Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

User talk:BakaSama

2010-12-04T19:35:55Z

BakaSama:

BakaSama~ Doko ni iru no?
Douka shimashita ka?

Gomen gomen~
Chotto isogashikattan da yo...
Don't worry, I'll send in the rest of the part by sunday.

--Sumimasen. I'm drowning in tests...and might be a bit late...

Sorry I didn't mean to rush you.
Korekaramo ganbatte kudasai!

Life happens, anyways keep us posted please
shout if you need help :P

so, I don't know how far you are into finishing vol 2 chapter 2 part 2, but a few friends and I finished the rest of it because we really wanted to know what happened next. So, I was wondering if you would mind if we went ahead and posted it. If you do, we will refrain, of course. - March

Actually I'm finished...just forgot to send it in. But for the sake of speed, you could post what you have and I'll give my version to Aorii and he can make the final decision.

User:Kinny Riddle

2010-10-18T04:29:00Z

BakaSama: Undo revision 74723 by 203.211.103.50 (Talk)

Just filling in this blank space so that my name won't be in a brownish-red colour all the time when others have a nice blue-ish feel to their names.

The reason's that simple, honest.

User talk:BakaSama

2010-10-11T20:48:49Z

BakaSama:

User talk:BakaSama

2010-10-11T20:48:19Z

BakaSama:

User talk:BakaSama

2010-10-08T20:06:52Z

BakaSama: Epic Japanese Grammer fail

BakaSama~ Doko ni iru no?
Douka shimashita ka?

Gomen gomen~
Chotto isogashikattan da yo...
Don't worry, I'll send in the rest of the part by sunday.

User talk:BakaSama

2010-10-08T19:48:46Z

BakaSama:

BakaSama~ Doko ni iru no?
Douka shimashita ka?

Gomen gomen~
Chotto isogashikattan datta yo...
Don't worry, I'll send in the rest of the part by sunday.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume12 Story3 Chapter2

2010-09-19T20:32:48Z

BakaSama: Minor changes.

====Chapter 8====

Siesta stood in the kitchen of the women's servant quarters, as she was being
constantly bombarded by her co-workers.

"Wait! Didn't I say I'm busy?"

"Hey, hey, Siesta, try these spices! He will certainly be delighted!"

It was a world with no TV, so the love of others was the best form of entertainment. The ladies, who didn't know how to dispose of their spare time in the long nights, were in a daze of romance.

"Hey, hey, are you deciding today? Are you deciding?"

They were questioning Siesta with such excitement and vigor that they couldn’t be more annoying. During that time, Siesta would momentarily stop her cooking and yell at her friends to get out of the way or that they were bothering her and such.

“But about Saito-sama, isn’t he a noble now? Siesta, you’re amazing…You’ve hit the jackpot!”

Her roommate, Lola, was brimming with curiosity as she drew closer.

Siesta shook her head.

“Not really. Being a noble is not why I adore him.”

“That’s right. Nobles are such prudes. Even if you go out with them, they are just so stiff to be around. On that note, Saito-sama is great. He's a noble but he used to be a commoner. Marrying him would be the best!”

“I’m telling you that his status doesn’t matter.”

Siesta’s expression grew a little sad as she stirred the stew in the pot. Lola seemed to detect something from her once roommate’s facial expression, as she peered into Siesta’s face.

“I see. Then he is a fine gentleman with many accomplishments. Lately his popularity seems to have dropped due to that incident with the aerial brigade. Even so, he is still wonderful. The noble ladies just won’t leave him alone.”

Siesta was slightly gloomy as she silently continued cooking.

“But Siesta, you haven’t given up at all, have you?”

“That’s exactly right!”

The other girls nodded in agreement.

“Yes yes. Anyways, I’m going to bring the food up, so move out of the way.”

Lola seemed to be the most experienced one. With a wink to the other girls, Siesta was surrounded by them.

“Wh-what?”

“Heave-ho.”

In one swoop, the girls grabbed Siesta and began undressing her.

“Wh-what are you doing! Hey!”

In no time, Siesta was completely stripped naked.

“Hey, Give me back my clothes!”

Siesta shouted while shielding the important places of her body. Lola handed over a single apron to her.

“…What is this?”

“An apron.”

“And the rest?”

“Just that.”

Siesta became red in the face.

“N-no matter how you look at it, it’s indecent.”

“You've already taken a bath with him, why are you still fussing?”

Being Siesta’s roommate, Lola knew exactly how to approach her. Siesta blushed.

“It’ll be fine. It’s only us girls here. You won’t be seen by any other men.”

“Th-that’s not the problem…”

“Isn’t your rival a noble? You won’t win if you don’t do this much. You have your own secret weapon.”

“My secret weapon?”

“Yep.”

Lola pointed up and down Siesta’s chest and stomach with a mischievous smile.

“That body. A body which always has a shockingly stunning texture. A body that cannot lose to that of a noble. If we don’t effectively use that, won’t it be a waste? Right?”

“Exactly! On top of that, a newlywed wife should wait on her husband in just an apron!”

Obviously over-exaggerating things, the girls kept blabbering away. Siesta draped the apron around her. Well, if you look from the front, her body was hidden…Though if you see it from the side, it was rather suspicious.

With her head still steaming, Siesta carried the food away on a tray. However, the dessert was nowhere to be seen.

“Where did I put that dessert cream puff?”

After asking that, Lola immediately smiled mischieviously.

“The dessert is separate.”

A pastry bag filled with custard cream was grasped in Lola’s hand.

How long had he been waiting?

“So hungry…’ thought Saito as he propped an elbow up. Then, the door opened and Siesta came in. Seeing her, Saito eagerly popped out of his chair.

Siesta’s current appearance was impossible to forget, no matter how you look at it.

“S-Siesta…, that’s…the legendary naked apron…”

The only place he had ever seen it was in fiction, the rumored naked apron. Seeing it in real life in front of him…he could drop dead in happiness. But, he could hardly contain the inexplicably blissful feeling of this arrangement.

Combined with the usual knee-socks that stretched over her knees and the maid headband properly placed on her head, her form was stunning.

“Why do you…look…look like that?” [[Image:ZnT12-235.jpg|thumb]]

As he asked her with tears shamelessly streaming down his eyes in joy, Siesta confidently replied.

“Because it was hot.”

“Ah, it’s not too hot…It’s still spring, isn’t it…”

“It is hot.”

Siesta said clearly. Delving into it no farther, Saito shut up. Still incredibly nervous, he sat back down, as Siesta started setting up the table for dinner. Whenever she extended her arms, her chest was just barely visible in the space under the apron. At the same time, the simple but tasty looking food was being placed in front of him.

To find herself a seat, Siesta turned away from Saito, giving him a taste of hell’s temptation. I see it, I can see it! That white, dazzling, but soft-looking butt could be seen. After seeing that, he could no longer be his normal self. Deciding this, Saito didn’t care anymore as he eagerly looked for a chance to pinch Siesta’s butt.

Siesta sat across the table from Saito.

“I-I think it’s quite delicious. Please help yourself.”

That phrase had a double meaning to him as Saito put some food in his mouth. Whether it was meat, or fish, or veggies, he had no idea what it was. His eyes were solely focused on Siesta in front of him.

“I-I will also eat.”

Siesta casually reached for the food. From that simple gesture, her apron flipped around, as if the superb melons underneath tried to shake free. If you stood at her side, you would definitely be able to see them. As Saito’s imagination ran wild with the Siesta in his head, the real one suddenly said something unbelievable.

“…would you like to move your chair over here, next to me?”

Without a thought, Saito nodded, but then…

The curtain behind Siesta shook from the wind as a silhouette passed by.

“Huh?”

Then,the silhouette passed by slowly again. That was Sylphid riding by with Louise and Tabitha, wasn’t it? Louise’s eyes were blazing with an indescribable fire of anger while Tabitha was reading her book like usual.

Saito was really troubled. As Sylphid and Louise rode by several times, he could see her mouth out some words each time.

[If you get]

[any closer]

[I’ll kill you]

Saito trembled. In front of Siesta only clad in an apron, he would have to endure the entire night. It was torture. It was unmatchable torture. He had to get out of here now!

Siesta, who had no idea what was going on behind her, simply smiled and poured Saito some wine. Lastly, her face was bright red as she said, ‘I dropped the spoon, could you please pick it up?’

He was so done for. This day has done its toil on him, he thought. ‘He couldn’t pick up the spoon. If he did, there was no way he could stay human. But thanks.’ He feverishly mumbled.

“Toilet.”

Saito finally stood up and left the room. He felt like he couldn’t go on without cooling his head.

Back in the room, the left-behind Siesta realized that her time was running out. She took out the love potion that Jessica gave her from her bag.

The heart-shaped bottle containing purple liquid. With a shaky hand, she opened the lid. As the lid came off with a light pop, the peculiar and bitter scent of the potion drifted in the air.

She brought the potion closer to Saito’s wine cup, the bottle in her hand trembling.

What are you doing, Siesta?

Hurry up and pour it in!

If you do that, Saito will be all yours.

Siesta looked at the mirror next to the table, which showed the reflection of her appearance. Her figure in only the apron, didn’t that give off a considerable amount of appeal?

She knew it…the potion was just unfair. If she didn’t win on her own charms…then it would be inexcusable to Miss Vallière.

Looking up, Siesta popped the lid back on the bottle.

But…was Saito-san really looking at her? Coming up with all of this, if he wasn’t attracted to her…, she would feel like a hopeless fool.

Siesta’s worries continued to grow.

At that moment, the door opened with a bang. Saito, who had gone to the bathroom, was there.

“Kyaa!”

Siesta, instinctively chucked the bottle in her hand out the window.

“…What’s wrong?”

Saito, who had a towel wadded around his nose, asked.

“No-nothing…I saw one of my friends outside the window again… Ha Ha ♪”

Siesta secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Yes, the love potion was really unfair.

Montmorency was in the Suðri courtyard, pacing back and forth in annoyance.

‘Guiche that jerk…’, she muttered to herself.

“I can’t believe he would peek in the bath!”

After that incident, the boys of the Knight Corp of the Water Spirit were beaten to a pulp by the furious girls.

The wounds that were inflicted were much worse than their scuffle with the aerial brigade. Once again, they had been sent to medical care. However, no one bothered to visit them this time.

At this moment, the Knight Corp of the Water Spirit was simply a troupe of perverts. Truly, their fame was short-lived.

There were requests from the instructors to expel them. However, due to various excuses such as the steam being too thick to see anything, or that however rotten they were they are still imperial guards, or that the queen really shouldn’t be involved in this, they somehow managed to escape from expulsion. In the end, they were let off with just setting up a training period and doing community service once a month.

Montmorency’s anger was still not settled, however.

Today, she would give that pervert brigade a taste of their own medicine. She thought as she paced around…In front of her eyes, a heart-shaped bottle dropped down with a clink.

Montmorency picked up the bottle.

“This is a magic potion, isn’t it?”

Montmorency’s hobby, as you may know by now, was synthesizing potions. At this moment, she couldn’t help but be intrigued by what the nature of this potion that fell from the sky was.

She sniffed at the aroma from the potion.

With only that, she immediately recognized what it was.

Th-this fragrance is…

At that moment, Sylphid, who had been flying by several times to investigate Siesta’s room, swept past Montmorency, accidentally making her tip the bottle to her mouth.

“Geh!”

The purple liquid flowed down her throat as Montmorency choked.

“Oh no…I drank it.”

Sylphid flew down in front of Montmorency.

“Sorry Montmorency, are you ok?”

It was Louise who had dropped down.

Montmorency looked down. Uh oh, if my intuition is correct, then this potion will…

“That thing that dropped down just now, what was it?”

Louise asked.

“G-go away!”

“Montmorency shouted. But disregarding her yell, Louise came closer, and took the bottle from Montmorency’s hand.

Montmorency promptly shut her eyes, but it was too late. Louise’s pinkish-blond hair and beautifully-formed face had already flown into her sight.

“What is this? Why did that girl throw something like this out the window? Hey, Montmorency, just what in the world do you think this is?...Eh?”

Louise noticed that Montmorency had been staring at her with an unusual facial expression. With her cheeks flushed and her eyes teary, she was apparently looking at her.

“What is with you…?”

User:BakaSama

2010-09-02T22:32:15Z

BakaSama:

Too lazy to make a page...but anyways.

I speak and write English fluently so editing is fine.

私わ日本語を読める。我也会说和写中文。

Active Missions:

Editing: Zero no Tsukaima

Translating: Sword Art Online

User:BakaSama

2010-09-02T22:31:32Z

BakaSama:

Sword Art Online

2010-09-02T22:29:27Z

BakaSama:

[[Image:Sword_Art_Online_Vol_01_cover.jpg|thumb|Volume 1 Cover]]
Sword Art Online (ソードアート・オンライン) is a light novel series written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by Abec. The series has currently 4 volumes.

The Sword Art Online series is also available in the following languages:
*[[Sword_Art_Online_PL|Polski (Polish)]]
*[[Sword_Art_Online_~Russian_Version~|Русский (Russian)]]

==Story Synopsis==
Escape was impossible until it was cleared; a game over would mean an actual "death"―. 
Without knowing the "truth" of the mysterious next generation MMO, 'Sword Art Online(SAO)', approximately ten thousand users logged in together, opening the curtains to this cruel death battle. 
Participating alone in SAO, protagonist Kirito had promptly accepted the "truth" of this MMO. 
And in the game world, a gigantic floating castle named 'Aincrad', he distinguished himself as a solo player. 
Aiming to clear the game by reaching the highest floor, Kirito riskily continued alone. 
Because of a pushy invitation from a female warrior and rapier expert, Asuna, he teamed up with her. 
That encounter brought about an opportunity to call out to the fated Kirito―. 

The legendary novel made an appearance with browsing numbers exceeding 6.5 million page views recorded at the personal website.

== Translation ==

=== [[Sword Art Online:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

'''Translators are asked to [[Sword Art Online:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on'''

===Format Standards===
'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the general format guidelines.'''
*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]

== Updates ==
*July 26, 2010 - Volume 2 chapter 3 completed.
*May 23, 2010 - Volume 2 chapter 2 completed.
*May 4, 2010 - Volume 1 author's notes appended.
*May 3, 2010 - Volume 2 chapter 1 completed.

Older updates can be found on the [[Sword Art Online:Updates|Sword Art Online Updates page]].

==The ''Sword Art Online'' series by Reki Kawahara==

===Volume 1 - Aincrad ([[Sword Art Online:Volume 1|Full Text]])===
{| class="wikitable" width="140" ; style="float:left"
|
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="140" ; style="float:left"
|
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 6|Chapter 6]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 7|Chapter 7]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 8|Chapter 8]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 9|Chapter 9]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 10|Chapter 10]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 11|Chapter 11]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 12|Chapter 12]]
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="140" ; style="float:left"
|
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 13|Chapter 13]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 14|Chapter 14]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 15|Chapter 15]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 16|Chapter 16]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 16.5 Warning|Chapter 16.5]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 17|Chapter 17]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 18|Chapter 18]]
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="140"
|
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 19|Chapter 19]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 20|Chapter 20]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 21|Chapter 21]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 22|Chapter 22]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 23|Chapter 23]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 24|Chapter 24]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 25|Chapter 25]]
|-
|}
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Author Notes|Author's Notes]]

===Volume 2 - Aincrad ===
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 2 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 2 Prologue|Prologue]]
*The Black Swordsman (Aincrad 35th Floor, February 2024)
**[[Sword Art Online:Volume 2 Chapter 1 Part 1|Part 1]]
**[[Sword Art Online:Volume 2 Chapter 1 Part 2|Part 2]]
**[[Sword Art Online:Volume 2 Chapter 1 Part 3|Part 3]]
*Warmth of the Heart (Aincrad 48th Floor, June 2024)
**[[Sword_Art_Online:Volume_2_Chapter_2_Part_1|Part 1]]
**Part 2
**Part 3
**Part 4
*Morning Dew Girl (Aincrad 22th Floor, October 2024)
**Part 1
**Part 2
**Part 3
**Part 4
*Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer (Aincrad 46th Floor, December 2023)
**Part 1
**Part 2
**Part 3
**Part 4

===Volume 3 - Fairy Dance ===
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 3 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 3 Prologue|Prologue]]
*Chapter 1
*Chapter 2
*Chapter 3

===Volume 4 - Fairy Dance ===
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 4 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*Prologue
*Chapter 5
*Chapter 6
*Chapter 7
*Chapter 8
*Chapter 9

== Project Staff ==
*Project Administrator: [[user:Vaelis|Vaelis]]
*Project Supervisor: [[user:Sharramon|Sharramon]]

=== Translators ===
:*[[user:Sharramon|Sharramon]]
:*[[User:BakaSama|BakaSama]]

=== Editors ===
:*[[user:Aorii|Aorii]]

==Series Overview==
* Volume 1 - Aincrad (April 2009) - <nowiki>ISBN 978-4-04-867760-8</nowiki>
* Volume 2 - Aincrad (August 2009) - <nowiki>ISBN 978-4-04-867935-0</nowiki>
* Volume 3 - Fairy Dance (December 2009) - <nowiki>ISBN 978-4-04-868193-3</nowiki>
* Volume 4 - Fairy Dance (April 2010) - <nowiki>ISBN 978-4-04-868452-1</nowiki>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume4 Chapter6 - MTL

2010-05-15T19:24:46Z

BakaSama: /* Chapter Six: The Water Spirit */

{{Template:PREVIEW}}

===Chapter Six: The Water Spirit===

The hills and mountains overlooked the dark blue waves of Ragdorian Lake as they rippled. The sun's illumination on the lake was spread like a layer of shimmering glass.

Saito and others arrived at the lake by horse.

Because Louise disliked riding alone, she and Saito took the same horse. She sat in front. It seemed like she didn‘t want to leave Saito‘s side even for a single moment.

Montmorency and Guiche were riding on separate splendid grey horses.

"This must be the famous Ragdorian lake! No, the beauty of this lake is indescribable! The Water Spirit is in there! I’m impressed! HO-HO-HO – YAHOO!"

Yelled Guiche, whipping the horse and sending it plunging down the hill.

But the horse was afraid of the water and when it reached the shore it came to an abrupt stop. Following the law of inertia, Guiche was flung off the horse and, with a thunderous crash, fell head first into the lake.

“Can’t reach the ground! It’s deep! Deeeeeeep!”

Guiche desperately cried out for help while struggling in the water. It seemed that Guiche did not know how to swim.

“I wonder if we should reconsider our fellowship after all?”

Montmorency muttered.

”That would be nice.“

Saito nodded. Louise looked up at Saito with a worried face.

“Montmorency is nice?”

“I d-don’t mean that. Just wait. I will return you to your original self.“

Saito brought the horse close to the shore.

Guiche, after a long struggle, was shivering and soaked from head to toe as he finally reached the shore. He had a bitter look on his face.

“Hey hey, shouldn’t you help me? Do not desert someone who cannot swim!”

However, Montmorency completely ignored Guiche and was instead looking at the lake suspiciously.

“What is it?” Saito asked.

“Strange.”

"What's strange?"

"The water level is up. Ragdorian's shore should be further up there."

"Really?"

“Yes. Look over there. There is a rooftop sticking out. It seems that village has been flooded.“

Following Montmorency's gaze, they could indeed see the roof. Saito could even recognize the dark shadow of the sunken house under the limpid surface of the water.

Montmorency walked up to the shore, dipped her finger into the water and closed her eyes. After a while she stood back up with a worried expression on her face.

"It seems as if the Water Spirit is angry."

"How do you know that?"

”Because I am a Water-element user, Montmorency the Fragrance. The Tristain Royal family is connected with the Ragdorian lake Water Spirit by an old oath. The Montmorency ‘Water’ family has been negotiating with it for many generations.

“And now?”

“And now, for various reasons, other nobles are doing it.”

"Then, have you seen the Water Spirit?"

“Only once when I was small. When we needed to create a drainage for the territory, the family sought the Water Spirit's cooperation. A big glass container was made to transport it. However, because the Water Spirit has a lot of pride, it can be extremely aggressive. In fact, it is because of their aggressiveness that my family's drainage scheme failed. My father said to the Water Spirit ‘Do not walk. The floor gets wet’…”

"What does the Water Spirit look like?"

Saito asked, showing curiosity.

"I have never actually seen it."

Guiche, flapping his wet shirt that he had taken off, nodded in agreement. Louise, who had absolutely no interest in the discussion, hid herself behind Saito’s back and unconsciously held on tightly to the hem of his parka.

“Beautiful! Quite so…”

At that moment, an old lonesome farmer who was hiding behind a tree stepped out.

“I suppose, my lords, you are nobles.”

A middle aged farmer looked up with an embarrassed face.

“What’s the matter?” Montmorency asked.

“My lords, did you come to negotiate with the Water Spirit? If so, then we have been saved! Please, quickly make your negotiations and solve this flood problem."

The party looked at each other. It seemed like this farmer was a resident of the village that sank into the lake.

“That, well, we... came here just to see the lake.“

Surely, Montmorency could not tell him that they came here to get the Water Spirit‘s tear.

“I see… Really, lords and the queen are now only interested in the war against the Albion, not even noticing such remote villages as ours. They can’t even imagine how hard it is to collect the harvest…”

“Haa,” the farmer sigh deeply.

“What on earth happened to the Ragdorian lake?”

"The water started to rise about two years ago. The water level increased slowly, flooding the port first, then the temple and fields... See? Now even the eagles' nests are flooded. The local lords that are responsible for this territory indulge in royal court entertainments and pay no attention to our pleas.“

“Yoyoyo,” the old farmer weeped bitterly.

“For years we lived on this land, depending on the moody Water Spirit. Honestly, it‘s good when it stays at the bottom of the lake... We really want to understand why it has suddenly become interested in our land. Because this land belongs to men! But, only a noble could communicate with it. I'd like to know what we poor farmers did to make it lose its temper.“

Saito and the others bent their heads in embarrassment.

After the farmer finished grumbling and left, Montmorency took something out of the bag attached to her waist. It was a tiny frog. It was bright yellow with many black spots.

Montmorency put the frog in the palm of her hand, it stared up at her inquisitvely.

“Frog!”

Louise, who was afraid of frogs, screamed and drew closer to Saito.

“What is with this poisonously colored frog?”

“It is not poisonous, I tell you! It is my dear familiar!”

Apparently, this tiny frog was Montmorency's familiar. Montmorency raised her finger, and ordered to her familiar.

“Listen Robin, I want to contact an old friend of yours.”

Then Montmorency reached in her pocket and took out a needle, in one brief moment she stuck her finger with it allowing a ruby of bright red blood to gush. Turning her finger over she let a drop fall on the frog.

After that, Montmorency cast a spell, treating the wound on the tip of her finger. Then she brought the frog close again.

"Since she knows who I am, she should know who you are. Robin, please, in the name of the great spirits of the dead, seek the old Water Spirit, and tell her I wish to speak with her because of our alliance. Do it for me, understood?"

The frog slightly nodded and disappeared into the water with a splash.

"Now, Robin went to call the Water Spirit. If she can find it, she is likely to bring it here.”

Saito looked doubtful.

“When it comes, we have to tell it a sad story, but I wonder what could be good. Maybe this story I know about a master and a dog would do. However, it is considerably old, I wonder if it would suit these guys…”

“Sad story? What are you talking about?”

“Because we need tears of the Water Spirit. How else would we get it if not making it cry?”

“You really are ignorant. Well, I guess since even non-water element mages do not know it either, so it is impossible to expect a commoner like you to know. The Tear of the Water Spirit is only a name. It doesn't really shed tears.“

Saito and Guiche looked at each other. Louise, lonely without Saito’s attention, ‘rub-rub’ rubbed her cheek against his back. It was really weird! Though one could die from such a cute Louise, all that mattered now was Montmorency’s story.

"Then, what is the tear of the Water Spirit?" Guiche asked.

“The Water Spirit... compared to human lifespans, it can live a long, long, long time. It is said to have existed 6,000 years ago, when the Founder Brimir established Halkeginia. Its body, like water, can freely change its shape... and in a sunshine it glistens with seven colors…”

The moment Montmorency said this, the surface of the water began to shine.

The Water Spirit appeared.

30 meters away from the shore where Saito and others were standing the water was shining.　

The surface of the water was wriggling non-stop. Then the water welled up like a rising cake. Saito watched it with an expression of blank surprise. The water was constantly changing shape so one could not even see hands. It looked like a huge amoeba. Though its flashing lights were beautiful... it made them uncomfortable.

The frog, Montmorency’s familiar, hopped back to its master with a splash. Montmorency held out her palm and caught the frog. She patted the frog’s head with her finger.

"Thank you for helping to bring it."

Then Montmorency stood up, spread her hands towards the Water Spirit, and opened her mouth.

“I am a Montmorency Margarita La Fère de Montmorency. User of water, member of the lineage of old oath. I have put my blood on the frog to help you remember. If you remember, answer in the way and words that we understand.”

The Water Spirit... rising out of the surface of the water... started slowly to gain shape like a clay figure.

Saito's eyes popped out from surprise when watching this.

The mass of water slowly shaped itself into Montmorency‘s form and faintly smiled.

However, it was bigger and had no clothes. It looked like a transparent nude Montmorency. Just like an ice statue.

The Water Spirit’s expression changed into various forms. After the smile followed angry, then - crying faces. Each time she tried a new expression, the lump face of water moved.

Indeed, she looked beautiful. Like an always changing jewel.

Then her face became expressionless again as the Water Spirit answered Montmorency’s question.

“I remember, mere human. I remember the liquid that flows in your body. The moon has changed 52 times since our last meeting.”

“I’m glad. Water Spirit, I need to ask you something. Although it might seem somewhat insensitive, could you give me a piece of your body?“

''Part of its body?'' Saito wondered. ''What‘s that?'' When he poked Montmorency, she turned around annoyed.

"Although it is a tear, it is impossible to make immortal spirits cry. They are... different from us. I do not even know if one can call them living beings. Either way the tear of the Water Spirit is a part of its body."

"So we have to cut down its body?!"

Saito shouted in surprise.

“Shh! Not so loud! The Water Spirit can get very angry! That’s why it is nearly impossible to obtain the tear. How the people in the city's black market are able to get it… I simply cannot imagine."

The Water Spirit smiled.

"Oh, it smiled! It must mean it's ok!"

But, the words that came from its mouth... maybe because it still didn‘t understand how to to speak properly, were completely opposite.

"I refuse, mere human."

"Is that so? How unfortunate. Oh well, we'll be heading back now."

Saito was shocked by how easily Montmorency gave up.

“Hey hey! Wait a moment! Don’t give up on Louise so easily! Hey, Water Spirit!”

Saito pushed Montmorency aside and faced the Water Spirit.

“Wait! You! Stop it! Don’t anger the Water Spirit!”

Montmorency tried to thrust Saito aside, but Saito didn’t even flinch. Guiche inclined his head wondering. Louise silently drew closer to Saito. Seeing such a scene, it was hard to tell which one of them was a familiar.

“Great Water Spirit! Please! I will do anything you ask for your tear! A little bit! Only a little bit!“

The Montmorency shaped Water Spirit didn’t answer anything to Saito, who was down on his knees pressing his head against the ground, prostrating.

"I beg you! The most important person to me right now is in trouble! Don‘t you have someone important to you as well? My important person right now needs help... and for that, a part of your body is needed! Therefore, please! Look!“

Hearing this Montmorency stopped trying to pull Saito away and let out a deep sigh. Guiche, who was moved to tears already, nodded. Louise, feeling insecure, kept on clinging to Saito.

The Water Spirit changed her appearance few times before taking Montmorency’s shape again, and said to Saito,

“Very well.”

“Yes! Really?”

“But with one condition. As a mere human that doesn’t know the reason of this world, you said that you would do anything?”

“Yes! That's what I said!”

“Then repel those that attack me, your comrades.”

They looked at each other.

“Repel?”

“Yes, I have raised the water level as far as I could. I no longer have the energy to fight them. If you can fight them off, I will bestow unto you my tear.”

“No, I hate fights.”

Saito put his hand on Montmorency's shoulder and patted it.

"You want to eat prison food instead?"

Saito once again threatened Montmorency about the forbidden potion and she, like the day before, could not help but to give in.

“I know, already! I’ll do it!”

So it was decided that they needed to discover the identities of the people attacking the Water Spirit.

The place where the Water Spirit lives – the very bottom of the lake. Someone, using magic, attacked her there in the middle of the night.

