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Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter3

2010-01-25T02:13:02Z

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===Chapter Three: Karin the Heavy Wind===

It was daytime of the second day since leaving Tristania when the queen's carriage crossed the drawbridge of the La Valiere residence. Because it was an incognito visit, apart from Agnes and Colbert, there were only five musketeers guarding the wagon.

As the party passed the bridge and gates, the servants who gathered there showed joyful expressions. The flagpole in the front yard had the Lilies flag, the arms of the Tristanian royal family, on it. A small courtesy for the incognito queen.

When Agnes got off the horse, she opened the door of the carriage.

The armor of a magic knight was found in the center of the stairs that continued to the castle. Agnes screwed her eyes shut.

“What’s the matter, commander?”

Then Henrietta saw a knight who stood at the center of the stairs, and gasped in surprise.

“That’s manticore troop armor.”

Indeed, the armor had the big black mantel with manticore troop sign sewed on it.

“But now the Manticore troops work at the castle. Besides, that shuttlecock decoration… This hat belongs to a commander.”

“However, for Do Zessar, the body is too thin.”

“Perhaps it’s not his to begin with.”

The knight went down stairs slowly. Musketeers, surrounding the queen, were watching the figure intensively with their hands on their guns.

Then Agnes took one step forth and blocked the knight’s path. The lower half of their face, under the knight's hat decorated with shuttlecock, was covered with an iron mask. Feeling an intense pressure for the moment, Agnes grasped the handle of her sword.

“Are you duke La Valliere’s friend? To go out to meet Her Majesty like this- it’s too much even for a prank. Introduce yourself.”

However, the knight ignores Agnes's words, and knelt down on one knee in respect.

“It's been a long time, Your Majesty. However, you will surely not remember me, because it has been good 30 years since the last time I served the castle.”

“Umm…”

Henrietta, with an open-jaw, looked at the knight. Indeed, though mantle colors faded over the years a lot, it was still nicely kept- neither stain nor tear could be found.

“I am Karin, the former commander of the Manticore corps. However, even though at that time, I used a temporary name to introduce myself, my loyalty for the royal family did not change.”

Henrietta heard about former commander of Manticore corps, that’s why her face turned pale.

“Then, you are that Karin, the Heavy Wind?!”

“Yes, I am honored that you know the name.”

“Of course I know– you are infamous! Agnes, this is the Karin, the heavy wind, the legendary magic knight commander! I grew up hearing about her heroic adventures!”

Henrietta had the face of a starry-eyed little girl as she took Karin’s hand.

“I yearned to meet you so much since childhood! Fire dragon extermination! Rescue of the city attacked by orcs… Gorgeous use of weapons! Giant presence like a mountain! Ages when nobles were noble, true knights. A lot of knights respect you and try to be just like you!”

“It’s embarrassing.”

“What would you say?! I-I know all your adventures by memory! You are a woman, right? After you retired, though, I heard that you disappeared like a wind, but you were with La Valieres. What are you doing now?”

Karin, removed the mask abruptly. Seeing her face, Henrietta’s eyes almost popped from their sockets.

“Duchess! You are the duchess!”

Agnes was surprised too.

“Then, this…”

“In other words, I am the duchess La Valliere– the mother of Louise…”

“I took the opportunity to marry and took off my armor. But it is a long story since that time, so please pardon me.”

“I understand, but why…”

Henrietta wanted to ask why she wore the armor now that she previously took off.

Karin stood up straight.

“For today, I am not the duchess Karin. I am Karin, the former commander of the Manticore corps, who respects the rule of steel. And I will give the punishment to the law breaking daughter of mine. This will be the proof of my loyalty to Your Majesty and the family.”

“Punishment?! Heavy Wind’s punishment on Louise?!”

Henrietta watched Karin in deep shock, shaking her head. Her face turned pale. She came here with the intention to punish Louise, so her feelings withered for a moment. But this person would give a much more severe punishment than she herself intended to. Should the punishment be dealt, Louise would die for sure!

“You should not be violent! I came here to deal with Louise’s punishment myself. Because I am young, at first I was resented. However, I thought about it a lot. Though Louise passed national borders certainly without my permission…I am also worried about it as a friend too. Just a strong reprimand will do, I do not intend to give a violent penalty.”

“Your Majesty, your words are kind, and you feel regretful. However, Your Majesty's royal prerogative is the one of the sacred nonaggression given by the Founder. Thus, you have to protect the laws of the country promulgated in that name, too.”

Karin quickly raised her right hand. From the shade of the castle, the black, huge shadow flew. A strong dust storm rose at the same time it touched the ground.

It was an old and huge mythical beast Manticore.

“If the laws of the country that should be respected are neglected, Your Majesty should keep her royal principles. But because the law-breaker is my own daughter, I cannot forgive it all the more.”

Karin effortlessly flew up fifty meters and straddled the manticore.

“K-Karin-dono!”

The Manticore flapped its huge wings. And, at the amazing speed, mythical beast flew up with its master to the sky.

La Valiere's castle is nearer to the border of Germania than the capital. After passing the national borders at three o'clock, they could already see the high steeples of the castle.

“H-hey Louise… Your mother is really the Heavy Wind of the Manticore unit?”

Saito opened his mouth, breaking the heavy silence. However, Louise did not say a thing. These days, Louise was passing her time by trembling and watching the cailing.

“As good as thirty years passed, maybe she changed? Nah? It is not unreasonable that the scary knight of the past mellowed down through the years. Even if you say punishment, I think you will be just grounded at most.”

“…You don’t understand.”

Louise said in voice of someone on a death bed already.

“Violence is part of youth, no human can keep it steady forever.”

Montmorency rationalized.

“…You just don’t understand.”

“Do not worry so much.”

“…Saying so plainly, my mother. That person…”

After those words, all members in the wagon felt nervous. It became impossible for Saito to bear the tension, and he laughed aloud. Mere bravado.

