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High School DxD

2015-10-23T15:19:25Z

Barashkafromro: /* Volume 19 - Durandal of the General Election (Full Text - ePub - PDF) */ fixed link

{{Status|Active}}

[[Image:HSDxD_v01_cover.jpg|250px|thumb|High School DxD Volume 1 Cover]]

'''''High School D×D''''' (ハイスクールD×D, ''Haisukūru Di Di) is a Japanese light novel series written by Ichiei Ishibumi and illustrated by Miyama-Zero, published by Fujimi Shobo under their Fujimi Fantasia Bunko label.

An anime consisting of 12 episodes, produced by TNK, aired between January and March of 2012. Two OVAs were released with volumes 13 and 15. A second season consisting of 12 episodes, produced by TNK, aired between July and September of 2013. One OVA was released with volume DX.1. A third season consisting of 12 episodes, once again produced by TNK, aired from April to June of 2015. A fourth OVA is planned for release in December 2015. The anime has been licensed by Funimation in the USA and Madman Entertainment in Australia. The manga adaptation has been licensed by Yen Press.

High School D×D is also available in the following languages:
*[[High School DxD ~Brazilian_Portuguese~|Português Brasileiro (Brazilian Portuguese)]]
*[[High School DxD (Indonesia)|Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)]]
*[[High School DxD - Français|Français (French)]]
*[[High School DxD (Polski)|Polski (Polish)]]
*[[High School DxD (Български)|Български (Bulgarian)]]
*[[High School DxD ~ (Spanish)|Español (Spanish)]]
*[[High School DxD (Italian)|Italian (Italian)]]
*[[High School DxD (Deutsch)|Deutsch (German)]]
*[[High School DxD (Croatian)|Croatian (Hrvatski)]]
*[[High school DxD (Ελληνικά)|Ελληνικά (Greek)]]
*[[High school DxD Tiếng Việt|Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)]]
*[[High School DxD ~ Czech version ~|Česky (Czech)]]
*[[High School DxD (Romanian)|Română (Romanian)]]

'''SUPERVISOR NOTICE:''' ''Do not ask for updates! Translations come out when they come out! Also, do not copy translations onto sites outside of Baka-Tsuki.

==Story Synopsis==

I, Hyoudou Issei, am a 2nd Year High school student and my age is equal to the number of years I haven't had a girlfriend. And, someone like me got a girlfriend! I'm sorry buddies, I will walk the path of becoming an adult before you guys! —That's how it was supposed to be, but why did I get killed by my girlfriend!?

I still haven't done anything yet! Are there no Gods in this World!?

And, the person who saved me is the most beautiful girl in my school, Rias Gremory-senpai. I learned the shocking truth from her who isn't a God but a Devil. "You have reincarnated as a Devil! Work for me!"

Lured by Senpai's breasts and treats, my life as a reincarnated Devil began.

So the "Academy×Love Comedy×Battle Fantasy” starts here with just aggressive and worldly desires!

——''Taken from Volume 1 Story Synopsis''

Story Arc 1: Volumes 1 & 2

Story Arc 2: Volumes 3-6

Story Arc 3: Volumes 7-12

Story Arc 4: Volumes 13-??

('''Note:''' ''Volume 8, Volume 13 and half of the content in Volume 15 are compilations of Short-Stories from Dragon Magazine. DX series is a compilation of all the other short stories to avoid interfering with the main story plot''.)

==Characters' Introduction==


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===Characters' Introduction===
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'''Hyoudou Issei''' (兵藤一誠, ''Hyōdō Issei'')

[[File:Pawn-Ise.jpg|left|]]

'''Rank:''' Low-class Devil →　Middle-class Devil

'''Role:''' Pawn (8 Pieces, later in volume 12 it is revealed that 4 of them transformed into Mutation Pieces)

'''Species:''' Reincarnated Devil (Former human until Volume 11, Humanoid-Dragon from Volume 12)

'''Sacred Gear:''' Boosted Gear (Longinus)

'''Weapon:''' Ascalon

'''Power:''' Dress-Break, Bilingual.

A second-year high school student attending Kuou Academy. He is known to be stupid, lecherous and a pervert among his peers. A normal high school student born in a normal family, but is in possession of the Sacred Gear "Boosted Gear" which is listed as one of the ultimate Sacred Gears(Longinus). He was killed by his first girlfriend, a Fallen Angel, and was revived as a Devil and a servant of Rias Gremory, his new master. Now he aims to become a Harem King by gaining a peerage, unaware of himself attracting girls around him.

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'''Rias Gremory''' (リアス・グレモリー, ''Riasu Guremorī'')

[[File:King-Rias.jpg|left|]]

'''Rank:''' High-class Devil

'''Role:''' King

'''Species:''' Pure Devil

'''Power:''' Power of Destruction

A third-year student at Kuou Academy and the Madonna of the academy. She comes from the old noble of pure Devils, the House of Gremory. She is a High-class Devil who is known as genius by many, and is nicknamed the "Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess". Her brother is, in fact, one of the Yondai-Maou, Lucifer, and both of them possess the Power of Destruction. She revives Issei as her servant after finding him dead, killed by a Fallen Angel and possessing a rare Sacred Gear. Kind and soft to her servants, becomes a totally different person when training or fighting.

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'''Asia Argento''' (アーシア・アルジェント, ''Âshia Arujento'')

[[File:Bishop-Asia.jpg|left|]]

'''Rank:''' Low-class Devil

'''Role:''' Bishop

'''Species:''' Reincarnated Devil (Former human)

'''Sacred Gear:''' Twilight Healing

A second-year student at Kuou Academy. Originally a sister who was known as a holy maiden for her healing powers. She was raised in an orphanage and was taken in by the Church after her powers were discovered. However, she was kicked out of the Church for healing a Devil, and was taken in by people affiliated with the Fallen Angels. She starts living with Issei after being saved from the Fallen Angels' grasp. As a person raised in the Church, she lacks common sense.

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'''Himejima Akeno''' (姫島朱乃, ''Himejima Akeno'')

[[File:Queen-Akeno.jpg|left|]]

'''Rank:''' Low-class Devil →　Middle-class Devil

'''Role:''' Queen

'''Species:''' Reincarnated Devil (Former half-human half-fallen angel)

'''Power:''' Elemental magic (mainly thunder), Holy Lightning (From Volume 5 onwards)

A third-year student and one of the "Two Great Onee-samas" of Kuou Academy along with Rias. Called the ultimate "Queen" by other members. Born between a human mother and fallen angel father, after the death of her mother, she became Rias' servant. She is a friend close enough to call Rias by her name in private, yet calls her Buchou in presence of others and displays a master-servant relationship in public. She persistently refuses to use her power of light, inherited from her father, but starts using it after being convinced by Issei.

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'''Kiba Yuuto''' (木場祐斗, ''Kiba Yūto'')

[[File:Knight-Kiba.jpg|left|]]

'''Rank:''' Low-class Devil → Middle-class Devil

'''Role:''' Knight

'''Species:''' Reincarnated Devil (Former Human)

'''Sacred Gears:''' Sword Birth, Blade Blacksmith

'''Weapons:''' Demonic Emperor Sword Gram, Balmung, Nothung, Tyrfing, and Dáinsleif(from Volume 12).

A second-year student at Kuou Academy. Self proclaimed best friend of Issei, and the school prince. He was a victim of the Holy Sword Project, where he was the only survivor. He became Rias' servant when she saved him from death, but still swore to extract his revenge on those who treated him as a test subject and disposed his friends. He also harbours a great hatred towards the Holy Sword, Excalibur.

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'''Toujou Koneko''' (塔城小猫, ''Tōjō Koneko'')

[[File:Tank-Koneko.jpg|left|]]

'''Rank:''' Low-class Devil

'''Role:''' Rook

'''Species:''' Reincarnated Devil (Former Nekomata)

'''Power:''' Senjutsu, Youjutsu

A first-year student at Kuou Academy. Originally she was about to be executed by the Devils after her sister, Kuroka, killed her own master. The Maou, Lucifer, protected her, and left her under his sister's, Rias' care - becoming her servant. She refused to use the power of senjutsu because she didn't want to become like her sister. She overcame her power along with Akeno after Issei made her overcome her own powers. She doesn't show any emotion at all, and says harsh things and hits Issei whenever he is doing or thinking something perverted. She shows the most concern for her comrades when they are in trouble.

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'''Xenovia''' (ゼノヴィア, ''Zenovia'')

[[File:Knight-Zenovia.jpg|left|]]

'''Rank:''' Low-class Devil

'''Role:''' Knight

'''Species:''' Reincarnated Devil (Former Human)

'''Weapon:''' Excalibur Destruction (Volume 3), The Holy Sword Durandal → Ex-Durandal.

A Holy Sword user who was sent from the Church along with Irina to destroy or retrieve the stolen Excalibur swords. After she finds out that the God in the Bible has died long time ago, she decides to join the Occult Research Club as Rias's servant. She tries to seduce Issei whenever she can because she wants to give birth to a strong baby.

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'''Gasper Vladi''' (ギャスパー・ヴラディ, ''Gyasupā Buradi'')

[[File:Bishop-Gasper.jpg|left|]]

'''Rank:''' Low-class Devil

'''Role:''' Bishop

'''Species:''' Reincarnated Devil (Former Dhampir (half Human/half vampire))

'''Power:''' Vampire's power

'''Sacred Gear:''' Forbidden Balor View → Forbiden Invade Valor The Beast (Longinus)(from volume 16)

A Dhampir (half Vampire and half Human) male cross-dresser who has the ability to stop the time of those he sees but he is unable to control it. He is sealed by Rias as ordered by the elders until she has grown up enough to control him. He is still unable to completely control his powers but can improve a lot by drinking Issei's blood.

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'''Rossweisse''' (ロスヴァイセ, ''Rosuvaise'')

[[File:Tank-Rossweisse.jpg|left|]]

'''Rank:''' Low-class Devil

'''Role:''' Rook

'''Species:''' Reincarnated Devil (Former Valkyrie)

'''Power:''' Norse Magic

Originally Odin's bodyguard. After the battle with Loki and Fenrir, Odin leaves her in Issei's town. She then gets persuaded by Rias to become her servant. She remains in Kuou Academy as a teacher.

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'''Shidou Irina''' (紫藤イリナ, ''Shidō Irina'')

[[File:Ace-Irina.jpg|left|]]

'''Rank/Role:''' Ace of Spades (Michael's Brave Saint)

'''Species:''' Reincarnated Angel

'''Weapon:''' Excalibur Mimic (Volume 3), Mass-produced Holy Demonic Sword

She is Xenovia's partner and Issei's childhood friend. After finding out that the God in the Bible is dead, she still follows the teaching and is under the direct command of Michael. She was shocked to find out that Issei turned into a Devil. They are still friends despite that flaw.

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'''Ravel Phoenix''' (レイヴェル・フェニックス, ''Reiveru Fenikkusu'')

[[File:Free Bishop-Ravel.jpg|left|]]

'''Rank:''' High-Class Devil

'''Role:''' Bishop (Free)

'''Species:''' Pure Devil

'''Power:''' Immortality, Aerokinesis, Pyrokinesis

Fourth child an only daughter of the Phoenix house, she started as her brother Raiser's bishop, but after the duel between him and Issei, she fell in love and was traded to her mother, who doesn't participate in Rating Games, with the hope of one day becoming Issei's servant. She is currently his manager. She has transferred to Kuou Academy, where she got into Koneko and Gasper's class, as well as becoming a member of the Occult Research Club and living at the Hyoudou residence. She started with a body type like Koneko's, but has grown since.

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'''Ophis''' (オーフィス, ''Ōfisu'')

[[File:Dragon God-Ophis.jpg|left|]]

'''Rank/Role:''' God

'''Species:''' Dragon

'''Power:''' Infinity, Snakes

One of the two most powerful dragons, along with Great Red, born on the dimensional gap. After losing to him, it was banished and has since tried to find a way to win over and return. Neither male nor female, it has currently taken the form of a little girl in goth clothes and has been recognized as female. Currently it has lost most of its powers due to being stolen using Samael's venom, being reduced to only twice the power of the Heavenly Dragons at their prime, and lives at the Hyodou residence as a kind of pet or mascot.

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==Translation==

=== [[High School DxD:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

'''Translators are asked to [[High School DxD:Registration Page|register]] for chapters they want to work on'''

===Format Standards===

'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the High School DxD's project guidelines.'''
*[[High School DxD: Names and Terminology Guidelines]]
'''All edited translations are to be in British English.　Also the translation has to follow the same paragraph structure as the Japanese version.'''

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'''.

===Feedback===

'''If you enjoyed the series, why don't you tell us in this [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=4659 forum]'''

===Appreciation===
'''If you appreciate the efforts of the translators/editors of the HighSchool DxD Baka-tsuki Project, why don't you thank them in this [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=5018 forum]'''

===Recent Changes===

Regarding the recent changes or changes which needs to be done for translation.
*House of Phenex → House of '''Phoenix'''

==Updates==

* '''31-January-2014'''
**Volume 16 uploaded '''COMPLETED'''
* '''15-July-2014'''
**Volume 17 uploaded '''COMPLETED'''
* '''23-July-2014'''
**Short Story:Lets Go to Onsen uploaded '''COMPLETED'''
* '''08-May-2015'''
**Volume 18 Life 0 to Life 3 '''COMPLETED'''
* '''19-May-2015'''
**Volume 18 Joker to Afterword '''COMPLETED'''
* '''29-September-2015'''
**Volume DX1 Life.1 to Life.3 '''COMPLETED'''
* '''6-October-2015'''
**Volume 19 upload '''COMPLETED'''
Older updates can be found on the [[High_School_DxD:Updates|High School DxD Updates page]].

==The ''High School DxD'' series by Ichiei Ishibumi==

'''You can find here the ([http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=4814 PDF] - [http://www.mediafire.com/folder/kmky061e5tr7z/ MOBI]) version of the Volumes'''

<p style="font-size:150%">[http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/british-american.htm "THESE TRANSLATIONS ARE TO BE IN BRITISH ENGLISH."]</p>

===Volume 1 - Diabolus of the Old School Building ([[High School DxD:Volume 1|Full Text]])===

[[File:HSDxD_v01_cover.jpg|thumb|x180px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 1 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 1 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 1 Life 1|Life.1 I Quit Being a Human.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 1 Life 2|Life.2 I Start as a Devil.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 1 Life 3|Life.3 I Made a Friend.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 1 Life 4|Life.4 I'm Saving My Friend!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 1 New Life|New Life.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 1 Afterword|Afterword.]]

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===Volume 2 - Phoenix of the Battle School Building ([[High School DxD:Volume 2|Full Text]])===

[[File:HSDxD_v02_cover.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 2 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 2 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 2 Life 1|Life.1 I Work as a Devil.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 2 Life 2|Life.2 I Pick a Fight.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 2 Life 3|Life.3 I Started My Training.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 2 Life 4|Life.4 The Decisive Battle Begins!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 2 Life 5|Life.5 High Praises During the Decisive Battle!]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 2 Checkmate|Checkmate.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 2 End Game|End Game.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 2 Life. ∞ vs Power ∞|Life. ∞ vs Power ∞ I Came to Keep My Promise!]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 2 fatherxfather|Father x Father.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 2 Last kiss|Last Kiss.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 2 New Life|New Life.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 2 Afterword|Afterword.]]

===Volume 3 - Excalibur of the Moonlit Schoolyard ([[High School DxD:Volume 3|Full Text]])===

[[File:HSDxD_v03_cover.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 3 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 3 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 3 Life 1|Life.1 Heat Up Occult Research Club!]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 3 Revenge Knight|Revenge Knight.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 3 Life 2|Life.2 The Holy-sword has Arrived.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 3 Life 3|Life.3 The Plan to Destroy the Holy-sword!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 3 Life 4|Life.4 Go! Occult Research Club!]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 3 New Knight & New Rival|New Knight & New Rival.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 3 New Life|New Life.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 3 Friends|Friends.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 3 Afterword|Afterword.]]

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===Volume 4 - Vampire of the Suspended Classroom ([[High_School_DxD:Volume_4|Full Text]])===

[[File:HSDxD_v04_cover.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 4 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 4 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 4 Life 1|Life.1 It's Summer! It's Swimsuits! I'm in Trouble!?]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 4 Life 2|Life.2 Class Observation Begins.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 4 Life 3|Life.3 I Got a {{Furigana|Kouhai(Boy)|Junior}}.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 4 Grigori 1|Grigori.1]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 4 Life 4|Life.4 The VIP Conference Begins!]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 4 Khaos Brigade|Khaos Brigade.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 4 Life 5|Life.5 Welsh Dragon and Vanishing Dragon.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 4 The Festival Ends|The Festival Ends.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 4 New Life|New Life.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 4 Grigori 2|Grigori.2]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 4 Valhalla|Valhalla.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 4 Special Life|Special Life.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 4 Afterword|Afterword.]]

===Volume 5 - Hellcat of the Underworld Training Camp ([[High School DxD:Volume 5|Full Text]])===

[[File:HSDxD_v05_cover.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 5 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 5 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 5 Life 1|Life.1 It's Summer Break, Let's Go to the Underworld!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 5 Life 2|Life.2 The gathering of the Young Devils!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 5 Life 3|Life.3 Cat and Dragon!]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 5 Odin|Odin.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 5 Life 4|Life.4 Buchou vs Kaichou: First Half.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 5 Waltz|Waltz.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 5 Life 5|Life.5 Buchou vs Kaichou: Second Half.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 5 VIP|VIP.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 5 End Game|End Game.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 5 WINNER|WINNER.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 5 Reunion|Reunion.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 5 Afterword|Afterword.]]

===Volume 6 - Holy behind the Gymnasium ([[High School DxD:Volume 6|Full Text]])===

[[File:HSDxD_v06_cover.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 6 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 6 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 6 Life 1|Life.1 The Second Term Begins!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 6 Life 2|Life.2 Asia-chan's Worries]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 6 Asia|Asia.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 6 Boss X Boss|Boss X Boss.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 6 Life 3|Life.3 The Great Battle!]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 6 Uroboros|Uroboros.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 6 Life 4|Life.4 I Love you]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 6 Juggernaut Drive|Juggernaut Drive.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 6 Life 5|Life.5 The Great Red!]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 6 Vali Lucifer|Vali Lucifer.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 6 Heroes|Heroes.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 6 New Life|New Life.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 6 Afterword|Afterword.]]

===Volume 7 - Ragnarok After School ([[High School DxD:Volume 7|Full Text]])===

[[File:HSDxD_v07_cover.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 7 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 7 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 7 Life 1|Life.1 Peace is the Best.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 7 Life 2|Life.2 The Shitty Geezer from the North has Arrived.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 7 Life 3|Life.3 The Joint Army!]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 7 Odin|Odin.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 7 Life 4|Life.4 Two Heavenly Dragons vs Evil-God Loki!]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 7 Surveillant|Surveillant.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 7 Vali Lucifer|Vali Lucifer.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 7 Boss X Boss|Boss X Boss.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 7 New Life|New Life.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 7 Dad|Dad.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 7 Heroes|Heroes.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 7 Afterword|Afterword.]]

===Volume 8 - Devil's Job ([[High School DxD:Volume 8|Full Text]])===

[[File:HSDxD_v08_cover.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 8 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 8 Life 1|Life.1 Devil's Job.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 8 Life 2|Life.2 Familiar's Requirement.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 8 Life 3|Life.3 Memory of Oppai.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 8 Life 4|Life.4 The Oppai of Tennis.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 8 Life 5|Life.5 Hell Teacher Azazel.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 8 Life 6|Life.6 300 Ise.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 8 Extra Life|Extra Life. The Fun Gremory Family.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 8 Afterword|Afterword.]]

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===Volume 9 - Pandemonium at the School Trip ([[High School DxD:Volume 9|Full Text]])===

[[File:HSDxD_v09_cover.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 9 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 9 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 9 Life 1|Life.1 Yeah, Lets Go to Kyoto!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 9 Life 2|Life.2 Arrival at Kyoto.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 9 Life 3|Life.3 The Group of Heroes has Arrived.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 9 Life 4|Life.4 Showdown, Gremory Group VS Heroes Faction! In Kyoto.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 9 Maven|Maven.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 9 New Life|New Life.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 9 Boss X Boss|Boss X Boss.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 9 Vali Lucifer|Vali Lucifer.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 9 Bael|Bael.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 9 Heroes|Heroes.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 9 Afterword|Afterword.]]

===Volume 10 - Lion Heart of the School Festival ([[High School DxD:Volume 10|Full Text]])===

[[File:High_school_dxd_v10_000e.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 10 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 10 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 10 Life 1|Life.1 The Preparations for the School Festival!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 10 Life 2|Life.2 A Maiden's Heart is Complicated.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 10 Life 3|Life.3 The Battle to Decide who is the Strongest Youth Begins!]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 10 King|King.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 10 Life 4|Life.4 As a Servant of Rias Gremory.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 10 Pawn|Pawn.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 10 Life MAX VS Power MAX|Life. MAX VS Power MAX: {{Furigana|MAN|Sekiryuutei}} VS {{Furigana|MAN|Shishiou}}.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 10 Life MAXIMUM VS Power MAXIMUM|Life. MAXIMUM VS Power MAXIMUM: Crimson and Red.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 10　Emperor|Emperor.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 10　LION HEART|LION HEART.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 10　Indra|Indra.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 10 New Life|New Life.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 10　Extra Life|Extra Life The Dream that Does Not End, and the Dream that Ends.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 10　Afterword|Afterword.]]

===Volume 11 - Uroboros and the Promotion Test ([[High School DxD:Volume 11|Full Text]])===

[[File:HSDxD_v11_cover.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 11 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 11 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 11 Life 1|Life.1 Study and Mating Season?]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 11 Life 2|Life.2 Infinite and the Mid-class Devil Promotion Test!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 11 Life 3|Life.3 The Rebellious Heroes.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 11 Life 4|Life.4 As a Heavenly-Dragon.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 11 Life...|Life...]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 11 Lost Life|Lost Life.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 11 Afterword|Afterword.]]

<br style="clear:both"/>
===Volume 12 - Heroes of Supplementary Lessons ([[High School DxD:Volume 12|Full Text]])===

[[File:HSDxD_v12_cover.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 12 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 12 Life -3|Life.-3 Gremory without Sekiryuutei.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 12 Life -2|Life.-2 Pal.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 12 Dimensional Gap|Dimensional Gap.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 12 Satan|Satan.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 12 Life -1|Life.-1 Alliance of Young Devils!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 12 Life 0|Life.0 The Emperor of Bust Dragon.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 12 Life 1|Life.1 Crimson Promise.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 12 Azazel|Azazel.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 12 Hero...?|Hero...?]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 12 New Life|New Life.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 12 Afterword|Afterword.]]

<br style="clear:both"/>

===Volume 13 - Ise SOS ([[High School DxD:Volume 13|Full Text]])===

[[File:High_school_dxd_v13_000b.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 13 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 13 Life 1|Life.1 A Tokusatsu Devil]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 13 Life 2|Life.2 Ise SOS]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 13 Life 3|Life.3 The Disturbance of a Devil]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 13 Life 4|Life.4 The Unresurrected Phoenix]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 13 Life 5|Life.5 Armageddon at Sports Day!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 13 Extra Life|Extra Life. The Worry of the Next-Next Heir-sama]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 13 Afterword|Afterword.]]

<br style="clear:both"/>
===Volume 14 - Wizards of Career Counseling ([[High School DxD:Volume 14|Full Text]])===

[[File:HSDxD_v14_cover.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 14 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 14 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 14 Life 1|Life.1 I'm Also Doing a Devil Today]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 14 Maverick Magician|Maverick Magician.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 14 Life 2|Life.2 The Rulers of the Late-Night]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 14 Magician for Khaos Brigade|Magician for Khaos Brigade]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 14 Life 3|Life.3 Maverick Magicians.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 14 Life 4|Life.4 Go, Occult Research Club & Student Council!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 14 New Life|New Life.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 14 Romania|Romania.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 14 Afterword|Afterword.]]

<br style="clear:both"/>

===Volume 15 - Dark Knight of the Sunny-spot ([[High School DxD:Volume 15|Full Text]])===

[[File:HSDxD_v15_cover.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Episode Issei 1|Episode Issei.1]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Life 1|Life.1 Magical Girl Ria☆ For Real!?]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Episode Issei 2|Episode Issei.2]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Life 2|Life.2 Scarlet and Crimson]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Episode Issei 3|Episode Issei.3]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Life 3|Life.3 Holy☆Maiden Goes to the Holy-Land]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Episode Issei 4|Episode Issei.4]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Life 4|Life.4 Lets Go with Training! ~Hell Chapter~]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Episode Issei 5|Episode Issei.5]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Episode Azazel 1|Episode Azazel.1]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Life 5|Life.5 Wolf’s Emblem]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Episode Azazel 2|Episode Azazel.2]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Episode Yuuto 1|Episode Yuuto.1]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Life 6|Life.6 May the Shine be on You]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Episode Yuuto 2|Episode Yuuto.2]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 15 Afterword|Afterword.]]

===Volume 16 - Daywalker of the Extracurricular Lesson ([[High School DxD:Volume 16|Full Text]])===
[[File:High_school_DxD_v16_Cover.jpeg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 16 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 16 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 16 Life 1|Life.1 Occult Research Club, to Romania!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 16 Life 2|Life.2 The Kins of the Dark Night]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 16 Life 3|Life.3 Let’s Have the Sunlight Together With Me]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 16 Life 4|Life.4 Rizevim Livan Lucifer(The Son of the Morning Star)]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 16 Gasper Balor|Gasper Balor.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 16 Life DxD|Life.DxD]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 16 New Life|New Life.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 16 True Longinus|True Longinus.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 16 Afterword|Afterword.]]

===Volume 17 - Valkyrie of the Teacher Training ([[High School DxD:Volume 17|Full Text]])===
[[File:High_school_DxD_v17_Cover.jpeg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 17 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 17 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 17 Life 1|Life.1 Praises During the Training!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 17 Life 2|Life.2 The School of the Underworld!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 17 Life 3|Life.3 The Direction of the Evil Intent]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 17 Life 4|Life.4 The Youth Devil]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 17 New Life|New Life.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 17 Brother?|Brother?]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 17 Emperor|Emperor.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 17 Afterword|Afterword.]]

===Volume 18 - Funny Angel of the Christmas Day ([[High School DxD:Volume 18|Full Text]] - [http://urakn0x.tk/HSDxD18.epub ePub] [http://zxzxzx.info/downloads/HighSchool_DxD_18_-_Funny_Angel_of_the_Christmas_Day.pdf PDF])===
[[File:High_school_DxD_v18_Cover.jpeg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 18 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 18 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 18 Life 1|Life.1 The Devils Also Celebrate Christmas!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 18 Life 2|Life.2 The Forbidden]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 18 Life 3|Life.3 D×D Also Launches To the Heaven]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 18 Fake Hero.|Fake Hero.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 18 Joker|Joker.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 18 Life 4|Life.4 Burn, Holy-sword!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 18 Next Life|Next Life.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 18 Christmas|Christmas.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 18 BossxBoss|Boss × Boss.]]
::**[[High School DxD:Volume 18 Ashestoashes Dusttodust|Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 18 Afterword|Afterword.]]

===Volume 19 - Durandal of the General Election ([[High School DxD:Volume 19|Full Text]] - [http://urakn0x.tk/DxD19.epub ePub] - [http://zxzxzx.info/downloads/High_School_DxD_19_-_Durandal_of_the_General_Election.pdf PDF])===
[[File:High_school_DxD_v19_Cover.jpeg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 19 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 19 rudra|Rudra]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 19 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 19 Life 1|Life.1 Third Trimester Starts!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 19 Life 2|Life.2 Various Decisive Battles!]]
::*[[High_School_DxD:Volume_19_Life_3|Life.3 {{Furigana|Fist and Sword|Carnival}}]]
::*[[High_School_DxD:Volume_19_New_Life|New Life]]
::**[[High_School_DxD:Volume_19_To_be_continued...|To be continued...]]
::**[[High_School_DxD:Volume_19_Top_Secret|Top Secret]]
::*[[High_School_DxD:Volume_19_Afterword|Afterword]]

===Volume 20 - Belial of Career Consultation===
[[File:High_school_DxD_v20_Cover.jpg|thumb|x175px]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 20 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
:::*[[High School DxD:Volume 20 Faker|Faker]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 20 Life 0|Life.0]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 20 Life 1|Life.1 A Restless Career Consultation]]
:::*[[High School DxD:Volume 20 Parents|Parents]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 20 Life 2|Life.2 The Truth of the Feast]]
:::*[[High School DxD:Volume 20 To be infuriated|To be infuriated.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 20 Life 3|Life.3 Hyoudou Issei]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 20 Last Life|Last Life... Poetic Justice]] 
:::*[[High School DxD:Volume 20 The Beast 666|The Beast 666.]]
:::*[[High School DxD:Volume 20 Deterrence|Deterrence.]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume 20 Afterword|Afterword]]

==The ''High School DxD DX'' series by Ichiei Ishibumi==
''Short stories will be compiled into these volumes''

===Volume DX1 - Love Song to the Reincarnated Angel===
::*[[High School DxD:Volume DX1 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume DX1 Life 1|Life.1 Abduction EROǃ]] ([https://sonohana1209.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dxd-dx-vol-1-translation-project-fianl-edition.pdf PDF])
::*[[High School DxD:Volume DX1 Life 2|Life.2 Ultimateǃǃ Onii-chan Mask]] ([https://sonohana1209.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/dxd-dx-vol-1-translation-project-life-2-final-edition-docx.pdf PDF])
::*[[High School DxD:Volume DX1 Life 3|Life.3 Stop!! Yuuto-kun!]] ([https://sonohana1209.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/dxd-dx-vol-1-translation-project-life-3-final-edition-docx.pdf PDF])
::*[[High School DxD:Dragon Magazine 2011-11|Life.4 Records of Chichiryuutei's Pleasure Adventure]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume DX1 Life 5|Life.5 Love Song to the Reincarnated Angel]]
::*[[High School DxD:Dragon Magazine 2013-02|Life.6 Let's Go to Onsen]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume DX1 Extra Life|Extra Life. Phoenix of the Battle School Building DX?]]
::*[[High School DxD:Volume DX1 Afterword|Afterword.]]

===Volume DX2 - Worship☆Dragon-God Girl===
::*[[High School DxD:Volume DX2 Worship Dragon-God Girl|Worship☆Dragon-God Girl]]

==Short Stories==
''These short stories would be compiled into the DX volumes in the future (Hence the reason of it being in low priorities in terms of translation).''

===Others===
::*[[High School DxD:Dragon Magazine 2013-09|Nekomata☆Ninja Scroll]]

===Specials===
::*[[High School DxD:Dragon Magazine 2012-07|My First Errand [Ophis Volume]]] (Note: This short story takes place after Volume 12. Alternatively called volume 12.5)
::*[[High School DxD:Dragon Magazine 2013-01|25(Twenty Five) at the Clubroom with Rias-buchou!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Having a Mad Tea Party|Having a Mad Tea Party!]]
::*[[High School DxD:Rias in Wonderland|Rias in Wonderland]](Taken from Fantasia Bunko 25th Anniversary Book)
::*[[High School DxD:BOOST BOX|BOOST BOX (''Text version of episode 13 of the season 1 anime'')]]
::*[[High School DxD:BOOST BOX Okawari|BOOST BOX Okawari]]

==Project Staff==

*Supervisor: [[user:Code-Zero|Code-Zero]]
*Project Manager: [[user:Code-Zero|Code-Zero]]

===Translators===

'''ACTIVE'''
:*[[user:zxzxzx|zxzxzx]] - [http://www.zxzxzx.info (Blog)]
:*[[user:d_yang1209|daniel Yang]] - [https://sonohana1209.wordpress.com/ (Blog)]

'''INACTIVE'''

:*[[user:Eternal Dreamer|Eternal Dreamer]]
:*[[User:Zzhk|zzhk]] (Chinese translator)
:*[[user:Akuma|Akuma]]
:*[[user:Code-Zero|Code-Zero]]

''Inquiries about any particular volume should be directed towards the corresponding translator(s) as recorded on the [[High_School_DxD:Registration_Page|Registration Page]].''

===Editors===

'''ACTIVE'''
:*[[user:Ff7_freak|Ff7_freak]]
:*[[user:Starkiller4299|Starkiller4299]]
:*[[user:Ajmc93|Ajmc93]]
:*[[user:Hiro Hayase|Hiro Hayase]]
:*[[user:Just4fun|Just4fun]]
:*[[user:Stagged|Stagged]]
:*[[user:Zalgryth|Zalgryth]]
:*[[user:Royaloyalz|Royaloyalz]]
:*[[user:Krytyk|Krytyk]](Illustration Editor)
:*[[User:Wolfpup|Wolfpup]](Monitoring Editor)

'''INACTIVE'''
:*[[user:RikiNutcase|RikiNutcase]]
:*[[user:Chancs|Chancs]]

===Special Thanks===

This is for people who deserve special thanks and are currently not on the Staff.
:*[[User:Larethian|larethian]]
:*Alexis138 (Initial Grammar checker and QC for daniel Yang)
:*Stephen
:*timesteel
:*mangatron
:*mds435
:*aigomorla

==Series Overview==
===Main Volumes===
*High School D×D 1 Diabolus of the Old School Building, ハイスクールD×D1 旧校舎のディアボロス (September 20, 2008 ISBN 978-4829133262)
*High School D×D 2 Phoenix of the Battle School Building, ハイスクールD×D2 戦闘校舎のフェニックス (December 20, 2008 ISBN 978-4829133583)
*High School D×D 3 Excalibur of the Moonlit Schoolyard, ハイスクールD×D3 月光校庭のエクスカリバー (April 20, 2009 ISBN 978-4829133910)
*High School D×D 4 Vampire of the Suspended Classroom, ハイスクールD×D4 停止教室のヴァンパイア (September 20, 2009 ISBN 978-4829134276)
*High School D×D 5 Hellcat of the Underworld Training Camp, ハイスクールD×D5 冥界合宿のヘルキャット (December 19, 2009 ISBN 978-4829134702)
*High School D×D 6 Holy behind the Gymnasium, ハイスクールD×D6 体育館裏のホーリー (March 20, 2010 ISBN 978-4829135006)
*High School D×D 7 Ragnarok After School, ハイスクールD×D7 放課後のラグナロク (July 17, 2010 ISBN 978-4829135402)
*High School D×D 8 Devil's Job, ハイスクールD×D8 アクマのおしごと (December 17, 2010 ISBN 978-4829135938)
*High School D×D 9 Pandemonium at the School Trip, ハイスクールD×D9 修学旅行はパンデモニウム (April 20, 2011 ISBN 978-4829136287)
*High School D×D 10 Lion Heart of the School Festival, ハイスクールD×D10 学園祭のライオンハート (September 17, 2011 ISBN 978-4829136775)
*High School D×D 11 Uroboros and the Promotion Test, ハイスクールD×D11 進級試験とウロボロス (January 20, 2012 ISBN 978-4829137208)
*High School D×D 12 Heroes of Supplementary Lessons, ハイスクールD×D12 補習授業のヒーローズ (April 20, 2012 ISBN 978-4829137499)
*High School D×D 13 Ise SOS (Normal Edition), ハイスクールD×D13 イッセーＳＯＳ (September 20, 2012 ISBN 978-4829137987)
**High School D×D 13 Ise SOS (Limited Edition), ハイスクールD×D13 イッセーＳＯＳ限定版　(September 6, 2012 ISBN 978-4829197677)
*High School D×D 14 Wizards of Career Counseling, ハイスクールD×D14 進路指導のウィザード (January 19, 2013 ISBN 978-4-8291-3845-8)
*High School D×D 15 Dark Knight of the Sunny-spot (Normal Edition), ハイスクールD×D15 陽だまりのダークナイト (June 20, 2013 ISBN 978-4829138984)
**High School D×D 15 Dark Knight of the Sunny-spot (Limited Edition), ハイスクールD×D15 陽だまりのダークナイト限定版　(May 31, 2013 ISBN 978-4829197684)
*High School D×D 16 Daywalker of the Extracurricular Lesson, ハイスクールD×D 16 課外授業のデイウォーカー (October 19, 2013 ISBN 978-4047129122)
*High School D×D 17 Valkyrie of the Teacher Training, ハイスクールD×D 17 教員研修のヴァルキリー (February 20, 2014 ISBN 978-4040700311)
*High School D×D 18 Funny Angel of the Christmas Day, ハイスクールD×D 18 聖誕祭のファニーエンジェル (June 20, 2014 ISBN 978-4040701271)
*High School D×D 19 Durandal of the General Election, ハイスクールD×D 19 総選挙のデュランダル (November 20, 2014 ISBN 978-4-04-070146-2)
*High School D×D 20 Belial of Career Consultation, ハイスクールD×D 20 進路相談のベリアル (July 18, 2015 ISBN 978-4-04-070665-8)

===Short Story Volumes===
*High School D×D DX1 Love Song to the Reincarnated Angel (Normal Edition), ハイスクールD×D DX.1 転生天使にラブソングを (March 20, 2015, ISBN 978-4040703329)
**High School D×D DX1 Love Song to the Reincarnated Angel (Limited Edition), ハイスクールD×D DX.1 転生天使にラブソングを限定版 (March 10, 2015, ISBN 978-4040703121)
*High School D×D DX2 Worship☆Dragon-God Girl! (Limited Edition), ハイスクールD×D DX.2 マツレ☆龍神少女! 限定版 (December 9, 2015, ISBN 978-4040704029)

===Others===
*Fantasia Bunko 25th Anniversary Book, ファンタジア文庫25周年アニバーサリーブック (18 March, 2013 ISBN 978-4829138687)
*High School DxD BOOST BOX, ハイスクールD×D おっぱい BOOST BOX (9 March, 2013 ISBN 978-4047128354)
*High School DxD BOOST BOX Okawari, ハイスクールD×D おっぱい BOOST BOX おかわり (20 March, 2014 ISBN 978-4047128941)

[[Category:Fujimi Fantasia Bunko]]
[[Category:Genre - Harem]]
[[Category:Genre - Action]]
[[Category:Genre - Ecchi]]
[[Category:Genre - Supernatural]]
[[Category:Light novel (English)]]
[[Category:Ichiei Ishibumi]]

Talk:High School DxD:Volume 12

2014-06-29T14:13:14Z

Barashkafromro:

Someone, please, edit this volume. It has too much "Yes" at the beginning of sentences and too much "the" everywhere. I don't know english well enough to edit it myself, except for spelling mistakes[[User:Barashkafromro|Barashkafromro]] ([[User talk:Barashkafromro|talk]]) 09:13, 29 June 2014 (CDT)

Talk:High School DxD:Volume 12

2014-06-29T14:12:58Z

Barashkafromro:

Someone, please, edit this volume. It has too much "Yes" at the beginning of sentences and too much "the" everywhere. I don't know english well enough to edit it myself, except for spelling mistakes

Talk:High School DxD:Volume 12

2014-06-29T14:10:41Z

Barashkafromro: Created page with "Someone, please, edit this volume. It has too much "Yes" at the beginning of sentences and too much "the" everywhere"

Someone, please, edit this volume. It has too much "Yes" at the beginning of sentences and too much "the" everywhere

High School DxD: Names and Terminology Guidelines

2014-04-28T18:52:03Z

Barashkafromro:

This page is a list of unique/semi-unique terms and names for translators and editors to maintain consistency with. If anything significant needs to be done, such as any large additions, disputes to listed translations to a term or name, or formatting issues, please feel free to post them at the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=4904 High School DxD - Names and Terminology] discussion thread.

==Format Standard==

===Style of English===

All edited translations are to be in British English.

===Narrative Tenses===

Translators are allowed to use whichever tenses they need, so editors have to fix any errors for tenses when you find one. Narrative tense should be in present tense. Narrative does not mean the character dialogues.

===Stuttering===

For proper nouns and common nouns or adjectives used as essential parts of proper nouns, the stuttered letters should be capitalised.

Example 1: “Er... B-Buchou, are you here?”

If the stuttering occurs at the beginning of the sentence, then the stuttered letters should be capitalised, regardless of the word's nature.

Example 2: “Eh? B-But, don’t you have to get yourself a husband?”

If the stuttering occurs in the middle of the sentence, on a word that isn't a proper noun, a common noun or adjective used as an essential part of proper nouns, then the letters should be in lower case.

Example 3: “I've g-got to p-pick up a new b-book on vampires.”

===Japanese Honorifics===

Since there are no equivalents to Japanese honorifics in the English language, Japanese honorifics will be kept.

===Japanese Loanwords===

There are some words in the Japanese language that do not translate into the English language, for such instances it is recommended to keep the Japanese loanword. For example, Torii.

===Translation Notes===

Akuma means both devil and demon, the Japanese do not differentiate between the two. Similar to how nezumi means both rat/mouse. In lieu of the context in High School DxD which involves a war between Angels vs Fallen Angels vs Devils. We will be using Devil as the official english translation of Akuma. Youkai will substitute for demons like nekomata and etc.

Maken means magic sword, but we're translating it as demon-sword in lieu of the setting of this series.

The Japanese naming standard has the family name followed by first name. For example, Hyoudou Issei. Hyoudou is the family name, while Issei is the first name.

==Names==

===Kuou Academy===

====Occult Research Club====

Hyoudou Issei (兵藤一誠, ''Hyōdō Issei'') - 2nd year high school student. Holder of the Sacred Gear "Boosted Gear" (Longinus). Former human. Rias' Pawn (x8).
* Nicknames
** Ise
** Sekiryuutei (Red Dragon Emperor)
** Chichiryuutei (Bust Dragon Emperor)
** Oppai Dragon (Boob Dragon)
** Harem King

Rias Gremory (リアス・グレモリー, ''Riasu Guremorī'') - 3rd year high school student. Daughter of a High Class family. King of the Occult Research Club.
* Nicknames
** Buchou (President)
** Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess
** Princess of Destruction
** Switch Princess
** Crimson Bust Princess
** Rias-oneesama
** Onee-sama

Asia Argento (アーシア・アルジェント, ''Aashia Arujento'') - 2nd year high school student. Former human. Holder of the Sacred Gear "Twilight Healing". Rias' Bishop.
* Nicknames
** The Holy Priestess

Himejima Akeno (姫島朱乃, ''Himejima Akeno'') - 3rd year high school student. Former human/fallen angel hybrid. Rias' Queen.
* Nicknames
** Priestess of Thunder
** The Ultimate Sadist
** Priestess of Thunder and Light
** Akeno-san

Kiba Yuuto (木場祐斗, ''Kiba Yūto'') - 2nd year high school student. Former human. Holder of the Sacred Gear "Sword Birth". Rias' Knight.
* Nicknames
** Prince Charming
** Kiba-kun

Toujou Koneko (塔城小猫, ''Tōjō Koneko'') 1st year high school student. Former nekomata. Rias' Rook.
* Nicknames
** Shirone
** Hellcat

Xenovia (ゼノヴィア, ''Zenovia'') - 2nd year high school student. Wielder of the holy sword Durandal. Former human. Rias' Knight.

Gasper Vladi (ギャスパー・ヴラディ, ''Gyasupā Buradi'') - 1st year high school student. Holder of the Scared Gear "Forbidden Balor View". Former human/vampire hybrid. Rias' Bishop (Mutation Piece).
* Nicknames
** Gya-suke
** Gya-kun

Rossweisse (ロスヴァイセ, ''Rosuvaise'') - Teacher at Kuou Academy, same age as Ise. Former Valkyrie. Rias' Rook.