Saito and the others hid themselves in the shade of the tree on the shore at Gallia’s side – a place that the Water Spirit showed them – and waited quietly for the assailant to come.

Guiche, to cheer himself up before the battle, took a sip of wine that Saito brought. When all of his anxiety was gone he started to sing. Saito pushed his head aside.

Louise was in an extremely bad mood because Saito was only talking to Montmorency.

''Why he is nicer with Montmorency than with me, does he love her, or maybe he just hates me, waah waah'' – she cried angrily, and, with her roaring around like that, Saito had to kiss her cheek many times to calm her down and put her to sleep. Because of that, right now she was sleeping calmly next to him, breathing softly with a blanket wrapped up around her. Guess anyone would be like that if a potion made them fall madly in love.

“The people that attacked the Water Spirit went to the bottom of the lake. How can they breathe under the water?”

Saito asked Montmorency.

Montmorency thought for a while.

“Maybe it’s a water element user? With a ball of air created around the user it’s not that hard to get to the bottom of the lake. At the same time, even if you use water magic and are able to breathe underwater, directly touching the water would be suicidal as the Water Spirit controls it here. So maybe it was an air element mage, that way one can avoid touching the water.”

According to the Water Spirit, she was attacked every night on a regular basis, having bits of her body cut off.

“But how could someone wound it and still go unnoticed?”

“The Water Spirit's movements are slow… Besides, if you separate the Water Spirit from her source of water, her magic eventually wears out. Using a strong flame would make her evaporate gradually. It becomes impossible to connect back to a liquid again once being turned into gas.”

“It is impossible to turn back?”

“The Water Spirit's soul is like moss. Even being torn to pieces it can reconnect itself into one again, as long as it has all the pieces. It is a really complicated creature compared to us.”

“Hmmm…”

Saito nodded.

“And because the attacker is not touching the water, the Water Spirit cannot reach him.”

“Then it is not that powerful at all.”

“Really… You do not know how scary the Water Spirit can be… Even if for a single moment one lost concentration and the air ball disappeared allowing the water to connect – then it would be dreadful. Water controls other creatures' lives, if you lose the protection of an air ball, then you would enter the Water Spirit’s territory where challenging her is something that even the greatest daredevil should not do.”

Saito sighed. Really, Halkeginia is filled with creatures that he could never even imagine before.

Two moons were shining high above in the sky. It's midnight.

Saito shut his mouth and with one hand brought Derflinger, that was hanging on his back, closer.
Montmorency, scared by the sudden tension, muttered in a shaky voice.

“Anyhow, because I hate savage fights, I’ll leave it all up to you.”

“Don’t worry Montmorency. I am here. I will bravely protect the maiden from war and punish the villain.”

Guiche, who obviously drank too much wine, started leaning towards Montmorency.

“Listen, just go to sleep already. You reek of alcohol.”

“Guiche, be a decoy.”

Guiche nodded red-faced.

Saito took a deep breath. The fighter’s intuition that he gained from experiencing many fights was now telling him that someone was near. His mouth was filled with saliva. ''Guess that someone is an enemy? But, will it be all right. I am the legendary Gandálfr. I should be able to beat mages up. What would it matter against the number of those dragon knights that attacked me before?''

Not noticing himself, Saito became very self-conceited.

He gazed at Louise’s sleeping face. ''Wait for me, I will definitely bring you back'' – he muttered silently.

One hour passed after that. Shadows appeared on the shore. It was two people. Because those figures were wearing jet-black hooded robes it was hard to tell whether they were men or women. 　

Saito gripped Derflinger's handle. The rune on his left hand began to shine. However, he hadn’t left the hiding spot. He still could not decide whether it was these people that attacked Water Spirit or not.

But, the pair pulled out their wands while standing at the waterside.

It looked like they started chanting spells.

Convinced that there was no mistake by now, Saito stood up from the shade of the tree and moved towards the pair. ''Two people should be an easy match. Because I already… defeated Wardes and ten-times larger orc demons, and this is just a pair of people. Hey, they are not even looking in my direction. Easy victory, easy victory, I could overpower them with a whistle.''

Saito hid himself behind the tree right next to the pair. Seeing him squatting himself down, Guiche started chanting the spell.

The ground where the pair stood suddenly rose and became a huge hand-like tentacle that twined around the assailants' feet.

Silence.

Saito dashed out of the shade of tree. The distance to the mages was about 30 meters. Saito, demonstrating Gandálfr's power, closed the distance in less than three seconds.

However, the enemy’s reaction was quick. The assailants started muttering spells the same time as the ground raised. The flame flew out of the end of the wand, burning down the soil that was gripping the pair’s feet. The smaller shadow acted even more surprisingly. Instead of releasing their spell towards Guiche, the person aimed it towards Saito, who wasn't prepared for this.

The body turned around quickly and the wand swung around. Just like in the fight with Wardes before, an air hammer hit Saito’s body. Saito, who did not expect such attack, was hit in the front and easily blown away.

In no time, an ice arrow followed. Saito turned his body and jumped up dodging it, but the taller mage shot a big fire ball at him. Though Saito tried to dodge that too, the aiming was accurate as Saito’s movements were anticipated beforehand.

“Partner! Raise me!” Derflinger shouted.

Saito boldly blocked the flame ball with his sword, yet, even though it was absorbed into the sword, it exploded, scattering around the fragments of fire.

Saito looked dazed and petrified.

Though he frantically tried to rub the pain away, his eyes still hurt. Sparks got into his eyes. Saito became more hasty. ''Crap! Their wands.''

He lowered his guard thinking that the enemy would concentrate on Guiche. Yet the enemy was experienced in combat and anticipated an attack from a different direction, not being surprised in the slightest.

Moreover, they worked together skillfully. While one was preparing the spell, the other was releasing it. Though this was a simple tactic, the results were very effective. Anyhow, there was no opening.

Raging winds snatched the sword out of the hands of the petrified Saito.

His body suddenly felt heavy. In the corner of his eyes he could see another huge fireball coming his way. Saito gave up. His momentary self-conceitedness was gone very quickly.

''Aah, I am an amateur after all. Gandálfr's power gave me more confidence than my actual skills. Being straightforward doesn’t work on all enemies! Aah, Louise, sorry! Louise!''

However, the goddess of fate even now did not desert Saito.

The moment before the fireball knocked against Saito, the area in front of him exploded. The fireball and Saito were blown off. This magic was… Louise’s ‘Void’!

“Don’t bully Saitooo!”

Louise’s scream echoed through the night. It almost made Saito cry. ''Louise helped me. Though she was asleep… but she was probably woken up by all this noise.''

Louise waited for an attack, but their guard was off now. Thus now he could recover himself. Somehow, Saito wrenched his right eye open and picked up Derflinger.

But before he burst into another attack…

The pair stopped moving. Louise’s scream made them realize something. The two shadows looked at each other.

And removed their hoods.

The faces that appeared in the moonlight were…

“Kirche! Tabitha!” Guiche shouted loudly.

“What?! It was you?!”

Feeling relieved, Saito tiredly kneeled to the ground.

“You? Why, darling?!”

Surprised, Kirche shouted as well.

<noinclude>
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|-
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Chapter5_%7EPreview%7E|Back to Chapter 5]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Return to Main Page]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Chapter7_%7EPreview%7E|Forward to Chapter 7]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

User:BakaSama

2010-05-08T04:58:06Z

BakaSama:

Too lazy to make a page...but anyways.

I speak and write English fluently so editing is fine.

私わ日本語を読める。我也会说和写中文。Unfortunately, I don't know how to help translate as I lack raws...

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume12 Story1 Chapter4

2010-03-22T18:07:38Z

BakaSama: /* Part 4 */

===Chapter 4, New Student from the White Country (Albion) ===

====Part 4====

At that same time…

Siesta, who was currently cleaning Louise’s room, heard violent sounds coming from outside.

“Hmm…I wonder what that could be?”

Siesta walked over to the window, taking a peek outside. However, the tower and the surrounding walls blocked the view of where the sounds came from.

The violent sounds continued for a while. Somehow, the sounds seemed to be explosions of magic. The sound of raging flames, the sound of ice spears smashing, the sound of lumps of earth collapsing, along with various other sounds reached her ears. In addition, cries and roars could be heard.

“I don’t like this. Did another war start again?”

At that time, the covers on the bed slowly shifted. Underneath was Louise clad in a negligee. She slowly got up, her eyes clearly red from crying. Her hair was all crumpled, and lines of tears had dried over her cheeks. Overall, she was a mess.

“Oh, Miss Vallière. Have you woken up?”

Without giving a reply, she turned towards the window, staring at the sounds of violence outside. With an irritated tone, she mumbled,

“It’s so loud… Even though someone is trying to wallow in sorrow here…”

“Hey, it sounds pretty serious out there. I wonder if a war has started…I don’t like it. Hm? Miss Vallière?”

Louise had wandered out of the room, still wearing her negligee. In her hand, she firmly grasped her wand.

Siesta was just about to chase after her, but a dark aura emitting from Louise’s back made her retreat back in fear.

“Hauu. Somehow, Miss Vallière right now is scarier than any dragon.”

Saito’s breathing was getting pretty ragged. His fists which had been used repeatedly were swollen red, warping their shape. Next to him was Guiche with his blond hair dyed with blood, who was still holding onto his rose wand. Waving his wand, he weakly muttered out,

“Va-valkyrie.”

However, the petals on the rose wand had finally all fallen off, leaving a bare stem.

“Finish them.”

Guiche said amongst his panting. The blown away foe revealed Malicorne behind him, who then came forward to breathlessly inform the commander and assistant commander,

“Our remaining troops are only the six of us.”

Beside Reynal, whose glasses were broken, stood only two people. The rest of the squad had fallen and were lying stretched out on the ground. There was no more water magic to heal them nor did they have the strength for powerful magic.

On the other side, the Luftpanzer Ritter squad still had ten people standing. They were the ones that had cast off their bulky armor. The remaining ten were looking pretty beat up as well. Some of them had blood running down their faces or a broken arm dangling to the side.

Around them, the students all watched holding their breath. Not just to the eyes of the supporting audience, but the Undine knights truly had done considerably well against the much more experienced dragon knights.

“The other side looks like they are also on their last leg.”

Guiche said.

“Ah. This will most likely end with the next attack…”

Malicorne replied. Perhaps…the remaining Undine knights would not be able to withstand the next attack. Since the battle had been long, it was a matter of experience and ability. This fact had become clear to the remaining few.

Saito looked feverishly at his worn down friends. Although his body screamed here and there with pain, he was still feeling bright.

In fact, he couldn’t help having fun.

“Ha…ha…, I can’t believe I’m saying this at a time like now.”

“What is it?”

“I can’t help but find this fun.”

Hearing this, Guiche laughed loudly. Malicorne also laughed. So did Reynal and the rest of the remain boys.

“They’re coming.”

The commander ordering the dragon knights to line-up, they all charged forward.

Guiche waved his wand and commanded in a loud voice.

“Gentlemen! Advance forward!”

Using all of their last strength, the Undine knights dashed forward.

At that moment…

Between the two squadrons, a small ball of light formed.

“Wha?”

As soon as they all noticed it, the light swelled up into a large ball…and exploded.

“Gyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

“Higiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!”

The flash of light blew away both sides as it gradually brought an end to the battle.

The ground on that spot was smoldering. Plowing her way through the audience of students, a pink-haired girl suddenly appeared. Although it was only a little girl, the aura wrapped around her spoke differently.

The veteran dragon knights and the courageous, high-spirited Undine knights were both sprawled on the ground in a daze as they stared at the girl slowly walking to them. To both of the squads, it was as if a dragon had blow away their fighting spirit.

It had been due to this one girl, that the battle had abruptly ended.

One of the dragon knights staggeringly got up.

“What the hell are you!?”

He shouted.

He only shot himself in the foot for that. The pink-haired girl waved her wand, and an explosion popped right in front of his eyes, blowing him away.

“…You’re noisy.”

Including Saito, the Knight Corps of the Water Spirit shouted.

“Louise!”

“You guys are really noisy, you understand? I’m losing sleep here. When I finally think I’ve fallen asleep, all I hear is boom, boom, boom, boom…”

With Louise’s own words, she was gradually getting more and more irritated.

“If it’s bb-booming you want… Do your ff-fireworks ss-somewhere else…cc-cause it’s keeping me up.”

Louise was clearly biting down on her lips and starting to fiercely tremble with anger. The anger was building up to the point where her body was spasming. An aura of anger floated all around her. The students got really scared. The dragon knights also got really scared. The wind dragons around them also got scared. Louise was really pissed.

“I can’t sleep at all!”

After Louise screamed out, she then began chanting another spell. The Undine knights and dragon knights had both tried to escape in the meantime, but they were not able to make it in time.

Bringing down the wand like before, another bright ball of light formed…and with that the sound of another ear-deafening explosion rang in the ears of all the on-lookers.

After the dust from the explosion settled, the on-looking students that had witnessed Louise’s “Explosion” spell saw that all of the members of both squads had been cleared from the field and had lost consciousness.

The students that had been in the middle of the explosion looked dazedly at Louise who was still standing there half-asleep.

“Louise’s explosion has gotten pretty strong…”

“It has totally become a weapon.”

As to the students who didn’t know “Void” existed, they simultaneously let out their impressions. In no way did they suspect that a legend was unveiling so close at hand.

Beatrice, who had been watching outside of the explosion radius, trembled as she approached the negligee clad Louise standing around. Even still, she tried her best to maintain her pride as she called out.

“Y-You! What is the meaning of this?!”

“Huh? Who are you?”

Louise scratched her shoulder with her wand as she asked in a lazy voice. Beatrice answered with a tone implying that ‘you better listen.’

“I am Beatrice Yvonne von Guldenhorf! The Guldenhorf family that is connected to the Tristanian royal family and owner of a respectable, independent country! I will definitely report this rudeness to her Majesty Queen Henrietta!”

“Guldenhorf? That Germanian born, money grubbing clan is what you are muttering about in your sleep? You say you are going to report what to her Majesty? Don’t make me laugh. I’m telling you that I am in a really foul mood right now. If you keep griping, I’m going to crush that crappy family of yours.”

At Louise’s words, Beatrice’s face got completely red. [[Image:ZnT12-127.jpg|thumb]]

“Wha, wha, money-grubbers, you sayyyyy!”

“You bring up your family’s name so readily, which makes you one, right?”

“I haven’t heard your name yet! Tell me now!”

“Louise de La Vallière.”

Beatrice’s eyes opened wide.

“La Vallière? As in the Duke La Vallière?”

“Is there any other Vallière out there?”

Beatrice was shakedly biting her lip. The words she was told as she left her home popped up. Her father had told her that there were three opponents that they could not go against in Tristain.

One was the Tristain royal family.

Another was Cardinal Mazarin.

And the last one was the family prided with the greatest social status in the history of Tristain, the La Vallières. Other than those three, it was ok to pick a fight with anyone else, her father said.

But the blood had rushed up Beatrice’s head. Who the hell are the La Vallières? Her family also had duke status. History and social status aside, her family had more property and land hands down.

Furthermore, she was also holding a trump card.

Beatrice crossed her arms, continuing to call on her bluff.

“La Vallière-sempai. Do you realize what I am doing now? A heresy inquiry, got that? I was just now in the middle of that inquiry. Because you ruined the ceremony, shall I also consider you in cahoots with that group of heretics? The duke having a heretic for a daughter! What kind of scandal would that be!

But Louise was not affected at all.

“Heresy inquiry? Do you have permission from a bishop?”

Beatrice paled. She didn’t have such a thing. The qualification that her family supposedly had when she had told Tiffania was actually a blatant lie. She had thought that Tristainian nobles would not question the matter, but Louise was sharp.

“Uhhh, it’s at my family’s place!”

Louise’s eyes narrowed.

“You’re lying about having one.”

“Eh? It’s not a lie! I don’t know what you are saying…”

“To perform a heresy inquiry, not only do you need permission from a bishop, but you also need an approval form from the church of Romalia. Why is it that you don’t know of this?”

At Louise’s words, the surround students looked at the situation differently. With the cries of ‘heresy inquiry,’ many of them had blanked out, but what Louise said was definitely true. Most of Beatrice’s statements were far too suspicious.

“Oi! Beatrice! Using the Founder’s name to torment a girl you don’t like, is that how nobles do things!?”

“For impersonating a bishop of Tristain, you will get burnt at the stake, you know!”
The students sidled up to Beatrice. They were by nature highly-prided nobles of Tristania. Having her prided dragon knights blown away, the now defenseless Beatrice was being cornered.

Beatrice was trembling as she dropped to her knees. Her trusted Luftpanzer Ritter couldn’t be reached. It was a dire situation for her.

It wouldn’t have been strange if she were to be hung from this atmosphere, but a golden-haired fairy scurried her way to Beatrice.

It was Tiffania.

One of the students called out to Tiffania.

“Miss Westwood. You have the right to judge this girl. Deal with her as you see fit.”

Tiffania walked right up to Beatrice. With a moan, Beatrice turned away while still on the ground. Behind her, the students formed a wall, blocking her retreat.

Biting her lip, Tiffania looked down at Beatrice. Then, as if she knew what to do, she looked up.

The blood drained from Beatrice’s face. Preparing for the worst, Beatrice shut her eyes.

Everyone present was waiting for Tiffania’s judgement. That would be the price Beatrice would have to pay. Normally for this kind of situation, Beatrice would not complain even if she were killed…

However, Tiffania’s next words were out of everyone’s expectations.

Tiffania had taken the hand of the kneeled down Beatrice.

“L-Let’s be friends.”

She said.

All the students there were speechless. Such an unexpected event was anti-climatic.

“Miss Westwood? You have the right to judge this girl, you know?”

One very shocked student said to Tiffania. They thought that there was something strange about her head. But, Tiffania shook her head.

“This is an academy, right? It’s strange to judge someone at a place of learning.”

“But…but still! No matter how you think of it still!”

“Also, I…came here to make friends, not to make enemies.”

Tiffania said with a determined look.

With those words, no one could say anything further. What broke the silence was the sound of Beatrice crying,

“Hi…hick. Hick.”

With the string of fear and anxiety cut, the moment Beatrice knew she was safe, tears spilled from her eyes. As if she were a child saved by a hair from falling off the edge of a cliff, Beatrice cried,

“Uu, uuu, uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunn.”

Only the sound of her defenseless crying rang across the now empty field. Turning towards her crying voice, the students scratched their heads. It was only the selfishness of a child after all, so they lost the will to further denounce her.

“Is it over?”

Squeezing through the wall of students, the headmaster, Old Osman, appeared. Old Osman rubbed his beard as he grinned.

Then, in front of just about all the students, he placed a hand on Tiffania’s shoulder and informed everyone.

“Ah. Just now this girl said that she would stake her life to learn here. There is a lot to learn from these words. Do you understand, everyone? Originally, the will to learn is not a matter of life or death. Sometimes though, sticking to one’s own beliefs will turn the world into your enemy…don’t forget that.”

The students had a look on their faces wondering just why Old Osman chose this time to come out, but they just nodded for now. Content with the nods, Old Osman continued,

“However, taking matters to the extreme every time is stifling. While a fight here or there is expected, when someone dies, it’s too late. Furthermore, it becomes very bothersome, so I would like for this bickering to end now. This girl is under my guardianship, understand? In addition to that, Miss Tiffania is a guest entrusted to me by her Majesty the Queen. From now on, if there are students that wish to insult this girl’s lineage, be prepared to make enemies with the monarchy, understand?”

Entrusted to him by her Majesty the Queen?

The students all became nervous at once. This transfer student who had elf blood was a person connected to her Majesty the Queen.

From these words, they came to the realization that even though it was rather peculiar, instead of being something feared, they felt that her elf blood could even be something most admirable.

On top of that, the students, for the most part, had never seen a descendant of an elf. Because of Old Osman’s statement, they became more curious than afraid. Soon, they were favoring her dazzling appearance, disregarding the ill-feelings for man’s supposed mortal enemy.

The students approached Tiffania, requesting to shake her hand.

“Pleasure to meet you. This is the first time I’ve met an elf, but you are quite pretty.”

“I had imagined that elves were something along the line of orcs.”

“You had such an earnest composition that thought only of how to look ahead. It makes you seem nobler than us human nobles.”

With a moved expression on her face, Tiffania shook hands with each person one by one. Looking at such a scene with satisfaction, Old Osman looked around and said.

“Well, now that you have made up, please transport the injured to the infirmary and clean up this area. It looks like a storm blew through here.”

The students face-faulted, and then proceeded to transport the all but forgotten Undine knights and dragon knights.

Old Osman nodded at this scene and turned towards Tiffania beside him,

“I apologize for helping you so late. If I had helped you normally, it would have been hard for you to make true friends. Especially since it’s you, a person descent from an elf.”

The shy Tiffania hung her head with an expression that implied, ‘not at all…’

Old Osman coughed as if clearing his throat, and then put on a serious face.

“Well then…one last thing. There is something that I want to ask you.”

“Yes?”

With an uncertain look, Tiffania tilted her head.

“It is a question of utmost importance. Understanding this is a matter of life and death… This is a question that I ask with all of my being, so properly answer me.”

“Ok.”

With a serious look, Tiffania nodded.

Old Osman pointed nobly.

Right at, for the lack of better description, Tiffania’s huge chest…

There wasn’t even a speck of hesitation. Even giving off a dignified, calm aura, Old Osman gave his question.

“Are those real?”

Tiffania’s face was completely dyed red. Since it had seemed to be such a serious question, Tiffania couldn’t help but answer it, yet weakly.

“…Yes. They are.”

Old Osman put his hand to his ear and got closer to her face.

“More clearly, please. Say it such that this old man can hear you. Being this old… well, my hearing is going.”

Tiffania’s face got even redder. Drooping her head, she bit her lip.

“Th-They are real!”

“O-Once more.”

Old Osman mumbled with a slightly flushed cheek. Mrs. Chevreuse, who approached them, gave Old Osman’s stomach a taste of her fist.

‘Guh!’ went Old Osman as he rolled his eyes back. With a teacher each lifting the unconscious, old headmaster by an arm, they dragged him away.

For the moment, Tiffania was still looking down with her face deep red. As the wind blew around the field, as if beckoning her, she lifted her head up.

The wide field stretched on endlessly. Looking back, many fine towers were seen, giving the location of the Academy of Magic. This was the place she would study for the next three years.

Tiffania touched her ears. They were the proof that her mother’s blood ran through her body. These long ears…

Somehow feeling really bright, a smile floated on Tiffania’s face.

The infirmary of the Academy of Magic was built on floors 3 through 6 of the Water Tower. On the fourth floor were the Luftpanzer Ritter members laying in bed side by side, while the Knight Corps of the Water Spirit were on the third floor beds.

Saito woke up from the voices of some girls.

“Guiche-sama! Will you allow me to change your bandages?”

“Nooooo! I’m in charge of taking care of Reynal-sama! Please let me take your glasses.”

‘Huh?’ Saito thought as he shifted the curtain to look. In the adjacent beds, Guiche, Reynal, and the rest of the Undine knights were being doted on by the ladies.

The reddish-brown haired Katie appeared and called out to the rest of the girls.

“You girls, the assistant commander over there is in need of care!”

Saito’s heart skipped, but the next statement made him depressed.

“Ehhhh, but Saito-sama was kind of pathetic. I was completely disillusioned.”

“That’s right. When he suddenly begged, I was really disappointed. The thing about him stopping an army of 70,000 must have been some kind of misunderstanding.”

“Yeah. Looking closely, he seemed rather weak…”

In any case, because he begged in front of Beatrice, it seems that Saito’s popularity had hit rock bottom. On the other hand, Guiche and the others that fought bravely went up in popularity. ‘Honestly, what a simple bunch of people,” Saito thought.

Turning his eyes in the other direction, a completely wrapped up Malicorne was there with his index finger pointed right at Saito.

“Friend.”

Malicorne muttered happily. Apparently, the only presence around Malicorne was that of a cuckoo-ing clock. It was kind of sad that both of them were like this, but there was a slight warmth in his chest.

There was not really any deep meaning to it, but Malicorne’s simple utterance of ‘friend’ strangely made him happy.

Also, they had helped him by standing against the feared Luftpanzer Ritter squad. Although there was the simple reason that ‘everyone was watching,’ it wasn’t just that.

Ahh, at that time…, when Guiche asked him ‘what he would do if stayed in this world?’ he noticed that the strange pang in his heart was the same as it was now.

Basically…they had become his friends.

Friends that he laughed with together, talked with about dumb things, and stuck his neck out for…that kind of touching feeling. Abruptly, the curtain was drawn back, and the golden-haired fairy poked her face in.

“Saito.”

“Tiffa.”

“I’m glad…it didn’t become too serious.”

Saying that with a relieved face, Tiffania sat on the bed.

“Thank you.”

Being thanked by such a beautiful girl like Tiffania made Saito blush awkwardly.

“No, I’m not the one you should be thanking. You should say that to Guiche or Malicorne over there. If they hadn’t got rough…”

“No, of course I am very grateful for that, so I plan to thank them properly later. But first, I wanted to thank Saito.”

“Why?”

“Because, Saito, you begged for my sake, didn’t you? Even though Saito had done nothing wrong… That was something very difficult. You know, that made me very happy.”

“Th-That’s a given! It’s because we’re friends.”

Tiffania was smiling widely, a smile that was gentle and warm like basking in the rays of the summer sun.

“But Tiffa, you surprised me.”

“I did?”

“Yeah. I mean, you suddenly gave away your secret.”

Then, Tiffania said shyly,

“Saito, you told me, right?”

“I did?”

“Yes. Saito, didn’t you tell me at Westwood Village? ‘To have more confidence.’ I remember those words. And when I do, I think about how embarrassing it was to hide the truth about the blood running through my body…”

‘I see,’ Saito mouthed. Recalling that, he had casually said those words. But Tiffania had treated his casual statement as something dear to her.

“But I still do not have enough confidence.”

Tiffania muttered, looking a little lonely.

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

Saito said surprised as Tiffania lowered her voice. Her cheeks were flushed as she timidly stared.

“There are still many things that seem strange.”

“Like what?”

Tiffania bit her lip as she pointed to her own chest. The material of her academy uniform top was stretched to its limit. Two humongous melons were pressing against the top button, which looked like it would pop off any moment. Ahh, Tiffania’s chest was truly frightening. Instinctively, Saito clamped a hand on his nose so that he would not lose any more blood, thereby endangering his life.

Certainly if one had a chest like that, it would be easy to monopolize the popularity of her class… As he wondered what she was thinking, Tiffania started talking in a sad tone.

“Just now, Old Osman had asked me, ‘Are those real?’ I must be strange after all. I mean, there is no one else in the academy with breasts like these.”

Saito panicked.

“Th-That’s…”

“Do these things seem that unreal?”

As Tiffania asked with worry on her face, Saito shook his head fiercely.

“N-No. I think they’re real…I mean, they look real. Yep, real.”

“Saito is a friend, so you’re just saying that.”

“No, not at all.”

Tiffania was still worrying for the moment, but then she looked like she decided on something. She grabbed Saito’s hand tightly.

“I think that there is certainly some reason as to why they don’t seem real. So can you check them a little for me?”

Saito didn’t really understand, as he replied with a ‘Huh?’

“I can only rely on a friend about this. So please, Saito.”

“Wh-What do you mean?”

In a faint voice, Tiffania muttered,

“…ch them and check.”

“Wha?”

Taking a deep breath, Tiffania said seriously,

“Touch them and check.”

Although Saito fully understood what she said, there was a pause. At the moment he understood, feelings of joy, confusion, and fear attacked him all at once, leaving him on the verge of tears. No, he was indeed in tears. As the tears flowed, he was left not knowing what to do next.

“Miss Tiffania?”

“You know? Because I was thinking that there was a reason that they didn’t seem real, I thought about asking you in this way. Since I don’t understand it myself, I was hoping you could check and tell me.”

“I-I can touch them?”

Tiffania nodded quickly looking embarrassed.

The Tiffania that would allow this simply because they were friends was dazzling. From the bottom of his heart, Saito was glad that he was alive. After all his patience and hard work, God had finally awarded him in this manner. If there was a god that threw him into a pit, another god was there to lift him out of it.

Saito’s whole body was trembling…trembling with excitement.

“W-Well, rather than anyone else, it’s better for me to check. Or rather, if it wasn’t me that was here…”

“I-I think so too.”