“Ahahaha! Worrying this much!”

“Really! Even if she was the legendary Heavy Wind, she may be just a duchess now! Refined from society, she may have completely forgotten the dust and dirt of the battlefield!”

At that time, Tabitha pointed to the window.

“Knight riding manticore.”

Then Louise suddenly sprung to her feet, and as if overtaken by panic, broke the window of the carriage and flew outside.

Gooooooooooooooooo!
　
A hugged tornado appeared and followed Louise’s tracks.

“W-what’s that?!”

The moment when Saito looked dumb-founded…the tornado increased and hit the entire carriage with enormous power. The violent power blew off the harness that tied horses to the wagon and sucked it and the horses in, lifting them up into the sky.

“What’s thaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!”

Saito shouted

“Giyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Guiche screamed.

“Uwaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Malicorne bellowed.

“Nooooooooooooooooooooo!”

Montmorency cried.

“I give uuuup…”

Kirche complained.

“……”

Tabitha was silent.

As if a huge wind hand grabbed the carriage and lifted it up. Six people in the wagon were shaken like cocktail in a shaker.

“Aii! Dee! Giyaaa!”

The screaming six people were hitting against walls, seats, and each other. Then the tornado stopped abruptly and the wagon fell from the air to the ground.

“Falling! Falling! Falling!”

'Is this how one feels in a lift which had its cable cut?'- Saito had a stupid thought, while the carriage was casually floating in the air.

The knight placed ‘Levitation’ spell on them.

Though the wagon slowly landed on the ground, the party were lying tired out scattered inside the carriage.
　
Saito desperately thinking, crawled out of the wagon. Louise was lying shaking on the ground.

“Lou-i-se!

Though he tried to shout and run up to her, but he could not move well.

Then the knight wearing a black mantle riding a huge manticore appeared. That must be Louise’s mama. However, she is frightening. Standing there, it looked like ‘Stern’ was the character of this knight and that ‘Fear’ was deeply em-blazed in this armored doll-like figure.

Then she stopped at the fallen Louise and called out her daughter.

“Get up, Louise.”

Louise raised herself.

“Mother-sama…”

She was shaking violently as if suffering from a strong cold. Like a small dog threatened by a big German shepherd. Though Louise could be scary when she is angry too, this had a completely different feeling to it– it was like comparing bear to a rat.

“You. Report what you have broken to your mother.”

“That…b-border without permission, umm…”

“I cannot hear you.”

“B-border crossing without permission.”

The tornado flew. It caught Louise and threw her two hundred meters up into the sky, and once she started falling down, the wind started spinning her around like a tiny fallen leaf.

“Is this what your mother taught you?”

Her pink hair was disheveled and her skirt was blown off somewhere, revealing her underwear in their full glory, but it was not the place for Louise to feel shy about it.

“I-I’m sorry for breaking the laws of the country! But there were circumstances!”

The knight extended the wand.

“Your little good deeds do not matter much in this respect. Whatever the circumstances are, the law has been broken. As a result, it can make a lot more people unhappy.”

The storm blew hard against Louise.

Not able to look at this anymore, Saito ran up to stand in front of Louise.

“P-please stop!”

“And you are?”

Wearing black mantle, her lower half of the face hidden behind the mask, Karin asked Saito.

“Well… umm, Louise’s familiar.”

“Aah!”

Karin nodded.

“You were the boy accompanying Louise the other day. So, you were a familiar.”

Saito then knelt on the ground and took Louise in his arms, trying to wake her up.

“Hey! Are you alright? Are you alive?”

“Fhn… mou, no…fhn”

Louise’s eyes were still spinning and she looked out of shape. It hardly could be otherwise. It was like she was thrown into a huge washing machine– washed, rinsed, dried and blown. Even the prettiest girl in the country would look a mess after such ride.

Karin set up the wand again.

“W-wait! Can’t you stop for now! Louise is already worn-out!”

Seeing Saito acting like this, Guiche called out.

“Stop it, Saito. It’s the problem between family members. Are you tired of living?”

Karin quietly watched Saito.

“A familiar is their master’s shield. For that reason, the shield needs to be blown off. No hard feelings I hope?”

A huge tornado appeared behind Karin. It was almost on the same size as the one that blew the wagon. Saito grasped Derflinger. The runes on his left hand started to shine.

[[Image:ZnT11-059.jpg|thumb]]

“Hey Derf.”

“What?”

“Is it bad?”

Saito pointed at the huge tornado.

“It is bad. It isn’t just a wild tornado. The layer of the vacuum narrows around it and will cut deeply if touched. Frightening square spelling…”

There was no time to hear the explanation.

It leaped right at him and Saito, aiming the sword forward, received it at once.

“Stop! Run away!”

Though Derflinger shouted, there was no time. Long, deep cuts, as if done by innumerable sharp razors, appeared all over Saito’s body.

“H-huuuuuuuuurts!”

“Told you so! This fellow is a ‘Cutter tornado’! Before I can inhale it, you will be cut to pieces!”

Though Saito was soaking with blood, he did not move an inch.

Confused and paralyzed with fear, Louise’s eyes caught the sight of wounded Saito. In an instant, the mind that was dyed with the pure white of fear a few moments ago now blazed with anger like a raging fire .

Normally, Louise would never rebel against her mother. She grew up disciplined like that.

Without thinking, Louise lifted her wand and recited the ‘Void’ spell.

Once the sounds of uttering spell reached Karin’s ears, she slightly puckered up her brows. She never heard of such spell. It was not fire. Not water. Nor wind. It wasn’t even an earth spell.

Louise rejected the wand and lowered it. The rampaging ‘Cutter tornado‘, that engulfed Saito, started to shine.

Not used to such light, Karin flinched for a split of the second.

What on earth was that spell, which her daughter cast?

Though the preparation time was short, it was still strong enough to cancel her own spell.

