Editing Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter9 - MTL

Next morning…

At the Newcastles port inside the cave, Saito, stood in a queue to board the “Eagle” ship, surrounded by rushing people, that were not able to leave with Marie Galante.

“Because you love, you sometimes need to let it go…”

Derflinger muttered silently. He was hanging on a string on Saitos back. It is unbearable , during the days like this, to have no one to talk to.

“Stop saying it…”

“Why?”

“I feel sick when you say it.”

“You mean ‘Because you love, you need to let it go sometimes’…That?”

“Why don’t you stop saying that?”

“I understand. I won’t say it anymore, if partner asks. Yet, we have to discuss few things about our future. Have you decided where to go, since we have lots of free time now?”

Derflinger asked, pretending not to know.

“Maybe to Arukattsu.”

“And there we will look for the way to return to partner’s former world?”

“Why would you be looking for it. I’m the only one who is an alien here, right?” Saito said. 

Way to return home? Louise said she’ll help searching for it, but now one shouldn’t rely on that. Even though, leaving Louises city was something hard to do.

“Then you should become a mercenary.”

“Mercenary?”

“Yes. With a sword on a shoulder, looking to one battle today, and then wandering to another country and battlefield tomorrow.  Poor income, but at least satisfied rage, right?”

Saito muttered.

“And a bad teammate”

“What, without me as a partner, an ordinary guy like you would be left behind instantly”

“Even if your greatest power is rusting”

“How rude. But I forgive you, since you are my partner. By the way, partner, I recalled one thing the other day…”

“What!”

“Partner, you are called Gendalf?

“Aah, because that’s the name of legendary familiar.  When I first heard it I was amazed. I-“

“What. Wait just a moment, partner. I think I remember the name…”

“Really?”

“No, it is extremely old memories… It was very long ago, I just caught it in a corner of my head…”

“Derflinger kept on muttering “hm” , “aha”, “aah” repeatedly.

“Maybe you misunderstand as it was some time ago?  And besides, where is a head of the sword anyway.”

Derflinger thought about it for a while.

“Handle maybe”

He said, making Saito laugh.

Finally it turned out to be Saito’s time to boarder the ship. When he rose up the gangway, he saw that the refugee ship was everything one could expect it to be – many people squeezed between each other,  so that it wasn’t possible to find a place to sit on the deck.

Saito looked at the limestone cave from the edge of the gunwale. At this moment, Louise was in the middle of her wedding. Saito shut his eyes tightly at this lonesome thought.
　
People still kept boarding the ship one after another, it was really overcrowded, and mass of people pushed Saito around the deck. Someone’s elbow hit against his injured arm, making Saito scream.


**


Meanwhile, in a chapel, where Founder Brimir's portrait hung, crown prince Wales was waiting for the bridegroom and the bride to appear. There were no other people around, as everybody where busy preparing for the upcoming battle.  Wales also had planned, once the ceremony was over, to prepare for the war as well.
　
Wales was dressed in Crown Prince’s formal uniform.

He wore a bright purple mantle, the symbol of the royal family, and a hat,  that had Seven color wings,  the symbol of royal family Albion, on it.

The door opened, and Louise and Wardes showed up.  Louise stood with a dazzled expression on her face.  Wales had to urge her to come and stand in front of Wales 

Louise was puzzled. Everything happened so suddenly. Wardes barged in this morning and brought her here, without even waking her up properly.

She was puzzled, because the desperate feelings were swelling in her mind. She came here without thinking, still half-asleep. Because of prince, who was determined to die and Saito’s attitude yesterday, Louise was very depressed. 

Wardes, after telling Louise that “Time to do the wedding now” put a bridal veil, that was borrowed from Albion royal family, on Louise’s head.  The veil was nicely made, and the flowers, that were eternally fresh due to the magic, made it look indescribably beautiful.  

Then Wardes removed Louise’s black mantle and put on a white one, that was borrowed from Albion royal family as well, instead.  Only brides were allowed to wear it, as it was a mantle of a virgin.

However, even while being dressed up by Wardes hands, Louise was still unresponsive.  Yet, Wardes understood such mood of Louise, as a sign of her affirmative will.

Wardes and Louise stood up in front of Wales, who was standing below the image of  Founder Brimir, wearing his official uniform. Wardes, who himself was wearing his usual clothes and magical mantle, bowed his head.