As if Tiffania had readied herself, she stuck out her chest. Having never seen any this big before, the superbly humongous melons were right in front of him. Saito raised his hands up, slowly reaching forward. His fingers touched her shirt. Then, he was not able to go any further… If he continued, he thought he would die. Tiffania moved a bit.

Gunyo…

The palms of his hands squished the melons.

They were soft, but firm. Due to the nervousness and joy he felt, the palms of his hands got numb, so Saito couldn’t fully enjoy the feeling. But this was enough. If he were to enjoy this feeling fully, Saito would most likely drop dead from shock.

“…H-How is it? Is there something strange?”

“I don’t know. In any case, I’m about to die.”

Saito’s prediction had hit the mark.

As he replied straightforwardly, the curtain was pulled back.

Turning his eyes in that direction, Saito saw Louise and Siesta standing there. Louise had changed into her academy uniform. Siesta was in her usual maid outfit.

Seeing Saito groping Tiffania’s melons with both of his hands, the two of them continued to stare with a blank expression. Louise then called out to the infirmary nurse.

“I would like permission to move the patient on this bed.” [[Image:ZnT12-143.jpg|thumb]]

Siesta then said to Louise in a slightly shaken voice.

“He needs treatment. What do you say, Miss Vallière?”

Louise replied with a tone that oozed with malice from her very core,

“There’s too much to deal with...I can’t begin to count them. For now, we’ll start with his…”

“Life.”

Both of their faces were stiff as the same word left their mouths.

Saito’s body ached in pain as he used the last of his energy to forcefully spring out of bed. As he jumped through the window next to the pillow, shattering the glass, he suddenly realized that he was on the third floor.

Due to the sound of glass breaking, the screams of the people in the infirmary resounded.

Although it was the third floor and he was heavily injured, Saito decided that it was much safer than staying in that room.

He thought this as he watched the ground quickly getting closer.

If he only broke a bone…

If he were to miraculously be able to greet tomorrow…

‘Tiffania, we just need to find a way to hide your ‘miracle’ (her chest), like finding a loose enough shirt for you to wear.’ This was what Saito thought about telling her.

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| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume12_Chapter3|Back to Chapter 3]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Return to Main Page]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume12_Chapter5|Forward to Chapter 5]]
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</noinclude>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume12 Prologue

2010-03-12T19:35:24Z

BakaSama: /* Prologue */

=== Prologue ===


Magic academy, Alviss dining hall.

In the Tristain Magic Academy, it was custom for young nobles who commuted there to eat there in the morning, at noon, and in the evening for three meals a day.

A week had passed since the day Henrietta requested Tiffania be brought from Albion.

Henceforth, it's only natural for Saito's group, just like any other day, to eat breakfast here at the table provided for the third year students.

The long dining table, if seen from the entrance, is in three separate rows. The left side is for third year students, the middle for second year students, and the right side for first year students.

"She's really popular."

Saito stopped his knife just as he was about to cut the meat. A light, ignorant voice replied,

“What? Popular?”

Immediately in front of him sat Guiche, whose eyes widened. Surrounding the two of them, all the members of the Knight Corps of the Water Spirit were assembled. It was still daytime, but most of them were drunk. Saito and Guiche, whose eyes had turned red, were facing the same direction.

In that direction was the figure of a dazzling fairy with golden hair and a slender, charming body. However, her facial expression suggested that she was quite bewildered.

It was Tiffania.

With Henrietta acting as mediator, about one month was needed to take care of admissions so Tiffania could enlist in the first year class in this school. Soon a single rumor had become wide-spread among students in this academy.

Not to mention, the result of the mixing of elf blood and Albion royal blood made her beautiful face more dazzling than fine art.

Of course, both of her bloodlines were concealed. The few who knew her true colors were Henrietta, Principal Osman, Saito, and Louise. Plus Tabitha, Kirche, and Guiche. Outside this circle, no one knew about her secrets.

Of the two secrets Tiffania concealed, one can be figured out just by seeing her, so to conceal that, she wore a hat to cover her ears.

Normally, because of that appearance, she would be forbidden from participating in class. But Tiffania, with the ostensible reason that “her body is extremely weak to　the sun's rays,” had been permitted to wear a hat indoors. “If sunlight reached her fragile skin from the window her skin will be sunburned,” was the reason Henrietta, as Tiffania's guardian, came up with in front of Principal Osman, the teaching staff, and the students.

Naturally, no one would be tricked by this lie, no doubt about it.

However, even any noble girl student would retreat if confronted by the chance Tiffania's white skin were to be sunburned. Whoever saw Tiffania's white skin would also think this girl could not resist the sun's rays.

Like a flickering faint blueish moon light, that flickering does not suit with her unbalanced body, added with the rumors that she is some outstanding Albion noble......

With those three characteristics, an unknown fascinating aura seemed to be emanating from her. Surrounding Tiffania were male students who had completely fallen for her.

Tiffania's body was covered by a Magic Academy uniform, but ten guys with their eye color changed were surrounding her like a group of ants crowding over a piece of candy.

“She is popular, to be more precise, highly popular.”

Guiche muttered while absentmindedly opening his mouth and gazing at Tiffania.
[[Image:ZnT12-015.jpg|thumb]]

“Those guys, what could be in their minds? Their action seems more like a servant's to a princess.”

Renard replied while lifting his glasses. In the seat to the right of Guiche sat Renard, who carried the same duty as a member of Knight Corps of the Water Spirit.

''I see, it's just like Renard said.''

Not only the brownish capes of 1st years, but dark blue capes of second years, and dark mantles of 3rd years could be seen around.

To those guys, Tiffania was a tea to be drunk in one gulp and request another one to be filled, Tiffania was an smörgåsbord that if eaten could make themselves continue to devour it, or Tiffania was a meat whose someone hand reached for in and cut to the last piece, or something like that..

Tiffania was troubled. No less than ten people of waiter-like attitude simultaneously offered their services to this golden haired beauty, competing bluntly by showing each one's special talents. That is the complicated circumstances where one can't say a word carelessly, so the stalemate continued.

The crowded male students' eyes were focused at several visual points: her transparent white skin, her outrageously beautiful face, and one another point that was moving right then.

When that part moved, Guiche's feelings overflowed.

“You know, since the return from the Albion trip, I've always been thinking deeply. There's only one conclusion that can be made.”

Just left of Guiche was Malicorne, whose lips' outer edge were rising, beginning a nihilist smile.

“Guiche, Please let the Windward hear your conclusion.”
　
Like a class debate, full of confidence in his opinion and with an excellently polished voice, Guiche replied.

“Very well, the result of my conclusions. That Tiffania lady's breasts, the true shape of those two round objects that make half of world's population insane, are magic weapons.”

“So, half of world population meaning...”

“You are a man, aren't you?”

Malicorne, placing a finger in his chin, thought deeply. A few moments later, he seriously opened his mouth.

“Weapon. In other words, you mean lust for sex?”

“No doubt, it is lust for sex.”　

Saito, who was watching the foolishness of the two, also nodded as if agreeing “it is reasonable.”

“You are a genius, Guiche.”

“Even so, this is just a half-assed conclusion. My hypothesis still needs to be proven.”

Guiche swallowed a whole wine cup with a gulp.

“Now, come!”

Bang, Guiche stood. Malicorne too made a grand gesture and rose. A 'Now we are granted an audience with her Majesty' kind of act. The two began arranging their appearance.
　
The two fools nodded to show their readiness, and slowly approached the table of 1st year students. 　

Renard asked Saito.

“Those two, what could be in their minds?”

“Intoxicated with stupidity. Leave them for the time being!”

All the members of the Knight Corps of the Water Spirit watched Guiche and Malicorne with worried faces.

Like drunken men, the two pushed through the 1st year students that were swarming around Tiffania. The defense squad of 3rd year students complained, while 1st years students kept their mouths shut. The formation scattered, the path to Tiffania was open.

Guiche and Malicorne walked the path leading straight to the breasts.

Guiche stood beside Tiffania. Filled with nervousness and furthermore feeling inferior, she bowed deeply.

The next instant, “that” happened.

Without saying a word, Guiche's hand reached to the twin ragingly magical weapons. He reached the breast. Feeling distortion, Tiffania's expression sharpened. At that instant, the dining hall's atmosphere froze.

“That idiot.”

Saito stood up.

But in the next few seconds, Guiche's body was wrapped in a huge waterspout that suddenly materialized like an underwater flower. In the middle of the waterspout, Guiche's body wriggled. Further behind, as usual, Montmorentcy stood expressionlessly swinging her staff.

Zerrt. The air inside the dining hall froze. The waterspout synchronized with the movement of the staff, she brought it outside.

The dining hall's atmosphere vanished as if sucked into a vacuum, followed by sounds of bursting waterspouts. Seconds later, Guiche's screams vibrated through the air.

“Wait, I just want to make sure, because I saw that thing my scientific curiosity grew, bigger, and bigger, and bigger until the point I couldn't resist it! I! Uaa! Whuarrgl!”

Swing swing, a large amount of water attacks reached Saito's ears.

The sounds of raging water continued, after a while, the hall turned silent.

Saito helped himself to the food while sighing. Renard whispered to Saito,

“Incomprehensible, isn't it?”

“I think it's usual for them, getting drunk and going crazy... touching anything in front of them until they feel satisfied.”

“That's not what I mean, I'm talking about you.”

“Me?”

Saito looked blankly staring at Renard.

“Usually you would accompany them.”

“About making sure whether Tiffania breasts were real or not? Only an idiot would go to that extent. Don't put me in the same class as them.”

Renard fixed his glasses, staring at Saito.

"Certainly, there is a possibility you were being shy, if we're feigning ignorance to your drunkenness' extent. In the middle of the day when there's something out of ordinary, didn't you want to make sure, like your hands were itching and you were being uncomfortable in your seat so you attempted to fix your waist, something like that?"

Renard analysis was sharp.

“Even though you're like that, what's wrong? With that attitude of yours...”

“Whatever, just eat, it's going to get cold.”

Saito put on a calm face and started to eat his food. In the next instant, several girls gathered, surrounding him. The first was the 2nd-year Katie. The rest of them were a flock of first year girls.

“Sir Saito! Would you mind eating this pudding as your dessert?”.

The pudding was made from milk and fruits utilizing cold magic, making it appetizingly cool and delicious. With a clear, composed attitude, Saito nodded “Thank you,” and received the gift.

Each member of Knight Corps of the Water Spirit watched Saito, their faces filled with enviousness.

“Saito is really dignified, I mean it.”

“That does not like it.”

With a light, affectionate attitude, Saito mimicked Guiche and groped at his feet. But even that appearance created an oblate illusion in the girls' mind that made them cheer.

“Coool! After all, Sir Saito is really different than Sir Guiche.”

Katie, with cold eyes, threw a glance in Guiche's direction.

“That's not it. I'm no different at all. One might say that it's just them that turned into fools. Ahhahaha.”

As if in trance, the girls continued to stare at Saito.

“Really... Sir Saito is really a wonderful person.”

“It's not only that. But also super powerful.”

“That's right! A person who could somehow stop the Albion army by himself.”

Being fully absorbed, Katie said that.

“If it's Sir Saito, even those rascal Sky Armored Knight Corps would be beaten completely!.”

“I see, Katie, do you hate that knights from Kreudenhorve house, too?”

A question was asked to that girl, Katie.

“Of course, because that group always follow me whenever I take a stroll, to the place I usually go! Do you want to pick a flower? What a kind of talk is that!?“

“What a rascal!”

“I agree! That's a big difference from Sir Saito!”

Kyaa kyaa, that was the commotion created by the crowd of girls.

Being stared at like that, Saito was thinking,

''Composure is important after all.''

Not guts, but composure and attitude - he felt like a flower which was being sucked by a bee.

''Ahh, have I ever experienced this breezy mood before?

Siesta cheers "kyaa kyaa," but... that's not too often.

Large numbers of girls yelling "kyaa kyaa." This sensation, filling one with happiness...

Louise's magic, “The reason to come here.” When I was under that influence, this kind of reality wouldn't make me feel joy. The encouragement from the flock of girls were like distant sounds. This could be a hallucination... But see, I'm a simple minded person...

''However it may turn out, I better enjoy it to the fullest for now.''

The sound of “kyaa” resounding from the girls' voices, the sweet endorphins permeating the brain.

While the sounds vibrated 'kyaa kyaa', Saito snuck a glance at Louise's table. There, Louise's face could be seen clearly. She continued to eat breakfast.

However, he knew... once in a while she peeked his way with glittering eyes. With those same glittering eyes, once in a while Louise boisterously uses her fork on her plate.

Saito's nasal cavity widened, absorbing a lot of the sense of superiority in his chest.

''Now, now. Now is the time to finish what have left, on that ship.''

He whispered those words inside his mind.

Now let's stop for a moment, why was Saito feeling victorious like this?

What's with the real intention of “Composure is important” that Saito declared?.

What could be the meaning of the cat-like attitude that Louise presented?

The answer for all of that, lies in the the return trip from Albion, because on that ship there existed the root of misunderstanding.

During the journey from Albion, on that ship that Saito rides... inside that certain cabin, he pressed against Louise's lips.

Transmitted the feeling to Louise, it was a hot kiss.

Even this small heat was straining, they were exchanging a kiss with each other, naturally of course Saito's hand reached to Louise. Louise's state is quite burned, consequently she was holding his hand.

That was Saito's judgment.

But instead, when Louise was laid down looking embarrassed... she turned down Saito's reaching hand. And with a silent, vanishing tone muttered something.

“...That's why I don't want it.”

Saito was hurt by that rejection. He couldn't believe, even when she was in that heat, why? This was the inner Saito talking.

“W, wh, why?”

Louise reacted, shouting with anger,

“I won't repeat a second time.”

Actually, as Louise said that, Kirche slipped in from the adjacent room because of the noise.

“What's the matter, Louise?”

“No, nothing!”

Somehow, that indecisive situation was ended... the sweet atmosphere that was drifting along had gone somewhere. Their faces looking at each other, and with each other looking, their faces dyed red as they slipped into the bed.

A moment later, they closed their eyes and fell asleep.

That time, Saito didn't notice... that Louise did not actually mean to reject Saito.

Only the place was not suitable.

The words Louise uttered with a quiet voice before were lost, the first parts of the words did not reach Saito's ears.

“...That's why I don't want to.”

The word just before that, “Because inside the ship” actually existed.

“Because inside the ship... I don't want to.”

Louise once said that.

It didn't really mean she was rejecting Saito.

However... Saito was feeling down already, he did not notice that, on the bed inside that cabin room, Louise's words were echoed several times, the obscure conclusion eluded him.

The love of both of us should be enough.

Certainly, Louise's feeling was directed towards me.

But still... in the end her high pride did not permit it, I'm sure of it.

What am I supposed to do?

In that instant, an idea flashed in Saito's mind.

The time when Louise wore the black cat clothes was recalled.

I see now, Louise is a cat through and through.

Large fluid of tears transformed to small object spinning in his eyes, just like trifling with Saito on a whim. 

Now, for a cat... to tame that animal, what am I supposed to do?

I know.

Cats, when they notice us drawing closer, they run.

And then they clearly disregard us.

That's totally Louise-like.

Then, what about if we ignored one, what will happen?

When that happens, the cat will first observe the situation... Even so it would continue to be ignored, eventually it will become impatient and draw closer.

In the end, saying 'meow meow', cuddling its face against me...

This is it, this is it!

In the middle of the bed it was the only conclusion that came to his mind. He nodded.

Heh, no licking, you insolent cheeky pink-haired girl... who makes fun of me on a whim... The moment when you cuddle your face against me, Huhuhu, I will catch the scruff of your neck. Huhu, I am expecting that moment.

The conclusion was one that was only reasonable to Saito's misconceived mindset.

For now, let's utterly ignore Saito and his paranoid misunderstanding. At midnight of the day after her return from Albion, Louise who entered the bath looking charming and thoroughly washed her body. After that she proceeded to the altar room and did a long, long confession to Founder Brimir.

Founder Brimir... before marriage, that's, how should I say it, the thing that shouldn't be said, that's, what's it called, I mean, the thing I want to do, that's, please forgive me, but because it's not that I can't help it... that fellow for sure, I won't forgive it if the other woman, I mean, no seriously, helpless against the empty-brained maid, or, once acting strange with the respected princess, or lose himself to the strange breasts of the half-elf woman whose been here lately or maybe not... true, not only to the woman that have comparatively nice body, even to the small blue-haired princess of Galia, I mean, it's not he really has the feelings for that woman, but with the 1000 to 1 chance, it does not matter small or big anymore, just the dangerous elements have increased, in any case that's the situation, please forgive me. Amen.

After the confession of confusing, disconnected words that didn't make sense. Louise's right hand and left foot that moved simultaneously entered the room.

What kind of expression Saito will show I wonder. I wonder if he nervous, while thinking that she entered the room. However her familiar's attitude instead is quite calm, he is drinking tea.

Even though I'm greeting this special night with tenseness, his attitude hasn't changed. On the contrary, with eyes narrowed, “Yo, Louise. Isn't tonight a bright night”, he said those incomprehensible words.

What's with that? Louise entered the bed with that thought.

Next, followed by Saito.

Next, followed by the maid.

Why in this room there are three persons, without me noticing it this bed engraved a stream of characters for sleep. It has became a habit completely.

Louise was quite tense, as if being in trance. But, it's still too soon. Saito himself is not an idiot. Until Siesta falls asleep, I have to act, and after thinking that, she feigned sleep with all of her might.

Soon, Siesta's sleeping breath could be heard.

Louise's nervousness had reached its peak. She was quite tense, grasping the blanket tightly, biting it as if wanting it to rip.

Next calmly... Saito's hand is placed on Louise's shoulder.

Shiver shiver, her whole body was trembling.

“...Idiot, Si, Siesta is still here, see? Despite that to your master you're, re-reaching your hand out. What could you be thinking”

Beyond doubt, Louise spoke with a small voice. I thought we would go to somewhere private like a warehouse. No, I mean I expected a good, ideal room. However, in this bed just next to Siesta who was sleeping. How could this familiar be so bold!?

She was surprised, but it's not about Siesta, it's about the overwhelming sense of superiority in Louise because his hand reached to her. Louise's heart was overflowing.

Even though it's just next to Siesta...

Even though the maid was just beside...

Despite this foolish maid was! Beside! here!

That's right, maid.

How dare you until now... well whatever... the victory... is mine? With this, this is my victory!

But, as I thought to do that in front of the other girl... somehow.

Haa.

That instant Saito's hand slipped into the center of Louise negligee, her moaning voice was leaked through her throat. Louise's mind was filled with white.

Although the maid is here! Even though the maid is here, despite the maid is here... pyun!

Saito's hand moved daringly, rolled the negligee and exposed Louise's thin breasts. Louise's eyes were closed, her face dyed red. Both her breath and her pulse ran ragged.

At this rate, I can't think straight much longer.

But I can still think one thing... the pulse beating fast in my heart, this is the first time I feel it.

Saito still hasn't said anything from his mouth but, many kinds of imaginative words drifted along in Louise's mind.

Could it be the orthodox one, “I will treat you gently.”

Or perhaps, “Don't be afraid?.”

What could it be? Hey you, what will you say at this time? I can't think. It must be the words he will say to me. “Let's forget ourselves in this moment.” The embarrassment, just don't forget the sensation. Ah, I can't think...

However... the first words that slipped from Saito mouth were...

“Gu.....”

Louise's expectation could have exceeded even the soar of a fire dragon mountain.

What was just said?

Was that a sleeping breath?

No, that couldn't be...

“Guu guu.”

His natural sleeping breath can be heard. Louise turned impatient.

Did he fall asleep? Why?

She held Saito's hand that slipped on her breasts to make sure. No response at all. On the contrary, the hand swiftly fell from the center of her negligee.

“Uhh, uh.”

Louise turned with fearful anger.

In that direction she found Saito's sleeping face. His face filled with happiness, wasn't that drool that just dripped from his mouth?

Louise's face turned blue and at the same time reddened. The other side of her lips were raising. Leaking the sound “ku ku”.

Should we punish him with death?

Will it suffice, the standard death punishment.

What should it be?

Despite all the preparations that have been made, despite this cute master just lying beside him. Putting on a sleeping breath is really something.

She got her staff. For the time being let's convert him to ash. But after that though...

Hhhh. Perhaps he's really tired...

With the futon covering her Louise closed her eyes. Quite a sleepless night began.

The next day, Louise was thinking. After all... doing that just beside the sleeping maid is unpleasant. Feels like being in another person's room... that kind of feeling. Of course that applies to nobles, too.

Therefore, Louise, when Saito muttered, “It's time to sleep,” and then fell to bed, stood awkwardly from the chair.

“W, wa, wa.”

“Wa?”

“Walk, I think I will take walk for sometime!”

“How refined. Tonight is quite cold. You'll catch a cold”.

Saito laughed, when he uttered that nonsense. Having gone too far to turn back, Louise slipped out wearing her negligee.

She waited for two hours, but Saito didn't come. When she came back to the room... he was sleeping and his mouth was opened wide. Today too, let's turn him to ash. She thought, instinctively holding her staff tightly, but sense returned to her mind.

Perhaps he is really tired. For sure.

The next day, Louise once again took a stroll. This time she waited for four hours, but Saito still didn't come. When she returned to the room, Saito was crawling on the bed with a deep sleeping breath.

The same thing happened the next day.

For three consecutive days, Louise stubbornly took a stroll.

After waiting for a long time, Saito really didn't come. So, to kill time, Louise took a tree branch and sketched a drawing on the ground. The content of the drawing, the thickheaded Saito was kneeling before the wonderful noble Miss Vallière asking for forgiveness.

When the morning came, the drawing had turned into an artistic masterpiece.

Gradually this become a habit, and the next morning Louise took a stroll too.

Still, Saito didn't come.

Half crying, Louise began to draw some sketch, and the subject of the sketch was the idiot familiar being judged by the noble Miss Vallière herself, and he was swiftly being hanged. When the morning arrived, the sketch had become an epic tale.

This consecutive event, happened for the one whole week.

Between these intervals, Louise's were added to sketches day by day, Saito in the center of the sketch being whipped twenty two times, being hanged twenty times, being thrown to the hell eight times, and being reincarnatedfour times as an insect to be trampled by Louise.

At this rate Louise's anger reached its peak, she barely kept her sanity, and then a chilling exposure covered Louise.

Nevertheless, the thing is just a thing, she can't show that face of anger.

Because Louise's pride that was more solid than diamond won't permit it.

Suppressing the anger with her last power, Louise was trembling, shivering, and her face turned blue. Meanwhile, Saito made the comment, “My goodness.”

But the fact instead was the complete opposite. The way Saito was behaving indicated he did not notice at all.

Saito is really thickheaded.

<noinclude>
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| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume12_Chapter1|Forward to Chapter 1]]
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</noinclude>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Epilogue

2010-03-12T19:07:37Z

BakaSama: /* Epilogue */

===Epilogue===

On board of the ship traveling from Rosais to Tristain, Saito was having a nightmare while lying in the cabin’s bed.

He had received more damage from the fight with Jörmungand than Louise.

“Ugh, ugh” - although he was having a nightmare, somehow Saito’s feelings were refreshed. He had now somewhat straightened up his feelings on the things he had to do.

Thinking about this and that, Saito was gazing at the ceiling…

<Knock knock>

Someone knocked against the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.” Answered Louise’s voice.

“…it’s open.” He said in an ill-tempered voice, and with an awkward expression on her face, Louise stepped in.

“Excuse me. Just in case, I came to check. Are you alright?”

“You… hit me more than enough already.”

Louise pouted and said in a sulky tone.

“Y-you were the one who was wrong. You said you love me only as a familiar. I-it was a lie wasn’t it? Truly. You love me, right?”

She sounded almost desperate.

Saito glared at Louise and said.

“Such a thing can be said to anyone. As a noble.”

“S-still, you love me?”

“I don’t dislike you.”

“So you like me?”

“Isn’t that the opposite? Aren’t you the one who likes me?”

“N-n-n-n-n-n-no way!”

Blushing Louise, whirled her hands fast.

“So you were not this jealous because you love me? And you even recollected your will power fast because you were angry I was kissed. It’s so obvious.”

“Uuuuuh” Louise let out a half-sobbing groan and nodded.

“…Really. I might be so.”

“…Huh?” Surprised, Saito stared at Louise. Seeing him like this, Louise once again gave a triumphant ‘nya’ smile.

“No way. Dog is drooling again.”

“Y-you cheated!”

“And you got all ‘dokidoki’ from that. Idiot.”

Saito turned to the other side to hide his embarrassment and said.

“Really… I’ll just gradually find a way to return home. And then I will definitely drink miso soup.”

“What is miso soup?”

“My country’s soup.”

Then Louise gently said.

“I too would like to drink soup from Saito’s country.”

Saito’s cheek turned more red than from a kiss.

Louise became embarrassed as well and turned the other way.

“It may be very difficult, however… for a moment, the way things are, I would like you to continue helping us.”

Though she said it calmly, Louise was burning with the feelings inside.

Surely after all this, Saito will deny such a pledge with curses.

‘Why should I do such a thing?’

Why doesn’t Saito say such words.

That time… he saved her from Fouquet’s golem.

And today, he came to Louise’s rescue again…

That’s why behind his snappish words, Louise felt Saito’s love. And now, when he went through Tiffania’s spell… It wasn’t a familiar’s affection, but a genuine love.

However, why do I still doubt? That it isn’t given by a familiar magic? Why can I not get rid of this fear?

… because I am still not confident in myself.

Because I am not confident, I refuse to accept my feelings and doubt Saito's words. Therefore, all I can say are such things – while thinking so, Louise shyly said.

“I-I am being manipulated too.”

“Eh?”

“I hold affection for my familiar as well. That’s why I felt such burning jealousy, even though I did not want to. Really.”

Louise placed her palms on both of Saito's cheeks and suddenly brought her lips close to his.

[[Image:ZnT11-261.jpg|thumb]]

“Eh? Eeh? Nmh…”

Two pair of lips slowly melted with each other.

Gently tracing Saito’s lips with her own, Louise thought absent mindedly while kissing.

When I used Void, why was I so angry?

Was it because… Saito did that with another girl? Apparently, it recharged real fast. What an annoying willpower – Louise thought.

Besides I got angry from the bottom of my heart.

It was hateful, it was painful… however, there was nothing I could do…

Louise’s lips kissed the corner of his mouth before pressing themselves hard against his lips again.

After continuing kissing him wildly for a while… Louise suddenly pulled her lips away from his, catching her breath.

“Poor me - I have been manipulated by the Void to feel an attraction towards my familiar. I am such a poor girl.”

After saying those words, Louise leaned in and passionately recaptured his lips again.

While kissing her lips repeatedly… Saito understood that Louise’s words were a lie.

It was painfully obvious.

Louise’s kisses were increasingly feverish and hot.

Hot because Louise’s feelings for Saito were outspoken.

The moment he saw the lower half of the Albion continent covered by a white cloud from their ship, Saito mused.

Was… Tiffania’s magic really effective against me?

Originally this ‘Fake motive’ might have been nothing more but, in Cattleya’s words, ‘The locked mind’.

Well, when he thinks about it, it may have been just showing off Saito's natural optimism.

Something that even your own heart is not aware off.

However, he knew one thing for sure.

Looking at Louise always made his heart beat fast. Even Tiffania’s magic could not change that – it still remained the same.

Saito recalled a dream he saw in Tiffania’s house.

That time, Mother asked Saito.

“Haven’t you forgotten something?”

After all, the meaning of a man’s existence, was to protect the girl that made his heart beat hard.

Even at the cost of his life.

That was all that there is.

That was what, inside the ship, drifting further away from the Albion, and continuing to exchange passionate kisses with Louise, Saito thought.

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Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter10

2010-03-12T19:02:58Z

BakaSama: /* Chapter Ten: The Heart of The Duet */

===Chapter Ten: The Heart of The Duet===

“I’m home.”

Returning back home from school, Saito passed through the doorway of his house. He took off his school jacket and went straight to the living room to turn the television on.

It was an ordinary day.

While he was watching the television, the phone rang.

He picked up the telephone. It was his classmate.

''Saito, have you seen the latest TV show?''

“Why do you think I did?”

''Someone who has as much free time as you ought to have.''

A trivial conversation.

Life was trivial every day.

There was nothing that could replace this lovely everyday routine…

Saito decided to browse the internet, so he turned his notebook computer on.

