.”

The pendant was a silver locket. Wardes took it from Fouquet and put it on his neck.

“Is it your most important treasure?”

“Well, it calms me up.”

“She is a very beautiful person.”

When Fouquet watched Wardes with a smile on her face, Wardes cheeks became tingled with red.

“You saw?”

“Accidentally so. While unconscious, you were gripping it tightly in your hand. Don’t worry.”

“As expected from a thief.”

“Hey, that, is who? Lover?”

Fouquet asked Wardes while bending herself forward. Wardes said in an unpleasant voice.

“Mother”

“Mother? You have been living with her?”

“Not any longer. Either way, it is not your business].”

“Pardon me, you-san this you-san that, what san!”

(T.N. - when Wardes talks to Fouquet he does so in a special manner calling her “you” in a formal and rather cold way.)

At that moment, the room door opened with a clank. It was Cromwell, accompanied by Sheffield.

Seeing Wardes, he smiled thinly. The smile that never change. Like a doll, Wardes thought.

Such defeat. All ambitions concerning Albion were crushed. Yet, Cromwell doesn’t seem to be shaken. Either he is a truly strong man or a carefree optimist, it is hard to tell.

“Looks like you regained consciousness, Viscount.”

“I am sorry, Your Excellency. I failed you not once but twice.”

“But it seems that it wasn’t because of your failure.”

Sheffield who had kept on standing by the side nodded. Then read the parchment scroll, that seemed to be the report, and muttered.

“A sphere of light appeared in the sky and blew off our fleet.”

“In a word, enemy had an unknown magician with them. This was a miscalculation. It is no one’s fault. If anything… it was a our leadership fault that enemy’s war potential was not scouted. One soldier, most of all you, should not be blamed for that. Just heal your wounds, Viscount.”

Cromwell offered his hand to Wardes. Wardes kissed it.

“I thank for your Excellency’s kindness”

Wardes remembered Louise’s long, pinkish blond hair. Louise was in that flying machine. Such magic never…

Wardes saw through Louise’s talent. Therefore, he wanted to have it in his own hands.

…The element that Founder Brimir used, the lost ‘Void’.

He shook his head. Cromwell said that ‘Void’ is an element controlling life. But can it create such light that would defeat whole fleet?

Even if it is really powerful magic… It is hard to imagine Louise having control over it.

“ Was the ‘void’ the source of that light? But the ‘Void’ that your Excellency talked about and that light seems to be completely different.”

“No one can assume say that they have a full knowledge about what ‘Void’ is. ‘Void’ is a great mystery.”

Sheffield stepped in.

“It is wrapped up on the other side of an ancient, dark history.”

“History. Many interesting things the history hides. I accidentally read a book. According to biography’s chapter one of Founder’s shield was called Saint Aegis. It has a very little information regarding ‘Void’.”
　
Cromwell spoke as if reciting a poem.

“Founder created sun, to shine upon the ground”

“Indeed. There was no light within that small sun.”

“Mystery upon the mystery, I feel ill. Awaking is also bad. It is so, Viscount.

“As You say.”

“It is said that Tristain’s army was lead by Henrietta. What for an inexperienced princess-sama fought. That princess made a use of ‘Founder’s Prayer Book’, maube she sniffed out the sleeping secret of Royal family.”

What is the sleeping secret of the royal family?”

“Royal family of Albion, Royal family of Tristain, and, royal family of Gallia…were one branch in the beginning. And Founder's secret was split to each. Isn’t so, Miss Sheffield?”

Cromwell urged the woman at his side.

“It is as Your Excellency says. The treasure that was given to Albion’s royal family was 'Ruby of the wind'… However, where the ruby of the wind disappeared is yet to be found. Since the investigation has not ended so far.”

Wardes watched the woman with dubious feeling. Because her face was hid by the deep lobe, it is not possible to see her expression. Though one could think she was Cromwell's secretary… why she didn’t give an impression to be just a secretary. I do not feel strong magic. However, because she was promoted here by Cromwell, she might have some a special ability.

“Now, Henreitta, a worshipped ‘Holy Woman’, enthroned to a queen.”

Cromwell muttered. Sheffield answered.

“The ruler of the kingdom. The queen with the country will also get Royal family’s secret.”

Cromwell smiled.

“Wales-san”

Wales, who was revived by Cromwell, entered the room from the corridor.

“You called, Your Excellency?”

“I want to offer congratulations for your lover’s… Holy woman’s coronation. I want her to come to my Rondei Niumu castle. Howver, the journey seems to be very tedious so keep her company to dispel the boredom.”

Wales muttered “Certainly” in monotone voice.

“Then, Wardes-san. Take care of yourself. I will leave it up to you to invite the ‘Holy Woman’ to the dinner party and ensure her safe arrival.”

Wardes bowed.

Cromwell and others left from the room. Fouquet muttered absent-mindedly.

“Disgusting man. Baiting one lover with dead lover is not a way an noble should act.”

Fouquet added, though she herself hated nobles.

“That man is not a noble. Haven’t you heard? He was a mere bishop at first.”

Then Wardes snuffled loudly.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just cannot stay calm. If only the wound would not be healing… I could do my work instead of playing corpse…”

After that, Wardes, regrettably buried the face in his hands.

“Damn! I… Am I incapable? Didn’t ‘Sacred Ground’ slipped away again…”

Fouquet laughed with a smile, and placed her hand on Wardes's shoulder.

“You are a weak man… Yet, I knew that from the beginning”

And then, Fouquet brought her face close to Wardes’s and placed her lips on his.

Slowly pulling her lips back, Fouquet muttered.

“Rest for now. I do not know what you are hiding… Yet once in a while you need to rest as well.”

**

In the Tristain’s royal palace, Henrietta was waiting for the guest. Even though she is a queen, she never sits in the throne. She mostly did king’s work.

After the coronation was finished and she became a queen, the number of things to do in domestic and foreign area increased greatly. Some were demanding loans, some were asking it in a good nature, and Henrietta from morning till night, was always meeting someone. Moreover, because of the war, there are more guests than usual.

Because of always straining to show her dignity, she became very tired. Even though Mazarini assisted, she had to strain with the answers herself. It was too late for Henreitta to revert back to being princess.

However… for a new guest, she neither showed particularly made expressions nor attitude.

The refrained voice called outside the room, informing Henrietta about the guest's arrival.

Right after that the door opened.

Louise stood there, reverentially bowing her head. Next to her Saito’s figure could be seen. Even now, a restraining device used to tame wild creatures was attached to his miserable body.

“Louise, aah, Louise!”

Henrietta ran up and embraced Louise closely. Looking up, Louise muttered.

“Princess-sama… No, I have to call thee Your Majesty now.”

“I don’t like it when you say it so formality. Louise Francoise. Aren’t you my beloved friend?”

“Then, I will call thee princess –sama, as usual.”

“Please do it for me. Aah Louise, I didn’t want to be a queen. It is twice as boring. It is three times more straining. And ten times more worrisome.”

Henreitta muttered, looking bored.

After that, Louise became silent waiting for Henreitta’s words. This morning the messenger from Henrietta came to Academy of Magic. Two people, missing the lessons, boarded the carriage that Henrietta prepared and came here

I guess I was called for a specific reason. I think, it is about ‘Void”? However, she seems hesitating to ask about that.

Henrietta just looked into her eyes, not talking. Reluctantly Louise said “I ought to give my congratulations on the victory”. Louise tried to find a harmless topic to talk about with Henrietta.

“This victory was all thanks to you, Louise.”

Louise watched Henrietta’s face with a startled expression.

“You can’t hide such great secret from me, Louise.”

“I did what…”

Louise still tried to pretend not to know.

Henrietta smiled and handed a report, written on parchment, to Louise. After reading it, Louise sighted.

“You scouted even that?”

“To some extend it is war results, so it is better not to hide anything.”

After that Henrietta faced Saito who was left out up till now. Saito, who on the way here heard from Louise that Henrietta became a queen, felt nervous.

“For controlling the foreign country flight machine that destroyed enemy’s dragon knight corps, I express my greatest gratitude.”

“No… it’s not like that”

“You are the hero of this country. So now I am giving you a noble’s title…

“That’s so wrong! Turning dog into a noble!”

“Dog?”

“N-no… it doesn’t matter” Louise murmured with a blush.

“Thus, I grant you a peer’s title”

When Henrietta said this, Saito muttered ‘Haa’. Then he remembered Kirche;s words a while ago. That in Tristain, if you are not a mage from the birth then you cannot become a noble.

But despite his thoughts about the peerage, he didn’t open his mouth. Either way, when returning to Japan, all tittles will lose their meaning.

“Great… a really great war outcome. Louise Francoise. The way war ended is thanks to you and your familiar, not talking about Tristain, there is no match for this in the whole Halkeginia’s history. By all means, Louise, you should be given a territory with a size of a small country and a title of duchess for this. And, respectively, your familiar awarded with peers title.”

„I d-don‘t need anything... this deed was my familiar‘s...“

Louise muttered hesitatingly.

„Weren‘t you the cause of that light, Louise ? The light that was called a miracle of the castle, yet I do not believe in miracles. The light came from the flying machine that you were flying in. Aren‘t you the cause of it?“

Henrietta watched Louise, it was impossible to hide anything this way.

And what about Saito? Even though he constantly pulled Louise’s shirt sleeve, trying to cut in with “By the way…”, she slowly began talking about Founder’s prayer book. She could not consult with anyone else, it was too insecure.

Slowly… Louise talked to Henrietta.

She took Henrietta’s ‘Water Ruby’ and placed it on the pages of Founder’s Prayer Book and an ancient script appeared. Reading it out back then… created a spell of the light.

“Founder's prayer book was written using element of 'Void'. Princess -sama, is it true?”

Henrietta stared over Louise’s shoulder.

“You knew, Louise? Founder Brimir gave rings to three children from three royal families to keep as a treasure. Tristain got, now yours, ‘Water Ruby’ and Founder’s Prayer Book.”

“Err…”

“It has been handed down like this among the royal families. Royal families were the ones that inherited Founder’s power

“I am not from a royal family.”

“What are you saying, Louise. The ancestor of La Valliere duke family, was king’s illegitimate child. And you are the duke’s child.

Louise was startled.