Irina Shidou (紫藤イリナ, ''Shidō Irina'') - 2nd year high school student. Former human. Michael's Ace.
* Nicknames
** Angel-chan (Tenshi-chan)
** Self-Proclaimed Childhood friend

Ravel Phoenix (レイヴェル・フェニックス, ''Reiveru Fenikkusu'') - Raiser's younger sister, and the daughter from House of Phoenix.
* Nicknames
** Bird Girl
** Grilled Chicken Girl (Yakitori Musume)

Azazel (アザゼル, ''Azazeru'') - The former Governor of the fallen-angels that has 12 Black Wings. The Hell Teacher in Kuou Academy and the Advising Teacher of Occult Research club.
* Nicknames
** Governor (Before his resignation)

====Student Council====

Sona Sitri (ソーナ・シトリー, ''Sōna Shitorī'') - Student Council President in Kuou Academy, 3rd year high school student. Next heir of the Sitri house, Rias' childhood friend. Her real name is Sona Sitri, while Souna Shitori is her alias at Kuou Academy.
* Nicknames
** Kaichou (President)
* Aliases
** Shitori Souna (支取蒼那, ''Shitori Sōna'')

Shinra Tsubaki (真羅椿姫, ''Shinra Tsubaki'') - Student Council Vice President, 3rd year high school student. Holder of the Sacred Gear "Mirror Alice" (追憶の鏡（ミラー・アリス, ''Mirā Arisu''). Sona's Queen.

Saji Genshirou (匙元士郎, ''Saji Genshirō'')- Student Council Secretary, 2nd year high school student. Begins with possessing one of Vritra's Sacred Gears, "Absorption Line" (黒い龍脈（アブソーブション・ライン, ''Abusōbushen Rain''）). Sona's Pawn (x4).

Yura (由良) - 2nd year high school student. Close combat specialist. Looks like a taller version of Xenovia in appearance. Sona's Rook.

Meguri (巡) - 2nd year high school student. Described as being slim. Hails from a family specializing in destroying evil spirits. Sona's Knight.

Hanakai Momo (花戒桃, ''Hanakai Momo'') - 2nd year high school student. The one given white hair by the anime, appears in the Volume 5 illustrations holding a blood pack. Sona's Bishop.

Kusaka (草下) - 2nd year high school student. The one with pig-tails. Sona's Bishop.

Nimura Ruruko (仁村留流子, ''Nimura Ruruko'') - 1st year high school student. The one who appeared with Saji in the Volume 5 Rating Game and depicted in the illustration with Koneko. Sona's Pawn.

====Other Students====

Matsuda (松田) - One of Ise's best friends that makeup the perverted trio. Stated to be a lolicon.
* Nicknames
** Perverted Baldy
** Sexual Harassment Paparazzi

Motohama (元浜) - One of Ise's best friends that makeup the perverted trio. Has the ability to calculate a female's BWH sizes just by looking.
* Nicknames
** Perverted Glasses
** Three Sizes Scouter

Kiryuu Aika (桐生藍華, ''Kiriyū Aika'') - Asia's friend. Has the ability to calculate a male's "manhood" size just by looking.

Abe Kiyome (安倍清芽, ''Abe Kiyome'') - 3rd year student. Captain of the school's Tennis Club and also a beast tamer.
* Nicknames
** The Beast Tamer

===Devils===

====Yondai-Maou(Four Great Satans)====

Sirzechs Lucifer (サーゼクス・ルシファー, ''Sāzekusu Rushifā'') - Originally from the House of Gremory. Rias' older brother.
* Nicknames
** Crimson Satan
** Maou Red (Satan Red)

Serafall Leviathan (セラフォルー・レヴィアタン, ''Seraforū Reviatan'') - Originally from the House of Sitri. Souna's older sister.
* Nicknames
** Maou Shoujo (Satan Girl)
** Maou Pink (Satan Pink)

Ajuka Beelzebub (アジュカ・ベルゼブブ, ''Ajuka Beruzebubu'') - Originally from the House of Astaroth. Diodora's older brother. Creator of the Evil Pieces system.
* Nicknames
** Maou Blue (Satan Blue)

Falbium Asmodeus (ファルビウム・アスモデウス, ''Farubiumu Asumodeusu'') - Originally from the House of Glasya-Labolas.
* Nicknames
** Maou Green (Satan Green)

====72 Pillars====

Names with slash in them are extinct household (Though some of them have descendants alive by breeding with humans).
{| class="wikitable" width="150" ; style="float:left"
|
*Bael
*Agares
*Vassago
*Gamigin
*<s>Marbas</s>
*<s>Valefor</s>
*Amon
*Barbatos
*Paimon
*<s>Buer</s>
*<s>Gusion</s>
*Sitri
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="150" ; style="float:left"
|
*Beleth
*<s>Leraje</s>
*<s>Eligos</s>
*Zepar
*<s>Botis</s>
*<s>Bathin</s>
*Sallos
*Purson
*<s>Marax</s>
*<s>Ipos</s>
*<s>Aim</s>
*Naberius
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="150" ; style="float:left"
|
*Glasya-Labolas
*<s>Buné</s>
*<s>Ronové</s>
*Berith
*Astaroth
*Forneus
*<s>Foras</s>
*Asmoday
*<s>Gäap</s>
*Furfur
*<s>Marchosias</s>
*Stolas
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="150" ; style="float:left"
|
*Phoenix
*<s>Halphas</s>
*<s>Malphas</s>
*<s>Raim</s>
*Focalor
*<s>Wepal</s>
*<s>Sabnock</s>
*Shax
*<s>Viné</s>
*<s>Bifrons</s>
*Uvall
*<s>Häagenti</s>
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="150" ; style="float:left"
|
*<s>Crocell</s>
*Furcas
*Balam
*<s>Alocer</s>
*<s>Caim</s>
*<s>Murmur</s>
*<s>Orobas</s>
*Gremory
*<s>Ose</s>
*Amy
*Oriax
*Vapula
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="150" ; style="float:left"
|
*<s>Zagan</s>
*Valac
*<s>Andras</s>
*<s>Flauros</s>
*<s>Andrealphus</s>
*<s>Cimeries</s>
*<s>Amduscias</s>
*Belial
*<s>Decarabia</s>
*<s>Seere</s>
*Dantalion
*<s>Andromalius</s>
|-
|}

<div style="clear:both;"> </div>

=====House of Bael=====

Sairaorg Bael (サイラオーグ・バアル, ''Sairaōgu Bāru'') - Rias' cousin and the next heir of the Bael house.
* Nicknames
** The Great King
** The Strongest Youth

Misura Bael - Sairaorg's mother. She originally came from House of Vapula.

=====House of Agares=====

Seegvaira Agares (シーグヴァイラ・アガレス, ''Shiguvaira Agaresu'') - The next heiress of House of Agares/Arch-Duke.

=====House of Vassago=====

Enile Vassago - Next heiress of House of Vassago. House of Vassago orginally had good ties with House of Astaroth until their downfall. Due to that, they have a grudge against Rias and her group.

=====House of Amon=====

Iorava Amon - The second son from House of Amon, and Enile's fiance. Looks down on Low-class devils, but is also perverted. Created a Cerberus which can use long-range Dress Break after witnessing the beauty of Ise's Dress Break.

=====House of Glasya-Labolas=====

Zephyrdol Glasya-Labolas (ゼファードル・グラシャラボラス, ''Zefaadoru Gurasharaborasu'')

=====House of Astaroth=====

Diodora Astaroth (ディオドラ・アスタロト, ''Diodora Asutaroto'') - Next heir of House of Astaroth. Antagonist of Volume 6.

=====House of Phoenix=====

Raiser Phoenix (ライザー・フェニックス, ''Raizā Fenikkusu'') - Rias' first opponent in a rating game and her ex-fiancé. Antagonist of Volume 2.

Lord Phoenix - Raiser, Ravel, and Ruval's father and the current Head of House of Phoenix.

Lady Phoenix - Raiser, Ravel, and Ruval's mother and the wife of Lord Phoenix.

Ruval Phoenix - Raiser, and Ravel's brother. The next heir for the House of Phoenix, and a professional Rating Game player.

=====House of Gremory=====

Lord Gremory - Rias and Sirzechs's father. The current Head of House of Gremory.

Venelana Gremory - Rias and Sirzechs's mother, and Lord Gremory's wife. She originally came from House of Bael, therefore the reason why Rias and Sirzechs has inherited the Power of Destruction.
* Nicknames
** Brunette Madame of Extinction

Millicas Gremory (ミリキャス・グレモリー, ''Mirikyasu Guremorī'') - Son of Sirzechs and Grayfia.

Grayfia Lucifugus (グレイフィア・ルキフグス, ''Gureifia Rukifugusu'') - Maid of Gremory, Sirzechs' queen and also his wife.
* Nicknames
** The Strongest Queen
** Silver-Haired Queen of Annihilation
** Maou Yellow (Satan Yellow)

====Extra Demons====

===Fallen-Angels===

====Grigori Leaders====

Shemhaza (シェムハザ, ''Shemuhaza'') - Current Governor and former Vice-Governor of the fallen-angels and Grigori. Azazel's right hand.

Barakiel (バラキエル, ''Barakieru'') - One of the leaders of the fallen-angels and Grigori, and the current Vice-Governor. A friend of Azazel's and Akeno's father. Has 10 wings.

Kokabiel (コカビエル, ''Kokabieru'') - One of the leaders of the fallen-angels and Grigori. Antagonist of Volume 3. Has 10 wings.

====Others====

Raynare (レイナーレ, ''Reināre'') - Disguises herself as Yuuma-chan and later killed Issei at the end of their date. Antagonist of Volume 1.
* Aliases
** Amano　Yuuma (天野夕麻, ''Amano Yūma'')
** Yuuma-chan

Donnasiege - A fallen-angel who tried to kill Issei in Volume 1.

Balba Galilei (バルパー・ガリレイ, ''Barupā Garirei'') - Exiled from the Church for conducting human experiments in order to find people compatible with holy swords.

Freed Zelzan (フリード・セルゼン, ''Furīdo Seruzen'') - An exiled exorcist that initially sided with the Fallen-Angels and later joins the Khaos Brigade.

Slash Dog - Possesses the Sacred Gear "Canys Lykaon" and works for the fallen angels.

===Angels===

====Four Great Seraph====

Michael (ミカエル, ''Mikaeru'') - The leader of the angels. ''King of Spades''.

Gabriel (ガブリエル, ''Gaburieru'') - Is said to be the most beautiful women in heaven. ''King of Hearts''.

Uriel - Has the "Holy Fire of God". ''King of Diamonds''.

Raphael - Only named in Volume 2. Yet to appear. ''King of Clubs''.

====Brave Saints====

Dulio Gesualdo (デュリオ・ジェズアルド, ''Dyurio Jezuarudo'') - Reincarnated as an angel. ''Joker''. Known to be the strongest exorcist ever and possesses the second strongest Longinus "Zenith Tempest".

Quarta　Griselda　- Reincarnated as an angel. Gabriel's Queen, ''Queen of Hearts''. A former nun who was among the Top-5 female exorcists. Currently the boss of the headquarter Irina belongs to, and also Xenovia's former boss before she was reincarnated as a devil.

===Khaos Brigade===

====Vali Team====

Vali Lucifer (ヴァーリ・ルシファー, ''Vāri Rushifā'') - Descendant of the original Lucifer and possessor of Divine Dividing. Human devil hybrid.
* Nicknames
** Hakuryuukou (White Dragon Emperor)
** Ketsuryuukou (Butt Dragon Emperor)

Bikou (美猴, ''Bikō'') - Descendant of Sun Wukong (Son Goku).
* Nicknames
** Saru (Monkey)

Kuroka (黒歌) - Koneko's older sister. Former nekomata that is now an exiled devil.

Arthur Pendragon (アーサー・ペンドラゴン, ''Āsā Pendoragon'') - Descendant of King Arthur.
* Nicknames
** The Strongest Holy Sword User

Le Fay Pendragon (ルフェイ・ペンドラゴン, ''Rufei Pendoragon'') - Arthur's sister. Descendant of Morgan le Fay.

Fenrir (フェンリル, ''Fenriru'') - Loki's pet. It's fangs are powerful enough to kill God, Maou, or a Dragon King.

Gogmagog (ゴグマゴグ, ''Gogumagogu'') - An ancient golem created by God and abandoned in the dimensional gap.

====Heroes Faction====

Cao Cao (曹操, ''Sōsō'') - Descendant of Cao Cao.
* Nicknames
** The Strongest Human
** The Man with the Holy-Spear

Siegfried (ジークフリート, ''Jīkufurīto'') - Descendant of Siegfried (German form of Norse myth's Sigurd).
* Nicknames
** The Demon Sword User
** Demonic Emperor
** Sieg-kun

Georg (ゲオルク, ''Georuku'') - Descendant of Johann Georg Faust.

Leonardo (レオナルド, ''Reonarudo'') - Descendant of Leonardo da Vinci.

Jeanne (ジャンヌ, ''Jannu'') - One who inherited the will/spirit of Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc).

Heracles (ヘラクレス, ''Herakuresu'') - One who inherited the will/spirit of Heracles.

====Old-Maou Faction====

Shalba Beelzebub (シャルバ・ベルゼブブ, ''Sharuba Beruzebubu'') - Descendant of the original Beelzebub.

Katerea Leviathan (カテレア・レヴィアタン, ''Katerea Reviatan'') - Descendant of the original Leviathan.

Creuserey Asmodeus (クルゼレイ・アスモデウス, ''Kuruzerei Asumodeusu'') - Descendant of the original Asmodeus.

===Myths/Religions/Youkai===

====Norse Mythology====

'''Chief God:'''

Odin (オーディン, ''Ōdin'') - The leader of the gods in Norse mythology.

'''Gods:'''

Loki (ロキ, ''Roki'') - A god from Norse mythology that tried to kill Odin and create Ragnarok.

Thor - A hammer wielding god that is associated with thunder, lightening, and storms.

Frey

Freyja

Heimdall

====Greek Mythology====

'''Chief God:'''

Zeus (ゼウス, ''Zeusu'') - The ruler of the gods in Greek mythology.

'''Gods:'''

Poseidon (ポセイドン, ''Poseidon'') - The god that rules the sea.

Hades (ハーデス, ''Hādesu'') - The god that rules the realm of the dead.

Hermes

Hera

Athena

Demeter

Hestia

Aphrodite

Hephaestus

'''Grim Reaper:'''

Pluto (プルート, ''Purūto'') - Hades Grim Reaper. He is the legendary ultimate-level Grim Reaper.

====Buddhism====

'''Heavenly Emperor:'''

Śakra - Known as Taishakuten(帝釈天) in Japanese. King of the Devas and Lord of Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall. His other name is Indra (インドラ, ''Indora'')

'''Four Heavenly Kings:'''

-Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Known as Jikoku(持国天) in Japanese.

-Virūpākṣa: Known as Koumokuten(広目天) in Japanese.

-Vaiśravaṇa: Known as Bishamonten(多聞天) in Japanese.

-Virūḍhaka: Known as Zoujyouten or Zouchouten(増長天) in Japanese

Sun Wukong (孫悟空, ''Son Gokū'') - The Monkey King from the classical Chinese epic novel Journey to the West. Also known as Victorious Fighting Buddha, and the ancestor of Bikou.

Nezha - A deity.

====Hindu Mythology====

'''Trimurti:'''

Shiva

Vishnu

Brahma

====Youkai====

Kunou (九重, ''Kunō'') - The young ruler of Kyoto. A nine-tailed fox youkai.

Yasaka (八坂, ''Yasaka'') - Kunou's mother.

===Dragons===

====Dragon God====

Ophis (オーフィス, ''Ōfisu'') - Known as the Uroboros Dragon （ウロボロス・ドラゴン, ''Uroborosu Doragon''）). Leader of the Khaos Brigade.
* Nicknames
**Mugen no Ryūjin (無限の龍神, ''Dragon-God of infinity'')
**Ryūjin (龍神, ''Dragon-God'')

====True Dragon====

Great Red (グレート・レッド, ''Gurito Reddo'') - Known as the Apocalypse Dragon （アポカリュプス・ドラゴン, ''Apokarypusu Doragon'')). The one that is currently residing in the dimensional gap.
* Nicknames
**Shinn naru Sekiryuushintei (真なる赤龍神帝, ''The True God-Emperor of Red Dragon'')
**Sekiryuushintei(赤龍神帝, ''The God-Emperor of Red Dragon'')
**Shinnryū (真龍, ''True-Dragon'')

====Two Heavenly Dragons====

Ddraig (ドライグ, ''Doraigu'') - Sealed inside "Boosted Gear".
* Nicknames
** Welsh Dragon
** Sekiryuutei (赤龍帝, Red Dragon Emperor)
** The Red one (赤いの, ''Akaino'')
** Tennryuu (天龍, Heavenly Dragon)

Albion (アルビオン, ''Arubion'') - Sealed inside "Divine Dividing".
* Nicknames
** Vanishing Dragon
** Hakuryuukou (White Dragon Emperor)
** The white one (白いの, ''Shiroino'')
** Tennryuu (天龍, Heavenly Dragon)

====Dragon-Kings====

Vritra (ヴリトラ, ''Vritora'') - Known as the "Prison Dragon" (黒邪の龍王（プリズン・ドラゴン, ''Purizun Doragon''）). Sealed inside 4 different types of Sacred Gears: 'Absorption Line', 'Blaze Black Flare', 'Delete Field', and 'Shadow Prison.' Has its consciousness restored after Azazel implants all 4 types into the same host.

Fafnir (ファーブニル, ''Fābuniru'') - Known as the "Gigantis Dragon" (黄金龍君（ギガンティス・ドラゴン, ''Gigantisu Doragon''）). Sealed inside Azazel's artificial Sacred Gear "Downfall Dragon Spear" (墮天龍の閃光槍).

Tiamat (ティアマット, ''Tiamatto'') - Known as the "Chaos Karma Dragon" (天魔の業龍（カオス・カルマ・ドラゴン, ''Kaosu Karuma Doragon''）). The only female dragon among the Dragon Kings. The only active legendary dragon, apart from Ophis and Tannin, which has not been sealed or dormant.

Yu-Long (玉龍, ''Ūron'') - Known as the "Mischievous Dragon" (西海龍童（ミスチバス・ドラゴン, ''Misugibasu Doragon''）). Originally the Dragon Prince who served as the monk's horse in the Chinese classic novel "Journey to the West". Until recently, retired from world affairs along with Sun Wukong (Son Goku).

Midgardsormr (ミドガルズオルム, ''Midogaruzuorumu'') - Known as the "Sleeping Dragon" (終末の大龍（スリーピング・ドラゴン, ''Surîpingu Doragon''）). Also Loki's 2nd son, Jormungand (ヨルムンガンド, ''Yorumungando'') the Midgard serpent of Norse legends. It sleeps at the bottom of the sea around Scandinavia, waiting for Ragnarok.

====High Level Dragons====

Sprite Dragon

Flame Dragon

Blizzard Dragon

Rasse (ラッセー, ''Rassē'') - A baby sprite dragon and also Asia's familiar. Hinted to be male.
* Nicknames
** Rasse-kun

====Low Level Dragons====

Earth Dragon

====Other Dragons====

Tannin (タンニーン, ''Tannīn'') - Former Dragon King known as the "Blaze Meteor Dragon" (魔龍聖（ブレイズ・ミーティア・ドラゴン, ''Bureizu Mîtia Doragon''）). Reincarnated as a devil and is said to have power rivaling that of a Maou's. Currently Ultimate class and within Top 10 of the Rating Game. The author calls him "poor dragon #3" due to his unfortunate front seat role in many of Issei's embarrassing power ups.

Samael (サマエル, ''Samaeru'') - Has the upper body of an angel and the lower body of an Asian dragon. Also known as "Dragon-Eater" (龍喰者（ドラゴン・イーター, ''Doragon Îtâ''）). Samael's curse is fatal to snakes or snake-related beings like dragons.

==Terminology==

===Evil Pieces===

'''Rating Games''' (レーティングゲーム, ''Rētingu Gēmu'') - Games played between devils who have gained a peerage. The game takes the form of a strategic battle between the king and his/her pieces. Only matured devils are allowed to participate in official Rating Games. Participants are placed into four categories: Power, Technique, Caster, Support.

'''Evil Pieces''' (悪魔の駒（イーヴィル・ピース）, ''Īviru Pīsu'') - Based on the game chess, a total of fifteen pieces (1 queen, 2 knights, 2 bishops, 2 rooks and 8 pawns) are given to high-class devils with a peerage. These pieces are used to reincarnate other beings into devils and become servants of the high-class devils. Created by Ajuka Beelzebub to replenish the number of devils after the war. Each piece has a corresponding value. These values are used to determine which piece may be used to reincarnate someone, their strengths, talents or skills play a role in determining their value. Different evil pieces cannot be used together. Evil pieces can also be exchanged between high-class devils with peerage.

'''Queen''' (女王, ''Kuīn'') - Equivalent to 9 ''Pawn'' pieces. Traits of Queens have all the characteristics of Rooks, Knights, and Bishops.

'''Rook''' (戦車, ''Rūku'') - Equivalent to 5 ''Pawn'' pieces. Traits of Rooks is immense strength and defense.

'''Knight''' (騎士, ''Naito'') - Equivalent to 3 ''Pawn'' pieces. Traits of Knights is speed and mobility.

'''Bishop''' (僧侶, ''Bishoppu'') - Equivalent to 3 ''Pawn'' pieces. Traits of Bishops is enhanced magical abilities.

'''Pawn''' (兵士, ''Pōn'') - Equivalent to 1 ''Pawn'' piece. Traits of Pawns is the ability to promote into a Queen, Rook, Knight, or Bishop in enemy territory.

'''Mutation Pieces''' (変異の駒（ミューテーション・ピース）, ''Myūtēshyon Pīsu'') - They are bugs inside the Evil Piece system kept for fun. Mutation pieces can create the phenomenon where its possible to reincarnate a person worth multiple Pawns using just one mutation piece. Mutation pieces can be either Queen, Rook, Knight, Bishop or Pawn. They are said to be very rare. About one in ten high class devils own a mutation piece.

===Brave Saints===

'''Brave Saints''' (御使い（ブレイブ・セイント）, ''Bureibu Seinto'') - Cards used by the Angels to resurrect other beings into angels to increase their numbers. Created soon after the alliance of devils, angels and fallen angels in Volume 4. The Saint cards are modeled on the Evil Piece system of the devils. Each Seraph receives a deck of 13 cards (Ace to King), retaining the King for himself which allows 12 cards for the creation of reborn angels -- a reference to the 12 apostles.

'''Joker Cards''' - Special cards outside of the usual 13 card deck of Brave Saints. Not much is known about them except that they exist. Michael's Joker Dulio, the former top Church Exorcist, would suggest Jokers are some type of trump card.

===Sacred Gear===

'''Sacred Gear''' (神器（セイクリッド・ギア）, ''Seikuriddo Gia'') - Special items created by the original God that certain people are born with. Sacred Gears carry different effects ranging from healing to battle related effects, a Sacred Gear may only have one effect. It is said that many people who are recorded in history were possessors of a Sacred Gear. Only humans or half-humans may be born with a Sacred Gear.

'''Balance Breaker''' (禁手（バランス・ブレイカー）, ''Baransu Bureikā'') - The evolved form of the Sacred Gear. The intense feelings of the possessor trigger this evolution.

'''Juggernaut Drive''' (覇龍（ジャガーノート・ドライヴ）, ''Jagānōto Doraivu'') - A special ability of Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing which allows the full power of the original Heavenly Dragons to be unleashed temporarily at the cost of the user's lifespan.

'''Longinus''' (神滅具（ロンギヌス）, ''Ronginusu'') - Are the ultimate Sacred Gears and they have more than one ability compared to a normal Sacred Gear which only has one. There are 13 Longinus in total.

'''True-Longinus''' (黄昏の聖槍（トウルー・ロンギヌス）, ''Tōrū Ronginusu'') - The first and ultimate Longinus, takes the form of a spear. It was the spear used to kill Jesus Christ. A single stab by it can kill and vaporize a high-class devil instantly. (Holy-Spear)

===Miscellaneous===

'''Senjutsu''' (仙術, ''Senjutsu'') - It is the power to control the flow of life. By controlling the flow of ki/life force/chakra, a person can strengthen physical bodies or cause surrounding vegetation to bloom or wither. Knowing Senjutsu allows the reading of ki and auras and to spy on a target's state from afar. Disrupting the opponent's ki or severing it can cause direct damage to living things. There are very few ways to defend against Senjutsu. Senjutsu has a white aura.

'''Youjutsu''' (妖術, ''Yōjutsu'') - Youkai power.

'''Touki''' (闘気, ''Tōki'') - A type of energy a person obtains by training their body to the uttermost limits or through senjutsu. An external materialization of their life force that acts as armour.

'''Holy Swords''' (聖剣, ''Seiken'') - (Caliburn, Excalibur, Durandal, Ascalon) A small scratch from a holy sword is enough to cause lethal damage to devils and fallen angels alike. Only a select few have the capability to wield a holy sword.

'''Demonic Swords''' (魔剣, ''Maken'') - (Gram, Balmung, Nothung, Tyrfing, Dáinsleif)

'''Underworld''' (冥界, ''Meikai'') - The place where Devils and Fallen Angels reside.

'''The Dimensional Gap''' (次元の狭間) - Between the Underworld, Earth, and Heaven.

===Devil Society Social Classes===

'''Ultimate Class Devils''' (最上級悪魔, ''Saijyōkyū akuma'') - Maou, Great King, Arch Duke, Prince/Princess.

'''High Class Devils''' (上級悪魔 ''Jyōkyū akuma'') - Marguess, Margrave/Margravine, Count/Countess, Viscount/Viscountess, Baron/Baroness.

'''Middle Class Devils''' (中級悪魔, ''Chūkyū akuma'') - Baronet/Baronetess, Knight/Dame.

'''Low Class Devils''' (下級悪魔, ''Kakyū akuma'') - Newly reincarnated devils.

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High School DxD: Names and Terminology Guidelines

2014-04-28T18:20:54Z

Barashkafromro: /* Two-Heavenly Dragons */ Sounds better and more fitting to the story

This page is a list of unique/semi-unique terms and names for translators and editors to maintain consistency with. If anything significant needs to be done, such as any large additions, disputes to listed translations to a term or name, or formatting issues, please feel free to post them at the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=4904 High School DxD - Names and Terminology] discussion thread.

==Format Standard==

===Style of English===

All edited translations are to be in British English.

===Narrative Tenses===

Translators are allowed to use whichever tenses they need, so editors have to fix any errors for tenses when you find one. Narrative tense should be in present tense. Narrative does not mean the character dialogues.

===Stuttering===

For proper nouns and common nouns or adjectives used as essential parts of proper nouns, the stuttered letters should be capitalised.

Example 1: “Er... B-Buchou, are you here?”

If the stuttering occurs at the beginning of the sentence, then the stuttered letters should be capitalised, regardless of the word's nature.

Example 2: “Eh? B-But, don’t you have to get yourself a husband?”

If the stuttering occurs in the middle of the sentence, on a word that isn't a proper noun, a common noun or adjective used as an essential part of proper nouns, then the letters should be in lower case.

Example 3: “I've g-got to p-pick up a new b-book on vampires.”

===Japanese Honorifics===

Since there are no equivalents to Japanese honorifics in the English language, Japanese honorifics will be kept.

===Japanese Loanwords===

There are some words in the Japanese language that do not translate into the English language, for such instances it is recommended to keep the Japanese loanword. For example, Torii.

===Translation Notes===

Akuma means both devil and demon, the Japanese do not differentiate between the two. Similar to how nezumi means both rat/mouse. In lieu of the context in High School DxD which involves a war between Angels vs Fallen Angels vs Devils. We will be using Devil as the official english translation of Akuma. Youkai will substitute for demons like nekomata and etc.

Maken means magic sword, but we're translating it as demon-sword in lieu of the setting of this series.

The Japanese naming standard has the family name followed by first name. For example, Hyoudou Issei. Hyoudou is the family name, while Issei is the first name.

==Names==

===Kuou Academy===

====Occult Research Club====

Hyoudou Issei (兵藤一誠, ''Hyōdō Issei'') - 2nd year high school student. Holder of the Sacred Gear "Boosted Gear" (Longinus). Former human. Rias' Pawn (x8).
* Nicknames
** Ise
** Sekiryuutei (The Emperor of Red Dragon)
** Chichiryuutei (The Emperor of Bust Dragon)
** Oppai Dragon (Boob Dragon)
** Harem King

Rias Gremory (リアス・グレモリー, ''Riasu Guremorī'') - 3rd year high school student. Daughter of a High Class family. King of the Occult Research Club.
* Nicknames
** Buchou (President)
** Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess
** Princess of Destruction
** Switch Princess
** Crimson Bust Princess
** Rias-oneesama
** Onee-sama

Asia Argento (アーシア・アルジェント, ''Aashia Arujento'') - 2nd year high school student. Former human. Holder of the Sacred Gear "Twilight Healing". Rias' Bishop.
* Nicknames
** The Holy Priestess

Himejima Akeno (姫島朱乃, ''Himejima Akeno'') - 3rd year high school student. Former human/fallen angel hybrid. Rias' Queen.
* Nicknames
** Priestess of Thunder
** The Ultimate Sadist
** Priestess of Thunder and Light
** Akeno-san

Kiba Yuuto (木場祐斗, ''Kiba Yūto'') - 2nd year high school student. Former human. Holder of the Sacred Gear "Sword Birth". Rias' Knight.
* Nicknames
** Prince Charming
** Kiba-kun

Toujou Koneko (塔城小猫, ''Tōjō Koneko'') 1st year high school student. Former nekomata. Rias' Rook.
* Nicknames
** Shirone
** Hellcat

Xenovia (ゼノヴィア, ''Zenovia'') - 2nd year high school student. Wielder of the holy sword Durandal. Former human. Rias' Knight.

Gasper Vladi (ギャスパー・ヴラディ, ''Gyasupā Buradi'') - 1st year high school student. Holder of the Scared Gear "Forbidden Balor View". Former human/vampire hybrid. Rias' Bishop (Mutation Piece).
* Nicknames
** Gya-suke
** Gya-kun

Rossweisse (ロスヴァイセ, ''Rosuvaise'') - Teacher at Kuou Academy, same age as Ise. Former Valkyrie. Rias' Rook.

Irina Shidou (紫藤イリナ, ''Shidō Irina'') - 2nd year high school student. Former human. Michael's Ace.
* Nicknames
** Angel-chan (Tenshi-chan)
** Self-Proclaimed Childhood friend

Ravel Phoenix (レイヴェル・フェニックス, ''Reiveru Fenikkusu'') - Raiser's younger sister, and the daughter from House of Phoenix.
* Nicknames
** Bird Girl
** Grilled Chicken Girl (Yakitori Musume)

Azazel (アザゼル, ''Azazeru'') - The former Governor of the fallen-angels that has 12 Black Wings. The Hell Teacher in Kuou Academy and the Advising Teacher of Occult Research club.
* Nicknames
** Governor (Before his resignation)

====Student Council====

Sona Sitri (ソーナ・シトリー, ''Sōna Shitorī'') - Student Council President in Kuou Academy, 3rd year high school student. Next heir of the Sitri house, Rias' childhood friend. Her real name is Sona Sitri, while Souna Shitori is her alias at Kuou Academy.
* Nicknames
** Kaichou (President)
* Aliases
** Shitori Souna (支取蒼那, ''Shitori Sōna'')

Shinra Tsubaki (真羅椿姫, ''Shinra Tsubaki'') - Student Council Vice President, 3rd year high school student. Holder of the Sacred Gear "Mirror Alice" (追憶の鏡（ミラー・アリス, ''Mirā Arisu''). Sona's Queen.

Saji Genshirou (匙元士郎, ''Saji Genshirō'')- Student Council Secretary, 2nd year high school student. Begins with possessing one of Vritra's Sacred Gears, "Absorption Line" (黒い龍脈（アブソーブション・ライン, ''Abusōbushen Rain''）). Sona's Pawn (x4).

Yura (由良) - 2nd year high school student. Close combat specialist. Looks like a taller version of Xenovia in appearance. Sona's Rook.

Meguri (巡) - 2nd year high school student. Described as being slim. Hails from a family specializing in destroying evil spirits. Sona's Knight.

Hanakai Momo (花戒桃, ''Hanakai Momo'') - 2nd year high school student. The one given white hair by the anime, appears in the Volume 5 illustrations holding a blood pack. Sona's Bishop.

Kusaka (草下) - 2nd year high school student. The one with pig-tails. Sona's Bishop.

Nimura Ruruko (仁村留流子, ''Nimura Ruruko'') - 1st year high school student. The one who appeared with Saji in the Volume 5 Rating Game and depicted in the illustration with Koneko. Sona's Pawn.

====Other Students====

Matsuda (松田) - One of Ise's best friends that makeup the perverted trio. Stated to be a lolicon.
* Nicknames
** Perverted Baldy
** Sexual Harassment Paparazzi

Motohama (元浜) - One of Ise's best friends that makeup the perverted trio. Has the ability to calculate a female's BWH sizes just by looking.
* Nicknames
** Perverted Glasses
** Three Sizes Scouter

Kiryuu Aika (桐生藍華, ''Kiriyū Aika'') - Asia's friend. Has the ability to calculate a male's "manhood" size just by looking.

Abe Kiyome (安倍清芽, ''Abe Kiyome'') - 3rd year student. Captain of the school's Tennis Club and also a beast tamer.
* Nicknames
** The Beast Tamer

===Devils===

====Yondai-Maou(Four Great Satans)====

Sirzechs Lucifer (サーゼクス・ルシファー, ''Sāzekusu Rushifā'') - Originally from the House of Gremory. Rias' older brother.
* Nicknames
** Crimson Satan
** Maou Red (Satan Red)

Serafall Leviathan (セラフォルー・レヴィアタン, ''Seraforū Reviatan'') - Originally from the House of Sitri. Souna's older sister.
* Nicknames
** Maou Shoujo (Satan Girl)
** Maou Pink (Satan Pink)

Ajuka Beelzebub (アジュカ・ベルゼブブ, ''Ajuka Beruzebubu'') - Originally from the House of Astaroth. Diodora's older brother. Creator of the Evil Pieces system.
* Nicknames
** Maou Blue (Satan Blue)

Falbium Asmodeus (ファルビウム・アスモデウス, ''Farubiumu Asumodeusu'') - Originally from the House of Glasya-Labolas.
* Nicknames
** Maou Green (Satan Green)

====72 Pillars====

Names with slash in them are extinct household (Though some of them have descendants alive by breeding with humans).
{| class="wikitable" width="150" ; style="float:left"
|
*Bael
*Agares
*Vassago
*Gamigin
*<s>Marbas</s>
*<s>Valefor</s>
*Amon
*Barbatos
*Paimon
*<s>Buer</s>
*<s>Gusion</s>
*Sitri
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="150" ; style="float:left"
|
*Beleth
*<s>Leraje</s>
*<s>Eligos</s>
*Zepar
*<s>Botis</s>
*<s>Bathin</s>
*Sallos
*Purson
*<s>Marax</s>
*<s>Ipos</s>
*<s>Aim</s>
*Naberius
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="150" ; style="float:left"
|
*Glasya-Labolas
*<s>Buné</s>
*<s>Ronové</s>
*Berith
*Astaroth
*Forneus
*<s>Foras</s>
*Asmoday
*<s>Gäap</s>
*Furfur
*<s>Marchosias</s>
*Stolas
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="150" ; style="float:left"
|
*Phoenix
*<s>Halphas</s>
*<s>Malphas</s>
*<s>Raim</s>
*Focalor
*<s>Wepal</s>
*<s>Sabnock</s>
*Shax
*<s>Viné</s>
*<s>Bifrons</s>
*Uvall
*<s>Häagenti</s>
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="150" ; style="float:left"
|
*<s>Crocell</s>
*Furcas
*Balam
*<s>Alocer</s>
*<s>Caim</s>
*<s>Murmur</s>
*<s>Orobas</s>
*Gremory
*<s>Ose</s>
*Amy
*Oriax
*Vapula
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" width="150" ; style="float:left"
|
*<s>Zagan</s>
*Valac
*<s>Andras</s>
*<s>Flauros</s>
*<s>Andrealphus</s>
*<s>Cimeries</s>
*<s>Amduscias</s>
*Belial
*<s>Decarabia</s>
*<s>Seere</s>
*Dantalion
*<s>Andromalius</s>
|-
|}

<div style="clear:both;"> </div>

=====House of Bael=====

Sairaorg Bael (サイラオーグ・バアル, ''Sairaōgu Bāru'') - Rias' cousin and the next heir of the Bael house.
* Nicknames
** The Great King
** The Strongest Youth

Misura Bael - Sairaorg's mother. She originally came from House of Vapula.

=====House of Agares=====

Seegvaira Agares (シーグヴァイラ・アガレス, ''Shiguvaira Agaresu'') - The next heiress of House of Agares/Arch-Duke.

=====House of Vassago=====

Enile Vassago - Next heiress of House of Vassago. House of Vassago orginally had good ties with House of Astaroth until their downfall. Due to that, they have a grudge against Rias and her group.

=====House of Amon=====

Iorava Amon - The second son from House of Amon, and Enile's fiance. Looks down on Low-class devils, but is also perverted. Created a Cerberus which can use long-range Dress Break after witnessing the beauty of Ise's Dress Break.

=====House of Glasya-Labolas=====

Zephyrdol Glasya-Labolas (ゼファードル・グラシャラボラス, ''Zefaadoru Gurasharaborasu'')

=====House of Astaroth=====

Diodora Astaroth (ディオドラ・アスタロト, ''Diodora Asutaroto'') - Next heir of House of Astaroth. Antagonist of Volume 6.

=====House of Phoenix=====

Raiser Phoenix (ライザー・フェニックス, ''Raizā Fenikkusu'') - Rias' first opponent in a rating game and her ex-fiancé. Antagonist of Volume 2.

Lord Phoenix - Raiser, Ravel, and Ruval's father and the current Head of House of Phoenix.

Lady Phoenix - Raiser, Ravel, and Ruval's mother and the wife of Lord Phoenix.

Ruval Phoenix - Raiser, and Ravel's brother. The next heir for the House of Phoenix, and a professional Rating Game player.

=====House of Gremory=====

Lord Gremory - Rias and Sirzechs's father. The current Head of House of Gremory.

Venelana Gremory - Rias and Sirzechs's mother, and Lord Gremory's wife. She originally came from House of Bael, therefore the reason why Rias and Sirzechs has inherited the Power of Destruction.
* Nicknames
** Brunette Madame of Extinction

Millicas Gremory (ミリキャス・グレモリー, ''Mirikyasu Guremorī'') - Son of Sirzechs and Grayfia.

Grayfia Lucifugus (グレイフィア・ルキフグス, ''Gureifia Rukifugusu'') - Maid of Gremory, Sirzechs' queen and also his wife.
* Nicknames
** The Strongest Queen
** Silver-Haired Queen of Annihilation
** Maou Yellow (Satan Yellow)

====Extra Demons====

===Fallen-Angels===

====Grigori Leaders====

Shemhaza (シェムハザ, ''Shemuhaza'') - Current Governor and former Vice-Governor of the fallen-angels and Grigori. Azazel's right hand.

Barakiel (バラキエル, ''Barakieru'') - One of the leaders of the fallen-angels and Grigori, and the current Vice-Governor. A friend of Azazel's and Akeno's father. Has 10 wings.

Kokabiel (コカビエル, ''Kokabieru'') - One of the leaders of the fallen-angels and Grigori. Antagonist of Volume 3. Has 10 wings.

====Others====

Raynare (レイナーレ, ''Reināre'') - Disguises herself as Yuuma-chan and later killed Issei at the end of their date. Antagonist of Volume 1.
* Aliases
** Amano　Yuuma (天野夕麻, ''Amano Yūma'')
** Yuuma-chan

Donnasiege - A fallen-angel who tried to kill Issei in Volume 1.

Balba Galilei (バルパー・ガリレイ, ''Barupā Garirei'') - Exiled from the Church for conducting human experiments in order to find people compatible with holy swords.

Freed Zelzan (フリード・セルゼン, ''Furīdo Seruzen'') - An exiled exorcist that initially sided with the Fallen-Angels and later joins the Khaos Brigade.

Slash Dog - Possesses the Sacred Gear "Canys Lykaon" and works for the fallen angels.

===Angels===

====Four Great Seraph====

Michael (ミカエル, ''Mikaeru'') - The leader of the angels. ''King of Spades''.

Gabriel (ガブリエル, ''Gaburieru'') - Is said to be the most beautiful women in heaven. ''King of Hearts''.

Uriel - Has the "Holy Fire of God". ''King of Diamonds''.

Raphael - Only named in Volume 2. Yet to appear. ''King of Clubs''.

====Brave Saints====

Dulio Gesualdo (デュリオ・ジェズアルド, ''Dyurio Jezuarudo'') - Reincarnated as an angel. ''Joker''. Known to be the strongest exorcist ever and possesses the second strongest Longinus "Zenith Tempest".

Quarta　Griselda　- Reincarnated as an angel. Gabriel's Queen, ''Queen of Hearts''. A former nun who was among the Top-5 female exorcists. Currently the boss of the headquarter Irina belongs to, and also Xenovia's former boss before she was reincarnated as a devil.

===Khaos Brigade===

====Vali Team====

Vali Lucifer (ヴァーリ・ルシファー, ''Vāri Rushifā'') - Descendant of the original Lucifer and possessor of Divine Dividing. Human devil hybrid.
* Nicknames
** Hakuryuukou (White Dragon Emperor)
** Ketsuryuukou (Butt Dragon Emperor)

Bikou (美猴, ''Bikō'') - Descendant of Sun Wukong (Son Goku).
* Nicknames
** Saru (Monkey)

Kuroka (黒歌) - Koneko's older sister. Former nekomata that is now an exiled devil.

Arthur Pendragon (アーサー・ペンドラゴン, ''Āsā Pendoragon'') - Descendant of King Arthur.
* Nicknames
** The Strongest Holy Sword User

Le Fay Pendragon (ルフェイ・ペンドラゴン, ''Rufei Pendoragon'') - Arthur's sister. Descendant of Morgan le Fay.

Fenrir (フェンリル, ''Fenriru'') - Loki's pet. It's fangs are powerful enough to kill God, Maou, or a Dragon King.

Gogmagog (ゴグマゴグ, ''Gogumagogu'') - An ancient golem created by God and abandoned in the dimensional gap.

====Heroes Faction====

Cao Cao (曹操, ''Sōsō'') - Descendant of Cao Cao.
* Nicknames
** The Strongest Human
** The Man with the Holy-Spear

Siegfried (ジークフリート, ''Jīkufurīto'') - Descendant of Siegfried (German form of Norse myth's Sigurd).
* Nicknames
** The Demon Sword User
** Demonic Emperor
** Sieg-kun

Georg (ゲオルク, ''Georuku'') - Descendant of Johann Georg Faust.

Leonardo (レオナルド, ''Reonarudo'') - Descendant of Leonardo da Vinci.

Jeanne (ジャンヌ, ''Jannu'') - One who inherited the will/spirit of Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc).

Heracles (ヘラクレス, ''Herakuresu'') - One who inherited the will/spirit of Heracles.

====Old-Maou Faction====

Shalba Beelzebub (シャルバ・ベルゼブブ, ''Sharuba Beruzebubu'') - Descendant of the original Beelzebub.

Katerea Leviathan (カテレア・レヴィアタン, ''Katerea Reviatan'') - Descendant of the original Leviathan.

Creuserey Asmodeus (クルゼレイ・アスモデウス, ''Kuruzerei Asumodeusu'') - Descendant of the original Asmodeus.

===Myths/Religions/Youkai===

====Norse Mythology====

'''Chief God:'''

Odin (オーディン, ''Ōdin'') - The leader of the gods in Norse mythology.

