Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume14 Chapter5

2011-10-14T05:34:51Z

96.49.42.43: /* Part 3 */

===Chapter 5: Six Thousand Years Ago===

====Part 1====

But at the same time, his conscious said otherwise.

Brimir and Sasha brought Saito to a village called Junitabelio.

Despite being brought there, as soon as he walked past the gates, the village appeared before him. With a Nidabelian name, it seemed to undoubtedly be a properous market. With that kind of mindset, he found that what he saw did not fall within his expectations.

It was a small village filled with moveable tents placed along the sides of nameless hills. One round tent was made of wood and cloth. On one side of the tent, there were a few goats eating long strands of grass.

The whole scenery looked just like the nomadic Mongolians living in their daily lives—something that he had seen in a community textbook.

Finding his breath taken away by this foreign place, Saito stood there dumbfounded.

“My house is just over there. ”

Brimir led him to one of the highest tents in the village. A blue flag flapped atop the tent's canopy. Wasn't Brimir a founder? Someone like Christianity's Jesus, Islam's Mohammed, or Buddism's Sakyamuni? Essentially some incredible person! While thinking, Saito entered. He's living in this kind of run-down place? Is this really Brimir himself?

The furniture inside was simple; crude. A thatch bed was placed further inside. A carpet that resembled Middle-Eastern carpets covered the ground.

“But this really shocked me.”

Standing in the house, Brimir excitedly said,

“Where is your master anyways? Near Midagade? I just really want to meet him.”

Saito found himself recalling an animated film before he had seen before. Because the protagonist returned to the wrong time period, he got to directly interact with a hero. "I'm Tokugawa Ieyasu, Japan's first commander general." It seemed that as he said that phrase, he was introducing the Battle of Sekigahara in a friendly manner.

What he could see right now was completely different from that. No matter how he saw it, this was just an ordinary person.

Although, you can't really say that that's the absolute truth.....after all, legendary people are still people. The mere fact that he's in such a place and is seeing Brimir as an ordinary person is far more unimaginable. He should be paying close attention to this.

Saito coughed with an "ahem," then faced those two.

“That's absolutely impossible.”

“Why?”

“That's.....well what you two believe to be a trifling matter happens to be something that I can't possibly do. I actually come six thousand years from the future." He never thought that he would find himself saying something that sounded like it came out of a sci-fi show, regardless as to whether he was on Earth or Halkaginia.

Unsurprisingly, Brimir and Sasha faced each other and laughed. "Hahahaha.”

“What you said was indeed hillarious.”

“Sorry, sorry. I understand how you want you protect your master. Especially during this kind of chaos. Very few people use this kind of "odd system" of magic. It would be terrible if the Balliag knew. Why don't you tell me when you feel like it. “

Brimir laughed lightly.

Odd system was referring to 'Void' right? In this era, the term 'Void' must be non-existent.

“What's the Balliag?”

Saito asked.

“……You don't know? Those guys are a group of devils that employ frightening tactics." Brimir responded with a pained expression.

Saito felt a bit reluctant to believe what he was hearing on the topic of the Founder's enemies....those weren't the elves, who used ancient magic, were they?

“By Balliag, are you referring to elves? ”

Saito's head got hit hard with a “clang.”

“Ah, that hurts....”

“Why would we be those kinds of barbarians? ”

Sasha was put off by what Saito had said.

“They and us are of completely different races. In this wide world's other places.....have completely different cultures.”

“So it's like that.”

Brimir took ahold of Saito's left hand.

That's why I engraved this inscription on her. Gandalfr. In our old language, it means 'the lowly person who controls magic.'

"So you're the one who engraved this inscription. ”

"That's right. Yet your master didn't?”

Saito shook his head. The inscriptions actually engraved 'themselves'. But according to Brimir, inscriptions in this era had to be engraved. “Nope. Although, 'the lowly person who controls magic' ── Gandalfr doesn't actually use magic.”

“That's because you're a mere human. Looks like ordinary humans can actually become familiars. I had thought that only beasts, magical creatures, or creatures of a different race could. Essentially, the magic that she uses isn't what I use.”

“Ancient magic?”

He asked, but Sasha shook her head.

