Editing Zero no Tsukaima:Volume9 Chapter4 - MTL

In the royal palace work room, Henrietta was waiting for the guest's arrival impatiently.　

All schedules for the afternoon were canceled today. That’s why Mazarini, who usually complaints about her working too hard every day, didn’t scold her too. 

It was an empting working room, as besides the riches, all furniture were sold off. As might be expected, the desk that was used for the paper look-over was not present as well. There was a worn-out desk, which was bought in town’s second-hand articles shop instead.

There was also one old book-shelf standing lonesome in the corner of the room. If she was not wearing a crown, the visitor coming to the room, would have never been able to guess that it was queen’s working room. 

“The wind dragon should be here from La Rochelle by now…”

Henrietta muttered, lifelessly placing elbows on the desk.

Once guard appeared she asked the same question “Are they yet?”. Henrietta repeated the same question many times over and over again, during the last few hours.

“Agnes -sama has not come yet.”

The guard gave the same answer again and again.

Henrietta bit her fingernail. The habit she picked up when she was a kid. Though she was criticized and eventually corrected, it revived recently again.

But that time after asking if they arrived yet… the guard reported.

“Musketeer commander Agnes-sama, arrived!”

“Please invite her at once.”

Henrietta stood up saying that.

“We returned just now.”

Agnes who has entered the work room bowed deeply.   Seeing Louise and Saito waiting behind, like a rose, smile bloomed on Henrietta’s lips. A sincere smile after a long time.

“I sought and brought back Miss Valliere’s familiar.”

Saito and Louise bowed with a strained expression on their faces.  They separates in La Rochelle from Siesta who returned back to the academy, while they two came to the royal palace together with Agnes on wind dragon.

There was nothing in this deserted, lonely room. Louise looked around unsure.

“Aah, sold all my furniture. Surprised?”

“Yeah…”

“There was no other way. Because the treasury became empty due to the war…”

Henrietta took Louise's hands.

“Louise, first of all, I have to apologize myself before you.”

“Princess…” 

“Generals… Yes, I interrogated the generals who had taken charge of the command of the Albion invasion army. They seemed to have made unreasonable demands from you, Louise… Above all… They ordered you hold back enemy army. I’m sorry. It’s because of me. Your ‘void’ was used under my command.”

With a painful expression on her face, Henrietta held Louise’s hands.

“I am sorry. I am a cruel woman. I am a helpless, sinful woman. I not only used your power for something I started myself, but I sent you away to that place to die.”

Agnes corrected Henrietta's words.

“The ones that forced Miss La Valliere to stay using your words were generals and not Your Majesty herself. Her Majesty also. As far as I remember, never was for such duty.”

Henrietta shook her head.

“No…it’s my responsibility. It was me who decided about the war. Possibility of such an instructions issued, must have also been taken into consideration. Really, you are alive. I'm sorry Louise. What words I have to say to apologize enough…” 

Feelings overtook Henrietta, and she began to weep.

“Pardon me, no, these are not the words for me to say.”

Seeing Henrietta like that, Louise instinctively became doleful as well.

“Princess-sama, please do not worry. Louise Francoise dedicated herself to Her Majesty. It includes her death too. Therefore…”

Actually it was me going to the death, Saito thought, yet, of course, he did not say it aloud. With somewhat cold eyes he watched the two girls embrace each other and sob.

After holding each other for a while, Louise remembered that she still had something to tell Henrietta about, separated herself.

“Princess…I have to tell an awful thing to tell you, just for your ears.”

“Oh dear! Sounds frightening! Please do! No, I must hear it. I have to listen to everything. Even if it is a dreadful thing that crushes mind… now, please tell.”

And Louise told Henrietta.

She told about another familiar of Void that attacked them – woman named Sheffield 

And how they met another Void user…

“Besides you, there are other Void users?”

Though Louise hesitated for a while she also told Henrietta about Tiffania. That she was a half-elf. And that she could use ‘Void’ spell…

“Such thing. Maybe you could bring her here as fast as possible.”

Louise shook her head.