'''Gods:'''

Loki (ロキ, ''Roki'') - A god from Norse mythology that tried to kill Odin and create Ragnarok.

Thor - A hammer wielding god that is associated with thunder, lightening, and storms.

Frey

Freyja

Heimdall

====Greek Mythology====

'''Chief God:'''

Zeus (ゼウス, ''Zeusu'') - The ruler of the gods in Greek mythology.

'''Gods:'''

Poseidon (ポセイドン, ''Poseidon'') - The god that rules the sea.

Hades (ハーデス, ''Hādesu'') - The god that rules the realm of the dead.

Hermes

Hera

Athena

Demeter

Hestia

Aphrodite

Hephaestus

'''Grim Reaper:'''

Pluto (プルート, ''Purūto'') - Hades Grim Reaper. He is the legendary ultimate-level Grim Reaper.

====Buddhism====

'''Heavenly Emperor:'''

Śakra - Known as Taishakuten(帝釈天) in Japanese. King of the Devas and Lord of Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall. His other name is Indra (インドラ, ''Indora'')

'''Four Heavenly Kings:'''

-Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Known as Jikoku(持国天) in Japanese.

-Virūpākṣa: Known as Koumokuten(広目天) in Japanese.

-Vaiśravaṇa: Known as Bishamonten(多聞天) in Japanese.

-Virūḍhaka: Known as Zoujyouten or Zouchouten(増長天) in Japanese

Sun Wukong (孫悟空, ''Son Gokū'') - The Monkey King from the classical Chinese epic novel Journey to the West. Also known as Victorious Fighting Buddha, and the ancestor of Bikou.

Nezha - A deity.

====Hindu Mythology====

'''Trimurti:'''

Shiva

Vishnu

Brahma

====Youkai====

Kunou (九重, ''Kunō'') - The young ruler of Kyoto. A nine-tailed fox youkai.

Yasaka (八坂, ''Yasaka'') - Kunou's mother.

===Dragons===

====Dragon God====

Ophis (オーフィス, ''Ōfisu'') - Known as the Uroboros Dragon （ウロボロス・ドラゴン, ''Uroborosu Doragon''）). Leader of the Khaos Brigade.
* Nicknames
**Mugen no Ryūjin (無限の龍神, ''Dragon-God of infinity'')
**Ryūjin (龍神, ''Dragon-God'')

====True Dragon====

Great Red (グレート・レッド, ''Gurito Reddo'') - Known as the Apocalypse Dragon （アポカリュプス・ドラゴン, ''Apokarypusu Doragon'')). The one that is currently residing in the dimensional gap.
* Nicknames
**Shinn naru Sekiryuushintei (真なる赤龍神帝, ''The True God-Emperor of Red Dragon'')
**Sekiryuushintei(赤龍神帝, ''The God-Emperor of Red Dragon'')
**Shinnryū (真龍, ''True-Dragon'')

====Two Heavenly Dragons====

Ddraig (ドライグ, ''Doraigu'') - Sealed inside "Boosted Gear".
* Nicknames
** Welsh Dragon
** Sekiryuutei (赤龍帝, Red Dragon Emperor)
** The Red one (赤いの, ''Akaino'')
** Tennryuu (天龍, Heavenly Dragon)

Albion (アルビオン, ''Arubion'') - Sealed inside "Divine Dividing".
* Nicknames
** Vanishing Dragon
** Hakuryuukou (White Dragon Emperor)
** The white one (白いの, ''Shiroino'')
** Tennryuu (天龍, Heavenly Dragon)

====Dragon-Kings====

Vritra (ヴリトラ, ''Vritora'') - Known as the "Prison Dragon" (黒邪の龍王（プリズン・ドラゴン, ''Purizun Doragon''）). Sealed inside 4 different types of Sacred Gears: 'Absorption Line', 'Blaze Black Flare', 'Delete Field', and 'Shadow Prison.' Has its consciousness restored after Azazel implants all 4 types into the same host.

Fafnir (ファーブニル, ''Fābuniru'') - Known as the "Gigantis Dragon" (黄金龍君（ギガンティス・ドラゴン, ''Gigantisu Doragon''）). Sealed inside Azazel's artificial Sacred Gear "Downfall Dragon Spear" (墮天龍の閃光槍).

Tiamat (ティアマット, ''Tiamatto'') - Known as the "Chaos Karma Dragon" (天魔の業龍（カオス・カルマ・ドラゴン, ''Kaosu Karuma Doragon''）). The only female dragon among the Dragon Kings. The only active legendary dragon, apart from Ophis and Tannin, which has not been sealed or dormant.

Yu-Long (玉龍, ''Ūron'') - Known as the "Mischievous Dragon" (西海龍童（ミスチバス・ドラゴン, ''Misugibasu Doragon''）). Originally the Dragon Prince who served as the monk's horse in the Chinese classic novel "Journey to the West". Until recently, retired from world affairs along with Sun Wukong (Son Goku).

Midgardsormr (ミドガルズオルム, ''Midogaruzuorumu'') - Known as the "Sleeping Dragon" (終末の大龍（スリーピング・ドラゴン, ''Surîpingu Doragon''）). Also Loki's 2nd son, Jormungand (ヨルムンガンド, ''Yorumungando'') the Midgard serpent of Norse legends. It sleeps at the bottom of the sea around Scandinavia, waiting for Ragnarok.

====High Level Dragons====

Sprite Dragon

Flame Dragon

Blizzard Dragon

Rasse (ラッセー, ''Rassē'') - A baby sprite dragon and also Asia's familiar. Hinted to be male.
* Nicknames
** Rasse-kun

====Low Level Dragons====

Earth Dragon

====Other Dragons====

Tannin (タンニーン, ''Tannīn'') - Former Dragon King known as the "Blaze Meteor Dragon" (魔龍聖（ブレイズ・ミーティア・ドラゴン, ''Bureizu Mîtia Doragon''）). Reincarnated as a devil and is said to have power rivaling that of a Maou's. Currently Ultimate class and within Top 10 of the Rating Game. The author calls him "poor dragon #3" due to his unfortunate front seat role in many of Issei's embarrassing power ups.

Samael (サマエル, ''Samaeru'') - Has the upper body of an angel and the lower body of an Asian dragon. Also known as "Dragon-Eater" (龍喰者（ドラゴン・イーター, ''Doragon Îtâ''）). Samael's curse is fatal to snakes or snake-related beings like dragons.

==Terminology==

===Evil Pieces===

'''Rating Games''' (レーティングゲーム, ''Rētingu Gēmu'') - Games played between devils who have gained a peerage. The game takes the form of a strategic battle between the king and his/her pieces. Only matured devils are allowed to participate in official Rating Games. Participants are placed into four categories: Power, Technique, Caster, Support.

'''Evil Pieces''' (悪魔の駒（イーヴィル・ピース）, ''Īviru Pīsu'') - Based on the game chess, a total of fifteen pieces (1 queen, 2 knights, 2 bishops, 2 rooks and 8 pawns) are given to high-class devils with a peerage. These pieces are used to reincarnate other beings into devils and become servants of the high-class devils. Created by Ajuka Beelzebub to replenish the number of devils after the war. Each piece has a corresponding value. These values are used to determine which piece may be used to reincarnate someone, their strengths, talents or skills play a role in determining their value. Different evil pieces cannot be used together. Evil pieces can also be exchanged between high-class devils with peerage.

'''Queen''' (女王, ''Kuīn'') - Equivalent to 9 ''Pawn'' pieces. Traits of Queens have all the characteristics of Rooks, Knights, and Bishops.

'''Rook''' (戦車, ''Rūku'') - Equivalent to 5 ''Pawn'' pieces. Traits of Rooks is immense strength and defense.

'''Knight''' (騎士, ''Naito'') - Equivalent to 3 ''Pawn'' pieces. Traits of Knights is speed and mobility.

'''Bishop''' (僧侶, ''Bishoppu'') - Equivalent to 3 ''Pawn'' pieces. Traits of Bishops is enhanced magical abilities.

'''Pawn''' (兵士, ''Pōn'') - Equivalent to 1 ''Pawn'' piece. Traits of Pawns is the ability to promote into a Queen, Rook, Knight, or Bishop in enemy territory.

'''Mutation Pieces''' (変異の駒（ミューテーション・ピース）, ''Myūtēshyon Pīsu'') - They are bugs inside the Evil Piece system kept for fun. Mutation pieces can create the phenomenon where its possible to reincarnate a person worth multiple Pawns using just one mutation piece. Mutation pieces can be either Queen, Rook, Knight, Bishop or Pawn. They are said to be very rare. About one in ten high class devils own a mutation piece.

===Brave Saints===

'''Brave Saints''' (御使い（ブレイブ・セイント）, ''Bureibu Seinto'') - Cards used by the Angels to resurrect other beings into angels to increase their numbers. Created soon after the alliance of devils, angels and fallen angels in Volume 4. The Saint cards are modeled on the Evil Piece system of the devils. Each Seraph receives a deck of 13 cards (Ace to King), retaining the King for himself which allows 12 cards for the creation of reborn angels -- a reference to the 12 apostles.

'''Joker Cards''' - Special cards outside of the usual 13 card deck of Brave Saints. Not much is known about them except that they exist. Michael's Joker Dulio, the former top Church Exorcist, would suggest Jokers are some type of trump card.

===Sacred Gear===

'''Sacred Gear''' (神器（セイクリッド・ギア）, ''Seikuriddo Gia'') - Special items created by the original God that certain people are born with. Sacred Gears carry different effects ranging from healing to battle related effects, a Sacred Gear may only have one effect. It is said that many people who are recorded in history were possessors of a Sacred Gear. Only humans or half-humans may be born with a Sacred Gear.

'''Balance Breaker''' (禁手（バランス・ブレイカー）, ''Baransu Bureikā'') - The evolved form of the Sacred Gear. The intense feelings of the possessor trigger this evolution.

'''Juggernaut Drive''' (覇龍（ジャガーノート・ドライヴ）, ''Jagānōto Doraivu'') - A special ability of Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing which allows the full power of the original Heavenly Dragons to be unleashed temporarily at the cost of the user's lifespan.

'''Longinus''' (神滅具（ロンギヌス）, ''Ronginusu'') - Are the ultimate Sacred Gears and they have more than one ability compared to a normal Sacred Gear which only has one. There are 13 Longinus in total.

'''True-Longinus''' (黄昏の聖槍（トウルー・ロンギヌス）, ''Tōrū Ronginusu'') - The first and ultimate Longinus, takes the form of a spear. It was the spear used to kill Jesus Christ. A single stab by it can kill and vaporize a high-class devil instantly. (Holy-Spear)

===Miscellaneous===

'''Senjutsu''' (仙術, ''Senjutsu'') - It is the power to control the flow of life. By controlling the flow of ki/life force/chakra, a person can strengthen physical bodies or cause surrounding vegetation to bloom or wither. Knowing Senjutsu allows the reading of ki and auras and to spy on a target's state from afar. Disrupting the opponent's ki or severing it can cause direct damage to living things. There are very few ways to defend against Senjutsu. Senjutsu has a white aura.

'''Youjutsu''' (妖術, ''Yōjutsu'') - Youkai power.

'''Touki''' (闘気, ''Tōki'') - A type of energy a person obtains by training their body to the uttermost limits or through senjutsu. An external materialization of their life force that acts as armour.

'''Holy Swords''' (聖剣, ''Seiken'') - (Caliburn, Excalibur, Durandal, Ascalon) A small scratch from a holy sword is enough to cause lethal damage to devils and fallen angels alike. Only a select few have the capability to wield a holy sword.

'''Demonic Swords''' (魔剣, ''Maken'') - (Gram, Balmung, Nothung, Tyrfing, Dáinsleif)

'''Underworld''' (冥界, ''Meikai'') - The place where Devils and Fallen Angels reside.

'''The Dimensional Gap''' (次元の狭間) - Between the Underworld, Earth, and Heaven.

===Devil Society Social Classes===

'''Ultimate Class Devils''' (最上級悪魔, ''Saijyōkyū akuma'') - Maou, Great King, Arch Duke, Prince/Princess.

'''High Class Devils''' (上級悪魔 ''Jyōkyū akuma'') - Marguess, Margrave/Margravine, Count/Countess, Viscount/Viscountess, Baron/Baroness.

'''Middle Class Devils''' (中級悪魔, ''Chūkyū akuma'') - Baronet/Baronetess, Knight/Dame.

'''Low Class Devils''' (下級悪魔, ''Kakyū akuma'') - Newly reincarnated devils.

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Talk:High School DxD: Names and Terminology Guidelines

2014-04-28T18:10:46Z

Barashkafromro: /* Heavenly Dragons */ new section

== Heavenly Dragons ==

I think it should be "Two Heavenly Dragons" (without hyphen). "Two" is because of their number, and it isn't related to them being "Heavenly". Any number of Any type of Anything.-[[User:Barashkafromro|Barashkafromro]] ([[User talk:Barashkafromro|talk]]) 13:10, 28 April 2014 (CDT)

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter6

2014-01-21T15:17:53Z

Barashkafromro:

===Chapter Six: The White Country===

After making sure Saito and company were running, Kirche commanded Guiche, “Now then, it’s time to begin. Guiche, there’s a pot filled with oil in the kitchen somewhere, right?”

“You mean those frying pots?”

“Yep. Bring them over with your golems.”

“No sweat.” Guiche hid behind a table, waving his rose, which was his wand. The petals fell slowly and female bronze warriors sprouted from the ground. The golems headed towards the kitchen, even though arrows were aimed at them.

The steel arrowheads burrowed into soft copper, causing the statues to wobble. Guiche laughed, as the statues finally reached the kitchen behind the counter, and picked up the frying pot.

“Can you throw that at the entrance?” Kirche put on make up looking at a mirror while talking.

“You’re putting on make up now, of all times?” Guiche said, a shocked look on his face, but still commanded his statue to throw the pot at the entrance as he was told.

Kirche brandished her wand and stood up.

“Because the play is about to begin, and if the female lead has no make up on...”

She waved her wand at the oil, now sprinkled in the air.

“...wouldn’t that be embarrassing?”

Kirche’s magic lit up the oil, spreading flames all over the Goddess’s Temple, making a loud noise. In an instant, a group of mercenaries, once bent on advancing, retreated from the sudden fire.

Kirche seductively sang a spell, waving her wand again. The flames burned even fiercer, spreading towards the mercenaries at the entrance, enveloping them and causing them to roll around in pain. Kirche stood and elegantly flicked her hair before raising her wand. Although all the arrows flew towards her, Tabitha’s wind magic parried them all.

“Dear unnamed mercenaries, although I have no idea why you’re attacking us,” Kirche smiled and bowed in the rain of arrows, “please let me, Kirche the Ardent, graciously be your opponent!”

Sitting on her enormous earth golem’s shoulder, Fouquet bit her lip in annoyance. The group she just ordered to attack instantly came back in confusion after being surrounded with fire. She turned to the hooded masked noble sitting beside her. “Geez, making a fuss just because of this level of fire... hired hands just aren’t dependable.”

“That’s enough anyway.”

“But you can’t beat them like this!”

“It’s alright even if they can’t. All they have to do is separate them.”

“Even if you say so, I won’t let this go on. I took so much humiliation because of them.”

The hooded man did not answer, instead standing up as if he heard nothing, and talking to Fouquet, “Alright, I’m going after the Vallière girl.”

“Then what am I going to do?” Fouquet answered in shock.

“Whatever you like. Burn or cook the rest, whatever. We’ll meet up at the usual restaurant.” He casually jumped off the golem’s shoulder, disappearing into the darkness like the midnight wind, soft and chilling.

“Geez...what a laidback guy. Can’t tell me anything he’s thinking about.” Fouquet spoke silently in disgust.

Moans came from the men below. Strong winds came from inside the temple, spreading and strengthening the violent flames. Even the archers hiding in the darkness felt the burn.

Fouquet yelled below her, “Dammit, that’s enough! You’re all useless! Get out of my way!”

The golem rose with a thundering noise, and moved towards the entrance, pulling punches as it advanced.

Kirche and Tabitha controlled the flames in the hall, forcefully tormenting the mercenaries outside.  The group of archers outside also fled from the fire spread by Tabitha’s wind, leaving their bows behind.

“Ohhhhohohohoho! Oho! Ohohoho!” Kirche laughed victoriously. “You see it? You get it now? The power of my flames! If you don’t want to get burned, you better run home now! Ahahaha!”

“Alright, my turn!” after making an untimely appearance, just as Guiche aimed at the retreating enemies in between the gaps of the flames for his “Valkyrie” spell...

In a loud, thunderous noise, the entrance and beyond disappeared.

“Eh?”

A huge golem emerged from the flying dust, and easily kicked away Guiche’s statues.

“Oh, I forgot. That tough missy’s still here.” Kirche said silently, sticking out her tongue.

“Don’t be too arrogant, kids! I’ll finish you off!” Fouquet yelled in anger, standing on her golem’s shoulder.

“What do we do now?” Kirche turned to Tabitha’s direction. Her friend laid out both hands and shook her head.

Guiche took one look at the enormous golem, and sank into a fervent panic, yelling, “Everyone! Attack! I say, ATTACK! Now is the time for them to see the spirit of all Tristainian nobility! Watch me, father! Guiche will become a man!”

Tabitha tripped him with her staff, sending him crashing on the ground.

“What are you doing?! Let me be a man! In the name of Her Royal Highness, let my rose wither here!”

“Alright, we got to go.”

“No! I will not run!”

“...you know, you’re exactly the type that would die in any battle first.”

Tabitha looked at the approaching golem, and suddenly seemed to reach an idea. She then pulled on Guiche’s sleeve.

“What?”

“Rose.” Tabitha pointed at Guiche’s fake rose, making a waving motion in the process. “A lot. Of petals.”

“What do you want with those petals?!” Guiche yelled, only to have his ear pulled by Kirche.

“Just do what Tabitha says!”

Guiche waved his rose wand in annoyance, sending large amounts of petals flying in the air. Tabitha sang a spell. Under her wind’s direction, the petals stuck onto the golem.

“And what does sticking petals all over the golem do?! Sure it’s pretty!” Guiche yelled back.

Tabitha concisely ordered Guiche. “Alchemy.”

On the golem’s shoulder, Fouquet, seeing her creation stuck all over with petals, annoyingly complained, “What’s this? A present? I’m not letting this up even if you decorate my golem with petals!”

The golem raised a fist, and smashed the table that shielded Kirche, Tabitha, and Guiche in one blow.

At that moment, the tangled petals all turned into liquid. The smell of oil crept up to her. As a master of the “earth” element, Fouquet instantly realized the reason. A spell known as “Alchemy.”

They just used “Alchemy” to turn the petals on the golem into oil.

She was too late to realize that something was wrong. Kirche’s fireball was already flying towards her golem.

In an instant, the huge golem was covered in fire. Unable to withstand the heat and flames, the golem fell on its knees.

Seeing their employer in a losing position, the mercenaries fled like spiders. Kirche, Tabitha, and Guiche held their hands in joy.

“We did it! We won!”

“I... I won with alchemy! Father! Your Majesty! Guiche has triumphed!”

“That’s all because of Tabitha’s plan!” Kirche poked on Guiche’s head.

A hideous Fouquet stood up in front of her burned golem. “H... how dare you... beat me, Fouquet, twice, with earth magic...” She looked pitiful. With her long, beautiful hair burned away, her robes singed with holes everywhere, and her face charred a dark black, the beauty had left her.

“Aha, that’s some nice make up you have on. You know, lady, this heavy make up kinda suits you! I mean... you’re pretty old already!” As Kirche finished, she waved her wand at Fouquet. However, she seemed to have depleted her energy with all the spells she used in battle. Suddenly, a small, weak flame flew out, and disappeared in an instant.

“Eh? That’s it?” Kirche scratched her head.

Tabitha and Guiche seemed to have the same effect. But not Fouquet. She didn’t try any spells, and simply moved straight at them.

“Call me old?! Girl, I’m only 23!” Fouquet tightened her fists, and punched at Kirche, who retaliated much the same way without hesitation. And so the two fought completely unlike themselves.

Tabitha sat down, and, with absolutely no interest in the fight in front of her, started reading.

Guiche watched the two beautiful women fighting, a mild blush on his face. He seemed indifferent to his clothes being a total mess.

Watching from far away, the mercenaries began betting on the match.

As Kirche and Fouquet beat up each other, Saito and company ran towards the harbor, their road illuminated by the bright moon. Wardes ran towards a certain building’s long stairs, and began walking up them.

“Aren’t we heading towards some ‘harbor’? Why are we climbing a hill?” Asked Saito. Wardes did not answer.

After climbing a long flight of stairs, they arrived on top of a small hill. Seeing everything in front of him, Saito gasped.

It was a huge tree, branching out in every direction. It had the size of a mountain. How tall was it? The night covered its top, but it had considerable height. Saito looked at the tree as if it was Tokyo Tower.

And then... taking a closer look between the branches, the tree seemed to be holding something even larger. A huge fruit? He was wrong. It was a ship. It looked like a zeppelin, stuck between the trees.

“This is the ‘harbor’? And... that’s the ‘ship’?” Saito asked in shock.

Louise replied in surprise. “Yeah... isn’t your world like that?”

“Harbors and ships all stay on water in my world.”

“If there are ships that sail on water, there are ships that sail in the air.” Louise said matter-of-factly.

Wardes ran to the tree’s roots, which were as big and spacious as a skyscraper’s lobby. They probably dug the middle out of a dead tree to make this.

It was night, so they couldn’t see anyone. Between each flight of stairs were metal panels, with writing of some sort on them. ''Maybe station signs or something,'' Saito thought.

Wardes began climbing the stairs in front of him.

One flight of wooden stairs was connected to another. There were scaffolding and supports on them, but they still looked worryingly dangerous. One could see La Rochelle’s lights in the spaces between each flight of stairs.

In a rest stop midway, Saito heard footsteps behind them. He turned around, and a shadow jumped, flying over him and landed behind Louise.

It was the white-masked man on Fouquet’s golem.

Saito pulled out his sword and cried, “LOUISE!”

Louise turned around. The man picked her up the next instant.

“Ahhhh-----!” Louise screamed. Saito raised his sword. ''But if I just slash it like that, I’ll hit Louise.'' The man carried Louise and jumped much like a acrobat would, his body moving wherever he wished.

Saito stood still. Beside him, Wardes waved his staff. The masked man, like Saito a while ago, was blown away, hit by Wardes’ air hammer, and let Louise go. He held on to a support, but Louise fell towards the ground.

In an instant, Wardes jumped off from the platform, and dove towards Louise like a grebe<ref>A grebe is a species of freshwater diving bird. They dive their beaks into the water to snatch fish as prey.</ref>. He caught up with her and floated in the air while carrying her.

The masked man bent around, jumped on the platform, and faced Saito. His build was not too different from Wardes’. He pulled out a staff from his waist. It was a black staff.

After making sure Louise was safe, Saito went on guard, remembering his battle against Wardes. Swinging the sword around is outright dangerous, but he couldn’t foresee what magic his opponent would use against him.

The man waved his staff. The air above him began to cool. Freezing air irritated Saito’s skin. ''What is he doing?''

He continued to chant a spell. Saito raised his sword, but Derflinger yelled, “Get on guard, partner!” 

As Saito got on guard, the air shook. There was a crack. Lightning emanated from the man and hit Saito directly.

“‘Lightning Cloud’!” Derflinger cried, recognising the spell. A strong current went through Saito’s body and he fell from the platform.

“Gaaaahhh---!” Saito cried in pain. His left wrist felt like it was scorched and burned as if he had touched a red-hot branding iron. The current left a trail, burning his clothes. He fainted from the pain and fright.

Wardes, holding Louise, chanted the “Fly” spell, safely landing Saito on the ground.

“SAITO!” Louise cried, watching her familiar fall. Wardes bit his lip, turned to the masked man, and waved his staff. It was the air hammer. The air around him solidified into invisible blocks, striking the masked man. He fell off the platform and towards the ground.

Louise struggled out of Wardes' grip and ran to Saito. A gash from the current continued to burn Saito’s left hand, where he held his sword, from the sleeve straight up to his elbow. She frantically put her ear at his chest. His heart was beating, and she breathed a sigh of relief. He took a very heavy current, but seems to have survived, moaning in pain.

Saito opened his eyes, and painfully stood up. “W-what... that guy... but, it hurts... gah!”

Derflinger spoke in concern, “That was ‘Lightning Cloud’. Very strong wind magic. That guy looks like an expert to me.”

“Ah! Ugh!” Saito’s face twisted in pain.

Wardes looked to Saito’s condition. “But he was lucky to survive with just his wrist injured. This spell usually kills. Hmm... looks like your sword neutralized some of the current, but I’m not sure why. Isn’t the sword made of metal?”

“No idea. I forgot.” Derflinger replied.

“An intelligent sword, huh. Rare stuff.”

Saito bit his lip hard. His injured wrist hurt, but the fact that he could do nothing to save Louise hurt more. Plus, he let Wardes steal the whole show. He couldn’t let Louise look at him like this anymore. He barely stood up, and sheathed Derflinger.

“Let's go. I-it doesn’t matter now.”

Behind the last flight of stairs was a branch. On that branch, a ship... just docked there. It was shaped more like a yacht, perhaps to let it fly. There were wings on the sides. From the ship dangled who-knows-how-many ropes, all tied onto the branches. The branch they were standing on extended all the way to the ship’s deck.

They stepped on board, and a sailor sleeping on the deck climbed up. “Hey you! What are you doing?!”

“Where’s the captain?”

“He’s sleeping. Come back in the morning.” The man replied frostily and drunkenly, and drank from his rum bottle.

Wardes did not answer, and pulled his staff out. “You want a noble to repeat what he just said? I said get the captain!”

“A n-noble!!” The sailor stood up immediately and ran for the captain’s quarters.

After a while, he brought back a sleepy, fifty-something old man with a hat on. He seemed to be the captain. “What do you want?” He looked at Wardes suspiciously.

“Leader of Her Majesty’s Mage Guard, Captain Wardes.”

The captain’s eyes bulged, and he switched to more formal words after learning Wardes' identity as a noble of high caliber. “Oh, uh... then, what services may this ship perform for you...”

“Take us to Albion. Depart now.”

“Madness!”

“This is upon Her Majesty’s orders. Are you going against the Royal Court?”

“I don’t know what you’re going to Albion for, but we can’t depart until morning!”

“Why?”

“Albion’s the closest to Tristainia in the morning! We don’t have enough wind stones to get there from here right now.”

“Wind stones?” asked Saito.

The captain gave him a 'you-don’t-know-what-a-wind-stone-is?' look and answered, “Stones that store wind magic. This ship can’t fly without them.” He then turned to Wardes. “Your Excellency, this ship only has enough wind stones in store to travel the shortest distance to Albion. If we had more, we could have gone earlier. But for now, we cannot depart. We’ll drop out of the sky while halfway there.”

“I’ll make up for however much you lack in wind stones. I’m a square wind mage.”

The captain and his sailors looked at each other. The captain then turned to Wardes and nodded. “Then that’s fine. You will have to pay, though.”

“What’s the cargo?”

“Sulfur. Right now, it’s worth its weight in gold. The nobles have increased the price in desperation for security. To have that, gunpowder and fire elements are a must.”

“Sell all of that to me at that price.”

The captain nodded, perhaps with a devious smile. With the deal done, the captain made one order after another. “Leave port! Untie anchors! Set sail!”

The sailors followed orders, all the while complaining under their breath, expertly removing the ropes from the branches, climbing to the securing ropes on both sides, and released the sails.

Without the ties, the ship suddenly sank, and then floated again with the power of the wind stones.

“When can we reach Albion?” Wardes asked.

“We’ll arrive at Scarborough Port tomorrow at noon.” The captain replied.

Saito looked at the ground from the port side. The “harbor” could be seen between the huge tree’s branches. La Rochelle’s lights soon faded into darkness. They seemed to be traveling rather fast.

Louise approached Saito, and put a hand on his shoulder. “Saito, are you okay?” She worriedly looked at him.

“Don’t touch me.” He pushed her hand away. Louise’s face reddened.

“What?! And I was worried about you!” Louise went mad, seeing as Saito wouldn’t even look at her. ''"And I got all worried about you... what’s with that attitude?"'' She thought.

Saito was depressed. He couldn’t do a thing when Louise was about to be taken away by that white-masked man. He couldn’t face her. He remembered what Wardes told him a few days ago, ''“In other words, you are unable to protect Louise.”''

''Is that so?'' He sank.

Wardes approached them. “From what I heard from the captain, the Albion Royal Army near Newcastle was completely surrounded and is fighting an uphill battle.”

Louise, clearly scared, asked, “What about Prince Wales?”

Wardes shook his head. “I’m not sure. He seems to be alive.....”

“Wait... isn’t the harbor completely taken over by the rebels?”

“Yeah.”

“Then how can we contact the Royal Family?”

“We’ll just have to fight our way out. It takes only a day on horseback from Scarborough to Newcastle.”

“Fighting out of the rebels?”

“Right. That’s the only choice we have. They can’t really openly attack the Tristainian nobility, I think. We’ll have to find a chance to break out of their circle and run straight for Newcastle. All we have to think about then is riding in the dark.”

Louise anxiously nodded, and asked, “Speaking of which, Wardes, where’s your griffin?”

Wardes smiled. He leaned out portside, and whistled. From right under the ship came the sound of the griffin’s wings. It landed onto the deck, scaring some of the sailors.

“Can’t we just get to Albion on the griffin instead of the ship?” asked Saito.

“It’s not a dragon. It can’t fly that far.” Louise answered.

Saito sat near the mast and closed his eyes. ''Looks like we’ll be in danger again soon. Oh well... I’ll just go to sleep.'' he thought. With the talk between Louise and Wardes like a lullaby, he fell asleep.


Saito woke up to the sailors’ noises and blinding light, and a bright, blue sky in front of him. Looking down the ship, he could see floating clouds. The ship sailed right above them.

“Albion in sight!” the lookout bellowed.

Saito rubbed his sleepy eyes, and looked down again. All there was were clouds. Ground was nowhere to be seen.

Louise, who seemed to have been sleeping beside him, stood up.

“I can’t see ground anywhere.” Saito complained.

“There!” She pointed up towards the sky.

“Huh?” He followed where she pointed, and gasped in shock. A huge... well, nothing but huge sight greeted his eyes.

From between the clouds he could see dark land. It continued to expand under them. Mountains carved the landscape, and rivers flowed down them.

[[Image:ZnT02-173.jpg|thumb]]
“Did that frighten you?” Louise asked him.

“Ah... I’ve... never seen anything like this before.” Saito’s jaw dropped as he stood gaping.

“Albion, the floating island. It floats in the air, just like that, usually over oceans. However, it passes by over the Halkeginian continent a few times every month. It’s about the size of Tristainia, and it’s nicknamed ‘The White Country’.”

“Why ‘The White Country’?”

Louise pointed towards the island. “The water from the rivers flows off the island into the air, and while doing so becomes white fog, covering the bottom part of the island. The fog turns into clouds, which give Halkeginia its rainfall,” Louise explained.

The lookout yelled again, “Ship approaching starboard side!”

Saito looked towards that direction. A ship was, as he said, approaching, and it was many measures larger than the one they’re on. Cannons jutted out of holes on its portside.

“Ah... they even have cannons.” Saito spoke his thoughts.

Louise frowned.

“Not good. A rebel... or is that a noble vessel?” Behind deck, Wardes and the captain looked at where the lookout was pointing.

Black paint signaled that the ship was made for war. Twenty or so cannons aimed at them.

“Albionian nobility? Tell us if they ship cargo like we do.”

The lookout hoisted the signal flags as the captain told. The black ship did not respond.

The co-captain entered running, his face pale, and reported to the captain, “That ship doesn’t have any nationality flags!”

“Then... are they pirates?”

“Can’t be wrong! I heard they got really active after the rebellion began...”

“Run! Full speed!” The captain wanted to run from them as quickly as possible, but they were too late. The black ship began to sail parallel to them, and fired a shot directly ahead of them.

'''BANG!''' The cannonball disappeared into the clouds. The black ship’s mast then hoisted a four-color signal.

“They’re ordering us to stop, captain.”

The captain winced in his decision. It’s not like his ship was completely unarmed, but all they had were three movable cannons on deck, which were no more useful than decorations when up against a full broadside of over twenty pointed at them. The captain looked at Wardes for help.

“All my magic’s used on the ship. We can only do what they say.” Wardes answered calmly.

The captain mouthed, “There goes my fortune,” and gave the order.

“Wrap sails. Stop the ship.”

Louise, seeing the black ship fire a shot, closing in on them, and their ship stopping, held close to Saito, who only uneasily watched the black ship.

“We are pirates! Do not resist!” a man onboard the black ship yelled with a horn.

“Pirates?” Louise was shocked.

On the black ship’s port, men lined up with bows and rifles. They aimed and shot hooked lines, grabbing onto their ship’s starboard. More strong men, about ten of them wielding axes and curved sabers, slid over the ropes and onto the ship.

Saito held his sword, but his wrist still hurt from the previous night’s battle, and he couldn’t use his strength.

“Saito...” Louise said silently. He heard her, and tried to hold onto his sword harder. The marks on the back of his left hand glowed. However, Wardes, who somehow appeared behind him, put his hand on his shoulder.

“They’re not just armed barbarians, Saito. They have a lot of cannons pointed at us. If you want to live on the battlefield, you’ve got to accurately measure their strength and yours. They might even have mages on their side.”

Wardes’ griffin, which was sitting on front of the deck, was also frightened of the pirates and growled. Its head was then covered with blue-white smoke, and it fell onto the deck, fast asleep.

“A sleeping spell... so they do have mages.”

At an order, the pirates landed on their ship. One of them was dressed quite exquisitely. He wore a shirt that looked like it used to be white, but was dirtied black from sweat and lubricant. One could see his strong and well-tanned chest muscles in the shirt’s openings. A patch covered his left eye. This man seemed to be the pirates’ leader.

“Where’s the captain?” He commanded in a rough tone, looking around him.

“Me.” The captain, shaking but still trying to keep composure, raised his hand.

The leader walked to him in large steps, took out his saber and rapped it at the captain’s face. “What’s the ship’s name and what does it carry?”

“Tristainia’s ''Marie Galante''. The cargo is sulfur.”

A gasp came from the pirates. The leader sniggered, picking up the captain’s hat and putting it on his head.

“I’m buying everything on this ship then... the price being your lives!”

The captain shook in shame. Then, the leader noticed Louise and Wardes standing on deck.

“Oho, we have noble guests!” The leader approached Louise and raised her chin with his hand. “We have a beauty here. Would you like to be our dishwasher?”

The men made rough, low laughs. Louise slapped his hand, and glared at him like she was about to explode into flames. “Get off me, you low-life!”

“Oh, she called us low-lives! I’m so scared now!” The men laughed loudly.

Saito wanted to take out his sword, but Wardes stopped him, whispering, “Hey, familiar. You look like you just can’t quiet down.”

“B-but... Louise...”

“What’s the use in raising a racket now? Their cannons and arrows would just turn Louise, you, and all of us into swiss cheese.”

Saito was shocked.

“Don’t you care about Louise’s safety one bit?”

Saito sank in despair and remorse. ''I’m useless. I can’t ever match up with this guy. Louise... will be better off marrying with this guy.'' He thought.

“Alright, boys, take them all away. We can get a hell lot of ransom for this!”

<noinclude>
==Translator's Notes and References==
<references/>

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|-
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter5|Back to Chapter 5]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Return to Main Page]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter7_%7EPreview%7E|Forward to Chapter 7]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter6

2014-01-21T15:14:27Z

Barashkafromro:

===Chapter Six: The White Country===

After making sure Saito and company were running, Kirche commanded Guiche, “Now then, it’s time to begin. Guiche, there’s a pot filled with oil in the kitchen somewhere, right?”

“You mean those frying pots?”

“Yep. Bring them over with your golems.”

“No sweat.” Guiche hid behind a table, waving his rose, which was his wand. The petals fell slowly and female bronze warriors sprouted from the ground. The golems headed towards the kitchen, even though arrows were aimed at them.

The steel arrowheads burrowed into soft copper, causing the statues to wobble. Guiche laughed, as the statues finally reached the kitchen behind the counter, and picked up the frying pot.

“Can you throw that at the entrance?” Kirche put on make up looking at a mirror while talking.

“You’re putting on make up now, of all times?” Guiche said, a shocked look on his face, but still commanded his statue to throw the pot at the entrance as he was told.

Kirche brandished her wand and stood up.

“Because the play is about to begin, and if the female lead has no make up on...”

She waved her wand at the oil, now sprinkled in the air.

“...wouldn’t that be embarrassing?”

Kirche’s magic lit up the oil, spreading flames all over the Goddess’s Temple, making a loud noise. In an instant, a group of mercenaries, once bent on advancing, retreated from the sudden fire.

Kirche seductively sang a spell, waving her wand again. The flames burned even fiercer, spreading towards the mercenaries at the entrance, enveloping them and causing them to roll around in pain. Kirche stood and elegantly flicked her hair before raising her wand. Although all the arrows flew towards her, Tabitha’s wind magic parried them all.

“Dear unnamed mercenaries, although I have no idea why you’re attacking us,” Kirche smiled and bowed in the rain of arrows, “please let me, Kirche the Ardent, graciously be your opponent!”

Sitting on her enormous earth golem’s shoulder, Fouquet bit her lip in annoyance. The group she just ordered to attack instantly came back in confusion after being surrounded with fire. She turned to the hooded masked noble sitting beside her. “Geez, making a fuss just because of this level of fire... hired hands just aren’t dependable.”

“That’s enough anyway.”

“But you can’t beat them like this!”

“It’s alright even if they can’t. All they have to do is separate them.”

“Even if you say so, I won’t let this go on. I took so much humiliation because of them.”

The hooded man did not answer, instead standing up as if he heard nothing, and talking to Fouquet, “Alright, I’m going after the Vallière girl.”

“Then what am I going to do?” Fouquet answered in shock.

“Whatever you like. Burn or cook the rest, whatever. We’ll meet up at the usual restaurant.” He casually jumped off the golem’s shoulder, disappearing into the darkness like the midnight wind, soft and chilling.

“Geez...what a laidback guy. Can’t tell me anything he’s thinking about.” Fouquet spoke silently in disgust.

Moans came from the men below. Strong winds came from inside the temple, spreading and strengthening the violent flames. Even the archers hiding in the darkness felt the burn.

Fouquet yelled below her, “Dammit, that’s enough! You’re all useless! Get out of my way!”

The golem rose with a thundering noise, and moved towards the entrance, pulling punches as it advanced.

Kirche and Tabitha controlled the flames in the hall, forcefully tormenting the mercenaries outside.  The group of archers outside also fled from the fire spread by Tabitha’s wind, leaving their bows behind.

“Ohhhhohohohoho! Oho! Ohohoho!” Kirche laughed victoriously. “You see it? You get it now? The power of my flames! If you don’t want to get burned, you better run home now! Ahahaha!”

“Alright, my turn!” after making an untimely appearance, just as Guiche aimed at the retreating enemies in between the gaps of the flames for his “Valkyrie” spell...

In a loud, thunderous noise, the entrance and beyond disappeared.

“Eh?”

A huge golem emerged from the flying dust, and easily kicked away Guiche’s statues.

“Oh, I forgot. That tough missy’s still here.” Kirche said silently, sticking out her tongue.

“Don’t be too arrogant, kids! I’ll finish you off!” Fouquet yelled in anger, standing on her golem’s shoulder.

“What do we do now?” Kirche turned to Tabitha’s direction. Her friend laid out both hands and shook her head.

Guiche took one look at the enormous golem, and sank into a fervent panic, yelling, “Everyone! Attack! I say, ATTACK! Now is the time for them to see the spirit of all Tristainian nobility! Watch me, father! Guiche will become a man!”

Tabitha tripped him with her staff, sending him crashing on the ground.

“What are you doing?! Let me be a man! In the name of Her Royal Highness, let my rose wither here!”

“Alright, we got to go.”

“No! I will not run!”

“...you know, you’re exactly the type that would die in any battle first.”

Tabitha looked at the approaching golem, and suddenly seemed to reach an idea. She then pulled on Guiche’s sleeve.

“What?”

“Rose.” Tabitha pointed at Guiche’s fake rose, making a waving motion in the process. “A lot. Of petals.”

“What do you want with those petals?!” Guiche yelled, only to have his ear pulled by Kirche.

“Just do what Tabitha says!”

Guiche waved his rose wand in annoyance, sending large amounts of petals flying in the air. Tabitha sang a spell. Under her wind’s direction, the petals stuck onto the golem.

“And what does sticking petals all over the golem do?! Sure it’s pretty!” Guiche yelled back.

Tabitha concisely ordered Guiche. “Alchemy.”

On the golem’s shoulder, Fouquet, seeing her creation stuck all over with petals, annoyingly complained, “What’s this? A present? I’m not letting this up even if you decorate my golem with petals!”

The golem raised a fist, and smashed the table that shielded Kirche, Tabitha, and Guiche in one blow.

At that moment, the tangled petals all turned into liquid. The smell of oil crept up to her. As a master of the “earth” element, Fouquet instantly realized the reason. A spell known as “Alchemy.”

They just used “Alchemy” to turn the petals on the golem into oil.

She was too late to realize that something was wrong. Kirche’s fireball was already flying towards her golem.

In an instant, the huge golem was covered in fire. Unable to withstand the heat and flames, the golem fell on its knees.

Seeing their employer in a losing position, the mercenaries fled like spiders. Kirche, Tabitha, and Guiche held their hands in joy.

“We did it! We won!”

“I... I won with alchemy! Father! Your Majesty! Guiche has triumphed!”

“That’s all because of Tabitha’s plan!” Kirche poked on Guiche’s head.

A hideous Fouquet stood up in front of her burned golem. “H... how dare you... beat me, Fouquet, twice, with earth magic...” She looked pitiful. With her long, beautiful hair burned away, her robes singed with holes everywhere, and her face charred a dark black, the beauty had left her.

“Aha, that’s some nice make up you have on. You know, lady, this heavy make up kinda suits you! I mean... you’re pretty old already!” As Kirche finished, she waved her wand at Fouquet. However, she seemed to have depleted her energy with all the spells she used in battle. Suddenly, a small, weak flame flew out, and disappeared in an instant.

“Eh? That’s it?” Kirche scratched her head.

Tabitha and Guiche seemed to have the same effect. But not Fouquet. She didn’t try any spells, and simply moved straight at them.

“Call me old?! Girl, I’m only 23!” Fouquet tightened her fists, and punched at Kirche, who retaliated much the same way without hesitation. And so the two fought completely unlike themselves.

Tabitha sat down, and, with absolutely no interest in the fight in front of her, started reading.

Guiche watched the two beautiful women fighting, a mild blush on his face. He seemed indifferent to his clothes being a total mess.

Watching from far away, the mercenaries began betting on the match.

As Kirche and Fouquet beat up each other, Saito and company ran towards the harbor, their road illuminated by the bright moon. Wardes ran towards a certain building’s long stairs, and began walking up them.

“Aren’t we heading towards some ‘harbor’? Why are we climbing a hill?” Asked Saito. Wardes did not answer.

After climbing a long flight of stairs, they arrived on top of a small hill. Seeing everything in front of him, Saito gasped.

It was a huge tree, branching out in every direction. It had the size of a mountain. How tall was it? The night covered its top, but it had considerable height. Saito looked at the tree as if it was Tokyo Tower.

And then... taking a closer look between the branches, the tree seemed to be holding something even larger. A huge fruit? He was wrong. It was a ship. It looked like a zeppelin, stuck between the trees.

“This is the ‘harbor’? And... that’s the ‘ship’?” Saito asked in shock.

Louise replied in surprise. “Yeah... isn’t your world like that?”

“Harbors and ships all stay on water in my world.”