“Well then, lets start the ceremony”

Prince’s voice reaches Louise's ear. However, it sounded like a weak sound of distant bell. Louise’s mind was still lost in the fog of her own thoughts.. 

“Bridegroom, Viscount Jean-Jacques Francis De Wardes. Do you take this girl as your wife, and swear to respect and love her in the name of  Founder Brimir?”

Wardes nodded solemnly, and grasped the cane with his left hand, holding it out in front of his chest.

“I swear.”

Wales looked at Louise and smiled encouragingly.

“Bride, the third daughter of  the duke La Valliere, Louise Francoise Le Blanc de la Valliere…”

Wales read the oath in clear voice.

Just now, Louise noticed that she is in the middle of wedding ceremony. Her partner – reliable Wardes, for whom she yearned before. A marriage arranged by their fathers. Only now her childish, absent-minded, distant future, were starting to turn into reality.

''It is not like I hate Wardes. Maybe I even like him. But if it is so, why do I feel such pain? Why do I feel so sad? 

Is it because I saw kingdom turning into ruins? Or is it because I faced a prince who deserted his love and hopes, in order to die?

It’s not that. Though those are sad events, that hurt, but there wouldn’t be such cloud of sadness hanging on my mind just because of that.''

It is deep, melancholic cloud, which is hard to bear. 

Louise suddenly remembered an expression on Saito’s face when she said “Marriage” to him.

''Why did I say such thing to him?

It is because I wanted to be stopped.

By whom?

Because I wanted Saito to stop me.

Why?
''
Louise started to blush once thinking about the reason. Just like thinking about the reason why last night she, though in deep sorrow, so easily jumped into the chest of Saito, whom she accidentally met in the corridor.
　
''But are those feelings true ones?

I don’t know. But isn’t it worth to try to find out?
''
After all, no matter how excited or sad she had been, she never jumped into man’s chest before.


**


Meanwhile…　

On the warship “Eagle” deck.

Saito’s, who was depressingly leaning against gunwale edge, view became blurry.

“N?”

“What is it, partner?”

Saito's view grew dim. Just like in the heat haze of the midsummer, the view in his left eye started swinging.

“Eyes are acting strange”

“It’s because you are tired”

Derflinger said, pretending not to know the real reason.


**


“Bride?”　

Wales looked at her direction. Louise looked up panicking.

She had an expression of a person who doesn’t know what he is doing here at all.  Louise was puzzled. What should she do?  What should she do at times like this? No one taught her. Only Louise’s familiar, who was leaving the ground at the moment, might know the answer.

“Are you nervous? That’s alright. It’s your first time, that’s why it is normal to be nervous.”

Wales smiled, while talking.

“Oh dear, we still have to hold the etiquette, doing this would have the meaning only if we were to follow etiquette. Then, let's repeat. Do you take this man as your husband, and swear to respect and love him in the name of  Founder Brimir…”

Louise realized. She shouldn’t hesitate with the answer, waiting for someone to tell her what to do.

She has to make decisions for herself.

Determined Louise takes a deep, deep breath.

And, before Wales finished his words, Louise shook her head.

“Bride?”

“Louise?”

Two people suspiciously looked into Louise’s face. Louise looked at Wardes with sad expression on her face and once again shook her head.

“By all means, Louise. Are you feeling bad?”

“No, that’s not it. I am sorry…”

“If today it’s bad, then another time…”

“That’s not it, that’s not it. I’m sorry Wardes, I cannot marry you.”

Wales looked doubtful at the sudden change of events.

“Bride, this is not the marriage you want?”

"Yes, that’s how it is.  I want to apologize to both of you, for my rudeness, it was a painful decision to make, but I do not want to marry.”

An angry red blush of quickly spread on Wardes face. Wales turned to him and said in an embarrassed, doubtful and regretting voice.

"Viscount, I am terribly sorry, but the bride doesn’t want for this ceremony to continue.”

However, Wardes, didn’t pay any attention to Wales, and took Louise's hand.

“…you are just nervous. Dear Louise. You cannot be seriously refusing my offer.”

“I'm sorry, Wardes. I yearned for you. Maybe… maybe even loved you once. However, it is different now.”

Then, Wardes gripped Louise’s shoulder. The expression in his eyes changed. Gone was the usual kindness from his face, replaced with chilly cold of a reptile.

Wardes shouted in a feverish tone.

“The world, Louise. I will rule the world! You are necessarily for that!”

Frightened by the sudden change in Wardes, Louise kept on shaking her head.