“Hm?”

It didn’t turn on.

There was no power supply.

He tried to get it to work many times, until he found himself behind his mother’s back. Her hair was rather short and she seemed to have gained some weight lately.

“Mom, I’m hungry. Give me some food.”

“Not yet.”

“What? I want to drink some miso soup.”

For some reason he really wanted to taste it again.

His mother's miso soup.

Though it was nothing special and had a trivial taste, for Saito it felt like it would be the best meal ever.

“Saito.”

“What?”

“Haven’t you forgotten something?”

“What is it?”

“A thing that you should have done.”

“Homework?”

“Yes homework, but think about it... There is something else, isn’t there? The promise.”

“Promise?”

“Uh-huh. Haven’t you made an important promise to a friend?”

''Promise? What promise would that be?'' Saito thought.

He could not recall it.

Hurry up, remember... and while trying to remember, Saito woke up.

On a bed.

Tabitha was sitting nearby, reading a book.

He knew the sight of that bed and of that room. It was Tiffania’s room inside a house in Westwood Village.

He had used to stay in there.

Saito squeezed his eyes shut as he was blinded by bright sunlight pouring through the window.

Somehow… he was feeling refreshed.

Though his head was still dizzy from the collapse, he felt free…

Noticing that Saito woke up, Tabitha closed her book.

“How?”

“Hm? I feel refreshed… I wonder if it’s the effect of Tiffania’s spell? It was enough to put me to sleep… I feel alright I guess. However, it feels a bit strange. As if something is gone.”

Tabitha nodded.

“Where is everyone?”

“They left for home earlier. They took that half-elf girl with them.”

“I see… what a heartless lot. Disregarding the person under a strange spell, and moreover — leaving him behind.”

Then Tabitha stood up and looked directly at Saito's face.

“Do you want anything?”

“To drink miso soup.”

Saito said with a sigh. It was a first thing that came to his mind.

“What is that?”

“Well, a dish in my world… I would like to eat soup.” Saito said, feeling a little embarrassed.

Suddenly - strong feelings hit him.

A torrent of emotions.

What had been stored up until then, the so called "Nostalgia" that was being suppressed, literally started to flow out like a huge waterfall into Saito's head.

The girl who sat next to him at school.

The best friend with whom he used to play.

Every person he forgot about, their faces floated into his memory.

He remembered the face of the physical education teacher who used to punish him. He missed even those people.

“What's wrong?”

“…They're returning. Returning.”

Saito coughed out.

When he recalled his hometown, he started to cry…

Indeed, the fake motive he had to stay in this world had disappeared.

Since he came to this world, more than one year had passed.

''I want to return home.''

''I want to drink miso soup.''

''I want to meet my friends.''

''I want to go to school.''

''I want to browse the Internet...''

What had been hidden deep inside for such a long time… Saito felt it all break free, with loud cracking sounds.

He recalled Cattleya’s words from before,

“When shocking events happen, a human has the ability to lock their mind.”

And just then, the lock came off.

Saito was crying… sobbing painfully.

“What’s wrong?”

Tabitha asked him.

Saito looked at the runes on his left hand absent-mindedly.

“The runes look different…”

Derflinger, who was leaning against the bed, answered,

“Because Tiffania erased the fake motive to stay in this world that was within you, it has affected your familiar abilities as well."

“…Then shouldn’t they have been erased altogether?”

Saito said while watching the faded runes.

“That’s true somewhat. Runes react to your mind’s state. Because you just lost the reason to stay in this world, the turmoil in your mind was reflected on your runes.”

Absent-mindedly, Saito said in a far away voice,

“Hey Derf...”

“What?”

“My… my feelings for Louise — were they also fake, created by the familiar’s runes?”

Derflinger thought about it for a while

“Well, that's not for me to know. It's the way partner’s heart feels.”

“Well, if that’s the case… then it will be my true choice, I guess.”

“I guess, it will be the true choice.”

Louise and others walked down the road to Rosais.

“Isn’t Rosais 50 leagues away still? Walking such a distance is way too demanding.”

“It can’t be helped. It is because Tabitha decided to stay... Will she help Saito search for the way back to his home place, far away?”

Louise grew silent and started to quietly bite her lips.

“What is it? I already knew the truth. Saito is a human from another world. Jean told me.”

Kirche stole a glance at Louise.

“However, aren’t you a bit too cold? Leaving behind Saito, whom has no place to go to.”

Reticent Louise, said nothing.

“Say Louise…”

“What?”

“Could you tell me one thing… you learned how to act like a mature woman by wearing alluring underwear. But why do you tell such lies?”

“I wasn’t lying.”

Kirche placed a hand on top of Louise’s head, and patted gently.

“Honestly, you are just scared.”

“What?”

“You did not want to see… that Saito’s feelings for you were just some familiar’s delusion. Therefore you could not face it and just ran away.”

“You are wrong.”

“When Tabitha said ‘I’ll stay’ you wanted to stay with her, didn’t you? Why did you leave?

“That’s wrong. The only reason I was reluctant is because I wanted to bring Tiffania to princess-sama quickly, as ordered. So, when Tabitha said she’d stay, I was reluctant to leave her behind.”

“That is an excuse that only you believe.”

“It’s not an excuse.”

“Let’s suppose that Saito’s feelings for you were just some delusion, what will you do?”

“Nothing much. I’ll just search for a way to take him home in any case - that’s what.”

“And what if those are Saito’s true feelings?”

“I-I’ll l-look for a way to take him home.”

“And now you are acting flustered.”

“Not flustered. I am not flustered!”

“You are such an easy to read child. You are deeply in love with Saito, aren’t you?”

“You are wrong! Idiot!”

“Hey Louise, now you are acting cowardly. Even if the feelings of the person that loved you are fake, it is not the same with you... Just this time you will have to rely on your own charm.”

“…what?! I am not in love!”

Louise said while pouting.

''It is not love. I am not in love with him.''

Louise repeated this many times in her mind, trying to persuade herself.

''That can’t be so... ''

''Why would I love a guy like him? Certainly, it’s just me feeling jealous about my familiar.''

''That’s right, I feel those feelings only because he is my familiar. ''

But though she was repeating it over and over again… tears were still falling from Louise’s eyes.

''But why would I cry so hard then?''

''I am just a coward'' – Louise thought.

Even facing enemies was less scary than this.

''‘Saito’s feelings for me were just some delusion’'' – there was nothing scarier than that.

''That’s why I ran away, tail between my legs.''

Could it be that Saito’s ‘I love you’ was just another fake motive to stay in this world?

Then, all the moments she and Saito shared… were nothing but a lie.

To put it simply, all her treasured memories would turn into a lie.

''If that were to happen, then I would die'' – Louise thought.

The most important thing in this world for her… would turn into nothing.

That’s why she could not face it.

Louise rubbed her eyes.

Guiche, who was walking in the back of the group, mumbled to himself.

“It is saddening somewhat, though I agreed to erase Saito’s ‘false motive to stay in this world’… when I think about it may be a bad thing to do.”

This way Saito might lose the balance of his spirit. Though not willing to return is not a healthy thing either, but what happens when he cannot go back?

Then he would not have the usual strength to deal with it.

The ‘fake motive to stay in this world’ would be replaced with ‘looking for the way to go back’… And when his familiar’s spirit balance is gone, what extreme measures may Saito take?

However, looking for the various ways may not be bad. But what if they never find a way for Saito to return…

Guiche tried to imagine himself as a familiar.

However, his imagination was blank.

''Well, umm, from where did Saito come?''

''He said that he came from the Rub' al Khali side.''

''Well.''

''If I was now summoned to Rub' al Khali….''

“Hmmm.”

Guiche cocked his head.

He could not imagine it. Guiche only knew Halkeginia and thus he could not imagine other lands correctly.

“Lets replace bar with a castle then.”

But even so he could not grasp it. He should have taken his lessons more seriously.

''Because there is no other way, let’s just imagine the girl I like for now.''

''Weeell…''

''First of all, it has to be a girl.''

''And another girl.''

''Darn, it has to be a single girl…''

''Final girl.''

''Tsk, it’s no good – forget it…''

“First thing - she has to be cute, yes.”

Guiche hit his thigh.

''What?! If I were summoned to some place by a cute girl I would not return at all!''

But Guiche could only perceive this world as a real, and Louise’s sadness, as she ran away, as reality.

However… someone tapped his shoulder.

“Hm? Who is it? I am busy now. Leave me alone”

Again, someone tapped his shoulder.

“Really, who is that who taps my shoulder?”

Guiche looked at everyone walking in front of him.

“Well, it’ can’t be Louise, it can’t be Kirche either. The half-elf girl Tiffania is over there too… could it be?!”

Guiche clapped his hands together.

''Could it be Saito?! Yeah, that is right. He must have caught up with us somehow. Or perhaps it is because that ridiculously busty girl called Tiffania!''

''Whether it is real or not I should make sure'' – Guiche thought.

“Who are you? Hey, you!”

Then Guiche turned around and let out a loud shriek.

“Giyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Following Guiche’s scream, Louise and others turned around.

A dreadful scene played before their eyes.

A huge figure, about 20 mails in height, towered in front of them.

“W-what is that thing?!”

Bathing in the morning sunlight and spreading an ominous atmosphere around, stood a huge fencer figure. It wore a black, shiny armor and a grasped a long sword in its hand.

After a few moments, it smoothly lifted that enormous sword up and slashed it down into the ground.

A huge cloud of dust sent Louise and others into a coughing fit.

“It’s been a long time, Void user.”

Louise knew that voice. She heard that voice in Albion, during the ball…

Gallia’s Familiar of Void.

The mysterious woman who followed Louise…

“It’s you! Myoznitnirn!”

“Oh, you remember me? I’m honored.”

Startled, she looked up at the head of the figure - that was where the voice came from. Was she there? Or was she in a different place?

Perhaps the latter.

The Myoznitnirn was the Familiar of Void, master of dolls. She wouldn’t be fighting herself.

“What do you want?”

“I came to express my gratitude. After all, the other day, you stole our princess so well.”

“What princess?! You imprisoned her and tried to break her will!”

“Break will? Oh, and you are different? Breaking your familiar’s will is not that different. Look what nice effects it had on Alviss.”

Louise set up the wand and uttered an incantation.

But… there was still no ‘Void’.

Meanwhile, Guiche gathered himself, and recited a spell as well.

Seven bronze armored maidens appeared.

“Valkyries! Attack him!”

The seven bronze maidens of war aimed their short spears at the huge fencer figure.

Yet… the short spears snapped.

“Hey… do you seriously think that such puny golems could hurt Jörmungand?”

The huge golem called Jörmungand lifted its foot with ease.

And he smashed the seven valkyries like insects. Next, Kirche recited her fire magic.

A huge fireball hit the Jörmungand, but even that couldn’t leave a scratch on the armor. The thick armor was impenetrable.

“Useless. It’s a mistake to think that you can hurt the Jörmungand with elemental magic.”

Jörmungand took a step forward. Was there a person inside? It was walking too smoothly for a golem.

Surprisingly, despite its huge body, one could hardly hear the footsteps. It was prowling like a cat.

“How can this golem…”

“Golem? How rude. The Jörmungand is not some golem!”

Jörmungand lifted the sword and smashed it hard against the ground next to Louise and others.

The earth shook from the impact.

“Kiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Louise and her friends fell on the ground.

Jörmungand’s arm penetrated the cloud of dust, gripped Louise, and lifted her up.

“Hn…”

Freezing fear gripped Louise’s heart.

“Sai-”

She almost called out Saito’s name.

But… she choked the name down before it left her lips.

''I have no right to call his name.''

''I won’t hide behind the fake heart.''

Louise courageously stared at the Jörmungand.

“Hm?”

Worried, Saito could see a gigantic knight figure with his left eye. His left eye vision was shaky. He could see Guiche and others from high above.

He could see through Louise’s eyes.

This ability activated itself only when his master was in danger…

“Really… what mess did she get into this time?”

Seeing the somehow frightening knight figure raging about, Saito spoke in a nonchalant voice.

Derflinger, who was leant against the bed side, called out to Saito.

“Is it about the young lass?”

“Yeah. I can see it with my left eye.”

“Same way. Though I will say it clearly – if you don’t love her, don’t go. The undecided Gandálfr is just a burden. It would be useless to go. If you are not sure – don’t get involved.”

Saito took a deep breath.

“While you were at it, you could have erased my familiar's ability as well.”

“What for?”

“So then we wouldn't need to go anywhere.”

Derflinger clattered while laughing.

“Chigeegee.”

Saito stood up, taking Derflinger with him.

“Let's go, Tabitha.”

“Partner, do you love that young lass?”

Saito said in clear voice.

“It’s useless. She’s so unlovable. That girl is selfish, stupid and haughty… Moreover, lately she’s been really needy to be complimented by me. When I think about it – she is completely unlovable. She’s always angry. And we do nothing but argue most of the time. It’s so annoying.”

“Then why are you going to save her?”

“… because whenever I look at this girl, my heart beats like crazy. From the first sight my whole life has been cursed. If I had known her character this wouldn’t have happened. Yeah, I would have lead a untroubled life then… eh?”

Shocked, Saito looked at Tabitha.

“Now, did you just smile?”

“Imagining things.”

“Hey, you smiled! Hey!”

Sylphid appeared by the window. Tabitha quickly mounted it. Holding Derflinger in his hand, Saito perched on Sylphid as well.

“Hold tight. We’ll fly fast.”

Tabitha said in a casual voice.

Louise struggled violently, held by Jörmungand.

“Let go! Let me go!”

“You say to let you go, but we just met.”

Louise was brought closer to Jörmungand’s face. Within the old-fashioned fencer’s helmet was burning a pale light surrounded by the darkness. It seemed to be completely hollow.

Jörmungand looked like the one-eyed demon from the southern lands. Louise trembled.

“Hey hey, This fellow has Ancient and Void, two magic elements mixed in it. What you are you getting scared for?”

“Why did you make such a monster?”

“Well. Maybe it’s because you are a mage that you do not understand? Familiars cannot judge a thing. Familiars act upon their master’s orders. Nothing more than that.“

“You are wrong!”

Louise shouted.

“Even a familiar is a living being! It’s not something that just follows its master’s orders blindly! That would be just a golem!”

“A mage’s words mean nothing. Even you treated your own familiar that way!”

“I was different! We were a team! Anyways, you are a coward! Stop hiding yourself and come out! Stop using puppets to do your fights! What is your goal!? Tell me!”

“What a troublesome lass! Just use your ‘Void’ already!”

With these words Louise realized.

''What does she want me to use ‘Void’ for? Of course, now I cannot use it anyway. ''

''But… for some unknown reason, she wants me to use ‘Void’, I guess I could use it to my benefit and avoid being crushed. ''

“Sorry, but I cannot meet your expectations. I will aim my wand only when my opponent is a noble. I won’t use my spells on a shady character like you.”

“Say what?!”

Jörmungand squeezed hard. Louise’s face contorted with pain.

“Louise!”

Looking down she saw Kirche, Guiche, Tiffania, and the kids anxiously looking upwards.

“Run away!”

Louise shouted.

“But, but…!”

“Don’t worry about me! Take Tiffania and the children and run away! Please!”

Kirche nodded and urged Tiffania and the children to come with her.

Yet…

“I won’t let you go!”

Holding Louise in its hand, Jörmungand jumped up. Louise was surprised by the lightness that did not suit such a gigantic figure. It seemed like prowling was not the only thing it could do.

That thing was like a human, just much larger! Jörmungand landed in front of Kirche and the others, blocking their path.

“Don’t disregard me thinking that you can run away. Next time you try to escape, I will simply crush you without mercy.”

“Even the children?!”

“Yeah. If you are together I will have no choice but crush you all, right? Maybe it would be better to separate?”

Louise trembled after hearing such words. She slowly started to sing.

“Seems like you are going to cast ‘Void’ after all.”

“W-what are you saying! I won’t cast! Didn’t I tell you! Only if a noble opponent…”

“Such a boring lie. You had plenty of chances to cast it. Yet you did not, you waste. You are so useless.”

Jörmungand threw Louise to the ground.

In an instant Kirche cast the ‘Levitation’, but the softening was marginal. Jörmungand’s power blocked the elemental spell.

Although her fall was slowed down a bit, Louise still slammed hard against the ground. Her body was in intense pain.

She could not breath! She could not move!

“Well then, I will trample you. Say your prayers, ant.”

Jörmungand raised its foot. Louise closed her eyes shut.

‘Zun’ – a sound echoed… and the cloud of dust lifted again.

Feeling no ground underneath her, Louise opened her eyes.

Louise was riding Sylphid’s back, who had rescued the girl in the nick of time before she was crushed underneath Jörmungand’s foot.

“What’s the meaning of thi-?”

She asked in a surprised voice turning around. And saw Saito sitting there.

Louise’s eyes opened wide and she shouted.

“W-what are you doing here?! I didn’t call for you!”

Then she turned to Tabitha.

“Tabitha! Didn't you say you’d help Saito find a way for him to return home?!”

“I was told to help you instead.”

‘Tsun’ – Louise crossed her hands and declared.

“…Really, Tiffania’s magic is so ineffective! Otherwise why would this idiot be coming this way!?”

“Its effective. Very effective. Honestly, it put me into a half slumber. What about this world? Does it have Internet? Impossible. Is there a burger bar? Not a chance! Yeah, getting drunk is the only thing of note in here. What a shame. And it’s all your fault, Louise the Zero-san!”

“Eh?”

“Hush, really that’s too much… Now, I would still rather be here. Whaat, void? Whaat, fake memory? I recall it now thanks to you. I recalled what had been lost for a year. Look, aren’t these the tears? They’re because I cannot find a way back!”

Saito pointed at his puffy eyes.

Louise turned her face away.

“T-that’s not good. I’ll find a way to take you back! Mo, and stop talking trash about my world!”

“Yeah, thanks to you I cleared the mist off my eyes. Really, there are still things left for me to do in this world. Whether it is the Void or Holy Land – I will find a way myself. I will go back. Yeah, I will return!”

“Stupid! Stupidstupidstupid! Then go fast! I will not be alone!”

“Yes. Such an angry thing you are, but look, hey, there is Kirche, Guiche, and Tiffania. Princess-sama and Siesta. Even Tabitha’s mother. Do not think the world revolves around you alone. I only came here to help my friends!”

“Wha-?”

“I want to help this world the best I can! I understood that! Because, before being Gandálfr, I am a human first! Because I am Hiraga Saito!”

Blood rushed into Louise’s head. For some reason, her pride took the best of her.

“Me? What about me then!? I do not have a place in there!? What? Did you only say you love me because you are a familiar? Saitooo!”

Saito shouted, beyond angry.

“Listen you! How long can I keep telling ‘I love you’ to a girl who does not return my feelings?! I should be getting a prize for this!”

“Eh?”

“What’s so good about you? No one would take notice of you - you are haughty like hell, you kick around when you sleep, you do not wear panties, one only can say ‘I love you’ to you out of pity for the bust-handicapped girl, really. There’s nothing else to praise you for. When I ignore you, you try to provoke me calling it a familiar’s ‘reward’, but when I misunderstand and drool about it, you put me down with insults. Your head is as much of a zero as your chest is, idiot. Realize the reality, peach-haired fool.”

“That, t-this…don’t say that… are you saying such terrible things because of turmoil? Because I did act bad, I will forgive you this time, but usually I would kill you three times for such words, understand?”

“Shut up! Therefore my love for you is just sympathy for a pathetic girl, as well as an unwilling familiar’s attachment. I won’t follow you around. Hereafter, I’ll be on my own.”

“Looking forward to that! Very cruel! Cruel! Too cruel!”

Louise shouted, shaking her head.

“Oi! I need some help there!”

Guiche’s voice came from below. Looking down, they saw him in the hand of Jörmungand, groaning in pain. Meanwhile, Kirche and Tiffania were taking the chance and gettin the children out of there.

“Seems like you turned into bait, didn’t you, commanding officer. Let’s save the praises. Wait!”

With a cry, Saito jumped off Sylphid.

At the same time he slashed the sword down at the hand that was holding Guiche.

However, with a loud sound, Saito’s sword was repelled.

“Cut!”

The next moment, Jörmungand’s hand lifted above Saito, as if trying to smash an annoying mosquito. Saito kicked off the Jörmungand’s hand and managed to avoid the formidable palm.

“Ku!”

Doing a somersault, Saito landed on the ground. At the same time, Jörmungand’s feet moved at an incredible speed, trying to step on Saito.

Rolling to the side, Saito avoided the foot.

“What’s this?! What kind of golem is this?! It’s way too fast!”

The speed was fundamentally different compared to the time he fought Fouquet’s golem.

If Fouquet's golem was a turtle, then this Jörmungand was a cat.

Of course, not just a cat. Steel arms and legs, and a gigantic figure… It all combined into a human-like dexterity.

With just the right timing, Saito jumped back.

Jörmungand pulled out the sword from its waist.

“It even has a weapon like that?!”

Holding its big sword, Jörmungand swung downwards, aiming at Saito.

Saito dodged to the side, but it seemed to have read his movements completely.

Jörmungand lifted its left hand over the right shoulder - there were three small throwing knives hidden between its skillful fingers.

However, even if they were called throwing knives, they were the size of a big sword.

Something that could cut humans into pieces!

Though Saito managed to avoid the first two, he had to parry off the third with his sword.

Not giving him a break, Jörmungand lowered his sword.

A frightening speed.

Somehow Saito managed to dodge the four weapon attack and hit Jörmungand’s foot.

However… only an empty sound echoed from the place where the sword hit.

“Derf , cut him!”

“This fellow is using ‘Counter’.”

“That’s what elves use!”

Saito recalled the battle at Alhambra castle.

Then… only Louise’s ‘Dispel’ could penetrate this armor!

“So because of the big amount of ‘Counter’ used, it is impossible to penetrate the armor.”

“You say too many useless things!”

Dodging to the side from the fist, Saito shouted.

Feeling uneasy, Louise was watching Saito's fight from Tabitha’s Sylphid.

Saito’s sword was not damaging Jörmungand in the slightest!

“What to do… Saito will lose at this rate…”

Tabitha turned to Louise.

“Void.”

“I can’t use it!”

“Why?”

“Not enough willpower!”

“Gather it.”

“Without sleeping I cannot restore it!”

After thinking about it for a while… Tabitha suddenly made Sylphid dive down towards Saito. Then she recited ‘Levitation’ and caught him up in the air.

“What?! Are you running away?! But even if you try to run away, as quick as this thing is, it will catch us in no time! Besides there are children too!” Saito shouted, suddenly being interrupted during the fight.

“You cannot win just by yourself.”

“No, it isn’t true!”

“Silence.”

Tabitha said as if trying to focus.

“Yes?”

Then Tabitha informed Saito, loud enough so that Louise would hear that too.

“Let us continue from where we left off.”

“Ha? Continue what?! Even though I don’t understand, right now it is no-ghm!”

Saito could not finish the sentence.

Because…

Tabitha’s lips pressed tightly against his.

“Mh…nmh…”

Saito’s eyes widened from the shock of the sudden kiss.

Moreover Tabitha, in a bold act that didn’t suit her reserved personality, entwined her tongue with his. To show it Louise, Tabitha sucked loudly on Saito’s tongue.

Louise blankly stared at the spectacle before her, as if not able to understand it.

Her mind could not follow the sudden event.

However… when Tabitha’s lips touched Saito’s, it certainly was a kiss.

Louise’s shoulders started to tremble like during an earthquake.

“Y-youuu… s-s-s-such thing…”

Then Tabitha’s hand slowly embraced Saito’s neck and pulled him tight against her. Her tiny body pressed hard against Saito.

Louise’s mind recalled Tabitha’s words.

“Moreover, c-c-c-continuing from where y-you left oooooooooooooooooooooooooooff?!”

In other words, they were doing such things behind Louise’s back.

Louise's pink hair stood up, her eyes set aflame. Her body was filled with a violent burning anger.

Since her anger rose to the utmost limit, a great willpower was generated and Louise’s body was wrapped in an aura of magic.

After confirming that the heat haze of magic was rising from Louise’s body, Tabitha quickly separated herself from Saito.

“Now.”

Louise turned to them and started chanting a spell.

''Is Naudiz Wunjo Jera…''

Derflinger shouted.

“That’s not a Dispel! It cannot penetrate the armor! Explosion will be repelled!”

The runes that Louise started to chant were the ones for ‘Explosion’.

Because this was the spell that Louise was the most familiar with.

''Eoh Thorn Feoh Járnsaxa''

''Is the anger the source of my power?''

While uttering an incantation, Louise thought.

For a long time I… had lived with so much anger stored in me?

''Ós Thorn Uruz Ru Rad''

With anger… blossomed other feelings.

''Peordh Yr Sowilo Kaun Othila''

She was too scared to admit them.

Louise, who completed the spell, turned to them.

After finishing the cantrip, not having a place to go, the magic began to run through her body. The magic was in her shoulders, arms, palms, fingers, in the tip of her wand… Louise shot the explosion.

White light appeared at one spot of Jörmungand’s armor.

“Uo…”

Saito groaned.

Tabitha’s eyes also opened wide watching the light.

Light kept on growing until it swallowed the whole Jörmungand.

At the same, Jörmungand’s armor kept on swelling like a balloon… then an earth shattering explosion rang.

Jörmungand, as if stuffed with dynamite from the inside, exploded. Remains of armor scattered all over the place.

When the last parts of Jörmungand came smoking down, Kirche and the others ran out from hiding.

“Saito! Louise! You are not burnt, are you?”

“No way! You were great! To beat such a monster!”

“That’s good… I thought we were going to die so soon after leaving the village!”

Guiche, Kirche, and Tiffania took Saito's hand and jumped with joy. Children ran up and encircled them.

After a while, when the first wave of joy passed… Kirche and Guiche looked at Saito with serious expressions on their faces.

“…sorry, but did you want to take part in this? Though you helped a lot in defeating this big thing…”

Saito answered in a really tired voice.

“Nonsense. Never apologize again. I did what I wanted to do.”

Kirche and Guiche smiled.

“Kiyaa! It was miserable! And clumsy!”

“But as expected from Saito!”

“Now you are making fun of me…”

Among this friendly chatter, there was a sole girl whose shoulders were trembling.

It was Louise.

With small steps she approached Saito and, interrupting his joyful talk with Guiche, pulled his ear.

“W-what is it?!”

Louise smiled. However, her lips were trembling.

“What was that about?”

“Eh?”

Louise's eyes blazed up brightly.

“Continuing from where you left off?”

Saito panicked.

“Idiot! That was just Tabitha’s clever trick.”

“Well. I understand it. The dog acts like a dog. But what interests me are those emotional, ugly things you said. Yes, surely it came from you rather than a familiar…”

Eyes burning like demons, like a bird of prey carrying its victim to the nest, Louise dragged Saito to the bushes.

Saito’s screams echoed long in the vast, blue sky of Albion.

Meanwhile, hiding itself from the party, a shadow collected Jörmungand’s armor.

It was Myoznitnirn. She held a piece of the torn armor like a valuable treasure.

“The armor endured such an explosion… I wonder what else one can do with elf magic? Indeed, it may be very interesting.”

She said to herself.

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Talk:Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter10

2010-03-09T19:13:00Z

BakaSama:

Poor Louise, its certainly not the most pleasant position to be in.

True, but I'm thinking the feelings were ''mostly'' originally his anyway. Thing about harems that bug me though is that someone, is going to get screwed over. Usually not just one, though. ~E

L~ This reminds me more of a knight and a princess, then of a harem... it might get a harem ending but seriously, it feels like its getting a louiseXsaito ending.
there are loads of stories about knights protecting a girl then falling in mutual love... I'm sure.

anyways, tabatha asked 'how?' not 'how are you feeling?' or anything that makes sense. what did she say in japanese specifically... maybe we can make a clearer english translation.

Tabitha uses very little words when she speaks, in fact some of her dialogs are edited to suit the readers while in original japanese she actually uses much less words so in this one she just used a single word 'how' rather than the whole phrase 'how are you' which is why some people have troubles to understand her because she uses minimum words.

Anyways Jormungand is here. Things are getting intense.

Is the promise of the dream the oath Saito made to the water spirit ?

Question: Should Sylphid in her dragon form be referred to as 'it' or 'she' ? -- BS

One More: Could I get some clarification on these lines? It seems like Saito is saying the second line, which wouldn't make sense.