“You too have Tristain’s royal family blood. And this is good enough.”

After that, Henrietta took Saito’s hand. Seeing the runes she nodded.

[[Image:ZnT04-068.jpg|thumb]]

"This is the sign, the sign of 'Gandalfr'? Sign of Familiar that Founder Brimir used for protection while casting spells."

Saito nodded. Sir Osmond also said the same thing.

“Then… I am really a supporter of 'Void'?”

“I think it really is so”

Louise sighed.

“That’s why you understand that I cannot reward you that way, right Louise?”

Saito, who couldn’t follow it, asked why.

“Why?”

Henrietta answered with a clouded face.

If I were to give the reward, Louise's secret services would be exposed in the daylight. That would be dangerous. Louise's power is too big. Even one country could not manage such power. If enemy would learn about Louise's secret…they would become frantic about it and would do anything to get it. I alone should be enemy’s target.”

After that, Henrietta sighed.

“Enemy’s are not the only ones to be interested in void. Even inside the palace… those who will know about that power, will always try to use it for their own purposes.”

Louise nodded with a scared look.

“Therefore, Louise, you should not talk to anyone about that power. Your secret is safe with me.”

Then Louise thought for a while…

And in a slowly determined way she opened her mouth.

“Don’t worry princess –sama I want to dedicate my 'Void' to thee.”

“No… it is all right. You must forget that power as soon as possible. And never use it again.”

“God… princess-sama I want to help thee with the powers I was granted with!”

However, Henrietta shook her head.

“Mother said – great power drives people mad. Who could be sure that I .after gaining the power of ‘Void’, would not turn out the same way?”

Louise lifted proudly her face. It was a face of a person who decided her mission. However, such face was somewhat dangerous.

“I was always wanted to dedicate my power and body for the princess-sama and the mother country. I was taught so, I believed so, and I grew up with that. However, my magic always failed. As you know, I was nicknamed 'Zero'. Behind of sneer and contempt, I was always shaken with regret.”

Louise clearly asserted.

“However, god gave such power to me. I myself believe in using this power. Still, if you say that Your Majesty will not need it, then it is necessary to return Your Majesty the wand.”

Henrietta was touched by Louise’s speech.

“Louise, understand. You are still… my best friend. From the times when you helped me on Ragdorian’s lake. You took the blame for me…”

“Princess–sama”

Louise and Henrietta tightly embraced each other. Saito, who as always was left out, swung his head absentmindedly. Louise is too eager to promise without thinking…he thought, though he didn’t say that.

Though it is nice to help Henrietta… but what about the travel to the east to find a way to return me home…

By helping Henrietta, seems like they will not go there.

“After this, I will help Louise too.”

“Naturally, Princess-sama”

“Then I give 'Founder's prayer book' to you. However, Louise promise me. Don’t tell anyone that you are a ‘Void’ user. And do not use it recklessly too.”

“Certainly.”

“After this, you will become my court lady and will obey only me.”

Then Henrietta takes out the quill pen and smooth parchment. After that, she put out the quill pen and signed the document.

“Take this. This is my formal permission. With this weather in royal palace, or inside or outside the country, you will have an supreme authority even over everything even police. If there is no freedom, one cannot work well.”

Louise reverently received the permission with an expression of gratitude. Henrietta's authorization. This meant that Louise was granted with the right to act in queen’s name.

“If I will face a problem that only you can solve, I will, surely, consult you. Officially, please act as a student of Academy of Magic like you did up to date. Since it is you, you will, without a doubt, do well.”

After that, Henrietta turned towards Saito. Having an idea, she fumbled within the pocket of the dress. When she took out golden coins, Saito gasped audibly.

“I ask you to look after Louise…my important friend, kind Familiar-san.”

“T-that’s… I cannot take it.”

Saito looked amazed at the golden and silver coins in the hand.

“By all means, please accept it. Giving you this as a sign of “Chevalier” is the least what this powerless queen can do. You showed your loyalty to me and to the mother country. This should not be unrewarded.”

Henrietta said with sincere eyes.

When seeing such eyes… it becomes impossible to refuse. After accepting this, he cannot refuse helping Louise, as it seems… Because Saito is not from this world, he isn’t Henrietta’s vassal either, but even if he doesn’t have to feel responsible, Saito felt a strong sense of obligation this way.

Aah, it might be the fate, he thought.

No, it was his personality rather than fate. When such beautiful woman like Henrietta, said please, I could not find a heart to refuse. What a light-hearted fellow I am. Haa…

He wasn’t so welcomed in Japan of his time.

Anyway, I should search for the way to return home, Saito thought, putting golden coins into his pocket.

**

Saito and Louise went out of the royal palace in line.　

“Really… you are too eager to give promises…”

“What do you mean”

Louise stared up at Saito.

“Because you said that you will help princess -sama, but then it will be impossible to go east.”

Saito said in a disappointed voice.

“Don’t leave without permission. Everyone remains here, so stop asking.”

Louise averted her face and started walking leaving Saito behind. Saito ran after her panicking.

“How can you say that? Release me from this!”

Saito pointed at the restraining device used to tame wild creatures that was attached to his body.

“Do not argue!”

“If familiar is acting on its own, it is master’s duty to put a chain on him.”

Louise answered nonchalantly.

Saito, trying to get attention, suddenly gripped Louise’s shoulder.

They were in Bourdonne's Street already, right in front of royal palace. The Main Street. And what about passers-by? They all were staring.

“Hey! People are looking! Let go!”

Saito said in a lowered voice.

“You…are you thinking I should not return.”

Louise went ‘Huu!’ at these words and changed her expression.

“So that’s it, isn’t it? You are worried about me leaving, right? It would be hard to help princess-sama otherwise.”

It is different, Louise wanted to say but shut her mouth. That’s not the reason why I do not want for Saito to return to his former world. However, by saying this, she would reveal her hazy feelings for Saito. Louise's pride cannot permit such thing.

In that sort of division, Louise nodded reluctantly.

“T-that’s right! No one would worry for a familiar like you otherwise!”

“Lovely. So that’s how it is”

Saito muttered, and began walking again.

What he really thought. She didn’t have to say ‘because I love you’. But she could have said ‘I would be lonely’ or at least ‘I want you to be near’, if she would have said that he would not have minded helping her and would have searched for the way to return later.

When Henrietta asked for his help a while ago, though he thought it was bothersome, he also was glad for a moment. No one really needed him in Japan. The earth keeps on spinning, even with the Saito gone. However, is different about this world. Siesta and Henrietta… there were some people that needed him.

Yet he wanted to feel needed by Louise more. However, judging from her words earlier, all that she cared about were only his ‘Gandalfr’ powers.”

Saito pouted. He was sulky.

Determined, he started to push his way through crowd. The town is still crowded from the victory celebration. A drunken groups were yelling out toasts while hanging out their cups filled with wine!

Louise, still in shock from Saito’s words ‘Lovely’, was petrified for a while. With face down, she bit her lower lip. When she looked up after a while, Saito was already gone in the crowd and could not be seen. Louise ran out panicking.

“Moove!”

Louise bumped hard into a man. A man, who looked like a mercenary, collapsed. In his hand he had a bottle of sake, that he was gulping down vigorously. He seemed to be completely drunk.

Though Louise tried to pass that man sidewards, he grasped her hand.

“Wait, Miss. You ought to apologize for bumping into a person in the middle of the street.”

Then a man, who seemed to be a mercenary, noticed Louise’s mantle and muttered “A noble huh”.

However, a man who was clasping Louise's arm doesn't move.

“Today it is the festival celebrating the victory at Tarbes. Putting aside the rank. Today nobles. Mercenaries and salesmen are equal. Hey. Miss Noble, how about sharing one drink with me as an apology for bumping.”

Saying so, man thrust out his jar of wine.

“Let me go! You brute!“

Louise shouted. Man's face became brutally distorted at once.

“What did you call me. Hey! Who do you think attacked Albion army in Tarbes! ‘Holy Woman’ or nobles like you, no, us – soldiers!”

A man grasped Louise's hair. However, his hand was stopped.

Saito, who showed up right before one’s eyes, firmly gripped man’s hand.

“What. Go away kid!”

“Let go”

Saito said in a quiet voice. If it were old days… his legs would be shaking while threatening such scary looking man. However, now it is Saito who went through many battles. Thus he gained courage. Now he only has to grip Derflinger who hung on his back when the time comes. Not pulling it out , just grasping it would be enough to knock all those soldiers out.

The man looked at the sword on Saito’s shoulder, with the similar look. The experience that he gained through battlefields in many years, told him that Saito’s attitude wasn’t just a bluff. Then a man spitted nonchalantly and, urging his companions, left.

Saito silently took Louise's hand. And began to walk.

Louise tried to say something to Saito. However, being all flustered, she could not find the words. Saito walks rapidly, pushing through the crowd.

"Are you angry?" Louise asked in a small voice.

“Not really” Saito answered snappishly.

The clasp of his hand made Louise flurried for a moment. Does Saito feel the same? However, because Saito walks straight ahead, she couldn’t see his facial expression.

Louise walks while being dragged.

It was chilly just as much as pleasant feeling, that Louise could not understand or explain.

**

Louise, while walking joined hands with Saito, cheered up. The town was filled with colorful festivals, joyful shows, food carts and stalls were unusual goods were sold were stretched all way down the street.

Being a local lord’s daughter, Louise never walked in a lively town this way. More so, she never walked in a town joined hands with someone of an opposite sex. Those two things combined, made Louise’s head light and dizzy.

“So very noisy” Saito said.

“True” Louise muttered happily.

“Feels like my world’s festival.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. The showy street stalls line up just like this… Gold fish catching, yo-yo fishing, okonomiyaki shops, and food carts queuing in line…”

While saying so, Saito’s eyes turned distant. Louise tightened her grasp on Saito’s hand. Somehow, thought about Saito suddenly leaving to someplace, made her feel bad.

Sometime… the day when Saito leaves will surely come.

However, when walking together this way, the one that I want you to see is me, Louise thought. Just for now. And nothing else matters.

And at the same time she was angry on herself for thinking that way.

Because of love? That’s not it. It was her pride’s problem.

After convincing so herself, Louise looked around blankly.

And then, shouting “Waa”, stopped still.