Louise’s ‘Disappear’ made her mother’s ‘Cutter tornado’ vanish…

When Karen finally recovered from the shock and started to utter an incantation again, something pressed against her back.

“Please stop it! That’s enough! Please stop!”

It was Henrietta who rode with the horse all the way from La Valliere castle. Agnes was right behind her.

“I won’t tolerate any more fights in front of me! Moreover, you are a parent and a child! If you want to continue, you’ll have to turn your wand against me!”

Following the queen’s words, Karin put down the wand. Louise and Saito, who already reached the limit of their physical strength and energy, both crumbled to the ground.

Henrietta ran up to the fallen Saito.

“You are badly injured!”

Panicking, she started to recite the water magic spell. Saito's injuries were healed by queen’s ‘Healing’. Saito lifted up his bloody face.

“Princess-sama…”

“Don’t talk! You are badly hurt!”

Henrietta recited another water magic in succession.

“Louise…”

Henrietta's cheek trembled.

“It’s alright– she is safe. Her friend is looking after her.”

It was Montmorency who left the wagon and now was tending Louise.

“I see…” muttered Saito and fainted.

Next to the tending Henrietta Karin knelt down

“Your Majesty, I punished my sinful daughter. Hope you will show greater punishment than mine.”

Henrietta let out a long sigh.

“Mo! What is that! You! When child and parent point their wands at each other– it makes Founder Brimir grieve! Didn’t I tell that I did not intend to give any punishment since the very beginning!”

“Solving everything with wands- is the way of old nobles.”

“The unnecessarily bloodshed is what I hate the most! You there! Fast, carry these two injured people to the residence!”

Following Henrietta's orders, Guiche and others put ‘Levitation’ on Louise and Saito and started to carry them to the castle.

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Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter3

2010-01-24T13:20:32Z

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Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter2

2010-01-24T13:19:47Z

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===Chapter Two: The Queen and the Duke===

In the working room of the Tristania‘s royal palace, the queen was worrying alone, because she sent a single letter to Louise in Germania before.

She was glad and felt relieved that her friend was safe, but though it did not turn out bad, she was still feeling uneasiness as well.

“Right now, for Galia, this doesn’t mean a thing….”

‘Fuh’ – she let out a long sigh, just when there was a knock on the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Your Majesty.”

It was musketeer commander Agnes.

“Aah, you came at a right time, commander.”

Henrietta stood up and opened the door. Hard as steel, prideful Agnes and a few of her troops stood there. The queen showed a thankful expression on her face.

“Please choose a few trusted subordinates and get ready to go.“

“We are prepared to leave anytime. Your Majesty only has to tell us where.”

Interrupted by one of Agnes’ eager soldiers, Henrietta gave a slight smile.

“To La Valieres, then. Since it is an informal visit, please prepare a suited coach too.”

“Does something worry you?”

Agnes, noticing Henrietta’s tired face, asked without leaving the room.

“Yes. The letter that came from Louise.”

“It’s alright – she safely rescued that Galian princess.”

“That’s not it. She wrote that she will respectfully take any punishment I will deem to be necessarily. Does this child not understand how worried she makes me?”

“Are you not going to punish her?”

Henrietta became silent.

“Was there an official protest from Galia?”

Henrietta shook her head.

“Then the only crimes would be breaking out of the prison and crossing a border without permission. No, because Galia was acting seditious lately, having a former royal family at a hand would not be politically bad at all. So benefits equal the losses. Therefore, how about settling with giving no rewards and no punishments?”

“You are kind, commander.”

“Your Majesty, why did you insist on passing the judgment at La Valiere’s house?

“I wanted to publicly show, that regardless that she is my friend, that justice will be given equally.”

Agnes watched Henrietta with gentle eyes.

“You are overdoing it, Your Majesty. The court will be witnessed by the noble family members.”

“For that reason, I need to show a firm attitude.”

Henrietta, in a gesture of a thoughtful fastidious girl, bit her lip. Agnes pulled out her sword with ease.

“I am Your Majesty’s sword. Just order me and I will serve you with this sword. Yet, I am a sword and a shield. Whenever danger happens, I will shield Your Majesty with this body of mine. However, how many of those court nobles are Your Majesty’s swords and shields? Reliable in need, with ethics and reason of a simple servicewoman like me, a person who would be completely devoted to Your Majesty. No matter what happens, they do not doubt you and have a heart of steel. If you have such friends– value them dearly, Your Majesty.”

Hearing Agnes’s words, Henrietta bit her lip. Her restless fingers started fiddling with the cloth of her skirt.

“But I agree with Your Majesty, only remission without discipline is no good. In this case, I will trust Your Majesty’s judgment. Then how about repaying for that little unpaid work from before?”

Henrietta shifted uneasily.

“We need everyone’s consent.”

“And how many from those ‘everyone’ could equal them in their noble deed?”

Henrietta became silent.

“It is everyone's answer.”

Agnes bowed and went out of the working room to prepare the queen’s carriage. Left alone, Henrietta watched the letter from Louise.

Then she made a face that was about to cry.

“Everyone is just so selfish! People's hearts are a mystery! Not just me, father, the whole family!”

After spewing out all those angry words, Henrietta pressed the letter against her heart. Besides, there was something she needed to talk with Louise’s family about. It was really saddening.

However, the first thing she needed to do was to express her gratitude for her friends safety, Henrietta thought.

“I am glad you are alright. Thank you, Founder Brimir, for bringing my friend back, safe and sound.“

After leaving the working room, Agnes went to the stable to prepare the horses. After that, she went towards the musketeers building nearside, and after calling the vice-commander of the troops, gave her the instructions on what to do during her absence. It didn’t take long to finish the preparations. And now, riding a horse, she passed under the castle gates.

There, waiting for Agnes stood a man, whose face was hidden by the deep hood.

Seeing the man, Agnes stopped her horse next to him.