“Let's go, Tabitha.” (Saito)

“Mate, do you love that young lass?” (Derf?)

Saito said in clear voice.

Talk:Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter10

2010-03-09T19:09:55Z

BakaSama:

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter10

2010-03-09T19:07:04Z

BakaSama: /* Chapter Ten: The Heart of The Duet */

===Chapter Ten: The Heart of The Duet===

“I’m home.”

Returning back home from school, Saito passed through the doorway of his house. He took his school jacket off and went straight to the living room to turn the television on.

It was an ordinary day.

While he was watching the television, the phone rang.

He picked up the telephone. It was his classmate.

[Saito, have you seen the latest TV show?]

“Why do you think I did?”

[Someone who has as much free time as you ought to have.]

A trivial conversation.

Life was trivial every day.

There is nothing that could replace this lovely everyday routine…

Saito decided to browse the internet, so he turned his notebook computer on.

“Hm?”

It didn’t turn on.

There's no power supply.

He tried to get it to work many times, until he found himself behind his mother’s back. Her hair was rather short and she seemed to have gained some weight lately.

“Mom, I’m hungry. Give me some food.”

“Not yet.”

“What? I want to drink some miso soup.”

For some reason he really wanted to taste it again.

His mother's miso soup.

Though it was nothing special and had a trivial taste, for Saito it felt like it would be the best meal ever.

“Saito.”

“What?”

“Haven’t you forgotten something?”

“What is it?”

“A thing that you should have done.”

“Homework?”

“Yes homework, but think about it... There is something else, isn’t there? The promise.”

“Promise?”

“Uh-huh. Haven’t you made an important promise to a friend?”

Promise? What promise would that be? Saito thought.

He could not recall it.

Hurry up, remember... and while trying to remember, Saito woke up.

On a bed.

Tabitha was sitting nearby, reading a book.

He knew the sight of this bed and of this room. It was Tiffania’s room inside a house in Westwood Village.

He used to stay in here.

Saito squeezed his eyes shut as he was blinded by bright sunlight pouring through the window.

Somehow… he was feeling refreshed.

Though his head was still dizzy from the collapse, he was feeling free…

Noticing that Saito woke up, Tabitha closed her book.

“How?”

“Hm? I feel refreshed… I wonder if it’s Tiffania’s spell’s effect? It was enough to put me to sleep… I feel alright I guess. However, it feels a bit strange. As if something is gone.”

Tabitha nodded.

“Where is everyone?”

“They left for home earlier. They took that half-elf girl with them.”

“I see… what a heartless lot. Disregarding the person under a strange spell, moreover — leaving him behind.”

Then Tabitha stood up and looked directly at Saito's face.

“Do you want anything?”

“To drink miso soup.”

Saito said with a sigh. It was a first thing that came to his mind.

“What is that?”

“Well, a dish in my world… I would like to eat soup.”

Saito said, feeling a little embarrassed.

Suddenly - strong feelings hit him.

A torrent of feelings.

What was stored up until now, the so called "Nostalgia" that was suppressed, now it literally started to flow out like a huge waterfall into Saito's head.

The girl who sat next to him at school.

The best friend with whom he used to play together.

Every person he forgot about, their faces floated into his memory.

He remembered the face of the physical education teacher who used to punish him. He missed even such people.

“What's wrong?”

“… They're returning. Returning.”

Saito coughed out.

When he recalled his home town, he started to cry…

Indeed, the fake motive he had to stay in this world has disappeared.

After he came to this world, more than one year had passed.

''I want to return home.

I want to drink miso soup.

I want to meet my friends.

I want to go to school.

I want to browse the Internet...
''
For a long time… what was hidden deep inside, Saito felt it all break free, with loud cracking sounds.

He recalled Cattleya’s words from before,

“When shocking events happen, a human has the ability to lock their mind.”

And just now, the lock came off.

Saito was crying… sobbing painfully.

“What’s wrong?”

Tabitha asked him.

Saito looked at the runes on his left hand absent-mindedly.

“The runes look different…”

Derflinger, who was leaning against the bed, answered,

“Because Tiffania erased the fake motive to stay in this world that was within you, it has affected your familiar abilities as well."

“…Then shouldn’t they have been erased altogether?”

Saito said while watching the faded runes.

“That’s true somewhat. Runes react to your mind’s state. Because you just lost the reason to stay in this world, the turmoil in your mind was reflected on your runes.”

Absent-mindedly, Saito said in a far away voice,

“Hey Derf...”

“What?”

“My… my feelings for Louise — were they also fake, created by the familiar’s runes?”

Derflinger thought about it for a while

“Well, that's not for me to know. It's the way partner’s heart feels.”

“Well, if that’s the case… then it will be my true choice, I guess.”

“I guess, it will be the true choice.”

Louise and others walked down the road to Rosais.

“Isn’t Rosais 50 leagues away still? Walking such a distance, is way too demanding.”

“It can’t be helped. It is because Tabitha decided to stay... Will she help Saito search for the way back to his home place, far away?”

Louise grew silent and started to quietly bite her lips.

“What is it? I already knew the truth. Saito is a human from another world. Jean told me.”

Kirche stole a glance at Louise.

“However, aren’t you a bit too cold? Leaving Saito, whom has no place to go to, behind.”

Reticent Louise, said nothing.

“Say Louise…”

“What?”

“Could you tell me one thing… you learned how to act like an mature woman, by wearing alluring underwear. But why do you tell such lies?”

“I wasn’t lying.”

Kirche placed a hand on top of Louise’s head, and patted gently.

“Honestly, you are just scared.”

“What?”

“You did not want to see… that Saito’s feelings for you were just some familiar’s delusion. Therefore you could not face it and just ran away.”

“You are wrong.”

“When Tabitha said ‘I’ll stay’ you wanted to stay with her, didn’t you? Why did you leave?

“That’s wrong. The only reason I was reluctant is because I wanted to bring Tiffania to princess-sama fast as ordered. So, when Tabitha said she’ll stay, I was reluctant to leave her behind.”

“That is an excuse that only you believe.”

“It’s not an excuse.”

“Let’s suppose that Saito’s feelings for you were just some delusion, what will you do?”

“Nothing much. I’ll just search for a way to take him home in any case - that’s what.”

“And what if those are Saito’s true feelings?”

“I-I’ll l-look for a way to bring him home.”

“And now you are acting flustered.”

“Not flustered. I am not flustered!”

“You are such an easy to read child. You are deeply in love with Saito, aren’t you?”

“You are wrong! Idiot!”

“Hey Louise, now you are acting cowardly. Even if the feelings of the person that loved you are fake, it is not the same with you... Just this time you will have to rely on your own charm.”

“…what?! I am not in love!”

Louise said while pouting.

It is not love. I am not in love with him.

Louise repeated this many times in her mind, trying to persuade herself.

That can’t be so...

Why would I love a guy like him. Certainly, it’s just me feeling jealous about my familiar.

That’s right, I feel those feelings only because he is my familiar.

But though she was repeating it over and over again… tears were still falling from Louise’s eyes.

But why would I cry so hard then.

I am just a coward – Louise thought.

Even facing enemies was less scary than this.

‘Saito’s feelings for me were just some delusion’ – there was nothing scarier than that.

That’s why I ran away with a tail between my legs.

Could it be that Saito’s ‘I love you’ was just another fake motive to stay in this world?

Then, all the moments she and Saito shared… were nothing but a lie.

To put it simply, all her treasured memories would turn into a lie.

If that were to happen, then I would die – Louise thought.

The most important thing in this world for her… would turn into nothing.

That’s why it she could not face it.

Louise rubbed her eyes.

Guiche who was walking in the back of the group, mumbled to himself.

“It is saddening somewhat, though I agreed to erase Saito’s ‘false motive to stay in this world’… when I think about it may be a bad thing to do.”

This way Saito might lose the balance of his spirit. Though not willing to return is not a healthy thing either, but what happens when he cannot return back?

Then he would not have the usual strength to deal with it.

The ‘fake motive to stay in this world’ would be replaced with ‘looking for the way to return back’… And when his familiar’s spirit balance is gone, what extreme measures Saito may take?

However, looking for the various ways may not be bad. But what if they never find a way for Saito to return back…

Guiche tried to imagine himself as a familiar.

However, his imagination was blank.

''Well, umm, from where did Saito come?''

''He said that he came from the Rob Al Kaiire side.''

''Well.''

''If I was now summoned to Rob Al Kaiire….''

“Hmmm.”

Guiche cocked his head.

He could not imagine it. Guiche only knew Halkeginia, thus he could not imagine other land well.

“Lets replace bar with a castle then.”

But even so he could not grasp it. He should have taken his lessons more seriously.

''Because there is no other way, let’s just imagine the girl I like for now.''

''Weeell…''

''First of all, it has to be a girl.''

''And another girl.''

''Darn, it has to be a single girl…''

''Final girl.''

''Tsk, it’s no good – forget it…''

“First thing - she has to be cute, yes.”

Guiche hit his thigh.

''What?! If I were summoned to such place by a cute girl I would not return at all!''

But Guiche could only percept this world as a real, and the Louise’s sadness, as she ran away, as reality.

However… someone tapped his shoulder.

“N? Who is it? I am busy now. Leave me alone”

Again, someone tapped his shoulder.

“Really, who is that who taps my shoulder?”

Guiche looked at everyone walking in front of him.

“Well, it’ can’t be Louise, it can’t be Kirche either. The half-elf girl Tiffania is over there too… could it be?!”

Guiche clapped his hands together.

''Could it be Saito?! Yeah, that is right. He must have caught up with them somehow. Or perhaps it is because that ridiculously busty girl called Tiffania!''

''Whether it is real or not I should make sure'' – Guiche thought.

“Who are you? Hey, you!”

Then Guiche turned around and let out a loud shriek.

“Giyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Following Guiche’s scream, Louise and others turned around.

A dreadful scene played before their eyes.

A huge figure, about 20 mails in height, towered in front of them.

“W-what is that thing?!”

Bathing in the morning sunlight and spreading an ominous atmosphere around, stood a huge fencer figure. It wore a black, shiny amour and a grasped a long sword in its hand.

After a few moments, it smoothly lifted that enormous sword up and slashed it down into the ground.

A huge cloud of dust sent Louise and others into a coughing fit.

“It’s been a long time, Void user.”

Louise knew that voice. She heard that voice in Albion, during the ball…

Gallia’s Familiar of Void.

The mysterious woman who followed Louise…

“It’s you! Myoznitnirn!”

“Oh, you remember me? I’m honored.”

Startled she looked up at the head of the figure - there is where the voice came from. Is she there? Or is she in a different place?

Perhaps the latter.

The Myoznitnirn was the Familiar of Void, master of the dolls. She wouldn’t be fighting herself.

“What do you want?”

“I came to express my gratitude. After all, the other day, you stole our princess so well.”

“What princess?! You imprisoned her and tried to break her will!”

“Break will? Oh, and you are different? Breaking your familiar’s will is not that different. Look what nice effects it had on Alviss.”

Louise set up the wand and uttered an incantation.

But… there is still no ‘Void’.

Meanwhile, Guiche gathered himself, and recited a spell as well.

Seven bronze armored maidens appeared.

“Valkyries! Attack him!”

The seven bronze maidens of war aimed their short spears at the huge fencer figure.

Yet… the short spears snapped.

“Hey… do you seriously think that such puny golems could hurt Jörmungand?”

The huge golem called Jörmungand lifted its foot with ease.

And he smashed the seven valkyries like insects. Next, Kirche recited her fire magic.

A huge fireball hit the Jörmungand, but even it couldn’t leave a scratch on the armor. The thick armor was impenetrable.

“Useless. It’s a mistake to think that you can hurt the Jörmungand with elemental magic.”

Jörmungand took a step forward. Was there a person inside? It was walking too smoothly for a golem.

Surprisingly, despite its huge body, one could hardly hear the footsteps. It was prowling like a cat.

“How can this golem…”

“Golem? How rude. The Jörmungand is not some golem!”

Jörmungand lifted the sword and smashed it hard against the ground next to Louise and others.

The earth shook from the impact.

“Kiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Louise and her friends fell on the ground.

The arm of Jörmungand penetrated the cloud of dust, gripped Louise, and lifted her up.

“Hn…”

Freezing fear gripped Louise’s heart.

“Sai-”

She almost called out Saito’s name.

But… she choked the name down before it left her lips.

I have no right to call his name.

I won’t hide behind the fake heart.

Louise courageously stared at the Jörmungand.

“Hm?”

Worried Saito could see a gigantic knight figure with his left eye. His left eye vision was shaky. He could see Guiche and others from high above.

He could see through Louise’s eyes.

This ability activated itself only when his master was in danger…

“Really… what mess did she get into this time?”

Seeing the somehow frightening knight figure raging, Saito said in a nonchalant voice.

Derflinger, who was leant against the bed side, called out to Saito.

“Is it about the young lass?”

“Yeah. I can see it with my left eye.”

“Same way. Though I will say it clearly – if you don’t love her, don’t go. The undecided Gandalfr is just a burden. It would be useless to go. If you are not sure – don’t get involved.”

Saito took a deep breath.

“While you were at it, you could have erased my familiar's ability as well.”

“What for?”

“So then we wouldn't need to go anywhere.”

Derflinger clattered while laughing.

“Chigeegee.”

Saito stood up, taking Derflinger with him.

“Let's go, Tabitha.”

“Mate, do you love that young lass?”

Saito said in clear voice.

“It’s useless. She’s so unlovable. That girl is selfish, stupid and haughty… Moreover, lately she’s been really needy to be complimented by me. When I think about it – she is completely unlovable. She’s always angry. And we do nothing but argue most of the time. It’s so annoying.”

“Then why are you going to save her?”

“… because whenever I look at this girl, my heart beats like crazy. From the first sight my whole life has been cursed. If I had known her character this wouldn’t have happened. Yeah, I would have lead a untroubled life then… eh?”

Shocked Saito looked at Tabitha.

“Now, did you just smile?”

“Imagining things.”

“Hey, you smiled! Hey!”

Sylphid appeared at the window. Tabitha quickly mounted it. Holding Derflinger in his hand, Saito perched on Sylphid as well.

“Hold tight. We’ll fly fast.”

Tabitha said in a casual voice.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter10

2010-03-08T19:10:01Z

BakaSama:

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter10

2010-03-08T19:09:17Z

BakaSama: Undo revision 60470 by 198.62.217.2 (Talk)

User:BakaSama

2010-03-03T20:09:15Z

BakaSama:

Too lazy to make a page...but anyways.

I speak and write English fluently (trying to learn Japanese).

I'm new to this whole wiki-editing thing, so I'll be glad to accept any tips.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter9

2010-03-03T20:04:48Z

BakaSama: /* Chapter Nine: Reunion in Westwood */

===Chapter Nine: Reunion in Westwood===

“I-is that the village where the half-elf with an unnaturally big chest lives?”

Guiche asked restlessly

“What the heck are you talking about?”

“Didn’t you say that? You described the features of that half elf girl — long ears and a ‘ridiculous chest’.”

“You seemed to have had quite a sneaky conversation behind our backs.”

Kirche teased while grinning.

“B-because it’s the thing that this guy wanted to know the most about!”

“Don’t blame it all on me!”

“But, are that girl’s breasts really that big? Bigger than mine?”

Kirche puffed her chest.

“D-dunno.”

Saito said feeling awkward.

It was already evening when the party reached Westwood village. Though due to the position of the moon, Albion was considerably closer to Tristain, it still it took half a day with Sylphid flying at full speed to get here.

Compared to the other time when they went to Galia, the party was in a completely different mood. This time they had a duty to take Tiffania with them.

The only trouble was the need to persuade Tiffania the best they can. It was not dangerous, so the party was in a bright mood.

It may not be a trouble-free duty though, Saito thought.

After all, Louise can't use Void now.

Speaking of which, Louise was the only one who was not in a good mood and remained silent most of the time.

Kirche poked Saito.

“Hey, Saito. What did you do to Louise? She's been acting weird since morning. Always silent…”

“No… to tell the truth…”

After a moment of hesitation, whether to say or not to say, Saito told Kirche about it.

“Oh my! Willpower!”

“Shh! Not so loud!”

Saito lowered his voice so that Louise, who was walking ahead of them, would not hear.

“Araa, so she returned back to Louise the Zero again? However, even if she hides it, it may be a serious disease.”

“Don’t say that. You’ll just make me more worried.”

“But, maybe it’s for the better?”

Kirche said with a serious expression on her face.

“What?”

“This child always had to carry the burden of ‘legend’ on her shoulders. I would be happy to pass it to someone else.”

It may be so, Saito thought.

Saito threw a nostalgic look at the village in front of him. Westwood village had hardly changed.

Built deep in the forest, the plain, compact houses were hard to notice.

Once entering the place, they immediately headed towards Tiffania’s house. White smoke was rising from thatched roof.

“Oi, you’ll just come in like that?”

“Yep, it’s an easy mission anyway. Compared to the usual hardships, it'll be child’s play.”

Guiche said while humming.

“Mo, really, you should be the last man to relax.”

“Says who? Wasn’t it you who was acting strange lately?”

“Me?”

“Indeed. Though I understand your enthusiasm about becoming sub-commander and all, somehow it's still strange, as normally you wouldn't be so uptight. It doesn’t feel like the old you at all.”

“Really?”

“Aah, before you lived more comfortably. More at ease! Ahaha!”

Guiche laughed aloud.

“Indeed, when you don't let your guard down like this, it's no good.”

Kirche said.

“I command! Demon or not! Come out of this house this instant!”

Guiche stepped in front of Tiffania’s house and shouted.

“I speak in the name of whole clan! I, Guiche de Gramont, The Knight Corps of the Water Spirit commander! In the name of Her Majesty! This is a royal order!”

When there was no answer, Guiche opened the door.

Momentarily, his body stiffened.

“What? What's wrong? Is she changing her clothes inside?”
Amused, Kirche wondered and peeked inside.

Her body stiffened as well.

Saito and Tabitha looked at each other. After nodding to each other, they both at the same time pushed their heads through the doorway...

Behind the door, in the living room at the table where Saito also used to eat, two people were sitting.

One of them was Tiffania, who stared at the party with blank surprise written all over her face.

However, the nostalgic friend Tiffania was not the only one in the room. And the main problem was that other one.

Tabitha, who poked her head out of the doorway, stated.

“Fouquet.”

Indeed, Tiffania's house guest was none other but the enemy, Fouquet. Saito's shoulders began to tremble. He recalled the face of Wales, who met his death on the ground of Albion.

This was the woman who cooperated with the Crown Prince’s murderer Wardes.

The thief Fouquet, the Crumbling Dirt.

He recalled Henrietta’s crying face, the burnt village of Tarbes and a lot of other spectacles during that miserable Albion’s campaign.

“Fouqueeeeeeeeeeet!”

Saito screamed pulling the sword from his back and leaping forwards.

The rune on his left hand shone.

His swing cut an air within a hair of Fouquet’s face. However, Fouquet was a person of no common order. Standing up without a fear of the leaping Saito, she pulled out the wand and blocked the sword.

For a moment their weapons crossed before both of them jumped back and took the attacking positions.

“What are you doing here?”

“That should be my line.”

The two simultaneously intensely stared into each others' eyes, adjusting the timing. Then…

“Stop!”

Tiffania jumped in between them.

“Why are you two fighting?! Saito! Put your sword away!”

“B-but…”

“Matilda nee-san! Do not raise your hand against this person!”

“Matilda nee-san?”

Saito watched Fouquet. Wrong person? Though he thought so, those sharp eyes on the strong face, he really thought against her Golem before — no doubt, it was Fouquet, the Crumbling Dirt.

Fouquet, wondering what was happening, watched while switching between Saito’s and Tiffania’s faces.

After that, she shook her head.

“It can’t be helped.”

[[Image:ZnT11-199.jpg|thumb]]

Saito though, still blinded with anger, tried to plunge forward… but Tiffania clung to his arm.

“Please, Saito. Stop... Though I don't know what happened between you, stop fighting. Please…”

Tiffania was crying.

“Damn,” Saito silently cursed under his nose, but put the sword back into its sheath again. And then with a plop, he sat down on the floor.

”Thank you.”

Tiffania showed an expression of gratitude while sobbing.

Guiche, Kirche and Tabitha looked at each other.

“Maybe now, after such a very long time, we should renew old friendships again?”

Fouquet asked in a tired voice.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter8

2010-03-01T19:42:11Z

BakaSama: /* Chapter Eight: Jörmungand */

===Chapter Eight: Jörmungand ===

“Louise, class started.”

Saito tried to wake Louise up. However, Louise tugged back on the blanket and did not come out of the bed.

“Get up.”

Saito pulled the blanket. However, she pulled it back with force. Looked like Louise had no intentions of getting out of the bed. Siesta, who watched that sort of scene, primly poked Saito's shoulder.

“N?”

Then Siesta clung to Saito and shouted.

“Such a thing! Saito-san! Doing such a thing so early in the morning!”

Still, Louise didn’t get up from the bed. She seemed to be considerably depressed.

“Hey Louise… You are really depressed...”

Siesta abruptly parted from Saito and said with a polite cough.

“Saito-san, what did you do to make Miss Vallière depressed?”

“Huh? I didn’t do anything.”

“Liar. Then, why is Miss Vallière depressed so much? What did you do to that girl?”

“Just what kind of person you think I am?!”

“Is it true?”

“It is. Why would I do such things to Tabitha. Louise is depressed about her magic not working. Hey, Louise, stop sulking this instant.”

Saito rocked Louise.

“Saito-san.”

“N?”

“That small girl… Indeed, it must really be your fetish. My mother said – when a man loves small girls more than needed, he will perpetrate in the future.”

“You see…”

“But, if Saito-san has to perpetrate then… I…”

Siesta’s face turned crimson, putting more fuss into Saito’s brains.

“Anyway, we need to wake Louise up… Hey Siesta, hold this.”

Saito and Siesta held the edges of the blanket and pulled. Clinging to the blanket, Louise rolled with it to the floor. The baby doll dress from yesterday, somewhat suited to wear as a nightdress. Because it was a chilly night, Siesta put the clothes on.

“Oi, Louise. Morning.”

“Fnya.”

Though Saito patted her cheek, Louise stayed almost unresponsive. All that she did – was look at the ceiling absent-mindedly.

“Uwaa, she really looks like an empty doll.”

Siesta poked Louise.

“Fnya.”

“Miss Vallière, wake up.”

“Fnya. Fnya fnya.”

“Wa, this is really amusing.”

Siesta poked all over Louise. But Louise remained still.

“Come on… Hey Louise, everyone feels sad once in a while. But this is too depressing.”

Then, Louise’s mouth was opened with a lot of effort. And said in an empty voice.

“Useless. I cannot use ‘Void’ at all. Even the ‘explosion’ is not working no matter what I recite. That’s how it is now.”

“It’s just a bad mood.”

However, such Saito's attempts to comfort her, did not reach Louise, lying on the floor.

“What to do… Only because of ‘Void’ I was of any use… Without it I am back to being Louise the Zero again…”

“It’s just back to the start, alright?”

However Louise responded no more. She just stared absent-mindedly into the space.

“Derf.”

Saito decided to ask the sword. Recently Derflinger was neglected on numerous occasions, so he answered in a foul mood.

“Andayo. So you call me out when you need an advice, huh. And you pull me out when you need to cut, huh. What if I am tired?”

“Listen up. Louise cannot use ‘Void’ anymore, can you tell us something about it?”

“Well I guess it’s because the willpower is down.”

“Really? Is that all? Then all she needs is just to rest?”

“No, because it’s 'Void' the matter is not that simple. With usual elements you need to rest a number of days to recover…’Void’, though, is unclear how gets accumulated and up till now it was used a lot. Remember that big explosion Louise cast?”

“Ah, you mean the one that destroyed that huge battleship?”

“That one, and it consumed a lot of her willpower that she was storing up till then. Therefore, she could shoot such big thing. Since then the remaining willpower has been consumed little by little. She wasn’t able to cast anything as big, right?”

It was as he said. There was no such huge light balls anymore.

“Then, she only needs to restore some of it again.”

“But how long will it take to cast ‘Void’ again? One year, two years… or maybe a whole decade…”

“Then we’ll be very patient.”

“She may not be able to cast it with such power again.”

Saito looked at Louise. She was lying spread on the floor, her eyes puffy from crying.

It hurt Saito to see Louise like this.

“Hey Louise, give it a break. You already worked hard enough. Even God-sama said to take a rest in a while.”

“… that’s impossible.”

“What?”

“I can’t settle down while knowing there is someone scheming something bad. Besides I still need to find a way to return you home. There are still many things left unfinished. Yet… I am useless like this…”

[[Image:ZnT11-173.jpg|thumb]]

Louise began to cry again. Siesta tried to comfort Louise.

“That… Miss Vallière is not useless. You are pretty. And you have a power to comfort anyone. Hey, stop crying.”

However, Louise did not stop crying. With Louise being so sad, even Siesta started to weep.

Now then, what to do, he started to worry…

“Saitooooooooo! An order came! All Knights of the Undine Corps are commanded by Her Majesty!”

Guiche jumped in.

“Commanded?”

“That’s right! We, The Knight Corps of the Undine and Louise, were given a direct command. Aah I'm so glad! Though we were not punished, I was still nervous thinking that Her Majesty might still be displeased!”

“You were nervous? You were just fooling around!”

“Don’t say such mean things. Though I had a laughing face on the outside, I was not calm inside. Anyways, my worries were just imaginary tears. Her Majesty’s trust in us is still unshaken!”

“Tsk, so what about princess-sama?

“Anyways, we need to come to the castle. Aah, lets go. We cannot attend lessons now!”

Guiche trembled with joy.

Saito really did not want to trouble Louise at such time. However… because they passed the border without permission, refusing to go now, may cause some tension between them and Henrietta.

Saito quickly got ready. However, he only carried Derflinger on his back.

“What about others?”

“For the time being - only you, me and Louise were asked to come.”

“Louise can’t.”

“Eh? Why?”

“I’ll go.”

Thumbing, Louise stood up.

“Don’t over do it. Your condition is bad right now.”

“Bad or good – it is of no importance.”

“What, what is wrong?”

Guiche with a surprised expression stared at the couple.

“No, this fellow? Right now, her magic… ouch!”

Louise suddenly kicked Saito between his legs, making him to faint in agony.

“…You talk too much. If it is something concerning Her Majesty - I will go no matter what.”

At that time, an owl flew in from the window.

“Ara. Tourukas? What’s the matter?”

Saito recalled this name. Where have I heard it before? – he wondered, while the owl passed Louise an envelope.

“Letter to the Louise-sama.”

“Letter?”

Louise began to read the letter. For a moment, her face lightened up… and then became cloudy again.

And then paled.

“What’s wrong? From whom is the letter?”

There was no answer. Louise folded the letter, placed it into her pocket, and staggered towards the closet to change her clothes.

“Oi, are you really alright?”

In the acadamy's stable, Saito asked Louise while putting a saddle on his horse, but Louise didn’t answer. Pressing her lips into a thin line, she silently straddled the horse.

Well, it will probably be an easy mission, so it’s alright. While he thought so, passing the school’s gates, Sylphid flew down from the sky and landed in front of everyone.

“What the? You!”

He saw Tabitha and Kirche on top of it.

“I’ll go too.”

Surprisingly, the one who opened the mouth was not Kirche but Tabitha.

“This child, after she saw you out of the window, she dashed outside in an instant.

Kirche said whilst spreading her arms wide open.

“Y-you? Why?”

Saito asked in surprise, after a short moment. Last night too, she was really eager to help him to learn the Helgekian written language.

“Silly question. That’s because you helped me.”

“It wasn’t just me who helped you.”

Saito said.

“Surely, you must be special.”

Kirche said while laughing.

“Louise, it’s not like that.”
　
Saito called out Louise, fearing unforeseen retribution from her.

However Louise was still looking detached. She just straddled the horse and rode forward alone.

“Oi, Louise. There’s no need to ride a horse. Sylphid could carry us.”

Even though Saito called her, Louise just urged the horse with the riding crop.

“What are you-“

A little while ago, after reading the letter, she started to act strange. No, she has been acting strange for a while already - Saito thought, while he, together with Guiche, perched on Sylphid’s back.

Sylphid flapped her mighty wings and lifted herself up into the sky.

Seeing them before her, Louise bent forward and hastily urged the horse to sprint faster.

Ignoring that, Saito asked Sylphid.

“Sylphid, pull her in as well.”