“She hopes to live quietly. That spell is useful for defending oneself… in either case, what happened that happened - she wanted to be left her alone.

“Oh well…this does not necessarily imply that I'm not safe... You know Louise. I do not want for you to do it by yourself. Yet, I do not have the Void. Neither I want it for the selfish purposes.“

Henrietta knew that Louise’s void influenced the whole Albion invasion company quite a bit.

“Understand and still, having such power, can easily make one overly ambitious. I will be careful, to not let such thing ever happen. And will make sure that others would be as well. Aah, if only I could do better. I want to leave you out of this whole mess. Really. Yes…”

Louise told Henrietta about the thing she learned from Derflinger.

“As for the Void's users… assuming just from the number of royal family's treasures… there should be four people overall.”

“What?! Four people bearing Founder’s power?!”

“Among them, obviously, there are a few hostile ones.“

Henrietta gazed at Louise.

“Don’t worry Louise. I will personally make sure that no one lays a single finger on you...That’s an absolute must.”

Louise looked doubtful.

“A must?”

Not troubled, Henrietta tapped Louise’s shoulder while separating herself and then looked at Saito.

“Familiar-san. It was you, instead of Louise, who saved my retreating army.”

“Eh?”

“I heard it from the Albion general. He told about everything.”

“Well, that, it just happened…”

“Thank you. The words are not enough to express the gratitude I feel  how. Really, thank you.”

Henrietta’s crowned head bowed many times. Saito for the first time seeing a crown moving up and down,  started to panic.

“W-well… don’t lower your head. Queen should not lower her head against anyone…”

“No… you are the hero. The hero who saved mother country – Tristain. If not you, my army would have been annihilated.”

Henrietta continued bowing many, which made Saito was glad. At the same time, the pleasure that has not been felt until now, sprung out of the bottom of his heart.

Surely, back in Japan, he never dreamed about being appreciated by a Queen this much. 

“Though it is small this is my gratitude. Please receive it.”

Gratitude? What could it be? Some gold coins again? Or…

Saito recalled the event in the cheap hotel at one time. That night… Henrietta’s lips touched mine. Well, could she calmly ask to kiss her back - Saito grew expectant and ashamed.

However, the words that Henrietta uttered, were beyond Saito's imagination.

“Please accept it.”

“Paper?”

It was a single parchment. It had a Tristain royal family arm imprinted on the left corner. Though it obviously was some kind of official document, Saito could not write nor read. Louise protruded her face at his side and looked into the a paper – her eyes widened. 

“It tells you are consecrated to be the commander of the imperial guard knight corps!”

“Consecrated?”

Saito, who cannot grasp the importance of such thing, blankly asked.

“It is so. It started since the war of Tarbes, and in the past you helped me many times. Only that should be the reason enough to make you an aristocrat. The withdrawal in the Albion led to the success at that time. The contribution that you brought to our country is one of a kind and unparalleled. You are a hero who should go down into the history.”

Being called a Hero by Henrietta, made Saito glow. Still, Henrietta kept on persuading him.

“A hero has to be given the honor that matches his exploits. That’s what general that confronted you said to me… and I think so as well. Thus I ask you – please lend me your power. You are important for me… no, for all people of Tristain.”

Saito finally understood the true feeling of VIP treatment. Being sought by Agnes, having a ship sent just for you - the purpose was not only to show appreciation for Saito's pains. I was admitted as necessary human for the Tristain, that’s what such a big warship was given for.

“But princess-sama, consecrating Saito who is not a noble with the duty of commander of the imperial guard knight corps? This cannot be allowed!”

Louise rattled in haste.

“Then why not make him a noble, Louise?”

“Well, because Saito is a commoner, thus being said…”

“Because he is a human that comes from the different world? I heard it from Osman.”

“So why to make such person into a noble?”

“Doesn‘t he have the qualifications of the the noble, after all, the kingdom government gives noble position. Regardless of the position, the skillful ones should be consecrated. This is for Tristain future. That‘s how I think.“

Henrietta said in admonished tone.