“We’ll be heading to La Vallieres. You must come as well.”

“You did not bring me here to put me into the prison?”

The man’s hood moved. Colbert’s honest face appeared from there.

“There was no prison escape with your help.”

“What?”

“We can’t let it be publicly known that someone can escape from the prison with the help of just two people.”

Agnes had a displeased look on her face. Colbert sheepishly bowed.

“But why to take me to the La Vallieres?”

“You don’t want to meet your pupils?”

Hearing those words, Colbert’s face lit up.

“Ah! Then they must have succeeded! I am so glad! Ahaha, I am really glad!”

Agnes called a subordinate musketeer to prepare Colbert's horse. After that, with the rest of the musketeers, they waited for queen’s carriage in front of castle gates.

In the La Valiere castle, powerful family members gathered and waited impatiently. A gorgeous lunch was served on the big table in the dining room; however, no one tried to touch the dishes.

The duke de La Valiere was sitting at the end of the table, his hard gray eyes were shining.

‘Pon!’ his fist hit the table. Even though the sound was loud, no one, including servants, moved a muscle. It was not unusual for the duke to express his anger this openly.

“Louise, that chit, does she have an idea how worried she makes us?!”

“It is as father says. Without the family’s consent, she takes part in a war, crosses the national borders without permission, and sneaks into Galia! It could turn into another war!”

[[Image:ZnT11-039.jpg|thumb]]

Eleonore’s sharp eyes were blazing behind the glasses when she agreed with father’s words. She gathered the information that leaked out of Tristania’s academy.

Cattleya was silently listening to her father and elder sister's words, before her Louise-like pink hair started to shake as she began pleasantly laughing.

“Isn’t it great? Helping out a classmate from Galia– somehow heroic. I’m proud of her.”

Eleonore gave Cattleya a piercing glare.

“This is not the time for laughs. Weren’t you the one helping out that child last time? Weren’t you the one who melted the golden chain of the drawbridge not so long time ago.”

“Hmm, I can’t remember such thing.”

Cattleya continued to laugh softly.

“Really? But this time this child broke the country laws. Doesn’t Her Majesty come here for this– to give her direct judgment? It could even be the whole family destruction!”

“You are exaggerating.”

Cattleya said while laughing.

“I am not exaggerating. As it is, because in the previous cases we did not send troops to the war, the government is not likely to be merciful.“

It was so. The La Valiere duke house, during the recent Albion campaign, hasn’t sent even a single soldier. As a result, an enormous military service exemption tax was imposed. Though the La Valiere duke house obediently paid it, the nobles who went to the war criticized the duke as a 'disloyal'.

“This is not a revolt against the Royal family. Besides, isn’t Louise her majesty’s friend? I don’t think there will be a severe punishment given.”

“She would not remember such an old thing. Besides, Louise returns from Von Zerbst, right? The Ancestors would grieve hearing such a thing.”

Then the sisters both fell silent as their mother, duchess La Valliere, opened her mouth.

“Before receiving judgment from Her Majesty, this family has its own punishment to give.”

With these words, the air in the dining room froze. To the face of duke La Valiere blanched.

“P-punishment to give?”

“As stated, I will give it myself.”

The servants, who stood silently behind them, started to tremble.

Eleonore had an unusually strained smile on her lips.

“I-it’s nothing mother should be concerned with… Right, Cattleya?”

Cattleya's voice was nervous for a moment.

“I-I think so too.”

‘Kohn’ coughed the La Valiere duke.

“Umm, Karin. It’s like the daughters say. Nothing to bother with… Right Jerome?”

The duke requested an agreement from the butler.

“Ah, I have to go. I just remembered I have things to do.”

The old butler hastily retreated. As if by a signal, all servants left the dining room together.

Simultaneously, with the stomping sounds of the closing door, the duchess stood up. Her expression didn’t change. However, something strong rises swaying in slow motion from her body.

"It‘s my responsibility for my daughter's carelessness, thus I myself will give her the education. Isn't that so?"

La Valiere duke, with trembling fingers began to fiddle with his mustache. He recalled the old times. Youth, beauty, and the severe past of his wife….

“It is so! A-asking for a strict lecture! Give me a second…”

These words were muted by a strong roaring sound. Dust fluttered down the table. Looking up, one could see the whole wall vanish completely, under the indescribably powerful spell.

The duchess who was holding the wand, shook her head and said.

“Even more so– we cannot look weak… Well, I think so anyway.”

“K-Karin! Therefore Louise…”

The duchess glared at her husband's face.

“She is your and my daughter! It has to look strict! After a long time, when you're looking back, you’ll see her being raised up wrong because of your selfish whim!”

At the shout of his wife, the duke instinctively ducked his head.

“S-sorry!”

“Our family is important, our daughter is important as well; I don’t want to pass on either. That’s why the "Heavy winds" will give the punishment to our daughter. Her Majesty will see.”

“Hey, Louise. Tell me what’s wrong?”

Saito was watching Louse with concern. Since the carriage went in La Valliere's territory, Louise, for a while now was trembling. It was at the same time intense and restless.

Sitting on the opposite seat, Guiche, Malicorne, and Montmorency mysteriously watched Louise too.

“Do you have a fever? Are you cold?”

Kirche, who was sitting next to Saito, placed a hand on surprisingly cold fingers and asked in a shocked voice. Tabitha was sitting next them. Her mother was left in Kirche's residence rather than taking her to Tristain. Though Kirche recommended for her to remain in residence with her mother, Tabitha was stubborn. Well, she could leave Kirche’s residence safely, as Tabitha would be taken as part of their traveling party. Tabitha's mother’s mind was still because of the sickness, but she started liking seeing Tabitha more often and was not frightened by her anymore.

“Hey Tabitha, don’t you agree that Louise is acting strange?”