“Kyuikyui.”

Sylphid made joyful sounds, and landed down before Louise and the horse. Seeing the dragon appear, horse stopped in its tracks and neighed in fear.

Sylphid dexterously extended her long tongue, and carefully pulled Louise from the saddle and threw her over the back.

With a loud ‘huff’ Saito caught Louise in his arms.

Despite being treated so harshly, Louise did not complain, only her shoulders trembled slightly.

“N? What’s wrong with this child?”

What was written in that letter?

Saito felt uneasy.

Was it something concerning the ‘Void’? Saito suddenly remembered where he heard of that owl before.

It was Louise’s family’s owl! He recalled - once, this Tourukas flew through Cattleya’s carriage window and landed on Saito’s head.

Someone from that strict family of Louise's must have asked of her something – Saito concluded. The letter must have been surely concerning the willpower, and for Louise, who just lost her ability to use ‘Void’, it felt like a final blow.

Talking to her right now won’t do any good – Saito thought, gently holding her.

After waiting impatiently for the group to arrive to the royal palace, Henrietta seemed to be very worried. The queen looked at every one of The Knight Corps of the Water Spirit. The Undine knight squad that Saito was an assistant commander of.

“Welcome. There’s something I have to ask from you.”

“What are your orders, your majesty?”

Guiche kneeled on one knee, while Henrietta spoke of her request.

“I want you to bring here the ‘Void’ user from Albion.”

“Tiffania?”

Saito asked surprised and Henrietta nodded.

“… It is not good to have a ‘Void’ user living all alone like that. Besides she has Albion’s royal family’s keepsake, so she must be my cousin. I cannot overlook that. When sooner or later Galia expands, she could be attacked by that demon just like you, Louise.”

“She is not alone. She lives with orphans. Tiffania is acting in their mother’s place.”

“Then please bring those orphans too. Let’s secure their lives.”

“…I see. If you are worried to this extent, then we will bring them.”

“Thank you. This is my wish.”

Henrietta said, placing her elbows on the chair and taking a deep sigh. Seeing her like this, Saito wondered.

“Is there something troubling you?”

“I will tell you sooner or later. For now, just hurry up and go.”

“Ship preparations will take time…”

Then, the small figure of Tabitha behind them uttered silently.

“Sylphid.”

“Indeed. Because it is a wind dragon it is faster than a ship.”

Guiche nodded.

Henrietta noticed Tabitha and took her hand.

“Princess of Galia. I wish to express my gratitude for your cooperation. Sooner or later we will need to discuss about you and future plans.”

Tabitha gave a small nod.

“For your return, let's prepare the ship of Rosais. Anyway, the sooner we leave for Albion the better.”

Henrietta, who seemed to be heavily worried, informed the party cordially. Saito looked from Henrietta to Louise. It was unusual that these two friends haven’t talked. Must be because they both had their own worries. The separate problems occupied both their minds completely.

Saito had uneasy feeling. What on earth was happening?

San Marin – town of Gallia, situated at the sea.

Here was the base of Gallia’s navy, similar to every Halkeginia’s air base, various buildings were built in there. Iron towers, including pier ships, and the brick houses stood in rows.

There was one building in the corner of this urban area.

It had the foundations made of bricks and mortar, hidden by the tree frames and sail cloth as the roof, pulled over the cut into half column, laid down in it’s full length.

The guards were placed in the surroundings to keep the citizens from coming close to the outskirts.

One huge ship, approached the iron tower built in front of that building.

The soldiers in the sentry, looked up at the ship.

“Ha, isn’t that Charles Orleans?”

“Unusually huge ship.”

This was a Gallia’s royal family’s warship named after the crown prince who died three years ago. 150 mails in total length, after the Lexington of the Albion’s air force sank, it was the largest warship in Halkeginia.

Seeing the royal family flag flapping on the mast, the guard was speechless.

“Hey, look at the flag. The king is on it’s deck.”

“True. Is it some kind of inspection?”

The guard said absentmindedly, narrowing his eyes.

“Could this be about the ‘experimentation building’?

“What?”

“Don’t you know? A lot of suspicious folks were loitering around lately. Finally, even king-sama arrived. Between you and me, they say that even an elf was seen.”

Lowering his voice his fellow whispered.

“Elf? It must be a lie. Some sort of drunkards deliriums surely.”

“No no, it seems to be true. It had unusually clear face. And in the middle of the night they say that it, together with the followers, went to the ‘experimentation building’. It is said that a pair of sharp ears were seen peeking from the hat edges too.”

His mate trembled.

“Don’t be afraid.”

The ship moored to the iron tower, and the gathered orchestra began to play, greeting the king. Soldiers in formal uniforms lined up left and right alongside the stone path from the iron tower, saluting with their wands.

The gangway came down from the ship and a vivid blue haired hero-like figure appeared.

“What does the ‘incapable king’ want from such a place as this?”

“But…”

His mate turned around and looked up at the huge ‘experimentation building’ and whispered.

“Just between us, but what the heck is this thing anyway?”

The temperature made Mrs. Molière, who entered the ‘experimental building’, lift her eyebrows. It felt like a steam bath inside.

“It’s hot.”

The mistress dizzily looked up. However, the king didn’t really seem to mind the heat. The man in scholar clothes besides them explained.

“It is done with purpose. The whole building is covered with sail cloth so that no air or sound escape. Inside the air is heated by the spring sunshine level. It is created by numerous blast-furnaces. It is easier to keep the heat when you prevent its leak.”

“What did you want me to see then?”

Mrs. Molière sulkily asked. A lot of suspicious jars and pans were queued up used for difficult magical researching. Large blast-furnaces were melting the bright red steel producing incredible heat.

There were a lot of men in researches clothing coming giving some work instructions to busy workers and leaving. Every worker was told beforehand about Joseph’s visit so they were trying to not pay attention.

One section they passed had large anvils lined up. Blacksmiths surrounding them were forging a ten mail length steel plate. A large number of such plates were already piled up nearside.

“What for you make such big steel plates?”

When Mrs. Molière asked, Joseph shook his head and answered.

“For armor.”

“Mo! Who would wear such huge armor?!”

However, Joseph didn't answer.

Finally, after some time, they arrived to the central, very spacious, portion in the building. Seats reserved for special guests were installed there - his retainer was already prepared for the waited Joseph's arrival.

“We waited for your, Joseph-sama.”

It was a slim woman whose face was hidden under the deep hood, and after her words, she bowed reverently. Mrs. Molière, saw this figure few times in the palace. The mistress felt something cold in that woman, and quietly drew closer to Joseph.

“Aah Myoz! Myoz!”

However, Joseph ran up to the hooded woman and embraced her strongly. The hooded woman’s, called Myoz, edges of the lips curved up. Mrs. Molière puckered up her brows.

“Once I heard that one item was completed, I flew here in an instant.”

“It was possible only due to the cooperation of lord Bidashal.”

A man standing next to Myoz, slightly bent his skinny body, paying his devoirs to Joseph.

Because of the big hat he wore, one could not see his face. Only a small mouth slightly peeped out.

“Oh Bidashal! You did great! In the tough making of ‘Jörmungand ’ you helped a lot!”

“I fulfilled my part of agreement.”

Bidashal said in non-chalant voice.

To these words Mrs. Molière’s eyebrows arched even higher up. Such words were unsuited talking to the king, but Joseph didn’t seem to mind that.

“What? You are talking about ‘Jörmungand ’s’ completion as if it was a failure!”

“But Your Majesty, all that matters is your niece who is still in Tristain’s hands - I do not care about any other internal affairs.”

“That Tristainian lass? I’ll use my measures to get her. Leave.”

Joseph was already crazy about the new toy.

Mrs. Molière took an interest into this ‘Jörmungand ’ that made the kind so obsessed.

“Your Majesty, could you tell me what is that ‘Jörmungand ’?”

“Remember that knight doll you once gave me?”

“The knight doll?”

Mrs. Molière was taken away by the shock. Did the king use such an enormous building just to make himself a new toy doll?

Since he is the king, I guess that would not matter much – Mrs. Molière thought. In that artificial miniature garden, Joseph was amusing himself with war all day long.

“Behold.”

Joseph sat on the prepared chair. Mrs. Molière sat next to him.

There was a wide spacious place before them. Its circular shape made it look like coliseum.

“What will happen, some kind of show will start?”

“The entertainment. The entertainment! Indeed, a joyful entertainment will start now!”

Joseph, watched coliseum with a boy-like fascination.

While Mrs. Molière was waiting quietly as well… the hedge on the west side opened, and with loud, earth-shattering sounds, the ten mails height, huge golem appeared.

“It’s just an earth golem.”

Mrs. Molière said in a disappointed voice, watching the scene. Indeed, though it was a splendid Golem, it was still the usual earth golem.

One after another three earth golems appeared.

One golem picked up the cannon placed in the corner of coliseum. The he prepared the cannon – packed the gunpowder and loaded a shell. Such move took Mrs. Molière’s breath away. Even the usual just walking golem could do a lot of destruction.

And for such huge golem - its movements were unusually dexterous.

“The elites of the west Lily flower bed knights - square class earth golems.”

Myoz explained.

Indeed, square class…

“Umm, is that golem a ‘Jörmungand ’?”

However, Joseph did not answer.

Then…

The edge of Joseph's lip lifted up, and his face became like a birds of prey.

The hedge on the east side opened, and another huge golem appeared.

Mrs. Molière’s eyes opened wide. A tiny gasp escaped her lips.

The ‘thing’ that appeared was not only enormous, but also carried an ominous atmosphere around it.

“W-what is that?...”

It was a 25 mails height giant, and like a person’s wearing a robe, its body was wrapped up in a sail. He was at the size of ceilings. However, his movements were totally different from the ones usually associated with golems.

Giant took one step.

Zam! – earth trembled, and the chair, on which Mrs. Molière sat, shook.

However, apart the loud sound, it walked gracefully like a true human.

“T-this golem can really walk so smoothly…”

Mrs. Molière wondered.

“Walking smoothly is not the only thing it can.”

Not able to contain the joy, Joseph said in awe.

Three golems, bending slightly, moved towards the newly appeared ‘Jörmungand ’.

Two golems moved to right and left.

In quickness that doesn't suit such gigantic body, golems pulled out a punch.

Thud!

A big cloud of dust lifted and Mrs. Molière instinctively shuts her eyes.

The two golems fists heavily planted against the left and right sides of Jörmungand ’s face.

When she squeezed her eyes open… she saw a surprising spectacle.

Jörmungand was holding the fists of right and left earth golems tightly in his grasp.

“What a power…”

After leaving such a strong impression, the spectacle before Mrs. Molière’s eyes continued to unfold even further.

Jörmungand , pulled right and left golems, and crushed them into each other.

A monstrous cloud of dust flew up, forcing Mrs. Molière into a violent coughing fit.

The two golems were completely mashed against each other, and now only one big pile of dirt remained.

The last earth golem aimed the cannon at Jörmungand . Mrs. Molière instinctively shouted.

“Stop! If it shoots the cannon, Jörmungand will crumble! It’s dangerous!”

Mrs. Molière’s shout did not reach anyone - the golem light up the match cord and launched the cannon. The roaring sound was deafening, a severe firing line burned the eyes, and the jet-black smoke filled the place.

The roof sailcloth, flapped loudly.

Mrs. Molière closed her eyes again.

Now it turned into rubble for sure… she thought slowly opening her eyes again, but Jörmungand was still standing there.

The improvised robe of sailcloth was completely torn by the cannon shell, and Jörmungand 's surface was visible.

It was the shining steel that met Mrs. Molière’s eyes.

“The armor… Just how thick is this armor?...”

Though he wore such armor, Jörmungand plunged forward in a speed of blitz. Hit by the Jörmungand 's tackle, earth golem shattered in an instant.

Witnessing such unbelievable spectacle with her own two eyes, Mrs. Molière was completely at a loss of words.

After a moment of silence, Mrs. Molière finally worked out the words out of her throat, barely able to think.

“Your Majesty… what kind of monster you created.”

“Primal and legendary – when those two elements combine, they create a miracle.”

“…ten of such monsters would be enough to conquer Halkeginia.”

“Ten? Much more than that – we’ll create a whole knight unit of Jörmungands.”

Mrs. Molière suddenly recalled the huge steel plates she saw before, and her eyes widened.

Not being able to grasp the spectacle and the Joseph’s words together, she fainted.

“Did you like it?”

Myoz… Myoznitnirn came infront of Joseph and kneeled down on one knee.

“Of course. Turned very well. This knight doll…”

“Real value cannot be measured until it’s used in the actual combat.”

“We already have perfectly fitting guys for that.”

Joseph smiled.

“My brother. We will capture my niece easily… with this Jörmungand …”

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter8

2010-02-26T19:05:11Z

BakaSama: /* Chapter Eight: Jörmungand */

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter7

2010-02-22T19:08:13Z

BakaSama: /* Chapter Seven: The Pope Of Romalia */

{{Template:PREVIEW}}

===Chapter Seven: The Pope Of Romalia ===

Seeing the guest who came to the royal reception room, Henrietta could only stare in blank surprise.

The dark purple priest robes and the high cylindrical hat symbolized the highest authority among all Halkeginia’s priesthood… in other words – it was the Pope of Romalia.

Because he held a position higher than any king in Halkeginia, Henrietta invited him to take the most honorable seat.

However, this young man’s face did not bode well with the priest clothes he wore. The gentle eyes, the sculpturesque nose, the smile always present on his well-shaped lips. His beauty made everyone turn around. Even if one searches all theaters in Halkeginia, it would be difficult to find an actor as beautiful as him.

Henrietta had the impression that this smile of his was filled with god-like affection.

“Doing well, Henrietta-dono?”

Ashamed, Henrietta snapped out of her trance.

“I am sorry, Your Holiness. I was deeply moved by your holy power.”

His hair, like thin gold threads, shivered as the Pope of Romalia laughed.

“Call me Vittorio, I don’t like such formal manners. Treat me like a regular priest of the country.”

“That is gracious of you. I am very sorry I could not attend the enthronement ceremony.”

Vittorio Serevare St. Aegis the 32nd was enthroned three years ago. Though it was a custom for each of Halkeginia’s royal families to attend it, Henrietta had caught a cold and was not able to be there.

St. Aegis the 32nd… the one who succeeded the name of ‘Founder's Shield’, the thirty-second Pope. A very young person who just passed twenty years of age, and though Henrietta had heard rumors that he was a very handsome person, she didn’t think it would be to that degree.

“I don't care. Enthronement is just a ceremony. You still follow God and are the Founder's pious servant. And that is enough for me.”

It is said that despite his young age, Aegis the 32nd received ardent support from Romalian citizens. The reason for that was becuase there was a special liberal feeling that surrounded him. To a degree, Henrietta could relate to that, as she could not feel anything haughty in this young Pope either.

However… though nice, it was a really unexpected visit.

St. Aegis the 32nd announced his visit to Tristain just two days ago. The palace went in an uproar preparing for the sudden guest. After all, the Pope’s visits were very rare.

The last time the Pope came as guest was for the coronation of the King, her father.

So the reason for such a sudden visit of St. Aegis the 32nd was a mystery.

During the rushed dinner between the Queen and the Prime Minister Mazarin, Henrietta discussed the problems regarding the reception.

“However, as expected from the rumored Halkeginia’s Flower, Henrietta-dono is really beautiful. I am extremely honored to meet you. If I were not the priest, I would ask you to dance.”

“Can I ask something?”

“What?”

“Can I learn the reason for such unexpected visit?”

Surely, he did not come here just to have idle chat.

St. Aegis the 32nd gave a deep sigh.

“Henrietta-dono, what do you think about the prior campaign?”

The war in Albion. The league of nobles who introduced themselves as Reconquista, the destruction of Albion’s royal family, the war started by the union of all nobles who did not rely on monarchic government and sought the Holy Land…

The war between Reconquista and the united Tristain-Germania army, the sudden intervention of Gallia, which ended in the victory of Allied forces…

The war that took away Henrietta’s beloved.

She did not want to recall that difficult war.

Henrietta lowered her head in sadness.

“It was a sad war.”

“…”

“I would not want to repeat such a war for the second time, I think.”

St. Aegis the 32nd nodded approvingly.

“Seems like Henrietta–dono is my friend.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means that I agree. I too was grieved at heart by such war. I was determined to let the militia participate as well, as soon as possible, because I wanted this useless war to be over with.”

Useless war… at such words, Henrietta's heart reacted strongly.

“Is it because it was not profitable?”

St. Aegis the 32nd gave a big nod.

“It is as Henrietta-dono says. Such conflict has no benefit. I am always troubled because of this. We are all Founder Brimir's pious servants, so why should we fight against each other?”

Henrietta answered in a constrained voice.

“Though I am immature as a politician… I think that as long as people have desires, wars will never be over.”

“Founder Brimir also acknowledged the existence of desire. When desire captivates a person, he is likely to stray away from the path of righteousness. That’s why self-control is beautiful. We, priests, vow celibacy and once a week devote ourselves to vegetarian ration in order to not forget self-control.”

“If all people could control themselves like his Holiness, there would be no wars in the world.”

“It is so, there would be none. However, I am a realist. Asking Halkeginia’s people to have as strong belief as Romanians would be a foolish demand to make, we know that well.”

“It is as his Holiness said – true faith sank to the ground because of the nature of the world.”

For a moment, the Pope closed his eyes to her words… and then looked up.

“This country is a very beautiful one. The colors that decorate the kingdom in spring, rich forests, gorgeous rivers, suiting the name of the Water Country…. Romalia is poor in water. It makes one envious. And when such beautiful country is involved in a war, I take it as the blasphemy to God.”

“I think that it is my mission to defend the peace.”

Henrietta said. It was slightly disappointing that the Pope of Romalia really did come for a simple sightseeing and preaching about pacifism.

Taking a look at the clock on the wall, Henrietta tried to stand up.

“Well then, the room and the servants are prepared. Please stay here as long as you wish. In case you’ll want to explore the place, we’ll give you our guards.”

However, St. Aegis 32nd didn’t stand up.

“Your Holiness?”

“I came today to help Henrietta-dono accomplish her mission.”

St. Aegis the 32nd and Henrietta went to the royal courtyard. The courtyard of the palace was washed sunshiny spring streams (huh?), brought from Gallia’s Lytts Palace, the flowerbeds were filled with various flowers in full bloom.

While walking through the path between the flowerbeds, St. Aegis the 32nd kept his silence.

“What did you want to show me?”

Breaking the silence, Henrietta asked. St. Aegis the 32nd noticed something in the corner of a flowerbed and squatted down.

“Please look here.”

There were ants.

"Aren't those ants?”

“Black ants, red ants – fighting for food.”

Indeed, small group of insects - the red and black ants - were fighting. The two kinds of ants were desperately competing against each other.

“Strife exists even between small creatures.”

St. Aegis the 32nd placed a hand between the insects, putting a barrier between the opposing parties of black and red ants.

Eventually the fight between two groups two ended, and both returned to their nests.

“Splendid arbitration.”

“The ants will not be able to understand that they have been arbitrated. It’s because my existence is bigger than they can perceive. A human has a full power over the ants. If I wanted to, I could destroy ant nest. Of course, I do not intend to do such thing.”

“What do you want to say?”

“In short - power. For the preservation of peace, a huge power is necessary. A huge power that could arbitrate the two warring factions…’

“Where to get such power…”

As Henrietta started to say so, her eyes grew wider upon realization.

“That’s right. Henrietta-dono also knows about the legendary power…”

“I cannot understand what do you mean.”

Henrietta tried to play dumb. But St. Aegis the 32nd continued to speak.

“The power given to us by God. The power that like water, has no color. A person’s mind can make it either white or black.”

“Your Holiness, ooh, Your Holiness…”

Henrietta shook her head.

“Do you know the Founder's element?”

“The Void.”

“Yes. Great Founder Brimir himself divided this powerful power into four – it was entrusted to the treasures and the rings. The Ruby of Water and the Founder’s Prayer Book are what Tristain got.”

“Correct.”

“Again, the people who should bear this power were also divided into four. Perhaps from the fear that the power would concentrate in one person's hands.”

Henrietta recalled Louise. And the ones similar to Louise - supporter of Gallia, who has not revealed his true colors still. And the elf girl who lives quietly in Albion and whom she hasn’t met…

Was she alright?

She has Albion’s royal treasure, so she must be my cousin… Though we left her alone because she was happy living on her own… But will she really be alright?

Thinking like this, Henrietta tried to focus back on the conversation.

“The Founder said it himself – ‘Four treasures, four rings, four familiars and four users – when all four of them are gathered in a single place, my Void will awake’.”

“What a frightening power.”

“Frightening you say? It is power given by God. It depends on the person whether it becomes white or black.”

“Power makes one corrupt. I learned it from my mother. I, myself, think so as well. If possible, I would like to leave it alone.”

“For how many years have we been involved in these useless fights?”

Henrietta was at a loss for words. She had to agree that the history of Halkeginia was a history of conflicts.

St. Aegis the 32nd took out something from the pocket. It was a colorful candy.

And threw it at ants.

All ants became crazy about the sudden blessing. They clung to the big candy. And they were not fighting against each other. Because there were plenty of it for them all, there was no need to fight.

“Together with the power, a common destination is needed. We already have it.”

“Destination?”

“Something like this candy, do you understand?”

“I don’t.”

“The Holy Land.”

St. Aegis the 32nd said.

“…The Holy Land.”

It was Founder Brimir’s promised land guarded by elves. Though all kingdoms of Halkeginia united many times and aimed to recapture the land, it never ended in success…

“The Holy Land that is not free. That’s where we should aim our minds at. Without this aim there would be no true peace.”

“But… elves are strong…”

“They practice Primal magic. It is so. The Kings of Halkeginia have been defeated many times. However, they did not have the "Founder’s Void".”

“…Another war again? This time with elves? But that’s not what you said before?! You said you wanted it to end!”

“The existence of such strong power would likely be enough to occupy the wise elves. You do not need to actually ‘use’ it, but rather to ‘show’ that you have it.”

St. Aegis the 32nd gave Henrietta an intense look. In those eyes there was not even a slight shadow of doubt in oneself. However, such absolute confidence in oneself could only be in a clergyman’s eyes.

“…Is this what you wanted to show me?”

“Indeed. We can have a peaceful ‘negotiation’ with the elves. For that we need a great power… in other words, the Founder’s power is necessary.”

Henrietta felt herself attracted to the young Pope’s way of thinking. Without a doubt, it was realistic… and it sought for an ideal to pursue. But ideals and reality were two conflicting matters and the innumerable sufferings could be created when trying to combine them both.

That was the attitude she had right now.

But, she could not take a step forward.

She did not have the courage.

Seeing Henrietta like this, the pope smiled.

He smiled like a boy.

A boy who before growing up had grand ideals. These ideals, with the becoming of an adult, are usually swallowed up by reality.

However this pope, looked… like a boy in adult's body.

“Your Holiness's words are too grand… I cannot judge their correctness at the moment. Can I ask for some time for consideration?”

“The thing that Henrietta-dono says is very understandable. However, there cannot be a long delay.”

“Delay for?”

“Gallia. Sadly, it is a country ruled by a man who has no faith. People’s happiness is dominated by his personal desires. Henrietta-dono, we need to ally our ideals together.”

In her mind, Henrietta's recalled Joseph, King of Gallia. His attitude to take over the other nations in the conference. Ambitious person, who persecuted Louise on number of times. Duke of Orleans who was the younger brother of the true is tyrant. A cruel man, who harmed his own niece Tabitha repeatedly…

“You saw how his mind works? If he was given the power of Void, we would not survive.”

“Yes.”

Henrietta nodded. Really, she could do nothing but agree.

“As a Pope, a servant of the god and of all people of Halkeginia, I order you - take the ‘Void’ from that place, we cannot leave the amulet in the hands of a person who has no faith.”

Agnes quietly watched the queen's and the pope's discussion in the courtyard. There were a lot of musketeers in the surroundings. They guarded the place from a distance.

Once the discussion was over, Henrietta called Agnes with the small gesture.

Agnes kneeled down on one knee when facing the queen.

“Commander-dono, His Holiness, Pope needs the rest. Please guide him to his room.”

“As you wish.”

Standing up, Agnes turned towards the Pope.

“Your Holiness, please follow me.”

“Thank you very much for your efforts.”

Once looking up at St. Aegis the 32nd’s face, Agnes lost her tongue. Gone was her usual calm solder mask, replaced by a pair of wide, glistering eyes.

“Is something the matter?”

Hearing Pope’s gentle words, Agnes lowered her head in panic.

“F-forgive my rudeness.”

Agnes, feeling like her heart was torn… started to walk. For a moment, she was reminded of her past, 20 years ago.

Talk:Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter6

2010-02-13T06:10:18Z

BakaSama:

Confusing stuff is confusing.

To put it simply in his head Saito is translated of the MEANING behind the word rather than the word itself.

So does that mean when he talks to others he is talking with meanings and not words, and it depends on the person who talks with him what kind of words he/she hears? Maybe (Darknemo2000)

Yeah... kinda like Kanji, for him, when he reads, he understands the meaning behind the word as the other guy said... so, it's like he's reading ideograms not phonograms.

Saito you dog you!! He's a stud. Now he gets to have moar loli power!! Shy loli vs. Tsun loli. hahaha
?

Question: When you say "mail," do you mean meters or miles or what? Because I'm pretty sure mails is not a measurement. (BS)

Talk:Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter6

2010-02-13T06:09:47Z

BakaSama:

Confusing stuff is confusing.

To put it simply in his head Saito is translated of the MEANING behind the word rather than the word itself.

So does that mean when he talks to others he is talking with meanings and not words, and it depends on the person who talks with him what kind of words he/she hears? Maybe (Darknemo2000)

Yeah... kinda like Kanji, for him, when he reads, he understands the meaning behind the word as the other guy said... so, it's like he's reading ideograms not phonograms.

Saito you dog you!! He's a stud. Now he gets to have moar loli power!! Shy loli vs. Tsun loli. hahaha
?
Question: When you say "mail," do you mean meters or miles or what? Because I'm pretty sure mails is not a measurement. (BS)

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter6

2010-02-13T06:07:08Z

BakaSama: /* Chapter Six: Private Lesson */

{{Template:PREVIEW}}

===Chapter Six: Private Lesson ===

Now, in the middle of the huge uproar, Saito managed to slip away and found himself in front of a library. The library was located in a tower. At the entrance a librarian wearing glasses sat and checked the students and teachers who went in and out. Books were heavily guarded in here because they had the components of magic potions written in them, and couldn't be handed out to a simple commoner.

A young librarian girl glanced at Saito and confirmed his mantle, then returned to reading a book.

Hm, knighthood is useful after all – thinking so, Saito entered the library.

“Wow. It’s amazing.”

The size of the library's bookcases was overwhelming.

Some were as much thirty mails in height. It was an incredible height. Apparently, the library occupied the larger part of this tower. Anyways, facing such a huge amount of books, Saito hesitated.

It was somewhere around 8 PM. A whole eternity – thinking so, Saito took one book in his hands. The characters of Halkeginia’s alphabet were written there.

Though he stared at them for a while, he was not able to understand any of them.

“Dang, pretty tough…”

Saito came to look at the books in order to memorize what characters mean. There is a new enemy - the king of a large country. It is absurd to only swing a sword. Being a knight, one cannot just rely on talking, but needs to write as well - he thought.

“I wonder if they have a Japanese dictionary.”

Of course, there was no such thing.

But how could he talk?

When he asked Derflinger some time ago, he answered ‘Though I do not understand it well, I guess it’s something you gain when you pass the gate to this world.’

Well, seems like magic anyhow. And thanks to this magic, everyone can communicate by speech.

Flying and jumping, putting out fires, healing injuries, making strong love potions – considering all that, Saito was not surprised by such magic.

Possibly, it may be related to Louise's ‘Void’.

Being in charge of Louise, he did not understood what the magic exactly was, but it was not hard to assume that there was some kind of translating magic as well.

However, I want learn the characters in any case - Saito thought.

Wondering what to do, he turned his head, and at a distant table saw a familiar face.

“Tabitha.”

It was the girl with short blue hair. After the rescuing, they hardly talked. She had that atmosphere of not being easy to talk to, then there was going to Louise's family, thus it was too hectic.

However, why, after leaving her mother in Germania, did she return to the Academy of Magic again? - Saito approached Tabitha and said.

“Yo.”