“If there are ships that sail on water, there are ships that sail in the air.” Louise said matter-of-factly.

Wardes ran to the tree’s roots, which were as big and spacious as a skyscraper’s lobby. They probably dug the middle out of a dead tree to make this.

It was night, so they couldn’t see anyone. Between each flight of stairs were metal panels, with writing of some sort on them. ''Maybe station signs or something,'' Saito thought.

Wardes began climbing the stairs in front of him.

One flight of wooden stairs was connected to another. There were scaffolding and supports on them, but they still looked worryingly dangerous. One could see La Rochelle’s lights in the spaces between each flight of stairs.

In a rest stop midway, Saito heard footsteps behind them. He turned around, and a shadow jumped, flying over him and landed behind Louise.

It was the white-masked man on Fouquet’s golem.

Saito pulled out his sword and cried, “LOUISE!”

Louise turned around. The man picked her up the next instant.

“Ahhhh-----!” Louise screamed. Saito raised his sword. ''But if I just slash it like that, I’ll hit Louise.'' The man carried Louise and jumped much like a acrobat would, his body moving wherever he wished.

Saito stood still. Beside him, Wardes waved his staff. The masked man, like Saito a while ago, was blown away, hit by Wardes’ air hammer, and let Louise go. He held on to a support, but Louise fell towards the ground.

In an instant, Wardes jumped off from the platform, and dove towards Louise like a grebe<ref>A grebe is a species of freshwater diving bird. They dive their beaks into the water to snatch fish as prey.</ref>. He caught up with her and floated in the air while carrying her.

The masked man bent around, jumped on the platform, and faced Saito. His build was not too different from Wardes’. He pulled out a staff from his waist. It was a black staff.

After making sure Louise was safe, Saito went on guard, remembering his battle against Wardes. Swinging the sword around is outright dangerous, but he couldn’t foresee what magic his opponent would use against him.

The man waved his staff. The air above him began to cool. Freezing air irritated Saito’s skin. ''What is he doing?''

He continued to chant a spell. Saito raised his sword, but Derflinger yelled, “Get on guard, partner!” 

As Saito got on guard, the air shook. There was a crack. Lightning emanated from the man and hit Saito directly.

“‘Lightning Cloud’!” Derflinger cried, recognising the spell. A strong current went through Saito’s body and he fell from the platform.

“Gaaaahhh---!” Saito cried in pain. His left wrist felt like it was scorched and burned as if he had touched a red-hot branding iron. The current left a trail, burning his clothes. He fainted from the pain and fright.

Wardes, holding Louise, chanted the “Fly” spell, safely landing Saito on the ground.

“SAITO!” Louise cried, watching her familiar fall. Wardes bit his lip, turned to the masked man, and waved his staff. It was the air hammer. The air around him solidified into invisible blocks, striking the masked man. He fell off the platform and towards the ground.

Louise struggled out of Wardes' grip and ran to Saito. A gash from the current continued to burn Saito’s left hand, where he held his sword, from the sleeve straight up to his elbow. She frantically put her ear at his chest. His heart was beating, and she breathed a sigh of relief. He took a very heavy current, but seems to have survived, moaning in pain.

Saito opened his eyes, and painfully stood up. “W-what... that guy... but, it hurts... gah!”

Derflinger spoke in concern, “That was ‘Lightning Cloud’. Very strong wind magic. That guy looks like an expert to me.”

“Ah! Ugh!” Saito’s face twisted in pain.

Wardes looked to Saito’s condition. “But he was lucky to survive with just his wrist injured. This spell usually kills. Hmm... looks like your sword neutralized some of the current, but I’m not sure why. Isn’t the sword made of metal?”

“No idea. I forgot.” Derflinger replied.

“An intelligent sword, huh. Rare stuff.”

Saito bit his lip hard. His injured wrist hurt, but the fact that he could do nothing to save Louise hurt more. Plus, he let Wardes steal the whole show. He couldn’t let Louise look at him like this anymore. He barely stood up, and sheathed Derflinger.

“Let's go. I-it doesn’t matter now.”

Behind the last flight of stairs was a branch. On that branch, a ship... just docked there. It was shaped more like a yacht, perhaps to let it fly. There were wings on the sides. From the ship dangled who-knows-how-many ropes, all tied onto the branches. The branch they were standing on extended all the way to the ship’s deck.

They stepped on board, and a sailor sleeping on the deck climbed up. “Hey you! What are you doing?!”

“Where’s the captain?”

“He’s sleeping. Come back in the morning.” The man replied frostily and drunkenly, and drank from his rum bottle.

Wardes did not answer, and pulled his staff out. “You want a noble to repeat what he just said? I said get the captain!”

“A n-noble!!” The sailor stood up immediately and ran for the captain’s quarters.

After a while, he brought back a sleepy, fifty-something old man with a hat on. He seemed to be the captain. “What do you want?” He looked at Wardes suspiciously.

“Leader of Her Majesty’s Mage Guard, Captain Wardes.”

The captain’s eyes bulged, and he switched to more formal words after learning Wardes' identity as a noble of high caliber. “Oh, uh... then, what services may this ship perform for you...”

“Take us to Albion. Depart now.”

“Madness!”

“This is upon Her Majesty’s orders. Are you going against the Royal Court?”

“I don’t know what you’re going to Albion for, but we can’t depart until morning!”

“Why?”

“Albion’s the closest to Tristainia in the morning! We don’t have enough wind stones to get there from here right now.”

“Wind stones?” asked Saito.

The captain gave him a 'you-don’t-know-what-a-wind-stone-is?' look and answered, “Stones that store wind magic. This ship can’t fly without them.” He then turned to Wardes. “Your Excellency, this ship only has enough wind stones in store to travel the shortest distance to Albion. If we had more, we could have gone earlier. But for now, we cannot depart. We’ll drop out of the sky while halfway there.”

“I’ll make up for however much you lack in wind stones. I’m a square wind mage.”

The captain and his sailors looked at each other. The captain then turned to Wardes and nodded. “Then that’s fine. You will have to pay, though.”

“What’s the cargo?”

“Sulfur. Right now, it’s worth its weight in gold. The nobles have increased the price in desperation for security. To have that, gunpowder and fire elements are a must.”

“Sell all of that to me at that price.”

The captain nodded, perhaps with a devious smile. With the deal done, the captain made one order after another. “Leave port! Untie anchors! Set sail!”

The sailors followed orders, all the while complaining under their breath, expertly removing the ropes from the branches, climbing to the securing ropes on both sides, and released the sails.

Without the ties, the ship suddenly sank, and then floated again with the power of the wind stones.

“When can we reach Albion?” Wardes asked.

“We’ll arrive at Scarborough Port tomorrow at noon.” The captain replied.

Saito looked at the ground from the port side. The “harbor” could be seen between the huge tree’s branches. La Rochelle’s lights soon faded into darkness. They seemed to be traveling rather fast.

Louise approached Saito, and put a hand on his shoulder. “Saito, are you okay?” She worriedly looked at him.

“Don’t touch me.” He pushed her hand away. Louise’s face reddened.

“What?! And I was worried about you!” Louise went mad, seeing as Saito wouldn’t even look at her. ''"And I got all worried about you... what’s with that attitude?"'' She thought.

Saito was depressed. He couldn’t do a thing when Louise was about to be taken away by that white-masked man. He couldn’t face her. He remembered what Wardes told him a few days ago, ''“In other words, you are unable to protect Louise.”''

''Is that so?'' He sank.

Wardes approached them. “From what I heard from the captain, the Albion Royal Army near Newcastle was completely surrounded and is fighting an uphill battle.”

Louise, clearly scared, asked, “What about Prince Wales?”

Wardes shook his head. “I’m not sure. He seems to be alive.....”

“Wait... isn’t the harbor completely taken over by the rebels?”

“Yeah.”

“Then how can we contact the Royal Family?”

“We’ll just have to fight our way out. It takes only a day on horseback from Scarborough to Newcastle.”

“Fighting out of the rebels?”

“Right. That’s the only choice we have. They can’t really openly attack the Tristainian nobility, I think. We’ll have to find a chance to break out of their circle and run straight for Newcastle. All we have to think about then is riding in the dark.”

Louise anxiously nodded, and asked, “Speaking of which, Wardes, where’s your griffin?”

Wardes smiled. He leaned out portside, and whistled. From right under the ship came the sound of the griffin’s wings. It landed onto the deck, scaring some of the sailors.

“Can’t we just get to Albion on the griffin instead of the ship?” asked Saito.

“It’s not a dragon. It can’t fly that far.” Louise answered.

Saito sat near the mast and closed his eyes. ''Looks like we’ll be in danger again soon. Oh well... I’ll just go to sleep.'' he thought. With the talk between Louise and Wardes like a lullaby, he fell asleep.


Saito woke up to the sailors’ noises and blinding light, and a bright, blue sky in front of him. Looking down the ship, he could see floating clouds. The ship sailed right above them.

“Albion in sight!” the lookout bellowed.

Saito rubbed his sleepy eyes, and looked down again. All there was were clouds. Ground was nowhere to be seen.

Louise, who seemed to have been sleeping beside him, stood up.

“I can’t see ground anywhere.” Saito complained.

“There!” She pointed up towards the sky.

“Huh?” He followed where she pointed, and gasped in shock. A huge... well, nothing but huge sight greeted his eyes.

From between the clouds he could see dark land. It continued to expand under them. Mountains carved the landscape, and rivers flowed down them.

[[Image:ZnT02-173.jpg|thumb]]
“Did that frighten you?” Louise asked him.

“Ah... I’ve... never seen anything like this before.” Saito’s jaw dropped as he stood gaping.

“Albion, the floating island. It floats in the air, just like that, usually over oceans. However, it passes by over the Halkeginian continent a few times every month. It’s about the size of Tristainia, and it’s nicknamed ‘The White Country’.”

“Why ‘The White Country’?”

Louise pointed towards the island. “The water from the rivers flow off the island into the air, and while doing so become white fog, covering the bottom part of the island. The fog turn into clouds, which give Halkeginia its rainfall,” Louise explained.

The lookout yelled again, “Ship approaching starboard side!”

Saito looked towards that direction. A ship was, as he said, approaching, and it was many measures larger than the one they’re on. Cannons jutted out of holes on its portside.

“Ah... they even have cannons.” Saito spoke his thoughts.

Louise frowned.

“Not good. A rebel... or is that a noble vessel?” Behind deck, Wardes and the captain looked at where the lookout was pointing.

Black paint signaled that the ship was made for war. Twenty or so cannons aimed at them.

“Albionian nobility? Tell us if they ship cargo like we do.”

The lookout hoisted the signal flags as the captain told. The black ship did not respond.

The co-captain entered running, his face pale, and reported to the captain, “That ship doesn’t have any nationality flags!”

“Then... are they pirates?”

“Can’t be wrong! I heard they got really active after the rebellion began...”

“Run! Full speed!” The captain wanted to run from them as quickly as possible, but they were too late. The black ship began to sail parallel to them, and fired a shot directly ahead of them.

'''BANG!''' The cannonball disappeared into the clouds. The black ship’s mast then hoisted a four-color signal.

“They’re ordering us to stop, captain.”

The captain winced in his decision. It’s not like his ship was completely unarmed, but all they had were three movable cannons on deck, which were no more useful than decorations when up against a full broadside of over twenty pointed at them. The captain looked at Wardes for help.

“All my magic’s used on the ship. We can only do what they say.” Wardes answered calmly.

The captain mouthed, “There goes my fortune,” and gave the order.

“Wrap sails. Stop the ship.”

Louise, seeing the black ship fire a shot, closing in on them, and their ship stopping, held close to Saito, who only uneasily watched the black ship.

“We are pirates! Do not resist!” a man onboard the black ship yelled with a horn.

“Pirates?” Louise was shocked.

On the black ship’s port, men lined up with bows and rifles. They aimed and shot hooked lines, grabbing onto their ship’s starboard. More strong men, about ten of them wielding axes and curved sabers, slid over the ropes and onto the ship.

Saito held his sword, but his wrist still hurt from the previous night’s battle, and he couldn’t use his strength.

“Saito...” Louise said silently. He heard her, and tried to hold onto his sword harder. The marks on the back of his left hand glowed. However, Wardes, who somehow appeared behind him, put his hand on his shoulder.

“They’re not just armed barbarians, Saito. They have a lot of cannons pointed at us. If you want to live on the battlefield, you’ve got to accurately measure their strength and yours. They might even have mages on their side.”

Wardes’ griffin, which was sitting on front of the deck, was also frightened of the pirates and growled. Its head was then covered with blue-white smoke, and it fell onto the deck, fast asleep.

“A sleeping spell... so they do have mages.”

At an order, the pirates landed on their ship. One of them was dressed quite exquisitely. He wore a shirt that looked like it used to be white, but was dirtied black from sweat and lubricant. One could see his strong and well-tanned chest muscles in the shirt’s openings. A patch covered his left eye. This man seemed to be the pirates’ leader.

“Where’s the captain?” He commanded in a rough tone, looking around him.

“Me.” The captain, shaking but still trying to keep composure, raised his hand.

The leader walked to him in large steps, took out his saber and rapped it at the captain’s face. “What’s the ship’s name and what does it carry?”

“Tristainia’s ''Marie Galante''. The cargo is sulfur.”

A gasp came from the pirates. The leader sniggered, picking up the captain’s hat and putting it on his head.

“I’m buying everything on this ship then... the price being your lives!”

The captain shook in shame. Then, the leader noticed Louise and Wardes standing on deck.

“Oho, we have noble guests!” The leader approached Louise and raised her chin with his hand. “We have a beauty here. Would you like to be our dishwasher?”

The men made rough, low laughs. Louise slapped his hand, and glared at him like she was about to explode into flames. “Get off me, you low-life!”

“Oh, she called us low-lives! I’m so scared now!” The men laughed loudly.

Saito wanted to take out his sword, but Wardes stopped him, whispering, “Hey, familiar. You look like you just can’t quiet down.”

“B-but... Louise...”

“What’s the use in raising a racket now? Their cannons and arrows would just turn Louise, you, and all of us into swiss cheese.”

Saito was shocked.

“Don’t you care about Louise’s safety one bit?”

Saito sank in despair and remorse. ''I’m useless. I can’t ever match up with this guy. Louise... will be better off marrying with this guy.'' He thought.

“Alright, boys, take them all away. We can get a hell lot of ransom for this!”

<noinclude>
==Translator's Notes and References==
<references/>

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter5|Back to Chapter 5]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Return to Main Page]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter7_%7EPreview%7E|Forward to Chapter 7]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter6

2014-01-21T14:52:21Z

Barashkafromro:

===Chapter Six: The White Country===

After making sure Saito and company were running, Kirche commanded Guiche, “Now then, it’s time to begin. Guiche, there’s a pot filled with oil in the kitchen somewhere, right?”

“You mean those frying pots?”

“Yep. Bring them over with your golems.”

“No sweat.” Guiche hid behind a table, waving his rose, which was his wand. The petals fell slowly and female bronze warriors sprouted from the ground. The golems headed towards the kitchen, even though arrows were aimed at them.

The steel arrowheads burrowed into soft copper, causing the statues to wobble. Guiche laughed, as the statues finally reached the kitchen behind the counter, and picked up the frying pot.

“Can you throw that at the entrance?” Kirche put on make up looking at a mirror while talking.

“You’re putting on make up now, of all times?” Guiche said, a shocked look on his face, but still commanded his statue to throw the pot at the entrance as he was told.

Kirche brandished her wand and stood up.

“Because the play is about to begin, and if the female lead has no make up on...”

She waved her wand at the oil, now sprinkled in the air.

“...wouldn’t that be embarrassing?”

Kirche’s magic lit up the oil, spreading flames all over the Goddess’s Temple, making a loud noise. In an instant, a group of mercenaries, once bent on advancing, retreated from the sudden fire.

Kirche seductively sang a spell, waving her wand again. The flames burned even fiercer, spreading towards the mercenaries at the entrance, enveloping them and causing them to roll around in pain. Kirche stood and elegantly flicked her hair before raising her wand. Although all the arrows flew towards her, Tabitha’s wind magic parried them all.

“Dear unnamed mercenaries, although I have no idea why you’re attacking us,” Kirche smiled and bowed in the rain of arrows, “please let me, Kirche the Ardent, graciously be your opponent!”

Sitting on her enormous earth golem’s shoulder, Fouquet bit her lip in annoyance. The group she just ordered to attack instantly came back in confusion after being surrounded with fire. She turned to the hooded masked noble sitting beside her. “Geez, making a fuss just because of this level of fire... hired hands just aren’t dependable.”

“That’s enough anyway.”

“But you can’t beat them like this!”

“It’s alright even if they can’t. All they have to do is separate them.”

“Even if you say so, I won’t let this go on. I took so much humiliation because of them.”

The hooded man did not answer, instead standing up as if he heard nothing, and talking to Fouquet, “Alright, I’m going after the Vallière girl.”

“Then what am I going to do?” Fouquet answered in shock.

“Whatever you like. Burn or cook the rest, whatever. We’ll meet up at the usual restaurant.” He casually jumped off the golem’s shoulder, disappearing into the darkness like the midnight wind, soft and chilling.

“Geez...what a laidback guy. Can’t tell me anything he’s thinking about.” Fouquet spoke silently in disgust.

Moans came from the men below. Strong winds came from inside the temple, spreading and strengthening the violent flames. Even the archers hiding in the darkness felt the burn.

Fouquet yelled below her, “Dammit, that’s enough! You’re all useless! Get out of my way!”

The golem rose with a thundering noise, and moved towards the entrance, pulling punches as it advanced.

Kirche and Tabitha controlled the flames in the hall, forcefully tormenting the mercenaries outside.  The group of archers outside also fled from the fire spread by Tabitha’s wind, leaving their bows behind.

“Ohhhhohohohoho! Oho! Ohohoho!” Kirche laughed victoriously. “You see it? You get it now? The power of my flames! If you don’t want to get burned, you better run home now! Ahahaha!”

“Alright, my turn!” after making an untimely appearance, just as Guiche aimed at the retreating enemies in between the gaps of the flames for his “Valkyrie” spell...

In a loud, thunderous noise, the entrance and beyond disappeared.

“Eh?”

A huge golem emerged from the flying dust, and easily kicked away Guiche’s statues.

“Oh, I forgot. That tough missy’s still here.” Kirche said silently, sticking out her tongue.

“Don’t be too arrogant, kids! I’ll finish you off!” Fouquet yelled in anger, standing on her golem’s shoulder.

“What do we do now?” Kirche turned to Tabitha’s direction. Her friend laid out both hands and shook her head.

Guiche took one look at the enormous golem, and sank into a fervent panic, yelling, “Everyone! Attack! I say, ATTACK! Now is the time for them to see the spirit of all Tristainian nobility! Watch me, father! Guiche will become a man!”

Tabitha tripped him with her staff, sending him crashing on the ground.

“What are you doing?! Let me be a man! In the name of Her Royal Highness, let my rose wither here!”

“Alright, we got to go.”

“No! I will not run!”

“...you know, you’re exactly the type that would die in any battle first.”

Tabitha looked at the approaching golem, and suddenly seemed to reach an idea. She then pulled on Guiche’s sleeve.

“What?”

“Rose.” Tabitha pointed at Guiche’s fake rose, making a waving motion in the process. “A lot. Of petals.”

“What do you want with those petals?!” Guiche yelled, only to have his ear pulled by Kirche.

“Just do what Tabitha says!”

Guiche waved his rose wand in annoyance, sending large amounts of petals flying in the air. Tabitha sang a spell. Under her wind’s direction, the petals stuck onto the golem.

“And what does sticking petals all over the golem do?! Sure it’s pretty!” Guiche yelled back.

Tabitha concisely ordered Guiche. “Alchemy.”

On the golem’s shoulder, Fouquet, seeing her creation stuck all over with petals, annoyingly complained, “What’s this? A present? I’m not letting this up even if you decorate my golem with petals!”

The golem raised a fist, and smashed the table that shielded Kirche, Tabitha, and Guiche in one blow.

At that moment, the tangled petals all turned into liquid. The smell of oil crept up to her. As a master of the “earth” element, Fouquet instantly realized the reason. A spell known as “Alchemy.”

They just used “Alchemy” to turn the petals on the golem into oil.

She was too late to realize that something was wrong. Kirche’s fireball was already flying towards her golem.

In an instant, the huge golem was covered in fire. Unable to withstand the heat and flames, the golem fell on its knees.

Seeing their employer in a losing position, the mercenaries fled like spiders. Kirche, Tabitha, and Guiche held their hands in joy.

“We did it! We won!”

“I... I won with alchemy! Father! Your Majesty! Guiche has triumphed!”

“That’s all because of Tabitha’s plan!” Kirche poked on Guiche’s head.

A hideous Fouquet stood up in front of her burned golem. “H... how dare you... beat me, Fouquet, twice, with earth magic...” She looked pitiful. With her long, beautiful hair burned away, her robes singed with holes everywhere, and her face charred a dark black, the beauty had left her.

“Aha, that’s some nice make up you have on. You know, lady, this heavy make up kinda suits you! I mean... you’re pretty old already!” As Kirche finished, she waved her wand at Fouquet. However, she seemed to have depleted her energy with all the spells she used in battle. Suddenly, a small, weak flame flew out, and disappeared in an instant.

“Eh? That’s it?” Kirche scratched her head.

Tabitha and Guiche seemed to have the same effect. But not Fouquet. She didn’t try any spells, and simply moved straight at them.

“Call me old?! Girl, I’m only 23!” Fouquet tightened her fists, and punched at Kirche, who retaliated much the same way without hesitation. And so the two fought completely unlike themselves.

Tabitha sat down, and, with absolutely no interest in the fight in front of her, started reading.

Guiche watched the two beautiful women fighting, a mild blush on his face. He seemed indifferent to his clothes being a total mess.

Watching from far away, the mercenaries began betting on the match.

As Kirche and Fouquet beat up each other, Saito and company ran towards the harbor, their road illuminated by the bright moon. Wardes ran towards a certain building’s long stairs, and began walking up them.

“Aren’t we heading towards some ‘harbor’? Why are we climbing a hill?” Asked Saito. Wardes did not answer.

After climbing a long flight of stairs, they arrived on top of a small hill. Seeing everything in front of him, Saito gasped.

It was a huge tree, branching out in every direction. It had the size of a mountain. How tall was it? The night covered its top, but it had considerable height. Saito looked at the tree as if it was Tokyo Tower.

And then... taking a closer look between the branches, the tree seemed to be holding something even larger. A huge fruit? He was wrong. It was a ship. It looked like a zeppelin, stuck between the trees.

“This is the ‘harbor’? And... that’s the ‘ship’?” Saito asked in shock.

Louise replied in surprise. “Yeah... isn’t your world like that?”

“Harbors and ships all stay on water in my world.”

“If there are ships that sail on water, there are ships that sail in the air.” Louise said matter-of-factly.

Wardes ran to the tree’s roots, which were as big and spacious as a skyscraper’s lobby. They probably dug the middle out of a dead tree to make this.

It was night, so they couldn’t see anyone. Between each flight of stairs were metal panels, with writing of some sort on them. ''Maybe station signs or something,'' Saito thought.

Wardes began climbing the stairs in front of him.

One flight of wooden stairs was connected to another. There were scaffolding and supports on them, but they still looked worryingly dangerous. One could see La Rochelle’s lights in the spaces between each flight of stairs.

In a rest stop midway, Saito heard footsteps behind them. He turned around, and a shadow jumped, flying over him and landed behind Louise.

It was the white-masked man on Fouquet’s golem.

Saito pulled out his sword and cried, “LOUISE!”

Louise turned around. The man picked her up the next instant.

“Ahhhh-----!” Louise screamed. Saito raised his sword. ''But if I just slash it like that, I’ll hit Louise.'' The man carried Louise and jumped much like a acrobat would, his body moving wherever he wished.

Saito stood still. Beside him, Wardes waved his staff. The masked man, like Saito a while ago, was blown away, hit by Wardes’ air hammer, and let Louise go. He held on to a support, but Louise fell towards the ground.

In an instant, Wardes jumped off from the platform, and dove towards Louise like a grebe<ref>A grebe is a species of freshwater diving bird. They dive their beaks into the water to snatch fish as prey.</ref>. He caught up with her and floated in the air while carrying her.

The masked man bent around, jumped on the platform, and faced Saito. His build was not too different from Wardes’. He pulled out a staff from his waist. It was a black staff.

After making sure Louise was safe, Saito went on guard, remembering his battle against Wardes. Swinging the sword around is outright dangerous, but he couldn’t foresee what magic his opponent would use against him.

The man waved his staff. The air above him began to cool. Freezing air irritated Saito’s skin. ''What is he doing?''

He continued to chant a spell. Saito raised his sword, but Derflinger yelled, “Get on guard, partner!” 

As Saito got on guard, the air shook. There was a crack. Lightning emanated from the man and hit Saito directly.

“‘Lightning Cloud’!” Derflinger cried, recognising the spell. A strong current went through Saito’s body and he fell from the platform.

“Gaaaahhh---!” Saito cried in pain. His left wrist felt like it was scorched and burned as if he had touched a red-hot branding iron. The current left a trail, burning his clothes. He fainted from the pain and fright.

Wardes, holding Louise, chanted the “Fly” spell, safely landing Saito on the ground.

“SAITO!” Louise cried, watching her familiar fall. Wardes bit his lip, turned to the masked man, and waved his staff. It was the air hammer. The air around him solidified into invisible blocks, striking the masked man. He fell off the platform and towards the ground.

Louise struggled out of Wardes' grip and ran to Saito. A gash from the current continued to burn Saito’s left hand, where he held his sword, from the sleeve straight up to his elbow. She frantically put her ear at his chest. His heart was beating, and she breathed a sigh of relief. He took a very heavy current, but seems to have survived, moaning in pain.

Saito opened his eyes, and painfully stood up. “W-what... that guy... but, it hurts... gah!”

Derflinger spoke in concern, “That was ‘Lightning Cloud’. Very strong wind magic. That guy looks like an expert to me.”

“Ah! Ugh!” Saito’s face twisted in pain.

Wardes looked to Saito’s condition. “But he was lucky to survive with just his wrist injured. This spell usually kills. Hmm... looks like your sword neutralized some of the current, but I’m not sure why. Isn’t the sword made of metal?”

“No idea. I forgot.” Derflinger replied.

“An intelligent sword, huh. Rare stuff.”

Saito bit his lip hard. His injured wrist hurt, but the fact that he could do nothing to save Louise hurt more. Plus, he let Wardes steal the whole show. He couldn’t let Louise look at him like this anymore. He barely stood up, and sheathed Derflinger.

“Let's go. I-it doesn’t matter now.”

Behind the last flight of stairs was a branch. On that branch, a ship... just docked there. It was shaped more like a yacht, perhaps to let it fly. There were wings on the sides. From the ship dangled who-knows-how-many ropes, all tied onto the branches. The branch they were standing on extended all the way to the ship’s deck.

They stepped on board, and a sailor sleeping on the deck climbed up. “Hey you! What are you doing?!”

“Where’s the captain?”

“He’s sleeping. Come back in the morning.” The man replied frostily and drunkenly, and drank from his rum bottle.

Wardes did not answer, and pulled his staff out. “You want a noble to repeat what he just said? I said get the captain!”

“A n-noble!!” The sailor stood up immediately and ran for the captain’s quarters.

After a while, he brought back a sleepy, fifty-something old man with a hat on. He seemed to be the captain. “What do you want?” He looked at Wardes suspiciously.

“Leader of Her Majesty’s Mage Guard, Captain Wardes.”

The captain’s eyes bulged, and he switched to more formal words after learning Wardes' identity as a noble of high caliber. “Oh, uh... then, what services may this ship perform for you...”

“Take us to Albion. Depart now.”

“Madness!”

“This is upon Her Majesty’s orders. Are you going against the Royal Court?”

“I don’t know what you’re going to Albion for, but we can’t depart until morning!”

“Why?”

“Albion’s the closest to Tristainia in the morning! We don’t have enough wind stones to get there from here right now.”

“Wind stones?” asked Saito.

The captain gave him a 'you-don’t-know-what-a-wind-stone-is?' look and answered, “Stones that store wind magic. This ship can’t fly without them.” He then turned to Wardes. “Your Excellency, this ship only has enough wind stones in store to travel the shortest distance to Albion. If we had more, we could have gone earlier. But for now, we cannot depart. We’ll drop out of the sky while halfway there.”

“I’ll make up for however much you lack in wind stones. I’m a square wind mage.”

The captain and his sailors looked at each other. The captain then turned to Wardes and nodded. “Then that’s fine. You will have to pay, though.”

“What’s the cargo?”

“Sulfur. Right now, it’s worth its weight in gold. The nobles have increased the price in desperation for security. To have that, gunpowder and fire elements are a must.”

“Sell all of that to me at that price.”

The captain nodded, perhaps with a devious smile. With the deal done, the captain made one order after another. “Leave port! Untie anchors! Set sail!”

The sailors followed orders, all the while complaining under their breath, expertly removing the ropes from the branches, climbing to the securing ropes on both sides, and released the sails.

Without the ties, the ship suddenly sank, and then floated again with the power of the wind stones.

“When can we reach Albion?” Wardes asked.

“We’ll arrive at Scarborough Port tomorrow at noon.” The captain replied.

Saito looked at the ground from the port side. The “harbor” could be seen between the huge tree’s branches. La Rochelle’s lights soon faded into darkness. They seemed to be traveling rather fast.

Louise approached Saito, and put a hand on his shoulder. “Saito, are you okay?” She worriedly looked at him.

“Don’t touch me.” He pushed her hand away. Louise’s face reddened.

“What?! And I was worried about you!” Louise went mad, seeing as Saito wouldn’t even look at her. ''"And I got all worried about you... what’s with that attitude?"'' She thought.

Saito was depressed. He couldn’t do a thing when Louise was about to be taken away by that white-masked man. He couldn’t face her. He remembered what Wardes told him a few days ago, ''“In other words, you are unable to protect Louise.”''

''Is that so?'' He sank.

Wardes approached them. “From what I heard from the captain, the Albion Royal Army near Newcastle was completely surrounded and is fighting an uphill battle.”

Louise, clearly scared, asked, “What about Prince Wales?”

Wardes shook his head. “I’m not sure. He seems to be alive.....”

“Wait... isn’t the harbor completely taken over by the rebels?”

“Yeah.”

“Then how can we contact the Royal Family?”

“We’ll just have to fight our way out. It takes only a day on horseback from Scarborough to Newcastle.”

“Fighting out of the rebels?”

“Right. That’s the only choice we have. They can’t really openly attack the Tristainian nobility, I think. We’ll have to find a chance to break out of their circle and run straight for Newcastle. All we have to think about then is riding in the dark.”

Louise anxiously nodded, and asked, “Speaking of which, Wardes, where’s your griffin?”

Wardes smiled. He leaned out portside, and whistled. From right under the ship came the sound of the griffin’s wings. It landed onto the deck, scaring some of the sailors.

“Can’t we just get to Albion on the griffin instead of the ship?” asked Saito.

“It’s not a dragon. It can’t fly that far.” Louise answered.

Saito sat near the mast and closed his eyes. ''Looks like we’ll be in danger again soon. Oh well... I’ll just go to sleep.'' he thought. With the talk between Louise and Wardes like a lullaby, he fell asleep.


Saito woke up to the sailors’ noises and blinding light, and a bright, blue sky in front of him. Looking down the ship, he could see floating clouds. The ship sailed right above them.

“Albion in sight!” the lookout bellowed.

Saito rubbed his sleepy eyes, and looked down again. All there was were clouds. Ground was nowhere to be seen.

Louise, who seemed to have been sleeping beside him, stood up.

“I can’t see ground anywhere.” Saito complained.

“There?” She pointed up towards the sky.

“Huh?” He followed where she pointed, and gasped in shock. A huge... well, nothing but huge sight greeted his eyes.

From between the clouds he could see dark land. It continued to expand under them. Mountains carved the landscape, and rivers flowed down them.

[[Image:ZnT02-173.jpg|thumb]]
“Did that frighten you?” Louise asked him.

“Ah... I’ve... never seen anything like this before.” Saito’s jaw dropped as he stood gaping.

“Albion, the floating island. It floats in the air, just like that, usually over oceans. However, it passes by over the Halkeginian continent a few times every month. It’s about the size of Tristainia, and it’s nicknamed ‘The White Country’.”

“Why ‘The White Country’?”

Louise pointed towards the island. “The water from the rivers flow off the island into the air, and while doing so become white fog, covering the bottom part of the island. The fog turn into clouds, which give Halkeginia its rainfall,” Louise explained.

The lookout yelled again, “Ship approaching starboard side!”

Saito looked towards that direction. A ship was, as he said, approaching, and it was many measures larger than the one they’re on. Cannons jutted out of holes on its portside.

“Ah... they even have cannons.” Saito spoke his thoughts.

Louise frowned.

“Not good. A rebel... or is that a noble vessel?” Behind deck, Wardes and the captain looked at where the lookout was pointing.

Black paint signaled that the ship was made for war. Twenty or so cannons aimed at them.

“Albionian nobility? Tell us if they ship cargo like we do.”

The lookout hoisted the signal flags as the captain told. The black ship did not respond.

The co-captain entered running, his face pale, and reported to the captain, “That ship doesn’t have any nationality flags!”

“Then... are they pirates?”

“Can’t be wrong! I heard they got really active after the rebellion began...”

“Run! Full speed!” The captain wanted to run from them as quickly as possible, but they were too late. The black ship began to sail parallel to them, and fired a shot directly ahead of them.

'''BANG!''' The cannonball disappeared into the clouds. The black ship’s mast then hoisted a four-color signal.

“They’re ordering us to stop, captain.”

The captain winced in his decision. It’s not like his ship was completely unarmed, but all they had were three movable cannons on deck, which were no more useful than decorations when up against a full broadside of over twenty pointed at them. The captain looked at Wardes for help.

“All my magic’s used on the ship. We can only do what they say.” Wardes answered calmly.

The captain mouthed, “There goes my fortune,” and gave the order.

“Wrap sails. Stop the ship.”

Louise, seeing the black ship fire a shot, closing in on them, and their ship stopping, held close to Saito, who only uneasily watched the black ship.

“We are pirates! Do not resist!” a man onboard the black ship yelled with a horn.

“Pirates?” Louise was shocked.

On the black ship’s port, men lined up with bows and rifles. They aimed and shot hooked lines, grabbing onto their ship’s starboard. More strong men, about ten of them wielding axes and curved sabers, slid over the ropes and onto the ship.

Saito held his sword, but his wrist still hurt from the previous night’s battle, and he couldn’t use his strength.

“Saito...” Louise said silently. He heard her, and tried to hold onto his sword harder. The marks on the back of his left hand glowed. However, Wardes, who somehow appeared behind him, put his hand on his shoulder.

“They’re not just armed barbarians, Saito. They have a lot of cannons pointed at us. If you want to live on the battlefield, you’ve got to accurately measure their strength and yours. They might even have mages on their side.”

Wardes’ griffin, which was sitting on front of the deck, was also frightened of the pirates and growled. Its head was then covered with blue-white smoke, and it fell onto the deck, fast asleep.

“A sleeping spell... so they do have mages.”

At an order, the pirates landed on their ship. One of them was dressed quite exquisitely. He wore a shirt that looked like it used to be white, but was dirtied black from sweat and lubricant. One could see his strong and well-tanned chest muscles in the shirt’s openings. A patch covered his left eye. This man seemed to be the pirates’ leader.

“Where’s the captain?” He commanded in a rough tone, looking around him.

“Me.” The captain, shaking but still trying to keep composure, raised his hand.

The leader walked to him in large steps, took out his saber and rapped it at the captain’s face. “What’s the ship’s name and what does it carry?”

“Tristainia’s ''Marie Galante''. The cargo is sulfur.”

A gasp came from the pirates. The leader sniggered, picking up the captain’s hat and putting it on his head.

“I’m buying everything on this ship then... the price being your lives!”

The captain shook in shame. Then, the leader noticed Louise and Wardes standing on deck.

“Oho, we have noble guests!” The leader approached Louise and raised her chin with his hand. “We have a beauty here. Would you like to be our dishwasher?”

The men made rough, low laughs. Louise slapped his hand, and glared at him like she was about to explode into flames. “Get off me, you low-life!”

“Oh, she called us low-lives! I’m so scared now!” The men laughed loudly.

Saito wanted to take out his sword, but Wardes stopped him, whispering, “Hey, familiar. You look like you just can’t quiet down.”

“B-but... Louise...”

“What’s the use in raising a racket now? Their cannons and arrows would just turn Louise, you, and all of us into swiss cheese.”

Saito was shocked.

“Don’t you care about Louise’s safety one bit?”

Saito sank in despair and remorse. ''I’m useless. I can’t ever match up with this guy. Louise... will be better off marrying with this guy.'' He thought.

“Alright, boys, take them all away. We can get a hell lot of ransom for this!”

<noinclude>
==Translator's Notes and References==
<references/>

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| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter5|Back to Chapter 5]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Return to Main Page]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter7_%7EPreview%7E|Forward to Chapter 7]]
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</noinclude>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter6

2014-01-21T14:49:03Z

Barashkafromro:

===Chapter Six: The White Country===

After making sure Saito and company were running, Kirche commanded Guiche, “Now then, it’s time to begin. Guiche, there’s a pot filled with oil in the kitchen somewhere, right?”

“You mean those frying pots?”

“Yep. Bring them over with your golems.”

“No sweat.” Guiche hid behind a table, waving his rose, which was his wand. The petals fell slowly and female bronze warriors sprouted from the ground. The golems headed towards the kitchen, even though arrows were aimed at them.

The steel arrowheads burrowed into soft copper, causing the statues to wobble. Guiche laughed, as the statues finally reached the kitchen behind the counter, and picked up the frying pot.

“Can you throw that at the entrance?” Kirche put on make up looking at a mirror while talking.

“You’re putting on make up now, of all times?” Guiche said, a shocked look on his face, but still commanded his statue to throw the pot at the entrance as he was told.

Kirche brandished her wand and stood up.

“Because the play is about to begin, and if the female lead has no make up on...”

She waved her wand at the oil, now sprinkled in the air.

“...wouldn’t that be embarrassing?”

Kirche’s magic lit up the oil, spreading flames all over the Goddess’s Temple, making a loud noise. In an instant, a group of mercenaries, once bent on advancing, retreated from the sudden fire.

Kirche seductively sang a spell, waving her wand again. The flames burned even fiercer, spreading towards the mercenaries at the entrance, enveloping them and causing them to roll around in pain. Kirche stood and elegantly flicked her hair before raising her wand. Although all the arrows flew towards her, Tabitha’s wind magic parried them all.

“Dear unnamed mercenaries, although I have no idea why you’re attacking us,” Kirche smiled and bowed in the rain of arrows, “please let me, Kirche the Ardent, graciously be your opponent!”

Sitting on her enormous earth golem’s shoulder, Fouquet bit her lip in annoyance. The group she just ordered to attack instantly came back in confusion after being surrounded with fire. She turned to the hooded masked noble sitting beside her. “Geez, making a fuss just because of this level of fire... hired hands just aren’t dependable.”

“That’s enough anyway.”

“But you can’t beat them like this!”

“It’s alright even if they can’t. All they have to do is separate them.”

“Even if you say so, I won’t let this go on. I took so much humiliation because of them.”

The hooded man did not answer, instead standing up as if he heard nothing, and talking to Fouquet, “Alright, I’m going after the Vallière girl.”

“Then what am I going to do?” Fouquet answered in shock.

“Whatever you like. Burn or cook the rest, whatever. We’ll meet up at the usual restaurant.” He casually jumped off the golem’s shoulder, disappearing into the darkness like the midnight wind, soft and chilling.

“Geez...what a laidback guy. Can’t tell me anything he’s thinking about.” Fouquet spoke silently in disgust.

Moans came from the men below. Strong winds came from inside the temple, spreading and strengthening the violent flames. Even the archers hiding in the darkness felt the burn.

Fouquet yelled below her, “Dammit, that’s enough! You’re all useless! Get out of my way!”

The golem rose with a thundering noise, and moved towards the entrance, pulling punches as it advanced.

Kirche and Tabitha controlled the flames in the hall, forcefully tormenting the mercenaries outside.  The group of archers outside also fled from the fire spread by Tabitha’s wind, leaving their bows behind.

“Ohhhhohohohoho! Oho! Ohohoho!” Kirche laughed victoriously. “You see it? You get it now? The power of my flames! If you don’t want to get burned, you better run home now! Ahahaha!”

“Alright, my turn!” after making an untimely appearance, just as Guiche aimed at the retreating enemies in between the gaps of the flames for his “Valkyrie” spell...

In a loud, thunderous noise, the entrance and beyond disappeared.

“Eh?”

A huge golem emerged from the flying dust, and easily kicked away Guiche’s statues.

“Oh, I forgot. That tough missy’s still here.” Kirche said silently, sticking out her tongue.

“Don’t be too arrogant, kids! I’ll finish you off!” Fouquet yelled in anger, standing on her golem’s shoulder.

“What do we do now?” Kirche turned to Tabitha’s direction. Her friend laid out both hands and shook her head.

Guiche took one look at the enormous golem, and sank into a fervent panic, yelling, “Everyone! Attack! I say, ATTACK! Now is the time for them to see the spirit of all Tristainian nobility! Watch me, father! Guiche will become a man!”

Tabitha tripped him with her staff, sending him crashing on the ground.

“What are you doing?! Let me be a man! In the name of Her Royal Highness, let my rose wither here!”

“Alright, we got to go.”

“No! I will not run!”

“...you know, you’re exactly the type that would die in any battle first.”

Tabitha looked at the approaching golem, and suddenly seemed to reach an idea. She then pulled on Guiche’s sleeve.

“What?”

“Rose.” Tabitha pointed at Guiche’s fake rose, making a waving motion in the process. “A lot. Of petals.”

“What do you want with those petals?!” Guiche yelled, only to have his ear pulled by Kirche.

“Just do what Tabitha says!”

Guiche waved his rose wand in annoyance, sending large amounts of petals flying in the air. Tabitha sang a spell. Under her wind’s direction, the petals stuck onto the golem.

“And what does sticking petals all over the golem do?! Sure it’s pretty!” Guiche yelled back.

Tabitha concisely ordered Guiche. “Alchemy.”

On the golem’s shoulder, Fouquet, seeing her creation stuck all over with petals, annoyingly complained, “What’s this? A present? I’m not letting this up even if you decorate my golem with petals!”

The golem raised a fist, and smashed the table that shielded Kirche, Tabitha, and Guiche in one blow.

At that moment, the tangled petals all turned into liquid. The smell of oil crept up to her. As a master of the “earth” element, Fouquet instantly realized the reason. A spell known as “Alchemy.”

They just used “Alchemy” to turn the petals on the golem into oil.

She was too late to realize that something was wrong. Kirche’s fireball was already flying towards her golem.

In an instant, the huge golem was covered in fire. Unable to withstand the heat and flames, the golem fell on its knees.

Seeing their employer in a losing position, the mercenaries fled like spiders. Kirche, Tabitha, and Guiche held their hands in joy.

“We did it! We won!”

“I... I won with alchemy! Father! Your Majesty! Guiche has triumphed!”

“That’s all because of Tabitha’s plan!” Kirche poked on Guiche’s head.

A hideous Fouquet stood up in front of her burned golem. “H... how dare you... beat me, Fouquet, twice, with earth magic...” She looked pitiful. With her long, beautiful hair burned away, her robes singed with holes everywhere, and her face charred a dark black, the beauty had left her.

“Aha, that’s some nice make up you have on. You know, lady, this heavy make up kinda suits you! I mean... you’re pretty old already!” As Kirche finished, she waved her wand at Fouquet. However, she seemed to have depleted her energy with all the spells she used in battle. Suddenly, a small, weak flame flew out, and disappeared in an instant.