Ignoring what was said, Tabitha casted a glance at Louise. Unusually, a book was not with her. She strongly grasped the long cane she found in miss baron’s room while escaping the Alhambra castle and looked closer at her.

Tabitha could see Louise’s shoulders shivering.

“Frightened.”

She said.

“When invading the Alhambra castle, she was not scared. But now, returning to her parents and family, she is? Strange child.”

Saito recalled Louise's parents. Louise’s father who wore hard armor, the impenetrable La Valiere duke….

Louise’s eldest sister, Eleonore, who took Louise’s personality even further to an extreme….

Can one be blamed to be scared of such a family?

“But well, I guess it’s the cause for not eating. The other day, you ran away without getting a permission to take part in the war.”

“Circumstances are different.”

Louise said in a shaky voice.

“Circumstances?”

“Taking part in a war without permission was not breaking the "Rules"”

Saito lightly tapped Louise’s shoulder.

“If it is not a rule, then they like princess-sama, angry on you like a monarchic government prefecture for violating the law? Then I guess your father and elder sister are angry too. Still, it can’t be as bad as beheading….”

Saito remembered Louise’s fathers angry face and shivered.

“On the contrary. In my family, if one violates the regulations, being hated is as badly as being dead.”

Louise hugged herself with both hands and started trembling heavily.

“W-what?! You are scared this much?! Who is it? Is it the father? Or that young woman?”

“Mo-mo-mo-mo...”

“Mo?”

“Mother.”

Saito tried to revive that little glimpse he had on Louise’s mother. Though she had a strong, high-handed aura around her, she was sitting quietly. It certainly didn’t look like a person who could make others shiver in fear.”

“She’ll spank you?”

Hearing that, Louise clutched her stomach as if in pain.

“Louise! Louise! What is it?”

“Eeeh, Louise, is your mother that scary?”

Malicorne said in a growing senile voice.

In a heavy, as if cursing, voice, Louise spit out.

“Do you… know the predecessor commander of Manticore troops?”

“Who would not know about such celebrity! Karin the ‘Heavy Wind’ was it? It is said that the lower half of her face was always covered with an iron mask… She served the kingdom since the start as the wind user. They called this magic a ‘Heavy wind’, but ‘Raging storm’ would have been a more appropriate name for it.”

Guiche, after Malicorne's words, also recalled few things.

“When Eustace raised a revolt, wasn’t it the ‘Heavy wind’ who suppressed it single-handedly? Father told me, that when he was young, he lead his troops to take over the Cardin bridge, but it was already taken over by Karin, the Heavy Wind. And that it has been said that the Heavy Wind used to work alone.”

Soon, they began telling one after another, old hero stories.

“When Germania troops were skirmishing at the border, it is said that once the rumors spread that 'the Wind' was at the front-line, enemies ran away.”

“However, there are rumors that she was a very beautiful person. According to the rumor, she was a beauty in male attire….”

“Indeed. But one can question does really such a strong, disguising as a man, woman…really exists?”

Guiche’s face turned blue once he heard Montmorency's words.

“C-could it be that Karin the Heavy Wind is…”

Louise said in a strained voice.

“My mother.”

Everyone in the carriage looked at each other, and then nervously asked Louise.

“Lying?”

“I am not. D-do you know the motto of Manticore unit of that time?”

All party members shook their head. As one might be expect, no one knew the motto of the corps.

“Rule of steel. My mother hated the lack of discipline the most.”

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Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter1

2010-01-20T13:05:43Z

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===Chapter One: Von Zerbst===

Within the deep, dark woods of Germania, stood Von Zerbst castle. But even though it was called a castle, it was considerably different from the Tristanian ones.

The old stone-made building probably had a splendid history, and the repeatedly added random extensions increased its original size twice as much. The architectural style was uncertain as well.
The raising top looked like of ancient Tristain and Galia, the high steeples belonged to Varon’s style, while the middle wall undergone a massive transformation under the Albion’s architecture influence.

Next to the delicate Romalian brick tower, stood large, made from massive rocks, Germanian citadel… thus, ignoring the looks and prestige, this building was a mess. Tristain’s and Galia’s nobles pucker up their eyebrows seeing so built castle, and the respective liberty and innovation of the country of fire, Germania, makes them frown hard.

In one room of such castle, devoted to the cheerful and warm feeling of the spring, Saito was sound asleep. Because he just took part in a big adventure, his body felt very tired.

In his deep sleep, Saito was dreaming. It was a nostalgic dream.

Dream of hometown. Dream of the earth…

In the kitchen, his mother was cooking, And he watched her from behind.

“Mother, what are you making?”

“Your favorite - hamburger steak.”

For some reason, such casual conversation, pierced hard through his chest. Mother turned around. Mother's familiar face. Same gentle, calm face of the mother...

“Saito, you, why are you crying?”

“Huh?”

Saito rubbed his eyes. They were full of tears.

“Such a strange child.”

Said smiling face of a mother and changed to Tabitha’s mother’s face. Surprised Saito, let out a cry.

“Uwaa!”

Saito woke up from his yell.

“A dream…”

It was already a second dream of his mother. Being so far away, it was a wonder he could recall it at all.

Saito rose from bed and looked out of the window. The sun just passed the midway. The bed next to him, where should have been sleeping Malicorne and Guiche, was empty. No one had slept in it for some-time already.

Saito dressed up and turned to leave the room himself…

“Saito.”

In the doorway stood Louise.

“Oh, Louise. Good morning.”

For some reason, when Saito greeted her, Louise shyly casted her eyes down.

“Lunch has been prepared. Everyone is waiting.”

“Then you should have woken me up.”

“I tried. But you did not wake up.”

“I-I see. Sorry.”

Saito said looking away. He became embarrassed remembering the dream. It may have been a journey deep in the dream world. But the dream of a mother was strangely embarrassing.