“What is it?”

Saito turned around. Louise was looking at jewelry shop. There, on a cloth, various rings and necklaces were displayed.

“Do you want to take a look?” Saito asked, and Louise, with a blush on her cheeks, nodded.

Seeing two people approaching, a merchant with a turban on the head rubbed his hands together.

“My! Please come in! I see you are a noble miss. We have a rare goods to offer. This is made from “Wrought gold” and its not a sham.”

The presented jewels, were suited for nobles to wear beautifully ornamented to satisfy the most various tastes.

Louise took a pendant. It was a pure-white pendant, craved in a shape of a shell. There were a lot of big jewels placed around. However, at the closer look, the jewels were nothing but cheap crystals.

Still, Louise liked this shiny pendant. Within the atmosphere of noisy festival, filled quality goods, such showy one attracts attention.

“Do you want it?”

Louise shook her head embarrassed.

“Don’t have the money”

“Well then I will cheapen it. It will be only four ecus.

Merchant sweetly smiled.

“Too expensive!”

Louise shouted.

“You don’t have that much?”

Saito asked amazed, Louise puffed her lips nonchalantly.

“I would if I haven’t bought that impertinent sword the other day. I spent all my month’s pocket money on that.”

Saito reluctantly fumbled in his pocket. He tightly gripped the golden coins that he got from Henrietta a little while ago.

Holding the golden coins, that was approximately of the size of one yen coin, on a palm, Saito asked.

“How much is this worth?”

Merchant was surprised that it was Saito who was carrying money.

“T-this is! Hii, fuu, hmm…This is splendid.”

Taking up four gold coins on which old king’s portrait was carved, the merchant passed the pendant to Louise.

Louise was taken aback with surprise, her cheeks unintentionally loosened up a bit. First thing that Saito did with the money given by Henrietta was shopping for me. She was very happy. After it with a hand for a while, she cheerfully put it on her neck. It suits you well, gracefully said merchant

I want Saito to have a look, she thought while pulling his sleeve. However Saito, whose attention is on the stall near sides, doesn’t move. What on earth is he staring at.

Saito's was gazing at the loot, taken from the Albion army, displayed on the ground.

Things that soldier captured were taken to merchants.

It was articles taken from the enemy…Swords, armors, clothes and clocks. Saito took one of the clothes.

I want him to look at me, Louise pouted lips sulkily. However, Saito’s full attention is on the clothing. It is not unreasonable to want new clothes after all.

“What, you want clothes? But it is not a good idea to wear a second-handed middle ages clothes that enemy used to wear, there are much better ones.”

However, Saito doesn't answer. He reached out for one piece of clothing, his hands shaking.

“Dear customer, you have an excellent eye. This is seamen uniform from Albion. Though it is cheaply made, it is also convenient. Turning a collar this way up, protects neck from the wind.”

Seamen uniform? Indeed!

B-but in Saito’s world it is called sailor uniform…

Saito’s head started working at full power.

Though the size is too big, it could still be modified for Siesta to wear…

He imagined Siesta wearing this.

It looked good.

The enjoyment increases. No, that’s not it. Not personal enjoyment. Gratitude. It was a gratitude for the muffler! He still felt slightly guilty though.

That’s right, Saito cooled down. Money, he absolutely should use them on such thing.

“How much?” Saito asked in an overcome with emotion voice.

“Three ecus would be fine.”

Louise was amazed. Paying such money for an second-handed clothing was too much.

However, Saito paid the asked price.

**

Louise, who returned back to her room, was lying on the bed, listing the Founder's prayer book while humming. Seems like she was in a good mood. Saito tried to slip out of the room quietly, he wanted to go to Siesta to deliver the goods he bought today, but the lock was locked by Louise who rejected the wand the and put the 'Lock' spell on it.　

“Are you going somewhere in the middle of the night?”

“Eh? No…”

Surely he cannot tell that he was going to Siesta’s place to deliver the sailor uniform that he bought today.　

“J-just wanted to take some night’s air! Wah! Wahhahha!”

Louise scowled at Saito. Then, determined, she walked up to Saito and started eagerly taking his parka off.

“Wh-what are you!”

“Taking it off”

“Taking off! Wild creatures restraining device is in the way!

When Saito shouted so, Louise removed the lock of the restraining device, looking down for a moment. Because he bought a pendant in town toady, she thought she had forgiven him. Yet she could not forgive him taking a bath together with a girl so easily.

Louise unfastened the restraining device and took off Saito’s parka. Her face was like always angry. She chewed her lower lip hard.

Then Louise went back to bed, hugging the taken off parka tightly.

And said - “Face that way”.

With all clothes taken off, Louise ,wearing only Saito’s parka, pouted.

“Still want to go for a walk?”

Won’t be giving it to Siesta for now, will wait for tomorrow night, Saito, who was wearing only T-shirt, thought. Even though it was an early summer, the climate in Halkeginia is very different from Japan. Walking this way, he would catch cold. Without a doubt, Louise knew that too.

“There are more important things than the night wind, don’t you agreeee. And a partner who doesn’t serve his master is no good, don’t you agreeee”

Louise said, while laying down on her stomach and swinging her foot

Reluctantly, Saito sat on the bed.

“Understood.”

Louise, lying down on the bed, began to read Founder's prayer book.

“Isn’t it all blank?”

“I can read it”

Louise showed “The ruby of water” on her finger to Saito and explained its relation to Founder’s prayer book.

“Hee, element of void…”

Saito remembered the magical light, which blew off the fleet that day.

‘Void’. The legendary element that Founder Brimir used…

And, I am a Familiar that Founder Brimir is said to have used - 'Gandalfr'.

The legendary Familiar that has the ability to master all kinds of weapons, in order to protect the Founder, while he casts aria…

“Then you are the strongest wizard in this world? Cool! Destroying with one swing”

“I wouldn’t say so. I haven’t said this to princess-sama as I didn’t want to disappoint her…”

With a sigh Louise took the wand.

“Wh-what”

After that, Louise slowly began uttering an incantation.

“Eor Sun Fuir…”

“S-stop! Idiot!”

It’s no good if such explosion would happen in a place like this. However, Louise doesn't try to stop chanting.

“Yarunsakusa..”

Finishing the chant uninterrupted. Louise put out the wand. Saito dig himself into his pile of hay, scattering the straws all around.

And then Louise’s eyes rolled back and she crumbled to the bed suddenly.

“L-L-L-Louise? Louise!”

Saito shook Louise in panic. After being shaken for a while, Louise opened her eyes.

“Auuu…”

“Wh-what! What’s wrong!”

Shaking her head Louise got up abruptly.

“Stop making such fuss. I only fainted for a moment.”

“Eh? Eeeh?!”

“Been chanting 'Explosion' till the last minute, but nothing… After that time, no matter how much I chant, I faint in the middle of it. The explosion only happened once.”

“What kind of thing?”

“I think the reason may be that the willpower is insufficient.”

“Willpower?”

“Right. Willpower is consumed when the magic is chanted. Didn’t you know?”

“How could I know such thing”

Then, Louise sat up straight demurely, put out the finger and started explaining, proud as a peacock.

“Listen, the number of elements that mage uses can be increased, and his class changes accordingly. Mage who can use only one element is a dot. Ability to have two – makes one a line. Being able to use three - triangle. Spells are also applied to the class. The spells from three elements are called 'Triangle spells'. Each time the spell class rises, the consumption of willpower doubles.”

“Haa”

“For instance, the line spell would cost for a mage eight willpower, but when that mage decides to use the dot spell, only four of his willpower will be consumed. The cost depends on each person individually, however the same rule applies to all. “

“Haa”

“The main point is that mage could chant two ‘Dot’ spells instead. Eight divided by four is two. Therefore, you could strike and stop chant the spell twice. But when you chant a line spell only once, because twice of the willpower consumed, and eight divided by eight is one.”

“Haa”

“When the line mage grows up to a triangular mage, consumption in the willpower spent on dot spells decreases by half. Therefore, eight divided by two - four, he can use the dot spell four times. The line spell can be used twice. Triangular spell – one time. That’s because mage grows up.”

“Haa. In other words, the low class spells can be chanted many times, while the high class spells cannot be chanted so many times.”

“Right. So now you understand the relation between spells and willpower?”

“Somehow. Then, you fainting a little while ago…”

“Yeah. I fainted a while ago because I overworked and used up my willpower. The spell was too strong and my willpower was insufficient.”

“Then, why you were able to chant it the other day?”

“Well… Really why… I wonder myself…”

“How does willpower recover?”

“Basically, it recovers while sleeping.”

Saito thought while folding his arms together.

“Ummm… Well, up till now, you haven’t chanted many spells correctly?

“Well yes”

“Therefore you collected a lot of willpower, right? And that time you used it all up at once.”

Louise made a startled face.

“For instance, lets assume that your willpower is 100. The ‘Explosion', consumed all 100 at once. While usually the willpower is a recovered while sleeping at night, yet an amount needed is too large for you…as its 100…you cannot collect that much just with one night sleep.”

Saito plainly stated his hypothesis.

“What! To me it seems that it might be the end of your magic”

However, Louise face is serious.

“It might be so..”

“Eh? Eeeh?”

“Adding to “Earh” spell a square class spell ‘Wrough gold’, a gold can be created. But know why the world still uses money?”

“Feh?”

“It is said the square mage’s simply cannot chant the square spells many times. It’s too unreliable, one time the recovery might take one week, the other – one month. Besides, the amount gold you could convert this way is too little. Therefore money are used instead of gold.”

“Fmmm…”

“In other words, powerful spells use up more willpower and take more time to recover. For me, it might be so as well.”

“Then…when would you be able to chant again.....”

“Don’t know. I…One month or maybe one year…”

Louise pondered.

“Ten years.”

“Don’t say such scary thing”

“But, it was successful it was successful.”

“Oh well. ‘No one can understand ‘Void’ fully. Anyways, the aria’s spell affect was demonstrated. There are no more spells like this.”

“It’s too little now. Uuu, my hay…”

Saito said while watching the scattered around pieces of straws.

“Isn’t it all right. Even if there is no pile of hey.”

Louise muttered, blushing for some reason.