“What's that? Please don't use another other odd expressions. Call it “elven powers” all right?”

Saito began to realize serious history was. A Gandalfr was 'the lowly person who controls magic.' And the Gandalfr in this era was an elf. He just felt that all of that was a bit hard to believe.

After having stared at Sasha for the whole time........he felt reality crack, as though he was seeing his own ancestors. Just some kind of undescribeable feeling.

“Why didn't you use magic during that time?”

“I didn't want to use elven powers at that kind of place," Sasha said.

“Did you know that to use magic, elves have to learn it?”

“That's a widely known fact, after all.... but what do you mean by the Balliag's frightening tactics?”

Brimir looked at Saito in bewilderment.

“Do you honestly not know about the Balliag?”

“That's right.”

“I sure envy you; there's actually someone on this world who doesn't have the Balliag's shadow treading upon their land. Oh, I understand; your master must be intentionally hiding it from you.”

As though he was very satisfied, Brimir nodded his head. Saito could only watch in bafflement.

“That scary.......just what do those tactics look like?”

Brimir shook his head sadly.

“You'll probably understand in a moment.”

Heavy silence fell on the room. Unable to stand the silence, Saito looked around the inside tent. On a normal basis, there wasn't anything attractive. The entrance revealed a child's nosy face, though. A cute little girl that was around ten years of age.

She wore something that resembled a work uniform with a thin brightly colored belt on her waist.

====Part 2====

“Lauren, it's fine. Come here. “

The little girl called Lauren, who was holding a ceramic pot, took went over there with small steps. She placed the pot on the stove outside the tent.

“Ah, bring me the Bass Tres. Thank you. ”

Looks like the thing called Bass Tres was a object. The girl who brought that took out a staff and began chanting a spell.

“Wow, you are using magic, despite how young you are. Impressive. Is everyone here a Noble?”

“A Noble? I don't really understand what you mean. We are of the Markey race. We don't use magic for granted. “

Having said that, everyone living in this town were mages? This situation would have even had nobles shocked! As Saito exclaimed, a young man broke inside.

“It's the chief! Oh no!

Brimir rose with a thud. The girl called Lauren fearfully gripped the corner of her robe.

“Coming already? That was quick. You've already found this place, haven't you?”

Then, he whisked away what Lauren had broguht.

“What is this? What is this?” Saito was bewildered.

“They came. The Balliag.”

Sasha explained.

“Hey, what exactly is this?”

“We'll discuss that later. Just grab this. “

Sasha grabbed the gun inside the tent and handed it to Saito.

Understanding nothing, Saito darted outside. Just who are these feared Balliags? The villages are mages, but their feared enemies are......?

The village was in a state of chaos. In the empty center of the village, the young man held a staff in his hands, forcing Brimir to gather in the center. As Sasha, and Saito, who was standing on the edge, made their way there, Brimir gave them instructions.

“Lagunaru, the village you're watching is west. Shigulsier, the aiding group from the North will help you guys early. Group Brimir, are you ready too?”

Ten young men raised their arms.

“All right. Let's crash into the enemies' positions to buy time. Sasha, go.”

Brimir ran to the other side of the hill. Saito then followed Sasha, running two hundred meters over the hills.

Seeing the circumstances...., Saito stopped breathing.

Over there.......was an army.

Actually, it would be more accurate to say that it was a scene that would be difficult to describe with 'army'. A lot of people were baffled. In a place that was about four hundred meters long, there were several organized armies.

At the front were horse-riding troops. They wore frightening horned helmets and chest armour. Following that were troops on feet. Holding four meter long spears, similar corps uniformly stood there motionlessly.

“......That's the Balliag?”

If that was their enemy........He had no idea how many thousands or millions of people there were. We, on the other hand, only have a few mages. Even if they were mages, they were incapable to defeating such a large number of enemies.

Besides, just what inside the frighting helmet and armour? As their name happened to be Balliag, Saito had thought that they were ghost-like scums.

Despite having held up against this type of army before, this time's opponents weren't moving, and were organized and prepared for battle. A prepared opponent has no openings. If you directly faced the enemy from the front, you'll get stomped on by the enemy like an ants.

The first general to ride over was on mounted on a horse. He slowly raised his right hand, then lowered it. The troops slowly moved forward. They stopped every ten steps or so, and howled like beasts.