“…I, I am not needed for that”

Wardes extended his both hands, drawing Louise closer.

“You are necessary for me! Your ability! Your power!”

This Wardes was frightening Louise more and more. Not even in her wildest dreams Louise imagined the gentle Wardes frowning or shouting like this. Louise tried to turn away.

“Louise, have you forgotten what I once told you! You are not inferior to even Founder Brimir, you will grow up as an excellent mage some day!  You just do not know about it yet! That talent!”

“Wardes, you…”

Louise’s voice was trembling with fear. It was not the Wardes that Louise knew. What changed him into such person?


**



On the warship 'Eagle', Saito rubbed his eyes again.　

“What is it, partner?”

“Me left eye is really acting strange.”

“That’s because you are tired.”

However, the view of Saito's left eye was getting distorted more and more.

“Uwaa! I can see something!”

Saito shouted. That was really someone’s view.

The left eye and the right eye of Saito, felt like completely separate parts.

“ I can see…”

“What can you see, partner?”

“Maybe, this is Louise’s view.”

Saito said. Now, he recalled what Louise said some time age. “The familiar is eyes and ears of a master, that’s their ability”

However,  Louise said she could not see through my eyes, but maybe…, maybe the process was reversed somehow?

But why I can see Louise’s view out of sudden?

Saito looked at his right hand. The rune, carved there, was shining brightly, even though he wasn’t holding any weapon. Indeed, his guess must be true.

This was his ability. Truly, it must be another ability of a legendary familiar “Gendalfr”.

''Let’s see, I guess that’s what Louise sees with her left eye then?'' While thinking so, Saito’s natural curiosity took the lead.


**

　Wales, who couldn’t stand Wardes threatening attitude towards Louise any longer, stepped in.

“Viscount…, that’s enough. Act manly…”

However, Wardes hits away Wale’s extended hand.

“Shut up!”

Wales, surprised by Wardes words, stood still. Wardes clasped Louise’s hand with his. Louise felt as if it was snake twining around it.

“Louise! You are necessarily for me!”

“I don’t have any talent as a mage”

“I told you many time already! You are just not aware of this power, Louise!”

Louise tried to shake of Wardes hand, but because he was holding it with incredible power, she wasn’t able to.  Grimacing in pain, Louise said.

“I would better die than marry you. I understand now, that you never loved me. You only loved a magical power in me that you foolishly think I have. It is cruel, to marry someone just because of such reason. It’s an insult!”

Louise raged. Wales, put a hand on Wardes shoulder,trying to pull him away, but Wardes pushed Wales instead, who fell on the ground.
　
Wales face turned red, and, after standing up again, he pulled out his cane.

“You, what impoliteness! It’s an insult! Viscount, move your hands away from La Valliere right now!  Or else my magical blade will tear you up!”

Only then, Wardes hand finally let Louise go. A kind smile spread on his lips. However, the smile was forced and obviously fake.

“Even if I ask you this way you won’t do it? Louise. My Louise.”

Louise said, while trembling from anger.

“No, there is no doubt left that you are not the one whom I would ever marry”

Wardes looked up at the sky.

“And I made such great efforts, to capture your feelings during this journey…”

Wardes spread his hands widely, while throwing his head backwards.

“Well, it can’t be helped. I guess I will have to give up on this goal.”

“Goal?”

Louise looked doubtful. What was he thinking about?

Corners of Wardes lips went up, forming an ill looking smile.

“That’s right. There were three goals for me to achieve during this travel. Sadly, I achieved only two of them”

“Achievement? Two? What are you talking about?”

Louise asked, feeling the shivers of uneasiness travel down her spine. Her mind was working at full power, trying to figure out what was happening.

Wardes put out his right hand in front, and bent his forefinger.

“First one was you, Louise. I had to get you. However, it seems that I won’t be able to accomplish this.”

“Obviously not!”

Wardes smiled, bending his middle finger.

“The second goal, Louise, is in your pocket - Henrietta's letter.”

Louise was startled.

“Wardes, you…”

“And, the third…”

After hearing Wardes saying “Henreitta’s letter” Wales understood everything and pulled out his cane and started to chant the spell.

However, Wardes had already prepared two complete spells before.

Wardes aimed his wind cane that started shining and with the tip pierced Wales chest.

“D-damn you…'Reconquista'…”

Suddenly blood gushed out of Wales mouth. Louise screamed.

Wardes muttered while piercing his shining cane deeper into Wales chest.