Haa, Saito held his breath once he noticed something. What! He became crazy from the view that Louise gave him not aware of it herself. Parka’s hem rolled up Louise’s buttocks, just a little more, mooore, he peeked.

Saito instinctively held his nose. Due to this Saito’s gesture, Louise finally became aware that the parka rolled up. Instantly she sprung to her feet and held down Parka’s hem while blushing.

“Na! You saw! You saw, you saw! You saaaaaw!”

“I-it’s your fault for not wearing panties!”

Saito shouted as well.

“I cannot sleep with them! It was always that way!”

“Always huh!”

Then Louise bit her lower lip and, with some rusting, slipped under the futon.

“Sleep.”

Saito reluctantly slipped behind the blanket’s edge. He heard a voice of sulky Louise within the futon.

“Sleep in a pile of hey, peeping familiar.”

“It was scattered.”

Though he heard Louise groaning few times within the futon, she calmed down after a while. Aah, thinking about the sailor uniform, that he will deliver to Siesta tomorrow night, Saito fell asleep.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume4 Prologue

2008-04-10T19:02:54Z

86.88.203.49:

The Ragdorian Lake in between the Kingdom of Tristain and the Garia was one of Halkeginia’s most beautiful places. It spanned across six hundred square kilometres and its width could be compared to that of the distance of Tristania, the capital of Tristain, from the Academy of Magic. The lake was located on relatively high ground, and was beautiful as if it were painting. The lush green of the forests woven with the clear water of the lake was a masterpiece, which couldn’t have possibly been made by a god carelessly waving his axe around.

However, that lake was not something owned by the humans. It was a place inhabited by the water spirits, who were the original inhabitants of Halkeginia. It was the paradise of the water spirits who had a much longer history than the humans. The water spirits had made a castle and town at the bottom of the lake and developed their own culture and kingdom. It was said that those who saw it, no matter how evil they were, would turn over a new leaf.

These water spirits were called the spirits of oath and it was said that oaths made by them would never be broken. That being said… the water spirits, who were said to surpass the beauty of the woven colours of the forest, the sky and the lake, rarely appeared in front of humans. Tens of years ago, they had appeared once to renew their oath with the royal family of Tristain, but since then, they had not come up from the depths of the lake. Which is why, even though it was said that “oaths made by them would never be broken”, it was an extremely difficult task to prove it.

The first time Henrietta and Wales met was at that Ragdorian Lake. It was three years ago… Celebrating the Queen Marianne’s birthday, the Kingdom of Tristain invited guests from each nation and held a large garden party at the Ragdorian Lake. The nobles and royals invited from all over Halkeginia - the Kingdom of Albion, the Kingdom of Garia, and the empire of Germania, gathered at the lake all dressed up and socialised till their hearts content. Fireworks of magic were set off and under a large tent, a ball was held throughout the night with the world’s finest food and wine prepared.

On a night as the second week approached, just about the celebrations had half finished, the fourteen year old Henrietta left her tent and made her way to the shore of the lake without any attendants or guards. She was tired of the celebrations, which seemed to stretch on. The days had been packed with events, such as feasts, dance balls, poetry recitals… She was already fed up with the all the greetings and flattery. She wanted to be alone and take in some fresh air.

She had passed through the area where the tents and buildings stood with her face hidden under a large hood and had made her way to the quiet bank side. The moon shone brightly, creating an illusionary atmosphere. Captivated by the sight, Henrietta simply stared at the river, which reflected the bright (dazzling?) moon. It seemed that just being captivated by the sight did not satisfy her. Henrietta looked around her. After checking that no one was around, she boldly slipped off her dress. With a mischievous smile arising on her beautiful face, she slowly made her way into the water.

The cool water enveloped her body. It was just the beginning of summer, so the coolness felt pleasant in the warm night. She would be scolded if she were to be found in such a place by the chamberlain ラ・ポルト, but she had endured the constrained garden party for so long. I’ll be forgiven for something like this, Henrietta whispered as she began to swim out. After swimming for a while, she suddenly sensed someone on the bank side. Henrietta’s face became red and she hide her body with her hands.

“Who is it?”

The figure did not reply. Who could it be? The annoying chamberlain ラ・ポルト? Her friend who was one year younger than her, Louise Françoise? However she had snuck out of the tent without any of them noticing. Becoming uneasy, she demanded for the person’s identity.

“Insolence. Name yourself.” Her panicking voice reached the bank side.

“I’m no one suspicious. I was only out for a stroll. Why are you out here swimming at a time like this?”

Henrietta was offended by his composed manner, even though he had been watching her swim all this time.

“I asked for your name didn’t I? Even though it may not look like it, I am the princess of a certain country. Before things turn ugly, state your name and leave.”

Hearing this, the figure was taken aback.

“A princess? Could it be, Henrietta?”

Henrietta was surprised at the absence of the address of ‘princess’. There were only five people gathered at the lake who could address her in such a manner. It would be unbelievable insolence if he weren’t one of those five people.

“Who are you?”

Henrietta had taken off the mask of a princess and questioned the figure in the voice of a frightened girl.

The figure laughed. Being laughed at, Henrietta blushed.

“It’s me Henrietta, Wales. Wales from Albion. Your cousin!”

“Wales..? You mean, Prince Wales?”

Prince Wales. The crown prince of Albion. They had never met before, but she of course knew of his name. The eldest son of the brother of her late father. She blushed even more deeply.

“I arrived here tonight with my father. I thought I’d just have a glimpse at the Ragdorian Lake because it’s so famous. Sorry for scaring you.”

“Geez, I can't believe you.” 

With her clothes on, Henrietta turned towards Wales.

“You can turn around now”

Wales had turned away while Henrietta was changing. At the instant he turned around, something ran across Henrietta’s spine for the first time in her life. Her body, cold from the lake became hot as though a fire had scorched her. She shyly smiled at his gallant looks. It seemed as though Wales had felt the same sensation as Henrietta.

“I’m surprised. You’ve grown beautiful, Henrietta…”

The astonished prince drew out moving words from his mouth.

“I-I haven’t at all…” Looking downwards, Henrietta couldn’t lift her face.

“I didn’t mean to surprise you. I was just taking a stroll and I heard some splashing… When I came here, I realised someone was swimming. Sorry. I couldn’t help but gaze.”

“Why were you gazing?”

“Aren’t the water spirits that live in this lake drawn to the moonlight? I wished to see them just once. The beauty of the water spirits are said to put the two moons into shame.”

Henrietta smiled.

“Sorry that it was me then”

Scratching his cheek in an embarrassed fashion, he earnestly said: “Not at all. I haven’t seen a water spirit before but…”

“But?”

“You are more beautiful. More beautiful than a water spirit.”

Embarrassed, Henrietta hid her face.

“People from Albion are so good at jokes.”

“I-It’s not a joke! I’m a prince you know. I haven’t told a lie, not even once! I really think you are more beautiful” Replied Wales, panicking.

Henrietta’s pulse hastened as though a spell had been cast on her. The cousin in front of her… A prince from another country, whom she only knew the name of. The boring garden party, had suddenly become beautifully colourful whilst they stood before the sparkling Ragdorian Lake.

Their relationship grew quite intimate although it didn’t take that much time. They understood each other’s feelings just by looking at each other’s eyes and they also understood well that their time together was limited. At every night of the garden party, Wales and Henrietta would meet by the lake. Henrietta would hide her face with a large hood, and Wales would use a phantom mask which was used in the masked ball. The signal of their rendezvous was the sound of a small stone thrown into the lake. The person who had arrived first would reveal themselves from the thicket from which they were hiding, and after checking no one was around, they would use a password.

After Wales said “On the night the wind blows”, Henrietta would reply with “an oath of the water I pledge.”

On a particular day, the two were walking by the lake holding hands.

“You were pretty late Henrietta, I almost became tired of waiting”

“Sorry. The feast just stretched on. I’m so sick of drunk ramblings already.”

“But… Is it really alright for you to sneak away like that every night?”

Henrietta giggled at Wales worried look.

“It’s alright. I’m using a decoy”

“A decoy! That’s something pretty serious.”

“It’s not that big of a deal. That friend of mine you saw with me at lunch the other day…”

“You mean that skinny girl with long hair?”

Wales tilted his head. The girl that would follow Henrietta around and play with her. He was so captivated by Henrietta that he couldn’t really recall her look. However, he did vaguely remember her hair colour.

“Yes. She dresses up like me, and then goes into my bed for me. The blanket covers her right to the tip of her head so even if anyone stands beside the bed, they can’t see her face.”

“But, isn’t her hair colour different to yours? If I remember correctly, hers is pink while yours is…”

Wales brushed Henrietta’s hair with his hand.

“A beautiful chestnut colour. That would be a fairly bad decoy.”

“I’ve concocted a special magic hair dye. But, I feel a bit guilty. I didn’t actually say that I was meeting you. She thinks that I am just out for a stroll.”

“You’re so cunning!” Wales said while laughing.

“Shh! Don’t laugh so loud. We don’t know if anyone is listening.”

“No one is going to be here listening at this hour of the night except for the water spirits. Ah, I want to see them at least once. I wonder what kind of beauty makes the moon jealous.”

Pouting her lips, she replied to her lover with a troubling tone

“Oh, I see now. So you didn’t actually want to meet with me. You just wanted to see the water spirit, and have me tag along.”

Wales suddenly stopped and grasped Henrietta’s cheeks gently in both his hands and approached her lips. Henrietta was surprised, but soon closed her eyes. Their lips pressed together. After a while, Wales remove

“I love you, Henrietta.”

“I also love you.” Henrietta whispered, blushing furiously.

A tinge of loneliness was reflected in Wales’ eyes. While he was entranced by the idea of their love, a composed part of his mind also imagined the conclusion it. Their status did not allow them to be with each other. If anyone knew about their relationship… they probably wouldn’t even be allowed to see each other in formal events. It was a part of being a princess and a prince.

Wales began to speak, trying to brighten the atmosphere.

“Hahaha… We’ve both been born with troubling destinies haven’t we. Most of the time we’ve spent together has been at night, with a disguise! It would be good, at least just once, if I could walk by this lake with just you and the sun.”

Henrietta closed her eyes and slowly nestled against his chest.

“Then make an oath.”

“An oath?”