He thought he will be disregarded as usual, but this time it was different. Tabitha shut the book she was reading and looked up at Saito.

“Yes?”

Tabitha answered looking at Saito with round, puppy-like eyes. Saito was somewhat at a loss by such a surprising attitude.

“No, that…it’s not like it’s my business, but are you alright...?”

“I’m alright.”

“I-I see…Aah, I have something to say. Seems like Guiche, well, blurted out who you really are. You are a Gallian princess…r-right? That was stupid. “

Tabitha shook her head.

“Doesn’t matter. It’s the truth anyway.”

“I-I see. But didn’t you want to hide that? You were using a false name…”

“It does not matter now. I do not mind.”

Tabitha said as a matter-of-fact.

“Is your mother alright?”

To this question, Tabitha hesitated a little bit.

“Her mind is at peace in Germania.”

Whether it meant what it meant, he hesitated to ask any further. Surely, Tabitha’s thoughts are Tabitha’s after all.

Besides that, she was a reticent girl to start with, Saito thought the flood of questions would be pitiable. Even now it may still be impossible to answer.

“I see, understood. Sorry for disturbing your reading.”

He turned to leave while laughing.

“Do you read as well?”

She asked.

Because it was the first time that Tabitha asked about something, Saito was confused.

“Eh?”

He instinctively asked back.

“Did you also come to read?”

“Aah, it’s different, different. Far from reading, it would be difficult as I am not even able to read the letters of this world…”

“This world?”

When being asked back, Saito panicked.

Tabitha doesn't know he isn't a human from this world. It is Henrietta, Louise, Siesta, Cattleya, Tiffania, Osman and Colbert…who know. That’s pretty much it.

Even the colleagues from The Undine Knight Corps do not know.

“Hey, because I am a former commoner, I cannot read the characters. However, because I became a knight, I thought that I could learn a little. However…it is impossible after all. It’s just gobbledygook.”

Then, Tabitha abruptly stood up and left the book she was holding.

“Ah, oi.”

Though he called her to stop, Tabitha flew up to the high to the bookshelf using the spell. Not being able to fly and her being about twenty mails off the ground, Saito could not stop her.

And just when he started to think that they may disturb the readers and that he should get out of the library, Tabitha suddenly landed right in front of him.

“Uwaa!”

Tabitha abruptly thrust out the book to the surprised Saito.

“…Eh?”

“If it’s this book - it should be easy.”

Apparently, this book was for learning the letters – just the book he was searching for. However, the really surprising thing was the usually indifferent to others Tabitha. He took it while thinking what on earth was the matter with Tabitha, when Tabitha said surprising words.

“I’ll teach the characters.”

“Yes?”

“If you just stare at the book you won’t learn anything.”

“No, well, that is right, however…is it alright? It would be pretty difficult I think. I'm not the brightest student.

“Don't care.”

Then Tabitha took Saito's hand and walked him over to sit at the table.

The characters of Halkeginia are a little bit different when looking at the alphabet. Slowly, Tabitha taught him the pronunciation of the characters.

“A, B, C.”

Though he heard the sounds somewhere, it was not possible to recall them well. Maybe it was because he only heard them.

Tabitha continued to point at each one of the characters, patiently teaching him the meaning.

But somehow, the words started to mysteriously turn into… ‘Prologue’ and ‘August’ and ‘I’.

Once he heard them, they were converted to Japanese again.

Probably, Tabitha pronounced them in Halkeginian. However, when they reached his ears, they turned back into Japanese.

But, as Tabitha continued to teach the meaning of the words little by little, sentences that he has seen only as a random mess of characters up till now, slowly gained an understandable meaning just from his watching alone. As if they were translated inside his head.

[[Image:ZnT11-133.jpg|thumb]]

Once he got the hang of it, it started to run more smoothly.

And after one hour, he could already read basic sentences. So Saito, using an easy book as a textbook, was able to read out.

“What does it mean?”

Not changing her usual tone, Tabitha asked.

“Eh?”

Tabitha pointed at one sentence.

“Here, it’s written ‘No use crying over spilt milk.’ However, you read it as ‘An irreparable event happened’.”

“No, that’s just the way I read. Sorry, is it a bad thing?”

Tabitha shook her head.

“No. You are not wrong. Sentences like ‘‘No use crying over spilt milk’ are idiomatic expressions. Their meaning is certainly ‘An irreparable event happened’.”

Tabitha continued to speak.

“It's subtly different the way you read written sentences. But it is not wrong. It is often summarized instead, to give an expression adequate to the context. Entire sentences can be grasped by just a few words. Indeed, it is like dog or cat familiar being able to speak human language. However, the summary does not explain the reason. In such cases you cannot read like you did just now.”

Tabitha looked at Saito with clear blue eyes.

In these cold-looking eyes, Saito felt a faint glimmer of curiosity. Tabitha wanted to learn the truth. Of who I am…

“…That’s how it is. No, I mean, what I am doing is not exactly ‘reading’. The reason why I learn Tabitha’s thought's words…is because I understand the ‘meaning’ of the written thing directly.”

“Why?”

“I think it’s because I am not a human from this world. Maybe it’s because my words are different from Tabitha’s and others. In other words, a word is already directly translated in my head…maybe that’s why there are those subtle changes? Aah, that’s how it is!”

Unnoticed to Saito, he started to shout.

“For the book – it is translated in my head at once, just like the words of this world are translated after they leave my mouth.”

Just like when sentences written in Japanese are translated to English. And when that English sentence is translated back to Japanese again, there are some subtle changes from the first sentence. That’s what happens when I read a book, Saito thought.

Indeed, it must be so, yes, he realized, and then was asked by Tabitha.

“This world?”

“Damn!”

Because of such turn of events, Saito had to explain the circumstances to Tabitha. Since Tabitha was sharp, he couldn't hide it from her any longer.

“So…a person from a different world.”

Hearing Saito’s story, Tabitha narrowed her eyes a little.

“Do you believe me?”

“You do not tell a lie.”

Tabitha said, looking straight at Saito.

These words made Saito’s heart beat faster. Embarrassed for some reason, Saito turned his face away from Tabitha.
Being looked like this by this small young girl, his heart throbbed and it was hard to meet her eyes staring straight at him.

“Do you want to return?”

“Eh?”

“To your home…to your mother, do you want to return?

“I want to return.”

Saito said.

“Then why…”

Do you not return? That’s what she was probably wondering.

Saito shook his head.

“It’s because I cannot find the way to return.”

“You just have to look for it.”

“I don’t have a clue.”

“You do not seem like you are looking for it.”

Tabitha said. Hearing that, Saito lowered his head.

“No… rather than not wanting to return, I cannot afford to leave.”

“What do you mean?”

“There is a fellow who is aiming for Louise's power…”

“Void?”

“You knew?”

“I understood when I saw it.”

Tabitha, leaving the other world issue behind, said calmly. Indeed, it might be useless to keep any secret from this girl who's extremely knowledgeable.

“Anyway, since I have someone to protect, I cannot leave the place. Besides…”

“Besides?”

“I was gifted with the Gandalfr’s power. Having such power, I may be able to do something for this world… that’s another reason.”

Tabitha said with conviction.

“It is unreasonable.”

“Eh?”

“Inside, you feel like you belong to this world’s people and you say what you feel."

Saito was shocked. Then Tabitha whispered silently,

“…you are a hero of this land.”

“What?”

It was so quiet that he could not hear it well. Tabitha lowered her eyes and shook her head.

“Nothing.”

After these two questions, silence settled in. Somehow, the atmosphere became awkward.

The librarian stuck her head into reading room, and told that the library soon will be closed. Saito happily stood up.

“Thank you. You helped me a lot. Now I can study alone.”

Tabitha shook her head.

“I will supervise it till the end.”

“Eh?”

“There are difficult words. Runes too. It’s impossible to study alone.”

It might be the way she said it. However, he thought that it would be bad to make her to help him any further.

“No, I’d feel bad for hogging your reading time…”

“Don’t care.”

When Tabitha said so, she took yet another book out of the same bookshelf.

“Next textbook.”

“Now? Isn’t it already getting late?”

Showing no hesitation, Tabitha nodded.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Chapter10

2010-02-05T19:42:48Z

BakaSama: /* Chapter 10: The Hero of Ivaldi */

===Chapter 10: The Hero of Ivaldi===

Kirche's dance was beautiful, but Louise, Montmorency and Sylphid were hopelessly unskilled.

Matching a simple rhythm, Kirche made a melody with her dance. The other three behind her saw that and moved as if trying to mimic her, but they could not do it.

Nevertheless, to the soldiers who were craving for entertainment, it was good enough. That's because the dancing young girls' figures were only messily covered with cloth at the breasts and the waist.

The wine they brought here emptied very quickly.
[[Image:ZnT10-215.jpg|thumb]]
Shaking her sexy body, that red-haired girl was just like the incarnation of fire - shaking bewitchingly and passionately. The flashily swinging red hair was like a flaming torch.

On the other hand, the blonde and the pink-haired lady were merely shaking their waists rhythmically with her. But strangely, their movements were noble-like, and they possessed a high-class radiance as if that was a dance presented in the palace.

As for the blue-haired girl, initially, she could only sway about clumsily like a new-born fawn. However, in time, she got the hang of it, and started raging around happily.

Her wild presentation did not look like a dance no matter what, but watching her face brimming with joy brought happiness to those people.

The soldiers gulped and emptied the wine.

Inside, Baron Misscoeur left his seat. He did not touch the served wine, not even a drop.

Kirche saw Baron Misscoeur's soldiers head towards her. As if that was a signal, Kirche stopped her dance.

Worried, Louise whispered into Kirche's ear.

“That commanding officer didn't touch the wine. Is that okay?”

“I'll do something about it, so leave it to me. Umm, Montmorency. You prepared the sleeping potion so that it would work exactly after an hour right?”

“Yeap. But I think there might be slight differences between individuals...”

“So, 30 minutes from now, huh. Please deal with these soldiers appropriately. In 30 minutes time, I should have returned too.”

A soldier who rushed up to Kirche, whispered a few words to Kirche.

Smiling sweetly and nodding, she went after Baron Misscoeur who had disappeared.

The remaining members exchanged looks with one another.

“She said she was buying more time, but...”

The drunk audience started shouting unanimously.

“Hey!! The performance had ended!?”

“If so, come here, and pour us some wine!”

“I don't want to! Pouring wine for the soldiers!?”

Montmorency trembled all over with fear. She had been humiliated by dancing in front of commoners wearing such an embarrassing costume. If she had to serve them wine too, she probably could no longer take it.

“W-We'll dance! Quiet!”

Part two began. However, the dance team was without Kirche, and matching the horrendous music, they merely shook their waists roughly to the delicate rhythm. Because of that, the soldiers began to grow tired of it. Apparently, the huge success in the first part was due to Kirche's presence.

“What the heck is this!? Return our money!!”

Wine bottles and dishes flew towards them.

“Shit! Cocky soldiers!”

''Poinkk!'' Being hit by wine bottles squarely at their heads, Guiche and Malicorne exploded in fury.

“W-Wait! If you get angry here our plans will be spoiled!”

Saito anxiously stopped them.

“What's wrong! Since you're dancing, strip!”

“I can take off my clothes now?”

''Kyui, kyui!'' Seemingly happy, Sylphid was about to strip off her clothes when it was Louise who- ''Pongg!'' hit her at the head.

“Why you hit me!?”

“Have some dignity! Dignity!”

“But I have no dignity in this form!”

Sylphid said, pointing at the dancer's costume which barely covered her breasts and waist.

“You have no choice!”

At their confusion, the soldiers booed them down.

“Oi, oi! So how!”

Saito coughed, and unsheathed Derflinger from his back. The soldiers became silent in an instant.

Malicorne and Guiche tried to stop him anxiously.

“Pl-Please stop! Don't be violent!”

But Saito...

“After this, I'll show my sword dance!”

...shouted desperately.

Under the attentive eyes of the silent soldiers, Saito swung Derflinger about.

“Cresent Moon Blow! Hoyaa!”

He jumped, and struck the ground.

“Jumping slash! Heeyaaa!”

The soldiers did not respond, but...in time, a roar started.

“Y-You're INSULTING us!?”

“We train with swords every day!!”

“Why must we watch you bastard's pathetic sword dance!?”

“Oops, we better go...”

The soldiers stood up and were going to leap at them. At that moment...

A gentle sound of flutes could be heard.

“Eh?”

They turned around, and with a serious face, Guiche was blowing a flute. Malicorne started playing the drum seriously too. A very graceful melody.

“Waah, this…isn’t this court music?”

Looks like Guiche and Malicorne had begun a musical performance they were required to memorize as part of their fundamental education. Completely different from the previous music, it was a gentle tune.

Slowly, Montmorency started dancing in accordance to the tune. There wasn’t the furiousness Kirche’s dance had, but it was a movement from which grace and elegance overflow.

Apparently, the combination of the bold costume and the elegant court dance had captured the soldiers’ hearts. Obediently, they started viewing the dance appreciatively. Saito held a sigh of relief.

Montmorency’s elegant dance continued for another twenty minutes.

While they were doing that, the effects of the sleeping potion started taking place. The soldiers started dozing off one by one. Under the moonlight, as if inviting the fairy of sleep, Montmorency continued dancing slowly.

Ten minutes were needed until everyone of them fell asleep.

The sleeping potion Montmorency had mixed was a powerful one which would make the consumer fall asleep for a day.

The courtyard turned into a large bedroom. The sight of 300 soldiers and nobles lying prostrate, asleep, was quite a magnificent one.

Saito and the others exchanged glances, and took out the wands hidden inside their musical instruments. After they finished equipping themselves, the party went to the castle tower of Alhambra. The crumbled, white castle reflected the moonlight and shone bewitchingly.

''After this, we’ll have to find Tabitha and her mother in this castle…and rescue them out.''

''Before that, we would probably have a showdown with the elf.'' Saito prayed that the elf wasn’t there.

Just like an abandoned castle, here and there, parts of Alhambra Castle had collapsed. Ropes were tied across at dangerous places, as if it was not possible to proceed any further. The interior was exactly like a maze.

Whilst pretending to be lost, Kirche investigated the castle interiors. But…Tabitha’s figure could not be found. Because it would be bad if the sleeping potion’s effects were to come, Kirche halted her temporary search, and headed towards the room of Baron Misscouer, the one who lead the soldiers.

Entering the entrance hall facing the courtyard, she went up the stairs immediately. At the right of the passage upstairs, there was a metal door which looked like it was just made lately. She used the knocker to hit the door, and with a sound of a key being turned, the door was opened.

“Oooh, I’ve been waiting! Come, come on in!”

Although Baron Misscoeur assumes a grim face in front of his soldiers and subordinates, he changed his looks and ushered Kirche in.

“Well then, I’ll have to hold an examination. Nah, it has also been arranged by the king’s order that I am to check every single person entering this castle. Yeap, every single one.”

Baron Misscoeur stretched out his hands towards Kirche. But, Kirche gently brushed the hand away.

“You can examine anytime else, right?”

Whilst saying that, she sat on a bed beside a wall, facing him. Crossing her legs, she smiled.

“Hey, mister commanding officer. I’m a lady who's full of curiosity. So, I would like to ask something…is that okay?”

“What do you want to ask?”

Baron Misscoeur displayed a doubtful look.

“Are you protecting a super valuable diamond here?”

“Diamond? Ahaha! What a shame! The thing we are protecting here is just mother-and-child prisoners. What? You all came here to steal some non-existent diamond? Well then, I’ll have to carefully check you…”

Kirche avoided the hand which went about at her shoulders.

“I want to have a look at the prisoners. I am veeery interested in such things.”

“What an unusual woman. What would you do after seeing those people?”

Baron Misscoeur inserted his hand into the hem of Kirche’s dancing skirt.

“Hmm?”

He noticed the thing his fingertip touched.

Slowly grasping the thing and pulling it out, Baron Misscoeur looked at the thing he was holding, and cried out.

“You, a mage…”

Still smiling, Kirche snatched the wand from Baron Misscoeur’s hand, and shoved him away. She quickly recited a spell, and a huge fireball appeared at the tip of her wand.

That fireball was held at the nose of the baron who had fallen back. Having a fireball a few times bigger than his head placed in front of his nose, the baron held his face away in terror.

“Well then, shall you guide me to where the prisoners are?”

“…bastard, are you the Duke of Orleans? A spirit who doesn’t exist in reality?”

“Nope. I am just a thief. For your information, I am short-tempered. If you don’t want every hair on you head to be burned to ashes, bring me there quickly.”

Baro Misscoeur trembled.

“No way. I can’t do that.”

“Whhhhy?”

“He is there. I will be killed by him.”

Kirche’s raised her eyebrows.

“He? You mean the elf?”

“Th-That’s right. Forgive me! If it’s money I’ll pay. That’s why…”

From the other side of the door a high-pitched, clear voice could be heard.

“What’s with the money?”

Hiiiiiiiiiiii! Baron Misscoeur let out a shriek.

“Lord Bi-Bidashal!”

The door opened, and the figure of a tall man covered in a foreign robe appeared.

After casting a glance at Kirche, without paying the slightest attention at the fireball at the tip of her wand, that man asked in a dubious voice.

“Who are you?”

Kirche’s reply was the fireball. Released from the tip of her wand, the fireball swelled up, as if swallowing the thin elf. However, Bidashal did not even try to avoid it.

The fireball burned the elf up in an instant…the instant she thought that, in front of her eyes, it changed its target and turned 180 degrees.

“Wh-!!”

A shriek of shock leaked out of Kirche's mouth.

When Saito and the others were rushing up the stairs leading from the courtyard to the entrance of the castle tower…the wall of a certain section of the castle tower exploded suddenly.

“What was that!?”

Guiche shouted.

Next, the figure of someone dropping from the center could be seen.

“Isn’t that Kirche!?”

Together with the broken pieces of the wall, Kirche slammed onto the ground. They rushed to the collapsed Kirche.

“Such bad wounds!”

Montmorency started chanting a Water spell hastily. Sylphid transformed herself too, and started casting recovery magic at the same time.

“Elf…be careful…”

Saying that, Kirche fainted. It was quite a huge damage.

“Guiche, Montmorency. We’ll leave Kirche to you.”

“G-Got it.”

Saito broke out in a run. Louise chased after him.

“Wait! Wait for me!”

“What is it!?”

Saito screamed out in fury.

“Your opponent is an elf! If we don’t proceed carefully…”

“There’s no time to do that! Kirche is already injured! If we don’t hurry, Tabitha could be in danger!”

Louise raised her voice too.

“You’re in danger too, aren’t you!”

“…Louise?”

Dumbstruck, Saito stared at Louise. Whilst catching her breath, Louise shook her head.

“I am scared at your courage…scared at your courage that causes you to plunge into the 70,000 enemies, and not be afraid of the elf…”

“What do you mean!?”

“Your courage… Isn’t that a fake courage you were given as Gandalfr? If you’re afraid, then you can’t protect your master – that courage which acts on its own.”

“Haaa?”

“I cannot allow it. The contract I gave you has turned you into someone unlike you. So please…don’t show that courage to me.”

With eyes brimming with tears, Louise looked up at Saito.

Saito muttered at a tired-like voice.

“…if that’s the case, okay.”

“…eh?”

“I actually don’t have that courage. I am ashamed, but to be frank, I have been trembling fearfully since some time ago. Trembling with excitement? That’s no joke. I am shivering in fear.”

“Saito…”

“Even during the time I plunged into the 70,000, I was afraid and was going to die. I was so scared I froze all over and did not move. I forced myself to lift my legs off the ground, and to move forward. That is the courage of Gandalfr? Don’t talk nonsense. If anything happens, I’ll tremble all over in fear like this.”

“So, so why…?”

“I cannot show any pathetic looks, can I! To start with, I’m a guy right!? Just like that, because of some twist of fate I was born a male! That’s why I cannot act foolishly, and have to show a good appearance! Besides, I’m Gandalfr. I’m not ordinary, and I have received powers. All the more, I can’t escape! Because it’s me, I can probably do it. Because of that, there’s no way I can escape!”

Tears overflowed from Louise’s eyes. Whilst weeping, Louise hit Saito.

“Why are you hitting me!”

“I misunderstooooooddddd<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>!”

At Louise who was angry at him, Saito was perplexed. But, now was not the time to be puzzled or go against Louise.

“Okay now, just prepare your spell.”

Being told that, Louise nodded. With his right hand, Saito grasped the handle of Derflinger he was carrying at his back. The runes on his left hand shone. He gently hugged Louise with that left hand.

“Hmm, what was that again?

“Hm?

“It was written in the report card. This character which flows easily. I was like that from the start. At this moment, whether I would flow into the Gandalfr which is magic or legend or the Void, I won’t be surprised.” 

Louise frowned a little.

“…which one is it? Your courage. Is it a real thing? Is it really Gandalfr’s after all?”

“Surely, when I hear your Void spell, my heart would jump, and my fear would disappear a little. But the effects of Gandalfr was only something like that. Apart from that…it is my very own courage which flows easily.”

Whilst letting her tears fall, Louise gripped Saito’s sleeve. ''So, Saito’s “love” is also…''

Nevertheless, now was not the time to be immersed in sweet feelings,

At the next instant, from the castle tower, a few fireballs flew towards them.

Saito held out Derflinger. The small fireballs were absorbed by Derflinger, and were extinguished. As if repelling them, Saito charged forward and ran up the staircase., and slashed the pillar of the entrance hall.

The pillar was cut into two, and Lord Bidashal who was standing behind it, appeared.

“Hi!”

Without even giving him the time to recite spells, Saito drove the handle of the sword towards his stomach. Lord Bidashal fell back onto the bed.

Whilst poking at the fallen Baron Bidashal with his leg,

“This guy is an elf?”

He asked Louise.

“No. You know it too, right? Elves have pointed ears……”

From the top of the stairways leading to the second floor, a human figure appeared.

A voice like the clear sound of a glass bell could be heard.

“You all are friends of the girl just now?”

Seeing that silhouette, Louise said.

“Just like him.”

From the wide staircase, the elf descended slowly. Derflinger which was being grasping tightly, said in a sad voice.

“Elf…nothing we can do now. For our safety, we’d better pull back here.”

“If we pull back we can’t save Tabitha.”

Step by step, the elf came down from the stairs.

“I am Bidashal the elf. Let me inform all of you.”

Using the word “elf” in his self-introduction, was he trying to play on the fears of Saito and the rest?

That was an unnecessary move.

Even if he didn’t do that, there was a power of limitless intensity in that peaceful voice. Different from the enemies they had encountered so far, a hidden terror; Saito felt a such.

“Wh-What is it!?”

“Leave. I do not like battles.”

“If so, return Tabitha!”

“Tabitha? Ah, that mother and daughter, eh? That is impossible. ''“Guard them here.”'' I have unfortunately made such a promise. I cannot hand them over.”

“If so, we’ve got no other choice. There’s no way but to fight.”

''This guy is strong.'' The battle experiences he had until now taught him thus. The instinct he had as a living being started warning him about the creature in front of him, who had surpassed him.

But still, Saito gripped his sword.

Grasping his sword, he looked forward.

However, his legs did not obey him.

Whenever the elf took a step forward, Saito took a step backward. He was then reminded of the words Agnes taught him.

''“Look for openings.”''

No matter how much he looked, his opponent was full of openings. Wherever he swing his sword, that should be a hit.

''Why is he that defenseless?''

"Partner, it’s useless. Stop it.”

Derflinger said in a slightly impatient tone.

And yet…Saito readied his sword and rushed forward.

“Ooo, Woooooooo!”

A voice close to desperation. He dashed forward with his shivering legs. Jumping in front of Bidashal, he swung the sword downwards…but,

''Buuwahh''

The air in front of Bidashal distorted.

As if he was swinging a lump of rubber, the sword was repelled backwards. Just like jumping on a trampoline, Saito was blown backwards.

Saito rolled down to the entrance hall in front of the courtyard.

The elf stopped halfway at the stairs, and looked down at Saito.

“Leave, you barbaric fighter. You cannot win against me.”

Louise rushed up to Saito who had collapsed.

“Saito!”

''Ouuuuuuuccchhhh!'' Saito stood up. Having struck the stone marble floor, his body did not move for a while. Although he is Gandalfr, his body is still of living flesh and blood. However nimble he might have been, the damage he received was still there.

“What kind of person is he…it was as if there was a wall of air in front of his body… What happened?”

Derflinger muttered in a bitter voice.

“That is 'Counter.' Just like the elves who hate fighting… What a troublesome magic…”

“Counter?”

“Repelling all attacks and magics –a strong Ancient Magic. Looks like that elf had made a contract with the 'power of the spirits' in this castle. What an elf. What an amazing 'user' this guy is…”

“Ancient Magic? THAT of the Water Spirit?”

“Remember, partner. This is the 'Ancient Magic.' Until now, all the enemies are but trying to imitate it. Elf’s Ancient Magic, not even Brimir himself could win against it. The real one is after this. Well then, what should we do?”

“Don’t play with me! If we cannot use swords or magic, what should we do!?”

Bidashal lifted both his hands.

“O power of spirits hidden within these stones, with the ancient covenant I command you. Turn into pebbles and strike these enemies of mine!”

Around Bidashal, the huge rocks which formed the stairs rumbled and started rising up.

The pieces of rocks exploded in mid-air, attacking Louise and Saito.

Saito tried to fend off the countless assailing stones which were like scattered gunshots. However, there was too many of them. Those which were not fended off, hit his body.

Saito shielded Louise in front of her, and stopped those with his body.

One of them struck Saito at his forehead, and blood started trickling. For one moment he almost lost consciousness…but Saito still endured it.

Louise supported Saito who seemed to be falling down.

“Hey Derflinger! What should we do? What on earth should we do!?”

“There is no other way. Only your element can do something to this guy, someway or another. You’re the one who has to act, Louise.”

“But, no magic can work! What in earth should I recite? Ah, I left Founder Brimir’s prayer book at the academy, so now I can’t do anything, can I!? I can read it when I can? What is that! I have been reading it all the time!” 

“You have mastered that spell long ago.”

“Eh?”

“Dispel. There is nothing else which can nullify Ancient Magic apart from 'Dispel.'”

“Oh yeah, Dispel!”

“But still, looks like that elf had made all the powers of the spirits in this place into his allies. To nullify all of that is something big. Can you gather such a willpower to cast such a Dispel?”

Louise was taken aback. But…she must not run away.

That’s because Saito was standing in front of her, wielding his sword.

Besides not admitting the defeat of her familiar, as a master, she must not admit her own defeat.

No…it is something simpler. That’s because there is no way she could abandon the guy who is so attracted to her.

''Attracted to me, that’s possible huh?'' Louise reflected back upon it. She was astonished at herself for still having the time for such things.

''Maybe I can.''

Louise readied her wand.

Because the mage and the warrior guarding her still hadn’t left, the elf looked a little angry.

“You savage. Stop this useless resistance. I have already had a contract with these stones which build this castle. Every spiritual power residing within these walls is my ally. Both of you will never win.”

Saito bared his teeth and roared.

“…shaddap you long-eared fool! Who’s the savage here! I hate people who think they are so great like you the most!”

Bidashal shook his head, and lifted up both his hands again. Then, the rocks of the wall were ripped out, and they turned into a gigantic fist.

“Wh-What is that!?”

A fearful voice escaped through Louise’s mouth.

No matter how great a mage is, there is no way he can make an enormous rock fist whilst reciting such a strong defensive spell.

Staring at the rock which had formed like clay, Saito trembled all over.

“So that is the 'Ancient' of the elves…”

The gigantic rock fist aimed and flew towards Saito and Louise.

In the living room, reading the book out loud, Tabitha’s ears caught a loud sound of explosion.

After that, silence ensued for a while, but…this time she could hear the soft noise of something cracking off.

Her mother cringed in her bed, afraid.

Tabitha gently embraced her mother. ''What on earth has happened?''

“It’s all right,” she whispered to her mother. Getting down from the bed, she went to the door to check things out.

But…the door was shut with the 'Lock' spell. Deprived of her wand, she could not do anything. Once feared by others, now the Knight of the North Parterre, Chevalier Charlotte, was nowhere to be seen. The one who was there was only Charlotte Helene Orleans, imprisoned and utterly helpless. Even if she wanted to check what was happening outside, she could not even do that.

Tabitha returned to the bed.

Her frightened mother stared fixedly at the “Hero of Ivaldi.”

Tabitha picked up the book, and started reading it, like she had done for many a time.