”The third, is your damned life, Wales.”

With that, Wales fell to the ground.

“A noble! Aren’t you Albinion noble as well! Wardes!”

Louise shouted, while trembling. Wardes was a traitor.

“That’s right. I am really a member of Albion noble fraction ‘Reconquista’”

Wardes said in a cold, emotionless voice.

“Why! Why, would you, Tristain nobility, do such thing?”

“We are the first heralds of Halkeginia’s future – a union of nobilities that has no notional borders. We are borderless.”

Wardes raised the cane again.

“Halkeginia will be reunited into one by our hands,  we will restore Founder Brimir's ‘Sacred Land’ once again.”

“Before, you were not like that before.  What changed you so much? Wardes...”

“Years, accidents and destiny.  Though it changed me whom you knew, but it didn’t change my nature that you are talking about. And you are talking too much”

Louise tried to duck, when Wardes moved the cane, however Wardes spell still easily hit her, throwing her to the floor.

“Help...“

Louise’s face turned pale. She tried to stand up, but her legs stopped obeying her.

Wardes threw back his head.

“For this! For this you rejected my offer to rule the world together!”

He started to cast another wind spell. ‘Breaking Wind’. And Louise was blown away like piece of paper.

“No…Help…”

“Even the smallest bird can’t hear you,  it seems like you will have to bow your head in defeat, huh, Louise?

Louise was thrown into the wall, and left lying on the floor, groaning in pain. Tears started rolling down her face.

She still asked for the help of her familiar, that wasn’t there.

“Help me…please…”

Louise like spell repeated the words. Enjoying himself, Wardes slowly started chanting.

“Lightening Cloud”

“It is regrettable… That your life will be taken by this hand…”

Saito’s arm was scorched, by this blitz spell. There was no chance to survive if being hit by it directly.

From shock her breath was rough and her whole body was in pain. Louise, scared like a child, cried

“Saito! Help!”

Louise shouted.

At that moment Wardes finished the spell and lowered his cane aiming towards Louise and….

The wall of the chapel collapsed with the roaring sound, and strong gust of wind blew from the outside. 

**


“Damn you…”　

Wardes muttered.

After breaking the wall, Saito jumped in and with Derflinger in his hand stopped Wardes cane.

"You…" Saito hit the sword sidewise. Wardes dodged it by jumping back.

Accidentally, Saito saw Louise with the corner of his eye.

After screaming her last words Louise fainted and haven’t moved since.

With raging anger in his eyes, Saito glared at Wardes. Lust for killing was boiling in his body. Saito groaned while biting his lip hard.

“Unforgivable”

“Why are you here, Gandalf?”

Wardes asked with a cruel smile on his lips.

Not answering, Saito angrily swung the sword. However, the sword only crushed the floor. Wardes flew up high into the air, successfully dodging the attack.

That’s right, you must have sensed that your master was in danger”

Wardes crossed his hands while floating next to the Founder Brimir's portrait. Looking confident and self-sure.

“You betrayed Louise!”

Saito shouted, while thrusting the sword forwards. Yet, Wardes flew up and dodged it., and landed gracefully on the floor.  He moved around like a feather.

“For the goal, you can’t be selective with the means”

Louise believed in you! You were her fiancée… she yearned for you when she was young…”

“Such selfish belief”

Wardes dodged the sword while floating. Then he swung the cane and fired another spell. Though Saito tried to hold it down with the sword, the spell ‘Breaking Wind’, blew Saito away.

Saito groaned in pain, when he hit the wall. His injured left arm was aching. And because of his aching arm, Saito could not move as freely as usual.

“That’s it? Gendalf. Your movement are too slow. At least try to make it entertaining.”

Cruel smile floated on Wardes lips.

At that moment, Derflinger shouted.

“I remembered!”

“What are you talking, at time like this!”

“Right…Gendalf!”

“What!”

“No, from my older times,  the hand that held me. Gandalf. But I forgot. It was 600 years ago, old times”

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

Wardes released ‘Breaking Wind” again. Saito tried to dodge it but was captured in and blown away again.

”It’s so nostalgic. I could cry. Riight, noo,  that’s what I was missing. My partner – that ‘Gendalf’!”

“Scamp it!”

“I’m glad! Now no one can disregard me! I will show how cool I am!”

Derflinger shouted as his blade started to shine. 

Saito was taken aback for the moment and watched Derflinger in amazement.

“Derf? Yes?”