“That's the enemy? “

Sasha nodded at Saito's question.

“So it's like this? Really, why must the incompetent me face these kinds of enemies.......”

Complaining at the same time, Sasha gripped the gun in her hands tightly. She looked at the troops without taking her eyes off them.

“This isn't the entire military, right.....just what should we do?”

While he distractedly gazed at the circumstances, Brimir could be heard chanting from behind.

''Eoru-Sunu Yarunsakusa-''

It was the “Void” magic that he had heard countless of times. The troops before them were slowly approaching.

''Osuonu waruyu rado''

Louise's "Explosion." But....this should be the earliest form of it.

The Balliag troops reached about three hundred meters from them. The range corps started shooting arrows. For a split second, a storm started to form, much like a natural one in the sky. As soon as they reached their destination, several hundreds of arrows were sucked to the ground by gravity as soon as they reached Saito and the others.

The wind mage by Brimir started chanting wind magic. That was probably the “wind wall' that Tabitha normally used.

Thousands of arrows that flew at them were blown away by the wind magic. They met and pierced all over where Saito had been waiting.

''Be-ozusu yuru svyuru kano oshiela''

Ten seconds later, the storm of arrows attacked again. The same wind magic was used to blow them away. Around where Saito was waiting, it caused the arrows stuck on the ground to become like plants on a rice paddy.

Along with Brimir's chant, Saito's fear slowly disappeared, replaced by overflowing courage.

The troops were now about a hundred meters ahead of them.

The mounted general once again raised his arm, waving it.

Stationed in the front row, heavily armored troops with pikes on foot cried out loudly in unison and suddenly attacked. If someone was able to weave through heavily armored assault, are they even human? Just what kind of monster is beneath that armour?

Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!

Thousands and millions of cries echoed across the land──────

Sasha nodded at Saito.

Generally speaking, seeing this organized army and hearing their terrifying war cries, people would be too scared to keep their backs straight.

But a Gandalfr that hears its master chanting from behind has no chance of fear.

A Gandalfr exists to protect their master as they chant their spells.

They are weaponry experts capable of rivaling a thousand troops.

====Part 3====
“What we see right now is a proper stance.”

Saito was brimming with courage.

Keeping their fighting stances, Sasha and Saito charged over there.

The enemies on foot uniformity raised their pikes. As such, Sasha and Saito used the guns in their hands to fend off those numerous pikes. Then, waving off the pikes, they dashed towards the enemy troops.

“Uwah!”

Sasha and Saito were like windmills waving off the weapons on hand. Relying on the Gandalfr's power. The enemy troops were sent flying off like scarecrows.

Suddenly, someone's armour got hit off by a pike. Catching a glimpse of the creature below , Saito found himself shocked.

“.......human?”

Neither side were like ghosts nor scums; just live humans. Just how much rough training did these people endure, to be able to run and march uniformly in such heavy armour?

But right now, there was no time to be awestruck. The skilled soldiers had already surrounded Saito. They held onto and thrust their pikes.

Sasha and Saito were standing back to back, watching each other's backs while shaking away the pikes. Sooner and sooner, they were praying for Brimir to finish chanting his spell.

“Is the magic still not done! Hurry! We can't fend them off for much longer!”

Each second they endured felt like a minute under the endless pressure. The pikes attacked with a whoosh.

''Jella Isa Unju Hagaru Beo Kun Iru''

“Void” has finally been complete.

Brimir waved his wand at the heart of the army.

A white ball of light started to form before Saito's eyes.....then, created a giant explosion. The explosion engulfed the enemy troops. Rays of light spread all over the place, causing destruction and chaos.

“Uwah──！”

With loud cry, Saito was also blown away by the wind produced by the explosion. The damn situation was like getting swollen up by a Tsunami

“That hurts!”

Saito bumped into the ground. For a split second, he nearly lost his senses. While whispering, he supported his body. Looks like he wasn't hurt particularly badly, but his entire body still felt numb with pain.

Suddenly, someone grabbed Saito's wrist. He looked up. A mud-splattered Sasha stood there.

“You also all right?”