Both Tabitha and her mother were saved from the Galia‘s old castle five days ago. Last night they arrived to Kirche‘s familly, Von Zerbst, residence in Germania. Louise and Saito, Kirche, Guiche and Montmorency, Malicorne, Tabitha and her mother; overall - eight people and one sylphid, managed to safely cross the border.

Galian military, after learning that Tabitha and her mother went missing, put out chekposts along the highway, checking the passing travellers, but on every such point sylphid would transform and Guiche would cast a spell pretending to be an important person, thus fooling the check.

Because the local Galian army has fallen into disorder, it was easy to escape the line. The morale of local soldiers who stood in the check was low. Some soldiers would not even do a proper check on carriages, before mumbling the motivation-less ‘Go’. Gallian Royal government apparently did not care about prefectures too much, often excluding the army‘s direct control.

The best troops were placed on the boarder with Germania. Calling themselves the Knights of the Roses, was a squad of elite knights, placed in there.

The party was nervous.

When they thoroughly rummaged the carriage, they found the disguised Tabitha.

The make-up was wiped from the face of sleeping Tabitha,

“This girl…”

It was a young knight, the leader of the knights, who introduced himself as a Castelmorr.

That moment, Kirche grasped the wand and Saito pulled out the sword.

However, Castelmorr got out of a carriage and loudly said.

“All clear! You may pass!”

The border passage was permitted. When the carriage crossed the border, they sent their expression of gratitude to the splendid knight. He, who should have captured Tabitha, Saito and others, let them go.

When Tabitha woke up and they told her about the incident, she just calmly said “I see”.

“Even though he was not an ally, he was not an enemy either. I was relieved.”

Saito recalled the conversation upon crossing the national borders and nodded.

“Tabitha?”

“She is asleep in the room over there.”

Louise, from the room prepared for them, pointed to the door across the corridor in front of them. Saito nodded and slightly pushed the door. It was not locked. Making a slight sound, the door opened.

From the opening, Saito glanced into the room.

Mother and child, hugging each other tight, were sleeping soundly on the big bed.

It was saved by Saito and others. Tabitha and her mother.

“Anyway, they are finally safe.”

Louise, who stood by his side, nodded.

“Oh well. Besides, it is Germania here… Galia can’t do much here.”

Sauto nodded, and feeling uneasy asked.

“Hey, yesterday, when you sent the letter…”

Last night Louise sent a letter addressed to Henrietta in Tristain by the owl. It was filled with Louise’s long apologetic sentences.

First, it began with report that Tabitha had been rescued safely, then followed the apology for crossing the border without permission, and secondly stating her willingness to take any punishment needed and hoping to return within three days.

“You did not write about my arrest, didn’t you?”

Though he watched closely as Louise wrote the letter, because he did not understood the characters, he could not understand the content that has been written too. Louise would not take his crimes for herself, would she? He thought, and asked tentatively.

“Not really.”

Louise said with a calm face.

Saito looked deeply into Louise’s eyes for a while. They were filled with little shining sparkles.

“Really? Aren’t you lying this way? It all started because of me. Thus it is me who should bear the responsibility…”

For a moment, Louise’s sparkling eyes lost their light as she fixed her sight on Saito.

“If you are caught, then you won’t be able to return…”

“Hey! That’s true, but… I am responsible as a sub-commander of the knight troops…”

Saito changed recently. When he was talking about ‘responsibility’ or ‘what he can do in this world, it all was making Louise perplexed. Didn’t he want to return to his world?

“Yeah yeah. That story is already over. Let’s go. Everyone is waiting.”

Saito, before turning to leave, peeked one last time as Tabitha snuggled closer to her mother. Then… something deep in his heart, became strangely numb.

“What’s wrong?”

“N-nothing.”

Saito and Louise left the mother and child sleeping, and went to everyone who has been waiting in the dinning room.

While in the corridor, seeing the Von Zerbst castle’s furniture, Louise started complaining.

“Pshh, it’s the first time I have seen the residence with such a bad taste.”

Even so, Saito did not know a thing about the quality of the furniture’s in Halkeginia’s castle anyway. Well, it had a lots of Tristain’s statues and paintings lined up.

“Making this corridor in the manner of Traistain and then for some reason placing these paintings from the east in. Meaningless. Or perhaps rather than stressing over the east paintings, I should be more mad about the mimicry of the Tristain to begin with. Either way it’s retarded.”

Louise pointed at the image of god with many arms. For a moment it looked like a statue of goddess of mercy with one thousand hands that Saito saw during school excursion. Apparently. Louise could not forgive such casual decorating manner, using the furniture of her hometown.

“Look. This is Giovanni Lascault’s religious painting. It’s tint completely mismatches the color of the wall. Ugh, these upstart nobles of Germania…”

As Louise continued fuming about, Saito said in an embarrassed voice.

“Umm, Louise.”

“Huh?”

“Walls, statues, paintings – they all are all right… But this… looks of yours…”

“What’s wrong with my looks?”

‘Tsun’ – Louise turned around to face him and asked.

“…You did not take your dancer costume off?”

Underneath the mantle Louise was still wearing the same oriental dancer clothes that she wore while saving Tabitha.

With all its worth, these clothes were designed only to conceal only the most pivotal points, and it was embarrassing, whatever exposed place he guided his eyes on.

“Reluctantly so. It is the only clothing I have to wear.”

For some reason, when Louise said that, her voice sounded triumphant.

“Argh! Put on the clothes you wore before changing to it – the Magic academy school uniform!”

“That? It’s dirty so out of the question. I won’t put it on.”

“This is dirty in a different way! There!”

Saito shouted while turning his eyes away from Louise. Seeing her like that, was making him feel nervous.

“That, isn’t it Kirche’s family house? That sort of dressing is very suitable for Kirche's family as it seems, in eyes of the servants.”

Just then, a young employee woman, wrapped in a showy red clothes, happened to pass them.

Louise calmly hid her body behind the mantle. Indeed, this way, Louise's slender limbs were completely hidden.