“Yes. The water spirits living here are also known as the ‘spirits of oath’. Oaths made before them are said to be unbreakable.” whispered the fourteen year old Henrietta while she hid her face.

“It’s a superstition. Just an old folk’s tale”

“Even if it’s a superstition, I believe it. If by believing, it will grant me my oath, then I will believe forever. Forever…”

A tear dropped from her eyelashes and rolled down on her cheek. Wales gently stroked Henrietta’s cheek.

“I love you, Henrietta, because you love me so much. So don’t cry like that. The river will overflow with your tears. The people gathered here will drown you know.”

“You probably don’t know how much I love you. The more serious I get the more you tease me.”

“Don’t be like that Henrietta”

Lifting the hem of her skirt, Henrietta made her way into the water.

“The princess of Tristain Henrietta vows before the spirits of water that she will love Prince Wales for eternity.”

“Your next Wales. Make an oath like I just did.”

Wales entered the water and embraced Henrietta. Henrietta clung to his shoulder.

“Wales?”

“Your feet will get cold.”

“I don’t mind. Rather than that, I made an oath that I will love you forever. Make an oath as well.”

“Unbreakable oaths are just a superstition.”

“Are you saying that you will have a change of heart?”

Wales went silent for a while, deep in thought.

With a gentle expression, he cast his oath into the lake.

“The prince of Albion, Wales, vows before the water spirits that he will one day walk on this Ragdorian Lake with princess Henrietta and the sun, hand in hand.”

“I made the oath.”

Henrietta buried her face into Wales’ chest and whispered quietly to herself.

“…So you won’t vow to love me?”

The surface of the lake twinkled with light. Then after a while the lake was once again engulfed in silence.

The two looked at each other.

Was it the moon light, or was it the spirits of the water accepting their oaths, they didn’t know… but nestling against each other they continued to gaze at the beautiful lake of Ragdorian.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume4 Prologue

2008-04-10T18:58:07Z

86.88.203.49:

The Ragdorian Lake in between the Kingdom of Tristain and the Garia was one of Halkeginia’s most beautiful places. It spanned across six hundred square kilometres and its width could be compared to that of the distance of Tristania, the capital of Tristain, from the Academy of Magic. The lake was located on relatively high ground, and was beautiful as if it were painting. The lush green of the forests woven with the clear water of the lake was a masterpiece, which couldn’t have possibly been made by a god carelessly waving his axe around.

However, that lake was not something owned by the humans. It was a place inhabited by the water spirits, who were the original inhabitants of Halkeginia. It was the paradise of the water spirits who had a much longer history than the humans. The water spirits had made a castle and town at the bottom of the lake and developed their own culture and kingdom. It was said that those who saw it, no matter how evil they were, would turn over a new leaf.

These water spirits were called the spirits of oath and it was said that oaths made by them would never be broken. That being said… the water spirits, who were said to surpass the beauty of the woven colours of the forest, the sky and the lake, rarely appeared in front of humans. Tens of years ago, they had appeared once to renew their oath with the royal family of Tristain, but since then, they had not come up from the depths of the lake. Which is why, even though it was said that “oaths made by them would never be broken”, it was an extremely difficult task to prove it.

The first time Henrietta and Wales met was at that Ragdorian Lake. It was three years ago… Celebrating the Queen Marianne’s birthday, the Kingdom of Tristain invited guests from each nation and held a large garden party at the Ragdorian Lake. The nobles and royals invited from all over Halkeginia - the Kingdom of Albion, the Kingdom of Garia, and the empire of Germania, gathered at the lake all dressed up and socialised till their hearts content. Fireworks of magic were set off and under a large tent, a ball was held throughout the night with the world’s finest food and wine prepared.

On a night as the second week approached, just about the celebrations had half finished, the fourteen year old Henrietta left her tent and made her way to the shore of the lake without any attendants or guards. She was tired of the celebrations, which seemed to stretch on. The days had been packed with events, such as feasts, dance balls, poetry recitals… She was already fed up with the all the greetings and flattery. She wanted to be alone and take in some fresh air.

She had passed through the area where the tents and buildings stood with her face hidden under a large hood and had made her way to the quiet bank side. The moon shone brightly, creating an illusionary atmosphere. Captivated by the sight, Henrietta simply stared at the river, which reflected the bright (dazzling?) moon. It seemed that just being captivated by the sight did not satisfy her. Henrietta looked around her. After checking that no one was around, she boldly slipped off her dress. With a mischievous smile arising on her beautiful face, she slowly made her way into the water.

The cool water enveloped her body. It was just the beginning of summer, so the coolness felt pleasant in the warm night. She would be scolded if she were to be found in such a place by the chamberlain ラ・ポルト, but she had endured the constrained garden party for so long. I’ll be forgiven for something like this, Henrietta whispered as she began to swim out. After swimming for a while, she suddenly sensed someone on the bank side. Henrietta’s face became red and she hide her body with her hands.

“Who is it?”

The figure did not reply. Who could it be? The annoying chamberlain ラ・ポルト? Her friend who was one year younger than her, Louise Françoise? However she had snuck out of the tent without any of them noticing. Becoming uneasy, she demanded for the person’s identity.

“Insolence. Name yourself.” Her panicking voice reached the bank side.

“I’m no one suspicious. I was only out for a stroll. Why are you out here swimming at a time like this?”

Henrietta was offended by his composed manner, even though he had been watching her swim all this time.

“I asked for your name didn’t I? Even though it may not look like it, I am the princess of a certain country. Before things turn ugly, state your name and leave.”

Hearing this, the figure was taken aback.

“A princess? Could it be, Henrietta?”

Henrietta was surprised at the absence of the address of ‘princess’. There were only five people gathered at the lake who could address her in such a manner. It would be unbelievable insolence if he weren’t one of those five people.

“Who are you?”

Henrietta had taken off the mask of a princess and questioned the figure in the voice of a frightened girl.

The figure laughed. Being laughed at, Henrietta blushed.

“It’s me Henrietta, Wales. Wales from Albion. Your cousin!”

“Wales..? You mean, Prince Wales?”

Prince Wales. The crown prince of Albion. They had never met before, but she of course knew of his name. The eldest son of the brother of her late father. She blushed even more deeply.

“I arrived here tonight with my father. I thought I’d just have a glimpse at the Ragdorian Lake because it’s so famous. Sorry for scaring you.”

“Geez, I can't believe you.” 

With her clothes on, Henrietta turned towards Wales.

“You can turn around now”

Wales had turned away while Henrietta was changing. At the instant he turned around, something ran across Henrietta’s spine for the first time in her life. Her body, cold from the lake became hot as though a fire had scorched her. She shyly smiled at his gallant looks. It seemed as though Wales had felt the same sensation as Henrietta.

“I’m surprised. You’ve grown beautiful, Henrietta…”

The astonished prince drew out moving words from his mouth.

“I-I haven’t at all…” Looking downwards, Henrietta couldn’t lift her face.

“I didn’t mean to surprise you. I was just taking a stroll and I heard some splashing… When I came here, I realised someone was swimming. Sorry. I couldn’t help but gaze.”

“Why were you gazing?”

“Aren’t the water spirits that live in this lake drawn to the moonlight? I wished to see them just once. The beauty of the water spirits are said to put the two moons into shame.”

Henrietta smiled.

“Sorry that it was me then”

Scratching his cheek in an embarrassed fashion, he earnestly said: “Not at all. I haven’t seen a water spirit before but…”

“But?”

“You are more beautiful. More beautiful than a water spirit.”

Embarrassed, Henrietta hid her face.

“People from Albion are so good at jokes.”

“I-It’s not a joke! I’m a prince you know. I haven’t told a lie, not even once! I really think you are more beautiful” Replied Wales, panicking.

Henrietta’s pulse hastened as though a spell had been cast on her. The cousin in front of her… A prince from another country, whom she only knew the name of. The boring garden party, had suddenly become beautifully colourful whilst they stood before the sparkling Ragdorian Lake.

Their relationship grew quite intimate although it didn’t take that much time. They understood each other’s feelings just by looking at each other’s eyes and they also understood well that their time together was limited. At every night of the garden party, Wales and Henrietta would meet by the lake. Henrietta would hide her face with a large hood, and Wales would use a phantom mask which was used in the masked ball. The signal of their rendezvous was the sound of a small stone thrown into the lake. The person who had arrived first would reveal themselves from the thicket from which they were hiding, and after checking no one was around, they would use a password.

After Wales said “On the night the wind blows”, Henrietta would reply with “an oath of the water I pledge.”

On a particular day, the two were walking by the lake holding hands.

“You were pretty late Henrietta, I almost became tired of waiting”

“Sorry. The feast just stretched on. I’m so sick of drunk ramblings already.”

“But… Is it really alright for you to sneak away like that every night?”

Henrietta giggled at Wales worried look.

“It’s alright. I’m using a decoy”

“A decoy! That’s something pretty serious.”

“It’s not that big of a deal. That friend of mine you saw with me at lunch the other day…”

“You mean that skinny girl with long hair?”

Wales tilted his head. The girl that would follow Henrietta around and play with her. He was so captivated by Henrietta that he couldn’t really recall her look. However, he did vaguely remember her hair colour.

“Yes. She dresses up like me, and then goes into my bed for me. The blanket covers her right to the tip of her head so even if anyone stands beside the bed, they can’t see her face.”

“But, isn’t her hair colour different to yours? If I remember correctly, hers is pink while yours is…”

Wales brushed Henrietta’s hair with his hand.

“A beautiful chestnut colour. That would be a fairly bad decoy.”

“I’ve concocted a special magic hair dye. But, I feel a bit guilty. I didn’t actually say that I was meeting you. She thinks that I am just out for a stroll.”

“You’re so cunning!” Wales said while laughing.

“Shh! Don’t laugh so loud. We don’t know if anyone is listening.”

“No one is going to be here listening at this hour of the night except for the water spirits. Ah, I want to see them at least once. I wonder what kind of beauty makes the moon jealous.”

Pouting her lips, she replied to her lover with a troubling tone

“Oh, I see now. So you didn’t actually want to meet with me. You just wanted to see the water spirit, and have me tag along.”