“N-no, not good at all……it had unexpectedly wrapped us up in it.......it really was scarier than Louise.....”

“Alas, nothing can be done about it. After all, this was the most effective method.....”

Sasha said without the slightest sign of complaint.

“Look.”

Looking carefully, this place has already transformed into portrait of Hell. Thanks to the gargantuan explosion, the heavily armoured soldiers in front were all blown off. Right now, they were all thrust onto the ground, moaning. Despite having gone through sufficient training, their bodies were inevitably that of a human's. Remaining troops slowly retreated.

“Is everything all right?! I'm sorry! Really sorry! I'll definitely apologize to your master!"

Brimir exclaimed as he ran over to Saito. Saito finally stood up.

"In any case, I'm still alive. Forget about apologizing.....”

“Is that so……I had always wanted to greet your master too.”

“It's impossible. Forget about it.”

“In this case........I'll just apologize for now, and say these things later. All right, it's about time that that side of the village is done preparing. Let's retreat before the enemy reorganizes itself like before. “

Brimir ran off. Saito and the others immediately followed.

“Thank you. You helped us greatly. Had you not been here, the incantation might not have been completed.”

Even if he himself said they did not consent to it, the fight for control over his master's intentions continued. Is this a Gandalfr's karma?

While thinking about how the situation looks, facing Brimi'r back, Saito asked.

“Brimir-san.”

“What is it?”

“Why do you need to fight against those dreadful guys?”

“Because we cannot understand each other."

“So it's like that......”

As though he was mumbling to himself, Brimir said,

“Humans would fight for recognition. But the me who is recognized hardly does anything for our clan; I lack the power to confront them. However.......the Gods have not abandoned us. I've been granted this unfathomable, strong power,” Brimir ended with a strong tones.

“We will win. Sooner or later, we will win for sure. “

If someone truly listened to Brimir's words......then fight against with elves without understanding why. From then on, he'll escape the land of the living.

This kind of person had unexpectedly turned an elf into a familiar. How ironic. Of course, that cannot be told to Brimir.

Saito attentively watched Louise's Founder, from long long ago's, back.

After returning to the village, the tents were all put away. The preparations before setting out were done. It's surprising how something that requires skill was done in such a short duration of time in preparation for retreat.......

This must have been a part of their daily life.

Brimir once again chanted a spell. A gigantic hinged door appeared before their eyes. An "eruption" also formed to open the gigantic hinged door. This man was worthy of being called the “Founder”. His magic powers are unimaginably strong.

…...But looking at back at when he met Sasha, he hadn't entered a “different world.” From the looks of that, perhaps a lot of will power was needed

Freely opening a “door” leading to a “different world” would require some time, wouldn't it?

“Women and children first. Enter quickly.”

The women and children were absorbed into the door. This gigantic door led to some other place. A place in this world where the enemies would not find them.

They avoid the enemies' assaults numerous times like this while constantly fleeing. On a land called “Halkaginia”, they are referred to as nobles. Probably only after a lot of history.

The men have also disappeared through the door. It was finally Saito and Sasha's turn.

“You should go next. Enter, all right.”

Saito gazed at glowing door.

He thought: Just ahead might be a place that's considered to be holy.

With mixed feelings of attachment and unease, Saito entered the glowing door.

<noinclude>
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|-
| Back to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume14_Chapter4|Chapter 4]]
| Return to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume14_Chapter6|Chapter 6]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume14 Chapter5

2011-10-08T21:54:26Z

96.49.42.43: /* Part 1 */

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume14 Chapter5

2011-10-08T21:54:03Z

96.49.42.43: /* Part 1 */

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume14 Chapter3

2011-10-08T04:08:54Z

96.49.42.43: /* Chapter 3: An Elven Gandalfr */

===Chapter 3: An Elven Gandalfr===
“What?”

I—I slept in this kind of place？

No, that can't be possible. I'm inside Romania's church with Louise. Something is odd with her alluring presence......then, in the room, she drank wine. The wine is mixed with some kind of medicine....

Does this mean that Louise carried me here?

Where is this place anyways?

Saito shook his head as he sleepily eyed his surroundings in confusion. He was sleeping on a hill that seemed bit taller than usual, leaning against an old man's tree's roots. Intense sunlight lit the same hill, making it a desert-like oasis. With a piece of shade around, only bits of sunlight leaked towards him, inevitably forcing Saito to squint.