Wardes recited ‘Breaking Wind’ again.

Raging wind flew out aiming at Saito. Saito put out the shining Derflinger in front of himself.

“It’s useless! Sword cannot stop it!” Wardes shouted.  
Yet, the wind, instead of blowing Saito away, was sucked into Derflinger's blade.

And…

Light coming out of Derflinger intensified.

“Derf? You…”

“This is my true form! Partner! No, I forgot it! My tired body changed itself! Anyhow, it’s pretty interesting, isn’t it, partner!”

“Make it short!”

“Impatient I forgot. But, don’t worry, partner. I suck in all magic around me! That’s me, Gandalf’s left hand – Derflinger!”

Wardes watch with an interested at the sword that Saito was holding.

“Indeed… You are not an ordinary sword. I should have noticed that when you reduced my ‘Lightning Cloud’.”

Still, Wardes does not loose his confidence.

He smiled thinly, when setting out the cane.

Now, then, lets get serious shall we. It is time to teach you why this magic is called the strongest.”

Though Saito jumped at him, Wardes dodged it like an acrobat and uttered the spell.

“Ubiquitous Dell Wind…”

When the spell was completed, Wardes body suddenly doubled.

One…Two…Three…Four…Wardes doubles together with the main body, surrounded Saito.

“Doubles!”

“It is not only ‘Double’. It’s Ubiquitous Wind (uneven distribution)…. The wind is unevenly distributed. The place where it blows, is not a matter of appearance, but it has a substantial power too.”

One of Wardes doubles, suddenly pulled a white mask from the cloak, and put it on the face. 

Saito's body trembled. He was shivering with anger and fear. The masked man was Wardes! The man who was standing next to Fouquet… The one who hit Saito with a blitz was none other than Wardes!

“Masked man… You… Then it must be you who helped Fouquet to escape too. What a treacherous and handful spell. You can appear anywhere.”

“Indeed. More so, each one has the power of the original. I told it, right? ‘Wind’ is unevenly distributed!”

One Wardes jumped on Saito, while the other uttered the spell, making the cane shine.

‘Air Needle’, same spell, that pierced Wales heart before.

“The cane is surrounded by magical whirlpool, so the sword cannot suck it in!”

The cane was shaking as the whirlpool was rotating around it forming a blade, which tip was aimed at Saito’s body during the attack.

It was blocked with the sword, However, the impact of the blow still hit partner’s body. It hit Saito’s injured hand and he fell down.

Wardes laughed.

“Not bad for a commoner. After all you are a legendary Gendalf. However, this is where it ends. You are no match for my ‘Ubiquitous Wind’ spell!

Gradually all Wardeses surrounded fallen Saito.

“Hey,  legendary sword! The one that ‘Gendalf’ used! Derf!”

“That’s what I am. What is it?”

“If you are so legendary, then do something, or else we will be killed.”

“Well, I am shining and sucking in enemies magic, am I not?”

“No, not that, something more? Like some special attack? Blowing enemy off with a single hit….”

“What. I’m just a sword.”

One Wardeses flew up and tried to hit Saito with canes.

Saito jumped up, defending his body with sword and dodging the attacks.

“Useless! What kind of legend is this!”

“But not to this extent!”

Wardeses kept on attacked violently. However, because the back is supported by the wall, only three of them could attack at the same time. Somehow he managed to block all of their attacks.
　
“This way I will be defeated! And killed!”

“Good grief, my deepest sympathy!” 

Meanwhile… 15 feet from the place where Saito was fighting, Louise woke up. When Louise saw Saito fighting hard, her face was momentarily blank from surprise, but then she grasped her cane.

“Run away while you can! Idiot!”　

Saito shouted, but Louise didn’t stop. The spell was uttered and cane was aimed. She chanted ‘Fire Ball’ spell. This spell aimed at Wardes exploded hitting the floor beneath him. 

Boom! With that loud sound  Wardes disappeared. While Louise watched amazed.　

“Eh? Disappeared?  Because of my magic?”

Remaining Wardeses tried to jump on Louise.

“Run away!” Saito shouted, but Louise stubbornly started to chant the same spell again. But Louise was blown off by Wardes cane this time.

Saito stared with astonishment. 

He started shaking with anger.  When Louise’s body hit the wall right before his eyes, a beast like roar escaped his mouth.