Wales suddenly stopped and grasped Henrietta’s cheeks gently in both his hands and approached her lips. Henrietta was surprised, but soon closed her eyes. Their lips pressed together. After a while, Wales remove

“I love you, Henrietta.”

“I also love you.” Henrietta whispered, blushing furiously.

A tinge of loneliness was reflected in Wales’ eyes. While he was entranced by the idea of their love, a composed part of his mind also imagined the conclusion it. Their status did not allow them to be with each other. If anyone knew about their relationship… they probably wouldn’t even be allowed to see each other in formal events. It was a part of being a princess and a prince.

Wales began to speak, trying to brighten the atmosphere.

“Hahaha… We’ve both been born with troubling destinies haven’t we. Most of the time we’ve spent together has been at night, with a disguise! It would be good, at least just once, if I could walk by this lake with just you and the sun.”

Henrietta closed her eyes and slowly nestled against his chest.

“Then make an oath.”

“An oath?”

“Yes. The water spirits living here are also known as the ‘spirits of oath’. Oaths made before them are said to be unbreakable.” whispered the fourteen year old Henrietta while she hid her face.

“It’s a superstition. Just an old folk’s tale”

“Even if it’s a superstition, I believe it. If by believing, it will grant me my oath, then I will believe forever. Forever…”

A tear dropped from her eyelashes and rolled down on her cheek. Wales gently stroked Henrietta’s cheek.

“I love you, Henrietta, because you love me so much. So don’t cry like that. The river will overflow with your tears. The people gathered here will drown you know.”

“You probably don’t know how much I love you. The more I serious I get the more you tease me.”

“Don’t be like that Henrietta”

Lifting the hem of her skirt, Henrietta made her way into the water.

“The princess of Tristain Henrietta vows before the spirits of water that she will love Prince Wales for eternity.”

“Your next Wales. Make an oath like I just did.”

Wales entered the water and embraced Henrietta. Henrietta clung to his shoulder.

“Wales?”

“Your feet will get cold.”

“I don’t mind. Rather than that, I made an oath that I will love you forever. Make an oath as well.”

“Unbreakable oaths are just a superstition.”

“Are you saying that you will have a change of heart?”

Wales went silent for a while, deep in thought.

With a gentle expression, he cast his oath into the lake.

“The prince of Albion, Wales, vows before the water spirits that he will one day walk on this Ragdorian Lake with princess Henrietta and the sun, hand in hand.”

“I made the oath.”

Henrietta buried her face into Wales’ chest and whispered quietly to herself.

“…So you won’t vow to love me?”

The surface of the lake twinkled with light. Then after a while the lake was once again engulfed in silence.

The two looked at each other.

Was it the moon light, or was it the spirits of the water accepting their oaths, they didn’t know… but nestling against each other they continued to gaze at the beautiful lake of Ragdorian.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume3 Chapter5

2008-04-10T16:39:02Z

86.88.203.49: /* Chapter Five: The Arsenal and the Royal Family */

===Chapter Five: The Arsenal and the Royal Family ===

The Albion air force’s arsenal was located in the outskirts of its capital, Londinium, in the town of Rosyth. Before the Revolutionary War (which is what the Reconquista call the civil war that had just ended recently), that place used to be called 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 red brick building was the control center. The three colored flag of Reconquista could be seen fluttering proudly. But the thing that stood out most was the large battleship which seemed to reach the skies.

The Lexington, the flagship of the fleet, was anchored and covered by a cloth, similar to a large tent, to protect it from rain. The warship stretched across two hundred meters, and was placed on top of a large wooden board so that it could be remodeled as soon as possible.

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

“What a big, dependable looking ship. With a ship like this, doesn’t it feel like we can rule the world, chief rigger?”

“You speak too highly of me”

The chief rigger appointed to the fleet led by the Lexington, Sir Henry Bowood, replied half heartedly. He was on the Reconquista’s side and was the commander of the cruisers during the revolutionary war. Credited with destroying two enemy ships, he was promoted to chief rigger of the Lexington. He was to assume the position of captain when the remodeling 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 the 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 Tristain and Germania warships.”

“Thank you, Miss Sheffield”

Bowood looked at 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 learned from the elves. The knowledge of technology she possesses… does not follow our magic arts. She possesses knowledge of technology that is 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 get involved in politics. In other words, he was a purely militaristic person. The fleet commander, who outranked him, had joined the rebel army, and so he had no choice but to participate in the revolutionary war as a captain of the Reconquista fleet. For him, who had exerted his utmost for the sake of upholding the Albion's tradition - Noblesse oblige, a noble duty, Albion was still a mere kingdom. Cromwell was someone despicable who had just seized power and the throne.

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

“Mr. Bowood. I shall not forgive you for any further political criticisms. This is something that the council has decided upon and approved. 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 someone of higher rank, 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 recognize the face hidden underneath the hood.

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

The face was of Prince Wales, who had died in 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 he, an expert in water magic, which governed the composition of living things, had not heard of a spell 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 rumor 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 to Halkeginia?”

Cromwell spoke with the noble walking alongside him.

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

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 defense squad once. Have you ever ridden a dragon before?”

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

Cromwell smirked in agreement. He suddenly turned to Waldo.

“Viscount, why do you obey me?”

“Do you doubt 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.

Cromwell was a originally clergyman, but he didn’t have a speck of faith in him. Waldo cast his 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, servants were busy sewing the wedding dress Henrietta was to wear. Marianne, the queen, 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 simply nodded. Watching her daughter in that state, Marianne 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 forget what you must forget. The people will be uneasy if they see you like this.” 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 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 I don't understand.”

They embraced each other tightly.

----

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| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume3_Chapter4|Back to Chapter 4]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Return to Main Page]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume3_Chapter6|Forward to Chapter 6]]
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</noinclude>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter5 ~Preview~

2008-04-09T17:27:07Z

86.88.203.49:

{{template:PREVIEW}}

'''This continues right after the translation presented in the "10% translated" page.'''

Louise shakes her head, thinking Wardes is joking. It is true that Saito’s speed increase dramatically when he wield a weapon, and become extremely strong, but to say he is the legendary familiar is unbelievable. If it is really like that, then something must be wrong. ''I am after all “Louise the zero”.''

''I am always a failure, there is no way I could have the power Wardes mentioned.''

“You could become a great mage. Yes, like founder Brimir, and leave your name in history as a great Mage. I believe so.”

Wardes stared at Louise warmly.

“After this mission marry me, Louise”

“Ah…”

The sudden marriage proposal left Louise speechless.

“I am not only just a Mage captain of the Magic Knights, some day, the entire nation, become (something untranslatable involve shocking) Halkeginia’s noble’s (something untranslatable)”

“No, But..”

“But what?”

“I...I am still..still”

“You are not a child anymore, you are 16 years old. You have reached the age when you can decide things. Your father agreed too. But…”

Wardes stopped here. Then he raised his head, and leaned next to Louise’s face. 

“It is true, I never came to look for you, and I have to apologize. Marriage is not something to be spoken easily, this I also know. But Louise, to me you are the most important of all.”

”Wardes…”

Louise thought about it. She don’t know why Saito suddenly appeared in her mind. After she marries Wardes, then she will leave Saito the familiar somewhere out of her control.

''I don’t understand why, but I constantly feel this is wrong. If it is a Crow, Owl type of familiar it wouldn’t be so troublesome. If, no one take care of this idiot from another world, what will happen to him?''

Kirche or…. Saito don’t know Louise knows, often the maid from the kitchen who feed him…. They will take care of him right?

''I don’t understand why this is extremely annoying''. Louise think this is just a girl’s innate competitiveness . ''Although Saito is an idiot, and often made me mad, but I don’t want him to become someone else’s property. Because he is mine, Louise’s property.''

Louise raised her head.

"Still… Still…"

"Still?"

“That, that I am not a mage of your caliber yet, I still need to study..”

Louise lower her head, and kept it lower and murmured.

“Wardes, when I was young, that is what I always thought, someday, I must make everyone recognize me, become a great mage, and make my mother and father proud.”

Louise raise her head, staring at the older man.

“I, I still cannot reach that yet.”

“Is it because someone already stole your heart?”

“It is nothing like that, there is no chance for that to happen!”

Louise replied in a panic.

“It's not important, I understand, I understand. For now, I won’t ask for an answer. But, after this journey is over, I will certainly lighten your heart.”

Louise nodded in reply.

“In that case, lets go to bed, you are already tired right?”

Suddenly, Wardes came close to Louise, wanting to kiss her.

Louise’s body suddenly flew backward, then caught Wardes and pushed him away. 

“Louise?”

Louise pridefully stared at Wardes, Wardes smiled bitterly, and shaked his head.

“I am not in a hurry”

Louise lowered her head again.

''Why even though Wardes is so gentle, handsome and strong. And I am an easily shocked bird . Not even happy when I am being proposed to. But I don’t know why in my heart it feels like I just suffered a strong blow.''

That blow is reverberating, and Louise don’t want accept the reality in front of her. 

Outside the window, Saito had his hand around the Window-Bars, desperately checking the situation in Louise and Wardes’s room.

Holding Deflinger in his left hand made his body became light as a feather, allowing him to observe everything inside the room. Peeking through the curtains, Saito saw two figures sitting by the table.

''What are they talking about?'' Every time when Wardes’s face got closer to Louise, Saito would bite his lips. Every time when the two appear to about to kiss, the boy would almost stop breathing. But since Louise never connected the kiss, Saito’s breathe didn’t stop either.

“Ah, closing in again, this ******, ah, so it is like that!” Saito whispered. Derflinger [unable to translate the way he talked, but we can assume is fairly sarcastic]

“How shameful.”

“Shut up.”

“Like this, like a [some kind of bug] peeking into a window, looking at the girl you have a crush on and her lover cheerfully converse, and my partner biting his lips, it is so shameful it hurts, and almost making me cry!”

“I don’t have an crush on her! What is so good about that kind of girl? Explosive temper, treat me like an dog, twisted personality.”

Saito mumbled, biting his lips at the same time.

“So, why are we peeking?”

“I am only worried, just worried that’s all.”

Just as the two spoke, something fell from above.

Pa-ta (sound of something falling). Something fell on Saito’s shoulder and covered his face, and everything in front of him turned black.

“Wha, what?”