“Hey, she can’t see you this way!”

Once the employ passed, while giving a quick bow, ‘swish’ - Louise provocatively swung the edge of her mantle, exposing the silky skin of her thigh. A teasing smile formed on her pink lips.

[[Image:ZnT11-021.jpg|thumb]]

‘Swish-swish’ More of Louise’s white skin caught Saito’s eyes, making him color up and turn his face away.

“S-stop it… Your mantle fluttering like this…”

This made Louise’s face blush hard yet she continued to stare at him.

“Why?”

“W-why, well, you, uh, looking like that…”

“Looking like what?”

“Skin and the stuff…”

“Are you stuuuupid? Are you excited just by looking at your master’s body? Unbelievable! How vulgar! You should die. In the forest.”

Blushing Louise declared.

“Do you have no sense of shame!”

“S-shame for what! There’s nothing wrong to be seen by a familiar!”

Flurried Louise said.

Firstly, in the carriage, Saito’s feverish gaze, when he looked at her dancer’s clothing, was very amusing. But as if showing was not satisfying enough, she went up with the whole provocative ending.

However, trying to act calm was intensely embarrassing. ‘What the heck I was thinking about‘ – after everyone fell asleep, Louise raged wiggling in her blanket. She raged and raged, continueing to worry and worry more.

What would the God think seeing her present act?

Not just the God but the Chiinee-sama too?

While thinking so, cheeks burning from shame, Louise cursed herself.

As within the carriage her distress continued… Louise pondered.

Though it was shameful to death, it also felt good too.

Aah, his gaze, solely focused on me and not on the other girls – that felt really good. By all means, I should wear these dancing clothes more. It was embarrassing, but this strange feeling of triumph was stronger than the feeling of shame.

“Stop scrutinizing so much. Anyway. There is no ulterior motive and no deeper meaning to this. I’m just wearing what I want to wear.”

Louise said in an angry voice. Though in truth it made her feel wonderful and glad, it would make her very furious if that was recognized. Though she could not say why it would make her mad. With such contradictions struggling within her heart, Louise continued to speak.

“Stop looking so intensively at me. Haah, what’s a life-form not given by birth? You.”

Naturally, Saito’s pride was severely damaged by such words. Saito turned his neck to the other side, thus completely averting the glance from Louise.

“Who is looking?”

Two people walked silently for a while. Eventually, missing his gaze, Louise started to loose temper. It is so trivial.

Finding the mirror put on the wall, Louise halted in front of it.

“Who is this cute girl?”

“Hey, move on.”

“I think that’s me.”

“Yeah yeah.”

Saito kept his head turned to the other side. Louise was growing increasingly angry. In her mind she started repeating strings of angry words. Loveyouhesaidloveyouhesailoveyouhesaid.

Whypretendingnottoseewhypretendingnottoseewhypretendingnottoseelooklooklookgettingangrylook.

Irritated, Louise went for her secret trump. She placed her delicate finger on her cheek.

“I wonder.”

“H-hey, lets go.”

Nervous Saito urged Louise. As always, he was looking at the opposite direction. ‘Kaaaaan’ – whole blood went up to Louise’s head. I’m acting so cute, I’m acting so cute and yet. Can’t let that happen. Pride soared high in Louise, like from the Blood ran up to her head. Result – Louise’s temperament broke loose.

“B, b-b-b, b-b.”

“B? What about it?”

“B, b-b-b-b-b, my breast cloth, i, i-i-i, i-i, if I’ll remove it, w-w, wonder how would I look. Sex appeal increases the cuteness. No doubt.”

“HAAH?!”

“There’s no doubt. Sex appeal easily attracts my familiar.”

Saito, determined not to loose, stood his ground. It was like this in his head – looking at Louise now would mean her victory and his defeat. Thus with his right hand he pinched himself, desperately fighting against the overwhelming desire ‘To look’.

“Then the b-b-breast cloth w-w-w-will go.”

“How long will you hesitate? E-everyone will see you if you wait.”

“Hey you!”

“Pshh.”

“Won’t hesitate.”

Saito applied more pover to the finger digging in his thigh. In the pain, cold sweat flowed. Seriously, flowed.
However, he won’t look. A man decided not to look. So, he won’t look.

Louise gave a lot of care to the cloth which covered her chest. Move, but the hand won’t move even if ordered. It was shameful. No, shame was not the only thing. Death. Her head will explode and she will die from shame.

And then it moves again. Though she returned her noble position to Her Majesty, her noble pride was still there. By all means. It is necessarily for a master to make a familiar to turn his eyes on her. So that there would be no regrets left.

Even though she is confused, because the blood went up her head Louise does not notice such thing. Her pride was driving her insane.

“Waah!”

With a shout she lowered her breast cloth.

Saito was surprised. Even if he was not surprised, the moment when Louise shouted, his head moved on its own, disregarding his intentions. And thus, his head graciously turned to Louise.

The first thing Saito’s eyes jumped on was the pulled down the fabric of the dancing costume, covering the breasts, the Louise’s slender fingers covering the exposed top of her breasts… which looked rather plain.

Saito, at the reflection speed of the insect level, jumped at Louise. And clung close to her.

“Sorry. Can’t help it.”

Recovered from her daze, Louise gripped the back of Saito’s head and tried to pull him apart.　

“W-wait a minute…Stop! W-w-w-what are you thinking…”

Then she saw Saito’s feverish eyes. W-what a look. Such crazy passionate that she, she… contrary to her will Louise closed her eyes.

“W-we… are very likely to be imprisoned when returning back to Tristain, right?”

“…R-right.”

Then a painful thought pierced Louises mind. If… she will be put into prison for all this…

Then she would not be able to meet Saito for a while.

“… then if so, maybe it’s the only time we can be alone as a couple?”