“How dare you to do that to Louise…”

Once Louise body was blown off again, remaining Wardeses concentrated on Saito trying pressing him further. However, Saito's movement gradually increased the speed.
　
All of Wardeses breathing became irregular and rough. Still, even now, the expression doesn't change.

While blocking the sword, Wardes asked.

“Why did you came back to die? To risk your life for Louise who despises you? Can’t understand how commoner’s mind works!”

Saito shouted while swinging the sword.

“Then why you, damned one, tried to kill Louise! You were her fiancée !”

“Hahaha, you are still in love with Louise? Servants hopeless love for the master!  That’s really funny!  That arrogant Louise, will never turn to you!  A mere compassion mistaken for love!  Fool!”

“So what if I fell in love!”

Saito shouted while biting down his lips.

“However…”

“However, what?”

“It is beating!”

“What?”

Puzzled expression floated on Wardes face.

“Aah! When seeing that face, heart is beating faster! This reason is good enough for me! Therefore I will defend Louise!”

Saito screamed.

<img src="img/02_239.jpg">

Runes started shining.　

Matching this light, Derflinger also shines brighter.
　
“Good! That’s good partner! Right! That’s the key!  I remembered! I know the source of  Gendalf’s power!  Good partner!”

Finally Saito’s sword cut down another Wardes.

“Wha?”

Wardes grimaced in an unbearable pain.

“Gendalf source of power is feelings! Anger! Sadness! Love! Pleasure! Anything is good! And now you seem to be really shaken, my Gendalf!”

Saito rounded up the sword. Because of it’s terrible speed, Wardes who was not able to react to the sword in time, and disappeared. 

“D-damn you…”

Only three remained now.

‘Do not forget! You are fighting me! You can’t surpass my means!”

Saito flew high up into the air, holding his sword. Wardes also flew.

“The air is my element… Do not forget! Gendalf!”

Wardeses’s canes were aimed at Saito’s body. But Saito brandished Derflinger like a pinwheel.

Derflinger shouted.

“That’s the way to fight, Gendalf! Swing me in the rhythm of your heart!”

The next moment, all three Wardeses were torn up in a blink of an eye.

Saito landed.

With ‘'Uneven distribution’ defeated, the remaining real Wardes body, feel down on the floor.

His cut off left arm, landed there after delay of few seconds.

Saito also landed on the ground, but, he stumbles, and has to support himself with his knee. His tiredness has reached critical limit.　

Wardes stood up staggering and stared at Saito.

“Damn… This ‘Flash’ really defeated me…”

Saito tries to stand up and run up to him, but, his body stopped obeying to him.

“Ku…”

“Aah, partner.  Don’t act foolishly now – Gendalf  cannot move after wasting his energy. That’s because this familiar was created to defend his master while the master chants the spell.”

Derflinger explained.

Wardes gripped the cane with his remaining right hand, and floated upwards.

“Oh dear, it seems that I managed to accomplish only one of the goals. Anyways, now you are mine ‘Gendalf’ – a large crown will soon burst in. Hey!  Can you hear the sound of horse's hoof and dragon’s wings!”

Indeed, one could hear the noise of cannons and sounds of fire magic explosions on the outside. And the roaring voices of nobles and soldiers mixed up in a battle.

“You and your foolish master will turn back to ashes! Gendalf!”

Throwing these last parting words, Wardes disappeared through the hole in the wall.

Saito, who used Derflinger as a crutch for support, stumblingly walked up to Louise.
　
“Louise!”　

Saito shook Louise trying to wake her up. But Louise doesn't wake up.  Saito put up his ear to Louise’s chest in panic.

Tokun, tokun, tokun…

Saito, hearing the faint heartbeat, breathed out with a relief. Louise was worn-out.  Her mantle was torn, and her knees and cheek bruised. 

And there must be more bruises under the clothes too.
　
Louise’s hand was grasping her chest. Her breast pocket button came off, and one could see Henreitta’s letter peeping out from the inside. It seems, that even unconscious, Louise was still protecting the letter. 
　
Really, I am so glad that you are alive. I came just in time.

Saito thought.

“But partner… What to do now? The ‘Eagle’ already left the port…”

That’s right. To save Louise, Saito jumped down from departing Eagle's deck.
　
“N?”

“N? Really. Can you hear the shouts outside? What do you think Prince’s men would think seeing his body lying on the floor?  They would think we are enemies for sure.”

Indeed, explosions and battle roars were getting closer and closer to the walls. It was only a matter of time before they would come bursting in here.　