“What are you doing here? Do you like to take strolls on the wall? Geez, took me forever to find you.”

It was Kirche who landed on his shoulder, and our hero’s eyes were blinded because his face was covered by the Germanian’s mini-skirt.

“Get off me, quick” Saito replied as he pulled his face out of Kirche’s skirt.

“Why, is it not good? Hey, what are you looking at?”

Kirche took one look at the window, turned around to face Saito and put her arms around him: “No, don’t peek at newly weds, we shouldn’t care about them”

“This is what I think; a quiet date on the wall is so romantic. Look how beautiful the lights from the city are, don’t you think they are cheering for us?” 

“First thing first, you get off first.”

The two panicked, and suddenly the window slammed open. Saito remain frozen in place, and hug the wall like a cockroach (Some kind of bug).

One look and we can see is Louise with her hands crossed around her hips.  But, her lovely face twisted into a demonic mask, focused on Kirche and Saito.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEXT TO MY WINDOW????”

Saito with his sword in one hand, another clutching the window frames. And the same time Kirche hugged her arms tightly around Saito.

One can’t say this is a surprise, but it still looked pretty amazing.

“Can’t understand it even after you see it? This is a date.”

Saito tried to say something, but his lips were covered by Kirche’s hands. (the rest of the sentence is sort of hard to translate, but it mention Kirche’s usual facial expression when caught with Saito in tow). Louise’s shoulders start to quake in fury.

“Go, go, go, go have romance somewhere else. You, you, you two wild dogs!”


Using an exiggrated voice, Kirche replied,“But darling want to have a date here.”

In an instant Louise’s foot flew in this direction, Kirche docked then climbed on to the wall, so the shorter girl’s foot connected straight with Saito’s face, sending the Japanese boy flying.

Luckily Saito had the sword in his hand, and used the weapon to gauge an hole on the wall to stop his own decent . Then he howled in rage:

“DO YOU WANT TO KILL ME???”

“Someone like you who don’t understand kindness deserve to DIE!”

Wardes sat in his room and watched the whole thing with amusement.

Second day, Saito wake up to someone knocking on his door. Since Guiche is still sleeping soundly to the bed next to him, without another choice the Japanese could only climb out the bed to answer.

''There is no ship today, I wanted to have a good day sleep, geez.'' Saito thought angrily as he opened the door.

Wardes with his usual hat looked down at Saito, who is about a head and half shorter than the knight.

“Good morning, Familiar.”

With Louise’s fiance calling him like this, it really felt bad in Saito’s heart.

Saito replied: “Morning, but the departure date is tomorrow right? Do you have anything important to say this morning? I've been riding a horse all day yesterday, I still want to sleep.”

Wardes only smiled faintly.

“Are you the Gandalf of the legend?”

“AH”

Saito stared at Wardes in a stunned expression.

Wardes is trying to clear something (This is a really garbled sentence), and bend his head and said “ That, that case with Fouquet, I hold an great interest in you. I asked Louise earlier, and I heard you are from another world. And I also heard you are the legendary Gandalfr.”

“Ha” (Some kind of expression)

Who talked about Gandalfr anyway? Old Osman shouldn’t have talked about this.

“I find history and warfare extremely interesting. When Fouquet was captured, I became very interested in you. Then I did some research in the Imperial library. The result of that research is you are the legendary familiar Gandalf.”

Oh, is that so. You are really a scholar.

“I want to know how strong is the person who captured Fouquet, can you show it to me?”

“Show you?”

Wardes pulled out his wand from his belt, “Let us put it that way.”

“A duel?” Saito replied with an icy smile.

“Exactly.”

Wardes and Saito smiled together. Taking one look at the still sleeping Guiche, the Japanese boy thought: ''I am not sure just how strong is Wardes anyway, but I had beaten Guiche already, and captured Fouquet. Although he is the Captain of the Magic Knights, and look like he have some abilities too. But I shouldn’t be so far behind.''

''Lets show Louise’s fiance what a Gandalfr is capable of'' Saito thought.

“Where do you want to duel?”

“This hotel used to be a castle designed for repelling Albion invasions, there is a parade ground in the center of it.”

The two then left for the parade ground for nobles together. The ancient practice ground is now a place for debris and refuse, with empty beer barrels and crates scattered all over the place. 好像在訴說往日的榮譽的石製的升旗台，現在已經佈滿了青苔。(The sentence is untranslated, but it meant an once great parade ground is now an wasteland, using an ancient Chinese phase for an failing dynasty)

“Before, maybe you don’t know, under the reign of Philip the 3rd, this often used to be a place to host duels between nobility.”

“Ha Ha.”

Saito took out Derflinger from his shoulder, and the rune on his left hand burst flared into light.

“In a long time ago, the king still had the power to duel, Noble from the king’s time…a time when Nobles were Nobles, risked for fame and honor, we nobles fought with magic. But it is usually fought over boring issues, right, as if the two were fighting for an lover”

Suddenly Saito’s face grew serious, pulled out his sword, but Wardes stopped him with his left hand.

“What?”

“There are certain rules regarding dueling, we don’t have a witness here”

“Witness?”

“Calm down, one is coming”  Wardes replied, and Louise appeared from nearby. She was dumbfound as she saw the two.

“Wardes, you called me over and I came, what are you two preparing to do?”

“I want to test his abilities a little”

“Really, let’s stop this nonsense. Now is not the time for this kind of stupidities.”

“It is true, but the noble-born  want a duel, he really want to find out if I am strong or weak”

Louise stared at her familiar, “Stop now, this is an order”

Saito did not reply, only stared at Wardes.

“What? Really?” 

“Since the witness is here, let us begin."

Wardes pulled out his Wand from his belt again, enter a combat stance, with his wand pointing at Saito.

Saito responded: “I am not that reliable, so I don’t know how to go hard or light.”

Wardes responded with a light laughter, “No problem, hit me with everything.”

Saito pulled out Derflinger and leaped forward with a slash. The magic knight parried the attack with his wand, and the two weapons rang solidly as steel clashed steel, sending sparks in all directions. While Wardes’ weapon is merely a small wand, yet it was able to block Saito’s long sword without a sweat.

One expected Wardes to retreat backward, but no one expected the hurricane like wind that caused when the two clashed, and Wardes’ increased speed as he charged toward Saito. The Japanese boy responded with a chopping strike that broke Wardes’ advance, with the Black cape of the Magic Knights flipping in the wind. The captain in response leaped a few steps back, and then reversed back to his stance.

''Why isn’t that guy using his magic?'' Saito thought.

Derflinger mumbled in response, “You can’t make it, he is looking down on you.”

Saito’s heart burst in fury. ''Wardes that bastard, he can have the same speed than me with the Gandalfr runes glowing''. Only one exchange, Saito could tell the difference between Guiche and Wardes.

“A Magic Knight isn’t someone who only chant Magic.” Wardes answered with a tip of his hat.

“The way we chant are all specialized for battle, the way we hold our wand, the motion we used to charge…the way we use our Wand as swords, complete with Spellcraft. This is the basic of the basic for soldiers”

Saito lowered his body slightly, and begin to spin his blade like a windmill. Wardes apparently already saw through Saito’s attack style, and parried the next attack without even taking a breath.

“You are really fast; no one can mistake you for a commoner, truly the familiar of the legends.” Blocking Saito’s blow, Wardes used his wand and swing at the back of Saito’s head. With his brains and nose on fire, the Japanese boy collapsed on the ground with a thud.

“But everything is (Untranslated, something about broken), everything lies with the speed, but with the move of a amateur, you cannot beat a real mage with this.”

Saito leaped forward like a bullet, and unreleased a brand new assault.

But (untranslated action), (untranslated action), Wardes blocked Satio again with the speed of the wind.

“In other words, you are unable to protect Louise.” For the first time, Wardes entered combat stance, with a speed impossible for a normal person to track, launched an attack on Saito. Just as the boy realized what was going on, he took the full attack head on.

“Dell yill soll la windy.” With one hand waving the sparking wand, Wardes chanted with a low voice.

Saito realized Wardes’ movement and attack all have a pattern. 

“Partner! Bad news! Magic is coming!” Derflinger screamed. When he realized the whisper chant was magic…

(Noise), suddenly the winds rushed together, creating an invisible force that slammed into Saito with the strength of a hammer, knocking Saito a good 10 meters away and into a pile of Beer barrels, smashing all of them as he crashed down.

In the instant Saito landed on the wine barrels he dropped his sword. As Saito tried to retrieve the weapon, Wardes stepped on it, then struck Saito with the wand. Derflinger screamed “Get your foot of me!”, but Wardes paid it no heed and spoke: “

“Did you find out who is the winner and loser?”

Saito tried to get up, but the pain prevented him from moving. The boy then realized blood was flowing down his head.

Louise fearfully came over.

“Do you understand Louise? He cannot protect you.” Wardes told her calmly.

“Because…BECAUSE AREN”T YOU THE COMMANDER OF THE MAGIC KNIGHTS? THE GROUP THAT IS ASSIGNED TO PROTECT THE QUEEN?? ISN”T IT NATURAL TO BE STRONG?”

“True, but aren’t you going to Albion and might do battle? When you are surrounded by strong enemies, you also plan to say ‘we are weak, please put away the wand?’”

Louise became silent, and then looked at Saito with worry. From his head came more fresh blood, and the little girl panicky drew out her handkerchief, but was stopped by Wardes.

“Leave him, Louise.”

Wardes gripped on to Louise’s hands.

“But…”

”Lets leave him there for a bit.”

With Saito left behind, the boy was on his knees, unable to move a single bit.

Derflinger quipped, “Lost.”

Saito didn’t respond. Losing in front of Louise, made him very sad.

“But that noble is very strong! Don’t worry about it partner, That guy have a lot of skills. Maybe even a Square Mage. Even if you lost, it is not shameful.”

Even if this is true, Saito could not respond.

“Losing in front the girl you have a crush on, is truly a despicable event. But don’t look so down, Or I will cry as well….. Hey, I remember something, what was it? It happened a long time ago… Oh that! Wait!”

Saito put Derflinger back to his sheave, silencing it in the process. Dusting off his pants, the boy took a heavy step forward.