“Eh? That’s it?” Kirche scratched her head.

Tabitha and Guiche seemed to have the same effect. But not Fouquet. She didn’t try any spells, and simply moved straight at them.

“Call me old?! Girl, I’m only 23!” Fouquet tightened her fists, and punched at Kirche, who retaliated much the same way without hesitation. And so the two fought completely unlike themselves.

Tabitha sat down, and, with absolutely no interest in the fight in front of her, started reading.

Guiche watched the two beautiful women fighting, a mild blush on his face. He seemed indifferent to his clothes being a total mess.

Watching from far away, the mercenaries began betting on the match.

As Kirche and Fouquet beat up each other, Saito and company ran towards the harbor, their road illuminated by the bright moon. Wardes ran towards a certain building’s long stairs, and began walking up them.

“Aren’t we heading towards some ‘harbor’? Why are we climbing a hill?” Asked Saito. Wardes did not answer.

After climbing a long flight of stairs, they arrived on top of a small hill. Seeing everything in front of him, Saito gasped.

It was a huge tree, branching out in every direction. It had the size of a mountain. How tall was it? The night covered its top, but it had considerable height. Saito looked at the tree as if it was Tokyo Tower.

And then... taking a closer look between the branches, the tree seemed to be holding something even larger. A huge fruit? He was wrong. It was a ship. It looked like a zeppelin, stuck between the trees.

“This is the ‘harbor’? And... that’s the ‘ship’?” Saito asked in shock.

Louise replied in surprise. “Yeah... isn’t your world like that?”

“Harbors and ships all stay on water in my world.”

“If there are ships that sail on water, there are ships that sail in the air.” Louise said matter-of-factly.

Wardes ran to the tree’s roots, which were as big and spacious as a skyscraper’s lobby. They probably dug the middle out of a dead tree to make this.

It was night, so they couldn’t see anyone. Between each flight of stairs were metal panels, with writing of some sort on them. ''Maybe station signs or something,'' Saito thought.

Wardes began climbing the stairs in front of him.

One flight of wooden stairs was connected to another. There were scaffolding and supports on them, but they still looked worryingly dangerous. One could see La Rochelle’s lights in the spaces between each flight of stairs.

In a rest stop midway, Saito heard footsteps behind them. He turned around, and a shadow jumped, flying over him and landed behind Louise.

It was the white-masked man on Fouquet’s golem.

Saito pulled out his sword and cried, “LOUISE!”

Louise turned around. The man picked her up the next instant.

“Ahhhh-----!” Louise screamed. Saito raised his sword. ''But if I just slash it like that, I’ll hit Louise.'' The man carried Louise and jumped much like a acrobat would, his body moving wherever he wished.

Saito stood still. Beside him, Wardes waved his staff. The masked man, like Saito a while ago, was blown away, hit by Wardes’ air hammer, and let Louise go. He held on to a support, but Louise fell towards the ground.

In an instant, Wardes jumped off from the platform, and dove towards Louise like a grebe<ref>A grebe is a species of freshwater diving bird. They dive their beaks into the water to snatch fish as prey.</ref>. He caught up with her and floated in the air while carrying her.

The masked man bent around, jumped on the platform, and faced Saito. His build was not too different from Wardes’. He pulled out a staff from his waist. It was a black staff.

After making sure Louise was safe, Saito went on guard, remembering his battle against Wardes. Swinging the sword around is outright dangerous, but he couldn’t foresee what magic his opponent would use against him.

The man waved his staff. The air above him began to cool. Freezing air irritated Saito’s skin. ''What is he doing?''

He continued to chant a spell. Saito raised his sword, but Derflinger yelled, “Get on guard, partner!” 

As Saito got on guard, the air shook. There was a crack. Lightning emanated from the man and hit Saito directly.

“‘Lightning Cloud’!” Derflinger cried, recognising the spell. A strong current went through Saito’s body and he fell from the platform.

“Gaaaahhh---!” Saito cried in pain. His left wrist felt like it was scorched and burned as if he had touched a red-hot branding iron. The current left a trail, burning his clothes. He fainted from the pain and fright.

Wardes, holding Louise, chanted the “Fly” spell, safely landing Saito on the ground.

“SAITO!” Louise cried, watching her familiar fall. Wardes bit his lip, turned to the masked man, and waved his staff. It was the air hammer. The air around him solidified into invisible blocks, striking the masked man. He fell off the platform and towards the ground.

Louise struggled out of Wardes' grip and ran to Saito. A gash from the current continued to burn Saito’s left hand, where he held his sword, from the sleeve straight up to his elbow. She frantically put her ear at his chest. His heart was beating, and she breathed a sigh of relief. He took a very heavy current, but seems to have survived, moaning in pain.

Saito opened his eyes, and painfully stood up. “W-what... that guy... but, it hurts... gah!”

Derflinger spoke in concern, “That was ‘Lightning Cloud’. Very strong wind magic. That guy looks like an expert to me.”

“Ah! Ugh!” Saito’s face twisted in pain.

Wardes looked to Saito’s condition. “But he was lucky to survive with just his wrist injured. This spell usually kills. Hmm... looks like your sword neutralized some of the current, but I’m not sure why. Isn’t the sword made of metal?”

“No idea. I forgot.” Derflinger replied.

“An intelligent sword, huh. Rare stuff.”

Saito bit his lip hard. His injured wrist hurt, but the fact that he could do nothing to save Louise hurt more. Plus, he let Wardes steal the whole show. He couldn’t let Louise look at him like this anymore. He barely stood up, and sheathed Derflinger.

“Let's go. I-it doesn’t matter now.”

Behind the last flight of stairs was a branch. On that branch, a ship... just docked there. It was shaped more like a yacht, perhaps to let it fly. There were wings on the sides. From the ship dangled who-knows-how-many ropes, all tied onto the branches. The branch they were standing on extended all the way to the ship’s deck.

They stepped on board, and a sailor sleeping on the deck climbed up. “Hey you! What are you doing?!”

“Where’s the captain?”

“He’s sleeping. Come back in the morning.” The man replied frostily and drunkenly, and drank from his rum bottle.

Wardes did not answer, and pulled his staff out. “You want a noble to repeat what he just said? I said get the captain!”

“A n-noble!!” The sailor stood up immediately and ran for the captain’s quarters.

After a while, he brought back a sleepy, fifty-something old man with a hat on. He seemed to be the captain. “What do you want?” He looked at Wardes suspiciously.

“Leader of Her Majesty’s Mage Guard, Captain Wardes.”

The captain’s eyes bulged, and he switched to more formal words after learning Wardes' identity as a noble of high caliber. “Oh, uh... then, what services may this ship perform for you...”

“Take us to Albion. Depart now.”

“Madness!”

“This is upon Her Majesty’s orders. Are you going against the Royal Court?”

“I don’t know what you’re going to Albion for, but we can’t depart until morning!”

“Why?”

“Albion’s the closest to Tristainia in the morning! We don’t have enough wind stones to get there from here right now.”

“Wind stones?” asked Saito.

The captain gave him a 'you-don’t-know-what-a-wind-stone-is? look and answered, “Stones that store wind magic. This ship can’t fly without them.” He then turned to Wardes. “Your Excellency, this ship only has enough wind stones in store to travel the shortest distance to Albion. If we had more, we could have gone earlier. But for now, we cannot depart. We’ll drop out of the sky while halfway there.”

“I’ll make up for however much you lack in wind stones. I’m a square wind mage.”

The captain and his sailors looked at each other. The captain then turned to Wardes and nodded. “Then that’s fine. You will have to pay, though.”

“What’s the cargo?”

“Sulfur. Right now, it’s worth its weight in gold. The nobles have increased the price in desperation for security. To have that, gunpowder and fire elements are a must.”

“Sell all of that to me at that price.”

The captain nodded, perhaps with a devious smile. With the deal done, the captain made one order after another. “Leave port! Untie anchors! Set sail!”

The sailors followed orders, all the while complaining under their breath, expertly removing the ropes from the branches, climbing to the securing ropes on both sides, and released the sails.

Without the ties, the ship suddenly sank, and then floated again with the power of the wind stones.

“When can we reach Albion?” Wardes asked.

“We’ll arrive at Scarborough Port tomorrow at noon.” The captain replied.

Saito looked at the ground from the port side. The “harbor” could be seen between the huge tree’s branches. La Rochelle’s lights soon faded into darkness. They seemed to be traveling rather fast.

Louise approached Saito, and put a hand on his shoulder. “Saito, are you okay?” She worriedly looked at him.

“Don’t touch me.” He pushed her hand away. Louise’s face reddened.

“What?! And I was worried about you!” Louise went mad, seeing as Saito wouldn’t even look at her. ''"And I got all worried about you... what’s with that attitude?"'' She thought.

Saito was depressed. He couldn’t do a thing when Louise was about to be taken away by that white-masked man. He couldn’t face her. He remembered what Wardes told him a few days ago, ''“In other words, you are unable to protect Louise.”''

''Is that so?'' He sank.

Wardes approached them. “From what I heard from the captain, the Albion Royal Army near Newcastle was completely surrounded and is fighting an uphill battle.”

Louise, clearly scared, asked, “What about Prince Wales?”

Wardes shook his head. “I’m not sure. He seems to be alive.....”

“Wait... isn’t the harbor completely taken over by the rebels?”

“Yeah.”

“Then how can we contact the Royal Family?”

“We’ll just have to fight our way out. It takes only a day on horseback from Scarborough to Newcastle.”

“Fighting out of the rebels?”

“Right. That’s the only choice we have. They can’t really openly attack the Tristainian nobility, I think. We’ll have to find a chance to break out of their circle and run straight for Newcastle. All we have to think about then is riding in the dark.”

Louise anxiously nodded, and asked, “Speaking of which, Wardes, where’s your griffin?”

Wardes smiled. He leaned out portside, and whistled. From right under the ship came the sound of the griffin’s wings. It landed onto the deck, scaring some of the sailors.

“Can’t we just get to Albion on the griffin instead of the ship?” asked Saito.

“It’s not a dragon. It can’t fly that far.” Louise answered.

Saito sat near the mast and closed his eyes. ''Looks like we’ll be in danger again soon. Oh well... I’ll just go to sleep.'' he thought. With the talk between Louise and Wardes like a lullaby, he fell asleep.


Saito woke up to the sailors’ noises and blinding light, and a bright, blue sky in front of him. Looking down the ship, he could see floating clouds. The ship sailed right above them.

“Albion in sight!” the lookout bellowed.

Saito rubbed his sleepy eyes, and looked down again. All there was were clouds. Ground was nowhere to be seen.

Louise, who seemed to have been sleeping beside him, stood up.

“I can’t see ground anywhere.” Saito complained.

“There?” She pointed up towards the sky.

“Huh?” He followed where she pointed, and gasped in shock. A huge... well, nothing but huge sight greeted his eyes.

From between the clouds he could see dark land. It continued to expand under them. Mountains carved the landscape, and rivers flowed down them.

[[Image:ZnT02-173.jpg|thumb]]
“Did that frighten you?” Louise asked him.

“Ah... I’ve... never seen anything like this before.” Saito’s jaw dropped as he stood gaping.

“Albion, the floating island. It floats in the air, just like that, usually over oceans. However, it passes by over the Halkeginian continent a few times every month. It’s about the size of Tristainia, and it’s nicknamed ‘The White Country’.”

“Why ‘The White Country’?”

Louise pointed towards the island. “The water from the rivers flow off the island into the air, and while doing so become white fog, covering the bottom part of the island. The fog turn into clouds, which give Halkeginia its rainfall,” Louise explained.

The lookout yelled again, “Ship approaching starboard side!”

Saito looked towards that direction. A ship was, as he said, approaching, and it was many measures larger than the one they’re on. Cannons jutted out of holes on its portside.

“Ah... they even have cannons.” Saito spoke his thoughts.

Louise frowned.

“Not good. A rebel... or is that a noble vessel?” Behind deck, Wardes and the captain looked at where the lookout was pointing.

Black paint signaled that the ship was made for war. Twenty or so cannons aimed at them.

“Albionian nobility? Tell us if they ship cargo like we do.”

The lookout hoisted the signal flags as the captain told. The black ship did not respond.

The co-captain entered running, his face pale, and reported to the captain, “That ship doesn’t have any nationality flags!”

“Then... are they pirates?”

“Can’t be wrong! I heard they got really active after the rebellion began...”

“Run! Full speed!” The captain wanted to run from them as quickly as possible, but they were too late. The black ship began to sail parallel to them, and fired a shot directly ahead of them.

'''BANG!''' The cannonball disappeared into the clouds. The black ship’s mast then hoisted a four-color signal.

“They’re ordering us to stop, captain.”

The captain winced in his decision. It’s not like his ship was completely unarmed, but all they had were three movable cannons on deck, which were no more useful than decorations when up against a full broadside of over twenty pointed at them. The captain looked at Wardes for help.

“All my magic’s used on the ship. We can only do what they say.” Wardes answered calmly.

The captain mouthed, “There goes my fortune,” and gave the order.

“Wrap sails. Stop the ship.”

Louise, seeing the black ship fire a shot, closing in on them, and their ship stopping, held close to Saito, who only uneasily watched the black ship.

“We are pirates! Do not resist!” a man onboard the black ship yelled with a horn.

“Pirates?” Louise was shocked.

On the black ship’s port, men lined up with bows and rifles. They aimed and shot hooked lines, grabbing onto their ship’s starboard. More strong men, about ten of them wielding axes and curved sabers, slid over the ropes and onto the ship.

Saito held his sword, but his wrist still hurt from the previous night’s battle, and he couldn’t use his strength.

“Saito...” Louise said silently. He heard her, and tried to hold onto his sword harder. The marks on the back of his left hand glowed. However, Wardes, who somehow appeared behind him, put his hand on his shoulder.

“They’re not just armed barbarians, Saito. They have a lot of cannons pointed at us. If you want to live on the battlefield, you’ve got to accurately measure their strength and yours. They might even have mages on their side.”

Wardes’ griffin, which was sitting on front of the deck, was also frightened of the pirates and growled. Its head was then covered with blue-white smoke, and it fell onto the deck, fast asleep.

“A sleeping spell... so they do have mages.”

At an order, the pirates landed on their ship. One of them was dressed quite exquisitely. He wore a shirt that looked like it used to be white, but was dirtied black from sweat and lubricant. One could see his strong and well-tanned chest muscles in the shirt’s openings. A patch covered his left eye. This man seemed to be the pirates’ leader.

“Where’s the captain?” He commanded in a rough tone, looking around him.

“Me.” The captain, shaking but still trying to keep composure, raised his hand.

The leader walked to him in large steps, took out his saber and rapped it at the captain’s face. “What’s the ship’s name and what does it carry?”

“Tristainia’s ''Marie Galante''. The cargo is sulfur.”

A gasp came from the pirates. The leader sniggered, picking up the captain’s hat and putting it on his head.

“I’m buying everything on this ship then... the price being your lives!”

The captain shook in shame. Then, the leader noticed Louise and Wardes standing on deck.

“Oho, we have noble guests!” The leader approached Louise and raised her chin with his hand. “We have a beauty here. Would you like to be our dishwasher?”

The men made rough, low laughs. Louise slapped his hand, and glared at him like she was about to explode into flames. “Get off me, you low-life!”

“Oh, she called us low-lives! I’m so scared now!” The men laughed loudly.

Saito wanted to take out his sword, but Wardes stopped him, whispering, “Hey, familiar. You look like you just can’t quiet down.”

“B-but... Louise...”

“What’s the use in raising a racket now? Their cannons and arrows would just turn Louise, you, and all of us into swiss cheese.”

Saito was shocked.

“Don’t you care about Louise’s safety one bit?”

Saito sank in despair and remorse. ''I’m useless. I can’t ever match up with this guy. Louise... will be better off marrying with this guy.'' He thought.

“Alright, boys, take them all away. We can get a hell lot of ransom for this!”

<noinclude>
==Translator's Notes and References==
<references/>

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| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter5|Back to Chapter 5]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Return to Main Page]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter7_%7EPreview%7E|Forward to Chapter 7]]
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</noinclude>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter5

2014-01-21T14:00:48Z

Barashkafromro:

===Chapter Five: A Rest Day Before Leaving===

Tired from riding all day, they had decided to rest at the fanciest hotel in the city of La Rochelle, the Goddess’s Temple. It was a very fancy place even for a noble. The dining tables and floor were both made from the same marble and the floor was so clean that one could see their own face on it.

Wardes and Louise came back from the pier.

When Wardes sat down he said hesitantly, "The ship for Albion leaves the day after tomorrow."

"This mission is very urgent..." Louise pointed.

Saito and the rest finally relaxed, knowing tomorrow they could rest.

"I have never been to Albion so I do not know why there is no ship tomorrow."

Wardes looked at Kirche and answered to her, "Are the moons overlapping tomorrow? If so, then Albion should be closest to La Rochelle"

A worn-out Saito wondered how it might be related to the ebb and flow of the tide. The ebb and flow were regulated by the movement of the moon.

Wardes put the keys on the table, "Let's rest for now, take the keys. Tabitha and Kirche take one room, Guiche and Saito take another."

Guiche and Saito stared at each other.

Wardes continued, "Louise and I will be sharing a room."

Saito felt something tug at his heart and he turned towards Wardes.

"It is the obvious arrangement as Louise and I are engaged." 

Louise looked at Wardes in shock and said, "B-but we can't! We're not even married yet!"

Saito nodded energetically, ''That's right, she shouldn't sleep with him.''

But Wardes shook his head and told Louise, "There is something important I have to tell you."

Wardes and Louise stayed in the best room in the hotel. They wondered who designed the room. There was an enormous four-poster bed with delicate lace hanging from the top. Wardes sat down at the table, opened a bottle of wine and poured himself a cup. He chugged it down and said, "Why don't you sit down and have a cup as well, Louise?"

Louise sat down as well. He poured one for Louise and refilled his own. He then raised his cup and said, "Cheers!" Louise however held hers in her hands and bowed down her head.

Wardes asked, "Did you keep the princess's letter safe?"

Louise patted her pocket and to make sure it was still there, ''I wonder why it is so important. What is in this letter? Does the prince already have a letter ready? I think I figured out a small part of it. Being Henrietta's childhood friend, I know how she writes her letters.''

Wardes looked at Louise with wonder. Then Louise nodded and said, "The letter is still safe. Are you worried that we might not be able to get the letter from the prince of Albion?"

"Yes, I am very worried." Wardes answered.

Louise arched her lovely eyebrows and said, "Don't worry; it will be fine because I'll always be with you."

"That's right; if you're here there will definitely be no problems. It was always that way."

Wardes sounded very distant when he said that.

"Do you still remember the promise of the day when we were at the lake?" Louise asked.

He nodded his head, "In the little boat that was floating in the middle of lake? You would always go there after being scolded by your parents. You were like an abandoned kitten."

"Really? You remember the weirdest things."

Wardes replied happily, "Of course I have to remember those things. You were always compared to your sisters in terms of magical power."

Louise lowered her head embarrassed and he said, "But I think that's wrong. You are worthless and a failure, but..."

"You are so mean!" Louise said angrily.

"You have an incredible power that nobody else has. I know this because I am a different kind of magician." Wardes finished ignoring what Louise said.

"That's impossible!"

Wardes replied, "But it is possible. For example whenever you use your magic..."

Louise's face turned red and said, "The accident about Saito?"

"Yes, when he picked up the weapon the runes on his left hand began to glow. Those runes are legendary."

"Legendary?"

"Yes, those runes belong to the legendary familiar Gandálfr. The familiar that once belonged to Founder Brimir." Wardes' eyes shone with admiration.

Louise asked, "Gandálfr?"

"Not just anyone can control Gandálfr. You have the magic to control him."

"That's hard to believe." Louise tilted her head and thought that Wardes was joking around.

Louise shook her head, thinking Wardes was joking. It is true that Saito’s speed increased dramatically when he wielded a weapon, and became extremely strong, but to say he is the legendary familiar is unbelievable. If it is really like that, then something must be wrong. ''I am after all “Louise the Zero”.''

''I am always a failure, there is no way I could have the power Wardes mentioned.''

“You could become a great mage. Yes, like Founder Brimir, and leave your name in history as a great mage. I believe so.”

Wardes gazed at Louise warmly.

“After this mission, marry me Louise”

“Ah…”

The sudden marriage proposal left Louise speechless.

“I am not satisfied to be just a mage captain of the Magic Knights... I want to become a noble that will move the whole of Halkeginia some day.”

“B-but...”

“But what?”

“I... I am still... still”

“You are not a child anymore, you are 16 years old. You have reached the age when you can decide things. Your father agreed too. So...”

Wardes abruptly stopped here. Then he looked up and brought his face close to Louise.

“It is true, I never came to look for you, and I have to apologize. Marriage is not something to be spoken of easily, this I also know. But Louise, to me you are the most important of all.”

”Wardes…”

Louise thought about it. Why did Saito's face keep popping in her mind? After marrying Wardes, will she have to leave Saito as her familiar?

''I don’t understand why, but I constantly feel this is wrong. If it was a crow or owl type of familiar it wouldn’t be so troublesome. If no one takes care of this idiot from another world, what will happen to him?''

Kirche or… Saito didn’t know that Louise knew the maid from the kitchen who often fed him… They will take care of him right?

''I don’t understand why but this is extremely annoying''. Louise thought, just like a small girl she wanted to have Saito all to herself. ''Although Saito is an idiot and often makes me mad, I don’t want him to become someone else’s property. He is mine.''

Louise raised her head.

"Still… Still…"

"Still?"

“That... that I am not a mage of your caliber yet, I still need to study…”

Louise lowered her head, kept it low and murmured.

“Wardes, when I was young, that is what I always thought, someday, I must make everyone recognize me, become a great mage, and make my mother and father proud.”

Louise raised her head, staring at the older man.

“I, I still cannot reach that yet.”

“Is it because someone already stole your heart?”

“It is nothing like that, there's no chance for that to happen!” Louise denied in a panic.

“It's not important, I understand, I understand. For now, I won’t ask for an answer. But, after this journey is over, I will certainly lighten your heart.”

Louise nodded in reply.

“In that case, let's go to bed, you are already tired right?”

Suddenly, Wardes came close to Louise, wanting to kiss her.

Instantly, Louise’s body stiffened. Then she pushed Wardes away.

“Louise?”

"I'm sorry... But, things like...that..."

Louise pridefully stared at Wardes. He smiled bitterly and shook his head.

“I am not in a hurry”

Louise lowered her head again.

''Why, even though Wardes is so gentle, handsome and strong, even though I longed for him for such a long time.... Yet, I am not even happy when I am being proposed to.''

Someone else had already caught her heart. But Louise's mind refused to think about the one that caught it.

Outside the window, Saito had his hand around the window bars, desperately looking at Louise and Wardes’ room.

Holding Derflinger in his left hand made his body feel light as a feather, allowing him to observe everything inside the room. Peeking through the curtains, Saito saw two figures sitting by the table.

''What are they talking about?'' Every time Wardes’ face got closer to Louise, Saito would bite his lips. Every time when the two appeared to be about to kiss, the boy would almost stop breathing. But since Louise always denied the kiss, Saito’s breath didn’t stop either.

“Ah, closing in again, this ******, ah, so it is like that!” Saito whispered. Derflinger quietly muttered.

“How shameful.”

“Shut up.”

“My partner sticks like a green caterpillar to the window, peeking at the girl he has a crush on and her lover having a cheerful talk. It is so shameful it hurts and almost makes me cry!”

“I don’t have a crush on her! What is so good about that kind of girl? Explosive temper, treats me like a dog, twisted personality.”

Saito groaned through gritted teeth.

“Then why are we peeking?”

“I am only worried, just worried that’s all.”

With these words something fell on Saito from above.

''Pa-ta''

It landed on Saito’s shoulders, covering his face and obscuring his vision.

“Wha-what?”

“What are you doing here? Do you like to take strolls on the wall? Geez, took me forever to find you.”

It was Kirche who landed on his shoulder, and our hero’s eyes were blinded because his face was covered by the Germanian’s mini-skirt.

“Hey, get off me!” Saito replied as he pulled his face out of Kirche’s skirt.

“Why, is it not good? Hey, what are you looking at?”

Kirche took one look at the window, turned around to face Saito again and put her arms around him: “No, don’t peek at newlyweds, we shouldn’t care about them”

“This is what I think; a quiet date on the wall is so romantic. Look how beautiful the lights from the city are; don’t you think they are cheering for us?” 

“First thing first, you get off.”

The two tried to wriggle their ways out when suddenly the window slammed open. Saito remained frozen in place and hugging the wall like a cockroach.

One look and we can see Louise with her hands placed on her hips. But, her lovely face twisted into a demonic mask, staring at Kirche and Saito.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEXT TO MY WINDOW????”

Saito with his sword in one hand, another clutching the window frames. At the same time Kirche, with her legs around his shoulders, clung closely to him as if getting some weird piggyback ride.

Without a question - this looked suspicious, but pretty amazing too.

“Can’t understand it even after you see it? This is a date.”

Saito tried to say something, but his lips were covered by Kirche’s hands, making him look puzzled. Louise’s shoulders started to quake in fury.

“Go, go, go, go have romance somewhere else. You, you, you two stray dogs!”


“But darling wants to have a date here.”

Kirche replied triumphantly.

In an instant Louise’s foot flew in their direction, Kirche ducked then climbed on to the wall, so the shorter girl’s foot connected straight with Saito’s face, sending him flying.

Luckily Saito had the sword in his hand, and thrust it into the wall to stop his falling. Then he howled in rage:

“DO YOU WANT TO KILL ME???”

“Someone like you who doesn’t understand kindness deserves to DIE!”

Wardes sat in his room and watched the whole thing with amusement.

Second day, Saito woke up to someone knocking on his door. Since Guiche was still sleeping soundly on the bed next to him, without another choice the Japanese could only climb out of the bed to answer.

''There is no ship today, I wanted to spend the day sleeping, geez.'' Saito thought angrily as he opened the door.

Wardes with his usual hat looked down at Saito, who was about a head and a half shorter than the knight.

“Good morning, familiar.”

Louise’s fiancé calling him like this made Saito angry

Saito replied, “Morning, but the departure date is tomorrow right? Do you have anything important to say this morning? I've been riding a horse all day yesterday, I still want to sleep.”

Wardes only smiled faintly.

“Are you the Gandálfr of the legend?”

“AH.”

Saito stared at Wardes in a stunned expression.

Wardes was trying to clear something, and bent his head and said, “That case with Fouquet, I hold a great interest in you. I asked Louise earlier, I heard you are from another world and I also heard you are the legendary Gandálfr.”

“Ha.” 

Who talked about Gandálfr anyway? Old Osman shouldn’t have talked about this.

“I find history and warfare extremely interesting. When Fouquet was captured, I became very interested in you. Then I did some research in the Imperial Library. The result of that research is my discovery that you are the legendary familiar Gandálfr.”

"Oh, is that so. You are really a scholar."

“I want to know how strong is the person who captured Fouquet; can you show it to me?”

“Show you?”

Wardes pulled out his wand from his belt, “Let me put it this way.”

“A duel?” Saito replied with an icy smile.

“Exactly.”

Wardes and Saito smiled together. Taking one look at the still sleeping Guiche, the Japanese boy thought ''I am not sure just how strong Wardes is anyway, but I have beaten Guiche already and captured Fouquet. He is the Captain of the Magic Knights, and looks like he has some abilities too. But I shouldn’t be so far behind.''

''Let's show Louise’s fiancé what Gandálfr is capable of'' Saito thought.

“Where do you want to duel?”

“This hotel used to be a castle designed for repelling Albion invasions, there is a parade ground in the center of it.”

The two then left for the parade ground for nobles together. The ancient practice ground was now a place for debris and refuse with empty beer barrels and crates scattered all over the place. It was hard to believe that a long time before that royal flags with staffs cut from stone were decorating this wasteland.

“Before, maybe you don’t know, under the reign of Philip III, this often used to be a place to host duels between nobility.”

“Ha Ha.”

Saito took out Derflinger from his shoulder and the rune on his left hand flared into light.

“In a time long ago, the king still had the power to duel, Nobles from the king’s time… a time when Nobles were noble. Who risked life for fame and honor, we nobles fought with magic. But it is usually fought over boring issues, right, as if the two were fighting for a lover.”

Suddenly Saito’s face grew serious, pulled out his sword, but Wardes stopped him with his left hand.

“What?”

“There are certain rules regarding dueling, we don’t have a witness here.”

“Witness?”

“Calm down, one is coming” Wardes replied, and Louise appeared from nearby. She was dumbfounded as she saw the two.

“Wardes, you called me over and I came, what are you two preparing to do?”

“I want to test his abilities a little.”

“Really, let’s stop this nonsense. Now is not the time for these kind of stupidities.”

“It is true, but the noble-born  wants a duel, he really wants to find out if I am strong or weak.”

Louise stared at her familiar, “Stop now, that is an order.”

Saito did not reply, only stared at Wardes.

“What? Really?” 

“Since the witness is here, let us begin."

Wardes pulled out his wand from his belt again, entered a combat stance, with his wand pointing at Saito.

Saito responded “I'm not that reliable, so I don’t know how to go hard or light.”

Wardes responded with a light laughter, “No problem, hit me with everything.”

Saito pulled out Derflinger and leapt forward with a slash. The magic knight parried the attack with his wand, and the two weapons rang solidly as steel clashed steel, sending sparks in all directions. While Wardes’ weapon was merely a small wand, he was able to block Saito’s long sword without a sweat.

One would have expected Wardes to retreat backward, but no one expected the hurricane-like wind that was caused when the two clashed, and Wardes' increased speed as he charged toward Saito. The Japanese boy responded with a chopping strike that broke Wardes’ advance, with the black cape of the Magic Knights flipping in the wind. The captain in response leapt a few steps back, and then reversed back to his stance.

''Why isn’t that guy using his magic?'' Saito thought.

Derflinger mumbled in response, “You can’t make it, he is looking down on you.”

Saito’s heart burst in fury. ''Wardes that bastard, he can have the same speed as me with the Gandálfr runes glowing''. With only one exchange, Saito could tell the difference between Guiche and Wardes.

“A Magic Knight isn’t someone who only chants magic.” Wardes answered with a tip of his hat.

“The way we chant is fully specialized for battle, the way we hold our wands, the motion we use to charge… the way we use our wands as swords, complete with spellcraft. This is the basic of the basics for soldiers.”

Saito lowered his body slightly, and began to spin his blade like a windmill. Wardes apparently already saw through Saito’s attack style, and parried the next attack without even taking a breath.

“You are really fast; no one can mistake you for a commoner, truly the familiar of the legends.” Blocking Saito’s blow, Wardes used his wand and swung at the back of Saito’s head. With his brain and nose on fire, the Japanese boy collapsed on the ground with a thud.

“But this is it, you are fast, but your movements are those of an amateur, you cannot beat a real mage with this.”

Saito leapt forward like a bullet and released a brand new assault.

But, with one step aside and a jump, Wardes easily dodged Saito again with the speed of the wind.

“In other words, you are unable to protect Louise.” For the first time, Wardes entered combat stance, with a speed impossible for a normal person to track, launched an attack on Saito. Just as the boy realized what was going on, he took the full attack head on.

“Dell yill soll la windy.” With one hand waving the sparking wand, Wardes chanted with a low voice.

Saito realized Wardes’ movement and attack all followed a pattern. 

“Partner! Bad news! Magic is coming!” Derflinger screamed, when he realized the whisper chant was magic…

Bam, suddenly the winds rushed together, creating an invisible force that slammed into Saito with the strength of a hammer, knocking him a good 10 meters away and into a pile of beer barrels, smashing all of them as he crashed down.

In the instant Saito landed on the wine barrels he dropped his sword. As Saito tried to retrieve the weapon, Wardes stepped on it, then struck Saito with the wand. Derflinger screamed “Get your foot of me!”, but Wardes paid it no heed and spoke, “Did you find out who is the winner and loser?”

Saito tried to get up, but the pain prevented him from moving. The boy then realized that blood was flowing down his head.

Louise fearfully came over.

“Do you understand Louise? He cannot protect you.” Wardes told her calmly.

“Because... because aren't you the commander of the Magic Knights? The secret group that was assigned to protect the queen?? Isn't it natural to be strong?"

“True, but aren’t you going to Albion and might do battle? When you are surrounded by strong enemies, you also plan to say ‘we are weak, please put away your wands?’”

Louise became silent, and then looked at Saito with worry. From his head came more fresh blood and the little girl drew out her handkerchief in a panic, but was stopped by Wardes.

“Leave him, Louise.”

Wardes grabbed on to Louise’s hands.

“But…”

"Let's leave him there for a bit."

Louise hesitantly bit her lips for a moment and, with another tug from Wardes, left.

Saito was left behind, on his knees, unable to move a single bit.

Derflinger quipped, “Total defeat.”

Saito didn’t respond. Losing in front of Louise made him very sad.

“But that noble is very strong! Don’t worry about it partner, that guy has a lot of skill. Maybe even a Square Mage. Even if you lost, it is not shameful.”

Yet, even if this was true, Saito said nothing. 

“Losing in front of the girl you have a crush on is truly a despicable event. But don’t look so down, or I will cry as well... Hey, I remember something, what was it? It happened a long time ago… Oh that! Wait!”

Saito put Derflinger back to his sheath, silencing it in the process. Dusting off his pants, the boy took a heavy step forward.

That night, Saito stared at the moon from his balcony window. Guiche and company were drinking in the bar on the first floor. Tomorrow they were heading for Albion, so everyone was partying below. Kirche came with an invitation, but he refused. Our hero had little heart for drinking now.

Apparently, the group could leave with the two moon eclipses; it was the day in which Albion was closest to the world.

Saito looked up to the starlit night sky, in the sea of stars, the pink moon hid behind the white moon, and thus became one moon sparking with a peach color. That moon reminded him of the one of his homeland, the moon of Earth.

The depressed Saito never stopped mumbling, wanting to go home, to go back to his homeland. Also, losing to Wardes in front of Louise made Saito more homesick than ever.

Without realizing it, tears were falling from Saito’s eyes. The tears rolled down his face past his chin then fell on to the ground. The boy continued to cry as he stared at the moons, then he heard something behind him.

“Saito.”

Turning around, he saw Louise standing behind him with her arms crossed.

“…Just because you lost does not mean you should cry, that is unbecoming.”

The boy in response wiped his face, not wanting Louise to see his tears.

“That's not right.”

”What is not right?”

“I am only doing it because I am homesick. To return to Earth. To return to Japan.”

Louise lowered her head.

“…I know, it is my fault.”

“You are just treating me like a dog.”

“There is nothing I can do about it, I am a member of the nobility, and if I don’t do it there would be rumors.”

“So what is the way to return me to my old world? I really don’t want to be in this world anymore.”

Saito muttered in an unpleasant tone, which came from the bottom of his heart.

“…What, you know you are very troublesome for me too.”

“If you say so, then help me find a way back. Promise me you will find a way to send me to my original world.”

“…When this mission is over, I will do my best to find you a way home.”

“Really?”

Louise put her arms around her belt, nodding her head in a cute expression.

“I am a member of the nobility, I will not lie.”

“But what happens if I cannot find a way back?”

Her face reddened a little, Louise hardened her heart and replied, “…If that happens, I will ask you to continue to serve me.”

“Even if you are married?”

“This has nothing to do with marriage.”

Louise stared at Saito.

Saito commented with a little sarcastic humor, “Ok ok, a person like you, with such an awful personality and there is a person who is willing to marry you, that noble is really a miracle. You are really lucky.”

Louise raised her arms with a tint of anger, “What? Didn’t Kirche fall in love with you? That idiot can fall in love with you. Forget it, no matter what can be said, both of you are morons and would make a lovely pair.”

The two turned away from each other. Louise closed her eyes, calmed herself and spoke, “In summary, during the time you are in Halkeginia, you are my familiar. So regardless of the fact I get married or not, it is your duty to protect me and do laundry as well as other duties.”

Saito turned around to face Louise.

Under that peach colored hair, Louise’s tea-green eyes sparked with fury. Her normally pale face was also tinted with color of anger, which made her puckered lips extremely cute.

Saito’s heart began to race as he stared at her. He did get yelled at by Louise, but she was still so beautiful.

''But is it truly only this? Just because she is beautiful, my heart is racing? I feel it is not just this alone. No matter how beautiful she is, how cute, when I hear such hurtful words my heart should not race.''

Louise held her hands together. The red faced Louise. The Louise who nursed me. The Louise who confronted Fouquet's golem despite being a zero. The self-ashamed Louise that cries secretly when being called zero...

Occasionally, Louise shows up as a real girl that combines courage, kindness and beauty in herself.

Saito thought really deeply, “Then why is it really this way?”

He finally understood why he had been staring at the moon every night until tonight, yet never thinking about going home.

But, he really hated wanting to admit this reason.

''This really sucks!''

''Why would I…''Saito could not stop the line of thought.

Spontaneously, Saito asked, “Why don’t you just let Wardes protect you?”

“Amazing, you are still not over losing to him?”

Saito remained silent.

“You are MY FAMILIAR right? Just because you lost, you have to be strong. That defeated look would sully the la Vallière name.”

It was not as simple as being defeated. It was losing in front of Louise, and losing to her fiancé. How could he still be strong? Saito curled his lips, and angrily slammed the balcony frame.

Louise replied angrily, “Ok, I understand. Do what you like, I will let Wardes protect me.”

“Ok, be like that.” Saito countered maliciously, and this line made Louise even angrier.

“That person is really reliable. He won’t make me worry. I don’t have to tell a familiar like you, but I will tell you now. Now I have decided, I will marry Wardes.”

Louise looked at Saito, but Saito remained silent, not caring. ''What?'' Louise thought.

“I am going to marry Wardes.”

Louise repeated herself again, but Saito remained silent and didn’t say anything. With his head lowered in anger.

At first she expected Saito to say something to stop her, but he didn’t even say a single word.

''What? Haven't you already crawled into my bed?!'' Louise thought. She got even more unhappy as her pride had been hurt.

“A person like you should spend the rest of your life staring at the moon!” Louise howled as she dashed away.

Just at this moment…

“WOAH!” Saito shouted. Louise turned her head around, and to her surprise, something appeared that swallowed the moon, and it was nowhere to be seen.

Beneath the moon’s shadow, there appeared to be a giant. If we looked at it closely, the huge shadow turned out to be a golem made of stone. The person controlling the golem turned out to be…

“Fouquet!” Saito and Louise shouted in unison. The figure above them sat on the golem’s shoulder, cheerfully answered, “Oh, it is such an honor to be remembered!”

The sword on Saito’s shoulder asked, “Shouldn’t you be rotting in jail?”

Fouquet shouted back, “Somebody had a kind heart, a beauty like myself should be contriving to the welfare of the world, so they let me escape.”

It was dark so not many people could see it, but there was a figure in the black cape of nobility standing next to the woman. Was that guy the person who helped her escape? The noble supported Fouquet’s actions, but remained silent. Because the figure wore a mask, no one could see anything clear, but it appeared to be a man.

“…So you are someone who can’t mind her own business, what are you doing here?” Saito brandished his sword with his left hand.

“I am here to thank you for the long vacation you gave me, I am here to send you my appreciation!”

Fouquet howled in laughter, as the huge golem pulverized the fence on the balcony with one hit. The fence was carved right out of solid stone, so it appeared the power of the golem had increased significantly.

“There is stone, not dirt, so calm down!”

“No one is trying to be calm here!”

Saito grabbed Louise’s hand and ran away, escaping the room, the duo leaped down the stairs.

Meanwhile, the room below became a pandemonium.

Suddenly a group of soldiers came to assault Wardes and company who were drinking.

Guiche, Kirche, Tabitha and Wardes were using magic to defend themselves. However, there were too many people. It appeared every soldier from La Rochelle came attacking.

It seemed like they were losing.

Kirche broke one of the table’s legs, and decided to use the table as a shield against the coming foes. The attacking soldiers were used to fighting magic-using foes already. While they were fighting, they observed Kirche and her allies range and style. Then moved out the magic’s range to attack with bows. The soldiers hidden from the dark had the advantage of the field, leaving those inside the room a bitter battle.
[[Image:ZnT02-147.jpg|thumb]]

If anyone stood up to chant magic, they were answered with a torrential volley of arrows.

Saito lowered his body, charged to Kirche’s shield-table wall, letting her know Fouquet was above them and attacking, but the giant’s huge feet were already visible, so there was no need to tell them.

The other nobles and guests were hiding under the counter and shaking in fear. The fat innkeeper called out to the soldiers, “What are you doing to my establishment??” But one arrow slammed into his shoulder, leaving him slumped on the ground.

“This is really troublesome.” Listening to Wardes’ words, Kirche nodded.

“It appears this band is not only just interested in a simple little robbery.”

“Maybe Fouquet and Albion's nobles are behind this?”

Kirche raised her wand, and mumbled, “…Those guys are planning for us to use our magic, exhaust ourselves then come in with a charge, what can we do?”

“My Valkyries will protect us.”

“Guiche, your Valkyries are only a small squad, these are seasoned mercenaries.”

“If we don’t try we will never know.”

“But Guiche, if it comes to warfare I am a far better expert than you are.”

“But I am the son of General de Gramont, how could I lose to this band of idiot soldiers?”

“This is intolerable, the nobles of Tristain are only tough with their words, but their actual combat capabilities are pretty weak.”

Guiche stood up, preparing to chant his magic. But Wardes stopped him by grabbing on to the young noble’s shirt.

“Everyone listen carefully.” Wardes whispered. Saito and the others became silent to listen.

“This mission counts as complete if one half of the group arrives safely at the destination.”

At this moment the cute Tabitha also closed her book and looked at Wardes’ direction. The girl used her staff and pointed at herself, Kirche and Guiche and uttered one word, “Bait.”

Then Tabitha continued and pointed at Saito, Wardes, and Louise, then uttered another word, “Go to the harbor.”

“The time?” Wardes asked the young girl.

“We will carry it out right now.”

“Just like we planned a while ago, go from the backdoor.”

“Ah? AH!” Saito and Louise shouted out in surprise.

“They are responsible for holding the situation; we should be able to confuse their sight. Using this time we should be able to escape toward the harbor, just like that.”

“But…But…”

Saito looked at Kirche, and the girl ran her hand through her red hair. And puckered her lips then added, “Bah, can’t help it anyway, we really didn’t want to go to Albion with you anyway.”

Guiche sniffed at his rose, “Heh, I might die here. What would happen then? If I die then I won’t be able to meet Princess Henrietta again.”

Tabitha nodded at Saito. “Go.”

“But..”

Kirche began to push Saito, “Ok, time to go. When you come back…I will let you kiss me.”

Then, she turned around to face Louise, “Ah, Louise, please don’t make any misinterpretation of this, I am not here to be bait for you.”

”I know, I know!” Although she said it, Louise still lowered her head in a salute to Kirche and others.

Saito and the others lowered their body to the floor, and began to run. Arrows flew in their direction, but with a wave of Tabitha’s wand, the roaring wind protected them from the onslaught.

The group fled from the bar into the kitchen and toward the other exit, and then there was a huge explosion behind them.

“…Looks like it has begun.” Louise mouthed.

Wardes crouched close to the door, then listened at the situation outside.

“There doesn’t appear to be anyone.”

Opening the door, the three leapt into the night streets of La Rochelle.

“The docks are this way.”

Wardes was in the lead, Louise followed behind. Saito came in the back.

Under the moonlight, the trio’s shadow extended, and followed closely behind.