The grass field is distant; mountains and forests can be seen.

Still, Saito lifted his legs and sat down, stretching his neck.

Is this one of Romania's grass fields?

Truly nerve-wracking. Saito shook his head at his situation. His body seemed fine, in its usual sweater and jeans, prior to the wearing a cloak.

He had been dressed like this during his times with Louise. Simply, finding himself moved here after regaining conscious in a church shouldn't be an issue.

Still, why would I be sleeping on a grass field……

“Each time I lose conscious, I wind up in some incredibly ridiculous place,” he mused.

A figure emerged from the distance.

Who is it?

Out of habit, Saito reached towards his back, but Derflinger wasn't there. He had left it in the room. Aside from feeling a bit uncomfortable, there shouldn't be much of a problem; the approaching person's footsteps were leisure and slow，indicating no hostility.

Slowly, the silhouette grew visible, much like the one previously seen....wearing a grass colored dress. Hidden by a hat, the person's face could not be seen, but based on the figure, the person must be female.

The woman approached him after he had awoken, and said.

“Oh，you're awake.“

Then, she lightly pushed her hat aside. Saito suddenly felt his whole body stiffen. Before him was a woman beautiful enough to induce fear in people.

She was around twenty years old.

She had a mature charm and cheerful presence to her. With a friendly smile,  she threw a leather belt at Saito.

“I brought you water.”

He drank the water in large gulps. "Huah,” he breathed a large gulp of air before truly studying the woman.

“My name is Sasha. You？I thought you were a traveler based on how you were sleeping here, but I don't see any luggage...”

“My name is Saito. Hiraga Saito. I'm not here on a trip. I just found myself here after regaining conscious....”

“Right,” said Sasha before studying Saito. She easily removed her hat, revealing something that would have frightened just about anyone. Her ears were those of an elf's.

“Whoa! E-Elf！”

“Oh, you know of me?”

“Y-yes....”

“Ah, that's rare.”

The woman now eyed Saito with interest.

Rare？Something was wrong with that phrase; everyone knows about elves in Halkaginia.

“Thank you for the water. I'm very grateful. By the way, what do you mean by people who know about elves being 'rare?'”

“I also don't know, the barbarians I've met have never seen my kind. Really, what countryside is this.”

Hearing Sasha refer to humans as barbarians had upset Saito a bit. If he wasn't mistaken, Bidashal had also referred to them as such that time.

“This place isn't Halkeginia is it？”

“Halkeginia ? What's that？”

Sasha's expression displayed apparent confusion.

No idea what Halkeginia is?! How is that possible？Saito couldn't help but feel anxious. But based on what was said……at least, this place isn't Halkeginia?

Saito began to believe that he was dreaming, but, “Ah!” That hurts! Looks like it wasn't a dream. With how things are, Saito couldn't help but slap himself in the face.

“Pah!” Saito called out in pain from the ground in a clear voice.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing...it's just that I think I'm dreaming.”

“In that case, one could say that I'm quite fortunate.”

Saito began to search his memory: Since there is no land for the elves, this isn't a place in Halkeginia. Then, is this place the so-called Eastern continent？

“Then, this is Rub' al Khali?”

“What? Even if it's not precisely what you meant，I come from a place called Saharan, but according to him, that place is called ‘Igujestansea.”

Igujestansea....never heard of that name.

Besides, why did I find myself awakening in such a place?

Who is responsible for this?

Could it be that Pope？But what good would it do to leave me here？Or maybe, this is one of King Joseph's ulterior motives?

However, the heart of Romania, the Church，is not such an easy place to access, even for King Joseph...Wait...if say he used that “Void” Magic, it might be possible.

King Joseph?

Suddenly, he remembered something important.

“Ooooh!” Saito cried.

“How?”

“Not that....I suddenly remember! Right now, we're in deep trouble……there's no time to waste in this place!”

“What trouble?”

In haughty tones, Sasha eyed Saito as she spoke.

“Oh？Ah，I must have not made it clear. Where we are, there's an atrocious king that wants to do absurdly bad things to us. Just to get rid of him, we're preparing for battle...I'm loitering here at such a critical time.”