“But Saito is my familiar…”

“Yes. Of course, that thing doesn't change. In fact, if he becomes a noble, it will be easier for him to help you. You disagree?”  
“But, but, my void should remain a secret…”

“Of course, that secret will be kept. That he is familiar Gandalfr know only me, Agnes, academy’s director Osman and top management of the country. Currently he is just a soldier with excellent behavior and weapon using skills.”

Louise could not object such words any longer.

“However, this way I will not be able to find a way to return home…” Saito objected weakly, but Henrietta still stood her ground.

“The title of the knight commander is useful while looking for the way to return.”

Saito dwelled on it.

…It might be as she said. If his position in this world goes up, there would be no limits for him. Saito knew that from spending quite some time with the nobles already.

“How about it, Hiragasaito?”

Being called by a full name, Saito felt nervous. Otherwise, he was not interested in noble’s position. However… being admitted between people – that’s what Saito desired. Being needed by Henrietta, consequently, means being needed by this entire country. Moreover, it will be easy to look for a way to return.

Aah, it was kind of similar to a test taken with his mind-set. Like studying during old times... though he was rather stupid, he still was glad, when he was praised for the marks. The pleasure of that time, just now 100, 1000 times more intense, caught Saito.

However… A knight commander? Wasn’t that sort of responsibility from the some standpoints impossible? But it was attractive. Promotion, promotion… such charm could not be disputed easily.

“…Let me think about it for a moment.”

Louise watched Saito with an insecure face.

Henrietta smiled.

“I see. Taking the position of the commander of the imperial guard knight corps should be taken after one becomes determined. However, you cannot refuse me giving you the title of Chevalier. If you were to refuse it then I would disgrace myself.”

Saito shyly looked at Louise.

Yet Louise seemed to be at a loss herself.

Henrietta kept persuading further.

“I can’t allow Louise’s void to be targeted by other users. For the name of the deed, the knight that will protect Louise is needed. Consequently, me could be defended as well.”

After hearing her say so, Louise nodded.

“You understand. I am glad, Louise.”

Then aiming at Saito, Henrietta pointed out a wand with a big light blue crystal at the end of it.

“Though it is informal… In such place accolade can be done as well. Please kneel.”

Once Henrietta’s tone switched to majestic Queen’s, Saito knelt down instinctively.

“Please close your eyes.”

As told, he closed his eyes. The tension ran through the body. It was wrapped in exhilarating heat. 

No way, I’m becoming a noble…

He never dreamed of such thing really.

“Bow your head down.”

Saito bowed. Though he was not really mentally prepared, the ceremony advanced indifferently.

Then he felt something heavy being placed on his right shoulder.

The wand. It was Henrietta's wand placed on his right shoulder.

As if words of prayer, the royal edict of promoting into knights, came out of Henrietta's mouth.

“I, Queen of Tristain Henrietta, give my blessings and the knight title to this person. This person is an owner of a noble soul, which is unmatched with no equals.  Do you swear the unwavering loyalty to me, country and the founder?”

Saito was silent. Could he really make an oath for such loyalty? After all, it was unpalatable to tell a lie during an important ceremony. Noticing Saito’s such feelings, Henrietta smiled.  
 
“It’s all right. You are a human that came from another place. The loyalty that doesn't exist in the mind cannot be sworn. I will take it as conceded thing.”

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“Princess-sama.”

Louise instinctively opened her mouth. She never heard of such accolade.

“It’s all right. It was me who asked to begin with. I ask him to become a knight.“

Henrietta‘s face became a solemn again as she continued the words.

“Owner of noble soul, which is unmatched with no equals, do you swear fidelity to the place where your heart is, the place that your soul desires?”

Though he still did not understood it well… but this meant that Saito could leave. Thus there were no problems anymore.   

”…I swear.”

“Good. Then in the name of the Founder Brimir, I consecrate you into knights.”

Henrietta first twice tapped Saito’s right shoulder, then – the left one.

That’s how simply, Saito was consecrated into knights.

After this consecration ended, Henrietta let Saito to Stand up.

“After this, lend a little bit of your power to this weak Queen as well, Chevalier Saito-dono.”


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