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| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter4|Back to Chapter 4]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Return to Main Page]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter6|Forward to Chapter 6]]
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</noinclude>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter5

2014-01-21T13:25:19Z

Barashkafromro: missing "of"

===Chapter Five: A Rest Day Before Leaving===

Tired from riding all day, they had decided to rest at the fanciest hotel in the city of La Rochelle, the Goddess’s Temple. It was a very fancy place even for a noble. The dining tables and floor were both made from the same marble and the floor was so clean that one could see their own face on it.

Wardes and Louise came back from the pier.

When Wardes sat down he said hesitantly, "The ship for Albion leaves the day after tomorrow."

"This mission is very urgent..." Louise pointed.

Saito and the rest finally relaxed, knowing tomorrow they could rest.

"I have never been to Albion so I do not know why there is no ship tomorrow."

Wardes looked at Kirche and answered to her, "Are the moons overlapping tomorrow? If so, then Albion should be closest to La Rochelle"

A worn-out Saito wondered how it might be related to the ebb and flow of the tide. The ebb and flow were regulated by the movement of the moon.

Wardes put the keys on the table, "Let's rest for now, take the keys. Tabitha and Kirche take one room, Guiche and Saito take another."

Guiche and Saito stared at each other.

Wardes continued, "Louise and I will be sharing a room."

Saito felt something tug at his heart and he turned towards Wardes.

"It is the obvious arrangement as Louise and I are engaged." 

Louise looked at Wardes in shock and said, "B-but we can't! We're not even married yet!"

Saito nodded energetically, ''That's right, she shouldn't sleep with him.''

But Wardes shook his head and told Louise, "There is something important I have to tell you."

Wardes and Louise stayed in the best room in the hotel. They wondered who designed the room. There was an enormous four-poster bed with delicate lace hanging from the top. Wardes sat down at the table, opened a bottle of wine and poured himself a cup. He chugged it down and said, "Why don't you sit down and have a cup as well, Louise?"

Louise sat down as well. He poured one for Louise and refilled his own. He then raised his cup and said, "Cheers!" Louise however held hers in her hands and bowed down her head.

Wardes asked, "Did you keep the princess's letter safe?"

Louise patted her pocket and to make sure it was still there, ''I wonder why it is so important. What is in this letter? Does the prince already have a letter ready? I think I figured out a small part of it. Being Henrietta's childhood friend, I know how she writes her letters.''

Wardes looked at Louise with wonder. Then Louise nodded and said, "The letter is still safe. Are you worried that we might not be able to get the letter from the prince of Albion?"

"Yes, I am very worried." Wardes answered.

Louise arched her lovely eyebrows and said, "Don't worry; it will be fine because I'll always be with you."

"That's right; if you're here there will definitely be no problems. It was always that way."

Wardes sounded very distant when he said that.

"Do you still remember the promise of the day when we were at the lake?" Louise asked.

He nodded his head, "In the little boat that was floating in the middle of lake? You would always go there after being scolded by your parents. You were like an abandoned kitten."

"Really? You remember the weirdest things."

Wardes replied happily, "Of course I have to remember those things. You were always compared to your sisters in terms of magical power."

Louise lowered her head embarrassed and he said, "But I think that's wrong. You are worthless and a failure, but..."

"You are so mean!" Louise said angrily.

"You have an incredible power that nobody else has. I know this because I am a different kind of magician." Wardes finished ignoring what Louise said.

"That's impossible!"

Wardes replied, "But it is possible. For example whenever you use your magic..."

Louise's face turned red and said, "The accident about Saito?"

"Yes, when he picked up the weapon the runes on his left hand began to glow. Those runes are legendary."

"Legendary?"

"Yes, those runes belong to the legendary familiar Gandálfr. The familiar that once belonged to Founder Brimir." Wardes' eyes shone with admiration.

Louise asked, "Gandálfr?"

"Not just anyone can control Gandálfr. You have the magic to control him."

"That's hard to believe." Louise tilted her head and thought that Wardes was joking around.

Louise shook her head, thinking Wardes was joking. It is true that Saito’s speed increased dramatically when he wielded a weapon, and became extremely strong, but to say he is the legendary familiar is unbelievable. If it is really like that, then something must be wrong. ''I am after all “Louise the Zero”.''

''I am always a failure, there is no way I could have the power Wardes mentioned.''

“You could become a great mage. Yes, like Founder Brimir, and leave your name in history as a great mage. I believe so.”

Wardes gazed at Louise warmly.

“After this mission, marry me Louise”

“Ah…”

The sudden marriage proposal left Louise speechless.

“I am not satisfied to be just a mage captain of the Magic Knights... I want to become a noble that will move the whole of Halkeginia some day.”

“B-but...”

“But what?”

“I... I am still... still”

“You are not a child anymore, you are 16 years old. You have reached the age when you can decide things. Your father agreed too. So...”

Wardes abruptly stopped here. Then he looked up and brought his face close to Louise.

“It is true, I never came to look for you, and I have to apologize. Marriage is not something to be spoken of easily, this I also know. But Louise, to me you are the most important of all.”

”Wardes…”

Louise thought about it. Why did Saito's face keep popping in her mind? After marrying Wardes, will she have to leave Saito as her familiar?

''I don’t understand why, but I constantly feel this is wrong. If it was a crow or owl type of familiar it wouldn’t be so troublesome. If no one takes care of this idiot from another world, what will happen to him?''

Kirche or… Saito didn’t know that Louise knew the maid from the kitchen who often fed him… They will take care of him right?

''I don’t understand why but this is extremely annoying''. Louise thought, just like a small girl she wanted to have Saito all to herself. ''Although Saito is an idiot and often makes me mad, I don’t want him to become someone else’s property. He is mine.''

Louise raised her head.

"Still… Still…"

"Still?"

“That... that I am not a mage of your caliber yet, I still need to study…”

Louise lowered her head, kept it low and murmured.

“Wardes, when I was young, that is what I always thought, someday, I must make everyone recognize me, become a great mage, and make my mother and father proud.”

Louise raised her head, staring at the older man.

“I, I still cannot reach that yet.”

“Is it because someone already stole your heart?”

“It is nothing like that, there's no chance for that to happen!” Louise denied in a panic.

“It's not important, I understand, I understand. For now, I won’t ask for an answer. But, after this journey is over, I will certainly lighten your heart.”

Louise nodded in reply.

“In that case, let's go to bed, you are already tired right?”

Suddenly, Wardes came close to Louise, wanting to kiss her.

Instantly, Louise’s body stiffened. Then she pushed Wardes away.

“Louise?”

"I'm sorry... But, things like...that..."

Louise pridefully stared at Wardes. He smiled bitterly and shook his head.

“I am not in a hurry”

Louise lowered her head again.

''Why, even though Wardes is so gentle, handsome and strong, even though I longed for him for such a long time.... Yet, I am not even happy when I am being proposed to.''

Someone else had already caught her heart. But Louise's mind refused to think about the one that caught it.

Outside the window, Saito had his hand around the window bars, desperately looking at Louise and Wardes’ room.

Holding Derflinger in his left hand made his body feel light as a feather, allowing him to observe everything inside the room. Peeking through the curtains, Saito saw two figures sitting by the table.

''What are they talking about?'' Every time Wardes’ face got closer to Louise, Saito would bite his lips. Every time when the two appeared to be about to kiss, the boy would almost stop breathing. But since Louise always denied the kiss, Saito’s breath didn’t stop either.

“Ah, closing in again, this ******, ah, so it is like that!” Saito whispered. Derflinger quietly muttered.

“How shameful.”

“Shut up.”

“My partner sticks like a green caterpillar to the window, peeking at the girl he has a crush on and her lover having a cheerful talk. It is so shameful it hurts and almost makes me cry!”

“I don’t have a crush on her! What is so good about that kind of girl? Explosive temper, treats me like a dog, twisted personality.”

Saito groaned through gritted teeth.

“Then why are we peeking?”

“I am only worried, just worried that’s all.”

With these words something fell on Saito from above.

''Pa-ta''

It landed on Saito’s shoulders, covering his face and obscuring his vision.

“Wha-what?”

“What are you doing here? Do you like to take strolls on the wall? Geez, took me forever to find you.”

It was Kirche who landed on his shoulder, and our hero’s eyes were blinded because his face was covered by the Germanian’s mini-skirt.

“Hey, get off me!” Saito replied as he pulled his face out of Kirche’s skirt.

“Why, is it not good? Hey, what are you looking at?”

Kirche took one look at the window, turned around to face Saito again and put her arms around him: “No, don’t peek at newlyweds, we shouldn’t care about them”

“This is what I think; a quiet date on the wall is so romantic. Look how beautiful the lights from the city are; don’t you think they are cheering for us?” 

“First thing first, you get off.”

The two tried to wriggle their ways out when suddenly the window slammed open. Saito remained frozen in place and hugging the wall like a cockroach.

One look and we can see Louise with her hands placed on her hips. But, her lovely face twisted into a demonic mask, staring at Kirche and Saito.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEXT TO MY WINDOW????”

Saito with his sword in one hand, another clutching the window frames. At the same time Kirche, with her legs around his shoulders, clung closely to him as if getting some weird piggyback ride.

Without a question - this looked suspicious, but pretty amazing too.

“Can’t understand it even after you see it? This is a date.”

Saito tried to say something, but his lips were covered by Kirche’s hands, making him look puzzled. Louise’s shoulders started to quake in fury.

“Go, go, go, go have romance somewhere else. You, you, you two stray dogs!”


“But darling wants to have a date here.”

Kirche replied triumphantly.

In an instant Louise’s foot flew in their direction, Kirche ducked then climbed on to the wall, so the shorter girl’s foot connected straight with Saito’s face, sending him flying.

Luckily Saito had the sword in his hand, and thrust it into the wall to stop his falling. Then he howled in rage:

“DO YOU WANT TO KILL ME???”

“Someone like you who doesn’t understand kindness deserves to DIE!”

Wardes sat in his room and watched the whole thing with amusement.

Second day, Saito woke up to someone knocking on his door. Since Guiche was still sleeping soundly on the bed next to him, without another choice the Japanese could only climb out of the bed to answer.

''There is no ship today, I wanted to spend the day sleeping, geez.'' Saito thought angrily as he opened the door.

Wardes with his usual hat looked down at Saito, who was about a head and a half shorter than the knight.

“Good morning, familiar.”

Louise’s fiancé calling him like this made Saito angry

Saito replied, “Morning, but the departure date is tomorrow right? Do you have anything important to say this morning? I've been riding a horse all day yesterday, I still want to sleep.”

Wardes only smiled faintly.

“Are you the Gandálfr of the legend?”

“AH.”

Saito stared at Wardes in a stunned expression.

Wardes was trying to clear something, and bent his head and said, “That case with Fouquet, I hold a great interest in you. I asked Louise earlier, I heard you are from another world and I also heard you are the legendary Gandálfr.”

“Ha.” 

Who talked about Gandálfr anyway? Old Osman shouldn’t have talked about this.

“I find history and warfare extremely interesting. When Fouquet was captured, I became very interested in you. Then I did some research in the Imperial Library. The result of that research is my discovery that you are the legendary familiar Gandálfr.”

"Oh, is that so. You are really a scholar."

“I want to know how strong is the person who captured Fouquet; can you show it to me?”

“Show you?”

Wardes pulled out his wand from his belt, “Let me put it this way.”

“A duel?” Saito replied with an icy smile.

“Exactly.”

Wardes and Saito smiled together. Taking one look at the still sleeping Guiche, the Japanese boy thought ''I am not sure just how strong Wardes is anyway, but I have beaten Guiche already and captured Fouquet. He is the Captain of the Magic Knights, and looks like he has some abilities too. But I shouldn’t be so far behind.''

''Let's show Louise’s fiancé what Gandálfr is capable of'' Saito thought.

“Where do you want to duel?”

“This hotel used to be a castle designed for repelling Albion invasions, there is a parade ground in the center of it.”

The two then left for the parade ground for nobles together. The ancient practice ground was now a place for debris and refuse with empty beer barrels and crates scattered all over the place. It was hard to believe that a long time before that royal flags with staffs cut from stone were decorating this wasteland.

“Before, maybe you don’t know, under the reign of Philip III, this often used to be a place to host duels between nobility.”

“Ha Ha.”

Saito took out Derflinger from his shoulder and the rune on his left hand flared into light.

“In a time long ago, the king still had the power to duel, Nobles from the king’s time… a time when Nobles were noble. Who risked life for fame and honor, we nobles fought with magic. But it is usually fought over boring issues, right, as if the two were fighting for a lover.”

Suddenly Saito’s face grew serious, pulled out his sword, but Wardes stopped him with his left hand.

“What?”

“There are certain rules regarding dueling, we don’t have a witness here.”

“Witness?”

“Calm down, one is coming” Wardes replied, and Louise appeared from nearby. She was dumbfounded as she saw the two.

“Wardes, you called me over and I came, what are you two preparing to do?”

“I want to test his abilities a little.”

“Really, let’s stop this nonsense. Now is not the time for these kind of stupidities.”

“It is true, but the noble-born  wants a duel, he really wants to find out if I am strong or weak.”

Louise stared at her familiar, “Stop now, that is an order.”

Saito did not reply, only stared at Wardes.

“What? Really?” 

“Since the witness is here, let us begin."

Wardes pulled out his wand from his belt again, entered a combat stance, with his wand pointing at Saito.

Saito responded “I'm not that reliable, so I don’t know how to go hard or light.”

Wardes responded with a light laughter, “No problem, hit me with everything.”

Saito pulled out Derflinger and leapt forward with a slash. The magic knight parried the attack with his wand, and the two weapons rang solidly as steel clashed steel, sending sparks in all directions. While Wardes’ weapon was merely a small wand, he was able to block Saito’s long sword without a sweat.

One would have expected Wardes to retreat backward, but no one expected the hurricane-like wind that was caused when the two clashed, and Wardes' increased speed as he charged toward Saito. The Japanese boy responded with a chopping strike that broke Wardes’ advance, with the black cape of the Magic Knights flipping in the wind. The captain in response leapt a few steps back, and then reversed back to his stance.

''Why isn’t that guy using his magic?'' Saito thought.

Derflinger mumbled in response, “You can’t make it, he is looking down on you.”

Saito’s heart burst in fury. ''Wardes that bastard, he can have the same speed as me with the Gandálfr runes glowing''. With only one exchange, Saito could tell the difference between Guiche and Wardes.

“A Magic Knight isn’t someone who only chants magic.” Wardes answered with a tip of his hat.

“The way we chant is fully specialized for battle, the way we hold our wands, the motion we use to charge… the way we use our wands as swords, complete with spellcraft. This is the basic of the basics for soldiers.”

Saito lowered his body slightly, and began to spin his blade like a windmill. Wardes apparently already saw through Saito’s attack style, and parried the next attack without even taking a breath.

“You are really fast; no one can mistake you for a commoner, truly the familiar of the legends.” Blocking Saito’s blow, Wardes used his wand and swung at the back of Saito’s head. With his brain and nose on fire, the Japanese boy collapsed on the ground with a thud.

“But this is it, you are fast, but your movements are those of an amateur, you cannot beat a real mage with this.”

Saito leapt forward like a bullet and released a brand new assault.

But, with one step aside and a jump, Wardes easily dodged Saito again with the speed of the wind.

“In other words, you are unable to protect Louise.” For the first time, Wardes entered combat stance, with a speed impossible for a normal person to track, launched an attack on Saito. Just as the boy realized what was going on, he took the full attack head on.

“Dell yill soll la windy.” With one hand waving the sparking wand, Wardes chanted with a low voice.

Saito realized Wardes’ movement and attack all followed a pattern. 

“Partner! Bad news! Magic is coming!” Derflinger screamed, when he realized the whisper chant was magic…

Bam, suddenly the winds rushed together, creating an invisible force that slammed into Saito with the strength of a hammer, knocking him a good 10 meters away and into a pile of beer barrels, smashing all of them as he crashed down.

In the instant Saito landed on the wine barrels he dropped his sword. As Saito tried to retrieve the weapon, Wardes stepped on it, then struck Saito with the wand. Derflinger screamed “Get your foot of me!”, but Wardes paid it no heed and spoke, “Did you find out who is the winner and loser?”

Saito tried to get up, but the pain prevented him from moving. The boy then realized that blood was flowing down his head.

Louise fearfully came over.

“Do you understand Louise? He cannot protect you.” Wardes told her calmly.

“Because... because aren't you the commander of the Magic Knights? The secret group that was assigned to protect the queen?? Isn't it natural to be strong?"

“True, but aren’t you going to Albion and might do battle? When you are surrounded by strong enemies, you also plan to say ‘we are weak, please put away your wands?’”

Louise became silent, and then looked at Saito with worry. From his head came more fresh blood and the little girl drew out her handkerchief in a panic, but was stopped by Wardes.

“Leave him, Louise.”

Wardes grabbed on to Louise’s hands.

“But…”

"Let's leave him there for a bit."

Louise hesitantly bit her lips for a moment and, with another tug from Wardes, left.

Saito was left behind, on his knees, unable to move a single bit.

Derflinger quipped, “Total defeat.”

Saito didn’t respond. Losing in front of Louise made him very sad.

“But that noble is very strong! Don’t worry about it partner, that guy has a lot of skill. Maybe even a Square Mage. Even if you lost, it is not shameful.”

Yet, even if this was true, Saito said nothing. 

“Losing in front of the girl you have a crush on is truly a despicable event. But don’t look so down, or I will cry as well... Hey, I remember something, what was it? It happened a long time ago… Oh that! Wait!”

Saito put Derflinger back to his sheath, silencing it in the process. Dusting off his pants, the boy took a heavy step forward.

That night, Saito stared at the moon from his balcony window. Guiche and company were drinking in the bar on the first floor. Tomorrow they were heading for Albion, so everyone was partying below. Kirche came with an invitation, but he refused. Our hero had little heart for drinking now.

Apparently, the group could leave with the two moon eclipses; it was the day in which Albion was closest to the world.

Saito looked up to the starlit night sky, in the sea of stars, the pink moon hid behind the white moon, and thus became one moon sparking with a peach color. That moon reminded him of the one of his homeland, the moon of Earth.

The depressed Saito never stopped mumbling, wanting to go home, to go back to his homeland. Also, losing to Wardes in front of Louise made Saito more homesick than ever.

Without realizing it, tears were falling from Saito’s eyes. The tears rolled down his face past his chin then fell on to the ground. The boy continued to cry as he stared at the moons, then he heard something behind him.

“Saito.”

Turning around, he saw Louise standing behind him with her arms crossed.

“…Just because you lost does not mean you should cry, that is unbecoming.”

The boy in response wiped his face, not wanting Louise to see his tears.

“That's not right.”

”What is not right?”

“I am only doing it because I am homesick. To return to Earth. To return to Japan.”

Louise lowered her head.

“…I know, it is my fault.”

“You are just treating me like a dog.”

“There is nothing I can do about it, I am a member of the nobility, and if I don’t do it there would be rumors.”

“So what is the way to return me to my old world? I really don’t want to be in this world anymore.”

Saito muttered in an unpleasant tone, which came from the bottom of his heart.

“…What, you know you are very troublesome for me too.”

“If you say so, then help me find a way back. Promise me you will find a way to send me to my original world.”

“…When this mission is over, I will do my best to find you a way home.”

“Really?”

Louise put her arms around her belt, nodding her head in a cute expression.

“I am a member of the nobility, I will not lie.”

“But what happens if I cannot find a way back?”

Her face reddened a little, Louise hardened her heart and replied, “…If that happens, I will ask you to continue to serve me.”

“Even if you are married?”

“This has nothing to do with marriage.”

Louise stared at Saito.

Saito commented with a little sarcastic humor, “Ok ok, a person like you, with such an awful personality and there is a person who is willing to marry you, that noble is really a miracle. You are really lucky.”

Louise raised her arms with a tint of anger, “What? Didn’t Kirche fall in love with you? That idiot can fall in love with you. Forget it, no matter what can be said, both of you are morons and would make a lovely pair.”

The two turned away from each other. Louise closed her eyes, calmed herself and spoke, “In summary, during the time you are in Halkeginia, you are my familiar. So regardless of the fact I get married or not, it is your duty to protect me and do laundry as well as other duties.”

Saito turned around to face Louise.

Under that peach colored hair, Louise’s tea-green eyes sparked with fury. Her normally pale face was also tinted with color of anger, which made her puckered lips extremely cute.

Saito’s heart began to race as he stared at her. He did get yelled at by Louise, but she was still so beautiful.

''But is it truly only this? Just because she is beautiful, my heart is racing? I feel it is not just this alone. No matter how beautiful she is, how cute, when I hear such hurtful words my heart should not race.''

Louise held her hands together. The red faced Louise. The Louise who nursed me. The Louise who confronted Fouquet's golem despite being a zero. The self-ashamed Louise that cries secretly when being called zero...

Occasionally, Louise shows up as a real girl that combines courage, kindness and beauty in herself.

Saito thought really deeply, “Then why is it really this way?”

He finally understood why he had been staring at the moon every night until tonight, yet never thinking about going home.

But, he really hated wanting to admit this reason.

''This really sucks!''

''Why would I…''Saito could not stop the line of thought.

Spontaneously, Saito asked, “Why don’t you just let Wardes protect you?”

“Amazing, you are still not over losing to him?”

Saito remained silent.

“You are MY FAMILIAR right? Just because you lost, you have to be strong. That defeated look would sully the la Vallière name.”

It was not as simple as being defeated. It was losing in front of Louise, and losing to her fiancé. How could he still be strong? Saito curled his lips, and angrily slammed the balcony frame.

Louise replied angrily, “Ok, I understand. Do what you like, I will let Wardes protect me.”

“Ok, be like that.” Saito countered maliciously, and this line made Louise even angrier.

“That person is really reliable. He won’t make me worry. I don’t have to tell a familiar like you, but I will tell you now. Now I have decided, I will marry Wardes.”

Louise looked at Saito, but Saito remained silent, not caring. ''What?'' Louise thought.

“I am going to marry Wardes.”

Louise repeated herself again, but Saito remained silent and didn’t say anything. With his head lowered in anger.

At first she expected Saito to say something to stop her, but he didn’t even say a single word.

''What? Haven't you already crawled into my bed?!'' Louise thought. She got even more unhappy as her pride had been hurt.

“A person like you should spend the rest of your life staring at the moon!” Louise howled as she dashed away.

Just at this moment…

“WOAH!” Saito shouted. Louise turned her head around, and to her surprise, something appeared that swallowed the moon, and it was nowhere to be seen.

Beneath the moon’s shadow, there appeared to be a giant. If we looked at it closely, the huge shadow turned out to be a golem made of stone. The person controlling the golem turned out to be…

“Fouquet!” Saito and Louise shouted in unison. The figure above them sat on the golem’s shoulder, cheerfully answered, “Oh, it is such an honor to be remembered!”

The sword on Saito’s shoulder asked, “Shouldn’t you be rotting in jail?”

Fouquet shouted back, “Somebody had a kind heart, a beauty like myself should be contriving to the welfare of the world, so they let me escape.”

It was dark so not many people could see it, but there was a figure in the black cape of nobility standing next to the woman. Was that guy the person who helped her escape? The noble supported Fouquet’s actions, but remained silent. Because the figure wore a mask, no one could see anything clear, but it appeared to be a man.

“…So you are someone who can’t mind her own business, what are you doing here?” Saito brandished his sword with his left hand.

“I am here to thank you for the long vacation you gave me, I am here to send you my appreciation!”

Fouquet howled in laughter, as the huge golem pulverized the fence on the balcony with one hit. The fence was carved right out of solid stone, so it appeared the power of the golem had increased significantly.

“There is stone, not dirt, so calm down!”

“No one is trying to be calm here!”

Saito grabbed Louise’s hand and ran away, escaping the room, the duo leaped down the stairs.

Meanwhile, the room below became a pandemonium.

Suddenly a group of soldiers came to assault Wardes and company who were drinking.

Guiche, Kirche, Tabitha and Wardes were using magic to defend themselves. However, there were too many people. It appeared every soldier from La Rochelle came attacking.

It seemed like they were losing.

Kirche broke one of the table’s legs, and decided to use the table as a shield against the coming foes. The attacking soldiers were used to fighting magic-using foes already. While they were fighting, they observed Kirche and her allies range and style. Then moved out the magic’s range to attack with bows. The soldiers hidden from the dark had the advantage of the field, leaving those inside the room a bitter battle.
[[Image:ZnT02-147.jpg|thumb]]

If anyone stood up to chant magic, they were answered with a torrential volley of arrows.

Saito lowered his body, charged to Kirche’s shield-table wall, letting her know Fouquet was above them and attacking, but the giant’s huge feet were already visible, so there was no need to tell them.

The other nobles and guests were hiding under the counter and shaking in fear. The fat innkeeper called out to the soldiers, “What are you doing to my establishment??” But one arrow slammed into his shoulder, leaving him slumped on the ground.

“This is really troublesome.” Listening to Wardes’ words, Kirche nodded.

“It appears this band is not only just interested in a simple little robbery.”

“Maybe Fouquet and Albion's nobles are behind this?”

Kirche raised her wand, and mumbled, “…Those guys are planning for us to use our magic, exhaust ourselves then come in with a charge, what can we do?”

“My Valkyries will protect us.”

“Guiche, your Valkyries are only a small squad, these are seasoned mercenaries.”

“If we don’t try we will never know.”

“But Guiche, if it comes to warfare I am a far better expert than you are.”

“But I am the son of General de Gramont, how could I lose to this band of idiot soldiers?”

“This is intolerable, the nobles of Tristain are only tough with their words, but their actual combat capabilities are pretty weak.”

Guiche stood up, preparing to chant his magic. But Wardes stopped him by grabbing on to the young noble’s shirt.

“Everyone listen carefully.” Wardes whispered. Saito and the others became silent to listen.

“This mission counts as complete if one half of the group arrives safely at the destination.”

At this moment the cute Tabitha also closed her book and looked at Wardes’ direction. The girl used her staff and pointed at herself, Kirche and Guiche and uttered one word, “Bait.”

Then Tabitha continued and pointed at Saito, Wardes, and Louise, then uttered another word, “Go to the harbor.”

“The time?” Wardes asked the young girl.

“We will carry it out right now.”

“Just liked we planned a while ago, go from the backdoor.”

“Ah? AH!” Saito and Louise shouted out in surprise.

“They are responsible for holding the situation; we should be able to confuse their sight. Using this time we should be able to escape toward the harbor, just like that.”

“But…But…”

Saito looked at Kirche, and the girl ran her hand through her red hair. And puckered her lips then added, “Bah, can’t help it anyway, we really didn’t want to go to Albion with you anyway.”

Guiche sniffed at his rose, “Heh, I might die here. What would happen then? If I die then I won’t be able to meet Princess Henrietta again.”

Tabitha nodded at Saito. “Go.”

“But..”

Kirche began to push Saito, “Ok, time to go. When you come back…I will let you kiss me.”

Then, she turned around to face Louise, “Ah, Louise, please don’t make any misinterpretation of this, I am not here to be bait for you.”

”I know, I know!” Although she said it, Louise still lowered her head in a salute to Kirche and others.

Saito and the others lowered their body to the floor, and began to run. Arrows flew in their direction, but with a wave of Tabitha’s wand, the roaring wind protected them from the onslaught.

The group fled from the bar into the kitchen and toward the other exit, and then there was a huge explosion behind them.

“…Looks like it has begun.” Louise mouthed.

Wardes crouched close to the door, then listened at the situation outside.

“There doesn’t appear to be anyone.”

Opening the door, the three leapt into the night streets of La Rochelle.

“The docks are this way.”

Wardes was in the lead, Louise followed behind. Saito came in the back.

Under the moonlight, the trio’s shadow extended, and followed closely behind.

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| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter4|Back to Chapter 4]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Return to Main Page]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter6|Forward to Chapter 6]]
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Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter5

2014-01-21T13:09:43Z

Barashkafromro: redundant "the"

===Chapter Five: A Rest Day Before Leaving===

Tired from riding all day, they had decided to rest at the fanciest hotel in the city of La Rochelle, the Goddess’s Temple. It was a very fancy place even for a noble. The dining tables and floor were both made from the same marble and the floor was so clean that one could see their own face on it.

Wardes and Louise came back from the pier.

When Wardes sat down he said hesitantly, "The ship for Albion leaves the day after tomorrow."

"This mission is very urgent..." Louise pointed.

Saito and the rest finally relaxed, knowing tomorrow they could rest.

"I have never been to Albion so I do not know why there is no ship tomorrow."

Wardes looked at Kirche and answered to her, "Are the moons overlapping tomorrow? If so, then Albion should be closest to La Rochelle"

A worn-out Saito wondered how it might be related to the ebb and flow of the tide. The ebb and flow were regulated by the movement of the moon.

Wardes put the keys on the table, "Let's rest for now, take the keys. Tabitha and Kirche take one room, Guiche and Saito take another."

Guiche and Saito stared at each other.

Wardes continued, "Louise and I will be sharing a room."

Saito felt something tug at his heart and he turned towards Wardes.

"It is the obvious arrangement as Louise and I are engaged." 

Louise looked at Wardes in shock and said, "B-but we can't! We're not even married yet!"

Saito nodded energetically, ''That's right, she shouldn't sleep with him.''

But Wardes shook his head and told Louise, "There is something important I have to tell you."

Wardes and Louise stayed in the best room in the hotel. They wondered who designed the room. There was an enormous four-poster bed with delicate lace hanging from the top. Wardes sat down at the table, opened a bottle of wine and poured himself a cup. He chugged it down and said, "Why don't you sit down and have a cup as well, Louise?"

Louise sat down as well. He poured one for Louise and refilled his own. He then raised his cup and said, "Cheers!" Louise however held hers in her hands and bowed down her head.

Wardes asked, "Did you keep the princess's letter safe?"

Louise patted her pocket and to make sure it was still there, ''I wonder why it is so important. What is in this letter? Does the prince already have a letter ready? I think I figured out a small part of it. Being Henrietta's childhood friend, I know how she writes her letters.''

Wardes looked at Louise with wonder. Then Louise nodded and said, "The letter is still safe. Are you worried that we might not be able to get the letter from the prince of Albion?"

"Yes, I am very worried." Wardes answered.

Louise arched her lovely eyebrows and said, "Don't worry; it will be fine because I'll always be with you."

"That's right; if you're here there will definitely be no problems. It was always that way."

Wardes sounded very distant when he said that.

"Do you still remember the promise of the day when we were at the lake?" Louise asked.

He nodded his head, "In the little boat that was floating in the middle of lake? You would always go there after being scolded by your parents. You were like an abandoned kitten."

"Really? You remember the weirdest things."

Wardes replied happily, "Of course I have to remember those things. You were always compared to your sisters in terms of magical power."

Louise lowered her head embarrassed and he said, "But I think that's wrong. You are worthless and a failure, but..."

"You are so mean!" Louise said angrily.

"You have an incredible power that nobody else has. I know this because I am a different kind of magician." Wardes finished ignoring what Louise said.

"That's impossible!"

Wardes replied, "But it is possible. For example whenever you use your magic..."

Louise's face turned red and said, "The accident about Saito?"

"Yes, when he picked up the weapon the runes on his left hand began to glow. Those runes are legendary."

"Legendary?"

"Yes, those runes belong to the legendary familiar Gandálfr. The familiar that once belonged to Founder Brimir." Wardes' eyes shone with admiration.

Louise asked, "Gandálfr?"

"Not just anyone can control Gandálfr. You have the magic to control him."

"That's hard to believe." Louise tilted her head and thought that Wardes was joking around.

Louise shook her head, thinking Wardes was joking. It is true that Saito’s speed increased dramatically when he wielded a weapon, and became extremely strong, but to say he is the legendary familiar is unbelievable. If it is really like that, then something must be wrong. ''I am after all “Louise the Zero”.''

''I am always a failure, there is no way I could have the power Wardes mentioned.''

“You could become a great mage. Yes, like Founder Brimir, and leave your name in history as a great mage. I believe so.”

Wardes gazed at Louise warmly.

“After this mission, marry me Louise”

“Ah…”

The sudden marriage proposal left Louise speechless.

“I am not satisfied to be just a mage captain of the Magic Knights... I want to become a noble that will move the whole of Halkeginia some day.”

“B-but...”

“But what?”

“I... I am still... still”

“You are not a child anymore, you are 16 years old. You have reached the age when you can decide things. Your father agreed too. So...”

Wardes abruptly stopped here. Then he looked up and brought his face close to Louise.

“It is true, I never came to look for you, and I have to apologize. Marriage is not something to be spoken of easily, this I also know. But Louise, to me you are the most important of all.”

”Wardes…”

Louise thought about it. Why did Saito's face keep popping in her mind? After marrying Wardes, will she have to leave Saito as her familiar?

''I don’t understand why, but I constantly feel this is wrong. If it was a crow or owl type of familiar it wouldn’t be so troublesome. If no one takes care of this idiot from another world, what will happen to him?''

Kirche or… Saito didn’t know that Louise knew the maid from the kitchen who often fed him… They will take care of him right?

''I don’t understand why but this is extremely annoying''. Louise thought, just like a small girl she wanted to have Saito all to herself. ''Although Saito is an idiot and often makes me mad, I don’t want him to become someone else’s property. He is mine.''

Louise raised her head.

"Still… Still…"

"Still?"

“That... that I am not a mage of your caliber yet, I still need to study…”

Louise lowered her head, kept it low and murmured.

“Wardes, when I was young, that is what I always thought, someday, I must make everyone recognize me, become a great mage, and make my mother and father proud.”

Louise raised her head, staring at the older man.

“I, I still cannot reach that yet.”

“Is it because someone already stole your heart?”

“It is nothing like that, there's no chance for that to happen!” Louise denied in a panic.

“It's not important, I understand, I understand. For now, I won’t ask for an answer. But, after this journey is over, I will certainly lighten your heart.”

Louise nodded in reply.

“In that case, let's go to bed, you are already tired right?”

Suddenly, Wardes came close to Louise, wanting to kiss her.

Instantly, Louise’s body stiffened. Then she pushed Wardes away.

“Louise?”

"I'm sorry... But, things like...that..."

Louise pridefully stared at Wardes. He smiled bitterly and shook his head.

“I am not in a hurry”

Louise lowered her head again.

''Why, even though Wardes is so gentle, handsome and strong, even though I longed for him for such a long time.... Yet, I am not even happy when I am being proposed to.''

Someone else had already caught her heart. But Louise's mind refused to think about the one that caught it.

Outside the window, Saito had his hand around the window bars, desperately looking at Louise and Wardes’ room.

Holding Derflinger in his left hand made his body feel light as a feather, allowing him to observe everything inside the room. Peeking through the curtains, Saito saw two figures sitting by the table.

''What are they talking about?'' Every time Wardes’ face got closer to Louise, Saito would bite his lips. Every time when the two appeared to be about to kiss, the boy would almost stop breathing. But since Louise always denied the kiss, Saito’s breath didn’t stop either.

“Ah, closing in again, this ******, ah, so it is like that!” Saito whispered. Derflinger quietly muttered.

“How shameful.”

“Shut up.”

“My partner sticks like a green caterpillar to the window, peeking at the girl he has a crush on and her lover having a cheerful talk. It is so shameful it hurts and almost makes me cry!”

“I don’t have a crush on her! What is so good about that kind of girl? Explosive temper, treats me like a dog, twisted personality.”

Saito groaned through gritted teeth.

“Then why are we peeking?”

“I am only worried, just worried that’s all.”

With these words something fell on Saito from above.

''Pa-ta''

It landed on Saito’s shoulders, covering his face and obscuring his vision.

“Wha-what?”

“What are you doing here? Do you like to take strolls on the wall? Geez, took me forever to find you.”

It was Kirche who landed on his shoulder, and our hero’s eyes were blinded because his face was covered by the Germanian’s mini-skirt.

“Hey, get off me!” Saito replied as he pulled his face out of Kirche’s skirt.

“Why, is it not good? Hey, what are you looking at?”

Kirche took one look at the window, turned around to face Saito again and put her arms around him: “No, don’t peek at newlyweds, we shouldn’t care about them”

“This is what I think; a quiet date on the wall is so romantic. Look how beautiful the lights from the city are; don’t you think they are cheering for us?” 

“First thing first, you get off.”

The two tried to wriggle their ways out when suddenly the window slammed open. Saito remained frozen in place and hugging the wall like a cockroach.

One look and we can see Louise with her hands placed on her hips. But, her lovely face twisted into a demonic mask, staring at Kirche and Saito.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEXT TO MY WINDOW????”

Saito with his sword in one hand, another clutching the window frames. At the same time Kirche, with her legs around his shoulders, clung closely to him as if getting some weird piggyback ride.

Without a question - this looked suspicious, but pretty amazing too.

“Can’t understand it even after you see it? This is a date.”

Saito tried to say something, but his lips were covered by Kirche’s hands, making him look puzzled. Louise’s shoulders started to quake in fury.

“Go, go, go, go have romance somewhere else. You, you, you two stray dogs!”


“But darling wants to have a date here.”

Kirche replied triumphantly.

In an instant Louise’s foot flew in their direction, Kirche ducked then climbed on to the wall, so the shorter girl’s foot connected straight with Saito’s face, sending him flying.

Luckily Saito had the sword in his hand, and thrust it into the wall to stop his falling. Then he howled in rage:

“DO YOU WANT TO KILL ME???”

“Someone like you who doesn’t understand kindness deserves to DIE!”

Wardes sat in his room and watched the whole thing with amusement.

Second day, Saito woke up to someone knocking on his door. Since Guiche was still sleeping soundly on the bed next to him, without another choice the Japanese could only climb out of the bed to answer.

''There is no ship today, I wanted to spend the day sleeping, geez.'' Saito thought angrily as he opened the door.

Wardes with his usual hat looked down at Saito, who was about a head and a half shorter than the knight.

“Good morning, familiar.”

Louise’s fiancé calling him like this made Saito angry

Saito replied, “Morning, but the departure date is tomorrow right? Do you have anything important to say this morning? I've been riding a horse all day yesterday, I still want to sleep.”

Wardes only smiled faintly.

“Are you the Gandálfr of the legend?”

“AH.”

Saito stared at Wardes in a stunned expression.

Wardes was trying to clear something, and bent his head and said, “That case with Fouquet, I hold a great interest in you. I asked Louise earlier, I heard you are from another world and I also heard you are the legendary Gandálfr.”

“Ha.” 

Who talked about Gandálfr anyway? Old Osman shouldn’t have talked about this.

“I find history and warfare extremely interesting. When Fouquet was captured, I became very interested in you. Then I did some research in the Imperial Library. The result of that research is my discovery that you are the legendary familiar Gandálfr.”

"Oh, is that so. You are really a scholar."

“I want to know how strong is the person who captured Fouquet; can you show it to me?”

“Show you?”

Wardes pulled out his wand from his belt, “Let me put it this way.”

“A duel?” Saito replied with an icy smile.

“Exactly.”

Wardes and Saito smiled together. Taking one look at the still sleeping Guiche, the Japanese boy thought ''I am not sure just how strong Wardes is anyway, but I have beaten Guiche already and captured Fouquet. He is the Captain of the Magic Knights, and looks like he has some abilities too. But I shouldn’t be so far behind.''

''Let's show Louise’s fiancé what Gandálfr is capable of'' Saito thought.

“Where do you want to duel?”

“This hotel used to be a castle designed for repelling Albion invasions, there is a parade ground in the center of it.”

The two then left for the parade ground for nobles together. The ancient practice ground was now a place for debris and refuse with empty beer barrels and crates scattered all over the place. It was hard to believe that a long time before that royal flags with staffs cut from stone were decorating this wasteland.

“Before, maybe you don’t know, under the reign of Philip III, this often used to be a place to host duels between nobility.”

“Ha Ha.”

Saito took out Derflinger from his shoulder and the rune on his left hand flared into light.

“In a time long ago, the king still had the power to duel, Nobles from the king’s time… a time when Nobles were noble. Who risked life for fame and honor, we nobles fought with magic. But it is usually fought over boring issues, right, as if the two were fighting for a lover.”

Suddenly Saito’s face grew serious, pulled out his sword, but Wardes stopped him with his left hand.

“What?”

“There are certain rules regarding dueling, we don’t have a witness here.”

“Witness?”

“Calm down, one is coming” Wardes replied, and Louise appeared from nearby. She was dumbfounded as she saw the two.

“Wardes, you called me over and I came, what are you two preparing to do?”

“I want to test his abilities a little.”

“Really, let’s stop this nonsense. Now is not the time for these kind of stupidities.”

“It is true, but the noble-born  wants a duel, he really wants to find out if I am strong or weak.”

Louise stared at her familiar, “Stop now, that is an order.”

Saito did not reply, only stared at Wardes.

“What? Really?” 

“Since the witness is here, let us begin."

Wardes pulled out his wand from his belt again, entered a combat stance, with his wand pointing at Saito.

Saito responded “I'm not that reliable, so I don’t know how to go hard or light.”

Wardes responded with a light laughter, “No problem, hit me with everything.”

Saito pulled out Derflinger and leapt forward with a slash. The magic knight parried the attack with his wand, and the two weapons rang solidly as steel clashed steel, sending sparks in all directions. While Wardes’ weapon was merely a small wand, he was able to block Saito’s long sword without a sweat.

One would have expected Wardes to retreat backward, but no one expected the hurricane-like wind that was caused when the two clashed, and Wardes' increased speed as he charged toward Saito. The Japanese boy responded with a chopping strike that broke Wardes’ advance, with the black cape of the Magic Knights flipping in the wind. The captain in response leapt a few steps back, and then reversed back to his stance.

''Why isn’t that guy using his magic?'' Saito thought.

Derflinger mumbled in response, “You can’t make it, he is looking down on you.”

Saito’s heart burst in fury. ''Wardes that bastard, he can have the same speed as me with the Gandálfr runes glowing''. With only one exchange, Saito could tell the difference between Guiche and Wardes.

“A Magic Knight isn’t someone who only chants magic.” Wardes answered with a tip of his hat.

“The way we chant is fully specialized for battle, the way we hold our wands, the motion we use to charge… the way we use our wands as swords, complete with spellcraft. This is the basic of the basics for soldiers.”

Saito lowered his body slightly, and began to spin his blade like a windmill. Wardes apparently already saw through Saito’s attack style, and parried the next attack without even taking a breath.

“You are really fast; no one can mistake you for a commoner, truly the familiar of the legends.” Blocking Saito’s blow, Wardes used his wand and swung at the back of Saito’s head. With his brain and nose on fire, the Japanese boy collapsed on the ground with a thud.

“But this is it, you are fast, but your movements are those of an amateur, you cannot beat a real mage with this.”

Saito leapt forward like a bullet and released a brand new assault.

But, with one step aside and a jump, Wardes easily dodged Saito again with the speed of the wind.

“In other words, you are unable to protect Louise.” For the first time, Wardes entered combat stance, with a speed impossible for a normal person to track, launched an attack on Saito. Just as the boy realized what was going on, he took the full attack head on.

“Dell yill soll la windy.” With one hand waving the sparking wand, Wardes chanted with a low voice.

Saito realized Wardes’ movement and attack all followed a pattern. 

“Partner! Bad news! Magic is coming!” Derflinger screamed, when he realized the whisper chant was magic…

Bam, suddenly the winds rushed together, creating an invisible force that slammed into Saito with the strength of a hammer, knocking him a good 10 meters away and into a pile of beer barrels, smashing all of them as he crashed down.

In the instant Saito landed on the wine barrels he dropped his sword. As Saito tried to retrieve the weapon, Wardes stepped on it, then struck Saito with the wand. Derflinger screamed “Get your foot of me!”, but Wardes paid it no heed and spoke, “Did you find out who is the winner and loser?”

Saito tried to get up, but the pain prevented him from moving. The boy then realized that blood was flowing down his head.

Louise fearfully came over.

“Do you understand Louise? He cannot protect you.” Wardes told her calmly.