“I can relate to that.”

Sasha opened both hands.

“Right now, the people of my tribe are being swallowed [[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume14_Translator%27s_Notes 1]] by the army. I too shouldn't be idling in such a place, but he.....”

“Him?”

Saito asked. However, Sasha did not respond. Carefully looking, he realized that her face was colored with mild anger. Looks like she resented that “him.”

Having seen a real female elf for the first time, Saito could not help but carefully study Sasha.

She had the same golden hair that Tiffania had, along with pupils that appear as if they were transparent emeralds adorned with long lashes above them. Despite the sharpness of her eyes, its lines had an enchanting and gentle feel to them. She was essentially like Tiffania with all traces of childishness gone.

Beneath her robe, her aura was neutral.

The reason why Tiffania seemed approachable was that she was half-human....but facing this true elven female, he didn't feel an ounce of fear, despite having witnessed the elven Bishadal's unnerving presence.

Saito then thought: Elves and humans are definitely alike; each individual was unique to their own.

He once again eyed his surroundings. It was around noon. Distant clouds slowly grew larger.

Just as he was thinking, the sky suddenly made “pipapipa” noises as it rained. Saito and Sasha quickly hid under the trees.

“That essentially gave off an extremely pleasant feeling. ” 

Sasha muttered as she looked at the rain.

“A pleasant feeling？”

“Yes. As a matter of fact, I am someone who is too shy to face people, but I don't feel that way around you.”

Is that so，Saito couldn't help but sigh. Speaking of that, he himself didn't feel distant, in the slightest, around Sasha. Even if he was close to Tiffania and has faced life and death situations, before an elf, who was believed to be one of the strongest and most feared creatures in Hakaginia, on impulse, he too felt....

“I also feel the same way.”

Having heard that, Sasha stared into Saito's pupils in surprise.

“H—How？”

Being observed by such a stunningly beautiful girl at such a close distance, Saito inevitably felt his heart pound. Sasha's brows furrowed slightly.

“Somehow, it feels like this isn't my first time meeting you. I wonder why?”

“Even if you ask, I also……”

Speaking of which, Saito also felt as though......

This should have been his first time meeting this female elf......，but he felt a sense of familiarity. This is indeed.....

“Is this some kind of deja-vu?”

“Deja-vu？”

“Yes, this kind of feeling where a lot seems to have happened before.”

“Yes....”

However, despite the lack of simplicity in the task, when it was time to take another step and compare the minor differences between their experiences..... 

Sasha suddenly narrowed her eyes and rose with a grim expression.

“What is it？”

“Get down.”

Just as Saito wanted to question what happened, he realized that, on the field, a gray object had floated into sight.

“Dog.....?”

“You sure are optimistic. That's a wolf.”

“Oh? That's a wolf?”

Saito, having seen a wolf for the first time, carefully stared at the wolf that was about twenty meters away. It was really wasn't anything like a dog. It looked savage, wary of its every surrounding.

“Looks like it's intending to make us its dinner.”

“With only one of them?”

“Not possible.”

As expected, silhouettes of more wolves emerged, following one another. Maybe, they had been hiding in the bushes before to quietly sneak forward.

Forming a circle, the wolves surrounded Saito and Sasha. One side lowered themselves, the other slowly turned. The same vicious expression was plastered on all of their faces. The entire pack coordinated their movements, as if informing them that they were currently a part of their daily lives and their play-things.

“Is there anything that could act as a weapon?“

“What are you intending to do?”

“About that....., I gain confidence when I have a weapon on hand. The wolves should be able to sense that. ”

“Oh, what a coincidence, but I've got more confidence than you. It's really a matter of whether you are lucky or not. ”

“Yeah, but I suggest that you just lend me one if you have one. Anything would do. Even if that broken piece of wood over at the side there might be able to work if you push it.......”

Even without the Gandalfr's power, he could make himself a sword. Defeating a pack of wolves was something that he would have liked the Gandalfr's power for, though.

“No problem, just leave everything to me.”

In the next moment, Saito was at a loss for words from shock. He couldn't believe what he was seeing at the time.