Saito, quietly laid down Louise on the chair.

And then, stood up before her, guarding.

“What are you doing?”

“Defending Louise”

When Saito said this, Derflinger trembled while twitching.

“Ha. Other than that. I understand. Partner Gendalf, it was nice knowing you and this noble girl, your master, partner.”

“Stop joking around.”

“An?”

“I and Louise, we both will survive.”

“Were you listening to king’s speech. There are 50 000 enemies.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Saito with his last remaining strength, grasped the sword. Even 50 000, even 100 000 it felt like he could win. Today he could defeat any mage, even if Saito was extremely tired.

Derflinger’s shook became louder and louder. 

That’s right! That’s the way I like it. Who cares about 50 000. Let them come to us!”

And Saito, holding Derflinger, stared at the entrance of the chapel.

They waited, for sooner or later an enemy to come…

But then…

The ground, near the place where Louise was laid rose up.

“What?”

Saito watched the ground.  

“Is it an enemy? Digging under?”

He lowered the sword towards the hole, out of which a brown animal soon pooped it’s head.

“Aaaaaaaan?”

And then that brown animal started groping Louise’s body that was lying near sides.

“You…you are the huge mole Verdandi! Guiche’s familiar!”

Saito shouted, and soon enough from the same hole that Verdandi came out, Guiches face appeared. 

Hey! Verdandi! You can dig a hole anywhere! Good boy! Gu….”

Guiche turned his soil smeared face from Saito and noticed Louise lying nearby, then said pretending not to know.

“Ha! You! You are here!”

“W-what are you doing here!”

Saito shouted.

Not that. After winning the battle against Fouquet the Crumbling Earth, after short break we decided to follow you. It is our duty, as princess Henrietta’s honor depends on it, right”

“But this place is in the sky! How did you get here!”

Then, near Guiche, Kirche’s face popped out.

“Tabitha's Sylphid”

“Kirche!”

“We reached Albion successfully, yet because it is a foreign country we didn’t knew where to go. But then, this Verdandi started digging a hole out of sudden, so we followed him..”

Meanwhile a huge mole was pressing his nose to ‘Ruby of water’ that was shining on Louise’s finger. Guiche nodded.

“Indeed. He followed the smell of the ruby, and started digging a tunnel to here. My cute Verdandi,  because of his love to jewels he was able to follow from the La Rochelle and dug a hole to get here.

Saito opened his mouth in amazement. He surely, never planned to be saved by a mole.

“Are you alright? I almost captured Fouquet again, but she made a narrow escape. That woman, though being a mage, surely does run away a lot. By the way, darling, what are you doing here?”

Asked Kirche while wiping off the dirt from her face with the handkerchief

Saito laughed nerviously.

“Ha, ha, haha…”

“Dear? Is something wrong dear?”

“We’ll talk about it later! Because enemy will burst in soon! Let’s run away!”

“Running away, and the duty? What about Viscount Wardes?”

“We have the letter! Wardes was a traitor! Return back now!”

“Whaat. Well I do not understand it, but it seems everything ended already.”

Kirche said in nonchalant voice.

With Louise in his arms Saito slowly made through the hole. But then he remembered something, and leaving in Guiche’s care he hurried back to Wales body in chapel.
　
However, Wales had already died.

Saito shut his eyes  and silently said his prayers. 

“Hey! What are you doing there! Return back quickly!”

Guiche called Saito back.

Saito looked at Wales body. He looked for some keepsakes to give to Henrietta. He noticed a big ruby on the finger.

The ruby belonged to Albion’s royal family.

Saito, removed it from the finger and put it in his pocket 

“Brave prince…You won’t be forgotten.”

Saito muttered.

“I swear to you that I will also defend the things I believe in”

Saito said bowing down, and ran back to the hole.

The same moment when Saito dove in the hole, the noble soldiers and mages broke through the door and jumped into the chapel.


**


The tunnel which Verdandi dug, ran right under the Albion’s continent.

So the moment when Saito got out of the hole, there was nothing but cloud beneath, yet Sylphid successfully caught all four falling people and a mole.

The mole that wind dragon captured with its mouth, let out protesting cry.

“Please try to endure it, my cute Verdandi. Bear with it until we get off in Tristain again.” 

With few powerful wing swings, wind dragon broke through the surrounding cloud and changed direction to Magical Academy.

Saito, with Louise in his hands, looked up at the continent of Albion. 