“Because... because aren't you the commander of the Magic Knights? The secret group that was assigned to protect the queen?? Isn't it natural to be strong?"

“True, but aren’t you going to Albion and might do battle? When you are surrounded by strong enemies, you also plan to say ‘we are weak, please put away your wands?’”

Louise became silent, and then looked at Saito with worry. From his head came more fresh blood and the little girl drew out her handkerchief in a panic, but was stopped by Wardes.

“Leave him, Louise.”

Wardes grabbed on to Louise’s hands.

“But…”

"Let's leave him there for a bit."

Louise hesitantly bit her lips for a moment and, with another tug from Wardes, left.

Saito was left behind, on his knees, unable to move a single bit.

Derflinger quipped, “Total defeat.”

Saito didn’t respond. Losing in front of Louise made him very sad.

“But that noble is very strong! Don’t worry about it partner, that guy has a lot of skill. Maybe even a Square Mage. Even if you lost, it is not shameful.”

Yet, even if this was true, Saito said nothing. 

“Losing in front the girl you have a crush on is truly a despicable event. But don’t look so down, or I will cry as well... Hey, I remember something, what was it? It happened a long time ago… Oh that! Wait!”

Saito put Derflinger back to his sheath, silencing it in the process. Dusting off his pants, the boy took a heavy step forward.

That night, Saito stared at the moon from his balcony window. Guiche and company were drinking in the bar on the first floor. Tomorrow they were heading for Albion, so everyone was partying below. Kirche came with an invitation, but he refused. Our hero had little heart for drinking now.

Apparently, the group could leave with the two moon eclipses; it was the day in which Albion was closest to the world.

Saito looked up to the starlit night sky, in the sea of stars, the pink moon hid behind the white moon, and thus became one moon sparking with a peach color. That moon reminded him of the one of his homeland, the moon of Earth.

The depressed Saito never stopped mumbling, wanting to go home, to go back to his homeland. Also, losing to Wardes in front of Louise made Saito more homesick than ever.

Without realizing it, tears were falling from Saito’s eyes. The tears rolled down his face past his chin then fell on to the ground. The boy continued to cry as he stared at the moons, then he heard something behind him.

“Saito.”

Turning around, he saw Louise standing behind him with her arms crossed.

“…Just because you lost does not mean you should cry, that is unbecoming.”

The boy in response wiped his face, not wanting Louise to see his tears.

“That's not right.”

”What is not right?”

“I am only doing it because I am homesick. To return to Earth. To return to Japan.”

Louise lowered her head.

“…I know, it is my fault.”

“You are just treating me like a dog.”

“There is nothing I can do about it, I am a member of the nobility, and if I don’t do it there would be rumors.”

“So what is the way to return me to my old world? I really don’t want to be in this world anymore.”

Saito muttered in an unpleasant tone, which came from the bottom of his heart.

“…What, you know you are very troublesome for me too.”

“If you say so, then help me find a way back. Promise me you will find a way to send me to my original world.”

“…When this mission is over, I will do my best to find you a way home.”

“Really?”

Louise put her arms around her belt, nodding her head in a cute expression.

“I am a member of the nobility, I will not lie.”

“But what happens if I cannot find a way back?”

Her face reddened a little, Louise hardened her heart and replied, “…If that happens, I will ask you to continue to serve me.”

“Even if you are married?”

“This has nothing to do with marriage.”

Louise stared at Saito.

Saito commented with a little sarcastic humor, “Ok ok, a person like you, with such an awful personality and there is a person who is willing to marry you, that noble is really a miracle. You are really lucky.”

Louise raised her arms with a tint of anger, “What? Didn’t Kirche fall in love with you? That idiot can fall in love with you. Forget it, no matter what can be said, both of you are morons and would make a lovely pair.”

The two turned away from each other. Louise closed her eyes, calmed herself and spoke, “In summary, during the time you are in Halkeginia, you are my familiar. So regardless of the fact I get married or not, it is your duty to protect me and do laundry as well as other duties.”

Saito turned around to face Louise.

Under that peach colored hair, Louise’s tea-green eyes sparked with fury. Her normally pale face was also tinted with color of anger, which made her puckered lips extremely cute.

Saito’s heart began to race as he stared at her. He did get yelled at by Louise, but she was still so beautiful.

''But is it truly only this? Just because she is beautiful, my heart is racing? I feel it is not just this alone. No matter how beautiful she is, how cute, when I hear such hurtful words my heart should not race.''

Louise held her hands together. The red faced Louise. The Louise who nursed me. The Louise who confronted Fouquet's golem despite being a zero. The self-ashamed Louise that cries secretly when being called zero...

Occasionally, Louise shows up as a real girl that combines courage, kindness and beauty in herself.

Saito thought really deeply, “Then why is it really this way?”

He finally understood why he had been staring at the moon every night until tonight, yet never thinking about going home.

But, he really hated wanting to admit this reason.

''This really sucks!''

''Why would I…''Saito could not stop the line of thought.

Spontaneously, Saito asked, “Why don’t you just let Wardes protect you?”

“Amazing, you are still not over losing to him?”

Saito remained silent.

“You are MY FAMILIAR right? Just because you lost, you have to be strong. That defeated look would sully the la Vallière name.”

It was not as simple as being defeated. It was losing in front of Louise, and losing to her fiancé. How could he still be strong? Saito curled his lips, and angrily slammed the balcony frame.

Louise replied angrily, “Ok, I understand. Do what you like, I will let Wardes protect me.”

“Ok, be like that.” Saito countered maliciously, and this line made Louise even angrier.

“That person is really reliable. He won’t make me worry. I don’t have to tell a familiar like you, but I will tell you now. Now I have decided, I will marry Wardes.”

Louise looked at Saito, but Saito remained silent, not caring. ''What?'' Louise thought.

“I am going to marry Wardes.”

Louise repeated herself again, but Saito remained silent and didn’t say anything. With his head lowered in anger.

At first she expected Saito to say something to stop her, but he didn’t even say a single word.

''What? Haven't you already crawled into my bed?!'' Louise thought. She got even more unhappy as her pride had been hurt.

“A person like you should spend the rest of your life staring at the moon!” Louise howled as she dashed away.

Just at this moment…

“WOAH!” Saito shouted. Louise turned her head around, and to her surprise, something appeared that swallowed the moon, and it was nowhere to be seen.

Beneath the moon’s shadow, there appeared to be a giant. If we looked at it closely, the huge shadow turned out to be a golem made of stone. The person controlling the golem turned out to be…

“Fouquet!” Saito and Louise shouted in unison. The figure above them sat on the golem’s shoulder, cheerfully answered, “Oh, it is such an honor to be remembered!”

The sword on Saito’s shoulder asked, “Shouldn’t you be rotting in jail?”

Fouquet shouted back, “Somebody had a kind heart, a beauty like myself should be contriving to the welfare of the world, so they let me escape.”

It was dark so not many people could see it, but there was a figure in the black cape of nobility standing next to the woman. Was that guy the person who helped her escape? The noble supported Fouquet’s actions, but remained silent. Because the figure wore a mask, no one could see anything clear, but it appeared to be a man.

“…So you are someone who can’t mind her own business, what are you doing here?” Saito brandished his sword with his left hand.

“I am here to thank you for the long vacation you gave me, I am here to send you my appreciation!”

Fouquet howled in laughter, as the huge golem pulverized the fence on the balcony with one hit. The fence was carved right out of solid stone, so it appeared the power of the golem had increased significantly.

“There is stone, not dirt, so calm down!”

“No one is trying to be calm here!”

Saito grabbed Louise’s hand and ran away, escaping the room, the duo leaped down the stairs.

Meanwhile, the room below became a pandemonium.

Suddenly a group of soldiers came to assault Wardes and company who were drinking.

Guiche, Kirche, Tabitha and Wardes were using magic to defend themselves. However, there were too many people. It appeared every soldier from La Rochelle came attacking.

It seemed like they were losing.

Kirche broke one of the table’s legs, and decided to use the table as a shield against the coming foes. The attacking soldiers were used to fighting magic-using foes already. While they were fighting, they observed Kirche and her allies range and style. Then moved out the magic’s range to attack with bows. The soldiers hidden from the dark had the advantage of the field, leaving those inside the room a bitter battle.
[[Image:ZnT02-147.jpg|thumb]]

If anyone stood up to chant magic, they were answered with a torrential volley of arrows.

Saito lowered his body, charged to Kirche’s shield-table wall, letting her know Fouquet was above them and attacking, but the giant’s huge feet were already visible, so there was no need to tell them.

The other nobles and guests were hiding under the counter and shaking in fear. The fat innkeeper called out to the soldiers, “What are you doing to my establishment??” But one arrow slammed into his shoulder, leaving him slumped on the ground.

“This is really troublesome.” Listening to Wardes’ words, Kirche nodded.

“It appears this band is not only just interested in a simple little robbery.”

“Maybe Fouquet and Albion's nobles are behind this?”

Kirche raised her wand, and mumbled, “…Those guys are planning for us to use our magic, exhaust ourselves then come in with a charge, what can we do?”

“My Valkyries will protect us.”

“Guiche, your Valkyries are only a small squad, these are seasoned mercenaries.”

“If we don’t try we will never know.”

“But Guiche, if it comes to warfare I am a far better expert than you are.”

“But I am the son of General de Gramont, how could I lose to this band of idiot soldiers?”

“This is intolerable, the nobles of Tristain are only tough with their words, but their actual combat capabilities are pretty weak.”

Guiche stood up, preparing to chant his magic. But Wardes stopped him by grabbing on to the young noble’s shirt.

“Everyone listen carefully.” Wardes whispered. Saito and the others became silent to listen.

“This mission counts as complete if one half of the group arrives safely at the destination.”

At this moment the cute Tabitha also closed her book and looked at Wardes’ direction. The girl used her staff and pointed at herself, Kirche and Guiche and uttered one word, “Bait.”

Then Tabitha continued and pointed at Saito, Wardes, and Louise, then uttered another word, “Go to the harbor.”

“The time?” Wardes asked the young girl.

“We will carry it out right now.”

“Just liked we planned a while ago, go from the backdoor.”

“Ah? AH!” Saito and Louise shouted out in surprise.

“They are responsible for holding the situation; we should be able to confuse their sight. Using this time we should be able to escape toward the harbor, just like that.”

“But…But…”

Saito looked at Kirche, and the girl ran her hand through her red hair. And puckered her lips then added, “Bah, can’t help it anyway, we really didn’t want to go to Albion with you anyway.”

Guiche sniffed at his rose, “Heh, I might die here. What would happen then? If I die then I won’t be able to meet Princess Henrietta again.”

Tabitha nodded at Saito. “Go.”

“But..”

Kirche began to push Saito, “Ok, time to go. When you come back…I will let you kiss me.”

Then, she turned around to face Louise, “Ah, Louise, please don’t make any misinterpretation of this, I am not here to be bait for you.”

”I know, I know!” Although she said it, Louise still lowered her head in a salute to Kirche and others.

Saito and the others lowered their body to the floor, and began to run. Arrows flew in their direction, but with a wave of Tabitha’s wand, the roaring wind protected them from the onslaught.

The group fled from the bar into the kitchen and toward the other exit, and then there was a huge explosion behind them.

“…Looks like it has begun.” Louise mouthed.

Wardes crouched close to the door, then listened at the situation outside.

“There doesn’t appear to be anyone.”

Opening the door, the three leapt into the night streets of La Rochelle.

“The docks are this way.”

Wardes was in the lead, Louise followed behind. Saito came in the back.

Under the moonlight, the trio’s shadow extended, and followed closely behind.

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| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter4|Back to Chapter 4]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Return to Main Page]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter6|Forward to Chapter 6]]
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Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter4

2014-01-21T10:54:26Z

Barashkafromro:

===Chapter Four: Port City La Rochelle===

Although dawn had just broken, Saito, Guiche and Louise had already started preparing the saddles for their horses. Slung over Saito's back was Derflinger. Because of its length,
it could not be attached to the waist.

Louise was dressed in her academy uniform, the only difference was that she now wore horse riding boots instead of shoes. Judging from that, it looked like a great deal of time would be spent riding the horse.

''How far would Albion be from here? I'm still not used to riding a horse... Most probably my waist will ache from the riding...'' he thought to himself.

Just before setting off, Guiche spoke rather awkwardly.

"I have a request..."

"What is it that you want?" Saito responded with hostility while putting his belongings onto the saddle. He still could not forgive Guiche for hurting him that badly during their fight some time back.

"I wish to bring my familiar along."

"Do you have a familiar in the first place?"

"Of course I do. All magicians have one."

Louise and Saito looked at each other, then looked at Guiche again.

"Where's your familiar now?"

"Here." Guiche replied while pointing to the ground.

"But there's nothing on the ground," Louise said.

Guiche responded by tapping his feet on the ground. Just then, a giant brown creature popped out of the ground.

"Verdandi! Oh, my cute Verdandi!"

Saito, dumbfounded, asked, "What in the world is that creature?"

"What do you mean creature? This is my cute little familiar Verdandi."

"You mean that your familiar is that big thing over there?"

Upon closer inspection, that giant brown creature was actually a mole with a size equivalent to a small bear.

"Yes. Ahh... My Verdandi, you look so cute from any angle I look. Have you eaten your meal of earthworms before you arrived here?"

The gigantic mole hemmed happily in response.

"Really? That's wonderful!" Guiche said while rubbing cheek to cheek with his familiar.

"Actually... I don't think that you could bring it along with us..." Saito said in disgust.

“That's right Guiche. That creature moves underground right?”

“That's right. Even though it's slightly bigger that usual, Verdandi is still a mole all right.”

“How are we going to bring it along? We're all riding on horses.” Louise said in perturbed fashion.

“That's all right. Verdandi moves along quickly underground. Am I right, Verdandi?

The gigantic mole nodded in agreement.

“But we're going to Albion! We can't bring creatures that move underground!.” Louise explained.

Guiche, upon hearing that, knelt onto the ground and replied, “I cannot bear the separation with my dear Verdandi... Oh! The pain...”

At the same time, the giant mole seemed to pick up some scent from its nose and drew nearer and nearer to Louise.

“What is this stupid mole trying to do!?”

“Like master, like familiar. They both share the same interest – girls.” Saito said.

“Stop! Stop this right now!”

The giant mole knocked Louise off her feet and started sniffing all over her.

“Ah!!! Watch where you're sniffing! Stop it!”

Louise being constantly poked by the giant mole's nose, started to roll all over the ground. All that rolling disheveled her clothes and exposed her underwear. Louise was starting to get very annoyed...

Saito unconsciously started to be immersed in watching Verdandi and Louise just as if he was admiring a beautiful picture...

“Ah... How beautiful is the scene of a giant mole teasing a damsel.”

“I totally agree.”

Both Saito and Guiche nodded in unison.

“Stop blabbering nonsense over there, you oafs! Come over and help me quickly! Ahh!!!

The giant mole saw the ring at Louise's right hand and started pecking it with its nose.

“You insolent mole! Don't use your nose to sniff at the ring the highness has bestowed to me!.”

“I see now. It's the ring. Verdandi loves jewels.”

“Such an irritating pest!”

“Please don't call Verdandi an irritating pest. It's because of me that Verdandi searches for precious stones and jewels. For an Earth magician, there's nothing more helpful than this.”

Just as Louise was preparing to blow her top, a sudden gust of wind came out of nowhere and blew away Verdandi.

“Who is that!?” Guiche shouted agitatedly.

A rather stout looking noble wearing a feathered cap appeared out of the faint daylight behind him. Saito looked rather surprised.

“That...That person is...”

“What have you done to my Verdandi!?”

Guiche hastily took out his rose shaped wand but the noble wearing the feathered cap was faster. Before Guiche could cast any spell, his wand was already out of his hand.

“I'm not your enemy. I'm under the orders of the highness to accompany you on your journey. The princess is worried about just having you few going to Albion, but then again sending a whole troop of soldiers with you will be too conspicuous. Therefore, I was appointed to accompany you all on this journey.” The noble said while taking off his feather cap and bowing.

“I'm the captain of the Griffin Knights<ref>Griffin Knights - One of the few Knight Orders formed to protect the royal Family.</ref>, Viscount Wardes.”

The grumbling Guiche quickly shut his mouth. For most of the nobles, Guiche included, being able to join the Griffin Knights meant great prestige.

Wardes looked at Guiche and spoke apologetically. “Sorry for what I did to your familiar. I couldn't stand watching my fiancée being harassed.”

“What!?”

Saito was shocked.

“Fiancée?”

“This majestic looking noble is Louise' fiancé???”

“Wardes-sama...” Louise spoke in a trembling voice after standing up.

“It's been such a long time. My Louise, my dear Louise.”

''My Louise??? What kind of joke is that?'' Saito thought to himself.

Wardes approached Louise and with a beaming smile on his face, carried Louise up.

“It's really been such a long time.” Louise said with her face turning red with embarrassment.

“Still as light as ever. Just like a feather.”

“Viscount... please don't be like this... There are people over here...”

Wardes, who placed Louise back down and replaced his hat said, “Care to introduce your companions to me?”

“Erm... That is Guiche de Gramont and my familiar, Saito.” said Louise while pointing at them while she was introducing them to Wardes. Guiche who did not dare look at Wardes directly, lowered his head. Saito followed suit though a bit unwillingly.

Wardes said with a rather surprised look on his face, “Are you Louise' familiar? This is the first time I've seen a human being a familiar.”

“Thank you for taking such good care of my fiancée.”

"You're welcome."

Saito took the opportunity to size up Wardes. He was indeed handsome. Even though Guiche could also be considered a bishonen<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishonen 美少年] meaning "Beautiful Youth" in japanese. Mostly used for describing males.</ref> himself, he was always making a fool out of himself and making irrational decisions. He could even rub his own cheek with a giant mole.

However for Wardes, not only he had the looks. His eyes were like that of an eagle – keen and sharp. That mustache he had further enhanced his suaveness.

In addition he had a muscular and well built body. Saito had originally thought that all male magicians would have a body like Guiche, but he was proven wrong. Even in hand to hand combat with Wardes without the use of magic, Saito could be subdued in seconds.

Thinking about all that, Saito gave a deep and long sigh. Wardes seeing that, approached Saito and gave a pat on his shoulders.

“What's wrong? Are you having doubts about this trip? There's nothing to be afraid of! Aren't you the one who caught Fouquet of the Crumbling Earth? With your courage alone, nothing is impossible.”

Wardes who had finished saying that, gave a broad smile. With that, Saito felt a tinge of remorsefulness.

''Is he really that good of a person? I don't think that I can compare with him in any aspect. That's right. I think Louise would be married to him soon... Just thinking of that has made me alone and empty...''

Louise, not able to calm down due to Wardes' appearance, was feeling restless with anxiety. Saito had to turn his head away, he did not want to see Louise that way.

Wardes gave a whistle, and a griffin appeared out from the morning clouds. It was a mythical beast with the head of a eagle and a body of a lion. And on its back were wings that were made up of beautiful white feathers.

Wardes had climbed to the back of the griffin with grace, and then extended a hand to Louise.

“Come over, my Louise.”

Louise lowered her head in hesitation and bashfulness, just like a girl who is in love. This made Saito even more jealous.

''What does he think he's doing? “Come over, my Louise?” Your Louise!? Your Louise!? What an obnoxious freak!''

Saito being a male, had to keep those thoughts to himself and went up to the horse in silence in the end.

Louise, who was still hesitating, was suddenly carried up the griffin by Wardes.

With one hand on the reins and his wand in the other, Wardes shouted, “Well everybody, onwards!”

The griffin moved forward. Following behind it were Guiche, looking full of admiration for Wardes; and Saito, feeling very down and dejected.

Saito thought to himself while staring at the blank sky.

''How far would it be to Albion?''

From the headmaster's office window, Henrietta was watching Saito and group departing for Albion. Closing her eyes, she starting praying...

“Founder Brimir, please grant them protection throughout their journey...”

Next to her was Headmaster Osman trimming his nasal hair.

“You aren't going to see them off, headmaster Osman?”

“No, as you can see, I'm busy trimming my nasal hair, your highness.”

Henrietta shook her head in disapproval.

Just then, someone knocked at the door.

“Enter,” said the headmaster.

Mr. Colbert entered room with an anxious look on his face.

“Bad news! Headmaster!”

“You say that quite often. What seems to be the problem now?”

“From the news that I've heard from the castle guards, Fouquet has escaped!”

“Hmm...” said Osman while stroking his beard.

“According to the guard who was on duty that time, some noble knocked him out using wind magic. The person used the opportunity that most of the manpower was diverted to protect the princess to help Fouquet escape! This means that someone inside is a spy! Isn't that bad news?”

Henrietta's face turned pale upon hearing the news.

Headmaster Osman made a gesture to Mr. Colbert asking him to leave.

“Okay. Okay. We'll hear further details from you later.”

After Mr. Colbert left, Henrietta placed her hands on the table and sighed deeply.

“We have a spy in our midst. This must be the doings of the Albion nobility!”

“Maybe it is... OUCH!” said the headmaster while trimming his nasal hair. Henrietta looked at him helplessly.

“How can you still be so relaxed? The future of Tristain is at stake!”

“The opponent has already made his move. All we can do now is to wait, isn't it?”

“Even so...”

“It's all right. If it's him, he'll be able to cope with any problems they'll face during their journey.”

“The person you're speaking of is Guiche? Or Viscount Wardes?”

The headmaster shook his head.

“Don't tell me that person is Louise's familiar. How could that be possible?! Isn't he just a commoner?”

“Your highness, have you heard of the story of Founder Brimir before?”

“I have read most of the story...”

The headmaster smiled and replied, “Then, do you know about Gandálfr?”

“Isn't that Founder Brimir's strongest familiar? Don't tell me...”

At this point of time, Headmaster Osman felt that he had already divulged too much. Regarding the secret of “Gandálfr” he always wanted to keep that to himself. Although he trusted Henrietta, he did not want the Royal family to know about it yet.

“Yes, he's as strong and capable as Gandálfr and furthermore, he comes from another world different from ours.”

“Another world?”

“That's right. He comes from a world different from Halkeginia. Or I should say, from a place not on Halkeginia. I have always believed that this youth from another world will succeed. That's also the reason that I'm so carefree even during these perilous times.”

“Another world different from Halkeginia really exists...”

Henrietta gazed far away. The sensation of the youth's lip still lingered on Henrietta's lips. Touching her lips with her fingertips, she closed her eyes, smiled and said,

“Let me pray then, for the breeze that comes from another world.”

It would take two days to reach Port City La Rochelle by horse from Tristain. The port city is situated on a deep and narrow gorge and because of this, it has a small population of three hundred. As La Rochelle is the gateway to Albion, the number of travelers is ten times more than the local population.

Boulders could be seen on both sides of the narrow mountain pathway. People had carved holes in the boulders, turning them into taverns and shops. Although the buildings look ordinary, upon closer inspection one can realize that all of them are carved out of a single rock, a feat done by Square ranked earth mages.

On the narrow street, it appeared to be dark even though it was afternoon due to the gorges blocking the sunlight. If one made a turn on the street, they could see an even narrower street leading to a bar.

On the signboard resembling a keg of wine, the shop's name was written – “Golden Wine Barrel Bar”. However, nothing in the shop resembled its name; the shop was dilapidated like an abandoned house. Piles of ruined chairs could be seen piling next to the door.

Most of the patrons were gangsters and mercenaries. When drunk, they would often fight over the smallest of things like staring incidents or minor squabbles.

Whenever they'd fight, they would fight with their weapons. Therefore, it was common to see people dead or seriously injured inside the bar. The shopkeeper, not wanting to see any more injuries and deaths, put up a notice inside the shop.

“Please use the chairs when you fight in here.”

From the notice, the customers could feel the shopkeeper's helplessness. So they started to use the chairs instead of their weapons when fighting each other. Even though there were still injuries, no one was killed anymore. From then on, chairs that were destroyed during fights got piled next to the door.

Today, “Golden Wine Barrel Bar” is filled with patrons as usual. Almost all the patrons are mercenaries returning from Albion which was in an internal strife.

“The king of Albion is finished!”

“Don't that means that they're going to start a republic soon?”

“If so, let us offer a toast to the republic!”

The people offering toasts to themselves were formerly mercenaries hired by the royalist to fight along side with them. However, faced with the imminent defeat of their clients, they all decided to retreat back here. This was not considered to be a dishonorable act. As mercenaries, they value their lives more than their beliefs, and so they are not obliged to fight to their death for their clients.

As they were drinking, the bar's door opened. A rather tall lady had entered the bar. The hood the lady had worn covered most of her face except the lower part of her face. However, from just the lower part of her face one can already be sure about her beauty. As it was rare for such an attractive lady to come to such a place alone, all eyes on the bar were already on her.

The lady, unfazed by all the eyes staring at her, ordered some wine and food and sat on a table in a corner of the bar. After the food was served, she promptly paid up.

“That... That's a lot of money. Is it really all right?”

“That includes lodging. Do you have any empty rooms?”

An elegant voice replied. The shopkeeper nodded his head and left her table. Several of the male patrons looked at each other and approached her table.

“Excuse me miss, it's dangerous for you to be here alone.”

“That's right! There are lots of dangerous characters around. Don't worry though, we'll be here to protect you.”

With a vile smile on his face, one of them lifted up the lady's hood. Whistles and catcalls could be heard once the hood was removed. The lady was quite a beauty, with her beautiful eyes and elegant nose.

This beautiful lady is none other than Fouquet of the crumbling earth.

“She's really top notch! Look at her skin! It's as white as ivory!”

Another patron attempted to lift up her chin with his arm, but his hand was pushed away by Fouquet. Fouquet gave a faint smile. Another male patron immediately stood up, took out his dagger and placed it on Fouquet's face.

“Aren't chairs supposed to be used instead of weapons at this joint?”

“This is only to frighten you. Chairs can't intimidate anybody right? Don't act so innocent anymore, aren't you here to look for company? We'll keep you company then.”

Even with the dagger pointed on her face, Fouquet showed no fear. With a slight movement, she reached for a wand.

In a instant, she chanted her incantations. With that, the dagger that the man held turned into earth and settled onto the table.

“She's.. she's a noble!”

The men immediately backed away from her. As Fouquet was not wearing a cloak<ref>All nobles wear cloaks with an insigna in front.</ref>, none of them knew that she was a magician.

“Even though I'm a magician, I'm not a noble,” Fouquet said nonchalantly.

“Most of you are mercenaries right?”

The male patrons looked at each other. If she was not a noble, their lives would not be endangered. If they had done that to a noble, they would be killed without any qualms.

“Yes... And you are...?” a veteran of the group replied.

“It doesn't matter. In short, I'm here to hire all of you.”

“All of us?”

The mercenaries looked at Fouquet with a puzzled look on their face.

“What's with the expression? Is it really that weird for me to employ mercenaries?”

“No. That's not what I meant. You have gold, don't you?”

Fouquet placed a bag full of gold onto the table. After inspecting the contents of the bag, the veteran said, "Wow... Isn't this écu gold?”

The bar's door opened again. This time, a man wearing a white mask had entered the bar. He was the same man who had helped Fouquet escape from prison.

“Well, aren't you early.”

Fouquet seeing that man, gave a low “Hmm” as a reply. The mercenaries, seeing that man's peculiar dressing, were all quite surprised.
“They have started on their journey,” the masked man said.

“I have done what you had told me to and hired all these men.”

The man in the white mask gave a once over at the mercenaries that Fouquet had hired.

“All of you were formerly employed by the Albion royalist. Am I right?”

“That was until last month,” one of the mercenaries replied with glee.

“But the soon to be defeated royalist aren't our employers anymore.”

The mercenaries laughed in unison. The man in the white mask laughed as well.

“I'll fulfill all your monetary desires. However, I'm not like the soon to be defeated royalists, if anyone dares to run away from battle, I'll kill him myself.”

Since departing from the magical academy, Wardes' griffin had been endlessly moving towards their destination. Even though the rest of the group had already changed their mount twice, Wardes' griffin just like its master, appeared to be tireless.

“Hold on, isn't the pace too fast for us?” Louise, who was on Wardes' griffin, asked. Over the duration of the journey, Louise spoke in a more informal manner to Wardes than when they were reunited. But that was also partly due to the Viscount's request.

“Guiche and Saito are already on the brink of exhaustion.”

Wardes turned back and looked at Guiche and Saito. Just like Louise had said, both of them were holding their reins tightly in fear of falling off. From the looks of it, both of them would collapse from exhaustion before the horses would.

“But I had originally planned to journey to port city La Rochelle without stopping...”

“That would be difficult, it would take two days to reach by horse.”

“If that's the case, why don't we just leave them behind?”

“We can't do that!”

“Why?”

“Aren't we in this together? Furthermore, a magician should not abandon her familiar...”

“You seem protective of them both. Which one is your sweetheart?”

Louise's face immediately turned red and replied, “What... What sweetheart!?”

“That sets my heart at ease. If my fiancée tells me that she already has a sweetheart, I would die of a broken heart,” replied Wardes with a smile.

“But that was only something that our parents had agreed on.”

“Then, do you dislike me, my small and dainty Louise?”

“Please, I'm not young anymore,” Louise replied, pouting.

“But in my eyes, you're forever that small and dainty Louise.”

Louise remembered that dream that she'd had a few days back, where she was back in the courtyard of her home, la Vallière.

The secret boat on the forgotten lake...

Whenever she was throwing a tantrum there, Wardes would always be there to pacify her.

The marriage that was decided by her parents.

The betrothal that was decided since youth. The one that she would be married to. Her fiancé.

At that time, she still did not fully understand what was going on. She only knew that, so long as she was with the man she had admired, she would be happy.

But now, she finally understood everything. She would be married to Wardes.

“I don't dislike you,” Louise replied with a tinge of embarrassment.

“That's wonderful, in other words, you like me?”

Wardes gently hugged Louise's shoulders.

“I have never forgotten about you even after all this time. Do you still remember? After my father's death during the lancer campaign?”

Louise nodded her head.

Wardes began to reminisce and narrated to Louise about the past.

“My mother had passed away earlier, I inherited my father's estate and title. Wanting to make a name for myself, I went to the capital. Fortunately, the highness had a deep impression of my father who had perished in the battlefield, I was incorporated into the Griffin Knights. I had entered the Griffin Knights as a trainee, training was tough then.

“From then on, you seldom went back to your estate again,” replied Louise while closing her eyes. She too seemed to be immersed in her memories.

“My house and estate were cared for by butler Galgann while I put all my effort serving the nation. After so long, I finally made a name for myself, accomplishing what I had decided upon leaving my homeland.”

“What was that you have decided upon?”

“To ask your hand for marriage once I have made a name for myself.”

“You're kidding right, Viscount? You're so popular among the girls, you have no need to honor your promise to such an insignificant me.”

About Wardes' betrothal. Louise had cleanly forgotten it until she had that dream a few days back. The bridal pact to Wardes was all but a fleeting dream. In her opinion, it was only an agreement made on a whim.

After Wardes had left his estate ten years ago, Louise had never seen him again. Wardes had already become part of her distant memory. Distant memories had suddenly become reality.

“This journey is a good chance for us to regain those feelings we had when you were young,” Wardes said with a gentle and calm tone.

Louise thought to herself, do I really love Wardes?

Even though she did not dislike him and she did admire him when she was young, that was all in the past.

Suddenly faced with a fiancé and probably marriage, she did not know what to do. Furthermore, they had been apart for so many years, she did not really know whether if she still had any feelings for him.

Louise turned her head and looked behind.

She saw Saito prostrating on the horse, it looked like he had nearly reached his limit. Louise pouted her lips. Good for nothing! As soon as she thought of that, she became anxious and her heart pounded furiously.

“We have already been on these horses for nearly a whole day, doesn't he get tired? Are those griffin knights monsters?” Guiche, who was also lifelessly slouching on the horse, asked.

“Who knows?” Saito replied lethargically. He felt embittered each time Wardes touched Louise. He touched her again...this time hugging her by the shoulder... ''What is that guy up to... Even though you're Louise's fiancé, even though I have no right to stop you, you should have at least done it somewhere else where I could not see...''

Each time Saito thought of that, he became more tired and his heart became heavier.

Guiche, looking at Saito in such a state, began teasing him. “Heh heh... Don't tell me you're jealous?” Guiche said with a snicker.

“Ah! What are you implying?”

“I guessed it correctly, didn't I?” Guiche laughed even harder.

“Shut your mouth, mole boy!”

“Mwahaha... You actually carried a love for your master that would never flower? To tell you honestly, love between people of different status will only result in tragedy.”

“Stop talking nonsense! How could I ever like such a person like her? I admit that she's cute. However, she has an extremely bad character.”

Guiche suddenly looked to the front and exclaimed, “Look! They're kissing!”

Saito, shocked, immediately turned to the front. However, Wardes and Louise did not kiss.

He then looked again at Guiche. Guiche was barely controlling his laughter.

“Arggh!” Saito shouted and pounced on Guiche. Both of them fell off their horses and began fighting each other on the ground.

“Hey! If you guys continue fighting, I'll have to leave you both behind!” Wardes shouted.

Guiche quickly got back on the horse. Meanwhile, Saito, realizing that Louise was looking at him, turned his head away.

As they had been traveling at full speed and exchanged their tired horses for fresh ones several times, they reached the outskirts of La Rochelle by nightfall.

Saito looked around in astonishment. ''Aren't we approaching a port? Why do I still see mountains everywhere? Maybe once we cross this mountain we should be able to see the ocean.''

Traveling under the moonlight, Saito and the group finally saw a narrow mountain pathway. Buildings which were carved from boulders could be seen on both sides of the pathway.

“Why is a port built on top of a mountain?”

Hearing Saito asking, Guiche replied sarcastically “Don't tell me that you don't even know where Albion is?”

Although Saito and Guiche were nearly reaching their physical limits, the thought of 'Once we reach town we can finally rest' gave them the strength to engage in small talk.

“Yeah, I don't know.”

“Really?” Guiche replied with laughter. But Saito did not laugh.

“I have no common knowledge of this world and please don't assume that I do.”

Suddenly, from top of the cliff, torches were thrown at the their horses. The burning torches illuminated the ravine they were about to cross.

“What's... What's happening !?” Guiche cried.

The horses, frightened by the burning torches, threw Saito and Guiche off their backs.

As they fell, a hail of arrows showered upon them.

“It's an ambush!” Guiche shouted.

Saito began to panic, just as he wanted to unsheathe Derflinger which was slung behind his back, two more arrows flew towards him.

“Whoa!”

Just as they thought they were about to meet their doom, a strong gust of wind blew towards them, changing into a small hurricane.

That same hurricane caught all the arrows and sent them away.

Wardes raised his wand.

“Are you guys all right?” Wardes shouted.

“I'm all right...” replied Saito.

''Damn it! Louise's fiancé just saved my life.'' That sense of dismal kept expanding, causing Saito to feel inferior. He unsheathed Derflinger. The runes on his left hand started glowing again, reliving him of the exhaustion that he had been suffering.
[[Image:ZnT02-115.jpg|thumb]]

“I'm so lonely, partner. It's too much of you to keep putting me inside the scabbard.”

Saito looked at the top of the cliff, but no arrows could be seen.

“It was most likely thieves or bandits.” Wardes said.

Louise, suddenly realizing something exclaimed, “Could it be the nobles from Albion?”

“Nobles would not use arrows.”

Just then, the sound of flapping wings could be heard. It was a sound that they were quite familiar with...

Screams could be heard from the cliffs.

Arrows could be seen shooting towards the night sky. However, all the arrows were parried away by wind magic.

After that, a small hurricane created by magic blew away all the archers.

“Hmm... Aren't those wind incantations?” Wardes mumbled to himself.

The archers, attempting to ambush them, rolled down the cliffs after being blown away by the magical tornado. They landed hard onto the ground, giving out moans of pain.

With the moon as the background, a familiar sight appeared. “It's Sylphid!” Louise shouted confoundedly.

It was Tabitha's wind dragon. After it landed, a red-haired girl jumped down from the dragon and flicked her hair.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Louise too jumped down from Wardes' griffin and replied, “What do you mean sorry to keep you waiting!? Why are you here in the first place?”

“Not to help you in any case. When I saw you leaving the academy on the horse in the morning, I quickly woke up Tabitha and followed you all the way here.”

Kirche pointed at Tabitha, from the looks of it she was woken up from her sleep; she was still wearing her pajamas. But she didn't seem to mind at all, and was still reading a book.

“Zerbst! Listen to me, we're on a secret mission given to us by her highness!”

“Secret mission? You should have said so earlier! How would I know if you did not tell me about it? Anyways, be thankful to me, for I have apprehended the people who wanted to ambush you!”

Kirche said while pointed to the people who were lying on the ground. Those ambushers were unable to move due to their injuries and hurled abuses towards Louise and the group. Guiche approached them and began interrogating them.

Louise, crossing her arms, gave a vicious stare at Kirche.

“Don't be mistaken! I'm not here to assist you. Am I right?”

Kirche posed suggestively, and then leaned on Wardes, who was on the griffin, and said, "Your beard makes you very manly. Do you know what passion looks like?”

Wardes glanced at Kirche and proceeded to push her away using his left hand.

“Huh?”

“Thank you for coming to our aid, but please do not get so close to me ever again.”

“But why? I just told you that I liked you!”

That was the first time that Kirche received such cold treatment from a male. Usually any male would be mesmerized after some sweet-talking from her. But Wardes was not in the least interested. Kirche gazed at Wardes with her mouth wide open.

“I'm sorry. But I cannot let my fiancée misunderstand.” Wardes said while looking at Louise; her face turned red from embarrassment in an instant.

“What? She's your fiancée!?”

Wardes nodded in response. Kirche took a closer look at Wardes, she did not realize it before. Wardes' eyes showed no emotion at all. Just like ice.

She then looked at Saito. He looked listless and was talking to his sword rather dejectedly.

''Eh? Is he looking like that because I made advances on Louise's fiancé?'' As she thought about that, Saito suddenly looked cuter. Looking at Saito, she ran towards him and hugged him immediately.

“Actually, I'm here because I'm worried for my beloved!”

Saito gave a bewildered look, but then quickly looked away.

“Liar.”

''Is he jealous?'' Thinking of that, Kirche's passion in her heart burned brightly.

“Cute! So cute! Are you really jealous?”

“I'm not...”

“I'm so sorry for neglecting you. You must be angry, right?" Kirche said while pushing Saito's face into her breasts.

“Please forgive me! I may have looked at other men, but in the end, the only one that I love is you!”

Louise bit her lips, wanting to tell Kirche off. She could not tolerate Kirche for seducing her familiar.

Just then, Wardes gently placed his hands on Louise's shoulder. Wardes looked at Louise lovingly and gave her a smile.

“Viscount...”

Guiche who was interrogating those ambushers had just returned.

“Viscount, those ambushers admitted that they were robbers.”

“Hmm.. If they're just robbers, let them go.”

Wardes effortlessly mounted back to the top of his griffin, carrying Louise up with him. He then announced to everyone, “We'll spend the night at La Rochelle, tomorrow we will take the first ship to Albion at the break of dawn.”

Kirche sat behind Saito, sharing the same horse with him. Guiche also mounted back to his horse. As for Tabitha, she was still reading her book on her wind dragon.

In front of them, sandwiched between two cliffs, was the port city La Rochelle, dazzling with lights.

<noinclude>
==Translator's Notes and References==
<references/>

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| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter3|Back to Chapter 3]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Return to Main Page]]
| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter5|Forward to Chapter 5]]
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</noinclude>

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter4

2014-01-17T21:09:07Z

Barashkafromro:

===Chapter Four: Port City La Rochelle===

Although dawn had just broken, Saito, Guiche and Louise had already started preparing the saddles for their horses. Slung over Saito's back was Derflinger. Because of its length,
it could not be attached to the waist.

Louise was dressed in her academy uniform, the only difference was that she now wore horse riding boots instead of shoes. Judging from that, it looked like a great deal of time would be spent riding the horse.

''How far would Albion be from here? I'm still not used to riding a horse... Most probably my waist will ache from the riding...'' he thought to himself.

Just before setting off, Guiche spoke rather awkwardly.

"I have a request..."

"What is it that you want?" Saito responded with hostility while putting his belongings onto the saddle. He still could not forgive Guiche for hurting him that badly during their fight some time back.

"I wish to bring my familiar along."

"Do you have a familiar in the first place?"

"Of course I do. All magicians have one."

Louise and Saito looked at each other, then looked at Guiche again.

"Where's your familiar now?"

"Here." Guiche replied while pointing to the ground.

"But there's nothing on the ground," Louise said.

Guiche responded by tapping his feet on the ground. Just then, a giant brown creature popped out of the ground.

"Verdandi! Oh, my cute Verdandi!"

Saito, dumbfounded, asked, "What in the world is that creature?"

"What do you mean creature? This is my cute little familiar Verdandi."

"You mean that your familiar is that big thing over there?"

Upon closer inspection, that giant brown creature was actually a mole with a size equivalent to a small bear.

"Yes. Ahh... My Verdandi, you look so cute from any angle I look. Have you eaten your meal of earthworms before you arrived here?"

The gigantic mole hemmed happily in response.

"Really? That's wonderful!" Guiche said while rubbing cheek to cheek with his familiar.

"Actually... I don't think that you could bring it along with us..." Saito said in disgust.

“That's right Guiche. That creature moves underground right?”

“That's right. Even though it's slightly bigger that usual, Verdandi is still a mole all right.”

“How are we going to bring it along? We're all riding on horses.” Louise said in perturbed fashion.

“That's all right. Verdandi moves along quickly underground. Am I right, Verdandi?

The gigantic mole nodded in agreement.

“But we're going to Albion! We can't bring creatures that move underground!.” Louise explained.

Guiche, upon hearing that, knelt onto the ground and replied, “I cannot bear the separation with my dear Verdandi... Oh! The pain...”

At the same time, the giant mole seemed to pick up some scent from its nose and drew nearer and nearer to Louise.

“What is this stupid mole trying to do!?”

“Like master, like familiar. They both share the same interest – girls.” Saito said.

“Stop! Stop this right now!”

The giant mole knocked Louise off her feet and started sniffing all over her.

“Ah!!! Watch where you're sniffing! Stop it!”

Louise being constantly poked by the giant mole's nose, started to roll all over the ground. All that rolling disheveled her clothes and exposed her underwear. Louise was starting to get very annoyed...

Saito unconsciously started to be immersed in watching Verdandi and Louise just as if he was admiring a beautiful picture...

“Ah... How beautiful is the scene of a giant mole teasing a damsel.”

“I totally agree.”

Both Saito and Guiche nodded in unison.

“Stop blabbering nonsense over there, you oafs! Come over and help me quickly! Ahh!!!

The giant mole saw the ring at Louise's right hand and started pecking it with its nose.

“You insolent mole! Don't use your nose to sniff at the ring the highness has bestowed to me!.”

“I see now. It's the ring. Verdandi loves jewels.”

“Such an irritating pest!”

“Please don't call Verdandi an irritating pest. It's because of me that Verdandi searches for precious stones and jewels. For an Earth magician, there's nothing more helpful than this.”

Just as Louise was preparing to blow her top, a sudden gust of wind came out of nowhere and blew away Verdandi.

“Who is that!?” Guiche shouted agitatedly.

A rather stout looking noble wearing a feathered cap appeared out of the faint daylight behind him. Saito looked rather surprised.

“That...That person is...”

“What have you done to my Verdandi!?”

Guiche hastily took out his rose shaped wand but the noble wearing the feathered cap was faster. Before Guiche could cast any spell, his wand was already out of his hand.

“I'm not your enemy. I'm under the orders of the highness to accompany you on your journey. The princess is worried about just having you few going to Albion, but then again sending a whole troop of soldiers with you will be too conspicuous. Therefore, I was appointed to accompany you all on this journey.” The noble said while taking off his feather cap and bowing.