That night, Saito stared at the moon from his balcony window. Guiche and co were drinking in the bar at the first floor. Tomorrow they are heading for Albion, so everyone is partying below. Kirche came with an invitation, but he refused. Our hero have little heart for drinking now.

Apparently, the group can leave with the two moon ellipses, it is the day with Albion is closest to the world.

Saito looked up to the starlit night sky, in the sea of stars, the pink moon hid behind the white moon, and thus became one moon sparking with a peach color. That moon reminded him the moon of his homeland, the moon of Earth.

The depressed Saito never stop mumbling wanting to go home, to go back to his homeland. Also losing to Wardes in front of Louise made Saito more homesick than ever.

Without realizing it, tears were falling from Saito’s eyes. The tears rolled down his face pass his chin then fell on to the ground. The boy continue to cry as he stared at the Moons, then he heard something behind him.

“Saito.”

Turning around, he saw Louise standing behind him with her arms crossed.

“…Just because you lost does not mean you should cry, that is unbecoming.”

The boy in response wiped his face, no wanting Louise to see his tears.

“Is not right.”

”what is not right?”

“I am only doing it because I am homesick. To return to Earth. To return to Japan.”

Louise lowered her head.

“…I know, it is my fault.”

“You are just treating me like a dog.”

“There is nothing I can do about it, I am a member of the nobility, and if I don’t do it there would be rumors.”

“So what is the way to return me to my old world? I really don’t want to be in this world anymore.”

(Something about Saito having thought so evil coming out his heart-untranslated.)

“….What, you know you are very troublesome for me too”

“If you say so, then help me find a way back. Promise me you will find a way to send me to my original world.”

“….When this mission is over, I will do my best to find you a way home.”

“Really?”

Louise put her arms around her belt, nodding her head in a cute expression.

“I am a member of the nobility, I will not lie.”

“But what happen if I cannot find a way back?”

Her face redden a little, Louise harden her heart and replied, “…If that happens, I will ask you to continue to serve (literal translation is worry about) me.”

“Even if you are married?”

“This has nothing to do with marriage.”

Louise stared at Saito.

Saito commented with a little sarcastic humor, “Ok ok, a person like you, with such an awful personality and there is a person who is willing to marry you, that noble is really a miracle. You are really lucky.”

Louise raised her arms with a tint of anger, “What? Didn’t Kirche fall in love with you? That idiot can fall in love with you. Forget it, no matter what can be said. Both of you are morons, and would make a lovely pair.”

The two turned away from each other. Louise closed her eyes, and calmed herself then said: “In summary, during the time you are in Halkeginia, you are my familiar. So regardless the fact I get married or not. It is your duty to protect me, and do laundry as well as other duties.”

Saito turned around to face Louise.

Under that peach colored hair, Louise’s tea-green eyes sparked with fury. Her normally pale face was also tinted with color of anger, which made her puckered lips extremely cute.

Saito’s heart begins to race as he stared at her. He did get yelled at by Louise, but she is still so beautiful.

But, it is truly only this? Just because she is beautiful, my heart is racing? I feel it is not just this alone. No matter how beautiful she is, how cute, when I hear such hurtful words my heart should not race.

Louise held her hands together. Red faced Louise. Louise who nursed me. Althrough she is zero, Louise who confronted Fouquet's golem. Called as zero by others, self a-shamed Louise. 

For a moment we see the real girl. The part that combine with courage and beauty together.

Saito thought really deeply, “Then why is it really this way?”

He finally understood, why he had been staring at the moon every night until tonight, yet never thought about going home.

But, he really hate wanting to admit this reason.

''This really sucks!''

''Why would I…''Saito could not stop the line of thought.

Saito  asked, “Why don’t you just let Wardes protect you?”

“(curse, but in English it is “hateful” or “making me angry), You are still not over losing to him?”

Saito remained silent.

“You are MY FAMILIAR right? Just because you lost, you have to be strong. That defeated look would sully the La Vallière name.”

Being defeated is not that simple. It is only losing in front of Louise, and losing to her fiance. How can he still be strong? Saito curled his lips, and angrily slam into the balcony frame.

Louise replied angrily, “Ok, I understand. Do what you like, I will let Wardes protect me.”

“Ok, be like that.” Saito countered maliciously, and this line made Louise even angrier.

“That person is really reliable. He won’t make me worry. I don’t have to tell a familiar like you, but I will tell you now. Now I have decided, I will marry Wardes.”

Louise looked at Saito, but Saito remained silent, not caring. ''What?'' Louise thought.

“I am going to Marry Warde.”

Louise repeated herself again, But Saito remained silent and didn’t say anything. With his head lowered in anger.

At first she expected Saito to say something to stop her, but Saito didn’t even say a single word.

''You already crawled into my bed, What?'' Louise thought. She got even more unhappy as her pride had been hurt.

“A person like you should spend the rest of your life staring at the moon!” Louise howled as she dashed away.

Just at this moment…

“WOA!” Saito screamed. Louise turned her head around, and to her surprise, something appeared that swallowed the moon, and it is no where to be seen.

Beneath the moon’s shadow, there appeared to be a giant. If we look at it closely, the huge shadow turned out to be a golem made of stone. The person controlling the golem turned out to be…

“Fouquet!” Saito and Louise shouted in unison. The figure above them sat on the golem’s shoulder, cheerfully answered, “Oh it is such an honor to be remembered!”

The sword on Saito’s shoulder asked, “Shouldn’t you be rotting in jail?”

Fouquet shouted back, “Somebody had a kind heart, a beauty like myself should be contriving to the welfare of the world, so they let me escape.”

It is dark so not many people can see it, but there is a figure in the black cape of nobility standing next to the woman. Is that guy the person who helped her escape? The noble supported Fouquet’s action, but remained silent. Because the figure wore a mask, no one can see anything clear, but it appears to be a man.

“…So you are someone who can’t mind her business, what are you doing here?” Saito brandished his sword with his left hand.

“I am here to thank you for the long vacation you gave me, I am here to send you my appreciation!”

Fouquet howled in laughter, and the huge golem pulverized the fence on the balcony with one hit. The fence was carved right out of solid stone, so it appear the power of the golem had increased significantly.

“There is only stone, not dirt, If you tried to be calm heart (translation is clear but not understand why) it won’t happen!”

“No one is trying to be calm hearted!” (??)

Saito grabbed Louise’s hands and ran away, escaping the room, the duo leaped down the stairs.

The room below became (Some kind of field). Suddenly a group of soldiers came to assault Wardes and co. who were drinking.

Guiche, Kirche, Tabitha and Wardes were using Magic to defend themselves. However, there were too many people. It appeared every soldier from La Rochelle came attacking.

It appeared they were losing.

Kirche broke one of the table’s legs, and decided to use the table as a shield against the coming foes. The attacking soldiers were used to fighting Magic using foes already. While they were fighting, they observed Kirche and their ally’s range and style. Then moved out the magic’s range to attack with bows. The soldiers hidden from the dark had the advantage of the field, leaving those inside the room a bitter battle.
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If anyone stood up to chant magic, they were answered with a torrential volley of arrows.

Saito lowered his body charged to the Kirche’s shield-table wall, letting her know Fouquet is above them and attacking, but the giant’s huge feet is already visible, so there is no need to tell them.

The other nobles and guests were hiding under the counter and shake in fear. The fat innkeeper called out to the soldiers “What are you dong to my establishment??” But one arrow slammed into his shoulder, leaving him slumped on the ground.

“This is really troublesome.” Listening to Wardes’ words, Kirche nodded.

“It appear this band is not only just interested in a simple little robbery.”

“That Fouquet in control is the noble behind this?” 

Kirche raised her wand, and mumbled, “…Those guys are planning for us to use our magic, exhaust ourselves then come in with an charge, what can we do?”

“My Valkyries will protect us”

“Guiche, your Valkyries are only a small squad, these are seasoned mercenaries.”

“If we don’t try we will never know.”

“But Guiche, if it comes to warfare I am a far better expert than you are”

“But I am the son of General de Gramont, how could I lose to this band of idiot soldiers?”

“This is intolerable, the nobles of Tristain are only tough with their words, but their actual combat capabilities are pretty weak.”

Guiche stood up, preparing to chant his magic. But Wardes stopped him by grabbing on to the young noble’s shirt.

“Everyone listen carefully.” Wardes whispered. Saito and the others became silent to listen.

“This mission counts as complete if one half of the group arrives safely at the destination.”

At this moment the cute Tabitha also closed her book and looked at Wardes’ direction. The girl used her wand and point at herself, Kirche and Guiche and uttered one word, “Bait.”

Then Tabitha continued and point at Saito, Wardes, and Louise then uttered another word, “Go to the harbor.”

“The time?” Wardes asked the young girl.

“We carry it out right now.”

“Just liked we planned a while ago, go from the backdoor.”

“Ah? AH!” Saito and Louise shouted out in surprise.

“They are responsible for holding the situation; we should be able to confuse their sight. Using this time we should be able to escape, toward the harbor, just like that.”

“But…But…”

Saito looked at Kirche, and the girl ran her hand through her red hair. And puckered her lips then added,

“Bah, can’t help it anyway, we really didn’t want to go to Albion with you anyway.”

Guiche sniffed at his rose, “ Heh, I might die here. What would happen then? If I die then I won’t be able to meet Princess Henrietta again.”

Tabitha nodded at Saito. “Go.”

“But..”

Kirche began to push Saito, “Ok, time to go. When you come back…I will let you kiss me.”

Then, she turned around to face Louise, “Ah, Louise, please don’t make any misinterpretation of this, I am not here to be bait for you.”

”I know, I know!” Although she said it, Louise still lowered her head in a salute to Kirche and others.

Saito and the others lowered their body to the floor, and began to run. Arrows flew at their direction, but with a wave of Tabitha’s wand, the roaring wind protected them from the onslaught.

The group left the Bar into the kitchen and toward the other exit, and then there was a huge explosion behind them.

“…Look like it has begun.” Louise mouthed.

Wardes couch close to the door, then listened at the situation outside.

“There don’t appear to be anyone.”

Opening the door, the three leaped into the night streets of La Rochelle.

“The docks are this way.”

Wardes is in the lead, Louise followed behind. Saito came in the back.

Under the Moonlight, the trio’s shadow extended, and followed closely behind.