Clouded and empty, blue inside, the Albion continent disappears. Though it was a short stay here, Saito has various things to remember, as white country disappears. 
　
Saito watched Louise lying in his arms. Her white cheeks were dirty with blood and soil, yet even in this state, one could see her aristocratic features. There were too stripes from her eyes down her cheeks left by her tears.
　
Saito wiped Louise’s face with his sleeve. He could not bear to see the face of his pretty master dirty.

Louise was still unconscious from the shock. Looking at Louise’s face was somehow painful to Saito. ''Dear Louise. Louise. My louise…''

Beat beat, the heart was beating loudly. 

Now Saito looked only at Louise’s face pressing gently to his chest.

**

Meanwhile, Louise was absent-mindedly wandering in the dream.

The dream in La Valliere’s place, at her hometown.

Pond in forgotten courtyard…

There a small boat was floating… Here Louise was lying down when facing difficulties. Louise always hid herself  and slept here. Her world that noone else intruded in. her secret place…

Louise’s heart was in pain.

But Wardes doesn’t come here anymore. Gentle viscount, her childhood noble crush, her fiancée of marriage arranged by their fathers mutual agreement…
　
Young Louise softly sobbed, there was no Wardes who would take her from her secret place anymore. He was a dirty betrayer that murdered courageous prince, these kind hands belonged to a murderer…
　
Louise cried in her shallop.

But then, someone came.

“Is that you, Viscount?”
　
Louise asked in her dream. But she shook her head at once. No, viscount doesn’t come here anymore. Then, who?

It was Saito. The sward was hanging on his back, when he without hesitation about getting wet stepped into the pond and approached Louise’s shallop.

Louise's heart throbbed.

Saito picked up Louise out of the shallop and held in his arms.

“Have you been crying?”

Saito asked. Louise nodded childishly in her dream.

“Stop crying. Louise. My Louise.”

Louise tried to get angry. This familiar,  how dare he call me ‘My Louise’.  But when she opened her mouth to scold him, her lips were closed again with a kiss. Though she wriggled in rage at first, the strength soon left her body.




Louise woke up on wind dragons back, in Saito’s arms.　

Louise became aware, that she was held in Saito’s arms. They were sitting near the wind-dragon’s tail, and Saito sat there embracing her. She stared at Saito’s face from the side, seems like he didn’t notice that she was awake.

Kirche, Tabitha, Guiche – all three of them, were sitting in the front of wind dragon’s back.

The wind was blowing against her cheeks.	

''Aah, this isn’t a dream.

Then…

I survived.''

Louise’s mind was filled with feverish thoughts

She was almost killed by that traitor Wardes, but then Saito jumped in. Then I fainted. Then I woke up again and chanted some magic.
　
After that, though, I lost consciousness… maybe Saito won again.

But only we survived, maybe royal army was still defeated.

Wales died as well.

The happiness of surviving mixed with sadness almost made Louise cry.
　
However, not wanting to cry in front of Saito, Louise closed her eyes.

She was also ashamed to say thank you. Though she could not understand why, she was comfortable with Kirche, Tabitha, Guiche –  with all of them.  But thanking Saito before everyone felt really embarrassing. Therefore Louise, decided to pretend sleeping.　

Nevertheless. Louise still secretly watched him from the corner of her half-closed eyes.

Saito’s eyes looked at her eyes. He looked directly at her.

These eyes made Louise recall her last dream.

Air dragon increased the speed.

Strong wind hits her cheeks.

But this wind feels pleasant.

This wind and Saito’s burning gaze, aah, Louise couldn’t hide her feelings.

Her mind was in a turmoil…

Traitor Wardes.

Crown prince’s death…

Noble union’s ‘Reconquista’ victory…

Report to the Princess…

For various reasons, and yet Louise felt sorry for them all, right now all Louise’s thoughts were blown away by the wind.
　
After nearly escaping death, she wanted to savour the feeling of life for a while.

Like that, savouring the feeling of life without limits, while pretending to sleep…　

Saito’s face moved closer.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Saito's lips overlapped Louise’s.

Louise instinctively lifted her hand to push him away…but returned it back to the chest instead.

Strong wind hits cheeks, as Sylphid flies through the sky.

Something warm filled her heart, heart that was wounded by sad events was healed.

Some time ago she was struggling violently against the feeling in her dream.

But at least for now…

The pleasant wind blows from different world…

Resting her cheek against his chest, she silently fell asleep.

----


End of Chapter 9