After these words… this time spent held firmly in Saito’s arms felt irreplaceable. These thoughts, and Saito’s passionate look, deprived the last remains of the strength from her resisting hand.

“I-is it alright?”

Louise, still nervous and shy, slightly parted her lips and puckered them up

“S-stop a-asking, idiot…”

Louise, looking very shy, was so lovely at this moment, that Saito’s head started spin.

He hugged her close to him,

Louise’s mind was in a turmoil.

Aah, I am sorry ancestor-sama. Louise Franciouse, is about to be swept of her feet in the bitter enemy’s Von Zerbst castle. When I passed through the gates, I never thought it would lead to this. I am sorry ancestor-sama, mother-sama, elder sister-sama, Chii-nee-sama – everyone – I am sorry…

The passion was so strong that her mind started to fade away leaving…

But then, with the corner of her eye, she noticed a red hair moving across the corridor. Louise's reaction was blitz quick. She kicked Saito into the groin, and quickly leaped back to her feet.

“Because you both were missing for so long, so I came to check you out. ”

Guiche put a hand on his chin and shook his head.

“You, what are you doing in other people house?”

Kirche asked, not hiding the amazement in her voice.

Louise’s mouth opened and closed few times, vaguely trying to remember any letter of the alphabet to utter. She shivered while cold sweat dripped down her skin.

“I-insect leeched to my neck so I tried to take it off.”

“And of course for that you needed to take off your breast cloth?”

Kirche asked with a malicious smile. Louise’s body hardened. Slowly she dropped on her knees and her shoulders sagged.

Meanwhile Saito was busy twitching on the floor.

Kirche approached Louise. She placed a hand on her shoulder, mischief was dazzling from her smile.

“Had enough of your lustful acts? And I thought no one would best me.”

“T-that’s not it. It has nothing to do with lust. It kind of shifted on its own!”

Shaking her temple, Louise came off with a desperate excuse.

“It’s alright. I have a gift for you.”

“Not needed.”

“It’s a letter from Tristain.”

Party, their faces tensed, gathered in Kirche’s room.

“Extremely soon.”

“Surely, it must be because she is angry so much. That queen of your country.”

Relaxed, Kirche spread her hands and said. Louise carefully eyed the letter that Kirche passed to her. The envelope was made from the high class parchment and had Tristain’s kingdom’s signature placed on it. Crest of Lilies that she got used to seeing… a reply from Henrietta without a long wait.

In this letter, my and others fate is recorded. How did Henrietta judge me?

Her hand trembled from tension. Saito watched her face nervously as well. Guiche, Montmorency and Malicorne caught their breath too, watching Louise's act.

Kirche carefully said to Louise who was still not breaking the seal.

“Hey Louise. You know about that letter. It is not necessarily to return to the Tristain. You can stay in my house.”

“You do not worry about teacher Colbert?”

Colbert, volunteered to take Louise’s and others place, so that they could pass the border.

Afterwards, no news from him. Even the crew of ‘Osturant’ that arrived to Von Zerbst had no information.

“If it’s Jean, then it will be alright. Surely, he hid himself somewhere. The report will come sooner or later. But if he’s caught, then I would go to another rescuing adventure.”

“No good. It would be much tougher than before.”

Then Louise took a deep breath and opened the envelope in a dash. The letter inside had just a single peace of paper. And a short sentence was written in there. Reading it, Louise started to tremble.

“W-what is it?! What’s written in there!”

Saito, who was not able to endure the tension any longer, pressed her.

“Just this much written? And more important what is written in there? Give it to me.”

Kirche took the letter from Louise’s hand.

“What, ‘Henrietta will wait at La Vallieres’ Ara, isn’t it good. She will wait at your parent’s family. Maybe it won’t be so tough in there.”

Kirche said pretending not to know. Louise’s shivering reached its peak. She just managed to utter.

“At home.”

“Why? Isn’t it good if you can speak with your family - they might protect you.”

“Far from protecting, I will be killed.”

As if giving up, Louise lowered her head.

<noinclude>
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| Back to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume10_Epilogue|Volume 10]]
| Return to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Zero_no_Tsukaima:Volume11_Chapter2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

User:Spastication

2010-01-18T12:42:15Z

Spastication: New page: A wandering editor.

A wandering editor.

Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter5

2009-09-06T04:12:33Z

Spastication: [Tabitha's] wand ---> staff

===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 Gandalfr. The familiar that once belonged to Founder Brimir." Wardes' eyes shone with admiration.

Louise asked, "Gandalfr?"

"Not just anyone can control Gandalfr. 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 doesn’t know Louise knows, 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 a like small girl she wanted to have Saito all to herself. ''Although Saito is an idiot, and often makes me mad, but 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 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 from above.

*Pa-ta* - Something fell on Saito’s shoulder and covered his face, making everything in front of him turn black.

“Wha-what?”

“What are you doing here? Do you like to take strolls on the wall? Geez, took me forever to find you.”

It was Kirche who landed on his shoulder, and our hero’s eyes were blinded because his face was covered by the Germanian’s mini-skirt.

“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 start 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.”

With 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 Gandalfr 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 Gandalfr.”

“Ha.” 

Who talked about Gandalfr anyway? Old Osman shouldn’t have talked about this.

“I find history and warfare extremely interesting. When Fouquet was captured, I became very interested in you. Then I did some research in the Imperial Library. The result of that research is my discovery that you are the legendary familiar Gandalfr.”

"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. Although 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 Gandalfr is capable of'' Saito thought.

“Where do you want to duel?”

“This hotel used to be a castle designed for repelling Albion invasions, there is a parade ground in the center of it.”

The two then left for the parade ground for nobles together. The ancient practice ground 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 Gandalfr 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 the 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, no 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 dong to my establishment??” But one arrow slammed into his shoulder, leaving him slumped on the ground.

“This is really troublesome.” Listening to Wardes’ words, Kirche nodded.

“It 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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