As soon as she wielded the dagger, Sasha's left hand began to glow. Or more accurately, her left hand began to glow.

On that was something that he was very familiar with....runes that formed words that were already a part of his body by some significant event.

“GanGanGanGan—Gan—Gan—Gandalfr!”

“Oh, you know what I am?”

“It's not just a matter of knowing or not knowing—”

Saito showed Sasha his left hand.

“Ah! You too?”

Even if what she had said was an expression of surprise, Sasha didn't appear to be shocked.

“Anyhow, why don't you join me.”

Having said that, Sasha pulled out a dagger for Saito. Saito gripped it tightly. This elf was a Gandalfr? Why? There are other Gandalfrs besides me? How is that possible?

As thought it had seen Saito's momentary confusion, a wolf fiercely lunged at him.

Damn.

Now wasn't the time to think. Saito reacted quickly, bent down, and pierced the dagger into the wolf's abdomen.

“Ao!”

The wolf that was stabbed in the abdomen moaned. It fell and rolled on the ground. Sasha quickly turned, and in the blink of an eye, two lunged at her.

“!”

For a moment, it was as though her entire body had disappeared. An agile figure shuttled, just like the dancers from Albion, with her robe flying in the sky.

The wolf that had lunged at her either had its legs chopped off or was beheaded.  It dropped to the ground. Sasha launched the dagger at the fallen wolf, ending its life.

Gradually, the place has once again fallen into silence.

“Why would a Gandalfr.....”

Be an elf and be in a place that isn't Halkaginia. Seeing an fellow Gandalfr, Saito was puzzled.

But internally, he was hopeful.

What kind of magic was this anyways?

Really，magic.....something that whisked him away to an unknown place in the blink of an eye....making anything possible……Thinking of that, Saito suddenly cried, “Ah!”

“What is it？Were you injured？”

Sasha eyed Saito worriedly.

“No, I'm fine.”

Saito responded with a nod. Just, he had to immediately return to Halkaginia. Things are in the midst of trouble right now. Returning is of utmost priority. Everything else could be shoved to the back of his brain!

Right now, his only clue is that other familiar's master. He should probably know what happened.

“I would like to meet your master, who summoned you.”

“I would like to see him too, but I don't know where this place is.....where is Nidabelio? Honestly, what magic test? What good does it do for people!”

“Magic test?”

“Yes, that guy uses uncivilized magic. ”

Uncivilized magic....that's an indicator that it's "void," right？

He always thought there were only four void users, yet there were others?

Saito felt his curiosity peak.

It gradually began to rain harder, hitting its way past the tree leaves, towards Saito and Sasha. Finding shelter beneath a tree was now useless. Sasha suddenly took off her robe.

Seeing Sasha in the tight clothes she wore undernearth, Saito covered his eyes.

“What's wrong？”

“I thought that it would be best if I didn't look.......”

“It's just a method used to avoid getting too wet.”

Sasha stretched out and raised her robe high up. After calling for Saito, the two of them hid beneath this temporary umbrella.

The robe emitted a mildy sweet aroma. It inevitably made people feel exotic. Is that the scent of elves.....? After feeling intoxicated, a mirror-like object suddenly appeared.

That was the very 'door' that Saito had seen from the summon familiar spell.

“What is it?”

Sasha's face suddenly stiffened.

The frowning face could now be considered to be vicious. Saito instinctively stepped back in fear.

This elf was very scary.

Elves were certainly a frightening race........

Sasha had an air of ferocity to her that was a hundred times worse than when she killed the wolves as she stared at the object in the mirror.

From the mirror came a somewhat short boy. He wore a firm expression and had golden hair that was neatly brushed. His entire body was covered with a loose robe.

Apologetically, the boy hurriedly rushed over.

“Aah，finally managed to get it to pen. So-Sorry. I'm really sorry. My apologies.”

Saito saw Sasha's shoulders tremble slightly. Then, her small throat emitted a high pitched, tangled sound:

“You barbarian────────！”

Having said that, Sasha approached the boy, and kicked him with a pretty foot of hers.

“Ah！”

The boy dramatically rolled onto the ground. Sasha helped herself to his back.

“I've said before, what have you and I both agreed on? ”

“Yes.....that's.....”