“I'm the captain of the Griffin Knights<ref>Griffin Knights - One of the few Knight Orders formed to protect the royal Family.</ref>, Viscount Wardes.”

The grumbling Guiche quickly shut his mouth. For most of the nobles, Guiche included, being able to join the Griffin Knights meant great prestige.

Wardes looked at Guiche and spoke apologetically. “Sorry for what I did to your familiar. I couldn't stand watching my fiancée being harassed.”

“What!?”

Saito was shocked.

“Fiancée?”

“This majestic looking noble is Louise' fiancé???”

“Wardes-sama...” Louise spoke in a trembling voice after standing up.

“It's been such a long time. My Louise, my dear Louise.”

''My Louise??? What kind of joke is that?'' Saito thought to himself.

Wardes approached Louise and with a beaming smile on his face, carried Louise up.

“It's really been such a long time.” Louise said with her face turning red with embarrassment.

“Still as light as ever. Just like a feather.”

“Viscount... please don't be like this... There are people over here...”

Wardes, who placed Louise back down and replaced his hat said, “Care to introduce your companions to me?”

“Erm... That is Guiche de Gramont and my familiar, Saito.” said Louise while pointing at them while she was introducing them to Wardes. Guiche who did not dare look at Wardes directly, lowered his head. Saito followed suit though a bit unwillingly.

Wardes said with a rather surprised look on his face, “Are you Louise' familiar? This is the first time I've seen a human being a familiar.”

“Thank you for taking such good care of my fiancée.”

"You're welcome."

Saito took the opportunity to size up Wardes. He was indeed handsome. Even though Guiche could also be considered a bishonen<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishonen 美少年] meaning "Beautiful Youth" in japanese. Mostly used for describing males.</ref> himself, he was always making a fool out of himself and making irrational decisions. He could even rub his own cheek with a giant mole.

However for Wardes, not only he had the looks. His eyes were like that of an eagle – keen and sharp. That mustache he had further enhanced his suaveness.

In addition he had a muscular and well built body. Saito had originally thought that all male magicians would have a body like Guiche, but he was proven wrong. Even in hand to hand combat with Wardes without the use of magic, Saito could be subdued in seconds.

Thinking about all that, Saito gave a deep and long sigh. Wardes seeing that, approached Saito and gave a pat on his shoulders.

“What's wrong? Are you having doubts about this trip? There's nothing to be afraid of! Aren't you the one who caught Fouquet of the Crumbling Earth? With your courage alone, nothing is impossible.”

Wardes who had finished saying that, gave a broad smile. With that, Saito felt a tinge of remorsefulness.

''Is he really that good of a person? I don't think that I can compare with him in any aspect. That's right. I think Louise would be married to him soon... Just thinking of that has made me alone and empty...''

Louise, not able to calm down due to Wardes' appearance, was feeling restless with anxiety. Saito had to turn his head away, he did not want to see Louise that way.

Wardes gave a whistle, and a griffin appeared out from the morning clouds. It was a mythical beast with the head of a eagle and a body of a lion. And on its back were wings that were made up of beautiful white feathers.

Wardes had climbed to the back of the griffin with grace, and then extended a hand to Louise.

“Come over, my Louise.”

Louise lowered her head in hesitation and bashfulness, just like a girl who is in love. This made Saito even more jealous.

''What does he think he's doing? “Come over, my Louise?” Your Louise!? Your Louise!? What an obnoxious freak!''

Saito being a male, had to keep those thoughts to himself and went up to the horse in silence in the end.

Louise, who was still hesitating, was suddenly carried up the griffin by Wardes.

With one hand on the reins and his wand in the other, Wardes shouted, “Well everybody, onwards!”

The griffin moved forward. Following behind it were Guiche, looking full of admiration for Wardes; and Saito, feeling very down and dejected.

Saito thought to himself while staring at the blank sky.

''How far would it be to Albion?''

From the headmaster's office window, Henrietta was watching Saito and group departing for Albion. Closing her eyes, she starting praying...

“Founder Brimir, please grant them protection throughout their journey...”

Next to her was Headmaster Osman trimming his nasal hair.

“You aren't going to see them off, headmaster Osman?”

“No, as you can see, I'm busy trimming my nasal hair, your highness.”

Henrietta shook her head in disapproval.

Just then, someone knocked at the door.

“Enter,” said the headmaster.

Mr. Colbert entered room with an anxious look on his face.

“Bad news! Headmaster!”

“You say that quite often. What seems to be the problem now?”

“From the news that I've heard from the castle guards, Fouquet has escaped!”

“Hmm...” said Osman while stroking his beard.

“According to the guard who was on duty that time, some noble knocked him out using wind magic. The person used the opportunity that most of the manpower was diverted to protect the princess to help Fouquet escape! This means that someone inside is a spy! Isn't that bad news?”

Henrietta's face turned pale upon hearing the news.

Headmaster Osman made a gesture to Mr. Colbert asking him to leave.

“Okay. Okay. We'll hear further details from you later.”

After Mr. Colbert left, Henrietta placed her hands on the table and sighed deeply.

“We have a spy in our midst. This must be the doings of the Albion nobility!”

“Maybe it is... OUCH!” said the headmaster while trimming his nasal hair. Henrietta looked at him helplessly.

“How can you still be so relaxed? The future of Tristain is at stake!”

“The opponent has already made his move. All we can do now is to wait, isn't it?”

“Even so...”

“It's all right. If it's him, he'll be able to cope with any problems they'll face during their journey.”

“The person you're speaking of is Guiche? Or Viscount Wardes?”

The headmaster shook his head.

“Don't tell me that person is Louise's familiar. How could that be possible?! Isn't he just a commoner?”

“Your highness, have you heard of the story of Founder Brimir before?”

“I have read most of the story...”

The headmaster smiled and replied, “Then, do you know about Gandálfr?”

“Isn't that Founder Brimir's strongest familiar? Don't tell me...”

At this point of time, Headmaster Osman felt that he had already divulged too much. Regarding the secret of “Gandálfr” he always wanted to keep that to himself. Although he trusted Henrietta, he did not want the Royal family to know about it yet.

“Yes, he's as strong and capable as Gandálfr and furthermore, he comes from another world different from ours.”

“Another world?”

“That's right. He comes from a world different from Halkeginia. Or I should say, from a place not on Halkeginia. I have always believed that this youth from another world will succeed. That's also the reason that I'm so carefree even during these perilous times.”

“Another world different from Halkeginia really exists...”

Henrietta gazed far away. The sensation of the youth's lip still lingered on Henrietta's lips. Touching her lips with her fingertips, she closed her eyes, smiled and said,

“Let me pray then, for the breeze that comes from another world.”

It would take two days to reach Port City La Rochelle by horse from Tristain. The port city is situated on a deep and narrow gorge and because of this, it has a small population of three hundred. As La Rochelle is the gateway to Albion, the number of travelers is ten times more than the local population.

Boulders could be seen on both sides of the narrow mountain pathway. People had carved holes in the boulders, turning them into taverns and shops. Although the buildings look ordinary, upon closer inspection one can realize that all of them are carved out of a single rock, a feat done by Square ranked earth mages.

On the narrow street, it appeared to be dark even though it was afternoon due to the gorges blocking the sunlight. If one made a turn on the street, they could see an even narrower street leading to a bar.

On the signboard resembling a keg of wine, the shop's name was written – “Golden Wine Barrel Bar”. However, nothing in the shop resembled its name; the shop was dilapidated like an abandoned house. Piles of ruined chairs could be seen piling next to the door.

Most of the patrons were gangsters and mercenaries. When drunk, they would often fight over the smallest of things like staring incidents or minor squabbles.

Whenever they'd fight, they would fight with their weapons. Therefore, it was common to see people dead or seriously injured inside the bar. The shopkeeper, not wanting to see any more injuries and deaths, put up a notice inside the shop.

“Please use the chairs when you fight in here.”

From the notice, the customers could feel the shopkeeper's helplessness. So they started to use the chairs instead of their weapons when fighting each other. Even though there were still injuries, no one was killed anymore. From then on, chairs that were destroyed during fights got piled next to the door.

Today, “Golden Wine Barrel Bar” is filled with patrons as usual. Almost all the patrons are mercenaries returning from Albion which was in an internal strife.

“The king of Albion is finished!”

“Don't that means that they're going to start a republic soon?”

“If so, let us offer a toast to the republic!”

The people offering toasts to themselves were formerly mercenaries hired by the royalist to fight along side with them. However, faced with the imminent defeat of their clients, they all decided to retreat back here. This was not considered to be a dishonorable act. As mercenaries, they value their lives more than their beliefs, and so they are not obliged to fight to their death for their clients.

As they were drinking, the bar's door opened. A rather tall lady had entered the bar. The hood the lady had worn covered most of her face except the lower part of her face. However, from just the lower part of her face one can already be sure about her beauty. As it was rare for such an attractive lady to come to such a place alone, all eyes on the bar were already on her.

The lady, unfazed by all the eyes staring at her, ordered some wine and food and sat on a table in a corner of the bar. After the food was served, she promptly paid up.

“That... That's a lot of money. Is it really all right?”

“That includes lodging. Do you have any empty rooms?”

An elegant voice replied. The shopkeeper nodded his head and left her table. Several of the male patrons looked at each other and approached her table.

“Excuse me miss, it's dangerous for you to be here alone.”

“That's right! There are lots of dangerous characters around. Don't worry though, we'll be here to protect you.”

With a vile smile on his face, one of them lifted up the lady's hood. Whistles and catcalls could be heard once the hood was removed. The lady was quite a beauty, with her beautiful eyes and elegant nose.

This beautiful lady is none other than Fouquet of the crumbling earth.

“She's really top notch! Look at her skin! It's as white as ivory!”

Another patron attempted to lift up her chin with his arm, but his hand was pushed away by Fouquet. Fouquet gave a faint smile. Another male patron immediately stood up, took out his dagger and placed it on Fouquet's face.

“Aren't chairs supposed to be used instead of weapons at this joint?”

“This is only to frighten you. Chairs can't intimidate anybody right? Don't act so innocent anymore, aren't you here to look for company? We'll keep you company then.”

Even with the dagger pointed on her face, Fouquet showed no fear. With a slight movement, she reached for a wand.

In a instant, she chanted her incantations. With that, the dagger that the man held turned into earth and settled onto the table.

“She's.. she's a noble!”

The men immediately backed away from her. As Fouquet was not wearing a cloak<ref>All nobles wear cloaks with an insigna in front.</ref>, none of them knew that she was a magician.

“Even though I'm a magician, I'm not a noble,” Fouquet said nonchalantly.

“Most of you are mercenaries right?”

The male patrons looked at each other. If she was not a noble, their lives would not be endangered. If they had done that to a noble, they would be killed without any qualms.

“Yes... And you are...?” a veteran of the group replied.

“It doesn't matter. In short, I'm here to hire all of you.”

“All of us?”

The mercenaries looked at Fouquet with a puzzled look on their face.

“What's with the expression? Is it really that weird for me to employ mercenaries?”

“No. That's not what I meant. You have gold, don't you?”

Fouquet placed a bag full of gold onto the table. After inspecting the contents of the bag, the veteran said, "Wow... Isn't this écu gold?”

The bar's door opened again. This time, a man wearing a white mask had entered the bar. He was the same man who had helped Fouquet escape from prison.

“Well, aren't you early.”

Fouquet seeing that man, gave a low “Hmm” as a reply. The mercenaries, seeing that man's peculiar dressing, were all quite surprised.
“They have started on their journey,” the masked man said.

“I have done what you had told me to and hired all these men.”

The man in the white mask gave a once over at the mercenaries that Fouquet had hired.

“All of you were formerly employed by the Albion royalist. Am I right?”

“That was until last month,” one of the mercenaries replied with glee.

“But the soon to be defeated royalist aren't our employers anymore.”

The mercenaries laughed in unison. The man in the white mask laughed as well.

“I'll fulfill all your monetary desires. However, I'm not like the soon to be defeated royalists, if anyone dares to run away from battle, I'll kill him myself.”

Since departing from the magical academy, Wardes' griffin had been endlessly moving towards their destination. Even though the rest of the group had already changed their mount twice, Wardes' griffin just like its master, appeared to be tireless.

“Hold on, isn't the pace too fast for us?” Louise, who was on Wardes' griffin, asked. Over the duration of the journey, Louise spoke in a more informal manner to Wardes than when they were reunited. But that was also partly due to the Viscount's request.

“Guiche and Saito are already on the brink of exhaustion.”

Wardes turned back and looked at Guiche and Saito. Just like Louise had said, both of them were holding their reins tightly in fear of falling off. From the looks of it, both of them would collapse from exhaustion before the horses would.

“But I had originally planned to journey to port city La Rochelle without stopping...”

“That would be difficult, it would take two days to reach by horse.”

“If that's the case, why don't we just leave them behind?”

“We can't do that!”

“Why?”

“Aren't we in this together? Furthermore, a magician should not abandon her familiar...”

“You seem protective of them both. Which one is your sweetheart?”

Louise's face immediately turned red and replied, “What... What sweetheart!?”

“That sets my heart at ease. If my fiancée tells me that she already has a sweetheart, I would die of a broken heart,” replied Wardes with a smile.

“But that was only something that our parents had agreed on.”

“Then, do you dislike me, my small and dainty Louise?”

“Please, I'm not young anymore,” Louise replied, pouting.

“But in my eyes, you're forever that small and dainty Louise.”

Louise remembered that dream that she'd had a few days back, where she was back in the courtyard of her home, la Vallière.

The secret boat on the forgotten lake...

Whenever she was throwing a tantrum there, Wardes would always be there to pacify her.

The marriage that was decided by her parents.

The betrothal that was decided since youth. The one that she would be married to. Her fiancé.

At that time, she still did not fully understand what was going on. She only knew that, so long as she was with the man she had admired, she would be happy.

But now, she finally understood everything. She would be married to Wardes.

“I don't dislike you,” Louise replied with a tinge of embarrassment.

“That's wonderful, in other words, you like me?”

Wardes gently hugged Louise's shoulders.

“I have never forgotten about you even after all this time. Do you still remember? After my father's death during the lancer campaign?”

Louise nodded her head.

Wardes began to reminisce and narrated to Louise about the past.

“My mother had passed away earlier, I inherited my father's estate and title. Wanting to make a name for myself, I went to the capital. Fortunately, the highness had a deep impression of my father who had perished in the battlefield, I was incorporated into the Griffin Knights. I had entered the Griffin Knights as a trainee, training was tough then.

“From then on, you seldom went back to your estate again,” replied Louise while closing her eyes. She too seemed to be immersed in her memories.

“My house and estate were cared for by butler Galgann while I put all my effort serving the nation. After so long, I finally made a name for myself, accomplishing what I had decided upon leaving my homeland.”

“What was that you have decided upon?”

“To ask your hand for marriage once I have made a name for myself.”

“You're kidding right, Viscount? You're so popular among the girls, you have no need to honor your promise to such an insignificant me.”

About Wardes' betrothal. Louise had cleanly forgotten it until she had that dream a few days back. The bridal pact to Wardes was all but a fleeting dream. In her opinion, it was only an agreement made on a whim.

After Wardes had left his estate ten years ago, Louise had never seen him again. Wardes had already become part of her distant memory. Distant memories had suddenly become reality.

“This journey is a good chance for us to regain those feelings we had when you were young,” Wardes said with a gentle and calm tone.

Louise thought to herself, do I really love Wardes?

Even though she did not dislike him and she did admire him when she was young, that was all in the past.

Suddenly faced with a fiancé and probably marriage, she did not know what to do. Furthermore, they had been apart for so many years, she did not really know whether if she still had any feelings for him.

Louise turned her head and looked behind.

She saw Saito prostrating on the horse, it looked like he had nearly reached his limit. Louise pouted her lips. Good for nothing! As soon as she thought of that, she became anxious and her heart pounded furiously.

“We have already been on these horses for nearly a whole day, doesn't he get tired? Are those griffin knights monsters?” Guiche, who was also lifelessly slouching on the horse, asked.

“Who knows?” Saito replied lethargically. He felt embittered each time Wardes touched Louise. He touched her again...this time hugging her by the shoulder... ''What is that guy up to... Even though you're Louise's fiancé, even though I have no right to stop you, you should have at least done it somewhere else where I could not see...''

Each time Saito thought of that, he became more tired and his heart became heavier.

Guiche, looking at Saito in such a state, began teasing him. “Heh heh... Don't tell me you're jealous?” Guiche said with a snicker.

“Ah! What are you implying?”

“I guessed it correctly, didn't I?” Guiche laughed even harder.

“Shut your mouth, mole boy!”

“Mwahaha... You actually carried a love for your master that would never flower? To tell you honestly, love between people of different status will only result in tragedy.”

“Stop talking nonsense! How could I ever like such a person like her? I admit that she's cute. However, she has an extremely bad character.”

Guiche suddenly looked to the front and exclaimed, “Look! They're kissing!”

Saito, shocked, immediately turned to the front. However, Wardes and Louise did not kiss.

He then looked again at Guiche. Guiche was barely controlling his laughter.

“Arggh!” Saito shouted and pounced on Guiche. Both of the fell off their horses and began fighting each other on the ground.

“Hey! If you guys continue fighting, I'll have to leave you both behind!” Wardes shouted.

Guiche quickly got back on the horse. Meanwhile, Saito, realizing that Louise was looking at him, turned his head away.

As they had been traveling at full speed and exchanged their tired horses for fresh ones several times, they reached the outskirts of La Rochelle by nightfall.

Saito looked around in astonishment. ''Aren't we approaching a port? Why do I still see mountains everywhere? Maybe once we cross this mountain we should be able to see the ocean.''

Traveling under the moonlight, Saito and the group finally saw a narrow mountain pathway. Buildings which were carved from boulders could be seen on both sides of the pathway.

“Why is a port built on top of a mountain?”

Hearing Saito asking, Guiche replied sarcastically “Don't tell me that you don't even know where Albion is?”

Although Saito and Guiche were nearly reaching their physical limits, the thought of 'Once we reach town we can finally rest' gave them the strength to engage in small talk.

“Yeah, I don't know.”

“Really?” Guiche replied with laughter. But Saito did not laugh.

“I have no common knowledge of this world and please don't assume that I do.”

Suddenly, from top of the cliff, torches were thrown at the their horses. The burning torches illuminated the ravine they were about to cross.

“What's... What's happening !?” Guiche cried.

The horses, frightened by the burning torches, threw Saito and Guiche off their backs.

As they fell, a hail of arrows showered upon them.

“It's an ambush!” Guiche shouted.

Saito began to panic, just as he wanted to unsheathe Derflinger which was slung behind his back, two more arrows flew towards him.

“Whoa!”

Just as they thought they were about to meet their doom, a strong gust of wind blew towards them, changing into a small hurricane.

That same hurricane caught all the arrows and sent them away.

Wardes raised his wand.

“Are you guys all right?” Wardes shouted.

“I'm all right...” replied Saito.

''Damn it! Louise's fiancé just saved my life.'' That sense of dismal kept expanding, causing Saito to feel inferior. He unsheathed Derflinger. The runes on his left hand started glowing again, reliving him of the exhaustion that he had been suffering.
[[Image:ZnT02-115.jpg|thumb]]

“I'm so lonely, partner. It's too much of you to keep putting me inside the scabbard.”

Saito looked at the top of the cliff, but no arrows could be seen.

“It was most likely thieves or bandits.” Wardes said.

Louise, suddenly realizing something exclaimed, “Could it be the nobles from Albion?”

“Nobles would not use arrows.”

Just then, the sound of flapping wings could be heard. It was a sound that they were quite familiar with...

Screams could be heard from the cliffs.

Arrows could be seen shooting towards the night sky. However, all the arrows were parried away by wind magic.

After that, a small hurricane created by magic blew away all the archers.

“Hmm... Aren't those wind incantations?” Wardes mumbled to himself.

The archers, attempting to ambush them, rolled down the cliffs after being blown away by the magical tornado. They landed hard onto the ground, giving out moans of pain.

With the moon as the background, a familiar sight appeared. “It's Sylphid!” Louise shouted confoundedly.

It was Tabitha's wind dragon. After it landed, a red-haired girl jumped down from the dragon and flicked her hair.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Louise too jumped down from Wardes' griffin and replied, “What do you mean sorry to keep you waiting!? Why are you here in the first place?”

“Not to help you in any case. When I saw you leaving the academy on the horse in the morning, I quickly woke up Tabitha and followed you all the way here.”

Kirche pointed at Tabitha, from the looks of it she was woken up from her sleep; she was still wearing her pajamas. But she didn't seem to mind at all, and was still reading a book.

“Zerbst! Listen to me, we're on a secret mission given to us by her highness!”

“Secret mission? You should have said so earlier! How would I know if you did not tell me about it? Anyways, be thankful to me, for I have apprehended the people who wanted to ambush you!”

Kirche said while pointed to the people who were lying on the ground. Those ambushers were unable to move due to their injuries and hurled abuses towards Louise and the group. Guiche approached them and began interrogating them.

Louise, crossing her arms, gave a vicious stare at Kirche.

“Don't be mistaken! I'm not here to assist you. Am I right?”

Kirche posed suggestively, and then leaned on Wardes, who was on the griffin, and said, "Your beard makes you very manly. Do you know what passion looks like?”

Wardes glanced at Kirche and proceeded to push her away using his left hand.

“Huh?”

“Thank you for coming to our aid, but please do not get so close to me ever again.”

“But why? I just told you that I liked you!”

That was the first time that Kirche received such cold treatment from a male. Usually any male would be mesmerized after some sweet-talking from her. But Wardes was not in the least interested. Kirche gazed at Wardes with her mouth wide open.

“I'm sorry. But I cannot let my fiancée misunderstand.” Wardes said while looking at Louise; her face turned red from embarrassment in an instant.

“What? She's your fiancée!?”

Wardes nodded in response. Kirche took a closer look at Wardes, she did not realize it before. Wardes' eyes showed no emotion at all. Just like ice.

She then looked at Saito. He looked listless and was talking to his sword rather dejectedly.

''Eh? Is he looking like that because I made advances on Louise's fiancé?'' As she thought about that, Saito suddenly looked cuter. Looking at Saito, she ran towards him and hugged him immediately.

“Actually, I'm here because I'm worried for my beloved!”

Saito gave a bewildered look, but then quickly looked away.

“Liar.”

''Is he jealous?'' Thinking of that, Kirche's passion in her heart burned brightly.

“Cute! So cute! Are you really jealous?”

“I'm not...”

“I'm so sorry for neglecting you. You must be angry, right?" Kirche said while pushing Saito's face into her breasts.

“Please forgive me! I may have looked at other men, but in the end, the only one that I love is you!”

Louise bit her lips, wanting to tell Kirche off. She could not tolerate Kirche for seducing her familiar.

Just then, Wardes gently placed his hands on Louise's shoulder. Wardes looked at Louise lovingly and gave her a smile.

“Viscount...”

Guiche who was interrogating those ambushers had just returned.

“Viscount, those ambushers admitted that they were robbers.”

“Hmm.. If they're just robbers, let them go.”

Wardes effortlessly mounted back to the top of his griffin, carrying Louise up with him. He then announced to everyone, “We'll spend the night at La Rochelle, tomorrow we will take the first ship to Albion at the break of dawn.”

Kirche sat behind Saito, sharing the same horse with him. Guiche also mounted back to his horse. As for Tabitha, she was still reading her book on her wind dragon.

In front of them, sandwiched between two cliffs, was the port city La Rochelle, dazzling with lights.

<noinclude>
==Translator's Notes and References==
<references/>

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| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter3|Back to Chapter 3]]
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| [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume2_Chapter5|Forward to Chapter 5]]
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Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter3

2014-01-17T19:56:11Z

Barashkafromro:

===Chapter Three: A Childhood Friend's Request===

Princess Henrietta, who had just appeared in Louise's room, looked like she had been overcome with emotion, and hugged the kneeling girl.

"Oh, Louise, Louise, my dear Louise!"

"This won't do, Your Highness. Coming to a humble place like this......."

Louise said ceremoniously.

"Oh! Louise! Louise Françoise! Please stop acting so formally! You and I are friends! We are friends, are we not?"

"I am not worthy of such kind words. Your Highness."

Louise replied with a steely, strained voice. Saito, stupefied, just stared as the pair of beautiful girls embraced.

"Stop that, please! Neither the Cardinal, my Mother, or those greedy court aristocrats who buzz around wearing friendly faces are here! Oh, don't I have any friends who will open up to me? If even Louise Françoise, my old friend whom I've missed dearly, acts so distant, I would just die!"

"Your Highness......"

Louise lifted her face.

"When we were little children, didn't we get together and chase butterflies at the palace courtyard? And got all muddy?"

With a shy face, Louise answered.

"......Yes, and La Porte-sama the chamberlain told us off for getting our clothes so dirty."

"Yes! That's right, Louise! We were arguing over those puffy cream cakes, and ended up having a real scuffle! Oh, whenever we fought, it was me who always lost. You would grab my hair, and I'd just start crying."

"Not at all, Princess achieved victory on at least one occasion."

Louise said, looking sentimental.

"You remembered! Looking at the two of us, one could call that battle the Siege of Amiens!"

"That was when we were fighting over a dress in Princess' bedroom, wasn't it?"

"Yes, in the middle of our 'Make-Believe Royal Court', we ended up fighting over who would play princess! And it was my blow to your stomach, Louise Françoise, that successfully decided it."

"I'd fainted in the presence of Princess."

After that, the two of them exchanged glances and broke out in laughter. Saito, amazed, just kept watching them in that state. The princess may have looked like a lady, but she was actually a tomboy.

"That's more like it. Louise. Ah, I'm getting so nostalgic, tears are coming out."

"So how do you guys know each other?"

Saito asked, as Louise closed her eyes in reminiscence before answering.

"I had the pleasure of serving as Princess' playmate back when we were children."

After that, Louise turned back to Henrietta.

"But, I am deeply moved that Princess would remember such things....... I thought you'd already forgotten about me."

The princess gave a deep sigh and sat down on the bed.

"How could I forget? During those times, every day was fun. There was nothing at all to worry about."

There was a profound sadness in her voice.

"Princess?"

Louise looked worried as she peered into Henrietta's face.

"How I envy you. Freedom is such a wonderful thing, Louise Françoise."

"What are you saying? You're the royal princess, are you not?"

"A princess born in her kingdom is like a bird being raised in a cage. You go here and there on your master's every whim......."

Henrietta said, looking lonely as she gazed at the moon outside the window. She then held Louise's hands and gave a sweet smile before speaking.

"I... I'm getting married."

"......You have my congratulations."

Louise, who somehow felt the sadness in that tone, spoke in a subdued voice.

It was at that moment that Henrietta noticed Saito, who had been sitting on his bundle of straw.

"Oh, forgive me. Was I intruding?"

"Intruding? How would that be?"

"Well, isn't he your lover? Oh no! It seems I was so caught up reminiscing that I didn't realize my blunder!"

"Huh? Lover? That creature?"

"Stop calling me that."

Saito said with a disappointed voice.

"Princess! That's just my familiar! Don't even joke about it being my lover!"

Louise shook her head wildly, denying Henrietta's words.

"Familiar?"

Henrietta looked at Saito with a blank expression on her face.

"But he looks like a human......"

"I am a human, Princess."

Saito gave a strained greeting to Henrietta.

And he was even more hurt by how hard Louise had denied they were lovers. Even though that really was the case, it hurt all the same.

He recalled Louise's profile as she gazed at the other young noble during the day.

''At any rate...... I'm a familiar. An earthling. Not a noble.''

''And I want to go home. I want to eat a teriyaki burger. Yeah, and I might even receive an answer at the online dating service.'' Painful thoughts like these were swirling together into a chain.

Feeling a great weight upon him, he put his hand on the wall. As fast as Saito had become elated, his feelings fell just as soon. What a hectic personality.

"True, true. Oh, Louise Françoise, you may have changed since our younger days, but you are still quite the same."

"I didn't make it my familiar because I wanted to."

Louise looked disappointed. Henrietta gave off another sigh.

"Princess, what happened?"

"No, it's nothing. Forgive me, oh, I'm so ashamed of myself. It's not something I should tell you...... but I am just so......"

"Please tell me. What troubles are they that cause Princess, as cheerful as she is, to sigh like this?"

"......No, I cannot tell you. Please forget I said anything. Louise."

"I will not! Didn't we use to talk about everything? Princess was the one who had called me a friend. Won't you share your worries with your friend?"

After Louise spoke, Henrietta gave off a cheerful-looking smile.

"You've called me a friend, Louise Françoise. That makes me so happy."

Henrietta nodded her head in determination, and began to talk.

"You must not speak to anyone about what I am about to tell you now."

After that, she gave a quick glance in Saito's direction.

"Should I step outside?"

Henrietta shook her head.

"A mage and her familiar are as one. I see no reason for you to leave."

And with a sad tone, Henrietta started talking.

"I am to marry the Emperor of Germania......."

"Germania, you say?!"

Louise, who hated Germania, spoke out in astonishment.

"That country of barbaric upstarts?!"

"Yes. But it can't be helped. It must be done to solidify our alliance."

Henrietta explained the political climate of Halkeginia to Louise.

There was an insurrection among the nobles of Albion, and it looked like the Royal Family would soon be overthrown. If the rebels won, then the next thing would be the invasion of Tristain. To defend against this, Tristain was looking to form an alliance with Germania. For the alliance's sake, it was decided that Princess Henrietta would be married into the Germanian Imperial Family.......

"So that's why......"

Louise said with a depressed voice. It was clear from Henrietta's tone that she did not desire this wedding.

"It is alright. Louise, I have long since abandoned the notion of marrying the one whom I love."

"Princess......"

"Those two-faced Albion nobles do not want Tristain and Germania to become allies. Two arrows are easier to break when they are not tied together."

Henrietta murmured.

"......Therefore, they have been searching frantically for anything that would interfere with the marriage.

"And they've found something......"

Saito didn't know anything about the alliance or Albion, but in any case, it seemed like it was something serious. ''Yup, as big as another Yagoto'', Saito thought with a nod.

"Then this is about that thing that could get in the way of Princess' wedding?"

Louise asked, her face looking pale, and Henrietta gave a regretful nod.

"Oh, Founder Brimir... please save this unfortunate princess......"

Henrietta covered her face with her hands, and crumbled on the floor. Saito was a little shocked at the dramatic gesture. He'd never seen anything so grandiose in his life.

"Tell me, please! Princess! Just what is it that could interfere with the princess' wedding?"

Louise, like she had also been infected, rattled off with an agitated look. With both hands still on her face, Henrietta looked like she was in pain as she began muttering.

"......It is a letter that I had written some time ago."

"A letter?"

"Yes. If those Albion nobles get their hands on it...... they would probably send it forward to the Germanian Imperial Family as soon as they could."

"What kind of letter could that be?"

"......That I cannot tell you. But if the Germanian Imperial Family were to read it...... they would never forgive me. The marriage would fall through, and with it, the alliance with Tristain. Then Tristain would stand alone against the strength of Albion."

Louise gave a gasp and seized Henrietta's hands.

"Where would that letter be? The letter that would bring crisis to Tristain!"

Henrietta shook her head.

"It is not with us. The truth of the matter is, it is already in Albion."

"Albion! But then...! Is it already in the enemy's hands?"

"No...... the one who holds the letter is not with the rebels of Albion. As the conflict between the rebels and his kinsmen unfolded, Prince Wales of the Royal Family......"

"The Prince Wales? The Prince Valiant?"

Henrietta bent back and laid down on the bed.

"Oh, it's a disaster! Sooner or later, Prince Wales will fall captive to the rebels!! And when that happens, the letter will come to light! And everything would be ruined! Ruined! Without an alliance, Tristain would have to take on Albion by itself!"

Louise held her breath.

"Then, Princess, the favor that you're asking of me......"

"Impossible! It's impossible, Louise! How could I be so terrible? It's all confusing! When I think about it, I couldn't ask you to do such a dangerous thing as to go to Albion while this conflict between the nobles and the royalists is unfolding!"

"What are you saying? Be it the kettles of hell, or into the jaws of a dragon, if it's for Princess' sake, I'll go anywhere! There is no way the third daughter of the House of la Vallière, Louise Françoise, could overlook such a crisis for Princess and Tristain!"

Louise kneeled down and lowered her head reverently.

"Please leave this matter to me, the one who has captured Fouquet the Crumbling Earth."

Saito, who had been leaning on his arm against the wall, turned to look at Louise and spoke.

"Hey, wasn't that me?"

"You're my familiar."

"Woof."

"A familiar's achievement, is its master's achievement."

Louise said with perfect confidence.

"And a familiar's mistake?"

"That would be your mistake, wouldn't it?"

Though he felt somewhat cheated, it was useless to object when Louise got into her usual threatening attitude, so Saito just nodded half-heartedly.

"So you will help me? Louise Françoise! You are a dear friend!"

"Of course! Princess!"

Louise grasped Henrietta's hands, and as the former spoke heatedly, the latter gave in and started crying.

"Princess! I, Louise, forever friend of the princess, will be your confidante! Have you forgotten my vow of eternal loyalty?"

"Ah, the loyalty. This loyalty and sincere friendship! I'm deeply moved. I will never forget through life your loyalty and friendship! Louise Françoise!"

Saito opened his mouth gaping, and stared half amazed at the two. It was like a conversation between two people who were getting drunk with their own words. ''Ah, so this is how it's like for nobles and princesses, it's troublesome'', Saito was strangely convinced as he watched.

"Louise. Sorry to bother you while you're reaffirming your friendship and everything."

"What?"

"Going to Albion in the middle of a war is fine, but what use am I gonna be?"

"I've bought you a sword. You can use that, at least."

"Yeah. I'll do my best......"

Saito lowered his head gloomily. Come to think of it, they haven't talked about the Legendary Familiar Gandálfr's rune that had appeared on the back of his left hand yet. ''But even if I say it, it's just going to be a waste'', Saito thought.

''Legendary or not, she still treats me like a dog.''

"Then shall we go to Albion, find the Crown Prince of Wales, and get the letter back, Princess?"

"Yes, that is correct. I feel confident that you, the ones who have caught Fouquet the Crumbling Earth, should be able to accomplish this difficult mission."

"As you wish. How urgent is this task?"

"I've heard that the nobles of Albion have managed to drive the royalists into a corner of the country. It will just be a matter of time before they are defeated."

Louise's face looked serious as she bowed to Henrietta.

"Then tomorrow, we shall depart."

Afterwards, Henrietta turned her gaze towards Saito. Saito's heart skipped a beat. Though Louise was also foolishly lovely and neat, Princess Henrietta was so beautiful that he almost gasped. Her millet-colored hair, trimmed right above her eyebrows, was swimming gracefully. Her blue eyes shone brilliantly like the southern seas.

White skin, on which floated a feeling of purity, a nose like a priceless and finely shaped sculpture.......

Saito stared at Henrietta as if he was in a trance. Louise looked at this with a chilly gaze. It didn't seem like she was in a good mood.

''Why are you looking at me like that, Louise? Ah, is it because I'm staring at the princess with admiration? Could you possibly be getting jealous? But weren't you blushing when you saw that noble with the feathered hat? And weren't you completely out of it after that?''

''It's funny how jealous you're getting, Louise.'' Saito shook his head.

''Rather than your lover, aren't I just your familiar?''

''Will I never be more than a dog for you?''

''I'm just your dog, so why are you looking at me like that, Louise? Ah, is it because I am a dog? Is it because someone like me, who's just at the level of a dog, is looking at her? My apologies. Please forgive me for ever being born. Woof.''

Saito's head spun for a mere two seconds.

Louise looked away from Saito with a "Hmph". Saito turned away as well.

Henrietta didn't notice the subtle exchange between Saito and Louise, and she began speaking in a cheerful voice.

"Dependable familiar-san."

"Yes? You mean me?"

After Henrietta called him dependable, the slumping Saito became happier.

"Naw, that's too much. Just treat me like a dog."

"Please keep taking care of my most precious friend."

And then she gently held out her hand. A handshake? he thought, but the back of her hand was turned upwards. What sort of gesture was this?

Louise spoke up with an astonished voice.

"That won't do! Princess! To offer your hand to a familiar!"

"It is alright. This person will be acting for my sake, and without a reward, I won't have his loyalty."

"Ah......"

"Offering a hand? The way someone does to a dog? Is that how you treat your dogs?"

Saito stooped and lowered his head.

"That's not it. Ooh, this is why you're a dog......, a commoner dog who doesn't know anything. When she offers her hand, it means you can kiss her. That's saying it plainly."

"That's...how aggressive......"

Saito's mouth opened widely. He'd never thought that he'd be allowed to kiss a princess from another world.

Henrietta smiled sweetly at Saito. His smile appeared business-like to other people, but Saito was thinking 『''I'd love to''』. To be liked by such a princess wouldn't be half bad, he thought.

Saito grinned deliberately at Louise. Louise muttered under her breath and turned her face away.

''Ah, what, so you *are* getting jealous. Just look at yourself. This is what you get for getting charmed by that noble with the plumed hat and blushing'', Saito thought.

Saito caught Henrietta's hand, and then firmly pulled her to him.

"Eh?"

Henrietta absentmindedly opened her mouth in surprise. Then before they could blink, Saito pushed his lips against Henrietta's.

"Mmph......"

What tender, tiny lips they were. Henrietta's eyes opened widely into circles.

The circles went white. The strength left Henrietta's body, and, slipping through Saito's hands, she fell to the bed.

"She fainted? Wh-why's that?"

"What are you doing to her highness?! You d-d-d-dog!"

"Woof?"

When Saito turned around, the bottom of Louise's shoe was flying towards him.

Saito took Louise's jump kick in the face and tumbled to the floor.

"What was that for?!"

When Saito said that, Louise stamped angrily on his face.

"It was on her hand she gave you permission, the back of her hand! A kiss on the back of the hand! Why'd you give her an all-out kiss on the lips?!"

Louise was so mad, it looked like she was going to catch fire.

"How should I know! I don't know anything about your rules here."

As his face was getting trampled, Saito spread his hands and spoke plainly. Getting stepped on was something Saito had experience with.

"Y-y-y-you, you, you dog......"

Louise's voice began trembling in fury.

Henrietta rose from the bed while shaking her head. Louise rushed to kneel beside her. She then grabbed Saito's head and pushed it down to the bed.

"I-I'm sorry! My familiar's misconduct, is my own misconduct! And you say it, too! Apologize!"

The ever-prideful Louise was apologizing to someone. On top of that, she was shaking all over. ''If I don't do what she says, she'll probably give me hell for it later.''

"Sorry. I only did it since you told me I could kiss you."

"And where can you find someone who would go for the lips when they hear that?!"

"Right here."

Louise struck Saito with her fist.

"How forgetful. Who gave you permission to use human language? Just bark. Dog. Come on, bark, I say. Everyone look at the doggie. Stupid dog."

Then she stamped stamped on Saito's head and ground it against the floor.

"I-it's alright. Loyalty must be rewarded, after all."

Henrietta bowed her head, giving real effort to appear calm.

At that time, the door slammed open and someone came flying in.

"You! The princess! What do you think you're doing?!"

It was the one who had dueled with Saito before, Guiche de Gramont.

With an ever-present imitation rose in his hand.

"What do you want?"

Saito said from where he lay on the floor as Louise continued stepping on his face.

"Guiche! You! Were you eavesdropping? Did you hear our conversation just now?!"

Guiche, however, didn't answer the pair's questions and just stood in a daze.

"For my hunt of the rose-like, lovely princess bringing me to this place...... and then seeing a theft, so to speak, occur through the door's keyhole...... that idiot commoner taking a kiss......."

Guiche flourished his imitation rose and cried.

"Duel with me! You scoundrel!"

Saito sprang up and drove his fist into Guiche's face.

"Agah!"

"Duel away then, stupid! I still remember how you broke my arm! Let's go!"

Saito gave Guiche, who had fallen to the floor, a hard kick, then he sat on him and started wringing his neck.

"Th-that's not fair! You! Gah!"

"So, what now? This guy overheard Princess' story. Shall we have him hanged?"

If the opponent was a guy, Saito could be very serious.

"That might be best...... it's really too bad he had to hear our conversation just now......"

Guiche caught Saito off-guard, and stood up.

"Your Highness! By all means, please appoint me, Guiche de Gramont, to this difficult mission."

"Oh? You?"

"You go to sleep."

Saito swept Guiche's legs. Guiche fell down gaudily.

"Let me join your group!"

Guiche yelped as he collapsed.

"Why?"

Guiche's face reddened.

"I wish to be of use to Her Highness......"

Saito was sensing something from Guiche's appearance right then.

"You, are you in love? With the princess?!"

"Don't say such rude things. I am, absolutely, just wanting to be of use to Her Highness."

However, Guiche's face was burning intensely as he said this. Telling by the passionate look he was giving Henrietta, he was certainly under her charm.

"But you have a girlfriend. Who was that again? Uh, Monmon-something......"

"It's Montmorency."

"So what's going on?"

But Guiche was silent. ''Ah, I see'', Saito thought.

"Did you get dumped? She completely dumped you, I bet?"

"Q-quiet! It was all your fault!"

It was the matter of the perfume in the dining hall. When he was caught two-timing, Guiche was dripping with wine from the top of his head courtesy of Montmorency.

"Gramont? Ah, of General Gramont?"

Henrietta fixed her eyes on Guiche's vacantly looking face.

"I am his son, Your Highness."

Guiche stood up and gave a reverent bow.

"Are you also saying that you wish to help me?"

"It would be an unexpected blessing for me if I were to become a part of that mission."

Henrietta smiled at Guiche's enthusiastic expression.

"Thank you. Your father is a great, brave noble, and it seems you have inherited his blood. Then, please. Would you help this unfortunate princess, Sir Guiche?"

"Her Highness has called my name! Her Highness! Tristain's lovely flower, has smiled her rosy smile at me!"

Guiche, having felt too much excitement, fell on his back in a faint.

"Is he alright?"

Saito poked at Guiche. Louise paid no mind to the disturbance and spoke in a serious voice.

"Well then, tomorrow morning, we shall depart for Albion."

"We have heard that Prince Wales has set up camp somewhere around Newcastle in Albion."

"Understood. I've travelled through Albion with my sisters before, so I'm familiar with the geography."

"It will be a perilous journey. If the nobles of Albion discover your mission, they will do everything in their power to get in your way."

Henrietta sat at the desk and, with Louise's feather quill and some parchment, wrote a letter out.

Henrietta quietly gazed at the letter she had written herself, before she began shaking her head sadly.

"Princess? What's the matter?"

Louise, thinking something was up, called out.

"I-it's nothing."

Henrietta blushed, gave a nod as if she had settled on something, then added another line at the end. After that, she murmured in a soft voice.

[[Image:ZnT02-087.jpg|thumb]]

"Founder Brimir....... Please forgive this selfish princess. Even though my country is in distress, I cannot help but write this one sentence....... I cannot lie about my own feelings......."

Henrietta's facial expression made it seem like she had written a love-letter rather than a secret message. Louise couldn't say anything more, and just looked at Henrietta quietly.

Henrietta rolled up the letter she had written. She waved her staff. Out of nowhere, sealing wax appeared on the rolled-up letter, and a seal pressed down on it. Then she handed the letter over to Louise.

"When you meet the Crown Prince Wales, please pass this letter to him. He should then return the letter in question immediately."

After that, Henrietta removed a ring from the ring finger on her right hand, and gave it to Louise.

"This is a 『Water Ruby』 that I had received from my mother. It should work as a good-luck charm, at least. If you have any money concerns, please sell this to get some travel funds."

Louise bowed her head in silence.

"This mission is for the future of Tristain. For that, my mother's ring will protect you from the harsh winds blowing in Albion."

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