Whilst reading the book, Tabitha thought,

''What if…someone has come to save me?''

Sylphid’s face floated in her mind.

Kirche’s face came into her mind.

''I hope it’s not them, Tabitha thought.' That elf is probably no match for anyone.''

Finally, Saito’s face came into her mind.

''The legendary familiar, which that guy professed himself to be.''

''The sword user who had defeated me.''

''Saito who had defeated me, a Chevalier, with a sword. If it’s him…what if it is him who has come here to rescue me?''

But…she shook her head.

''Such miracle would never happen.''

''The one who can win against that elf does not exist.''

''Any hope will lead to despair. Isn’t that the case all these while?''

''That’s right, there had never been a time when my anticipation was rewarded.''

''Tomorrow I’ll lose my soul. This fate will not change.''

Slowly, Tabitha started reading the book again.

''Ivaldi confronted the dragon inside the cave. The scales of the dragon which had been living for thousands of years, were glittering like golden bars, and had turned very hard.''

''The dragon said to Ivaldi who was shivering in fear whilst holding his sword.''

''“What a small being. Get lost. This is not a place you should come.”''

''“Return Roux!”''

''“That girl is your wife?”''

''“No.”''

''“What kind of relationship do you have with her?”''

''“Nothing. I had only stopped by at the village to have some bread.”''

''“You throw your life away just for that?”''

''While trembling all over from fear, Ivaldi proclaimed,''

''“For that I have gambled my life!”''

Louise and Saito were blown off by that rock fist into the courtyard. Their friends who were looking after Kirche ran up to them.

“Saito! Louise!”

Using his body as a shield for Louise, Saito who had received the blow of the rock fist with Derflinger, had broken his right arm.

Montmorency started reciting recovery spells at Saito’s right arm.

In an anguished voice, Saito said.

“Run. We will do something.”

“That’s enough, just keep quiet!”

Malicorne chanted a wind spell, and dispersed the incoming pebbles.

Reciting an Earth magic, Guiche made a huge wall in front of them.

Nevertheless, the elf’s magic was too powerful.

Standing at the top of the stairs leading to the courtyard, Bidashal easily pulverized the wall Guiche made, and fired the stone pebbles as if Malicorne’s magic was nothing.

Saito stood up, and hit the pebbles away with Derflinger.

“I haven’t healed your right arm yet!”

Montmorency shouted angrily.

“No time for that!”

“But…”

“Louise is reciting her spell.”

The entire party turned back.

Without anyone noticing, Louise had stood up, readied her wand, and was already chanting her spell clearly.

''...Uru Surisaazu Ansuuru Ken…''

Louise squeezed those words from within her mouth.

''Gyoofuu Niido Naushizu…''

The force power which was swelling within herself…her willpower…changed its form into a spell which would alter the logic of the world, surging out.

Louise was amazed at the willpower which was dormant within her.

Transforming into Explosion, the willpower which had gathered for about 16 years, had a force like the annihilation of the big armada which had assailed Tristain – this force is being born.

Why?

''Eiwazu yara…''

Why?

Louise asked herself.

Why did she have such willpower within herself?

Where did she acquire the willpower to enable her to chant such a long “Void” spell?

Willpower is the strength of the heart.

Louise had known that anger or happiness would multiply the power of the magic. The strength of the magic is not determined by one’s talent alone.

Anger? Happiness? Sadness?
[[Image:ZnT10-239.jpg|thumb]]
Then she thought of an feeling which was neither of those.

The question which was born from within Louise brought forth a hypothesis.

The only feeling swelling so expansively within Louise…

Is that the source of Void?

''Yuru Eoo Iisu!''

The spell had completed.

Derflinger yelled.

“Cast that 'Dispel' on me!”

Louise pointed her wand at Derflinger and swung it down.

The “Void Spell” enshrouded Derflinger, and the blade shone brightly.

“Partner! Now!”

Saito aimed Bidashal at the top of the stairs and rushed forward.

Raising Derflinger over his head, he swung it down.

It clashed with the invisible barrier, “Counter.”

But this time he was not repelled backwards.

The “Void” Louise recited concentrated at one point of the barrier…dispelling the part which came into contact with Derflinger.

Just like slicing a sticky fruit into half, it slowly sliced the “Counter” barrier apart.

It was merely an instant.

Breaking the barrier apart, the spiritual power protecting Bidashal scattered.

The tall elf was shocked.

“Satan…so this the power which polluted the world!”

No match for them, the elf merely looked on, and grasped his left hand with his right one. The “Wind Stone” sealed inside the ring started functioning. Like a puppet pulled by threads, Bidashal rose to the sky.

“Descendants of Satan! I warn you! Never go near to Satan’s Gate! When that happens, we will surely destroy you all!”

While looking at the elf who gradually disappeared into the sky, Saito slowly collapsed to the ground. That was because he felt relieved and thus let himself loose.

Three hundred soldiers behind them were sleeping.

In front of them, countless rubbles rolled about.

Having used up her willpower, Louise fell to the ground and started snoring.

Guiche whispered excitedly.

“I actually won against an elf. Unbelievable.”

“Didn’t you just lose?” Montmorency said.

Saito carried Louise up.

“Okay, let’s go. Our job’s not done yet.”

“Where to?”

In a stupid voice, Malicorne asked.

“To find Tabitha!”

Carrying Louise in his arms, Saito started climbing the stairs leading from the courtyard to the castle tower.

Kirche woke up. She was being carried by Malicorne and Sylphid. She smelt the burnt smell of her scorched hair. ''My hair has become curly'', she thought absent-mindedly. ''The burns on my skin are not so bad. Maybe that was due to Monrmorency’s Water magic.''

''Oh my, I’ve never thought that I would be showered by my own fire.''

''What’s wrong with the elf?'' The figures of Saito walking in front, and Louise being carried by him, came into her sight. ''Looks like they have somehow dealt with the elf.''

''In the history of our families, I have become the first Von Zerbst to thank La Vallière.'' While thinking that, Kirche lost consciousness again.

''Ivaldi struck the dragon with his sword, but he was stopped by the hard scales, and was forced back. The dragon used its claws, huge jaw and his spouting flames to injure him.''

''Ivaldi fell many times, but he got up each time.''

''When the dragon delivered the final blow by spouting his flames, something astonishing occurred. The sword Ivaldi was holding shone brightly, and repelled the dragon’s flames. Ivaldi then sprung up, and drove his sword through the dragon’s throat.''

''Dummm! With a sound, the dragon collapsed to the ground.''

''Ivaldi headed towards a room inside the dragon.''

''Roux was hugging her knees and trembling in fear.''

''“It’s all right now.”''

''Ivaldi extended his hand.''

''“The dragon is dead. You are free now.”''

Finishing reading the book at that line, Tabitha’s glance rested on her mother. She was snoring peacefully. The terrible sounds just now had stopped without her noticing.

At the other side of the door, footsteps could be heard.

They were different from those of the elf or the soldiers.

''Why?'' Tabitha’s heart asked.

Hope expanded within her heart.

Tabitha tried to deny that.

''That’s because it is impossible.''

''Impossible.''

No one would come to the country border between Gallia and the elves to come to rescue her. But still, as the user of Wind element, Tabitha’s refined ears kept telling her that those footsteps were familiar. An unusual pair of shoes. The unseen, soft-sounding shoes.

She heard the sound of someone trying to open the door.

Realizing that the door was locked, ''Bang!'' The door was cut apart.

The instant the face of the one she saw when she rushed out of the Academy; the black-haired person, came into sight……Tabitha broke down. The dear feelings, the emotion which she had forgotten, swept over her.

It was relief.
[[Image:ZnT10-245.jpg|thumb]]
The ones who entered after Saito was Guiche and Malicorne. Louise was carried by Saito at his shoulder. Montmorency and Sylphid who had metamorphosized into a human, were together with them as well. Carried by Sylphid, Kirche had come too.

“Onee-sama! You’re all right! Kyui!”

“Oh, thank God thank God! You’re here!”

Guiche and Malicorne wore smile on their faces too. Kirche was unconscious due to her injuries. ''Surely she had fought for my sake.''

In a daze, Tabitha looked up at them.

''I thought I had been fighting alone all this while.''

''However, I am not alone.''

''I’m not alone.''

Carrying Louise at his back, Saito approached her, and extended his hand to her.

“You all right? Are you hurt?”

Tabitha felt something warm trailing down her face.

Tabitha wept like a child.

The forgotten tears of relief flowed down.

Whilst shedding tears, Tabitha thought to herself.

''Maybe I have been searching.''

''In the midst of my independent, solitary fights, within my already frozen heart, all this while, maybe I have been searching.''

''From the imprisoned place.''

''From the depths of my cold heart.''

''For the Ivaldi who would come to save me.''

<noinclude>
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|-
| Back to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Chapter9|Chapter 9]]
| Return to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Epilogue|Epilogue]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

User:BakaSama

2010-02-05T05:07:18Z

BakaSama: New page: Too lazy to make a page...but anyways. I speak English fluently and consider myself a beast at editing, but I'm new to this whole wiki-editing thing...so yorouskunonegaishimase. (I think...

Too lazy to make a page...but anyways.

I speak English fluently and consider myself a beast at editing, but I'm new

to this whole wiki-editing thing...so yorouskunonegaishimase. (I think I spelled that wrong)

Zero no Tsukaima

2010-02-05T04:58:56Z

BakaSama: /* Editors */

[[Image:Znt novel cover.jpg|300px|thumb|Vol.One Cover]]

The ''Zero no Tsukaima'' series is also available in the following languages:
*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima_%28version_fran%C3%A7aise%29|Français (French)]]
*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima_Deutsche Version|Deutsch (German)]]
*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima_%7E_Indonesian_Version|Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)]]
*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima_%7EItalian_Version%7E|Italiano (Italian)]]
*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima_Korean_Version|한국어 (Korean)]]
*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima_wersja_polska|Polski (Polish)]]
*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima_~Russian_Version~|Русский (Russian)]]
*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima_%7EVersi%C3%B3n_Espa%C3%B1ola%7E|Español (Spanish)]]
*[http://vnsharing.net/forum/showthread.php?t=73861 Việt Nam (Vietnamese)]

(Note: Translation progress varies for each version.)
----
Visit the [http://www.baka-tsuki.net/forums/index.php Baka-Tsuki Project Forum] to discuss this series and other information from Baka-Tsuki.

== Updates == 

*September 10, 2009:
:* [[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Full Text|Volume 10 full-text version]] is up.

Older updates can be found on the [[Zero_no_Tsukaima_news_archive|ZnT news archive]].

== Translation ==

=== Translators Needed ===

'''Baka-Tsuki is desperately looking for translators for this series.''' If you would like to help translate this series, please post in the forums [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=714&start=135 here], and we will help you get started. Thank you.

=== [[Zero no Tsukaima Registration|Registration]] ===
Translators are requested to mark all the chapters they are translating on the [[Zero no Tsukaima Registration|Registration Page]] according to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Guideline#Translation_Management|Translation Management]] section of ''Zero no Tsukaima'' [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Guideline|Project Specific Guidelines]].
=== Format Standards ===
Every chapter (after editing) must conform to the agreed points highlighted in [[Format_guideline|Format/Style Guideline]].

Some of these chapters are translations of the '''Chinese edition''' of the novels, which are known to have some minor mistakes compared to the original Japanese text. If you have access to the originals and you spot an error, '''please feel free to make the corrections yourself''' - this is a Wiki which means it's meant for anyone to fix things (and if you screw up, we can revert back your changes if all deem necessary). We can see the corrections you make, so just go ahead instead of hiding or waiting for permission.

[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Zero_no_Tsukaima:guidelines Naming Conventions For ZnT]

=== Joint Collaboration ===
This Project was a [http://www.baka-tsuki.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=246 joint collaboration] with the following groups:
* [http://kh.beyondeternal.com/ Kawaii Heavens] (who also worked on the manga version of this series)
::*Volume 1 (all chapters)


*[http://www.k-neko.net/ Kuroneko]
::*Volume 1, Chapter 1
::*Volume 1, Chapter 2

== ''Zero no Tsukaima'' series by Noboru Yamaguchi ==
=== Volume 1 - Zero's Familiar / ゼロの使い魔 [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume1_Full_Text|(Full Text)]]===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume1_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume1_Insert_&_Back Cover|Insert & Back Cover]]
'''Kingdom of Magic'''
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume1_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - I'm a Familiar]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume1_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Louise the Zero]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume1_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Legend]]
'''Gandálfr'''
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume1_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - A Familiar's Day]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume1_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Kirche the Ardent]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume1_Chapter6|Chapter 6 - Tristain's Arms Dealer]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume1_Chapter7|Chapter 7 - Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume1_Chapter8|Chapter 8 - The Staff of Destruction]]

=== Volume 2 - Albion of the Wind / 風のアルビオン [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Full_Text|(Full Text)]]===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - A Secret Boat]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Her Majesty's Melancholy]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - A Childhood Friend's Request]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Port City - La Rochelle]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - A Rest Day Before Leaving]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter6|Chapter 6 - The White Country]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter7_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 7 - The Prince of a Dying Country]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter8_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 8 - The Eve before the Final Battle in Newcastle]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter9_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 9 - The Final Battle]]

=== Volume 3 - The Founder's Prayer Book / 始祖の祈祷書 [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume3_Full_Text|(Full Text)]]===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume3_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume3_Chapter1_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 1 - Lineage of Zero]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume3_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Louise's Lovesickness]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume3_Chapter3_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 3 - The Founder's Prayer Book]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume3_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Love Triangle]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume3_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - The Arsenal and the Royal Family]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume3_Chapter6|Chapter 6 - Treasure Hunting]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume3_Chapter7|Chapter 7 - Dragon's Raiment]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume3_Chapter8|Chapter 8 - Colbert's Laboratory]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume3_Chapter9|Chapter 9 - Declaration of War]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume3_Chapter10|Chapter 10 - The Void]]

=== Volume 4 - The Water Spirit of Oath / 誓約の水精霊 [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Full_Text|(Full Text)]]===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Prologue|Prologue]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - The Saint]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Chapter2_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 2 - Saito Goes Shopping in the Triumphant Town]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - The Sailor Outfit and Louise's Jealousy]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Chapter4_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 4 - Tabitha's Secret]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Chapter5_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 5 - The Strength of a Love Potion]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Chapter6_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 6 - The Water Spirit]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Chapter7_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 7 - The Ring of Andvari]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Chapter8|Chapter 8 - Reunion with Falsehood]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Chapter9_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 9 - Confrontation of Sadness]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume4_Epilogue|Epilogue]]

=== Volume 5 - Tristania's Holiday / トリスタニアの休日 [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume5_Full_Text|(Full Text)]]===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume5_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume5_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - The "Charming Fairies" Inn]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume5_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - The Encounter with the Flame and the Friendship with the Wind]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume5_Chapter3_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 3 - Tristania's Holiday]]

=== Volume 6 - The Ruby of Atonement / 贖罪の炎赤石 [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume6_Full_Text|(Full Text)]]===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume6_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume6_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Homecoming]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume6_Chapter2_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 2 - Cattleya]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume6_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Duke de La Vallière]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume6_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Commanding Officer Guiche and Officer Cadet Malicorne]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume6_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Flame of Twenty Years Ago]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume6_Chapter6_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 6 - Sortie]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume6_Chapter7|Chapter 7 - The Illusion at Dartanes]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume6_Chapter8_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 8 - The Atonement of Flame]]

=== Volume 7 - The Silver Pentecost / 銀の降臨祭 [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume7_Full_Text|(Full Text)]]===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume7_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume7_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - The Temperature Difference between the Two]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume7_Chapter2_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 2 - Fairy]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume7_Chapter3_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 3 - The Shinto Priest of Romalia]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume7_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - The Secretary and the Emperor]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume7_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - The Ancient City of Saxe-Gotha]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume7_Chapter6_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 6 - Truce]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume7_Chapter7_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 7 - The Reason to Fight]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume7_Chapter8_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 8 - King of Gallia]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume7_Chapter9_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 9 - Rout]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume7_Chapter10|Chapter 10 - The Place of Courage]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume7_Epilogue|Epilogue]]

=== Volume 8 - The Serenade of Nostalgia / 望郷の小夜曲 [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume8_Full_Text|(Full Text)]]===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume8_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume8_Chapter1_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 1 - Each End of the War]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume8_Chapter2_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 2 - Saito's Morning]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume8_Chapter3_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 3 - The Golden Elf]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume8_Chapter4_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 4 - The Visit of the Shinto Priest]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume8_Chapter5_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 5 - The Disappearing Gandálfr]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume8_Chapter6_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 6 - The Nations Conference]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume8_Chapter7_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 7 - Louise's Decision]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume8_Chapter8_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 8 - The Users of Void]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume8_Chapter9_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 9 - Myoznitnirn]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume8_Chapter10_%7EPreview%7E|Chapter 10 - Swordsman]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume8_Epilogue_%7EPreview%7E| Epilogue]]

=== Volume 9 - The Ball of Twin Moons / 双月の舞踏会 [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume9_Full_Text|(Full Text)]]===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume9_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume9_Chapter1 ~Preview~|Chapter 1 - Louise's Fear]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume9_Chapter2 ~Preview~|Chapter 2 - The Elf of the Forest]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume9_Chapter3 ~Preview~|Chapter 3 - The Meeting and Parting of the Users]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume9_Chapter4 ~Preview~|Chapter 4 - The Chevalier Title]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume9_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Ondine ・ Knight Corps of the Water Spirit]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume9_Chapter6|Chapter 6 - The Feelings of the Queen]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume9_Chapter7|Chapter 7 - Solicitation]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume9_Chapter8|Chapter 8 - The Ball of Sleipnir]]
::*[[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume9 Chapter9|Chapter 9 - The Confrontation with the Mysterious Bird]]
::*[[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume9 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::*[[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume9 Translator's Notes|Translator's Notes]]

=== Volume 10 - The Hero of Ivaldi / イーヴァルディの勇者 [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Full_Text|(Full Text)]]===

::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - The ''Ostland'']]
::*[[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - The Elf]]
::*[[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Anxiety and Jealousy]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - The Queen and the Knights]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Siblings]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Chapter6|Chapter 6 - The Imprisoned Six]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Chapter7|Chapter 7 - Settlement of the Past]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Chapter8|Chapter 8 - The Old Mansion of Orléans]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Chapter9|Chapter 9 - Alhambra Castle]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Chapter10|Chapter 10 - The Hero of Ivaldi]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Postscript|Postscript]]
::*[[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Translator's Notes|Translator's Notes]]

=== Volume 11 - A Duet of Recollection / 追憶の二重奏===

::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume11_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Von Zerbst]]
::*[[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - The Queen and the Duke]]
::*[[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Karin the Heavy Wind]]
::*[[Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - The Vallière Family]]
::*Chapter 5 - New School Term
::*Chapter 6 - Private Lesson
::*Chapter 7 - The Pope of Romalia
::*Chapter 8 - Jörmungand
::*Chapter 9 - Reunion in Westwood
::*Chapter 10 - The Heart of the Duet
::*Epilogue

=== Volume 12 - The Fairies' Holiday / 妖精達の休日===

::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume12_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume12_Prologue|Prologue]]
''' New Student from the White Country (Albion)'''
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume12_Chapter1|Chapter 1]]
::*Chapter 2
::*Chapter 3
::*Chapter 4
'''Knight Corps of the Water Spirit, Charge!'''
::*Chapter 1
::*Chapter 2
'''Right to Use Saito for a Day'''
::*Chapter 1
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume12_Section3_Chapter2|Chapter 2]] (1%)

=== Volume 13 - The World Door of the Holy Country / 聖国の世界扉===

::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume13_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Chapter 1 - Romalia
::*Chapter 2 - Saito's Decision
::*Chapter 3 - Aboard the ''Ostland''
::*Chapter 4 - The Two Knight Corps
::*Chapter 5 - The Persuasion of the Pope
::*Chapter 6 - Long Spear
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume13_Chapter7|Chapter 7 - World Door]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume13_Chapter8|Chapter 8 - The Meaning of the Smile]]
::*Epilogue

===Volume 14 - Aquileia's Saint / 水都市の聖女===

::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume14_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Chapter 1 - The Flowerbed Squadron's Rebellion
::*Chapter 2 - The Third Annual Enthronement Ceremony
::*Chapter 3 - An Elven Gandalfr
::*Chapter 4 - The Capital of Water
::*Chapter 5 - Six Thousand Years Ago
::*Chapter 6 - Tiger Highway
::*Chapter 7 - Aquileia's Saint
::*Chapter 8 - The Steel Tiger
::*Chapter 9 - The Memory of the Bond
::*Epilogue

===Volume 15 - Labyrinth of Oblivion / 忘却の夢迷宮 ===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume15_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Chapter 1 - Carcassonne
::*Chapter 2 - The Knight Contest of the Sandbank
::*Chapter 3 - A Shaken Mind
::*Chapter 4 - The Jewel of Fire
::*Chapter 5 - Honeymoon
::*Chapter 6 - Tabitha's Long Night
::*Chapter 7 - Henrietta's Diplomatic Plan
::*Chapter 8 - Coronation
::*Chapter 9 - The Exit of the Labyrinth
::*Epilogue

===Volume 16 - The Tea Time of Des Ornières / ド・オルニエールの安穏 ===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume16_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Chapter 1 - The Reward of the Campaign 
::*Chapter 2 - Searching for a Residence 
::*Chapter 3 - Henrietta's Melancholy, Louise's Anxiety, Saito's Promotion 
::*Chapter 4 - Mother and Cousin 
::*Chapter 5 - Saito Chevalier De Hiraga Des Ornières 
::*Chapter 6 - Daily Tea Time 
::*Chapter 7 - Eléonore's Academy 
::*Chapter 8 - The Basement of the Residence 
::*Chapter 9 - Secret Meeting 
::*Chapter 10 - 元素の兄弟
::*Epilogue

===Volume 17 - The Soeur of Dawn / 黎明の修道女 ===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume17_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Chapter 1 - Saito's despair 
::*Chapter 2 - Flight 
::*Chapter 3 - Meeting and Comrade 
::*Chapter 4 - Sulpice 
::*Chapter 5 - First meeting with Jack 
::*Chapter 6 - Damien and Lord Gondrin 
::*Chapter 7 - Soeur Louise 
::*Chapter 8 - Josette's Resolution 
::*Chapter 9 - Two Canes, One Crown 
::*Chapter 10 - Garden Party to Celebrate the Enthronement 
::*Chapter 11 - Bonds 
::*Epilogue

===Volume 18 - Spirit Stone of Destruction / 滅亡の精霊石 ===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume18_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Chapter 1 - Lovers 
::*Chapter 2 - Fouquet and Wardes 
::*Chapter 3 - Josette's Garden Party 
::*Chapter 4 - Strategy 
::*Chapter 5 - Confession of the Pope 
::*Chapter 6 - Spirit Stone of Destruction 
::*Chapter 7 - Our Home 
::*Chapter 8 - Elf of the Sahara 
::*Chapter 9 - Chance meeting 
::*Epilogue

=== Side Story Volume 1 - Tabitha's Adventure / タバサの冒険===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Side_Story_Volume1_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Story 1 - Tabitha and the Pterosaur
::*Story 2 - Tabitha and the Vampire
::*Story 3 - Tabitha and the Assassin
::*Story 4 - Tabitha and the Magic Doll

=== Side Story Volume 2 - Tabitha's Adventure / タバサの冒険2===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Side_Story_Volume2_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Side_Story_Volume2_Story5|Story 5 - Tabitha and the Gambler]]
::*Story 6 - Tabitha and the Minotaur
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Side_Story_Volume2_ExtraChapter|Extra Chapter - A Day in the Life of Sylphid]]
::*Story 7 - Tabitha and the Bird of Paradise
::*Story 8 - Tabitha and the Naval Port

=== Side Story Volume 3 - Tabitha's Adventure / タバサの冒険3===
::*[[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Side_Story_Volume3_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Story 9 - Tabitha and Sylphid
::*Story 10 - Tabitha and the old Warrior
::*Story 11 - Tabitha and first Love
::*Story 12 - Tabitha's Birth

== Project Staff ==
*Project Administrator: [[user:Onizuka-gto|Onizuka-gto]]
*Project Supervisor: [[user:Vaelis|Vaelis]]

=== Translators ===
'''ACTIVE'''
::*[[user:Zyzzyva165|Zyzzyva165]]
::*[[user:SeiryuuChan|SeiryuuChan]]
::*[[user:Darknemo2000|Darknemo2000]]

'''INACTIVE'''
::*[[user:Momogan|Momogan]]
::*[[user:Serenade_beta|Serenade beta]]
::*[[user:ArchmageXin|ArchmageXin]]
::*[[user:Trewth|Trewth ]]
::*[[user:ShApEsHiFt3r|ShApEsHiFt3r ]]
::*[[user:Xorius|Xorius]]

'''A.W.O.L'''
::*[[user:Claies|Claies]]
::*[[user:christof|christof]]
::*[[user:Vertiful|Vertiful]]

'''M.I.A'''
::*[[user:Cala-kun|Cala-kun]]
'''K.I.A'''
::*[[user:Sushi-Y|Sushi-Y]]
::*[[user:Nidema|Nidema]]
::*[[user:SaiyaJedi|SaiyaJedi]] <- aka "SaitoFromEarth"
::*[[user:naturesbless|naturesbless]]

=== Editors ===
This is the Project Editorial Team.
They will regularly patrol the projects to prevent vandalism & make sure the guidelines are implemented. If you have any inquiries about certain edits please contact any one of the members.

'''ACTIVE'''
::*[[user:Onizuka-gto|Onizuka-gto]]
::*[[user:DeotoxSlayer|DeotoxSlayer]]
::*[[user:Darknemo2000|Darknemo2000]]
::*[[user:Akirasav|Akira]]
::*[[user:BakaSama|BakaSama]]
'''A.W.O.L'''
::*[[user:Bicube|Bicube]]
::*[[user:BaKaFiSh|BaKaFiSh]]
::*[[user:Rednal|Rednal]]
::*[[user:Se-chan|Se-Chan]]
::*[[user:The naming game|The naming game]]
::*[[user:Darkoneko|Darkoneko]]
'''M.I.A'''
::*[[user:Nandeyanen|Nandeyanen]]
'''K.I.A'''
::*[[user:Da~Mike|Da~Mike]]
::*[[user:BlckKnght|BlckKnght]]
::*[[user:Crowkenobi|Crowkenobi]]
::*[[user:Andiyar|Andiyar]]

== Series Overview ==
* Volume 1 - ''Zero's Familiar'' (June 25, 2004)
* Volume 2 - ''Albion of the Wind'' (September 25, 2004)
* Volume 3 - ''The Founder's Prayer Book'' (December 25, 2004)
* Volume 4 - ''The Water Spirit of Oath'' (March 25, 2005)
* Volume 5 - ''Tristania's Holiday'' (July 25, 2005)
* Volume 6 - ''The Ruby of Atonement'' (November 25, 2005)
* Volume 7 - ''The Silver Pentecost'' (February 25, 2006)
* Volume 8 - ''The Serenade of Nostalgia'' (June 25, 2006)
* Volume 9 - ''The Ball of Twin Moons'' (September 25, 2006)
* Volume 10 - ''The Hero of Ivaldi'' (December 25, 2006)
* Volume 11 - ''A Duet of Recollection'' (May 25, 2007)
* Volume 12 - ''The Fairies' Holiday'' (August 25, 2007)
* Volume 13 - ''The World Door of the Holy Country'' (December 25, 2007)
* Volume 14 - ''Aquileia's Saint'' (May 25, 2008)
* Volume 15 - ''Labyrinth of Oblivion'' (September 25, 2008)
* Volume 16 - ''The Tea Time of Des Ornières'' (February 25, 2009)
* Volume 17 - ''The Soeur of Dawn'' (June 25, 2009)

* Side Story Volume 1 - ''Tabitha's Adventure'' (October 25, 2006)
* Side Story Volume 2 - ''Tabitha's Adventure'' (October 25, 2007)
* Side Story Volume 3 - ''Tabitha's Adventure'' (March 25, 2009)

[[Zero no Tsukaima:Series Overview|ISBN information]]