“Say it loud and clear!”

“This barbarian is very sorry.”

Sasha hit the boy's head again.

“Ah！”

“The next time I take a magic test, I won't make any arrangements? ”

“Yes....do that. In addition, be sure to rely on nobody else.....and I'll say that this isn't even a test.....this is the product of magic research──”

“Isn't that just called a test!?”

Once again, Sasha slapped the boy's head.

“No, I'm truly very sorry, but there was no other way. It's an important time right now, that barbarious.......”

“I've said before that you don't have enough respect for living creatures. You really are a barbarian! I'm part of the noble Elven race, yet you turned me into a familiar. Due to that, you should be expressing much respect for me. But what did you do? Oh, try a test that destroys magic? I opened a teleporation door, and you immediately went to see?........"

“I had no other way. We're at a critical time right now. That violent and cruel Waliag......and there are only a handful of us. The only thing we can depend on would be a miraclulous power, fighting with "magic."”

“What difference does it make to tell me that you were dealing with that Waliag!”

Witnessing this scene, Saito instinctively reminsed about a Gandalfr's relationship with his master. ( If they are truly in the Void situation, it's extremely similar.) Do things appear to be this way regardless of location? As long as it is related to the Void, women are scary for some reason, even if the situation was the complete opposite of his own.......

This person, who is in a place called Igustansea, is a Void user?

Saito coughed with an "oof." He then made his way towards them. [[Image: ZnT14-091.jpg|thumb|]]

“There's.....something that I would like the ask you......”

Seeing Saito, the boy that Sasha sat on responded somewhat sheepishly:

“Ah, nice to meet you. You are? ”

“My name is Saito. Hiraga Saito. I know my name is very weird.”

“Oh sorry, sorry, he and I are the same—we've got the same runes on our hands........”

“What!? You! Let me see quick!”

The boy suddenly lept up with a firm expression. Running towards Saito, he grabbed Saito's left hand.

“This isn't a true Gandalfr! He's just some random gnome that was made agile by magic!”

“No, I'm not a gnome.....”

“That's not it! That's not it! Sasha, look! As I've said, there are people other than me who use this "odd system" of magic! Awesome! This is far too great!”

The boy grasped Saito's hand near his face.

“Quick! Let me see your owner!”

Saito shook his head sheepishly:

“It's impossible to accomplish that right now......., I don't even know what magic sent me here.....

“This looks like, ” The boy suddenly exclaimed with disappointment, but, at the same time, he smiled lightly.

“Oh, come to think of it, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Brimir of Nidabelio.”

Saito stiffened.

This name was one that he has heard many times.

“What?”

“Yes, what's wrong?”

“Co-Cou-Could you please repeat your name?”

“Brimir of Nidabelio. Brimir Ru Rumiru Nidabelio.” 

Brimir

Wait, wait wait.

That's....that's.....the mainland of Halkaginia's widely respected.....

“Founder Brimir's name”

“Founder？What founder？Are you sure you're not mistaken?”

Revealing a dumbfounded expression, the boy looked at Saito.

Something suddenly clicked in Saito's head.

A void user couldn't possibly not know about Founder Brimir. That person before him doesn't seem like some ordinary person who coincidentally shares Brimir's name.

So....

No, how's that......

How's that possible?

Could it be alleged as impossible?

In a world where magic is a part of people's daily lives.......a world where, unlike earth, magic exists, the existence of 'teleportation' magic isn't impossible.

Brimir himself.

Saito inevitably started staring at the boy before him. …..... A deity-like figure was really human too.

That person happened to be him in his youthful years, is living a regular life.....and is in the era that he lived in.

Right now, he was in Brimir's time........

That is to say, in Halkaginia, six thousand years ago.

Is this really not a dream?

No.

This atmosphere.

The feeling of these large footsteps.

“What in the world is it?” Both of them looked at Saito.

The founding Void user and his familiar, the Gandalfr.

That feeling that passes through his skin and that motion.

All these things told Saito that this could possibly be a dream.

This is no dream.

“What has seriously happened? What is this anyways? ”

Realizing the truth that would have made people faint a hundred times [[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume14_Translator%27s_Notes 2]], Saito dropped to the floor in a kneel. 

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